cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolving Pandemic Diabetic Nephropathy

The expanding impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to pandemic diabetes mellitus is recounted emphasizing its epidemiology that has induced global socioeconomic stress on health care systems in industrialized nations now attempting to proffer optimal therapy for end stage renal disease (ESRD). Strategies to delay and perhaps prevent progression of diabetic nephropathy from minimal proteinuria through nephrotic range proteinuria and azotemia to ESRD appear to have decreased the rate of persons with diabetes who develop ESRD. For those with ESRD attributed to diabetes, kidney transplantation affords better survival and rehabilitation than either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. It is likely that advances in genetics and molecular biology will suggest early interventions that will preempt diabetic complications including renal failure.
Pictorial Depth Perception and Acculturation Among the Baganda1

Data collected among the Baganda of Uganda indicates that pictorial perceptual skills are positively and significantly related to relative amounts of exposure to Western culture. Both urban and relatively more acculturated rural residents make overall more correct identifications of pictorial objects and more consistent use of cues to pictorial depth than more traditional Baganda. These results offer support for the proposition that visual perceptual skills are related to culturally constituted experience.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of Pd/ γ -alumina and Pd foil after catalytic methane oxidation

Samples of palladium supported onγ-alumina and a palladium foil were used as catalysts for methane oxidation at 550° C. The samples were quenched quickly in the reaction chamber to room temperature in flowing Ar and then transferred in vacuo for XPS analysis. Structure sensitivity was manifest from an increase in PdO stability and a decrease in carbon deposition relative to Pd with increasing particle size. The results were compared with recent ellipsometric data.
Assessment of the mechanical integrity of silicon and diamond-like-carbon coated silicon atomic force microscope probes

The wear of atomic force microscope (AFM) tips is a critical issue in the performance of probe-based metrology and nanomanufacturing processes. In this work, diamond-like carbon (DLC) was coated on Si AFM tips using a plasma ion implantation and deposition process. The mechanical integrity of these DLC-coated tips was compared to that of uncoated silicon tips through systematic nanoscale wear testing over scan distances up to 0.5 meters. The wear tests consisted of a combination of contact-mode AFM scanning, transmission electron microscopy, and pull-off force measurements. Power spectral density analysis of AFM measurements acquired on structured samples was used to evaluate the imaging performance of the tips. The results show that Si tips are prone to catastrophic failure in self-mated contacts under typical scanning conditions. In contrast, DLC-coated tips demonstrate little to no measurable wear under adhesive forces alone, and exhibit stress-dependent gradual wear under external loads of ~22 and 43 nN.
Completing the Apnea Test: Decline in Complications

The apnea test is a crucial component of the clinical diagnosis of brain death. Apprehension about hypoxemia, hypotension, and/or cardiac arrhythmias may sometimes lead clinicians to avoid performing or prematurely terminate the apnea test. The purpose of this study was to perform a contemporary re-evaluation of the safety of the apnea test. We performed a detailed chart review of consecutive brain dead patients who underwent an apnea test from 2008 to 2012. Out of 63 patients, 33 were men (52.4 %). Mean age was 46.4 years. In all but four patients (93.7 %), the apnea test was performed by a neurointensivist. Infiltrates on chest radiographs were present in 34 (54 %). Seven patients (11.1 %) had chest tubes, six of which were associated with polytrauma. Echocardiograms were obtained in 47 patients (74.6 %), and 18 patients (38.3 %) had regional wall motion abnormalities (IQR 41–65 %). Fifty patients (79.4 %) were on vasopressors prior to apnea test. Median FiO2 was 0.5 (IQR 0.4–0.6), and PEEP was 5 cm H2O (IQR 5–10). After apnea test, median pO2 was 306 mmHg (IQR 121–389). Apnea test was aborted in only one patient; this patient had required FiO2 0.9–1.0 prior to the test and desaturated during the test. Mild hypoxemia occurred in three others without any consequences. Mild hypotension occurred in 11 patients (17.4 %) and was easily managed by an increase in the vasopressor infusion. There were no instances of major cardiac arrhythmias. Apnea determined using the oxygenation diffusion method during brain death testing is very safe, provided appropriate prerequisites are met. We found a major decrease in the number of aborted or not attempted apnea tests compared to previous studies.
Analysis and simulation of a fair queueing algorithm

We discuss gateway queueing algorithms and their role in controlling congestion in datagram networks. A fair queueing algorithm, based on an earlier suggestion by Nagle, is proposed. Analysis and simulations are used to compare this algorithm to other congestion control schemes. We find that fair queueing provides several important advantages over the usual first-come-first-serve queueing algorithm: fair allocation of bandwidth, lower delay for sources using less than their full share of bandwidth, and protection from ill-behaved sources.
Tuning the bandwidth and center frequency of micromechanical acoustic resonators

As the radio frequency (RF) spectrum has become more crowded, the need for adaptable RF components, especially filters, has grown. Recently, aluminum nitride (AlN) microresonator filters have been reported. These filters/resonators are small ( 1000) desired for steep filter roll-off, can achieve many filters covering a very wide frequency span (kHz to GHz) on a single chip and can be monolithically integrated with CMOS transistors for reconfiguring the filter array. Using AlN microresonator on CMOS technology, miniature, adaptable RF filters based on banks of switched filters have recently been reported.
Apurinic and/or apyrimidinic endonuclease activity in ataxia telangiectasia cell extracts

Abstract The possibility that the increased sensitivity of ataxia telangiectasia towards ionizing radiation is related to a DNA-repair deficiency has been examined further. When compared to unaffected controls, 6 lines of fibroblast cells derived from ataxia patients demonstrated a slightly reduced endonucleolytic activity (165 ± 12 units vs. 214 ± 28 units) towards apurinic and/or apyrimidinic sites as determined in a “nicking” assay.
Breeding Potential of Intra- and Interheterotic Group Crosses in Maize

New maize (Zea mays L.) inbreds are usually developed within a heterotic group. However, breeders sometimes use commercial hybrids as a nonconventional (i.e., interheterotic group) source of new inbreds. The effects of disrupting heterotic patterns in maize, by selfing from commercial hybrids, are not well understood. My objective was to compare intra- and interheterotic group crosses as sources of new inbreds. The inbreds B73 and H93 represented the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) heterotic group, whereas Mo17 and B99 represented the non-BSSS heterotic group. I estimated testcross means and genetic variances in two intragroup F 2 populations: (B73 × H93)F 2 testcrossed to Mo17 x B99; and (Mol7 x B99)F 2 testcrossed to B73 × H93. Likewise, 1 estimated testcross means and genetic variances in two intergroup F 2 populations: (B73 × Mo17)F 2 testcrossed to H93 × B99; and (H93 x B99)F 2 testcrossed to B73 x Mo17. Testcrosses of 150 individual plants from each F 2 population were evaluated at three Indiana locations in 1999. Testcross means for grain yield were 1.0 Mg ha -1 higher in the intra- than in the intergroup F 2 populations. Grain moisture and stalk lodging testcross means were lower in the intra- than in the intergroup F 2 populations. Testeross genetic variances (V TC ) for grain yield were similar among the four populations. Favorable epistatic combinations may have been broken up in the (B73 × Mo17)F 2 population. The results underscore that the success of developing new inbreds from an intergroup population largely depends on finding a suitable tester for the resulting intergroup inbreds.
Who is teaching psychopharmacology? Who should be teaching psychopharmacology?

Objective To review the current status of psychopharmacology education for medical students, residents, and practitioners in psychiatry and other specialties.
On the evolution of sharp fronts for the quasi‐geostrophic equation

We consider the problem of the evolution of sharp fronts for the surface quasi-geostrophic (QG) equation. This problem is the analogue to the vortex patch problem for the two-dimensional Euler equation. The special interest of the quasi-geostrophic equation lies in its strong similarities with the three-dimensional Euler equation, while being a two-dimen-sional model. In particular, an analogue of the problem considered here, the evolution of sharp fronts for QG, is the evolution of a vortex line for the three-dimensional Euler equation. The rigorous derivation of an equation for the evolution of a vortex line is still an open problem. The influence of the singularity appearing in the velocity when using the Biot-Savart law still needs to be understood. We present two derivations for the evolution of a periodic sharp front. The first one, heuristic, shows the presence of a logarithmic singularity in the velocity, while the second, making use of weak solutions, obtains a rigorous equation for the evolution explaining the influence of that term in the evolution of the curve. Finally, using a Nash-Moser argument as the main tool, we obtain local existence and uniqueness of a solution for the derived equation in the C∞ case. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
INHIBITION OF PSORIATIC CELL PROLIFERATION IN IN VITRO SKIN MODELS BY AMIPRILOSE HYDROCHLORIDE

Amiprilose hydrochloride, a 3-substituted glucose derivative, was found to inhibit the proliferation of human fibroblasts and keratinocytes originating from psoriatic lesions. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes were obtained from skin biopsies of normal donors, and from the biopsies of active/involved and uninvolved sites of psoriatic donors. The cells were cultured as monolayers or as components of tissue equivalent models. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts originating from biopsies of psoriatically involved areas were shown to proliferate at a significantly higher rate than those derived from uninvolved areas. The antiproliferative effect of amiprilose hydrochloride was not observed with normal keratinocytes or fibroblasts from the skin of healthy donors or from uninvolved areas of psoriatic donors. Amiprilose hydrochloride was not cytotoxic to any of these cells at levels below 0.1%. The combination of the low cytotoxicity and the selective antiproliferative effect indicates that this compound may be a useful antipsoriatic agent. The use of monolayer cultures and tissue equivalent models in this study illustrates the utility of such a progressive strategy in the evaluation of potential topical pharmaceuticals.
Rapidly optimizing optoelectronic devices using full wave 3D simulation software

Fabricating optoelectronic devices can be extremely costly due to the need for using high end fabrication methods such as photo lithography. Therefore, the importance of being able to accurately and rapidly prototype an optoelectronic device cannot be overstated. By using commercially available full wave 3D simulation software (FW3D), rapid prototyping can be achieved. A complete rapid prototyping process would require a discussion on simulation as well as fabrication work, however for this paper we will only focus on the simulation aspect which is rapid optimization. The bulk of our work will be to model and rapidly optimize an optoelectronic device which is currently of interest to many optoelectronic researchers. This structure is labeled as a frequency selective surface. By using two widely known numerical methods, we will demonstrate the modeling and simulation aspects needed for achieving rapid optimization and fully characterizing the optoelectronic performance of this device.
Evaluation of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

This study was undertaken to ascertain whether 19 patients maintained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for at least 1 year experienced any deterioration in peritoneal membrane function. Selected serum chemistries and skinfold measurements were also evaluated to determine whether patients dialyzed by CAPD could maintain a normal nutritional status. This study demonstrates that patients maintained on CAPD had stable dialysate protein losses, glucose absorption from the dialysate, and constant urea, creatinine, and sodium removal. When these patients were subdivided by incidence of peritonitis, the group with a lower incidence of peritonitis (one episode every 349 ± 155 SEM days) showed stable serum protein concentration and improvement in upper arm area whereas the group with a high incidence of peritonitis (one episode every 95 ± 7 SEM days) showed a reduction in upper arm muscle area. Thus, our data suggest that over a 1-year period, there is no deterioration in peritoneal membrane characteristics and CAPD is effective in maintaining the nutritional status of the patient. However, both membrane function and nutritional status may be impaired by frequent episodes of infection.
Temperature-Aware Scheduling: When is System-Throttling Good Enough?

In computing centers, power-aware operating systems ensure that processor temperatures do not exceed a threshold by utilizing system-throttling. In this technique, the system load (or alternatively, the clock speed) is scaled when the temperature hits this threshold. At other times, the system operates at maximum load. In this paper, we show that such simple system-throttling rules are in fact the best one can achieve under certain assumptions. We show that maintaining a constant operating speed (and thus temperature) always does more work than operating in alternating periods of cooling and heating. As a result, for certain settings and for a reasonable temperature model, we prove that system-throttling is the most effective temperature-aware scheduling. Naturally, these assumptions do not always hold; we also discuss the scenario when some of our assumptions are relaxed, and argue why one needs more complex scheduling algorithms in this case.
Spinal maturation affects vertebral compressive mechanics and vBMD with sex dependence

The effects of natural aging on the mechanics of the spine are far better understood for the mature adult spine than for the developing (immature) spine. Throughout its chondrification and ossification, the vertebra, which is the primary structural unit of the spine, undergoes enormous cellular, biochemical, and structural changes that should strongly influence its biomechanical response to external forces. Unfortunately, very little data exist for the mechanics of immature vertebrae. Vertebral maturation was therefore investigated in 22 baboon thoracic specimens to elucidate its relationship with biomechanics and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD). Cadaveric baboon vertebrae were used due to the limited availability of human tissues in the pediatric age range. The specimen ages ranged between 1 and 30 human-equivalent years based on skeletal maturity. Isolated ninth thoracic vertebrae (T9) were subjected to compressive loading to document their compressive mechanical properties (yield load, stiffness, yield strength, and elastic modulus) and ashed to determine their volumetric bone mineral density. Spinal maturation was discovered to significantly increase vBMD (P < 0.0001) and compressive mechanics (stiffness, bulk elastic modulus, failure load, and bulk strength, P < 0.001) in a sex-dependent manner. Vertebral stiffness increased from 1218 N/mm at 1 year to 3534 N/mm at 30 years with a second order polynomial "maturation" relationship. Volumetric bone mineral density and vertebral cross-sectional area together described the developmental patterns of stiffness and yield load of isolated vertebrae. Sex differences were observed throughout development, demonstrating differing growth patterns to accommodate mechanical loading whereby males develop larger size vertebrae and females achieve their mechanical stiffness and strength through greater bone mineral density.
Perspectives on spirituality at the end of life: a meta-summary.

Objective: A meta-summary of the qualitative literature on spiritual perspectives of adults who are at the end of life was undertaken to summarily analyze the research to date and identify areas for future research on the relationship of spirituality with physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in the health care setting.Methods: Included were all English language reports from 1966 to the present catalogued in PubMed, Medline, PsycInfo, and CINAHL, identifiable as qualitative investigations of the spiritual perspectives of adults at the end of life. The final sample includes 11 articles, collectively representing data from 217 adults.Results: The preponderance of participants had a diagnosis of cancer; those with HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and ALS were also represented. Approximately half the studies were conducted in the United States; others were performed in Australia, Finland, Scotland, and Taiwan. Following a process of theme extraction and abstraction, thematic patterns emerged and effect sizes were calculated. A spectrum of spirituality at the end of life encompassing spiritual despair (alienation, loss of self, dissonance), spiritual work (forgiveness, self-exploration, search for balance), and spiritual well-being (connection, self-actualization, consonance) emerged.Significance: The findings from this meta-summary confirm the fundamental importance of spirituality at the end of life and highlight the shifts in spiritual health that are possible when a terminally ill person is able to do the necessary spiritual work. Existing end-of-life frameworks neglect spiritual work and consequently may be deficient in guiding research. The area of spiritual work is fertile ground for further investigation, especially interventions aimed at improving spiritual health and general quality of life among the dying.
PROCESSING, CHEMICAL, SENSORY AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BACON‐CHOPPED AND FORMED, MADE FROM PORK, BEEF, MUTTON AND CHEVON

By extruding alternating layers of chopped lean and fat tissue, bacon-chopped and formed (CF) products were processed from pork, beef, mutton and chevon lean and beef fat. Slabs processed from beef materials had less weight loss and changes in width and thickness during smoking than the other formulations. Various sensory and consumer panels found pork-bacon-CF product to rate highest among the four formulations for tenderness, flavor and overall satisfaction. This formulation was rated as being closest in sensory traits to commercial bacon. Chevon and mutton bacon-CF products were found to be less desirable in flavor. Inclusion of pork lean and fat with chevon and mutton lean can potentially improve the acceptability of bacon-CF processed with lean from these two species. However, this process and product appears promising as methods of increasing consumption of underutilized meat animal species.
Maize ZmRACK1 Is Involved in the Plant Response to Fungal Phytopathogens

The receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) belongs to a protein subfamily containing a tryptophan-aspartic acid-domain (WD) repeat structure. Compelling evidence indicates that RACK1 can interact with many signal molecules and affect different signal transduction pathways. In this study, we cloned a maize RACK1 gene (ZmRACK1) by RT-PCR. The amino acid sequence of ZmRACK1 had seven WD repeats in which there were typical GH (glycine-histidine) and WD dipeptides. Comparison with OsRACK1 from rice revealed 89% identity at the amino acid level. Expression pattern analysis by RT-PCR showed that ZmRACK1 was expressed in all analyzed tissues of maize and that its transcription in leaves was induced by abscisic acid and jasmonate at a high concentration. Overexpression of ZmRACK1 in maize led to a reduction in symptoms caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) on maize leaves. The expression levels of the pathogenesis-related protein genes, PR-1 and PR-5, increased 2.5-3 times in transgenic maize, and reactive oxygen species production was more active than in the wild-type. Yeast two-hybrid assays showed that ZmRACK1 could interact with RAC1, RAR1 and SGT1. This study and previous work leads us to believe that ZmRACK1 may form a complex with regulators of plant disease resistance to coordinate maize reactions to pathogens.
Transumbilical balloon coarctation angioplasty in neonates with critical aortic coarctation.

Balloon angioplasty of previously unoperated, “native,” aortic coarctation has been successfully used in neonates and infants younger than 1 year of age.l-14 Symptomatic improvement and pressure gradient reduction after balloon angioplasty14 has been well documented. The high incidence of recoarctation and the potential for development of aneurysms and arterial complieations15-*7 are of concern. We report the feasibility of balloon angioplasty for native coarctation via an umbilical artery approach, which spares the femoral arteries. An 11-day-old infant who weighed 3.9 kg was first seen in the local physician’s office with a 3-day history of upper respiratory tract infection. He was found to be grunting, cyanotic, and poorly perfused. He was immediately ventilated manually and rushed to a local emergency room. There he was intubated, given volume expansion, and started on vasopressor agents; only a transient improvement in color and perfusion was observed. The initial pH was 7.1 with a base deficit of 12.8. Chest x-ray films showed cardiomegaly and evidence of pulmonary venous congestion. Pediatric cardiology consultation along with a Doppler echocardiographic study was obtained immediately. An echocardiogram showed evidence of severe aortic coarctation, mild aortic stenosis, no ventricular septal defect, and poor left ventricular shortening fraction. Because severe aortic coarctation was diagnosed, intravenous prostaglandin Ei infusion was started, and significant improvement occurred over the next 30 minutes of observation. The infant was transferred to the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital. After further stabilization in the pediatric intensive care unit, the infant was taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Percutaneous right heart catheterization and antegrade left ventricular angiography, which was performed via the right femoral vein, revealed severe aortic coarctation with a large gradient (Table I) across the aortic coarctation. The coarcted aortic segment measured 2 mm, and the descending aorta at the level of the diaphragm measured 6 mm. Because the need for relief of aortic coarctation was indicated, the previously placed 3.5F umbilical arterial catheter was exchanged for
Shock waves in a gas with several relaxing internal energy modes

The structure of plane steady shock waves in a gas with several internal energy modes which relax in parallel is investigated. Transport effects are neglected. Conditions for continuity and monotonicity of the velocity profile are discussed; when all modes have constant specific heats and relaxation times it is established that velocity must decrease monotonically. Internal mode energy contents may overshoot their local equilibrium values.Numerical results for waves in a hypothetical gas with two relaxing modes are presented for purposes of illustration.
The heart has its reasons: Examining the strange persistence of the American death penalty

The debate about the future of the death penalty often focuses on whether its supporters are animated by instrumental or expressive values, and if the latter, what values the penalty does in fact express, where those values originated and how deeply entrenched they are. In this chapter, I argue that a more explicit recognition of the emotional sources of support for and opposition to the death penalty will contribute to the clarity of the debate. The focus on emotional variables reveals that the boundary between instrumental and expressive values is porous; both types of values are informed (or uninformed) by fear, outrage, compassion, selective empathy and other emotional attitudes. More fundamentally, though history, culture and politics are essential aspects of the discussion, the resilience of the death penalty cannot be adequately understood when the affect is stripped from explanations for its support. Ultimately, the death penalty will not die without a societal change of heart.
Propofol versus thiopental: effects on peri-induction intraocular pressures in normal dogs.

Abstract Objective To determine the effects of propofol or thiopental induction on intraocular pressures (IOP) in normal dogs. Study design Prospective randomized experimental study. Animals Twenty-two random-source dogs weighing 19.5 ± 5.3 kg. Methods Dogs were randomly assigned to receive propofol 8 mg kg−1 IV (group P) or thiopental 18 mg kg−1 IV (group T) until loss of jaw tone. Direct arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gasses, and IOP were measured at baseline, after pre-oxygenation but before induction, before endotracheal intubation, and after intubation. Results There were no significant differences between groups with regard to weight, body condition score, breed group, or baseline or before-induction IOP, arterial blood pressure, or blood gases. The baseline IOP was 12.9 mmHg. Before endotracheal intubation, IOP was significantly higher compared to baseline and before induction in dogs receiving propofol. After intubation with propofol, IOP was significantly higher compared to thiopental and was significantly higher compared to before induction. After intubation, IOP was significantly lower compared to before intubation in dogs receiving thiopental. Propofol increased IOP before intubation by 26% over the before-induction score and thiopental increased IOP by 6% at the same interval. The IOP in group P remained 24% over the before induction score whereas thiopental ultimately decreased IOP 9% below baseline after intubation. There was no significant relationship between any cardiovascular or blood gas parameter and IOP at any time. There was no significant relationship between the changes in any cardiovascular or blood gas parameter and the changes in IOP between time points. Conclusions and clinical relevance Propofol caused a significant increase in IOP compared to baseline and thiopental. Thiopental caused an insignificant increase in IOP which decreased after intubation. Propofol should be avoided when possible in induction of anesthesia in animals where a moderate increase in IOP could be harmful.
DMDM: domain mapping of disease mutations.

Summary: Domain mapping of disease mutations (DMDM) is a database in which each disease mutation can be displayed by its gene, protein or domain location. DMDM provides a unique domain-level view where all human coding mutations are mapped on the protein domain. To build DMDM, all human proteins were aligned to a database of conserved protein domains using a Hidden Markov Model-based sequence alignment tool (HMMer). The resulting protein-domain alignments were used to provide a domain location for all available human disease mutations and polymorphisms. The number of disease mutations and polymorphisms in each domain position are displayed alongside other relevant functional information (e.g. the binding and catalytic activity of the site and the conservation of that domain location). DMDM's protein domain view highlights molecular relationships among mutations from different diseases that might not be clearly observed with traditional gene-centric visualization tools. Availability: Freely available at http://bioinf.umbc.edu/dmdm Contact: ude.cbmu@nnakm
Studies on α-C3S52− (dmit2−) and its dinuclear Ni(II) complex: spectroscopic and structural characterization

The optical properties of the dmit 2y ion (dmit 2y s4,5-dimercapto-1,3-dithiol-2-thiolate ) have been characterized under a range of conditions. The oxidatively sensitive anion is highly solvatochromic: lmaxs504 (H2O), 514 (MeOH), 568 (MeCN), and 632 nm (DMF). With a shift in absorption maximum of 4000 cm y1 (DMF versus H2O), dmit 2y is possibly the most solvatochromic species known. The dianion is monoprotonated by NH4 q and binds CS2 to form a thioxanthate (C3S5PCS2 2y ). 13 C NMR measurements of 13 C-enriched dmit 2y demonstrated that C3S5PCS2 2y exchanges with free CS2 via an associative pathway involving binding of a second molecule of CS2. Titration with acid showed that the M2dmit (MsNa, Cs) dissolves to give the dianion in protic solvents, rather than Hdmit y . The conversion of aC3S5 2y to its b-isomer (‘Steimecke rearrangement’ ) occurs very slowly with purified Na 2dmit, in contrast to the literature method. The salt (NBu4)2[Ni(dmit)2] is also highly solvatochromic but its behavior does not follow any simple pattern. Treatment of (NBu4)2[Ni(dmit)2] with 1/3 equiv. of [Ni(NCMe)6](BF4)2 gave the dinuclear compound (NBu4)2[Ni2(dmit)3], the first Ni‐dmit 2y complex with a Ni/ dmit 2y ratio that is not 1:2. The binuclear salt crystallizes as the CH 2Cl2 solvate as dark purple prisms. The planar Ni(dmit)2 2y is bridged to Ni(dmit) via two sulfur atoms; the anion features a short Ni‐Ni distance of 2.71 A. q2000 Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved.
New alkali–metal–molybdenum(VI)–selenium(IV) oxides: syntheses, structures, and characterization of A2SeMoO6 (A=Na+, K+, or Rb+)

Abstract Three new quaternary selenites, A2SeMoO6 (A=Na+, K+, or Rb+), were synthesized through the solid-state reaction of A2MoO4 with SeO2 at 400°C. Although the reported materials are ‘stoichiometrically equivalent’, the compounds exhibit strikingly different crystal structures. Whereas Na2SeMoO6 has a three-dimensional crystal structure, K2SeMoO6 and Rb2SeMoO6 are molecular and uni-dimensional, respectively. However, all of the new materials have structures containing Mo6+ octahedra linked to Se4+ trigonal pyramids. Although the Mo6+ and Se4+ cations are in local asymmetric environments in all three materials, only Na2SeMoO6 is non-centrosymmetric. Single crystal X-ray data: Na2SeMoO6, cubic, space group, P213 (no. 198), a=8.375(5) A, Z=4, R(F)=0.0143; K2SeMoO6, monoclinic, space group, P21/c (no. 14), a=6.118(8) A, b=15.395(2) A, c=7.580(9) A, β=112.39(4)°, Z=4, R(F)=0.0281; Rb2SeMoO6, orthorhombic, space group, Pnma (no. 62), a=7.805(9) A, b=6.188(7) A, c=14.405(4) A, Z=4, R(F)=0.0443.
Nutrition, health and mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa: Is there a gender bias?

Anthropometric, mortality, and population data presented by Svedberg [1990] in this journal suggested a slight anti‐male bias in undernutrition in sub‐Saharan Africa. This article re‐analyses some of the same anthropometric, mortality, and population data and supplements them with more recent findings. In contrast to Svedberg's results, it finds evidence of a slight and rising anti‐female bias in sub‐Saharan Africa, which is particularly apparent in mortality and population indicators.
Honors Biomedical instrumentation — A course model for accelerated design

A model for a 16-week Biomedical Instrumentation course is outlined. The course is modeled in such a way that students learn about medical devices and instrumentation through lecture and laboratory sessions while also learning basic design principles. Course material covers a broad range of topics from fundamentals of sensors and instrumentation, guided laboratory design experiments, design projects, and eventual protection of intellectual property, regulatory considerations, and entry into the commercial market. Students eventually complete two design projects in the form of a ‘Challenge’ design project as well as an ‘Honors’ design project. Sample problems students solve during the Challenge project and examples of past Honors projects from the course are highlighted.
African American Adolescents Meeting Sex Partners Online: Closing the Digital Research Divide in STI/HIV Prevention

Minority adolescents are affected disproportionately by HIV and STIs, and the Internet is a popular venue to meet sex partners. Little is known about the risks of this behavior for minority adolescents. The majority of studies that have examined sexual risk behavior online or STI/HIV prevention programs online have been among adult MSM. In this study, data from 1,045 African American youth found that 6% met sex partners online and in chat rooms. Odds ratios, adjusting for gender, found this behavior was associated with alcohol (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.1, 4.7]) and drug use (AOR = 3.45, 95% CI [1.9, 6.1]), unprotected vaginal (AOR = 4.71, 95% CI [1.9, 8.4]) and anal sex (AOR = 4.77, 95% CI [1.3,17.1]) in the last 90 days, more lifetime vaginal (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI [2.0, 6.8]) and anal sex (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI [1.5, 4.8]), greater sexual sensation seeking (AOR = 2.92, 95% CI [1.5, 5.7]) and greater depression (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI [1.2, 3.6]. A final multiple logistic regression analyses found that male gender (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI [1.7, 5.8]), drug use at last sex (AOR = 2.41, 95% CI [1.3, 4.5]), lifetime history of vaginal (AOR = 2.90, 95% CI [1.5, 5.5]) and anal sex (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI [1.2, 3.6]), and cocaine use (AOR = 8.53, 95% CI [2.7, 27.3]) were independently associated with having sex with a partner met online. Meeting sex partners online is associated with a variety of risks among African American youth; however, the Internet may be an opportunity for intervention.
The outcome of elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in overhead athletes: a systematic review.

Background:Tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow are common injuries in overhead athletes that may be career-ending if left untreated.Purpose:The goal of this systematic review was to review all published reports of UCL reconstruction in overhead athletes, determine which techniques were associated with better outcomes, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of current data.Study Design:Systematic review.Methods:A systematic review of published studies evaluating reconstruction of the UCL in overhead athletes was performed using the Ovid Medline database. All studies with a cohort of athletes who underwent UCL reconstruction with a minimum of 1 year follow-up were included, resulting in a total of 8 Level III (retrospective cohort) studies. A database compiled variables of interest, including demographic variables, surgical techniques, Conway-Jobe ratings, and percentage and type of complications. Additionally, studies were evaluated for evidence of selection, performance, detection, ...
Minimum Trajectory Sensitivity of a Large Launch Booster Control System

An optimal closed-loop control scheme is developed for a linear timevarying system. The system has two independent parameters which may deviate from their nominal values. The problem is motivated by the possible failure of the control system of the large launch booster after takeoff. The computational scheme involves an iterative algorithm and requires the solution to a matrix Riccati equation. An example is given as an illustration.
ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE INTRINSIC MOTIVATION TO SHOP

Although the concept of intrinsic motivation has been widely investigated in most of the social sciences, it has rarely been applied to consumer or shopping behavior. In this paper, relationships of the concepts, within a shopping context, to variables often considered its antecedents and consequences are examined empirically, using responses obtained from 380 adults who were exiting a large mall. There may be serious problems with intrinsic motivation as a variable construct.
Raising primary school enrolment in developing countries. The relative importance of supply and demand

Abstract Few policies are as universally accepted as raising primary school enrolment in developing countries, but the policy levers for achieving this goal are not straightforward. This paper merges household survey data with detailed school supply characteristics from official sources, in order to estimate the relative impact of demand and supply side determinants of rural primary school enrolment in Mozambique. Policy simulations based on a set of ‘plausible’ interventions show that in rural Mozambique, building more schools or raising adult literacy will have a larger impact on primary school enrolment rates than interventions that raise household income. When relative costs are considered, adult literacy campaigns are nearly 10 times more cost-effective than the income intervention and 1.5 to 2.5 times better than building more schools.
Risk-Taking and Smoking Tendency Among Primarily African American School Children: Moderating Influences of Peer Susceptibility

We examined the hypothesis that peer susceptibility would moderate the association between risk-taking and tendency to smoke in adolescents who were primarily African American. Participants were 88 preadolescents recruited from a 6th grade classroom in a public elementary school. We found an interaction of risk-taking and susceptibility to peer influence on smoking tendency. Specifically, a moderator effect was found for peer influence on the association between risk-taking and smoking tendency. The importance of examining peer susceptibility on health promotion and other health behaviors in children and adolescents was supported.
Experimental Mechanics and Modelling of Fatigue Crack Growth

The dynamic observation of crack growth under cyclic loading conditions by the use of high resolution electron optical techniques is a logical step in the continuing study of fatigue failure mechanisms. Examination of fatigue fracture surfaces with electron microscopes has been standard practice for many years, and led, early in its use, to the discovery of periodic markings on the fracture surface called striations. Several years ago we made the decision to couple a cyclic loading machine with the scanning electron microscope in order to utilize the resolution and depth of field of the SEM for observing fatigue crack growth dynamically [1]. Detailed examination of photographs made in the SEM at the extremes of the loading cycle led to the discovery of the stereoimaging technique for visualizing displacements [2] and computing strains [3]. Since the development of these new tools, fatigue crack growth in a variety of alloys has been investigated at very high resolution, as compared to methods previously used.
Clinical Application of Antibiotic in Department of Pediatrics

Objective To analyze and study the clinical application of antibiotic in department of pediatrics.Methods 800 cases of pediatric inpatients in our hospital from July 2010 to December 2012 were selected,to analyze and study the antibiotics types,frequency of administration,use of rationality.Results The antibiotic usage rate of these 800 patients in our hospital was 88.5%,and the most use were cephalosporins and penicillins,the cured rate of patients was 97.5%.The major route of drug were intravenous infusion and oral drugs,drug dosage were not overproof.Conclusion Antibiotic use in our hospital has certain security,rationality and effectiveness.
Calcineurin in a Crowded World

Calcineurin is a Ser/Thr phosphatase that is important for key biological processes, including immune system activation. We previously identified a region in the intrinsically disordered regulatory domain of calcineurin that forms a critical amphipathic α-helix (the “distal helix”) that is required for complete activation of calcineurin. This distal helix was shown to have a Tm close to that of human body temperature. Because the Tm was determined in dilute buffer, we hypothesized that other factors inherent to a cellular environment might modulate the stability of the distal helix. One such factor that contributes to stability in other proteins is macromolecular crowding. The cell cytoplasm is comprised of up to 400 g/L protein, lipids, nucleic acids, and other compounds. We hypothesize that the presence of such crowders could increase the thermal stability of the distal helix and thus lead to a more robust activation of calcineurin in vivo. Using biophysical and biochemical approaches, we show that the ...
Estrogen and voluntary exercise interact to attenuate stress-induced corticosterone release but not anxiety-like behaviors in female rats

The beneficial effects of physical exercise to reduce anxiety and depression and to alleviate stress are increasingly supported in research studies. The role of ovarian hormones in interactions between exercise and anxiety/stress has important implications for women's health, given that women are at increased risk of developing anxiety-related disorders, particularly during and after the menopausal transition. In these experiments, we tested the hypothesis that estrogen enhances the positive impact of exercise on stress responses by investigating the combined effects of exercise and estrogen on anxiety-like behaviors and stress hormone levels in female rats after an acute stressor. Ovariectomized female rats with or without estrogen were given access to running wheels for one or three days of voluntary running immediately after or two days prior to being subjected to restraint stress. We found that voluntary running was not effective at reducing anxiety-like behaviors, whether or not rats were subjected to restraint stress. In contrast, stress-induced elevations of stress hormone levels were attenuated by exercise experience in estrogen-treated rats, but were increased in rats without estrogen. These results suggest that voluntary exercise may be more effective at reducing stress hormone levels if estrogen is present. Additionally, exercise experience, or the distance run, may be important in reducing stress.
Holomorphic Vector Bundles and Line Bundles

Let M be a complex manifold of dimension m and let Ψ: E → M be a complex vector bundle over M with fiber dimension q. Relative to a covering {U, V,…} of M let gUV be the transition functions of E. The bundle is called holomorphic if all these functions gUV are holomorphic (i.e., gUV, considered as a non-singular (q×q)-matrix, is a matrix of holomorphic functions in U ∩ V). If q = 1, E is called a holomorphic line bundle.
The Red Eye

The appearance of the conjunctival circulation is a basic consideration in the differential diagnosis of the red eye. The causes of the red eye are myriad, commonly including subconjunctival hemorrhage, acute conjunctivitis, and acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Building I.S. Professionals through a Real-World Client Project in a Database Application Development Course

Information systems curricula are increasingly using active learning methodologies to help students learn through technology rather than just about technology. While one way to achieve this is through the assignment of semester-long projects, previous research suggests that real-world projects provide more meaningful experiences and prepare expected graduates for careers that will rely on both their technical and professional skills. Additionally, providing opportunities for both competition and collaboration spur the motivation of students while enabling them to practice the necessary professional skills employers are seeking. This paper reports on a database application development course, taught for the past three years, where the instructor has partnered with a different community business or nonprofit organization in need of an information system to convert existing spreadsheet data into a relational database for more accurate data entry and improved reporting. Student teams engage in both competition and collaboration through system development phases to deliver a database solution to an authentic client using Microsoft Access. As a result, students develop both technical and professional skills through this client project experience where ultimately, the client evaluates the students’ performance.
Modulation of HCV replication and translation by ErbB3 binding protein1 isoforms

We recently identified a cell-factor, ErbB3 binding protein 1 (Ebp-1), which specifically interacts with the viral RNA genome and modulates HCV replication and translation. Ebp1 has two isoforms, p48, and p42, that result from differential splicing. We found that both isoforms interact with HCV proteins NS5A and NS5B, as well as cell-factor PKR. The p48 isoform, which localizes in the cytoplasm and nuclei, promoted HCV replication, whereas the shorter p42 isoform, which resides exclusively in the cytoplasm, strongly inhibited HCV replication. Transient expression of individual isoforms in Ebp1-knockdown MH14 cells confirmed that the p48 isoform promotes HCV replication, while the p42 isoform inhibits it. We found that Ebp1-p42 significantly enhanced autophosphorylation of PKR, while Ebp1-p48 isoform strongly inhibited it. We propose that modulation of autophosphorylation of PKR by p48 isoform is an important mechanism whereby the HCV virus escapes innate antiviral immune responses by circumventing p42-mediated inhibition of its replication.
Evaluation of standard municipal energy benchmarking tools

Over the spring and summer 2015 semesters, two undergraduate students completed a full energy audit of two local municipalities in order to provide recommendations for usage reduction. This audit was done as part of a community partnership initiative with Emerald Cities Collaborative, a community development collective focused on promoting sustainable communities through environmental energy education. Utilizing the data provided by a local utility company; students were able to analyze current EPA and DOE online tools for energy benchmarking. These tools are freely available for small local governments. The results of this study suggest that improvements can be made to the existing tools that increase their usefulness to municipalities. Further analysis capabilities beyond what these tools provide were shown to enhance the tools' utility.
Inflammation and Arterial Stiffness in Chronic Kidney Disease: Findings From the CRIC Study

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and arterial stiffness are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Inflammation is proposed to have a role in the development of arterial stiffness, and CKD is recognized as a proinflammatory state. Arterial stiffness is increased in CKD, and cross-sectional data has suggested a link between increased inflammatory markers in CKD and higher measures of arterial stiffness. However, no large scale investigations have examined the impact of inflammation on the progression of arterial stiffness in CKD. Methods We performed baseline assessments of 5 inflammatory markers in 3,939 participants from the chronic renal insufficiency cohort (CRIC), along with serial measurements of arterial stiffness at 0, 2, and 4 years of follow-up. Results A total of 2,933 participants completed each of the follow-up stiffness measures. In cross-sectional analysis at enrollment, significant associations with at least 2 measures of stiffness were observed for fibrinogen, interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, proteinuria, and composite inflammation score after adjustment for confounders. In longitudinal analyses, there were few meaningful correlations between baseline levels of inflammation and changes in metrics of arterial stiffness over time. Conclusion In a large cohort of CKD participants, we observed multiple significant correlations between initial markers of inflammation and metrics of arterial stiffness, but baseline inflammation did not predict changes in arterial stiffness over time. While well-described biologic mechanisms provide the basis for our understanding of the cross-sectional results, continued efforts to design longitudinal studies are necessary to fully elucidate the relationship between chronic inflammation and arterial stiffening.
Source–Target Relationship and Information Specificity: Applying Warranting Theory to Online Information Credibility Assessment and Impression Formation

Other-generated information about specific targets available online reduces third parties’ uncertainty of strangers. Yet only information perceived as credible can shape their impressions. This stu...