cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Case of Daniel Terzi: Trauma with Clinical Care

In exposure to a traumatic event (such as violence, assault, natural disaster, or critical medical illness) involves a real or threatened injury to oneself or others, an individual can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic events such as violence, assault, natural disaster or critical medical illness which involve a real or threatened injury to oneself or others can lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder involves psychological and physiological symptoms including intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks, as well as hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, and sleep disturbance. Other psychiatric comorbidities are high in individuals with PTSD, and therefore careful attention must be paid to evaluating for comorbid mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Depending on an individual’s preference, first-line treatment can involve medication management or psychotherapy that is typically trauma-focused in nature. The combination of these treatment approaches can aptly address both the acute symptoms of PTSD and the more dynamic issues seen in this disorder. With treatment, individuals can experience improvement in their overall functioning.
A Search for Vascular Amyloid Using A4 Amyloid Antibody Immunostain in CAA (Classic Methods) Negative Alzheimer’s Cases

It has been postulated that CAA is an important morphological feature of Alzheimer disease, although it is not present in all classic cases. It was uncertain, however, if the negative cases, showing numerous plaques and tangles only but no CAA are indeed negative or rather, the stains used were not sensitive enough to detect small amounts of vascular amyloid. Recently, it has been demonstrated that A4 amyloid immunostain (with formic acid) is capable of discovering much more amyloid than any of the previously used techniques (Thio S, Congo red, crystal violet). It seemed appropriate, therefore, to examine 15 of such CAA negative Alzheimer cases from our collection using the mentioned stain. From each case a section of hippocampus with temp, neocortex and a section of visual cortex were stained. The results were as follows: In all sections examined of all cases numerous amyloid positive interstitial cortical plaques were present. Thirteen cases showed occasional positive vessels in leptomeninges and/or in the cortex, and two revealed no CAA. Present results indicate that in majority of classic methods CAA-negative AD cases, A4 amyloid stain is capable of detecting traces or small amounts of vascular amyloid. In rare AD cases, however, even this stain shows no vascular amyloid.
Cross-assembly phage and pepper mild mottle virus as viral water quality monitoring tools—potential, research gaps, and way forward

Abstract Microbial water quality is currently assessed by fecal indicator bacteria that are poor representatives of viral pathogens in the environment. Viruses are predicted to account for the majority of infectious risk from exposure to sewage contaminated water. Previously developed viral indicators suffer from a lack of human specificity, low concentrations in sewage, or both. In this commentary review, we discuss recent advances in developing cross-assembly phage (crAssphage) and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) as viral water quality indicators. CrAssphage and PMMoV are abundant in and highly associated with human sewage, correlate with viral pathogens in sewage contaminated environments and globally present. Future work is necessary to describe crAssphage and PMMoV fate in the environment, local variation in abundance and genetic makeup, and relationship between molecular detections and pathogen viability, among other areas. These developments will allow the integration of crAssphage and PMMoV into quantitative microbial risk assessment and water quality regulation.
Inequality, Social Networks, and Internet Use: Exploring the Implications of the Social Diversification Hypothesis

The social diversification hypothesis (SDH) suggests that in multicultural societies Internet use can help mitigate structural inequalities in access to social resources. Whereas traditionally disadvantaged groups are predicted to use the Internet to expand and diversify their social networks, advantaged groups use it to maintain existing connections. The present study investigates this central prediction of the SDH by examining the relationship between Internet and social network site (SNS) use and inequalities in network size and diversity based on race, sex, and education among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. The results largely contradict the SDH. Internet and SNS use were associated with greater network-based inequalities stemming from education. The relationships between education and indicators of network size and diversity were stronger among Internet users than non-users and stronger among SNS users than Internet-only users. Network inequalities directly related to race, sex, and education were also explored.
Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy Secondary to COVID-19

A 67-year-old female with prior medical history of HTN and asthma presented with acute-onset dyspnea and nausea for 4 days prior to admission. Upon initial encounter in the emergency room, she was found to have findings of abnormal pulmonary infiltrates and consequent workup revealed COVID-19. During further hospital course, the patient developed abnormal EKG and echocardiographic findings consistent with stress-induced cardiomyopathy.
Partial Zona Dissection for Enhancement of Sperm Passage through the Zona Pellucida

Fertilization in mammals occurs in a number of intricate steps, culminating in the union of male and female genomes. Spermatozoa capacitate prior to sperm receptor binding on the zona pellucida (ZP), where the acrosome reaction is induced. Following ZP penetration membrane fusion occurs, triggering oocyte activation. This leads to the release of cortical granules and the zona reaction, causing a slow, but usually permanent block to polyspermy. Changes in the oolemma may initiate a fast, but often weak and temporary block, as well. Following decondensation and syngamy, the fertilization process is completed with the formation of a genetically new conceptus at the two-cell stage.1 Pathological changes may occur during any of these steps, and fertilization may either be discontinued or result in a genetically abnormal embryo. Discontinued fertilization is common during human in vitro fertilization (IVF), especially when there is a sperm disorder. Although the methods for microsurgical fertilization proposed in recent years only alleviate abnormal ZP-binding, ZP-penetration, and/or membrane fusion, they may be welcome additions to IVF. Basically, three methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, have been proposed:
Testing a best practices risk result format to communicate genetic risks.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of a genetic report format using risk communication "best-practices" on risk perceptions, in part to reduce risk overestimates. Methods Adults (N = 470) from the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC) were randomized to a 2 × 2 experimental design to receive a hypothetical "personalized" genetic risk result for leukemia (relative risk = 1.5 or 2.5) through either the standard CPMC report (N = 232) or an enriched report informed by best practices (N = 238). A one-time, online survey assessed numeracy and risk perceptions including “feelings of risk” and a numerical estimate. Results Regardless of numeracy, participants who received the enriched report had fewer overestimates of their lifetime risk estimate (LRE; odds ratio = 0.19, p Conclusion The enriched report produced more accurate LRE and lower risk perceptions regardless of numeracy level, suggesting the enriched format was helpful to individuals irrespective of numeracy ability. Practice implications Best practice elements in risk reports may help individuals form more accurate risk perceptions.
Algorithm for Management of Mandibular Condylar Base Fractures.

Background Increasing evidence suggests that open reduction and internal fixation of condylar base fractures in adults results in improved outcomes in regard to interincisal opening, jaw movement, pain, and malocclusion. However, most of the condylar fractures are managed by maxillomandibular fixation alone due to the need for specialized training and equipment. Our aim was to present an algorithm for condylar base fractures to simplify surgical management. Methods A retrospective review was performed of patients (n = 22) with condylar base fractures treated from 2016 to 2020. Patients who presented with operative fractures that require open treatment underwent 1 of 2 different techniques depending on the fracture type: a preauricular approach with a transoral approach if the condyle was dislocated (n = 2) or a transoral only approach (n = 20) in nondislocated cases. Operative time, occlusion, range of motion, and postoperative complications were assessed. Results Condylar base fractures were combined with other mandibular fractures in 16 of 22 patients. Patients with condylar dislocation were managed with a preauricular approach with a secondary transoral incision (n = 2, median 147 minutes). Those without dislocation were treated with a transoral approach (n = 20, median 159 minutes). Most patients were restored to their preoperative occlusion without long-term complications. Conclusions We present a simplified algorithm for treating condylar base fractures. Our case series suggests that reduction in operative time and clinical success can be achieved with open reduction and internal fixation using a transoral approach alone or in combination with a preauricular approach for dislocated fractures.
The Utility of a Novel Definition of Healthcare Regions in the United States in the Era of COVID-19: A Validation of the Pittsburgh Atlas using Pneumonia Admissions

Abstract Objective The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States has underscored the need to understand healthcare in a regional context. However, there are multiple definitions of healthcare regions available for conducing geospatial analyses. In this study, we compare the novel Pittsburgh Atlas, which defined regions for emergency care, to existing definitions of regions, counties and the Dartmouth Atlas, with respect to non-emergent acute medical conditions by using pneumonia admissions. Methods We identified patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of pneumonia or a primary admitting diagnosis of sepsis with a secondary diagnosis of pneumonia in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s State Inpatient Databases. We calculated percentage of region concordant care the localization index and market share for three definitions of healthcare regions (the Pittsburgh Atlas, Dartmouth Atlas, and counties). We used logistic regression identified predictors of region concordant care. Results We identified 1,582,287 patients meeting inclusion criteria. We found that the Pittsburgh Atlas and Dartmouth Atlas definitions of regions performed similarly with respect to both localization index (92.0 [Interquartile range (IQR): 87.9-95.7] vs 90.3 [IQR: 81.4-94.5]) and market share (8.5 [IQR 5.1 – 13.6] vs 9.4 [6.7 – 14.1]). Both atlases outperformed the localization index (67.5 [IQR 49.9 – 83.9]) and market share (20.0% [IQR 11.4 – 31.4]) of counties. Within a given referral region, demographic factors including age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and level of acuity all affected concordance rates between residential and hospital regions. Conclusion Because the Pittsburgh Atlas also has the benefit of respecting state and county boundaries, use of this definition may have improved policy applicability without sacrificing accuracy in defining healthcare regions for acute medical conditions.
The Paradox of Omniscience and the Theory of Moves

In Chapter 3 I indicated how one can calculate, from players’ payoffs, probabilities that indicate thresholds at which the cooperative solution in Prisoners’ Dilemma can be rendered stable and the dilemma thereby circumvented. In the fourth Knowability Game, this resolution depended on the predictive abilities of P as well as SB, which it may be unreasonable to assume. On the other hand, in the less ethereal world of international politics, the presumption that the superpower arms race is a Prisoners’ Dilemma, and that both sides have these predictive abilities—based on their intelligence capabilities, supported by reconnaissance satellites and other detection equipment—seems quite reasonable.1
Advanced High-Temperature Seal Development at NASA

NASA Glenn Research Center is developing advanced seals to meet the demands of next generation aircraft and rocket propulsion systems. Dr. Steinetz will summarize NASA Glenn's efforts of developing seals that can operate from ambient through rocket exhaust temperatures (> 2000 F) without cooling and summarize the extensive test capability used to qualify seal performances under these extreme conditions. NASA programs benefiting from this research, that will be reviewed, include advanced commercial and military aircraft, the Space Shuttle, the Space Station Emergency Crew Return X-Vehicle, and futuristic reusable launch vehicles. Though the seal technology is being developed for NASA and military programs, there are many commercial and industrial spin-off applications.
Ex vivo comparison of three hand sewn end‐to‐end anastomoses in normal equine jejunum

Summary Reasons for performing study: Although single layer techniques are preferred in man and small animals for small intestinal end-to-end anastomoses, double layer techniques are more popular in equine surgery. This study was undertaken to evaluate the ex vivo characteristics of 2 single layer anastomoses in comparison to the traditionally performed double layer anastomosis in equine jejunum. Objectives: To compare ex vivo: 1) construction time; 2) bursting pressure; and 3) lumen size reduction of 3 suture patterns (double layer simple continuous/Cushing pattern [2C]; single layer Lembert pattern [1L]; and single layer Cushing pattern [1C]) for end-to-end equine jejunojejunostomies. Methods: End-to-end jejunojejunostomies were constructed using 2C (n = 7), 1L (n = 7) and 1C (n = 7) in harvested equine jejunum and construction times were recorded. Anastomosed and control segments were distended with gas until failure. Intraluminal pressure at failure and mode of failure were recorded. Lumen size reduction was calculated as a percentage decrease from control jejunum. Results were compared using an ANOVA and P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The 1C anastomoses were faster to construct than the 1L anastomoses, which were faster to construct than the 2C anastomoses. There were no differences in bursting pressures between the different anastomoses and control jejunum. All anastomoses decreased lumen size from control values but there were no differences in lumen reduction between types of anastomoses. Conclusions: Single layer anastomoses are faster to construct than double layer anastomoses, with the 1C being fastest. Single layer anastomoses are as strong and result in comparable lumen size reduction as traditional 2C anastomoses. Potential relevance: As the 1C anastomosis results in less exposed potentially adhesiogenic suture material than the 1L while providing adequate strength and similar luminal size reduction, the 1C may be better for equine small intestine anastomosis and further in vivo studies are warranted.
Isolation, culture and characterization of a primary fibroblast cell line from channel catfish.

A primary cell line (designated as CCf) derived from caudal fin tissue of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, was developed using explant techniques. The cell line grew fastest in media supplied with FBS and channel catfish serum. The duplication time of the cell line under optimal conditions was ∼56 h at a plating density of 1.1 × 105 cells/ml. The cell line has been propagated continuously for 25 passages (1:4 dilution per passage), cryopreserved, and recovered successfully at different passages. The cultured cells had fibroblastic morphology, and synthesized fibronectin and Type I and III collagens in the cytoplasm. The cell line maintained the normal diploid chromosome number (58) of channel catfish throughout the experiment. Nucleolus organizer regions were located on the short arms of a pair of medium-sized submetacentrics, which is typical for channel catfish. This study provides a method for acquiring a cell line from juvenile catfish without sacrifice, and is especially useful for early screening of valuable fishes.
Consumer Decision Making and Altered States of Consciousness

Abstract This article examines verbalizations by consumers in a hypnotized state versus when they are not hypnotized for indications of a duality of consciousness in decision making. The analysis uses the transcripts from 166 in-depth interviews about need recognition, information search, alternative evaluation, purchase, and post-purchase processes to conduct a multivariate analysis of the co-occurrence of rational and intuitive mental states. The findings indicate that when under hypnosis consumers verbalize their decision making differently and provide more emotional explanations than when they are not hypnotized.
Tasting a New Home: Food Representations in Italian Neorealist Cinema

This article explores how representations of food contribute to the construction of home as an imagined place and shows that different representations result in multiple meanings of home. As food and the lack thereof constituted urgent issues in post-World War II Italy, directly impacting the welfare of individuals and communities, it is not surprising that Italian Neorealist films frequently featured representations of food production, preparation, and consumption. Food-related images not only contributed to the overall realistic effect but were also meant as a form of participation in the heated cultural and political debates about what both the private homes of Italians and their shared national home would be after 20 years of Fascist regime. By highlighting the food scarcity suffered by the working class and the relative abundance enjoyed by limited segments of the population, Neorealist filmmakers blurred the boundaries between the private and the public, bridging the social tensions in the civic dom...
Modeling ionospheric super-fountain effect based on the coupled TIMEGCM-SAMI3

[1] Recently, efforts have been undertaken to develop a coupled thermosphere-ionosphere-plasmasphere model based on two well-established models, namely, the Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere General Circulation Model (TIMEGCM) developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the SAMI3 ionosphere model developed at the Naval Research Laboratory. This paper presents the first results from the coupled model on the investigation of a prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) event that took place on 9 November 2004. The coupled model eliminates two major upper boundary limitations of the stand-alone TIMEGCM, e.g., the upper boundary height and the prescribed O+ fluxes at the upper boundary. It is found that the F-layer peak height is raised above 800 km in response to the large PPEF. The O+ fluxes in the top ionosphere vary drastically during the course of the PPEF, with strong upward and downward fluxes with a magnitude greater than 109 cm−2 s−1 in localized regions. For the first time, the coupled model allows us to simulate and visualize the super-fountain effect on a global scale. Future model development is also envisaged, including the implementation of a more realistic magnetic field model and a fully two-way coupling between neutrals and ions.
Semantic relations asserting the etiology of genetic diseases.

Considerable research is being directed at extracting molecular biology information from text. Particularly challenging in this regard is to identify relations between entities, such as protein-protein interactions or molecular pathways. In this paper we present a natural language processing method for extracting causal relations between genetic phenomena and diseases. After presenting the results of a preliminary evaluation, we suggest the use of a graphical display application for viewing the semantic predications produced by the system.
Effective Instruction for STEM Disciplines: From Learning Theory to College Teaching

Publisher’s Description: This groundbreaking book offers information on the most effective ways that students process material, store it in their long-term memories, and how that effects [sic] learning for long-term retention. It reveals how achieving different levels is important for “transfer” which refers to the learner’s ability to use what is learned in different situations and to problems that might not be directly related to the problems used to help the student learn. Filled with proven tools, techniques, and approaches, this book explores how to apply these approaches to improve teaching (citation from Amazon.com).
Cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae serotype e in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and hypocomplementaemia

Introduction: Haemophilus influenzae has the potential to lead to invasive disease including necrotizing fasciitis, especially in immunocompromised individuals. There are only eight previous reports of monomicrobial necrotizing fasciitis due to this organism, and, to the best of our knowledge, none of the head and neck. There is also limited epidemiological and clinical data on infections caused by non-b serotypes of H. influenzae, including serotype e. Case presentation: A 60-year-old female, with systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome and hypocomplementaemia, presented with rapidly progressive right-sided facial and neck pain, swelling and erythema. She was treated initially with broad-spectrum antibiotics and underwent emergent debridement of the infected tissues. Intraoperative cultures and blood cultures grew H. influenzae. She required two additional debridements and was treated with ceftriaxone for 3 weeks with resolution of her symptoms. Conclusion: Here, we present the first reported case, to the best of our knowledge, of cervical necrotizing fasciitis due to H. influenzae serotype e. This case highlights the continued clinical importance of H. influenzae as a cause of invasive disease, including necrotizing fasciitis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Moreover, the case provides an example of invasive H. influenzae infection caused by a non-b serotype, an emerging concern in the era of widespread H. influenzae serotype b vaccination.
Horizontal gene transfer in eukaryotes: The weak-link model

The significance of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in eukaryotic evolution remains controversial. Although many eukaryotic genes are of bacterial origin, they are often interpreted as being derived from mitochondria or plastids. Because of their fixed gene pool and gene loss, however, mitochondria and plastids alone cannot adequately explain the presence of all, or even the majority, of bacterial genes in eukaryotes. Available data indicate that no insurmountable barrier to HGT exists, even in complex multicellular eukaryotes. In addition, the discovery of both recent and ancient HGT events in all major eukaryotic groups suggests that HGT has been a regular occurrence throughout the history of eukaryotic evolution. A model of HGT is proposed that suggests both unicellular and early developmental stages as likely entry points for foreign genes into multicellular eukaryotes.
Long-term changes in the population dynamics of the Caribbean hydrocoral Millepora spp

article i nfo Caribbean Hydrozoa Long-term Millepora In this study, the abundance of Millepora spp. on the shallow (b9-m depth) fringing reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands, was measured from 1992 to 2008 using photoquadrats recorded annually. The objectives were to describe how a rare, yet ecologically important invertebrate has changed in abundance over 16 years, and evaluate the extent to which the changes were associated with seawater temperature and storm intensity. Millepora spp. covered ≤1.5% of the benthos throughout the study, but it increased in cover as much as 306% between some consecutive years, while decreasing 67% between other years. Overall, mean Millepora spp. cover declined 49% from 0.99±0.33% in 1992 to 0.51±0.15% in 2008, in part because colonies became 47% smaller through shrinkage and fission. The percentage cover, number of branches, and population den- sity (i.e., colonies m −2 )o fMillepora spp. decreased in years characterized by warm seawater and intense storm effects, but the size of Millepora spp. colonies increased in years characterized by large numbers of cold days. Changing abundances of scleractinian corals are well documented on coral reefs, but the present study is unusual in demonstrating strong temporal variation in abundance of a rare taxon, probably as a result of some of the same physical conditions affecting scleractinians. As scleractinian corals decline in abun- dance, the dynamics of rare taxa are likely to play increasingly important roles in the community structure and function of tropical reefs.
Transient surface-heat-flux measurements in the exhaust of a SI engine

Surface-heat-flux measurements were performed at two locations in a straight-pipe extension of the exhaust-port of a SI engine. The measured surface-heat-flux history was characterised by a double peak, during the exhaust valve-open period. The largest peak resulted from the action of high-velocity, blowdown gases exiting the combustion chamber at the beginning of the exhaust process. The significantly lower second peak was due to the slower piston-driven gas motion that occurred during the displacement phase. During the closed-valve period, the local surface-heat-flux was found to be relatively low (10-45 kW/m 2 ) in comparison to the peak heat flux (80-288 kW/m 2 ), and to exhibit minimal decay. The predicted heat-flux histories from an engine-simulation analysis, which employed a heat transfer correlation developed by the authors, were in good agreement with the corresponding measured histories during blowdown, however, predictions were relatively poor during the displacement phase, both in magnitude and behaviour.
Continuous Shrink-Resist Treatment of Wool Fabric with Ozone

Continuous, rapid pruduction of highly shrink-resistant wool fabric is obtained by passing ozone in a carrier gas over one surface of hot, wet fabric moving in the opposite direction. Exhaustion of ozone from the carrier suggests that utilization is efhcient. Effective treatment requires a temperature of at least 95°C, ozone concentrations of 60 to 80 mg/liter, and treatment time of at least 30 sec. The fabric is not significantly degraded in the shorter treatments. Longer treatments impart increasing shrinkage resistance, but also increase dye uptake and solubility in acid and alkali, and decrease resistance to abrasion.In these tests, useful control of shrinkage was obtained with 0.01 1b of ozone per square yard of fabric at a cost of $0.0015/yd2 for the ozone in high volume use.
Carbon delivery to deep mineral horizons in Hawaiian rain forest soils

[1] This study aimed to better understand the mechanisms for soil organic matter delivery to and accumulation in mineral horizons of tropical rain forest, volcanic soils. We used soil morphology, lysimetry, isotopes, and spectroscopy to investigate the role of preferential flow paths in the delivery of carbon (C) to the subsoil. High rainfall, high primary productivity, and the dominance of highly reactive, short-range-order minerals combine to sequester substantial stocks of soil C with long mean residence times. The soils have large peds, separated by wide cracks, which form a network of channels propagating downward through the top 40 to 60 cm, facilitating macropore flow. The channel infillings and crack surfaces were enriched in organic material (OM) with lower C:N ratios, and had higher ammonium oxalate-extractable Al, and lower ammonium oxalate-extractable Fe than the adjacent mineral bulk soil. CP MAS 13C-NMR spectra of OM accumulating at depth showed strong signal intensities in the carboxyl and carbonyl C regions, indicative of organic acids, while decaying roots showed greater contributions of aromatic and O-alkyl C. The ratios of alkyl-to-O-alkyl C in the organic infillings were more similar to those of the bulk Bh and to dissolved organic matter than to those of decaying roots. Radiocarbon-based ages of OM infillings at >50 cm depth were significantly younger than the mineral soil (2000 years versus 7000 years). Respired CO2 from incubated soils showed that OM accumulating at depth is a mixture of modern and much older C, providing further evidence for the downward movement of fresh C.
The Patient Perspective as an Integral Part of Diabetes Disease Management

Individuals with diabetes mellitus and their providers view the world from their own perspectives and bring these different perspectives to the clinical encounter. Because individuals with diabetes enact the day-to-day management of their disease, their perspective will, therefore, largely determine their behaviours.
The Effect of Antireflux Therapy on Phonomicrosurgical Outcomes: A Preliminary Retrospective Study

Summary Objective/Hypothesis Currently, no clinical standards exist with regard to antireflux medications in the perioperative period for patients undergoing surgery for benign vocal fold lesions. The present study sought to determine the clinical yield of these medications on operative outcomes in patients who underwent surgical treatment for benign vocal fold lesions. Study Design Retrospective, outcomes study. Methods Medical records were reviewed from a single surgeon database between January 2011 and June 2012 to quantify outcomes in patients taking antireflux medications compared with subjects not taking medications at the time of surgery. Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-10 and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) scores were the primary dependent variables. The t test analyses were conducted to compare VHI-10 and RSI scores. Additional multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate medication effects on VHI and RSI, adjusting for potential confounds. Results A total of 51 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 12 (23.5%) were using antireflux medication(s) at the time of surgery and 39 (76.5%) were not. The mean shifts in VHI-10 and RSI after surgery for the antireflux therapy (ART) group were −14.75 and −7.5, respectively. For the non-antireflux therapy (non-ART) group, mean ΔVHI-10 and ΔRSI values were −9.87 and −5.05, respectively. Both t test and regression analyses confirmed no statistical difference between the ART and non-ART groups for both ΔVHI-10 and ΔRSI. Additional regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between preoperative RSI score and ΔRSI score. Conclusion Antireflux medications did not significantly alter postoperative outcomes in this preliminary cohort of patients.
Incident-beam enhancements of Auger electron scattering.

The role of scattering of the incident excitation electrons is examined by use of judiciously chosen scattering geometries that allow for the experimental separation of incident-beam effects and Auger-electron-scattering effects. The scattering of 4-keV incident electrons can result in variations greater than 25% of the Auger electron intensity for scattering from bcc Fe(001). A simple procedure for detecting the presence of incident-beam effects in other systems is given.
Integrated visualization of problemcentric urologic patient records.

: The collision of computer-based technologies and the medical environment is resulting in an increasingly electronic multimedia patient record, consisting of not only the traditional types of data (e.g., clinic notes and laboratory reports), but also digital images (e.g., computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) and other visual representations of patient data (e.g., pulmonary function graphs and urodynamic charts). Given the increasing amount of data made available to physicians, it is not only critical that the totality of a patient's medical record be accessible to a clinician, but that the diverse data be integrated and presented in a manner conducive to patient management: key information should be easily discovered. This paper describes a problemcentric time-based visualization of urologic conditions, whereby a patient's medical history is automatically organized around a medical problem and presented as a graphic chronology. Urology-related data in the patient medical record is organized in accord with an expert constructed knowledge-base, and plotted on a timeline using iconic representations. The user interface permits the physician to quickly view multimedia data and to visualize relationships between events in the patient's history.
The Neural Correlates of Emotional Memory in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is marked by intrusive, chronic, and distressing memories of highly emotional events. Previous research has highlighted the role of the amygdala and its interactions with the hippocampus in mediating the effect of enhanced memory for emotional information in healthy individuals. As the functional integrity of these regions may be compromised in PTSD, the current study examined the neural correlates of emotional memory in PTSD. Methods We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and an event-related subsequent memory recognition paradigm to study amygdala and hippocampus activation in 18 individuals with PTSD and 18 trauma-exposed non-PTSD control participants. Results Memory enhancement for negative, relative to neutral, pictures was found across all subjects, without significant differences between groups. Relative to the trauma-exposed non-PTSD group, the PTSD group showed exaggerated amygdala activation during the encoding of negative versus neutral pictures. This effect was even more pronounced when the analysis included data from only pictures that were subsequently remembered 1 week later. In the PTSD group, degree of amygdala activation during the encoding of negative versus neutral pictures was positively correlated with hippocampal activation and current PTSD symptom severity. The PTSD group also showed exaggerated hippocampal activation in response to negative pictures that were remembered versus forgotten. Finally, hippocampal activation associated with the successful encoding of negative relative to neutral pictures was significantly greater in the PTSD group. Conclusions Exaggerated amygdala activation during the encoding of emotionally negative stimuli in PTSD is related to symptom severity and to hippocampal activation.
Measurement of OH Density Profiles in Atmospheric-Pressure Propane-Air Flames

Abstract Hydroxyl radical (OH) density profiles as a function of height above the surface of a flat-flame burner have been determined for propane-air flames at three fuel-air equivalence ratios (0.63, 1.17, and 1.45) and for two total gas flow velocities at the richest equivalence ratio. The experiments have been performed using both absorption spectroscopy and laser-induced-fluorescence (LIF) imaging. The absorption and fluorescence profiles are in good agreement. Superequilibrium OH densities are observed near the flame zone with decay toward equilibrium occurring in the post-flame gases. An apparent second order kinetic dependence of this OH decay has been verified for the &#x1d6bd; = 1.17 flame. The rate constant for the irreversible consumption of acetylene by OH has been determined to be 1.2(+0.3)x 10-12cm3/molecule-sec in the burned gas from the richest flame for temperatures of 1620-1700 K. The data suggest that the methyl radical is an important ultimate product formed in this reaction. The observed CO d...
Morphology of staphylococcus bacteriophage P1

The group D staphylococcal phage P1 was examined in the electron microscope after preparation by a variety of procedures. The virion was found to have an icosahedral capsid attached to a long contractile tail structure, the viral tail could be seen in partially contracted configurations. Morphological varients in the length of the sheath and needle were frequently found.
Categorical invariance and structural complexity in human concept learning

Abstract An alternative account of human concept learning based on an invariance measure of the categorical stimulus is proposed. The categorical invariance model (CIM) characterizes the degree of structural complexity of a Boolean category as a function of its inherent degree of invariance and its cardinality or size. To do this we introduce a mathematical framework based on the notion of a Boolean differential operator on Boolean categories that generates the degrees of invariance (i.e., logical manifold) of the category in respect to its dimensions. Using this framework, we propose that the structural complexity of a Boolean category is indirectly proportional to its degree of categorical invariance and directly proportional to its cardinality or size. Consequently, complexity and invariance notions are formally unified to account for concept learning difficulty. Beyond developing the above unifying mathematical framework, the CIM is significant in that: (1) it precisely predicts the key learning difficulty ordering of the SHJ [Shepard, R. N., Hovland, C. L., & Jenkins, H. M. (1961). Learning and memorization of classifications. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 75 (13), 1–42] Boolean category types consisting of three binary dimensions and four positive examples; (2) it is, in general, a good quantitative predictor of the degree of learning difficulty of a large class of categories (in particular, the 41 category types studied by Feldman [Feldman, J. (2000). Minimization of Boolean complexity in human concept learning. Nature, 407 , 630–633]); (3) it is, in general, a good quantitative predictor of parity effects for this large class of categories; (4) it does all of the above without free parameters; and (5) it is cognitively plausible (e.g., cognitively tractable).
Multiple Emissions and Brilliant White Luminescence from Gold(I) O,O‘-Di(alkyl)dithiophosphate Dimers

The Au(I) dimers Au2{S2P(OR)2}2 for R = Me, Et are found to exhibit a structure in which aurophilic interactions yield one-dimensional Au···Au chains with intermolecular contacts (3.09−3.16 A) similar to the Au···Au distances within the dimers (3.10−3.18 A). The dimers are luminescent in the solid state and become brilliantly emissive at low temperatures. At 77 K, Au2{S2P(OMe)2}2 shows multiple emission bands. The two higher energy bands at 415 and 456 nm are assigned to 1MC and 3MC on the basis of lifetime measurements (20 ns and 2.16 μs, respectively) and concentration-related effects, while the lower energy band at 560 nm is attributed to a LMCT excited state. In frozen glasses of different solvents, Au2{S2P(OMe)2}2 as well as the Et and n-Pr derivatives exhibit a bright luminescence of different colors and striking thermochromism of the emission.
Microcomputer program for manipulating large digital terrain models

Abstract The MicroDEM program manipulates large (90,000 elevations per data set) digital terrain models to produce contour and slope maps. topographic profiles. and oblique views. The program runs on industry standard MS-DOS microcomputers. The modular source code, written in Turbo Pascal, allows easy modification and customization. Alternatively, the executable code will run without modification and requires little user understanding of the computer and its operating system. Readily available data covers the entire United States.
Nonlinear behaviour of an articulated offshore loading platform

An analytical model was developed for the dynamic analysis of an articulated loading platform (ALP) under regular wave excitations. The dynamic response and stability of the ALP tower, treated as a single-degree-of-freedom system, was investigated with direct numerical integration and approximate analytical methods. The highly nonlinear characteristics, including subharmonics, instabilities, period-doubling bifurcations and Lyapunov exponents, were examined. Possible occurrence of chaotic motion was investigated by means of direct numerical integration and application of the classical stability theory with the aid of Hill's type equation. It was discovered that for the parameters studied, chaotic motion with only take place under the action of a train of extremely large waves. Such motion may develop either through period-doubling bifurcations or take place suddenly depending on the excitation amplitude.
Accurate computer reconstruction and graphics display of complex neurons utilizing state-of-the-art interactive techniques

Abstract This paper reports some advances in reconstruction techniques motivated by the need for accurate analysis of the structure of many complex neurons. The existing neuron reconstruction system required too much time to enter trees, limited the complexity of traced neurons to that which could be held in computer memory, required too much time to correct for inaccurate focus axis readings, and was limited in realistic display capabilities. Also, since the study required accurate measurement of very fine processes, projecting the neuron image onto a data tablet in order to speed up tracing was not possible. An operator controls the microscope stage and focus movement with a 3D joystick in a “positional mode with clutching.” He also controls the diameter of a circle which is displayed on the computer graphics CRT and mixed with the neuron image by a camera lucida. He moves the stage and focus to pass the neuron processes under the circle and indicates to the computer when to capture a coordinate. The most common point type is captured automatically; the next three most common types are indicated by voice command. The remaining types are entered with pushbuttons. Once all pieces of all trees from all tissue sections have been entered, a “match the squares” merging technique is used to attach truncated tree pieces to their continuations in adjacent tissue sections. An automatic scaling program corrects for tissue shrinkage and wrinkling and for incorrect focus axis readings. Finally, 3D dynamic displays, realistic plots, and statistical summaries of the neurons are generated. Reconstruction time has been halved, but an order of magnitude improvement is still needed.
Percutaneous transpedicular polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty for the treatment of spinal compression fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, feasibility, and clinical outcome of percutaneous transpedicular polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty (PTPV) for the treatment of spinal compression fractures causing refractory pain. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive group of patients undergoing PTPV at our institution between April 1998 and January 2001. Outcome measures included analgesic requirements, ambulatory status, sleep comfort, and overall quality of life 2 weeks after the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients (73 women and 24 men) underwent 258 PTPV procedures during 133 treatment sessions. The mean age was 76 years (range, 42-99 yr). The mean duration of follow-up was 14.7 months (range, 2-35 mo). Most of the patients had osteoporotic compression fractures, although some had osteolytic malignancies. Complete follow-up was obtained in 81 patients (84%). Narcotic and analgesic usage decreased in 63% of patients, increased in 7%, and remained the same in 30%. Ambulation and mobility were improved in 51 %, worse in 1% and the same in 48%. One-half of the patients were able to sleep more comfortably after the procedure, whereas the other half remained the same. Most patients who reported no change in sleep or ambulation had experienced no impairment of these activities before PTPV. Overall, 74% of patients believed that PTPV significantly enhanced their quality of life and 26% reported no change. No patient was worse after PTPV. One patient with preexisting pneumonia died of respiratory failure after the procedure; another died of an acute stroke weeks later. One patient developed symptomatic pulmonary embolism of cement, and another developed transient quadriceps weakness from radiculopathy. Other complications were minor and infrequent. There were no infections. CONCLUSION: PTPV provided significant relief in a high percentage of patients with refractory pain. PTPV is a safe and feasible treatment for patients with spinal compression fractures.
Growth and Mortality of Red Snappers in the West-Central Atlantic Ocean and Northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Age, growth rates, mortality, and length-weight relationships were determined for red snappers Lutjanus campechanus from two areas in the west central Atlantic Ocean and two in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Growth rates varied only slightly among areas. The von Bertalanffy growth equation was Lt = 975(1 - e−0.16(t-0.0)) for fish from the Atlantic and Lt = 941(1 - e− 0.17(t + 0.1)) for fish from the Gulf of Mexico, where Lt is length at age t in years. The length-weight equation differed among areas, but no difference was evident between sexes. This equation for fish from all areas pooled was W = 2.04 × 10−5TL2.953, where W is weight in grams and TL is total length in mm. Significant differences were found in total instantaneous mortality rates. The rate ranged from 0.39 for fish off the coast of North Carolina and South Carolina to 0.78 for fish off the coast of Louisiana. Age of full recruitment to the fishery ranged from 2 years off Louisiana to 6 years off the Carolinas. Fishing mortality appea...
Some effects of ingested petroleum on seawater-adapted ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

Abstract Male Pekin ducks adapted to seawater and maintained under sheltered conditions (27°C) in the laboratory may consume considerable volumes of petroleum without showing overt symptoms of distress. Under these conditions, birds consuming petroleum-contaminated food have shown a persistent hyperphagia; this was most apparent among those given food contaminated with South Louisiana crude oil, least apparent among birds given No. 2 fuel oil, and intermediate among those that consumed food contaminated with Kuwait crude oil. When maintained at 27°C, some mortality occurred among the birds given South Louisiana crude oil (22.2%) and No. 2 fuel oil (35.7%), whereas none of the freshwater- and seawater-maintained birds given uncontaminated food and none of the birds given Kuwait crude oil died during this period. Following their exposure to chronic mild cold stress (3°C), mortality occurred in all groups of birds; the birds that had consumed petroleum-contaminated food tended to die earlier and in larger numbers than either the seawater- or freshwater-maintained control birds. These effects suggest that the mortality in all groups of birds was due primarily to the additive effects of a series of nonspecific stressors. Thus, at autopsy, birds that had succumbed to the effects of these stressors frequently showed adrenal hypertrophy and severe involution of the lymphoepithelial tissues. The consumption of petroleum-contaminated food seemed to constitute only one of a series of environmental stressors, and, among birds that were already exposed to stressors such as hypertonic drinking water and persistent cold, the ingestion of petroleum seemed to render them more vulnerable and death frequently ensued.
Minerals of the Quarries of: Lowell-Eden, Vermont

(1996). Minerals of the Quarries of: Lowell-Eden, Vermont. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 71, Vermont Issue, pp. 236-244.