cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactive Time Series Analytics Powered by ONEX

Modern applications in this digital age collect a staggering amount of time series data from economic growth rates to electrical household consumption habits. To make sense of it, domain analysts interactively sift through these time series collections in search of critical relationships between and recurring patterns within these time series. The ONEX (Online Exploration of Time Series) system supports effective exploratory analysis of time series collections composed of heterogeneous, variable-length and misaligned time series using robust alignment dynamic time warping (DTW) methods. To assure real-time responsiveness even for these complex and compute-intensive analytics, ONEX precomputes and then encodes time series relationships based on the inexpensive-to-compute Euclidean distance into the ONEX base. Thereafter, based on a solid formal foundation, ONEX uses DTW-enhanced analytics to correctly extract relevant time series matches on this Euclidean-prepared ONEX base. Our live interactive demonstration shows how our ONEX exploratory tool, supported by a rich array of visual interactions and expressive visualizations, enables efficient mining and interpretation of the MATTERS real data collection composed of economic, social, and education data trends across the fifty American states.
Systematically identifying mechanisms in the control of quantum dynamics

Abstract This paper introduces a method to quantitatively determine the various pathways taken by a quantum system in going from the initial state to the final target. The mechanism is revealed by encoding a signal in the system Hamiltonian and decoding the resultant nonlinear distortion of the signal in the system time evolution operator. The relevant interfering pathways determined by this analysis give insight into the physical mechanisms operative during the evolution of the quantum system. The mechanism analysis tools reveal the roles of multiple interacting quantum pathways to maximally take advantage of constructive and destructive interference
A Technique for Setting Standards and Maintaining Them over Time

This paper describes a new procedure for standard setting based on item response maps (“Wright maps”). Motivation for the technique is discussed, and variants of the item response formulation are shown. An example based on the Golden State Examinations is used as a context for the discussion, and for some results.
Preliminary Evaluation of a Brief Team Cohesion Manikin Scale

The performance of small groups of individuals is substantially influenced by team cohesion. Past research has examined the processes involved in the development of cohesion, the extent to which a group of individuals are drawn together as a team, between team members across large temporal scales. Questions remain, however, regarding the progression of team cohesion within a specific set of activities. To address these questions, brief measures that are able to reliably assess team cohesion are required. In the present study, a novel set of team cohesion scales, designed to be completed rapidly and at multiple times during a task, was examined. Three team cohesion manikin scales were developed to assess interpersonal attraction, commitment, and pride. Ratings from the scales were gathered as small groups of participants completed two sets of tasks, the first in which participants observed video clips of teams that varied in displayed cohesion, and the second where groups completed two activities. High rel...
Experimental Study of the Meltblowing Process

High-speed digital imaging techniques and web measurements were used to investigate the meltblowing (MB) process. We evaluated fiber diameter, fiber orientation, fiber entanglement, fiber velocity ...
The sleep environment and its association with externalizing behaviors in a sample of low-income adolescents.

This study examined the sleep environment and its association with externalizing problems in adolescents attending an alternative high school. Participants included 114 students (56% female, 91% Black, mean age = 18.03, standard deviation [SD] = 1.49) from an alternative high school in a southeastern city. Most participants reported sleeping in a bed (83%) and at their house (72%) for 7 nights in the past week. Participants reported an average of 2.34 (SD = 1.86) past-week ambient sleep disruptions. Sleeping fewer nights in their own home and experiencing higher levels of ambient sleep disruptions were associated with delinquency engagement. Fewer nights sleeping in a bed and higher levels of ambient sleep disruptions were associated with a significant arrest history. The sleep environment is important to consider when assessing sleep problems, particularly among low-income adolescents living in urban environments. This information may inform comprehensive interventions to address behavioral health concerns.
"It's All about Breaking down Those Barriers…": Exploring Survivors' Perspectives on Services and Treatment Needs following Commercial Sexual Exploitation during Childhood.

Purpose: In recent years, there has been an increase in funds and services available to address the needs of commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC). While previous studies have explored th...
Some Small Peptides

In order to model biological systems successfully, it is necessary to use an accurate model for calculating the energetics of peptide conformations both in gas phase and in solutions. Knowledge of peptide conformation can provide information about peptide—receptor binding, which, as shown in some of the previous chapters, is the basis of some crucial biological processes. In addition, this knowledge can provide a basis for rational drug design.
Total Knee Arthroplasty Technique: NAVIO

Robotic-assisted surgery for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) continues to gain popularity as orthopedists seek to enhance their abilities to place implants more precisely and consistently. However, the benefits of robotic assistance must be weighed against factors such as increased surgical time, cost, and learning curve challenges. Furthermore, due to the paucity of data on many of these newer systems, clinical studies have yet to determine their long-term benefits. Robotic-assisted navigation does provide distinct 3D data during preoperative planning that allows the surgeon to increase implant placement accuracy. The use of robotic technology is a valuable technological development that can help to improve surgical technique and potentially clinical results in total knee arthroplasty.
Mindfulness and Mastery in Counseling: Introduction to the Special Issue

This introduction to the special issue on mindfulness integrates concepts of mindfulness with the counselor development literature. Discussing the elements of mindfulness, especially the choice to attend to the experience of the present moment with nonjudgmental acceptance, it outlines how mindfulness skills can be applied to the practice of counseling and how the mental health counselor develops from novice to expert.
The effects of alloying with Cu and Mn and thermal treatments on the mechanical instability of Zn-0.05Mg alloy

The detrimental effect of natural aging on mechanical properties of zinc alloys restricts their application as bioresorbable medical implants. In this study, aging of Zn-0.05Mg alloy and the effect of 0.5 Cu and 0.1 Mn (in weight percent) addition on the microstructure and tensile properties were studied. The alloys were cold rolled, aged and annealed; aiming to investigate the effects of precipitates and grain size on the mechanical properties and their stability. TEM analysis revealed that in ultrafine-grained binary Zn-0.05Mg alloy, the natural aging occurred due to the formation of nano-sized Mg2Zn11 precipitates. After 90 days of natural aging, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of Zn-0.05Mg alloy increased from 197±4 MPa and 227±5 MPa to 233±8 MPa and 305±7 MPa, respectively, while the elongation was drastically reduced from 34±3% to 3±1%. This natural aging was retarded by adding the third element at either 0.1Mn or 0.5Cu quantities, which interacted with Mg in Zn solid solution and impeded the formation of Mg2Zn11 precipitates. The addition of Cu and Mn elements increased alloy's strength, ductility, and its mechanical stability at a room temperature. The measured tensile strength and elongation were 274±5 MPa and 41±1% for Zn-0.1Mn-0.05Mg and 312±2 MPa and 44±2% for Zn-0.5Cu-0.05Mg, respectively. Annealing the alloys at elevated temperatures caused increase in both grain size and dissolution of secondary phases, and both affected alloy deformation mechanisms.
Parametric study of a fibrous energy absorbing material under impact shear loading

Abstract A comprehensive experimental impact characterization study of novel impact energy absorbing (IEA) materials under impact shear loading is conducted. Electro-flocking process is employed to fabricate the novel fiber based padding materials, also known as flocked energy absorbing materials (FEAM). FEAM IEA panels are prepared by flocking 1–3 mm long, 6–60 denier nylon fibers onto a planar polyester fabric sheet. The impact energy absorption under combined pre-compression loading and shear impact loading is investigated using a custom built guided weight drop tower along with a specially designed pre-compression and shear loading fixture for this study. A parametric study is performed where the effect of fiber material properties such as flock fiber length , diameter and flock density (number of flock fibers per area) on IEA is investigated and they are later compared with that of Vinyl Nitrile (VN) foam materials . Padding material based on FEAM configurations showed remarkable improvement when compared directly to VN foam with a 135% increase in shear strain energy density for the high impact velocity loading condition. Additionally, for low velocity impact conditions, the FEAM based padding materials out performed with a 49% increase in shear strain energy density as compared to VN foam.
Cerebral collaterals and stroke in patients with isolated carotid artery dissections.

Abstract To investigate potential association between collateral arterial supply and stroke in patients with isolated internal carotid artery dissection (iCeAD). We hypothesized a lower risk of stroke in patients with more robust collateral supply. This is a single-center, retrospective review of iCeAD patients between 1994 and 2018. iCeAD patients with sufficient neuroimaging data were included. Patients were categorized based on cerebral infarction (stroke) on neuroimaging. The collaterals score, ranging from 0 to 8 with higher scores indicating more robust collaterals, was assessed based on contributions from leptomeningeal arteries (0–2 points), anterior communicating artery (0–2 points) and anterior cerebral artery A1 segment (0–2 points), and posterior communicating artery (0–2 points). The study included 62 iCeAD patients, comprising 33 and 29 patients in the stroke and no stroke groups, respectively. Neurological motor deficit (p 4 had a sensitivity and specificity of 89.7% and 36.4% for no stroke, respectively. The covariate-adjusted AUROC curve was 0.514. Collateral circulation appeared to be a poor predictor of cerebral infarction in patients with isolated iCeAD. Future studies in larger, independent cohorts are needed to better understand the interaction of collaterals with stroke in cervical artery dissection.
Delayed Gastric Emptying Is Not Associated with a Microbiological Diagnosis of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Clinical symptoms of patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may overlap with symptoms of gastroparesis. Prior studies suggest delayed small intestinal transit is associated with SIBO, but have not shown an association between delayed gastric emptying and SIBO. However, these studies have generally relied on the indirect method of breath testing to diagnose SIBO. The aim of this study was to examine the association between a microbiological diagnosis of SIBO and delayed gastric emptying by scintigraphy. In a single-center retrospective study of previous research participants who presented for small bowel enteroscopy for diagnostic evaluation of SIBO, we identified 73 participants who underwent gastric emptying study by scintigraphy. A microbiological diagnosis of SIBO was made in patients based on culture results of jejunal aspirates. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the total gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI) score. We compared delayed gastric emptying, 2- and 4-h gastric retention, and gastroparesis symptoms between patients with and without a microbiological diagnosis of SIBO. Among 29 participants with SIBO and 44 without SIBO, 33 (45%) had evidence of delayed gastric emptying. There was no significant association between a microbiological diagnosis of SIBO and delayed gastric emptying by scintigraphy. Percent retained at 2 and 4 h, and total GCSI scores did not differ significantly between those with and without SIBO. Although delayed gastric emptying is common in patients with suspected SIBO, gastric emptying is not associated with a microbiological diagnosis of SIBO.
The Future Academic Librarian’s Toolkit: Finding Success on the Job Hunt and in Your First Job. Megan Hodge, ed. Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2019. 318p. Paper, $62.00 (ISBN 978-0-8389-8957-9). LC 2019-022297.

This book is divided into five sections, beginning with an orientation to academic librarianship and ending with the search for one’s second professional position. The descriptive section titles tell the reader exactly what to expect from each part, and they deliver on their promises. Librarians or MLIS students short on time will benefit from the many “Try This” sections scattered throughout every chapter. These include short lists of action steps the reader can take.
Options and strategies for hearing restoration in pediatric neurofibromatosis type 2

Purpose In this article, we will review the mechanisms and natural history of hearing loss in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and discuss the hearing outcomes with different rehabilitation options. Methods Review of the published literature. Results NF2 is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by vestibular schwannomas and other intracranial and spinal tumors. Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are the hallmark of the disease which occur in 90 to 95% of the patients. As a result, hearing loss will eventually occur in almost all NF2 patients. Deafness can occur from tumor progression or from treatment of vestibular schwannomas and is among the most debilitating aspects of NF2. A number of surgical and non-surgical rehabilitation options are available for these patients including cochlear and auditory brainstem implants. The audiologic outcomes with surgical rehabilitation options have been variable but most patients are able to achieve sound awareness and benefit from auditory cues in lip reading. Conclusion Early identification and treatment of NF2 patients can help in achieving better hearing outcomes in the pediatric population. An increasing number of NF2 patients are receiving open set word understanding with refinement in surgical techniques.
Neuroimaging Insights Into Early Stages of HIV-Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy: A Case Report.

This report aims to enhance the understanding of early longitudinal neuroimaging features of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Neuroimaging has...
Africa by Timothy Stapleton

Stapleton, Timothy. Africa: War and Conflict in the Twentieth Century. London: Routledge, 2018.
Wood Deterioration by Marine Borers

Cultural Heritage wood exposed in saline and brackish waters may be subjected to severe damage by marine borers in a relatively short time compared to fungi and bacteria. This chapter discusses the wood-boring molluscan families Teredinidae, Pholadidae and Xylophagaidae and the crustacean families Limnoriidae, Sphaeromatidae and Cheluridae.
Abstract 13135: Starting Beta-blockers in Hypertension is Followed by Excess Loop Diuretic Use: Beta-blocker Induced Heart Failure?

Introduction: Recent investigation has identified that discontinuation of beta-blockers in subjects with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) leads to a reduction in natriuretic peptide...
Exploiting Fixed Charge to Control Schottky Barrier Height in Si|Al 2 O 3 |MoO x – based Tunnel Diodes

The insertion of a tunneling atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al 2 O 3 film between MoO x and p-type Si has been studied to investigate Schottky barrier height tunability with varied negative fixed charge density. This work seeks to increase the hole-selectivity of MoO x -based contacts through manipulation of interface fixed charge. Fixed charge density and interface trap state densities are determined as a function of alumina processing conditions in metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors (MOSCAPs). Schottky barrier heights were determined from Mott-Schottky analysis of tunnel diodes. An alumina deposition temperature of 80°C and post-deposition annealing at 425°C yielded the highest magnitude of negative fixed charge density (-3.5×1012 q.cm−2). High deposition temperature and/or post-deposition annealing produced the lowest interface trap state density (1×1012 eV-1.cm−2). On p-type silicon, Schottky barrier height minimization was not clearly correlated with increasing fixed charge density. However, on n-type silicon, a significant increase in Schottky barrier height was evident (~0.8 eV to > 1 eV) and is attributed to the large negative fixed charge. The findings from this work indicate that Schottky barrier height in carrier selective contacts can be tuned by electrostatic engineering of the SiO x |Al 2 O 3 interface.
Survival and Axonal Outgrowth of the Mauthner Cell Following Spinal Cord Crush Does Not Drive Post-injury Startle Responses

A pair of Mauthner cells (M-cells) can be found in the hindbrain of most teleost fishes, as well as amphibians and lamprey. The axons of these reticulospinal neurons cross the midline and synapse on interneurons and motoneurons as they descend the length of the spinal cord. The M-cell initiates fast startle responses (fast C-starts) in goldfish and zebrafish triggered by abrupt acoustic/vibratory stimuli. Starting about 70 d after whole spinal cord crush, less robust startle responses with longer latencies are manifest in adult goldfish, Carassius auratus. The morphological and electrophysiological identifiability of the M-cell provides a unique opportunity to study cellular responses to spinal cord injury and the relation of axonal regrowth to a defined behavior. After spinal cord crush at the spinomedullary junction about 1/3rd of the damaged M-axons of adult goldfish send at least one sprout past the wound site between 56-85 d postoperatively. These caudally projecting sprouts follow a more lateral trajectory relative to their position in the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis of control fish. Other sprouts, some from the same axon, follow aberrant pathways that include rostral projections, reversal of direction, midline crossings, neuromas and projection out the first ventral root. Stimulating M-axons in goldfish that had recovered startle behavior between 198-468 d postoperatively resulted in no or minimal EMG activity in trunk and tail musculature as compared to control fish. Although M-cells can survive for at least 468 d after spinal cord crush, maintain regrowth, and elicit putative trunk EMG responses, the cell does not appear to play a substantive role in the emergence of acoustic/vibratory triggered responses. We speculate that aberrant pathway choice of this neuron may limit its role in the recovery of behavior and discuss structural and functional properties of alternative candidate neurons that may render them more supportive of post-injury startle behavior.
An Interactive Model Re-Coder for Efficient SoC Specification

To overcome the complexity in System-on-Chip (SoC) design, researchers have developed sophisticated design flows that significantly reduce the development time through automation. However, while much work has focused on synthesis and exploration tools, little has been done to support the designer in writing and rewriting SoC models. In fact, our studies on industrial size examples have shown that about 90% of the system design time is spent on coding and re-coding of SLDL models, even in the presence of algorithms given in the form of C code. Since the quality of the design model has tremendous impact on the cost and quality of the resulting system implementation, creating and optimizing the model is a critical task toward successful SoC design. In this paper, we present an interactive source re-coder which integrates static analysis and code transformation tools into an editor to assist the designer in tedious modeling and optimization tasks. This novel approach allows the designer to use her/his limited modeling time efficiently, and thus yields significant gains in productivity.
An external-shock model for gamma-ray burst afterglow 130427A

The complex multiwavelength emission of GRB afterglow 130427A (monitored in the radio up to 10 days, in the optical and X-ray until 50 days, and at GeV energies until 1 day) can be accounted for by a hybrid reverse-forward shock synchrotron model, with inverse-Compton emerging only above a few GeV. The high ratio of the early optical to late radio flux requires that the ambient medium is a wind and that the forward-shock synchrotron spectrum peaks in the optical at about 10 ks. The latter has two consequences: the wind must be very tenuous and the optical emission before 10 ks must arise from the reverse-shock, as suggested also by the bright optical flash that Raptor has monitored during the prompt emission phase (<100 s). The VLA radio emission is from the reverse-shock, the Swift X-ray emission is mostly from the forward-shock, but the both shocks give comparable contributions to the Fermi GeV emission. The weak wind implies a large blast-wave radius (8 t_{day}^{1/2} pc), which requires a very tenuous circumstellar medium, suggesting that the massive stellar progenitor of GRB 130427A resided in a super-bubble.
Thin Versus Thick Description: Analyzing Representations of People and Their Life Worlds in the Literature of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Purpose Evidence-based practice relies on clinicians to translate research evidence for individual clients. This study, the initial phase of a broader research project, examines the textual resourc...
On first passage time problems in collective decision-making with heterogeneous agents

We study first passage time problems in collective decision-making using the context of two alternative choice tasks. The properties of the first passage time of a high dimensional stochastic process are hard to compute. For a class of stochastic processes governed by coupled linear stochastic differential equations, we develop reduced order models that are amenable to efficient computation of the properties of the first passage time. We use the proposed reduced model to study collective decision-making in heterogeneous cooperative networks and leader-follower networks.
Microbial Flora of Pond-Reared Brown Shrimp (Penaeus aztecus).

Agar plate counts and microbial types are reported for brown shrimp reared in 2-acre natural marshland and in 0.5-acre artificial ponds during June to October 1970. Bacterial counts of pond-reared shrimp ranged from 5 × 104 to 5.5 × 106 per g. At final harvest in October, bacterial counts ranged from 2 × 105 to 5.5 × 106 per g. In marsh ponds, bacterial counts of shrimp and pond water were lowest in August when both water temperature and salinity were high. Coryneform bacteria and to a lesser extent Vibrio were the predominant isolates from fresh pond shrimp. Shrimp stored at 3 to 5 C for 7 days were acceptable as judged by appearance and odor. Between 7 and 14 days of refrigerated storage, bacterial counts increased sharply and about 50% of the samples became unacceptable. Refrigerated storage of pond shrimp caused increases in coryneform bacteria and micrococci and decreases in Vibrio, Flavobacterium, Moraxella, and Bacillus species. Pseudomonas species were not significant in fresh or stored pond shrimp. The microbial flora of pond water usually was dominated by coryneform bacteria, Flavobacterium, Moraxella, and Bacillus species.
Temporal trend in the time to seroreversion in uninfected infants born to HIV seropositive mothers

The time to seroreversion in uninfected infants born to HIV seropositive mothers depends on the level and type of IgG HIV antibodies passed to the infants from the mothers. Secondary analysis of data from three studies conducted in Malawi was done to study whether a temporal trend occurs in the time to seroreversion in these infants as the disease progresses to a more advanced stage in the community. The studies are ICAR (includes infants born from 1989–1991), HIVNET (1993–1996) and NVAZ (2000–2002). The number of infants studied were 635 (ICAR), 459 (HIVNET) and 1020 (NVAZ). Relative odds of seroreversion by the age of 15 months was 5.74 in those born from 1989–1996 as compared to those born from 2000–2002 (p = 0.00). Relative odds of seroreversion by the age of 18 months was 6.79 in those born from 1989–1996 as compared to those born from 2000–2002 (p = 0.002). Children born after 1999 were found to have seroreverted later than children born in or before 1996. This indicates higher IgG antibody levels being passed to infants from HIV seropositive mothers in the later study (NVAZ). These mothers had more advanced stage of HIV/AIDS as the disease had been in Malawi for many years and had reached an epidemic stage leading to higher antibody levels. In conclusion, time to seroreversion in HIV exposed uninfected infants increases as the disease progresses in the community.
Finite Arithmetic Subgroups of GLn, II

Abstract We continue our investigation on the conjecture of Y. Kitaoka that if a finite subgroup G of GLn(OK) is invariant under the action ofGal(K/ Q ) then it is contained in GLn(Kab). Here OK is the ring of integers in a finite Galois extension K of Q and Kab is the maximal abelian subextension of K. We give a very precise description of a hypothetical counterexample of minimal order for minimal possible n. Using it we prove the conjecture for n=3 and give a new, simplified proof for n=2.
Composition, Properties, and Substrate Specificities of Myxobacter AL-1 Protease

Abstract Myxobacter strain AL-1 excretes a bacteriolytic enzyme designated as AL-1 protease. A procedure is described for obtaining homogeneous preparations of the enzyme. Physical studies revealed s020,w = 2.40 S; D020,w = 14 x 10-7 cm2 per sec; [n] = 1.66 ± 0.1 ml per g; a molecular weight of 14,300; frictional coefficient (f/f0) = 1.0. AL-1 protease contains 136 amino acids, a value which corresponds to a minimal molecular weight of 13,977. In contrast to many exocellular enzymes, this protein contains 1 disulfide bond, 1 mole of hexose, a relatively high content of aromatic amino acids, and an E1%1 cm = 15.8 at 280 mµ. The shortest peptide which served as a substrate was a tetrapeptide. Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly yielded Gly-Gly; Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly yielded Gly-Gly and Gly-Gly-Gly; l-Ala-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly yielded l-Ala-Gly-Gly and Gly-Gly; Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-l-Ala yielded Gly-Gly-Gly and Gly-l-Ala; Gly-Gly-l-Ala-Gly-Gly yielded Gly-Gly and l-Ala-Gly-Gly; and N-CBZ-Gly-l-Pro-l-Leu-Gly-l-Pro yielded N-CBZ-Gly-l-Pro and l-Leu-Gly-l-Pro. The hydrolysis points in the oxidized β chain of insulin were Ala-Leu, Val-CySO3H, and Gly-Phe.
When you hear hoofs, think horses, not zebras: an evidence‐based model of health care accountability

Health care organizations are increasingly asked to show accountability about their performance. This paper proposes that accountability can best be achieved through evaluative methods that are based on evidence regarding the relationship between processes of care and expected outcomes. Root cause analysis (RCA) is used as an illustration of how a generic method of inquiring can be transformed into an ongoing monitoring, evaluation, user education and accountability strategy. The role of performance indicators, as well as patient and community expectations, is discussed.
Hemodynamic Assessment with Interventional Support Should Be Routine for Primary Electrophysiology Procedures after Atrial Switch Procedure

Objectives We sought to review our current philosophy that all primary invasive electrophysiologic (EP) studies in patients with atrial switch procedures (ASPs) should undergo hemodynamic evaluation and have interventional expertise available. Background Patients who have undergone an ASP for dextro-transposition of the great arteries have a high incidence of both hemodynamic and EP sequelae. We present our data to support the combined assessment approach for these patients. Methods Hemodynamic evaluation and interventions performed concurrently during a primary invasive EP procedure in patients with ASP were reviewed. Results A total of 18 patients underwent concurrent EP invasive procedure and cardiac catheterization. The median age was 31 (14–43 years) with the majority being male (67%). Patients underwent a total of 30 concurrent primary invasive EP procedure and cardiac catheterization; 14 (47%) of the catheterization procedure were interventional. Some of the catheterization procedures required more than one intervention with total of 19 separate interventions. There were nine (47%) unexpected interventions. The majority of patients (n = 14, 77.8%) had one or more abnormal hemodynamic finding including baffle obstruction (n = 13, 72%), elevated filling pressures (n = 3, 17%), and secondary pulmonary hypertension (n = 3, 17%). Non-EP–related interventional procedures included systemic or pulmonary venous baffle stenting for significant obstruction (n = 7). EP-related interventions included transbaffle puncture for ablation of left-sided reentry circuits (n = 5), closure of previously undiagnosed baffle leaks prior to pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement to prevent paradoxical embolism (n = 3), superior baffle stenting to facilitate pacemaker/ICD lead placement (n = 2), and retrieval of retained transvenous pacemaker/ICD lead (n = 2). Conclusion Due to the frequency of abnormal hemodynamics or interventional needs, strong consideration for routine concurrent hemodynamic assessment and availability of interventional expertise is warranted during primary invasive EP procedures in patients post ASP.
The World Health Organization and Peacekeeping

Although the World Health Organization has no peacekeeping mandate, it has adopted resolutions condemning instruments of war and introduced a request to the International Court of Justice on the use of nuclear weapons, which was rejected as not within the scope of the organization's activities. Some of WHO's emergency missions are related to peacekeeping. WHO and UNICEF have brokered ceasefires to allow poliomyelitis immunization campaigns to be conducted in countries affected by conflicts. WHO and the Pan American Health Organization launched the ‘Health as a Bridge for Peace’ initiative in 1984 in Central America and Panama. The concept is now being pursued by the WHO Division of Emergency and Humanitarian Action. However, health is only one of possible causes of conflict and health officials cannot replace political leaders. Support for peace cannot become WHO's primary objective, but WHO activities may support peacekeeping in the organization's own health domain.
A high-resolution susceptibility thermometer for use near 2 K

A relatively small and easily constructed high-resolution thermometer is described. It uses the magnetic salt copper ammonium bromide dihydrate (CAB). The temperature is read out using a dc-SQUID. We determined the sensitivity of the thermometer as a function of temperature from 1.5K to 4.3K and for magnetic fields from 40 to 800 Gauss. Subnano-Kelvin resolution is achievable near 2K. A mathematic model is used to understand the measured sensitivity and to improve the design.
Midgut and Fat Body Bacteriocytes in Neotropical Cerambycid Beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Xylophagous insects derive nutrients from intractable substrates by producing or ingesting cellulolytic enzymes, or by maintaining associations with symbiotic microbes. Wood-boring cerambycid beetle larvae sometimes house maternally-transmitted endosymbiotic yeasts that are presumed to provide their hosts with nutritional benefits. These are thought to be absent from species in the large subfamily Lamiinae; nevertheless yeasts have been repeatedly isolated from the guts of neotropical lamiines. The objective of this study was to conduct transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of cerambycid larval midgut tissues to determine if gut yeasts were intracellular, or simply present in the gut lumen. Nine cerambycid larvae were harvested from two trees in the Brazil nut family (Lecythidaceae) in the rain forest of SE Peru; seven were identified using mtDNA sequence data and processed for TEM. Yeasts cultured from larval frass or exuvia, and identified with rDNA sequence data, were identical or similar to yeasts previously isolated from beetles. In TEM analyses yeast cells were found only in the gut lumens, sometimes associated with fragments of thick-walled xylem cells. Apparent bacteriocytes were found in either midgut or fat body tissue of three larval specimens, including two lamiines. This is the first report of a potential fat body symbiosis in a cerambycid beetle. Future studies of cerambycid symbiosis should distinguish the identities and potential roles of free-living organisms in the gut lumen from those of organisms harbored within gut epithelial or fat body tissue.
Climate Sensitivity Distributions Dependence on the Possibility that Models Share Biases

Uncertainty about biases common across models and about unknown and unmodeled feedbacks is important for the tails of temperature change distributions and thus for climate risk assessments. This paper develops a hierarchical Bayes framework that explicitly represents these and other sources of uncertainty. It then uses models’ estimates of albedo, carbon cycle, cloud, and water vapor‐lapse rate feedbacks to generate posterior probability distributions for feedback strength and equilibrium temperature change. The posterior distributions are especially sensitive to prior beliefs about models’ shared structural biases: nonzero probability of shared bias moves some probability mass toward lower values for climate sensitivity even as it thickens the distribution’s positive tail. Obtaining additional models of these feedbacks would not constrain the posterior distributions as much as narrowing prior beliefs about shared biases or, potentially, obtaining feedback estimates having biases uncorrelated with those impacting climate models. Carbon dioxide concentrations may need to fall below current levels to maintain only a 10% chance of exceeding official 28C limits on global average temperature change.
Geographic variation in cesarean delivery in the United States by payer

The rate of cesarean delivery in the United States is variable across geographic areas. The aims of this study are two-fold: (1) to determine whether the geographic variation in cesarean delivery rate is consistent for private insurance and Medicaid (2) to identify the patient, population, and market factors associated with cesarean rate and determine if these factors vary by payer. We used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Inpatient Databases (SID) to measure the cesarean rate at the Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) level. We linked the hospitalization data to data from other national sources to measure population and market characteristics. We calculated unadjusted and risk-adjusted CBSA cesarean rates by payer. For the second aim, we estimated a hierarchical logistical model with the hospitalization as the unit of analysis to determine the factors associated with cesarean delivery. The average CBSA cesarean rate for women with private insurance was higher (18.9 percent) than for women with Medicaid (16.4 percent). The factors predicting cesarean rate were largely consistent across payers, with the following exceptions: women under age 18 had a greater likelihood of cesarean section if they had Medicaid but had a greater likelihood of vaginal birth if they had private insurance; Asian and Native American women with private insurance had a greater likelihood of cesarean section but Asian and Native American women with Medicaid had a greater likelihood of vaginal birth. The percent African American in the population predicted increased cesarean rates for private insurance only; the number of acute care beds per capita predicted increased cesarean rate for women with Medicaid but not women with private insurance. Further we found the number of obstetricians/gynecologists per capita predicted increased cesarean rate for women with private insurance only, and the number of midwives per capita predicted increased vaginal birth rate for women with private insurance only. Factors associated with geographic variation in cesarean delivery, a frequent and high-resource inpatient procedure, vary somewhat by payer. Using this information to identify areas for intervention is key to improving quality of care and reducing healthcare costs.
Plant seed lectins disrupt growth of germinating fungal spores

Plant seed lectins are well-characterized proteins and glycoproteins whose natural function remains unknown. We found that eleven purified seed lectins (representing five groups of lectin sugar specificities) bound to the germ tubes of asexual spores of Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus amstelodami, and Botryodiplodia theobromae. The lectins caused several types of quantifiable growth disruption during germination of these seed- or soil-borne fungal spores, including sensitivity to osmotic lysis, adventitious branching of the spore germ tubes, and inhibition of germ tube elongation. These anti-fungal effects of purified lectins, which were reversible with the sugar hapten specific for each lectin, were partially duplicated by lectin-like factors in the homologous crude seed extracts. The seed lectins may disrupt fungal growth by interfering with normal cell wall deposition and assembly.
Pop-Top Finger

Excerpt To the editor: A 30-year-old rheumatology fellow developed severe joint tenderness and ecchymotic lesion over the flexor surface of the right second distal interphalangeal joint. The lesion...
Ryegrass Cultivars and Endophyte in Tall Fescue Affect Nematodes in Grass and Succeeding Soybean

Annual ryegrass (Lam.) is often double cropped with soybean [ (L.) Merr.] in much of the southeastern United States to provide winter grazing and ground cover. Little is known about the effect of annual ryegrass cultivars on nematodes associated with the grass, and with subsequent soybean crops. In several other taxonomically similar grasses, including tall fescue (Schreb.) and perennial ryegrass (L.), the presence of endophytic fungi imparts pest resistance to the grass. No information is available on the effect of these endophytic fungi on nematodes associated with the grass. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the effect of annual ryegrass cnltivars on nematodes in the grass and in succeeding soybean, and (ii) the effect of Morgan-Jones and Gams in tall fescue on nematodes. Thirteen annual ryegrass cultivars, ‘Kentucky 31” tall fescue with and without infection, and a nematode-susceptible soybean check were grown for 7 wk in pots in the greenhouse in a Malibis sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Palendults) soil known to be infested with high numbers of phytonematodes. Plants were then removed from the soil, and the soybean was seeded into the pots and grown for 7 wk. Significant differences among nematode populations in the annual ryegrass cultivars occurred, and the nematode numbers were generally higher in the soybean that followed. However, these increased numbers did not affect soybean performance. Therefore, it does not appear that the use of annual ryegrass-soybean doublecropping systems will be effective in controlling most nematodes when using nematode-susceptible soybean cultivars. In tall fescue, lower spiral [ (cobb) Sher.] and stubby root [ (culbran) Siddiqi) nematode numbers were associated with in the grass. Since nematode damage has previously been associated with stand decline in tall fescue, breeders working in nematode-infested areas should be aware that decreased pest resistance may be associated with the removal of from tall fescue.
Differential antimitogenic effectiveness of atrial natriuretic peptides in primary versus subcultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells: relationship to expression of ANF-C receptors.

Previous studies have shown that atrial natriuretic peptides inhibit mitogenesis in subcultured aortic smooth muscle cells by a mechanism that appears to be mediated via the C-type or “clearance” receptor. In the current study, we have compared the antimitogenic effect of these peptides in serum-stimulated primary aortic smooth muscle cell cultures and in subcultured cells. A series of atrial peptides, including rANF99–126, rANF103–126, and rANF103–125, were only poorly antimitogenic in serum-stimulated primary cultures, whereas des[Cys105, Cys121] rANF104–126 which binds selectively to the ANF-C receptors had no antimitogenic activity. In contrast, in subcultured cells (between subcultures 3 and 25), rANF99–126, rANF103–126, rANF103–126, Cys116rANF102–116, and des[Cys105, Cys121]rANF104–126 inhibited serum-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation (IC50 in the range of 10–50 nM), with maximal inhibition of 40–70%. The lack of antimitogenic activity in primary cultures did not appear to be related to the lack of cGMP elevation elicited by atrial peptides or to an inherent insensitivity to the action of antimitogens, because primary cultures were responsive to the cGMP-elevating effect of atrial peptides and the cells were more rather than less sensitive to the antimitogenic effect of the nitric-oxide-vasodilator, SNAP, as compared to subcultured cells. Analysis of the affinity and binding capacity of freshly isolated aortic membranes, and primary or secondary cultures for [125I]rANF99–126, revealed that the number of ANF receptors increased by tenfold, following subculture. Moreover, subcultured cells contained receptors with increased binding affinity for peptide analogues selective for the ANF-C-type type receptor. Covalent cross-linking studies with (125I)rANF99–126 confirmed that membranes prepared from fresh aortae predominantly expressed the ANF-A/guanylate cyclase receptor, whereas in subcultured cells the predominantly cross-linked protein was the ANF-C-type receptor, with receptors in primary cultures occupying an intermediate position. These results suggest that the binding and antimitogenic activity of atrial peptides in aortic smooth muscle cells depends on the phenotypic state of these cells. Moreover, the increased antimitogenic potency of atrial peptides in secondary cultures may reflect increased expression of the ANF-C-type receptors. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Age norms for Templer's Death Anxiety Scale.

Templer's Death Anxiety Scale was administered to 295 adults ranging in age from 16 to 83 yr. Results indicated that older adults (60—83 yr.) had significantly lower scores than younger adults. Use...
Evidence for Binding of Dirhodium Bis-Acetate Units to Adjacent GG and AA Sites on Single-Stranded DNA

Dirhodium tetraacetate is an antitumor active compound that is known to inhibit cellular DNA synthesis, but relatively little is known about its interactions with nucleic acids. A combination of ma...
The Rodgers and Hammerstein Encyclopedia

Thomas S. Hischak, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2007, ISBN: 0-313-34140-0, 384 pp, $85.00/£58.95 (hb) Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's popularity continues unabated, a fact borne out by th...
cDNA sequences of variant forms of human placenta diamine oxidase.

Genes for two forms of human placenta diamine oxidase(dao) were cloned from a cDNA library and sequenced. One gene,pdao 1, is identical in length to human kidneydao but differs from it by two bases in the coding region and differs slightly in the 3′- and 5′-noncoding regions. The second gene,pdao2, is nearly identical to these genes in the coding region, except that it has an extra 57-nucleotide coding segment near the 3′ end of this region. This segment corresponds to the contiguous sequence of the 3′ end of intron 3 of human kidneydao. pdao2 also differs significantly frompdao1 and human kidneydao in a 13-base sequence in the 5′-noncoding region. It is proposed thatpdao1 and human kidneydao are polymorphic forms of the same allele. Whetherpdao2 is a polymorph of these two is not certain, because of the significant differences in the coding and noncoding regions.Pdao2 may represent a different allele.
Investigation of Thin Film Evaporation Limit in Single Screen Mesh Layer

Thin film evaporation heat transfer plays an extremely important role in capillary microstructures of the type used extensively in micro heat pipes, loop heat pipes and high-flux film heat spreaders. Because the formation of the liquid meniscus in the pore cell has a significant effect on the evaporation process occurring at the interface of the liquid meniscus, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms and limitations of the phase-change phenomena occurring in the thin layer. In the current study, an analytical model, which combines the heat conduction in the wick layer with bubble formation mechanisms in the capillary structure, has been developed to determine the evaporation heat transfer limit. Temperature distribution, superheat, and heat flux distribution in the liquid meniscus area are investigated for a single layer of metal screen mesh. The wire diameter, the space between the wires and the contact conditions between the solid wall and mesh layer is shown to have a significant effect on the evaporation limit and capillary force. Results indicated that evaporation takes place mainly in the thin film region, and the heat transfer coefficient is much higher in this area than in the intrinsic region. The evaporation limit is restrained by the formation of the liquid meniscus, and the higher the capillary pressure, the lower the evaporation heat transfer limit.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Sponge-specific bacterial symbionts in the Caribbean sponge, Chondrilla nucula (Demospongiae, Chondrosida)

Marine sponges harbor dense and highly diverse bacterial communities, and some percentage of the microflora appears to be specialized for the sponge habitat. Bacterial diversity was examined in Chondrilla nucula Schmidt to test the hypothesis that some subset of sponge symbiont communities is highly similar regardless of the species of host or habitat requirements of the host. C. nucula was collected from a mangrove channel on Lower Matcumbe Key in the Florida Keys (25°53′N; 80°42′W) in August 1999. Domain-specific universal bacterial primers were used to amplify the 16S rDNA gene from genomic DNA that had been extracted from sponges and the surrounding water. An RFLP technique was used to assess diversity of sponge-associated and environmental bacterial communities. The clone library from C. nucula contained 21 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). None of the 53 OTUs from adjacent water samples were found in the C. nucula library indicating that a distinct community was present in the sponge. Sequence analysis indicated that C. nucula harbors a microbial community as diverse as the microbes from other sponges in different habitats around the world. Phylogenetic analysis placed several C. nucula clones in clades dominated by bacteria that appear to be sponge specialists (e.g., Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria). Proportional representation of major bacterial taxonomic groups represented in symbiont communities was compared as a function of geographic location of sponge hosts. This study supports the hypothesis that sponges from different oceans existing in dissimilar habitats harbor closely related bacteria that are distinct from other bacterial lineages and appear specialized for residing within sponges.