cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Airborne Disease Transmission Risk and Energy Impact of HVAC Mitigation Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused renewed attention on the ways in which building HVAC systems may be operated to mitigate the risk of airborne disease transmission. The most common suggestion is to increase outdoor-air ventilation rates so as to dilute the concentrations of infectious aerosol particles indoors. Although this strategy does reduce the likelihood of disease spread, it is often much more costly than other strategies that provide equivalent particle removal or deactivation. To address this tradeoff and arrive at practical recommendations, we explain how different mitigation strategies can be expressed in terms of equivalent outdoor air (EOA) to provide a common basis for energy analysis. We then show the effects of each strategy on EOA delivery and energy cost in simulations of realistic buildings in a variety of climates. Key findings are that in-duct filtration is often the most efficient mitigation strategy, while significant risk reduction generally requires increasing total airflow to the system, either through adjusted HVAC setpoints or standalone disinfection devices.
Actin matrix of dendritic spines, synaptic plasticity, and long-term potentiation.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the composition of the spine cytoplasm along with the synaptic activity generated by the spine. Dendritic spines are appendage-like outgrowths of dendrites. They contain an enlarged terminal part (the spine head) and a slender stalk connecting the head with the parent dendrite. A small protrusion emanating from the spine head into the axon terminal contacting the dendritic spine is termed as “spinule.” Dendritic spines are endowed with a considerable degree of plasticity because they are readily modified by stimulation and changes in the environment. Synaptic plasticity is considered one of the most important properties of the brain as it allows for adaptive changes in the brain in response to past events and experiences. The spine apparatus (SA) consists of parallel membranous sacs that alternate with plates of dense material, which are contacted by dendritic microtubules during development. The SA membranous sacs are in continuity with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) of the parent dendrite. The absence of cytoplasmic organelles from the spine allows for a full use of the actin cytomatrix, which is particularly dense. Out of the entire neuron, the dendritic spines contain the highest density of actin filaments, which are arranged in such a way as to determine the characteristic shape of the spine.
Biochemical studies of bacterial sporulation and germination. 8. Patterns of enzyme development during growth and sporulation of Baccillus subtilis.

The levels of eight enzymes from several different metabolic pathways were determined during growth and sporulation, as well as in the mature spore, of Bacillus subtilis. Three different patterns of development were observed. In one, the levels of DNA polymerase, adenylate kinase, and nucleoside phosphorylase closely followed that of total protein throughout growth and sporulation. In a second pattern, arginase, malic dehydrogenase, and ornithine transcarbamylase were undetectable in log phase cells and appeared only after the end of this period. In the third, aspartic transcarbamylase and IMP dehydrogenase were present during exponential phase but disappeared by the time of appearance of refractile spores. The pattern of development of several of these enzymes was different in an asporogenous, protease-negative strain. The susceptibility of certain of these enzymes to protease activity in extracts was observed, suggesting a possible role for protease elaborated during sporulation. In most instances, the specific activities of the enzymes in the spore were similar to their levels in stationary phase cells at the time of forespore formation. Certain enzymes were absent from spores or were present at very low levels. The results are discussed in relation to possible mechanisms for the origin of proteins found in the spore core.
Mapping the invisible colleges of R&D Management

R&D Management has consistently been considered one of the top technology and innovation management journals since its inaugural issue in 1970. The purpose of this paper is to use bibliometric techniques to examine R&D Management in four time periods, 1986–1990, 1991–1995, 1996–2000, and 2001–2005 in order to reveal changes in its intellectual base. Bibliometric research has illuminated the knowledge domains of several technology and innovation management journals including R&D Management Linton and Thongpapanl, but there has not previously been a comprehensive detailed analysis focused only on R&D Management. Using co-citation analysis, this paper identifies the invisible colleges (research networks) associated with publications in R&D Management. The results indicate that Cohen and Levinthal's absorptive capacity model dominates the final two periods. The conclusions suggest how the absorptive capacity model might be more effectively utilized in future R&D Management research.
DNA sequence abnormalities of human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants.

Over 400 supposedly biochemically and genetically distinct variants of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) have been described in the past. In order to investigate these variants at the DNA sequence level we have now determined the relevant sequences of introns of G6PD and describe a method which allows us to rapidly determine the sequence of the entire coding region of G6PD. This technique was applied to six variants that cause G6PD deficiency to be functionally so severe as to result in nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. Although the patients were all unrelated, G6PD Marion, Gastonia, and Minnesota each had identical mutations, a G→T at nucleotide (nt) 637 in exon 6 leading to a Val→Leu substitution at amino acid 213. The mutations of Nashville and Anaheim were identical to each other, viz. G→A at nt 1178 in exon 10 producing a Arg→His substitution at amino acid 393. G6PD Loma Linda had a C→A substitution at nt 1089 in exon 10, producing a Asn→Lys change at amino acid 363. The results confirm our earlier results suggesting that the NADP-binding site is in a small region of exon 10 and suggest the possibility that this area is also concerned with the binding of glucose-6-P.
An evaluation of automata algorithms for string analysis

There has been significant recent interest in automated reasoning techniques, in particular constraint solvers, for string variables. These techniques support a wide variety of clients, ranging from static analysis to automated testing. The majority of string constraint solvers rely on finite automata to support regular expression constraints. For these approaches, performance depends critically on fast automata operations such as intersection, complementation, and determinization. Existing work in this area has not yet provided conclusive results as to which core algorithms and data structures work best in practice.In this paper, we study a comprehensive set of algorithms and data structures for performing fast automata operations. Our goal is to provide an apples-to-apples comparison between techniques that are used in current tools. To achieve this, we re-implemented a number of existing techniques. We use an established set of regular expressions benchmarks as an indicative workload. We also include several techniques that, to the best of our knowledge, have not yet been used for string constraint solving. Our results show that there is a substantial performance difference across techniques, which has implications for future tool design.
Merging Metadata and Content-Based Retrieval

Educational digital libraries employ resource discovery systems that are aimed at providing educators and learners with curriculum materials to support learning in both formal and informal settings. The article describes a "hybrid" educational resource discovery system, which combines metadata and content-based retrieval methods. This hybrid system was implemented and evaluated in the context of the Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE). A pilot study was conducted to compare this hybrid system with an existing metadata-based system, with the aim of finding out if the hybrid system helps educators locate relevant resources with less effort. The results of the study suggest that the hybrid system decreased the variability in the number of user actions required to locate learning resources. The hybrid system interface featured embedded links, pointing to inner pages within a larger compound learning resource; study participants made use of these embedded links to locate individual learning objects.
Correlation of Ultrastructure in Azotobacter vinelandii with Nitrogen Source for Growth

Azotobacter synthesizes an extensive internal membranous nework when grown with air (N(2)), i.e., under conditions when these bacteria fix nitrogen. Very slight quantities of internal membrane, concentrated mainly about the cell periphery, are formed when Azotobacter grows with fixed nitrogen, i.e., ammonia and amino acids. Compared to cells growing with ammonia, cells utilizing atmospheric nitrogen as the sole nitrogen source are smaller in size and volume, grow one-third slower, and lack detectable poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate.
Validation of a knowledge-based system: the ICE case

The authors present results from a validation study conducted on a knowledge-based system called ICE (Information Center Expert). The ICE system was developed to determine the software requirements of end-users and make appropriate recommendations. It incorporates the expertise of consultants from IBM/Endicott, IBM Tucson and the Center for the Management of Information (CMI) at the University of Arizona. It is found that the performance of ICE is comparable to that of the consultants at CMI. It is noted that the real use for ICE is as a front end to the consulting process that will enable CMI consultants to restrict their efforts to exceptional cases, i.e. cases that are not adequately covered by the ICE system. This alteration to the consulting process would enhance the effectiveness of the software selection process for users and also prove helpful to the consultants by reducing the number of situations requiring their attention. >
Possibility of autocrine β-adrenergic signaling in C2C12 myotubes

Levodopa reportedly inhibits insulin action in skeletal muscle. Here we show that C2C12 myotubes produce levodopa and that insulin-stimulated glucose transport is enhanced when endogenous levodopa ...
Regression Discontinuity: Integrating Research and Program Design in Programs for the Gifted.

This article suggests a means by which school personnel can make use of regression discontinuity in order to plan, implement, and evaluate their programs. It outlines how research data can illumina...
BREAST CANCER IN RELATION TO THE OCCURRENCE AND TIME OF INDUCED AND SPONTANEOUS ABORTION

The authors evaluated whether an induced or spontaneous abortion during the first six months of gestation, particularly if it occurs before the first term pregnancy, increases the risk of breast cancer. Data from a case-control study of women under 70 years of age were used: 3,200 cases of breast cancer were compared with 4,844 controls with nonmalignant nongynecologic conditions. Among both nulliparous and parous women, the risk of breast cancer was not related to the number of induced or spontaneous abortions. After allowance for all identified potential confounding factors, the estimated relative risk for nulliparous women with an induced abortion relative to those who had never been pregnant was 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-2.2), and for spontaneous abortion, the corresponding estimate was 0.9 (95% CI 0.5-1.5). Among parous women, the estimated relative risks were 1.2 (95% CI 0.9-1.6) for an induced abortion and 0.9 (95% CI 0.8-1.0) for a spontaneous abortion, relative to never having had an abortion of any type. The time of the abortion had little effect: The relative risk estimates were 0.9 (95% CI 0.5-1.4) for induced abortion before the first term birth, 1.4 (95% CI 1.0-1.9) for induced abortion first occurring after the first term birth, 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.2) for spontaneous abortion before the first term birth, and 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.0) for spontaneous abortion first occurring after the first term birth. Similar results were evident for women under age 40, among whom the frequency of induced abortion was relatively high. These data suggest that the risk of breast cancer is not materially affected by abortion, regardless of whether it occurs before or after the first term birth.
A low-frequency near-field interferometric-TOA 3-D Lightning Mapping Array

We report on the development of an easily deployable LF near-field interferometric-time of arrival (TOA) 3-D Lightning Mapping Array applied to imaging of entire lightning flashes. An interferometric cross-correlation technique is applied in our system to compute windowed two-sensor time differences with submicrosecond time resolution before TOA is used for source location. Compared to previously reported LF lightning location systems, our system captures many more LF sources. This is due mainly to the improved mapping of continuous lightning processes by using this type of hybrid interferometry/TOA processing method. We show with five station measurements that the array detects and maps different lightning processes, such as stepped and dart leaders, during both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground flashes. Lightning images mapped by our LF system are remarkably similar to those created by VHF mapping systems, which may suggest some special links between LF and VHF emission during lightning processes.
Surface composition of atmospheric aerosol: individual particle characterization by TOF-SIMS

Size segregated atmospheric aerosol samples collected from the summer 2000 Montana forest fires, from Hawaiian sea salt, and from an Asian Dust event reaching Salt Lake City, Utah, in April 2001 have been studied. Multivariate statistical analysis has been used to extract information from the SIMS images. Images of the particles have been separated from the image background, which significantly improved our ability to acquire the composition of individual aerosol particles. Montana forest fire aerosol was predominantly submicrometer, well within the respirable range (PM2.5), and had a characteristic surface composition identified as the amides of stearic acid and palmitic acid. Sea salt showed a layered structure of organic compounds on the surface of aqueous NaCl. The Asian Dust event could be clearly distinguished from normal Salt Lake City particulate pollution.
Court-Ordered vs. Voluntary Treatment of Abusive and Neglectful Parents.

The effects of voluntary vs. court-mandated participation in a comprehensive child abuse and neglect treatment program were compared. The treatment program offered therapeutic family day care for the children of preschool age, group sessions for the parents, and home treatment for the entire family. The impact of the program was noted in the quality of the affective interaction between parents and children and disciplinary methods used, among other measures. Families in voluntary and court-ordered treatment participated in the program at comparable levels. They increased significantly their use of praise and descriptive praise in their interaction with their children, and reduced drastically their use of criticism; however, they continued to attend to their children's annoying behaviors. The overall results of this comparison indicate that court-mandated treatment does not necessarily render abusive and neglectful parents less amenable to treatment.
Inferring Black Carbon Concentrations in Particulate Organic Matter by Observing Pyrene Fluorescence Losses

Black carbon (BC), the soot and char formed during incomplete combustion of fossil and biomass fuels, is ubiquitous, participates in diverse environmental processes, and has adverse effects on human health. However, uncertainty persists regarding how accurately the present measurement methods quantify total BC or even defined subportions of the BC continuum. Hence, we sought to improve this situation by developing a new, low-sample manipulation methodology that does not require any oxidative or pyrolytic treatments but rather differentiates BC from other non-BC organic carbon (OC) using its sorbent properties. The procedure, referred to as the pyrene fluorescence loss (PFL) method, infers BC concentrations in particulate organic matter (POM) by observing the decrease in fluorescence from pyrene spiked into aqueous POM suspensions. The method was first tested using diverse materials previously utilized in an international BC method intercomparison study, and then its effectiveness (e.g., sensitivity and geochemical reasonableness) was tested by applying itto sediment and seawater POM samples collected from a coastal area downwind of important BC sources. Parallel evaluation of BC, using the PFL method and CTO-375 procedure, suggested we can characterize the predominant BC in a given sample as (i) thermally recalcitrant and highly sorptive per mass (e.g., soot), (ii) thermally labile and highly sorptive per mass (e.g., char), or (iii) thermally recalcitrant but not highly sorptive (e.g., lignite coal).
Paramagnetic impurities and proton motion in NH+4 beta and NH+4-H3O+ beta″ alumina

Abstract We have made EPR measurements on our samples of NH + 4 beta and NH + 4 -H 3 O + beta” alumina and found that they contain the paramagnetic impurity Mn +2 . Proton relaxation times (T 1 and T 2 ) have been made on these compounds using NMR pulse (10.3 and 18.0 MHz) techniques over the temperature range of 77 to 475K. The observed relaxation behavior suggests that protonic diffusion takes place and is discussed in terms of the Mn +2 paramagnetic impurity concentration. It is proposed that the Mn +2 paramagnetic impurity governs the relaxation behavior of protons when translation occurs. We report an angular dependence of the form 1/T 2 ∝ (3 cos 2 θ - 1) 2 for protons in single crystals of these compounds where θ is the angle between the crystal’s c-axis and the dc magnetic field direction. This angular dependence is discussed in terms of the two dimensional diffusion theory of Avogadro and Villa.
Evidence-based treatment algorithm for mild to moderate Crohn's disease

Therapies demonstrated to be effective in randomized, controlled trials for induction of remission in patients with mildly to moderately active Crohn's disease include sulfasalazine, budesonide, and oral corticosteroids administered for 8-16 wk. Patients who relapse within 6-12 months after discontinuation of induction therapy should be treated with another cycle of induction therapy and then receive maintenance therapy with an immunosuppressive agent (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate). Long term treatment with budesonide 6-9 mg q.d. might be an alternative to immunosuppressive maintenance therapy in patients who relapse within 6-12 months after discontinuation and in prednisone-dependent patients.
Bounded straight-line approximation of digitized planar curves and lines

Abstract A simple and efficient algorithm has been developed which approximates data points defining planar lines and curves by means of linear segments that are constrained to pass within specified distances of the points. The algorithm determines a set of longest segments and thus can be used with good effect to economize on the representation of graphical information. The procedure can operate in quadratic time or in linear time when a fixed amount of computer memory is used for less than optimal economization of line segments. The algorithm can be used in the representation of line drawings, illustration, boundaries of two-level images, with scanning digitizers, and in interactive computer graphics systems.
BLIND METHODS OF SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION

This paper reviews the basic identifiability conditions and identification methods for blind system identification. This review focuses on the exploitation of the second-order statistics of the system output. The blind methods vary significantly according to the categories of the systems: i.e., single-input, single-output (SISO) systems, single-input, multiple-output (SIMO) systems, or multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) systems. For SISO systems, the blind methods require white input and minimum phase frequency response. For SIMO systems, the blind methods can generally yield the exact identification up to a scalar using a finite set of data. For MIMO systems, the blind identifiability conditions and the blind methods are much more involved.
Void fractions in two‐phase flow

Void fractions (fraction of the flow cross-sectional area occupied by the gas phase) have been measured for steam-water flows in an adiabatic, horizontal test section of 0.484 in. I.D. at 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 1b./sq. in. gauge. A comprehensive survey of void data for two-phase concurrent flow is included in the paper, and the data, including the Martinelli and homogeneous flow model predictions, are compared. System characteristics, involving one- and two-component flows in horizontal and vertical test sections with and without heat transfer over a range of flow ratios, total flow rates, and pressure, are too complex, and the data available are neither extensive nor precise enough to warrant the generation of over-all correlations. Use of the void data in correlating two-phase frictional pressure drops is discussed. A model has been presented for the prediction of critical flows based upon the void data, and calculations have been made for steam-water critical flows over a range of critical pressures from 15 to 2,000 1b./sq. in. abs.
Most Natural and Propane (LP) Gas Service Users Report Not Having Electronic Gas Detectors

Gas leaks in buildings can cause explosions and fire, which can result in serious burns, death and/or property damage. Since people may not smell the odorants added to natural and propane gas for a variety of reasons (e.g., being congested or asleep) electronic gas detectors could assist in detecting gas leaks. This study examined the extent to which electronic gas detectors are being used by persons reporting that they receive gas service. Three hundred seventy six participants were asked whether they have gas service at their residence and if so, what kind. Also they were asked what kinds of electronic gas detectors they had. Results showed that about half of the participants had gas service. While almost everyone reported having smoke detectors in their residence (whether or not they received gas service), less than half of the gas service users reported having a carbon monoxide detector. Very few gas service users (about 9%) reported having electronic gas detectors. Implications for warning about gas ...
Position paper on laparoscopic antireflux operations in infants and children for gastroesophageal reflux disease

The use of the laparoscopic approach to perform antireflux procedures has increased dramatically since its introduction in 1991. To date, no prospective randomized studies comparing open surgery to the minimal invasive approach in children have been reported. Many retrospective reviews and case series have demonstrated that laparoscopic antireflux procedures are safe and effective once the learning curve is achieved. This position paper is coauthored by the New Technology Committee of the American Pediatric Surgery Association. The goal is to discuss the ongoing controversies and summarize the available evidence to identify the risks and benefits of laparoscopic antireflux procedures.
A new species of Alternaria on fruit of Phoenix dactylifera.

Coloniae in agaro Czapekii effusae, atro-olivaceae usque atrea; hyphis hyalinis, 3-6 i in diam., septatis, ramosis; conidiophoris simplicibus vel ramosis, septatis, tenuibus, ad apices non inflatis; 3-8 IA in diam., usque 200 iA longis, tenuiter tunicatis, cellulis apicalibus atro-brunnescentibus, geniculatis, cicatricosis et latioribus quam cellulis hyalinis basilaribus; conidiis acrogenis, solitariis vel 2-3-catenulatis, brunneo-olivaceis, vetustis obscurescentibus, crasse tunicatis, verrucosis, forma variis, ovalibus, ovatis, rotundis, subangularibus vel obclavatis, ad septa constrictulis, muriformibus, septis transversalibus 0-9 (plerumque 1-4), longitudinalibus 0-3, magnitudine variis, rostro incluso 14-77 /A (plerumque 16-28 i^) longis, 10-17 is latis, mediis 26.1 x 12.7 Is, rostratis vel erostratis; conidiis secundariis acrogenis e rostris conidiorum primariorum conidiophora secundaria formantibus productis. Hab. in fructibus Phoenicis dactyliferac L., Indio, California.
Tissue Culture of Rat Tympanal Mesenchyme

Mesenchyme from the rat's middle ear has been successfully grown in vitro, proving that this tissue does not have the intrinsic property of self-destruction since it was kept in a healthy, multiplying state long after its in vivo counterpart had perished. Three basic cell types were seen the commonest of which was the stellate mesenchymal cell which showed capacity for modulation to an epithelioid type and, most strikingly, a propensity for massive lipid accumulation. Less common were fibroblasts and true epithelial cells derived from branchial pouch entoderm.
Effects of orally administered insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls on the parasite fauna of two species of piscivorous birds.

Abstract A study was initiated to determine the effects of various levels of ingested DDT and its metabolites and polychlorinated biphenyls on young double-crested cormorants, Phalacrocorax a. auritus, and white pelicans, Pelencanus erythrorhynchos. One phase of this research was concerned with the effects of ingested insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls on the parasite fauna of these birds. Statistical analysis indicated a decrease in the numbers of ectoparasites on the feathers of cormorants as dosage of insecticides and as residue levels on the feathers increased. Similar results were noted with ectoparasites and gular lice of white pelicans receiving a daily dosage of either polychlorinated biphenyls or a mixture of DDT, DDD, and DDE. There were no significant differences in the numbers of endoparasites between the control and treated birds in either the cormorants or pelicans.
Thinking about muscles: The neuromuscular effects of attentional focus on accuracy and fatigue

Although the effects of attention on movement execution are well documented behaviorally, much less research has been done on the neurophysiological changes that underlie attentional focus effects. This study presents two experiments exploring effects of attention during an isometric plantar-flexion task using surface electromyography (sEMG). Participants' attention was directed either externally (towards the force plate they were pushing against) or internally (towards their own leg, specifically the agonist muscle). Experiment 1 tested the effects of attention on accuracy and efficiency of force produced at three target forces (30, 60, and 100% of the maximum voluntary contraction; MVC). An internal focus of attention reduced the accuracy of force being produced and increased cocontraction of the antagonist muscle. Error on a given trial was positively correlated with the magnitude of cocontraction on that trial. Experiment 2 tested the effects of attention on muscular fatigue at 30, 60 and 100%MVC. An internal focus of attention led to less efficient intermuscular coordination, especially early in the contraction. These results suggest that an internal focus of attention disrupts efficient motor control in force production resulting in increased cocontraction, which potentially explains other neuromechanical findings (e.g. reduced functional variability with an internal focus).
Equally poor outcomes to pegylated interferon-based therapy in African Americans and Hispanics with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Objectives: Treatment response to pegylated interferon based regimen is different between African Americans and Whites, but little comparable data is available comparing Hispanics and African Americans. Patients: We retrospectively evaluated the rate of success in the treatment completion and response to peginterferon α-2a or α-2b plus ribavirin in 103 (male:female-69:34) hepatitis C virus (HCV)-polymerase chain reaction positive patients that included 68 Hispanic and 35 African Americans. Methods: Patients were treated with peginterferon α-2a 180mcg/wk (n = 25) or peginterferon α-2b 1.5 mcg/kg/wk (N = 78) and ribavirin 1000 to 1200 mg/d for 24 weeks (genotype 2 and 3) or 48 weeks (genotype 1 and 4) based on the genotype of the patient. Treatment was discontinued if the patients failed to have a 2-log drop in viral load after 12 weeks of treatment. Primary aim of the study was to evaluate success in completing a scheduled duration of pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment in patients with chronic HCV infection and the reasons for discontinuation of the treatment. The secondary aim was to look for the end of treatment virologic response and sustained virologic response. The analysis was conducted by intention-to-treat. Results: Of the 103 patients included in the study, 50 (48.5%) patients dropped out of the treatment because of side effects of the drug or noncompliance to the treatment protocol or alternate reasons; 44 (42.7%) of them could not continue beyond 12 weeks of therapy. There were no significant differences in the drop out rate between the African American [15 (43%)] and Hispanic [35 (51.5%)] patients (P = 0.41). Overall, 41% of the patients completed the scheduled 24 week or 48 week treatment. HCV genotype-1 was the most prevalent genotype in both African Americans and Hispanics (88.6% vs. 75%, P = 0.10). Overall end of the treatment response (ETR) was 29.1% (30/103) and sustained virologic response (SVR) was 23.3% (24/103) in this population. No significant differences were noted in the ETR (20% vs. 34%, P = 0.14) and the SVR (20% vs. 25%, P = 0.57) between the African Americans and Hispanics. When data were analyzed by genotype, overall SVR rates were 14.6% (12/82) in genotype 1 versus 57% (12/21) in genotype 2/3/4 (P < 0.0001). Both these ethnic groups had comparable response rates when only patients with genotype-1 were considered 5/31 (16.1%) versus 7/51 (13.7%, P = 0.76). Conclusions: A significant proportion of the African Americans and Hispanics referred for HCV treatment with pegylated interferon dropped out early in the therapy, suggesting possible racial, socioeconomic, and cultural barriers in successful treatment for chronic HCV infection. Overall, both groups had similar poor response rates, well below those reported for White patients. As is true for the general population, patients with nongenotype 1 infection had a significantly better ETR and SVR.
Tension gastrothorax: a case report and review of literature

Abstract Background Tension gastrothorax develops when the stomach, herniated through a congenital diaphragmatic defect into the thorax, is massively distended by trapped air. We report a case of tension gastrothorax and review the literature. Case Report A previously healthy 8-month-old female presented with severe respiratory distress, misdiagnosed as tension pneumothorax. Intercostal tube was inserted. The tube was noted to drain food as well as air. The patient was investigated by radio-contrast swallow, which demonstrated the presence of the stomach in the chest. The patient was operated upon, and the stomach, transverse colon, and spleen were reduced back to the abdomen. The defects in the stomach and diaphragm were closed. Conclusion Tension gastrothorax is a life-threatening condition leading to acute and severe respiratory distress. The presence of air-filled structure in left hemithorax in a previously healthy child presenting with acute respiratory distress should prompt the inclusion of tension gastrothorax in the differential diagnosis.
Chitosan-based gastrointestinal delivery systems

Chitosan, a natural polymer obtained by alkaline deacetylation of chitin, is non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. These properties make chitosan a good candidate for the development of conventional and novel gastrointestinal (GI) drug and gene delivery systems. The objective of this review is to summarize the recent applications of chitosan in oral and/or buccal delivery, stomach-specific drug delivery, intestinal delivery, and colon-specific drug delivery. The use of chitosan for targeting of drugs to each of these sites in the GI tract is illustrated by examples supported by in vivo studies. Chitosan appears to be a promising material for GI drug and gene delivery applications as many derivatives and formulations are being examined.
Amphetamine cumulation and tolerance development: concurrent and opposing phenomena

Whether diminished or augmented behavioral effects are observed after repeated amphetamine administration may reflect the relative balance between tolerance and drug cumulation. To investigate this, we measured the distribution of d-amphetamine in various tissues and its effects on performance of a conditioned behavior after acute or chronic treatment. Rats trained to lever press under a fixed ratio 5 schedule for food-reinforcement were tested daily for 4 min epochs in each of 6 consecutive hours. After responding was stable, animals were injected for 16 days with saline or 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0 mg 3H-d-amphetamine sulfate/kg IP 15 min before the second daily behavioral epoch. On the 17th day, animals which had been receiving 3H-d-amphetamine were given their usual dose and those which had been receiving saline were given one of the doses of 3H-d-amphetamine; all animals were decapitated approximately 2 1/4 hours after this final injection, immediately after the 4th behavioral epoch. Brain, heart, muscle, epididymal fat, and kidney were removed for subsequent analysis of unchanged 3H-d-amphetamine. The experiment was carried out in two phases, 3 1/2 months apart, which inadvertently resulted in shipment of rats from different buildings on the supplier's campus. Acute treatment produced dose-related effects on operant responding, the lowest dose increasing responding and the highest dose suppressing it. Chronic injection of the highest dose of d-amphetamine resulted in significant attenuation of its acute suppressant effect. Additionally, chronic treatment suppressed responding of rats 23 1/4 hours after injection (i.e., before the subsequent daily injection). Tissue levels of d-amphetamine were dose related and d-amphetamine cumulated after chronic treatment with the highest dose. When d-amphetamine was administered acutely, the behavioural effect immediately before decapitation was highly correlated with the concentration of d-amphetamine in brain and in heart. This was not the case after chronic treatment, since rats given the higher doses showed less behavioural effect than would have been predicted from the concentrations of d-amphetamine in their tissues. Besides evidence of tolerance and cumulation of drug in one or more tissues, a significant phase or colony difference emerged, which could have been due to seasonal or other factors. Additional, different experiments, performed concurrently on a new shipment of rats from each colony, allowed us to conclude that the original observations of phase differences were not due to seasonal differences or chance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The utility of oral glucose tolerance testing for diagnosis and assessment of treatment outcomes in 166 patients with acromegaly.

Context: GH suppression after oral glucose load [oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)] and normal age- and gender-matched IGF-I levels reflect biochemical control of acromegaly. The OGTT is the gold standard for determining control of GH secretion at diagnosis and after surgical treatment, but the usefulness of performing an OGTT in patients treated with medical therapy has not been determined. Objective: Our objective was to assess relationships between basal GH levels (basal GH), GH responses to OGTT [GH nadir (GHn)], and IGF-I levels. Design: This was a retrospective electronic database review. Setting: This study was performed at a tertiary outpatient pituitary center. Patients: A total of 166 patients with acromegaly (79 females, 87 males) were included in the study. Four categories of testing were performed: diagnosis, postoperative assessment without medication, testing during somatostatin analog (SA) therapy, and testing during dopamine agonist (DA) therapy. Main Outcome Measures: Basal serum GH and...
Noninvasive detection of coronary artery patency using continuous ST-segment monitoring

Abstract Continuous ST-segment Holter recordings were analyzed from 46 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) receiving intracoronary streptokinase (SK) during the first 48 hours of hospitalization. Changes in ST deviation and the time periods of these changes were quantitated and correlated with angiographic evidence of reperfusion. Thirty-six patients had total occlusion of the infarct vessel and 10 had subtotal occlusion. Of the 36 vessels that were totally occluded, 19 were reperfused and 17 were not. In patients in whom reperfusion was successful, an ST steady state was achieved 55 ± 32 minutes after SK administration. In patients in whom it was not successful, a steady state was achieved in 219 ± 141 minutes (p
The Protégé mentoring mindset: a framework for consideration

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to define and describe the mentoring mindset in a protege. The central research question was: What constitutes a mentoring mindset in a protege who is poised to receive maximum benefits from a mentoring relationship, as described by the mentor? Design/methodology/approach – A phenomenological approach was used to conduct this study. Interviews were conducted with veteran school principals who were trained mentors, assigned and paired with newly appointed principals for a year of mentoring. The identification of the phenomenon of the mentoring mindset of the protege was derived from the mentors’ perspectives of their proteges’ behaviors, dispositions, attitudes, and competencies, as they were conveyed in the research interviews. Findings – A definition of the protege's mentoring mindset was created after analysis of the interview data, and indicators of the presence and absence of the mindset were formulated into a Protege Mentoring Mindset Framework that provides inf...
Comparing distributions of time to onset of disease in animal tumorigenicity experiments

The cause-of-death test of Peto et al.(1980)pools information from a Hoel-Walburg test on incidental tumors with information from a logrank test on fatal tumors in order to compare the tumor rate of a group of rodents exposed to a carcinogen against the tumor rate of a group of unexposed animals. The cause-of-death test, which can arise as a partial likelihood score test from a model that assumes proportional odds for tumor prevalence and proportional hazards for tumor mortality, is not, in general, a direct test for equality of tumor onset distributions for occult tumors that are observed in both fatal and incidental contexts. This paper develops a direct cause-of-death test for comparing distributions of time to onset of occultumors. The test is derived as a partial likelihood score test under an assumed proportional hazards model for tumor onset distributions. The size and power of the proposed test are compared in a Monte Carlo simulation study to the size and power of competitive procedures, includin...
The separation of lithium isotopes by ion exchange

Abstract The single-stage separation factor for the separation of 6Li and 7Li by distribution between a solution of lithium acetate and the lithium form of a sulphonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer (Dowex 50 X24) has been measured by a method of frontal analysis. The value obtained was 1·0026 ± 0·0003. The comparative merits of elution and' displacement chromatography as means of resolving lithium isotopes have been discussed.
Cloud water chemistry in Sequoia National Park

Interception of cloudwater by forests in the Sierra Nevada Mountains may contribute significantly to acidic deposition in the region. Cloudwater sampled in Sequoia National Park had pH values ranging from 4.4 to 5.7. The advance of cold fronts into the Park appears to lead to higher aerosol and gas phase concentrations than are seen under normal mountain-valley circulations, producing higher cloud-water concentrations than might otherwise be expected. Estimates of annual deposition rates of NO_3^−, SO_4^(2−), NH_4^+ and H^+ due to cloudwater impaction are comparable to those measured in precipitation.
Hyponatremia secondary to ultrasonic aerosol therapy in the newborn infant

Summary A newborn infant became edematous, polyuric, and hyponatremic while being ventilated by a respirator with ultrasonic humidification. Administration of intravenous fluids was drastically decreased without clinical change. Following the discontinuation of the ultrasonic nebulizer, the edema cleared and serum sodium concentration returned to normal. Based on this experience and the knowledge that water is rapidly absorbed from the lungs, we suggest that highoutput ultrasonic nebulizers may be hazardous in the newborn period when combined with assisted ventilation.
A Systematic Evaluation of Opioid Availability and Use in the Republic of South Africa

Inadequate relief from cancer pain is an international health problem. International treaties and recommendations guide individual countries to ensure the availability of opioids for medical purposes. This case study provides a systematic evaluation of opioid availability in relation to cancer pain management in South Africa. This field study included multiple methods of data collection and in-depth interviews and a survey of 33 key informants. From the governmental perspective, the process of obtaining and distributing opioids is consistent with international recommendations. The system begins to break down at the level of the provider and patient. Lack of knowledge about cancer pain management by both patients and providers were the highest-ranked barriers to opioid availability.
Leveraging collaborative tagging for web item design

The popularity of collaborative tagging sites has created new challenges and opportunities for designers of web items, such as electronics products, travel itineraries, popular blogs, etc. An increasing number of people are turning to online reviews and user-specified tags to choose from among competing items. This creates an opportunity for designers to build items that are likely to attract desirable tags when published. In this paper, we consider a novel optimization problem: given a training dataset of existing items with their user-submitted tags, and a query set of desirable tags, design the k best new items expected to attract the maximum number of desirable tags. We show that this problem is NP-Complete, even if simple Naive Bayes Classifiers are used for tag prediction. We present two principled algorithms for solving this problem: (a) an exact "two-tier" algorithm (based on top-k querying techniques), which performs much better than the naive brute-force algorithm and works well for moderate problem instances, and (b) a novel polynomial-time approximation algorithm with provable error bound for larger problem instances. We conduct detailed experiments on synthetic and real data crawled from the web to evaluate the efficiency and quality of our proposed algorithms.
Percutaneous Lead Dysfunction in the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device

Background The incidence of percutaneous lead failure among patients supported with a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device is unknown. Methods All HeartMate II left ventricular assist device driveline dysfunctions reported to Thoratec Corporation were retrospectively reviewed. The location and severity of driveline failures and their association with adverse clinical outcomes were examined. Also, the effect of design modifications was evaluated. Results Between 2004 and October 2012, 12,969 HeartMate II pumps were implanted worldwide. The incidence of percutaneous lead dysfunction was 1,418 events occurring in 1,198 pumps (9.2% of pumps) over a cumulative support period of 13,932 patient-years (maximum, 8 years). Lead failure was mostly in the externalized part of the cable (87.2%). Lead dysfunction was managed by clamshell reinforcement of the external connector strain relief or by tape or silicone cable reinforcement in 76% of cases. Mortality or significant morbidity, including pump exchange or urgent transplant, or more complex cable repair occurred in 2.3% of all implanted pumps. The cumulative incidence of lead failures leading to major adverse clinical events has decreased with two lead design revisions: at 18 months postimplantation, the incidence was 6.2% ± 1.2% for the original design versus 2.2% ± 0.5% for the latest design change introduced in 2010 (log-rank p Conclusions Lead failures remain an important factor in the durability of left ventricular assist devices during long-term support. Most lead failures in the HeartMate II occurred in the externalized portion of the driveline, suggesting lead fatigue. The incidence of both internal and external lead failures has diminished since 2004 with improvements in lead design.
Study on MAEAM Multi-Body Potentials with Farther Neighbor Atoms for HCP Metals

An end processing method of the pair-potential of modified analytical embedded atom method (MAEAM) was suggested for hcp metals with farther neighbor atoms. Through fitting the elastic constants, the cohesive energy and two equilibrium conditions of hcp metal crystals correctly, we changed the pair-potential parameters and the modification term parameters of the multi-body potential. The model calculations fully demonstrate the structure stability and the unrelaxed mono-vacancy properties of six hcp metals: Co, Mg, Re, Ru, Ti and Zr.
Computed tomography of traumatic and nontraumatic retroperitoneal emergencies

The retroperitoneum is a common location for injury following blunt or penetrating trauma. Additionally, there are a wide variety of nontraumatic emergencies that involve the retroperitoneum. Patients with these entities may present with symptoms ranging from acute abdominal or back pain to hypotension and/or fever. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate acute processes of the retroperitoneum, as sonography has been historically less sensitive than CT. Knowledge of the compartments of the retroperitoneal space as well as the fascial planes is crucial to diagnose and understand the pathway of spread of pathology in this region. In this pictorial essay the spectrum of both traumatic and nontraumatic retroperitoneal emergencies will be demonstrated, as well as their effect on the different compartments of the retroperitoneum.