cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mortality from contact-related epidemics among indigenous populations in Greater Amazonia

European expansion and contact with indigenous populations led to catastrophic depopulation primarily through the introduction of novel infectious diseases to which native peoples had limited exposure and immunity. In the Amazon Basin such contacts continue to occur with more than 50 isolated indigenous societies likely to make further contacts with the outside world in the near future. Ethnohistorical accounts are useful for quantifying trends in the severity and frequency of epidemics through time and may provide insight into the likely demographic consequences of future contacts. Here we compile information for 117 epidemics that affected 59 different indigenous societies in Greater Amazonia and caused over 11,000 deaths between 1875 and 2008, mostly (75%) from measles, influenza, and malaria. Results show that mortality rates from epidemics decline exponentially through time and, independently, with time since peaceful contact. The frequency of documented epidemics also decreases with time since contact. While previous work on virgin soil epidemics generally emphasizes the calamity of contacts, we focus instead on improvements through time. The prospects for better survivorship during future contacts are good provided modern health care procedures are implemented immediately.
The Detection and Clinical Significance of Antibodies to Tumor-Associated Antigens in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma

AbstractAntibodies against renal carcinoma cells were detected by a microcomplement fixation assay in the sera of 94 per cent of 75 patients with recently resected, localized or metastatic disease, and in 20 per cent of normal controls. Absorption of sera with pooled normal kidney cells abrogated reactivity against normal kidney cells but did not decrease reactivity significantly against the renal carcinoma cells. Analyses of sequential serum samples revealed that after nephrectomy in 9 of 10 patients free of tumor but at high risk for recurrence antibody levels decreased or disappeared by 1 year. However, these levels remained elevated in 2 patients who subsequently were found to have occult persistent tumor. Antibody titers in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma declined as the disease progressed. Patients with persistently elevated titers had the longest survival. Although the antibodies detected by this assay may not be specific for renal cell carcinoma, their detection may be of clinical si...
Das Schaffhauser JobClub-Modell – Geschichten und Erfahrungen aus fünf Jahren

Sie bekommen einen Einblick, wie man die Anfangsskepsis bei der Bildung von JobClubs uberwinden kann und wie am konkreten Beispiel das JobClub-Konzept in Schaffhausen entwickelt und umgesetzt wurde. Sie lernen die einzelnen Programmteile und ihre Entstehungsgeschichte kennen und konnen die Praxiserfahrungen mit dem Schaffhauser Modell mit Ihren eigenen Erfahrungen abgleichen. Auserdem erfahren Sie, wie man in der Praxis aus Fehlern lernen kann und trotz notwendiger Standards eine kontinuierliche Verbesserung sicherstellt.
Thiamine deficiency and the effectiveness of thiamine treatments through broodstock injections and egg immersion on Lake Ontario steelhead trout

In fall 2014, steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) migrating in the Salmon River, New York, exhibited abnormal swimming behavior and, in some cases, mortality as reported by sport fishermen. Preliminary results showed that affected individuals had low levels of thiamine in their muscle and liver. As a result, New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC) personnel from the Salmon River Fish Hatchery injected adult fish with thiamine mononitrate (50 mg/kg). In April 2015, muscle, liver, and eggs were taken from adults treated (n = 27) or not (n = 27) with thiamine at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery to evaluate their thiamine concentration. In addition, a subsample of eggs was fertilized and treated or not with a thiamine bath (1000 ppm). Accordingly, four treatment groups were established: adults treated/eggs treated (TT), adults treated/eggs untreated (TU), adults untreated/eggs treated (UT), and adults untreated/eggs untreated (UU). Offspring mortality was significantly higher (P 0.8) from each other. The efficiency of each treatment was compared based on offspring mortality. Significant differences in muscle, liver, and egg total thiamine concentrations were observed between treated and untreated adults (P < 0.001). The relationship between total egg thiamine concentrations and offspring mortality also suggests that steelhead trout thiamine requirements may be greater than previously expected.
Use of Online Health Information by Geriatric and Adult Emergency Department Patients: Access, Understanding, and Trust.

Objective The objective was to characterize geriatric patients’ use of online health information (OHI) relative to younger adults and assess their comfort with OHI compared to health information (HI) from their physician. Methods This was a prospective cross-sectional survey study of adult ED patients. The survey assessed patients’ self-reported use of OHI in the past year and immediately prior to ED visit and analyzed differences across 4 age groups: 18-39, 40-64, 65-74, and 75+. Patients’ ability to access, understand, and trust OHI was assessed using a 7 point Likert scale and compared to parallel questions regarding HI obtained from their doctor. Patient use of OHI was compared across age groups. Comfort with OHI and HI obtained from a doctor was compared across age groups using the Kruskall Wallis test. Comparisons between sources of health information were made within age groups using the Wilcoxan signed rank test. Results Of 889 patients who were approached for study inclusion 723 patients (81.3%) completed the survey. The majority of patients had used OHI in the last year in all age groups, but older patients were less likely to have used OHI: age 18-39: 90.3%, 40-64: 85.3%, 65-74: 76.4% and 75+: 50.7%, p<0.001. The youngest patients were most likely to have used OHI prior to coming to the ED, 47.1%, 28.3%, 17.1%, 8.0%, p<0.001. Older patients were more likely to have an established doctor 18-39: 79.4%, 40-64: 91.1%, 65-74: 97.5%, 75+ 97.4%, p<0.001, and were more likely to have contacted their doctor prior to their ED visit: 36.7%, 40.2%, 46.7%, 53.5%, p 0.02. The oldest patients were most likely to find health information more accessible from their doctor than the Internet, while the youngest patients found health information more accessible on the Internet than from their doctor. Regardless of age, patients noted that information from their physician was both easier to understand and more trustworthy than information found on the Internet. Conclusion Although many older patients used OHI, they were less likely than younger adults to use the Internet immediately prior to an ED visit. Despite often using OHI, patients of all age groups found healthcare information from their doctor easier to understand and more trustworthy than information from the Internet. As health systems work to efficiently provide information to patients, addressing these perceived deficiencies may be necessary to build effective OHI programs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Adaptive social strategies in a solitary carnivore

Cost-benefit trade-offs for individuals participating in social behaviors are the basis for current theories on the evolution of social behaviors and societies. However, research on social strategies has largely ignored solitary animals, in which we assume that rare interactions are explained by courtship or territoriality or, in special circumstances, resource distributions or kinship. We used directed network analysis of conspecific tolerance at food sources to provide evidence that a solitary carnivore, the puma (Puma concolor), exhibited adaptive social strategies similar to more social animals. Every puma in our analysis participated in the network, which featured densely connected communities delineated by territorial males. Territorial males also structured social interactions among pumas. Contrary to expectations, conspecific tolerance was best characterized by direct reciprocity, establishing a fitness benefit to individuals that participated in social behaviors. However, reciprocity operated on a longer time scale than in gregarious species. Tolerance was also explained by hierarchical reciprocity, which we defined as network triangles in which one puma (generally male) received tolerance from two others (generally females) that also tolerated each other. Hierarchical reciprocity suggested that males might be cheating females; nevertheless, we suspect that males and females used different fitness currencies. For example, females may have benefited from tolerating males through the maintenance of social niches that support breeding opportunities. Our work contributes evidence of adaptive social strategies in a solitary carnivore and support for the applicability of theories of social behavior across taxa, including solitary species in which they are rarely tested.
Managerial influences in public administration

This paper presents a discussion of the influence of managerialist values on the field of public administration. The author begins by developing a definition of managerialism consisting of four components: efficiency as the primary value guiding managers1 actions and decisions; faith in the tools and techniques of management; a class consciousness among managers; and a view of managers as moral agents. The paper next considers the influence of managerialism on the development of the field of public administration. The analysis centers on the early history of the field, but also discusses the ongoing influence of the managerialist mindset. The author then turns to consideration of three alternative approaches to public administration theory and practice which have arisen as challenges to the dominance of the managerialist mindset within the discipline. Specifically, the values and assumptions underlying the work of selected writers associated with the New PA, the Blacksburg group, and PA Theorists are discussed. The paper closes by contrasting these alternative views of public administration to managerialism and considering the extent to which they represent major challenges to its dominance or simply reflect variations of the same theme.
Coauthorship in Regional Science: A Case Study of the WVU RRI Research Community

The year 2015 marked the fiftieth anniversary of West Virginia University’s (WVU) Regional Research Institute (RRI), which has played an important role in many scientific collaboration networks. Through social network analysis (SNA) focusing on the RRI research community since its inception in 1965, this article illustrates the role that organizations and the networks they promote can play in scientific problem domains, promoting scholarly collaborations and coauthorship in the field of regional science. We analyzed an evolving WVU RRI coauthorship network that has grown and gained in complexity over time in terms of (1) global metrics, (2) components and cluster analysis, (3) centrality, and (4) PageRank and AuthorRank. The results of these analyses depict a well-developed and influential scientific collaboration structure within both WVU and the regional science research community.
Cocaine induced gastric ischemia

A year old male presented to the emergency department with a month history of intermittent hematemesis accompanied by epigastric constant pressure worsened by oral intake He also complained of bowel movements admixed with bright and dark blood There was an associated pound weight loss over the last months He denied any fevers night sweats shortness of breath or dizziness He was not on any anti platelet or anticoagulation treatment An esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed in revealed gastric and esophageal ulcers He did admit to a recent history of tobacco alcohol and cocaine use His vital signs were within normal limits On physical exam his abdomen was distended with mild epigastric tenderness and no peritoneal signs Placement of a nasogastric tube resulted in the drainage of blood tinged fluid Laboratory results on admission revealed a white count of k uL with mild absolute eosinophilia hemoglobin of g dL hypokalemic hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis potassium mmol L chloride mmol L bicarbonate mmol L Liver function tests lipase and anticoagulation profile were normal Serum alcohol level was elevated at mg dL Urine toxicology screen on admission was positive for cocaine A computed tomographic scan of his abdomen pelvis with intravenous contrast is shown in Figure The patient was taken to the operating room shortly after the scan
Existence of an Electrochemically Inert CO Population on Cu Electrodes in Alkaline pH

Surface-adsorbed CO is generally considered a reactive on-pathway intermediate in the aqueous electrochemical reduction of CO2 on Cu electrodes. Though CO can bind to a variety of adsorption sites (e.g., atop or bridge), spectroscopic studies of the Cu/electrolyte contact have mostly been concerned with atop-bound CO. Using surface-selective infrared (IR) spectroscopy, we have investigated the reactivities and coverages of atop- and bridge-bound CO on a polycrystalline Cu electrode in contact with alkaline electrolytes. We show here that (1) a fraction of atop-bound CO converts to bridge-bonded CO when the total CO coverage drops below the saturation coverage and (2) unlike atop-bound CO, bridge-bonded CO is an unreactive species that is not reduced at a potential of −1.75 V vs SHE. Our results suggest that bridge-bonded CO is not an on-pathway intermediate in CO reduction. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we further reveal that the activation barrier for the hydrogenation of bridge-bon...
End-User Programming

Publisher Summary End-user programming is the use of a programming language by someone not trained as a professional computer scientist or programmer. This chapter begins with the discussion by delineating the arguments over whether end-user programming is a goal worth pursuing at all—that is, whether end users should (or should be expected to) write programs. That discussion introduces the most salient pro and con arguments about end-user programming in terms that recurs throughout the chapter. Subsequently the chapter focuses on whether end-user programming is in fact distinct from what might be called professional programming, whether end users a special breed of programmers, and if so, how. This is followed by a brief discussion of children's programming as a particular instance of end-user programming. Finally the chapter describes some of the important research issues facing proponents of end-user programming in the near future.
Fractal Noise in Breathing

Our understanding of respiration derives from applications of a variety of physical and life science disciplines, methods, and models to a critical physiological process: exchange and balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. We know that breathing at rest arises from a diversity of interrelated and interactive physical and chemical mechanisms involving molecular and cellular processes in the brainstem which include-among other phenomena common to the central nervous system-metabolism, synaptic transmission of neurochemicals, neurochemical-mediated alteration of neural cell membrane potential, transmembrane ion conductance, neural electrical signal propagation, and neuromodulation by afferent chemoreceptive and mechanoreceptive inputs.
Environmental Chemical Stress Effects Associated with Carbon and Phosphorus Biogeochemical Cycles

Primary biological productivity on land and in waters forms organic materials made of six main elements—C, H, O, N, S, and P—and about a dozen minor elements that are important to the maintenance of organic structures and physiological functions of living organisms. The main elements are present in different proportions in aquatic and land plants. In the surface environment of the Earth, the elements carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus mostly are found as separate chemical forms. Primary biological productivity represents a coupling mechanism that joins the biogeochemical cycles of the individual elements one to another.
Spontaneous and Induced Genetic Mutations of the POMC System

Two decades ago a series of biochemical experiments conclusively demonstrated that adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and P-lipotropin (PLPH) peptides were stoichiometrically generated from a common precursor (1). This result was heralded by one of the landmark studies in the nascent field of eukaryotic cloning, the sequencing of a pituitary cDNA whose deduced amino acids encoded both peptides separated by a pair of basic amino acids (Lys-Arg) (2). Subsequent work demonstrated that the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) prohormone is posttranslationally processed into several biologically active peptides in addition to ACTH and PLPH. Among these are the melanocortin melanocyte-stimulating hormone (aMSH) and the potent opioid s—endorphin (PEND). The mechanism of POMC processing became a paradigm in cellular biology for the elucidation of vesicular trafficking and enzymatic cleavage of secreted peptides from prohormone precursors. A renaissance of scientific interest in POMC has occurred in more recent years with the cloning of a gene family of melanocortin receptors and the demonstration of central melanocortin effects on energy homeostasis. This chapter will review the ongoing role that spontaneous and induced (transgenic and “knockout”) mutant mouse models have played in the analysis of POMC gene regulation and biological function.
Evidence for Multiple, Cell Specific, Distinctive Adenylate Cyclase Systems in Rat Testis

Considerable evidence has been accumulated during the last decade which indicates that a large group of hormones acts through the mediation of the adenylate cyclase system in the target cell plasma membrane (1). It has been established that adenylate cyclase systems in various cell types are hormone selective, and many exhibit specific metal and/or nucleotide requirement for ‘optimal’ catalytic activity and/or for hormonal activation (2, 3). Hormone selectivity of adenylate cyclase systems in various target cells depends upon distinctive receptors which ‘recognize’ and interact with the hormone in a specific binding reaction which leads to adenylate cyclase activation and cyclic AMP (cAMP) generation.
Enhanced Oil Recovery of Low Salinity Water Flooding in Sandstone and the Role of Clay

Abstract Sandstone core and free-clay sandstone core were prepared in chromatography columns, and core flooding experiments were performed to determine the EOR mechanisms of low salinity (LS) water flooding and analyze the effect of clay on recovery factor. First, brine with a high salinity (HS) of 100 000 mg/L was injected to simulate formation water. Then, LS water of 1 000 mg/L was then injected at different temperatures. Concentrations of Ca2+ and CH3COO− and pH of the fluid flowing out of the chromatography column were recorded. The results showed that during flooding the free-clay core with LS water, the carboxylic acid detached from the sand, as great as that of the clay-containing cores. It showed a noteworthy desorption of Ca2+ from the free-clay core surface, which indicated that LS water flooding resulted in a high recovery in sandstone without clay. Compared with HS water flooding, in the LS water flooding, the pH of produced fluid increased significantly; also, as the temperature increased, the pH and Ca2+ concentration of the produced fluid decreased; and the hydrophilic property of the sandstone was stronger. The results of oil recovery tests using the same columns were in line with the chemical analyses. The oil recovery from the free-clay columns was as great as from the column clay-containing column. The results of wettability measurements supported our theory.
Recent development of carbon quantum dots regarding their optical properties, photoluminescence mechanism, and core structure

Carbon quantum dots (CDs) are a relatively new class of carbon nanomaterials which have been studied very much in the last fifteen years to improve their already favorable properties. The optical properties of CDs have drawn particular interest as they display the unusual trait of excitation-dependent emission, as well as high fluorescence quantum yields (QY), long photoluminescence (PL) decay lifetimes, and photostability. These qualities naturally lead researchers to apply CDs in the field of imaging (particularly bio-imaging) and sensing. Since the amount of publications regarding CDs has been growing nearly exponentially in the last ten years, many improvements have been made in the optical properties of CDs such as QY and PL lifetime. However, a great deal of confusion remains regarding the PL mechanism of CDs as well as their structural properties. Therefore, presented in this review is a summary and discussion of the QYs and PL lifetimes reported in recent years. The effect of method as well as precursor has been evaluated and discussed appropriately. The current theories regarding the PL mechanism of CDs are discussed, with special attention to the concept of surface state-controlled PL. With this knowledge, the improvement of preparation and applications of CDs related to their optical properties will be easily accomplished. Further improvements can be made to CDs through the understanding of their structural and optical properties.
A view from within: the student in student worker

Clare Harris is a Master’s student in the Department of Library and Information Science at St. John’s University. This essay offers a first-person account of life as a student and a library employe...
Hip Pathology Evaluation and Imaging

Hip injuries are increasingly common in athletics. Historically, hip injury was associated with significant disability and inability to return to prior level of function. Advances over the past 2 decades have improved understanding of hip biomechanics, risk factors, and associated injury patterns. Accurate diagnosis is the first step to development of an effective treatment plan. Physical examination of the hip can be challenging because of overlap with nonmusculoskeletal sources of pelvic but also because of variable presentation of symptoms across patient populations. A systematic approach to physical exam progresses from standing/walking position to seated and supine. Key physical exam maneuvers can decipher between intra- vs extra-articular pathology. Advanced imaging studies can detect early stages of hip degeneration, cartilage, and labral disease. Plain radiographs remain an essential and efficient screening tool to assess patients presenting with hip injury or pain. The experienced clinician can use physical exam and imaging data to drive effective treatment and also predict the potential early and long-term outcome of surgical intervention.
Characterizing Traffic-Signal Performance and Corridor Reliability Using Crowd-Sourced Probe Vehicle Trajectories

AbstractPerformance measures offer an essential management tool for transportation engineers to make decisions along signalized corridors. Current signal performance strategies assess coordination ...
Optimizing Torula Bait for Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae) Trapping in the Dominican Republic

Torula yeast is the most common bait used by growers and agriculture professionals for trapping of tephritid flies in the Dominican Republic. However, the efficiency of the bait is influenced by weather conditions, aging, and contamination with undesirable microorganisms. Thus, additives such as benzalkonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound, have been used together with torula yeast as a bait stabilizer. This study evaluated the effect of the addition of benzalkonium chloride to torula yeast bait, and time of renewal in guava orchards for trapping of Caribbean fruit flies (Anastrepha suspensa Loew; Diptera: Tephritidae). A field study was conducted in 2 consecutive 8-wk periods between Oct 2019 and Feb 2020. Six treatments were evaluated based on the type of bait (torula yeast or torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride) and renewal frequency (weekly, biweekly, or without renewal). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Data indicated that torula yeast was attractive to 85.2% and 80.2% more males and females of Caribbean fruit flies compared to torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride, respectively. Similarly, traps without renewal attracted an average of 49.8% more females than traps renewed weekly or biweekly, regardless of the bait type. Analysis of both baits showed a rapid decrease in pH of the torula yeast. The addition of benzalkonium chloride may have affected the microbial activity in the solution, leading to reduced decomposition of torula yeast + benzalkonium chloride and, therefore, reduced captures.
Evaluating the utility of identity-by-descent segment numbers for relatedness inference via information theory and classification

Despite decades of methods development for classifying relatives in genetic studies, pairwise relatedness methods9 recalls are above 90% only for first through third degree relatives. The top-performing approaches, which leverage identity-by-descent (IBD) segments, often use only kinship coefficients, while others, including ERSA, use the number of segments relatives share. To quantify the potential for using segment numbers in relatedness inference, we leveraged information theory measures to analyze exact (i.e., produced by a simulator) IBD segments from simulated relatives. Over a range of settings, we found that the mutual information between the relatives9 degree of relatedness and a tuple of their kinship coefficient and segment number is on average 4.6% larger than between the degree and the kinship coefficient alone. We further evaluated IBD segment number utility by building a Bayes classifier to predict first through sixth degree relationships using different feature sets. When trained and tested with exact segments, the inclusion of segment numbers improves the recall by between 0.0028 and 0.030 for second through sixth degree relatives. However, the recalls improve by less than 0.018 per degree when using inferred segments, suggesting limitations due to IBD detection accuracy. Lastly, we compared our Bayes classifier that includes segment numbers with ERSA and IBIS and found comparable results, with the Bayes classifier and ERSA slightly outperforming each other across different degrees. Overall, this study shows that IBD segment numbers can improve relatedness inference but that errors from current SNP array-based detection methods yield dampened signals in practice.
Coping Strategies used by Mothers and Fathers following Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease

Background Parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) exhibit high rates of mental health difficulties, which can influence child developmental and behavioural outcomes. While extensive research has focused on CHD-related stressors that contribute to parental mental health difficulties, few studies have investigated parental coping strategies that may mitigate or heighten risk. This study aimed to identify parental coping strategies following diagnosis of CHD and compare use of coping strategies among different groups (mothers vs. fathers; prenatal vs. postnatal diagnosis). Methods A diverse sample of 34 parents (20 mothers and 14 fathers) of young children with CHD participated in semistructured interviews focused on their responses to CHD-related stressors. Coping strategies were identified from qualitative data and categorized according to the COPE Inventory, an instrument that assesses common adult responses to stress. Coping strategies deemed as unique to parenting a critically ill child were identified. χ2 and independent sample t tests evaluated group differences. Results Parents described using between 1 and 10 different adaptive and maladaptive strategies measured by the COPE Inventory. Most parents (82.35%) also described coping strategies that may be unique to parenting a critically ill child. Mothers were more likely than fathers to report a focus on and venting of emotions (70% vs. 21.43%) and behavioural disengagement (25% vs. 0%). Compared with parents receiving a postnatal CHD diagnosis, those receiving a prenatal diagnosis described a greater variety of coping strategies (6.23 vs. 4.52) and more often reported positive reinterpretation and growth (69.23% vs. 14.29%), behavioural disengagement (38.46% vs. 0%) and denial (38.46% vs. 0%). Conclusions Parents of children with CHD utilize a variety of coping strategies, some of which are maladaptive. Interventions tailored to the needs of mothers and fathers of young children with CHD, including those receiving a postnatal diagnosis, are needed to promote adaptive coping and optimize family psychosocial outcomes.
Cerebral Palsy: Treatments and Therapeutics

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive motor disorder affecting approximately 3 out of every 1000 infants in the United States. Although it is classified as a motor disorder, the deficits are caused by pre- or neonatal brain injury. Unfortunately, there is no cure for CP and currently, symptom management is the only treatment option available. As research begins to unravel the underlying causes and cellular changes leading to CP, potential treatments and therapeutics can be investigated to prevent brain damage following insults. Today, only two therapies are approved for use in the hospital setting: hypothermia and magnesium sulphate. Both of these therapies attempt to lessen the brain damage by slowing processes of inflammation and cell death. Other potential therapies are in clinical trials to test safety and efficacy for use in humans. Some drugs have shown promise in animal models; however, they have not yet been tested in humans. Researchers are searching for a cure. Key Concepts There is no cure for cerebral palsy and currently approved treatments target the symptoms of cerebral palsy, not the underlying causes. Hypothermia and magnesium sulphate are the only two therapeutics used in the hospital setting to slow or lessen brain damage following labour and delivery complications. Therapeutics targeting the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate, along with glutamate receptor and transporter expression and function, appear to be promising. Drug treatments targeting growth factors and endogenous proteins may be beneficial to reduce cell death leading to cerebral palsy. Because inflammation plays a role in cerebral palsy, drug treatment that reduces the inflammatory response may also reduce brain damage following insults. Keywords: cerebral palsy; drug therapy; growth factors; glutamate; glutamate receptors; glutamate transporters; inflammation
The climatonomy of a needle ice event: An experiment in simulation climatology

Soil surface temperature, net radiation and surface heave are used to evaluate a computer simulation of a needle ice event at Vancouver, Canada. The simulation which includes fusion and soil water flow effects, provides a working example of asimulation-sensitivity experiment in climatology and therefore has implications which transcend the rather restricted subject of diurnal soil frost effects.
Cutaneous lipogenesis: precursors utilized by guinea pig skin for lipid synthesis.

Cutaneous lipogenesis was studied, using a guinea pig ear slice incubation technique, for the following precursors : acetate, propionate, butyrate, glucose, pyruvate, lactate, succinate, citrate, and selected amino acids. Active lipogenesis was observed with short-chain fatty acids, glucose, pyruvate, lactate, and with the amino acids, alanine, leucine, and isoleucine. Glucose was shown to play an important role in cutaneous lipogenesis; it is a major precursor of lipid and the only compound able to stimulate lipogenesis. Its incorporation into lipid is unaffected by either insulin or epinephrine. The incorporation rates of glucose-1 - and glucose-6J4C were equal, suggesting the possibility that generation of NADPH by the pentose-phosphate pathway is minimal. Citrate, succinate, and pyruvate all failed to stimulate the incorporation of acetate ; on the other hand, citrate, isocitrate, malate, malonate, and ATP caused inhibition of the incorporation of glucose. Signif- icant incorporation of tritium from tritiated water was ob- served, and the order of magnitude suggests that it can be used as an independent assessment of the rate of cutaneous lipogenesis. Bicarbonate was not only able to stimulate the rate of incorporation of a variety of precursors but was also incorporated into fatty acids to a measurable extent. The mode of incorporation of propionate was unusual, since propionate- lJ4C was incorporated into fatty acids at more than double the rate for propionate-2-14C, suggesting incorporation of the carboxyl carbon without the rest of the molecule. Mechanisms are suggested to account for the carbon dioxide fixation, but we are unable to completely explain the anomalous results for propionate.
Estimating growth kinetics of Penicillium chrysogenum by nonlinear regression

A simple unstructured microbial growth model was used to describe the dynamics of fungal growth in batch cultures. Biokinetic parameters were evaluated using the integral form of the Contois equation by nonlinear regression. Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the nonlinear parameter estimation technique for obtaining unique and accurate estimates of the Contois equation parameters. This technique was subsequently used to estimate growth kinetic parameters of Penicillium chrysogenum grown on glucose. Microbial growth and substrate depletion were accurately described by the Contois equation and the kinetic parameters were estimated as μmax=0.103 h−1, Kc=0.145 and Y= 0.445. The applicability of the Contois equation to describe both pellet and filamentous fungal growth was verified using previously published data. The use of the integrated Contois equation is advantageous as biokinetic parameters can be estimated from a single substrate depletion curve.
Inheritance of Adult‐Plant Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Knox 62 and Massey Winter Wheats

Adult-plant resistance (APR) to powdery mildew [Blumeria graminis (DC.) E. O. Speer f. sp. tritici Em. Marchal; syn Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici] is more durable than hypersensitive major gene resistance, but little is known about the inheritance of this type of resistance. Inheritance of APR was studied in four winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crosses. Parents, F 1 , F 2 , F 3 , and backcross populations were evaluated in the field under natural epidemics of powdery mildew. The number of genes governing APR in «Massey» and «Knox 62» wheats was estimated by both qualitative and quantitative method. Mildew severity was used in the qualitative method, while area under the disease progress curve was used in quantitative estimates [...]
Competency-Based Assessment Center Design: A Case Study:

Designing a competency-based assessment center can be an exceptional complement to a competency-based training program. Although there is substantial literature to assist with the development of as...
A micro-manual for LISP - not the whole truth

LISP data are symbolic expressions that can be either atoms of lists. Atoms are strings of letters and digits and other characters not otherwise used in LISP. A list consists of a left parenthesis followed by zero or more atoms or lists separated by spaces and ending with a right parenthesis. Examples: A, ONION, (), (A), (A ONION A), (PLUS B (TIMES X PI) 1), (CAR (QUOTE (A B))).The LISP programming language is defined by rules whereby certain LISP expressions have other LISP expressions as values. The function called value that we will use in giving these rules is not part of the LISP language but rather part of the informal mathematical language used to define LISP. Likewise, the italic letters e and a (sometimes with subscripts) denote LISP expressions, the letter v (usually subscripted) denotes an atom serving as a variable, and the letter f stands for a LISP expression serving as a function name.
On the choice of step size in the Robbins-Monro procedure

Abstract The Robbins-Monro procedure is investigated for various choices of step sizes, including those of the form c / nlog n, c > 0. Rates of convergence using this and other choices are compared to rates obtained using cnβ, for β ϵ ( 1 2 , 1] . Of all choices considered, it is seen that a procedure of Fabian's (1968) yields the best rate of convergence.
Advanced ceramic materials for next-generation nuclear applications

The nuclear industry is at the eye of a 'perfect storm' with fuel oil and natural gas prices near record highs, worldwide energy demands increasing at an alarming rate, and increased concerns about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that have caused many to look negatively at long-term use of fossil fuels. This convergence of factors has led to a growing interest in revitalization of the nuclear power industry within the United States and across the globe. Many are surprised to learn that nuclear power provides approximately 20% of the electrical power in the US and approximately 16% of the world-wide electric power. With the above factors in mind, world-wide over 130 new reactor projects are being considered with approximately 25 new permit applications in the US. Materials have long played a very important role in the nuclear industry with applications throughout the entire fuel cycle; from fuel fabrication to waste stabilization. As the international community begins to look at advanced reactor systems and fuel cycles that minimize waste and increase proliferation resistance, materials will play an even larger role. Many of the advanced reactor concepts being evaluated operate at high-temperature requiring the use of durable, heat-resistant materials. Advanced metallic and ceramic fuels are being investigated for a variety of Generation IV reactor concepts. These include the traditional TRISO-coated particles, advanced alloy fuels for 'deep-burn' applications, as well as advanced inert-matrix fuels. In order to minimize wastes and legacy materials, a number of fuel reprocessing operations are being investigated. Advanced materials continue to provide a vital contribution in 'closing the fuel cycle' by stabilization of associated low-level and high-level wastes in highly durable cements, ceramics, and glasses. Beyond this fission energy application, fusion energy will demand advanced materials capable of withstanding the extreme environments of high-temperature plasma systems. Fusion reactors will likely depend on lithium-based ceramics to produce tritium that fuels the fusion plasma, while high-temperature alloys or ceramics will contain and control the hot plasma. All the while, alloys, ceramics, and ceramic-related processes continue to find applications in the management of wastes and byproducts produced by these processes.
Critical Temperature and LE/G Phase Transitions in Monolayer Films of the Amphiphilic TEMPO Derivatives at the Air/Water Interface †

Phase behavior of five members of a homologous series of 4-alkaneamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (CnTEMPO with n = 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) was investigated with classical Langmuir monolayer techniques and with Brewster angle microscopy and 2D voltammetry. Surface potential data, BAM images, and 2D voltammetry showed that only C20- and C22TEMPO monolayers have a 2D LE/G critical point above room temperature and that the remaining three compounds with shorter alkane chains form supercritical monolayers. The unusually low values of the critical temperature for these amphiphiles was explained in terms of the molecular structure of their headgroup featuring two polar groups (the nitroxy and the amide moieties) located in the opposite positions of a bulky piperidine ring. The presence of the two polar groups causes a change of orientation of the headgroup during monolayer expansion and results in a substantial increase (ca. 50−100 A2/molecule) of the cross sectional area of these amphiphiles. As a result...
Myocardial ischemia in women: lessons from the NHLBI WISE study.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death for women. For almost 3 decades, more women than men have died from CVD, with the most recent annual statistics on mortality reporting that CVD accounted for 421 918 deaths among women in the United States. Although there have been significant declines in coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality for females, these reductions lag behind those seen in men. In addition, where there has been a decrease in mortality from CHD across all age groups over time in men, in the youngest women (age <55 years) there has been a notable increase in mortality from CHD. There are differences in the prevalence, symptoms, and pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia that occurs in women compared with men. In this paper, we review the pathophysiology and mechanisms of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in women, particularly focusing on what we have learned from the WISE study. We examine the sex-specific issues related to myocardial ischemia in women in terms of prevalence and prognosis, traditional and novel risk factors, diagnostic testing, as well as therapeutic management strategies for IHD. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This work was supported by contracts from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, nos. N01-HV-68161, N01-HV-68162, N01-HV-68163, N01-HV-68164, and R01 HL090957-01A1; grants U0164829, U01 HL649141, U01 HL649241, T32HL69751, and R03 AG032631-01 from the National Institute on Aging; a GCRC grant MO1-RR00425 from the National Center for Research Resources; and grants from the Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation, Danville, New Jersey; the Women's Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; the Edythe L. Broad Women's Heart Research Fellowship, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; and the Barbra Streisand Women's Cardiovascular Research and Education Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Analytic Approximation of Discrete Field Samples with Weighted Sums and the Gridless Computation of Field Derivatives.

Abstract Objective analysis by weighted sums of discrete observations is equivalent to the approximation of the distribution of an observed parameter by a function which is also analytic, provided that the weighting function is both analytic and positive definite. When objective analysis is expressed as such an analytic approximation, then at any desired point of the analysis domain the approximating function and derivatives may be evaluated entirely as weighted sums of the observations and their corresponding coordinates. The discussion focuses on the Gaussian weighting scheme which is not only equivalent to an analytic approximation but which also yields expressions for derivatives that are formally very simple. This discussion includes the effects of recursive applications of the analytic approximation to arrive at a succession of analytic functions that progressively better approximate the observations. The recursive scheme itself is found to be expressible in a simple equation that effectively yields...
On-site physicians reduce ambulance transports at mass gatherings.

Objectives. To prospectively determine if on-site physicians at a mass gathering reduced the number of ambulance transports to local medical facilities. The authors also wished to determine the level of care provider (emergency medical technician, EMT-P, registered nurse, or medical doctor) required to treat and disposition each patient. Methods. This study determined whether each patient presenting to on-site first aid stations at California Speedway during a large motorsports event would require ambulance transport to the hospital per the local emergency medical services (EMS) protocols. Whether the on-site physician prevented certain ambulance transports also was determined. Additionally, the minimum level of provider that could treat and disposition each patient was determined. Results. On-site physicians significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the number of ambulance transports at this mass gathering. Ambulance transports to local hospitals were reduced by 89% (from 116 to 13). Fifty-two percent of the pat...
RUPTURE OF THE AIRWAYS FROM BLUNT TRAUMA: TREATMENT OF COMPLEX INJURIES

Tracheobronchial rupture from blunt trauma is usually single and transverse but may be longitudinal or complex, a combination of various sites and forms of rupture. From 1970 to 1990, 183 cases of rupture of the airways were reported in the literature: 136 (74%) transverse, 33 (18%) longitudinal, and 14 (8%) complex. During the same 20 years at Grady Memorial Hospital, 6 patients with such injuries were treated. One had complex injury consisting of rupture of the distal trachea and both main bronchi, 1 had a longitudinal tracheal rupture and rupture of the innominate artery, and 4 had a transverse rupture, 1 of whom also had a traumatic false aneurysm of the left pulmonary artery. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used only for the repair of the complex injury, whereas the repair of the left main bronchial rupture associated with a false aneurysm of the left pulmonary artery was done with standby cardiopulmonary bypass. All 6 patients had satisfactory results from the correction of their lesions except 1 child in whom stenosis developed at the rupture site. This study suggests that complex injuries are rarely seen, and their repair is often quite involved. In some of these cases, the use of cardiopulmonary bypass increases the margin of safety during operation and may encourage repair rather than resection of the affected lung.
6 Effect of a water load test on gastric myoelectrical activity and upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is a common syndrome in which symptoms predominate in the first trimester of pregnancy. Symptoms range from mild to severe and afflict up to 80% of pregnant women. The underlying mechanisms of NVP remain poorly understood. Provocative gastric function testing has not been performed in these patients. Aims: The aim of this study were to determine the effects of the water load test (WLT) on gastric myoelectrical activity, nausea, and other upper gastrointestinal symptoms in pregnant women. Method: 46 women with NVP were studied prospectively. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded throughout the study by electrogastrography (EGG). A 15 min baseline period was followed by a WLT during which patients ingested water until full over a 5 min period. After the WLT, an additional 30 min of EGG was recorded. EGG responses were categorized into four groups: normal (2.5–3.7 cpm), bradygastria (1.0–2.5 cpm), tachygastria (3.7–10.0 cpm), and mixed gastric dysrhythmia (tachygastria and bradygastria). Nausea, bloating, stomach fullness, and abdominal discomfort were recorded before, and 10, 20, and 30 minutes after the WLT on 100 mm visual analogue scales. Results: In response to the WLT, 14% of the women exhibited normal EGG responses, while significantly more (86%) exhibited gastric dysrhythmias (p < 0.01). Of the dysrhythmic EGG responses, 57% were tachygastria, 11% were bradygastria, and 18% were mixed gastric dysrhythmia. Patients with tachygastria ingested less water (338 ml) than patients with normal (371 ml), bradygastria (415 ml), or mixed gastric dysrhythmia (394 ml) patterns, but the differences were not statistically significant. 46% of the women reported nausea at baseline; significantly more women (72%) reported nausea after the WLT (p < 0.05). At 20 min after the WLT, a significant, direct relationship was observed between nausea severity and tachygastria (p < 0.05). The other upper gastrointestinal symptoms were not significantly increased by the WLT. Conclusions: (1) 86% of the pregnant women in this sample developed gastric dysrhythmias in response to the WLT. (2) Tachygastria was the most common dysrhythmia, and increased tachygastria was correlated with increased nausea. Gastric dysrhythmias are evoked by the WLT in women with NVP, suggesting these dysrhythmias have a pathophysiological role in the mechanism of NVP, and are a target for future therapies.