cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormalities of the ST Segment

The ST segment represents the period between depolarization and repolarization of the left ventricle. In the normal state, the ST segment is isoelectric, meaning that it is neither elevated nor depressed relative to the TP segment. Abnormalities of the ST segment of clinical import include ST segment elevation and ST segment depression. The electrocardiographic (EKG) differential diagnosis of abnormalities of the ST segment is broad, containing ominous and benign entities, including ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), bundle branch block (BBB), acute pericarditis, benign early repolarization, left ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular paced rhythm, digoxin effect, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, etc [1, 2, 3].
Implementing Income and Consumption Taxes: An Essay in Honor of David Bradford

This essay explores the extent to which income and consumption taxes can be implemented using parallel designs. The economic differences in the two taxes is thought to be the taxation of pure time value returns under an income tax but not under a consumption tax. In theory, therefore, all differences in implementation methods should be traceable to the measurement of time value returns. To explore the extent to which this is true, the essay examines four major design elements of any tax system: (i) the use of cash flows or basis accounts to measure the base; (ii) remittance of the tax by firms or individuals; (iii) whether the system is open or closed; and (iv) how the system operates across borders.
Elastic response of (001)-oriented PWA 1480 single crystal - The influence of secondary orientation

The influence of secondary orientation on the elastic response of a zone axis (001)-oriented nickel-base single-crystal superalloy, PWA 1480, was investigated under mechanical loading conditions by applying finite element techniques. Elastic stress analyses were performed with a commercially available finite element code. Secondary orientation of the single-crystal superalloy was offset with respect to the global coordinate system in increments from 0 to 90 deg and stresses developed within the single crystal were determined for each loading condition. The results indicated that the stresses were strongly influenced by the angular offset between the secondary crystal orientation and the global coordinate system. The degree of influence was found to vary with the type of loading condition (mechanical, thermal, or combined) imposed on the single-crystal superalloy.
Biomarkers of Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) encompasses an array of disorders unified by the reflux of gastric contents. Because there are many potential disease manifestations, esophageal and extraesophageal, there is no single biomarker of the entire disease spectrum; a set of GERD biomarkers that each quantifies specific aspects of GERD-related pathology might be needed. We review recent reports of biomarkers of GERD, specifically in relation to endoscopically negative esophageal disease and excluding conventional pH-impedance monitoring. We consider histopathologic biomarkers, baseline impedance, and serologic assays to determine that most markers are based on manifestations of impaired esophageal mucosal integrity, which is based on increased ionic and molecular permeability, and/or destruction of tight junctions. Impaired mucosal integrity quantified by baseline mucosal impedance, proteolytic fragments of junctional proteins, or histopathologic features has emerged as a promising GERD biomarker.
Searching for the Secrets of Nature: The Life and Works of Dr. Francisco Hernández

Searching for the Secrets of Nature: The Life and Works of Dr. Francisco Hernandez. Simon Varey. Rafael Chabran. and Dora B. Weiner. eds. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2000. xvi. 229 pp. The Mexican Treasury: The Writings of Dr. Francisco Hernandez. Simon Varey. ed. Rafael Chabran. Cynthia L. Chamberlin. and Simon Varey. trans. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2000. xix. 281 pp.
Effect of Testosterone Propionate in a Patient with Diabetes Mellitus and Addison's Disease

THE effects of the synthetic product testosterone on electrolytes and metabolism have been carefully studied (1, 2, 3) and compared with those of other steroids, the hormones arising in the gonads and adrenals (4, 5, 6). In general, it has been found that the administration of testosterone promptly depresses the urinary output of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, sulphates, sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorides and creatine (7, 8, 9). A fall in serum potassium and blood urea has been noted (6, 7), suggesting deposition of tissue protein (15). Longer periods of administration may raise the basal metabolic rate and cause a gain in body weight as fluid is retained (10, 11, 12), as well as an increase in the red blood cell count (13, 14, 16), a hastening of epiphyseal closure and a decrease in sperm count (8). Testosterone probably decreases protein catabolism (13), increases fat oxidation (12) and may or may not inhibit gluconeogenesis (23).
Prenatal diagnosis of the fragile X syndrome: possible end of the experimental phase for amniotic fluid.

We have had experience with 260 prenatal diagnosis cases for the fragile X syndrome [fra(X)]; amniotic fluid was received in 230. There was a documented family history of fra(X) in 148 amniotic fluid cases. Our sample includes 91 males. Eleven were correctly identified as fra(X)-positive and 2 were false-negative. Eight of 57 females were fra(X) positive and one was a false-negative. CVS were received in 21 cases with a family history of fra(X), and there were 2 positive results in females and 3 false-negative results in males which were ultimately detected by means of molecular analysis or a subsequent amniotic fluid specimen. RFLPs were utilized in 29 cases (amniotic fluid and CVS); RFLPs identified 2 false-negative cytogenetic results in CVS. Two male fetuses were found to have a high probability of being affected by means of RFLPs, but on the basis of prenatal and postnatal negative fra(X) cytogenetic results and subsequent normal growth and development, they are either unaffected transmitting males or are double recombinants. Three female fetuses were also found to be cytogenetically negative in CVS but had a 90%, 93%, and 99% probability of being affected by RFLPs. On the basis of the data, it can be concluded: 1 Amniotic fluid experience is adequate to eliminate the “experimental” designation providing the limitations are understood and an experienced laboratory is involved. 2 Chorionic villus cells for cytogenetic analysis should still be considered experimental. 3 Negative results with CVS should be confirmed by molecular methods and/or by cytogenetic analysis of another tissue. 4 Multiple approaches can maximize reliability of fra(X) prenatal diagnosis.
Detection of Q Fever Specific Antibodies Using Recombinant Antigen in ELISA with Peroxidase Based Signal Amplification

Currently, the accepted method for Q fever serodiagnosis is indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) using the whole cell antigen. In this study, we prepared the recombinant antigen of the 27-kDa outer membrane protein (Com1) which has been shown to be recognized by Q fever patient sera. The performance of recombinant Com1 was evaluated in ELISA by IFA confirmed serum samples. Due to the low titers of IgG and IgM in Q fever patients, the standard ELISA signals were further amplified by using biotinylated anti-human IgG or IgM plus streptavidin-HRP polymer. The modified ELISA can detect 88% (29 out of 33) of Q fever patient sera collected from Marines deployed to Iraq. Less than 5% (5 out of 156) of the sera from patients with other febrile diseases reacted with the Com1. These results suggest that the modified ELISA using Com1 may have the potential to improve the detection of Q fever specific antibodies.
Determination of the relative signs of coupling constants in some organomercuric compounds by internuclear double and triple magnetic resonance

Abstract INDOR techniques are employed in determining the relative signs of coupling constants in the following three organomercuric compounds: ethylmercuric chloride, JHgCH2 = ±222 cps, and JHgCH3 = ±300 cps; methylmercuric nitrate, JHgCH3 = ±258 cps, and JHgC13 = ± 1800 cps; and trans-2-chlorovinylmercuric chloride, JHgαH = ± 115.0 cps, and JHgβH = ± 160.5 cps. For a fourth compound, methylethynylmercury, which has a virtually zero value for the proton-proton coupling constant (JCHCH3 ≈ 0 cps), triple resonance experiments show that JHgCH3 = ±149 cps and JHgcH = ±69 cps. A table of coupling constants, with probable absolute signs, is given for all organomercuric compounds where such data are available.
Dissociation of physiology and behavior in PTSD

We have previously reported that subjects with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) differ from trauma controls in their ability to produce and withhold responses in the Stop-Signal Task depending on the motivational context as determined by financial reward. This experiment measured skin conductance and heart rate to assess autonomic changes accompanying these different patterns of behavior. Fowles hypothesized that heart rate would increase with behavioral activation and that increases in skin conductance would accompany behavioral inhibition. Both PTSD and comparison groups showed the expected behavioral changes in response to rewards, but they differed in their physiological responses. The subjects in the traumatized comparison group showed changes in skin conductance and heart rate consistent with Fowles' hypothesis and the observed changes in behavioral inhibition and activation. However, PTSD subjects showed no significant change in either physiological measure. These results demonstrate a dissociation between autonomic reactivity and motivated behavior in PTSD that may represent one aspect of emotional numbing.
Cochlear Pericyte Responses to Acoustic Trauma and the Involvement of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

This study explored the effect of acoustic trauma on cochlear pericytes. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that pericytes on capillaries of the stria vascularis were closely associated with the endothelium in both control guinea pigs and mice. Pericyte foot processes were tightly positioned adjacent to endothelial cells. Exposure to wide-band noise at a level of 120 dB for 3 hours per day for 2 consecutive days produced a significant hearing threshold shift and structurally damaged blood vessels in the stria vascularis. Additionally, the serum protein, IgG, was observed to leak from capillaries of the stria vascularis, and pericytes lost their tight association with endothelial cells. Levels of the pericyte structural protein, desmin, substantially increased after noise exposure in both guinea pigs and mice with a corresponding increase in pericyte coverage of vessels. Increased expression levels of desmin were associated with the induction of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α and the up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Inhibition of HIF-1α activity caused a decrease in VEGF expression levels in stria vascularis vessels. Blockade of VEGF activity with SU1498, a VEGF receptor inhibitor, significantly attenuated the expression of desmin in pericytes. These data demonstrate that cochlear pericytes are markedly affected by acoustic trauma and display an abnormal morphology. HIF-1α activation and VEGF up-regulation are important factors for the alteration of the pericyte structural protein desmin.
Analysis and performance of a countercurrent moving-bed chromatographic reactor

A theoretical and experimental investigation of a countercurrent moving-bed chromatographic reactor is the subject of this paper. In this reactor a reversible heterogeneous reaction takes place on catalyst particles passing downward through an upcoming gas stream. The behaviour of an ideal reactor model was examined for different values of feed concentrations and reactor length. It is predicted that reaction and separation can be achieved simultaneously and that under appropriate operating conditions, a reactor fed at the bottom with the species more favoured by thermodynamic equilibrium can lead to 100% product purity with overall conversions lower than a conventional fixed bed reactor. The effect of nonidealities on the reactor performance is also discussed. Finite adsorption and axial dispersion have a generally deteriorating effect on overall conversion and product purity. An improved reactor configuration with a bottom stripping section is suggested. Its operating conditions can be tailored so that predicted performance exceeds that of a fixed bed both in yield and product purity. The hydrogenation of mesitylene with excess hydrogen over a Pt on alumina catalyst was used for an experimental investigation of the reactor. The experiments, performed in a 12″ i.d., 7′ long column, resulted in products of higher purity than the equilibrium prediction, and overall conversions comparable to a fixed bed reactor.
The GPA Perspective: Influences, Significance, and Sacrifices of Students

This research addresses issues generated by the pioneering work of Becker, Geer, and Hughes done in 1959 on the grade point average (GPA) perspective and surveys done 30 years later that further documented the perspective. An interview schedule was designed to have undergraduate students explore, in writing, a number of issues related to the perspective. There were three major findings from this study. Contrary to the Becker et. al. findings, the authors found that the perspective is fostered prior to college by parents and grade school teachers and family processes. Second, the strength of the perspective was further documented by students who gave five major reasons for maintaining the perspective. Third, the perspective translated into a set of practices that involve sacrificing health, personal relationship, hobbies, and other interests. Finally, the examination of the influence and power of the perspective seemed to allow students to move from being acted upon (passive) to becoming active (subjects).
Relationships between kinematics of arc-continent collision and kinematics of thrust faults, folds, shear zones, and foliations in the Nevadan orogen, northern Sierra Nevada, California

Abstract The Mesozoic Nevadan orogeny in the northern Sierra Nevada metamorphic belt, California, may be attributed to arc-continent collision, stratigraphic data and macroscopic cross cutting relations suggest successive accretion of two arcs along an active continental margin. The younger accretion event involved the Early Jurassic Slate Creek terrane, which is a 3–5 km thick pseudostratigraphic arc fragment. The Slate Creek thrust, an isoclinally folded fault with a subhorizontal median surface, carries the Slate Creek terrane at least 40 km eastward (continentward) over the pre-existing continental margin terrane amalgam. No rock units can be correlated across the Slate Creek thrust which is thus interpreted as an arc-continent suture. In addition to the Slate Creek thrust, the Nevadan orogen includes a major east-vergent imbricate thrust set east of and beneath the Slate Creek thrust, and steep west-vergent reverse shear zones, macroscopic upright folds, and steep foliations that overprint and cut the east-vergent structures. These data suggest a model for the relationships between the kinematics of arc collision and Nevadan orogenic structures. The Slate Creek arc terrane accreted by westward partial subduction of the continental margin along the east-vergent Slate Creek thrust. The continental margin was imbricated along an east-vergent thrust set. The structurally higher, inactive Slate Creek thrust-suture was deformed by steep west-vergent shear zones, folds, and foliations which may have accommodated shortening of the east-vergent thrust sheet. This deformation occurred within an active, continental margin arc that probably initiated by subduction flip after collision of the Slate Creek arc. This kinematic model is consistent with the structural geometry and chronology of the Nevadan orogen while qualitatively maintaining lithosphere-scale strain compatibility. This model has implications for problems related to emplacement of large crystalline thrust sheets, displacements beneath and at the margins of shortened crustal segments, and interaction of oppositely-verging structures. The Nevadan orogen is a slate belt, and the structural-plate tectonic model presented for the Nevadan orogeny may be testable in slate belts of other orogens.
Influence of superconductivity on magnetic exchange interactions

Using the formulation due to Fedro and Robinson of magnetic exchange in the presence of superconductivity, the mean field magnetic interaction energy has been calculated for rare earth (RE) ions in the RERh4B4 lattice. It is shown that increasing the strength of the superconducting interaction relative to the magnetic interaction results in a decrease of ferromagnetic coupling, and in some cases may drive ferromagnetic systems into antiferromagnetism.
A computer program for calculating ratio estimates

Abstract A computer program is described to calculate ratio estimates for an endpoint measured on patient subunits, such as progression of disease in coronary arteries and extent of dental caries. The program calculates ratio estimates for levels of stratification factors measured in the patient as a unit, e.g. age and sex. Test statistics are computed to evaluate differences in ratio estimates for factors with two levels. A method for making pairwise comparisons for factors with more than two levels is also described, but is not computed by the program. Data from the Veterans Administration Study of Bypass Surgery (Am. J. Cardiol. 40 (1977) 212–225) are used to illustrate the features of the program.
Underlying structure of singular perturbations on manifolds

A perturbation problem is singular when the straightforward expansion in powers of a small parameter fails to describe the exact solution qualitatively in some region of interest. I formulate singular perturbations on manifolds in a coordinate-free way suitable for treating problems in general relativity and other field theories. I define uniformity as the ideal sought. Uniformity leads to internal criteria, such as matching, for validity. Subsequent papers will apply this formalism to (1) the problem of motion in general relativity (and other theories), (2) problems in which the causal structure or topology change qualitatively as the result of an apparently small perturbation, and (3) generalization of some conventional singular perturbation methods and potential improvements in their reliability.
Mineral chemistry of submarine lavas from Hilo Ridge, Hawaii: implications for magmatic processes within Hawaiian rift zones

The crustal history of volcanic rocks can be inferred from the mineralogy and compositions of their phenocrysts which record episodes of magma mixing as well as the pressures and temperatures when magmas cooled. Submarine lavas erupted on the Hilo Ridge, a rift zone directly east of Mauna Kea volcano, contain olivine, plagioclase, augite ±orthopyroxene phenocrysts. The compositions of these phenocryst phases provide constraints on the magmatic processes beneath Hawaiian rift zones. In these samples, olivine phenocrysts are normally zoned with homogeneous cores ranging from ∼ Fo81 to Fo91. In contrast, plagioclase, augite and orthopyroxene phenocrysts display more than one episode of reverse zoning. Within each sample, plagioclase, augite and orthopyroxene phenocrysts have similar zoning profiles. However, there are significant differences between samples. In three samples these phases exhibit large compositional contrasts, e.g., Mg# [100 × Mg/(Mg+Fe+2)] of augite varies from 71 in cores to 82 in rims. Some submarine lavas from the Puna Ridge (Kilauea volcano) contain phenocrysts with similar reverse zonation.
Integrated optical circuitry

The current state-of-the-art in integrated optical circuitry based on optical guided waves in thin films will be reviewed. Sources, couplers, passive elements and modulators, which are basic components for integrated optics, will be discussed.
Overexpression of TNNI3K, a cardiac specific MAPKKK, promotes cardiac dysfunction

Cardiac troponin I-interacting kinase (TNNI3K) is a cardiac-specific kinase whose biological function remains largely unknown. We have recently shown that TNNI3K expression greatly accelerates cardiac dysfunction in mouse models of cardiomyopathy, indicating an important role in modulating disease progression. To further investigate TNNI3K kinase activity in vivo, we have generated transgenic mice expressing both wild-type and kinase-dead versions of the human TNNI3K protein. Importantly, we show that the increased TNNI3K kinase activity induces mouse cardiac remodeling, and its kinase activity promotes accelerated disease progression in a left-ventricular pressure overload model of mouse cardiomyopathy. Using an in vitro kinase assay and proteomics analysis, we show that TNNI3K is a dual-function kinase with Tyr and Ser/Thr kinase activity. TNNI3K expression induces a series of cellular and molecular changes, including a reduction of sarcomere length and changes in titin isoform composition, which are indicative of cardiac remodeling. Using antisera to TNNI3K, we show that TNNI3K protein is located at the sarcomere Z disc. These combined data suggest that TNNI3K mediates cell signaling to modulate cardiac response to stress.
Effects of centrally administered corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and α-helical CRF on the vocalizations of isolated guinea pig pups

Abstract Intraventricular corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was administered to guinea pig pups both with a freehand injection technique and via indwelling cannula. Behavioral effects depended upon the technique used. The highest dose of CRF (5 μg) inhibited the vocalizing of pups in a subsequent isolation test only when CRF was given by freehand injection. The possibility that disturbance attendant to the freehand procedure can account for this difference is discussed. To determine the effect of endogenous CRF in the absence of additional disturbance, the CRF antagonist α-helical CRF (ahCRF) was administered with the indwelling cannula procedure. ahCRF enhanced vocalizing during the first 10 min, and enhanced locomotor activity during the last 10 min, of a 30-min isolation test. Overall, the results indicate that endogenous CRF reduces vocalizing and locomotion during social isolation and that under certain injection conditions exogenous CRF can exacerbate the behavioral effect. The results also demonstrate the potential impact of the technique used to administer exogenous CRF. Further, the prevailing view, that CRF mediates stress-related behavioral responses, is supported only if behavioral inhibition, rather than vocalizing or locomotor activity, is viewed as the stress-related response in this situation.
Interpersonal correlates of pessimism.

This study examined the relationship between feelings of pessimism and interpersonal behavior in a group of 91 normal, nonclinically depressed individuals. Correlational analysis was employed to as...
Price Elasticity of Water Demand in a Small College Town: An Inclusion of System Dynamics Approach for Water Demand Forecast:

The relationship between water demand and pricing using the price elasticity of water demand in the City of Pullman, Washington, between 2000 and 2006 shows that the current amount of water depletion is not sustainable. Three different economic scenarios were developed by altering variables in regression equations to investigate the influence of individual variables on estimating the final price elasticity of water demand. Single-family households, total residential households, and total population water use of the City of Pullman, Washington were the three different economic scenarios developed for calculating the price elasticity of water demand. The regression results show that the price elasticity of marginal price is inelastic. The exponents for median household income, fixed price, and precipitation had the expected signs in all applied scenarios. An economic model based on the regression equation of price elasticity was developed using a systems dynamic approach. The economic model projected a decline in water demand when the independent variables were assumed to grow linearly over the coming 25 years. When the household size with higher elasticity values was excluded from the regression equation, the developed economic model was able to forecast reasonable water demand. The time series data with exact service connections are recommended to reduce the uncertainty in the computation of the price elasticity of water demand. Further sensitivity analysis is recommended to understand interrelationship of water demand and pricing from the developed economic model using system dynamics approach.
Topological phase entanglements of membrane solitons in division algebra sigma models with a hopf term

Abstract Exploiting the unique connection between the division algebras of the complex numbers (C), quaternions (H), octonions (Ω) and the essential Hopf maps S2n − 1 → Sn with n = 2, 4, 8, we study Sn − 2-membrane solitons in three D-dimensional KP(1) σ-models with a Hopf term, (D, K) = (3, C), (7, H), and (15, Ω). We present a comprehensive analysis of their topological phase entanglements. Extending Polyakov's approach to Fermi-Bose transmutations to higher dimensions, we detail a geometric regularization of Gauss' linking coefficient, its connections to the self-linking, twisting, writhing numbers of the Feynman paths of the solitons in their thin membrane limit. Alternative forms of the Hopf invariant show the latter as an Aharonov-Bohm-Berry phase of topologically massive, rank (n − 1) antisymmetric tensor U(1) gauge fields coupled to the Sn − 2-membranes. Via a K-bundle formulation of the dynamics of electrically and magnetically charged extended objects these phases are shown to induce a dyon-like structure on these membranes. We briefly discuss the connections to harmonic mappings, higher dimensional monopoles and instantons. We point out the relevance of the Gauss-Bonnet-Chern theorem on the connection between spin and statistics. By way of the topology of the infinite groups of sphere mappings Sn → Sn, n = 2, 4, 8, we also analyze the implications of the Hopf phases on the fractional spin and statistics of the membranes.
Effect of Psoriasis Severity on Hypertension Control: A Population-Based Study in the United Kingdom

Importance Hypertension is prevalent among patients with psoriasis. The effect of psoriasis and its severity on hypertension control is unknown. Objective To determine the association between uncontrolled blood pressure and psoriasis, both overall and according to objectively measured psoriasis severity, among patients with diagnosed hypertension. Design, Setting, and Participants Population-based cross-sectional study nested in a prospective cohort drawn from The Health Improvement Network (THIN), an electronic medical records database broadly representative of the general population in the United Kingdom. The study population included a random sample of patients with psoriasis (n = 1322) between the ages of 25 and 64 years in THIN who were included in the Incident Health Outcomes and Psoriasis Events prospective cohort and their age- and practice-matched controls without psoriasis (n = 11 977). All included patients had a diagnosis of hypertension; their psoriasis diagnosis was confirmed and disease severity was classified by their general practitioners. Main Outcomes and Measures Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher based on the blood pressure recorded closest in time to the assessment of psoriasis severity. Results There was a significant positive dose-response relationship between uncontrolled hypertension and psoriasis severity as objectively determined by the affected body surface area in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses that controlled for age, sex, body mass index, smoking and alcohol use status, presence of comorbid conditions, and current use of antihypertensive medications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.82-1.14 for mild psoriasis; aOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.99-1.45 for moderate psoriasis; and aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.08-2.04 for severe psoriasis; P = .01 for trend). The likelihood of uncontrolled hypertension among psoriasis overall was also increased, although not statistically significantly so (aOR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.98-1.24). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with hypertension, psoriasis was associated with a greater likelihood of uncontrolled hypertension in a dose-dependent manner, with the greatest likelihood observed among those with moderate to severe psoriasis defined by 3% or more of the body surface area affected. Our data suggest a need for more effective blood pressure management, particularly among patients with more severe psoriasis.
A mixed-methods analysis of a library-based hand-held intervention with rural clinicians.

Background The East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine Library has participated for several years in projects to provide rural clinicians with health information resources. Objectives To determine whether a strategy of hand-held devices with a best-evidence point-of-care disease tool and a drug database paired with access to a medical library for full-text articles and training to use the tools would be an affordable way to meet the information needs of rural underserved clinicians. Methods This study is a mixed-methods methodology. The first project was evaluated using a randomised controlled trial (RCT) methodology. The second was evaluated qualitatively using interviews and focus groups. Results The quantitative findings discovered that clinicians equipped with a hand-held device with evidence-based software more frequently found answers to clinical questions, found answers more quickly, were more satisfied with information they found and use expensive resources such as continuing medical education, online databases and textbooks less than the group that did not have access to online technology. Qualitative results supported the quantitative findings. Conclusion Librarians can implement a three-pronged strategy of the secondary literature via a hand-held, the primary literature via Loansome Doc and quality training to meet basic information needs of rural clinicians.
Mountain Waves in the Tropical Pacific Atmosphere: A Comparison of Vertical Wind Fluctuations over Pohnpei and Christmas Island Using VHF Wind Profilers

Abstract We compare vertical wind fluctuations observed by VHF radar wind profilers in the tropical troposphere over a large, mountainous island (Pohnpei, at 7°N, 158°E) and a large, low-profile atoll (Christmas Island, at 2°N, 157°W). The major difference in the two datasets appears to be due to the frequent occurrence of mountain waves over Pohnpei and to their absence over Christmas Island. These waves are generated continuously at low levels over Pohnpei by the steady ENE trade winds acting on the 800 m high terrain, and can extend at least into the lower stratosphere. We find the occurrence of mountain waves at middle- and upper-tropospheric levels over Pohnpei to be governed primarily by a “critical-layer” relationship between the winds aloft and the near-surface winds: a reversal in the direction of the upper level winds relative to the lower-level trade winds precludes the upward propagation of mountain waves, whereas a nonreversed wind profile allows the waves to propagate freely into the lower s...
Heteronormativity and Sexual Partnering Among Bisexual Latino Men

Our analyses address the question of how bisexual Latino men organize their sexual partnerships. Heteronormativity can be understood as the set of social norms and normative structures that guide sexual partnering among men and women. We provide descriptive statistics to describe bisexual Latino men’s sexual partnerships. Logistic and linear regression modeling were used to explore bivariate and multivariate relationships. Of our total sample (N = 142), 41.6 % had unprotected vaginal intercourse 2 months prior to the interview; 21.8 % had unprotected anal intercourse with female partners; 37.5 % had unprotected insertive anal intercourse with male partners; and 22.5 % had unprotected receptive anal intercourse with male partners. In our multivariate model, machismo was directly associated with meeting female partners through formal spaces (workplace, school, and/or church), but inversely associated with meeting male partners in formal spaces. Machismo was positively associated with meeting male sex partners through social networks (i.e., friendship and kinship networks). The more comfortable men were with homosexuality the less likely they were to meet men online and the more likely they were to meet men through social networks of friends and kinship. Interventions to reduce sexually transmitted diseases that target bisexual behavior as an epidemiological “bridge” of transmission from homosexual to heterosexual networks might very well benefit from a more complex understanding of how Latino bisexuality is patterned. Thus, this exploratory analysis might lead to a rethinking of how to address risk and vulnerability among Latino bisexual men and their sexual networks.
Breaking tolerance in cancer immunotherapy: time to ACT

The discovery of defined tumor antigens and their application in therapeutic cancer vaccines has not yet resulted in a successful therapy for cancer patients. Recent data suggest that this might be because most current clinical immunotherapeutic strategies rely on a tolerized tumor-reactive T-cell repertoire, resulting in a weak T-cell response that cannot induce tumor regression in the face of a multitude of normal and tumor-induced immunoregulatory mechanisms. New insights from animal models and clinical trials suggest a rationale for combination approaches in which the ineffective endogenous anti-tumor immune response is enhanced through a combination of adoptive cell transfer (ACT), specific vaccination and cytokine help for the reliable induction of a robust anti-tumor immune response and tumor regression.
Stochastic approximation with dependent noise

Abstract In this work we derive the usual limit laws (weak and strong convergence, central limit theorem, invariance principle) for stochastic approximation with stationary noise. The idea is to introduce an artificial sequence, related to the SA scheme, but which clearly obeys the desired limit law. This sequence is subtracted from the SA scheme and the remainder, which behaves more or less deterministically, is shown to vanish using simple limit arguments.
Genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma: lessons from a developing-world series

Abstract Objective The objective was to retrospectively review a large series of pediatric patients with genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma from a developing country. Methods A total of 49 children were treated over a 47-year period (1961-2008). Analysis of the clinical presentation, demographics, surgical records, histological results, and oncological management was performed. The patients were analyzed as a whole and also in 2 separate groups (pre- and post-1992). Results The median age at clinical presentation was 3½ years. The majority (59%) of patients were Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study group 3, with locally advanced disease at presentation. Twenty (41%) of the 49 patients presented with primary tumors greater than 10 cm in diameter. Sixteen (33%) of the 49 patients had positive regional lymph nodes at presentation. The overall survival of the series was 30 (65%) of 46. The survival for those treated after 1992 in Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study group 3 was superior ( P = .04) to those treated before 1992 (80% vs 56%). Conclusion Children in this large African series of genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma present with greater locally advanced disease (node positive and bulky disease) when compared with the developed world. Improvements in the last 2 decades in local surgical and oncological care have led to an improvement in survival in children with locally advanced disease.
Role conflict and ambiguity as a function of the task—structure—technology interaction

Abstract Based on the premise that organizational behaviors are phenomena of complex, interacting variables, this research analyzed the task—structure technology interaction as a predictor of perceived role ambiguity and conflict. The basic hypothesis was that incongruent matches of task—structure—technology are associated with higher levels of role ambiguity and conflict than congruent matches of these variables. The results supported the hypothesis that congruent matches of the three variables result in lower role ambiguity and conflict than incongruent matches of those variables; however, some incongruent matches result in more role ambiguity and conflict than others. These results suggest that the work done on role ambiguity and conflict consider the influence of the organization's structure and technology as well as the incumbent's task.
Nanopore formation in neuroblastoma cells following ultrashort electric pulse exposure

Ultrashort or nanosecond electrical pulses (USEP) cause repairable damage to the plasma membranes of cells through formation of nanopores. These nanopores are able to pass small ions such as sodium, calcium, and potassium, but remain impermeable to larger molecules like trypan blue and propidium iodide. What remains uncertain is whether generation of nanopores by ultrashort electrical pulses can inhibit action potentials in excitable cells. In this paper, we explored the sensitivity of excitable cells to USEP using Calcium Green AM 1 ester fluorescence to measure calcium uptake indicative of nanopore formation in the plasma membrane. We determined the threshold for nanopore formation in neuroblastoma cells for three pulse parameters (amplitude, pulse width, and pulse number). Measurement of such thresholds will guide future studies to determine if USEP can inhibit action potentials without causing irreversible membrane damage.
Metamict Mineral Alteration: An Implication for Radioactive Waste Disposal

Pervasive alteration is a common feature of metamict minerals. Previous studies of metamict niobium-tantalum-titanium oxides and electron microprobe analyses of altered areas in metamict yttrialite document the leaching of uranium, thorium, and rare earth elements. These data suggest that glasses may not provide a stable medium for radioactive waste disposal.
Noise and motion correction in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for analysis of atherosclerotic lesions.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of atherosclerotic vessels after contrast agent injection may provide unique information regarding lesion structure and vulnerability. The high-resolution images necessary for viewing lesion substructures, however, are often corrupted by patient motion and low signal-to-noise ratios, making pixel-level analyses difficult. This article presents a postprocessing method that enables pixel-level analysis of dynamic images by eliminating motion and enhancing image quality. Noise and motion correction are performed using optimal statistical methods under the assumption that noise and contrast agent dynamics are random processes. The method is demonstrated and validated on dynamic images of atherosclerotic plaques in human carotid arteries.
Poverty in School Communities

What are acute poverty challenges for culturally disadvantaged school communities across the United States? How do practicing teacher-researchers, pursuing advanced degrees, view this issue and the...
Intergenerational equity and environmental decisions: A model using Rawls' veil of ignorance

Abstract Four general strategies for resource use, exploitationism, conservationism, naturalist-preservationism, and extensionist-preservationism are sketched and a two-step model for deciding resource policy issues is proposed. The model, based on a modification of Rawls' hypothetical rational decision model, posits a self-interested chooser who decides the rules constituting a fair society. In the first stage, the chooser places pre-emptive constraints on each generation's use of resources. These constraints, embodying Leopold's conception of whole ecosystem health, limit the options available to individuals of any generation in the pursuit of economic welfare. In the second stage each generation may choose a strategy of resource use from those possibilities fulfilling the first-stage constraints. It is argued that: (a) exploitationism is not, in general, an acceptable strategy because it violates constraints that would be imposed on all generations by a chooser who is ignorant regarding the generation he will inhabit; (b) extensionist-preservation, which recognizes values inherent in wild species and natural ecosystems, provides no operationalizable guide for environmental policy; (c) conservationism fails to protect the biotic heritage of future generations because applications of the sustainable yield criterion can cause simplification and eventual breakdowns of natural ecosystems; and therefore (d) a broadly naturalist-preservationist strategy, which imposes constraints on the pervasive exploitation of ecological systems and thereby protects biological diversity in the long run, would be chosen by the rational chooser who is ignorant of the generation he will inhabit.
Stimuli-Responsive Polyelectrolyte Polymer Brushes Prepared via Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization†

We present an account of our research into polyelectrolyte polymer brushes that are capable of acting as stimuli-responsive films. We first detail the synthesis of poly(acrylic acid) polymer brushes using ATRP in a “grafting from” strategy. Significantly, we employed a chemical-free deprotection step that should leave the anchoring ester groups intact. We have demonstrated how these polymer assemblies respond to stimuli such as pH and electrolyte concentration. We have used poly(acrylic acid) polymer brushes for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and review this work. We have used XPS, ATR-FTIR, and AFM spectroscopy to show the presence of silver and palladium nanoparticles within polymer brushes. Finally, we report the synthesis of AB diblock polyampholyte polymer brushes that represent an extension of polyelectrolyte polymer brushes.
The heme-binding lipoprotein (HbpA) of Haemophilus influenzae: Role in heme utilization

Haemophilus influenzae has an absolute growth requirement for heme and a heme binding lipoprotein (HbpA) has been implicated in the utilization of this essential nutrient. HbpA was identified by examining clones from an H. influenzae genomic library that caused Escherichia coli harboring the clone to bind heme. However, HbpA has not been shown to mediate heme acquisition in H. influenzae. We constructed an insertional mutation of hbpA in a nontypeable H. influenzae strain and demonstrated a role for the gene in utilization of multiple heme sources. This is the first report confirming a role for HbpA in utilization of heme.
Erratum for “Productivity Scheduling Method: Linear Schedule Analysis with Singularity Functions” by Gunnar Lucko

The following corrections should be noted for errors resulting from omission of analogous buffer equations and consequent shortening of the paper. The writer apologizes for any confusion that this may have caused. On page 250, the differences of the intercepts for Eqs. (17)–(21) should use the intercepts of yðxÞ 1⁄4 f0; 8; 13; 21:9; 30:7; 38:7g for activities fA;B;C;D;E;Fg, per Table 2, and should be corrected as shown in the following section to subtract the buffer equations of predecessors from activity equations of successors.
A Systematic Approach to Flexible Specifications, Composition, and Restructuring of Workflow Activities

We introduce the ActivityFlow specification language for flexible specification, composition, and coordination of workflow activities. The most interesting features of the ActivityFlow specification language include: (1) a collection of specification mechanisms, allowing workflow designers to use a uniform workflow specification interface to describe different types (i.e., ad-hoc, administrative, or production) of workflows involved in their organizational processesâ€“ this feature helps to increase the flexibility of workflow processes in accommodating various types of changes; (2) a set of activity modeling facilities, enabling workflow designers to describe the flow of work declaratively and incrementally, allowing to reason about correctness and security of complex workflow activities independently from their underlying implementation mechanisms; (3) an open architecture that supports user interaction as well as collaboration of workflow systems of different organizations, and a set of workflow activity restructuring operators to respond to dynamic changes of workflow activities. We end the paper with a series of simulation-based experiments that demonstrate the effectiveness of these restructuring operators and the implementation architecture of the ActivityFlow system.
Effects of early post-mortem ageing on intramuscular collagen stability, yield and composition

Post-mortem changes in the composition and physical stability of bovine intramuscular collagen were evaluated during a 24 h ageing period. The yield of intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) isolated from the infraspinatus muscle samples and the carbohydrate content of that material did not change significantly (P > 0·05) during the ageing period. The collagen content and total protein content of the isolated IMCT increased (P 0·05). Collagen thermal shrinkage temperature (T(s)) decreased (P < 0·01) and collagen solubility increased (P < 0·05) during the ageing period with most of the changes occurring in the first 8 h.
Vibrational Stark effect spectroscopy reveals complementary electrostatic fields created by protein-protein binding at the interface of Ras and Ral.

Electrostatic fields at the interface of the GTPase H-Ras (Ras) docked with the Ras binding domain of the protein Ral guanine nucleoside dissociation stimulator (Ral) were measured with vibrational Stark effect (VSE) spectroscopy. Nine residues on the surface of Ras that participate in the protein–protein interface were systematically mutated to cysteine and subsequently converted to cyanocysteine in order to introduce a nitrile VSE probe into the protein–protein interface. The absorption energy of the nitrile was measured both on the surface of Ras in its monomeric state, then after incubation with the Ras binding domain of Ral to form the docked complex. Boltzmann-weighted structural snapshots of the nitrile-labeled Ras protein were generated both in monomeric and docked configurations from molecular dynamics simulations using enhanced sampling of the cyanocysteine side chain's χ2 dihedral angle. These snapshots were used to determine that on average, most of the nitrile probes were aligned along the Ras surface, parallel to the Ras–Ral interface. The average solvent-accessible surface areas (SASA) of the cyanocysteine side chain were found to be <60 A2 for all measured residues, and was not significantly different whether the nitrile was on the surface of the Ras monomer or immersed in the docked complex. Changes in the absorption energy of the nitrile probe at nine positions along the Ras–Ral interface were compared to results of a previous study examining this interface with Ral-based probes, and found a pattern of low electrostatic field in the core of the interface surrounded by a ring of high electrostatic field around the perimeter of the interface. These data are used to rationalize several puzzling features of the Ras–Ral interface.