cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHAPTER 43 – Neutropenia

Publisher Summary Neutropenia is defined by the fall of absolute neutrophil and band forms below 1.5*109/L. Immunologically induced neutropenias are probably as common as the more familiar autoimmune disorders of red cells and platelets, with clinical manifestations varying from being asymptomatic to severe forms complicated by overwhelming sepsis. Autoimmune neutropenia is divided into primary and secondary forms, depending on whether or not neutropenia is part of a complex autoimmune disease. Furthermore, NA and NB neutrophil-specific antigens are often the target of autoantibodies in autoimmune neutropenias. These antigens are anchored to the outer leaflet of the lipid bilayer of neutrophils via a glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol structure. The chapter also discusses the mechanism of cell destruction. Many drugs cause dose-dependent neutropenia due to myelotoxicity and interference with protein synthesis and cell replication. Some drug-induced neutropenias are not dose related and are considered to be immunologic in origin. Finally, CSFs have become the treatment of choice for neutropenias regardless of their etiology.
Delivering Culturally Competent Nursing Care by Gloria Kersey-Matusiak

Nursing theorist Madeleine Leininger identified the need for nurses to provide care that is responsive to the patient’s own values, attitudes, and health beliefs over 40 years ago, but instilling t...
Time delay measurement in the frequency domain

Pump–probe studies at synchrotrons using X-ray and laser pulses require accurate determination of the time delay between pulses. This becomes especially important when observing ultrafast responses with lifetimes approaching or even less than the X-ray pulse duration (∼100 ps). The standard approach of inspecting the time response of a detector sensitive to both types of pulses can have limitations due to dissimilar pulse profiles and other experimental factors. Here, a simple alternative is presented, where the frequency response of the detector is monitored versus time delay. Measurements readily demonstrate a time resolution of ∼1 ps. Improved precision is possible by simply extending the data acquisition time.
Empirical comparison of the MEG and EEG: Animal models of the direct cortical response and epileptiform activity in neocortex

This review directly addresses the appropriateness of the dipole model as a physical representation of neocortical sources produced by evoked and spontaneous epileptiform activity in neocortex. Three dimensional electrical measurements of cellular currents in rat sensory neocortex are compared to the extracranial magnetic fields these currents produce. Comparisons are performed for the direct cortical response (DCR) evoked by electrical stimulation of the cortical surface, and for evoked and spontaneous interictal and ictal discharge of the penicillin focus in the same animal preparation. Our data support the hypothesis that evoked and epileptiform magnetic fields result from intradendritic currents oriented perpendicular to the cortical surface. Furthermore, magnetic fields can be detected from epileptic foci smaller than 3 × 3 mm2. This work provides an empirical foundation for physical models with which to interpret noninvasive neuromagnetic recordings of epileptic discharge in human focal seizure disorders. The dipole approximation appears to be appropriate for the interpretation of magnetic field phenomena in neocortex.
RF time-of-flight ranging on commodity software radios

Recent advances in RF ranging techniques have shown superior performance in difficult RF environments but either lack the practicality of a real-time implementation or lack flexibility through purpose-built hardware. We present SR2, a super-resolution ranging platform developed for the software radio environment. SR2 achieves low resource utilization and hardware complexity requirements through a coherent RF design, making SR2 realizable on commodity software radios.
Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Multiple-Grained Lead-Free Solder Interconnects

A combination of various experimental techniques was coupled with three-dimensional numerical simulation to study the strain distribution in anisotropic, heterogeneous lead (Pb)-free solder ball grid array interconnects used in electronic packages. An in situ full-field deformation map on the cross section of the joint showed a nonuniform strain distribution when the package was subjected to thermal loading. This nonuniformity was correlated with the locations of various grains on the cross section as obtained by orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) and optical microscopy. The solder interconnect was progressively sectioned and imaged under cross polarizers to discern the␣three-dimensional shapes of various grains in the solder interconnect. A methodology to replicate the three-dimensional shapes and orientations of the various grains and grain boundaries in a microstructure-based finite element model was developed. The numerical results were compared with the displacement and strain distributions obtained experimentally. The demonstrated strain localization along the grain boundaries in the case of multigrain joints and along the pad-solder interfaces in the case of the single-grain joints matched very well with the locations of plastic damage accumulation when the same interconnect was subjected to several thermal cycles.
Any Questions? An Application of Weick's Model of Organizing to Increase Student Involvement in the Large-Lecture Classroom

Microblogs, with their interactive nature, can engage students in community building and sensemaking. Using Weick's model of organizing as a framework, we integrated the use of micromessaging to increase student engagement in the large-lecture classroom. Students asked significantly more questions and asked a greater diversity of questions when micromessaging was available to them. The microblog format facilitated student-to-student connectedness, where students could post questions to the microblog alongside questions from their peers. This communication strategy provided increased requisite variety to match the equivocal nature of the large-lecture, medical humanities classroom.
Feasibility of underwater sensor networks for lifetime assessment of offshore civil structures

Recently, large-scale underwater ad-hoc networks and underwater sensor networks have drawn significant attention to explore vast possibilities in oceans. Many potential applications are possible using underwater sensor networks including biological habitat monitoring, energy harvesting and environmental monitoring. However, research on underwater structural monitoring has been limited. The focus of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of underwater sensor networks for offshore and deep-sea structural monitoring. In this paper, the network communication topology and in-network processing algorithm for two offshore wind farms, the Middelgrunden and Horn Revs offshore wind farms in Denmark, are considered based on numerical simulation using Aqua-Sim (an underwater simulation tool) for developing underwater sensor networks. An evaluation of a laboratory-scale water basin network experiments that make use of Aqua-Lab at University of Connecticut will be provided with possible future development for underwater civil infrastructure monitoring.
Differential heme oxygenase induction by stannous and stannic ions in the heart

Heme oxygenase is the rate-limiting enzyme in heme catabolism, and is induced by oxidative stress, foreign and endogenous chemicals, and many trace elements and heavy metals. This study examined the effect of the oxidative state of the heavy metal tin, on heme oxygenase-1 induction in cardiac tissue. Subcutaneous administration of stannous and stannic chloride failed to induce the enzyme in this tissue. Atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed the absence of tin in the heart cells. Investigation of several metal formulations showed that both stannous and stannic citrate were able to enter the bloodstream from the injection site and into heart tissue. Northern blot analysis revealed that heme oxygenase-1 mRNA was elevated several-fold in rat hearts from animals which received either stannous or stannic citrate, and that mRNA levels corresponded with the increase in enzyme activity. The presence of citrate facilitated the transport of the tin ion into the blood stream and possibly across cardiac cell membrane. The stannous ion was more potent as an inducer of heme oxygenase than was the stannic ion.
A precipitation dipole in eastern North America

[1] We have identified a dipole in annual precipitation across eastern North America (ENA) east of 100°W between 30°N and 60°N. This dipole appears to create spatially coherent opposing variations in precipitation with a separation of the two regions around 45°N. Annual average precipitation over ENA appears to be stable and unimodal, suggesting that the amount of overall precipitation variability is a small fraction of the mean and is largely determined by similar large scale processes. Analysis of regional average time series at interannual (3–7 year) and decadal (10–16 year) scales indicates that the dipole over the ENA region is most clearly discernible at the decadal scale. Linear regression analysis between global sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and precipitation over the two subregions in ENA suggests that SST variations in several areas of the oceans tend to be associated with opposite precipitation anomalies in the two subregions of ENA.
Recent Land Cover History and Nutrient Retention in Riparian Wetlands

Wetland ecosystems are profoundly affected by altered nutrient and sediment loads received from anthropogenic activity in their surrounding watersheds. Our objective was to compare a gradient of agricultural and urban land cover history during the period from 1949 to 1997, with plant and soil nutrient concentrations in, and sediment deposition to, riparian wetlands in a rapidly urbanizing landscape. We observed that recent agricultural land cover was associated with increases in Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) concentrations in a native wetland plant species. Conversely, recent urban land cover appeared to alter receiving wetland environmental conditions by increasing the relative availability of P versus N, as reflected in an invasive, but not a native, plant species. In addition, increases in surface soil Fe content suggests recent inputs of terrestrial sediments associated specifically with increasing urban land cover. The observed correlation between urban land cover and riparian wetland plant tissue and surface soil nutrient concentrations and sediment deposition, suggest that urbanization specifically enhances the suitability of riparian wetland habitats for the invasive species Japanese stiltgrass [Microstegium vimenium (Trinius) A. Camus].
A Preliminary Evaluation and Analysis of Technologies for Eliminating Railway Insulated Joints

This paper will investigate the feasibility of adopting innovative design concepts that could decrease the dependence on bonded insulated joints for railway track monitoring. First, the purpose of insulated joints and their historical usage are examined. Next, designs that utilize track circuits are discussed. This will be followed by a section on acoustic methods, reflectometry, and robotics.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Grading dermatologic adverse events of cancer treatments: The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0

Dermatologic adverse events to cancer therapies have become more prevalent and may to lead to dose modifications or discontinuation of life-saving or prolonging treatments. This has resulted in a new collaboration between oncologists and dermatologists, which requires accurate cataloging and grading of side effects. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 is a descriptive terminology and grading system that can be used for uniform reporting of adverse events. A proper understanding of this standardized classification system is essential for dermatologists to properly communicate with all physicians caring for patients with cancer.
Shallow land burial of low-level radioactive waste

Low-level radioactive waste has been produced since the early 1940's. Most of it has been buried in shallow pits at 11 existing sites. Several of the existing sites have performed poorly. Inability to control flow of surface and ground water into and out of disposal pits has been the most important problem. Lack of attention to design of earthen covers over the waste and improper emplacement of the waste in the pits have also contributed to poor performance. Several steps are recommended for improving disposal practices: (1) Waste settlement can be minimized by stacking wastes neatly into pits rather than dumping them randomly; (2) the earthen cover can be made to perform better by making it thicker and by maintaining it properly; and (3) groundwater contamination can be minimized by siting disposal facilities at locations with favorable geohydrologic characteristics. In addition, improved designs are needed for earthen covers, and technology for predicting ground water contamination in the saturated/unsaturated soils that underlie the waste also needs improvement.
Support Vector Machines Optimization - An Income Prediction Study

Relevant features selection through principal component analysis is employed to increase the efficiency of support vector machine (SVM) methods. In particular, a detailed study is presented on the effects of this statistical narrowing, when used to generate income prediction data based on the Current Population Survey provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. A systematic analysis of the grid parameter search, training time, accuracy, and number of support vectors shows increases not only in the efficiency of the SVM methods, but also in the classification accuracy. Proper identification of the relevant features for specific problems allows accuracy values as high as 93% against a test population, to be obtained, while reducing the total computational. Tailoring computational methods around specific real data sets is critical in designing powerful algorithms.
The experience of novice nurse faculty in an associate degree education program

Abstract The purpose of the qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the experience of the novice nursing faculty member in an associate degree nursing program. Novice nursing faculty ( N = 6) in a community college setting, with 1 to 2 years of experience in a full-time faculty position, were interviewed. Included in the study were field notes and a demographic survey. A phenomenological approach, based on the Colaizzi's School of phenomenology, was used to analyze the data. Four themes emerged: Theme 1—Dancing as Fast as I Can: The Great Learning Curve; Theme 2—Importance of the Team: The Need for Support; Theme 3—From Expert Clinician to Novice Educator: The Role Transition; Theme 4—Meeting Student Needs: The Balance in Faculty/Student Relationships; Theme 5—A Love of Teaching: The Desire to Continue. Study outcomes provide meaning for the establishment of evidence-based methods designed to attract, nurture, and retain nursing educators in associate degree education. Implications for practice, education, and research center on long-term faculty and administrative support for the novice educator. Future research in associate degree nursing education is warranted to further examine the benefits of a functioning team, to study the dynamics of faculty–student relationships, and to explore additional methods to bridge the disconnect between the clinical and academic role.
Economic geography and the department of vertical multinational production

Abstract This paper develops a two-country, two-sector monopolistic competition model to illustrate the development of vertical multinational production as a result of the tradeoff between agglomeration economies and factor-cost advantages. In the presence of demand and cost linkages, starting with manufacturing agglomeration, the model shows that in the process of economic integration or economic growth, the importance of factor-cost disadvantages ast the manufacturing center will outweigh the importance of agglomeration economies at some point, and agglomeration will break down. Some firms will have incentives to separate their production geographically to exploit factor-cost differences, and thus multinational firms will emerge.
Global Managers for Global Corporations

The context in which business is conducted worldwide is changing radically and is creating new types of global business enterprises, as well as management attitudes and practices. Consequently, a new style of management has emerged using “geopolitical” concepts as a theoretical foundation for its formulation.
Infections in burn patients

Systemic sepsis resulting from invasive infection remains the leading cause of death among patients hospitalized with major thermal injury. Prevention of infection and death in burn patients requires a thorough knowledge of the multiple predisposing factors involved and expert application of appropriate diagnostic, supportive, and therapeutic modalities. The improved survival in this population is a result of all these factors, not any one. It is this principle and the adherence to a treatment program that encompasses all the modalities which are so essential in the care of burn patients if continuing progress is to be made in this field. This article describes the current management of infection and infection control in burn patients. The burn wound and pulmonary system remain the major foci for infection in this population. Less common types of infection include suppurative thrombophlebitis, suppurative chondritis, bacterial endocarditis, urinary tract sepsis, sinusitis, intra-abdominal sepsis, and infections of the eyes. Prophylaxis protocols involve proper control of the environment and an anticipation of bacterial colonization. A number of specific monitoring and treatment guidelines have evolved that have proved effective over the years in minimizing morbidity and mortality.
Postoperative radiotherapy improves survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx.

Background: Postoperative radiation is considered to be "standard of care" therapy for advanced, resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This approach has been supported by retrospective data but has not been validated in randomized clinical trials. Patients and Methods: The present analysis examined the clinical course of 110 patients with squamous cell cancer of the hypopharynx treated with surgery alone (n = 65) and postoperative radiotherapy alone (n = 45) between 1966 and 1990. Staging of patients was performed using the 1988 American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria. Cox regression analyses identified clinical and pathologic factors that were significant for disease-free and overall survival. Crude and adjusted cancer-specific survival rates were calculated. Results: The postoperative radiotherapy group presented with more advanced disease than the surgery alone group (stage III and IV combined, 96% versus 77%, P = 0.015). Crude 5-year cancer-specific survival probabilities were 43% for the postoperative therapy group and 27% for the surgery alone group ( P = NS). Adjusted 5-year survival rates, correcting for differences in significant prognostic variables between groups, were 18% and 48%, respectively, for the surgery and postoperative radiotherapy groups ( P = 0.029). Conclusions: The addition of postoperative radiotherapy was associated with improved disease-free and adjusted overall cancer-specific survival in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cancer. The potential survival benefit of postoperative radiotherapy should be addressed in a randomized clinical trial.
Two cases of untoward sequelae associated with thiopentone

Two cases of adverse sequelae associated with the use of 2.5% thiopentone are reported: one involved extensive local venous thrombosis at the site of the injection causing great distress to the patient; the other involved a histaminoid reaction in a patient who, like others who have been reported with this type of reaction, had a history of allergy.
Multiple victimizations before and after leaving home associated with PTSD, depression, and substance use disorder among homeless youth

Exposure to multiple forms of maltreatment during childhood is associated with serious mental health consequences among youth in the general population, but limited empirical attention has focused on homeless youth-a population with markedly high rates of childhood maltreatment followed by elevated rates of street victimization. This study investigated the rates of multiple childhood abuses (physical, sexual, and emotional abuse) and multiple street victimizations (robbery, physical assault, and sexual assault) and examined their relative relationships to mental health outcomes (meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, and substance use disorder) among a large (N = 601) multisite sample of homeless youth. Approximately 79% of youth retrospectively reported multiple childhood abuses (two or more types) and 28% reported multiple street victimizations (two or more types). Each additional type of street victimization nearly doubled youths' odds for meeting criteria for substance use disorder. Furthermore, each additional type of childhood abuse experienced more than doubled youths' odds for meeting criteria for PTSD. Both multiple abuses and multiple street victimizations were associated with an approximate twofold increase in meeting depression criteria. FINDINGS suggest the need for screening, assessment, and trauma-informed services for homeless youth who consider multiple types of abuse and victimization experiences. Language: en
Efficacy of TACE in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: To evaluate whether outcomes of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) are inferior in patients 465 years old with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent TACE for the treatment of HCC between 2000 and 2010 was performed. Two groups (o1⁄4 65 years and 465 years of age) were compared based on ChildPugh score (CP), tumor/node/metastasis (TNM) stage, hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) positivity, tumor number and size, number of TACE sessions and regimen used. Imaging outcomes were assessed based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) to calculate tumor response and time to progression (TTP). Tumor response was defined as Complete or Partial Response. Disease control was defined as Stable Disease, and Complete or Partial Response. A p value o1⁄40.002 was deemed statistically significant. Results: A total of 179 treatments were performed in 97 patients, 42 of whom were 4 65. The groups had similar Child-Pugh status (p1⁄40.91), TNM stage (p1⁄40.37), HBV (p1⁄40.57), HCV (p1⁄40.1), tumor number (p1⁄40.27), tumor size (p1⁄40.61), number of treatments (p1⁄40.03) and drug type (p1⁄40.44). Tumor response was observed in 63.6% (35/55) in patients o1⁄465 and 57.1% (24/42) in those 465 (p1⁄40.52). Disease control was achieved in 69.0% (38/55) of patients o1⁄465 and 73.8% (31/42) in those 465 (p1⁄40.61). The mean time to progression was 245 days for patients o1⁄465 and 130.5 days for those 465 (p1⁄40.11). Conclusion: During a similar follow-up period, the efficacy of TACE for the treatment of HCC in elderly patients is comparable with that in a younger population. TACE should be considered a reasonable locoregional therapeutic option in elderly patients with HCC.
FreeLoc: Calibration-free crowdsourced indoor localization

Many indoor localization techniques that rely on RF signals from wireless Access Points have been proposed in the last decade. In recent years, research on crowdsourced (also known as “Organic”) Wi-Fi fingerprint positioning systems has been attracting much attention. This participatory approach introduces new challenges that no previously proposed techniques have taken into account. This paper proposes “FreeLoc”, an efficient localization method addressing three major technical issues posed in crowdsourcing based systems. Our novel solution facilitates 1) extracting accurate fingerprint values from short RSS measurement times 2) calibration-free positioning across different devices and 3) maintaining a single fingerprint for each location in a radio map, irrespective of any number of uploaded data sets for a given location. Through experiments using four different smartphones, we evaluate our new indoor positioning method. The experimental results confirm that the proposed scheme provides consistent localization accuracy in an environment where the device heterogeneity and the multiple surveyor problems exist.
Kinetic energy loss and convective acceleration in respiratory resistance measurements.

Endotracheal tube (ETT) resistance measured in isolation may differ from the effective ETT resistance in vivo. Much of this difference results from the dissipation of kinetic energy near regions of abrupt cross-sectional area change at the end of the ETT. Measurements made on an artificial ETT-tracheal model illustrate that effective ETT resistance is variable and dependent on the size of the artificial trachea. These experimental results are consistent with aerodynamic theory and suggest that one cannot assume that ETT resistance measured in isolation will be the same as the effective ETT resistance in vivo.
Intravenous hydrocarbon abuse

The case of a man who injected turpentine intravenously in an attempt to kill himself is reported. The patient developed immediate pulmonary edema and hypoxia, followed later by cellulitis at the site of injection. Although only one death to date has been attributed to this form of chemical abuse, extensive local reactions, pulmonary involvement, central nervous system depression, and febrile reactions should be anticipated, and such patients should be admitted to the hospital. Patients should be observed for local reactions and myonecrosis around the site of injection, especially as these occur 12–24 hours later.
Lipoxygenase activity in the gills of the freshwater mussel, Ligumia subrostrata

Abstract Isolated gill tissue from freshwater mussels acclimated to pondwater, metabolize exogenous arachidonic acid via the lipoxygenase pathways. 5-Hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) was identified as the principal metabolite using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Using HPLC and RIA, we also found 12-HETE to be produced at about 50% of the level of 5-HETE. Using HPLC, other lipoxygenase metabolites appeared to be synthesized by isolated gills but cyclooxygenase products were notably absent. However, both cyclooxygenase- and lipoxygenase-derived products of arachidonic acid metabolism are demonstrable in crude homogenates of mussel gills.
Quantum chaos and quantum algorithms

It was recently shown (e-print quant-ph/9909074) that parasitic random interactions between the qubits in a quantum computer can induce quantum chaos and put into question the operability of a quantum computer. In this work I investigate whether already the interactions between the qubits introduced with the intention to operate the quantum computer may lead to quantum chaos. The analysis focuses on two well-known quantum algorithms, namely, Grover's search algorithm and the quantum Fourier transform. I show that in both cases the same very unusual combination of signatures from chaotic and from integrable dynamics arises.
Critical behavior of hard-core lattice gases: Wang–Landau sampling with adaptive windows

Abstract Critical properties of lattice gases with nearest-neighbor exclusion are investigated via adaptive-window Wang–Landau sampling (WLS) on the square and simple cubic lattices, for which the model is known to exhibit an Ising-like phase transition. We study the particle density, order parameter, compressibility, Binder cumulant and susceptibility, in efforts to test WLS, which has been used quite widely in recent years, in the context of lattice gases. Of considerable interest is whether it is possible to estimate critical exponents reliably using WLS with adaptive windows. We find that the method yields results in fair agreement with exact values (in two dimensions) and numerical estimates (in three dimensions).
Skin cancer chemopreventive effects of a flavonoid antioxidant silymarin are mediated via impairment of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and perturbation in cell cycle progression.

Enhanced tyrosine kinase activity due to aberrant or overexpression of receptor and/or non-receptor tyrosine kinases has been implicated in a variety of human malignancies including cutaneous neoplasms. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation may be a primary indicator of signal transduction regulating cell growth and proliferation. Recent studies have shown that skin tumor promoters such as phorbol ester and ultraviolet B radiation activate EGFR in mouse skin as well as in cell culture. Similarly, oxidative stress, which is implicated in skin tumor promotion, also activates EGFR-mediated cell signaling. Since this signaling pathway has been suggested to be involved in skin tumor promotion, its impairment by antioxidants may lead to an efficient way for skin cancer prevention and therapy. Recently, we showed that silymarin, a flavonoid antioxidant, affords exceptionally high to complete protection against several skin tumor promoters caused tumor promotion in mouse skin. Employing human epidermoid carcinoma cells A431 that contain overexpressed EGFR, in this study, we assessed whether the anti-skin tumor promoting effects of silymarin are due to its inhibitory effect on EGFR activation and down stream signaling pathway leading to perturbations in cell cycle progression. Treatment of cells with silymarin resulted in a significant inhibition of ligand-induced activation of EGFR with no change in its protein levels. Silymarin treatment also resulted in a significant decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc, an immediate downstream target of EGFR, but no change in the protein levels of Shc. The inhibition of EGFR activation by silymarin was associated with a highly significant to complete inhibition of EGFR intrinsic kinase activity. Cells treated with silymarin also showed a significant G2-M arrest in cell cycle progression, and a highly significant inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that skin cancer chemopreventive effects of silymarin are mediated via impairment of EGFR signaling which ultimately leads to perturbation in cell cycle progression resulting in the inhibition of proliferation and induction of growth arrest.
Multiple sclerosis: Switching sides--fingolimod versus injectable MS therapies.

A new study shows that in patients with multiple sclerosis who exhibit active disease despite disease-modifying therapy, a switch to fingolimod is more effective than continuation of IFN-β or glatiramer acetate for preventing relapses and worsening of disability. These data support the utility of treatment escalation to improve disease control.
Reliability and failure mode investigation of high-power multimode InGaAs strained quantum well single emitters

In recent years record performance characteristics from multi-mode InGaAs strained quantum well single emitters at 920-980nm have been reported including a maximum CW optical output power of ~20W and a power conversion efficiency of ~75%. These excellent performance characteristics are only possible through combined optimization of laser structure design, chip fabrication processes, and packaging. Whereas broad area multi-mode single emitters likely have sufficient reliability for industrial uses, reliability of these lasers still remains a concern for communications applications including deployment in potential space satellite systems where high reliability is required. Most of previous reports on these lasers have been focused on their performance characteristics with very limited reports on failure mode analysis although understanding the physics of failure is crucial in developing a proper lifetime model for these lasers. We thus report on the reliability and failure mode analysis of high power multi-mode single emitters. The lasers studied were broad area strained InGaAs single QW lasers at 940-980nm with typical aperture widths of around 100mm. At an injection current of 7A typical CW output powers were over 6W at 25°C with a wall plug efficiency of ~60%. First, various lasing characteristics were measured including spatial and thermal characteristics that are critical to understanding performance and reliability of these devices. ACC burn-in tests with different stress conditions were performed on these devices until their failure. We report accelerated lifetest results with over 5000 accumulated test hours. Finally, we report failure mode investigation results of the degraded lasers.
Use of biosolids in the forest: technology, economics and regulations

Abstract Biosolids represent a major waste by-product from society that must be managed in responsible ways. Because of its high nutrient and organic matter content, biosolids can be beneficially recycled into forest sites for site improvement purposes. Research to date on forest application of biosolids has clearly demonstrated the validity of this management technique. Since the early 1970s, many aspects of biosolids use in forests have been investigated, leading to the development of application techniques, operations and management practices, and assessment of environmental impacts. Growth response measurements suggest that, depending upon the actual transportation cost, there is a high potential that the additional growth will either offset or exceed the costs of applications. To supplement technological advances and documentation of benefits, new regulations, based on technically sound exposure risk assessment, and guidelines describe the framework for proper management practices. These will often include recommendations for site selection, site design and site plans. This paper describes the major advances in technology, economics and regulations that have made the forest an attractive alternative for biosolids use.
Raman Spectroscopic Detection of Changes in Bioapatite in Mouse Femora as a Function of Age and In Vitro Fluoride Treatment

Laser Raman microprobe spectroscopy, which characterizes the molecular structure of a mineral, was used to analyze microscopically small regions of bioapatite in mouse femora in order to study the effect of mouse age and in vitro fluoride treatment on the bone mineral (i.e., mineral identity and degree of crystallinity). Both femora that had and those that had not undergone in vitro NaF treatment underwent point analysis of 1 micron spots in the center of the compact bone's cross-section. The Raman spectra of bones treated with fluoride showed a peak up-shift of the PO4 vibration mode from 961 to 964 delta cm-1 indicating a conversion from a carbonated hydroxylapatitic to a carbonated fluorapatitic mineral phase. The spectral band width of the 961 delta cm-1 PO4 vibration in femora of 4-, 10-, and 24-week-old mice showed that aging, as well as in vitro treatment with 1.5 M NaF for 12 hours, significantly increases the degree of crystallinity of the bioapatite. In vitro fluoridation of 10-week-old mouse femora increased the bioapatite's degree of crystallinity to about the same degree as did aging to 24 weeks. Four-point bending tests indicated that the age-related increase in crystallinity of untreated bones was associated with decreased deformation to failure, i.e., increased brittleness. In contrast, the increased crystallinity following fluoridation of 10-week-old bones was associated with increased deformation, i.e., increased ductility, perhaps due to the altered mineral composition. This study shows that the laser Raman microprobe readily detects the conversion of carbonated hydroxylapatite to carbonated fluorapatite, as well as changes in crystallinity of either mineral phase, in microscopically small regions of a bone sample.
Characterization of the Assaying Methods in Polymerization-Based Amplification of Surface Biomarkers

Polymerization-based amplification (PBA), which combines bio-recognition events with polymerization reactions on surfaces, provides visual, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of biological interactions, particularly at extremely low levels of the targeted biological moiety. This study characterizes assay parameters that enhance the utility of PBA to detect nucleic acid and protein biomarkers. Here, we successfully employ PBA on surfaces that contain uniform, high density, immobilized capture molecules, including three-dimensional nitrocellulose-coated substrates. Optimized assay and polymerization conditions are used to characterize the dynamic polymer film heights on glass substrates that result from solutions of KRAS proto-oncogene biomarker targets at concentrations between 5 nM and 500 pM. Differing aqueous monomer formulations are utilized to produce 20 nm films at the 500 pM DNA detection limit.
Ensuring NCLEX-RN Success for First-Time Test-Takers

A major indicator of baccalaureate nursing program effectiveness is the pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examinations, Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) among first-time candidates. This article highlights the scope, instructional methods, and outcomes of the remediation program at Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies (GU-NHS). With implementation of the multifaceted program, the NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time takers at GU-NHS has been consistently above the national mean among all first-time candidates. Although it is impossible to determine which strategy made the greatest contribution to the success of the program, the cumulative effect is impressive and indicates the students are prepared for the challenge of the examination and contemporary nursing practice.
A thermodynamic analysis of refrigerants: Performance limits of the vapor compression cycle

This paper explores the thermodynamic performance limits of the vapor compression cycle. We have applied evolutionary algorithms to explore the performance of hypothetical refrigerants defined by the thermodynamic parameters used by the extended corresponding states model for fluid properties. We identified optimal values of these parameters required to reach the performance limits. The study confirmed the fundamental trade-off between the coefficient of performance (COP) and volumetric capacity, and indicated refrigerant critical temperature as the dominant parameter influencing the tradeoff. Thermodynamic performance limits depend on the operating conditions and the cycle design. These limits are represented by Pareto fronts developed for the objective functions COP and volumetric capacity. As expected, the performance of current refrigerants falls below the Pareto front limits. We demonstrate that for practical cycles the developed methodology and resulting Pareto fronts are more realistic benchmarks for the performance potentials of refrigerants than is COP alone, which is an efficiency only metric.
Parenteral nutrition: a clear and present danger unabated by tight glucose control.

Abstract Background The infectious risks of parenteral nutrition (PN) in critical illness are well described, although most literature predates tight glucose control (TGC) practice. The authors hypothesized that PN-related complications are ameliorated by TGC and are equivalent to those in enteral nutrition (EN) patients. Methods A prospective cohort study of patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit was conducted, comparing PN and EN patients. TGC target was 80 to 110 mg/dL. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the association between infectious outcomes and PN use. Results One hundred fifty-five patients were studied. Mean daily glucose values were lower for the PN group than for the EN patients (118.2 vs 125.6 mg/dL, P = .002). Nonetheless, the incidence of bloodstream infection and catheter-related bloodstream infection was significantly associated with the administration of PN. In a multivariate logistic regression model, PN was associated with a >4-fold increase in the odds of having a catheter-related bloodstream infection (odds ratio, 4.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–17.49; P = .03). Conclusions Despite the successful implementation of TGC, PN is still a significant risk factor for infectious complications among surgical intensive care unit patients.
Collaborative management and e-government: a survey of state government CIOs

Collaboration is one of the ways to enhance the successful adoption of Electronic Government or e-government projects. This study examines several dimensions of collaborative management and e-government through the lens of state governments. A survey was conducted of state government Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and the key findings indicate a high level of agreement that collaboration and e-government is having an impact on communication, trust and standards within state governments. Citizens were collaborated with the least in e-government, while the most collaboration occurred within the state government. Most importantly, the more citizens get involved in e-government decision-making, the more this leads to greater use of the principles of effective collaboration.
Enzymatic Oxidation and Reduction of C19-Δ5-3β-Hydroxysteroids by Hepatic Microsomes. III. Critical Period for the Neonatal Differentiation of Certain Mixed-Function Oxidases

The gonadal dependence of certain hepatic enzymes has been studied in neonatal and pubertal rats with 14C-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA). Microsomes from rats of 20, 40, 70 and 105 days of age produced 7α- and 7β-OH-DHA, and 7-keto-DHA in addition to 16-oxygenated products and A5-diol. The rates of 7α-hydroxylation (nmoles min-1mg-1) characteristic of adult males had appeared at 40 days of age and progressively increased thereafter. This transformation by tissue from females decreased from the values of 20-day-old animals to a constant minimum level. The formation of 16-keto-A5-diol, 16α-0H-DHA and A5-triol was significantly reduced from normal values in 70-day-old males which had been castrated at 1, 10 or 40 days of age. The rates of production of these 16-oxygenated metabolites were proportional to the age of castration, with neonatally castrated males having the lowest rates, similar to those of intact adult females. The pubertal increase of the 7α-hydroxylase activity was also prevented by castration o...
No knowledge but through information

This article argues for the following: 1. Information is a thing to be handled and controlled; knowledge is not. 2. Knowledge can be managed only indirectly, through the management of information. 3. Personal knowledge management (PKM) is, therefore, best regarded as a subset of personal information management (PIM) – but a very useful subset addressing important issues that otherwise might be overlooked.
Voltage Sensor Module in NaV1.4: S1-S3 Charges Regulate Fast Inactivation

We investigated the role of charged amino acid residues in the extracellular (ENC) and intracellular (INC) clusters of S1-S3 segments for each of four domains in skeletal muscle sodium channel NaV1.4. We used charge reversing and substituting mutations to show that the extracellular cluster of negative charge in domains III and IV promotes fast inactivation and limits its recovery. E1051R (S1) and D1069K (S2) in domain II slowed entry of channels into fast inactivation and accelerated recovery; E1051D and D1069E each rescued wild type fast inactivation parameters. In domain IV, destabilization of the fast-inactivated state by E1373K (S1) was not rescued in the E1373N mutation, whereas charge-dependent destabilization of fast inactivation was observed with mutations at N1389 (S2). Mutations within the ENC of domains I and II produced lesser effects on fast inactivation, but did inhibit activation. Effects on charge reversing mutations within the INC included an increase in the probability of fast inactivation from closed states. Homology models of the voltage sensor module of each domain were constructed from alignment of sequences of hNaV1.4 to NaVAb, using Modeller. Homology models were constructed for S1 through S4-S5 linker regions, basing the models on the data inferred from the crystal structure of the bacterial sodium channel (Payandeh et al., 2011). The models for hNaV1.4 voltage sensor module in domains I to IV support the hypothesis that S1-S3 counter charges influence the movement of S4 during activation and may explain the effects of mutations in these segments to regulate fast inactivation in a mammalian sodium channel.
Characterization of Escherichia coli B glycogen synthase enzymatic reactions and products.

Abstract Previous reports implicate UDPglucose as an active glucosyl donor for the unprimed reaction and “glucoprotein” formation in glycogen biosynthesis in Escherichia coli . Results presented here indicate that UDPglucose and GDPglucose are glucosyl donors in the primed and unprimed reactions catalyzed by purified E. coli B glycogen synthase at less than 5% the rate observed when ADPglucose is the donor. The unprimed reaction is stimulated by 0.25 m citrate and a high molecular weight product is formed similar to that produced when ADPglucose is the glucosyl donor. Physiological amounts of branching enzyme and high concentrations of glycogen inhibit transfer from UDPglucose and GDPglucose. In addition, transfer from UDPglucose is inhibited by ADPglucose. These results strongly suggest that ADPglucose is the physiological donor in both the primed and unprimed reactions. Furthermore, these and previously reported results suggest that one enzyme is involved in the catalysis of the primed, unprimed, and TCA-insoluble product formation reactions. Antiserum prepared against purified E. coli B glycogen synthase inactivates transfer of glucose from either ADPglucose or UDPglucose in the above reactions catalyzed by E. coli B crude extracts. Purified E. coli B glycogen synthase preparations contain significant amounts of α-glucan primer. Evidence shows that this glucan is not covalently attached to the enzyme. Results presented show that formation of material insoluble in TCA and previously considered to be due to “glucoprotein” formation, is in fact due to the generation of long chain length glucan molecules intrinsically acid insoluble. The data suggest that previous results purported to be de novo synthesis of glycogen are due to glucan associated with the glycogen synthase and not to formation of a “glucoprotein” intermediate which then acts as primer for further oligosaccharide synthesis.
Isoperimetric estimates in products

In a product M 1 × M 2 of Riemannian manifolds, the least perimeter required to enclose given volume among general regions is at least 1/√ 2 times that among regions of product form, assuming that the isoperimetric profiles of M 1 and M 2 are concave. This result sharpens earlier work of Grigor'yan, generalizes results of Bollobas and Leader and of Barthe, and yields a lower bound on the Cheeger isoperimetric constant of a product.