cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast QSTS for distributed PV impact studies using vector quantization and variable time-steps

As the penetration level of PV systems increases, utilities are in great need of methods to quickly and effectively analyze PV's impact on electric distribution systems. Compared to other conventional methods, quasi-static time-series (QSTS) based analysis has demonstrated its advantages of accurately capturing the impact of interest, e.g. control device operations, and min and max voltages. However, yearlong QSTS simulation with 1-second granularity is currently too computationally expensive for regular use. Therefore, vector quantization (VQ) and variable time-step (VTS) solution methods have been developed to accelerate QSTS simulation. This paper proposes the combination of VQ with VTS. We investigate the effectiveness of implementing VQ in combination with 2 VTS algorithms, predetermined time-step (PT) and VTS with backtrack downsampling (VTS-BD) to demonstrate a runtime reduction of 99.55% with error metrics below acceptable thresholds.
The Septic Patient: Future Directions

In order to provide some insights into potential new therapies for sepsis, we must contend with a new terminology proposed by a joint consensus conference of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American College of Chest Physicians. Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) describes the body’s widespread response to inflammation. Sepsis is a subcategory for those with documented infection. Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome is the reflection of the degree of organ damage from the systemic inflammatory response syndrome.1 This can be direct or indirect injury.
Trump and Satire: America’s Carnivalesque President and His War on Television Comedians

This chapter suggests that President Donald Trump exhibits a “carnivalesque” comic persona and behavior which have instigated a war with America’s comedians on television. This study examines Trump’s use of comedy as a means of attack, his reactions to comic attacks, and the wide range of satire undermining him. This includes examining the belittling and “camping” satires of Trump on the “popular” network shows Saturday Night Live (NBC) and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS), as well as the more cerebral satires by HBO’s comedians Bill Maher and John Oliver. This study also examines Comedy Central’s “grotesque” parody by Anthony Atamanuik, and the distribution of satire on YouTube, including the “Sassy Trump” series by Peter Serafinowicz.
Excess circulating free heme triggers immense elevation in plasma xanthine oxidase activity

Heme, an iron-containing compound and critical prosthetic group for metalloproteins, is found most commonly as an element of hemoglobin. Excess circulating heme is a key driver of hemolytic diseases including thalassemia, malaria, sickle cell disease, sepsis as well as a side effect of transplantation and cardiac bypass. Severe hemolysis (heme crisis) saturates heme degradation pathways such as hemopexin leading to abundant circulating free heme that can directly generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or stimulate elevation in enzymatic sources of ROS, ultimately leading to overt tissue damage. A key enzymatic source of ROS reported to be upregulated in sickle cell disease is xanthine oxidase (XO). As such, we investigated the relationship between circulating XO activity and heme crisis in mice. Both 24 hour survival and plasma XO activity were assessed in C57BL6/J mice injected (tail-vein) with hemin (0-100 μmol/kg). Hemin dose-dependently reduced survival (100% (25 μmol/kg), 87% (50 μmol/kg), 12% (70 μmol/kg) and 0% (100 μmol/kg)). Hematological analysis revealed an increase in monocyte recruitment and diminished platelet counts with increasing doses of hemin. Doses of 50 and 70 μmol/kg hemin elevated plasma XO activity 20-fold and 39-fold, respectively compared to controls and correlated with substantial loss of hepatic XO. Histological analysis (H&E staining) also indicated that liver tissue from mice injected with 50 μmol/kg hemin demonstrated significant alterations in tissue organization. In conclusion, heme crisis induces extensive hepatocellular release of XO into the circulation where it may actively participate in the pathologic process. To validate this assumption, we have generated a liver-specific XO knockout and are currently investigating mechanisms underpinning heme crisis-associated hepatocellular release of XO as well as the impact of circulating XO on cardiovascular function. These ongoing experiments may serve to identify novel clinical strategies to address heme crisis.
Communication and comprehensive cancer control coalitions: lessons from two decades of campaigns, outreach, and training

Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) coalitions and programs have delivered effective models and approaches to reducing cancer burden across the United States over the last two decades. Communication plays an essential role in diverse coalition activities from prevention to survivorship, including organizational and community capacity-building and as cancer control intervention strategies. Based upon a review of published CCC research as well as public health communication best practices, this article describes lessons learned to assist CCC coalitions and programs with systematic implementation of communication efforts as key strategies in cancer control. Communication-oriented lessons include (1) effective communication work requires listening and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, (2) communication interventions should target multiple levels from interpersonal to mediated channels, (3) educational outreach can be a valuable opportunity to bolster coalition effectiveness and cancer control outcomes, and (4) dedicated support is necessary to ensure consistent communication efforts. External and internal communication strategies can optimize coalition efforts and resources to ultimately help produce meaningful improvement in cancer control outcomes.
An overview of isolation controls at LIGO

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is a large-scale physics experiment that aims at measuring gravitational waves emitted by astrophysical sources. The detection of black hole mergers and neutron star collision was made possible by the extreme level of isolation required to hold the optics still from external ground disturbances in a large band of the spectrum. From the low-frequencies (earthquakes, wind, microseism, below 1 Hz) to the higher frequencies (anthropogenic noise, above 1 Hz), the controls system must be tuned to meet the requirements for lock acquisition, lock stability, and sensitivity of the instrument. In this talk, I will describe the overall control scheme of the LIGO isolation platforms and mirror suspensions, and the challenges met to design the many feedback and feedforward control loops.The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is a large-scale physics experiment that aims at measuring gravitational waves emitted by astrophysical sources. The detection of black hole mergers and neutron star collision was made possible by the extreme level of isolation required to hold the optics still from external ground disturbances in a large band of the spectrum. From the low-frequencies (earthquakes, wind, microseism, below 1 Hz) to the higher frequencies (anthropogenic noise, above 1 Hz), the controls system must be tuned to meet the requirements for lock acquisition, lock stability, and sensitivity of the instrument. In this talk, I will describe the overall control scheme of the LIGO isolation platforms and mirror suspensions, and the challenges met to design the many feedback and feedforward control loops.
Effect of patient age on glioblastoma perioperative treatment costs: a value driven outcome database analysis

Identification of groups of patients or interventions with higher associated treatment costs may be beneficial in efforts to decrease the overall financial burden of glioblastoma (GBM) treatment. The authors’ objective was to evaluate perioperative surgical treatment cost differences between elderly and nonelderly patients with GBM using the Value Driven Outcome (VDO) database. The authors obtained data from a retrospective cohort of GBM patients treated surgically (resection or biopsy) at their institution from August 2011 to February 2018. Data were compiled using medical records and the VDO database. A total of 181 patients with GBM were included. Patients were grouped into age < 70 years at time of surgery (nonelderly; n = 121) and ≥ 70 years (elderly; n = 60). Costs were approximately 38% higher in the elderly group on average (each patient was mean 0.68% of total cohort cost vs. 0.49%, p = 0.044). Higher age significantly, but weakly, correlated with higher treatment cost on linear regression analysis (p = 0.007; R2 = 0.04). Length of stay was significantly associated with increased cost on linear regression (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.84) and was significantly longer in the elderly group (8.7 ± 11.3 vs. 5.2 ± 4.3 days, p = 0.025). The cost breakdown by facility, pharmacy, supply/implants, imaging, and laboratory costs was not significantly different between age groups. Elderly patients with any postoperative complication had 2.1 times greater total costs than those without complication (p = 0.094), 2.9 times greater total costs than nonelderly patients with complication (p = 0.013), and 2.3 times greater total costs than nonelderly patients without complication (p = 0.022). GBM surgical treatment costs are higher in older patients, particularly those who experience postoperative complications.
Abstract 46: The Influence of Age and Stroke on Gut Inflammation and Microbiota

Introduction: Earlier work by our laboratory and other groups has identified that aging leads to changes in both the immune system and the microbiome. The elderly have high mortality and more disab...
Broadening Conceptions of a "College-Going Culture": The Role of High School Climate Factors in College Enrollment and Persistence.

As workforce participation increasingly requires a college degree, ensuring that more students from traditionally underrepresented populations have the opportunity to enter and complete college is ...
Dataset of de novo assembly and functional annotation of the transcriptome of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.).

Abstract Blueberry is an economically important berry crop. Both production and consumption of blueberries have increased sharply worldwide in recent years at least partly due to their known health benefits. The development of improved genomic resources for blueberry, such as a well-assembled genome and transcriptome, could accelerate breeding through genomic-assisted approaches. To enrich available transcriptome data and identify genes potentially involved in fruit quality, RNA sequencing was performed on fruit tissue from two northern-adapted hybrid blueberry breeding populations. RNA-seq was carried out using the Illumina HiSeqTM 2500 platform. Because of the absence of a reference-grade genome for blueberry, a transcriptome was de novo assembled from this RNA-seq data and other publicly available transcriptome data from blueberry downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Short Read Archive (SRA) using Trinity. After removing redundancy, this resulted in a dataset of 91,861 blueberry unigenes. This unigene dataset was functionally annotated using the NCBI-Nr protein database. All raw reads from the breeding populations were deposited in the NCBI SRA with accession numbers SRR6281886, SRR6281887, SRR6281888, and SRR6281889. The de novo transcriptome assembly was deposited at NCBI Transcriptome Shotgun Assembly (TSA) database with accession number GGAB00000000. These data will provide real expression evidence for the blueberry genome gene prediction and gene functional annotation and a reference transcriptome for future gene expression studies involving blueberry fruit.
PEGylation but Not Fc-Fusion Improves in Vivo Residence Time of a Thermostable Mutant of Bacterial Cocaine Esterase

It is very popular to fuse a protein drug or drug candidate to the Fc domain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in order to prolong the in vivo half-life. In this study, we have designed, prepared, and tested an Fc-fused thermostable cocaine esterase (CocE) mutant (known as E196-301, with the T172R/G173Q/L196C/I301C substitutions on CocE) expressed in E. coli. As expected, Fc-fusion does not affect the in vitro enzyme activity and thermal stability of the enzyme and that Fc-E196-301 can favorably bind FcRn with Kd = 386 ± 35 nM. However, Fc-fusion does not prolong the in vivo half-life of E196-301 at all; Fc-E196-301 and E196-301 have essentially the same PK profile (t1/2 = 0.4 ± 0.1 h) in rats. This is the first time demonstrating that Fc-fusion does not prolong in vivo half-life of a protein. This finding is consistent with the mechanistic understanding that E196-301 and Fc-E196-301 are all degraded primarily through rapid proteolysis in the body. The Fc fusion cannot protect E196-301 from the proteolysis in the...
Perceptions of Work–Life Balance for Urban Academic Librarians: An Exploratory Study

The topic of work–life balance (WLB) has gotten a lot of attention in popular literature, but there has been little library scholarship on the issue. This exploratory study presents the perceptions...
Generation of Pseudo-CT using High-Degree Polynomial Regression on Dual-Contrast Pelvic MRI Data.

Increasing interests in using magnetic resonance imaging only in radiation therapy require methods for predicting the computed tomography numbers from MRI data. Here we propose a simple voxel method to generate the pseudo-CT (pCT) image using dual-contrast pelvic MRI data. The method is first trained with the CT data and dual-contrast MRI data (two sets of MRI with different sequences) of multiple patients, where the anatomical structures in the images after deformable image registration are segmented into several regions, and after MRI intensity normalizations a regression analysis is used to determine a two-variable polynomial function for each region to relate a voxel’s two MRI intensity values to its CT number. We first evaluate the accuracy via the Hounsfield unit (HU) difference between the pseudo-CT and reference-CT (rCT) images and obtain the average mean absolute error as 40.3 ± 2.9 HU from leave-one-out-cross-validation (LOOCV) across all six patients, which is better than most previous results and comparable to another study using the more complicated atlas-based method. We also perform a dosimetric evaluation of the treatment plans based on pCT and rCT images and find the average passing rate within 2% dose difference to be 95.4% in point-to-point dose comparisons. Therefore, our method shows encouraging results in predicting the CT numbers. This polynomial method needs less computer storage than the interpolation method and can be readily extended to the case of more than two MRI sequences.
From peat to Google power: Communications infrastructures and structures of feeling in Groningen:

This article further develops Raymond Williams’ concept of structures of feeling as plural, competing and sometimes antagonistic. This theoretical work is done through capturing the dual structures...
Resilient livelihoods in an era of global transformation

Abstract Much as development’s understanding of livelihoods became intertwined with notions of sustainability in the late 1990s, today livelihoods analysis is taking up the rise of resilience in the development and climate change adaptation communities of practice. The emergent concept of resilient livelihoods risks perpetuating problematic framings of both socio-ecological and livelihoods dynamics that limit the effectiveness of development and adaptation interventions. In this paper, I connect recent contributions to the livelihoods and socio-ecological resilience literatures to define resilient livelihoods as projects aimed at the achievement of well-being in a manner that preserves existing systems of meaning, order, and privilege. These projects (re)produce socio-ecologies, deeply human assemblages of socio-cultural and biotic elements. So framed, the idea of resilient livelihoods centers meaning, power, difference, and agency in both livelihoods and socio-ecological dynamics. It opens up new understandings of the character, sources, and importance of resilience in livelihoods, allows for the identification of new indicators of livelihoods fragility, points to previously-overlooked sources of potential livelihoods transformation and change, and suggests sites of productive engagement between development and adaptation interventions and transformation and change.
Preparing the hair follicle canal for hair shaft emergence.

The emergence of hair is a defining event during mammalian skin development, but the cellular mechanisms leading to the opening of the hair follicle canal remain poorly characterized. Our previous studies have shown that early hair buds possess a central column of differentiated keratinocytes expressing Keratin 79 (K79), which marks the future hair follicle opening. Here, we report that during late embryogenesis and early postnatal development, K79+ cells at the distal tips of these columns downregulate E-cadherin, change shape, recede and undergo cell death. These changes likely occur independently of sebaceous glands and the growing hair shaft, and serve to create an orifice for hair to subsequently emerge. Defects in this process may underlie phenomena such as ingrown hair, or may potentially contribute to upper hair follicle pathologies including acne, hidradenitis suppurativa and infundibular cysts.
Metabolomic Markers of Southern Dietary Patterns in the Jackson Heart Study.

SCOPE: New biomarkers are needed that are representative of dietary intake. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assess metabolites associated with Southern dietary patterns in 1401 Jackson Heart Study participants. Three dietary patterns are empirically derived using principal component analysis: meat and fast food, fish and vegetables, and starchy foods. We randomly select two subsets of the study population: two‐third sample for discovery (n = 934) and one‐third sample for replication (n = 467). Among the 327 metabolites analyzed, 14 are significantly associated with the meat and fast food dietary pattern, four are significantly associated with the fish and vegetables dietary pattern, and none are associated with the starchy foods dietary pattern in the discovery sample. In the replication sample, nine remain associated with the meat and fast food dietary pattern [indole‐3‐propanoic acid, C24:0 lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), N‐methyl proline, proline betaine, C34:2 phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) plasmalogen, C36:5 PE plasmalogen, C38:5 PE plasmalogen, cotinine, hydroxyproline] and three remain associated with the fish and vegetables dietary pattern [1,7‐dimethyluric acid, C22:6 lysophosphatidylethanolamine, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)]. CONCLUSION: Twelve metabolites are discovered and replicated in association with dietary patterns detected in a Southern U.S. African‐American population, which could be useful as biomarkers of Southern dietary patterns.
Determinants of Remittances

This paper analyzes the determinants of remittances to Tonga. The results indicate that macroeconomic conditions in remitting countries and exchange rate fluctuations influence remittances. In particular, remittances growth falls when the Tongan currency appreciates, but increases with higher real GDP growth and lower unemployment in remitting countries. The analysis also finds that the influence of these determinants varies with the recipients of remittances, with remittances to non-profit organizations being more sensitive to an appreciation of the Tongan currency and the interest rate differential between Tonga and remitting countries than remittances to households. However, the analysis does not find evidence of " Dutch Disease" in Tonga, as the real exchange rate does not appear to be affected by remittances.
Pulmonary Artery 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake by PET/CMR as a Marker of Pulmonary Hypertension in Sarcoidosis.

Abstract Objectives This study investigated whether pulmonary artery (PA) 18F-FDG uptake is associated with hypertension, and if it correlates to elevated pulmonary pressures. Background 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been used to assess inflammation mostly in large arteries of the systemic circulation. Much less is known about inflammation of the vasculature of the pulmonary system and its relationship to pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods In a single-center cohort of 175 patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis, who underwent hybrid thoracic PET/CMR, 18F-FDG uptake in the PA was quantified according to maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and target-to-background ratio (TBR) and compared with available results from right heart catheterization (RHC) or transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Results Thirty-three subjects demonstrated clear 18F-FDG uptake in the PA wall. In the subgroup of patients who underwent RHC (n = 10), the mean PA pressure was significantly higher in the group with PA 18F-FDG uptake compared with the group without uptake (34.4 ± 7.2 mm Hg vs 25.6 ± 9.3 mm Hg; P = 0.003), and 9 (90%) patients with PA 18F-FDG uptake had PH when a mean PA pressure cutoff of 25 mm Hg was used compared with 18 (45%) in the nonuptake group (P Conclusions We demonstrate that 18F-FDG uptake by PET/CMR in the PA is associated with PH and that its intensity correlates with PA pressure.
An effective field theory calculation of the parity violating asymmetry in

Abstract Weak interactions are expected to induce a parity violating pion–nucleon coupling, hπNN(1). This coupling should be measurable in a proposed experiment to study the parity violating asymmetry Aγ in the process n → +p→d+γ . We compute the leading dependence of Aγ on the coupling hπNN(1) using recently developed effective field theory techniques and find an asymmetry of A γ =+0.17 h πNN (1) at leading order. This asymmetry has the opposite sign to that given by Desplanques and Missimer.
Effect of Multiple Scattering on the Compton Recoil Current Generated in an EMP, Revisited

Multiple scattering has historically been treated in EMP modeling through the obliquity factor. The validity of this approach is examined here. A simplified model problem, which correctly captures cyclotron motion, Doppler shifting due to the electron motion, and multiple scattering is first considered. The simplified problem is solved three ways: the obliquity factor, Monte-Carlo, and Fokker-Planck finite-difference. Because of the Doppler effect, skewness occurs in the distribution. It is demonstrated that the obliquity factor does not correctly capture this skewness, but the Monte-Carlo and Fokker-Planck finite-difference approaches do. The obliquity factor and Fokker-Planck finite-difference approaches are then compared in a fuller treatment, which includes the initial Klein-Nishina distribution of the electrons, and the momentum dependence of both drag and scattering. It is found that, in general, the obliquity factor is adequate for most situations. However, as the gamma energy increases and the Klein-Nishina becomes more peaked in the forward direction, skewness in the distribution causes greater disagreement between the obliquity factor and a more accurate model of multiple scattering.
Immersive visualization tool for pedagogical practices of computer science concepts: a pilot study

The progress made in technology is occurring at a much faster rate than the rate of human acquisition of new knowledge and concepts. To address this extraordinary difference, it is crucial that technology such as immersive visualization (e.g., virtual environment) be utilized to accelerate and enhance the pedagogical practices of educational institutions. The main purpose of this project was to create an immersive environment and accompanying courseware based on the extensive use of immersive visualization. In first phase of the project, the authors investigated, designed, developed, implemented, and evaluated a pilot courseware module for computer science concepts. Forty students participated in a controlled experimental study. Twenty of the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group while the other twenty were assigned to a control group. A standard pre- and post-test protocol was administered. Only the experimental group was exposed to the courseware module. The preliminary results show that at a 5% level of significance the use of selected computer science courseware based on tenets, foundations and basic elements of immersive visualization, tends to increase the understanding and mastery of the selected subject area as measured by performance-oriented examinations.
Sickle Cell Anaemia

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disease, whose indispensable feature is the presence of a mutation in the beta globin gene that specifies one of the chains of haemoglobin. This mutation endows the haemoglobin with a new property: the capacity of polymerizing when deoxygenated. This mutation has several untoward consequences: haemolytic anaemia, acute chest syndrome, stroke, renal insufficiency, leg ulcers, osteonecrosis, etc. Lifespan is compromised and the only accepted treatment is hydroxyurea, which is capable of ameliorating the phenotype and extending the life of the patient.
The RETSINA MAS Infrastructure

RETSINA is an implemented Multi-Agent System infrastructure that has been developed for several years and applied in many domains ranging from financial portfolio management to logistic planning. In this paper, we distill from our experience in developing MASs to clearly define a generic MAS infrastructure as the domain independent and reusable substratum that supports the agents' social interactions. In addition, we show that the MAS infrastructure imposes requirements on an individual agent if the agent is to be a member of a MAS and take advantage of various components of the MAS infrastructure. Although agents are expected to enter a MAS and seamlessly and effortlessly interact with the agents in the MAS infrastructure, the current state of the art demands agents to be programmed with the knowledge of what infrastructure they will utilize, and what are various fall-back and recovery mechanisms that the infrastructure provides. By providing an abstract MAS infrastructure model and a concrete implemented instance of the model, RETSINA, we contribute towards the development of principles and practice to make the MAS infrastructure “invisible” and ubiquitous to the interacting agents.
THE JUXTAGLOMERULAR CELLS OF THE KIDNEY AND THE ZONA GLOMERULOSA OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX IN THE SODIUM-LOSING AND THE HYPERTENSIVE FORMS OF VIRILIZING ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA

Pathological and biochemical observations are presented in two cases of virilizing adrenal hyperplasia: one of the sodium-losing type and the other of the hypertensive type. Examination of the kidneys revealed hypertrophy of the juxtaglomerular cells in the case exhibiting excessive sodium loss. The adrenal cortex showed hypertrophy of the zona glomerulosa. It is hypothesized that the chronic state of sodium loss caused changes in the intravascular compartment which led to compensatory activity of the juxtaglomerular cells with resultant stimulation of the zona glomerulosa. Examination of the hypertensive case (known to involve a different enzyme deficit) showed hypertrophy of the zona glomerulosa without hypertrophy of the juxtaglomerular cells. The intrinsic overproduction of sodium-retaining steroids associated with the genetic defect in this clinical form could account for both the hypertension and the absence of hypertrophy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus.
Principles for organization of creative groups

In this paper we first propose an outline for an overall organization of the group creative process. In particular two major components of the process are considered in detail. For group selection, diversity measures including those based on information theory and a species diversity measure are discussed and examples provided. The idea of a diversity space is also introduced to obtain some intuition on the issues relative to population diversity. The actual creative idea generation process is then considered with respect to the social interactions inside the selected creative group. Approaches to modeling the ways in which linguistic persuasion can occur are described. Finally approaches to the generalization of the ideas that evolved using concept hierarchies are presented.
Using kaizen to improve graduate business school degree programs

Purpose – To illustrate the applicability of kaizen in higher education.Design/methodology/approach – Kaizen process was used for ten courses contained in a part‐time executive MS degree program in management.Findings – Kaizen was found to be an effective process for improving graduate business school courses and the value proposition for students.Research limitations/implications – Further opportunity to quantitatively correlate kaizen results with student satisfaction.Practical implications – Kaizen can help higher education institutions compete more effectively against both traditional non‐profit and newer for‐profit sources of higher education.Originality/value – Presents insights, lessons learned, and critical reflections from the first known application of kaizen in higher education for this purpose.
Anticipated outcomes of accidental occupational exposure to HIV

This descriptive study surveyed a random sample of 60 registered nurses (R.N.s) regarding their perceptions of nine possible consequences of an HIV infection resulting from occupational exposure. Areas of highest concern were financial: adequacy of workers' compensation and ability of the employer to cover all health care costs. Nurses were also concerned about confidentiality and ability to trace the event of the occupational exposure. These nurses felt the least threatened in the areas of maintaining their housing and the support of family and friends. Overall, the responses indicate a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the anticipated outcomes of an accidental occupationally derived infection. The results suggest clearer communication is needed between nurses and their employers regarding their benefits and existing support services.
Fostering Student Engagement and Collaboration with the Library: Student Creation of LibGuides as a Research Assignment

This article describes a project using a student-created LibGuide in conjunction with a literature review assignment for a research course. This collaborative project between a librarian and a professor of International Education was designed and implemented as an avenue for teaching information literacy and to encourage use of library resources. The methodology for the assignment is presented, and the results of the project are discussed in terms of the final products and student reviews. Implications for the use of student-created LibGuides in academic institutions and future directions for this project are presented.
Endocrine mediators of metabolism associated with injury and sepsis.

We have studied the endocrine characteristics of 13 seriously ill patients with the use of a provocative intravenous glucose bolus. Notable in this stressed patient population was that no major interpatient differences in response to glucose were found for insulin, glucagon, cortisol, or epinephrine. However, following glucose challenge half of this group (7/13) exhibited a prominent "paradoxical" mean human growth hormone (hGH) elevation (26.4 ± 9.3 μU/ml) whereas the others (6/13) exhibited only a minor increase (7.8 ± 2.9 μU/ml). In addition, norepinephrine levels were significantly higher in the latter group suggesting that the adrenergic nervous system plays a major role in regulating hGH in stress. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition10:253-257,1986)
Elastic Photoproduction of π 0 Mesons from Deuterium at 270 Mev

The cross section for the process $\ensuremath{\gamma}+d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}+d$ has been measured by observing the recoil deuteron. The recoil was first analyzed by a uniform magnetic field and then allowed to pass through a nuclear emulsion. The following values were obtained for the absolute cross section for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ production at a photon energy of 270 Mev and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ laboratory angles 124\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 168\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}: $\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{d\ensuremath{\Omega}}(124\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{})=3.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9$ \ensuremath{\mu}b/steradian and $\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{d\ensuremath{\Omega}}(168\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{})=1.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5$ \ensuremath{\mu}b/steradian. The fact that the cross section is the same order of magnitude as the cross section for the production of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}'\mathrm{s}$ from hydrogen is evidence that constructive interference exists between the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ production from the proton and the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ production from the neutron. On the basis of approximate theories of meson production from deuterium, a lower limit is deduced for the isotropic part of the angular distribution of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}'\mathrm{s}$ photoproduced from hydrogen.
Stimulation of human T-lymphocyte chemokinesis by arachidonic acid.

Abstract The migration of human T lymphocytes, assessed in modified Boyden chambers, was chemokinetically stimulated by arachidonic acid in a dose-related manner that achieved a peak level of 127 ± 34% enhancement (mean ± SD) at 8 μ M arachidonic acid. The chemokinetic effect was dependent on the metabolism of the arachidonic acid by the T lymphocytes as derivatives of arachidonic acid that do not serve as prostaglandin and thromboxane precursors were without effect, while the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors indomethacin (ID 50 = 10 μ M ) and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) (ID 50 = 20 μ M ) suppressed the stimulation of migration by arachidonic acid. The cyclo-oxygenase product 12- l -hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT) reproduced part of the chemokinetic effect of arachidonic acid, but the lipoxygenase product 12- l -hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) as well as PGE 2 , PGF 2α , and thromboxane B 2 had no stimulatory activity. The ability of ETYA, but not indomethacin, to suppress the migration of unstimulated T lymphocytes suggested that a lipoxygenase metabolite of endogenous arachidonic acid contributes to the maintenance of their normal levels of spontaneous migration.
Correlation between breakdown voltage and structural properties of polycrystalline and heteroepitaxial CVD diamond films

Abstract The dielectric strength of both non-oriented polycrystalline (grain size less than 100 nm) and highly textured diamond films (grain size about 2 μm) which have been epitaxially nucleated on silicon(100) has been investigated by the ramping method at room temperature. We show that annealing in air or etching in CrO 3 +H 2 SO 4 , which drastically increases the resistivity of the samples in comparison with the as-grown state, has no significant effect on the breakdown voltage. Besides this, the dependence of the dielectric strength on the film thickness has been studied. We observe a pronounced reduction of the dielectric strength from 4 × 10 6 V cm −1 to about 1 × 10 6 V cm −1 for film thicknesses ranging from 150 nm to 2 μm respectively.
Automated measurements of isolated heart muscle contractions: effects of halothane, calcium, and magnesium on guinea pig left atrial muscle.

An in vitro method for automatically measuring muscle contraction force has been demonstrated in a study of the effects of the inhalation anesthetic halothane followed by calcium chloride or magnesium sulfate on isolated guinea pig left atrial muscle. An automated computer-controlled system was used to collect muscle contraction force waveforms and to analyze contraction waveforms for comparison of variables before and after drug administration. Two concentrations of halothane (0.5 and 1.5%) were administered to the atrial preparation for 30 minutes and followed by calcium chloride or magnesium sulfate. Six variables (latency, time to peak tension, peak tension, maximum rate of change of pressure, force time integral, and relaxation time) were automatically determined from averaged stimulus-response curves. Results were normalized and compared with controls administered only calcium and magnesium and with controls administered no drugs. The automated system greatly simplified data collection and accumulation and statistical analysis of multiple responses. The system made possible averaging and analysis of more data with less variability than is normally obtained with manual systems. The results confirm several known actions of these agents. Halothane prolongs latency (9 and 21% for 0.5 and 1.5% halothane, respectively) and shortens time to peak tension (6 and 17% for 0.5 and 1.5% halothane, respectively) and relaxation time (17 and 39% for 0.5 and 1.5% halothane, respectively). At high halothane concentrations (1.5%), calcium chloride shortens latency (10%) and prolongs time to peak tension (11%); magnesium sulfate prolongs latency (14%) and shortens time to peak tension (10%).
Changes in tyrosine hydroxylase and substance P immunoreactivity in the cat carotid body following chronic hypoxia and denervation

Abstract Long-term hypoxia elicits functional changes in the cat carotid body which are manifest as altered chemosensitivity in response to hypoxia. Previous studies have suggested that these functional adjustments may be mediated by changes in neurotransmitter levels in chemosensory type I cells. Neurotransmitter metabolism in the carotid body has also been shown to be regulated by the neural innervation to the organ. The present study using the cat carotid body demonstrates profound changes in the levels of immunoreactivity of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase, and the neuropeptide, substance P, in response to a two-week exposure to hypoxia (10% O 2 in 90% N 2 ). Furthermore, these changes were modulated both by sensory and sympathetic denervation of the organ. For TH, the intensity of immunostaining in type I cells was markedly increased by long-term hypoxia in both normal and chronic carotid sinus nerve-denervated carotid bodies, but this effect was blocked following chronic sympathectomy. Substance P immunoreactivity in type I cells was dramatically attenuated by hypoxia in both intact and chronic carotid sinus nerve-denervated preparations, but this effect was reduced following chronic sympathectomy. Tyrosine hydroxylase- and substance P-positive axon terminals were observed to innervate type I cells. These axons were also present in chronically sympathectomized preparations, but they disappeared following chronic carotid sinus nerve-denervation suggesting that they very likely arise from sensory neurons in the petrosal ganglion. Our data indicate that chronic chemoreceptor stimulation by hypoxia elicits multiple neurochemical adjustments in the cat carotid body. These changes suggest that catecholaminergic enzymes and neuropeptides play a significant role in the adaptive mechanisms of chemoreceptor function which occur in response to chronic physiological stimulation. Furthermore, the data suggest that neurotrophic mechanisms may influence neurotransmitter metabolism in chemosensory type I cells.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Azoxydichinyl Helicene, Pyrido[3,2-f]quinolino[6,5-c]cinnoline 5-Oxide Monohydrate

The helicene, pyrido[3,2-f]quinolino[6,5-c]cinnoline 5-oxide, was prepared by treatment of 6-hydroxylaminoquinoline with xanthine oxidase or treatment of 6-nitroquinoline with glucose in 30% NaOH and the product characterized using NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The hydrogens on carbons 7 and 12 of the terminal aromatic rings are separated by 2.495 A creating an angle of 25.0° between the planes of the two quinoline ring systems. In the crystal, water molecules serve to link the helicenes into a one dimensional chain structure forming a hydrogen bonded bridge between N2 of one molecule and N4 of another. The molecule (C18H10N4O·H2O) crystallized in the monoclinic P21/n space group. Unit cell parameters for pyrido[3,2-f]quinolino[6,5-c]cinnoline 5-oxide monohydrate: a = 7.0829(12), b = 18.559(3), c = 11.0985(19) A, β = 107.736(2)°, and Ζ = 4. The helicene, pyrido[3,2-f]quinolino[6,5-c]cinnoline 5-oxide, was prepared by treatment of 6-hydroxylaminoquinoline with xanthine oxidase or treatment of 6-nitroquinoline with glucose in 30% NaOH and the product characterized using NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography on the monohydrate form of the molecule.
Thoughts on the Deconvolution of Thermal- and Stress-States From Transient Histories

When thermal-shock is an issue, the underlying thermal- and stress-states are often difficult to determine because the boundary conditions must be known. For direct problems where the boundary conditions such as temperature or flux are known a priori, the procedure is usually mathematically tractable and can therefore be solved analytically. On the other hand, the inverse problem where the boundary conditions must be determined remotely is inherently ill-posed and therefore sensitive to errors. Moreover, there are only limited numbers of analytical solutions and they are usually restricted to timeframes before the thermal wave reaches the natural boundaries of the structure. Fortunately, generalized solutions based on either measured temperature- and/or strain-histories can be used to determine the underlying thermal excitation via a least-squares determination of coefficients that require the direct solution to enforce the data. Once the inverse problem is solved and the unknown boundary-condition determined, the resulting polynomial can then be used with the generalized Direct solution to determine the thermal- and stress-states as a function of time and position. For the two geometries explored (thick-walled cylinder under an internal transient with external convection and a slab with one adiabatic surface), excellent agreement was seen with various test cases for histories based on either temperature or strain. However, the strain-based solutions may be preferable since they do not suffer from time-lags associated with thermally thick structures. The derived solutions appear to be well suited for many thermal scenarios provided the analysis is restricted to the time interval used to determine the polynomial and the thermophysical properties are independent of temperature.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Heterometal dependence of electron distributions and redox potentials in clusters with cubane-type [MFe3S4]z cores

The self-assembly systems [MS 4 ] 3- /FeCl 2 /NaSEt (M=V, Nb) in acetonitrile afford the clusters [V 2 Fe 6 S 8 (SEt) 9 ] 3- , [Nb 2 Fe 6 S 8 (SEt) 9 ] 3- , and [Nb 2 Fe 6 S 8 (SEt) 9 ] 5- , which were isolated as Et 4 N + salts. These clusters have the triply-bridged double cubane stereochemistry [(MFe 3 S 4 (SEt) 3 ) 2 (μ-SEt) 3 ] 3- , as demonstrated for the M=V cluster by X-ray diffraction. The compound (Et 4 N) 3 [V 2 Fe 6 S 8 (SEt) 9 ] crystallizes in hexagonal point group P6 3 /m with a=17.223(3) A, c=16.212(3) A, and Z=2
Time series analysis of knowledge of results effects during motor skill acquisition.

Abstract Time series analysis was used to investigate the hypothesis that during acquisition of a motor skill, knowledge of results (KR) information is used to generate a stable internal referent about which response errors are randomly distributed. Sixteen subjects completed 50 acquisition trials of each of three movements whose spatial-temporal characteristics differed. Acquisition trials were either blocked, with each movement being presented in series, or randomized, with the presentation of movements occurring in random order. Analysis of movement time data indicated the contextual interference effect reported in previous studies was replicated in the present experiment. Time series analysis of the acquisition trial data revealed the majority of individual subject response patterns during blocked trials were best described by a model with a temporarily stationary, internal reference of the criterion and systematic, trial-to-trial variation of response errors. During random trial conditions, response ...
Use of the intramedullary polypropylene peg for joint stabilization in leprosy

Summary Joint arthrodesis is indicated when motion in a joint cannot be restored, and that joint requires stabilization in an optimal functional position. The Harrison Intramedullary peg has been used to advantage for this purpose in hand reconstruction in leprosy in a rural developing area. It is a method to be considered for selected cases requiring joint stabilization to improve total hand function.
Treatment of corneal xerophthalmia in rabbits with micromolar doses of topical retinoic acid

Several reports have appeared on the efficacy of topically applied 0.01% or 0.1% all-trans retinoic acid (0.04–0.4 millimolar) for treatment of xerophthalmia, conjunctival squamous metaplasia, and corneal epithelial erosions in humans and animals. An observation common to many of these studies is the occurrence of an adverse reaction to retinoic acid in the form of lid margin hyperemia and blepharoconjunctivitis. Since retinoic acid is biologically active at micro-molar to nanomolar concentrations, it may be possible to reduce side effects while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness by reducing the retinoic acid concentration in ophthalmic formulations. In the present study, topical 0.005% retinoic acid in petrolatum ointment reversed corneal keratinization in xerophthalmic, vitamin A-deficient rabbits in 3–4 days while 0.0005% (2 micromolar) retinoic acid ointment was effective in 4–6 days. Further clinical trials of topical retinoic acid for treatment of ocular surface disease should be conducted using ...
Low Temperature Sintering and Deformation of Nanocrystalline TiO2

The sintering and deformation kinetics of nanocrystalline (n-) TiO2 were studied. It was found that pressureless sintering yields densities above 95 % with modest increase in grain size whereas pressure assisted sintering (1GPa) results in high density samples without grain growth. In addition compression tests were performed. Large true strains up to 0.6 and strain rates as high as 8 × 10−5 s−1 were observed at 810°C without fracturing. The sintering and creep results are discussed in terms of the microstructure and diffusion coefficients in n-TiO2.
Children's Reports of Parental Socioeconomic Status: A Multiple Group Measurement Model

An important class of applications of measurement error or constrained factor analytic models consists of comparing models for several populations. In such cases it is appropriate to make explicit statistical tests of model similarity across groups and to constrain some model parameters to be equal across groups using a priori substantive information. This article discusses a statistical model devel oped by Joreskog for these purposes. The model is applied to children's and parents' reports of parental socioeconomic statuses for several grade levels.
Results of Craniocervical Junction Transoral Procedures

Between 1977 and 2004, 692 patients underwent the transoral-transpalatopharyngeal approach to the clivus and upper cervical spine. There were 303 cases of primary basilar invagination associated with congenital anomalies, 152 cases of irreducible rheumatoid dislocation with cranial settling, 43 cases of basilar invagination associated with trauma, 43 cases of dystopic os odontoideum complex, 105 cases of tumors, and 42 cases of miscellaneous abnormalities. An intentional intradural entry was made in 42 of the 692 patients. Surgical outcomes were excellent.