cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Nitric Oxide in Fetal Lower Urinary Tract Function

AbstractWe studied the role of nitric oxide (NO) in normal function of the lower urinary tract in fetal lambs. Fetal surgery was performed in pregnant ewes at 118 days’ gestation (term 145-days) to place arterial, venous, and double-lumen urachal catheters. Five animals had a catheter secured in the distal urethra (to measure voided volume), and six underwent ligation of the urethra. Urodynamic studies were performed via the urachal catheter under baseline conditions, during systemic blockade of NO synthesis with Nω-nitro-l-arginine, and with systemic NO stimulation by l-arginine 48 hours postoperatively.Nitric oxide blockade caused an 88% mean increase in bladder capacity (volume to initiation of voiding) (p < 0.001) and a 5.8-fold increase in mean postvoid residual volume (p < 0.0001) despite normal maximal bladder pressures, suggesting inadequate sphincteric relaxation. Qualitatively, NO inhibition increased the presence of low-level bladder contractions and caused a trend toward decreased bladder comp...
Pulmonary Artery Catheter Insertion

The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) has served to provide clinicians with vital data to help guide therapies for hemodynamically unstable patients since the 1970s. While the utilization of PACs in the intensive care units is declining given the progression of medical technologies, there are specific patient populations that benefit from their use. The advanced clinical practitioner must be aware of the indications for their use as well as how to perform the procedure in the event it is necessary.
Communicating Sustainability Online: An Examination of Corporate, Nonprofit, and University Websites

Sustainability, here defined as environmental quality and well-being, has emerged as a core business strategy and a focal area of investigation among communication scholars. This study analyzed sustainability landing pages on websites of top corporations, nonprofits, and colleges/universities for the types of sustainability content presented. Comparisons are made between organization types. Few nonprofits in the sample provided sustainability content; however, nearly all universities and more than half of the corporations had a designated sustainability landing page on their websites. Findings suggest that organizations are promoting certain content, but fewer than 40% quantify their sustainability claims on any topic. Implications about the role of these communication forms for sustainability programs are discussed.
Asymptotic Optimality of Parallel Short Division

In 2011 we published a practical algorithm for short division (division of a multiple precision dividend by a single precision divisor) on a parallel processor (HiPC 2011) with a run time of O(n/p+log p). Our algorithm, based on parallel computation of remainder sequences, is an improvement of Takahashi's earlier work (LSSC 2007) which has a run time of O((n/p) log p). Here we prove that Omega(n/p+log p) is a tight lower bound for short division (using a conventional fixed radix number system) on EREW and CREW PRAMs when the divisor d is not simply a power of two. The proof is based on an application of Cook, Dwork, and Reischuk's work on Boolean function complexity. The result itself is especially significant because it establishes a novel tight lower bound for two fundamental arithmetic operations, short division and division by a fixed constant, on an important class of parallel machines.
The Dichotomy of Capacity Building and Unemployment in Ethiopia

This paper examines the problems associated with youth capacity building and unemployment in Ethiopia. It argues that capacity building is a continuous process of development that could be accomplished through participation of the citizens in their own development. The dynamics of development at both national and grassroots levels in Ethiopia must involve the exposure of government change agents to participatory learning and action methodologies. The paper uses data derived from primary and secondary sources to analyze the problems associated with youth capacity building and unemployment in Ethiopia. The conceptual framework is based on the social constructionist, the build block model of development, monetarist and the Keynesian theories. The findings show that technical capacity building in Ethiopia will serve as a lever for economic and social development. There is, however, a negative correlation between the nation’s educational system and the kind of technical skills needed to achieve its sustainable development goals. In addition, the Ethiopian Government policies have not been able to effectively galvanize the private sector and NGOs to create more jobs for youths. Further, current government policy tends to focus on the supply side. Less emphasis has been placed on the demand side and comparable strategies to address the youth unemployment problems. The paper recommends that the in the new global economy, young people need to acquire more than just basic education, and curricula. They should be influenced by the current trends in of globalization, regional integration and technological transformation. The established public labour-intensive infrastructure projects in urban areas, like cobblestone, housing, Micro and Small Enterprises and others, need to be strengthened and supported by government, private sectors and NGOs, both technically and financially. Thus, government, private sector and NGOs should collaborate to establish a mechanism for a better and efficient approach to providing youth employment all over Ethiopia and in Addis Ababa in particular. It further suggests that appropriate monetary and fiscal policies are necessary for Ethiopia to effectively address its urban youth capacity building problems.
Persistent Hiccups After an Epidural Steroid Injection Successfully Treated With Baclofen: A Case Report.

Abstract Persistent hiccups are an established adverse reaction to epidural steroid injections. Although oral baclofen has been used to treat hiccups in various clinical settings, none of the previously reported studies that used baclofen were related to hiccups occurring after spinal injections/procedures. We report a case of a man who developed persistent hiccups after a transforaminal epidural steroid injection that was treated successfully with oral baclofen. Level of Evidence V
Determining Atomistic SAXS Models of Tri-Ubiquitin Chains from Bayesian Analysis of Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has become an increasingly popular technique for characterizing the solution ensemble of flexible biomolecules. However, data resulting from SAXS is typically low-dimensional and is therefore difficult to interpret without additional structural knowledge. In theory, molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories can provide this information, but conventional simulations rarely sample the complete ensemble. Here, we demonstrate that accelerated MD simulations can be used to produce higher quality models in shorter time scales than standard simulations, and we present an iterative Bayesian Monte Carlo method that is able to identify multistate ensembles without overfitting. This methodology is applied to several ubiquitin trimers to demonstrate the effect of linkage type on the solution states of the signaling protein. We observe that the linkage site directly affects the solution flexibility of the trimer and theorize that this difference in plasticity contributes to their dispara...
The Public Debt Crisis of the United States

Since the birth of the Republic, the United States has gone through five debt-crisis episodes defined as year-on-year increases in net federal debt in the 95-percentile. The Great Recession is the second largest, and the only one in which primary deficits continue six years later and are expected to persist at least through 2026. Persistent deficits are also sharply at odds with the surpluses that contributed to the reversal of all major debt surges in U.S. history. There is a view that high debt is not a concern and more debt is needed for fiscal stimulus and/or strong global demand for ‘safe assets’. This paper makes four points to the contrary based on findings from the literature: First, empirical work shows that debt sustainability conditions display a significant break after 2008 and fiscal stimulus fails when debt is high. Second, a dynamic general equilibrium model predicts that tax adjustments may not make the debt sustainable and will have adverse effects on macro aggregates and social welfare. Third, the strong appetite for U.S. public debt worldwide can be a slow-moving, transitory result from financial globalization in an environment in which U.S. financial markets are relatively more developed and the expected financing needs of the U.S. government are large. Fourth, domestic sovereign default could become optimal if the cost of regressive redistribution in order to make debt payments outweighs default costs related to the social value of debt for liquidity provision, self-insurance and risk-sharing.
Difficult discourses: How the distances and contours of identities shape challenging moments in political discussions

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the ways novice social studies teachers perceived difficult discourses in their classrooms. Specifically, we sought to understand what social studies teachers think is difficult about navigating political discourses, and how they describe the nature of those discourses in order to draw conclusions about why some teachers choose to avoid or engage in political or social issues discussions with students. We used a collective case study and a grounded theory analysis of video recorded class sessions and video guided debriefings with teachers to explore this phenomena. We found that the degree to which teachers thought the discourse to be difficult to navigate was shaped by: emotional safety of students, teacher's own ideologies, and the distances of students’ identities from the discourse.
Prospects and challenges of developing and commercializing immersion vaccines for aquaculture

Vaccination promises to be the most sustainable means of preventing and managing disease outbreaks in aquaculture. Fish vaccines should be efficient, potent and safe, and should not have adverse effects on humans or the environment. Although vaccination for fish includes immersion and oral delivery routes, injection delivery is currently the most widely applied method industry wide. This is effective for highly valued fish species; however, injection vaccination is not practical for species of lower value or for diseases affecting fish at small sizes. Under these circumstances, oral and immersion delivery holds the greatest promise, but requires antigens to be efficiently taken up through mucosal surfaces. Oral delivery of vaccines in the feed is difficult due to challenges in delivering a consistent and adequate dosage, potential for degradation of antigens in the gastrointestinal tract, and risks of developing oral tolerance. Immersion delivery of killed antigens (bacterins) or live attenuated vaccines is more common and much less stressful than injection delivery. This method involves dipping or bathing fish in a vaccine solution for a period of time to allow antigen uptake across mucosal surfaces resulting in stimulation of both a mucosal and systemic immune response. This review discusses multiple delivery methods for vaccination of fish with primary emphasis on immersion delivery and the factors affecting efficacy such as dose, duration of protection, delivery time, size at first vaccination, booster regimes, and storage requirements. All of which must be optimized before a vaccine is commercialized. Such criteria have been evaluated for a recently developed live attenuated immersion vaccine, Flavobacterium psychrophilum 259-93-B.17 grown in iron limiting medium (called B.17-ILM) that protects trout and salmon against coldwater disease (CWD). This vaccine requires a booster immunization but protects rainbow trout for at least 24 weeks with a relative percent survival of 70%. A vaccine dose as low as ~ 105 cfu/mL has been shown to provide significant protection following pathogen challenge, and fish as small as 0.5 g can be administered the vaccine by immersion and protected from CWD. This review highlights aquaculture vaccines and emphasizes the potential to utilize live attenuated vaccines and mucosal vaccination (immersion) for aquaculture, but it is clear that a better understanding of antigen uptake mechanisms could aid in designing and optimizing future vaccines for fish. As newer developments in vaccine production and processing technologies, storage technologies and novel delivery strategies become available for aquaculture, it is likely that immersion vaccination will be the method of choice for most fish farmers.
Gang violence predictability: using risk terrain modeling to study gang homicides and gang assaults in East Los Angeles

Abstract Purpose The current study investigates the application of risk terrain modeling (RTM) to forecast gang violence. RTM is routinely utilized to predict future criminal events in micro-units (i.e., city blocks) based upon features of the physical environment. The particular focus of the current study is RTM's ability to separately predict future gang assaults and gang homicides in the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) Hollenbeck Community Policing Area. Method Guided by the existing gang literature and knowledge of the region, 22 environmental risk factors are anticipated to spatially influence gang assaults and gang homicides. An RTM is established for 2009 gang assaults and 2009–2011 gang homicides. The RTM is then used to predict 2012 gang assaults and 2012 gang homicides respectively. Results Places most at risk of experiencing a gang assault are in close proximity to where gang members are frequently observed loitering by police and Metro rail stops while also contending with residential concentrations of local gang members. Areas most at risk of experiencing a gang homicide cope with residential concentrations of local gang members and gang set space. The ability for RTM to successfully forecast future gang violence may be limited. Conclusions RTM is able to successfully identify and evaluate meaningful environment risk factors that spatially influence gang assaults and gang violence. However, the ability for RTM to successfully forecast future gang violence may be limited.
The patient's perspective on blue light flexible cystoscopy: insight from a prospective clinical study.

Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are recognized as an increasingly important area of investigation in cancer studies, encompassing a broad range of measures assessing patient anxiety, pain, satisfaction, and quality of life.
P43 The power of the mind

Introduction Somatoform disorders are a challenge for all branches within medicine but particularly for those working within the paediatric sphere. They are characterized by physical symptoms that are inconsistent with or not fully explained by any underlying medical or surgical diagnosis. In order to reach the diagnosis of a somatoform disorder, children are typically subjected to a number of investigations. Somatoform disorders can have a significant impact within two domains; the economic impact on healthcare resources in reaching a diagnosis and the effect on children in terms of the underlying emotional stress, the practical impact on families, school absenteeism and the treatment of such a condition. For the purposes of this study, we examined the incidence of somatoform disorders within an orthopaedic cohort of patients. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study which examined the incidence of orthopaedic admissions that were attributed to a somatoform disorder over a five year period. All cases which were diagnosed as having a somatoform disorder were included. The individual presentation of each case and the factors of each case that were attributable to the development of such a disorder were assessed in terms of their statistical significance. Factors included childhood trauma, bullying and stressors within the home environment. Further to that, the economic impact of the investigations and treatments initiated prior to a formal diagnosis of a somatoform disorder were assessed in terms of a cost-benefit analysis framework. Conclusions Somatoform disorders are a common theme throughout the varying subspecialties of paediatric medicine in particular orthopaedic surgery which has regular admissions attributable to this disorder. Our research demonstrates that the development of a somatoform disorder is typically attributable to a number of contributing factors. In our study population, some of these factors were found to be statistically significant such as bullying. Further to that, the role of social media was highlighted within several individual cases as a potential factor. This burgeoning influence on children and adolescents highlights the importance of undertaking more research in how this can affect children in terms of their emotional and social development. Finally, in terms of a cost-benefit analysis the economic costs both in the short-term and long-term were illustrated. More investment and development in this area would lead to economic savings in the long-term.
Changes in Chlorophyll Concentrations Associated With the 5.1 La Habra Earthquake, California Of 29 March 2014

The Pacific Ocean is about 12.3 km far away from the epicenter of La Habra M5.1 earthquake in 2014.Chl-a concentration, buoys ocean water temperature, upwelling index and surface latent heat flux data over the regions have been analyzed based on ground and satellite observation in the present paper. Our results show obvious increased Chl-a concentration, upwelling index, ocean water temperature and SLHF before the earthquake event. The blooming Chl-a concentration before earthquake could be attributed to the upwelling of nutrient-rich water brought by the redistribution of thermal structure of ocean water due to the increased ocean water temperature caused by the enhancement of stress over Seismogenic zone. Chl-a concentration could provide potential warning signal for impending coastal earthquakes.
Visualizing cation treatment effects on frozen clay soils through μCT scanning

Abstract X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanning is a proven technique with applications in geoscience, soil science, and geotechnical engineering. Here we apply the technique to investigate the effects of cation treatments on clayey soil micro-fabric in a frozen state. We imaged six suites of frozen cation-treated soils (montmorillonite, kaolinite, illite, illite-smectite, chlorite, and Copper River heterogeneous soil) at a resolution of 8.17 μm. Although this resolution was insufficient to observe differences in microaggregate formation as a result of cation treatment, we did observe micro-lenticular ice structures in the smectite-bearing soils that were invisible to the unaided eye. Quantitative analysis of the morphometric parameters from the illite-smectite and Copper River sample suites provided results that supported the visual observations, with the Copper River heterogeneous soil being more frost susceptible than illite-smectite, regardless of cation treatment. The μCT results of these small soil cores also indicate that within the Copper River suite, the Ca2+-treated and Na+-treated samples are the most and least frost susceptible, respectively, which is in agreement with previous frost heave testing. Results from this study indicate that μCT morphometric parameters can be used to quantify micro-lenticular ice lens formation in small samples and to serve as a quality control on sample preparation.
The 2019 Top Picks in Computer Architecture

This annual publication presents 12 articles selected from major computer architecture conferences of the year. The 12 papers are recognized for their importance, mainly the long-term impact and influence on the industry and other researchers. The selection committee members put enormous effort into picking the papers. We asked what the criteria should be for the top picks, and then we tried to answer that question by looking for significant improvement over previous work, establishing a new area.
School Nurses on the Front Lines of Healthcare: A Guide in the Recognition of and Response to Teen Dating Violence in Your Schools.

Teen dating violence (TDV) has become more prevalent in our schools, exacerbated by the omnipotent presence of social media and portals of what dating and gender roles “should be” in Hollywood film...
Hernia Mesh and Hernia Repair: A Review

Abstract Hernia repair for primary and incisional hernia is the most commonly performed abdominal surgery done with extremely high costs. Treatment for hernia requires surgery to close the defect; however, there are post-operative complications like chronic pain, adhesion, and infection that are common. Hernia repair involves two types of biomaterials: a fixation biomaterial and a mesh biomaterial to close the defect. Synthetic meshes, mostly made from different polymers, provide adequate mechanical support but are associated with postoperative complications like infection. Biological meshes are derived from allografts and xenografts that are prone to less infection; however, their mechanical strength may be too weak depending the characteristics of the hernia defect. Novel meshes being developed try to combat the post-operative complications of current surgical meshes. Composite meshes that have two different surfaces have shown to have less adhesion effects but still produce varying inflammatory responses. Drug-loaded meshes are also a novel mesh that is designed to reduce infection with antibiotics. This review will highlight the different fixation methods as well as the pros and cons of different mesh options. Possible future improvements will be highlighted as well.
Association of Therapy Time and Cognitive Recovery in Stroke Patients in Post-Acute Rehabilitation.

Abstract Objectives Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent after stroke, with 77% of people having impairment in at least 2 cognitive domains. The purpose of this study is to describe the association between therapy minutes per length of stay (LOS) day and cognitive recovery in patients receiving rehabilitation services in inpatient post-acute care facilities following a stroke. Design Secondary analyses of data collected in inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities from 2005 to 2010 for an observational cohort study. Setting and Participants Participants were adults aged ≥65 years with Medicare insurance and primary diagnosis of stroke (N = 100). Participants who met criteria for dementia (n = 5) were excluded from analyses. We calculated therapy minutes per LOS day for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and all therapies combined; therapy times were dichotomized into high or low minutes per LOS day (MLD). We used an ordinary least squares regression model for cognitive outcome at discharge to control for cognitive status at admission, therapy intensity by discipline, and LOS. Results At baseline, participants were classified as having severe (n = 11), moderate (n = 39), or mild (n = 45) cognitive impairment. Impairment groups were not significantly different on any demographic variables. The adjusted regression model showed that high occupational therapy MLD (>50 minutes per LOS day) (P = .028) was significantly associated with cognitive measure at discharge compared with low occupational therapy MLD when controlling for cognitive impairment group at baseline (P Conclusions and Implications Our results show that higher-intensity occupational therapy services were associated with better cognitive outcome at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation after stroke. Findings also suggest that volume of therapy alone does not necessarily produce optimal outcomes. Both amount and type of therapy should be tailored to meet the needs of individual patients.
O Ácido Acetilsalicílico na Prevenção do Carcinoma Colorretal: Uma Revisão Baseada na Evidência

INTRODUCTION: The colorectal cancer is one of the main causes of cancer morbimortality in our country. There has been evidence that acetylsalicylic acid has a chemopreventive effect on colorectal cancer. The aim of this study is to review the evidence of acetylsalicylic acid effect on the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer.METHODS: A research of systematic reviews, meta-analyzes, randomized clinical trials, cohort studies and clinical guidelines published between 01/06/2010 and 01/06/2020 was done in evidence-based medicine database, with the MeSH terms “Aspirin” “Primary prevention” and “Colorectal neoplasms”. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) scale of the American Family Physician was used to stratify the studies levels and define their recommendation strength.RESULTS: It were selected five of 57 articles: a meta-analysis, two systematic reviews, a cohort study, and a clinical guideline. In general, studies have shown that daily doses of 75 mg or more of acetylsalicylic acid for five years or more reduced the colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. However, acetylsalicylic acid should be used with caution due to its increased bleeding risk.CONCLUSION: The use of acetylsalicylic acid may be effective in reducing colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in adults with medium risk for colorectal cancer with their recommendation strength B (SORT B). Further studies are necessary in order to define the lowest dose and duration of acetylsalicylic acid use that provides an oncological benefit with a lowest bleeding risk.
Economics of the Military Draft

I. The conceptual framework, 396. — II. The model, 402. — III. Empirical application, 406. — IV. Some extensions of the analysis, 411. — V. Conclusion, 421.
Caribbean New Orleans: empire, race, and the making of a slave society: by Cécile Vidal, Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Press, 2019, xv, 533 pp., $49.95 (hardback), ISBN 9781469645186

Cecile Vidal presents the compelling thesis that French colonial New Orleans should be viewed as a Caribbean port with close connections to the Antilles, especially Saint-Domingue, rather than as a...
Material parameters for a nonlinear optical diode

A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) has a broad photonic band gap. The gap width depends on the refractive-index discontinuity of the alternating layers. If the DBR incorporates an optically nonlinear medium, then the width of the photonic band gap is dynamic. At frequencies near the photonic band edge, the nonlinear DBR exhibits optical limiting and switching1 as well as optical bistability.2
Study of seismic diffractions caused by a fracture zone at In Salah carbon dioxide storage project

The In Salah CO2 storage project in Algeria has injected over 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into a water filled tight sand formation. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) range change data revealed a double lobbed pattern of deformation that has been modeled as the opening of a sub-vertical fracture, or damage, zone. The location and geometry of the linear feature were subsequently verified using a seismic reflection survey. The elastic properties of the fracture zone, including anisotropic Poisson ratio (ν), Young's (E) and shear (G) moduli, were estimated from coupled geomechanical and hydrological modeling of surface deformation and pressure variations in the injection well. The elastic moduli reflect the fracture properties after CO2 flow through the fracture zone. Thus, the seismic signature of the fracture zone could be used for monitoring the CO2 plume. Using the estimated fracture model, we built two and three dimensional models consisting of an anisotropic fracture zone embedded within an isotropic background. Finite-difference modeling of seismic shot gathers allows us to estimate the effects of scattering from the fracture zone, potentially further constraining the geomechanical model. From the seismic modeling results, we find diffracted waves, induced by the fracture zone, which behave similar to point source diffractions. This modeling is intended to guide a search for diffraction events in the 3D surface seismic field data. The modeling results indicate that using the moduli estimated from geomechanical modeling, fracture scattered events would be 100 times lower amplitude than the interface reflections, and thus would be hard to detect. While diffracted waves are observed in the field data, which may imply the need for revision of the fracture model, including shape and elastic moduli, we are not able to match the field observation with our modeled events. This work presents a frontier study on the integration of geomechanical and geophysical methods at the In Salah site as a means to test the estimate of the subsurface CO2 flooded fracture properties.
Dopaminergic Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Cells

Here we describe protocols for the dopaminergic differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. We have optimized and compared two distinct protocols, both of which are chemically defined and applicable to both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. First, we present a five-step method based on rosette formation (Basic Protocol 1); then we describe a monolayer paradigm based on inhibition of alternate developmental pathways (Basic Protocol 2). Directed differentiation of pluripotent cells into specific cell types is a crucial step towards understanding human development and realizing the biomedical relevance of these cells, whether for replacement therapy or disease modeling. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 22:1H.6.1-1H.6.11. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: neural development; dopaminergic differentiation; pluripotent stem cells
Unsteady flows in a single-stage transonic axial-flow fan stator row

Measurements of the unsteady velocity field within the stator row of a transonic axial-flow fan were acquired using a laser anemometer. Measurements were obtained on axisymmetric surfaces located at 10 and 50 percent span from the shroud, with the fan operating at maximum efficiency at design speed. The ensemble-average and variance of the measured velocities are used to identify rotor-wake-generated (deterministic) unsteadiness and turbulence, respectively. Correlations of both deterministic and turbulent velocity fluctuations provide information on the characteristics of unsteady interactions within the stator row. These correlations are derived from the Navier-Stokes equation in a manner similar to deriving the Reynolds stress terms, whereby various averaging operators are used to average the aperiodic, deterministic, and turbulent velocity fluctuations which are known to be present in multistage turbomachines. The correlations of deterministic and turbulent velocity fluctuations throughout the axial fan stator row are presented. In particular, amplification and attenuation of both types of unsteadiness are shown to occur within the stator blade passage.
Fluctuations in Arterial Blood Pressure in Premature Infants

In Reply.— We appreciate the interest in our manuscript. With regard to the first issue, the blood pressure epochs were initially selected with the esophageal tracings covered to avoid bias. Second, we are well aware of the interesting data regarding the interaction between the infant and the ventilator.1-3 The objective of the study was to determine the effects of infant respirations on blood pressure. The data clearly indicate that respiratory pressure changes result in fluctuations in blood pressure.
Platelet-Associated Antibody to Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa From Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Patients Often Binds To Divalent Cation-Dependent Antigens

Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a syndrome of destructive thrombocytopenia due to autoantibodies against platelet-associated antigens. These antigens are most commonly located on the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex. In the present studies, we show that many platelet-associated anti-GPIIb/IIIa autoantibodies from chronic ITP patients depend on conformationally intact GPIIb/IIIa for maximal binding. We studied anti-GPIIb/IIIa autoantibodies from 19 ITP patients (15 platelet-associated, 8 plasma) and alloantibodies from three patients with posttransfusion purpura (anti-PIA1). Antibodies were preincubated with purified intact GPIIb/IIIa, EDTA-dissociated GPIIb/IIIa, GPIIIa, or GPIIb for 2 hours and then residual antibody was measured in an antigen capture assay. The binding results were compared with those obtained using antibody preincubated in buffer. Of the 15 platelet-associated autoantibodies studied, the intact GPIIb/IIIa complex resulted in greater inhibition of antibody binding than the EDTA-dissociated complex, with a mean inhibition ratio (intact/dissociated) of 7.9 (range, 1.4 to 30.3). Little inhibition was noted using either GPIIb or GPIIIa. Conversely, plasma anti-PIA1 alloantibodies or plasma autoantibodies from ITP patients against the c-terminal region of GPIIIa were more efficiently inhibited by the dissociated complex or purified GPIIIa. We conclude that platelet-associated anti-GPIIb/IIIa autoantibodies in chronic ITP are frequently directed to cation-dependent conformational antigens.
Development and Evaluation of an Immunodiffusion Test for Diagnosis of Systemic Zygomycosis (Mucormycosis): Preliminary Report

Abstract An antigen analysis with filtrate and homogenate precipitinogens of single isolates of the zygomycetes Absidia corymbifera, Mucor pusillus, Rhizopus arrhizus, and Rhizopus oryzae demonstrated the presence of common antigens among the three genera as well as antigens which permit their differentiation. Selected homogenate antigens were valuable in developing a diagnostic immunodiffusion (ID) test for systemic zygomycosis. When sera from 43 patients with various proven mycoses other than zygomycosis were tested against each of the antigens, none formed precipitin bands identical to those formed by A. cormybifera, M. pusillus, and the Rhizopus spp. rabbit reference antisera. Sera from 23 normal persons and 25 diabetics did not react with any of the antigens. Homogenate antigens detected antibody in 8 of the 11 sera (73%) from suspected or proven cases of zygomycosis, whereas ID tests with filtrate antigens detected antibody in only 2 of the 11 sera (18%). Of the eight sera that reacted with the homogenate antigens, five only reacted with a specific Rhizopus sp. antigen, two only reacted with a specific M. pusillus antigen, and one only reacted with a specific A. corymbifera antigen. Study results show the ID test with homogenate antigens to be more specific and sensitive than the ID test with filtrate antigens and indicate that the former is a promising technique for diagnosing human zygomycosis.
TRAVELING TECHNOLOGIES: Infrastructure, Ethical Regimes, and the Materiality of Politics in South Africa

In this article, I explore the politics of infrastructure in South Africa by focusing on the “travels” of a small technical device. Since the end of apartheid, prepaid meters have been widely deployed in South Africa's townships to curb the nonpayment of service charges. Yet many residents have bypassed their meters, enabling them to illicitly access electricity or water. I track the micro-political battle between residents tinkering with the technology and engineers trying to secure it, arguing that infrastructure itself becomes a political terrain for the negotiation of central ethical and political questions concerning civic virtue and the shape of citizenship. To investigate this techno-political terrain, I trace a genealogy of the meter from Victorian Britain, when it was invented as a tool of working-class “moral improvement,” to the late-apartheid period, when it was re-assembled as a device of counterinsurgency against the anti-apartheid “rent boycotts.” In each moment, I suggest, the meter was harnessed to distinct ethical regimes and political projects. Drawing on my ethnographic fieldwork with engineers in contemporary South Africa, I explore the semiotic-material work required to make the device functional in the post-apartheid moment. Tracing the travels of a small technical device across time and space, I argue, opens up conceptual space to rethink the relationship between ethics, politics, and technics.
Optimal three finger grasps

The authors address the problem of optimal force distribution among three point fingers holding a planar object. A scheme that reduces the nonlinear optimization problem to an easily solved generalized eigenvalue problem is proposed. This scheme generalizes and simplifies results of Z. Ji and B. Roth (1988). The generalizations include all possible geometric arrangements and extensions to three dimensions and to the case of variable coefficients of friction. For the two-dimensional case with constant coefficients of friction, it is proved that except for some special cases, the optimal grasping forces, in the sense of minimizing the dependence on friction, are those for which the angles with the corresponding normals are all equal (in absolute value). >
Pathological personality traits and intimacy processes within roommate relationships

Problems with intimacy constitute an important area of interpersonal dysfunction in those with personality pathology. Drawing on the interpersonal process model of intimacy, the present research used a longitudinal dyadic design of same-sex roommate pairs (n = 103) to address how certain pathological personality traits (i.e. Negative Affect, Detachment, and Antagonism) relate to the development of disclosure, perceived responsiveness, and closeness. We expected that participants' pathological traits would be linked to both their own and their roommate's intimacy development, and that the mechanisms underlying these links would include the endorsement of interpersonal values and/or the dispositional expression of interpersonal behaviour in the roommate relationship. Our findings demonstrate that interpersonal motives and/or behaviours primarily help to explain how individuals with higher levels of Detachment manifest difficulty with intimacy. Implications of our findings for research on personality pathology, normative traits, and intimacy are discussed. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
Granular Cold Water Gelling Starch Prepared from Chickpea Starch Using Liquid Ammonia and Ethanol

ABSTRACT Granular cold water gelling (GCWG) starch was obtained by treatment of native chickpea starch with liquid ammonia at low temperature and atmospheric pressure. A free-flowing powder of the gelatinized starch granules was produced by adding ethanol to the mixture of starch and liquid ammonia. Four ratios of liquid ammonia to starch (A/S) (2:1, 4:1, 6:1 and 8:1) and four ratios of starch ethanol (S/E) (1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4) were tested for production of GCWG starch. Homogenous mixtures of liquid ammonia and starch granules appeared when the A/S ratio was >4:1. Treating starch with a 4:1:3 ammonia-starch-ethanol (A/S/E) ratio on a w/w/v basis resulted in a free-flowing powder of gelatinized starch, that formed a gel on addition of water at 23°C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms of the GCWG starch, regardless of A/S/E ratio, displayed enthalpy values of 2.2–3.1 J/g compared with 15.5 J/g for native starch, indicating disappearance of crystallinity due to modification.
On the structure of the nickel/iron/sulfur center of the carbon monoxide dehydrogenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum: an x-ray absorption spectroscopy study.

Abstract The nickel/iron/sulfur center of the carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (carbon monoxide:(acceptor)oxidoreductase; EC 1.2.99.2) enzyme from Rhodospirillum rubrum (Rr-CODH) was studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Ni K edge. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure data show that the first Ni coordination shell consists of 2 S atoms at 2.23 A and 2-3 N/O atoms at 1.87 A. The edge structure indicates a distorted tetrahedral or five-coordinate Ni environment in both oxidized and reduced Rr-CODH. By comparing second-shell extended x-ray absorption fine structure data of Rr-CODH to that of (Et4N)3[NiFe3S4(SEt)4], a cubane-type cluster, it was clearly established that Ni in the Rr-CODH center is not involved in the core of a NiFe3S4 cubane cluster. One model consistent with the results is a mononuclear Ni2+ site, bridged by S-Cys or sulfide to one or both of the Fe4S4 clusters of the enzyme, with the remaining coordination sites occupied by additional S-Cys or N/O-liganding amino acid residues.
Academic Help-Seeking Behavior Among Student Pharmacists

Objectives. To identify factors associated with academic help-seeking behavior among student pharmacists at a public university.Methods. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted to explore in depth perceptions of facilitators of and barriers to the help-seeking behavior and academic achievement of student pharmacists who had received a D or F grade in any year. A 4-part survey instrument was developed and administered to all student pharmacists and included sections for (1) attitudes and academic help-seeking behavior, (2) health status, (3) demographics, and (4) open comments. A structural equation modeling approach was used to assess relationships among domains of interest.Results. Three student focus groups noted that helpfulness of faculty members and school administrators were 2 prominent facilitators of help-seeking behavior and academic achievement. Diminished quality of life caused by stress and depression was the primary barrier to help-seeking and achievement. Three hundred four (68...
Contextual meaning effects on speech-evoked potentials

Responses to spoken words were recorded from scalp electrodes approximately over Wernicke's and Broca's areas and over homotopic points on the nondominant hemisphere of adult right-handed humans. The waveform of averaged potentials evoked by the same word differed according to its contextual meaning. Thus, responses to the word “fire” differed when in the phrases “sit by the fire” and “ready, aim, fire.” Waveform differences were significantly greater for left hemisphere, than for right hemisphere loci. When context was made ambiguous, as in the phrases “fire is hot” and “fire the gun,” waveform differences disappeared.
Manganese geochemistry in the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California

Manganese geochemistry in the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California is dominated by hydrothermal processes. The concentration of particulate Mn in the subsill basin is about four times higher than in the non-hydrothermally active basins of the southern Gulf. This excess Mn closely matches the predicted anomaly from a model of hydrothermal fluxes based on dissolved silica and /sup 3/He. The hot spring flux of Mn is about 4 times greater than the benthic flux from the sediments on the slopes of the basin. Dissolved hydrothermal Mn has a residence time of about one week in the water column. The particulate Mn phase consist of 2-5 ..mu..m size particles that are distinct from all other suspended particulate matter. These Mn-rich particles are responsible for the observed turbidity in the water column (hydrothermal clouds) above vents and chimneys in the Guaymas Basin and bear a striking resemblance to the Mn oxidizing bacterium Metallogenium. The rapid conversion of Mn to a particulate phase in these clouds is consistent with bacterial catalysis. This contrasts with the particles at 21/sup 0/N, East Pacific Rise, where Mn is more slowly co-precipitated with or adsorbed onto an iron oxyhydroxide phase.
Identification of a novel taxol-sensitive kinase activity associated with the cytoskeleton.

Abstract The microtubule-targeted drug, taxol, enhances assembly of αβ tubulin dimers into microtubules. Recent work has established that taxol also elicits diverse effects on intracellular signaling. In-gel kinase assays with myelin basic protein as substrate revealed that taxol treatment significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the activity of a 55 kD kinase present in cytoskeletal extracts from CV-1 cells. In vitro phosphorylation of myelin basic protein by tubulin immunoprecipitates revealed a comparable activity, consistent with the association of this kinase activity with microtubules. This novel kinase activity was detected in the cytoskeletal fraction of several other cell types including 10T 1 2 fibroblasts and PC-3 prostate carcinoma cells, but was not detected in cytoskeletal fractions from HeLa cells. This taxol-sensitive kinase activity may participate in conveying information about taxol-induced structural changes in microtubules to changes in intracellular signaling.
Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Some Cubic Intermetallic Compounds of Plutonium with Ru, Rh, Ir, Pd, and Pt

The electrical resistivities and magnetic susceptibilities of the cubic intermetallic compounds of the form $\mathrm{Pu}{X}_{2} (X=\mathrm{R}\mathrm{u},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{h},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{I}\mathrm{r},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{t})$ and $\mathrm{Pu}{X}_{3} (X=\mathrm{R}\mathrm{h},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{d},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{t})$ have been measured from 2 to 300 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The $\mathrm{Pu}{X}_{3}$ compounds order antiferromagnetically with N\'eel temperatures ${T}_{N}$ of 6.6, 24, and 40 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, respectively. The resistivities of the $\mathrm{Pu}{X}_{3}$ compounds decrease rapidly below ${T}_{N}$, and there is also an abrupt change in the slope of the resistivity-versus-temperature curve at ${T}_{N}$ in Pu${\mathrm{Rh}}_{3}$. Pu${\mathrm{Pt}}_{2}$ orders ferromagnetically at a Curie temperature of ${T}_{C}=(6.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)$ \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and the resistivity falls dramatically below ${T}_{C}$. Pu${\mathrm{Rh}}_{2}$ has a temperature-dependent susceptibility but there is no evidence for magnetic order, while the susceptibilites of Pu${\mathrm{Ru}}_{2}$ and Pu${\mathrm{Ir}}_{2}$ are temperature independent. However, the resistivities of Pu${\mathrm{Rh}}_{2}$, Pu${\mathrm{Ru}}_{2}$, and Pu${\mathrm{Ir}}_{2}$ have anomalous negative curvature at high temperatures, although the slopes remain positive throughout the temperature range investigated. The results are discussed in terms of the interatomic distance between plutonium atoms and the localized-spin-fluctuation model.
An FPGA-based transient error simulator for evaluating resilient system designs (abstract only)

Error-resilient designs have become more important with the continued device scaling. One critical challenge of designing error-resilient systems is the lack of tools to quickly and accurately evaluate the effectiveness and performance of such systems. We propose an FPGA-based transient error simulator to accelerate transient error simulations incorporating accurate datapath delay models and realistic error models. Compared to conventional digital error simulators, the FPGA-based transient error simulator operates at a finer time step and captures intricate interactions between errors and datapath under different circuit-level error detection and correction techniques. The error simulator is constructed using configurable datapath delay model and error model, making it general-purpose and widely applicable. We demonstrate the capability of this simulator in the evaluation of two popular error-resilient design techniques, pre-edge and post-edge detection and correction, using a synthesized CORDIC processor and an Alpha processor that operate under soft error, coupling noise and voltage droop models. The proposed error simulator uncovers insights to guide practical designs, including the choice of checking window in pre-edge designs and the optimal operating frequency in post-edge designs. The FPGA-based transient simulation will complement circuit simulation and system emulation for resilient system designs.