cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anticoagulation is an effective treatment for aortic mural thrombi

Abstract Background: Aortic mural thrombi (AMT) in the absence of aortic disease are rare. The appropriate indications and the efficacy of surgical thrombectomy, thrombolysis, and systemic anticoagulation remain controversial. Methods: This study, set in an academic medical center, was a retrospective review of five patients with AMT in the absence of aortic disease who underwent treatment between 1997 and 2001. The main outcome measures were morbidity, mortality, and treatment outcome. Results: Three patients were women, and ages ranged from 40 to 77 years. On admission, all patients had symptoms related to thrombus embolization (extremity pain or abdominal pain). Two patients had a history of venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis). Four patients had biochemical evidence of hypercoaguability, and the fifth had malignant disease. Coagulation disorders included increased homocysteine (n = 2) and factor VIII (n = 1), antithrombin III (n = 1) and protein C deficiency (n = 1), and familial dysfibrinogenemia (n = 1). AMT were located in the infrarenal (n = 1), suprarenal (n = 3), and descending thoracic (n = 1) aorta. One patient needed exploratory laparotomy and one needed lower extremity vascular procedures for visceral and limb-threatening ischemia, respectively. Treatment with systemic anticoagulation therapy resulted in complete resolution on follow-up computed tomographic scan or angiogram of the AMT at a median of 60 days. Conclusion: Most patients in whom AMT develops in the absence of underlying aortic disease have underlying coagulation disorders. Anticoagulation therapy alone allows resolution of AMT, with surgical intervention reserved for management of end organ ischemia from thrombus embolization. (J Vasc Surg 2002;36:713-9.)
Theory, simulation, and modeling of interfaces in materials—bridging the length-scale gap: a workshop report

Abstract The workshop on interfaces in materials—bridging the length-scale gap was held on September 12–15, 1993, at the University of California at San Diego Institute for Mechanics and Materials, La Jolla, CA. This workshop addressed length-scale issues associated with developing a predictive capability for materials whose properties are interface controlled. The goal of this workshop was to identify touch points bridging the various length scales important in materials modeling of systems whose properties are controlled by interfaces. The format of this workshop broke with convention by initiating discussion at the macro scale. Each speaker identified key physical parameters central to their model. Subsequent speakers, in order of decreasing length scale, identified where their model fitted within the context of the larger length scales and which parameters required at the larger length scales can be predicted. The topics that were covered include (1) modeling at the macro scale—phenomenological and finite element, (2) modeling at the micro scale—crystalline effects, (3) modeling and simulation at the atomic scale—interatomic potentials for complex systems, (4) electronic structure calculations—application to interfaces, and (5) critical experiments which serve to validate theoretical models.
Transient and Persistent Atrial Standstill with His Bundle Lesions: Electrophysiologic and Pathologic Correlations

Electrophysiologic studies, including His bundle recording and atrial pacing (AP), were performed in one patient with transient (TAS) and another with persistent atrial standstill (PAS). Both subse...
Hunting for Treasures through Learning: Using Geocaching to Motivate Young Adolescent Learners.

As the National Middle School Association wrote, “No other age level is of more enduring importance because the determinants of one’s behavior as an adult, self concept, learning interests and skil...
Interferometric force sensing AFM probes for nanomechanical mapping of material properties

In this paper, we describe an AFM probe that measures tip-sample interaction forces in tapping-mode AFM imaging. In our probes, a high-bandwidth interferometric force sensor at the end of the cantilever is coupled to the tip motion, and it is used to resolve tip-sample interaction forces with high temporal resolution. Measurements of the sensor signal show that the tip-sample interaction during imaging can be resolved with high sensitivity and high temporal resolution. In our experiments, the harmonics of the tip-sample interaction are used to map chemical and structural properties of the materials on the nanoscale.
Addressing thermal and power delivery bottlenecks in 3D circuits

The enhanced packing densities facilitated by 3D integrated circuit technology also has an unwanted side-effect, in the form of increasing the amount of current per unit footprint of the chip, as compared to a 2D design. This has ramifications on two critical issues: firstly, it means that more heat is generated per unit footprint, potentially leading to thermal problems, and secondly, more current must be supplied per package pin, leading to possible power delivery bottlenecks. This paper presents an overview of the challenges and solutions in the domain of addressing these two issues in 3D integrated circuits.
Aircraft on-board SAR processing using a frequency-domain fast correlation technique

The design of a frequency-domain fast correlation processor for aircraft onboard synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) applications is described. The design uses the fast Fourier transform (FFT) fast correlation technique to perform both range and azimuth pulse compression functions for the NASA/JPL L-band, quadpolarization airborne SAR. The subject processor is computationally efficient and requires a simple control unit. It is capable of producing single-look, 8-m (slant range) by 10-m (azimuth) resolution, SAR images of a selected polarization over a swath width of up to 15 km in real time onboard the aircraft. >
A new approach to teaching feedback

The Control and Dynamical Systems (CDS) Department at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has revised its entry-level curriculum in dynamics, feedback, and control with the goals of updating the subject matter to include modern tools and making control tools accessible to a nontraditional audience. One of the approaches made was to divide the introductory control theory class into two tracks, with a conceptual track geared toward students who need only a conceptual overview of control tools and an analytical track providing a more detailed mathematical treatment of feedback. The conceptual track, CDS 101, which is mainly discussed in the paper, is intended for advanced students in science and engineering who can benefit from an overview of control techniques but who might not have the need for the mathematical depth underlying the material. Special attention is paid to ensuring that the course is accessible to students from biological, physical, and information sciences, using examples from these domains to illustrate concepts. The goal of the course is to enable students to use the principles and tools of feedback in their research activities.
Marketing Literature Review

This section is based on a selection of article abstracts from a comprehensive business literature database. Marketing-related abstracts from more than 125 journals (both academic and trade) are re...
Context-Sensitive Hidden Markov Models for Modeling Long-Range Dependencies in Symbol Sequences

The hidden Markov model (HMM) has been widely used in signal processing and digital communication applications. It is well known for its efficiency in modeling short-term dependencies between adjacent symbols. However, it cannot be used for modeling long-range interactions between symbols that are distant from each other. In this paper, we introduce the concept of context-sensitive HMM. The proposed model is capable of modeling strong pairwise correlations between distant symbols. Based on this model, we propose dynamic programming algorithms that can be used for finding the optimal state sequence and for computing the probability of an observed symbol string. Furthermore, we also introduce a parameter re-estimation algorithm, which can be used for optimizing the model parameters based on the given training sequences
Comparison of IL-13- and IL-4-Induced Signaling in EBV-Immortalized Human B Cells

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) and Interleukin 13 (IL-13) have been shown to have numerous similar effects on human B cells; however, the mechanism of signal transduction is not known. We have examined IL-4- and IL-13-induced signal transduction in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized B cells. We demonstrate that Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) and Tyk2 but not JAK1 and JAK2 tyrosine kinases were constitutively phosphorylated in three EBV B cell lines. The phosphorylation level of Tyk2 was augmented at a low level in response to IL-13 and IL-4 in two of three cell lines; however, IL-13 did not induce or augment phosphorylation of the other JAK kinases. On the other hand, IL-4 further augmented phosphorylation of JAK3 and induced the phosphorylation of JAK1 kinases. IL-4 receptor p140 protein was also constitutively phosphorylated in two of three EBV B cell lines examined and both IL-4 and IL-13 further augmented its phosphorylation. Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 or IRS-2 proteins were not constitutively phosphorylated nor did IL-13 and IL-4 induce phosphorylation of these proteins. In contrast to JAKs, IL-4-specific signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT6) was not constitutively phosphorylated or activated in these cell lines, but both IL-4 and IL-13 induced their phosphorylation and activation. These findings suggest that in EBV-immortalized B cells JAK3 and Tyk2 proteins were constitutively phosphorylated but STAT6 protein was not constitutively phosphorylated. In addition, despite major similarities in biological effects between IL-4 and IL-13, phosphorylation patterns of JAK kinases in response to IL-13 in EBV-immortalized B cells appear to be different from those of IL-4.
The Geometry of Path Coefficients and Correlations

In the present paper, a generalized cosine formula is obtained for the difference between two angles in a k-dimensional Euclidean space, which is utilized to derive one of the principles of path analysis, namely, the correlation between two random variables is the sum of all connecting paths between them.
DELAYED PRESSUKE URTICARIA

SUMMARY. Delayed pressure urticaria in 15 patients has been investigated. It is characterized by the development of deep painful swelling 4–6 hours after pressure has been applied to the skin. It is sometitnes accompanied by systemic manifestations such as a leucocytosis and rigors. Delayed pressure urticaria is unaffected by antihistamines but it is controlled by steroids. The injection into the skin of saline and various pharmacological agents also causes delayed wealing. Prior treatment of the skin with 48/80 prevents the reaction. Immunofluorescent studies showed that the affected tissues contained no excess fibrinogen, immunoglobulins or complement. It is suggested that delayed pressure urticaria is related to delayed dermographism and may be due to a disorder of kinin activity. The timing and depth of the changes in vascular permeability characteristic of urticaria can be correlated. They are influenced by many mediators and by the pattern of the vasculature of the skin. A change in the timing or depth of the urticaria is the most that should be expected from the use of a single pharmacological agent in the treatment of urticaria.
Many Chromosomal Genes Modulate MarA-Mediated Multidrug Resistance in Escherichia coli

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli can be associated with overexpression of marA, a transcription factor that upregulates multidrug efflux and downregulates membrane permeability. Using random transposome mutagenesis, we found that many chromosomal genes and environmental stimuli affected MarA-mediated antibiotic resistance. Seven genes affected resistance mediated by MarA in an antibiotic-specific way; these were mostly genes encoding unrelated enzymes, transporters, and unknown proteins. Other genes affected MarA-mediated resistance to all antibiotics tested. These genes were acrA, acrB, and tolC (which encode the major MarA-regulated multidrug efflux pump AcrAB-TolC), crp, cyaA, hns, and pcnB (four genes involved in global regulation of gene expression), and the unknown gene damX. The last five genes affected MarA-mediated MDR by altering marA expression or MarA function specifically on acrA. These findings demonstrate that MarA-mediated MDR is regulated at multiple levels by different genes and stimuli, which makes it both complex and fine-tuned and interconnects it with global cell regulation and metabolism. Such a regulation could contribute to the adaptation and spread of MDR strains and may be targeted to treat antibiotic-resistant E. coli and related pathogens.
POSSIBLE DETERMINANTS OF SPELLING PERFORMANCE AT A CHALKBOARD

Summary.-64 introductory psychology students (26 men, 38 women) between the ages of 17 and 21 years served as subjects in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. Equal numbers of good and poor spellers were randomly assigned to four treatment conditions to assess social facilitation on chalkboard-spehng performance. One-half of the subjects spelled in front of an evaluative audience, the other half performed without an audience. Writing size was also manipulated to evaluate its effect. One-half of the subjects performed at a chalkboard using large characters (150 mm td) while the remaining half served at overhead projectors using ordinary-sized characters (8 mm in height). The spelling performance of both good and poor spellers was adversely effected by the use of large print but was not affected by the presence or absence of an audience. The ability to spell correctly is an important skill for anyone wanting t.0 communicate effectively in writing. Kean, Glynn, and Britton (1987) found judgments of the quality of written arguments to be more closely related to errors in writing mechanics than to the number of novel arguments presented. The perceived organization in a written presentation is also influenced by the presence of mechanical errors (Freedman, 1979). Classroom teaching is a communication endeavor where much of the information related to the presentation of an argument is written on a chalkboard. Spelling errors are an expected problem for students who are learning to spell, but spelling errors committed by instructors are much more consequential. Academic credibility suffers when spelling errors are made. When an instructor makes a spelling error, not only is credibility reduced, but often anxiety or embarrassment is produced which may serve to further reduce communication effectiveness. Poor chalkboard spelling is not a general problem among teachers but it can be a real problem for some. Teachers are educated people. It seems unlikely that all the teachers who experience a problem with chalkboard spelling experience considerable difficulty spelling when writing letters or reports at their desks. The chalkboard and desk situations are different, at least in terms of
Universal dimensions of social cognition: warmth and competence

Like all perception, social perception reflects evolutionary pressures. In encounters with conspecifics, social animals must determine, immediately, whether the ‘other' is friend or foe (i.e. intends good or ill) and, then, whether the ‘other' has the ability to enact those intentions. New data confirm these two universal dimensions of social cognition: warmth and competence. Promoting survival, these dimensions provide fundamental social structural answers about competition and status. People perceived as warm and competent elicit uniformly positive emotions and behavior, whereas those perceived as lacking warmth and competence elicit uniform negativity. People classified as high on one dimension and low on the other elicit predictable, ambivalent affective and behavioral reactions. These universal dimensions explain both interpersonal and intergroup social cognition.
Structure and solvation of melittin in hexafluoroacetone/water.

Intermolecular 1H{19F} and 1H{1H} nuclear Overhauser effects have been used to explore interaction of solvent components with melittin dissolved in 50% hexafluoroacetone trihydrate (HFA)/water. Standard nuclear Overhauser effect experiments and an analysis of CαH proton chemical shifts confirm that the conformation of the peptide in this solvent is α-helical from residues Ala4 to Thr11 and from Leu13 to Arg24. The two helical regions are not collinear; the interhelix angle (144 ± 20°) found in this work is near that observed in the solid state and previous NMR studies. Intermolecular NOEs arising from interactions between spins of the solvent and the solute indicate that both fluoroalcohol and water molecules are strongly enough bound to the peptide that solvent–solute complexes persist for ≥2 ns. Preferential interactions of HFA with many hydrophobic side chains of the peptide are apparent while water molecules appear to be localized near hydrophilic side chains. These results indicate that interactions of both HFA and water are qualitatively different from those present when the peptide is dissolved in 35% hexafluoro-2-propanol/water, a chemically similar helix-supporting solvent system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers, 2004
Damage detection of unidirectional carbon fiber–reinforced laminates with embedded magnetostrictive particulates: A preliminary study:

Defects in composite laminates are difficult to detect because of the conductive and paramagnetic properties of composite materials. Timely detection of defects in composite laminates can improve reliability. This research illustrates the preliminary analysis and detection of delaminations in carbon fiber laminate beams using a single layer of magnetostrictive particles and noncontacting concentric magnetic excitation and sensing coils. The baseline analytical models also begin to address the intrusive nature of the magnetostrictive particles as well as relate the applied excitation field with the stress and magnetic flux densities induced in the magnetostrictive layer. Numerical methods are used to begin to characterize the presence of magnetostrictive particles in the laminate and the behavior of the magnetostrictive particles in relationship to the magnetic field used during sensing. Unidirectional laminates with embedded delaminations are used for simulations and experimentations. A novel, yet simplif...
Transformative Mediation in the USPS Redress Program: Observations of ADR Specialists

The transformative model of mediation, although well established in the mediation of family and community disputes, is a relatively new approach to dispute resolution in employment settings. In contrast to traditional mediation approaches that focus on problem-solving, transformative mediation seeks to provide opportunities for empowerment and recognition among the disputing parties. In 1998, the United States Postal Service ("USPS") implemented a nation-wide mediation program called REDRESS (TM) (Resolve Employment Disputes Reach Equitable Solutions Swiftly) based on this model. This study takes the form of a process evaluation. It focuses on this question: How well does employment mediation practice in the USPS reflect the trans formative model of mediation? Additionally, the paper is a qualitative study on how transformative mediation manifests itself and functions in an employment setting.
Pain, functional limitations, and aging.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between functional limitations and pain across a spectrum of age, ranging from mid life to advanced old age. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The 2004 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative study of community-living persons aged 50 and older. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen thousand five hundred thirty-one participants in the 2004 HRS. MEASUREMENTS: Participants who reported that they were often troubled by pain that was moderate or severe most of the time were defined as having significant pain. For each of four functional domains, subjects were classified according to their degree of functional limitation: mobility (able to jog 1 mile, able to walk several blocks, able to walk one block, unable to walk one block), stair climbing (able to climb several flights, able to climb one flight, not able to climb a flight), upper extremity tasks (able to do 3, 2, 1, or 0), and activity of daily living (ADL) function (able to do without difficulty, had difficulty but able to do without help, need help). RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of participants had significant pain. Across all four domains, participants with pain had much higher rates of functional limitations than subjects without pain. Participants with pain were similar in terms of their degree of functional limitation to participants 2 to 3 decades older. For example, for mobility, of subjects aged 50 to 59 without pain, 37% were able to jog 1 mile, 91% were able to walk several blocks, and 96% were able to walk one block without difficulty. In contrast, of subjects aged 50 to 59 with pain, 9% were able to jog 1 mile, 50% were able to walk several blocks, and 69% were able to walk one block without difficulty. Subjects aged 50 to 59 with pain were similar in terms of mobility limitations to subjects aged 80 to 89 without pain, of whom 4% were able to jog 1 mile, 55% were able to walk several blocks, and 72% were able to walk one block without difficulty. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, comorbid conditions, depression, obesity, and health habits, across all four measures, participants with significant pain were at much higher risk for having functional limitations (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.85, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.20–3.69, for mobility; AOR=2.84, 95% CI=2.48–3.26, for stair climbing; AOR=3.96, 95% CI=3.43–4.58, for upper extremity tasks; and AOR=4.33; 95% CI=3.71–5.06, for ADL function). CONCLUSION: Subjects with pain develop the functional limitations classically associated with aging at much earlier ages.
German Grammar from the Writer's Point of View

The article discusses the treatment of grammar in composition courses, which is different from that in reading and even in speaking courses. Emphasized are 1) the proper selection of grammatical and syntactical topics; 2) the need for an active knowledge of word formation as a prerequisite of a good style; 3) the need for exercises in complete sentences and for the presentation of grammar from a psychological point of view.
Workforce Agility in Operations Management

Abstract Workforce agility, the management of labor and personnel capacity and capability for organizations facing unpredictable change is a complex and diffuse area of research that has seen steady contributions in recent decades. Its complexity has to an extent naturally led researchers to focus relatively narrowly on specific aspects of the larger strategic problem. In this paper, we review and classify the literature associated with workforce agility in order to form a foundation for advancing the research and implementation of workforce agility in operations management (OM). We describe a framework for characterizing workforce agility from an OM perspective. The framework shows an agile workforce simultaneously possesses multiple interdependent capabilities benefiting organizations operating in highly uncertain environments. This paper further identifies approaches that the literature has proposed for attaining workforce agility. We analyze mechanisms for enabling workforce agility based on attribute measures used in agility research. Some OM practices are related to workforce agility and have been intensively researched in OM, including workforce flexibility and dynamic workforce planning. While they are potential contributors to workforce agility, gaps are observed between these OM practices and the workforce agility literature. Accordingly, we highlight research opportunities in OM for furthering knowledge regarding workforce agility.
Contrasting evolution patterns between glacier-fed and non-glacier-fed lakes in the Tanggula Mountains and climate cause analysis

High-altitude lakes in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) showed strong spatio-temporal variability during past decades. The lake dynamics could be associated with several important factors including lake type, supply of glacial meltwater, local climate variations. It is important to differentiate these factors when analyzing the driving forces of lakes dynamics. With a focus on lakes over the Tanggula Mountains of the central TP, this study investigates the temporal evolution patterns of lake area and water level of different types: glacier-fed closed lake, non-glacier-fed closed lake and upstream lake (draining into closed lakes). We collected all available Landsat archive data and quantified the inter-annual variability of lake extents. Results reveal accelerated expansions of both glacier-fed and non-glacier-fed lakes during 1970s–2013, and different temporal patterns of the two types of lakes: the non-glacier-fed lakes displayed a batch-wise growth pattern, with obvious growth in 2002, 2005 and 2011 and slight changes in other years, while glacier-fed lakes showed steady expanding tendency. The contrasting patterns are confirmed by distinct lake level changes between the two groups derived from satellite altimetry during 2003–2013. The upstream lakes remained basically stable due to natural drainage regulation. The intermittent expansions for non-glacier-fed lakes are found to be related to excessive precipitation events and positive “precipitation–evaporation”. In contrast, glacier-fed lake changes showed weak correlations with precipitation variations, which implies a joint contribution from glacial meltwater to water budgets. Our study suggests that glacial meltwater supply may have an equivalent influence on lake growth with precipitation/evaporation in the study area.
The National Ignition Facility Diagnostic Set at the Completion of the National Ignition Campaign, September 2012

At the completion of the National Ignition Campaign (NIC), the National Ignition Facility (NIF) had about 36 different types of diagnostics. These were based on several decades of development on No...
To myelinate or not to myelinate: fine tuning cAMP signaling in Schwann cells to balance cell proliferation and differentiation.

cAMP signaling and the control of Schwann cell fate: The ubiquitous second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) controls a variety of cellular responses in a cell type-specific and stimulus-dependent manner through an elaborate network of signaling intermediaries that connect stimulation of cell membrane receptors (typically G protein-coupled receptors, GPCRs) to transcription factor activation. Schwann cells (SCs) are highly responsive to cAMP throughout their lifespan, as extensive research has shown that SC survival, lineage specification, proliferation and differentiation into myelin-forming cells require cAMP signaling.
Long-term effect of in utero conditions on maternal survival later in life: evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan African countries have some of the world’s highest rates of maternal mortality. Most research on maternal mortality focuses on factors during pregnancy and delivery. However, consistent with the fetal programming hypothesis, a woman’s maternal survival may also be related to conditions she experienced while in utero. I examine this hypothesis in 14 African countries by relating rainfall when a woman was in utero with her maternal survival later in her life. High levels of rainfall, representing better in utero conditions, decrease the probability of maternal death by 1.1 percentage points, a 58 % decrease from a mean of 1.9 %. Higher rainfall while in utero reduces the probability of anemia during pregnancy, a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. Another plausible pathway is through a reduction in body mass index, a predictor of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Improving conditions for pregnant women will have inter-generational effects, benefiting pregnant women today and improving their daughters’ maternal survival.
Cell adhesion and migration. II. Leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion in the digestive system.

The adhesion of leukocytes to vascular endothelial cells is a highly coordinated process that is governed by a number of factors, including the expression of specific adhesion glycoproteins, physic...
Expanding Thorium Hydride Chemistry Through Th2+, Including the Synthesis of a Mixed-Valent Th4+/Th3+ Hydride Complex

The reactivity of the recently discovered Th2+ complex [K(18-crown-6)(THF)2][Cp″3Th], 1 [Cp′′ = C5H3(SiMe3)2-1,3], with hydrogen reagents has been investigated and found to provide syntheses of new classes of thorium hydride compounds. Complex 1 reacts with [Et3NH][BPh4] to form the terminal Th4+ hydride complex Cp″3ThH, 2, a reaction that formally involves a net two-electron reduction. Complex 1 also reacts in the solid state and in solution with H2 to form a mixed-valent bimetallic product, [K(18-crown-6)(Et2O)][Cp″2ThH2]2, 3, which was analyzed by X-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance and optical spectroscopy, and density functional theory. The existence of 3, which formally contains Th3+ and Th4+, suggested that KC8 could reduce [(C5Me5)2ThH2]2. In the presence of 18-crown-6, this reaction forms an analogous mixed-valent product formulated as [K(18-crown-6)(THF)][(C5Me5)2ThH2]2, 4. A similar complex with (C5Me4H)1– ligands was not obtained, but reaction of (C5Me4H)3Th with H2 in the p...
Iron Balance in the Neonate

Iron is essential for growth and development, and deficiency during gestation and infancy may have lifelong effects. Iron is necessary for oxygen transport, cellular respiration, myelination, neurotransmitter production, and cell proliferation. Iron deficiency may decrease hippocampal growth and alter oxidative metabolism, neurotransmitter concentrations, and fatty acid and myelination profiles throughout the brain. Excellent articles and reviews have been published on the effect of iron on cognitive development. This review highlights more recent findings, focusing on the role of iron in brain development during gestation and early life, and discusses implications for practice in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Periodic trends in hexanuclear actinide clusters.

Four new Th(IV), U(IV), and Np(IV) hexanuclear clusters with 1,2-phenylenediphosphonate as the bridging ligand have been prepared by self-assembly at room temperature. The structures of Th6Tl3[C6H4(PO3)(PO3H)]6(NO3)7(H2O)6·(NO3)2·4H2O (Th6-3), (NH4)8.11Np12Rb3.89[C6H4(PO3)(PO3H)]12(NO3)24·15H2O (Np6-1), (NH4)4U12Cs8[C6H4(PO3)(PO3H)]12(NO3)24·18H2O (U6-1), and (NH4)4U12Cs2[C6H4(PO3)(PO3H)]12(NO3)18·40H2O (U6-2) are described and compared with other clusters of containing An(IV) or Ce(IV). All of the clusters share the common formula M6(H2O)m[C6H3(PO3)(PO3H)]6(NO3)n(6–n) (M = Ce, Th, U, Np, Pu). The metal centers are normally nine-coordinate, with five oxygen atoms from the ligand and an additional four either occupied by NO3– or H2O. It was found that the Ce, U, and Pu clusters favor both C3i and Ci point groups, while Th only yields in Ci, and Np only C3i. In the C3i clusters, there are two NO3– anions bonded to the metal centers. In the Ci clusters, the number of NO3– anions varies from 0 to 2. The chang...
DEVELOPMENT OF EFFICIENT AND INTENSIVE PURIFYING EQUIPMENT FOR MINE DRAINAGE TREATMENT

Efficient and intensive purifying equipment can be applicable for treating mine drainage into process and domestic water. The equipment adopts hydraulic cycle, active sludge circumflu-ence, inclined tube sedimentation, double filter consisting of anthracite coal and quartz sand. After casting appropriate dosage of coagulating and flocculating agent into the inlet pipe of the equipment, suspended substance and oil substance can be removed effectively.
Application of DC Circuit Breaker in UHVDC Transmission Project

This paper introduces the working principle,composition structure of DC circuit breaker used in HVDC engineering as well as its technical difficulties in interrupting course,makes a review on the allocation principle as well as operation mode of the DC circuit breaker in bipolar converter station for UHVDC transmission project,and gives a prospect that the DC circuit breaker may be used in the UHVDC project.
Governmental purchasing in the public policy process: orienting theory and practice

What do purchasing officers and policy theorists have to offer one another? Policy frameworks could help purchasing officers anticipate or predict change and respond to those changes earlier and more effectively. Likewise, purchasing officers and the study of the governmental purchasing systems they operate could contribute a great deal to the development of policy theories or frameworks. This paper outlines the central features of two important policy frameworks; institutional analysis and development (IAD) within the tradition of institutional rational choice (Ostrom, 1999), and the advocacy-coalition framework (Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith, 1999) and applies those frameworks to the government purchasing arena.
Using the NASA EOS A-Train to Probe the Performance of the NOAA PATMOS-x Cloud Fraction CDR

An important component of the AVHRR PATMOS-x climate date record (CDR)—or any satellite cloud climatology—is the performance of its cloud detection scheme and the subsequent quality of its cloud fraction CDR. PATMOS-x employs the NOAA Enterprise Cloud Mask for this, which is based on a naive Bayesian approach. The goal of this paper is to generate analysis of the PATMOS-x cloud fraction CDR to facilitate its use in climate studies. Performance of PATMOS-x cloud detection is compared to that of the well-established MYD35 and CALIPSO products from the EOS A-Train. Results show the AVHRR PATMOS-x CDR compares well against CALIPSO with most regions showing proportional correct values of 0.90 without any spatial filtering and 0.95 when a spatial filter is applied. Values are similar for the NASA MODIS MYD35 mask. A direct comparison of PATMOS-x and MYD35 from 2003 to 2014 also shows agreement over most regions in terms of mean cloud amount, inter-annual variability, and linear trends. Regional and seasonal differences are discussed. The analysis demonstrates that PATMOS-x cloud amount uncertainty could effectively screen regions where PATMOS-x differs from MYD35.
Monocyte Populations Which Participate in Chronic Lung Inflammation

Monocytes are a member of the family of mononuclear phagocytes, which are composed of monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. These cells play a crucial role in the innate immune response but are also essential for adaptive immunity. Very importantly, these cells also exert a major influence on both acute and chronic inflammatory reactions. Each of the members of this family is made up of multiple subtypes, and our understanding of the regulation of their function is still not fully developed. In this chapter we will review current knowledge regarding the function of monocytes and macrophages, and in particular we will examine the role of these cells in chronic inflammatory responses in organ systems such as the lung.
CHAPTER 15 – Endochondral Bone Formation: Regulation by Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide, Indian Hedgehog, and Parathyroid Hormone

The proliferating zone at the distal end of the developing bone consists of small, round chondrocytes that have a high capacity to divide. These cells mature and assume a columnar architecture, each column representing the expansion of a single clone. Knowledge acquired over the past few years concerning the actions of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), PTHrP (PTH-related protein), and PTH (parathyroid hormone) make it possible to construct a far more detailed model for regulation of cartilage differentiation by PTHrP and Ihh. In growth plate cartilage, Ihh up-regulates expression of PTHrP, whose major site of synthesis is in perichondrial/subarticular chondrocytes, and Ihh independently promotes chondrocyte proliferation. The proliferative actions of Ihh are direct, as evidenced by high expression of consisting of patched (ptc) and gli-1 in cells immediately adjacent to the hypertrophic chondrocytes that express Ihh. It is important to note that indirect actions of Ihh on chondrocyte proliferation via other signaling molecules cannot be excluded. The lack of ptc expression in subarticular cells and the relatively long distance between Ihh- and PTHrP-expressing cells make it highly likely that Ihh regulates PTHrP indirectly.
High-Temperature Short-Time Pasteurization Inactivates Listeria monocytogenes.

Full scare commercial pasteurization equipment operated at 72-73°C with a holding time of 15-16 s was used to determine the ability of commercial thermal processing to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes strain Scott A. Three methods of providing L. monocytogenes concentration in raw milk were employed: freely suspended (extra-cellular), inside bovine phagocytes (in vitro procedure), and inside bovine phagocytes in experimentally infected cows (in vivo). Three enrichment methods were used to assay for L. monocytogenes after pasteurization: cold enrichment (4°C, 28 d), selective enrichment of Lovett et al. (FDA procedure) (17), and the USDA-FSIS two stage enrichment procedure. In addition, a 1-L sample taken just before the vacuum breaker was incubated undiluted in the original sample container (4°C, 4 weeks). None of the four assay methods could detect Listeria in the pasteurized milk.
Indications for fibrinolysis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: From guidelines to practice.

Background European guidelines on managing ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the first 12 hours recommend fibrinolysis when the time elapsing between the first medical contact and balloon time (FMCBT) is more than 120 minutes. Aim To assess the real-life clinical efficacy of guidelines on fibrinolysis in managing STEMI and identify obstacles to their everyday implementation. Methods An observational study based on a permanent registry of reperfusion strategies and timing among patients treated in a French general hospital for STEMI with chest pain lasting for less than two hours. Patients were enrolled between January 1 st 2008 and December 31 st 2014. Results The study included 669 patients: 79 (11.8%) benefited from effective fibrinolysis followed by coronary arteriography (PCI) within 24 hours, 445 (66.5%) underwent a primary PCI, 99 (14.8%) received a rescue PCI and 46 (6.9%) did not undergo revascularization. The FMCBT was 120 minutes or longer in 209 patients: fibrinolysis was performed in 68 of these patients (32.5%), and primary PCI in 141 (114 (54.6%) without contraindications to fibrinolysis and 27 (12.9%) with contraindications). The patient's age, female gender, co-morbidities and clinical management were factors that appeared to be linked to poor compliance with the guidelines, but none were significant ( P > 00.5). Nor were there significant differences regarding bleeding complications between patients receiving fibrinolysis or primary PCI ( P > 0.05). Conclusion The guidelines on fibrinolysis were not followed in 54.6% of patients when the FMCBT was more than 120 minutes. Some criteria (age, gender, co-morbidities) may have been responsible for this non-compliance, although underestimating the time between first medical contact and arrival in the catheterisation laboratory could not be excluded. Further studies are necessary to improve estimates of this delay.
Perceived Immigration Policy Effects Scale: Development and Validation of a Scale on the Impact of State-Level Immigration Policies on Latino Immigrant Families

The present study describes the development and testing of the Perceived Immigration Policy Effects Scale (PIPES). The measure was developed in Spanish to assess the impact of state-level immigrati...
Touring the Landscape: The View Depends on How and When You Look

In general, proteins need to fold to function: therefore, there must be selective pressures to fold efficiently, avoid misfolding, and once folded, maintain that folded structure. These features are all defined by a protein's energy landscape. Small changes in the sequence and environment can modulate this landscape and can have effects that range from undetectable to pathological. I will present our recent results probing these effects using a combination of single-molecule and ensemble-based studies. In particular, our studies using Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction (ASR) have allowed us direct access to the evolutionary history of the energy landscape of a protein family. Our results suggest that partially folded states, despite introducing complexity in the folding pathway, may be critical for providing a readily tunable and adaptable energy landscape as the protein encounters a myriad of selective pressures over its evolution.
Economic Growth Increases People’s Well-Being

Economic growth is commonly taken to mean a sustained increase in real GDP per capita. If the per capita production and consumption of goods and services is taken as the fundamental criterion of people’s well-being, then the conclusion that naturally follows is that growth and well-being go together.
Financing Urban Services in Latin America: Spatial Distribution Issues

The answer varies by type of investor. Pension funds and insurance companies should be promoted for their own sake, but mutual funds are unlikely to thrive without well-regulated securities markets. Anglo-American experience suggests that institutional investors can provide a strong stimulus to market development. This takes time and requires both critical mass and conducive regulations. Institutional investors comprise pension funds, insurance companies, and mutual funds. Should a country promote their creation if it lacks well-developed securities markets? The answer to this question, says Vittas, varies by type of investor. He argues that private pension funds and insurance companies are promoted for their own sake and for their potential economic, fiscal, and financial benefits, whether or not a country already has well-developed securities markets. Mutual funds, by contrast, are unlikely to thrive without strong and well-regulated securities markets. A limited supply of financial instruments should not be a major obstacle to the creation of pension funds and insurance companies. Such institutions build up their financial resources gradually but steadily, giving reforming governments ample time to develop securities markets. More important than the prior development of securities markets is a strong and lasting political commitment to holistic reform: macroeconomic, fiscal, banking, and capital market reform, as well as pension and insurance reform. Institutional investors need to attain critical mass and to be supported by conducive regulations. Vittas reviews Anglo-American experience since the 1940s. This shows that institutional investors can serve as a countervailing force to commercial and investment banks, helping to stimulate financial innovation, modernize capital markets, enhance transparency and disclosure, strengthen corporate governance, and improve financial regulation. This paper - a product of Finance, Development Research Group - was presented at the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics, Latin America and the Caribbean, June 18-30, 1998, in San Salvador. The author may be contacted at dvittas@worldbank.org.
Effects of Danger, Usefulness, and Body-Object Interaction in picture naming

Several previous studies have shown that the time-course of word recognition is determined in part by an interaction between connotations of Danger and Usefulness. A small, mostly separate literature has investigated the role of Body-Object Interaction (BOI) in lexical processing. BOI is defined as the ease with which one can interact with an object. To date the lexical decision study of Van Havermaet and Wurm (2014) is the only study to include all three of these constructs. Stimuli in the current study were black-and-white line drawings corresponding to the common nouns used by Van Havermaet and Wurm (2014) . Participants viewed the stimuli one at a time in a random order and had to name them as quickly as possible. Naming times revealed a significant three-way interaction between Danger, Usefulness, and BOI similar to that found for visual lexical decision: The familiar Danger x Usefulness interaction, observed in many previous studies, was observed only for items relatively lower on BOI. The interaction between semantic and embodied processing variables is not restricted to purely linguistic stimuli.
Structure of diamond-silicon interfaces

We have studied the structure and composition of the interface of diamond thin films deposited on Si substrates by chemical vapor deposition using atomic resolution electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The latter technique allows the analysis of the relative Si to C composition as well as the nature of the bonding to determine the relative sp2/sp3 content of the diamond film. Results show considerable intermixing of silicon and carbon across an interfacial region 3 nm thick, which corresponds with an amorphous region. This region also contains the highest concentration of sp2 bonded C. To perform this analysis a novel method of producing diamond TEM samples was developed which combines standard FIB techniques and removal of surface damage by thermal decomposition at 350 °C.
Understanding older adults' perceptions of and attitudes towards exergames

Purpose Maintaining physical activity is a key component of successful aging and has benefits for both physical and cognitive functioning in the older adult population. One promising method for engaging in physical activity is through exergames, which are video games designed to promote exercise. Exergames have the potential to be used by a wide range of people, including older adults, in a variety of settings, such as at home, in community living environments, or senior centers. However, exergames have not been designed for older adults (e.g., with respect to their attitudes, needs). Thus, older adults may not adopt these systems if they perceive them as not useful or relevant to them. Method Twenty older adults (aged 60-79) interacted with two exergames, and were then interviewed about their perceptions of the system's ease of use and usefulness, as well as their general attitudes towards the system. Results Participants identified the potential for exergames' usefulness for various goals, such as to increase their physical activity. However, they also reported negative attitudes concerning the system, including perceiving barriers to system use. Overall, participants said they would use the system in the future and recommend it to other people at their age for improving health, despite these use challenges. Conclusion The older adults were open to adopting exergames, which could provide opportunities to increase physical activity. Given the participants' overall positive perceptions of the usefulness of exergames, designers must address the perceived challenges of using these systems. Understanding barriers and facilitators for older adults' use of exergames can guide design, training, and adoption of these systems.
Implementation of a Standardized Data-Collection System for Comprehensive Appraisal of Cleft Care.

Objective:Our objective is to describe the process of adapting a conceptual framework into a practical toolkit for one cleft team.Design:This is a single-arm implementation study in a single instit...