cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunocytochemical staining of cytocentrifuge prepared cultured cells: nonspecific staining and its elimination

In an attempt to localize hormones in cytocentrifuge-prepared cultured cells of small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL), various modifications of the immunoperoxidase (PAP) procedure (Sternberger, 1979) were tested. When using glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, orp-benzoquinone fixation (Pearse & Polak, 1975) and rabbit antibodies in primary or bridging steps of the PAP procedure, nonspecific staining (false positives) could be elicited with the majority of rabbit antibodies tested, but not with antibodies from other animal sources. This problem could be eliminated by fixation of cells either with formalin-acetone (Masonet al., 1975) or, when using antibodies from a source other than rabbit, glutaraldehyde. It was not possible to localize ACTH in DMS-79, a human SCCL line known to produce this hormone. However, calcitonin was localized in the calcitonin-producing SCCL line DMS-53. Failure to localize ACTH in DMS-79 may be due to the lower levels of this hormone in DMS-79, as compared to the levels of calcitonin in DMS-53. This study emphasizes the importance of proper controls before concluding successful localization in a given immunocytochemical preparation of cultured cells.
P5.027 High Prevalence of Undiagnosed HIV Infection in Patients Who Were Not Offered Screening and Patients Who Declined Screening: Evaluation of a Rapid HIV Screening Programme in a U.S. Urban Emergency Department

Background U.S. emergency departments(EDs) have become a cornerstone of the current CDC screening approach for identifying unrecognised HIV-infected patients. However, in spite of intensive efforts many ED screening programmes frequently fail to identify many infected patients. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed infection in an ED with an established HIV screening programme. Methods An inner-city ED implemented an opt-in rapid oral-fluid HIV screening programme since 2005; during the summer of 2007, HIV testing facilitators offered 24/7 bedside rapid testing to patients aged 18–64 years. During the same period, an HIV seroprevalence study enrolled adult patients who gave consent for use of their blood samples. Known HIV positivity was determined by either chart review or self-report. Serum samples were tested for HIV by EIA and all positives were confirmed by Western blot followed by RNA viral load testing. Results There were 3,884 samples, including 153 from known HIV positives for the seroprevalence study. Among the remaining 3,731 visits, 1,286(34%) were offered bedside HIV testing; 2,445(66%) were not. Among those offered, 693 declined, and 561 were tested (32 accepted but were never tested). Seroprevalence data revealed the following rates of undiagnosed HIV infections: 2.0% in those offered versus 5.3% in those not offered(p Conclusion There was a disporportinately high prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection in ED patients who were not offered HIV screening and in those who declined screening, versus those who accepted testing. This indicates that even with an intensive established opt-in counsellor-based rapid HIV screening model, significant missed opportunities remain with regard to identifying undiagnosed HIV-infected individuals in the ED.
Studies on the epidemiology of Rift Valley Fever.

In Southern Africa, Rift Valley Fever (RVF) was first recognized as the cause of a major epidemic affecting sheep, cattle and humans in 1950 to 19511. In livestock it was characterized by abortion and death of young animals. Outbreaks were subsequently diagnosed at intervals of years and it was surmised that in the intervening period the virus persisted in circumscribed endemic foci5 6 12. Spread from these foci was possibly triggered by seasons favourable to vectors. A new virus, Wesselsbron (WB) produced a pattern of disease in sheep similar to RVF and was isolated in 195511. It was observed that the two viruses tended to occur together in outbreaks13 and hence a combined vaccine was issued2.
Mineralocorticoid regulation of apical cell membrane Na+ and K+ transport of the cortical collecting duct.

The effects of mineralocorticoid (DOCA) treatment of rabbits on the Na+ and K+ transport properties of the cortical collecting duct apical cell membrane were assessed using microelectrode technique...
Classroom Context Effects on Young Children’s Motivation

Learning is an active process requiring conscious and deliberate activity. Even the most able students will not learn if they do not attend to instruction and exert some effort on tasks. Thus, motivation is an important factor in maximizing children’s learning. If all children are to derive the maximum benefits from schooling, educators must provide a learning context in which students are motivated to engage actively and productively in learning activities. This chapter discusses what we know about how different classroom contexts and instructional approaches affect young children’s motivation.
Oxidative Stress in Cancer

Increased oxidative stress is a common feature observed in many different types of cancer. Depending on the radical formed, its concentration, and cellular location where its generation occurs, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have multiple functions within tumor cells. ROS-induced macromolecule damage can contribute to tumor initiation. Low levels of ROS can initiate cellular signaling pathways that mediate tumor cell proliferation, survival and tumor progression to a metastatic phenotype. High levels of ROS initiate signaling pathways that mediate tumor cell death, but also contribute to formation of cancer stem cells that induce tumor recurrence. Understanding the multitude and complexity of ROS-regulated pathways in cancer cells and targeted modulation of intracellular ROS levels using antioxidants or chemotherapy at different stages of tumor progression may be an effective strategy for combination therapy.
[3H]-Nomifensine Labels Sites Associated with Neuronal Uptake Pumps for Both Dopamine and Norepinephrine in the CNS

Nomifensine, a clinically useful antidepressant, is a potent inhibitor of the neuronal uptake of both norepinephrine (Ki = 10 nM) and dopamine (Ki = 75 nM) but not of serotonin (Ki = 10,000 nM) (Hyttel, 1982). As a result of our interest in understanding the characteristics and regulation of binding sites on catecholaminergic nerve terminals with which dopamine or norepinephrine can interact, we investigated whether [3H]-nomifensine could be used to study sites associated with the high affinity uptake pumps for these two neurotransmitters.
Magnocellular nuclei of the basal forebrain : substrates of sleep and arousal regulation

Magnocellular regions of the basal forebrain (BF) are recognized as important sites of sleep-wake regulation. Evidence is reviewed for the coexistence within the BF of mechanisms that regulate neocortical and limbic system arousal along with mechanisms that promote sleep. Arousal-related functions are mediated by a system of magnocellular cholinergic neurons. BF cholinergic neurons project monosynaptically to the entire neocortex and limbic telencephalon, exert excitatory effects on target cells and participate in the regulation of activated EEG patterns characteristic of waking and REM sleep. Evidence suggests that, within the waking state, the BF cholinergic system modulates processing of sensory information in the neocortex and is involved in cognitive processes. One or more noncholinergic cell types are responsible for the sleep-promoting functions of the BF. Neurons that display elevated discharge rates during transitions from waking to sleep and during nonREM sleep have been recorded in BF sites where electrical stimulation evokes sleep and experimental lesions cause insomnia. BF neurons function to promote sleep, in part, via descending inhibition of caudal hypothalamic and brainstem activating systems. GABAergic neurons located within magnocellular regions of the BF are hypothesized to mediate sleep-promoting actions. Afferents to the BF from hypothalamic and brainstem regions are functionally important for sleep-wake regulation. Thermosensitive inputs from the anterior hypothalamus modulate the activity of BF sleep- and arousal-related cell types. Excitatory effects of brainstem inputs to BF arousal-related cells have been documented. Additional evidence supports a critical role for GABAergic-cholinergic interactions, both within the magnocellular BF and at cortical and diencephalic sites, in the regulation of behavioral state.
Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility

Bilateral vocal fold immobility continues to be a challenge to treating physician and patient. When evaluating BVFI, it is important to look for and treat reversible pathology as well as significant extra-laryngeal disease. Surgical intervention is often able to establish a static glottic opening that allows a compromise between airway and voice in the absence of a tracheotomy. Because this compromise is not always satisfactory, efforts to remobilize at least one vocal fold continue, and provide the greatest promise in improving patient outcomes.
How J M Keynes Presented the Technical Analysis of His IS and LM Curves in the General Theory in 1936: Why D. Champernowne Got It Right in 1936 and Hicks (Harrod, Meade, Lange) Got a Big Part of It Wrong in 1937 and 1938

Keynes carefully, clearly and cogently derived his IS and LM curves in the General Theory. They are practically identical to the simultaneous , four equation model that he taught his students in 1933 and 1934. However, Keynes placed the formal IS derivation in chapters 6 and 10 while he derived the formal LM curve in chapter 15 before combining them in section IV of chapter 15. The ”state of the news' variable appears in chapters 12 and 15. Keynes ‘s discussion of the role of expectations and confidence, an independent variable that no economist was able to comprehend, except David Champernowne, was integrated into the investment function (IS-MEC) by Keynes in chapter 12.Keynes integrated the independent “the state of the news” variable into the LM curve in chapter 15. The claim that the IS –LM model is scattered throughout the GT in a haphazard fashion because Keynes could not support economists blindly manipulating mathematical equations ,or because he was a Marshallian who burned his technical analysis before publishing, is both a myth and false. Keynes’s IS and LM curves were not correctly identified in the GT because economists in 1936 did not understand the connection between Keynes’s 1921 A Treatise on Probability’s decision model incorporating both probability (expectation) and weight (confidence), called by Keynes his c coefficient in chapter 26 of the A Treatise on Probability, and the General Theory. Champernowne, faithfully following the lectures of Keynes exactly as he was taught, integrated the State of the News into both the IS and LM curves. Hicks, Harrod, Meade ,and Lange, who were not Keynes’s students and had no idea about what Keynes was talking about in the A Treatise on Probability, severely erred in removing the ”State of the News” variable from their IS-LM models.
An Essay on the Intrinsic Relationship between Social Facts and Moral Questions

Value neutrality and science are often equated. This paper argues that the work of doing science and engaging in scientific practices with meaningful objects depend on social facts which have moral prerequisites and are not value neutral.
Low temperature phase transition studies of ammonia borane-polyacrylamide composites

Abstract Low temperature phase transition properties of ammonia borane (AB) and its composites with polyacrylamide (PAM) were studied by using FTIR and DSC techniques between 160 and 300 K. AB undergoes phase transition from tetragonal to orthorhombic at around 223 K via heat capacity measurements. Transition enthalpy and entropy values were determined for AB and ammonia borane/polyacrylamide (ABPAM) composites. A decrease from 24.6 J/g to 7.9 J/g was detected for the enthalpy of the transition which is due to the decreasing amount of AB in the composites. We didn't see any difference in the phase transition temperature for different composites of AB from DSC study however, some differences were detected in variable temperature transmittance measurements. Phase transition is evident from the splitting and shifting of the vibrational modes. For pure AB, splitting is more evident when compared to ABPAM composites. The stretching frequency for proton donor –NH3 and proton acceptor –BH3 didn't show any change above 223 K. Below the transition temperature, individual doublet peak from singlet showed moderate shift with corresponding decrease in temperature for –NH3 (pure AB). That splitting wasn't observed for the polymer composites which indicates phase transition of AB is affected in NH3 moiety after the addition of PAM.
Site-specific cross-linking of proteins to DNA via a new bioorthogonal approach employing oxime ligation

DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) are super-bulky DNA adducts induced by common chemotherapeutic agents, reactive oxygen species, and aldehydes, and also formed endogenously as part of epigenetic regulation. Despite their presence in most cells and tissues, the biological effects of DPCs are poorly understood due to the difficulty of constructing site-specific DNA-protein conjugates. In the present work, a new approach of conjugating proteins to DNA using oxime ligation was used to generate model DPCs structurally analogous to lesions formed in cells. In our approach, proteins and peptides containing an unnatural oxy-Lys amino acid were cross-linked to DNA strands functionalized with 5-formyl-dC or 7-(2-oxoethyl)-7-deaza-dG residues using oxime ligation. The conjugation reaction was site-specific with respect to both protein and DNA, provided excellent reaction yields, and formed stable DPCs amenable to biological evaluation.
The Homeland, Imprisoned and Illegal: The Impact of Marginalisation on Views of the Homeland in Kanafānī's and Khalīfa's Work

This paper deals with the concept of Al-Waṭan, or ‘the homeland’, in Arabic in The Shell (Al-Qawqʿa) by Muṣṭafā Khalifa and Men in the Sun (Rijāl fīsh-Shams) by Ghassān Kanafānī. Analysis of how al...
Abstract 009: Ribosomal Profiling of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Vivo Identifies Cell-type Specific Transcripts and Enrichment of Blood Pressure Associated Genes

Background: Vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are essential for maintaining blood vessel tone and vascular remodeling. Although they play an important role in cardiovascular pathologies, studyin...
Narcissism and respect in romantic relationships

The purpose of the present research was to investigate the connections that narcissistic admiration (i.e., assertive self-enhancement) and narcissistic rivalry (i.e., antagonistic self-protection) ...
Post-silicon CPU adaptation made practical using machine learning

Processors that adapt architecture to workloads at runtime promise compelling performance per watt (PPW) gains, offering one way to mitigate diminishing returns from pipeline scaling. State-of-the-art adaptive CPUs deploy machine learning (ML) models on-chip to optimize hardware by recognizing workload patterns in event counter data. However, despite breakthrough PPW gains, such designs are not yet widely adopted due to the potential for systematic adaptation errors in the field. This paper presents an adaptive CPU based on Intel SkyLake that (1) closes the loop to deployment, and (2) provides a novel mechanism for post-silicon customization. Our CPU performs predictive cluster gating, dynamically setting the issue width of a clustered architecture while clock-gating unused resources. Gating decisions are driven by ML adaptation models that execute on an existing microcontroller, minimizing design complexity and allowing performance characteristics to be adjusted with the ease of a firmware update. Crucially, we show that although adaptation models can suffer from statistical blindspots that risk degrading performance on new workloads, these can be reduced to minimal impact with careful design and training. Our adaptive CPU improves PPW by 31.4% over a comparable non-adaptive CPU on SPEC2017, and exhibits two orders of magnitude fewer Service Level Agreement (SLA) violations than the state-of-the-art. We show how to optimize PPW using models trained to different SLAs or to specific applications, e.g. to improve datacenter hardware in situ. The resulting CPU meets real world deployment criteria for the first time and provides a new means to tailor hardware to individual customers, even as their needs change.
Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis A and E: A Global View

There are many similarities between the two human enterically transmitted hepatitis viruses, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV), in their epidemiology and the diseases they cause. However, important differences exist as well (Table 2.1). Both viruses are small, positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses that replicate in the liver, causing similar symptoms and resulting in similar histopathology. Both viruses are non-enveloped when discharged from the liver into the biliary tree but also can be secreted into the bloodstream containing capsular material from the hepatocyte as a pseudomembrane. Both of these hepatitis viruses have been responsible for large epidemics and can be acquired from contaminated food. However, subclinical infection with HAV among infants and young children is very common especially in developing countries, but HEV infections typically occur as large waterborne epidemics in adolescents and adults in developing countries. Infants and young children have much lower rates of infection during these epidemics. A characteristic feature of HEV epidemics is a mortality of 1% or less in the general population but a mortality of 20% or higher among pregnant women. Sporadic infections from HEV occur among adults in industrialized countries from foodborne transmission. In contrast, clinically apparent hepatitis from HAV infections in developing countries is rare because of very high rates of subclinical infections among infants and young children resulting in high levels of immunity in the populations. Countries that have experienced the transition from low to higher levels of socioeconomic development have experienced an increasing number of hepatitis cases from HAV due to declining population immunity to the virus. The dynamic epidemiology of these two hepatitis viruses will be described in this chapter. Table 2.1 Comparative features of hepatitis A and E virus Hepatitis A Hepatitis E Virus family Picornaviridae Hepeviridae Nucleic acid Positive strand RNA Positive strand RNA Genomic size 7.5 kb 7.5 kb Transmission Person-to-person, fecal-oral, foodborne, blood Fecal-oral, foodborne, blood Incubation 2–5 weeks 3–7 weeks Chronicity None Uncommon except in immune-compromised patients (transplant recipients, AIDS patients, etc.) Reservoirs Humans only Gt. 1 and 2: humans Gt. 3 and 4: humans, swine, deer, mongoose, and other animals Mortality 1–2% 1–2% in general population 15–30% in pregnant women Infection in young children Very common Rare Subclinical infections in adults Rare: 75–90% symptomatic Common: 1–5% symptomatic Severity of disease Increases with age Increases with age Vaccine availability Yes Only in China IGG protective Yes Not demonstrated
Are Prophylactic Perioperative Antibiotics Required for Isolated Forefoot Procedures, Such as Hammertoes?:

Recommendation:Though limited clinical data exists, the administration of perioperative antibiotics is not required for isolated forefoot procedures in the absence of any risk factors, such as immu...
Tilt-Rotor Quadcopter Xplored: Hardware based Dynamics, Smart Sliding Mode Controller, Attitude Hold & Wind Disturbance Scenarios

This paper provides insights on the tilt-rotor quadcopters being a fully actuated system. The tilt-rotor quadcopters are a novel class of quadcopters with the capability of rotating each arm/rotor of the quadcopter to an angle using a servo motor. With the additional servo control inputs, the tilt-rotor quadcopters are fully actuated systems and hence can even hover at any desired orientation. The dynamics of the tilt-rotor quadcopters are derived based on hardware developed in the laboratory with minimal assumptions. A novel nonlinear sliding mode controller is designed that provides the controller input values to achieve any orientation and position as desired. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed on a CAD model of the tilt-rotor quadcopter to obtain real time drag forces for various wind velocities. The robustness of the sliding mode controller is demonstrated under various wind disturbance scenarios while the quadcopter is hovering at a desired position and attitude.
Chronic Neutrophilia: A Risk Factor for VTE?.

Abstract Abstract 2249 Background: Leukocytosis has been linked to the pathogenesis of thrombosis and, in prior studies, has been associated with increased risk of thrombotic events in patients with cancer and essential thrombocythemia. While risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been extensively studied, to our knowledge, no attempts have been made to explore the association of neutrophilia with VTE in the general population. Our objective was to determine whether chronic neutrophilia is independently associated with an increased risk of VTE. Methods: Data were obtained from the hospital electronic medical record system. All patients (age ≥ 21) who were seen at the Montefiore Medical Center primary care clinics (Bronx, NY) and had at least 3 complete blood cell (CBC) counts performed, 2–24 months apart, between January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2012, were included. Patients with diagnosed disorders that might elevate white blood cell (WBC) count such as the leukemias, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and sickle cell disease, were excluded from the study. Patients on medications known to cause leukocytosis such as steroids and lithium were also removed from our cohort. ICD-9 diagnoses, CBC counts, demographics, smoking status, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1C values were recorded. Patients were also stratified according to WHO-defined BMI criteria into six groups: Underweight (BMI Results: Data on 34,508 Bronx primary care clinics patients were collected; 12,993 (37.7%) were diabetic and 6,698 (19.4%) were smokers. In this cohort, 1,619 (4.7%) patients were diagnosed with VTE. There was a significantly higher rate of VTE in patients with chronic neutrophilia in our overall population (7.1% vs. 4.7%, p=0.006). Excluding diabetics and smokers did not decrease the relative risk (6.9% vs. 3.3%, p=0.01). We found that the risk of VTE increased with rising degree of obesity (Class I: OR 1.22, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.43 p=0.016; Class II: OR 1.55, 95%CI: 1.29, 1.86 p Conclusions: The risk of VTE increases with diabetes, smoking and obesity. Chronic neutrophilia is also independently associated with VTE, supporting a role for leukocytes in venous thrombosis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The essence of recursion: reduction, delegation, and visualization

Recursion remains one of the most challenging concepts for students to comprehend adequately and educators to teach effectively. In this paper, we propose a learning approach for teaching recursion and highlighting the importance of recursive thinking and abstraction skills in problem solving through a well-defined sequence of steps. Furthermore, this approach is complemented by a 2D computational model and simulation tool, RDViz. This software interactively integrates base cases and recursive invocations, and it displays the sequence of states of the recursive process before exposing students to coding. The results of our case studies have shown evidence that all students achieved a substantial gain in recursive computations as well as appropriate basic abstraction skills.
Dealing with technical user support concerns

A combination of rapidly changing hardware and software technologies and rising salaries for technical support is fueling the "user-support crisis" in campus computing. Students and faculty are required to use the technology, but they are not given the adequate help to do so. "A faculty member is going to say, 'If it's a lot harder to do the course with this stuff than the way I've always been doing it, then I'll just do it the way I've always been doing it."[1]
Removal of antibiotics and nutrients by Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) from secondary wastewater effluent.

Persistence of antibiotics in soil and aquatic ecosystem is the primary reason for the emergence of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms. After consumption, antibiotics are poorly retained in our...
A compounding compliance team at an academic medical center

Purpose Highly publicized safety issues arising from poor sterile compounding practices in facilities around the United States have garnered substantial attention in recent years. This attention has led to increased scrutiny of health systems by regulatory bodies, new regulatory requirements, and changes to existing regulations or their interpretation. Health systems are often resource constrained, and the added work resulting from this scrutiny challenges pharmacy departments in meeting regulatory requirements and United States Pharmacopeia chapter 797 standards for sterile compounding. This article describes the creation of a dedicated compounding compliance team (CCT) and the team's responsibilities in support of pharmacy operations in achieving compliance with those standards. Summary Visits to our organization by several regulatory bodies resulted in findings that required substantial work in order to achieve compliance with sterile compounding standards. Given the number and complexity of findings and the need for timely resolution, it was felt that specialized staff were needed to understand, evaluate, and correct identified deficiencies and help the already overburdened staff and leadership comply with existing standards. A CCT was formed, and work was simultaneously initiated on ensuring proper credentialing and training of all compounding staff, development of standard operating procedures, improvements in facilities, environmental monitoring, equipment certifications, practice auditing, and documentation. Key activities of the team included strategic planning, building relationships, communicating with stakeholders, self-education, and record keeping. Key partners included environmental services, facilities, and infection prevention and control personnel and departmental staff and leaders. Conclusion The formation and collaborative work of a CCT at an academic medical center was successful in changing the culture of the organization and achieving compliance during visits from several regulatory agencies.
Tarenaya minutiflora (Cleomaceae), a New Species from Guyana

Tarenaya minutiflora Iltis & Cochrane is described from Guyana. The new species, distinguished from its congeners by the very small size of the flowers, is illustrated and compared to its probable nearest relatives T. parviflora (Kunth) Iltis, T. psoraleifolia (DC.) Soares Neto & Roalson, and T. brasiliensis Weinm.
Exogenously Unsecured Creditors and the Pricing and Use of Secured Debt

We use litigation risk disclosures under Regulation S-K to investigate the effectiveness of covenants and security in protecting creditors from dilution from other creditors. We argue that covenants are less effective than collateral at protecting unsecured lenders from dilution arising from litigation and other non-debt related claims; claims we refer to as exogenously unsecured. Consistent with this argument we find that disclosures of litigation claims are associated with a significant increase in the spread between a firm’s secured and unsecured debt claims. More important, we find that the propensity of material litigation claims is negatively related to firms’ reliance on secured debt.
Outcome of Laparoscopic Total Extra Peritoneal Versus Lichtenstein Repair For Treatment of Inguinal Hernia: A Randomized Control Trial

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcome of laparoscopic total extra peritoneal (TEP) repair versus Lichtenstein repair (LR) of inguinal hernia in terms of post-operative pain, hematoma, seroma, wound infection and early recurrence. METHODOLOGY: This randomized control trial was conducted at Surgical Unit III, General Hospital Lahore, Pakistan during the period June 2017 to May 2018. Male patients aged up to 50 years diagnosed with unilateral, reducible primary inguinal hernia were randomized into two groups, Group A (TEP) and Group B (LR), with 38 patients each. Data was collected prospectively on structured proforma. Patients were regularly followed up for one year for early postoperative complications. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 26. RESULTS: Out of 76 patients, mean age for TEP was 36.72±4.50 years and LR was 34.42±6.8 years. No significant difference was found in both the groups in terms of short-term postoperative complications. LR group had comparatively high rate of postoperative complications; hematoma formation (n=3/38; 7.9%), wound infection (n=3/38; 7.9%) and seroma formation (n=1/38; 2.6%). Postoperative pain with Visual Analogue Score in TEP group on the 1st day, 3rd day, 7th day and 1 month follow up was less as compared to LR group. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that TEP is better than LR in inguinal hernia in terms of less postoperative pain after 1 month. However, no statistical difference was found in seroma and hematoma formation and wound infection.
Freed from Sadness and Fear Politics, COVID-19, and the New Germany

This article argues that we are witnessing the possible emergence of a Germany confident in the strength of its rational and democratic approach to governance. Thinking about this development through Baruch Spinoza's insights into the centrality of reason to democracy, we suggest that Germany has responded to its past in a salutary manner by building a rational and responsible democracy. Few recent events illustrate this transformation more clearly than Germany's reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Model predictive combustion control of a Gasoline Compression Ignition engine

Abstract Gasoline Compression Ignition is a novel combustion concept that derives is superiority from the high compression ratio of a compression ignition engine as well as the properties of gasoline fuel, such as longer ignition delay and higher volatility compared to diesel. This combustion concept was experimentally tested on a 12.4L Class 8 truck engine which is equipped with unique features that include variable geometry turbine and variable valve actuation. Based on these experimental data, prior efforts by the authors focused on the development of an engine model for a heavy-duty engine operating on a low-reactivity fuel. This engine model was leveraged within this study to investigate a combustion control strategy at different engine conditions and injection methods and was augmented to incorporate cycle-to-cycle combustion variations. State estimation is performed by means of a Kalman filter which feeds into a model predictive controller. The model predictive controller chooses control actions based on a predefined cost function under consideration of bounds reflecting physical constraints. The engine model was utilized to establish a state–space model that serves the Kalman filter and model predictive controller for estimation and prediction. A comparative study investigating control actions and engine behavior was performed with and without limiting in-cylinder peak pressure as well as combustion noise, which is of particular interest for early pilot injection strategies. In addition, the proposed control architecture was investigated at two different levels of cycle-to-cycle variations and compared to the performance of a control structure with input disturbance rejection For increased cycle-to-cycle variations, disturbance estimation reduces state fluctuations and control effort. In general, this investigation highlights control aspects specific to a compression-ignited combustion regime with low-reactivity fuel, which heavily relies on the impact of the variable geometry turbine and variable valve actuation on states and constraints. The control algorithm is able to maintain the desired references for brake mean effective pressure and combustion phasing while controlling peak in-cylinder pressure and combustion noise.
Neotyphodium in Native Populations of Arizona Fescue

The discovery of the anti-herbivore properties of Neotyphodium endophytes, most of the available literature suggests that these endophytic fungi are plant defensive mutualists, and ecologists have readily extrapolated it to all endophyte-plant interactions (Breen 1994, Clay 1990). The current understanding of the mutualistic nature of endophytes is, however, dominated by studies of a few cultivars of two introduced and selectively bred agricultural grass species, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) using non-native vertebrate grazers or herbivorous insects. Many other grass species harboring the Neotyphodium endophytes are shown either not to produce mycotoxins or composition of produced mycotoxins varies (Siegel et al., 1990). Thus we propose that plant-endophyte interactions might be much more complex in native grasses under natural conditions than in the agricultural arena of selectively-bred, non-native pasture grasses described in past studies.
The Double Life of the Transaction Abstraction: Fundamental Principle and Evolving System Concept

The transaction concept in computing goes back to the early days of computerized data processing. It has developed and evolved over the years both in terms of formal theory and practical application. This evolutionary process has been driven in large part by applications that require transactionlike properties. Newly emerging applications include several that involve people in a time-dependent role. The new forms of human involvement in transaction processing required by these applications are generating new systemslevel challenges. Likewise, these needs present challenges and opportunities from a theoretical standpoint. This talk reviews the history of synergy between theory and practice in the area of transaction processing, and considers currently emerging needs from that perspective.
Inpatient violence and the schizophrenic patient. A study of Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores and inpatient behavior

A correlational analysis of Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) ratings and measures of inpatient violence in 207 schizophrenic patients is presented. Significant correlations were found between BPRS measures of schizophrenic symptomatology and several measures of inpatient violence including assault. BPRS subscales which related to paranoid symptoms were also significantly correlated with inpatient danger-related measures; however, to a lesser degree.
Id3 inhibits B lymphocyte progenitor growth and survival in response to TGF-beta.

E proteins function in many developmental processes and are essential for the formation of lymphocyte progenitors. However, it is not known whether E proteins regulate lymphocyte survival, proliferation or differentiation or how their activity is regulated during lymphocyte development. We show here a role for Id3, an inhibitor of E protein activity, in the induction of apoptosis and growth arrest. Id3 is induced in response to transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), a pleiotropic cytokine that inhibits the growth and survival of normal and transformed lymphocyte progenitors. In the absence of Id3, the response of lymphocyte progenitors to TGF-β is perturbed, which indicates that Id3 is a mediator of this response. Our data show a key role for E proteins in lymphocyte survival and link the activity of E proteins, and their antagonists, to members of the TGF-β family of cytokines.
The Frontier of Leisure: Southern California and the Shaping of Modern America – By Lawrence Culver

In this history of tourist and recreational spaces in Southern California, the author offers a specific narrative of the “democratization of American leisure” (9). Studies of Los Angeles boosterism...
57 - Strong-Motion Seismology

This chapter focuses on the strong motion seismology. Strong-motion seismology is concerned with the measurement, interpretation, and estimation of strong shaking generated by potentially damaging earthquakes. Measurements of strong shaking generated by large earthquakes provide a principal research tool. First, these data are essential to understand the high frequency nature of crustal seismogenic failure processes, the nature of seismic radiation from the source, and the nature of crustal wave-propagation phenomena near the source, all of which have a first order effect on the seismic loads applied to the physical environment. Second, these measurements are a principal tool used to develop empirical descriptions of the character of strong shaking. Principal goals of strong-motion seismology are to improve the scientific understanding of the physical processes that control strong shaking and to develop reliable estimates of seismic hazards for the reduction of loss of life and property during future earthquakes through improved earthquake-resistant design and retrofit. Strong-motion seismology requires a specialized instrument called the “strong-motion accelerograph.” The instrument is a self contained unit in a compact container, e.g., a box smaller than one foot on each side. Empirical descriptions of strong motion invariably incorporate a dependence on the earthquake size and distance to the active faulting. A major goal of strong-motion seismology is to be able to synthesize strong-motion seismograms suitable for use in engineering analyses. The ability to synthesize observations depends on understanding of the physical phenomena affecting the ground motions at a site of interest when a fault identified by the geologists breaks.
Lessons learned from smallpox vaccination of U.S. Navy forces before Operation Iraqi Freedom.

ABSTRACT Our objectives were to document and to analyze the U.S. Navy's smallpox vaccination program before Operation Iraqi Freedom, discerning lessons for future mass vaccination programs. This research scrutinized the challenges inherent in vaccinating ~40,000 personnel at diverse locations within a few weeks. We interviewed and observed participants at multiple locations throughout the vaccination process, while also collecting documentation. Subsequently, we analyzed how the Navy addressed the challenges of mass vaccination on a compressed timeline. We found that the population was vaccinated with no significant logistical challenges, few medical complications, almost no refusals, and minimal operational impact. Our analysis led us to conclude that two primary factors contributed to the vaccination program's success; both of these can be replicated in future mass vaccination programs. The first factor was a strong educational program, which repeated consistent messages via multiple communications chan...
Tropospheric ozone decrease due to the Mount Pinatubo eruption: Reduced stratospheric influx

[1] We quantify the relationship between Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 and tropospheric ozone abundances. The ozone reduction in the stratosphere and troposphere following the eruption is simulated by the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model and is in good agreement with the ozonesonde observations. Simulated anomalies in the global stratosphere-troposphere flux of ozone following the eruption are well correlated with those in the tropospheric ozone column. Both are at their minimum in late 1992 to early 1993 (−70 Tgyr−1 in January 1993 for the flux and −1.9 Dobson Unit in November 1992 for tropospheric ozone) and recover after 1995. Therefore, this study identifies the reduced stratosphere-to-troposphere ozone flux as an important driver of the ozone decline in the troposphere following the eruption. A large fraction (67%) of the decrease in the flux is compensated by an increase in tropospheric photochemical ozone production. While both the strength of the residual circulation and the decrease in stratospheric ozone reduce the stratospheric ozone flux, the ozone reduction is identified as the dominant cause.
Rules of Nonallelic Noncomplementation at the Synapse in Caenorhabditis elegans

Nonallelic noncomplementation occurs when recessive mutations in two different loci fail to complement one another, in other words, the double heterozygote exhibits a phenotype. We observed that mutations in the genes encoding the physically interacting synaptic proteins UNC-13 and syntaxin/UNC-64 failed to complement one another in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Noncomplementation was not observed between null alleles of these genes and thus this genetic interaction does not occur with a simple decrease in dosage at the two loci. However, noncomplementation was observed if at least one gene encoded a partially functional gene product. Thus, this genetic interaction requires a poisonous gene product to sensitize the genetic background. Nonallelic noncomplementation was not limited to interacting proteins: Although the strongest effects were observed between loci encoding gene products that bind to one another, interactions were also observed between proteins that do not directly interact but are members of the same complex. We also observed noncomplementation between genes that function at distant points in the same pathway, implying that physical interactions are not required for nonallelic noncomplementation. Finally, we observed that mutations in genes that function in different processes such as neurotransmitter synthesis or synaptic development complement one another. Thus, this genetic interaction is specific for genes acting in the same pathway, that is, for genes acting in synaptic vesicle trafficking.
Sensitivity of fluorophore-quencher labeled microbubbles to externally applied static pressure

A fluorophore-quencher (F-Q) labeled microbubble system is proposed as a sensor for measuring externally applied static pressure distribution in a tumor. To quantify the sensitivity of such an F-Q bubble system to the externally applied pressure, a model describing bubble response to the static pressure was derived. Additionally, a model connecting the fluorescence lifetime and bubble radius was developed for the basic F-Q bubble system. The sensitivity is quantified based on these models given typical parameters. Results show that it is possible to resolve as low as 1 mm Hg pressure variation when both the F-Q bubble system and the measurement system are optimized. Strategies for optimizing an F-Q bubble system are discussed.
The mathematical imagery trainer: from embodied interaction to conceptual learning

We introduce an embodied-interaction instructional design, the Mathematical Imagery Trainer (MIT), for helping young students develop grounded understanding of proportional equivalence (e.g., 2/3 = 4/6). Taking advantage of the low-cost availability of hand-motion tracking provided by the Nintendo Wii remote, the MIT applies cognitive-science findings that mathematical concepts are grounded in mental simulation of dynamic imagery, which is acquired through perceiving, planning, and performing actions with the body. We describe our rationale for and implementation of the MIT through a design-based research approach and report on clinical interviews with twenty-two 4th-6th grade students who engaged in problem-solving tasks with the MIT.
The impact of immersive virtual reality displays on the understanding of data visualization

This paper presents evidence that situational awareness in a visualization of data benefits from immersive, virtual reality display technology because such displays appear to support better understanding of the visual information. Our study was designed to de-emphasize perceptual and interaction characteristics of the dis-plays and found that the task of counting targets is strongly influenced by the type of system used to render the visualization. Immersive-type displays outperformed traditional monitors. The target objects in the study have distinguishing features that cannotmbe identified from a distance to alleviate the effect of perceptual differences among displays. Counting was chosen because it entails basic understanding of the relationship among the data values in order to recognize previously counted items. The display choices consisted of a traditional monitor and three configurations of an immersive, projection environment, obtained by selectively turning off one or two projectors of a three-wall CAVE.
Molecular dynamics simulations of film-substrate interface mixing in the energetic deposition of fcc metals

Abstract Embedded-atom-method molecular dynamic simulations have been performed to examine the interface mixing produced by deposition of fcc metals on fcc metal substrates. Atom arrival energies of 0.1, 10, 20, and 40 eV have been studied. The interface mixing initiated by atom impacts on the substrate surface was found to increase significantly with increasingly negative heats of solution of film atoms in the substrate lattice. As expected, both the total amount of interface mixing and the depth over which it occurred increased with increasing atom deposition energy. Comparison of the interface mixing results for two different temperature-control algorithms led to the conclusion that the interface mixing was very sensitive to short-lived localized substrate lattice excitations in the vicinity of atom impacts. This concept of interface mixing has some similarities to the concept of a thermal spike in bulk ion mixing, but does not involve any localized melting of the lattice. For a simulation of 0.1 eV Ni deposition on a Au substrate, a thermally-activated interface mixing process with a low activation energy was observed, driven by the difference between the surface energies of Ni and Au.
Normal mode analysis of protein dynamics

Abstract Notable recent developments in the use of normal mode methods to study protein dynamics include the use of quasiharmonic descriptions in crystallographic and NMR refinement protocols, and the development of techniques that can be applied to disordered systems (such as liquids) that do not oscillate about a single minimum. Harmonic models can also be used to investigate quantum effects and to provide a compact description of correlated motions in biomolecules. This sort of analysis has both prospects and limitations.
Financial implications of a hospital's specialization in rare physiologically complex surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND The authors previously identified a hospital that has a unique role in its region for surgical care. In children aged 0-2 yr, the hospital performed 64% of all physiologically complex procedures statewide (>or= 8 American Society of Anesthesiologists Relative Value Guide basic units). For all age groups combined, 48% of the physiologically complex procedures performed at that hospital were rare, defined as 250 dollars/OR hour) for pediatric versus geriatric patients (P <or= 0.002), primarily because of higher professional reimbursements, with no difference in hospital reimbursements. Unexpectedly, CM/OR hour was also significantly greater by at least 250 dollars when a rare procedure was involved (P < 0.001 for all ages combined), primarily because of greater hospital reimbursements. For cases involving implant charges of 10,000 dollars or greater, overall CM/OR hour was negative because increased revenues did not compensate for the high variable costs. CONCLUSIONS Other hospitals can use these methods to perform a similar analysis of the financial impact of those patient populations or surgical procedures that are unique to their own roles in their regional healthcare systems, and to identify the sources of financial losses and gains experienced by the hospital.