cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing Your Vendors' Viability

Modern libraries invest substantial resources in print and electronic serials. Unfortunately librarians do not always understand how financial issues faced by vendors in today's economy can adversely impact library services. Librarians are careful when initially selecting major vendors; however, good stewardship demands that libraries continue to assess their vendors' financial health throughout the relationship. This article discusses the risks that vendor financial difficulties pose to library operations and recommends methods for librarians to monitor vendor viability.
Two forms of ATP sulfurylase in Furth mouse mastocytoma

Abstract ATP sulfurylase of Furth mouse mastocytoma, partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel filtration on Sepharose-4B is resolved into two distinct peaks upon chromatography on DEAE-cellulose column. The heat inactivation profiles of the two enzyme forms are different, but other properties so far studied are similar such as K m values, pH optima, and activities toward deoxy APS. Both forms are influenced in similar manner by ionic strength, metal ions and EDTA.
Knowledge mapping for rapidly evolving domains: A design science approach

Knowledge mapping can provide comprehensive depictions of rapidly evolving scientific domains. Taking the design science approach, we developed a Web-based knowledge mapping system (i.e., Nano Mapper) that provides interactive search and analysis on various scientific document sources in nanotechnology. We conducted multiple studies to evaluate Nano Mapper's search and analysis functionality respectively. The search functionality appears more effective than that of the benchmark systems. Subjects exhibit favorable satisfaction with the analysis functionality. Our study addresses several gaps in knowledge mapping for nanotechnology and illustrates desirability of using the design science approach to design, implement, and evaluate an advanced information system.
Heisenberg meets kuhn : Closed theories and paradigms

The aim of this paper is to examine in detail the similarities and dissimilarities between Werner Heisenberg’s account of closed theories and Thomas Kuhn’s model of scientific revolutions. My analysis draws on a little‐known discussion that took place between Heisenberg and Kuhn in 1963, in which Heisenberg, having just read Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions, compares Kuhn’s views to his own account of closed theories. I conclude that while Heisenberg and Kuhn share a holist conception of theories, a revolutionary model of theory change, and even a notion of incommensurability, their views diverge fundamentally when it comes to the issue of scientific realism. I show that, contrary to popular opinion, Heisenberg is not an instrumentalist, but rather a pluralistic realist.
The effect of creatine supplementation on strength recovery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

BackgroundCreatine supplementation has been shown to augment training-induced strength gains. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of creatine supplementation on recovery of muscle strength after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.HypothesisCreatine supplementation will facilitate strength gains after ACL reconstruction.Study DesignDouble-blind, prospective, and randomized clinical trial.MethodsSixty patients were randomized into creatine or placebo groups. Quadriceps and hamstring strength and power were measured isokinetically. Hip flexor, abductor, and adductor strengths were measured with a handheld dynamometer prior to surgery and at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or 6 months after surgery.ResultsFrom 6 weeks to 12 weeks after surgery, there were significant increases in strength on the involved side for knee extension (47%), knee flexion (27%), hip flexion (20%), hip abduction (9%), and hip adduction (17%). These strength improvements were unaffected by creatine supplementation with ...
The conversion of sodium benzoate to hippuric acid by a cephalopod mollusc

1. Hippuric acid in low concentration has been identified tentatively in the normal urine ofOctopus dofleini martini. 2. Intravenous administration of sodium benzoate led to urinary excretion of sodium hippurate which reached a peak in about 8 hours but accounted for only a small percentage of the injected material. 3. Glycine was a limiting factor in the formation of hippuric acid, and when glycine was infused the recovery of administered benzoate was increased to as much as 15 per cent. Conjugation with other compounds was not studied. 4. In vitro experiments showed that the conjugation of benzoic acid with glycine was accomplished in hepato-pancreas, renal appendages and branchial heart, but not by other tissues. The conjugation in each case was substantially increased by the addition of glycine. 5. Few functions have been suggested for the glandular tissue of the branchial heart, which now has been demonstrated to participate in detoxication.
Investigation of readily processable thermoplastic-toughened thermosets. I. BMIs toughened via a reactive solvent approach

The fracture toughness of epoxy thermosets was increased by up to 220% using very low-molecular-weight (∼ 1000 g/mol) imide thermoplastic. The objective was to produce a low-viscosity prepolymer that could be easily autoclave-processed to give a tough thermoset. Here, an homogenous epoxy prepolymer was prepared by first synthesizing very low-molecular-weight linear aromatic imide (∼ 1000 g/mol) directly in a liquid allyl phenol reactive solvent, followed by dissolution of the epoxy (Epon® 825) and the cure agent (DDS) directly in the thermoplastic solution. The allyl phenol both cures into the epoxy network, through phenol functional groups, and accelerates the cure. The viscosity of the pure epoxy was 1.4 Pa S at 30°C. The prepolymer formulations ranged from ∼ 5-33 Pa S at 30°C, but all reduced to less than 1 Pa.S at 90°C. The onset of cure is well above 90°C so the prepolymer viscosity is within the range for autoclave processing. The cured resin plaques were not transparent, but phase-separated domains were not found by scanning electron microscopy, indicating that the domain size is below the detection limit of the instrument. The reactive solvent causes a decrease in both the T g and the high temperature modulus of the thermoset. Introduction of the thermoplastic results in partial recovery of the T g and modulus.
Advancements in Salinity Gradient Solar Pond Technology Based on Sixteen Years of Operational Experience

The El Paso salinity gradient solar pond, initiated in 1983, has been in operation since 1985. Through 16 years of research and operation, the El Paso Solar Pond has successfully demonstrated applications including desalination, waste brine management, industrial process heat production, and electricity generation; and has developed and implemented key technical advancements to improve the technical viability and economic feasibility of salinity gradient solar ponds, including: 1) an automated instrumentation monitoring system, 2) a stability analysis strategy and high temperature (60-90°C) gradient maintenance methods, 3) a scanning injection technique for improved salinity gradient construction and maintenance, 4) new liner technology, and 5) an improved heat extraction system.
Increase in the content of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in mouse forebrain during seizures and prevention of the increase by methylxanthines.

— Seizures produced significant elevations of the content of adenosine 3′,5′-monosphosphate (cyclic AMP) in mouse forebrain in vivo. The content of cyclic AMP doubled at 5 s and had increased four- to five-fold at 90 s after the onset of tonus. Smaller increases were observed when mice were placed in an 02-enriched atmosphere. The increase in the content in forebrain of cyclic AMP during seizures was significantly reduced in mice that had previously been injected with heophylline or caffeine. The methylxanthines did not alter the initial (pre-ictal) level of cycIicXMP in mouse forebrain. On the basis of these and previous data, the following hypothesis is proposed to account for the present observations : When seizures produce asphyxia in the forebrain, the consequent dephosphorylation of adenine nucleotides liberates small amounts of free adenosine which may then diffuse out of cells and activate an adenyl cyclase-linked receptor that is located on plasma membranes and is accessible from the extracellular space.
A practical guide for understanding confidence intervals and P values

The 95 percent confidence interval about the mean demarcates the range of values in which the mean would fall if many samples from the universal parent population were taken. In other words, if the same observation, experiment, or trial were done over and over with a different sample of subjects, but with the same characteristics as the original sample, 95 percent of the means from those repeated measures would fall within this range. This gives a measure of how confident we are in the original mean. It tells us not only whether the results are statistically significant because the CI falls totally on one side or the other of the no difference marker (0 if continuous variables; 1 if proportions), but also the actual values so that we might determine if the data seem clinically important. In contrast, the P value tells us only whether the results are statistically significant, without translating that information into values relative to the variable that was measured. Consequently, the CI is a better choice to describe the results of observations, experiments, or trials.
Flow-Induced DNA Synthesis Requires Signaling to a Translational Control Pathway

Background. The mTOR translational control pathway that signals to the P70/P85 S6 kinase (pp70S6k) is essential for mitogenesis. We have previously shown that pp70S6k is activated by fluid flow. We hypothesized that oscillatory fluid flow in the absence of exogenous mitogens would induce endothelial cells to synthesize DNA via activation of the mTOR pathway. For comparison, we also studied the ERK1/2 transcriptional signaling pathway. Methods. Confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to oscillatory flow (12 dyn/cm2 peak shear stress; 3.3 Hz) or kept static in serum-deprived culture medium. Rapamycin or PD98059 was used to inhibit pp70S6k or ERK1/2 activation, respectively. Results. Oscillatory flow activated both the pp70S6k and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Rapamycin blocked activation of pp70S6k but not ERK1/2, while PD98059 blocked ERK1/2 but not pp70S6k. DNA synthesis, as measured by [3H]thymidine uptake, increased by approximately twofold (P < 0.01) in HUVEC cultures exposed to oscillatory flow compared with those kept static. Rapamycin completely abolished the flow-induced increase in DNA synthesis while PD98059 did not. Oscillatory flow upregulated expression of cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 4 mRNA in a temporal pattern consistent with cell cycle entry; rapamycin also inhibited these changes. Conclusions. Oscillatory flow activates both the ERK 1/2 and pp70S6k signaling pathways in HUVECs and induces DNA synthesis in the absence of other exogenous mitogens. Complete blockade of [3H]thymidine uptake by the mTOR pathway inhibitor rapamycin indicates that separate and distinct signaling to a translational control pathway is necessary to mediate flow-induced DNA synthesis by endothelial cells. Oscillatory flow-induced endothelial proliferation may contribute to atherogenesis.
Serologic Agglutination of Antigen-Coated Dye Particles:

SummaryBy adsorption of equine serum (antigen) to suitable particles of carmine a suspension can be made which is specifically agglutinable in rabbit antihorse serum. With suitably prepared suspensions, the open slide method may be conveniently employed in making agglutination tests. Employing this technic it is possible to detect antibody in the fresh sera of immunized rabbits 2 to 6 days earlier than it is by the conventional precipitation test employing the antigen dilution method.
Mechanics of Transverse Impact in Fiber Composite Plates and Cylinders

Transverse impact loadings of composite structures are of concern because of the possibility of accidental damage in service. This article presents results from a combined experimental and analytical investigation of impact in composite plates and cylinders. Investigation of size effects and scaling of results with size was a major feature of the program, and five plate sizes and two cylinder sizes were investigated experimentally. The results showed good correlation with scaling rules for structural response, and additionally, good agreement between analysis and experiment for dynamic impact
Propranolol treatment affects parameters of human immunity.

Abstract Elevated sympathetic activity can modulate parameters of immunity. We investigated the role of the low sympathetic activity in resting healthy volunteers by treating them with the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol (3 × 40 mg/d for 7 days). Propranolol treatment increased the number of circulating T cells but not that of other white blood cells. Similarly, Con A-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 formation were enhanced. Although the number of circulating NK cells did not change, NK-cell activity was reduced markedly after propranolol treatment. These alterations are not a mirror image of the changes observed under conditions of elevated sympathetic activity but demonstrate that withdrawal of the endogenous sympathetic tone by drugs such as propranolol can modulate parameters of human immunity.
Perceived common myths and unethical practices among direct marketing professionals

Two arcas of continuing interest to direct marketing professionals are the perceived myths and unethical practices in the field. Documentation of specific cases and more abstract discussion of these two points of interest frequently appear in the direct marketing literature (e.g. Gitlitz and Barton, 1983; Lewis, 1982; Pierce, 1985). Indeed, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) has promulgated specific guidelines (DMA, 1985) for ethical business practices within the industry. Up to this point, however, there has been no attempt at a systematic evaluation of the perceptions of professionals in the field. Such an evaluation of these two areas of practice would appear to beg the following questions: (1) What are the major common myths which abound in direct marketing as perceived by professionals who come into direct contact with the operations of direct marketing organizations? (2) Which of these so-called myths are most requently mentioned? (3) What are the most commonly perceived unethical practices? (4) Which of these unethical practices are most frequently mentioned by direct marketing professionals? (5) To what extent do these perceived unethical practices coincide with the industry's own guidelines?
Issues in regulating E-cigarette clinical research

AbstractE-cigarettes have become popular in many countries, despite a lack of long-term safety data and limited clinical evidence for a role in smoking cessation. Indeed, in England, they have overtaken nicotine replacement therapy as a preferred product for cessation support. However, e-cigarettes have reached the market without evaluation of cessation efficacy and safety, bypassing the route required by regulatory authorities for pharmaceuticals that make therapeutic claims. Adequately powered clinical trials that evaluate the cessation efficacy potential of these products compared with current cessation treatments are needed; although the novel features and challenges of assessing this product group, such as wide diversity, rapid evolution and range of user behaviors, do not fit well within the standard clinical trial framework. This should be taken into account by regulators. Alternative designs that are pragmatic, accommodate user preferences, and include smoking reduction end-points may also be requ...
Ion-polar molecular collisions: the average quadrupole orientation theory

Abstract A classical theory for the ion—quadrupolar molecule interaction, termed the average quadrupole orientation (AQO) theory, is developed for molecules that belong to the D X point group. The theory utilizes a framework similar to the average dipole orientation (ADO) theory developed previously. The AQO theory indicates that there is a significant increase in the capture rate constant (0–40%) for molecules with large quadrupole moments and small polarizabilities. Empirical formulas have been obtained which permit determination of the thermal energy capture limit rate constants by making simple calculations. Thermal energy proton transfer reaction rate constant at 300 K from D 3 + to a number of quadrupolar molecules have been measured experimentally using ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy. Experimental results are in good agreement with predictions of the AQO theory and are substantially less than predictions of the locked quadrupole theory.
Phylogeny and evolution of rodent copulatory behaviour

Abstract Variation in rodent copulatory behaviour among species of neotomine-peromyscine rodents of the New World murids (Muridae: Sigmodontinae) was analysed from a phylogenetic perspective and found to be influenced by descent from common ancestry. A cladistic analysis revealed that behaviour was consistent with a phylogeny derived from morphological characters. Primitive species display a mechanical lock between partners, whereas more derived species show no lock but produce a copulatory plug. The more derived species also display increased complexity in the copulatory sequence. Phylogenetic patterns in rodent copulatory behaviour hold implications for our understanding of the evolution of copulatory behaviour in rodents and underscore the advantage of including rigorous phylogenetic analyses in studies of animal behaviour.
An analysis of employee turnover

A model of employee turnover is developed using explanatory theories and studies of systems at the organization level dealing with behavior and cost data. The model optimizes the costs associated with turnover and ignores the turnover rates. It is a synthesis of economic theory and behavioral phenomena. From this model normative guidelines are produced by which the costs due to turnover are balanced against the costs of the measures needed to reduce turnover. Obtaining the point of optimality detailed by the model rests upon the organization's knowledge of its costs and the attitudinal dispositions of its employees. The crucial assumptions behind the model necessitating further investigation are discussed and refinements to the model are suggested.
Effective treatment of hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus

Atherosclerosis, presenting as macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus, produces approximately 80% of all diabetic mortality, whether the patient has Type I insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) or Type II non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Specifically, 75% of this atherosclerotic macrovascular mortality flows as the outcome of coronary atherosclerosis, which is increased approximately two-fold in men and four-fold in women with diabetes as compared with otherwise matched populations with entirely normal carbohydrate tolerance. The remaining 25% of this atherosclerotic mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus is the result either of accelerated cerebrovascular or of peripheral vascular complications of diabetes, both of which are increased four-fold and five-fold, respectively, in patients with diabetes mellitus, regardless of type. Furthermore, atherosclerosis is the principal cause of hospitalizations for patients with diabetes mellitus. Admissions for this complication account for approximately 77% of total hospitalizations for diabetes owing to complications. Aside from mortality data alone, atherosclerosis is obviously a leading cause of diabetic disability, since it produces patients who are chronic cardiovascular, peripheral or cerebrovascular cripples, perhaps for many years before their ultimate demise. Small blood vessel or microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, while formerly thought to be the end-stage in the unfolding of the diabetic process, do not appear to have the potential for mortality as do the atherosclerotic large blood vessel complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evaluating multiple viewpoint models of tabla sequences

We describe a realtime tabla generation system based on a variable-length n-gram model trained on a large symbolic tabla database. A novel, parametric smoothing algorithm based on a family of exponential curves is introduced to control the relative weight of high- and low-order models. This technique is shown to lead to improvements over a back-off smoothing for our tabla database. We find that cross-entropy is lowest when the coefficient of the exponential curve is between 1 and 2 and increases for values outside of this optimal range. The basic n-gram model is extended to model dependencies between duration, stroke-type, and meter using cross-products in a Multiple Viewpoints (MV) framework, leading to improvements in most cases when compared with independent stroke and duration models.
Promoting De-Escalation of Commitment A Regulatory-Focus Perspective on Sunk Costs

People frequently escalate their commitment to failing endeavors. Explanations for such behavior typically involve loss aversion, failure to recognize other alternatives, and concerns with justifying prior actions; all of these factors produce recommitment to previous decisions with the goal of erasing losses and vindicating these decisions. Solutions to escalation of commitment have therefore focused on external oversight and divided responsibility during decision making to attenuate loss aversion, blindness to alternatives, and justification biases. However, these solutions require substantial resources and have additional adverse effects. The present studies tested an alternative method for de-escalating commitment: activating broad motivations for growth and advancement (promotion). This approach should reduce concerns with loss and increase perceptions of alternatives, thereby attenuating justification motives. In two studies featuring hypothetical financial decisions, activating promotion motivations reduced recommitment to poorly performing investments as compared with both not activating any additional motivations and activating motivations for safety and security (prevention).
Paradox of improved exercise but not resting hemodynamics with short-term prazosin in chronic heart failure.

Abstract In patients with chronic heart failure exercise allows the simultaneous observation of the cardiovascular pathophysiology and the symptoms of these patients. We administered short-term, oral prazosin to 10 patients with severe chronic heart failure. Prazosin increased cardiac output and stroke volume significantly during exercise (both P P > 0.10). Prazosin decreased the arteriovenous oxygen difference and left ventricular filling pressure significantly during exercise (both P P > 0.10). There was no significant correlation between prazosin-induced changes at rest and during exercise in cardiac output ( r = 0.12), stroke volume ( r = 0.02), arteriovenous oxygen difference ( r = 0.33) or left ventricular filling pressure ( r = 0.43). Prazosin predominantly affects hemodynamics during exercise because its pharmacologic activity as an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent is most prominent during exercise. The full evaluation of prazosin-induced changes in the hemodynamics of patients with chronic heart failure requires evaluation during exercise.
Program planning and staff competencies for forensic assertive community treatment: ACT-eligible versus FACT-eligible consumers.

PURPOSE: Forensic assertive community treatment (FACT) is a recent adaptation of the assertive community treatment (ACT) model; however, more information is needed about how FACT and ACT consumers differ and how FACT should be modified to accommodate these differences. METHOD: Linked, multisystem administrative data from King County, Washington, were used to compare the demographic, clinical, and criminal justice characteristics of ACT- and FACT-eligible consumers. RESULTS: FACT consumers were more likely to be male, persons of color, and had more complex clinical profiles. Also, some FACT consumers were incarcerated for sex offenses, and more than half had violent offenses. CONCLUSIONS: Traditionally, ACT teams avoid serving consumers with personality disorders, violent consumers, and sex offenders; however, given increased use of mandated outpatient treatment and mental health courts, FACT teams may have less discretion to choose whom they serve. The addition of clinical interventions and other modifica...
Complex scaling: An introduction

The complex scaling method, also known as the complex coordinate or dilatation transformation method, is discussed in relation to the Stark effect and to the calculation of the position and width of resonant states of atoms or molecules. The significance of resonant scattering in atomic physics is briefly reviewed. 29 references.
Contingency and generalization in pedology, as exemplified by texture-contrast soils

Soils and landscapes are subject to historical and spatial contingency, leading to locally unique pedologic features. This can make broad-scale generalizations difficult, impractical, or even impossible. The development of vertical texture-contrast soils with argillic horizons, for example, is potentially subject to all general forms of spatial and historical contingency. A case study in east Texas shows evidence both supporting and refuting five general classes of explanation for the formation of vertical textural contrasts. Multiple causality is likely, and attempts to apply any single explanation to a county-size area (and sometimes to a pedon) are not likely to be successful. The implication is not that pedologists should abandon the search for generalizations, but that the context in which laws and generalizations are developed needs rethinking. Explanatory constructs should be formulated not with the notion that a single explanation is likely to be applicable to most soils, but with the idea that multiple causality and polygenesis are likely, and that location-specific characteristics cannot be ignored. The search is directed not toward a single principle to explain the majority of cases and against which exceptions can be judged, but toward a set of principles that define the possibilities (or probabilities). Two analogies that may be useful in addressing historical and spatial contingency in soils are proposed, based on demographic and synoptic metaphors.
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Getting Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), which is responsible for approximately 300 000 deaths in the United States, refers to an unexpected death from a cardiovascular cause in a person with or without preexisting heart disease. Most studies include cases that are associated with death occurring within 1 hour of an acute change in clinical status or an unexpected death that occurred within the previous 24 hours,1 but this definition is not specific for sudden arrhythmic death. The most common sequence of events leading to arrhythmic SCD is the degeneration of ventricular tachycardia (VT) into ventricular fibrillation (VF), often followed by asystole or pulseless electric activity. The transition of shockable rhythms (VT/VF) to more ominous rhythms such as asystole or pulseless electric activity depends on various factors, but is highly dependent on time; the longer the time interval, the more likely the VT/VF degenerates to pulseless electric activity or asystole. Although VF and VT together represent the initial rhythm in half of all outpatient cardiac arrests, data suggest that with each passing minute of untreated VF, the likelihood of survival is reduced by 7% to 10%.2 Preexisting coronary artery disease and its sequelae (eg, acute myocardial ischemia, scarring from previous myocardial infarction, heart failure) are manifest in 80% of SCDs.3 Dilated nonischemic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies account for the second largest number of SCDs, whereas other cardiac disorders such as congenital heart disease and underlying genetically determined ion channel anomalies account for 5% to 10% of SCDs.3 Although the cascade of events triggering SCD are complex and are currently active areas of investigation, the general goals of reducing SCD are focused on (1) identifying and preventing sudden death in high-risk individuals by using efficacious therapies such as medications and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), (2) organizing resuscitation services to improve …
■ REVIEW : Stress and Sex Effects on Associative Learning: For Better or for Worse

It is clear that male and female animals have distinct cognitive capacities and emotional responses. For instance, exposure to a fearful and stressful event of restraint and intermittent tail-shocks impairs instru mental learning in male rats, but has minimal consequence in female rats. Conversely, exposure to a similar stressor facilitates classical conditioning in male rats and dramatically impairs conditioning in female rats. Many such sex differences in learning and responses to stress are attributable to the effects of sex hormones on brain morphology and physiology. Indeed, the stress-induced facilitation of classical conditioning in male rats is dependent on activation of the NMDA type of glutamate receptor in the amygdala, whereas the impaired conditioning in female rats is dependent on activational influences of the ovarian hormone estrogen. The role of estrogen and progesterone in the diametrically opposed effects of stress on learning are dis cussed, as are neuronal mechanisms that underlie sex...
Thoracoscopic decortication vs tube thoracostomy with fibrinolysis for empyema in children: a prospective, randomized trial

Abstract Purpose Management of empyema has been debated in the literature for decades. Although both primary video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and tube thoracostomy with pleural instillation of fibrinolytics have been shown to result in early resolution when compared to tube thoracostomy alone, there is a lack of comparative data between these modes of management. Therefore, we conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing VATS to fibrinolytic therapy in children with empyema. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, children defined as having empyema by either loculation on imaging or more than 10,000 white blood cells/ μ L were treated with VATS or fibrinolysis. Based on our retrospective data using length of postoperative hospitalization as the primary end point, a sample size of 36 patients was calculated for an α of .5 and a power of 0.8. Fibrinolysis consisted of inserting a 12F chest tube followed by infusion of 4 mg tissue plasminogen activator mixed with 40 mL of normal saline at the time of tube placement followed by 2 subsequent doses 24 hours apart. Results At diagnosis, there were no differences between groups in age, weight, degree of oxygen support, white blood cell count, or days of symptoms. The outcome data showed no difference in days of hospitalization after intervention, days of oxygen requirement, days until afebrile, or analgesic requirements. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was associated with significantly higher charges. Three patients (16.6%) in the fibrinolysis group subsequently required VATS for definitive therapy. Two patients in the VATS group required ventilator support after therapy, one of whom required temporary dialysis. No patient in the fibrinolysis group clinically worsened after initiation of therapy. Conclusions There are no therapeutic or recovery advantages between VATS and fibrinolysis for the treatment of empyema; however, VATS resulted in significantly greater charges. Fibrinolysis may pose less risk of acute clinical deterioration and should be the first-line therapy for children with empyema.
The magnesium inhibition and arrested phagosome hypotheses: new perspectives on the evolution and ecology of Symbiodinium symbioses

Zooxanthella symbioses are arguably the most important ecological interaction on coral reefs because they energetically subsidize the entire community, and enhance the calcification process that provides structure for all other organisms. While we have developed a detailed understanding of the diversity among and within the Symbiodinium clades, we currently lack a mechanistic explanation for which factors favoured zooxanthella invasion of the intracellular habitat in heterotrophic hosts, and for what molecular mechanisms permit residence within the cell. We propose two hypotheses that explain important evolutionary and ecological features of zooxanthella symbioses. The magnesium inhibition hypothesis (MIH) states that increases in the Mg/Ca ratio in sea water that occurred over the last 100 million years created a situation where Mg 2+ inhibited Ca 2+ transport to zooxanthellae. The MIH predicts, among other things, that the intracellular niche was invaded as a response to this abiotic stressor. The arrested phagosome hypothesis (APH) states that Symbiodinium spp. mimic host cell endosomal digestive machinery via the symbiosome to appear like digesting prey through perpetual release of zooxanthella-derived compounds. The APH represents a subtle but important distinction from previous hypotheses regarding interactions between symbiont and host at the cellular level. The APH predicts that symbionts tune rates of material release to match expectations of host cellular machinery. An outcome of the APH is that intra-host residence time becomes a vital parameter to consider. Both hypotheses shift control of the symbiosis away from the host, and instead focus attention on the niche requirements of Symbiodinium spp.
Analysis of wavelet-domain Wiener filters

We investigate Wiener filtering of wavelet coefficients for signal denoising. Empirically designed wavelet-domain Wiener filters outperform many other denoising algorithms based on wavelet thresholding. However, up to now, it has not been clear how to choose the signal model used to design the filter, because the effect of model selection on the filter performance is difficult to understand. By analyzing the error involved in the Wiener filter designed with an empirically obtained signal model, we show that hard thresholding is typically outperformed by a Wiener filter designed in an alternate wavelet domain. Our analysis furthermore provides a method for selecting the various parameters involved in a wavelet-domain Wiener filtering scheme.
Computed Tomography Imaging of the Acute Pelvis in Females

Sonography is the primary imaging modality for the evaluation of pelvic pain in female patients, especially if gynaecological pathology is suspected. However, computed tomography (CT) is frequently used in patients who present to emergency departments (and elsewhere) with otherwise nonspecific abdominal and pelvic pain and may be the first imaging modality to demonstrate an acute gynaecological abnormality. Computed tomography can also be used prospectively in selected patients to further evaluate findings initially identified on sonography, although to reduce radiation exposure, magnetic resonance imaging is being used more frequently in this situation. The purpose of this article is to discuss the spectrum of gynaecological findings of the acute female pelvis that may be identified on CT by the emergency radiologist and by the general radiologist, with a brief review of the imaging literature of each specific diagnosis.
Adsorption studies of digermane and disilane on Ge(100)

Adsorption studies of digermane (Ge 2 H 6 ) and disilane (Si 2 H 6 ) on Ge(100) are reported. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) experiments suggest the existence of two hydrogen adsorption states in the submonolayer regime for both digermane and disilane. The TPD spectra observed for disilane on Ge(100) are qualitatively similar to previous studies of disilane adsorbed on thin epitaxial layers of germanium on Si(100). These spectra show the existence of an α-state arising from the germanium monohydride and a β 1 -state arising from a silicon monohydride. The two-peak structure observed in the hydrogen TPD spectra for digermane on Ge(100) suggests the existence of both germanium monohydride and germanium dihydride, about which there is disagreement in the literature. However, high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy and low-energy electron diffraction provide additional evidence for the existence of both germanium hydrides on the digermane/Ge(100) system. Kinetic energy distributions of electronically desorbed H + and hydrogen removal cross-sections obtained through electron-stimulated desorption are also presented for both systems.
A Structural Investigation of a Vermiculite-Piperidine Complex

A vermiculite-piperidine complex was investigated by a single crystal three dimensional X-ray diffraction procedure. The complex was prepared by ion exchange of a Na.-vermiculite at pH 8. A total of 453 reflections was observed and used in the least squares refinement of the structure. The complex is monoclinic, C2/m, a = 5.346(2) A, b = 9.256(3) ~, c = 17.57(1) A, fl = 96"29(9) ~ The final R value was 0.17 using anisotropic temperature factors for the silicate atoms and isotropic temperature factors for the carbon atoms. The occupancy factors of the C atoms were considered as variable parameters. The diffrac- tion data were of poor quality because of stacking faults. The results show that the molecules are randomly distributed over the crystallographic sites in the interlayer space and the peaks appearing in the electron density maps can be interpreted as being due to 2 piperidine molecules and two H20 molecules. The orientation of the organic molecules is ambiguous. The electron density peaks fit a model in which the molecules are vertical and their planes form a small dihedral angle, and also fit a model in which the plane of the molecules is parallel to (001). It is quite possible that both types of orientations are present.
Human rights in Malaysia

(1984). Human rights in Malaysia. Journal of Contemporary Asia: Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 442-458.
Passive and Active Nanophotonics

Dense photonic integration requires miniaturization of materials, devices and subsystems, including passive components (e.g., engineered composite metamaterials, filters, etc.) and active components (e.g., lasers, modulators, detectors). This paper discusses passive and active devices that recently have been demonstrated in our laboratory, including monolithically integrated short pulse compressor utilized with silicon on insulator material platform and design, fabrication and testing of nanolasers constructed using metal-dielectric-semiconductor resonators confined in all three dimensions.
Governing the faithful - a discussion of religious freedom and liberal democracies with particular focus on the United Kingdom

This article examines the tension between liberal democratic government and citizens of faith with a particular focus on Christians in Great Britain. The article examines the reality of increasing cases of marginalization of Christians in liberal democracies and the contest of rights which is at the heart of these cases. The article questions the rise of a hierarchy of rights, representing a totalistic pluralism which threatens the foundational nature of a liberal democracy: freedom of conscience and belief. It closes with a discussion of the implications of this clash for believers living in Western states.
Plasma displays

Gas discharge displays (or plasma displays, as they are now frequently called) have evolved into two distinct forms. In dc displays, exciting electrodes are immersed in the gas, and currents are usually unidirectional. In ac displays, electrodes are separated from the gas by dielectrics. Contributions to both forms of display are discussed with particular emphasis on the conception and early history of the ac Display.
Chapter XIV The Erythrina Alkaloids

Publisher Summary This chapter describes erythrina alkaloids. The alkaloids found in numerous species of the genus Erythrina are, with the exception of hypaphorine, of wide interest, because of their remarkable physiological action. The occurrence of hypaphorine in Erythrina subumbrans has long been known. In a systematic investigation, it has been shown that out of 105 known species of Erythrina , the 50 that have been tested contain alkaloids of paralyzing activity. Besides hypaphorine that occurs in a number of species, the bases found in these plants fall into two groups. The free alkaloids isolated so far are erythramine, erythraline, erythratine, and erythroidine that occur in two isomeric forms, α - and β -erythroidine. Only two “combined” alkaloids, erysothiovine and erysothiopine, have been characterized, while the following “liberated” alkaloids have been described in the chapter: erysopine, erysovine, erysodine, and erysonine. The chapter discusses the method of extracting alkaloids from the seeds of Erythrina species. Free alkaloids are isolated directly from the extracts of the plant without the necessity of previous hydrolysis and are purified by fractional crystallization of their salts. Erysopine, on hydrogenation, gives rise to tetrahydroerysopine that still contains a tertiary nitrogen atom. The chapter also presents a table on the physical constants of the erythrina alkaloids and their products of transformation and degradation.
Looking Beyond Demographics: Panel Attrition in the ANES and GSS

Longitudinal or panel surveys offer unique benefits for social science research, but they typically suffer from attrition, which reduces sample size and can result in biased inferences. Previous research tends to focus on the demographic predictors of attrition, conceptualizing attrition propensity as a stable, individual-level characteristic—some individuals (e.g., young, poor, residentially mobile) are more likely to drop out of a study than others. We argue that panel attrition reflects both the characteristics of the individual respondent as well as her survey experience, a factor shaped by the design and implementation features of the study. In this article, we examine and compare the predictors of panel attrition in the 2008–2009 American National Election Study, an online panel, and the 2006–2010 General Social Survey, a face-to-face panel. In both cases, survey experience variables are predictive of panel attrition above and beyond the standard demographic predictors, but the particular measures of relevance differ across the two surveys. The findings inform statistical corrections for panel attrition bias and provide study design insights for future panel data collections.
Failure analysis of high-level radioactive waste tank purge ventilation vent pipe

High-level radioactive wastes generated during the processing of nuclear materials are stored in large underground storage tanks made of low-carbon steel. The wastes consist primarily of concentrated solutions of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Each of the tanks is equipped with a purge ventilation system designed to continuously remove hydrogen gas and vapors from the waste tanks while preventing the release of radionuclides to the atmosphere. Several intergranular cracks were discovered in the vent pipe of the purge ventilation system of a particular high-level waste tank. The vent pipe, fabricated from galvanized steel sheet, was connected to the final exhaust fan downstream of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. The failure analysis investigation concluded that nitrate-induced stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) was the cause of the failure.
IVIG Infusions Deplete Donor-Specific HLA Antibodies in Lung Transplant Recipients

s S237 patients. These results suggest that allosensitization should be considered in the lung allocation score. Patient data; ritux-rituximab; MMF-mycophenolate mofetil; PLEX-plasmapheresis Patient Age Gender Diagnosis Pre-desensitization cPRA Desensitization regimen Postdesensitization cPRA Outcome 1 68 F COPD 89 Ritux, IVIG 82 Transplanted, BOS 0 at 19m 2 60 M ILD 92 Ritux, IVIG 83 Transplanted, DSA, BOS 0p at 33m 3 63 M ILD 82 Ritux, IVIG 75 Transplanted, BOS 0 at 37m 4 59 F COPD 98 Ritux, IVIG 98 Died on waiting list 5 42 F ILD 98 Ritux, IVIG, MMF, PLEX 49 Transplanted, BOS 0 at 36m 6 52 M ILD 83 Ritux, IVIG, MMF, PLEX 81 Transplanted, DSA, BOS 0p at 35m 7 21 F CF 97 IVIG 97 Disease improved, re-listed 30m later, still waiting 8 56 F COPD 98 Ritux, IVIG, MMF, PLEX 98 Died on waiting list 9 38 F ILD 81 Ritux, IVIG, MMF, PLEX 61 Disseminated histoplasmosis, waiting 10 59 M ILD 97 Ritux, IVIG, MMF, PLEX 62 Transplanted, BOS 0 at 19m 11 30 F CF 98 Ritux, IVIG, PLEX 99 Listed, still waiting
Clinical Study on the Treatment of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment by Scleral Buckling Procedure Without Drainage of Subretinal Fluid

【Objective】To discuss the therapeutic effect,surgical indication with segmental buckling and nondrainage of subretinal fluid(SRF) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD) of PVR stages B,C1 and C2.【Methods】The records of a series of 52 selected patients with RRD complicated by proliferate vitreoretinopathy(PVR) stages B,C1 and C2 undergone segmental buckling of nondrainage of SRF were reviewed.All the patients underwent an once treatment in our hospital,including stage B of PVR in 22 eyes(42.3%),stage C1 in 22 eyes(34.6%),stage C2 in 12 eyes(23.1%).【Results】The average follow-up period was 9.6 months(6months~2years).The rate of retinal reattachment in the nondrainage group was 92.3%(48/52).There was no statistical difference of retinal reattachment rate among different stages of PVR(stageB,C1 and C2),while the postopertive vision acuity was significantly higher than that of preoperation.【Conclusion】The segmental buckling of nondrainage of SRF has the same retinal reattachment as routine encircling scleral buckling does,but it shows an outstanding improvement of postopertive vision acuity and less complications.The key point in increasing initial cure rate is ensuring sealing breaks and correct selection of patients for segmental buckling without drainage of SRF.
Assisting Emergent Readers in Finding Books to Read

It is imperative to motivate children to read by offering them appealing books so that they can gradually establish a reading habit during their formative years. However, with the huge volume of existing and newly-published books, it is a challenge to find the right ones that match children’s interests and readability levels. In response to the needs, we have developed K3Rec, an unsupervised recommender, which suggests books that match the interests/preferences and reading abilities of emergent (i.e., K-3) readers.
Dynamic Consensus Networks with Application to the Analysis of Building Thermal Processes

We consider consensus networks whose nodes are integrators and whose edges are 2- tuples of real rational functions representing dynamical systems that couple the nodes. We review salient points from graph theory, including Laplacians, interconnection matrices, and consensus protocols, all of which typically involve constructs with static weights. We then generalize these notions to the case of graphs with integrating nodes and dynamic edges. We give conditions under which such graphs admit consensus, meaning that in the steady-state the node variables converge to a common value. The ideas are illustrated an example that motivated this work: the modeling of thermal processes in buildings.