cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toxicity and efficacy of defined doses of CD4(+) donor lymphocytes for treatment of relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplant

Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) can induce remissions in patients who have relapsed after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). However, DLI frequently also result in significant acute and/or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Several clinical and experimental lines of evidence have suggested that CD8(+) T cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of GVHD. To develop methods to reduce the incidence of GVHD associated with DLI, we administered defined numbers of CD4(+) donor T cells after ex vivo depletion of CD8(+) lymphocytes to 40 patients with relapsed hematologic malignancies after allogeneic BMT. Cohorts of patients received 0.3, 1.0, or 1.5 x 10(8) CD4(+) cells/kg. Overall, 12 of 38 patients (32%) evaluable for toxicity developed acute or chronic GVHD. However, 6 of 27 patients (22%) receiving 0.3 x 10(8) CD4 cells/kg developed GVHD compared with 6 of 11 patients (55%) who received >/=1.0 x 10(8) CD4 cells/kg (P = .07). Treatment-related mortality was low (3%), with 1 death related to infection in the setting of immunosuppression for GVHD. Disease responses after CD4(+) DLI were documented in 15 of 19 patients (79%) with early-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) relapse, 5 of 6 patients (83%) with relapsed multiple myeloma, and 1 patient with myelodysplasia. For patients with early-phase CML relapse, the Kaplan-Meier probability of achieving complete cytogenetic remission was 87% and the probability of complete molecular response was 78% at 1 year after DLI. The median time to complete cytogenetic response and molecular response in patients with CML was 13 weeks (range, 9 to 30 weeks) and 34 weeks (range, 10 to 56 weeks), respectively. The median time to response in patients with multiple myeloma was 26 weeks (range, 15 to 62 weeks). All patients in this trial who developed GVHD demonstrated tumor regression, but the presence of GVHD was not required for patients to achieve a response, because 48% of responding patients never developed evidence of GVHD. Two patients with CML who did not respond at dose level 1 subsequently achieved complete cytogenetic remission after a second infusion of CD8-depleted cells at dose level 2. In patients with evidence of mixed hematopoietic chimerism who achieved a complete remission after DLI, cytogenetic analysis of marrow cells also demonstrated conversion to complete donor hematopoiesis in all evaluable patients. These studies suggest that relatively low numbers of CD8-depleted donor lymphocytes are effective in inducing complete remissions in patients with stable-phase CML and multiple myeloma who have relapsed after allogeneic BMT. Because of the relatively low risk of toxicity associated with the infusion of defined numbers of CD4(+) donor cells, further studies can be undertaken in the setting of persistent minimal residual disease to prevent relapse after allogeneic BMT.
Xenotransplantation of pre-pubertal ovarian cortex and prevention of follicle depletion with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH).

To determine whether recombinant AMH (rAMH) could prevent post-transplant follicular depletion by acting on the stemness markers Oct-4, Sox2, and NANOG. This was an experimental study where 12 ovariectomized nude mice were xenotransplanted with vitrified/warmed ovarian cortex obtained from a pre-pubertal girl and Alzet pumps delivering rAMH, or placebo (control), were inserted intra-abdominally. Previously vitrified/warmed ovarian cortex fragments were transplanted after 7 days and then harvested after 14 days from pump placement. We performed real-time RT-PCR analyses, ELISA for AMH, FSH, and estradiol, histologic measurement of ovarian follicles, and immunohistochemistry for Ki67 and TUNEL. The main outcome measures were serum levels and tissue expression of the parameters under investigation and follicle count. Serum AMH, FSH, and estradiol reflected post-ovariectomy profiles and were mildly influenced by rAMH administration. Ovarian cortex expression of AMH, AMH-R2, VEGF, GDF9, Oct-4, and Sox2 was lower in rAMH mice than in controls, while NANOG was upregulated. There was a non-significant decrease in primordial follicles after vitrification-warming, and xenotransplantation further decreased this number. There were lower cell replication and depressed apoptosis in the rAMH group. Administration of recombinant AMH in the peri-transplant period did not protect the initial follicular depletion but decreased apoptosis and cellular activation and regulated stem cell markers’ tissue expression. These results aid our understanding of the inhibitory effects of AMH on follicular development and show the benefit of administering exogenous AMH at the time of pre-pubertal ovarian cortex transplant to protect the follicles from pre-activation and premature depletion.
The Homeless Patient

This chapter presents a case of a homeless patient in the emergency department and reviews common pitfalls and considerations.
Imaging of Histiocytosis in the Era of Genomic Medicine.

The article focuses on recent genomic discoveries in histiocytosis and precision medicine approaches to treatment, the imaging manifestations of different types of histiocytosis with correlative hi...
ULTRASOUND EVALUATION OF THE DIAMETER OF PEDAL ARTERIES IN PATIENTS WITH HIGH PREVALENCE OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE: PEDAL FIRST

We evaluated the diameter of the major pedal arteries in patients with risk factors for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We hoped to identify which patients had arteries (6 French minimum) that would allow us to employ advanced atherectomy devices as well as avoid femoral arterial access,
Examining the role of menthol cigarettes in progression to established smoking among youth

Abstract Background Menthol, a flavoring compound added to cigarettes, makes cigarettes more appealing to youth and inexperienced smokers and increases cigarettes' abuse liability. However, limited studies are available on menthol's role in smoking progression. Methods To assess the association between menthol in cigarettes and progression to established smoking, we used five waves of data from the Evaluation of Public Education Campaign on Teen Tobacco Cohort Study, a nationally representative longitudinal survey of U.S. youth conducted as part of “The Real Cost” evaluation. We used discrete time survival analysis to model the occurrence of two event outcomes—progression to established, current smoking and progression to established, frequent smoking—using a logit model with a menthol use indicator as the key explanatory variable. Based on this framework, we estimated the effect of prior menthol use on the odds of smoking progression. Results In the progression to established, current smoking model, prior menthol use was significantly associated with progression [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.80, p Conclusion The results suggest a relationship between using menthol cigarettes and progression from experimental to established, current smoking among youth. This study adds to a growing literature base that supports that menthol cigarettes, compared to nonmenthol cigarettes, put youth at increased risk for regular cigarette use.
Effects of Social Support and 12-Step Involvement on Recovery among People in Continuing Care for Cocaine Dependence

Background: Social networks that support recovery lead to enhanced treatment outcomes and sobriety regardless if this support stems from family, peer groups or 12-Step programs. Treatment process f...
Differential Effects of Work-Related Task Training on Upper-Extremity Health in OT and Dental Hygiene Students

Date Presented 04/05/19 A longitudinal multicohort study was conducted to evaluate the impact of task training on upper-extremity musculoskeletal discomfort in health professional students. Differential effects on pain and grip strength were noted in dental hygiene students as compared to OT students. This study validates that repetitive task training has a negative impact on health and illuminates a need for development and implementation of preventive interventions for dental hygiene students. Primary Author and Speaker: Shawn Roll Contributing Authors: Naoko Kono, Jane Forrest, Wendy Mack
Do Postoperative Prophylactic Antibiotics Reduce Highly Virulent Infections?: An Analysis of 660 Tissue Expander Breast Reconstructions.

Background Many surgeons are reluctant to discontinue prophylactic antibiotics after 24 hours in tissue expander breast reconstruction (TEBR) because of fear of increased risk of surgical site infection (SSI). Currently, there is no consensus regarding antibiotic prophylaxis duration in TEBR. In addition, there remains a lack of research investigating microorganisms involved in SSI across various perioperative antibiotic protocols. The purpose of this study was to examine how 2 different prophylactic antibiotic regimens impacted the bacterial profiles of SSI and rate of implant loss after TEBR. Methods A single-institution retrospective review of immediate TEBRs between 2001 and 2018 was performed. Surgical site infections requiring hospitalization before stage 2 were included. Highly virulent organisms were defined as ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter species). Implant loss was defined as removal of tissue expander without immediate replacement. Results Of 660 TEBRs, 85 (12.9%) developed an SSI requiring hospitalization before stage 2. Fifty-six (65.9%) received less than 24 hours of perioperative intravenous antibiotics and oral antibiotics after discharge (group 1), and 29 (34.1%) received less than 24 hours of intravenous antibiotics only (group 2). There was no significant difference in demographics, preoperative chemotherapy/radiation, acellular dermal matrix usage, or treatment of SSI between groups. In group 1, 64% (n = 36) developed culture positive SSIs, compared with 83% (n = 24) in group 2 (P = 0.076). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacteria in both groups. Group 2 demonstrated a significantly increased incidence of gram-positive organisms (46.4% vs 72.4%, P = 0.022) and S. aureus (21.4% vs 55.2%, P = 0.002). However, there was no significant difference in overall highly virulent (P = 0.168), gram-negative (P = 0.416), or total isolated organisms (P = 0.192). Implant loss between groups 1 and 2 (62.5% vs 62.1%, P = 0.969) respectively, was nearly identical. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that, despite differences in bacterial profiles between 2 antibiotic protocols, prolonged postoperative antibiotic use did not protect against overall highly virulent infections or implant loss. Antibiotic stewardship guidelines against the overuse of prolonged prophylactic regimens should be considered. Further analysis regarding timing of SSIs and antibiotic treatment is warranted.
Domain Separated Density Functional Theory for Reaction Energy Barriers and Optical Excitations

We recently proposed domain separated density functional theory (DS-DFT), a framework that allows for the combination of different levels of theory for the computation of the electronic structure o...
Assuring Access to Abortion

Over the spring of 2020, numerous states announced measures suspending abortions in response to COVID-19 Banning abortion during the pandemic is counterproductive Impeding access to abortion will not help preserve healthcare resources Moreover, prohibiting access to abortion care exacerbates the strain on the healthcare system People who lack access to abortions will travel to neighboring states, induce their own abortions, or carry pregnancies to term, which will require prenatal care and assistance in childbirth Perhaps more importantly, the people hit hardest by suspending abortion care are those for whom the pandemic already has had devastating effects Lifting restrictions on medication abortion and expanding telehealth abortion services will conserve healthcare resources and improve public health Recognizing the advantages of telemedicine, some states, as well as the federal government, have relaxed restrictions on remote diagnosis and treatment However, many of those same states have carved out exceptions for abortion in their telemedicine policies In addition, people seeking medication abortions still face unnecessary restrictions on access, none of which are applied to comparable office-based procedures Policymakers can eliminate barriers to safe abortion services now and in the future “No-touch” terminations, in which all medical supervision happens over the telephone or online, can better accomplish the goals that the present abortion suspensions cannot Telehealth for medical abortion can ease the burdens on pregnant people, healthcare workers, and health systems in light of the unprecedented challenges presented by COVID-19
Non-stationary Spatio-Temporal Modeling of COVID-19 Progression in The U.S.

Abstract The fast transmission rate of COVID-19 worldwide has made this virus the most important challenge of year 2020. Many mitigation policies have been imposed by the governments at different regional levels (country, state, county, and city) to stop the spread of this virus. Quantifying the effect of such mitigation strategies on the transmission and recovery rates, and predicting the rate of new daily cases are two crucial tasks. In this paper, we propose a modeling framework which not only accounts for such policies but also utilizes the spatial and temporal information to characterize the pattern of COVID-19 progression. Specifically, a piecewise susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model is developed while the dates at which the transmission/recover rates change significantly are defined as “break points” in this model. A novel and data-driven algorithm is designed to locate the break points using ideas from fused lasso and thresholding. In order to enhance the forecasting power and to describe additional temporal dependence among the daily number of cases, this model is further coupled with spatial smoothing covariates and vector auto-regressive (VAR) model. The proposed model is applied to several U.S. states and counties, and the results confirm the effect of “stay-at-home orders” and some states’ early “re-openings” by detecting break points close to such events. Further, the model performed satisfactorily short-term forecasts of the number of new daily cases at regional levels by utilizing the estimated spatio-temporal covariance structures. Finally, some theoretical results and empirical performance of the proposed methodology on synthetic data are reported which justify the good performance of the proposed method.
A comparative review: Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) research conducted in Latin America versus Asia.

Abstract Introduction The incidence of chronic kidney disease of unknown or uncertain etiology (CKDu) is recognized as a global non-communicable health crisis. The goal of this work is to compare the types of research studies in Latin America and Asia, two regions with increasing CKDu incidence. Methods A comparative literature review was conducted to evaluate the CKDu research design for peer-reviewed articles published from 2015 to 2019. Full texts were reviewed to identify study location, study type, study design, risk factors evaluated, and if applicable, sample type and number. Results In Asia and Latin America, 82 and 65 articles were identified in total, respectively, with 55 field studies in Asia versus 34 in Latin America. In Asia, research was focused on drinking water (34), heavy metals (20), and agrochemical product usage (19) as potential risk factors. In Latin America, research focused mostly on heat stress/dehydration (36) and agrochemical product usage (18) as potential CKDu risk factors. Biological samples were collected more frequently than environmental samples, especially in Latin America. Discussion Research to pinpoint the risk factors associated with CKDu to date is not standardized and typically limited in geographical scope. The emphasis of CKDu research varies by geographic region, with a greater priority placed on water quality and chemical exposure in Asia, versus dehydration and heat stress in Latin America. Using a harmonized approach to CKDu research would yield improved understanding of the risk factors associated with CKDu and how they compare across affected regions.
Ecological contexts and youth civic and political engagement in Paris, France

Abstract With high rates of migration worldwide in the past decade, industrialized nations have witnessed substantial growth in the diversity of their populations and challenges to the civic and political status quo. This paper focuses on France, among the top countries sought by immigrants. Survey data were collected from 632 students from four ethnically diverse high schools in the Paris region, of whom 362 were between ages 14 and 17. We examine patterns of anticipated involvement in three indices of political and civic engagement, with the goal of identifying the characteristics that significantly contribute to explaining each. Results showed that most demographic characteristics are relatively weak in explaining the outcomes. Knowledge and attitudes developed in school, along with the effects of contact with family, peers, and more distal contexts, are important antecedents of political and civic engagement, although the magnitude of the effects differs for males and females.
Utility of Percutaneous Ultrasonic Tenotomy for Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review.

Context:Chronic tendinopathy is a challenging problem that can lead to significant disability and limitation in not only athletics but also activities of daily living. While there are many treatmen...
Associations Between Social Determinants and Hypertension, Stage 2 Hypertension, and Controlled Blood Pressure Among Men and Women in the United States.

BACKGROUND Social determinants influence the development and control of hypertension. METHODS National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2018) data for adults aged ≥18 included education, income, employment, race/ethnicity, healthcare access, marital status, and nativity status. Outcomes were hypertension (blood pressure [BP] ≥130/80 mm Hg or self-reported hypertension medication use), stage 2 hypertension (BP ≥140/90 mm Hg), and controlled BP (BP <130/80 mm Hg among those with hypertension). Poisson regression with robust variance estimates was used to examine associations between social determinants and outcomes, by sex. RESULTS The analysis included 21,664 adults (mean age 47.1 years), of whom 51% were women. After adjustment, hypertension and stage 2 hypertension prevalence remained higher among Black and Asian than White adults, regardless of sex. Blacks had lower prevalence of controlled BP than Whites. Compared with college graduates, men and women with less education had a higher prevalence of hypertension and stage 2 hypertension. Men (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.16-0.49) and women (PR: 0.44, 0.24-0.78) with no routine place for healthcare had lower prevalence of controlled BP than those who had a routine place for healthcare. Uninsured men (PR: 0.66, 0.44-0.99) and women (PR: 0.67, 0.51-0.88) had lower prevalence of controlled BP than those insured. Unemployed or unmarried women were more likely to have controlled BP than employed or married women. CONCLUSIONS Social determinants were independently associated with hypertension outcomes in US adults. Policy interventions are urgently needed to address healthcare access and education, and eliminate racial disparities.
An automated bolide detection pipeline for GOES GLM

Abstract The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instrument onboard the GOES 16 and 17 satellites has been shown to be capable of detecting bolides (bright meteors) in Earth’s atmosphere. Due to its large, continuous field of view and immediate public data availability, GLM provides a unique opportunity to detect a large variety of bolides, including those in the 0.1 to 3 m diameter range and complements current ground-based bolide detection systems, which are typically sensitive to smaller events. We present a machine learning-based bolide detection and light curve generation pipeline being developed at NASA Ames Research Center as part of NASA’s Asteroid Threat Assessment Project (ATAP). The ultimate goal is to generate a large catalog of calibrated bolide lightcurves to provide an unprecedented data set which will be used to inform meteor entry models on how incoming bodies interact with the Earth’s atmosphere and to infer the pre-entry properties of the impacting bodies. The data set will also be useful for other asteroidal studies. This paper reports on the progress of the first part of this ultimate goal, namely, the automated bolide detection pipeline. Development of the training set, ML model training and iterative improvements in detection performance are presented. The pipeline runs in an automated fashion and bolide lightcurves along with other measured properties are promptly published on a NASA hosted publicly accessible website, https://neo-bolide.ndc.nasa.gov .
Understanding the role of nano-TiO2 on the toxicity of Pb on C. dubia through modeling—Is it additive or synergistic?

Nano-TiO2 can remarkably increase lead (Pb) toxicity in aquatic organisms. However, the mechanism of this toxicity, additive or synergistic, is not well understood. To explore this mechanism, we inspected the role of nano-TiO2 in the toxicity of Pb on Ceriodaphnia dubia (C. dubia), a model water flea species typically used for ecotoxicity studies. The effect of algae, a diet for aquatic organisms, on the effect of this binary mixture was also investigated. A two-compartment toxicokinetic (TK)-toxicodynamic (TD) modeling approach was used to quantify the Pb toxicity under these complex conditions and to develop critical parameters for understanding the mechanism of toxicity. This two-compartment modeling approach adequately described the Pb accumulation in the gut and in the rest of the body tissue under different nano-TiO2 concentrations, with and without algae, and predicted the toxicity response of C. dubia. It indicated that increasing the nano-TiO2 concentration reduced the Pb tolerance level and concurrently increased the killing rate constant of C. dubia. Therefore, nano-TiO2 synergistically enhanced Pb toxicity. Algae remarkably reduced the toxicity of this binary mixture through reducing the Pb transfer rate to the body tissue and the killing rate, although it did not affect the Pb tolerance level. This two-compartment modeling approach is useful in understanding the role of nanoparticles when assessing the overall toxicity of nanoparticles and other toxic elements in the environment.
Promoting ε-Efficiency in Multiple Objective Programming: Theory, Methodology, and Application

A major goal in any optimization or decision-making process is to identify a single or all best solutions within a set of feasible alternatives. In multiple objective programming (MOP), while it is theoretically possible to identify the complete set of efficient solutions, finding an exact description of this set often turns out to be practically impossible or computationally too expensive. Thus many research efforts during the last thirty years have focused on concepts and procedures for the efficient set approximation.
Halogenated ketenes. 39. A new synthesis for substituted coumarins

A new general synthesis of substituted coumarins is described. The in situ cycloaddition of chloroketenes with α-methoxymethylenecyclohexanones yields (4 + 2) cycloaddition products, 3,4-dihydro-2-pyranones. The chlorine atom is reductively removed and methanol is spontaneously eliminated to yield the 5,6,7,8-tetra-hydrocoumarins. Dehydrogenation of these compounds results in good yields of the substituted coumarins.
Angiogenesis is enhanced in ischemic canine myocardium by transmyocardial laser revascularization.

Objectives. This study sought to test whether transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) stimulates angiogenesis in an animal model of chronic ischemia. Background. TMLR relieves angina and may also improve blood flow in patients who are not candidates for traditional therapies. The mechanisms of these benefits are not fully defined. Methods. Ischemia was created in 14 dogs by proximal left anterior descending coronary ameroid constrictors. TMLR was performed in the anterior wall (∼1 channel/cm2) of seven dogs; the remaining dogs served as the ischemic control group. Myocardial blood flow was measured (colored microspheres) at rest and during chemical stress (adenosine) in the acute setting and after 2 months. Results. TMLR did not influence blood flow in the acute setting. After 2 months, resting blood flow increased comparably in the anterior wall in both groups to ∼80% of normal. However, the TMLR-treated dogs demonstrated an ∼40% increase in blood flow capacity during stress in the ischemic territory compared with untreated dogs (left anterior descending coronary artery/left circumflex coronary artery flow 0.53 ± 0.16 in the control group vs. 0.73 ± 0.08 in TMLR animals, p < 0.05). Vascular proliferation, assessed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen positivity in endothelial and smooth muscle cells was about four times greater in the TMLR group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The density of vessels with at least one smooth muscle cell layer was ∼1.4 times greater in the myocardium surrounding the TMLR channel remnants than in control ischemic tissue (p < 0.001). Conclusions. In this canine model of chronic ischemia, TMLR significantly enhances angiogenesis as evidenced by the increased number of vessels lined with smooth muscle cells, markedly increased vascular proliferation and increased blood flow capacity during stress.
A high voltage power converter for space astronomy applications

A dc-dc low-power, high-voltage converter for use in space is described which furnishes a commandable, low-noise dc output in the range of 0 to -7500 V. The converter is suitable for biasing of detectors commonly employed in space astronomy, microchannel plates, photomultipliers, and gas discharge detectors. The converter's reliability has been demonstrated by accelerated life testing under thermal vacuum. The electrical and mechanical design, packaging, layout and fabrication techniques, and tests employed are described.
Repudiating Everson: On Buses, Books, and Teaching Articles of Faith

This article traces the evolution of Establishment Clause jurisprudence with respect to state funding of primary and secondary religious schools. What was initially a concern that the state not support religious teaching evolved into an analysis of whether non-sectarian benefits were being accorded to religious and non-religious schools alike. Then, the Court modified its approach, focusing on whether what was admittedly state support of the teaching of religion could reasonably be imputed to the state. While the individual changes in the Court's approach themselves were often not dramatic, they collectively have resulted in a jurisprudence that cannot be squared with the letter or spirit of Everson, even when Everson is understood to be much less separationist than is commonly supposed.
Self-Sustained Oscillatory Behavior of NO+CH4+O2Reaction over Titania-Supported Pd Catalysts

Self-sustained, regular oscillations were observed in NO + CH4+O2reaction over Pd/TiO2catalysts at specific temperatures and oxygen concentrations. The oscillatorybehavior was investigated combining NO reduction and methane combustion reaction studies with additional catalyst characterization experiments performed under controlled atmospheres. The catalyst wasprepared using a wet impregnation technique with Pd–acetate as the precursor for palladium. A fixed-bed, flow reactor system was used to perform the NO+CH4+O2and CH4+O2reaction experiments.Feed and product analyses were done on-line using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, chemiluminescence, and wet chemistry techniques. Additional catalyst characterization was performed usingthermal gravimetric analysis and high-temperature, controlled-atmosphere X-ray diffraction techniques. Detailed analysis of the oscillatory behavior has indicated that oscillations in the product and reactant profiles are coupled with temperature oscillations in the catalyst. When combined withcontrolled-atmosphere characterization experiments, these results, which can be reproduced in both NO+CH4+O2and CH4+O2systems, suggested that the oscillations are the result of periodic phase change ofpalladium on the surface. These cyclic phase transformations, in turn, are the result of temperature variations that are caused by the varying levels of exothermicity of the two major reactions, namely NOreduction and CH4combustion, that are favored by the metallic and the oxidic sites, respectively.
Enabling the blind in virtual worlds

The ongoing proliferation of virtual world applications present unusual accessibility challenges for blind computer users. IBM has implemented experimental techniques to address some of them, and the techniques are described and demonstrated.
A cross-cultural examination of the effects of social perception styles on store image formation ☆

Abstract This study involves a cross-cultural examination of the effects of social perception styles on consumers' store image formation. A matched student sample and a matched women sample from the U.S. and China were compared. A 2 (conforming vs. autonomous societies) by 2 (high vs. low socially oriented graphic displays) by 2 (high vs. low personalized customer service) by 2 (student vs. adult woman sample) between-subject experiment design was conducted. The results showed that as hypothesized, Chinese students were more significantly affected by the social cues that are embedded within the store environment than American students were. Unlike American women, Chinese women formed a favorable impression of a store with low social orientation. Implications on how international retailers should develop a retail mix that is effective across cultures were discussed.
Interspinous Process Distraction Devices for Spinal Stenosis

Interspinous process distraction devices represent a relatively new option for minimally invasive surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. The X STOP device is the first such implant to receive FDA approval for this indication, and promising results from initial clinical studies have encouraged development of multiple alternative implant designs. These devices are designed for placement between adjacent spinous processes and function to create relative segmental flexion at the treated level, indirectly increasing the cross-sectional area of the spinal canal as well as the neuroforamina. This technology is an option for patients with neurogenic claudication aggravated by standing or walking and relieved by sitting. Short-term clinical results appear comparable to laminectomy and superior to nonoperative treatment. Long-term clinical follow-up data are not yet available.
Molecular-Thermodynamic Modeling of Mixed Cationic/Anionic Vesicles.

Vesicles are widely used as model cells in biology and medicine and are also potentially useful as drug carriers and other industrial encapsulating devices. To facilitate the practical implementation of vesicles, as well as to gain a fundamental understanding of the process of vesicle formation, we have developed a molecular-thermodynamic theory to describe the formation of two-component mixed vesicles in aqueous solutions. The central quantity in this theory is the free energy of vesiculation, which is calculated by carefully modeling the various free-energy contributions to vesiculation. In particular, we (i) estimate the surfactant-tail packing free energy using a mean-field approach that accounts for the conformations of the surfactant tails in the vesicle hydrophobic region, (ii) adopt a more accurate equation of state in the calculation of the surfactant-head steric repulsions, and (iii) utilize the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann equation to calculate the electrostatic interactions in the case of mixed cationic/anionic charged vesicles. Particular attention has also been paid to issues such as the location of the outer and inner steric-repulsion surfaces in a vesicle and the curvature correction to the interfacial tensions at the outer and inner hydrocarbon/water vesicle interfaces. By knowing only the molecular structures of the surfactants involved in vesicle formation and the solution conditions, our theory can predict a wealth of vesicle properties, including vesicle size and composition distribution, surface potentials, surface charge densities, and compositions of vesicle leaflets. More importantly, this theory enables us to gain an understanding of (i) the underlying mechanisms of stabilization in mixed cationic/anionic vesicular systems, (ii) the effect of the interplay between the various intravesicular free-energy contributions on vesiculation, and (iii) the role of the distribution of surfactant molecules between the two vesicle leaflets in vesicle formation. As an illustration, the theory has been applied to describe vesicle formation in an aqueous mixture of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium octyl sulfate (SOS). In this system, the vesicles are found to be stabilized entropically, with a predicted mean radius of about 1200 A for a mixture containing 2 wt % surfactant and a CTAB/SOS weight ratio of 3/7, a value which compares well with the experimentally measured value of 1300 A. In addition, the predicted outer surface potential of -72 mV is consistent with the measured ζ potential value. The effect of added salt on vesicle properties has also been studied using this theory, and the predicted results conform well to experimental observations.
A longitudinal analysis of early spatial skills compared to arithmetic and verbal skills as predictors of fifth-grade girls' math reasoning

Abstract This study was designed to examine early predictors of later math reasoning in girls. Specifically, girls' first-grade spatial skills were compared with first-grade verbal and arithmetic skills as predictors of spatial and verbal–analytical math reasoning in fifth grade (N = 79). The first-grade girls were given assessments measuring: (1) spatial skills (WISC-IV Block-Design subtest, and 2-d and 3-d mental-rotation tasks), (2) verbal skills (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test), and (3) arithmetic skills (addition/subtraction). In fifth grade, girls were given a math-reasoning test, assessing both math reasoning-spatial (geometry/measurement items) and math reasoning-analytical (number/algebra items). The estimated path model accounted for approximately half the variance in math reasoning. First-grade spatial skills were the strongest predictors of both types of fifth-grade math reasoning. First-grade arithmetic skills significantly predicted math reasoning-analytical. Early verbal skills were not directly related to fifth-grade math reasoning, although there was an indirect pathway connecting them through early spatial skills. Thus, spatial skills, assessed by first grade, already function as key long-term predictors of analytical as well as spatial math-reasoning skills as late as fifth grade.
Pyrolytic Conversion of Biomass Residues to Gaseous Fuels for Electricity Generation

As petroleum resources are ﬁnite, it is imperative to use them wisely in energy conversionapplications and, at the same time, develop alternative energy sources. Biomass is one ofthe renewable energy sources that can be used to partially replace fossil fuels. Biomass-based fuels can be produced domestically and can reduce dependency on fuel imports.Due to their abundant supply, and given that to an appreciable extent they can be consid-ered carbon-neutral, their use for power generation is of technological interest. However,whereas biomasses can be directly burned in furnaces, such a conventional direct com-bustion technique is ill-controlled and typically produces considerable amounts ofhealth-hazardous airborne compounds. Thus, an alternative technology for biomass utili-zation is described herein to address increasing energy needs in an environmentally-benign manner. More speciﬁcally, a multistep process/device is presented to acceptgranulated or pelletized biomass, and generate an easily-identiﬁable form of energy as aﬁnal product. To achieve low emissions of products of incomplete combustion, the bio-mass is gasiﬁed pyrolytically, mixed with air, ignited and, ﬁnally, burned in nominallypremixed low-emission ﬂames. Combustion is thus indirect, since the biomass is notdirectly burned, instead its gaseous pyrolyzates are burned upon mixing with air.Thereby, combustion is well-controlled and can be complete. A demonstration device hasbeen constructed to convert the internal energy of biomass into “clean” thermal energyand, eventually to electricity. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4025286]Keywords: biomass residues, DDGS, King Grass, pyrolytic gasiﬁcation, combustion
An examination of exergy destruction in organic Rankine cycles

The exergy topological method is used to present a quantitative estimation of the exergy destroyed in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operating on R113. A detailed roadmap of exergy flow is presented using an exergy wheel, and this visual representation clearly depicts the exergy accounting associated with each thermodynamic process. The analysis indicates that the evaporator accounts for maximum exergy destroyed in the ORC and the process responsible for this is the heat transfer across a finite temperature difference. In addition, the results confirm the thermodynamic superiority of the regenerative ORC over the basic ORC since regenerative heating helps offset a significant amount of exergy destroyed in the evaporator, thereby resulting in a thermodynamically more efficient process. Parameters such as thermodynamic influence coefficient and degree of thermodynamic perfection are identified as useful design metrics to assist exergy-based design of devices. This paper also examines the impact of operating parameters such as evaporator pressure and inlet temperature of the hot gases entering the evaporator on ORC performance. It is shown that exergy destruction decreases with increasing evaporator pressure and decreasing turbine inlet temperatures. Finally, the analysis reveals the potential of the exergy topological methodology as a robust technique to identify the magnitude of irreversibilities associated with real thermodynamic processes in practical thermal systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying Particle Swarm Optimization to Quality-of-Service-Driven Web Service Composition

Web service composition is a very important task in service-oriented environments. The composition of services has to be based not only on functional but also on non-functional properties. In particular, the selection of the services should be performed at run-time rather than at design-time in order to adjust to changes in the environment that are due to the volatile nature of service-oriented environments. An optimization technique is necessary to perform the composition of web services based on Quality of service (QoS) parameters. Many different methods have been used to address the service composition problem, in particular, many linear programming methods have been used to optimize the process of service composition. The proposed work is different from related work in two aspects: (1) two meta-heuristic methods based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are introduced to address the optimization problem, and (2) several workflow requests are being processed simultaneously. The experimental results show that the hybrid PSO method in particular performs very well in service-oriented environments.
Cardiac rhythm devices in the pediatric population: utilization and complications.

Background Cardiac rhythm devices are important in the management of pediatric patients with rhythm abnormalities, although factors driving utilization are poorly understood. Objective This study sought to evaluate utilization trends, complication rates, and cost associated with device implantation in the pediatric population. Methods Device implantation was analyzed using the Kids' Inpatient Database from 1997 to 2006. The type of device implantation, patient demographics, hospital characteristics, acute in-hospital complications, cost, and length of stay (LOS) were analyzed. χ 2 tests were used to test association between categorical variables, and logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors associated with complications. Results There were 5788 hospitalizations with device implantations. Although there was a significant increase in defibrillator implantation, there was no significant increase in the number of pacemaker implantations over this time period. Patient- and device-related complications were relatively common in all device cohorts (pacemaker 11.2%, 7.2%; defibrillator 5.9%, 11.5%; and biventricular device 19.4%, 26.7%). Type of complication was dependent on device type. Increased risk of complication was evident in the pacemaker cohort, patients with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, previous cardiac arrest, and other heart operations. Patient-related complications increased cost and LOS regardless of patient or procedural characteristics. Device implantation in patients Conclusion Device utilization in pediatrics is increasing due to escalating defibrillator implantation and biventricular pacing. Cost and LOS are significantly increased by patient complications. Reduction in these complications would improve patient care and lower medical costs.
FPGA Time Measurement Module: Preliminary Results

Architecture and implementation for an FPGA-based time measurement unit is presented. The current status of this work - 200ps LSB resolution, less than 1 ns peak-to-peak jitter on a collection of 100 asynchronous measurements utilizing 500 FPGA slices - suggests the possibility of low-cost, parallel, time measurements embedded into existing analog instrumentation.
Acoustooptic matched filter correlator

The signal model used and the output SNR0 measure chosen are shown to affect the performance of an acoustooptic time-integrating correlator. Nonuniform acoustic fields are also shown to affect the results, but these error sources can be overcome with a new hybrid time- and space-integrating acoustooptic matched filter correlator that we describe and for which initial simulation data are provided.
PREFERENTIAL RECOMBINATION OF ANTIBODY CHAINS TO FORM EFFECTIVE BINDING SITES

The recovery of hapten-binding activity by a mixture of H and L polypeptide chains of the whole γG-immunoglobulin fraction from rabbit anti- p -azobenzenearsonate (Rp) serum is almost as great as that by a mixture of H and L chains from specifically purified Rp antibody. Random combination among the H and L chains from the anti-Rp antibodies and the normal γG-immunoglobulin present would result in little recovery of hapten-binding activity. This suggests a preferential recombination of H and L chains from antibody. Mixtures of H or L chains from anti- p -azobenzoate (Xp) antibody and the complementary chains from antibody-depleted γG-immunoglobulin show little hapten-binding. When anti-Xp antibody H chains are added to mixtures of one equivalent of anti-Xp L chain and increasing amounts of non-specific L chain, the hapten-binding by the mixtures decreases, but not as much as if the H chains combined with the L chains randomly. Hapten was not present during these recombination procedures. These data indicate that in the cases of anti-Xp and of anti-Rp antibodies, there is a selective combination between those H and L chains which give effective hapten binding regions.
The Murine Cone Photoreceptor: A Single Cone Type Expresses Both S and M Opsins with Retinal Spatial Patterning

Mice express S and M opsins that form visual pigments for the detection of light and visual signaling in cones. Here, we show that S opsin transcription is higher than that of M opsin, which supports ultraviolet (UV) sensitivity greater than midwavelength sensitivity. Surprisingly, most cones coexpress both S and M opsins in a common cone cell type throughout the retina. All cones express M opsin, but the levels are graded from dorsal to ventral. The levels of S opsin are relatively constant. However, in the far dorsal retina, S opsin is repressed stochastically, such that some cones express M opsin only. These observations indicate that two different mechanisms control M and S opsin expression. We suggest that a common cone type is patterned across the retinal surface to produce phenotypic cone subtypes.
Early Development in Written Language: Children's Emergent Knowledge of Genre-Specific Characteristics.

This investigation explored the emergent knowledge of genre-specific characteristics of twenty kindergartners and twenty first graders, who were invited to compose three types of genre stories, personal letters, and shopping lists at three different times during the school year. Both groups responded to the request to write different types of genre by applying a variety of writing forms. At both grade levels, stories and personal letters were associated with more conventional writing systems than the list. Shopping lists were more consistently associated with less-conventional writing systems within children's repertoires of writing forms. Genre characteristics are suspected to have determined, at least partially, those patterns of association. The children's readings of their own compositions provided substantial information about their developing knowledge of communicative function and form. It was the list and not the narrative that was the best-known genre among children in both groups. Intermediary compositional forms for the story and the personal letter were composed by children at both grade levels as the school year progressed. The findings highlight the flexible nature of young writers' emergent composing process and the importance of genre as an influential factor on that process. It also highlights the limitations of assessing the young authors' knowledge of written language solely on the basis of their written products. Results of the study also raise questions about the preconceived notion of the primacy of the narrative genre over other types of genre during the early years and the implicit notion guiding many writing curricula that graphic aspects of writing should precede compositional undertakings.
Electron pulse radiolysis determination of hydroxyl radical rate constants with Suwannee River fulvic acid and other dissolved organic matter isolates

Pulse radiolysis experiments were conducted on dissolved organic matter (DOM) samples isolated as hydrophobic and hydrophilic acids and neutrals from different sources (i.e., stream, lake, wastewater treatment plant). Absolute bimolecular reaction rate constants for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) with DOM (k•OH, DOM) were determined. k•OH, DOM values are expressed as moles of carbon. Based on direct measurement of transient DOM radicals (DOM•) and competition kinetic techniques, both using pulse radiolysis, the k•OH, DOM value for a standard fulvic acid from the Suwannee River purchased from the International Humic Substances Society was (1.60 ± 0.24) × 108 M-1 s-1. Both pulse radiolysis methods yielded comparable k•OH, DOM values. The k•OH, DOM values for the seven DOM isolates from different sources ranged from 1.39 × 108 M-1 s-1 to 4.53 × 108 M-1 s-1, and averaged 2.23 × 108 M-1 s-1 (equivalent to 1.9 × 104 (mgC/L)-1 s-1). These values represent the first direct measurements of k•OH, DOM, and ...