cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
More patients are triaged using the Emergency Severity Index than any other triage acuity system in the United States.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:106–109 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract Objectives: Patient acuity triage systems can play an important role in supporting patient safety and emergency department (ED) operations. In 2003, the boards of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) approved a joint statement calling for hospitals to adopt a reliable, valid, five-level triage scale such as the Emergency Severity Index (ESI). Still, there appears to be considerable variation in use of triage acuity systems in the United States, with many hospitals using three- and four-level systems that have not been validated. The purpose of this effort was to measure the use of various triage acuity systems in U.S. hospitals. Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis of secondary data. Data were obtained from the 2009 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey—an intensive questionnaire mailed to all U.S. general medical and surgical hospitals. In 2009, a question was added to the survey about hospitals’ use of triage systems in EDs. Descriptive statistics were used to explore various triage acuity systems used by different types of hospitals. Results: Of the 4,897 hospitals surveyed, 82% responded, and 62% (3,024 hospitals) provided information on their ED triage system. The 2009 data revealed that the most commonly used triage system types were the five-level ESI (56.9% of responding hospitals) and three-level triage systems (25.2%). More than 70% of large hospitals and teaching hospitals use the ESI, and the unvalidated three-level systems were more common in small hospitals, public hospitals, nonteaching hospitals, and hospitals in the Midwest. The majority (72.1%) of all ED patient visits to hospitals in our sample were assessed using ESI; only 13.1% of visits were assessed using a three-level system. Conclusions: Among our sample of more than 3,000 hospitals, the ESI was the most commonly used triage system, and more patients were triaged using the ESI than any other triage acuity system. Still, there is an opportunity to further promote the adoption of validated, reliable triage systems.
A mixed methods epidemiological investigation of preventable deaths among U.S. Army soldiers assigned to a rehabilitative warrior transition unit.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of medical risk factors for suicide (e.g., mental disorders, severe disability, social disruption) may be higher among WTs compared to traditional Army units. Likewise, the extent to which traditional factors that protect soldiers from developing serious mental disorders (e.g., social support, unit cohesion, leadership) are present among soldiers assigned to the WTU is unclear. OBJECTIVES: An epidemiological consultation (EPICON) was conducted in 2010 to assess potential causes for a perceived high rate of suicides and preventable deaths in U.S. Army Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) and to identify potential improvements to the system of care. METHODS OF STUDY: The EPICON focused on: (1) risk factors for suicide/preventable deaths; (2) chronic pain management; (3) utilization of and access to WTU medical and behavioral health (BH) services; and (4) the impact of the WTU environment on mission focus and warrior disposition. BH history was examined for soldiers who died by suicide or preventable death while assigned to the WTU (index cases) and a representative comparison group of non-index case soldiers. Surveys and focus groups were conducted at four WTUs with Warriors in Transition (WTs) and key support staff. RESULTS: The use of psychotropic and/or CNS depressant medications, prevalence of BH diagnoses and substance use disorders, polypharmacy, alcohol use, and a high cumulative number of stressors were identified as important risk factors for preventable deaths in the WTC. Areas of potential improvement to the system of care included addressing negative perceptions of the WTU environment, lack of social support, barriers to accessing BH services and issues related to coordination of care. CONCLUSIONS: There was no one single risk factor found to be associated with an increased likelihood of preventable deaths within the WTU. The unique design and operation of the WTUs as environments focused on treatment and rehabilitation provide both benefits and challenges to recovery and risk mitigation. Language: en
A Review of “Beyond consensus; Improving collaborative planning and management”

Richard D. Margerum's Beyond Consensus: Improving Collaborative Planning and Management, is a welcome addition to the literature on the theory and practice of collaborative planning. The book synth...
Neurocomputing methods for pattern recognition in nuclear physics-Elastic tracking

The recent progress on the development and application of novel neurocomputing techniques for pattern recognition problems of relevance to relativistic heavy ion collider experiments is reviewed. The elastic tracking (ET) algorithm is shown to achieve sub-pad two track resolution without preprocessing. ET can extend tracking capabilities to much higher densities than possible via conventional road finding or even previously proposed novel Hopfield network algorithms. ET is an adaptive template matching algorithm formulated in terms of dynamical systems. >
The Development of an Osteoporosis Prevention Education Intervention: Its Effectiveness, Conclusions, and Recommendations.

Abstract Background: Osteoporosis prevention education interventions have been found to be ineffective. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of a developed intervention based on the health belief model, which emphasized its visible severity and proximal time of onset. Method: A sample of 109 college women were randomly assigned to either a treatment or control group to receive an osteoporosis prevention education intervention or stress management intervention, respectively. After pretest, interventions were administered, followed by posttest two weeks later. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in perceived benefits of exercise to prevent osteoporosis, perceived barriers to exercise, perceived barriers to calcium and health motivation; however, there were no group differences. Perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis differed significantly before and after intervention; however, there was no group difference post intervention after controlling for difference before intervention. Discussio...
Acts of meaning

Jerome Bruner argues that the cognitive revolution, with its current fixation on mind as "information processor;" has led psychology away from the deeper objective of understanding mind as a creator of meanings. Only by breaking out of the limitations imposed by a computational model of mind can we grasp the special interaction through which mind both constitutes and is constituted by culture. (http://books.google.fr/books?id=YHt_M41uIuUC&pg=PA157&dq=Bruner,+J.+%281990%29.+Acts+of+meaning&hl=fr&ei=EwOXTrqpCsPWsgaGgO2YBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false)
Thoracic Leg Control of Abdominal Extension in the Crayfish, Procambarus Clarkii

SUMMARY Postural extensions of the abdomen of the crayfish, Procambarus clarkU, could be evoked by mechanical stimulation of a single thoracic leg. Movement of a single leg joint was sufficient to initiate an extension response. Vigorous abdominal extensions were initiated either by depression of the whole leg (WLD) or by flexion of the mero-carpal joint (MCF). Weaker extension responses were obtained by depression of the thoracic-coxal and coxo-basal joints. Similar stimulation of the chelipeds did not elicit an abdominal extension response. Single-frame analysis of motion pictures of crayfish responding to WLD or MCF stimulation of a 2nd thoracic leg showed that the responses evoked by the two different stimulus situations were nearly identical. They differed principally in the responses of the leg located contralateral to the stimulated leg. Movements of most of the cephalic, thoracic and abdominal appendages accompanied the abdominal extension response. Only the eyes remained stationary throughout the response. The mean values of the latencies for the initiation of appendage movement ranged from 125 to 204 ma; abdominal movement had a mean latency of about 220 ms. The abdominal extension reflex resulted from the activity of the tonic superficial extensor muscles. The deep phasic extensor muscles were silent during the response. The mean latencies for the initiation of superficial extensor muscle activity by WLD and MCF stimulation were 53-7 and 50-0 ms respectively.
Cardiovascular implantable electronic device implantation with uninterrupted dabigatran: comparison to uninterrupted warfarin.

Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Implantation with Uninterrupted Dabigatran Background While continuation of oral anticoagulation (OAC) with warfarin may be preferable to interruption and bridging with heparin for patients undergoing cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation, it is uncertain whether the same strategy can be safely used with dabigatran. Objective and Methods To determine the risk of bleeding and thromboembolic complications associated with uninterrupted OAC during CIED implantation, replacement, or revision, the outcomes of patients receiving uninterrupted dabigatran (D) were compared to those receiving warfarin (W). Results D was administered the day of CIED implant in 48 patients (age 66 ± 12.4 years, 13 F and 35 M, 21 ICDs and 27 PMs), including new implant in 25 patients, replacement in 14 patients, and replacement plus lead revision in 9 patients. D was held the morning of the procedure in 14 patients (age 70 ± 11 years, 4 F and 10 M, 5 ICDs and 9 PMs). W was continued in 195 patients (age 60 ± 14.4 years, 54 F, and 141 M), including new implant in 122 patients, replacement in 33 patients, and replacement plus lead revision or upgrade in 40 patients. Bleeding complications occurred in 1 of 48 patients (2.1%) with uninterrupted dabigatran (a late pericardial effusion), 0 of 14 with interrupted D, and 9 of 195 patients (4.6%) on W (9 pocket hematomas), P = 0.69. Fifty percent of bleeding complications were associated with concomitant antiplatelet medications. Conclusions The incidence of bleeding complications is similar during CIED implantation with uninterrupted D or W. The risks are higher when OAC is combined with antiplatelet drugs.
Far-infrared studies of doped AlGaAs/GaAs multiple-quantum-well structures

Abstract Far infrared spectroscopic studies of MBE-grown, selectively Si-doped multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structures have been carried out between 4.2K and 70K in magnetic fields up to 9T. Magnetotransmission measurements on a sample doped both in the centers of the barriers and the centers of the wells show strong features attributed to electrons in the wells bound to their parent donor ions in the barriers. Samples doped at the edges of the wells at the two different interfaces exhibit dramatically different absorption line profiles. This provides evidence for redistribution of impurities along the growth direction on a scale of 30 – 40 A°. Optical pumping experiments on center-doped MQW samples show large excess free electron concentrations at modest pump intensities while the density of neutral donors remains unchanged. These results are interpreted in terms of the existence of substantial densities of compensating acceptor-like states. Experiments on a center-doped 450 A° well-width sample with the magnetic field in the plane of the sample (Voigt geometry) have permitted measurements of the 2p state associated with the first excited confinement subband.
Heterogeneous Impact of Methadone on the QTc Interval: What Are the Practical Implications?

Methadone is associated with prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) and torsade de pointes in case series, cross sectional studies, a prospective cohort study, and one randomized trial. It has recently been suggested that methadone promoted sudden cardiac death based on the absence of structural heart disease in an autopsy cohort. Given increasing data linking methadone to arrhythmia, clinicians must understand whether the relationship is causal, and if so, anticipate the expected frequency of QTc interval prolongation in their patients. To date has not been well characterized. To assess the impact of methadone on the QTc interval, electrocardiography at baseline and 6 months after methadone induction was evaluated from a previously published prospective cohort study of heroin addicts. Absolute increases above categorical QTc thresholds and the proportion with QTc interval increases exceeding 30 and 60 msec were tabulated. Among 151 subjects, 76% experienced an increase in QTc, whereas 24% had no change or a decrease. The proportion exceeding 450 msec increased from 7% at baseline to 19% at 6 months; those exceeding 500 msec increased from 0% to 2%. Although 18% of subjects had an increase in QTc of 30 msec, only 3% had an increase exceeding 60 msec. Most methadone-treated patients develop QTc prolongation. However, critical QTc prolongation (exceeding 500 msec or increases exceeding 60 msec) occurred infrequently. This highlights the heterogeneity of QTc interval changes and measurement variability but also implies that electrocardiography screening among opioid dependent patients would only occasionally require methadone discontinuation.
Two meetings focus on spallation neutron source

Abstract The SNS Neutron Instrumentation Workshop and Oak Ridge Neutron Users Meeting were held in Knoxville, TN from November 9 to 11, 1998. Over 200 participants attended the meeting, which was jointly sponsored by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The purpose of the instrumentation workshop was primarily to discuss scientific community needs for instrumentation at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). Topics covered included: update on the current status and expected performance of the Spallation Neutron Source; priorities f o r the initial suite of ten instruments to be built at the high power target station as part of the SNS reference design; and the science case for a second targedinstrument suite optimized for long wavelength neutrons.
An Update on Chemical Industry Strategies

Key structural changes in the business environment have affected the basic strategic elements of the chemical industry in the last decade. These environmental changes have not run their full course and require continual attention in strategic planning in an industry that shipped $187 billion in products in 1981.
The Interplay between Culturally- and Situationally-based Mental Models of Intercultural Dispute Resolution: West Meets Middle East1

When involved in disputes, people’s stereotypes about one another and the situation can influence their attributions of motives and effectiveness at resolving the dispute. Stereotypes may be of particular concern when disputing parties have little knowledge about the individual across the table. In this study, we examined how respondents from different cultures evaluated the economic and relational goals of two disputing merchants - one from the West and the other from the Middle East. We tested the extent to which respondents’ expectations of the targets’ goals were driven by: 1) cultural information about each disputant (whether the merchant-disputant comes from the West or from the Middle East) and 2) the respondent’s own culturally-based mental model for approaches to resolving work-related disputes. We found very little evidence of cultural stereotyping in that respondents views of the Target Merchants’ goals were largely independent of the said culture of the Target Merchant. We did however find strong evidence that respondents from the United States, Turkey and Qatar hold different mental models about the goals a party has when resolving a work-related dispute. In particular, US respondents had a more variable-sum orientation than the other cultural groups, especially Qataris, whose mental model evidenced a fixed pie assumption regarding economic and relational goals. For example, Qataris and Turks viewed a goal of Maximizing one’s Own Gain as impeding a goal of Maximizing the Other Party’s Gain. Similarly, Qataris viewed Defending Honor as incompatible to the goals of Relationship Building and Giving Face, whereas Americans and Turks did not hold such a view. These differences, based on the country of the respondent, are discussed in detail.
Indomethacin does not impair cellular potassium uptake in the rat.

Based primarily on a single case study, it has been suggested that nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may impair cellular potassium uptake, and that this effect may contribute to NSAID-induced hyperkalemia. To explore this possibility, we studied rats that had been pretreated with indomethacin or normal saline and subsequently bilaterally nephrectomized and potassium loaded. There were no significant dfferences between the indomethacin and control groups in the baseline, final, or increment in plasma potassium concentration after a potassium load. Similar results were obtained whether potassium was given intraperitoneally (IP) or intravenously (IV). Serum indomethacin levels confirmed that indomethacin was well absorbed transperitoneally. We conclude that in nephrectomized but otherwise healthy rats, high-dose indomethacin does not impair the cellular uptake of an acute potassium load.
The New Public Service Revisited

The New Public Service describes a set of norms and practices that emphasize democracy and citizenship as the basis for public administration theory and practice. This article revisits some of the core arguments of the New Public Service and examines how they have been practiced and studied over the past 15 years. The authors conclude that neither the principles of the New Public Service nor those of the New Public Management have become a dominant paradigm, but the New Public Service, and ideas and practices consistent with its ideals, have become increasingly evident in public administration scholarship and practice.
Energetic ion, atom, and molecule reactions and excitation in low-current H2 discharges: Spatial distributions of emissions

Spatial distributions of H alpha , H beta , and the near-uv continuum emission from the H2 a ;{3}Sigma g;+ state are measured and compared with a model for low-current electrical discharges in H2 at high E/N and low Nd , where E is the spatially uniform electric field, N is the gas density, and d is the electrode separation. Data are analyzed for 300 Td<E/N<45 kTd , d=0.04 m , and 2 x 10;{21}<N<2.6 x 10;{22} m;{-3} . (1 Td=10;{-21} V m;{2}) The excitation is produced by electrons and by hydrogen atoms and molecules with mean energies from 5 to 1500 eV. Electron-induced emission, dominant at low E/N and low pressures, is distinguished by its buildup toward the anode. Excitation of H alpha by fast H atoms dominates at high E/N and increases toward the cathode. The observed H alpha emission at low E/N is normalized to previous experiments to yield absolute experimental excitation coefficients for all E/N and Nd . Small adjustments of model parameters yield good agreement with H alpha data. Cross sections are derived for excitation of the H2 near-uv continuum by H atoms. Spatial and pressure dependencies of H alpha and H2 near-uv emissions agree well with a model in which reactions of H2+ , H3+ , and H+ ions with H2 lead to fast H atoms and H2 molecules, which then excite H atoms or H2 molecules.
Role of Prostaglandin Production in Spontaneous and Oxytocin-Induced Uterine Contractile Activity in in Vitro Pregnant Rat Uteri

The role of prostaglandins (PGs) in spontaneous and oxytocin-induced uterine contractions was studied. Uterine segments from pregnant rats were monitored in vitro for isometric contractile activity in Krebs-Ringer medium (95% O2-5% CO2; 37 C). The medium was sampled periodically and assayed for PGE, PGF, and, in some cases, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2a, by RIA. Uteri from 21-day pregnant rats demonstrated more PGE and PGF release and greater integrated contractile force (ICF) than uteri from 18-day pregnant rats. Upon analysis of the more active uteri of 21-day pregnant rats, a significant positive correlation was found between PG production and either ICF (P < 0.05) or contractile frequency (P < 0.001) but not with amplitude or duration of contractions. Oxytocin (20 mU) caused increased contractile activity in 18-day pregnant rat uteri, but no increase in PGE, PGF, or 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2a was observed. Indomethacin caused a decrease in PG proction as well as a reduction in contractile activity. Ind...
Learning the Local Political Landscape with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The focus of the paper is on the transformative effect on student learning and engagement that results from using contemporary Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools and directed reflection to engage in spatial learning about the politics (literally) surrounding the student. I report on the pedagogical advantages of using spatial analysis (especially embedded in GIS maps) and reflection to foster student engagement with, and learning of, the multidisciplinary foundations of local political conflicts. I present a community politics course that employs GIS (emphasizing goals and learning methods), discuss new developments in GIS tools that enable projects such as the one evaluated here, describe the neighborhood analysis project used in the course and present a detailed, multi-semester assessment of student projects that employs both qualitative data based on student reflections and a more quantitative review of their work. This paper provides a discussion and assessment of applying (GIS) technology to ...
THE USE OF MICROBIAL MEMBRANES TO ACHIEVE ANAEROBIOSIS

Several years ago, it was observed that sterile microbial membrane preparations stimulated recovery of certain radiation-injured bacteria. Later it was noted that these same preparations reduce dissolved oxygen to water in a variety of environments, including bacteriological media. This reduction of oxygen is an enzymatic process and is influenced by parameters such as temperature, pH, and the availability of specific oxidizable substrates. Oxygenreducing membrane preparations can be made from several different bacterial species. When added to liquid or solid bacteriological media, membrane preparations rapidly produce and maintain anaerobic conditions favorable for the growth of a wide variety of oxygen-sensitive microorganisms. When used with a specifically designed disposable dish, membrane preparations allow the development of colonies of many anaerobic microorganisms on the surface of agar without the use of anaerobic hoods or other devices. In addition to providing conditions suitable for the growth of anaerobes, membrane preparations stimulate recovery of heat and cold injured bacteria of several different genera including facultative organisms. These results are reminiscent of the early observations regarding the recovery of radiation-injured bacteria. In addition to their usefulness in microbiology, oxygen-reducing membrane preparations have the potential for protecting a wide variety of oxygen-sensitive organic compounds.
Regulation of expression of opioid peptide genes.

In the past three years it has been shown by recombinant DNA approaches that there are at least three different genes that code for opioid peptides. The basic structures of the three polyprotein precursor molecules from which bioactive opioid peptides are derived are remarkably similar. There are also similarities in the structure of the genes that code for these precursor molecules. Using immunological techniques, it has been shown that the levels of the opioid peptides can be regulated by altering the rates of protein processing or secretion. Recently, complementary DNA clones of the opioid peptides precursor molecules have been used as hybridization probes to determine that regulation also occurs at the level of gene expression (transcription of the opioid peptide genes).
Internalization of mu-opioid receptors produced by etorphine in the rat locus coeruleus

Abstract Chronic administration of mu-opioid receptor agonists is known to produce adaptive changes within noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus. Although mu-opioid receptors are densely expressed by locus coeruleus neurons, the effects of acute and chronic administration of agonists on the subcellular distribution of mu-opioid receptors remain poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the ultrastructural distribution of mu-opioid receptor immunoreactivity in the locus coeruleus of rats subjected to either acute morphine, or etorphine, or chronic morphine treatment. In the locus coeruleus of control rats receiving acute saline injections or placebo pellet implants, immunogold–silver labeling for mu-opioid receptors was localized to parasynaptic and extrasynaptic portions of the plasma membranes of perikarya and dendrites. Only 8% of the gold–silver particles analyzed were distributed within the cytoplasm of dendrites and perikarya in vehicle-treated rats. Immunolabeling for mu-opioid receptors was distributed along portions of the plasma membrane that were often apposed by astroglial sheaths. After acute injections of etorphine, there was a dramatic internalization of mu-opioid receptors to intracellular compartments. Quantitative analysis of gold–silver particles indicative of mu-opioid receptors showed that a substantial number of gold particles shifted from the plasma membrane to early endosomes in dendrites from etorphine-treated rats. In dendrites sampled from etorphine-treated rats, 85% of the gold–silver grains indicative of mu-opioid receptor labeling were located in intracellular compartments as compared to 15% that were distributed along the plasma membrane. In animals that received either acute morphine injections or chronic morphine via pellet implantation, no change in the subcellular distribution of immunogold particles indicative of mu-opioid receptors was detected when compared to matched control animals. These results provide the first ultrastructural evidence that mu-opioid receptors are internalized by agonists such as etorphine, but not the partial agonist morphine, in the locus coeruleus.
A case of transection at the strut of a gore tag endograft 2 months after endovascular repair of a ruptured thoracic aorta.

Editor: The use of endovascular techniques for the treatment of aortic diseases, and specifically thoracic aortic disease, has become widespread as the result of several published studies demonstrating its safety as well as the potential advantage of this method over open surgical repair and/or the natural course of the disease (1,2). This procedure has been associated with several complications—most notably endoleaks, spinal cord ischemia, pulmonary complications, and aortic rupture (2). Herein, we report a case of recurrent rupture at the distal strut of an endograft 2 months after successful endovascular deployment of a stent-graft to repair a ruptured thoracic aorta in a 62-year-old woman whose co-morbidities prohibited surgery. Our institution does not require institutional review board approval for this retrospective case report. A 62-year-old woman presented to an outside facility with left-sided chest pain and hemoptysis. Her medical and surgical history were significant for hypertension, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypercholesterolemia, stroke with no residual neurologic deficit, morbid obesity, breast cancer, vaginal cancer, depression, and 40 pack-years of smoking. Her surgical history included hysterectomy and open cholecystectomy. She was afebrile and hemodynamically stable, and her physical examination was only remarkable for mild hypertension and morbid obesity. Her medications were hydrochlorothiazide, losartan, flecainide, asprin, ibuprofen, lovastatin, omeprazole, albuterol nebulizer, and citalopram. Laboratory examination revealed the following: leukocytosis (white blood cell count, 16.3 10/ L [16.3 10/L]), an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 74, positive D-dimer, negative cardiac enzymes, and electrocardiogram demonstrating normal sinus rhythm at a rate of 86 beats per minute. Chest computed tomographic (CT) angiography was performed (Fig 1), which showed a moderately thickened aortic arch (distal to the subclavian artery) and proximal thoracic descending aorta (not shown). There was no evidence of aneurysm or frank dissection. At subsequent evaluation, the patient complained of headache and reported a history of recent flu-like syndrome and malaise. As a result of this new information in the setting of an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis was entertained and the patient was placed on
Covering all the bases: preclinical development of an effective Staphylococcus aureus vaccine

A key aspect of the pathogenesis of the Gram positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is its ability to rapidly adapt to the host environment during the course of an infection. To successfully establish infection, the organism deploys a variety of survival and immune evasion strategies, ranging from the acquisition of essential nutrients and expression of adhesins, which promote colonization and survival, to the elaboration of virulence factors such as capsule, which aids host immune evasion. The ability of S. aureus to deploy different virulence factors must be taken into account for S. aureus vaccine design. Here, we present a strategy for designing an effective vaccine against S. aureus disease by evaluating vaccine candidate performance in multiple in vivo models targeted to mimic aspects of human disease, and by co-development of functional in vitro immunoassays that measure the neutralization of relevant S. aureus virulence factors.
Using software engineering methodologies to port a scientific code to GPUs: experiences and lessons learned: position paper

This work was carried out as a master's level software engineering project over the course of two semesters. Software engineering methodologies were applied to try to improve the portability, maintainability, and performance of a fusion energy code by systematically using tools to try to map computationally intensive parts of the code to GPUs using OpenACC. Our experiences show that while the approach is promising, tool support for Fortran is lacking and difficulties in working with the complex code in a supercomputing environment limit what can be achieved in a reasonable amount of time.
Morphologic comparisons of hatchery-reared specimens of Scaphirhynchus albus, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, and S. albus · S. platorynchus hybrids (Acipenseriformes: Acipenseridae)

Summary Extensive habitat modifications within the Mississippi and Missouri rivers have presumably interfered with the reproductive isolating mechanisms between the endangered pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus, and the sympatric shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, causing hybridization between these two species. Several character indices were developed to assist fisheries biologists in identifying specimens of S. albus, S. platorynchus, and their putative hybrids. The indices have numerous assumptions, including that pure strains of both parental species are within the sample analyzed and that hybrids are morphologically intermediate relative to their parents. If these indices have produced inaccurate identifications, then previous work on Scaphirhynchus studies in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers are questionable, including status surveys, captive propagation efforts, or the harvesting of tissues for genetic studies. In this study we tested indices by examining progeny of known pallid, shovelnose, and hybrid sturgeon propagated, raised, and preserved at hatcheries. These 60 specimens [78–600 mm standard length (SL)] were propagated with breeding stock from the upper Missouri River drainage, where hybridization between these two species presumably does not occur. Existing indices did not correctly identify small ( 250 mm SL) sizes of S. albus, S. platorynchus, and their hybrids. Indices worked fairly well in identifying large S. platorynchus, but not in differentiating large S. albus from hybrids. We used principal components analysis (PCA) as an alternative approach to character indices. No a priori knowledge of the identity of the specimen is required with this multivariate technique, which avoids potential circular reasoning present in indices. We were able to completely or almost completely separate both sturgeon species and their hybrids by extracting principal components from a correlation matrix of 13 meristic characters in a standard PCA and extracting size-corrected principal components from a covariance matrix of 51 morphometric variables using a sheared PCA. Additionally, we demonstrated that first generation hybrids were intermediate with respect to their parental species. Multivariate analyses with a reduced character set of six meristic and 12 morphometric variables also led to accurate and reliable specimen identification. Head spines and numerous qualitative characters are also extremely useful in differentiating between Scaphirhynchus species and their hybrids. In addition to all morphometric characters, some meristic characters and the degree of head spine fusion vary significantly with SL of sturgeons. Recording appropriate data from released specimens, including photovouchers, and making this information available is essential for researchers to have any scientific or legal basis for genetic or any other studies involving these sturgeons.
Relationship Between Daytime Oxygen Desaturation and Sleep Related Breathing Disorder in Children With Sickle Cell Anemia.

Recent studies strongly suggest that nocturnal oxygen desaturation in children with sickle cell anemia is associated with an increase incidence of pain and stroke. However, no relationship has been established between daytime oxygen desaturation and sleep disturbance. To determine the relationship between daytime oxygen desaturation and sleep related breathing disorder in children with sickle cell anemia we evaluated 17 patients with HbSS disease referred to the sleep laboratory at St. Louis Children's Hospital. All patients were referred for daytime oxygen desaturation defined as less than 94% on room air by pulse oximetry. Each patient underwent an overnight recorded polysomnogram with sleep guidelines and parameters following the general consensus statement and standards set by the American Thoracic Society. Results showed 82% of the patients had nocturnal hypoxemia with overnight mean oxygen saturation less than 94% with values ranging from 75–95% and a mean oxygen saturation of 89%. 18% of the patients had an oxygen saturation less than 85% overnight, and 65% of the patients had a formal recommendation of nocturnal supplemental oxygen use after the polysomnogram. 53% of the patients had a diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) with an Apnea Index range of 0.1–7.5 and a Respiratory Disturbance Index range of 4–41.4. Our preliminary results suggest that patients with sickle cell anemia have an increased risk of sleep related breathing disorder including OSAS and nocturnal hypoxemia. Patients with low daytime oxygen desaturation are at risk for sleep related breathing disorders. Further prospective evaluations are underway to validate these findings and to elucidate the etiology of sleep disturbances in this vulnerable population.
Experimental measurements of solitary pulse characteristics from an all-normal-dispersion Yb-doped fiber laser

We demonstrate a solitary pulse output from an 8.3-MHz mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser, operating entirely in the normal dispersion regime. The typical output hyperbolic-secant pulses have a 14-ps pulse width and a 1.2-mW average output power. The spectrum has steep band edges with a 6.1-nm width and a tunable center wavelength between 1050 and 1080 nm. Using a frequency-resolved optical gating setup, we show that the pulse intensity and phase profiles are consistent with a chirped soliton. Energy quantization is observed, thus demonstrating the non-parabolic nature of these pulses. The laser output is compressed to near the transform limit (approximately 430 fs).
Analytical glycobiology at high sensitivity: current approaches and directions

This review summarizes the analytical advances made during the last several years in the structural and quantitative determinations of glycoproteins in complex biological mixtures. The main analytical techniques used in the fields of glycomics and glycoproteomics involve different modes of mass spectrometry and their combinations with capillary separation methods such as microcolumn liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. The need for high-sensitivity measurements have been emphasized in the oligosaccharide profiling used in the field of biomarker discovery through MALDI mass spectrometry. High-sensitivity profiling of both glycans and glycopeptides from biological fluids and tissue extracts has been aided significantly through lectin preconcentration and the uses of affinity chromatography.
The corridor illusion

Contrary to general belief, the classical corridor illusion is not due solely to the perspective and contextual cues provided by the corridor. Additional factors that are equally important are the inherent spatial anisotropies of the visual system and fixation tendencies.
Free radicals and taste aversion learning in the rat; Nitric oxide, radiation and dopamine

Abstract 1. 1. Injection of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or N- tert -butyl-α-phenyl nitrone (PBN) produces a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in rats. The CTA can be prevented by pretreatment with N ω -nitro-L-argimne (L-NArg), indicating that nitric oxide (NO) is a behaviorally toxic compound. 2. 2. Radiation-induced CTA learning is not affect by pretreatment with L-NArg or by preexposure to PBN, indicating that a radiation-stimulated formation of NO does not mediate the toxic effects of radiation on behavior. 3. 4. Pretreating rats with the dopamine antagonist haloperidol prevented the acquisition of the CTA produced by SNP and attenuated, but did not eliminate, the PBN-induced CTA. Preexposure to the dopamine agonist amphetamine, attenuated a PBN-induced CTA, although PBN preexposure did not affect an amphetamine-induced CTA. 4. 5. The results are interpreted as supporting a role for NO-stimulated dopamine release in the acquisition of taste aversions following injection of SNP or PBN.
Novel Iron Oxide Microparticles Used to Render Stone Fragments Paramagnetic: Assessment of Toxicity in a Murine Model

Purpose: We developed novel peptide coated iron oxide supraparamagnetic microparticles that bind to calcium stones, allowing for extraction of these stones with magnetic tools. Urothelial and fibroblast cell lines show minimal to no toxicity when exposed to the particles. Before clinical evaluation, assessment of the in vivo systemic toxicity of the microparticles was required. This was studied in a murine model.Materials and Methods: A total of 64 mice were exposed to different concentrations of microparticles (0.5, 1 or 5 mg/dl) intravesically or intravenously via the tail vein. Mice were sacrificed at different intervals (days 1, 3, 28 and 84). Representative samples from the brain, lung, heart, kidney and liver were evaluated histologically at each time point. The tissue distribution pattern of the particles and any degree of inflammation was noted by a clinical pathologist. Liver function tests were also performed at similar intervals.Results: All mice survived until the assigned end point and appear...
Why two heads are better

The tandem SH2 domains of the ZAP-70 kinase complexed with a doubly phosphorylated ligand reveal a mechanism for building a high-affinity interaction with very low non-specific binding.
Effects of conjugated linoleic acids and docosahexaenoic acid on rat liver and reproductive tissue fatty acids, prostaglandins and matrix metalloproteinase production.

Long chain n-6 and n-3 fatty acids play important roles in labor and delivery. These effects may be mediated by prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and by regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), both of which play roles in uterine contraction, cervical ripening and rupture of fetal membranes. The effects of altering dietary n-6:n-3 long chain fatty acid ratios, and the addition of dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on fatty acid composition of reproductive tissues, PG synthesis in liver and reproductive tissue and serum MMP levels were examined in pregnant rats. Modified AIN-96G diets with n-6:n-3 ratios of 7:1 and 34:1 with and without added 1.1% (by weight) conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and/or 0.3% (by weight) DHA were fed through day 20 of gestation. Reproductive tissues readily incorporated both DHA and CLA. CLA significantly (P<0.05) depressed PGF2 αsynthesis in placenta, uterus and liver by 50% when the n-6:n-3 ratio was 7:1 and by 66% at 34:1 ratio. Significant differences (P<0.05) in PGE2synthesis in uterus and liver were seen only between groups fed the high ratio of n-6:n-3 without CLA, and the low ratio with CLA. Addition of CLA to DHA containing diets depressed PGF2 αby one-third in uterus and liver (P<0.05). Serum MMP-9 and active MMP-2 were suppressed (P<0.05) by addition of either CLA or DHA.
Information Rate in an Optical Communication Channel

An optical communication channel is analyzed, in which a light beam is amplitude modulated at the source by a filter of continuously variable transmittance, and the detector counts the received photons. Such a communication channel has intrinsic noise limitations because there is not a one-to-one correspondence between the modulated beam power and the number of counts registered. The information rates achievable with single-mode and multimode lasers are evaluated as functions of the mean number N of detected photons per symbol, for several different input statistics. For large N the information rate increases logarithmically with N. It is shown that, when the symbol length is short, there is a minimum number of independent modes for which the multimode laser gives a greater information rate than the single-mode laser, if the laser power is equally divided among all the modes, and the power per mode is regarded as constant. However, for even moderate numbers of detected photons per symbol, this minimum number of modes is so great that the single-mode laser is to be preferred. When the light beam is derived from a thermal source, the information rate in the channel is, in effect, governed by the same equations as those for the single-mode laser, so long as the detector area is limited to a coherence area.
Effect of the amino carboxy group on amino acid transport in Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda).

Abstract 1. 1. The uptake of N -methylaminoisobutyric acid by Hymenolepis diminuta has been examined in the absence or presence of various analogs. The rate is one-tenth that for the unmethylated compound although site selectivity is not appreciably changed. 2. 2. The transport of certain amino acids was found to be unaffected by the functionally similar compounds, acetamidoxime and oxamic acid. 3. 3. A postulate is made to explain the limited effect of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate on the uptake of certain structurally analogous amino acids.
Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists and Their Tibetan Successors

This is a comprehensive survey of Indian Buddhism and its subsequent establishment in Tibet, where it was transmitted more or less complete from the 7th century. It is revealing on the tantric period of Buddhist theory and practice from the 8th to 13th centuries. This is a comprehensive survey of Indian Buddhism and its subsequent establishment in Tibet, where it was transmitted more or less complete from the 7th century. It is revealing on the tantric period of Buddhist theory and practice from the 8th to 13th centuries (Chapter III), but also deals at length in Chapter I and II with the
EVALUATION OF PROLINE ACCUMULATION IN THE ADAPTATION OF DIVERSE SPECIES OF MARSH HALOPHYTES TO THE SALINE ENVIRONMENT

Proline accumulation by eight major species of salt marsh halophytes was examined under growth chamber and field conditions. When the plants were exposed to increasing salinities in the growth chamber, they accumulated proline after a threshold salinity had been reached. Three general patterns were apparent. Limonium carolinianum (Walt.) Britt. and Juncus roemerianus Scheele began to accumulate proline at 0.25 M NaCl with accumulations up to 63.6 ,tmoles per gram fresh weight at higher salinities. The C4 grasses, Spartina alterniflora Loisel., Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl., and Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene, had threshold salinity levels around 0.5 M NaCl and accumulated proline to 27.4 ,tmoles per gram fresh weight. The succulents, Salicornia bigelovii Torr., Salicornia virginica L., and Borrichia frutescens (L.) DC., did not accumulate proline until very high salinities (0.7 M) were reached. Water stress imposed by polyethylene glycol instead of NaCl caused similar proline accumulation in the species studied, but to different extents. Field measurements of proline content and soil salinities correlated well with the findings from growth chamber experiments. Rates of proline accumulation and breakdown in L. carolinianum were sufficient for osmotic adjustment by the plant to the changes in interstitial salinity in the marsh. The significance of proline accumulation as an adaptation to the salt marsh environment was species specific. We suggest that proline accumulation is of considerable importance in L. carolinianum and J. roemerianus, important to the C4 grasses at certain times and in certain locations in the marsh, and of little importance in the succulents.
Match the Interfacial Energy Levels between Hole Transport Layer and Donor Polymer To Achieve High Solar Cell Performance

The interfacial energy level alignment is shown to play an important role in determining solar cell performance. Replacing hole transport layer poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)–(polystyrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) leads to a simultaneous improvement in short-circuit current density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) for two donor polymers with deep HOMO energy levels, resulting in a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.03% and 4.14%. This is 18% and 106% increase in PCE over the 5.97% and 2.01% achieved with PEDOT:PSS. V2O5 is shown to increase Jsc and FF by enhancing hole mobility, reducing bimolecular recombination, and facilitating charge collection and to maximize Voc by providing a better ohmic contact. We also demonstrate that PEDOT:PSS still works better for donor polymers with a HOMO energy level around 5.1 eV, such as PTB7.