cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of High-Latitude Waves of Solar Coronal Activity in Extreme-Ultraviolet Data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory EUV Imaging Telescope

We present the results of an investigation of EUV coronal structures in 1996-2000 using the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory EIT data in 171, 195, 284, and 304 A lines. During this period, poleward- and equatorward-migrating waves of solar activity have been found in axisymmetrical distributions of EUV intensity in all four lines. In the axisymmetrical distribution of the ratio of 195 A to 171 A intensities, which is a proxy of coronal temperature from 1 × 106 to 2 × 106 K, the polar branches are less prominent. The high-latitude activity waves are caused by giant coronal magnetic loops connecting the polar magnetic field (formed during the preceding solar cycle) with the magnetic field of the "following" parts of active regions that emerged during the rising phase of the current cycle. We suggest that these coronal loops play an important role in the topological evolution of the magnetic structure of the Sun during the solar cycle.
Design of Optimal Person‐Artifact Interfaces: Contributions from Cognitive Science*

SUMMARY The field of cognitive science has contributed to the design of person‐artifact interfaces in several major ways. Cognitive scientists have accumulated laws of human performance and cognition which can be applied to particular interface designs. They have investigated how knowledge is represented in the human mind and how different types of knowledge can be extracted from individuals by analysing verbal protocols. Cognitive scientists have written computer programs that simulate cognitive mechanisms in a variety of tasks, such as problem solving, learning, and the use of text editors. We present an example computer system (called HANDY) which illustrates how these contributions from cognitive science can be used to improve the design of an interface on a video recorder (VCR). HANDY simulates the amount of time it takes for individuals to perform tasks on VCRs with different interfaces.
DEBUGging Old Printers: DOS, Double‐Strike, and PASSPORT 1.0

One of the true milestones of library history was reached last year when OCLC introduced the new PRISM service to its member libraries. PRISM was everything OCLC, promised it would be: easy to use, fast, and efficient. Like many libraries across the country, McMullen Library at St. Ambrose University registered a significant increase in productivity last year, thanks in part to the new PRISM system.
Competing Social Movements and Local Political Culture: Voting on Ballot Propositions to Ban Same‐Sex Marriage in the U.S. States*

Objective. This article uses social movement theory to explain variation in local support for proposed constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage in 22 states during 2004 and 2006. Methods. The analysis uses OLS regression with county-level data to explain variation in local support for the amendments. Results. Support for the amendments in both years was positively related to the proportion of a county that was evangelical or Republican, but negatively related to its level of education and proportion of Catholics. Amendment support was positively related in only one year to the percentage of a county's population that was professional, young, black, in female-headed households, and Mormon. Amendment support was negatively related to the concentration of gay organizations in 2006, but positively related to the presence of mega-churches in 2006. Conclusions. Community characteristics have a substantial effect on levels of support for same-sex marriage bans, thus reinforcing the utility of cultural explanations of policy decisions.
Slave Cultures and the Cultures of Slavery

Slave Cultures and the Cultures of Slavery. STEPHAN PALMIE, ed. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1995. xlviii + 283 pp., contributors, notes, bibliography, index.
Experimental Design Applied to the Chemical Durability of Sol–Gel‐Derived Zirconias

A statistical design was used to investigate the effects of various processing conditions on the chemical durability of sol–gel-derived zirconias. Eight processing variables were investigated: water:alkoxide molar ratio, alcohol:alkoxide molar ratio, nitric acid:alkoxide molar ratio, mixing temperature during hydrolysis, firing temperature, heating rate, soak at firing temperature, and firing atmosphere. Processing variables were set at high and low limits in a main-effects statistical design. The design identified four critical processing variables (listed in descending order of significance): firing temperature, firing atmosphere, water:alkoxide ratio, and nitric acid:alkoxide ratio. Sol–gel-derived zirconias were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, and mercury intrusion. Suggestions are offered that may help to explain why these particular processing conditions influenced the chemical durability of sol–gel-derived zirconias.
Analysis of the complete genome sequences of human rhinovirus

Human rhinovirus (HRV) infection is the cause of about one half of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. With more than 100 serotypes in the HRV reference set, an effort was undertaken to sequence their complete genomes so as to understand the diversity, structural variation, and evolution of the virus. Analysis revealed conserved motifs, hypervariable regions, a potential fourth HRV species, within-serotype variation in field isolates, a nonscanning internal ribosome entry site, and evidence for HRV recombination. Techniques have now been developed using next-generation sequencing to generate complete genomes from patient isolates with high throughput, deep coverage, and low costs. Thus relationships can now be sought between obstructive lung phenotypes and variation in HRV genomes in infected patients and potential novel therapeutic strategies developed based on HRV sequence.
On the nature of the metal-insulator transition in β-(BEDT-TTF)4Pt(CN)4

Abstract Tight-binding electronic band structures of the organic conductor β-(BEDT-TTF)4Pt(CN)4 were calculated for the crystal structures determined at 293 and 135 K to examine a probable cause for its broad metal-insulator transition that begins at ∼250K.
Dielectric relaxation in styrene-related polymers at low temperatures

The complex dielectric constants ϵ* = ϵ′ − jϵ″ of each of several members of a system of copolymers of 4-chlorostyrene and 4-methylstyrene have been measured from 1.6°K to 300°K and from 0.1 kHz to 20 kHz. The principal experimental findings are: the strength of the relaxation process which occurs near 50°K at 1 kHz varies linearly with changing copolymer composition; both the apparent activation energy (H = 2.7 ± 0.7 kcal/mole) and the shape of the relaxation curve are independent of the composition variable and of the temperature (or frequency) within the ranges studied; and the ratio of the relaxation strength of poly-4-methylstyrene to that of poly-4-chlorostyrene in the 50°K process is about 25 times the corresponding ratio for the primary relaxation process that occurs in the neighborhood of the glass-transition temperature. These findings suggest that in the 50°K process the phenyl groups relax independently of one another; that the apparent activation energy and the shape of the relaxation spectrum are determined primarily by the nature of the intrachain forces; and that the strength of the relaxation process depends primarily on effects of intermolecular forces that are governed by the molar “free volume” of the copolymers.
Perceived solidarity, self‐disclosure, and trust in organizational peer relationships

The purpose of this study was to examine how perceived solidarity, self‐disclosure, and trust differ in organizational members’ interactions between information peers and both collegial and special peers. Participants were 392 members of various organizations who completed the Interpersonal Solidarity Scale (Wheeless, 1978), the Revised Self‐Disclosure Scale (Wheeless & Grotz, 1976), and the Individualized Trust Scale (Wheeless & Grotz, 1977) in regard to either an information, a collegial, or a special peer. Results indicate that perceived solidarity and trust, but not self‐disclosure, were found to be lower with information peers than with either collegial peers or special peers. Additionally, perceived solidarity was found to be higher with special peers than with collegial peers. Future research should examine whether participation in an information, collegial, or special peer relationship has an impact on organizational citizenship behaviors.
"You've got mail!": the role of e-mail in clinical breast surgical practice.

Summary Easy Internet access is changing the practice of medicine in the US. At least 137 million Americans have access to the World Wide Web, and up to one-half would like to communicate with their physicians by e-mail. The membership of the American Society of Breast Surgeons was surveyed to evaluate the current role of e-mail in patient–doctor relationships. Due to the extensive discussions often involved in the evaluation of breast disease, and the elective nature of most surgical procedures, this specialty may be particularly well-suited to using e-mail communication as an extension of discussions during traditional office visits. A questionnaire was e-mailed to all members of the ASBS who had provided an e-mail address. About 1236 questionnaires were sent, and 285 surgeons responded, a 23% response rate. About 130 (46%) responders were female; 209 responders (73%) did not use e-mail to communicate with patients (76% of responding females, 70% of males). The oldest and youngest surgeons were least likely to use e-mail to communicate with patients. There was no gender-related difference in e-mail use. There was no difference in e-mail use between surgeons who limit their practice to breast disease and those who do not. Urban and university-based surgeons were more likely to use e-mail. Medical-legal liability concerns and confidentiality issues were the most common reasons for not using e-mail. Among those surgeons who did use e-mail, ability to answer at one's own discretion, and the ability to provide an organized response were the major reasons for using e-mail. Overall, the membership expressed a preference for personal interaction over electronic communication.
Amot Recognizes a Juxtanuclear Endocytic Recycling Compartment via a Novel Lipid Binding Domain

Polarity proteins promote the asymmetric organization of cells by orienting intracellular sorting mechanisms, such as protein trafficking and cytoskeletal assembly. The localization of individual polarity proteins in turn is often determined by association with factors that mediate contact with other cells or the substratum. This arrangement for the Par and Crb apical polarity complexes at the tight junction is disrupted by the adaptor protein Amot. Amot directly binds the scaffolding proteins Patj and Mupp1 and redistributes them and their binding partners from the plasma membrane to endosomes. However, the mechanism by which Amot is targeted to endosomes is unknown. Here, a novel lipid binding domain within Amot is shown to selectively bind with high affinity to membranes containing monophosphorylated phosphatidylinositols and cholesterol. With similar lipid specificity, Amot inserts into and tubulates membranes in vitro and enlarges perinuclear endosomal compartments in cells. Based on the similar distribution of Amot with cholesterol, Rab11, and Arf6, such membrane interactions are identified at juxtanuclear endocytic recycling compartments. Taken together, these findings indicate that Amot is targeted along with associated apical polarity proteins to the endocytic recycling compartment via this novel membrane binding domain.
Pathogen effectors target Arabidopsis EDS1 and alter its interactions with immune regulators.

Plant resistance proteins detect the presence of specific pathogen effectors and initiate effector-triggered immunity. Few immune regulators downstream of resistance proteins have been identified, none of which are known virulence targets of effectors. We show that Arabidopsis ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1 (EDS1), a positive regulator of basal resistance and of effector-triggered immunity specifically mediated by Toll–interleukin-1 receptor–nucleotide binding–leucine-rich repeat (TIR-NB-LRR) resistance proteins, forms protein complexes with the TIR-NB-LRR disease resistance proteins RPS4 and RPS6 and with the negative immune regulator SRFR1 at a cytoplasmic membrane. Further, the cognate bacterial effectors AvrRps4 and HopA1 disrupt these EDS1 complexes. Tight association of EDS1 with TIR-NB-LRR–mediated immunity may therefore derive mainly from being guarded by TIR-NB-LRR proteins, and activation of this branch of effector-triggered immunity may directly connect to the basal resistance signaling pathway via EDS1.
Combustor Cooling Wiggle Strip and Geometrical Simplification

The flow fields of a combustor cooling wiggle strip and its corresponding simplified slot with conjugate heat transfer have been studied numerically. The effects of geometrical simplification on the flow fields have been analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. It is found that its effects on the flow velocity and temperature fields are limited to local regions near the cooling element, and are negligible in the far field. However, the simplification shows a considerable effect on the combustor liner temperature near the cooling element, about 8.5% of the average temperature across the cooling element. In short, using the simplified slot to replace the cooling wiggle strip in gas turbine combustor modeling is an acceptable practice if accurate liner temperature prediction is not required.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Polarization Power Summing In Laser Diode Communication Systems

Free-space optical communication systems using laser diode transmitters exhibit data rate limitations imposed by the diode's relatively low average output power. Power summing of multiple laser diodes through polarization beam combining is an effective method for increasing the on-axis far-field intensity of a laser communication transmitter. When using such a combining scheme, laser diodes having the highest degree of polarization purity should be used in order to obtain the maximum output (combined) power. Therefore to examine the applicability of polarization combining systems incorporating laser diodes the polarization characteristics of the devices must be determined. Polarization purity - total output power relationships for two types of single-stripe laser diodes are presented as are similar measurement results for two types of phase locked laser diode arrays (each of these devices has been individually analyzed to determine its candidacy as a free-space communication system transmitter). A simple combining system using the single-stripe diodes or the phase locked laser diode arrays is described with respect to its use in a free-space optical communication system. A polarization beam combiner is described and analytical expressions for the total transmitted power and signal extinction ratio are developed.
Variation in Emergency Department Wait Times for Children by Race/Ethnicity and Payment Source

Objective. To quantify the variation in emergency department (ED) wait times by patient race/ethnicity and payment source, and to divide the overall association into between- and within-hospital components. Data Source. 2005 and 2006 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys. Study Design. Linear regression was used to analyze the independent associations between race/ethnicity, payment source, and ED wait times in a pooled cross-sectional design. A hybrid fixed effects specification was used to measure the between- and within-hospital components. Data Extraction Methods. Data were limited to children under 16 years presenting at EDs. Principal Results. Unadjusted and adjusted ED wait times were significantly longer for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children than for non-Hispanic white children. Children in EDs with higher shares of non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children waited longer. Moreover, Hispanic children waited 10.4 percent longer than non-Hispanic white children when treated at the same hospital. ED wait times for children did not vary significantly by payment source. Conclusions. There are sizable racial/ethnic differences in children's ED wait times that can be attributed to both the racial/ethnic mix of children in EDs and to differential treatment by race/ethnicity inside the ED.
The Golden Anniversary of “The Baseball Players’ Labor Market”:

Rottenberg’s “The Baseball Players’ Labor Market” holds the original ideas behind many threads of the sports economics literature. Most well known, the article contains both the invariance proposit...
Prevalence of acute pulmonary embolism among patients in a general hospital and at autopsy.

Purpose The purpose of this investigation is to estimate the prevalence of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in a general hospital, its frequency among patients who died, and the ability of physicians to diagnose PE antemortem. Methods The prevalence of acute PE among 51,645 patients hospitalized over a 21-month period was assessed in 1 of the 6 clinical centers (Henry Ford Hospital) that participated in the collaborative study, prospective investigation of pulmonary embolism diagnosis (PIOPED). The diagnosis of PE was made by pulmonary angiography, or in those who did not undergo pulmonary angiography because they declined or were ineligible for randomization to angiography in PIOPED, the diagnosis was based on the ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) lung scan. Based on data in PIOPED, PE was considered to be present in 87% of patients with high probability V/Q scan interpretations, 30% with intermediate probability interpretations, 14% with low probability interpretations, and 4% with nearly normal V/Q scans. Results The estimated prevalence of acute PE in hospitalized patients was 526 of 51,645 (1.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9 to 1.1%). Based on extrapolated data from autopsy, PE was estimated to have caused or contributed to death in 122 of 51,645 (0.2%; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.29%). Pulmonary embolism was observed at autopsy in 59 of 404 (14.6%; 95% CI, 11.3 to 18.4%). Among patients with PE at autopsy, the PE caused or contributed to death in 22 of 59 (37.3%; 95% CI, 25.0 to 50.9%) and PE was incidental in 37 of 59 (62.7%; 95% CI, 49.1 to 75.0%). Among patients at autopsy who died from PE, the diagnosis was unsuspected in 14 of 20 (70.0%; 95% CI, 45.7 to 88.1%). Most of these patients had advanced associated disease. In these patients, death from PE occurred within 2.5 h in 13 of 14 (92.9%; 95% CI, 66.1 to 99.8%). Conclusion Pulmonary embolism is common in a general hospital. The prevalence of PE at autopsy has not changed over 3 decades. The frequency of unsuspected PE in patients at autopsy has not diminished. Even among patients who die from PE, the PE is usually unsuspected. Such patients, however, typically have advanced disease. Among moribund patients, incidental PE is rarely diagnosed. Patients who suffer sudden unexplained catastrophic events in the hospital are a group in whom the diagnosis might be suspected more frequently if physicians maintain a high index of suspicion.
Superficially invasive carcinoma of the vagina following treatment for cervical cancer: A report of six cases

Six patients with superficially invasive squamous carcinoma of the vagina are described. All patients meet recently proposed criteria for the diagnosis of microinvasive vaginal carcinoma. The depth of invasion measured from the surface was less than 2.5 mm. There was no lymph-vascular space involvement. The invasive foci arose within a field of carcinoma in situ. Five of these six patients had previously been treated for invasive cervical cancer with pelvic radiation from 82 to 246 months before the diagnosis of vaginal carcinoma. All but one patient had the carcinoma confined to the upper one-third of the vagina. All patients were treated with a single vaginal radium application following vaginectomy. One of these six patients expired from recurrent vaginal cancer 35 months following diagnosis. During the same 17-year period, 17 other cases of Stage I epidermoid cancer of the vagina were treated which did not meet the above criteria for microinvasion. There were no statistically significant differences between these two groups with regard to age at diagnosis, history of cervical cancer, hysterectomy, or pelvic radiation or in survival. Additional experience with early vaginal carcinoma is needed before microinvasive carcinoma of the vagina should be accepted as a distinct clinical entity.
Phase transition and decomposition temperatures, heat capacities and viscosities of pyridinium ionic liquids

Abstract Ionic liquids are organic salts with low melting points. Many of these compounds are liquid at room temperature in their pure state. Since they have negligible vapor pressure and would not contribute to air pollution, they are being intensively investigated for a variety of applications, including as solvents for reactions and separations, as non-volatile electrolytes, and as heat transfer fluids. We present melting temperatures, glass transition temperatures, decomposition temperatures, heat capacities, and viscosities for a large series of pyridinium-based ionic liquids. For comparison, we include data for several imidazolium and quaternary ammonium salts. Many of the compounds do not crystallize, but form glasses at temperatures between 188 K and 223 K. The thermal stability is largely determined by the coordinating ability of the anion, with ionic liquids made with the least coordinating anions, like bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, having the best thermal stability. In particular, dimethylaminopyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salts have some of the best thermal stabilities of any ionic liquid compounds investigated to date. Heat capacities increase approximately linearly with increasing molar mass, which corresponds with increasing numbers of translational, vibrational, and rotational modes. Viscosities generally increase with increasing number and length of alkyl substituents on the cation, with the pyridinium salts typically being slightly more viscous than the equivalent imidazolium compounds.
P03-01 - Behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in youth with Prader-Willi Syndrome: results from a pilot study

Objectives Obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms are common in both children and adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), to the degree that they are considered central to the syndrome's behavioral phenotype and constitute diagnostic criteria for the disorder. Although efficacious behavioral treatments (e.g., exposure and response prevention) exist for OC symptoms in typically developing youth, these treatments are not tailored to meet the specific needs of youth with PWS and their families. The purpose of the current study is to report on a modified CBT protocol that addresses obsessive-compulsive symptoms in youth with PWS. Methods Three children received a modified version of cognitive-behavioral therapy targeting obsessive-compulsive symptoms in PWS. Measures were administered at screening, baseline, and post-treatment and included the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children, Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CYBOCS), Family Accommodation Scale, Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S), Clinical Global Improvement (CGI), and measures of impairment and adaptive functioning. Treatment consisted for 12 family-based CBT sessions that included exposure and response prevention; cognitive restructuring; and other operant treatment elements. Results Participants experienced reduced CYBOCS scores at baseline to post-treatment, 25 to 15.3. All three youth were considered treatment responders on the CGI-Improvement scale. Similar reductions on secondary variables such as OCD impairment were reported. Conclusions Although these results are preliminary, initial results suggest that behavioral treatment of OC symptoms may be effective in the PWS population. This treatment holds promise for being a safe and tolerable method for reducing compulsive symptoms in youth with PWS.
Analysis of polymer membrane formation through spinodal decomposition. III: Two‐dimensional simulations of early‐stage behavior

A nonlinear diffusion equation is used to study early-stage spinodal decomposition of polymer solutions, in relation to the membrane formation, in two dimensions. The effects of overall polymer composition and composition-dependent mobility and diffusivity are included in our simulations. Our results show a kinetically stable structure is established during the early stages, which corresponds to a circular range of peaks in the two-dimensional frequency spectrum. Such a spectrum is found to result in an interconnected cell structure in the two-dimensional real space. A decrease in the level of polymer interdomain interconnectedness is obtained as time increases, which indicates the influence of interfacial tension. As the overall polymer composition is increased, an increase in interdomain distances is observed, although the same early stage morphological structure is obtained. Finally, calculated interdomain distances from the two-dimensional simulation are larger than those obtained in equivalent one-dimensional model systems.
HLM in cluster-randomised trials – measuring efficacy across diverse populations of learners

We describe the application of Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) in a cluster-randomised study to examine learning algebraic concepts and procedures in an innovative, technology-rich environment in the US. HLM is applied to measure the impact of such treatment on learning and on contextual variables. We provide a detailed description of such methods, methodically analysing nested classroom data with respect to various outcome measures through HLM.
Role of Calcium in the Regulation of Ornithine Decarboxylase Enzyme Activity in Mouse Colon Cancer Cells

Activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), one of the rate-limiting enzymes in the pathway of polyamine biosynthesis, is regulated by various factors. In this study, we examined the role of Ca2+ in the regulation of ODC enzyme activity in mouse colon cancer cells (MC-26). KCl, a membrane-depolarizing agent that opens the voltage-dependent Ca(2+)-channel to increase intracellular Ca2+, decreased serum-induced ODC enzyme activity in MC-26 cells in a dose-dependent, reversible fashion. Both verapamil and nifedipine, inhibitors of the L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+)-channel, decreased serum-induced ODC enzyme activity. W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, decreased ODC enzyme activity in a dose-dependent, reversible fashion while trifluoperazine, another calmodulin inhibitor, failed to affect ODC enzyme activity in MC-26 cells. Our findings indicate that intracellular Ca2+ participates in the regulatory mechanism of ODC enzyme activity in MC-26 cells, although the exact role of Ca2+ is still unclear.
Effect of sertraline hydrochloride on dialysis hypotension

Hemodialysis hypotension (HH) is a very common disorder and has a multifactorial etiology. Autonomic dysfunction occurs in up to 50% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and plays a key role in HH in some patients. Sertraline hydrochloride, a central nervous system serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has been shown to be an effective treatment of hypotension caused by autonomic dysfunction in disorders such as neurocardiogenic syncope and idiopathic orthostatic hypotension. This study sought to determine whether sertraline was effective in ameliorating HH. A retrospective chart analysis was performed that included nine consecutive patients (aged > or = 54 years, time on hemodialysis > or = 2.2 years) placed on sertraline (50 to 100 mg/d) for depression who also had HH (defined as prehemodialysis systolic blood pressure [SBP] or = 40 mm Hg decrease in SBP during hemodialysis, SBP <90 mm Hg, any diastolic blood pressure <40 mm Hg, or a decrease in blood pressure-causing symptoms) before treatment with sertraline. The data from a 6-week pre-sertraline period were compared with the data from a 6-week sertraline period (defined as 6 weeks after drug begun). Blood pressure medications were unchanged during the trial period of sertraline. However, nadir mean arterial pressure recorded during a given dialysis session in the pre-sertraline period (55+/-4 mm Hg) was significantly lower than that recorded in the sertraline period (68+/-5 mm Hg; P < 0.05). In addition, the number of hypotensive episodes (same definition as HH) per dialysis session during the sertraline period was significantly lower than that during the pre-sertraline period (mean, 0.6+/-0.2 episodes per session v 1.4+/-0.3 episodes per session; P < 0.005). The number of therapeutic interventions required for hypotension during the sertraline period was also significantly less than that during the pre-sertraline period (mean, 1.7+/-0.8 interventions v 11.0+/-3.0 interventions; P < 0.005). The urea reduction ratio (62.7%+/-4.7% v 63.1%+/-9.3%; P = NS) and hematocrit (28.9%+/-0.8% v 29.5%+/-1.0%; P = NS) did not change significantly. It is concluded that the short-term (6 weeks) use of sertraline hydrochloride reduces HH in some patients with ESRD. A possible mechanism for this effect is sertraline-induced attenuation of the paradoxical sympathetic withdrawal that may underlie HH in some patients with ESRD.
Increased Fluid Administration in the First Three Hours of Sepsis Resuscitation Is Associated With Reduced Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND The surviving sepsis guidelines recommend early aggressive fluid resuscitation within 6 h of sepsis onset. Although rapid fluid administration may offer benefit, studies on the timing of resuscitation are lacking. We hypothesized that there is an association between quicker, adequate fluid resuscitation and patient outcome from sepsis onset time. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adults with severe sepsis and septic shock admitted to a quaternary care medical ICU between January 2007 and December 2009. Data were collected from a previously validated electronic medical database. Multivariate regression modeling was performed, adjusting for age, admission weight, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Examination) III score, and total fluid administration within the first 6 h of sepsis onset time. RESULTS Of 651 patients with severe sepsis and septic shock screened, 594 had detailed fluid data. In a univariate analysis, the median amount of fluid within the first 3 h for survivors at discharge was 2,085 mL (940-4,080 mL) and for nonsurvivors, 1,600 mL (600-3,010 mL; P = .007). In comparison, during the latter 3 h, the median amount was 660 mL (290-1,485 mL) vs 800 mL (360-1,680 mL; P = .09), respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the higher proportion of total fluid received within the first 3 h was associated with decreased hospital mortality (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15-0.75; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS Earlier fluid resuscitation (within the first 3 h) is associated with a greater number of survivors with severe sepsis and septic shock.
Lessons Learned from Safety Events

Abstract The Hydrogen Incident Reporting and Lessons Learned website ( www.h2incidents.org ) was launched in 2006 as a database-driven resource for sharing lessons learned from hydrogen-related safety events to raise safety awareness and encourage knowledge-sharing. The development of this database, its first uses and subsequent enhancements have been described at the Second and Third International Conferences on Hydrogen Safety [1] , [2] . Since 2009, continuing work has not only highlighted the value of safety lessons learned, but enhanced how the database provides access to another safety knowledge tool, Hydrogen Safety Best Practices ( http://h2bestpractices.org ). Collaborations with the International Energy Agency (IEA) Hydrogen Implementing Agreement (HIA) Task 19 – Hydrogen Safety and others have enabled the database to capture safety event learning’s from around the world. This paper updates recent progress, highlights the new “Lessons Learned Corner” as one means for knowledge-sharing and examines the broader potential for collecting, analyzing and using safety event information.
Superior temporal activation in response to dynamic audio-visual emotional cues ☆

Perception of emotion is critical for successful social interaction, yet the neural mechanisms underlying the perception of dynamic, audio-visual emotional cues are poorly understood. Evidence from language and sensory paradigms suggests that the superior temporal sulcus and gyrus (STS/STG) play a key role in the integration of auditory and visual cues. Emotion perception research has focused on static facial cues; however, dynamic audio-visual (AV) cues mimic real-world social cues more accurately than static and/or unimodal stimuli. Novel dynamic AV stimuli were presented using a block design in two fMRI studies, comparing bimodal stimuli to unimodal conditions, and emotional to neutral stimuli. Results suggest that the bilateral superior temporal region plays distinct roles in the perception of emotion and in the integration of auditory and visual cues. Given the greater ecological validity of the stimuli developed for this study, this paradigm may be helpful in elucidating the deficits in emotion perception experienced by clinical populations.
Self-consistent band-gap corrections in density functional theory using modified pseudopotentials

Density functional calculations based on the local density approximation or generalized gradient approximation have proven their value for predicting ground-state properties of materials. However, the corresponding band structures cannot be directly compared with experiment. We describe an approach based on a modification of pseudopotentials, in the spirit of a technique proposed by Christensen [Phys. Rev. B 30, 5753 (1984)]. These pseudopotentials still accurately describe structural properties and energetics, but they also produce band structures in better agreement with experiment. We establish reliability by performing extensive tests and comparisons with other methods, and illustrate the approach with applications to electronic stucture of bulk, point defects, and surfaces of nitride semiconductors.
Clinical Aspects of Acne

Acne vulgaris may present in a wide variety of clinical forms depending on the type, number and severity of the predominant lesion. Thus there may be mild, moderate or severe comedonal or inflammatory acne, the latter with many subtypes. Furthermore, the number and extent of the lesions do not necessarily predict the response to therapy, and patients may also be catergorized as therapeutically responsive or therapeutically refractory. Finally, there may be alterations in the clinical manifestations and therapeutic response depending on the distribution of the lesions, age of the patient and provoking or complicating factors.
Lidar for remote measurement of ozone in the exhaust plumes of launch vehicles

Large quantities of chlorine and alumina particles are injected directly into the stratosphere by the current fleet of launch vehicles. Environmental concerns have been raised over the impact of the rocket exhaust on the ozone layer. Recently differential absorption lidar (DIAL) was selected for remote sensing of ozone density within the plumes of Titan IV launch vehicles. The application of DIAL to this very challenging problem is described, and an implementation of UV-ozone DIAL is discussed that holds promise for this application.
Comparison of the inelastic scattering of protons by $sup 144$ $sup 154$Sm in the region of giant resonances

Measurements of the inelastic proton spectrum in the giant-resonance region of the nuclear continuum for $^{144}\mathrm{Sm}$ and $^{154}\mathrm{Sm}$ have been made using 67-MeV protons. The spectra from the spherical and deformed targets are essentially identical in the resonance region above $\ensuremath{\approx}12.8$ MeV of excitation. Although the observed resonance peak locations and cross section are consistent with excitation of the giant dipole and giant quadrupole resonances, such an interpretation may lead to inconsistencies with the $E1$ splitting reported for $^{154}\mathrm{Sm}$ in photonuclear reactions.
Budget Deficits, Inflation Accounting, and Macroeconomic Policy: A Skeptical Note

This paper challenges the mechanical application of inflation accounting to public sector deficits as it has been suggested in recent years. Although the theoretical considerations underlying the proposed adjustment for the inflation premium of interest payments are well taken, the new approach has fundamentally focused on measurement issues with little attention paid to the behavioral aspects of microeconomic adjustment. This paper, therefore, raises skepticism about the usefulness of inflation accounting, if such a correction is not accompanied by a conceptual model that links behavioral responses of individuals to balance sheets and other stock variables. In a departure from previous investigations, the paper also points out the possibility that inflation accounting might have more relevant implications for public, rather than private, spending.
Expanding indications for stem cell transplantation.

Objectives To provide an overview of the indications for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), including standard-of-care and experimental diseases. Data Sources Research studies, book chapters, websites, and articles describing diseases treated with HSCT. Conclusion The indications for HSCT are continually changing and expanding rapidly beyond the traditional use as a treatment for malignant and non malignant diseases. Implications for Nursing Practice Nurses who care for transplant patients will need to become knowledgeable of not only the diseases treated traditionally with HSCT, but also the many other diseases or disorders in which HSCT may play a role.
Analysis of the accuracy of the bulge test in determining the mechanical properties of thin films

Since its first application to thin films in the 1950's the bulge test has become a standard technique for measuring thin film mechanical properties. While the apparatus required for the test is simple, interpretation of the data is not. Failure to recognize this fact has led to inconsistencies in the reported values of properties obtained using the bulge test. For this reason we have used the finite element method to model the deformation behavior of a thin film in a bulge test for a variety of initial conditions and material properties. In this paper we will review several of the existing models for describing the deformation behavior of a circular thin film in a bulge test, and then analyze these models in light of the finite element results. The product of this work is a set of equations and procedures for analyzing bulge test data that will improve the accuracy and reliability of this technique.
The influence of individual differences on the reading of computer programs

The author investigated how subject differences interacted with program form to influence the subject's comprehension and memory for computer programs. Twenty-three second-semester computer science students (subjects) read twelve programs written in English and Pascal. Measures of language and programming ability provided the basis for categorization of the subjects into low- and high-performance groups. The dependent variables included general and specific comprehension tests as well as memory load correlates of the subject's reading and recall times. Statistically significant differences between the groups were found for comprehension and memory variables. The low-performance group was particularly influenced by the form of the text, while the high-performance group adapted to the demands of the task. These results suggest that architects of programming languages and human-computer interfaces should include subject differences as a design parameter. >
Foliar nutrients explain goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus auroguttatus, adult feeding preference among four California oak species

Adults of the invasive goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), consumed foliar weight in no-choice feeding tests of, in descending order, California black oak Quercus kelloggii Newb., Engelmann oak, Quercus engelmannii Greene, coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia Nee, and canyon live oak, Quercus chrysolepis Liebm. (Fagaceae). Furthermore, significantly more foliar area was consumed of Q. kelloggii than of Q. chrysolepis. In dual-choice feeding tests with isolated leaf disks, A. auroguttatus consumed significantly more foliar weight and area of Q. kelloggii relative to the other three oak species, and more foliar weight of Q. agrifolia than of Q. chrysolepis. In dual-choice feeding tests with leaves on small branches, A. auroguttatus consumed more foliar weight of Q. kelloggii than of Q. engelmannii and Q. agrifolia. Thus, multiple experiments suggested that adults of A. auroguttatus preferred the foliage of Q. kelloggii over that of the other three oak species, and among the other three species they did not appear to have a strong feeding preference. Factor analysis reduced the quantities of 13 foliar nutrients into two new variables (factor 1 and factor 2). Factor 1 was weighted heavily on the quantities of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and copper, whereas factor 2 was weighted heavily on the quantities of zinc, iron, and aluminum. Factor 1 varied by oak species, with Q. kelloggii having a higher factor 1 nutrient content than the other three species. Factor 2 response was higher in Q. kelloggii, Q. agrifolia, and Q. engelmannii than in Q. chrysolepis. The collective effects of four macronutrients (nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and potassium) and two micronutrients (zinc and copper) suggest that these might be the nutrients directing preferential feeding of A. auroguttatus adults on the foliage of Q. kelloggii. Leaf toughness might also play an important role in feeding preference. Female A. auroguttatus did not show an ovipositional preference among the four oak species.
Characterizing mucous cell remodeling in cystic fibrosis: relationship to neutrophils.

Rationale: Relatively few studies have characterized mucous cells or mucins in detail in cystic fibrosis (CF), and the relationship between mucous cell abnormalities and neutrophilic inflammation is uncertain.Objectives: To characterize mucous cell phenotypes and mucin profiles in CF and to determine if neutrophils accumulate around goblet cells in the epithelium and gland acini in the submucosa.Methods: Bronchial biopsies were collected from 7 subjects with CF and 15 control subjects, and the morphology of mucous cells was measured. Immunostains for gel-forming mucins and neutrophil elastase were quantified.Measurements and Main Results: Goblet cell size was increased in CF (p = 0.004), but the number of goblet cells was normal. The volume of submucosal glands was fourfold higher than normal (p = 0.031), but the proportion of mucous and serous cells in CF glands was normal. The patterns of expression of gel-forming mucins in epithelial and submucosal compartments in CF were similar to normal. Although ne...
Splines for Diffeomorphic Image Regression

This paper develops a method for splines on diffeomorphisms for image regression. In contrast to previously proposed methods to capture image changes over time, such as geodesic regression, the method can capture more complex spatio-temporal deformations. In particular, it is a first step towards capturing periodic motions for example of the heart or the lung. Starting from a variational formulation of splines the proposed approach allows for the use of temporal control points to control spline behavior. This necessitates the development of a shooting formulation for splines. Experimental results are shown for synthetic and real data. The performance of the method is compared to geodesic regression.
Report of Ad Hoc Committee on Karyological Controls of Human Cell Substrates

A conference on the Standardization of Cell Substrates for the Production of Virus Vaccines was jointly sponsored by the World Health Organization and by the International Association of Biological Standardization at Geneva in 1976. Participants at the meeting agreed that recommendations then current regarding karyological control of human cell substrates should be reviewed and revised. Extensive experience using human diploid cells in vaccine manufacture as documented at that symposium indicated that certain karyological requirements of existing standards should be eliminated or modified. An Ad Hoc Committee appointed by the Chairman of the conference, Dr. Frank Perkins, was charged with this task; however, since opinions varied widely regarding modification this committee requested the organization of a karyology workshop.
Plesiadapidae (Mammalia, Primates) from the late Paleocene Fort Union Formation of the Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado

Utilizing the occurrence of plesiadapid mammals, we recognize both Tiffanian and Clarkforkian ages in the Fort Union Formation of the Piceance Creek Basin of Colorado. Five species of plesiadapids are described from eighteen fossil localities. The presence of Nannodectes gazini, Plesiadapis fodinatus and a new species Chiromyoides gigas indicate that at most eleven of the reported fossil localities are Tiffanian in age. The majority of the fossil specimens come from UCM locality 92177 (USGSD-2001) located 35.8 meters above the base of the Fort Union Formation, which we place in the Ti5 lineage zone. The occurrence of Plesiadapis dubius and Chiromyoides caesor in the Plateau Valley area suggests a younger Clarkforkian age for these stratigraphically higher localities. We are the first to recognize Tiffanian aged fossils in the Piceance Creek Basin, extending the mammalian record back to more than 58 million years ago.
Ultra sensitive Bio-Chemical sensors Based on Optical Resonance

With the focus on bio terrorism and environmental sensing, there is need for development of smart integrated bio-chemical sensors. We investigate Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) based High Q micro cavity as a biosensor. We integrate the lab-on-a-chip approach with High Q technology to develop highly selective and smart sensors for in-situ detection of aqueous media based agents. We have investigated the ring based micro-cavity structure as a sensor. We identify the detection of agent through the changes observed in the wavelength shift and Q factor as a result of enzyme-substrate interactions. We report an experimental demonstration of a compact micro-cavity based biochemical sensor based on the micro ring structure. The micro-cavity, fabricated on a silica-on-silicon substrate, is designed to have a resonant wavelength (l) near 1.34 μm. The transmission spectrum of the sensor is measured with different ambient refractive indices ranging from n =1.0 to 1.5. Chemical detection was achieved by measuring the shift in resonant wavelength, and variation to the quality factor
Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma involving the bone marrow with chronic lymphocytic leukemia mimicking Richter transformation

![Figure][1] A 79-year-old woman presented with new-onset weight loss, bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy (LAD), and a chest wall mass. A complete blood count showed a leukocytosis of 87 600/μL with 99% lymphocytes. A review of the peripheral blood smear and flow cytometry (data not shown