cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Core Competency Learning in an Integrated Summer Research Experience for Bioengineers

In the summer Research Experience for Undergraduates offered by the NSF-sponsored VaNTH Engineering Research Center in Bioengineering, core competency instruction in ethics and communication was integrated into students’ research experiences outside of formal courses. This paper describes our instructional approach and presents an initial evaluation of its effectiveness. A simple concept mapping assessment used at the beginning and end of the summer suggests that students made gains in both areas. In ethics, students developed greater awareness of key concepts, such as respect for persons (informed consent), beneficence, justice, integrity, and responsibility. Gains in communication were more modest, but the maps revealed growth in understanding the importance of audience and the multifaceted nature of technical communication. Overall, the study suggests that students can make measurable strides in core competencies without taking formal courses. Future research should consider integrating components of our intervention into other non-credit experiences for engineering undergraduates.
Promoting Reflexivity and Inclusivity in Archival Education, Research, and Practice.

The area of archival studies today transcends the professional field of archival science. It encompasses an ever‐broadening array of disciplinary discussions and methodological approaches that are identifying, critiquing, and addressing the shifting social, cultural, philosophical, and political, as well as the technological, imperatives of record keeping and remembering in the twenty‐first century. Reporting on two recent research projects and three ongoing educational initiatives, this article suggests ways in which research and education in archival studies can play a central role in promoting more reflexive and inclusive ideas, practices, and research, not only within the archival profession, but also within the various library and information science (LIS) and iSchool settings in which archival education and research might be situated.
A Conformal Decomposition Finite Element Method for Material Death

A Conformal Decomposition Finite Element Method (CDFEM) is developed for modeling material death. Material death is used to model the continuous removal of material that exceeds a prescribed temperature. CDFEM allows for the moving front to move through the material without having to conform to the finite element geometry. The method is tested using 2-dimensional simulations of a 1-dimensional problem with an analytical solution. CDFEM is shown to be optimal for the chosen discretization with first order convergence in time and second order convergence in space. In comparison, a traditional element death algorithm does not converge at all on unstructured meshes. A correction is proposed for remedying this problem, resulting in first order convergence for traditional element death in space and time.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Association of the Adaptor TANK with the IκB Kinase (IKK) Regulator NEMO Connects IKK Complexes with IKKε and TBK1 Kinases

Abstract Canonical activation of NF-κB is mediated via phosphorylation of the inhibitory IκB proteins by the IκB kinase complex (IKK). IKK is composed of a heterodimer of the catalytic IKKα and IKKβ subunits and a presumed regulatory protein termed NEMO (NF-κB essential modulator) or IKKγ. NEMO/IKKγ is indispensable for activation of the IKKs in response to many signals, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here we identify TANK (TRAF family member-associated NF-κB activator) as a NEMO/IKKγ-interacting protein via yeast two-hybrid analyses. This interaction is confirmed in mammalian cells, and the domains required are mapped. TANK was previously shown to assist NF-κB activation in a complex with TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) or IKKe, two kinases distantly related to IKKα/β, but the underlying mechanisms remained unknown. Here we show that TBK1 and IKKe synergize with TANK to promote interaction with the IKKs. The TANK binding domain within NEMO/IKKγ is required for proper functioning of this IKK subunit. These results indicate that TANK can synergize with IKKe or TBK1 to link them to IKK complexes, where the two kinases may modulate aspects of NF-κB activation.
Rabbit lymphocytes with receptors for IgM. I. The development of receptors on lymphocytes following intravenous injection of antigen.

Abstract Under conditions optimal for detection of receptors for IgM (RFcμ) on human lymphocytes, RFcμ + lymphocytes were not found in any of the tissues of nonimmune rabbits. However, 1 day after iv immunization with alum-precipitated keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) or polymerized human IgG (pol-Ig), rabbit peripheral blood (PB) and spleen (S) demonstrated a significant percentage of lymphocytes (10%) with RFcμ. At 3 days after immunization there was a further increase in RFcμ + lymphocytes (10–13%). By 6 days, however, the percentage of lymphocytes bearing receptors for IgM had returned nearly to zero. Pronase treatment was found to increase expression of RFcμ at 1 and 3 days in pol-Ig-primed tissues (up to 25%) but not in KLH-primed tissues. The percentage of RFcμ + lymphocytes in tissues remained low at 6 days even after Pronase treatment. This time sequence of development of RFcμ + cells after immunization seems interesting in the light of the findings of others that human lymphocytes with receptors for IgM are responsible for help in the PWM-induced differentiation of B cells to plasma cells.
Elastic Properties of 0.98Li2O‐1.0Al2O3‐nSiO2 Glasses and Keatite‐Phase Glass‐Ceramics

Bulk physical properties such as elastic moduli, thermal expansions, and moduli of rupture were measured for a series of 0.98Li2O-1.0ALO3-nSiO2 glasses and the corresponding keatite solid-solution-phase glass-ceramics. The SiO2 content ranged from n=4 to 12. The magnitude of the elastic properties of the glasses changed monotonically with increasing SiO2 content. The properties of keatite-phase glass-ceramics depended almost linearly on SiO2 content, but their behavior differed qualitatively from that of the glasses.
Effects of a parasite mite on life-history variation in two grasshopper species

Parasites often have large effects on the life-history patterns of their hosts. There is a need to examine how observed life-history patterns of parasitized organisms under field conditions fit theoretical predictions. I conducted a field experiment to examine the effects of an ectoparasitic grasshopper mite on survival and reproductive allocation in two grasshoppers with different life-history characteristics, Melanoplus sanguinipes and Ageneotettix deorum. Proportional survival was lower in mite-parasitized A. deorum during the period of mite parasitism, but not in M. sanguinipes. As predicted in response to a short-lived parasite, females in both species had reduced initial and total reproduction. Egg production declined by 39-44% with mite parasitism in the two species of grasshoppers studied. Parasitized females of both species completed development of a lower percentage of ovarioles initiating development. Future reproduction of A. deorum females was unaffected by parasitism. However, future reproduction of parasitized M. sanguinipes remained lower at the end of the experiment, indicating parasitism had an effect on reproduction up to 40 days after mite parasites left M. sanguinipes females. There were no interactions between population density and mite parasitism on reproductive allocation or survival in M. sanguinipes. Parasitized females of both species appeared to differentially allocate resources in response to parasitism. The reduced reproduction in parasitized individuals probably resulted from the inability of grasshoppers to increase resource intake to compensate for the direct or indirect costs of parasitism.
Zinc Metabolism in the Growing Chick. Tissue Concentration and Effect of Phytate on Absorption

Abstract THERE is relatively little information regarding the distribution of zinc in the tissues of the chicken and essentially nothing is known about zinc absorption and excretion in avian species. Fouad (1960) determined zinc in bones, liver, feathers and intestines of chicks maintained for 3 weeks on diets containing 35 and 100 p.p.m. of zinc. All tissues from chicks that consumed 35 p.p.m. of zinc contained less zinc than those fed 100 p.p.m. but the greatest difference was observed in bones, 80 versus 196 mcg. per gram dry matter, respectively. Kienholz et al. (1962) maintained hens on a soy protein basal diet (10 p.p.m.) and a zinc supplemented diet (70 p.p.m.) for seven months. Eggs from the basal group contained less zinc than normal but, on a fresh weight basis, the zinc content of bones was unaffected. The zinc supplemented diet produced zinc concentrations in liver which were nearly twice that…
Role of Reliability and Accelerated Testing in VHSIC Technology

In very high scale integrated circuits (VHSIC)/technology, reliability ground rules must be developed and included in chip design rules. This concept of "designed-in" reliability, rather than the traditional "tested-in" reliability approach, will be necessary in VHSIC. Accelerated testing becomes important as timely feedback on process, design, and reliability must be provided during technology development. The functional part numbers may be qualified by the technology qualification concept and by time zero functional performance verification of different part numbers. A voltage ramp test for rapid study (less than 100 h) of gate reliability of N-type metal-oxide semiconductor (NMOS) devices is discussed. HAST (highly accelerated stress test) may also be used to accelerate significantly the corrosion of the Al metallurgy of plastic encapsulated devices over the conventional temperature/humidity/bias test.
A state-space Bayesian framework for estimating biogeochemical transformations using time-lapse geophysical data

[1] We develop a state-space Bayesian framework to combine time-lapse geophysical data with other types of information for quantitative estimation of biogeochemical parameters during bioremediation. We consider characteristics of end products of biogeochemical transformations as state vectors, which evolve under constraints of local environments through evolution equations, and consider time-lapse geophysical data as available observations, which could be linked to the state vectors through petrophysical models. We estimate the state vectors and their associated unknown parameters over time using Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling methods. To demonstrate the use of the state-space approach, we apply it to complex resistivity data collected during laboratory column biostimulation experiments that were poised to precipitate iron and zinc sulfides during sulfate reduction. We develop a petrophysical model based on sphere-shaped cells to link the sulfide precipitate properties to the time-lapse geophysical attributes and estimate volume fraction of the sulfide precipitates, fraction of the dispersed, sulfide-encrusted cells, mean radius of the aggregated clusters, and permeability over the course of the experiments. Results of the case study suggest that the developed state-space approach permits the use of geophysical data sets for providing quantitative estimates of end-product characteristics and hydrological feedbacks associated with biogeochemical transformations. Although tested here on laboratory column experiment data sets, the developed framework providesthe foundation neededfor quantitative field-scale estimation of biogeochemical parameters over space and time using direct, but often sparse wellbore data with indirect, but more spatially extensive geophysical data sets.
Empathic unsettlement and the outsider within Argentine spaces of memory

In quite distinctive ways, protagonists of Argentine spaces of memory have addressed the complex questions of whether and how visitors experience empathy and empathic unsettlement in these spaces. I will draw from my recent experiences as co-professor with Marita Sturken of a group of US students in Buenos Aires. I will suggest that tension-ridden engagement between outsiders and insiders, including our exchanges with Argentine guides in three iconic sites of memory, can in some instances be conceived as empathic unsettlement. I will make use of performance studies to reflect on our “situatedness” within these spaces, in terms of “co-performance” and the outsider within. I hope to relate our dialogues and experiences to the possibilities for cross-border solidarities.
CHANGE IN EFFECTIVE ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF SOLID-FILLED POROUS MEDIA UPON SUBSTITUTION

Biot-Gassmann relations that link the change in effective elastic properties of fluid-filled porous media to the change in pore fluid properties are not applicable for solid-filled porous media. Such problems arise when concerned with pore-filling materials with non-negligible shear modulus; examples of such materials include molten lava, cold bitumen, kerogen, clay, etc. In this paper, we discuss how effective solid-filled bulk and shear moduli of a solid-filled porous medium (or composite) are explicitly related to other effective stiffnesses and pore-filling solid elastic properties. Such relations are known as substitution equations and are particularly useful in exploration geophysics, for example in reservoir monitoring. We present new equations which improve on previously suggested solid substitution relations by Ciz and Shapiro.
Renal imaging in long-term dialysis patients: A comparison of CT and sonography

Patients undergoing long-term dialysis are subject to cyst formation, hemorrhage, and neoplasia in their native kidneys. Detection of these complications with incremental dynamic CT and detection with sonography were compared prospectively in 41 patients (79 kidneys) who had been undergoing dialysis intermittently for 3 or more years. Acquired cystic kidney disease (five or more cysts per kidney) was identified in 59% of kidneys by use of CT and in 18% by use of sonography. CT showed a complete renal contour definition in all cases, sonography did so in only 57%. Three solid renal tumors (2- to 4-cm diameter) were identified with both techniques with no false-negative evaluations. Four benign hemorrhagic cysts were identified with combined CT (hyperdense mass) and sonography (benign cysts). CT provided the best anatomic image quality and was more accurate for detection of acquired cystic kidney disease. CT and sonography were equivalent for detection of solid tumors. Our results suggest that dynamic contrast-enhanced CT scanning with the supplemental use of sonography is the best imaging regimen for the evaluation of suspected acquired cystic kidney disease and its potential complications.
Optimization of a Duplex Real-Time PCR Method for Relative Quantitation of Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus

SUMMARY. Infectious laryngotracheitis is a highly contagious respiratory disease of chickens controlled by biosecurity and vaccination with live attenuated or recombinant vaccines. Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) infections are characterized by a peak of viral replication in the trachea followed by a steady decrease in replication that results in the establishment of latency. Estimation of viral load is an important tool to determine the stage of ILTV infection. Here, a multiplex real-time PCR was optimized for the quantification of ILTV genomes. Quantification of viral genomes was based on the amplification of the ILTV UL44 gene, and sample variability was normalized using the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) α2-collagen gene as an endogenous control in a duplex reaction.
RT&E for the next generation weather radar (NEXRAD) system

The author describes how the military standard on reliability testing (MIL-STD-781C) has been used as a basis for planning the reliability test and evaluation program for a current electronic system development, the next generation weather radar (NEXRAD) system. A short description is given of the NEXRAD system configuration and of the availability requirements and calculations for the system. General information is provided on the system documentation relating to the reliability program. A variety of guidelines to be followed on this program that are useful for other electronic systems undergoing reliability testing is also presented. >
Extensible On-Chip Peripherals

This paper describes the I/O subsystem of the eMIPS dynamically self-extensible processor. This processor, during execution, can load additional logic blocks that can perform a variety of functions from adding new instructions to the base instruction set to controlling I/O pins. A dynamically loaded logic block that acts as an I/O peripheral to software is what we term an Extensible I/O Peripheral. Additional mechanisms were added to the eMIPS design for a newly loaded Extensible On-Chip Peripheral to connect to the memory controller, to interact with system software in the discovery process, to obtain the I/O space and interrupt resources that it needs to operate correctly and finally to disconnect from it. A general purpose operating system running on eMIPS is able to verify the security level of any processor Extension before it is enabled. Because it only executes in the address space of the application that uses it, other applications are insulated against potentially malicious Extensions. We have extended the security model to Extensible On-Chip Peripherals and their software drivers. Privileged peripherals can request access to additional interface signals that are normally not available to non-privileged Extensions. These signals allow access to physical memory, interrupt lines and I/O pins. Extensible On-Chip Peripherals can interact with system software via memory-mapped I/O and can add new I/O instructions to the processor. For instance, atomic multi-register data transfers can simplify the interaction between software and interrupt routines, especially on multi-core systems.
A Geometric Morphometric Assessment of the Hominoid Supraorbital Region: Affinities of the Eurasian Miocene Hominoids Dryopithecus, Graecopithecus , and Sivapithecus

This project used three-dimensional landmark-based morphometric analyses to quantify morphology and variation in the supraorbital region of extant and fossil hominoids. Based on Procrustes superimposition and a battery of statistical approaches, several results were obtained. First, it was demonstrated that supraorbital morphology is robust for distinguishing among extant hominoids. Three character states are exhibited in living apes, separating hominines, Pongo, and Hylobates; Homo is best placed with the African apes in brow morphology, rather than in a separate category. Second, Late Miocene hominoid specimens of Dryopithecus, Sivapithecus, and Graecopithecus were shown to have affinities with particular branches of the hominoid phylogeny. Dryopithecus from Hungary best represents stem hominid morphology; Dryopithecus from Spain is fairly unique, with uncertain affinities. Sivapithecus shows strong affinities to Pongo and the pongine lineage, but displays some similarity to hylobatids. Finally, Graecopithecus clearly groups with the hominines, and shows some affinity to the Gorilla lineage.
Recent advances in digital signal processing and their application to antenna pattern synthesis

It is shown that the problems of antenna pattern synthesis and digital filter design are similar in nature. With this in mind, some recent techniques common to digital filter design are examined in terms of their applicability to antenna pattern synthesis. An equiripple formulation of the weighted-least-squares method is developed to show how it can be used for both sector and pencil beam patterns. Several design examples are presented. >
Causal Inferences, Closed Populations, and Measures of Association*

Two of the most important traditions of quantitative research in sociology and social psychology are those of survey research and laboratory or field experiments. In the former, the explicit objective is usually that of generalizing to some specific population, whereas in the latter it is more often that of stating relationships among variables. These two objectives are not thought to be incompatible in any fundamental sense, but nevertheless we lack a clear understanding of their interrelationship.One of the most frequent objections to laboratory experiments turns on the question of generalizability, or what Campbell and Stanley refer to as “external validity.” In essence, this question seems to reduce to at least two related problems: (1) that of representativeness or typicality, and (2) the possibility of interaction effects that vary with experimental conditions. In the first case, the concern would seem to be with central tendency and dispersion of single variables, that is, whether the means and standard deviations of variables in the experimental situation are sufficiently close to those of some larger population. The second involves the question of possible disturbing influences introduced into the experimental setting that produce non-additive effects when combined with either the experimental variable or the premeasurement. These same variables may of course be operative in larger populations. But presumably they take on different numerical values, with the result that one would infer different relationships between major independent and dependent variables in the two kinds of research settings.
Coyote colonization of northern Virginia and admixture with Great Lakes wolves

Ecological invasions of generalist species often are facilitated by anthropogenic disturbance. Coyotes (Canis latrans) have benefitted from anthropogenic changes to North American ecosystems and have experienced a dramatic range expansion since the early 19th century. The region east of the Mississippi River has been colonized via 2 routes that have converged in the mid-Atlantic region during the past few decades. Coyotes using the northern route of expansion show molecular evidence of admixture with the Great Lakes wolf (GLW). We used noninvasive molecular techniques to detect the geographic origins of the recent coyote colonization of northern Virginia as a representative of the mid-Atlantic region and to detect signatures of admixture with GLWs. Of 455 individual canid scats screened, we sequenced a variable 282-base pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region from 126 coyote scats, assigned individual identities to samples using 6 microsatellite loci, and conducted phylogeographic analyses by comparing our sequences to previously published haplotypes. In 39 individuals identified in our scat surveys we detected 7 mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, all of which have been previously reported in diverse surrounding geographic localities. Phylogeographic analyses indicate multiple sources of colonization of northern Virginia. One common haplotype detected in northern Virginia is of wolf origin, indicating the presence of admixed coyotes and GLWs from the north.
Simulations of the Rocketdyne free-electron laser

Rocketdyne is assembling a high-brightness 78 MeV free-electron laser (FEL). The authors analyze the performance expected of this laser using the Rocketdyne three-dimensional simulation code FELOPT. An outline of the device, description of the code, and a presentation of some of the simulation results form the basis of this study. After sketching the details of the FEL, the code description is given in two parts: a description of the treatment of FEL interaction and then an outline of the algorithm used in free-space wave-optics propagation. Performance calculations stress parametric sensitivities and use of a prebuncher. >
Variability in near-surface particulate absorption spectra: What can a satellite ocean color imager see?

An extensive database of -400 in situ particulate absorption spectra [a,(X)] is analyzed to assess the potential of using ocean color imagers to examine variability in the structure of the near-surface ocean planktonic ecosystem. This application of a,(X) data is appropriate, as particulate absorption variations are the dominant source of ocean color variation and are attributable to changes in the phytoplankton community structure. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF’) analyses are used to estimate the contribution of each statistical mode to the total variance. The EOF analyses showed that > 99% of the variance found in the a,(X) data set can be simply attributed to the total amount of particulate material. When this source of variability is removed, two significant modes of variability can be identified which comprise 79 and 18% of the normalized variance. These modes are interpreted as representing the relative contribution of chlorophyll-containing biomass and detrital materials, verifying the use of two-component phytoplankton-detritus models to partition a,(X). Only a small amount of the total a,(X) variability (~0.5% of the total) can be attributed to absorption features caused by accessory pigment groups. Thus, variability in a,(X) is almost entirely associated with the quantity of the absorbing materials rather than their spectral quality (or normalized spectral shape). These results suggest that remotely sensed ocean color spectra will reflect only three statistically significant components: the total amount of particulate material, the relative amounts of chlorophyll-containing biomass, and detrital materials. For most typical conditions it is unlikely that robust global algorithms for determining particular phytoplankton groups can be developed from remotely sensed ocean color spectra.
Mentoring Practices to Keep Teachers in School

This study investigates the relationship between mentoring practices and beginning teacher migration. Mentor matching, degree of support, and frequency of interactions were examined to determine under which conditions novice teachers are more likely to stay in their school—in hopes of establishing continuity and a culture that positively impacts student performance. The sample consists of 8,838 teachers who were mentored during their first 2 years of teaching. Secondary analysis of data from the 2006 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey was used to examine mentoring practices. ChiSquare analyses revealed that beginning teachers who were purposefully matched, who received “a lot” of assistance with the supports listed, and who met with mentors monthly or several times a month for the specified activities were more likely to remain in their school than their peers who had received less support.
A Simple Flow-Cytometric Method Measuring B Cell Surface Immunoglobulin Avidity Enables Characterization of Affinity Maturation to Influenza A Virus

ABSTRACT Antibody (Ab) affinity maturation enables an individual to maintain immunity to an increasing number of pathogens within the limits of a total Ig production threshold. A better understanding of this process is critical for designing vaccines that generate optimal Ab responses to pathogens. Our study describes a simple flow-cytometric method that enumerates virus-specific germinal center (GC) B cells as well as their AC 50 , a measure of Ab avidity, defined as the antigen concentration required to detect 50% of specific B cells. Using a model of mouse Ab responses to the influenza A virus hemagglutinin (IAV HA), we obtained data indicating that AC 50 decreases with time postinfection in an affinity maturation-dependent process. As proof of principle of the utility of the method, our data clearly show that relative to intranasal IAV infection, intramuscular immunization against inactivated IAV in adjuvant results in a diminished GC HA B cell response, with increased AC 50 correlating with an increased serum Ab off-rate. Enabling simultaneous interrogation of both GC HA B cell quantity and quality, this technique should facilitate study of affinity maturation and rational vaccine design. IMPORTANCE Though it was first described 50 years ago, little is known about how antibody affinity maturation contributes to immunity. This question is particularly relevant to developing more effective vaccines for influenza A virus (IAV) and other viruses that are difficult vaccine targets. Limitations in methods for characterizing antigen-specific B cells have impeded progress in characterizing the quality of immune responses to vaccine and natural immunogens. In this work, we describe a simple flow cytometry-based approach that measures both the number and affinity of IAV-binding germinal center B cells specific for the IAV HA, the major target of IAV-neutralizing antibodies. Using this method, we showed that the route and form of immunization significantly impacts the quality and quantity of B cell antibody responses. This method provides a relatively simple yet powerful tool for better understanding the contribution of affinity maturation to viral immunity.
Thermal Boundary Conductance at Metal-Graphene-Metal Interfaces Using Time-Domain Thermoreflectance Method

Thermal boundary conductance (TBC) at Ti-graphene-Ti and Au-graphene-Au interfaces was measured using time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR). Graphene grown on Cu foil by chemical vapor deposition was transferred to metallized Si substrates and TDTR was performed following the deposition of a top metal contact to form the metal-graphene-metal sandwiched structure. The results show that TBC was reduced at Au-graphene-Au interface in comparison to Au-Au interface and the value was similar to TBC measured at Au-HOPG interface. TBC at Ti-graphene-Ti interface was measured to be in the same range as Ti-Ti interface. This result is believed to be due to formation of oxide on surface of Ti, but further investigation is required. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental study of TBC in metal-graphene-metal architecture.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Charge Transfer as a Possible Laser Pumping Mechanism

Charge transfer between positive ions and neutral particles will, in general, give rise to products in a variety of states. Recent measurements have shown, however, that in certain circumstances particular excited states of either the neutral or charged product are highly favored. In this paper, a short discussion of charge transfer as it relates to the formation of excited products is given. As a specific example of population inversion, the reaction H+ + Cs → H(n ≥ 2) + Cs+ is discussed, and some of the possible implications of charge transfer pumping are considered.
Sartre and Fanon : On Men and Women, and Gender and Race Intersection as They Relate to French Colonial Resistance

In this paper, the author presents Fanon’s analysis of decolonization in order to present an explicit conception of resistance based upon Fanon’s concept of decolonization, which is aligned with the lived experience of the colonized: their racial, sociopolitical, and economic condition as well as their existential condition. The author contrasts Fanon’s analysis with Sartre’s critique of colonialism as it appears in The Critique . Ultimately, through the presentation of Sartre’s and Fanon’s theories, the author attempts to show a feminist analysis of French colonial resistance as a criticism of Sartre’s and Fanon’s theories and of the analysis their male contemporaries within the field of Post/Colonial Theories.
Terri Schiavo and the Disability Rights Community

According to many disability rights organizations, the issues surrounding the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube were disability rights issues. Many such organizations joined the fight against the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube and, following her death, have urged changes in state legislation that would restrict the removal of nutrition and hydration from individuals who have never clearly expressed a desire to refuse such treatment. Concerned to limit the effect of inappropriate "quality of life" evaluations in decisions to remove life support, these groups have characterized the permanent vegetative state as a condition of disability indistinguishable in many respects for other disabilities. This article examines the implications of these positions for people who are profoundly developmentally disabled. It argues that the view that the permanent vegetative state is merely at one end of a continuum of disabilities appears to serve neither the profoundly disabled person who has entered a permanent vegetative state, nor profoundly disabled people in general.
Effects of Carbon-Dioxide Inhalations on Intrapleural Pressure in Dogs.

In our studies on the effects of broncho-constricting drugs on intrapleural pressure,1 we noted that whereas a more positive intrapleural pressure on expiration developed following the administrati...
Regional and systemic cytokine responses to acute inflammation of the vermiform appendix.

Objective To measure local (peritoneal fluid) and systemic (plasma) cytokine profiles in patients with infection-inflammation of the vermiform appendix, a relatively mild, localized inflammatory process. Summary background data The systemic host response to invading microorganisms, often termed the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), includes changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and circulating white blood cell numbers. Although these changes can be induced experimentally by administering proinflammatory cytokines, the mediators that appear in the bloodstream during early, localized infection in humans have not been defined. Methods The authors studied 56 patients with pathologically proven appendicitis. Blood was obtained before the induction of anesthesia, when 82% of the patients met the criteria for SIRS. Peritoneal fluid (PF) was obtained by intraoperative lavage. Cytokines were measured by immunoassay. To assess the net impact of the mediators within plasma, the authors studied the ability of patient plasma to augment or suppress bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of monocytes in vitro. Results Of the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha was present in PF but not in plasma, interleukin (IL)-1beta and interferon-gamma were found in low concentrations in both PF and plasma, and IL-12 (p70) was detectable in plasma but not PF. In contrast, IL-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were the most abundant cytokines in the PF and plasma, and the concentrations of IL-4 and IL-10 were also elevated in both compartments. Patients with more severe appendicitis had higher plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 and lower plasma levels of IL-12 and interferon-gamma than did those with uncomplicated disease. Patient plasma inhibited LPS-induced stimulation of a monocyte cell line, and this inhibition was accentuated by complicated disease. Conclusions As judged from the pattern of soluble cytokines in plasma and the effect of the plasma on monocyte activation by LPS, mild, localized infection can induce a systemic response that is predominantly anti-inflammatory.
Association of Fluid Resuscitation Initiation Within 30 Minutes of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Recognition With Reduced Mortality and Length of Stay

Study objective We evaluate the association of intravenous fluid resuscitation initiation within 30 minutes of severe sepsis or septic shock identification in the emergency department (ED) with inhospital mortality and hospital length of stay. We also compare intravenous fluid resuscitation initiated at various times from severe sepsis or septic shock identification's association with the same outcomes. Methods This was a review of a prospective, observational cohort of all ED severe sepsis or septic shock patients during 13 months, captured in a performance improvement database at a single, urban, tertiary care facility (90,000 ED visits/year). The primary exposure was initiation of a crystalloid bolus at 30 mL/kg within 30 minutes of severe sepsis or septic shock identification. Secondary analysis compared intravenous fluid initiated within 30, 31 to 60, or 61 to 180 minutes, or when intravenous fluid resuscitation was initiated at greater than 180 minutes or not provided. Results Of 1,866 subjects, 53.6% were men, 72.5% were white, mean age was 72 years (SD 16.6 years), and mean initial lactate level was 2.8 mmol/L. Eighty-six percent of subjects were administered intravenous antibiotics within 180 minutes; 1,193 (64%) had intravenous fluid initiated within 30 minutes. Mortality was lower in the within 30 minutes group (159 [13.3%] versus 123 [18.3%]; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4% to 8.5%), as was median hospital length of stay (6 days [95% CI 6 to 7] versus 7 days [95% CI 7 to 8]). In multivariate regression that included adjustment for age, lactate, hypotension, acute organ dysfunction, and Emergency Severity Index score, intravenous fluid within 30 minutes was associated with lower mortality (odds ratio 0.63; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.86) and 12% shorter length of stay (hazard ratio=1.14; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.27). In secondary analysis, mortality increased with later intravenous fluid resuscitation initiation: 13.3% (≤30 minutes) versus 16.0% (31 to 60 minutes) versus 16.9% (61 to 180 minutes) versus 19.7% (>180 minutes). Median hospital length of stay also increased with later intravenous fluid initiation: 6 days (95% CI 6 to 7 days) versus 7 days (95% CI 6 to 7 days) versus 7 days (95% CI 6 to 8 days) versus 8 days (95% CI 7 to 9 days). Conclusion The time of intravenous fluid resuscitation initiation was associated with improved mortality and could be used as an easier obtained alternative to intravenous fluid completion time as a performance indicator in severe sepsis and septic shock management.
Effects of Strain Hardening on Response of Skin Panels in Hypersonic Flow

This paper describes an effort toward characterizing the role of material plasticity on the structural response and operational life of compliant panels in high-speed flow. A fluid–thermal–structural–material interactions framework is used to investigate the response of elastic and elastic-plastic panels subjected to multiple loading cycles. The plastic material response is predicted using a nonlinear strain hardening law that accounts for cyclic loading. A fatigue analysis is conducted using a linear cumulative damage rule. A residual deformation on the order of one panel thickness is found to produce characteristically different responses for elastic and plastic panels. After several loading cycles, the onset of flutter for the permanently deformed panel increased beyond the time responses considered.
Mechanism of NHC-Catalyzed Conjugate Additions of Diboron and Borosilane Reagents to α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Broadly applicable enantioselective C–B and C–Si bond-forming processes catalyzed by an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) were recently introduced; these boryl and silyl conjugate addition reactions (BCA and SCA, respectively), which proceed without the need for a transition-metal complex, represent reaction pathways that are distinct from those facilitated by transition-metal-containing species (e.g., Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, or Rh based). The Lewis-base-catalyzed (NHC) transformations are valuable to chemical synthesis, as they can generate high enantioselectivities and possess unique chemoselectivity profiles. Here, the results of investigations that elucidate the principal features of the NHC-catalyzed BCA and SCA processes are detailed. Spectroscopic evidence is provided illustrating why the presence of excess base and MeOH or H2O is required for efficient and enantioselective boryl and silyl addition reactions. It is demonstrated that the proton sources influence the efficiency and/or enantioselectivity of NHC-ca...
163 ACCURACY OF SELF-AUDITS IN AN OUTPATIENT RESIDENT CLINIC

Background Medical errors cause 44,000 deaths and lead to enormous cost burden. One of the reasons cited is poor documentation by physicians. Proper documentation is a skill important to physician-in-training. Chart audits are a method of quality assurance for physicians-in-training. Purpose 1. To compare the documentation skills of the first, second, and third year residents through a chart self-audit process. 2. To determine the accuracy of self-audits compared to third party audits. Methods A 39-item audit form addressing dictations, medications, and preventive health, based on the HEDIS was developed. Each resident audited 5 of their own medical charts. All charts were reviewed by 2 blinded independent researchers and these were considered the gold standard. For analysis the audit form was divided into 6 components described in the table below. Results Twenty-seven residents completed 135 audit forms. The table below summarizes the agreement rate (%) between residents and gold standard. Residents9 performance compared to gold standard varies between each component and postgraduate year for variables examined; the PGY-1 seemed to fare better. There were significant differences in accuracy between the resident audits and the gold standard in the areas of preventive health and updated medication list. Conclusions Self-audits may not be an appropriate tool for monitoring quality of care in a resident outpatient clinic because they are inaccurate; resident experience does not appear to improve performance. Electronic medical records may be more appropriate tools for providing residents with performance feedback.
Function of Two Dissimilar Thioredoxins in the Cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp. 7120

The activities of enzymes involved in carbon dioxide fixation in photosynthetic organisms are regulated by a variety of physiological factors such as substrate and effector levels, intracellular pH and ion concentration, and redox control (1). Redox control can be effected through NADP+/NADPH ratios, glutathione, or thioredoxin. Thioredoxin is a small disulfide-containing protein which has been implicated in the regulation of a number of processes in plant metabolism, including carbon dioxide fixation, sulfate metabolism, and deoxyribonucleotide synthesis. Two thioredoxin fractions occur in chloroplasts of higher plants which can modulate different enzymes although with some overlap of specificities. Thioredoxin in photosynthetic organisms can in turn be reduced by either ferredoxin or NADPH. Like higher plant chloroplasts, two dissimilar thioredoxins occur in the cyanobacterium, Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. The cyanobacteria provide a simple model system for investigating processes occurring in the chloroplast.
Offline Identification of Induction Machine Parameters With Core Loss Estimation Using the Stator Current Locus

High-performance control of induction machines in electric drives requires accurate knowledge of the machine parameters. While parameters have traditionally been identified using the standard no-load and locked-rotor tests, performing the locked-rotor test as prescribed in the IEEE standard requires special test equipment, and is difficult to implement with an inverter due to the low voltages involved. This paper presents a new method for induction machine parameter identification, including core loss conductance, which is based on fitting steady-state experimental data to the stator current locus for various slip frequencies in the stator flux linkage reference-frame. Numerical analysis confirms the accuracy of the method, while experimental results demonstrate its ability to characterize an induction machine over a range of flux levels which include magnetic saturation. Finally, it is shown that model-based predictions of the steady-state machine behavior computed using the parameter estimates provided by the proposed technique are more accurate than those obtained using the IEEE standard, when compared to measurements of the power factor, three-phase input power, and RMS line current.
Translation-rotation states of H2 in C60: New insights from a perturbation-theory treatment

We report an investigation of the translation-rotation (TR) level structure of H2 entrapped in C60, in the rigid-monomer approximation, by means of a low-order perturbation theory (PT). We focus in particular on the degree to which PT can accurately account for that level structure, by comparison with the variational quantum five-dimensional calculations. To apply PT to the system, the interaction potential of H2@C60 is decomposed into a sum over bipolar spherical tensors. A zeroth-order Hamiltonian, Hˆ0, is then constructed as the sum of the TR kinetic-energy operator and the one term in the tensor decomposition of the potential that depends solely on the radial displacement of the H2 center of mass (c.m.) from the cage center. The remaining terms in the potential are treated as perturbations. The eigenstates of Hˆ0, constructed to also account for the coupling of the angular momentum of the H2 c.m. about the cage center with the rotational angular momentum of the H2 about the c.m., are taken as the PT zeroth-order states. This zeroth-order level structure is shown to be an excellent approximation to the true one except for two types of TR-level splittings present in the latter. We then show that first-order PT accounts very well for these splittings, with respect to both their patterns and magnitudes. This allows one to connect specific features of the level structure with specific features of the potential-energy surface, and provides important new physical insight into the characteristics of the TR level structure.
Coronary Angioplasty and Newer Interventional Strategies

Cardiac catheterization was initially attempted in cadavers around 400 BC. The first successful cardiac catheterization was carried out by Dr Werner Frossmann on himself in 1929 [1]. A catheter was self-introduced via the left anticubital vein into the right atrium at a small hospital in Eberswald, Germany. Dr Frossmann, an innovator, was clearly ahead of his time. Several decades later in the year 1958, Dr Mason Sones accidentally discovered that coronary arteries could be safely injected with contrast dye and studied [2] the coronary arteries at a Cleveland clinic in Ohio, USA.
Computerized Cognitive Tests Are Associated with Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease in Cognitively Normal Individuals 10 Years Prior

Objectives Evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers become abnormal many years before the emergence of clinical symptoms of AD, raising the possibility that biomarker levels measured in cognitively normal individuals would be associated with cognitive performance many years later. This study examined whether performance on computerized cognitive tests is associated with levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of amyloid, tau, and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) obtained approximately 10 years earlier, when individuals were cognitively normal and primarily middle-aged. Methods Individuals from the BIOCARD cohort (mean age at testing=69 years) were tested on two computerized tasks hypothesized to rely on brain regions affected by the early accumulation of AD pathology: (1) a Paired Associates Learning (PAL) task (n=67) and (2) a visual search task (n=86). Results In regression analyses, poorer performance on the PAL task was associated with higher levels of CSF p-tau obtained years earlier, whereas worse performance in the visual search task was associated with lower levels of CSF Aβ1-42. Conclusions These findings suggest that AD biomarker levels may be differentially predictive of specific cognitive functions many years later. In line with the pattern of early accumulation of AD pathology, the PAL task, hypothesized to rely on medial temporal lobe function, was associated with CSF p-tau, whereas the visual search task, hypothesized to rely on frontoparietal function, was associated with CSF amyloid. Studies using amyloid and tau PET imaging will be useful in examining these hypothesized relationships further. (JINS, 2016, 22, 968-977).