cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detailed balance and four state models of smooth muscle activation.

Regulation of smooth muscle contraction involves a number of chemical networks which in turn involve reactions at fixed sites. This occurs because of the organized nature of the contractile filament system. The formalisms introduced by T. L. Hill (1977) in his analyses of the hypotheses of A. F. Huxley (1957) have been useful in the study of several other motile systems and draw on the concepts of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, and are expressed in the language of continuous time Markov chains. The definition of a state plays an important role in such analyses as does the notion of Detailed Balance. Models which do not comply with the Principle of Detailed Balance are at least inconsistent and may have no more significance than fitting a curve to a mathematical expression.
Taurodeoxycholate and the developing rabbit distal colon: absence of secretory effect.

Failure to absorb bile acids by the ileum leads to fluid secretion by the colon and diarrhea in adults. The infant ileum, however, does not actively transport bile acids. Therefore, we investigated the effect of taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) on ion transport in the colon of rabbits 7-10 days old. We mounted distal colon from infant and adult rabbits in modified Ussing chambers and exposed the mucosal or serosal surfaces to TDCA. In the adult, 50 microM TDCA produced an increase in short-circuit current (delta Isc = 1.0 +/- 0.3 mu eq . h-1 . cm-2, P less than 0.05) and Cl secretion. In the infant, the effect was different, Isc was reduced (delta Isc = -1.1 +/- 0.2 mu eq . h-1 . cm-2, P less than 0.01) and ion flux was not altered. Microscopy demonstrated that the infant epithelium was not significantly damaged by exposure to TDCA at these concentrations. The infant colon was, however, capable of a secretory response to a variety of agonists including theophylline, carbachol, bradykinin, serotonin, and 12,13-dibutyryl phorbol ester. The infant rabbit distal colon lacks a secretory response to TDCA during that period when the ileum cannot transport bile acids.
Evaluating a Change in Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Kidney Transplant Recipients

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate if a change in practice from January 2013 to August 2015 affected the rate of surgical-site infections following kidney transplantation at the single academic medical center. More patients were found to have a surgical-site infection when surgical antibiotics were only given intra-operatively despite a lower incidence of risk factors identified in the literature when compared to the cohort who received antibiotics intra-op and post-op for 24 hours.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) accounts for about 50% of acute liver failure cases in the United States. Diagnosis is challenging, especially due to the myriad combinations of potentially hepatotoxic medications and clinical presentations. Unexplained liver injury should prompt a thorough investigation of medication administration (e.g., for accidental or intentional overdose) and the use of herbal and dietary supplements. The framework for approaching DILI includes the following: (1) categorize the injury as either intrinsic or idiosyncratic, (2) establish time course and pattern of injury, and (3) triage effectively to minimize mortality risk.
Reduced gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and glutamine in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of veterans exposed to trauma.

Abstract Background Trauma-related diagnoses such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are prevalent in veterans. The identification of mechanisms related to stress vulnerability and development of PTSD specifically in a veteran population may aid in the prevention of PTSD and identification of novel treatment targets. Methods Veterans with PTSD (n = 27), trauma-exposed veterans with no PTSD (TEC, n = 18) and non-trauma-exposed controls (NTEC, n = 28) underwent single-voxel proton (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 3 Tesla in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) using a two-dimensional (2D) J-resolved point spectroscopy sequence in addition to completing a clinical battery. Results The PTSD and TEC groups demonstrated lower gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)/H2O (p = 0.02) and glutamine (Gln)/H2O (p = 0.02) in the dACC as compared to the NTEC group. The PTSD group showed a trend towards higher Glu/GABA (p = 0.053) than the NTEC group. Further, GABA/H2O in the dACC correlated negatively with sleep symptoms in the PTSD group (p = 0.03) but not in the TEC and NTEC groups. Limitations Cross-sectional study design, concomitant medications, single voxel measurement as opposed to global changes, absence of measure of childhood or severity of trauma and objective sleep measures, female participants not matched for menstrual cycle phase. Conclusions Exposure to trauma in veterans may be associated with lower GABA/H2O and Gln/H2O in the dACC, suggesting disruption in the GABA-Gln-glutamate cycle. Further, altered Glu/GABA in the dACC in the PTSD group may indicate an excitatory-inhibitory imbalance. Further, lower GABA/H2O in the ACC was associated with poor sleep in the PTSD group. Treatments that restore GABAergic balance may be particularly effective in reducing sleep symptoms in PTSD.
Computers and the people who make them work

Most people now alive were born after the development of the modern computer. We are by now used to the fact that our electric bills, bank statements, and income tax returns are processed by high-speed machines for whom we represent a pattern of electric charges and nothing else. We are also aware, if somewhat more dimly, that the subway we take to work or school, the traffic lights that regulate our daily commute, and the elevators that take us up and down skyscrapers are likely to be controlled by automatic machines instead of people. We tend to be even less aware of how, with the help of computers, our workplaces have been taken apart and reassembled to change the way we make things. Yet, these are only the most visible changes wrought by the widespread application of computer-based technology. Automated subways and computer-controlled production lines are hard to miss if we happen to deal with them every day. The consequences of econometric modeling and computerized war-games are harder to see and even harder to properly appreciate.
Characterization of Plasma Membrane Localization and Phosphorylation Status of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 c.521 T>C Nonsynonymous Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism.

Membrane transport protein organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 mediates hepatic uptake of many drugs (e.g. statins). The OATP1B1 c.521 T > C (p. V174A) polymorphism has reduced transport activity. Conflicting in vitro results exist regarding whether V174A-OATP1B1 has reduced plasma membrane localization; no such data has been reported in physiologically relevant human liver tissue. Other potential changes, such as phosphorylation, of the V174A-OATP1B1 protein have not been explored. Current studies characterized the plasma membrane localization of V174A-OATP1B1 in genotyped human liver tissue and cell culture and compared the phosphorylation status of V174A- and wild-type (WT)-OATP1B1. Localization of V174A- and WT-OATP1B1 were determined in OATP1B1 c.521 T > C genotyped human liver tissue (n = 79) by immunohistochemistry and in transporter-overexpressing human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 and HeLa cells by surface biotinylation and confocal microscopy. Phosphorylation and transport of OATP1B1 was determined using 32P-orthophosphate labeling and [3H]estradiol-17β-glucuronide accumulation, respectively. All three methods demonstrated predominant plasma membrane localization of both V174A- and WT-OATP1B1 in human liver tissue and in cell culture. Compared to WT-OATP1B1, the V174A-OATP1B1 has significantly increased phosphorylation and reduced transport. We report novel findings of increased phosphorylation, but not impaired membrane localization, in association with the reduced transport function of the V174A-OATP1B1.
Numerical Investigation of Resonance Phenomena in Wall Jet Transition

The competition between 2-D and 3-D resonances in wall jet transition is analyzed using DNS. In 2-D DNS strong growth of subharmonic disturbances is observed which leads to a subharmonic resonance cascade. When the forced flow is also perturbed by a small pulse, massive vortex ejections occur. With 3-D DNS it is shown that additional 3-D forcing can prevent vortex mergings and vortex ejections by reducing the spanwise coherence of the vortices, particularly close to the wall.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF COMPLICATED CHICKENPOX AND SHINGLES IN IRISH CHILDREN: AN ALL-ISLAND STUDY

Background Chickenpox and shingles, caused by varicella Zoster virus (VZV), are normally mild self-limiting illnesses in children. Few data exist on the incidence of complicated VZV infection in Ireland. Such data are necessary to inform national immunisation policy. Objectives To determine the incidence and estimate the minimum disease burden of complicated VZV infection in Irish children. Methods For this study complicated VZV infection is defined as: any child admitted to hospital because of VZV infection or an associated complication. From January to December 2007 data on hospitalised cases of VZV were prospectively collected from Irish paediatricians reporting to the Irish Paediatric Surveillance Unit. Additional cases were collected from the hospital inpatient enquiry system. The incidence was calculated using age-specific denominators from the 2006 population statistics. Results To date, details have been returned on 124 children hospitalised with VZV infection. Full details are available for 107 children. The calculated minimum annual incidence of complicated VZV infection in Irish children ( Conclusions VZV infection is associated with significant morbidity. The majority of affected children were previously healthy. Such illness may be preventable by universal immunisation.
Efficient mid-Infrared vortex beam generation using optical waveguides integrated with micro-spiral phase plates

Vortex beam generation from a mid-Infrared (mid-IR) photonic chip was numerically demonstrated by engineering the phase front of a waveguide mode. Multi-level micro-spiral phase plates (SPP) consisting of N segments were patterned on the waveguide facet. The micro-SPP introduced an annular phase change by 2π that converted the Hermite-Gaussian (HG) waveguide mode into Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode at topological charge |l|=1. Using 3D finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation, we resolved the near-field optical phase map next to the micro-SPP and its far-field beam profile projected from the waveguide surface. The vortex beam formation was spectrally dependent. A uniform and symmetric donut-shaped pattern corresponding to an ideal vortex beam was created at λ = 3.1 - 3.3 µm. In addition, the HG  LG mode conversion efficiency was improved by increasing the number of segments, N. Thus, our micro-SPP enabled present photonic circuits to create vortex beams, which is critical for the development of optical interconnect and broadband communication.
Dark Matter-Electron Scattering from Aromatic Organic Targets

Sub-GeV dark matter (DM) which interacts with electrons can excite electrons occupying molecular orbitals in a scattering event. In particular, aromatic compounds such as benzene or xylene have an electronic excitation energy of a few eV, making them sensitive to DM as light as a few MeV. These compounds are often used as solvents in organic scintillators, where the deexcitation process leads to a photon which propagates until it is absorbed and reemitted by a dilute fluor. The fluor photoemission is not absorbed by the bulk, but is instead detected by a photon detector such as a photomultiplier tube. We develop the formalism for DM--electron scattering in aromatic organic molecules, calculate the expected rate in p-xylene, and apply this calculation to an existing measurement of the single photo-electron emission rate in a low-background EJ-301 scintillator cell. Despite the fact that this measurement was performed in a shallow underground laboratory under minimal overburden, the DM--electron scattering limits extracted from these data are already approaching leading constraints in the 3--100 MeV DM mass range. We discuss possible next steps in the evolution of this direct detection technique, in which scalable organic scintillators are used in solid or liquid crystal phases and in conjunction with semiconductor photodetectors to improve sensitivity through directional signal information and potentially lower dark rates.
Model Predictive Energy Management for Building Microgrids with IoT-based Controllable Loads

This paper develops an economic scheduling framework for a building microgrid with internet of things (IoT) based flexible loads to synchronize the buildings' controllable components, with occupant behavior and environmental conditions. We employ model predictive control (MPC) methods to minimize building operating costs, while maximizing the utilization of the on-site resources. The main research thrusts are 1) Developing the building microgrid model; 2) Defining different building operation strategies; 3) Minimizing the building's daily operating costs. Simulation results show that the proposed approach provides superior energy cost savings and peak load reduction in comparison with other operation controls, such as offline Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), All from Utility (AFU), and MPC-MILP with non-controllable loads.
Horizontal, Vertical, and Hybrid: An Empirical Look at the Forms of Accountability:

The existing accountability research in public administration either provides conceptual analyses and definitions of forms of accountability or case studies on accountability. They focus on the str...
Magnetic and Thermal Sensing During Fatigue

Simultaneous magnetic and thermal observations were made of ferromagnetic specimens during cyclic loading (fatigue). The magnetic measurements were made with a magnetometer having a 3 mm diameter probe and thermal scanning was done with a high-speed (430 frames/second) infrared camera having a 128 x 128 focal plane array. A defect was placed in the sample in order to initiate failure at a known location. Material generated magnetic field changes resulting from fatigue would be expected to remain localized to the damage site. Magnetic and infrared sensing of fatigue has the potential to be used as a tool for detecting fatigue damage sites in ferromagnetic materials before any visible signs appear.
Campus dining goes mobile: Intentions of college students to adopt a mobile food-ordering app

Mobile food-ordering apps are here to stay in the foodservice industry and their popularity is only expected to grow in the coming years. Given this knowledge some college campus dining operations ...
Hope, Freedom, and Disrupting Harmful Teaching Practices

The dominant theme weaved throughout We Want To Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom, by Bettina Love is building anti-racist teachers with an abolitio...
3079 – MURINE WHOLE BONE MARROW MAY CONTAIN A NONCONVENTIONAL POPULATION OF LONG-TERM MULTI-LINEAGE REPOPULATING CELLS WITH ALTERED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO AGING

Studies in hematopoietic aging have shown that classically defined, highly purified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) increase in number but have impaired function and exhibit myeloid skewing. However, we identified a cycling population of HSCs in young mice that appear to be preferentially lost during standard HSC isolations and therefore poorly represented within the purified HSC population. Here, we sought to determine how aging may alter this total HSC population in unseparated murine whole bone marrow (WBM). In limit dilution competitive bone marrow transplantation, we found that, at 6 months post-transplant, old (24-26-mo-old) WBM had a 4-fold increase in functional HSCs compared to young (6-8-wk-old) WBM. Unlike purified old HSCs, old WBM showed only minimal myeloid skewing (myeloid: 26%±11% of old donor peripheral blood vs.19%±16% of young donor peripheral blood; average percent donor peripheral blood ± SD; n=26 mice). Interestingly, in two experiments, old WBM retained full engraftment capacity in secondary transplant with no myeloid skewing, while in a third experiment, old WBM engraftment was significantly decreased when compared to young WBM (15%±9% vs. 57%±3%, respectively; average% donor chimerism ± SD), and exhibited clear myeloid skewing (myeloid: 65%±7% of old donor peripheral blood vs. 20%±10% of young donor peripheral blood; 4-5mice/grp/exp). These data suggest that only those old HSCs in unseparated WBM with high engraftment capacity may retain youthful myeloid/lymphoid ratio patterns. Preliminary data in female mice were similar, showing that HSCs were 7.8-fold increased in old vs. young WBM, retained repopulation capacity in secondary transplantation, and displayed no significant myeloid skewing. These patterns of robust reconstitution without myeloid skewing by old WBM are quite distinct from those of the classically-defined, purified old HSCs, suggesting the presence of a unique HSC population in WBM with differential susceptibility to aging. Further study of this population may yield novel insights into the effects of aging on HSC function and lineage fate decisions and facilitate innovative rejuvenation strategies.
Combined Effects of Depression and Chronic Disease on the Risk of Mortality: The Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2016).

Background The prevalence of depression is much higher in people with chronic disease than in the general population. Depression exacerbates existing physical conditions, resulting in a higher-than-expected death rate from the physical condition itself. In our aging society, the prevalence of multimorbid patients is expected to increase; the resulting mental problems, especially depression, should be considered. Using a large-scale cohort from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), we analyzed the combined effects of depression and chronic disease on all-cause mortality. Methods We analyzed 10-year (2006-2016) longitudinal data of 9,819 individuals who took part in the KLoSA, a nationwide survey of people aged 45-79 years. We examined the association between multimorbidity and depression using chi-square test and logistic regression. We used the Cox proportional hazard model to determine the combined effects of multimorbidity and depression on the all-cause mortality risk. Results During the 10-year follow up, 1,574 people (16.0%) died. The hazard ratio associated with mild depression increased from 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.73) for no chronic disease to 1.25 (95% CI, 0.98-1.60) for 1 chronic disease, and to 2.00 (95% CI, 1.58-2.52) for multimorbidity. The hazard ratio associated with severe depression increased from 1.73 (95% CI, 1.33-2.24) for no chronic disease, to 2.03 (95% CI, 1.60-2.57) for 1 chronic disease, and to 2.94 (95% CI, 2.37-3.65) for multimorbidity. Conclusion Patients with coexisting multimorbidity and depression are at an increased risk of all-cause mortality than those with chronic disease or depression alone.
A sustainable approach to cathode delamination using a green solvent

Designing an environment-friendly delamination process for an end-of-life (EoL) composite cathode is a crucial step in direct cathode recycling. In this study, the green solvent dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) is explored to extract cathode active materials (AMs) from the Al current collector via dissolving the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder. Mechanistic insight suggests that binder removal from the Al substrate proceeds via reducing polymer interchain interaction through DMI penetrating into the PVDF crystalline region. Polymer–solvent interaction may increase via establishing hydrogen bond between PVDF and DMI, which facilitates binder removal. Analytical characterizations including 1H NMR, FTIR, XRD and SEM-EDS reveal that the molecular, micro, and crystal structures of the recovered cathode AMs, PVDF and Al foil are preserved. This finding is expected to provide a replacement for the toxic organic solvent N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and offers an effective, ecofriendly, and sustainable direct cathode recycling approach for spent Li-ion batteries.
Dynamic stress intensity factors of brittle materials

A new hybrid experimental-numerical procedure was used to characterize dynamic fracture response of structural ceramics at elevated temperature. The dynamic stress intensity factor (SIF) versus crack velocity relations of glass and reaction bonded silicon nitride (RBSN), are reviewed. The dynamic SIF versus crack velocity relations of alumina, TiB2-particulate/SiC-matrix composite and SiCw/Alumina-matrix composite are also presented. Available data indicated that dynamic arrest SIF was not observed in glass and monolithic ceramics, and suggested that further studies be conducted to resolve the existence or lack of existence of a dynamic arrest SIF in ceramic matrix composites.
Spectral changes associated with binding of folate compounds to bacteriophage T4 dihydrofolate reductase.

The difference spectra associated with complex formation at pH 7.0 between bacteriophage T4-specific dihydrofolate reductase and the 4-amino folate analogues, aminopterin, methotrexate, and N10-formyl-aminopterin, have features which are similar to the difference spectra obtained for the free compounds in acid versus neutral solutions. These results suggest that oxidized 4-amino-folate compounds bind to T4 H2-folate reductase in the cationic form. This similarity does not extend to the difference spectra for folic acid, H2-folate, or H2-aminopterin. The difference spectra of complex formation between H2-folate and T4 H2-folate reductase show enhanced absorption with peaks at 305 nm and 243 nm, which are characteristics of the absorption spectra of the pteridine moiety of H2-folate. We observed no evidence for protonation of N5 of H2-folate as a result of complex formation. The difference spectrum of the complex between T4 H2-folate reductase and H2-aminopterin, but not T4 H2-folate reductase and aminopterin, is perturbed by the cofactor NADPH. This suggests that the binding site for H2-aminopterin might not be identical with that for aminopterin.
American Statistical Association, Section on Statistics and the Environment

The Section on Statistics and the Environment was founded in 1990 to reflect the usage of statistical methodology in analyzing important environmental problems. The Section serves as a focal point for developing enhancements to methodology and improving training in environmental statistics. This article describes the origination and ongoing activities of the Section, including its vision, mission, and strategic plan. Keywords: American Statistical Association; environmental sampling; exposure models; dispersion modeling; Distinguished Achievement Award; Young Investigator Award
AutoISES: automatically inferring security specifications and detecting violations

The importance of software security cannot be overstated. In the past, researchers have applied program analysis techniques to automatically detect security vulnerabilities and verify security properties. However, such techniques have limited success in reality because they require manually provided code-level security specifications. Manually writing and generating these code-level security specifications are tedious and error-prone. Additionally, they seldom exist in production software. In this paper, we propose a novel method and tool, called AutoISES, which Automatically Infers Security Specifications by statically analyzing source code, and then directly use these specifications to automatically detect security violations. Our experiments with the Linux kernel and Xen demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach - AutoISES automatically generated 84 security specifications and detected 8 vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel and Xen, 7 of which have already been confirmed by the corresponding developers.
A schema theory analysis of mutation size biases in genetic programming with linear representations

Understanding operator bias in evolutionary computation is important because it is possible for the operator's biases to work against the intended biases induced by the fitness function. Developments in genetic programming (GP) schema theory can be used to better understand the biases induced by the standard subtree crossover when GP is applied to variable-length linear structures. In this paper, we use the schema theory to better understand the biases induced on linear structures by two common GP subtree mutation operators: FULL and GROW mutation. In both cases, we find that the operators do have quite specific biases and typically strongly oversample shorter strings.
Congenital absence of the vagina and its treatment

Abstract Congenital absence of the vagina is a rare condition, but is common enough to warrant serious consideration. Handling of cases from the psychologic standpoint is important, and operation should never be urged. Operation should not be advised until marriage is contemplated unless hematometra develops as the result of retained menses in a more or less normal uterus. If patients insist, operative correction is justifiable at any time. Two types of operation, the use of skin flaps or sections of the bowel may be employed. I believe that a section of small bowel used as advised by Baldwin gives the best functional results, and although a more dangerous operation, it is relatively safe when properly done. It is, moreover, justifiable. A dilator should be used until healing is satisfactory.
Circadian rhythmicity in the activities of adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase in synchronously dividing and stationary-phase cultures of the achlorophyllous ZC mutant of Euglena gracilis.

Key factors in the adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) metabolic pathway are two enzymes responsible for its generation and degradation, namely, adenylate cyclase (AC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE). In LD: 12,12 (12 h light, 12 h dark), these enzymes were found to undergo bimodal, circadian variation of activity in both dividing and nondividing cultures of the photosynthesis-deficient, achlorophyllous ZC mutant of Euglena gracilis Klebs (Z). Maximal AC activity occurred 2 h after the onset of the light interval (CT 02) and at the beginning of darkness (CT 12–14); these times corresponded to the acrophase profile for the rhythmic changes in cyclic AMP content that have been previously reported. The activity of PDE also exhibited a daily oscillation, but with an inverse phase pattern. Both the AC and PDE activity rhythms persisted after the cultures were transferred from LD: 12,12 to constant darkness. The activity of AC was activated significantly in vivo by forskolin at the trough phase (CT 20), while that of PDE was inhibited by 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) at its peak phase. These results indicate that the rhythms of both AC and PDE may be the main factors generating the circadian oscillations of cyclic AMP content in Euglena, which appear to be under control of an endogenous pacemaker.
Oligonucleoside methylphosphonates as antisense reagents

Oligonucleoside methylphosphonates contain nonionic internucleotide bonds that resist degradation by cellular nucleases and allow the oligomers to be taken up intact by mammalian cells in culture. Antisense methylphosphonate oligomers targeted against cellular or viral mRNA initiation codon or coding regions or against precursor mRNA splice sites effectively and specifically inhibit mRNA expression in cells. The efficacy of antisense methylphosphonate oligomers can be enhanced by derivatization with functional groups that allow the oligomer to covalently cross-link with its targeted mRNA. These oligonucleotide analogs will be useful tools for studying and controlling gene expression and are also promising candidates for development as therapeutic agents.
Hypertension-induced dysfunction of circulation in hemorrhagic shock

Arterial blood pressure and plasma concentration of Na+, K+, glucose, and urea were studied in patients with essential hypertension during hemorrhagic shock. All 15 patients had established essential hypertension, and all had massive hemorrhage and shock. The control group included 37 normotensive patients in hemorrhagic shock. There were no differences in blood volume loss and age between the hypertensive and normotensive groups. A significant reduction (P < .001) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as plasma concentration of Na+ and K+ were observed in hypertensive patients with hemorrhagic shock as compared with normotensive patients in hemorrhagic shock. Hypertensive patients in shock were found to have significantly elevated (P < .001) plasma glucose, urea, and heart rate compared with normotensive patients in shock. The hypertensive group mortality was significantly (P < .001) higher (80%) than the normotensive group in shock (24.3%). These data suggest that essential hypertension induces alterations in regulation and modulation of peripheral resistance, Na+/K+ membrane exchange, and the metabolism of glucose and urea during hemorrhagic shock. This heterogeneity of dysfunction induced by essential hypertension during hemorrhagic shock is probably caused by a change in the mechanism (diminish) of oxygen consumption at the cellular level, which results in an increase in nitric oxide production (which is O2 dependent), and may play an important role in hypertension and hemorrhagic shock.
A Pore Scale Analysis of Restricted Diffusion in Shale Gas Media

Molecular diffusion is an important mechanism for hydrocarbons moving from pores to pores and from pores to hydraulic fractures in unconventional shale production. The diffusion coefficient is also an essential parameter in two-dimensional (2D) NMR map interpretations. However, molecular diffusion in the microand nanometer scale pore network of the unconventional shale rock remains poorly understood. The objective of this work is to link the restricted diffusion coefficient to the pore scale characteristics of shale gas media. A random walk algorithm is implemented to investigate the effects of pore-throat ratio (ratio of pore body radius to pore throat radius), length ratio (ratio of throat length to pore radius), pore shape and topology. It is concluded that, at an equal surface-tovolume ratio, the diffusion coefficient increases in pores with higher angularity. The effects of pore-throat ratio and length ratio are explicitly modeled in three dimensional (3D) structured regular lattices. The results indicate that, up to pore-throat ratios of 5, restricted diffusion is considerable in lattices with zero length throats. Furthermore, restricted diffusion decreases with the increase in length ratio. To reduce computational cost, a statistical method was developed to render simulating the effects of connectivity and pore size distribution on 3D unstructured multiscale networks feasible.
Comparative effects of omeprazole on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the rat and human

Omeprazole induces CYPlA in the human liver and gut, which has led to concern about possible side effects. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of omeprazole on phase 1 and phase 2 enzymes in the rat and human. Male rats were treated with intraperitoneal (40 or 80 mg/kg) or oral omeprazole (40 mg/kg) for 5 or 14 days, respectively. The activities and amounts of CYPlA, uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase, and glutathione transferase were determined in liver and gut. Enzyme activities were also determined in duodenal biopsy specimens from six healthy human volunteers before and after treatment with omeprazole (20 mg/day) for 10 days. Treatment with intraperitoneal omeprazole (40 mg/kg; 80 mg/kg) coinduced uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (36%; 66%), glutathione transferase (22%; SO%), and CYPlA (26%; 50%) in rat liver. In rat small intestine, comparable levels of induction were observed for uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase and glutathione transferase; CYPlA was unaffected. Oral omeprazole had similar effects. Immunoblotting showed corresponding changes in the amounts of these enzymes. Omeprazole increased the activities of CYPlA (19% to 167%; p = 0.014) and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (11% to 68%; p = 0.04) in the duodenal biopsy specimens of all six human volunteers; glutathione transferase was unaffected. Thus, omeprazole coinduced multiple xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the rat and human. The pattern of induction differed in the rat and human, consistent with known differences in genetic regulatory elements in the two species. (CLIN PHARMACOL THER 1995;58:625-30.)
Radical Outcasts versus Three Kinds of Police: Constructing Limits in Japanese Anti-Emperor Protests

Field observation of anti-emperor protests in Japan reveals two key processes through which the interaction of police and demonstrators gradually narrows the limits of permitted dissent through soft repression. The first process stigmatizes demonstration participants and sharply separates them from the mainstream of Japanese public life, discouraging public attention to or participation in their causes. The second process divides protest movements internally, decreasing support for groups that operate at the prevailing limit of tolerated dissent, and gradually constricting the limit itself. Great variability in police-demonstrator interactions within demonstrations suggests the limitations of newspaper content analysis methods for such research.
A sociocultural understanding of deafness: American sign language and the culture of deaf people

Abstract This article provides an exploration of the culture of Deaf people in the United States and anglophone Canada, with special emphasis on the role of American Sign Language (ASL) in the maintenance and propagation of that culture. It begins with a discussion of two competing perspectives on deafness in contemporary society: the pathologic perspective, in which deafness is seen as a medical condition requiring remediation of some sort, and the sociocultural perspective, which focuses on the Deaf as a cultural and linguistic minority group. The case for the view of the Deaf as a cultural and linguistic minority group is then presented, focusing on a number of the central cultural components of deafness, and on the related issues of paternalism in cultural identification. The role of ASL in supporting and facilitating each of the other components of Deaf culture is emphasized throughout the discussion. The article concludes with a discussion of the world view of culturally Deaf individuals, and the implications of this world view for a variety of issues of concern to Deaf people.
Fate and Transport of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanomaterials in Sand Columns

Abstract Research and development of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) (e.g., molybdenum disulfide [MoS2]) in electronic, optical, and catalytic applications has been growing rapidly. However, there is little known regarding the behavior of these particles once released into aquatic environments. Therefore, an in-depth study regarding the fate and transport of two popular types of MoS2 nanomaterials, lithiated (MoS2-Li) and Pluronic PF-87 dispersed (MoS2-PL), was conducted in saturated porous media (quartz sand) to identify which form would be least mobile in aquatic environments. The electrokinetic properties and hydrodynamic diameters of MoS2 as a function of ionic strength and pH were determined using a zeta potential analyzer and dynamic light scattering techniques. Results suggest that the stability is significantly decreased beginning at 10 and 31.6 mM KCl, for MoS2-PL and MoS2-Li, respectively. Transport study results from breakthrough curves, column dissections, and release e...
Recall deficits produced by afterdischarges in the human hippocampal formation and amygdala

The human amygdala, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus were stimulated in 3 epileptic patients with low-level electrical current during a paired associates learning task. Delayed recall of the response-words was severely impaired if, and only if, a unilateral afterdischarge was evoked. Stimulation at the same strength produced no deficit in immediate recall, nor in mental arithmetic, even when auras and afterdischarges were evoked. These data support the association of amnesia with medial temporal lobe paroxysms during complex partial seizures.
SSSR Presidential Address Rain Dances in the Dry Season: Overcoming the Religious Congruence Fallacy

Religious congruence refers to consistency among an individual's religious beliefs and attitudes, consistency between religious ideas and behavior, and religious ideas, identities, or schemas that are chronically salient and accessible to individuals across contexts and situations. Decades of anthropological, sociological, and psychological research establish that religious congruence is rare, but much thinking about religion presumes that it is common. The religious congruence fallacy occurs when interpretations or explanations unjustifiably presume religious congruence.
Gendering Trauma: Ariel Dorfman's Narratives of Crisis and Reconciliation

The author studies the gendering of women in theories of trauma through an analysis of one film and six novels by Chilean author Ariel Dorfman. The essay begins by situating Dorfman's writing in the context of the 1973 Chilean coup, the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, and the Chilean Truth Commission. Tracing the representation of women as markers of national trauma and masculine identity in Dorfman's writing demonstrates that women's voices remain a site of uncontained ambivalence in his work. As these texts oscillate between a critique of the sexualized figuring of women and a continued reduction of them to desired objects, the silent female voices rupture both authoritarian national discourse and the anti-authoritarian narrative practices of the novels. Ultimately, this figuring of women registers a textual trauma in Dorfman's writing that draws attention to the dissociation and discursive erasure of women's experience in narratives of national tragedy and trauma studies.
Electron Injection from Colloidal Lead-Salt Quantum Dots into Oxide Nanoparticles

PbS and PbSe nanocrystals are coupled to widegap oxide nanoparticles by molecular linkers. When appropriate-sized nanocrystals are photoexcited, electrons transfer efficiently to the oxide particles. Initial results from quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells will be presented.
Gradient interphases in polymer nanocomposites

As revealed by experimental data on ultrathin polymer films [1, 2], polymer mobility changes in a gradient fashion away from the polymer-surface interface. However, little is yet known on gradients in mechanical properties in polymer nanocomposites. In this work, we discuss a novel nanoindentation experimental approach to measure these properties in model nanocomposite systems, the associated modeling to extract realistic data (Figure1), and simulations of representative volume elements (RVE) of nanocomposites including interphase layers (Figure2).Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Mandatory sentencing guidelines: The framing of justice*

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Blakely v. Washington (2004) (hereinafter, Blakely) and U.S. v. Booker (2005) (hereinafter, Booker) decisions surprised and caused considerable consternation among sentencing guidelines advocates. Many descriptions detail the Court’s decisions and their potential effect on the ability of guidelines to constrain judicial discretion (including earlier articles in Criminology & Public Policy; see Bushway and Piehl, 2007; Frase, 2007; Hofer, 2007). In Booker, the Supreme Court preserved the federal guidelines’ constitutionality by moving them from presumptive to advisory. This shift raised concerns that an advisory standard would undermine the guidelines’ ability to reduce sentencing disparity. Wooldredge (2009, this issue) tests the impact of the Ohio Supreme Court’s application of Blakely, with the Booker fix, on Ohio’s sentencing guidelines (State v. Foster, 2006; hereinafter, Foster). In this decision, the Ohio Supreme Court followed the lead of the U.S. Supreme Court in Booker, in which the Court found that the guidelines would be constitutional if they were advisory rather than presumptive. Wooldredge’s pre-post evaluation of the impact of the Foster decision found no major change in sentencing patterns. This outcome is unsurprising given earlier findings that Ohio’s sentencing guidelines had little impact on sentencing disparity. But the cause for little impact was best captured by Wooldredge, Griffin, and Rauschenberg (2005: 863) when they observed “the shift to determinate sentencing guidelines might have had a negligible effect on relationships involving extralegal characteristics simply because these relationships were weak to begin with.” Here, Wooldredge et al. (2005) suggested something worth noting, which is that little extralegal disparity existed preguidelines. But this assessment deals with a state in which the sentencing guidelines were less structured and less presumptive
The risk of postoperative urinary incontinence after surgical treatment of genital prolapse

Full urodynamic assessment, including urethral profiles at rest and under stress, was made before and after surgery for severe urogenital prolapse in 40 continent women. Profilometry was also recorded after reduction of the prolapse by a vaginal pessary. The aim of this study was to try to determine criteria to prevent postoperative incontinence. After surgery, 6 patients (15%) became stress incontinent. The operation tends to diminish urethral obstruction (diminution of the residual volume) and negatively affects urodynamic urethral parameters (diminution of the residual continence area). The pessary test was not predictive of postoperative incontinence. Preoperative transmission ratio <100% and/or maximum urethral closure pressure <35 cmH2O are proposed as predisposing factors for postoperative iatrogenic incontinence. Therapeutic implications are discussed.
Modeling the reintroduction of lynx to the southern portion of its range

Abstract We modeled populations of lynx (Lynx canadensis) and snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) to determine prey densities required for persistence of lynx translocated to the southern portion of the species' range. The models suggested that a density of 1.1–1.8 hares/h is required for lynx persistence; these densities are higher than those reported for most hare populations across the USA. We found that lynx dispersal and density-independent mortality substantially increased the hare density required for lynx persistence. Reintroduction success was associated with number of release events, total number of animals released, and timing of release relative to the phase of the hare population cycle. However, no release protocol could override the negative effects of low prey density or high population losses. We conclude that successful lynx reintroduction requires high hare densities and minimal anthropogenic disturbance; few areas in the contiguous USA currently posses such qualities.
Do forest community types provide a sufficient basis to evaluate biological diversity

Forest communities, defined by the size and configuration of cover types and stand ages, have commonly been used as proxies for the abundance or viability of wildlife populations. However, for community types to succeed as proxies for species abundance, several assumptions must be met. We tested these assumptions for birds in an Oregon forest environment. Measured habitat was a weak proxy for species abundance and vegetation cover type was a weak proxy for habitat, explaining only 4% of the variance in species abundance. The adequacy of forest community types as habitat proxies was highly dependent on classification rules and the spatial scales at which communities were defined. Habitat was perceived differently by species guilds and a single, generalized characterization of habitat is therefore unlikely to provide a reliable basis for multi-species conservation efforts. Given the weak relations between forest vegetation and species abundance, evaluation of landscape pattern is unlikely to be an effective replacement for the direct monitoring of species population size and distribution.
Determination of low blood flow limits for arteriovenous carbon dioxide removal

Arteriovenous carbon dioxide removal (AVCO2R) has been shown to achieve total carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange. To determine optimal blood and gas flow parameters that can provide maximal gas exchange and evaluate the utility of AVCO2R at reduced blood flow, the authors used a low resistance membrane gas exchanger within an arteriovenous shunt in mechanically ventilated sheep. Adult female sheep (n = 5) were anesthetized and underwent placement of the gas exchange device in a simple arteriovenous shunt created between the carotid artery and common jugular vein. CO2 removal was determined as the product of the sweep gas flow (100% oxygen) and its exhaust CO2 content. Gas and blood flow were varied independently, and incremental reductions in minute ventilation (MV) were made while maintaining normocapnia. At maximally reduced ventilator settings, stepwise reductions in blood flow were made to determine the resultant changes in arterial PaCO2 at a sweep gas flow of 3 L/min. CO2 removal increased proportionally to blood flow to a maximum of 1,417 +/- 26 ml/min (19% of cardiac output) and gas flow to 3 L/min. Normal PaO2 and PaCO2 could be maintained with minimal ventilator support (MV = 16% baseline MV) at a blood flow of 500 ml/min or higher. At these maximally reduced ventilator settings, moderate hypercapnia (PaCO2 < or = 75 mmHg) resulted only when blood flow was decreased to below 500 ml/min. Optimizing AVCO2R blood and gas flow maximizes CO2 removal and allows a significant reduction in minute ventilation. In cases of severely limited blood flow, lung rest can still be realized at moderate hypercapnia. At flow rates achievable by percutaneous access, extracorporeal AVCO2R can be used to achieve lung rest during mechanical ventilation.
Multiscale optimization in neural nets: preliminary report

A multiscale optimization method for neural networks governed by quite general objective functions is presented. At the coarse scale, there is a smaller, approximating neural net. Like the original net, it is nonlinear and has a nonquadratic objective function, so the coarse-scale net is a more accurate approximation than a quadratic objective would be. The transitions and information flow form fine to coarse scale and back do not disrupt the optimization. The problem need not involve any geometric domain; all that is required is a partition of the original fine-scale variables. Given this partition, the rest of the multiscale optimization method requires no problem-specific design effort on the part of the user, since the mapping between coarse and fine scales is determined. Thus, the method can be applied easily to many problems and networks. Positive experimental results including cost comparisons are shown
Evaluating mental health outcomes in an inpatient setting: Convergent and divergent validity of the OQ-45 and BASIS-32

The evolution of managed behavioral health care has led to an increased emphasis on reliable and valid assessment of outcomes in clinical practice. The present study evaluated the convergent, divergent, and concurrent validity and sensitivity to change of two widely used measures: Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32) and Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45). Comparisons of the two measures revealed that both were sensitive to change over a relatively short inpatient stay. Both measures also showed evidence of convergent and divergent validity of specific subscales, although the total scores of each measure also were highly correlated. Evidence of concurrent validity was suggested by differences between diagnostic groups on specific subscale scores. Together with previous research, these results suggest that the BASIS-32 and OQ-45 can be useful measures for tracking patient functioning over a range of treatment contexts.