cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The 100∶100 challenge for computing in rescue robotics

Our vision of computing for rescue robotics is to achieve Metcalfe's Law sized effects, where the value of multiple heterogeneous robots (100) to diverse stakeholders (100) is proportional to the square of the connections. The more stakeholders who can access and use the data from more robots in real-time, the greater the expected value of robots to the emergency enterprise. This would shift the paradigm from the current state of the practice where a small set of operators and trained response professionals use robot data for local decisions to the desired state where many groups of remote stakeholders work directly with the data (both single source and aggregated) and may be unaware of the robotic source(s). The 100∶100 Challenge encourages the computing community to continue existing research in increasing autonomy and mapping to help make the robots more reliable, easier to coordinate, and simplify data fusion and visualization; expand research in human-robot interaction and multi-robot coordination to engage new topics in remote presence, user interfaces, data visualization, training, remote manipulation, and victim management to make control of the robot “” to stakeholders; and incorporate existing lines of research in artificial intelligence (especially planning, scheduling, reasoning) and networking to provide complete and efficient multi-agent coordination and distribution of data.
Analytical electron microscopy techniques for track-plated Au-Cu alloy

Abstract Track-plated material offers improved mechanical properties over conventional plating. Track plating consists of burnishing the deposit during the plating process. The burnishing process, i.e. the mechanical rubbing of the deposit during electrodeposition, produces continuous nucleation of new grains during deposition, which effectively prevents large columnar grains and macroporosity. The unusual property improvement is associated with several significant microstructural features. These include periodic variations in the deposition chemistry, and an extremely fine grain-subgrain size and concomitant deformation.
Ethics and patient privacy

Objective To provide a brief introduction to the ethical and, to some extent, the legal issues surrounding patient privacy and confidentiality. Data synthesis The privacy of patient medical records and patient confidentiality has moved to the forefront of ethical and legal issues in health care. Technological advances, the growth and expansion of managed care, the emergence of consumerism, and the dramatic increase in the number of individuals and organizations with access to or a need to access patient medical information have all contributed to patient concerns about who has access to their records and for what purposes. Conclusion Questions of patient privacy and confidentiality are likely to remain at the forefront of health care ethics and law in the coming years. Health professionals, including pharmacists, have a greater responsibility than ever before to ensure that safeguards exist to prevent inappropriate access to patient information.
Grants development in community colleges

When a grants development office is perceived as an integral component of a community college, it can effectively raise significant amounts of public and private funding to advace the institutional mission, vision, and strategic plan.
Dynamic Characteristics of Machine-Pile-Soil Vibration System with Interface Friction Coupling

The efficiency of vibrating machines will be greatly improved with the proper working parameters. A new type of hydraulic vibration pile driver extractor is presented in this paper. The machine-pile-soil dynamic model of the hydraulic vibration pile driver extractor based on frictional forces and vibration coupling is established with frictional forces of the pile-soil contact surface and the resistance force of the pile-end. Furthermore, the nonlinear dynamical characteristics of the dynamic model are studied and the influences of different system working parameters on frictional forces of pile-soil interface, working efficiency and capability are discussed by numerical simulation. The different working parameters are exciting force, frequency and stiffness. The results show that the suitable parameters of the vibrating machine can change the soil characteristics and decrease the frictional forces of the pile-soil interface. The work can provide useful guidance for the research on the vibration friction, selection in the suitable parameters of interface surface in engineering and design in the development of such machines.
Fatty acid positional specificity in phospholipids of L1210 leukemia and normal mouse lymphocytes.

The positional distribution of fatty acids in the choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides of the L1210 murine leukemia cells was determined and compared to that of normal mouse lymphocytes. The major phospholipids of both cell types had appreciable degrees of positional specificity as evident from the higher percentage of saturated fatty acids in position 1 and of polyunsaturated fatty acids in position 2. The L1210 cells had less arachidonate and more linoleate in position 2 of choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides as compared to the normal lymphocytes. However, there were similar proportions of saturated, monoenoic and polyenoic fatty acids in positions 1 and 2 of the phospholipids of the L1210 leukemia cells and the lymphocytes. These data demonstrate that fatty acid positional specificity is retained in the major phospholipids of this rapidly growing tumor.
Hit-to-lead optimization and kinase selectivity of imidazo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-4-amine derived JNK1 inhibitors.

Abstract As the result of a rhJNK1 HTS, the imidazo[1,2-a]quinoxaline 1 was identified as a 1.6 μM rhJNK1 inhibitor. Optimization of this compound lead to AX13587 (rhJNK1 IC50 = 160 nM) which was co-crystallized with JNK1 to identify key molecular interactions. Kinase profiling against 125+ kinases revealed AX13587 was an inhibitor of JNK, MAST3, and MAST4 whereas its methylene homolog AX14373 (native JNK1 IC50 = 47 nM) was a highly specific JNK inhibitor.
Overstatement of results in the nutrition and obesity peer-reviewed literature.

Background Scientific authors who overreach in presenting results can potentially, without intending to, distort the state of knowledge and inappropriately influence clinicians, decision makers, the media, and the public. Purpose The goal of the study was to determine the extent to which authors present overreaching statements in the obesity and nutrition literature, and whether journal, author, or study characteristics are associated with this practice. Methods A total of 937 papers on nutrition or obesity published in 2001 and 2011 in leading specialty, medical, and public health journals were systematically studied to estimate the extent to which authors overstate the results of their study in the published abstract. Focus was placed on overreaching statements that may include (1) reporting an associative relationship as causal; (2) making policy recommendations based on observational data that show associations only (e.g., not cause and effect); and (3) generalizing to a population not represented by their sample. Data were compiled in 2012 and analyzed in 2013. Results Results indicate that 8.9% of studies have overreaching conclusions with a higher percentage in 2011 compared to 2001 (OR=2.14, risk difference=+3.9%, p =0.020). Unfunded studies (OR=2.41, p =0.039) were more likely to have an overstatement of results of the type described here. In contrast, those with a greater number of coauthors were significantly less likely than those with four or fewer authors (the reference group) to have overstated results (seven or eight authors: OR=0.30, risk difference=−6.1%, p =0.008; ≥9 authors: OR=0.41, risk difference=−4.0%, p =0.037). Conclusions Overreaching in presenting results in studies focused on nutrition and obesity topics is common in articles published in leading journals. Testable strategies are proposed to reduce the prevalence of such instances in the literature.
Ca Pre-rinse Greatly Increases Plaque and Plaque Fluid F

Previous studies demonstrated that a Ca pre-treatment greatly increases salivary F from a subsequent NaF rinse. This study examines if these increases are found in plaque and plaque fluid F. Thirteen individuals accumulated plaque before rinsing with: (1) 12 mmol/L NaF (228 μg/g F), (2) 150 mmol/L Ca rinse, or (3) the Ca rinse followed by the F rinse. One hr later, plaque samples were collected, the plaque fluid was recovered, and the plaque residues were extracted 5 times with pH 6.8 or pH 4.8 buffers, and then by acid. The F in each extract after the Ca rinse/F rinse greatly exceeded the corresponding F from the NaF rinse. Consequently, the Ca rinse/F rinse increased the total plaque F and the plaque fluid F by 12x and 5x, compared with the NaF rinse alone. These and the previous salivary results suggest that a Ca pre-treatment may increase the cariostatic effects of topical F agents.
Hepatic artery ligation for delayed hepatic hemorrhage.

• Selective hepatic artery ligation (SHAL) was successfully employed to control delayed massive hepatic hemorrhage in two patients. Preoperative arteriography in one patient identified an anomalous origin of the right hepatic artery and facilitated SHAL. (Arch Surg115:92, 1980)
A hypothesis for a role for unsaturated fatty acids in electron transport and its potential application to understanding the mitochondrial respiratory chain

Unsaturated fatty acids are required for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport, though their role has not been determined. We have considered the possibility that unsaturated fatty acids might facilitate electron transfer from non-heme iron to heme iron. Unsaturated fatty acids markedly enhanced the reduction of ferric cytochrome c by ferrous iron. Neither stearic acid nor methyl arachidonic acid were effective suggesting that both a double bond and the carboxylic acid group were essential. Thus unsaturated fatty acids can directly facilitate electron transfer from non-heme iron to heme iron. We hypothesize that unsaturated fatty acids may play a similar critical role in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and other biological processes where rapid electron transfer occurs.
Total head excursion and resting head posture: Normal and patient comparisons

Abstract Hanten WP, Olson SL, Russell JL, Lucio RM, Campbell AH. Total head excursion and resting head posture: normal and patient comparisons. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:62-6. Objective: To determine whether significant differences existed between normal and patient groups on three postural measurements: anterior-posterior total head excursion (THE), resting head posture in sitting (RHPsit), and resting head posture in standing (RHPstd). Subjects: Forty-two healthy subjects, 13 men and 29 women between the ages of 20 and 60 years, were matched to 42 patients according to gender and age. Design: Measurements of THE, RHPsit, and RHPstd were taken for each subject. Patients were measured during their initial evaluation and had neck pain as a primary or secondary complaint. Results: A two-way multivariate analysis of variance followed by two-way analyses of variance showed that normal subjects had a significantly ( p p Conclusion: Clinical assessment of patients with cervical pain should focus on cervical mobility rather than resting head posture. Head/neck posture is different for males and females and they should not be judged by the same standard. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Altered blood-nerve barrier permeability to small molecules in experimental diabetes mellitus

Permeability-surface area products (PA) were determined with a quantitative in vivo injection technique at the blood-nerve barrier of tibial nerve, and at the blood-brain barrier, in control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The PA product for [14C]mannitol at the blood-nerve barrier was increased by 100% in diabetic animals, 3.12 +/- 0.15 X 10(-5) ml X s-1 X g-1, compared with controls, 1.61 +/- 0.10 X 10(-5) ml X s-1 X g-1. In contrast, PA for [14C]mannitol at the blood-brain barrier was unaltered in the diabetic animals. Following intravenous injection, no leakage of microperoxidase across the perineurium or endoneurial vessels of diabetic rats could be demonstrated by morphological techniques. Nerve blood-space, as determined with intravenous [3H]inulin, and blood-nerve barrier surface area as determined by morphometric methods, did not differ in diabetic when compared to control animals. Thus, the calculated permeability coefficient for [14C]mannitol at the blood-nerve barrier was about 100% greater in diabetic nerve compared to control nerves. The increased permeability was accompanied by a 7% increase in nerve-water content and a 32% decrease in motor-nerve conduction velocity. The results demonstrate a specific vulnerability of nerve as compared to brain in an animal model of diabetes mellitus. Chronically altered permeability to small water-soluble molecules reduces the protective effect of salt impermeability at the blood-nerve barrier against nerve edema, and may be an important pathogenic mechanism in diabetic neuropathy.
Cassette electroencephalographic recording of neonates with apneic episodes

To evaluate the practical importance of seizures as a cause of neonatal apnea, we obtained extended cassette electroencephalographic recording for periods as long as 24 hours from 50 neonates experiencing apneic episodes unassodated with clinical seizure activity. Electroencephalographic recording through definite apneic episodes was obtained in 37 neonates; a total of 153 episodes were detected. None was associated with electroencephalographic seizure activity, although one term neonate without documented apneic episodes had seizure activity detected by cassette electroencephalography and may have had apneic seizures. The episodic apnea and bradycardia commonly encountered in preterm neonates is unlikely to be a manifestation of seizure activity, and extended electroencephlographic monitoring of such patients is of low yield.
Finite temperature properties of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the triangular lattice.

We have studied the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the triangular lattice by high temperature series expansions. From an analysis of the antiferromagnetic structure factor and correlation length, we deduce that the ground state has small but nonzero long range antiferromagnetic order. We also determine the temperature dependence of the uniform susceptibility and the specific heat.
Balancing privacy versus accuracy in research protocols

Designing protocols for research using personal data entails trade-offs between accuracy and privacy. Any suggestion that would make empirical work less precise, open, representative, or replicable seems contrary to the needs and values of science. A careful reexamination has begun of what “accuracy” or “privacy” should mean and how research plans can balance these objectives.
An overview of some reactions of thianthrene cation radical. Products and mechanisms of their formation

A comprehensive review of recent chemistry of thianthrene cation radical is presented. Particularly, products and mechanisms of their formation from reactions with azo compounds, hydrazones, oximes, sulfonamides, alcohols, phenols, alkenes, alkynes and organometallics are discussed. Also, reactions of 5-(substituted)thianthrenium salts are reviewed.
Diagnosis of Invasive Mold Infection by Real-Time Quantitative PCR

We report the design and evaluation of a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to diagnose invasive mold infection (IMI) by detecting mold DNA in the serum. This assay detected 200 fg to 20 ng (5-log range) mold DNA and permitted a cutoff of 110 fg (3 genomes). Human or candidal DNA was not amplified. Specificity also was demonstrated by negative results in all 35 patients (76 serum samples) with unlikely IMI at the cutoff. For patients with possible, probable, and documented IMI diagnosed by a combination of clinical, microbiologic, and histologic criteria, this real-time PCR showed positivity in 40% (12/30), 68% (19/28), and 85% (11/13) cases, respectively, in testing of multiple serum samples. The overall serum positivity rate for these patients was 15.1% (73/483). Quantitative analysis of the positive serum samples estimated the bodily circulating mold burden to be 1.6 x 10(5) genomes (5.3 ng) by geometric mean with 4.2 x 10(7) genomes (1,400 ng) the highest. These results suggest that for the diagnosis of IMI, this real-time PCR may be a promising alternative to other invasive methods. Further evaluation is underway.
Verification Methodology of Heterogeneous DSP+ARM Multicore Processors for Multi-core System on Chip

Processor complexity continues to evolve, with new architectures more complex and more tightly intertwined with the systems in which they operate than previous generations. Magnifying the individual processor complexity is the need to create heterogeneous processor clusters which contain multiple heterogeneous processors (ARM and DSP) with multiple levels of caches. These processor clusters need to be validated for functionality and memory coherency across all the levels of caches. Management of the verification process of these processor cluster has likewise grown in complexity impacting the creation and management of tests, of particular interest are the C and assembly code driven tests which are the primary methods addressed in this paper. Lessons in test creation from the UVM, software coding and other previous test management methods are combined to permit automation of testing for generation of test suites for processor sub-systems. Key elements of these methodologies are detailed in this paper.
LEAF FOLDING IN MIMOSA PUDICA (FABACEAE): A NUTRIENT CONSERVATION MECHANISM?

Ten plants of Mimosa pudica L. were exposed to artificial rain following anesthesia of the leaves of half of the plants. Anesthetized plants, which no longer displayed the seismonastic response of this species, were hypothesized to show greater rates of foliar leaching of nutrients than their unanesthetized counterparts. Leachate was collected and analyzed for levels of K, Na and Ca. Levels were corrected for the amount of leaf area exposed to rainfall. No differences were noted between treatments for rainfall durations of either 6 or 20 min. Leaf surface morphology was examined and lattice-like extrusions of epicuticular wax were found. We feel that the leaf surface structure may act to keep raindrops from coming in contact with the surface of the leaf thereby minimizing foliar leaching. It appears that the seismonastic response of the leaves plays only a minor role in nutrient conservation. FOLIAR LEACHING of nutrients is known to occur for many plant species. Several aspects of leaf morphology reduce leaching. These include waxy cuticles, angle of the leaf blade and specialized features such as "drip tips." Waxy cuticles reduce leaf wettability while the angle of the blade and "drip tips" shorten the period of the time water is retained on the leaf surface (Tukey, 1970). Smaller water droplets associated with light drizzle, mist and fog are likely to remain in contact with the leaf surface longer than larger raindrops, and consequently increase leaching (Tukey, 1970; Waldman et al., 1985).
Influence of groundwater flowpaths, residence times and nutrients on the extent of microbial methanogenesis in coal beds: Powder River Basin, USA

Water and natural gas samples were collected from coalbed methane wells and a surface coal mine in the Powder River Basin (PRB) and analyzed for solute chemistry, isotopes, and gas composition to test hypotheses about the timing and source of recharge, importance of nutrient influx, and extent of microbial methanogenesis in coalbeds. Recharge to the Wyodak–Anderson coal zone in the central portions of the PRB appears to be from the southern basin margin based on δ18O–H2O values and hydraulic gradients. Coal zones along the eastern margin, near the coal outcrop, represent mixing between surface water and deeper circulating groundwater. Coalbeds along the northwestern basin margin may contain high elevation recharge from the Bighorn Mountains, with flow patterns likely affected by local faults. Detectable 14C (0.39 to 4.13 pmC) in coal waters throughout the PRB indicates they were recharged < 50,000 BP. Correlation of δD–CH4 and δD–H2O values suggests that methane has accumulated since the Late Pleistocene. Nutrient concentrations (C, N and P species) are low throughout the PRB and do not correlate to groundwater flowpaths or methanogenic pathways; nutrients may be sourced from in-situ leaching of coals. Carbon isotope values of CH4 and CO2 likely indicate the extent of methanogenesis (i.e. early versus late stage), rather than the dominant metabolic pathway (i.e. acetate fermentation versus CO2 reduction). Coal gasses from the northwestern margin of the basin are isotopically depleted and suggest “early stage” methanogenesis, where the reactant carbon reservoir has not been significantly fractionated due to relatively rapid groundwater flow. Coal gasses from the central basin and southeastern margin are isotopically enriched and suggest “late stage” methanogenesis where the reactant carbon reservoir has been significantly depleted likely due to longer groundwater residence times.
Internal carotid artery redundancy is significantly associated with dissection.

Redundant internal carotid arteries have been considered a risk factor in tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and surgical treatment of peritonsillar abscess and also a potentially treatable cause of stroke. However, an association between internal carotid artery redundancy and spontaneous dissection has not yet been clearly demonstrated.We reviewed, for spontaneous carotid artery dissection, records of all patients admitted to our institution during the period from 1986 through 1992 with the diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack. We also reviewed 108 percutaneous cerebral arteriograms performed between September 1992 and December 1992 for presence of carotid artery redundancies.Thirteen patients exhibited spontaneous dissection. Of these, 8 of 13 (62%) patients and 13 of 20 (65%) internal carotid arteries, viewed to the siphon, had significant redundancies, kinks, coils, or loops. Of 108 consecutive arteriograms of patients without dissection, in which 187 internal carotid arteries were viewed to th...
Spurious mid-spatial frequency structure on optical surfaces reconstructed from surface slope measurements

Mid-spatial frequency structure on an optical surface induces small-angle scatter in the transmitted wavefront. Freeform surfaces are particularly susceptible to mid-spatial frequency errors due to the sub-aperture nature of the fabrication processes. Several surface metrology methods that work for freeform surfaces use an indirect principle, reconstructing the surface shape from measured surface slope data. The integration process in the presence of measurement noise adds a spatial correlation to the dataset, leading to spurious spatial frequency structure. In this paper, we use the autocorrelation function to characterize and evaluate this artificial mid-spatial frequency structure on optical surfaces that are reconstructed by zonal integration methods.
Nucleobases bind to and stabilize aggregates of a prebiotic amphiphile, providing a viable mechanism for the emergence of protocells

Primordial cells presumably combined RNAs, which functioned as catalysts and carriers of genetic information, with an encapsulating membrane of aggregated amphiphilic molecules. Major questions regarding this hypothesis include how the four bases and the sugar in RNA were selected from a mixture of prebiotic compounds and colocalized with such membranes, and how the membranes were stabilized against flocculation in salt water. To address these questions, we explored the possibility that aggregates of decanoic acid, a prebiotic amphiphile, interact with the bases and sugar found in RNA. We found that these bases, as well as some but not all related bases, bind to decanoic acid aggregates. Moreover, both the bases and ribose inhibit flocculation of decanoic acid by salt. The extent of inhibition by the bases correlates with the extent of their binding, and ribose inhibits to a greater extent than three similar sugars. Finally, the stabilizing effects of a base and ribose are additive. Thus, aggregates of a prebiotic amphiphile bind certain heterocyclic bases and sugars, including those found in RNA, and this binding stabilizes the aggregates against salt. These mutually reinforcing mechanisms might have driven the emergence of protocells.
Acquiring and Applying Knowledge in Transnational Teams: The Roles of Cosmopolitans and Locals

This paper examines the roles of cosmopolitans and locals in transnational teams that work on knowledge-intensive projects. I propose that cosmopolitan and local team members can help their teams to acquire and apply knowledge more effectively, by bringing both internal and external knowledge to their teams and enabling the teams to more successfully transform this knowledge into improved project performance. Findings from a study of 96 project teams at an international development agency reveal that the roles of cosmopolitans and locals were complex and sometimes valuable, but that cosmopolitans offered greater benefits than locals. The study also revealed that too many of each could hurt. Implications for theory and research on international management, virtual teams, exploration and exploitation, and organizational knowledge are discussed.
Models and procedures: Teaching for transfer of pendulum knowledge

In an exploratory study, education majors in a physical science course were given a set of tasks analogous to a given, solved prototype-task to see how transfer items were handled. Some students were given a conceptual model along with the solved prototype. Others were given a general procedure for applying the conceptual model to the transfer items. The procedure helped considerably for the transfer items least like the prototype item. The model alone was also effective for certain items. In the absence of both model and procedure, students' problem solving was usually incoherent or self-contradictory. Presenting additional solved items helped marginally on an exceptionally novel item. Students' main source of difficulty, given the model and procedure, was that they were distracted by prior, concrete experience and thus failed to follow the procedure. For most students, this difficulty could readily be overcome. A small proportion (10–15%) of students had more profound difficulties.
A deadlock checkpointing scheme for multidatabase systems

A multidatabase system (MDBS) is a software package that integrates a number of pre-existing, autonomous and heterogeneous local database systems (LDBS). Deadlock detection and resolution in MDBS is much more difficult than in traditional distributed database systems due to the autonomy requirement which implies that LDBSs cannot exchange any control information. The authors present an efficient periodic deadlock detection and resolution scheme for MDBS which allows for the concurrent execution of global transactions at multiple sites. The authors scheme employs a depth-first search of a bipartite graph called the transaction-block-at site graph (TBSG). >
The search for exsolved ferromagnesian olivines: A meteoritic survey

— Olivine grains from selected meteorites (the Springwater pallasite, the Lowicz mesosiderite, the ALH 84025 brachinite, the Krymka LL3 chondrite, and the Calcalong Creek lunar meteorite) and terrestrial rocks (San Carlos forsterite and Rockport fayalite) were studied by optical microscopy and high-precision electron microprobe analysis. Detailed microprobe traverses revealed regular igneous zoning in the Krymka and Calcalong Creek olivines. Traverses across the San Carlos forsterite grain are flat and display no chemical variations larger than the 2σ range of counting error (±0.2 mol% Fa). Traverses across olivine grains in the ALH 84025, Lowicz, and Springwater meteorites show regular patterns of periodic or wavy chemical variations well exceeding the 2σ uncertainty range. However, no lamellar structure was seen in backscattered electron images. It is suggested that the periodic chemical variations may be due to spinodal decomposition of primary, more or less homogeneous grains. I conclude that the absence of earlier reports of such variations simply means that olivine grains in equilibrated meteorites have not been examined closely enough to detect them.
Invasive serotype a Haemophilus influenzae infections with a virulence genotype resembling Haemophilus influenzae type b: emerging pathogen in the vaccine era?

Objective. Haemophilus influenzae type b causes severe disease in nonimmune infants and young children; other serotypes are uncommon pathogens and thought to have low virulence. Some have hypothesized that with the virtual elimination of H influenzae type b, other serotypes might acquire virulence traits and emerge as important pathogens of children. We describe the clinical, epidemiologic, and molecular biologic features of 5 cases of severe disease attributable to Haemophilus influenzae type a. Methods. After observing 4 cases of invasive disease caused by H influenzae type a, we reviewed microbiology records at 3 reference laboratories that perform all serotyping in Utah and surveillance databases. Strains of H influenzae type a and control strains were examined by Southern blotting with the use of the cap probe pUO38 and by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The putative virulence mutation, the IS 1016 - bexA deletion, was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. Results. During a 10-month period, we observed 5 children with severe invasive disease caused by H influenzae type a. No isolates of H influenzae type a had been submitted to the reference laboratories between 1992 and 1998. The median age of patients was 12 months (range: 6–48 months). Four of 5 had meningitis and bacteremia; 1 had purpura fulminans. Three isolates, representing 1 of 2 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns, contained the IS 1016 - bexA deletion and were associated with particularly severe disease. Conclusions. We describe an unusual cluster of severe disease caused by H influenzae type a that resembles the clinical and epidemiologic features of H influenzae type b disease. Our data support the hypothesis that the IS 1016 - bexA deletion may identify more virulent strains of H influenzae . Haemophilus influenzae, epidemiology, virulence, serotyping, pathogenicity.
Teaching probability and statistics in a first-year engineering course

Teaching probability and statistics to undergraduate engineering students is a challenge because of the theoretical nature of the topic. There are many advantages to introducing this topic to first-year students. Students who have seen and worked with topics in probability and statistics are more likely to understand these principles when they are used in later courses, and they more clearly understand the relationship of statistics to their disciplinary coursework. In this paper we describe how probability and statistics can be introduced within a first-semester engineering course. A modular approach was used, which included a lecture with a number of active learning exercises, a homework assignment, and a hands-on experiment to help them better understand the theoretical background. Assessment results illustrate that after the module, the students believed they could meet all of the modulepsilas learning objectives and that each of the learning opportunities contributed to their achievement of the objectives.
Cardiovascular monitoring and therapy for HIV-infected patients

: Cardiovascular complications are important contributors to morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. These complications can usually be detected at subclinical levels with monitoring, which can help guide targeted interventions. This article reviews available data on types and frequency of cardiovascular manifestations in HIV+ patients and proposes monitoring strategies aimed at early subclinical detection. In particular, we recommend routine echocardiography for HIV+ patients, even those with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. We also review preventive and therapeutic cardiovascular interventions. For procedures that have not been studied in HIV+ patients, we extrapolate from evidence-based guidelines for the general population.
The Japanese-American Handshake:The Internet Dimension

As the world begins the 21 st century, Japan and the U.S. are positioning for continuous economic success and technological prowess as new Internet technologies, IT advances, broadband developments, large-scale communications infrastructure investments, mobile telecommunications, language technologies, and electronic commerce expansion occurs with government support from both countries. Corporations on both sides of the Pacific will soon be able to penetrate markets once thought culturally and geographically impregnable, utilizing the latest language facilitators, purchasing platforms, and online business strategies. The Internet is freeing office-bound workers in both countries from the drudgery of daily commutes to and from work with evolving and practical new telework arrangements. Undoubtedly, the U.S. and Japan are leading the world into the Internet Age, pushing the frontiers of cyberspace into uncharted territory. Unexpected and new business opportunities abound for those enterprising Japanese and U.S. corporations that intelligently take advantage of the Internet and its treasures.
X27A—A new hard X-ray micro-spectroscopy facility at the National Synchrotron Light Source

A new hard X-ray micro-spectroscopy beamline has recently been installed at bending-magnet beamline X27A at the National Synchrotron Light Source, where the focus of research is primarily directed towards the environmental, geological and materials science communities. This instrument delivers moderate, � 10mm spatial resolution using achromatic dynamically bent Kirkpatrick–Baez mirrors, in addition to providing high X-ray flux throughput and selectable energy resolution. The balance between moderate spatial resolution and high flux throughput, in combination with a liquid nitrogen-cooled 13-element energy-dispersive high-purity germanium detector, is particularly well suited to the investigation of dilute and thin-film systems using the fluorescence X-ray absorption finestructure mode of detection. In this paper, we report on the design and performance of this instrument and highlight a recent experimental study undertaken at this facility.
New scale factor measure

The computation of probabilities in an eternally inflating universe requires a regulator or ``measure.'' The scale factor time measure truncates the Universe when a congruence of timelike geodesics has expanded by a fixed volume factor. This definition breaks down if the generating congruence is contracting\char22{}a serious limitation that excludes from consideration gravitationally bound regions such as our own. Here we propose a closely related regulator which is well defined in the entire spacetime. The new scale factor cutoff restricts to events with a scale factor below a given value. Since the scale factor vanishes at caustics and crunches, this cutoff always includes an infinite number of disconnected future regions. We show that this does not lead to divergences. The resulting measure combines desirable features of the old scale factor cutoff and of the light-cone time cutoff, while eliminating some of the disadvantages of each.
Use of Solar Ponds to Reclaim Salt Products from Brine Waters from Oil and Gas Well Operations in New York

New York State is a relatively minor producer of oil and gas. Presently, there are approximately 4,300 active gas wells and 4,600 oil wells owned by about 600 operators in New York State. The majority of active oil wells are in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties, and the majority of active gas wells are in Chautauqua County. In 1990, 0.42 million barrels of crude oil and 25,400 million cubic feet of natural gas were produced (DEC, 1990). Current annual brine generation rates, estimated by the New York State Division of Mineral Resources (DMN), are about 300,000 barrels (12.6 million gallons) from gas production and about 2.1 million barrels (88.2 million gallons) from oil production.
Lessons From My Left Foot

A personal experience with a chronic foot injury taught me 4 lessons about living with a chronic condition: people with chronic conditions may blame themselves, may feel guilty that other people have to help them, often have a depression that may be worse than the chronic condition, and may lose confidence in their capacity to do anything useful in life. These feelings need to be elicited and addressed when family physicians provide care to people with chronic conditions.
Nanofibrous Electrospun Polymers for Reprogramming Human Cells

Forced expression of transcription factors epigenetically reprograms somatic cells harvested from routine skin biopsies into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Human iPSCs are key resources for drug discovery, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Here we developed a materials approach to explore how culture substrates could impact factor-mediated reprogramming of human fibroblasts. A materials library consisting of nanofibrous substrates with randomly oriented and aligned structures was prepared by electrospinning four polymers [polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polypropylene carbonate (PPC)] into nanofiber orientations. Adsorbing protein to each substrate permitted robust attachment of fibroblasts to all substrates. Fibroblasts on aligned substrates had elongated nuclei, but after reprogramming factor expression, nuclei became more circular. Reprogramming factors could override the nuclear shape constraints imposed by nanofibrous substrates, and the majority of substrates supported full reprogramming. Early culture on PCL and TPU substrates promoted reprogramming, and TGF-β repressed substrate effects. Partial least squares modeling of the biochemical and biophysical cues within our reprogramming system identified TGF-β and polymer identity as important cues governing cellular reprogramming responses. We believe that our approach of using a nanofibrous materials library can be used to dissect molecular mechanisms of reprogramming and generate novel substrates that enhance epigenetic reprogramming.
Self-consistent modeling of the electrohydrodynamics of a conductive meniscus

A complete self-consistent model has been developed for the motion of a conductive liquid surface on a capillary orifice, under an applied electric field. The model uses a quasi-one-dimensional hydrodynamic formulation and a two-dimensional axisymmetric boundary element solution for the electric field. The model permits simulation of meniscus behavior with time-varying electric excitation or pressure. Results for resonance behavior and drop emission are presented, with experimental results given for comparison. The program presented is particularly suited for exploring electrostatic control of a meniscus for drop-on-demand applications. >
TOADS: A Two-Dimensional Open-Ended Architectural Database System

The TOADS system is an innovative tool for building interior-space virtual environments (VEs) in two dimensions. Existing VE design tools typically operate in three dimensions, which makes it difficult to manipulate objects on the inherently two-dimensional computer screen. TOADS allows nearly the same functionality as those three-dimensional systems in an easy-to-use, two-dimensional environment. Users edit and enhance DXF floorplans with height and texture information. The software includes an inference engine that automatically identifies doors in the floorplan and generates openable polygons in the final environment. It also includes a sophisticated mechanism for embedding complex textures, such as transparent windows, at arbitrary heights in wall polygons. The entire interface is integrated with software that drives a custom texture-acquisition device. This device consists of a rack-mounted camera that captures narrow bands of textures and tiles them together to form long, continuous swaths of texture. This paper summarizes these tools and their function, and presents examples of environments that were generated with them.
Evidence for a Halothane-Induced Reduction in Maximal Calcium-Activated Force in Mammalian Myocardium

In addition to their general anesthetic effects, the halogenated volatile anesthetics (e.g., halothane, enflurane, isoflurane) are known to significantly depress cardiac contractility. In the late 1960’s, Goldberg and Ullrick1 reported a dose-dependent and reversible depression of twitch force by halothane (as delivered by a calibrated vaporizer) in the range of 0.1% to 2.35%. They argued that “… halothane seems to exert its cardiac effects primarily by decreasing the intensity of the active state. …” In a comparative study of the effects of several general anesthetic agents on cardiac contractility, Brown and Crout2 reported similar results for halothane as well as for methoxyflurane. They, too, suggested that these agents exerted their cardio-depressive effects via a diminution of the active state of cardiac muscle. Although the concept of “active state” is no longer useful, it is known to be associated with the calcium transient; that is, the rapid rise and fall of intracellular free calcium concentration seen subsequent to electrical stimulation.
Treatment of relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma with everolimus (RAD001) and alemtuzumab: a Phase I/II study

Patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL), and especially those with purine analogue refractory disease or TP53 deletion/mutation, had a poor prognosis prior to the introduction of therapy targeting B cell receptor signaling. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus has biological activity in CLL and can mobilize CLL cells from the lymphoid tissues into the circulation. In this clinical trial we determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of everolimus together with eight weeks of standard dose subcutaneous alemtuzumab (Phase I) and then evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of therapy of relapsed/refractory CLL with the combination of everolimus and alemtuzumab (Phase II). The maximum tolerated dose of oral everolimus was 2.5 mg three times/week. Therapy with everolimus and alemtuzumab was tolerable, but not sufficiently efficacious (33% partial responses, no complete responses) to recommend further development of the regimen.
Ciliary IFT80 balances canonical versus non-canonical hedgehog signalling for osteoblast differentiation

Intraflagellar transport proteins (IFT) are required for hedgehog (Hh) signalling transduction that is essential for bone development, however, how IFT proteins regulate Hh signalling in osteoblasts (OBs) remains unclear. Here we show that deletion of ciliary IFT80 in OB precursor cells (OPC) in mice results in growth retardation and markedly decreased bone mass with impaired OB differentiation. Loss of IFT80 blocks canonical Hh-Gli signalling via disrupting Smo ciliary localization, but elevates non-canonical Hh-Gαi-RhoA-stress fibre signalling by increasing Smo and Gαi binding. Inhibition of RhoA and ROCK activity partially restores osteogenic differentiation of IFT80-deficient OPCs by inhibiting non-canonical Hh-RhoA-Cofilin/MLC2 signalling. Cytochalasin D, an actin destabilizer, dramatically restores OB differentiation of IFT80-deficient OPCs by disrupting actin stress fibres and promoting cilia formation and Hh-Gli signalling. These findings reveal that IFT80 is required for OB differentiation by balancing between canonical Hh-Gli and non-canonical Hh-Gαi-RhoA pathways and highlight IFT80 as a therapeutic target for craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities.
Effect of Crystal and Domain Orientation on the Visible-Light Photochemical Reduction of Ag on BiFeO3

The reduction of silver from an aqueous solution on BiFeO3 surfaces, activated by visible light, was investigated as a function of crystal and ferroelectric domain orientation. When excited by light with energy between 2.53 and 2.70 eV, BiFeO3 photochemically reduces silver cations from solution in patterns corresponding to the underlying ferroelectric domain structure. Silver is preferentially reduced on domains with a positive polarization directed toward the surface. The amount of reduced silver depends on whether the component of the domain polarization normal to the surface is positive or negative, but is relatively insensitive to the crystal orientation. It is concluded that the ferroelectric polarization decreases electron drift to the surface in domains with a negative polarization, causing spatially selective photochemical behavior, and that the direction of the polarization is more important than the amplitude.
PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN POLYGONUM PERSICARIA. I. DIVERSITY AND UNIFORMITY IN GENOTYPIC NORMS OF REACTION TO LIGHT.

Several aspects of genotype-environment interaction may act to modulate natural selection in populations that encounter variable environments. In this study the norms of reaction (phenotypic responses) of 20 cloned genotypes from two natural populations of the annual plant Polygonum persicaria were determined over a broad range of controlled light environments (8%-100% full sun). These data reveal both the extent of functionally adaptive phenotypic plasticity expressed by individual genotypes, and the patterns of diversity among genotypes for characters relevant to fitness, in response to an environmental factor that is both highly variable within populations and critical to growth and reproduction.
A Driver Steering Model With Personalized Desired Path Generation

With the increase in driver assistance systems, driver models are becoming more important to vehicle control, driving safety, and performance. To make these driver assistance systems better cooperate with human drivers, the driver models need to be able to predict human driving behaviors and distinguish among different drivers. In this paper, a combined driver model consisting of a compensatory transfer function and an anticipatory component based on road geometry is integrated with the design of the individual driver’s desired path. The proposed driver model parameters are obtained from human subject test data collected in a driving simulator. It has been shown that the proposed combined driver model is able to replicate each driver’s steering wheel angle signals for a variety of maneuvers at different vehicle speeds. The driver model is then validated by first using a polynomial to interpolate the driver model and desired path parameters for an intermediate speed. It is also validated by comparing two different drivers’ model parameter sets to show that each driver has a unique set of parameters. The final validation is to show that the proposed individual driver’s desired path offers more accurate steering wheel fits than the previous geometric centerline.