cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis on the results of cysticercosis antibody test in Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2008 to 2012

Objective To analyze the results of cysticercosis antibody test in Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2008 to 2012.Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA) was employed to test the cysticercosis antibody (IgG) in blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid of the patients.The positive result of cysticercosis IgG test was determined by the positive reaction in either serum or cerebrospinal fluid.Results From 2008 to 2012,altogether 5 815 samples were tested and the positive rate was 12.69％.Altogether 5 209 blood serum samples were tested and the positive rate was 12.48％ while 1 989 cerebrospinal fluid samples were tested and the positive rate was 10.25％.The positive rate of blood serum was higher than that of the cerebrospinal fluid samples with significant difference (x2=6.80,P＜0.01).The positive rates of male and female were 13.60％ and 11.42％,respectively.The positive rate of male was higher than that of female with significant difference(x2=6.042,P＜0.01).The positive rate of 46～55 age group was highest as 13.74％ and the positive rate of persons less than 6 years old was the lowest as 10.33％.The positive rates of different ages were not significantly different (~=5.895,P＞0.01).Both positive rates of Pumi and Miao were the highest as 25.00％ and the positive rate of Hui was the lowest as 2.42％.The positive rates of different ethnics were significantly different(x2=51.370,P＜0.01).For the different occupations,the highest positive rate was in drivers,the next was in farmers,and the lowest was in doctors and other occupations.The positive rates of different occupations were significantly different (x2=26.005,P＜0.05).For the positive rate of area distribution,the highest was at Baoshan as 21.77％ and the lowest was at Qujin as 6.69％.The positive rates of different areas were significantly different (x2=97.651,P＜0.01).Conclusion There were cysticercosis patients at different areas in Yunnan Province and the doctors from each hospital should pay attention to the diagnosis and treatment of cysticercosis. Key words: Case; Cysticercosis; Antibody test; Result analysis
The role of the question in writing the self: implications for poetry therapy

This essay interrogates the nature of the question, as it pertains to helping, and how these lessons apply to writing the self in creative writing and to poetry therapy and bibliotherapeutic practi...
An Efficient Heterogeneous Acid Catalyst DICAT-1 for One-Pot Conversion of Sucrose into 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural

5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) is a trending biogenic platform molecule for the production of multiple energy, fuel, and chemical products, and it can be synthesized by using C6 sugars and/or its ...
Scleral Force Evaluation During Vitreoretinal Surgery: in an In Vivo Rabbit Eye Model

During vitreoretinal surgery, the surgeon is required to precisely manipulate multiple tools in a confined intraocular environment, while the tool tip to retina contact forces are at the limit of human sensation limits. During typical vitrectomy procedures, the surgeon inserts various tools through small incisions performed on the sclera of the eye (sclerotomies), and manipulates them to perform surgical tasks. During intraocular procedures, tool-tissue interactions occur at the sclerotomy ports and at the tool-tip when it contacts retina. Measuring such interactions may be valuable for providing force feedback necessary for robotic guidance. In this paper, we measure and analyze force measurements at the sclerotomy ports. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the scleral forces are measured in an in vivo eye model. A force sensing instrument utilizing Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) strain sensors was used to measure the scleral forces while two retinal surgeons performed intraocular tool manipulation (ITM) task in rabbit eyes as well as a dry phantom. The mean of the measured sclera forces were 129.11 mN and 80.45 mN in in vivo and dry phantom experiments, respectively.
Developmental Barriers to Couples’ HIV Testing and Counseling Among Adolescent Sexual Minority Males: A Dyadic Socio-ecological Perspective

Couples HIV Testing and Counseling (CHTC) is now a standard of care for partnered sexual minority men. While adolescent sexual minority men (ASMM; ages 15-19) face disproportionate HIV risk, the emergent nature of relationships and communication skills may present challenges to accessing and engaging in CHTC. This study utilized qualitative data from 28 ASMM recruited in 4 urban centers in the USA during the formative stage of Adolescent Trials Network study ATN-156. Participants were cis-male, HIV-negative, and in a relationship with a similarly-aged cis-male partner. Thematic analysis indicated low and high levels of commitment were barriers to CHTC. Concerns about caregiver attitudes towards HIV testing were salient. Adolescents' perception of structural barriers highlighted reliance on caregiver resources, which limited access to sexual health services. Prevention programming must address structural barriers to access encountered by adolescents. ASMM in relationships may benefit from programming that includes options for individual and dyadic participation.
The economic value of freshwater fisheries in Florida: an application of the travel cost method for black crappie fishing trips.

Abstract Effective management of recreational fisheries requires allocating management resources, often among multiple fisheries targeting different species. In this context, making good allocation decisions is challenging absent objective information describing the relative importance of those fisheries. Economic value would be one such metric but is rarely assessed. Here we demonstrate an approach for doing so, using the Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) fishery as a case study. A survey was conducted to collect information on Black Crappie angler behaviors and attitudes including travel distance, fishing mode, catch effort, and other socioeconomic factors that affect their fishing trips in 2017. The travel cost method was used to estimate the latent demand for fishing trips. Our results indicate that for Florida residents, the per-trip consumer surplus (CS) per angler is $53–$102, the annual CS per angler is $1,473–$2,837, and the total annual CS for was $470 million–$904 million, depending on model specification. For nonresidents, the per-trip CS per angler is $53–$83, the annual CS per angler is $1,140–$1,677, and the total annual CS for was $26 million–$40 million, depending on model specification. While these estimates compare similarly to estimates of higher-profile fisheries, such as largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in other locations, there are fewer comparative studies than would be ideal. Nonetheless, this study provides a baseline to which future estimates can be compared, and upon which can be built an understanding of relatively economic and potentially management importance.
Blockchain for Dynamic Nodes in a Smart City

Blockchain is one of the most popular topics for discussion now. However, most experts still see this technology as only part of Bitcoin, other crypto-currencies or money transfer systems. Often, new solutions, proposed by young researchers, are blocked by reviewers, only because these solutions can not be used for Bitcoins. However, Blockchain technology is more universal and can be used also in other areas, for example, in IoT, WSN and mobile devices.This paper considers the implementation of Blockchain technology in sensor networks as an element of IoT. The concept of "Rolling Blockchain" was proposed, which can be used to build WSN with the participation of Smart Cars, as nodes of the network.The order of block formation and structure in the chain is proposed and a mathematical model is created for it. We estimate the optimal number of WSN nodes, the number of connections between nodes, for specified network reliability values, was performed.
Housing: Board Economic Aspects

In making a survey of the housing situation in the United States, it is necessary to consider present conditions, some of the eauses of these conditions, and how they may be improved.
BiFair: Training Fair Models with Bilevel Optimization.

Prior studies have shown that, training machine learning models via empirical loss minimization to maximize a utility metric (e.g., accuracy), might yield models that make discriminatory predictions. To alleviate this issue, we develop a new training algorithm, named BiFair, which jointly minimizes for a utility, and a fairness loss of interest. Crucially, we do so without directly modifying the training objective, e.g., by adding regularization terms. Rather, we learn a set of weights on the training dataset, such that, training on the weighted dataset ensures both good utility, and fairness. The dataset weights are learned in concurrence to the model training, which is done by solving a bilevel optimization problem using a held-out validation dataset. Overall, this approach yields models with better fairness-utility trade-offs. Particularly, we compare our algorithm with three other state-of-the-art fair training algorithms over three real-world datasets, and demonstrate that, BiFair consistently performs better, i.e., we reach to better values of a given fairness metric under same, or higher accuracy. Further, our algorithm is scalable. It is applicable both to simple models, such as logistic regression, as well as more complex models, such as deep neural networks, as evidenced by our experimental analysis.
Clinical Findings and Management of Diabetic Papillopathy

Diabetic papillopathy is an uncommon ocular manifestation of diabetes and is associated with a rapid decrease in hemoglobin A1c. The typical presentation of this condition tends to be asymptomatic with normal intracranial pressure. This case report reviews a 64-year-old Caucasian male presenting with diabetic papillopathy. Because this is a diagnosis of exclusion, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance venography, and lumbar puncture must be performed to rule out other possible causes of optic disc edema, including ischemia, infection, inflammation, increased intracranial pressure from space-occupying lesions, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Development of Novel Rice Bran Wax/Gelatin-Based Biphasic Edible Gels and Characterization of their Microstructural, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize the mechanical, microstructural, and thermal behavior of a novel edible biphasic gel system also termed bigel. A combination of a gelatin hydrogel and rice bran wax (RBW)-based oleogel with soybean oil was used for bigel formulation. Bigels were prepared with four oleogel-to-hydrogel (OG:HG) ratios (50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80) at three gelatin concentrations (5, 7, and 10% (w/w)). The RBW concentration remained constant at 10% (w/w). Bigels were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and small deformation rheology. CSLM images confirmed an oleogel-in-hydrogel system for all bigel formulations with an increase in oleogel proportion leading to increased oleogel droplet size and enhanced stability. Rheological characterization of the systems showed all bigel formulations, regardless of gelatin concentration and oleogel to hydrogel proportion, showed more solid than liquid (G′ > G″) character and frequency independence at 20 ℃. Bigels with higher OG:HG ratios, i.e., 50:50 and 40:60, consistently exhibited greater elastic modulus (G′) values than those of gels with lower OG:HG ratios, providing evidence of increased oleogel droplet interaction leading to enhanced mechanical properties. The rheological behavior of all bigels was accurately captured by the Boltzmann Sigmoidal model. FTIR and DSC analysis showed distinct peaks for the oleogel and hydrogel phases in all bigel samples with the absence of new thermal events, indicating a lack of interactions between components of both phases. Overall, the system is a “true” bigel that benefits from its two distinct phases and is kinetically stable.
6 Catalytic Strategies in Enzymic Carboxylation and Decarboxylation

Publisher Summary Living things absorb CO 2 from the atmosphere by photosynthesis and return it to the atmosphere by respiration. The biochemical reactions associated with these processes are the subject of this chapter. This chapter discusses the way in which enzymes catalyze carboxylations and decarboxylations. The first concern is the chemical mechanism of the reaction, that is, a description of the intermediates that occur along the reaction path and the chemical transformations that connect these intermediates. Second is the mechanistic strategy of the reaction—that is, a description of the underlying catalytic forces and effects used by the enzyme to achieve the rate acceleration and specificity observed. For most carboxylases and decarboxylases, the chemical mechanisms are relatively well understood. On the other hand, mechanistic strategies are much more elusive, depending as they do on a detailed knowledge of enzyme structure and action. There is a basic unity of mechanistic strategies for carboxylations and decarboxylations that can equally well be applied to number of cases.
Argon laser-welded bovine heterograft anastomoses.

UNLABELLED This study evaluated the strength of laser-welded arteriovenous shunts established using St. Jude BioPolyMeric vascular grafts. The arterial anastomoses of the biological graft were laser welded with and without the addition of soluble collagen or fibrin sealant. In four dogs, 16 arteriovenous grafts were implanted between the femoral artery and vein or the carotid artery and jugular vein using a 6 cm long, 4 mm internal diameter prosthesis. The 16 arterial anastomoses were evenly divided into four groups: sutured control, laser welded (LW), LW with soluble collagen applied immediately before and during welding, and LW with fibrin sealant applied after welding. All arterial control and venous anastomoses were sutured using continuous 6-0 polypropylene suture. All LW anastomoses were initially divided into six 5 mm long segments using six evenly spaced 6-0 polypropylene stay sutures. Each segment was laser welded using 15 to 18 5-sec pulses of the 0.5 W (7.5 W/cm 2) argon laser energy delivered via a 300 mum fiber while cooling the tissue with slow-drip saline irrigation. Blood flow was established and maintained through each anastomosis for 1 h. The vessels were then controlled, and anastomotic bursting pressure was determined with infusion of heparinized blood. RESULTS An additional hemostatic suture was required in 3 LW anastomoses (2 LW, 1 LW with collagen). Mean bursting pressures (mm Hg) of the arterial anastomoses were as follows: sutured controls 165 +/- 159, LW 144 +/- 58, LW and collagen 93 +/- 47, LW and fibrin sealant 181 +/- 45.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fabrication of gray-scale semiconductor structures with dynamic digital projection photochemical etching

Digital projection photochemical etching is a novel single-step process for fabricating customized gray-scale semiconductor structures. Several features including a variable height pyramid array are fabricated, demonstrating the resolution, range, accuracy, and dynamics of the technique.
Would a "God Squad" Exemption Under the Endangered Species Act Solve the California Water Crisis?

The Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) protection of threatened and endangered wildlife has frequently brought the law into conflict with economic interests, including those of government development agencies whose actions the statute may prohibit. When an agency wishes to override the protections of the Act, it may turn to a rarely used committee of Cabinet-level officials, known as the “God Squad,” for relief. The ESA empowers the God Squad to evaluate a proposed project and exempt the project from ESA requirements if it finds that the benefits of doing so clearly outweigh the benefits of conserving the species. Using prior God Squad rulings as guidance, this Note addresses whether the God Squad is the appropriate avenue to address California’s severe water shortages, caused by both drought and regulatory restrictions on water usage due to ESA protections of a threatened species in the Bay-Delta region of the state.
Biogeochemistry. The nitrogen fix.

At some time in life's history, microorganisms started to make metabolically usable nitrogen from N2 in the atmosphere. A provocative proposal accounts for the 'why and when' of that event.
Chapter 30 The rural sector in transition economies

Abstract Inefficiencies in agriculture in Eastern and Central Europe and the Soviet Union contributed to the financial collapse of the socialist system. Yet during the transition, agricultural production has declined. Low profits, high real interest rates, slow progress in reforms in some countries, and uncertainty have restricted producers' ability to respond to reforms. When China's collectivized agriculture was dismantled after 1978, producers' incentives improved and the economy remained stable, fueling a large supply response. In several Central European countries where reforms are well advanced, agricultural growth has resumed. The difficulties of ten years of rural transition offer lessons about the high costs of embedded distortions and inflexibility in institutional evolution.
Substructural Meta-Theory of a Type-Safe Language for Web Programming

This paper introduces an abstract web programming language, QWeSST, and a methodology for proving properties of formalisms, such are QWeSST, that are parallel, distributed and concurrent. At its core, QWeSST is a small functional programming language extended with primitives for mobile code and remote procedure calls, two distinguishing features of web programming. It supports a localized view of typechecking and of evaluation, which reflects the way we program web applications and web services. We have developed a prototype implementation for QWeSST and used it to elegantly write simple web applications that are however not easily expressed using current web technology. We give two semantics for QWeSST, one is standard and models a naive form of single-threaded evaluation, the other is maximally parallel and exploits a presentation of its typing and execution behaviors based on an extended form of substructural operational semantics. It augments standard inference rules with a construction that realizes parametric multiset comprehension, which makes it convenient to capture ensemble-level behaviors. We prove that both semantics are type safe, the former using traditional methods, the latter by developing a proof methodology that parallels the multiset-oriented presentation of the semantics.
The Earth Charter: A Reply

What I intended to accomplish in my little squib on the Earth Charter was only to shake the confidence of environmentalists that everything the most radical amongst them believe is not obviously true. As Oliver Cromwell said to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1650, and as Professor England and I wish our readers and students would hear: "I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken." I think Professor England would join me in that purpose.
Stratospheric ozone and the morphology of the northern hemisphere planetary waveguide

[1] A middle atmosphere general circulation model is used to examine the effects of zonally asymmetric ozone (ZAO) on the Northern Hemisphere planetary waveguide (PWG) during winter (December–February). The morphology of the PWG is measured by a refractive index, Eliassen-Palm flux vectors, the latitude of the subtropical zero wind line, and the latitude of the subtropical jet. ZAO causes the PWG to contract meridionally in the upper stratosphere, expand meridionally in the lower stratosphere, and expand vertically in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere. The ZAO-induced changes in the PWG are the result of increased upward and poleward flux of planetary wave activity into the extratropical stratosphere and lower mesosphere. These changes cause an increase in the Eliassen-Palm flux convergence at high latitudes, which produces a warmer and weaker stratospheric polar vortex and an increase in the frequency of stratospheric sudden warmings. The ability of ZAO to alter the flux of planetary wave activity into the polar vortex has important implications for accurately modeling wave-modulated and wave-driven phenomena in the middle atmosphere, including the 11-year solar cycle, stratospheric sudden warmings, and the phase of the Northern Hemisphere annular mode.
Lung function in convalescent burn patients.

Despite the frequency of pulmonary complications and the reports of abnormal lung function after severe burns and trauma, data obtained in this study indicated that patients who survive a severe thermal injury regain normal lung function.
Public Service Motivation and Political Action in College Undergraduates

This article extends the application of the public service motivation (PSM) construct from differences between volunteers and employees in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors to the phenomenon of political activities that occurs during the public policy process. Based upon regression analysis performed on a sample of undergraduate students enrolled in introductory political science courses at a large public university, PSM appears to affect overall levels of political participation. Additionally, the rational, normative, and affective dimensions of PSM appear to affect specific types of political activity in different manners. This article argues that the PSM construct provides a way to measure individual-level receptiveness to civic motivators, an important purposive incentive that spurs political participation. Este articulo extiende la aplicacion del constructo motivacional por el servicio publico a partir de diferencias entre voluntarios y empleados en el publico, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y el sector privado al fenomeno de actividades politicas que ocurren durante el proceso de politicas publicas. Basado en un analisis de regresion usado en una muestra de estudiantes de licenciatura inscritos en un curso introductorio de ciencia politica en una importante universidad publica, la motivacion por el servicio publico parece afectar todos los niveles de participacion politica. Adicionalmente, las dimensiones racionales, normativas y afectivas de la motivacion por el servicio publico parecen afectar generos especificos de actividad politica de diferentes maneras. Este estudio argumenta que el constructo motivacional por el servicio publico proporciona una forma de medir niveles individuales de receptividad hacia motivadores civicos, un importante incentivo deliberado que estimula la participacion politica.
Multiple organ failure resulting from intravenous abuse of methylphenidate hydrochloride

A 32-year-old woman who abused methylphenidate hydrochloride developed complications including hepatic, renal, pancreatic, pulmonary, and CNS toxicities. These were manifested by abnormal liver function enzymes, poor urine output, hypotension, tachypnea, tachycardia, abnormal blood gases, rising serum BUN and creatinine, and hyperactive deep-tendon reflexes. All were reversible with medication withdrawal and supportive therapy. Toxicities of this medication and their implications are discussed.
Diagnostic laparoscopy in the evaluation of the viral hepatitis patient with potentially resectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Background. Despite significant recent improvements in liver imaging, preoperative evaluation of the potentially resectable patient with viral Hepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is often inaccurate. Diagnostic laparoscopy may change management for patients with under-appreciated nodular cirrhosis or intrahepatic metastases, preventing unnecessary open exploration. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of routine laparoscopy as a separate procedure prior to resection in the evaluation of patients with potentially resectable HCC. Methods. Patients with potentially resectable HCC were evaluated preoperatively with routine blood tests and axial imaging. All study patients also underwent diagnostic laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography. Laparoscopy was performed in an inpatient hospital setting, with 23 hour stays in most cases. Results. Among 65 patients evaluated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma between July 2001 and November 2003, 20 patients with potentially resectable disease were evaluated by diagnostic laparoscopy. All patients had viral Hepatitis: 16 with Hepatitis B and 4 with Hepatitis C. All study patients had cirrhosis; 18 classified as Child's-Pugh A and 2 as Child's-Pugh B. Diagnostic laparoscopy changed the management in 9/20 (45%) cases. Management was changed because of severe nodular cirrhosis in 4 cases, inaccurate assessment of intrahepatic metastases in 2 cases, inability to identify an HCC in 1 case, peritoneal carcinomatosis in 1 case, and inability to tolerate induction to general anesthesia in 1 case. Discussion. Diagnostic laparoscopy is useful in the evaluation of the potentially resectable patient with HCC. Information obtained from laparoscopy may change the clinical management in up to 45% of cases.
Influence of sorghum maturity on abundance and damage potential of Banks grass mite,Oligonychus pratensis (Banks)

This research was designed to study the effects of sorghum maturity on abundance and damage potential of Banks grass mite,Oligonychus pratensis (Banks). More mites per plant were recorded on the latest maturing line (M100) and the least on the early maturing lines (60M and CK60). Mite densities on B407 (late maturity) did not differ from any of the lines tested. Mite densities were positively correlated with leaf area. In contrast, mite feeding damage was significantly lower on the late maturing lines, demonstrating that sorghum susceptibility to mite feeding increases as plants reach anthesis and caryopsis.
A taxonomy and a knowledge portal for cybersecurity

Smart government is possible only if the security of sensitive data can be assured. The more knowledgeable government officials and citizens are about cybersecurity, the better are the chances that government data is not compromised or abused. In this paper, we present two systems under development that aim at improving cybersecurity education. First, we are creating a taxonomy of cybersecurity topics that provides links to relevant educational or research material. Second, we are building a portal that serves as platform for users to discuss the security of websites. These sources can be linked together. This helps to strengthen the knowledge of government officials and citizens with regard to cybersecurity issues. These issues are a central concern for open government initiatives.
Integrated optical chemical vapor microsensors

Abstract We have recently demonstrated that an integrated optical waveguide chemical vapor microsensor may be fabricated on a glass support using a laser source capable of photopolymerizing a commercial dimethacrylate ester resin, to which a photocatalyst was added to the starting material. It was shown that this type of integrated sensor responded selectively to those vapors that could either be solubilized by the polymer structure or could produce an acid-base surface reaction. We have extended this microfabrication technique to another commercial oligomer material to which the photocatalyst is already incorporated into the starting material. Planar integrated optical waveguide structures were readily photopolymerized on glass substrates using a 100 W incoherent mercury arc source. These structures, when exposed to a series of organic vapors including water vapor, showed a selective response to only acetone and chloroform vapors. The apparent selectivity in these two cases arises from a partial solubilization of these condensed vapors into the photopolymerized waveguide structure, resulting in a slight swelling and hence a change in the optical path of the total internally reflected probe beam. Vapor concentration studies in a nitrogen-vapor dynamic flow system indicated detection levels of acetone and chloroform at 10 000 ppm at atmospheric pressure and room temperature.
Electrophoresis of Polyethylene Glycols and Related Materials as Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Complexes

Abstract Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyethylene glycol derivatives are analyzed by a modification of the sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide stacking gel electrophoresis procedure of Kurfurst. Gels using a discontinuous buffer system but which do not have a separate stacking gel are used without loss of resolution and with less tendency to form artifactual multiple or distorted bands. Examination of several commercial preparations of PEGs and PEG derivatives on such gels indicates heterogeneity other than the expected unimodal size distributions. SDS–gel electrophoresis of proteins or other materials in samples containing PEGs may yield gels with zones of contamination from the PEGs. Methods of reducing such contamination are suggested.
Surface Transportation and Administrative Law: Growing Up Together in the 20th Century

The concurrent development of administrative law and America's modern transportation system is no accident. Both reflect the technological and societal changes that have defined what the United States is today. The importance of transportation is reflected by the fact that so many of the important events, statutes, and court decisions in the history of 20th century administrative law have involved transportation. The first really powerful administrative agency, the Interstate Commerce Commission, was created to regulate railroads and, later, interstate trucking. The Federal-Aid Highway Program, which can trace its roots to 1893, has been the largest federal grant program for much of this century. The statutory framework for this program, established by the Federal Road Act of 1916 and the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1921, became the model for all federal grant programs. The Interstate system and other highway programs helped shape the great economic expansion that followed World War II. The effects of thes...
Influence of Humidity on Surface Behavior of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Studied Using Scanning Probe Microscopy

The effect of humidity on the adhesive properties of a model pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) composed of poly(ethylene propylene) (PEP) and the n-butyl ester of abietic acid was studied using lateral modulation (X-modulation) measurements with a scanning probe microscope. The lateral force on a probe oscillating laterally in the “stick” regime decreases slightly with increasing humidity on the hydrophobic surface of the pure polymer matrix. On the homogeneous, hydrophilic surface of the adhesive loaded with 60 wt % tackifier (PEP/60), the corresponding lateral force grows strongly with increasing humidity. To better understand how the humid environment affects the nanomechanical properties of the adhesive surface, the X-modulation technique was combined with a force−distance curve measurement to yield a more precise and reproducible characterization. The properties of the surface of an aged PEP/60 sample were much more sensitive to variations in humidity than were the properties of the homopolymer matri...
Comparison of the cardiovascular actions of NSC-109,724 (ifosfamide) and cyclophosphamide

Abstract The iv administration of the alkylating agents NSC-109,724 (ifosfamide) or cyclophosphamide (75, 150 or 300 mg/kg) in anesthetized rhesus monkeys produced an immediate dose-dependent hypotension, bradycardia and a diminution in high-frequency, low-amplitude EEG wave activity. Histamine levels in blood were also found to be elevated. Ifosfamide appeared to be twice as potent as cyclophosphamide in causing cardiovascular alterations. The magnitude and duration of the cardiovascular responses after 150 mg/kg ifosfamide were attenuated by a 30 min pretreatment with either diphenhydramine (10 mg/kg), chlorpheniramine (5 mg/kg) or tripelennamine (6 mg/kg). Ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide (75, 150 or 300 mg) caused a dose-related decrease in force of contraction and heart rate in the isolated, blood-perfused, dog heart preparation. At each dose ifosfamide produced more pronounced and prolonged actions than cyclophosphamide. Pretreatment of the isolated heart with diphenhydramine (10 mg), chlorpheniramine (5 mg) or tripelennamine (6 mg) did not entirely prevent the initial depressant actions of 150 mg ifosfamide but did allow the rate and force to return to control levels in a shorter time. These experiments suggest that the hypotension and bradycardia observed after administration of ifosfamide, and to a lesser extent cyclophosphamide, may be due to a direct nonspecific cardiac depression in conjunction with possible histamine release.
The media reality: Epistemological functions of media in cultural systems

This essay focuses upon cognitive and cultural relationships now associated with the electronic “media explosion.” Neurophysiological research is surveyed and assessed for its potential power as a means for viewing the electronic media as a social reality equal in power to the kind of understandings produced by science and everyday experiences. Particularly, the existing literature is examined for the credibility it lends to the notion that media formats affect the type of mental patterns and concommitant cultural systems controlling human communication. The case outlined suggests that the electronic media generate predominantly holistic, metaphorical, and pattern recognition understandings while simultaneously promoting an epideictic value orientation. Heuristic in design, this essay thus examines the view which holds that the media constitute a discrete reality or way of knowing.
Fatigue properties of type 316LN stainless steel in air and mercury

Abstract An extensive fatigue testing program on 316LN stainless steel was recently carried out to support the design of the mercury target container for the spallation neutron source (SNS) that is currently under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States. The major objective was to determine the effects of mercury on fatigue behavior. The S – N fatigue behavior of 316LN stainless steel is characterized by a family of bilinear fatigue curves which are dependent on frequency, environment, mean stress and cold work. Generally, fatigue life increases with decreasing stress and levels off in the high cycle region to an endurance limit below which the material will not fail. For fully reversed loading as well as tensile mean stress loading conditions mercury had no effect on endurance limit. However, at higher stresses a synergistic relationship between mercury and cyclic loading frequency was observed at low frequencies. As expected, fatigue life decreased with decreasing frequency, but the response was more pronounced in mercury compared with air. As a result of liquid metal embrittlement (LME), fracture surfaces of specimens tested in mercury showed widespread brittle intergranular cracking as opposed to typical transgranular cracking for specimens tested in air. For fully reversed loading (zero mean stress) the effect of mercury disappeared as frequency increased to 10 Hz. For mean stress conditions with R -ratios of 0.1 and 0.3, LME was still evident at 10 Hz, but at 700 Hz the effect of mercury had disappeared ( R = 0.1). Further, for higher R -ratios (0.5 and 0.75) fatigue curves for 10 Hz showed no environmental effect. Finally, cold working (20%) increased tensile strength and hardness, and improved fatigue resistance. Fatigue behavior at 10 and 700 Hz was similar and no environmental effect was observed.
Assessment of hepatic viability during cold ischemic preservation

A reliable and easy method for assessing the viability of a cold ischemia-preserved donor liver prior to transplanation into the recepient is needed. Based on an earlier study, we hypothesized that liver free fatty acid (FFA) leakage into the preservation fluid may be a useful, atraumatic indicator of irreversible ischemic injury. The aim of the present study was to determine the time course and magnitude of liver FFA release into the preservation solution and its correlation with the duration of cold ischemic preservation compatible with survival after transplantation. Rat livers (n=48) were flushed and preserved with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution at 4°C for 0, 12, 24, and 48 h. Thereafter, half of the livers were analyzed for preservation fluid FFA (gas-liquid chromatography) and protein. The other half were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit (KH) solution at 37°C for 1 h. Bile secretion and liver enzyme release (SGOT, SGPT, and LDH) were measured in addition to perfusate FFA and protein. Total FFA in the preservation fluid was 24 μg/g wet tissue after 12 h; it increased sharply 2.6-fold after 24 h and 3.7-fold after 48 h of preservation. Bile production was normal after 12 h of preservation but fell by 20% and 54% after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. LDH release rose from a value of 20 U/l at 0 time to 120 U/l and 260 U/l after 24 h and 48 h of preservation. These results suggest that liver viability declines sharply between 12 and 24 h of cold ischemic preservation, which corresponds with a sharp decrease in the 1-week survival from 100% to 33% after 12 h and 24 h, respectively, of cold ischemic preservation. We conclude that measuring FFA and LDH in the preservation solution of donor livers may be a useful means of assessing the quality of the cold-preserved liver before insertion into the recipient. We also speculate that a “threshold” FFA level in the UW preservation fluid indicating irreversible damage may be in the order of 35 μg total FFA/g liver. Studies on the clinical applicability of our findings are currently under way.
The photino, the sun, and high-energy neutrinos.

If the Universe contains a nearly critical density of photinos which are also assumed to constitute the dark matter in our galactic halo, then gravitational trapping by the Sun and ensuing annihilation in the solar core yields a significant flux of \ensuremath{\sim}250-MeV neutrinos. This results in about 2 neutrino-induced events per kiloton-year in an underground proton-decay detector.
“Nobody's Perfect”—Partial Disagreement with Herman, Faust, Bridges, and Ahern

This article takes issue with aspects of chapters in Kathryn Kuehnle and Mary Connell's 2009 book, The Evaluation of Child Abuse Allegations: A Comprehensive Guide to Assessment and Testimony.
Statistical significance of trends in monthly heavy precipitation over the US

Trends in monthly heavy precipitation, defined by a return period of one year, are assessed for statistical significance in observations and Global Climate Model (GCM) simulations over the contiguous United States using Monte Carlo non-parametric and parametric bootstrapping techniques. The results from the two Monte Carlo approaches are found to be similar to each other, and also to the traditional non-parametric Kendall’s τ test, implying the robustness of the approach. Two different observational data-sets are employed to test for trends in monthly heavy precipitation and are found to exhibit consistent results. Both data-sets demonstrate upward trends, one of which is found to be statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Upward trends similar to observations are observed in some climate model simulations of the twentieth century, but their statistical significance is marginal. For projections of the twenty-first century, a statistically significant upwards trend is observed in most of the climate models analyzed. The change in the simulated precipitation variance appears to be more important in the twenty-first century projections than changes in the mean precipitation. Stochastic fluctuations of the climate-system are found to be dominate monthly heavy precipitation as some GCM simulations show a downwards trend even in the twenty-first century projections when the greenhouse gas forcings are strong.
Unsuccessful peripherally inserted central catheter placement.

Editor: Complications associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) include phlebitis, venous thrombosis, catheter-related blood infections, exit site infections, occlusions, and catheter malfunction (1,2). When PICCs are compared directly with central venous catheters, not only are they associated with higher rates of phlebitis, but their use can result in more difficult insertion attempts (2). Herein we present a case of a failed PICC insertion. A 49-year-old man with a history of scleroderma complicated by intestinal dysfunction and malabsorption that required chronic total parenteral nutrition was hospitalized for acute abdominal pain secondary to a ruptured pancreatic pseudocyst. He underwent surgical management of the pseudocyst; however, his postoperative course was complicated by recurrent hemorrhage and repeat abdominal exploration. The patient continued to receive total parenteral nutrition via a double-lumen PICC inserted into the superior vena cava originating from the left basilic vein. A prolonged hospital course was marked by multiple infectious complications, which necessitated removal of the old PICC, followed by reinsertion of a new one into the left basilic vein. Incorrect placement of the new PICC was suspected as a result of the inability to easily flush the catheter and completely visualize the catheter on an upright chest radiograph. Attempts to withdraw the malpositioned PICC were unsuccessful with gentle traction. Under fluoroscopy, no radiopaque dye could be injected intraluminally, nor could a guide wire be threaded through the length of the catheter. Surgical exploration at the insertion site revealed an extensive extraluminal knot in the PICC line limiting its removal (Figure). The knot is believed to have occurred as a result of multiple attempts at advancing and withdrawing the PICC against the resistance of its initial extraluminal placement. Despite the relatively high rates of minor complications associated with the use of PICCs, they can be placed safely by a wide variety of health care professionals and are therefore a valuable tool for vascular access in many types of patients (3,4). The difficult removal of PICCs is an uncommon complication and is typically associated with the presence of phlebitis, thrombus, or perivascular fibrin deposition. Conservative approaches to removal include gentle traction, relaxation exercises, or administration of smooth muscle relaxants. Aggressive attempts at removal should be avoided to minimize damage to the vein, possible catheter fracture, and/or subsequent embolization of catheter fragments (5). When conservative measures prove unsuccessful, surgical cutdown should be used for safe catheter removal.
Augmented Fotonovelas: Creating New Media as Pedagogical and Social Justice Tools

Augmented Fotonovelas are a multi-modal new media object centering the knowledge of the Latina/o community in ways accessible and meaningful to multiple audiences by incorporating video interviews,...
Molecular Pharmacology of T-type Ca2+ Channels

Over the past few years increasing attention has been focused on T-type calcium channels and their possible physiological and pathophysiological roles. Efforts toward elucidating the exact role(s) of these calcium channels have been hampered by the lack of T-type specific antagonists, resulting in the subsequent use of less selective calcium channel antagonists. In addition, the activity of these blockers often varies with cell or tissue type, as well as recording conditions. This review summarizes a variety of compounds that exhibit varying degrees of blocking activity towards T-type Ca2+ channels. It is designed as an aid for researchers in need of antagonists to study the biophysical and pathological nature of T-type channels, as well as a starting point for those attempting to develop potent and selective antagonists of the channel.
Device to monitor sock use in people using prosthetic limbs: Technical report

A device using radio frequency identification technology (RFID) was developed to continuously monitor sock use on people using prosthetic limbs. RFID tags were placed on prosthetic socks worn by subjects with transtibial limb loss, and a high-frequency (HF) RFID reader and antenna were placed in a portable unit mounted to the outside of the prosthetic socket. Bench testing showed the device to have a maximum read range between 5.6 cm and 12.7 cm, depending on the RFID tag used. Testing in a laboratory setting on three participants with transtibial amputation showed that the device correctly monitored sock presence during sitting, standing, and walking activity when one or two socks were worn but was less reliable when more socks were used. Accurate detection was sensitive to orientation of the tag relative to the reader, presence of carbon fiber in the prosthetic socket, pistoning of the limb in the socket, and overlap among the tags. Use of ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID may overcome these limitations. With improvements, the technology may prove useful to practitioners prescribing volume accommodation strategies for patients by providing information about sock use between clinical visits, including timing and consistency of daily sock ply changes.
Integrating CERIF entities in a multidisciplinary e-infrastructure for environmental research data

Abstract The paper proposes different solutions to integrate CERIF in the environmental dataset domain, based on the quality of semantic mapping as well as on the characteristics of the CERIF data model. A two-way crosswalk is described resulting in the identification of a core of corresponding metadata and a proposal of extensions of the CERIF model. Extensions of ISO concepts are also described to provide contextual research information in the domain of environmental research data. Finally, the crosswalk has been implemented in the GI-cat discovery broker framework. Successful tests demonstrated the possibility for CERIF information to be integrated in ISO compliant infrastructures and for INSPIRE information to be captured in CERIF.
A REVIEW OF: “HANDBOOK OF PEDIATRIC AUTOPSY PATHOLOGY”: 1st edition: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ 2004. Enid Gilbert-Barness and Diane E. Debich-Spicer

This is an extremely comprehensive, practical, and well-written book about the performance of embryofetal and pediatric autopsies. The authors have divided it in five parts: general principles, tec...
A State-Machine Synthesizer -- SMS

Much of the work in implementing a state machine involves tedious calculations that require no creativity. This report describes the development of a digital-circuit synthesis program that helps reduce the tedium. SMS accepts a high-level description of a state machine and returns equations for implementation that assume a sum-of-products next-state and output functions and that also assume JK or D flip-flops for memory.
Host cell–plasmid interactions in the expression of DNA donor activity by F+ strains of Escherichia coli K‐12

DNA transfer directly from cell to cell (conjugation) is common among prokaryotes, particularly Gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli. The phenomenon invariably requires a set of plasmid genes in the DNA donor cell. In addition, E. coli itself makes limited and specific contributions to the donor activity of strains carrying the conjugative plasmid F. These contributions have yet to be defined biochemically, but it is already clear that the cell envelope is an importan nexus between plasmid- and chromosome-encoded proteins required for the establishment and maintenance of DNA donor activity.