cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A phase i study of ixazomib and erlotinib in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Background. Preclinical studies have shown that the combined inhibition of EGFR and NF-kB pathways to target the RalB/TBK1 pathway led to synergistic antitumor activity. Based on this rationale, we conducted a Phase I dose-escalation study combining the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib with the NF-kB inhibitor ixazomib in advanced solid tumors. Patients and methods. Patients with advanced solid tumors were eligible. The bayesian optimal interval phase I dose escalation design was used to establish the maximum tolerated dose and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Results. Nineteen patients with a range of solid tumors were enrolled. The most common treatment-related adverse events of any grade were diarrhea (42.1%, 8/19), followed by rash (36.8%, 7/19) and nausea (21.1%, 4/19). The combination RP2D for oral ixazomib was 4.0 mg on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle, with oral erlotinib 150 mg daily. While no patient achieved RECIST v1.1 objective responses, 3 patients with advanced sarcoma experienced durable RECIST v1.1 stable disease ≥ 6 months (8.4, 10.6, and 15.7 months) and the best response was -13% decrease in clear cell sarcoma. Conclusions. The combination of erlotinib and ixazomib was safe and well tolerated among patients with advanced cancer, with preliminary signals of antitumor activity in patients with advanced sarcoma.
Central Banks Retail Digital Currencies: Risks and Prospects of Emission

Currently, there are several dozen countries worldwide, developing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). However, their emission is associated not only with potential benefits, but also with significant risks. This explains the caution of the monetary authorities when making decisions to launch such projects.
Iatrogenic Urinary Tract Injuries: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Iatrogenic injury to the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is a potential complication of surgical procedures performed in or around the retroperitoneal abdominal space or pelvis. While both diagnostic and interventional radiologists often play a central and decisive role in the identification and initial management of a variety of iatrogenic injuries, discussions of these injuries are often directed toward specialists such as urologists, obstetricians, gynecologists, and general surgeons whose procedures are most often implicated in iatrogenic urinary tract injuries. Interventional radiologic procedures can also be a source of an iatrogenic urinary tract injury. This review describes the clinical presentation, risk factors, imaging findings, and management of iatrogenic renal vascular and urinary tract injuries, as well as the radiologist's role in the diagnosis, treatment, and cause of these injuries.
Model Predictive Control

Chapter 4 showed that the controllability of sheet and film processes can be quantified in terms of the accuracy of the signs of the process gains. It was also shown that constraint handling is unnecessary for many sheet and film processes, provided that the controller is designed to be robust to model uncertainties. On the other hand, explicit constraint-handling may be required for processes with especially stringent actuator constraints or large disturbances.
TCAS II USE OF ADS-B SURVEILLANCE DATA THROUGH HYBRID SURVEILLANCE.

This paper describes a technique that enables TCAS II to use passive surveillance data obtained via extended squitter, an implementation of automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B). The t...
A Matlab toolbox for calculating spring indices from daily meteorological data

Metrics to track seasonal transitions are needed for a wide variety of ecological and climatological applications. Here a MATLAB?toolkit for calculating spring indices is documented. The spring indices have been widely used in earlier studies to model phenological variability and change through time across a wide range of spatial scales. These indices require only daily minimum and maximum temperature observations (e.g., from meteorological records) as input along with latitude, and produce a day of year value corresponding to the simulated average timing of first leaf and first bloom events among three plant cultivars. Core functions to calculate the spring indices require no external dependencies, and data for running several illustrative test cases are included. Instructions and routines for conducing more sophisticated monitoring and modeling studies using the spring indices are also supplied and documented. Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted HighlightsSpring indices can be used to characterize spring onset across a wide range of spatial scales.These indices are based on phenological models, but can be computed from meteorological data.We present software and documentation for calculating spring indices.Some basic examples of the potential uses and extensions of the spring indices are also shown.
Incidence of neuropathic pain after cooled radiofrequency ablation of sacral lateral branch nerves.

Objective To determine the incidence of neuropathic pain after cooled radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the sacral lateral branches for the treatment of chronic posterior sacroiliac joint complex pain. Design Retrospective chart review of all patients with chronic posterior sacroiliac joint complex pain who underwent cooled RFA of the sacral lateral branches in our practice between July 2011 and February 2014. Setting Single academic pain practice at a tertiary care medical center. Subjects Thirty-six patients with chronic posterior sacroiliac joint complex pain. Methods All charts were reviewed to determine the procedure date, unilateral or bilateral, number of levels treated, and number of individual lesions. Side effects were assessed for their presence or absence, character, intensity, duration, and whether treatment was initiated or symptoms resolved spontaneously. Results Forty-eight separate procedures were performed, with a total of 193 levels and 430 lesions. Three patients had transient postprocedure neuropathic pain yielding a 0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] ± 0.4%) rate of this complication per lesion. This proportion increases to 6.2% (95% CI ± 3.5%) per procedure and to 9.4% (95% CI ± 5.2%) per patient. Conclusion The incidence of postprocedural neuropathic pain after cooled RFA for posterior sacroiliac joint complex denervation is low and in a similar range to that in the lumbar spine. We consider this procedure safe to be utilized by pain medicine practitioners.
3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine as the tyrosinase cofactor. Occurrence in melanoma and binding constant.

Abstract 3,4-Dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (dopa) has been shown to account for the cofactor activity for tyrosinase contained in extracts of hamster melanoma. Dopa has been identified by several different comparisons with an authentic sample and by conversion to two derivatives. The amount of dopa in the tumor (4 to 8 µg per g) has been estimated by cofactor assay and fluorometry. A Km value for dopa as a cofactor was estimated to be about 2 x 10-6 m, much lower than its Km as a sole substrate (5 x 10-4 m).
Quantification of components contributing to rate-reducing resistance in a plant virus pathosystem

In fungal pathosystems, it has been shown that rate-reducing resistance can be separated into components to mechanistically explain why epidemics are fast or slow, as affected by host genotype. Components of resistance to plant viruses may be quantified in a similar fashion but with several subcomponents added to account for alternative weed hosts and/ or infected volunteers that are of primary importance to initiate epidemics and for vectors which are essential for transmission. Epidemiological principles and operational definitions were developed and utilized to identify and quantify components contributing to rate- reducing resistance in theCapsicum annuum L./weed hosts/tobacco etch virus (TEV)/aphid pathosystem. Pepper genotypes which could be infected with TEV, but delayed symptom appearance and slowed the rate of virus antigen accumulation over time, were also found to have a rate-reducing affect on TEV epidemics in the fieid compared to fully susceptible genotypes. Rate-reducing genotypes were found to have lower receptivities, represent smaller lesions (epidemiologically), had longer latent periods, and produced fewer viruliferous aphids over time, compared to susceptible pepper genotypes. Insect vector(s) and weed hosts were found to be important subcomponents of the pathosystem and these have also been quantified and related to the development of TEV epidemics in time and space. Substantial yield benefits were realized when rate-reducing resistance was deployed to control TEV. The use of resistant cultivars to reduce the apparent infection rate should increase the effectiveness of disease control tactics that reduce initial inoculum.
El neoliberalismo y los derechos sociales.Una visión desde la economía y la política

Este trabajo intenta explicar las causas fundamentales del auge mundial de la posguerra, para cotejarlas contra el desempeno mundial 1975–2000. Se atiende esencialmente a la contrastacion entre la defensa de los derechos sociales, entendidos como la combinacion de derechos civiles y derechos economicos. Ademas, se ofrece un bosquejo inicial de lo que podrian ser los ejes articuladores de una propuesta que permita superar el neoliberalismo
Forecasts and Earnings

This paper examines the interaction between an analyst's disclosure and a manager's earnings report. We show how the nature of the analyst's information affects the quality of reported earnings. We also provide conditions for the analyst's disclosure to reduce the quality of investor information in total (i.e., from all sources). Finally, we offer some comparative static results pertaining to earnings quality and derive empirical predictions for short-window event studies and long-window association studies.
The Identification and Characterization of Oxidized RNAs in Alzheimer's Disease

It has been shown that cytoplasmic RNA oxidation occurs to a great extent in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The goal of this study was to isolate and identify oxidized RNA species in AD. We show that significant amounts of poly(A)+ mRNAs are oxidized in AD brains. RNA oxidation is not random but highly selective. Importantly, many identified oxidized mRNA species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Quantitative analysis revealed that some mRNA species are more susceptible to oxidative damage. We also investigated the biological consequence of oxidatively damaged mRNAs by expressing them in cell lines. Our data indicated that abnormal processing of proteins occurred to the oxidized mRNAs. This may implicate the potential contribution of RNA oxidation in the pathogenesis of AD.
Deportees and Crime in Barbados

This analysis seeks to shed light on the impact of criminal deportees on Caribbean societies by focusing on Barbados. It asks the question: Is it the case that criminal deportees are introducing 'sophisticated' criminal activities to Barbados? To answer this question, the analysis draws upon three sets of data. The first set of data comprises the official statistics of "crimes reported to the Barbados police service" over the 20-year period 1980-1999. The second set comprises the number of criminal deportees arriving in Barbados annually between 1985 and 1999/2000 as supplied by the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Barbados police service. And the third set of data comprises the results of interviews conducted with members of the CID, the Attorney General of Barbados, crime beat reporters, and data gathered from the archives of the Barbados Advocate and the Barbados Nation. Two conclusions are drawn from this analysis.
Termite: a swarm intelligent routing algorithm for mobile wireless ad-hoc networks

A biologically inspired algorithm is presented to route messages in mobile wireless ad-hoc networks. Such computer networks are primarily characterized by their quickly changing topologies due to frequent node mobility. The principles of swarm intelligence are used to define a probabilistic algorithm for which routing through paths of maximum utility is an emergent property. This adaptive algorithm, dubbed Termite, uses stigmergy to reduce the amount of control traffic needed to maintain performance. Strong routing robustness is achieved through the use of multiple paths; each packet is routed randomly and independently. Once the basic operation of Termite is verified, alternative metric estimation techniques are tested via simulation. Optimal system parameters are selected by testing over orders of magnitude. A simple analytical model is built in order to explain the simulation results. The model also used to propose two heuristics for determining the optimal pheromone decay rate. All of the enhancements to Termite, now known as ReTermite, are consolidated and tested against Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV), a leading ad-hoc routing algorithm. ReTermite is shown to be superior in many primary metrics and the reasons for this explained. Previous heuristic models are also compared to simulation results.
On optimal partitioning of realtime traffic over multiple paths

Multipath transport provides higher usable bandwidth for a session. It has also been shown to provide load balancing and error resilience for end-to-end multimedia sessions. Two key issues in the use of multiple paths are (1) how to minimize the end-to-end delay, which now includes the delay along the paths and the resequencing delay at the receiver, and (2) how to select paths. In this paper, we present an analytical framework for the optimal partitioning of realtime multimedia traffic that minimizes the total end-to-end delay. Specifically, we formulate optimal traffic partitioning as a constrained optimization problem using deterministic network calculus, and derive its closed form solution. Compared with previous work, our scheme is simpler to implement and enforce. This analysis also greatly simplifies the solution to the path selection problem as compared to previous efforts. Analytical results show that for a given flow and a set of paths, we can choose a minimal subset to achieve the minimum end-to-end delay with O(N) time, where N is the number of available paths. The selected path set is optimal in the sense that adding any rejected path to the set will only increase the end-to-end delay.
Synthesis and infeasibility analysis for stochastic models of biochemical systems using statistical model checking and abstraction refinement

The stochastic dynamics of biochemical reaction networks can be modeled using a number of succinct formalisms all of whose semantics are expressed as Continuous Time Markov Chains (CTMC). While some kinetic parameters for such models can be measured experimentally, most are estimated by either fitting to experimental data or by performing ad hoc, and often manual search procedures. We consider an alternative strategy to the problem, and introduce algorithms for automatically synthesizing the set of all kinetic parameters such that the model satisfies a given high-level behavioral specification. Our algorithms, which integrate statistical model checking and abstraction refinement, can also report the infeasibility of the model if no such combination of parameters exists. Behavioral specifications can be given in any finitely monitorable logic for stochastic systems, including the probabilistic and bounded fragments of linear and metric temporal logics. The correctness of our algorithms is established using a novel combination of arguments based on survey sampling and uniform continuity. We prove that the probability of a measurable set of paths is uniformly and jointly continuous with respect to the kinetic parameters. Under a suitable technical condition, we also show that the unbiased statistical estimator for the probability of a measurable set of paths is monotonic in the parameter space. We apply our algorithms to two benchmark models of biochemical signaling, and demonstrate that they can efficiently find parameter regimes satisfying a given high-level behavioral specification. In particular, we show that our algorithms can synthesize up to 6 parameters, simultaneously, which is more than that reported by any other synthesis algorithm for stochastic systems. Moreover, when parameter estimation is desired, as opposed to synthesis, we show that our approach can scale to even higher dimensional spaces, by identifying the single parameter combination that maximizes the probability of the behavior being true in an 11-dimensional system.
Pawley and Rietveld refinements using electron diffraction from L12-type intermetallic Au3Fe1-x nanocrystals during their in-situ order-disorder transition

Abstract During the in-situ order–disorder transition of intermetallic L12-type Au3Fe1−x nanocrystals, structural information has been retrieved from their electron diffraction patterns based on the Pawley refinement that is unrelated to the electron kinematical or dynamical scattering nature as well as the Rietveld refinement using a kinematical approximation. At room temperature, it was found that the nanocrystals contain approximately x=40% vacancies at the Fe site. Based on in-situ heating this phase displayed an irreversible order–disorder transition, with the transition temperature between 553 and 593 K. A sudden increase in lattice parameter was detected during the first heating from the ordered phase, while the second heating of the disordered phase showed only a linear relationship with temperature. From the lattice parameter measurement of the disordered phase, the coefficient of thermal expansion was estimated as 1.462×10−5 K−1. The long-range order parameter S was determined by the refined site occupancies, as well as the integrated intensities of the superlattice (1 0 0) and fundamental (2 2 0) reflections using the Pawley and Rietveld refinements during the order–disorder transition. Considering the dynamical scattering effect, Blackman two-beam approximation theory was applied to corrected S, which slightly attenuated after the correction. A comparison of the electron diffraction with X-ray diffraction data was made. It was demonstrated that elemental and structural information could be retrieved through quantitative electron diffraction studies of the nanomaterials. Since the Pawley refinement algorithm does not include the electron scattering event, it is especially useful to refine the electron diffraction data regardless of the sample thickness.
Helplessness in Early Childhood: The Role of Contingent Worth

This article presents an expanded view of the bases of helpless reactions to failure. This view stems from recent findings of helplessness in young children. Previous formulations have stressed the attainment of invariant trait conceptions as a necessary condition for helplessness to occur and have suggested that children are relatively invulnerable to helplessness prior to this attainment. We review a series of studies documenting that key aspects of helplessness are present in preschool and early elementary school children (ages 4-7). We then propose a preliminary model in which (a) a general conception of self and (b) the notion of this self as an object of contingent worth are sufficient conditions for helplessness. We integrate this view with Dweck and Leggett's model of helplessness in older individuals, in which more differentiated trait conceptions play an important role.
The Gromov–Wasserstein Distance: A Brief Overview

We recall the construction of the Gromov–Wasserstein distance and concentrate on quantitative aspects of the definition.
An In Situ Raman Spectroscopy Study of the Anodic Oxidation of Copper in Alkaline Media

This paper reports that in situ Raman spectroscopy measurements were made during the anodic oxidation of copper in 1M and 6M KOH solutions. The formation of Cu{sub 2}O occurs at potentials corresponding to the first anodic voltammetric peak (A1), and a porous layer of Cu(OH){sub 2} composed of fine needle-like crystals is formed at the second voltammetric peak (A2). The compact underlayer of cuprous oxide is transformed to another species (presumably CuO) at potentials above O mV vs. Hg/HgO. At potentials near oxygen evolution, an unidentified trivalent species appears. The reduction of the oxide is shown to be strongly influenced by illumination. Under irradiation, the underlayer is first reduced to Cu{sub 2}O at around 0 mV vs. Hg/HgO, followed by Cu(OH){sub 2} reduction to copper, and finally Cu{sub 2}O reduction to copper metal. Without intense illumination, the p-type semiconductive properties of the underlying Cu{sub 2}O layer make it act as a Schottky barrier, causing the large degree of irreversibility found in this system.
Inhibition of Metal Hydrogenation Catalysts by Biogenic Impurities

We show that supported Ni, Pt, and Pd catalysts used for liquid phase hydrogenation are inhibited by the biogenic impurities present in biologically-derived feedstocks used to produce high-value chemicals. The effects of thiamine HCl, cysteine, methionine, biotin, tryptophan, niacin, threonine, and p-aminobenzoic acid were elucidated by collecting adsorption isotherms of these species and by quantifying their influence on the rate of cyclohexene hydrogenation at 323 K. Inhibition increases in the order of Pd < Pt < Ni and generally correlates with the binding energies of sulfur and nitrogen. The equilibrium constants reported here for adsorption of these species on Ni, Pt, and Pd can facilitate the design of separation systems and new catalysts used for upgrading biologically-produced platform molecules.
Concentration Effect on the Hydrogen-Bond Strength between Small Molecules at the Oil/Water Interface: Application to Coarse-Grained Model Development

Oil-water interface are ubiquitous in nature and are particularly important in biology as a simplified model for the membrane-water system. This model is used to study the transfer of biological molecules across the membrane. We are interested in the thermodynamic behavior across the bulk oil, oil/water interface and the bulk water at varying alcohol concentrations. In addition to all atom simulations, we also performed coarse-grain simulations using the SDK model. In oil/water interface, the alcohols behaves differently at different concentration. Lower concentrations of alcohol prefers associative behavior but at higher concentration it becomes less associative. All of the simulations and free energy calculations were carried out with NAMD version 2.9 and for coarse-grain we used LAMMPS. System were described with the CHARMM27 force field. The TIP3P model was used for water. The results we obtained are compared with the existing theoretical and experimental findings.
Calcium compartmentation in cardiac tissue culture: the effects of extracellular sodium depletion.

The effect of extracellular sodium depletion upon cellular calcium distribution in myocardial tissue culture is studied with the use of sucrose or lithium chloride as substitutes for sodium. With sucrose substitution more than 50% of the increase in calcium at the cellular surface secondary to [Na] 0 depletion is probably localized to a screening layer with the remainder bound to the sarcolemma of the cell. Calcium distribution (sucrose substituted) is studied under three different perfusion conditions: (1) In HEPES-buffered perfusate (pH=7.1–7.35) the 113% gain in Ca at the cellular surface upon 33 m m [Na] 0 perfusion is rapidly exchangeable, completely lanthanum (La) displaceable and more than 90% reversible. 5×10 −5 verapamil does not affect the response. (2) In 10 m m P i (phosphate) solution at pH=7.15, in which a slowly exchangeable mitochondrial Ca compartment is added, the gain in Ca after low [Na] 0 is again rapidly exchangeable and 85% reversible—that is, similar to the response in HEPES-buffered solution. (3) In 10 m m P i solution at pH=7.35 in which slow phase calcium uptake in 133 m m [Na] 0 is increased, the initial rapid Ca response to low [Na] 0 is similar to that in (1) and (2) but the slow phase uptake rate is further increased by 3.75 times. The major portion of this uptake is not reversible upon return to 133 m m [Na] 0 . The results distinguish two markedly different effects of [Na] 0 depletion in tissue culture dependent upon the pre Na-depletion state of Ca compartmentation: (1) Addition of almost all the calcium to rapidly exchangeable sites at the cellular surface when exchange is limited to these sites and to mitochondria. (2) Further addition of calcium to more slowly exchangeable cellular site(s) when slow phase uptake is increased, by elevation of P i at pH=7.35, prior to low [Na] 0 perfusion.
In vitro amino acid incorporation into particle protein from maize seedlings

An amino acid incorporating system has been isolated from young maize seedlings. The addition of adenosine triphosphate, an adenosine triphosphate generator, guanosine triphosphate, MgCl2, KCl, and a soluble component are required for the incorporation of [I−14C]leucine into washed 105 000 × g centrifuged particles. The incorporation is rapid and almost exclusively into particle protein. Although the soluble component can be supplied by the pH 5 precipitate from rat liver, the maize 105 000 × g supernatant is required for full activity of the particles.
Why Koreans are more likely to favor "Apology," While Americans are more likely to favor "Thank You"

Two studies investigated whether apologies or thanks are preferred in asking favors in the United States and Korea, and how this relates to perceptions of reduction in positive and negative face threats. In the first study (n = 224), participants composed an e-mail message where a favor was asked. In the second (n = 807), participants completed questionnaires including a prototypical e-mail for the situation described in Study 1, as well as measures of negative and positive face threats. Findings showed that (a) Koreans more frequently included apologies in favor-asking messages, while Americans more frequently included thanks; and (b) Americans considered repeated thanks to reduce the threat to hearers' negative and positive face, but Koreans considered repeated apologies to reduce the threat to speakers' positive face.
Cooling Air Temperature and Mass Flow Rate Control for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Battery Thermal Management

Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries are widely used in electric and hybrid electric vehicles for energy storage. However, a Li-ion battery’s lifespan and performance is reduced if it’s overheated during operation. To maintain the battery’s temperature below established thresholds, the heat generated during charge/discharge must be removed and this requires an effective cooling system. This paper introduces a battery thermal management system (BTMS) based on a dynamic thermal-electric model of a cylindrical battery. The heat generation rate estimated by this model helps to actively control the air mass flow rate. A nonlinear back-stepping controller and a linear optimal controller are developed to identify the ideal cooling air temperature which stabilizes the battery core temperature. The simulation of two different operating scenarios and three control strategies has been conducted. Simulation results indicate that the proposed controllers can stabilize the battery core temperature with peak tracking errors smaller than 2.4°C by regulating the cooling air temperature and mass flow rate. Overall the controllers developed for the battery thermal management system show improvements in both temperature tracking and cooling system power conservation, in comparison to the classical controller. The next step in this study is to integrate these elements into a holistic cooling configuration with AC system compressor control to minimize the cooling power consumption.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
MOSFET miniaturization — From one micron to the limits

Abstract A review of the status of current 1 μm NMOS and CMOS advanced technologies is followed by a discussion of design and technology approaches to submicron MOSFET's. Fundamental limits to miniaturization are reviewed for both devices and interconnections and for dynamic RAM as well as logic applications. The impact of low-temperature operation on miniaturized structures is also discussed.
The Effect of Orientational Distribution of Nanotubes on Buckypaper Nanocomposite Mechanical Properties

This study is concerned with the effects of single-wall carbon nanotubes’ orientational distribution in the buckypaper on the overall mechanical properties of a buckypaper nanocomposite. A micromechanical model that includes prescribed orientational dependence and anisotropy of nanotubes is considered. The model is based on the Mori-Tanaka approach. The validity of the model is discussed in the context of rigorous classical bounds. The results show that all five transversely isotropic effective moduli of buckypaper nanocomposites show strong dependence on the degree of nanotubes’ alignment.
Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiographic features of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm

Doppler, contrast, and two-dimensional echocardiograms of 12 aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva in 10 consecutive patients were analyzed in order to highlight the diagnostic features. The diagnosis were confirmed by surgical and/or catheterization findings. The aneurysms had ruptured in 7 of 12 (58%). Two-dimensional echocardiography prior to the contrast studies was able to delineate the aneurysms in 7 of 12 (58%). The contrast studies outlined two additional aneurysms. The right aneurysms directed anteriorly and caudally. The noncoronary aneurysms formed an extraneous lumen at the posterior part of the aortic root, mimicking aortic dissection. Doppler examinations showed systolic and diastolic turbulence in five of six (83%) of the right aneurysms rupturing into the right ventricular outflow tract. Color Doppler echocardiography showed a left ventricular diastolic turbulence emanating from the aneurysm in a case with a noncoronary aneurysm rupturing into the left ventricle. It is concluded that the principal Doppler, contrast, and two-dimensional echocardiographic features usually allow a rapid correct diagnosis of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm.
Evaluation of the protective value of hospital gowns against blood strike-through and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus penetration.

Background: Hospital gowns protect patients and health care workers from exposure to blood and other infectious materials. Previous studies have shown that certain gowns do allow blood strike-through. Because of worldwide increases in the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infections, especially with methicillin-resistant strains, there is now increased concern regarding bacterial transmission through gowns. Methods: This study evaluated six gown types used in hospitals (one disposable cover or isolation gown, three disposable operating room gowns, and new and washed reusable operating room gowns). Gowns were evaluated for dry spore and S. aureus filtration efficiencies and were subjected to 20 time-pressure combinations with methicillin-resistant S. aureus -spiked blood (10 4 /ml) to evaluate blood strike-through and passage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus . Results: Blood strike-through was lowest with disposable operating room gowns 1 and 2 (polypropylene). Disposable operating room gown 3 (polyester-wood pulp) showed the greatest strike-through and overall passage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus . Operating room gowns 1 and 2 showed minimal bacterial passage, whereas the disposable cover (polypropylene) only allowed passage at pressures greater than 1 psi. Bacterial filtration efficiency testing showed operating room gowns 1 and 2 to be the most protective; operating room gown 3 and both reusable (cotton) gowns were the least protective. Dry spore passage was greatest for reusable gowns. Conclusion: Different hospital gowns offer varying degrees of protection against fluid strike-through or bacterial passage. Gowns therefore should be chosen according to the task performed and conditions encountered.
Visual diagnosis: a child who has a nosebleed and high blood pressure.

1. Andrea Herman, MD* 1. 2. *Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR. An 11-year-old boy is admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit because of high blood pressure. Eight hours earlier, he suddenly developed intermittent nosebleeding. His parents brought him to the emergency department because they could not stop the bleeding over the previous hour. On arrival, the patient’s blood pressure was 250/170 mm Hg. He denied headache, dizziness, or blurred vision. The nosebleed was stabilized with pressure and packing. Because his blood pressure improved minimally after three separate administrations of intravenous labetolol, he was transferred to the intensive care unit for further evaluation and therapy. The patient’s medical history revealed a 6-month history of episodic headaches, vomiting, and fatigue. Three months ago, these episodes occurred weekly, prompting the patient to seek medical care. Findings on physical examination were normal, including a systolic blood pressure of 95 mm Hg. Results of laboratory evaluation, consisting of complete blood cell count, urinalysis, serum glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone, and computed tomography (CT) of the head (Fig. 1⇓ ), were normal. Migraine headaches were diagnosed, and the patient was treated with propranolol. After 2 weeks without symptomatic improvement, the boy’s parents discontinued propranolol therapy. Figure 1. Normal CT scan of the head. Two weeks later, the patient developed blurred vision, returned to the hospital, and was admitted for evaluation. His systolic blood pressures ranged from 115 to 164 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressures from 75 to 103 mm Hg. An ophthalmologist noted decreased vision in the right eye as well as papilledema and stellate macular changes on retinal examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head demonstrated patchy high-signal changes in the white matter (Fig. 2⇓ ). Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation revealed an opening pressure of 27 mm H2O, a white blood cell count of 2 cells/mcL, a red blood cell count of 7 …
Probing Single Biomolecules in Solution Using the Anti-Brownian Electrokinetic (ABEL) Trap

Since the early advances in low temperature optical detection of individual molecules in the condensed phase,1–3 single-molecule (SM) spectroscopy has evolved to become a powerful method to probe spatial-temporal inhomogeneity and asynchronous dynamics in a variety of scientific disciplines. One area of particular recent interest involves the single-molecule biophysics of proteins, enzymes, and oligonucleotides. Detailed mechanisms of DNA processing,4 protein conformational dynamics,5 enzymes,6, 7 molecular motors8 and many other biomolecular processes have been extracted from single-molecule studies.9–12 Most biological processes take place in an aqueous-like environment. However, single-molecule spectroscopy in solution faces an interesting dilemma: in order to increase the signal-to-background ratio, a tightly focused confocal geometry has to be used,13 but the molecule easily escapes the diffraction-limited focal volume (~1 fL) due to the perpetual thermal agitation from surrounding solvent molecules under ambient conditions. As a direct consequence of this intrinsic jiggling of the molecules, the observation time of single molecules in solution by methods such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) has been limited to about 1 ms. Nevertheless, FCS can extract much information about stationary short-time temporal fluctuations arising from molecular dynamics.14, 15 At the same time, due to the randomness of Brownian motion and the non-uniformity of the Gaussian profile of the focused spot, the brightness of each SM is poorly defined. Sophisticated statistical methods such as the photon counting histogram,16 which essentially average among different single molecules, have to be used to study brightness changes and/or distributions. In an alternate approach, individual enzyme molecules or proteins can be immobilized or encapsulated by various means.17 In the case of enzymes, data can be acquired for many catalytic cycle turn-overs, allowing statistically robust conclusions to be drawn regarding the extracted rate constants, but there are still a range of situations where immobilization or surface attachment may be deleterious.18 To overcome these limitations, we have developed a microfluidic-based experimental platform called the Anti-Brownian ELectrokinetic Trap (ABEL) trap,19 which enables prolonged observation (~seconds) of bio-molecules in solution without surface immobilization. In this account, we describe our recent advances in using this device to study bio-molecules. We first briefly outline the working principle of the ABEL trap and provide four examples of applying the trap to uncover new physical insight: photophysical dynamics of the photosynthetic antenna allophycocyanin, sensing of cooperativity in a multi-subunit chaperonin enzyme TRiC, conformational dynamics of G protein-coupled receptors, and redox cycling of the enzyme nitrite reductase.
ABSENT LEFT PULMONARY ARTERY, RIGHT-SIDED AORTIC ARCH AND PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS WITH RIGHT TO LEFT SHUNT.

Abstract A patient is reported with an absent left pulmonary artery, right-sided aortic arch, patent ductus arteriosus and right to left shunt. A brief review of the embryology of the aortic arches is presented, and a possible embryologic basis for this condition is postulated. An extensive review of the literature reveals only 1 similar case with this unusual combination of cardiovascular anomalies, and in that patient a predominant left to right shunt was present.
Middle ear power transfer

Middle-ear function is commonly assessed experimentally by measuring displacement amplitudes of its structures and associated phases as a function of frequency for constant SLPs. For cats, transfer functions so derived are independent of frequency within the low-frequency range, having a slope of −12 dB/octave at higher frequencies. This is in sharp contrast to the auditory threshold curve with its characteristic low-frequency attenuation. However, such considerations neglect the fact that the middle ear transmits mechano-acoustic power and not merely displacements. Power transfer curves, calculated for the ears of cats, are shown to increase with frequency at about 12 dB/octave at low frequencies, being essentially flat at higher ones. Their shape is very similar to that of auditory threshold curves. Considering the transfer of power, the low-frequency attenuation is simply due to the small size of the tympanic membrane. Further considerations indicate that the size of the tympanic membrane (and also that of the cochlea) appears to represent a compromise between at least five different factors to assure allaround optimal performance. This notion is supported by the findings that the tympanic membranes and the basilar membranes of different species grow relatively slowly with body size, specifically that their areas grow only as a single dimension of length.
Design Aspects of Nonlinear Vibration Analysis of Rectangular Orthotropic Membranes

The natural frequencies of a specially orthotropic rectangular membrane are examined with respect to its design parameters. A method is presented for inferring the initial tensions from measured vibration frequencies and the sensitivity of the tensions with respect to imprecision in the measured frequencies is demonstrated. A sensitivity analysis is used to define the key design parameters, where relatively small changes in those parameters lead to large changes in the natural frequency. This analysis is useful in two senses: It permits the design to be rapidly changed in an efficient manner, and it indicates the physical parameters that must be closely controlled in order to achieve the desired frequency. The results of the theoretical analysis were compared with a finite element simulation using Abaqus for validation. The comparison showed that results were in close agreement up to an initial displacement magnitude-to-membrane thickness ratio (T0/h) value of about 25 for the given values of design parameters. This shows the limit of applicability of the analytical solution since the finite element (FE) simulation is fully updated at each time step with precision not available from the analytical solution.
The challenges of scaling-up and sustaining professional development school partnerships

Abstract This article addresses the challenges PDS partnerships face as they go to scale. Based on Coburn's (2005) notions of scale, the article uses organizational theory to analyze data from a ten-year qualitative meta-synthesis of PDS partnership research. Based upon the analysis, the article offers four recommendations: PDS partnerships should sustain strong trajectories of research regarding their work; Stakeholders in PDS partnerships need to ensure that faculty and staff have adequate support to thrive; PDS partnerships need to be based upon enabling bureaucratic structures; and PDS partners need to create opportunities to engage with each other in positive, normative spaces.
Formation of large-scale structure from cosmic strings and massive neutrinos.

We describe numerical simulations of large-scale structure formation from cosmic strings and massive neutrinos. The linear power spectrum in this model resembles the cold-dark-matter power spectrum. Galaxy formation begins early, and the final distribution consists of isolated density peaks embedded in a smooth background, leading to a natural bias in the distribution of luminous matter. The distribution of clustered matter has a filamentary appearance with large voids and visually resembles the survey done by the Center for Astrophysics.
New monochromator designs for the soft x-ray range

Abstract Due to large losses in reflection-type diffraction gratings, orthodox monochromator design in the soft X-ray range has usually implicitly assumed an unseverable connection between the diffraction function and the focusing (optical) function of a given instrument. However, since the recent development and manufacture of high-efficiency, ultra-small transmission gratings, such a constraint is no longer necessary. In this paper we present design possibilities for monochromators where the focusing (optical) function is explicitly separated from the diffraction function, and show that the individual optimization of both mirrors and gratings in recent years makes this a worthwhile design approach to consider. Finally, based on the above points, a novel monochromator design for the soft X-ray range at SSRL is presented and discussed.
Testbed for measurements of coherent radio Cherenkov emission from cosmic-ray-induced cascades

We conduct a search for the coherent Cherenkov radiation (from negative charge excess), induced by high energy cosmic-rays. As a medium for detecting Cherenkov radiation we use a 20 ton target of synthetic rock salt contained within a scintillation counter cosmic-ray hodoscope. Two parallel arrays of crossed bow tie antennas are put inside the salt bed and used as a detection tool. We also present preliminary results from beam tests of the approach done at SLAC.
Extended structural criterion for numerical simulation of crack propagation and coalescence under compressive loads

An extension of the Neuber-Novozhilov structural fracture propagation criterion is presented for mode I (tensile) and mode II (shear) propagation under compressive loads. In addition to allowing numerical simulation of crack growth, the criterion can be used to model change of propagation mode, crack branching, and coalescence. The criterion can be applied effectively when the SIF is calculated accurately (at least three significant digits). A numerical method is suggested for this purpose that consists of complementing the complex variable hypersingular boundary element method (CVH-BEM) with special procedures for automatically tracing crack propagation and coalescence. The CVH-BEM code with the structural criterion has been used to investigate crack propagation in compression for both small and non-small fracture process zone (FPZ). The results of numerical experiments are in agreement with the analytical conclusions available for the case of small FPZ that indicates the possibility of three distinct patterns of crack propagation under external compressive loads. These are: (i) smooth curvilinear tensile (wing) cracks, (ii) stair-step propagation pattern with changing modes, and (iii) in plane shear propagation. The numerical study also indicates that when the critical size of the FPZ is large enough, the non-singular terms in the expansion of the stress functions strongly influence the crack trajectories. Specifically, this occurs when the size of the FPZ approaches a quarter of the half-length of the initial crack. Calculations for a closed initial crack in a half-space under compression illustrate the general features of crack propagation. Although the dominant direction of crack growth is that of the applied compressive stress, the pattern of propagation strongly depends on the particular geometry, critical size of the FPZ, and the ratio of shear-to-tensile microscopic strength.
Effects of displayless navigational interfaces on user prosodics

Abstract Displayless interface technology provides speech-based access to computer applications for which visual access is not possible. These applications are increasingly prevalent, especially in situations requiring mobility, such as navigational applications. To ensure the successful deployment of this technology however, many human factors issues must be addressed. In particular, its nonvisual nature requires verbal presentation of spatial data. Prosodics, or nonverbal aspects, of human speech have been established as an indicator of cognitive stress. In this paper, we examine the assumption that the cognitive burden placed on the user by displayless access to spatial data would significantly alter the prosodics of the user’s speech. Results were gathered through experiments in which user interactions with a prototype speech-based navigational system were recorded, post-processed, and analyzed for prosodic content. Subjects participated in two sessions, one using a speech-based, displayless interface, and a second using a multimodal interface that included a visual–tactile map display. Results showed strong evidence of significant changes in subjects’ prosodic features when using a displayless versus a multimodal navigational interface for all categories of subjects. Insights gained from this work can be used to improve the design of the user interface for such applications. Also, results of this work can be used to refine the selection of acoustic cues used as predictors in prosodic pattern detection algorithms for these types of applications.