cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Dispatch Screening Tool to Identify Patients at High Risk for COVID-19 in the Prehospital Setting

Introduction Emergency medical services (EMS) dispatchers have made efforts to determine whether patients are high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) so that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can be donned. A screening tool is valuable as the healthcare community balances protection of medical personnel and conservation of PPE. There is little existing literature on the efficacy of prehospital COVID-19 screening tools. The objective of this study was to determine the positive and negative predictive value of an emergency infectious disease surveillance tool for detecting COVID-19 patients and the impact of positive screening on PPE usage. Methods This study was a retrospective chart review of prehospital care reports and hospital electronic health records. We abstracted records for all 911 calls to an urban EMS from March 1-July 31, 2020 that had a documented positive screen for COVID-19 and/or had a positive COVID-19 test. The dispatch screen solicited information regarding travel, sick contacts, and high-risk symptoms. We reviewed charts to determine dispatch-screening results, the outcome of patients' COVID-19 testing, and documentation of crew fidelity to PPE guidelines. Results The sample size was 263. The rate of positive COVID-19 tests for all-comers in the state of Massachusetts was 2.0%. The dispatch screen had a sensitivity of 74.9% (confidence interval [CI], 69.21-80.03) and a specificity of 67.7% (CI, 66.91-68.50). The positive predictive value was 4.5% (CI, 4.17-4.80), and the negative predictive value was 99.3% (CI, 99.09-99.40). The most common symptom that triggered a positive screen was shortness of breath (51.5% of calls). The most common high-risk population identified was skilled nursing facility patients (19.5%), but most positive tests did not belong to a high-risk population (58.1%). The EMS personnel were documented as wearing full PPE for the patient in 55.7% of encounters, not wearing PPE in 8.0% of encounters, and not documented in 27.9% of encounters. Conclusion This dispatch-screening questionnaire has a high negative predictive value but moderate sensitivity and therefore should be used with some caution to guide EMS crews in their PPE usage. Clinical judgment is still essential and may supersede screening status.
The Log-Interleave Bound: Towards the Unification of Sorting and the BST Model

We study the connections between sorting and the binary search tree model, with an aim towards showing that the fields are connected more deeply than is currently known. The main vehicle of our study is the log-interleave bound, a measure of the information-theoretic complexity of a permutation $\pi$. When viewed through the lens of adaptive sorting -- the study of lists which are nearly sorted according to some measure of disorder -- the log-interleave bound is comparable to the most powerful known measure of disorder. Many of these measures of disorder are themselves virtually identical to well-known upper bounds in the BST model, such as the working set bound or the dynamic finger bound, suggesting a connection between BSTs and sorting. We present three results about the log-interleave bound which solidify the aforementioned connections. The first is a proof that the log-interleave bound is always within a $\lg \lg n$ multiplicative factor of a known lower bound in the BST model, meaning that an online BST algorithm matching the log-interleave bound would perform within the same bounds as the state-of-the-art $\lg \lg n$-competitive BST. The second result is an offline algorithm in the BST model which uses $O(\text{LIB}(\pi))$ accesses to search for any permutation $\pi$. The technique used to design this algorithm also serves as a general way to show whether a sorting algorithm can be transformed into an offline BST algorithm. The final result is a mergesort algorithm which performs work within the log-interleave bound of a permutation $\pi$. This mergesort also happens to be highly parallel, adding to a line of work in parallel BST operations.
Hurt Feelings: Theory, Research, and Applications in Intimate Relationships

1. The nature of hurt feelings: what is intimacy? Part I. Background: 2. Hurts: the avoided feelings 3. The origins of hurt feelings 4. The developmental socialization of hurt feelings 5. Hurt feelings in the family Part II. The Scientific Bases of Hurt Feelings: 6. The discovery of hurt feelings: the pioneers 7. Biological processes underlying hurt feelings: with special attention to neural mechanisms Lin Xiao, Dana Smith, Antoine Bechara and Luciano L'Abate 8. Gender and individual differences in hurt feelings 9. Cultural differences in hurt feelings 10. The psychopathology of hurt feelings: influences on physical and mental health Part III. Applications of Hurt Feelings in Mental Health: 11. Sharing social support: self-help, health promotion, and prevention of mental illness 12. Psychotherapy: sharing hurt feelings and fears of being hurt Part IV. Models of Hurt Feelings in Theory and Applications: 13. Hurt feelings: a construct in search of a theory.
Dental Sleep Medicine and the Use of Oral Devices

It is estimated that 50–70 million Americans chronically suffer from a disorder of sleep and wakefulness, hindering daily functioning and adversely affecting health and longevity. The cumulative long-term effects of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension (HT), diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke. The overall prevalence of sleep problems may be as high as 30 % in children and adults and even higher in elderly people. These sleep disorders are diverse, and in order to deal with all of them a systematic classification is required. Over the years, several classifications have been proposed for sleep disturbances, including those based on symptoms, origin of the disturbance, and objective measurements. As this book aims to serve primarily primary care personnel who may need to deal with patients with sleep disorders, we chose to discuss sleep disorders chiefly based on symptoms. To a greater extent than most scientific and medical disciplines, the field of somnology and sleep medicine cuts across many clinical and basic research disciplines, including but not limited to cardiology, dentistry, endocrinology, epidemiology, geriatrics, molecular biology, neurology, neuroscience, nursing, otolaryngology, pediatrics, pharmacology, psychiatry, psychology, and pulmonology. Between 1982 and 2006, there were 89 distinct publications dealing with oral appliance therapy involving a total of 3,027 patients, which reported results of sleep studies performed with and without the appliance. I was concluded that oral appliances, although not as effective as CPAP in reducing sleep apnea, snoring, and improving daytime function, have a definite role in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.
Liberation (Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation)

Liberation is the process by which a patient is removed from the ventilator. This process has also been referred to as separation-, liberation-, and withdrawal- from the ventilator, as well as discontinuation of mechanical ventilation. The currently popular term is liberation from mechanical ventilation [1]. Early liberation studies demonstrated that “weaning” contributed at least 40 % of the total duration of mechanical ventilation [2, 3]. Optimizing the process of liberation may therefore be the major means of shortening the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay thereby limiting complications..
Dietary Flax Oil Enriches Adipose Tissue Phospholipids in Long Chain n-3 PUFA and Reduces Adiposity

Consumption of diets enriched in long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) has been associated with reduced adiposity and metabolic benefits in humans and animals, including poultry. Avians express unique elongase enzymes that, relative to humans, enhance their capacity to produce eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5, n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6, n-3) from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3, n-3). We tested the hypothesis that enriching adipose tissue in ALA would reduce adiposity in broiler chickens by activating lipid-responsive nuclear receptors and upregulating expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, comparable to what we have previously found for fasting (Ji et al., 2012). Cobb 500 broiler chicks were fed isocaloric diets containing either 8% flaxseed oil (flax) or 8% lard from hatch to 21 days of age (DS1), or from 21-42 days of age (DS2). Adipose neutral lipid fatty acid profiles reflected the dietary fat composition. Both EPA and DHA were undetectable in adip...
Introduction to Experimental Biophysics: Biological Methods for Physical Scientists

Series Preface Preface Acknowledgments Author Contributors Chapter 1 Introduction and Background Chapter 2 Basic Molecular Cloning of DNA and RNA Chapter 3 Expression of Genes in Bacteria, Yeast, and Cultured Mammalian Cells Chapter 4 Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology Chapter 5 Protein Expression Methods Joshua A. Maurer Chapter 6 Protein Crystallization Oliver M. Baettig and Albert M. Berghuis Chapter 7 Introduction to Biological Light Microscopy Coauthored with Michael W. Davidson Chapter 8 Advanced Light Microscopy Techniques Coauthored with Lina Carlini Chapter 9 Advanced Topics in Microscopy II: Holographic Microscopy Coauthored with Manuel Bedrossian Chapter 10 Quantitative Cell Culture Techniques Chapter 11 Semiconductor Nanoparticles (Quantum Dots) Chapter 12 Gold Nanoparticles Edward S. Allgeyer, Gary Craig, Sanjeev Kumar Kandpal, Jeremy Grant, and Michael D. Mason Chapter 13 Advanced Topics in Gold Nanoparticles: Biomedical Applications Chapter 14 Surface Functionalization Techniques Chapter 15 Electrophysiology Coauthored with Christian A. Lindensmith and Thomas Knoepfel Chapter 16 Spectroscopy Tools and Techniques Chapter 17 Introduction to Nanofabrication Orad Reshef Glossary Appendix A: Common Solutions Appendix B: Common Media Appendix C: Restriction Endonucleases Appendix D: Common Enzymes Appendix E: Fluorescent Dyes and Quenchers Appendix F: Fluorescent Proteins Index
Varroa mite infestations in elevated honey bee brood cells: effects of context and caste.

The Varroa mite infestation level of honey bee, Apis mellifera, worker larvae reared in individual raised cells was 6-fold higher than in the adjacent six cells surrounding them; this differential infestation rate is similar to published values of higher mite infestations of drone cells compared to worker cells. Infestation levels in control cells were the same as in the surrounding cells. In contrast to infestation of these individually raised cells, Varroa mites invaded worker larvae in raised cells along the perimeter of a patch of raised cells (10 by 21 rows) 2.5 times more often than surrounding unraised cells, and similarly ca. 2.5 times more often than in the remaining raised cells (interior) of this patch. In similarly prepared frames of drone comb, Varroa mites invaded individually raised drone cells 3.3-fold more often than the adjacent surrounding cells and control cells. On the other hand, Varroa mites infested drone larvae in the interior of the raised-patch area as often as drones in raised cells along the perimeter of the raised-patch, and this rate was ca. 2.5-fold higher than for drone larvae in unraised cells surrounding the raised-patch and drone larvae in control cells. The higher levels of infestation of raised cells did not come at the expense of the surrounding cells, i.e., the infestation levels of the adjacent surrounding cells were the same as in control cells. For worker larvae, the increased number of mites invading individual raised cells and edge cells of the raised patch were proportional to the number of surrounding nonraised cells. The relationship between raised cell-edges, observations of mite walking behavior on comb surfaces, and larval-to-cell-rim distances are discussed in relation to their possible roles in eliciting mite invasion of honey bee larval cells and contrasted to the putative role of kairomones in larval-host location.
Theory of a pinched electron beam in a diode

A finite-temperature relativistic fluid theory is used to analyse thez-dependent equilibrium state of a charge-neutralized electron beam in a diode with flat electrodes. Equilibrium is considered to be supported when the radial gradients of particle pressure are balanced against self-magnetic forces and the thermal energy of an electron is assumed to be much smaller than its rest mass energy. Under these conditions analytical expressions for the distribution of beam electrons are given in the pinched region. The density profile shows sharper pinching than a Bennett profile, as well as the enhancement of pinching resulting from an externally applied electric field.
Experimental Unilateral Torsion of the Spermatic Cord in Guinea Pigs Effects on the Contralateral Testis

A systematic investigation of the effects of unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord on the contralateral testis of the guinea pig was carried out for variable time periods, ie, seven days, one, three and six months. Both histological and ultrastructural studies were made on all testicular autopsy materials collected from five groups of animals. Those five groups were: group I, 12 animals with unilateral torsion induced and maintained until the day of sacrifice; group II, 12 animals with unilateral torsion induced for four hours; group III, eight sham-operated animals; group IV, eight pentobarbital injected animals; group V. four untreated control animals. Of 24 group I and group II animals, degenerative changes were noticed in the contralateral testis in ten animals. Those changes ranged from spermatid and spermatocyte degeneration to the complete loss of all types of germ cells in the contralateral testis. The degree of damage seemed to correlate with the severity of damage in the torsion-side testis and the length of time the damaged testis was retained in the body. It was concluded that a damaged testis retained in the body may cause degenerative changes in the contralateral testis.
Reinforcing effect of alfentanil is mediated by mu opioid receptors: Apparent pA2 analysis

Apparent pA2 analysis was used to determine whether the short-duration opioid agonist, alfentanil, acts at mu receptors in the positive reinforcement of operant behavior in the rhesus monkey. In test sessions a red light signaled the availability of alfentanil injections. If a monkey pressed a response lever 30 times, a specific dose of alfentanil was injected i.v., and the red light was extinguished for 10 min. This cycle could be repeated for up to 130 min, the maximum length of a session. Between successive test sessions at least three maintenance sessions were held; in these sessions injections of 0.32 mg/kg/injection of codeine were made available. The dose of alfentanil was changed from one test session to the next, and dose-dependent changes in rates of responding resulted. Rates reached 3.05 responses/sec at 0.010 mg/kg/injection, the highest dose tested. The opioid antagonist, quadazocine, produced dose-dependent, parallel shifts to the right in the alfentanil dose-response curve. In Schild Plot analysis the regression line fit to the antagonism data had a slope of -1.1; the apparent pA2 value for quadazocine was 7.6. This value was close to apparent pA2 values obtained with mu agonists in studies of other behavioral effects of opioids, but distinct from values obtained with kappa agonists in those studies. Thus, it is likely that mu receptors mediate the positive reinforcing effect of alfentanil.
Blood Flow Velocity during Ventricular Fibrillation in Man Measured with the Doppler Flowmeter Technique

The Editorial Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Alberto Benchimol as Editor of the Department, Graphic Techniques in Cardiology. Dr. Benchimol received his M.D. degree in 1956 from the National Medical School, University of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. His postgraduate training included fellowships at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, and the Scripps Institute Clinical and Research Foundation, La Jolla. He was appointed Associate at the institute in 1963. Since 1966, Dr. Benchimol has been Director, Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Good Samaritan Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Benchimol has been a member of the Editorial Board of the American Heart Journal since 1968 and a member of the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Cardiology since 1969. He has lectured throughout the United States in the disciplines of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular physiology and has written numerous articles which have contributed significantly to advances in cardiology. He is a distinguished educator and investigator.
The Black farmer and land in south-central Alabama: Strategies to preserve a scarce resource

Black-American culture has been tied to the land and agriculture for over 300 years. However, Blacks have had limited access to land ownership due to a historic relationship with a dominant White society based on discrimination. This major resource constraint prevented the full participation of the Black farmer in traditional commercial agriculture. Research conducted in the Black Belt Region of Alabama is used to examine the importance of land, particularly the multigenerational ownership of land, on current farm participation and landholdings. Strategies employed by farmers to pass this scarce resource to succeeding generations are also examined.
Operators for symmetry transformations in canonically quantized field theories

The construction of symmetry operators in quantum field theory is analysed from the viewpoint of formal power series in the quantum fields and conjugate momenta. In the first part, the operator generators for a one-parameter continuous group of symmetries are derived in a manner allowing a somewhat wider application than does Noether’s theorem. The second part deals with discrete symmetries, and in particular with the limitations on the applicability of exponential expressions for operators for discrete symmetries. It is emphasized that any symmetry operator expressible as the exponential of a time-independent anti-Hermitian operator which is a finite power series in the fields and conjugate momenta has an immediate natural extension to a continuous symmetry group. The operators proposed by Federbush and Grisaru for some «discrete» symmetries are investigated as to the continuous embedding symmetry groups of which the operators are elements.
Rickets in VDR null mice is secondary to decreased apoptosis of hypertrophic chondrocytes.

Both vitamin D deficiency and the absence of a functional vitamin D receptor (VDR) lead to a growth plate abnormality known as rickets. Prevention of abnormal mineral ion homeostasis by early institution of dietary therapy in VDR null mice prevents rickets, demonstrating that the VDR is not required for normal growth plate maturation. We, therefore, hypothesized that rickets, in the absence of a functional VDR, is due to impaired mineral ion homeostasis. Analyses of growth plate morphology in VDR null mice demonstrated normal resting and proliferating chondrocyte layers; however an expansion of the hypertrophic chondrocyte layer was present by 24 days of age. Because extracellular calcium has been shown to play a role in chondrocyte maturation, we addressed the hypothesis that hypocalcemia led to impaired chondrocyte differentiation. However, in situ hybridization analyses revealed normal expression of hypertrophic chondrocyte markers in the tibial growth plate of 24 day old VDR null mice, suggesting that...
Two Hypotheses Regarding Text Generation and Analysis.

It is proposed here that in any language and for any discourse type within that language the verb forms/clause structures can be arranged in a rank scheme in which a mainline of discourse development is encoded by a characteristic construction (or a very limited set of constructions) while lines of subsidiary development, which represent progressive degrees of departure from the mainline, are encoded in other constructions. It is further proposed that this graded salience scheme can then provide guidelines for the analysis of local spans of text (paragraphs) so that sentences whose independent clauses have constructions which are high in the salience schemes are dominant over ancillary sentences which have constructions which are lower in the scheme. The first hypothesis has more to do with text generation, while the second has to do with text analysis. The two hypotheses are meant to yield salience schemes and constituent analyses which mutually corroborate and correct each other. These hypotheses and th...
Abstract B13: Automated multiplex assay for diagnostic application of contextual microRNA signatures in breast cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are rapidly emerging as a novel class of biomarkers for theranostic applications in cancer. Since solid tumor lesions are complex and heterogeneous mixtures of different cell types, we previously developed a multiplex tissue slide-based assay to measure miRNA expression levels at single cell resolution and to extract the contextual information embedded within both cancer and non-cancer cell compartments of the tumor microenvironment. In this on-going clinical study, we are characterizing the cell type-specific altered expression of a panel of breast cancer-associated miRNAs on large and independent cohorts of breast cancer patients. To maximize the number of independent patient cases per slide and to minimize the number of independent experiments and slides for data analysis, we are interrogating miRNA expression on high-density tissue microarrays (TMAs). TMAs designed by NCI Cooperative Breast Cancer Tissue Resources to find statistically significant associations between an investigative biomarker and disease progression and/or disease outcome will serve as discovery set. Our institutional TMAs will serve as validation set and will also enable us to assess the potential utility of these miRNA contextual signatures to predict treatment response in different adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy settings using recurrence-free survival and complete pathological response, respectively, as the clinical endpoint marker. Our preliminary results indicate that inflammation and desmoplasia present as co-diseases or co-morbidities in breast cancer, and they are both major confounding factors in the correct interpretation of expression profiling experiments and the assignment of etiological roles to leukocyte-expressed miRNAs such as miR-155 and reactive fibroblast-expressed miRNAs such as miR-21. Intriguingly, we have identified a subgroup of HER2-overexpressing cases in which miR-21 expression is mainly upregulated with cancer cells, while miR-21 expression predominantly accumulates within reactive fibroblasts in the rest of HER2-overexpresssing cases and the immense majority of cases from other breast cancer subtypes. The clinical implications of cell source and expression levels of miR-21 and other miRNAs under study will be presented at this meeting. We will also discuss innovative strategies that we are implementing for integration of translational miRNA and well-established protein biomarkers to increase molecular characterization of breast tumors and for pipeline automatization from assay performance to whole slide image acquisition and computer-assisted analysis to enhance diagnostic power of current clinical assays. Citation Format: Wendy Wells, Sung-hee Choi, Gary Schwartz, Lorenzo F. Sempere. Automated multiplex assay for diagnostic application of contextual microRNA signatures in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Noncoding RNAs and Cancer; 2012 Jan 8-11; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B13.
Through-Space Charge and Dipolar Effects in Substituted Ethanes and 1,1,1-Trifluoroethanes

The results of ab initio calculations with the 6-31+G* basis set are reported on over sixty compounds of the type CZ3CH2X (Z = H, F) and on a few longer chain-substituted alkanes. Data for the eclipsed conformations with Z = H and both the staggered and eclipsed conformations with Z = F are presented. The charges on the atoms in these molecules are determined with the Atoms in Molecules (AIM) and Natural Population Analysis (NPA) methods of analysis. The charges on the fluorine atoms in the trifluoroethyl derivatives parallel those of the hydrogen atoms of the ethyl derivatives. A potential gradient model for charge variations is presented. In this model, the magnitude of the charge is dictated by a through-space electrostatic interaction that arises from the charges on the atoms of the CH2X group. The length of the vectors from the atoms in the CH2X group to the bond critical point of the C−Z (Z = H, F) bond and the angle this vector makes with the C−Z bond are critical parameters. The model is tested in...
The effect of hydrogen on the strength and ductility of V-15at.%Cr-5at.%Ti

Abstract The effect of hydrogen in solid solution on the strength and ductility of a V-15at.%Cr-5at.%Ti alloy was investigated from 78 to 450 K. The non-hydrogenated alloy exhibited a ductile-to-brittle transition at a low temperature (210 K) which scanning Auger microprobe analyses indicated was due to segregation of sulfur and titanium to the grain boundaries. The addition of only 0.1 at.% H raised the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature above room temperature. Hydrogen produced little, if any, strengthening in this alloy. A comparison of hydrogen effects on ductility and strengthening between this alloy and V-20at.%Ti and V-20at.%Cr is presented.
Mapping the configuration space of polygons using reduced convolution

Configuration space (C-space) plays an important role not only in motion planning but also in geometric modeling, shape and kinematic reasoning, and is fundamental to several basic geometric operations, such as continuous collision detection and generalized penetration depth estimation, that also find their applications in motion planning, animation and simulation. In this paper, we developed a new method for constructing the boundary of the C-space obstacles (C-obst) of polygons. This method is simpler to implement and is theoretically more efficient than the existing techniques. Our main idea is to devote the computation on the discontinuity in temporal and spatial coherence where the structure of the C-obst changes. We also developed a method for estimating the generalized penetration depth by computing the distance between the query point and the C-obst surface.
The Effect of the Oxidizing Agents Chloramine-T and Cigarette Smoke on Dog Serum Proteinase Inhibitor(s)

Dog serum treated with the oxidant chloramine-T is rapidly and selectively depleted of its ability to inhibit porcine pancreatic elastase or dog neutrophil elastase. Trypsin inhibitory capacity of serum is not affected. Purified dog alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha-1-PI) is similarly oxidized with an apparent rate constant of 1.1 x 10(3) M-1 sec-1. Reversal of the oxidative inactivation using dithiothreitol was demonstrated. Cigarette smoke also directly affects the inhibitory capacity of both serum and pure alpha-1-PI. These studies form a basis for developing a model of functionally deficient alpha-1-PI by taking advantage of oxidative inactivation of normal proteinase inhibitor levels.
East Asian Order Formation and Sino-Japanese Relations

The security, political, and economic maps of East Asia have been transformed, and an institutionalized framework for regional cooperation, represented by the "ten-plus-three" process and the East Asia Summit, is emerging. East Asia is surging economically, and this development helps explain why experts perceive that power and influence in international relations are shifting toward Asia. What happens to order in East Asia will significantly affect the role Asia plays in the emergence of any Asia-centric international system. Thus, I begin by providing an overview of order in the East Asian region, emphasizing the importance of economic integration and the pivotal role of Sino-Japanese relations in the formation of a new type of order in East Asia. Then, I examine some new aspects of order formation in the early twenty-first century, which I call power shift, problem shift, and paradigm shift. These developments affect the logic of regional order formation generally and in East Asia specifically. Third, I explore the dynamics of the evolving East Asian order. Fourth, I consider the future of the East Asian order and argue that the key to its further development revolves around the relationship between China and Japan. Finally, I outline a strategic framework for future Sino-Japanese relations based on the convergence and institutionalization of their common interests bilaterally, regionally, and globally.
The Nonlinear Control Theory of Super-articulated Mechanisms

A large body of literature has recently appeared regarding the dynamics and control of multibody systems and mixed structures. Super-articulated mechanisms are defined to be multibody systems in which the dimension of the configuration space exceeds the dimension of the control input space. The recent robotics and mechanics literature has treated numerous examples of such systems including robots with elastic joints, rotating kinematic chains, etc. This paper argues that a new paradigm for nonlinear controllability is needed to make nonlinear control theory rich enough to account for all possible modes of behavior that can be elicited in super-articulated mechanisms.
Dressed local mode Hamiltonians for CH stretch vibrations

A local mode CH stretch Hamiltonian is developed that provides the advantages of a localised representation of the molecular vibrations yet retains the accuracy of the normal mode representation. The increased accuracy over traditional local mode approaches is achieved by using Van Vleck perturbation theory. This theory incorporates the effects of couplings to other degrees of freedom by altering the molecular coupling constants. The resulting dressed local mode Hamiltonian and dipole operators have forms that are identical to those of the initial Hamiltonian and dipole. The procedure for generating the parameters of these Hamiltonians is completely general, but its implementation is illustrated for the specific examples of molecules containing -CH2CH2- linkages and molecules with aromatic CH stretches. The implementation takes as its starting point the output of electronic structure frequency calculations. The differences between local mode and dressed local mode operators are particularly pronounced for...
Characterization and measurement of normal platelet-associated immunoglobulin G by fluorospectrophotometry

Platelet-associated immunoglobulin G of normal healthy subjects was measured and its binding characteristics studied by use of a newly developed assay which is rapid, quantitative, sensitive and inexpensive. The assay is based on fluorospectrophotometry. Fluorescein isothiocyanate was used as a fluorescent marker to label IgG. Measurement of platelet-associated IgG by this method showed that normal platelets have at least two types of binding sites for IgG of normal healthy subjects. High- and low-affinity binding sites numbering 410 +/- 200 and 1800 +/- 500, respectively, were identified. Specificity of binding was shown by competition between fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled IgG and nonlabeled IgG. The effect of pH and temperature and the kinetics of binding were also investigated.
Density gradients and springback: environmental influences

Laser dilatometry was combined with X-ray computed tomography (XRCT) to investigate the relationship between springback and internal density gradients in dry-pressed alumina compacts. Compacts were prepared using the same binder and binder content but different states of plasticization to examine these effects on dimensions and final density distribution. Both density gradients and microstructural-level characteristics exert control over differential springback behavior; the expansion of the low-density (LD) zone is larger than that of the high-density (HD) zone. For these submicron alumina powders, the concentration of binder associated with density gradients leads to potential loss of final dimensional tolerance. A sinusoidal dimensional response, dependent upon the state of the binder, is noted, which changes dramatically with time and environmental exposure. In some cases, dimensional changes occurred due to moisture absorption/desorption in compacts prepared at relative humidities different from ambient conditions.
Abstract B42: Cell-based, genome-wide assessment of chromosome-specific telomere length by quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization in esophageal adenocarcinoma patients

Chromosomal instability is one of the early hallmarks of human carcinogenesis. Shortened telomeres may predispose to chromosomal instability leading to the development of some cancers, including esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). However, whether the telomere changes associated with cancer risk occur at the global or chromosome-specific level remain largely unknown. Here, we developed a novel two-step quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to measure the overall and genome-wide chromosome-specific telomere length in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). In this assay, overall telomere FISH is first carried out using peptide-coupled nucleic acid (PNA) probe. The relative intensity of each telomere signal is obtained by digital capture of the microscopic image and quantified. Then we perform the second FISH with centromere and subtelomere probes on the same slide to label each chromosome. Therefore, we can identify and quantify the telomere length for the p arm or q arm of each chromosome. We next used this assay to measure the overall and chromosome specific telomere length in a pilot case-control study of 31 EAC cases and 31 matched controls. We found EAC patients had significantly shorter overall telomere lengths in PBLs compared with controls (P = 0.039). Notably, the chromosome-specific telomeres of 8, 10, 14, 16, 17, and 22 were significantly shorter in cases than in controls (P Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B42.
The Exploration and Practice of International Software Engineering Talent Training Mode ----A Case Study of Software College of Northeastern University *

Abstract - I n the process of fully integrat ing into the economic globalization, the shortage of international software personnel has become the important factor which restricts the development of domestic software industry, which requires the university to train software personnel with international competitiveness. In order to explore an effective mode of international software personnel training universities, scientifically constructing the international course and to system, inputting and training student’s ability of engineering promote international software talents training process, this research done at the Software College of Northeastern University carries a deep explanation on the method of international software engineering personnel training, and putting forward the reform direction for some aspects such as talent training system, school- running mode and the internationalization of teachers. Index Terms
Direct effects of glucagon on renal hemodynamics and excretion of inorganic ions

Abstract The direct renal effects of glucagon were studied in 13 dogs. Glucagon was infused in dilute solution directly into one renal artery for 4 clearance periods of 20 minutes each, and the differences between kidneys in GFR, ERPF, FF, and excretory rates of Na, Cl, K, H2O, P, Ca, and Mg were compared with differences observed during the immediately preceding four 20-minute periods during which 0.85 per cent saline was infused into one kidney. The differences between kidneys during saline infusion were small or insignificant. Glucagon infusion produced a bilateral rise in GFR and FF, of about the same degree in each kidney. In all except the intial glucagon period, however, there was no difference in GFR, ERPF, or FF between the infused kidney and its mate. There was a small, statistically significant rise in differential GFR for the first glucagon period but not for the remaining 3 periods. Glucagon produced a marked differential increase in excretion of all measured ions; the sodium increase was the largest. The results support the conclusion that glucagon acts directly upon the renal tubule to decrease the reabsorption of Na, Cl, H2O, Ca, and Mg, and to decrease the “net” tubular reabsorption of K.
The referral problem in the field of alcohol abuse

This paper reports on referral sources and the disposition of 409 problem drinkers who were contacted over a two-year period for participation in a 17-week alcohol abuse treatment program. A longitudinal follow-up design was used with 103 persons to evaluate various learning-based techniques in moderating their drinking habits. Referrals were analyzed by source (75% were legal referrals), percentage completing the program (70%, 72%, and 69% for self, legal, and mental health referrals), and "success" at one year. Legal referrals reported a significantly smaller pretreatment alcohol intake than self and mental health referrals. However, the decrease in alcohol intake for legal and nonlegal referrals were almost identical. The stigma of alcoholism as a disease and the coercion associated with referral by legal agencies were considered to be factors in acceptance of treatment and in treatment outcome.
Effect of ethyl-α-hydroxymethylacrylate on selected properties of copolymers and ACP resin composites

There is an increased interest in the development of bioactive polymeric dental composites and related materials that have potential for mineralized tissue regeneration and preservation. This study explores how the substitution of ethyl alpha-hydroxymethylacryate (EHMA) for 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in photo-activated 2,2-bis[p-(2'-hydroxy-3'-methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA) and Bis-GMA/tri(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) resins affected selected physicochemical properties of the polymers and their amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) composites. Rate of polymerization and the degree of conversion (DC) of polymers {EHMA (E), HEMA (H), Bis-GMA/EHMA (BE), Bis-GMA/HEMA (BH), Bis-GMA/TEGDMA/EHMA (BTE) and Bis-GMA/TEGDMA/HEMA (BTH)} were assessed by photo-differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. ACP/BTE and ACP/BTH composites were evaluated for DC, biaxial flexure strength (BFS), water sorption (WS) and mineral ion release. Mid-FTIR and near-IR measurements revealed the following order of decreasing DC: [E, H polymers (97.0%)] > [BE copolymer (89.9%)] > [BH copolymer (86.2%)] > [BTE, BTH copolymers (85.5%)] > [ACP/BTH composite (82.6%)] > [ACP/BTE composite (79.3%)]. Compared to HEMA, EHMA did not adversely affect the BFS of its copolymers and/or ACP composites. Lower WS of BTE copolymers and composites (28% and 14%, respectively, compared to the BTH copolymers and composites) only marginal reduced the ion release from ACP/BTE composites compared to ACP/BTH composites. More hydrophobic ACP composites with acceptable ion-releasing properties were developed by substituting the less hydrophilic EHMA for HEMA.
Functional plasticity in the respiratory pathway of the mammalian spinal cord.

Abstract Most fibers of the descending respiratory pathway from medulla to spinal cord are direct (uncrossed), but in many species there is also a “functionally latent” crossed pathway. The uncrossed pathway has been demonstrated by showing that hemisection of the spinal cord at C2 results in paralysis of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm. The crossed pathway has been revealed by subjecting these operated animals to severe hypoxia immediately after the cord hemisection (e.g., by transecting the contralateral phrenic nerve). Following this procedure the previously paralyzed hemidiaphragm resumes contracting. This response has been designated the “crossed phrenic phenomenon”. The guinea pig is known to be one of the few laboratory mammals which does not exhibit a crossed-phrenic phenomenon. This was verified by subjecting six guinea pigs to spinal hemisection at C2. They developed an ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paralysis that was unaffected by immediate contralateral phrenicotomy. Presumably, in this species, the crossed pathway is either absent or the fibers are too few in number to be functional. In six other guinea pigs, 2 to 7 months were allowed to elapse after hemisecting the spinal cord. In all these animals, interruption of the contralateral phrenic nerve after this long postoperative interval produced an immediate resumption of contractions of the previously paralyzed hemidiaphragm. Possible changes during the interoperative interval that render the crossed pathway functional include: (i) growth of collateral nerve sprouts from the intact descending pathway to the contralateral phrenic motor neurons; (ii) local proliferation and extension of the functionally ineffective terminations of the crossed pathway; and (iii) changes in properties of the postsynaptic membrane that enable previously ineffective fibers to generate an action potential.
Computer Use and Computer Anxiety in Older Korean Americans

Responding to the limited literature on computer use in ethnic minority older populations, the present study examined predictors of computer use and computer anxiety in older Korean Americans. Separate regression models were estimated for computer use and computer anxiety with the common sets of predictors: (a) demographic variables (age, gender, marital status, and education), (b) physical health indicators (chronic conditions, functional disability, and self-rated health), and (c) sociocultural factors (acculturation and attitudes toward aging). Approximately 60% of the participants were computer-users, and they had significantly lower levels of computer anxiety than non-users. A higher likelihood of computer use and lower levels of computer anxiety were commonly observed among individuals with younger age, male gender, advanced education, more positive ratings of health, and higher levels of acculturation. In addition, positive attitudes toward aging were found to reduce computer anxiety. Findings provide implications for developing computer training and education programs for the target population.
The Effect of Stress Application Rate on the Creep Behavior of Polycrystalline Ice

This work examines the effect of the rate of stress application on the creep behavior of polycrystalline ice. Stress rates from 10/sup -3/ to 1.84 MPa s/sup -1/ were used to achieve a creep stress of 3.6 MPa at test temperatures of -5/sup 0/ and -10/sup 0/C. The treatment emphasizes the effect of stress application rate on primary creep behavior and the accompanying microfracturing activity. Acoustic emission measurements taken in all tests indicate the onset and rate peak of the microfracturing activity. The stress application rate has little effect on the minimum strain rate, the strain at which it occurs, or the characteristics of tertiary creep provided that the loading ramp ends prior to reaching the nominal failure strain of 1.0 percent. Primary creep behavior is significantly affected only at rates below about 10/sup -2/ MPa s/sup -1/. Results indicate that when the loading ramp continues through the failure strain, no minimum strain rate occurs, but rather the strain rate increases monotonically throughout the entire test.
Near source deposition of vehicle generated fugitive dust on vegetation and buildings: Model development and theory

Abstract This paper describes the development of a simple quasi-2D Eulerian atmospheric dispersion model that accounts for dry deposition of fugitive dust onto vegetation and buildings. The focus of this work is on the effects of atmospheric surface layer parameterizations on deposition in the “impact zone” near unpaved roads where horizontal advection of a dust cloud through roughness is important. A wind model for computing average and turbulent wind fields is presented for flow within and above a roughness canopy. The canopy model has been developed to capture the most essential transport and deposition physics while minimizing the number of difficult-to-obtain input parameters. The deposition model is based on a bulk sink term in the transport equation that lumps the various dry deposition physical process. Wind field, turbulence and deposition results are presented for a range of atmospheric stabilities and roughnesses. The canopy model produces results in which deposition within a canopy is enhanced under certain initial, atmospheric and roughness conditions, while under other conditions much less deposition occurs. The primary limitation of the model is the ability to accurately determine (typically using experimental data) the vegetative deposition parameter (clearance frequency). To understand the clearance frequency better, a dimensionless parameter called the deposition effectiveness is identified that can be used to estimate deposition in the canopy. In general, the model captures the essential physics of near source dust transport and provides a tool that can efficiently simulate site-specific conditions in practical situations.
Modeling the radiative properties of nonspherical soil-derived mineral aerosols

Abstract Mineral dust aerosols have complex nonspherical shapes and varying composition. This study utilizes data on morphology (size and shape) and composition of dust particles to determine the extent to which the optical properties of real particles differ from those of spheres. A method for modeling the optical properties of complex particle mixtures is proposed. The method combines dust particle composition–shape–size (CSS) distributions reconstructed from the electron microscopy data, effective medium approximations and discrete dipole approximation. The method is used to compute optical characteristics of realistic dust mixtures representative of Saharan and Asian dust. We demonstrate that considered CSS distributions result in various differences in the extinction coefficient, single scattering albedo, asymmetry parameter and the scattering phase function relative to the volume-equivalent spheres and the mixtures of the randomly oriented oblate and prolate spheroids. Implications of these differences for radiation/climate modeling and remote sensing are discussed.
Effect of vasopressin on open field and activity behavior of the vasopressin-deficient (Brattleboro) rat

The effect of 1 and 5 micrograms AVP injections on open field and photoactivity chamber behavior of D.I. and normal Long-Evans animals was studied. Administration of 5 micrograms AVP (SC) resulted in a statistically significant depression of both open field and photochamber activity in the D.I. rat, but had a less pronounced effect on normal animals. However, 1 microgram AVP resulted in only minor alterations of activity in both D.I. and normal animals. In terms of learned behavior, D.I. and normal animals displayed similar within-session habituation when comparisons were made following the same treatment conditions. Thus, this study supports the hypothesis that vasopressin may influence memory tasks by modulation of related states of emotionality, motivation, and/or attention rather than by direct involvement in the retrieval and/or consolidation of information.