cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender and group composition in small task groups using computer-mediated communication

Group composition of small task groups was varied in terms of the gender of group members. Groups then completed a task using only asynchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC). It was presumed that groups composed of all men or all women would represent extreme positions in several gender-related variables, whereas mixed groups would fall between the extremes. Male-only groups used significantly fewer individually oriented pronouns, changed their opinions least as a result of group activity, used more coarse language toward the task, and were the least satisfied with the group process. Female-only groups were most satisfied with the group process, used the most individually oriented language, and changed their opinions most as a result of the group activity. Mixed groups sent significantly more messages than other groups, but otherwise fell between single-gender groups in terms of language use and satisfaction. The results are interpreted with reference to group and CMC factors, such as the nature of the task, stage of group development, message anonymity, and leadership. These findings are important because of the increasing use of task groups using CMC in the workforce.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 163

Abstract Nuclear structure data for all nuclei with mass number A=163 have been evaluated. Adopted values for level properties and detailed level and decay schemes are presented for each nucleus, along with the experimental data upon which they are based. Theoretical (Hager-Seltzer) conversion coefficients for pure multipole transitions are presented without uncertainties. For mixed transitions, the stated conversion-coefficient uncertainties take into account the uncertainty of the mixing ratio as well as the uncertainties of the theoretical conversion coefficients for the pure multipole components (2% for M1, E2, and E1 transitions and 5% for all others).
L1CAM mutation in association with X-linked hydrocephalus and Hirschsprung’s disease

X-linked hydrocephalus (XLH) is characterized by increased intracranial ventricle size and head circumference secondary to aqueduct of Sylvius congenital stenosis. Exceedingly rare is the concurrence of XLH and Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) with a theoretical incidence of 1 in 125-250 million cases. Herein, we are describing a case of a patient with concurrent XLH and HSCR. The patient was delivered via cesarean section at 37 weeks gestation and underwent uneventful ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. As a part of a workup for constipation, we performed a rectal biopsy, which was consistent with HSCR. Genetics testing showed hemizygous for R558X hemizygous mutation in the L1CAM gene. A C --> T nucleotide substitution in exon 13 resulted in replacement of an arginine codon with a stop codon, a nonsense mutation. Although it is widely accepted that HSCR represents the failure of early embryonic neural crest cells to migrate properly, the exact mechanism is not known. The association of HSCR with XLH in the presence of L1CAM mutations remains quite interesting because cell adhesion molecules are involved in the proper migration of neural components throughout the body. Additional studies are necessary to fully elucidate the relationship between XLH and HSCR in the presence of L1CAM mutations.
Food preferences, prey availability, and the diet of Octopus bimaculatus Verrill

Abstract Octopus bimaculatus Verrill consumes > 55 prey species from three phyla. The prey included crustaceans, snails, sedentary grazers such as chitons and limpets, and bivalves. In laboratory experiments crabs were the most preferred and snails were the least preferred prey group. The general preference hierarchy of O. bimaculatus was crabs > bivalves = sedentary grazers > snails. The diet of O. bimaculatus in the field is influenced by both food preferences and prey availability. Highly preferred prey (crabs, bivalves, sedentary grazers) were rare in the field; the most abundant species available, the snail Tegula eiseni Jordan, was the least preferred. None of these species were common in octopus diets. In contrast, the high frequency of another snail, Tegula aureotincta Forbes, in the diet stems from a relatively high preference ranking plus relatively high abundance.
Model reactions of the quinone metabolites of carcinogenic hydrocarbons with t-butylthiol

Abstract Reactions of benzo[ a ]pyrene 1,6-dione with t-butylthiolate affords two products of conjugate addition and subsequent spontaneous reoxidation, namely, 2-t-butylthio- and 2,4-di-t-butylthiobenzo[ a ]pyrene 1,6-dione. Analogous reaction of benzo[ a ]pyrene 3,6-dione furnished only 12-t-butylthiobenzo[ a ]pyrene 3,6-dione. Structural assignments are based on analysis of the high-resolution 270-MHz Fourier-transform proton nmr spectra. In both products the attachment of the entering nucleophile is on an aromatic ring remote from either of the carbonyl groups, the first examples of such detected. The biological significance of these results with relation to the potential reactions of these quinones, known to be major metabolites of the carcinogen benzo[ a ]pyrene, with glutathione, cysteine, and proteins in vivo is discussed.
Perceived Stress, Physiologic Stress Arousal, and Premenstrual Symptoms: Group Differences and Intra-Individual Patterns

The purpose of this study was to examine evidence for perceived stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, and autonomic nervous system involvement in premenstrual symptoms. Women with a low severity (LS, n = 40), premenstrual syndrome (PMS, n = 22), and premenstrual magnification symptom patterns (PMM, n = 26) rated perceived stress, turmoil, and fluid retention symptoms for one entire cycle. Daily late afternoon urine samples were assayed for epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. Using multivariate analysis of variance analyses, we found significant group and cycle phase and group by phase interaction effects for perceived stress. There were no group or cycle phase differences in cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Intraindividual analyses using cross-correlation techniques revealed a positive time lagged relationship between perceived stress and norepinephrine and cortisol levels across all groups. Only women with a PMS pattern demonstrated perceived stress leading epinephrine levels. Cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels led symptoms for all groups with one exception: there was no cross-correlation between epinephrine and turmoil for the PMS group. Perceived stress led both types of symptoms, regardless of group, and symptoms also led stress. The results provide evidence for a unique relationship between epinephrine, perceived stress, and symptoms for women with PMS, and for a reciprocal relationship between stress and symptoms for each of the groups.
Application of fault tree analysis for customer reliability assessment of a distribution power system

Abstract A new method is developed for predicting customer reliability of a distribution power system using the fault tree approach with customer weighted values of component failure frequencies and downtimes. Conventional customer reliability prediction of the electric grid employs the system average (SA) component failure frequency and downtime that are weighted by only the quantity of the components in the system. These SA parameters are then used to calculate the reliability and availability of components in the system, and eventually to find the effect on customer reliability. Although this approach is intuitive, information is lost regarding customer disturbance experiences when customer information is not utilized in the SA parameter calculations, contributing to inaccuracies when predicting customer reliability indices in our study. Hence our new approach directly incorporates customer disturbance information in component failure frequency and downtime calculations by weighting these parameters with information of customer interruptions. This customer weighted (CW) approach significantly improves the prediction of customer reliability indices when applied to our reliability model with fault tree and two-state Markov chain formulations. Our method has been successfully applied to an actual distribution power system that serves over 2.1 million customers. Our results show an improved benchmarking performance on the system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) by 26% between the SA-based and CW-based reliability calculations.
A Model Of Exemplary Midwifery Practice: Results Of A Delphi Study

What is unique and exemplary about the midwifery model of care? Does exemplary midwifery care result in improved outcomes for the recipient(s) of that care? These are the questions that the profession of midwifery grapples with today within the context of a changing health care arena. Exemplary midwives, and women who had received their care, came to consensus about these issues in a Delphi study. A model of exemplary midwifery care is presented based on the identification of essential elements aligned within three dimensions: therapeutics, caring, and the profession of midwifery. Supporting the normalcy of pregnancy and birth, vigilance and attention to detail, and respecting the uniqueness of the woman, were several of many processes of care identified. The critical difference that emerged was the art of doing "nothing" well. By ensuring that normalcy continued through vigilant and attentive care, the midwives were content to foster the normal processes of labor and birth, intervening and using technology only when the individual situation required. Health care, whether in the gynecologic setting or during pregnancy, was geared to help the woman achieve a level of control of the process and outcome. The ultimate outcomes were optimal health in the given situation, and the experience of health care that is both respectful and empowering. The model provides structure for future research on the unique aspects of midwifery care to support its correlation with excellent outcomes and value in health care economics.
In vitro activity of quinupristin/dalfopristin (RP 59500) against a large collection of infrequently isolated or tested species

Abstract Quinupristin/dalfopristin (RP 59500, Synercid ® ) is a parenteral streptogramin combination antimicrobial that possesses a synergistic and often bactericidal action against many Grampositive species. In this study, a collection of 1270 uncommonly isolated or tested strains were evaluated for susceptibility to quinupristin/dalfopristin using agar dilution minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods described in the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The greatest antimicrobial activity observed for quinupristin/dalfopristin was against staphylococci, streptococci, the pathogenic neisseria, Legionella spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Peptostreptococcus spp. (MIC 90 range, 0.5–2 μg/ml). Marginal activity (MIC 90 s, 4 to 8 μg/ml) was identified for the rarer enterococci, Leuconostoc spp., Pediococcus spp., and Streptococcus bovis . Against Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Fusobacterium spp., and Prevotella spp., the streptogramin was inactive. Although no susceptible breakpoint has been approved for quinupristin/dalfopristin, three possible breakpoints (⩽ 1, ⩽ 2, or ⩽ 4 μg/mL) were evaluated. Acceptance of the lower breakpoints (⩽ 1 or ⩽ 2 μg/mL) would limit quinupristin/dalfopristin use to staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci, meningococci, and Legionella spp. These results markedly expand the understanding of the usable spectrum of quinupristin/dalfopristin.
Transport and control of Ca2+ by pigeon erythrocytes. III. A ‘paradoxical’ expulsion of Ca2+ induced by a low dose of A23187 at 0° C

Abstract Pigeon erythrocytes expelled preloaded 45Ca2+ in response to a low dose of A23187 at 0° C. We call this phenomenon ‘paradoxical’ expulsion. Within the first minute, 1.85 ± 0.38 μmol/l cell water was expelled; after that the internal 45Ca2+ began to rise. The rises in Ca2+ uptake with and without A23187 addition were essentially paralleled. No premonitory rise of 45Ca2+ upon the addition of A23187 was observed. Expulsion of 45Ca2+ in response to A23187 was probably by the action of the Ca2+ pump and not by Na+-Ca2+ exchange since vanadate inhibited, but K+ replacement of Na+ in the medium had no effect. Lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) caused an abrupt increase in 45Ca2+ influx by cells at 0° C and was dose dependent. However, a very low dose of lysoPC induced expulsion of preloaded 45Ca2+ similar to that by A23187, the response was fast and transitory, without any premonitory rise in 45Ca2+ uptake. The results lend support to the suggestion that the signal to which cells respond may be a sudden change in Ca2+ influx per se rather than a change in internal Ca2+ concentration. These features of ‘paradoxical’ 45Ca2+ expulsion induced by A23187 and lysoPC are not expected from mass-action equilibria but, instead, agree with the characteristics of an energy-dissipating control mechanism.
How to Use Apps Clinically in the Treatment of Aphasia

This article is designed to provide aphasia clinicians with some general guidelines for selecting apps that are appropriate for individuals on their caseloads. Further, it provides a template, consisting of some things we have learned while we have instituted the use of apps at the Adler Aphasia Center in Maywood, NJ and at the Carondelet Aphasia Program in Tucson, AZ, in the hopes that clinicians who are interested in using this technology can profit from our experiences.
Death and Pulmonary Alterations Following Bilateral, Cervical Vagotomy in the Fowl

Abstract INTRODUCTION INTEREST in the effects of bilateral transection of the vagus nerves dates back into antiquity. Legallois (1830), in an extensive review of the early literature, said that the loss of the voice was the only major observation reported by earlier workers until Piccolhomini, in 1586, reported that immediate death occurred following bilateral vagotomy due to cardiac arrest. Willis, in 1682 (quoted by Blainville, 1808), was the first to look specifically for other effects of vagotomy. Willis was interested in the effect of abolition of the flow of animal spirits from the brain on the action of the heart and postulated that this lack ultimately resulted in death from cardiac arrest. The first recorded vagotomy in birds was much later; Couvreur (1891) stated that Blainville (1808) was the first to publish observations on vagotomized pigeons and fowl. Other early investigators who studied the effects of bilateral vagotomy on birds included…
PCV14: IMPACT OF OBESITY ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE (HRQOL): AN ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (BRFSS) DATA

OBJECTIVES: With over one-third of the population considered to be obese, obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the US The direct costs associated with obesity are currently estimated at about $238 billion. As the underlying cause of various chronic diseases, obesity negatively impacts quality of life due to impaired physical and mental well being and reduced daily functions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between obesity and health-related quality of life using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. METHODS: The BRFSS is an ongoing, state-based, random digit dialed telephone survey of the civilian, non-institutionalized population aged 3 18 years conducted by CDC. Data from sixteen states that collected information on health status (4 items), HRQoL (10 items), and demographic characteristics including weight and height from 50,454 participants in 1998 were utilized for the analysis. Participants who had a Body Mass Index (BMI) 3 30 were defined as obese. Prevalence of obesity by demographics and disease presence was determined, as were corresponding HRQoL scores. RESULTS: On the basis of BMI, 31.9% of the respondents were identified as obese. Obesity was higher in males as compared to females and higher among African-Americans and Hispanics as compared to whites. Obesity increased with age but decreased as income and education increased. Obese respondents reported poorer health status. Impact of obesity on HRQoL due to reduced physical and mental functioning in the presence of no health problems, as well as in presence of self-reported major health problems such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and pulmonary disease is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Health related quality of life is significantly affected due to obesity and should be an important consideration in the treatment of obesity. It also has important implications in case of illnesses that have obesity as an underlying cause.
Raceway density and water flow as factors affecting spring chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) during rearing and after release

Abstract Four broods of spring chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) wer reared in 34.2-m 3 raceways in a year-round coldwater hatchery at three densities (20 000, 40 000, and 60 000 fish per raceway) and at three levels of water inflow (757, 1514, and 2271 1 min −1 per raceway) in a 4 by 3 by 3 factorial design. During hatchery rearing, increased density and decreased water flow were related to increased fingerling mortality from bacterial kidney disease ( Renibacterium salmoninarum ). At release, treatment effects on gill Na + -,K + -ATPase activity were inconsistent, but response to seawater challenge was suppressed in fish reared at high densities and at low levels of water flow. A threefold increase in rearing density failed to produce any increase in adult contribution because high densities resulted in strongly reduced survival of smolts after release. This response was consistent within all broods of test fish despite differences in rearing mortality among broods and despite wide differences in overall post-release survival among broods. Although significant only at the highest level of inflow, increased raceway water flow seemed to increase adult contribution.
Directed self-assembly defectivity assessment. Part II

The main concern for the commercialization of directed self-assembly (DSA) for semiconductor manufacturing continues to be the uncertainty in capability and control of defect density. Our research investigates the defect densities of various DSA process applications in the context of a 300mm wafer fab cleanroom environment; this paper expands substantially on the previously published DSA defectivity study by reporting a defect density process window relative to chemical epitaxial pre-pattern registration lines; as well as investigated DSA based contact hole shrinking and report critical dimension statistics for the phase separated polymers before and after etch, along with positional accuracy measurements and missing via defect density.
Site of Heart Block in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Bundle of His electrograms were recorded in eight patients with acute myocardial infarction and heart block. Three patients with diaphragmatic myocardial infarction (DMI) and one with subendocardial infarction were characterized by slowing or block above the bundle of His and A-V junctional escape rhythms during periods of advanced or complete block. An additional patient with DMI had block in the His bundle itself. Intraventricular conduction in the above patients was characterized by normal H-Q intervals (35 to 60 msec) and absence of widened QRS. In contrast, three patients with anterior infarction (AMI) manifested complete block below the bundle of His and idioventricular escape. P-H intervals were normal (80 to 140 msec) and A-V conduction was considered unaffected. Our electrophysiologic observations coupled with previous clinical, anatomic, and pathologic findings suggest that the heart block in DMI is usually due to an ischemic lesion of the A-V node, while heart block in AMI is due to necrosis in...
A general latent trait model for response processes

The purpose of the current paper is to propose a general multicomponent latent trait model (GLTM) for response processes. The proposed model combines the linear logistic latent trait (LLTM) with the multicomponent latent trait model (MLTM). As with both LLTM and MLTM, the general multicomponent latent trait model can be used to (1) test hypotheses about the theoretical variables that underlie response difficulty and (2) estimate parameters that describe test items by basic substantive properties. However, GLTM contains both component outcomes and complexity factors in a single model and may be applied to data that neither LLTM nor MLTM can handle. Joint maximum likelihood estimators are presented for the parameters of GLTM and an application to cognitive test items is described.
Patient preferences for testing for pulmonary embolism in the ED using a shared decision-making model☆ , ☆☆

Abstract Introduction Shared decision making (SDM) is a process whereby patients and clinicians work together to make informed medical decisions that incorporate patient values. Recent data suggest that, for patients with low pretest probability of pulmonary embolism (PE), doubling the standard d -dimer cutoff may reduce the need for imaging with minimal increase in missed PE diagnoses. We used an SDM approach to determine patient preferences regarding this diagnostic approach. Methods We prospectively enrolled a consecutive sample of emergency department (ED) patients presenting with chest pain or dyspnea. We provided patients with a standardized description of the diagnostic workup for PE. We also provided image arrays describing the risks of computed tomography in low pretest probability patients and the risks of deferring imaging assuming a d -dimer was less than twice the value normally considered positive. We surveyed patients for their preference to undergo or defer imaging in this scenario. Results We enrolled 203 ED patients. Mean age was 55 ± 17 years, and 61% were male. Seventy-four patients (37%) elected to defer computed tomography of the pulmonary arteries testing. Patients with a previous PE diagnosis were less likely to defer computed tomography of the pulmonary arteries testing (P = .007). There was no association between the decision to defer testing and age, sex, family history of PE, or self-assessed risk-taking tendency. Conclusions When presented with a hypothetical scenario, more than one-third of patients deferred imaging for PE based on low clinical probability and a d -dimer less than twice the normal threshold. An SDM approach is acceptable to patients and may decrease imaging for PE.
FRET-based luminescence sensors for carbohydrates and glycoproteins analysis

This paper describes the development of novel particle-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensors. It describes the fundamentals of FRET in heterogeneous systems and the application of the new sensors in monitoring the binding affinity of carbohydrates and glycoproteins to lectins, which are carbohydrate binding proteins. The sensing approach is based on FRET between fluorescein (donor) labeled lectin molecules, adsorbed on the surface of micrometric polymeric beads, and polymeric dextran molecules labeled with Texas Red (acceptor). The FRET signal of the sensor decreases in the presence of carbohydrates or glycoproteins that inhibit the binding of Texas Red-labeled dextran molecules to the lectinic binding sites. The new FRET sensors could discriminate between carbohydrates and glycoproteins based on their binding affinity to the FRET sensing particles. Thery were also used for quantitative analysis of carbohydrates and glycoproteins in aqueous samples.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Optical nutation echo in degenerate resonant systems

Abstract A method for demonstrating coherent interactions between optical radiation and degenerate resonance media is proposed. A delayed, “echo”-type effect is predicted. This effect can be used for direct measurement of optical transition moments.
FISH for MYC amplification and anti-MYC immunohistochemistry: useful diagnostic tools in the assessment of secondary angiosarcoma and atypical vascular proliferations.

Background: Secondary angiosarcoma and benign but microscopically atypical vascular proliferations (herein referred to as atypical vascular lesion or AVL) are rare consequences of radiation therapy and/or chronic lymphedema most commonly seen in breast cancer patients. Differentiating angiosarcoma from AVL can be difficult due to overlapping clinical and microscopic features. Recently, amplification of MYC has been associated with 55–100% of secondary angiosarcomas but is reportedly absent in AVL. We examined a series of secondary angiosarcoma and AVL for MYC amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and expression by immunohistochemistry to investigate the diagnostic utility for discriminating angiosarcoma from AVL. Methods: Cases of secondary angiosarcoma (n = 8) and AVL (n = 4) were retrieved from our archives and examined by FISH and immunohistochemistry. Results: All angiosarcoma cases (8/8 = 100%) demonstrated high-level MYC amplification by FISH, whereas all AVLs (0/4 = 0%) were negative for MYC amplification. Additionally, all angiosarcoma cases (8/8 = 100%) demonstrated nuclear positivity for MYC, whereas all AVLs (0/4 = 0%) were negative. Conclusion: Amplification of MYC and nuclear expression of MYC is present in secondary angiosarcoma but not AVL. These ancillary tests can be useful to distinguish angiosarcoma from AVL in difficult cases. Fernandez AP, Sun Y, Tubbs RR, Goldblum JR, Billings SD. FISH for MYC amplification and anti-MYC immunohistochemistry: useful diagnostic tools in the assessment of secondary angiosarcoma and atypical vascular proliferations.
AMP-activated protein kinase: a core signalling pathway in the heart

Over the past decade, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has emerged as an important intracellular signalling pathway in the heart. Activated AMPK stimulates the production of ATP by regulating key steps in both glucose and fatty acid metabolism. It has an inhibitory effect on cardiac protein synthesis. AMPK also interacts with additional intracellular signalling pathways in a coordinated network that modulates essential cellular processes in the heart. Evidence is accumulating that AMPK may protect the heart from ischaemic injury and limit the development of cardiac myocyte hypertrophy to various stimuli. Heart AMPK is activated by hormones, cytokines and oral hypoglycaemic drugs that are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The tumour suppressor LKB1 is the major regulator of AMPK activity, but additional upstream kinases and protein phosphatases also contribute. Mutations in the regulatory gamma2 subunit of AMPK lead to an inherited syndrome of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and ventricular pre-excitation, which appears to be due to intracellular glycogen accumulation. Future research promises to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for AMPK activation, novel downstream AMPK targets, and the therapeutic potential of targeting AMPK for the prevention and treatment of myocardial ischaemia or cardiac hypertrophy.
Pectoralis major myofascial flap: A valuable tool in contemporary head and neck reconstruction

Background. The pectoralis major myofascial (PMMF) unit is rapidly mobilized, reliable, and extremely useful in a number of clinical situations calling for vascularized soft-tissue coverage in the head and neck. Although free-tissue transfer has emerged as the preferred method of reconstruction for a,large variety of defects in the head and neck, the pectoralis major muscle should be considered when vascularized soft-tissue coverage is required in this area. Methods. A retrospective chart review of 24 PMMF flaps performed at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between January 1, 1991, and May 1, 1996, was undertaken. Outcomes were evaluated relative to accomplishing the established preoperative surgical goals. Results. Utilization of the PMMF flap was grouped according to four primary indications: (1) protection of threatened great vessels or free flap vascular pedicles in situations of wound breakdown due to fistula or infection (7 cases); (2) vascularized soft-tissue coverage of great vessels or free-flap vascular pedicles and prevention of potential wound breakdown in surgical defects in which compromised healing was anticipated (7 cases); (3) closure of small pharyngeal defects (2 cases); or (4) vascularized coverage of the mandible following debridement for osteoradionecrosis (8 cases). The PMMF flap was 100% successful when the surgical goal was to protect exposed vascular structures and promote wound healing in the presence of fistula or infection. The PMMF flap was 100% successful in the protection of vascular structures and prevention of wound breakdown in cases where compromised wound healing was anticipated. The PMMF flap provided closure, and a vascularized surface for mucosalization, when used to primarily reconstruct small pharyngeal defects. The PMMF flap provided definitive closure in 5 of 8 (62.5%) cases of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible when it was used to invest the remaining mandibular bone. Three of 8 cases (37.5%) required further surgical management and were considered failures. An acceptable cosmetic outcome was obtained in women undergoing this procedure by using an inframammary incision. The preoperative goal of the PMMF flap procedure was met in 21 of 24 (87.5%) cases. There was a major complication rate of 12.5% as well as a minor complication rate of 12.5%. Conclusion. In cases requiring the protection of vital vascular structures from infection, salivary secretions or skin flap breakdown, the PMMF flap should be considered. The PMMF flap is an excellent reconstructive option in selected clinical situations, where vascularized soft-tissue coverage is required in the head and neck.
Moisture uptake and its influence on pressurized metered-dose inhalers.

The objective of this study was to investigate moisture ingress into pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) containing hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants and the consequences of this ingress. Moisture ingress into the pMDIs containing tetrafluoroethane (HFA 134a) or heptafluoropropane (HFA 227) was evaluated and modeled. The influence of water level in pMDIs on the stability of pMDIs containing triamicinolone acetonide (TAA) and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) in terms of particle growth, fine particle fraction, and drug solubility in the propellant system was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, single-stage impaction, and HPLC. The water level in HFA-containing pMDIs increased during storage and the process obeyed a diffusion model. HFA 134a had a greater tendency to take up moisture from the environment than did HFA 227. Unlike TAA, the propensity for particle growth of the suspended BDP in HFA propellants was significantly depressed by the increase in water level...
An analytical method for computing atomic contact areas in biomolecules

We propose a new analytical method for detecting and computing contacts between atoms in biomolecules. It is based on the alpha shape theory and proceeds in three steps. First, we compute the weighted Delaunay triangulation of the union of spheres representing the molecule. In the second step, the Delaunay complex is filtered to derive the dual complex. Finally, contacts between spheres are collected. In this approach, two atoms i and j are defined to be in contact if their centers are connected by an edge in the dual complex. The contact areas between atom i and its neighbors are computed based on the caps formed by these neighbors on the surface of i; the total area of all these caps is partitioned according to their spherical Laguerre Voronoi diagram on the surface of i. This method is analytical and its implementation in a new program BallContact is fast and robust. We have used BallContact to study contacts in a database of 1551 high resolution protein structures. We show that with this new definition of atomic contacts, we generate realistic representations of the environments of atoms and residues within a protein. In particular, we establish the importance of nonpolar contact areas that complement the information represented by the accessible surface areas. This new method bears similarity to the tessellation methods used to quantify atomic volumes and contacts, with the advantage that it does not require the presence of explicit solvent molecules if the surface of the protein is to be considered. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electron beam depth profiling in semiconductors

SUMMARY A technique for depth profiling of semiconductors is described based upon the measurement of induced junction currents as a function of beam energy. Using the known energy loss relation and electron hole pair generation rate it is possible to infer quantitative information about the semiconductor structures as a function of depth between ∼0·02 and ∼5 μm for silicon. Examples of the application of the technique to implanted and electron beam pulse annealed silicon and to a JFET transistor are described. Calculations of diffusion length limits, junction depths, poly-silicon thickness, epitaxial layer thickness and surface recombination velocity are discussed.
Dynamic cluster resource allocations for jobs with known and unknown memory demands

The cluster system we consider for load sharing is a compute farm which is a pool of networked server nodes providing high-performance computing for CPU-intensive, memory-intensive, and I/O active jobs in a batch mode. Existing resource management systems mainly target at balancing the usage of CPU loads among server nodes. With the rapid advancement of CPU chips, memory and disk access speed improvements significantly lag behind advancement of CPU speed, increasing the penalty for data movement, such as page faults and I/O operations, relative to normal CPU operations. Aiming at reducing the memory resource contention caused by page faults and I/O activities, we have developed and examined load sharing policies by considering effective usage of global memory in addition to CPU load balancing in clusters. We study two types of application workloads: 1) Memory demands are known in advance or are predictable and 2) memory demands are unknown and dynamically changed during execution. Besides using workload traces with known memory demands, we have also made kernel instrumentation to collect different types of workload execution traces to capture dynamic memory access patterns. Conducting different groups of trace-driven simulations, we show that our proposed policies can effectively improve overall job execution performance by well utilizing both CPU and memory resources with known and unknown memory demands.
Assessment of leaching potential of highly leaded jewelry.

Abstract Lead is a potent neurotoxin particularly toxic to young children, and in response to recent poisonings of children and high levels of lead contamination in children's jewelry, US regulatory standards for lead content in these items have become much more stringent. Parents are often advised to throw out suspect items in the trash. While household wastes are generally exempt from consideration as hazardous waste, the potential for leaching of hazardous quantities of lead from such items is unknown. A modified Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), in which intact jewelry components were subjected to leaching, was used to evaluate the potential for leaching of lead from highly leaded jewelry. Of 62 jewelry components tested, 61 exceeded the US regulatory standard for lead of 5 mg/L, and leachate lead concentrations averaged 1460 mg/L. Twenty-six of the component items tested yielded TCLP lead concentrations exceeding 1000 mg/L. These results demonstrate that highly leaded jewelry items may leach significant amounts of lead, and provide another reason to remove lead from these products. Furthermore, these results suggest that while the volume of such items in the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream is small, they have the potential to contribute significant quantities of lead to MSW leachates.
Estimating Genetic Composition in Introgressed Largemouth Bass Populations: Does Age Matter?

Abstract In estimating population-level introgression for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides populations, it is unclear which age-class, if any, is most appropriate to sample and what biases may be introduced by the sampling of specific age-classes. Estimates of introgression between Florida largemouth bass M. salmoides floridanus and northern largemouth bass M. salmoides salmoides in six populations were made based on seven microsatellite loci from different age-classes and combinations of age-classes. Levels of introgression were not significantly different for 40 of 42 pairwise age-class comparisons within reservoirs or for five of six comparisons between age-0 fish and adults. In addition, measures of precision based on each estimate were similar within reservoirs. These results suggest that age-0 largemouth bass samples can be used to make accurate and precise estimates of introgression at the population level. However, these results also suggest that alternate year-classes or combinations of year...
Simian virus 40 and human tumors: It is time to study mechanisms.

Several studies found simian virus 40 (SV40) in 47% to 83% of human mesotheliomas. Mesotheliomas are malignant tumors of the pleura and peritoneum, firmly associated with asbestos exposure. In this issue, Gazdar and colleagues [Shivapurkar et al., 1999] found that SV40 is present only in the malignant cells and not in the surrounding stromal cells. Using the microdissection technique, they found SV40 in 54% of 93 mesotheliomas of the epithelial type. The surrounding reactive stromal cells, (20 lung cancers and 14 mesotheliomas of the sarcomatoid/fibrous type) did not contain SV40, confirming the specificity of their positive findings. Furthermore, SV40 was found in 14% of 14 non-malignant reactive mesothelial cell proliferations. In 12 cases of mesothelioma a noninvasive (or in situ) component was also identified. In all four cases in which SV40 sequences were present in the invasive component, sequences were also present in the accompanying noninvasive component. These data suggest that the virus resides in the mesothelial cells prior to tumor development. The data address the remaining concerns raised at an International Meeting organized by the NIH, FDA, and CDC in 1997 to definitively associate SV40 with human mesothelioma. It is time now to investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of this association, and if SV40-infected mesothelial cells are more susceptible to other carcinogens, such as asbestos. Furthermore, we must investigate the interaction between the host immune system and SV40-infected mesothelial cells, and study if the immunosuppressive activity of asbestos interferes with tumor rejection. These studies should lead to a better understanding of mesothelioma pathogenesis, and possibly to new therapeutic approaches aimed at interfering with the expression of the SV40 genome and/or at eliciting a strong immune response against SV40 infected mesothelial cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 76:189–193, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ecdysteroid biosynthesis in the crustacean Y-organ and control by an eyestalk neuropeptide

The endocrine axis is described that controls growth, molting, and regeneration in crustaceans: The ecdysial glands (Y-organs), sources of ecdysteroid hormones, and eyestalk neurosecretory centers, sources of a putative peptide (molt-inhibiting hormone, MIH) that exerts negative control of Y-organ function. Current knowledge of the physiology of these components is briefly reviewed, and in this context Y-organs are discussed as useful models for study of steroidogenesis generally in animals at the cellular and molecular levels. Data are emphasized that demonstrate the utilization of cholesterol by Y-organs for biosynthesis of at least two ecdysteroid secretion products, and suppression of the process by MIH. Evidence from radioactive tracer experiments is presented to show that (a) cholesterol in circulating hemolymph and in vitro in the presence of hemolymph serum is quantitatively bound to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), (b) Y-organs take up cholesterol by an active process, and (c) uptake is greatly accelerated in the absence of MIH (eyestalks absent) or inhibited by eyestalk extract. Results of in vitro experiments with 125I-labeled HDL suggest that the HDL-cholesterol complex is taken into Y-organ cells mediated by receptors for the HDL apoprotein. Measured as a function of HDL concentration in the medium, cellular acid-precipitable radioactivity (HDL uptake), acid-soluble radioactivity (HDL degradation), and ecdysone secretion each exhibited saturation kinetics. Also, at saturation levels of external HDL, uptake, degradation, and secretion were significantly higher in Y-organs from de-eyestalked crabs than in glands from intact crabs.
Short-Course Antimicrobial Treatment for Acute Otitis Media: Not Best for Infants and Young Children

IN RECENT years a number of authors—this author among them—have called for restricting, in varying degree, the use of antimicrobials in treating otitis media. 1-5 Two factors have prompted these recommendations: compelling evidence that selective pressure from antimicrobial use contributes importantly to the rising prevalence of infections caused by multidrug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae , 6,7 and the fact that otitis media accounts for a large proportion of all antimicrobial use. For example, in 1986, of 44.5 million office-based prescriptions for antimicrobials for children younger than 10 years, 42% were for otitis media 8 ; while in 1990,1 or more drugs—mainly antimicrobials—were prescribed at more than 80% of the estimated 24.5 million visits to physicians' offices for otitis media. 9,10 Of those visits, children younger than 2 years accounted for 33.3%; children aged 2 to 5 years, 29.2%; and children aged 6 to 14 years, 17.9%. 9 In a recent prospective study, antimicrobial
Modeling tuberculosis in nonhuman primates

Nonhuman primates have emerged as an excellent model of human tuberculosis, in large part because they recapitulate the full spectrum of infection outcome and pathology seen in humans. Several variables inherent to the nonhuman primate models of tuberculosis are discussed in this review, including the monkey species, Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, and routes of infection, all of which can influence the model to be chosen for various studies. New technologies for studying the microbiology, immunology, and pathogenesis of tuberculosis in nonhuman primates have greatly expanded the capabilities of this model for basic and translational studies, including the development and testing of new treatment and prevention strategies for tuberculosis.
Classification of microcalcifications in digital mammograms for the diagnosis of breast cancer

We are developing a computer program for automated classification of clustered microcalcifications associated with benign and malignant processes in mammograms. Accurate classification of microcalcifications into benign and malignant groups would help improve diagnosis sensitivity as well as reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies. In this study we investigate the effectiveness of several image features and the proposed neural network, the Trend-Oriented Radial Basis Function (TRBF). Our database is composed of 47 benign and 81 malignant region of interest (ROI) images, a total of 128 ROIs, which are selected from 50 micron by 50 micron digitized whole mammograms manually. Each 256 by 256 pixel ROI image contains clustered microcalcifications. First we extract 16 image features which are calculated from a binarized microcalcifications image and its two morphological dilation images. These features are based on 3 morphological criteria: (1) size and/or shape of the calcifications, (2) size or shape of the 'cluster,' and (3) number of microcalcifications. Secondly, we apply Karhunen-Loeve (K-L) expansion to 16 dimension feature space in order to reduce the dimension of the problem. Next we select two dimensional K-L features, which are outcomes of K-L expansion, through a calculation of the Euclidean distance measure. Finally we classify them based on two dimensional K-L features using the proposed neural network. The proposed TRBF neural network has three layers and a new learning algorithm. Its cost function for the learning process consists of a sum of squares error and a sum of inverse RBFs width. Through the learning process, the center and the width of each RBF and the weights between hidden and output layers are decided. The performances of the K-L features and the TRBF neural network are evaluated through the round-robin method in which one sample is tested after learning based on the rest of 127 samples. The two dimensional K-L features are more distinguishable than the raw two dimensional feature combination. The proposed TRBF network is able to define the trend of the distribution better than former RBF networks. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, this system indicates a better performance than one trained radiologist.
A Short and Simple Economic Critique of the Case for Drilling in ANWR

Since the election of Barack Obama as president, the debate over offshore drilling for oil, in particular Alaska's ANWR coastal plain with its large reserves, had been quiet. Then, in March 2010, Obama surprised both supporters and detractors by proposing a plan to approve offshore drilling. The Obama proposal is still a cautious one, but this author argues that demands for more drilling could accelerate. He makes clear that drilling in ANWR would not have significantly lowered U. S. oil prices or imports nor will it in the future.
Immobilization of Proteins on Gold Coated Porous Membranes Via an Activated Self-Assembled Monolayer of Thioctic Acid

A new methodology for efficient protein (e.g., antibodies, enzymes, etc.) immobilization on microporous nylon membranes for use in a variety of bioanalytical systems is introduced. The method utilizes an activated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of thioctic acid on gold coated forms of the membranes. Via a carbodiimide mediated reaction, the protein is anchored to the gold surface through an amide bond with the terminal carboxyl group of the adsorbed thioctic acid. The immobilization efficiency is high (∼95% for a monoclonal immunoglobulin G(IgG) and the surface bound protein appears to be stable enough to resist any displacement by other proteins in a matrix as complex as serum. Immunological activity of immobilized antibody is retained as demonstrated via use of such membrances in colorimetric ELISA for human chorionic gonadatropin (hCG). The high protein immobilization efficiency, the high tensile strength of microporous nylon membranes, and the excellent electrochemical characteristics of gold make this approach very attractive for preparing biomembranes that should be useful in affinity chromatography, electrochemical immunosensing systems, flow-through enzyme reactors, etc.