cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the similarity of the bonding in NiS and NiO

The bonding in NiS is found to be quite similar to that in NiO, having an ionic contribution arising from the donation of the Ni 4s electron to the S atom and a covalent component arising from bonds between the Ni 3d and the S 3p. The one-electron d bonds are found to be of equal strength for NiO and NiS, but the two-electron d bonds are weaker for NiS.
A method for obtaining dilute mixtures of gases.

An additional method for obtaining known concentrations of dilute gas mixtures is described. The method utilizes a mixing cell, designed so as to satisfy appropriate boundary conditions, thus enabling the use of a simple calibration equation to describe dilution characteristics. This technique is expected to be especially useful under circumstances wherein some of the conventional dilution methods cannot be employed.
Bitonic sorting on 2D-PEC: an algorithmic study on a hierarchy of meshes network

Packed exponential connections (PEC) is a new type of network that attempts to solve the scalability and connectivity problems of very large interconnection networks by augmenting a 2D mesh with a uniform distribution of longer connections. In order to gain insight into the use of a MIMD system that has an underlying PEC network, this paper presents the results of an investigation of bitonic sorting on the PEC. It was determined that, by utilizing properties associated with PEC processor farms, it is possible to design an efficient implementation of bitonic sorting that requires O(/spl radic/N) comparisons and has an upper bound estimate of O/spl lsqbspl radic/(log/sup 3/N)/spl middot/2/sup /spl radic/(log/spl radic/N/)/spl rsqb/ on the amount of communications. These complexity results compare favorably with other sorting implementations. >
The failure of torcetrapib: is there a case for independent preclinical and clinical testing?--correspondence.

I read with interest Dr Doggrell's opinion [1] that the torcetrapib failure ‘may have come to light earlier if clinical outcomes studies had a higher priority than repeated trials, in different pop...
Comparative efficacy of in vitro and in vivo metabolized aspirin in the DeBakey ventricular assist device

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are implanted in patients with end-stage heart failure to provide both short- and long-term hemodynamic support. Unfortunately, bleeding and thromboembolic complications due to the severely disturbed, dynamic flow conditions generated within these devices require complex, long-term antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. While several studies have examined the effectiveness of one such agent, aspirin, under flow conditions, data comparing the efficacy of in vitro and in vivo metabolized aspirin is lacking. Two sets of studies were conducted in vitro with purified human platelets circulating for 30 min in a flow loop containing the DeBakey VAD (MicroMed Cardiovascular, Houston, TX, USA): (a) 20 μM aspirin was added exogenously in vitro to platelets isolated from aspirin-free subjects, and (b) platelets were obtained from donors 2 h (n = 14) and 20 h (n = 13) after ingestion of 1,000 mg aspirin. Near real-time platelet activation state (PAS) was measured with a modified prothrombinase-based assay. Platelets exposed to aspirin in vitro and in vivo (metabolized) showed 28.2 and 25.3 % reduction in platelet activation rate, respectively, compared to untreated controls. Our results demonstrate that in vitro treatment with antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin is as effective as in vivo metabolized aspirin in testing the effect of reducing shear-induced platelet activation in the VAD. Using the PAS assay provides a practical in vitro alternative to in vivo testing of antiplatelet efficacy, as well as for testing the thrombogenic performance of devices during their research and development.
Effect of Gastric Juice on Erythrocytes of Newborn Rats

ConclusionsThe administration of normal human gastric juice to pregnant rats by intraperitoneal injections of concentrated juice and by stomach tube of unconcentrated juice was without effect on the mean red blood cell diameters of the newborn rats.
Trigeminal nerve peripheral branch phenol/glycerol injections for tic douloureux

Object. Trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux is a disease affecting older individuals, and thus, office-based “minimally invasive” therapy is inherently attractive. The author sought to determine whether injection of peripheral trigeminal branches with neurolytic solutions offers a simple, less invasive therapy, with low risk for patients with one- or two-division trigeminal neuralgia that is unresponsive to pharmacotherapy. Methods. This retrospective study focused on a review of case charts from 18 patients treated for tic douloureux. Sixty injections of 10% phenol in glycerol were given to the 18 patients, six of whom had undergone other neurosurgical procedures. The median patient age was 74 years, ranging from 36 to 94 years. There were nine women and nine men. Forty-six injections were administered into the infraorbital nerve in its canal in the midface, 11 percutaneous injections were administered into the mandibular nerve just proximal to the mandibular canal in the ramus of the jaw, and three i...
Application of Glass-Ceramics for Electronic Components and Circuits

Ceramic materials of interest for electronic components, such as ferroelectrics, ferrites, and transition metal oxides have no natural glass-forming habit. A rapid cooling of their melt is required to obtain homogeneous glasses. This is the most important requirement for controlling crystallization and phase dispersion, as required for Various applications. Materials and methods used for making disk and multilayer capacitors are discussed and their properties are described for normal and high voltage applications, and for hybrid circuits. Other application areas to be discussed are cryogenics, thermistors, varistors, and magnetics.
Gene conversion tracts from double-strand break repair in mammalian cells

Mammalian cells are able to repair chromosomal double-strand breaks (DSBs) both by homologous recombination and by mechanisms that require little or no homology. Although spontaneous homologous recombination is rare, DSBs will stimulate recombination by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude when homology is provided either from exogenous DNA in gene-targeting experiments or from a repeated chromosomal sequence. Using a gene-targeting assay in mouse embryonic stem cells, we now investigate the effect of heterology on recombinational repair of DSBs. Cells were cotransfected with an endonuclease expression plasmid to induce chromosomal DSBs and with substrates containing up to 1.2% heterology from which to repair the DSBs. We find that heterology decreases the efficiency of recombinational repair, with 1.2% sequence divergence resulting in an approximately sixfold reduction in recombination. Gene conversion tract lengths were examined in 80 recombinants. Relatively short gene conversion tracts were observed, with 80% of the recombinants having tracts of 58 bp or less. These results suggest that chromosome ends in mammalian cells are generally protected from extensive degradation prior to recombination. Gene conversion tracts that were long (up to 511 bp) were continuous, i.e., they contained an uninterrupted incorporation of the silent mutations. This continuity suggests that these long tracts arose from extensive degradation of the ends or from formation of heteroduplex DNA which is corrected with a strong bias in the direction of the unbroken strand.
Faceting and disorder in nanowire solar cell arrays

Arrays of semiconductor nanowires have been discussed as a method of fabricating lower-cost, higher-efficiency solar cells [1]. This is accomplished by shortening the minority carrier path to the contacts and by nanoscale light trapping effects [1, 2]. Numerical simulations have played a large role in the development of these cells [1, 3–5]. However, the approximation of the nanowire array as a group of uniformly spaced cylinders has limitations, as disorder is often present in fabricated devices. Here, we show that introducing disorder into simulated arrays of semiconductor nanowires enhances the calculated absorption. Additionally, facets and other surface features serve to reduce reflection and enhance light trapping over the model of the nanowire as a cylinder. An optimal disorder between 10–20% from uniform is predicted for both cylindrical and hexagonally arranged wires. This effect holds for various semiconductor materials. Preliminary electrical simulations are also presented for Si, GaAs, and Ge nanowires.
Stability Analysis of Bay Bridge Saddle Configuration

In this brief note, we present the results of a full finite deformation analysis of a system similar to the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge saddle repair system. The dimensions used are for illustration purposes but are intended to be in the range of those associated with the real system. The saddle system is seen to be unstable as designed. With a small modification the system can be made stable (self-centering).
Are cross-species measures of sensorimotor gating useful for the discovery of procognitive cotreatments for schizophrenia?

Prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating used to identify antipsychotics, is reduced in schizophrenia patients and in rodents treated with dopamine agonists or glutamate antagonists. The National institute of Menial Health (NIMH)-funded Measurement And Treatment Research to improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) program has initiated a new era in the development of procognitive cotreatments in schizophrenia, independently of treating positive symptoms. Although PPI is not a cognitive process per se, such abnormalities in attention may be predictive of or lead to cognitive deficits. Since first-generation antipsychotics block PPI deficits induced by dopamine agonists, this model cannot identify cognitive enhancers for use as cotreatments with antipsychotics, PPI deficits caused by glutamate antagonists, like the exacerbation of symptoms they produce in patients, are insensitive to dopamine antagonists, but reduced by clozapine. Similarly, both PPI and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia patients are insensitive to firstgeneration antipsychotics, but attenuated by clozapine. Hence, treatment-induced reversals of glutamate antagonist effects on PPI may provide animal and human models to identify treatments of cognitive deficits in patients already treated with existing antipsychotics.
The Protestant Ethic: Weber's Model and the Empirical Literature

Empirical research with regard to the Protestantethic is reviewed in relation to Weber s model of thepart a specifically religious ethos played in the riseof capitalism. Weber argued that Western legal and commercial changes were not in themselvesan adequate explanation. Essential also was the set ofvalues emphasized by ascetic Protestantism:self-discipline, hard work, the careful use of time, the reinvestment of one s gains, personal honesty,creative innovation, and faith in the rewards of a justGod. Empirical research has found positive correlationsbetween Protestant ethic values and internal locus of control (self-discipline), hard work,honesty, and belief in a just world. Findings withregard to the use of time and money are inconclusive.The relationship with creative innovation has not been examined. There is a need for empiricalstudy of the relationship between the Protestant ethicand personal religious orientation.
Simple Adjoint Retrievals of Microburst Winds from Single-Doppler Radar Data

Abstract Although the simple adjoint (SA) method for retrieving the low-altitude winds from single-Doppler scans was previously examined with the Phoenix II data collected for rather uniform wind fields on nonstorm days with aluminum chaff dispensed from an aircraft (to enhance the reflectivity), the method has not been tested with storm data for complex flow fields. To examine this problem, the SA method is further developed and tested with the Denver airport microburst data through a series of numerical experiments. In addition to the earlier upgrading of the SA method, three new objectives are fulfilled to improve the retrievals. In particular, it is found that by imposing a weak vorticity constraint, by using the previous time-level retrieval as the initial guess of the retrieval at the current time level, and finally by incorporating the surface anemometer data into the method, the averaged rms difference between the retrieved (from FL-2 radar) and dual-Doppler observed winds reduces from 3.87 to 2.8...
The Heirs of Brown: The Story of Grutter v. Bollinger

Perhaps no case better exemplifies the tensions between colorblindness and color-consciousness than Grutter v. Bollinger, the lawsuit that challenged affirmative action in admissions at the University of Michigan Law School. Before the litigation began, the federal courts were deeply divided over the legitimacy of weighing race in deciding whether to offer applicants a seat in the entering class of a college or university. When the lawsuit was filed, the parties took dramatically different positions on whether affirmative action was a blight on individual fairness or a boon to racial justice. Intense disagreements about the legitimacy of affirmative action in turn led to split decisions and judicial in-fighting. Even the United States Supreme Court’s ruling ultimately could not resolve the controversy. Grutter is the story of a jurisprudence of fragmentation, fraught with the ambiguity and ambivalence born of unresolved conflict. This chapter traces the roots of this conflict and how they were expressed in the litigation. The account shows how the symbolism of the landmark victory in Brown v. Board of Education was supple enough to allow all of the parties involved to claim that they were the decision’s true heirs. Barbara Grutter, a disappointed white applicant to the law school, insisted that Brown stood for an end to race-based government decision-making except where necessary to rectify past official discrimination. Because Michigan had not been found guilty of any wrongdoing, its affirmative action program violated this principle of colorblindness. The law school asserted that Brown had spawned the Court’s decision in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, which allowed a very modest consideration of race to advance the robust exchange of ideas and academic freedom. As a result, the admissions program was entirely consistent with the quest for desegregation. The student-intervenors were convinced that both Grutter and Michigan had it wrong. Brown was a sweeping mandate to dismantle racial subordination and stratification. Under this interpretation, the law school was not doing nearly enough to promote transformative change. The story of Grutter reveals how the courts struggled to resolve this battle for Brown’s legacy.
Sugar and spice … and a badge and a gun A cross-national descriptive comparison of women’s involvement in policing

Women’s involvement in policing has been an area of study in the United States, but research in other countries has been sporadic. Comparative research, in particular, is scant in the literature on...
A Dynamic Sensing-and-Modeling Approach to 3D Point- and Area-Sensor Integration

The recent advancement of 3D non-contact laser scanners enables fast measurement of parts by generating huge amount of coordinate data for a large surface area in a short time. In contrast, traditional tactile probes in the coordinate measurement machines (CMM) can generate more accurate coordinate data points in a much slower pace. Therefore the combination of laser scanners and touch probes can potentially lead to more accurate, faster and denser measurement. In this paper, we develop a dynamic sensing-and-modeling approach for integrating a tactile point sensor and an area laser scanner to improve the measurement speed and quality. The part is first laser scanned to capture the overall shape of the object. It is then probed via a tactile sensor at positions are dynamically determined to reduce the measurement uncertainty based on a novel next-best-point formulation. Technically, we use the Kalman filter to fuse laser scanned point cloud and tactile points and to incrementally update the surface model based on the dynamically probed points. We solve the next-best-point problem by transforming the B-spline surface’s uncertainty distribution into a higher dimensional uncertainty surface so that the convex hull property of the B-spline surface can be utilized to dramatically reduce the search speed and to guarantee the optimality of the resulting point. Three examples in this paper demonstrate that the dynamic sensing-and-modeling effectively integrates the area laser scanner and the point touch probe and leads to significant amount of measurement time saving (at least several times in all three cases). This dynamic approach’s further benefits include reduced surface uncertainty due to the maximum uncertainty control through the next-best-point sensing and improved surface accuracy in surface reconstruction through the use of Kalman filter to account various sensor noise.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Fire as an environmental cue initiating ascomycete development in a tallgrass prairie.

SUMMARY Laboratory incubation of soil samples from burned prairie stands demonstrated the presence of both coprophilous and carbonicolous ascomycetes. These fungi did not appear on soils collected from unburned prairie stands or from spring-burned stands that were sampled in July. Evidence is presented which suggests that prairie fires bring about a reduction in microbial competition at the soil surface, thereby permitting the successful development of these post-fire fungal colonists. Several of the coprophilous ascomycetes appearing on burned soil were also found on deer and rabbit feces collected from unburned prairie stands. It is suggested that grassland fires provide an additional mechanism by which the coprophilous forms can complete their life cycle. Furthermore, these fires may provide the principle means of initiating growth and development of several noncoprophilous ascomycetes.
Humidity and the Emergence of Bruchophagus kolobovae (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) and Its Parasites from Trefoil Seeds

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the influence of humidity on the adult emergence of the trefoil seed chalcid, Bruchophagus kolobovae Fedoseeva, and its parasites from seeds of narrow-leaf trefoil, Lotus tenuis Waldstein-Wartemberg and Kitaibel. There was a significant positive correlation between relative humidity and the emergence of B. kolobovae at 20°C, 25;°C, and 30°C, but not of the parasites Tetrastichus bruchophagi Gahan and Trimeromicrus maculates Gahan. When infested seeds were subjected to a low relative humidity for various periods and subsequently transferred to a high relative humidity, there was a significant negative correlation between the duration of exposure to low relative humidity and the successful emergence of B. kolobovae . The emergence of the parasites was not significantly influenced by these conditions.
Daytime Carryover of Triazolam and Flurazepam in Elderly Insomniacs

The effects of triazolam (0.25 mg) or flurazepam (15 mg) were evaluated in 13 elderly (ages 64-79) insomniacs. Subjects were reasonably healthy, ambulatory, and complained of disturbed sleep. Sleep apnea syndromes were ruled out by nocturnal polysomnogram. Sleep, daytime sleepiness [Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and Stanford sleepiness scale (SSS)], performance, and mood [Profile of Mood States (POMS)] were assessed on five consecutive days. Placebo was given on nights 1 and 2; active medications were given on nights 3-5. Sleep time was increased by approximately 1 h in both groups. MSLT showed increased sleepiness with flurazepam and decreased sleepiness with triazolam. MSLT scores were unrelated to nocturnal sleep parameters in the flurazepam group and showed a pattern of correlation, though nonsignificant, in the triazolam group. Vigilance was impaired with flurazepam and unchanged with triazolam. Other performance tests showed slight improvement or no change with drugs. Mood tended to be improved after flurazepam ingestion and unchanged after triazolam. These findings suggest that, although both compounds improve nocturnal sleep in elderly insomniacs, there is significant residual sedation with flurazepam and improved daytime alertness with triazolam. Neither compound had a significant effect on nocturnal respiration in these non-sleep-apneic elderly subjects.
Behavioral Treatments for Non-Rapid Eye Movement Parasomnias in Children

Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias are common in childhood and include a range of clinical presentations including confusional arousals, sleepwalking, sleep terrors, and sleep-related eating disorder. While parasomnia episodes can be dramatic and elicit concern from parents, parasomnias are predominantly benign and self-limited. A comprehensive clinical evaluation is necessary for appropriate diagnosis and ruling out underlying medical disorders. For youth with parasomnia episodes that are infrequent or limited in severity, standard treatment recommendations, including safety measures and minimizing triggering factors, are highlighted. Scheduled awakening is an evidence-based behavioral treatment that can be effective at decreasing or resolving frequent and severe NREM parasomnias but may be burdensome for parents to implement.
Scrambler Therapy(®) MC-5A for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Case Reports

Background Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disorder that is often challenging to treat and can be associated with a prolonged course of severe pain. Therapy of CRPS remains controversial; the pain often can be very difficult to control, and treatment includes medications, physical therapy, regional anesthesia, and neuromodulation. Aim We evaluated Scrambler Therapy® (ST) in terms of efficacy, safety, and durability of treatment effect in patients suffering from CRPS. Materials and Methods We report the response to ST in four patients with CRPS referred to the Pain Center of Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital. The patients previously did not respond to conventional and nonconventional medical treatments. Results The treatment with ST was found effective in all four of our patients; they obtained pain relief for long periods and an improvement in their quality of life. We observed a progressive improvement with complete disappearance of neuropathic pain. Patients also reported a muscle strength increase that allowed them to resume normal daily activities. Discussion and Conclusion We conclude that ST may offer a therapeutic opportunity for patients with neuropathic pain resulting from CRPS, without side effects and with minimal discomfort during treatment. The observed pain relief indicates that ST could be an effective option for such patients.
Bounded Linear Operators On a Hilbert Space

Everyone is familiar with linear operators. Multiplication by a constant is a linear operator. Multiplication of vectors by matrices generates an operator. Integration usually generates another, depending upon the setting.
Afghanistan’s Islam: From Conversion to the Taliban

Open access to this title is possible thanks to the generous support of Arcadia, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin. This book provides the first overview of the history and development of Islam in Afghanistan. Written by leading international experts, chapters cover every era from the conversion of Afghanistan through the medieval period to the present day. Based on primary sources in Arabic, Persian, Pashto, Uzbek, and Urdu, its depth of coverage is unrivalled in providing a developmental picture of Afghanistan’s Islam, including such issues as the rise of Sufism, women’s religiosity, state religious policies, and transnational Islamism. Looking beyond the unifying rhetoric of theology, the book reveals the disparate and contested forms of Afghanistan’s Islam. “Islam in Afghanistan has long been viewed as static and uniform, but this fine collection demonstrates that it has been far more contested and dynamic over the centuries than either Afghans or outside observers have realized. This book opens a door to that history to reveal a religious tradition that has constantly adapted itself to changing intellectual currents, local cultural beliefs, and political upheavals.” THOMAS BARFIELD, Boston University “A pathbreaking book that challenges us to think in new and more sophisticated ways about Islam in Afghanistan, in the past as well as in the present. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to go beyond stereotyped images of a monolithic and timeless Islam in Afghanistan and in other Muslim societies.” ROBERT D. CREWS, Stanford University NILE GREEN is Professor of South Asian and Islamic History at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of Sufism: A Global History and Terrains of Exchange: Religious Economies of Global Islam.
A Proof of Darboux's Theorem

(2010). A Proof of Darboux's Theorem. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 117, No. 2, pp. 174-175.
The Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury: Evaluation and Treatment.

Medial elbow pain in the throwing athlete can result from a variety of sources, including medial epicondylitis, valgus extension overload, ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) insufficiency, ulnar neuritis, and others.Initial treatment following a UCL tear involves a period of rest (no throwing or strenu
Strategies to Preserve and Optimize Fertility for Patients with Endometriosis

Endometriosis is commonly associated with dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. When medical therapy fails, surgery is often recommended; unfortunately, endometriosis surgery can adve...
132 Safety in seconds 2.0: results from a multi-site, randomised trial of a smartphone app to improve fire safety behaviours

Background Smoke alarms have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of death in fire. It is recommend that families develop and practice fire escape plans. This study aims to utilise a smartphone app, Safety In Seconds, to deliver a theory-based tailored education to improve fire safety practices of parents in Little Rock, Arkansas and Baltimore, Maryland Methods Parents of children aged 4–7 visiting the paediatric emergency room in the two participating sites (regardless of the reason for the visit) were recruited. With assistance from a research assistant study participants downloaded the Safety In Seconds app onto their smartphone and were randomised to the intervention (fire safety) or control (car seat) group. Both groups completed a 10 min assessment about their safety knowledge and behaviours and received tailored feedback relevant to their study group. The app contained a portal with educational links and sent monthly push notification reminders for parents to interact with the app. Parents completed follow-up assessments at 3 months and 6 months. Results A total of n=1129 parents were enrolled, and 742 (66%) completed the 6 month follow-up survey. At follow-up relative to the CG, parents in the IG were more likely to report having long-life lithium battery smoke alarms (22% vs 16%; p=0.03) and having practiced a fire escape plan (65% vs. 71%; p=0.08). Conclusions Smartphone applications may be a promising tool to improve home safety behaviours.
An Edge Service for Managing HPC Workflows

Large experimental collaborations, such as those at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, have developed large job management systems running hundreds of thousands of jobs across worldwide computing grids. HPC facilities are becoming more important to these data-intensive workflows and integrating them into the experiment job management system is non-trivial due to increased security and heterogeneous computing environments. The following article describes a common edge service developed and deployed on DOE supercomputers for both small users and large collaborations. This edge service provides a uniform interaction across many different supercomputers. Example users are described with the related performance.
Noninvasive Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia

Scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an important cause of sudden death and morbidity in patients with heart disease. Myocardial infarction, or replacement fibrosis in nonischemic cardiomyo...
Immune Function in Obesity

Obesity is characterized by changes in immune cell number, location, and function, and the recruitment of pro-inflammatory immune cells into adipose tissue. Both the adipocytes and immune cells recruited to adipose fat stores secrete pro-inflammatory hormones, cytokines, and chemokines with paracrine and endocrine effects that promote an overall inflammatory environment. This pro-inflammatory phenotype has deleterious effects on health and has been shown to promote insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes, impair immune response to infection, and increase the risks of autoimmunity and cancer. Given that 500 million individuals are obese worldwide, the altered immune function in obesity presents a major public health problem. Future studies that target obesity-associated inflammation will be key for developing new treatments of many obesity-associated disorders.
Differentiating Pre- and Postclerkship Students with a Video Tape Exam

A video tape test of general psychiatry, previously reported1 to discriminate third year students finishing different programs (wards) was applied to a group of second year students following their courses in basic psychiatry. In contrast to earlier attempts in the literature this test could discriminate second year from post clerkship students (P <.0001). Discriminate function analysis yielded a subset of 10 questions which would select second from third year students with 96 percent accuracy, and seven video tape based items could predict 91 percent accurately. Thus the authors conclude that video tape test material can be used to assess clinical training and compare program (clerkship) efficacy.
Unfolded Protein Response: Contributions to Development and Disease

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a multifaceted signal transduction pathway that is activated in all eukaryotic organisms in response to changes in the environment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that adversely affect protein folding and assembly in the secretory pathway. The response is generally thought to protect cells from the transient alterations that can occur in the ER environment and serves to restore homeostatis in this organelle. Under extreme or prolonged stress, apoptotic pathways can be activated to destroy the cell. Recent studies reveal that in addition to protecting cells from adverse physiological conditions, the UPR plays an essential role in the normal development and functioning of some tissues and can be a major contributor to the pathology of some diseases.
Droplet Growth Dynamics during Atmospheric Condensation on Nanopillar Surfaces

The Gibbs free energy barrier for heterogeneous nucleation of a condensed droplet on a rough surface changes significantly with changes of humidity content in the condensing environment. The influe...
Der digitalisierte Steuerzahler

Die nach dem osterreichischen Vorbild beschlossene Modernisierung des Besteuerungsverfahrens in Deutschland verletzt solange das Grundgesetz, bis ein Ertragsteuerrecht in Kraft tritt, das gesetzeskonform und gleichheitsgerecht digital angewandt werden kann. Auch die steuerlichen Erhebungslasten fordern eine Vereinfachung des materiellen Rechts: Selbst wenn die Mitwirkungspflichten, die Lenkungswirkungen, auch die steuerstrafrechtlichen Vorgaben und datenrechtlichen Lasten isoliert betrachtet noch zumutbar waren, verletzt jedenfalls deren Kumulation das verfassungsrechtliche Mas. Schlieslich wird der Kampf gegen „aggressive Steuerplanungen“ internationaler Unternehmen nur erfolgreich sein, wenn das anzuwendende Steuerrecht grundlegend vereinfacht wird. Diese Reformforderungen werden durch die historischen Motive der Soll-Ertragsbesteuerung bestatigt: Steuerhinterziehungen sollten vermieden, die Privatsphare der Steuerpflichtigen sollte geschont und jeder gleichheitsgerecht zur Steuer herangezogen werden. Das geltende Steuerrecht belastet zu Recht den tatsachlichen, den Ist-Ertrag. Die geltende unubersichtliche Konkretisierung dieses Ausgangspunktes durch Elemente der Soll-Ertragsbesteuerung ist aber in einer grundlegenden Vereinfachung des Steuerrechts zu rationalisieren und zum System zu machen. Fundstelle: Kirchhof, Der digitalisierte Steuerzahler, ALJ 2/2017, 125–134 (http://alj.uni-graz.at/index.php/alj/article/view/91).
Radiation tolerant ceramics for nuclear waste immobilization: Structure and stability of cesium containing hollandite of the form (Ba,Cs)1.33(Zn,Ti)8O16 and (Ba,Cs)1.33(Ga,Ti)8O16

Abstract The radiation damage tolerance of nuclear waste forms is dependent on the material's resistance to defect formation and its ability to accommodate structural distortions that arise from defect creation. This study illustrates how the radiation tolerance of hollandite can be improved thorough compositional control of cesium stoichiometry. A hollandite series with the general form BaxCsyZnx+y/2Ti8-x-y/2O16 (0
Circulatory Failure and Support in the ACS Patient: What Are the Optimal Methods of Providing Circulatory Monitoring and Support?

The acute care surgeon frequently will need to care for surgical patients in circulatory failure. The causes of circulatory failure can run the gamut of the different forms of shock including hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, or obstructive and can be overlapping. The central role of the surgeon in the management of shock spans all phases of care. Early identification and appropriate management are key to optimal outcomes. The history and physical exam can often suggest possible causes, but adjuncts including hemodynamic monitoring and ultrasound are proving essential in individualizing treatment. Appropriate resuscitation is paramount, and understanding the etiology of circulatory shock aids in treatment algorithms indicated for the clinical situation. Despite aggressive efforts, refractory shock remains difficult and sometimes unavoidable. Knowledge of potential medical and therapeutic technologies may be life-sustaining in the correct patient population.
Bevacizumab in the treatment of radiation injury for children with central nervous system tumors

Radiation-induced injury is a well-described toxicity in children receiving radiation therapy for tumors of the central nervous system. Standard therapy has historically consisted primarily of high-dose corticosteroids, which carry significant side effects. Preclinical models suggest that radiation necrosis may be mediated in part through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression, providing the rationale for use of VEGF inhibitors in the treatment of CNS radiation necrosis. We present the first prospective experience examining the safety, feasibility, neurologic outcomes, and imaging characteristics of bevacizumab therapy for CNS radiation necrosis in children. Seven patients between 1 and 25 years of age with neurologic deterioration and MRI findings consistent with radiation injury or necrosis were enrolled on an IRB-approved pilot feasibility study. Patients received bevacizumab at a dose of 10 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks for up to 6 total doses. Five patients (83%) were able to wean off corticosteroid therapy during the study period and 4 patients (57%) demonstrated improvement in serial neurologic exams. All patients demonstrated a decrease in T1-weighted post-gadolinium enhancement on MRI, while 5 (71%) showed a decrease in FLAIR signal. Four patients developed a progressive disease of their underlying tumor during bevacizumab therapy. Our experience lends support to the safety and feasibility of bevacizumab administration for the treatment of radiation necrosis for appropriately selected patients within the pediatric population.
Dysregulation of Heat Shock Proteins in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Restorative Roles of Small Molecules and Natural Compounds

Gradual depositions of misfolded amyloid proteins play major roles in onset, progression and severity of many neurodegenerative diseases. Several protein clearance machineries exist in the cell which are involved in degradation of these proteins. Therefore, these systems are considered the key players of cellular protein homeostasis. A molecular chaperone, such as heat shock protein (HSP) is one of them, which play a crucial role in degradation of these misfolded protein aggregates. Indeed, larger protein aggregates are degraded by phagocytosis or macroautophagy mechanism, whereas smaller protein aggregates are degraded within the lysosomes with the help of HSP or via ubiquitin proteosomal system. Importantly, the HSPs become dysregulated in different neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, enhancement of cellular protein quality control machineries, specifically the levels and activities of molecular chaperones could suppress the misfolded protein aggregation and can restore cellular function. Several small molecules and natural polyphenols have been shown to maintain HSP levels in different neurodegenerative diseases. In this book chapter, we discuss the current understanding of the roles of HSPs in protein misfolding neurological diseases, especially on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, prion diseases and tauopathies. In addition, we also highlighted the modulatory roles of natural polyphenols on HSPs as a therapeutic strategy for protein misfolding neurological diseases.
Management of a Possibly Infected Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device System CID System

Infection of a CIED is not always immediately obvious. Differential diagnosis in the early post procedural time includes pocket hematoma, and it may be difficult to determine whether an intervention is needed. Several options are discussed to assist in making the decision. Once infection is diagnosed, it is critical that early system removal with lead extraction be performed. Delay in definitive treatment is associated with longer and more expensive hospital stays, as well as higher morbidity and mortality.
Newsletters in Medical Education

Medical online newsletters are an important component of communication between learners and educators. The ease of creation and distribution has broadened the appeal and growth of online formats. This manuscript details the history of the modern newsletter as it relates to the nephrology community. From historical listservs to content-rich emails and blogs, the creative newsletter formats are changing to meet the demands of readers. With continued expansion of online education and access, this communication format can continue to meet the needs of virtually focused world.
76) The Use of Continuous Propofol Infusion in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Objectives: The use of propofol for continuous sedation in the pediatric population is not commonly practiced. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between propofol administration and Propofol Infusion Syndrome-related (PRIS) characteristics in a single Pediatric Intensive Care setting. Historical reports have suggested that younger age, higher dose, and longer duration are risk factors for PRIS. We hypothesize that continuous propofol infusion is not significantly associated with cardiovascular collapse, metabolic acidosis, or other clinical findings associated with PRIS, even when doses and duration of administration exceed …
Chronic Opioid Therapy in Cancer Survivors at a Specialty Oncology Pain Clinic: Opioid Dosing, Efficacy, and Safety During Five Years of Pain Management.

Abstract There are limited data regarding long-term safety and efficacy in cancer survivors receiving chronic opioid therapy. With conflicting recommendations on opioid-prescribing practices and lack of available outcome data, this study aimed to provide a longitudinal perspective on opioid prescribing in cancer survivors. A retrospective chart review at a comprehensive cancer care center pain clinic used data from pain clinic provider notes from 2013 to 2018. Inclusion criteria were patients in clinical remission not receiving active chemotherapy or immunotherapy and receiving opioids during the study period. Opioid dosing changes and outcomes between zero and five years were evaluated by standard statistical analysis. Thirty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Solid malignancies were more common than hematologic malignancies (72% vs. 28%). Common pain complaints were related to postsurgical changes (43%), postradiation (32%), and chemotherapy-induced pain syndromes (25%). There were no serious adverse events. One patient exhibited possible aberrant behavior. At the initial visit, the median morphine milligram equivalent per day (MME/day) was 130. Median MME/day at Year 0 (study start) and Year 5 was 135 and 159, respectively (P = 0.475). Functional status was satisfactory in 58% at Year 0 and increased to 91% of patients meeting their functional goals at Year 5. In a carefully monitored group of cancer survivors with persistent pain, chronic opioid therapy was safely managed during extended periods without significant opioid escalation or evidence of serious adverse events including aberrant behaviors. This population benefited when opioid therapy was managed with a focus on function rather than reduction of pain intensity scores.
Islamic banking: Good for growth?

Abstract While a mature body of the economic literature has shown that financial development is broadly conducive to economic growth, the question as to whether this also applies to the development of Islamic banking has not been answered so far. We contribute to the analysis of the relationship between Islamic banking development and economic growth using a sample of 52 countries with data covering the period 1990–2010. The results illustrate that, notwithstanding its relatively small size compared to the economy and the overall size of the financial system, Islamic banking is positively associated with economic growth, even after controlling for various determinants of growth. The main channels of transmission include capital accumulation and improved financial inclusion, in particular a better access to deposits. Many Islamic countries that currently suffer from low growth should develop this segment of their banking sector further, through modernizing the legislative, regulatory, and infrastructural environment for instance. Similarly, non-Islamic countries that adopt some practices from Islamic banking to their banking regulations may help spur growth as well.
Learning Periods from Incomplete Multivariate Time Series

Modeling and detection of seasonality in time series is essential for accurate analysis, prediction and anomaly detection. Examples of seasonal effects at different scales abound: the increase in consumer product sales during the holiday season recurs yearly, and similarly household electricity usage has daily, weekly and yearly cycles. The period in real-world time series, however, may be obfuscated by noise and missing values arising in data acquisition. How can one learn the natural periodicity from incomplete multivariate time series? We propose a robust framework for multivariate period detection, called LAPIS. It encodes incomplete and noisy data as a sparse summary via a Ramanujan periodic dictionary. LAPIS can accurately detect a mixture of multiple periods in the same time series even when 70% of the observations are missing. A key innovation of our framework is that it exploits shared periods across individual time series even when they are not correlated or in-phase. Beyond detecting periods, LAPIS enables improvements in downstream applications such as forecasting, missing value imputation and clustering. At the same time our approach scales to large real-world data executing within seconds on datasets of length up to half a million time points.
Worth the Hype? Tall Vines Raise Profits for Some – Tradeoffs for All

Summary Goals: The sudden popularity of tall vines among grape growers took some nurseries by surprise. Is this popularity rooted in economic reality? This analysis quantifies the claimed benefits of tall vines relative to regular vines from the grower’s perspective using a net present value (NPV) model. We leverage these potted green vine value estimates to discuss the forces that explain the recent emergence of tall vines in the California grape industry and their prospects for the future. Key Findings: The NPV of planting tall vines instead of regular vines varies widely by grape variety and region in California because of regional differences in input costs and grape prices. Under reasonable assumptions, the estimated profit differential of tall vines over regular vines ranges from $1.64/vine to $7.31/vine. A break-even analysis indicates that tall vines are more profitable if the yield drag (i.e., reduced future yield due to pushing young vines into early production) is less than 15%, while regular vines are more profitable if the yield drag is greater than 21%. Impact and Significance: The expected future profits generated by a grapevine at the time of planting accrue slowly over its productive lifespan, which can complicate growers’ investment decisions. Our NPV model captures key elements of a grower’s decision to plant tall vines versus regular vines. While the true value of planting tall vines may vary by grower depending on their production conditions and market circumstances, the model, results and discussion of this paper can help growers to evaluate more objectively the potential benefits of tall vines. This paper also informs stakeholders more generally about the potential impact of vine height differentiation in the broader industry.
Synthesis and evaluation of an amphiphilic deferoxamine:gallium-conjugated cationic random copolymer against a murine wound healing infection model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria are an urgent global health threat. We report on the design and evaluation of a xenosiderophore-conjugated cationic random copolymer (pGQ-DG) which exhibits selective antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) by targeting select outer membrane (OM) receptors for scavenging xenosiderophores such as deferoxamine (DFO), while possessing favorable cytocompatibility and exhibiting low hemolysis, to enhance and safely damage the bacterial OM. pGQ-DG demonstrated synergistic properties in combination with vancomycin (VAN) when evaluated in vitro against P. aeruginosa. In addition, pGQ-DG plus VAN cleared the P. aeruginosa infection and efficiently accelerated healing in a murine wound healing model as effectively as colistin, suggesting that this strategy could serve as an alternative to colistin against MDR bacteria. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: P. aeruginosa exhibits intrinsic antibiotic resistance due to limited permeability of its outer membrane (OM). A triple combination antipseudomonal approach was investigated by 1) selectively targeting P. aeruginosa through the complex DFO:gallium, 2) disrupting the OM through a cationic random copolymer, and 3) enhancing bacteria sensitivity to VAN as a result of the OM disruption. Synthesis and characterization of the lead polymer pGQ-DG, mechanism of action, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Overall pGQ-DG plus VAN cleared the P. aeruginosa infection and accelerated wound healing in mice as effectively as colistin, suggesting that this strategy could serve as an alternative to colistin against multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa.