cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Ultraviolet Disinfection in Reducing Hospital-Acquired Clostridium difficile and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus on a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit

Objective To determine the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) environmental disinfection system on rates of hospital-acquired vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) and Clostridium difficile. Design Using active surveillance and an interrupted time-series design, hospital-acquired acquisition of VRE and C. difficile on a bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit were examined before and after implementation of terminal disinfection with UV on all rooms regardless of isolation status of patients. The main outcomes were hospital-based acquisition measured through (1) active surveillance: admission, weekly, and discharge screening for VRE and toxigenic C. difficile (TCD) and (2) clinical surveillance: incidence of VRE and CDI on the unit. Setting Bone marrow transplant unit at a tertiary-care cancer center.ParticipantsStem cell transplant (SCT) recipients.InterventionTerminal disinfection of all rooms with UV regardless of isolation status of patients. Results During the 20-month study period, 579 patients had 704 admissions to the BMT unit, and 2,160 surveillance tests were performed. No change in level or trend in the incidence of VRE (trend incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-1.14; level IRR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.37-1.18) or C. difficile (trend IRR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.89-1.31; level IRR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.13-2.11) was observed after the intervention. Conclusions Utilization of UV disinfection to supplement routine terminal cleaning of rooms was not effective in reducing hospital-acquired VRE and C. difficile among SCT recipients.
Differential Binding of Tetrel-Bonding Bipodal Receptors to Monatomic and Polyatomic Anions

Previous work has demonstrated that a bidentate receptor containing a pair of Sn atoms can engage in very strong interactions with halide ions via tetrel bonds. The question that is addressed here concerns the possibility that a receptor of this type might be designed that would preferentially bind a polyatomic over a monatomic anion since the former might better span the distance between the two Sn atoms. The binding of Cl- was thus compared to that of HCOO-, HSO₄-, and H₂PO₄- with a wide variety of bidentate receptors. A pair of SnFH₂ groups, as strong tetrel-binding agents, were first added to a phenyl ring in ortho, meta, and para arrangements. These same groups were also added in 1,3 and 1,4 positions of an aliphatic cyclohexyl ring. The tetrel-bonding groups were placed at the termini of (-C≡C-)n (n = 1,2) extending arms so as to further separate the two Sn atoms. Finally, the Sn atoms were incorporated directly into an eight-membered ring, rather than as appendages. The ordering of the binding energetics follows the HCO₂- > Cl- > H₂PO₄- > HSO₄- general pattern, with some variations in selected systems. The tetrel bonding is strong enough that in most cases, it engenders internal deformations within the receptors that allow them to engage in bidentate bonding, even for the monatomic chloride, which mutes any effects of a long Sn···Sn distance within the receptor.
Eicosanoids and Elective Immunosuppression

The eicosanoids are the largest class of biologically active lipid mediators. They are believed to constitute one of the oldest and most ubiquitous of all the physiologic homeostatic mechanisms. An increasing number of plant products are being found to relate to eicosanoid synthesis and metabolism. Tissue dysfunction may readily occur following injury because the eicosanoids are not stored per se, but are rapidly released in large amounts for prolonged periods of time from the readily available long-chain polyenoic precursors. The pharmacological characterization of the eicosanoids permits the simplistic but useful division of the eicosanoids into “cytoprotective” and “pathogenic.” This has led to a pharmaceutical strategy of synthesizing stable analogs of the former and inhibitors and receptor antagonists of the latter. Such drugs facilitate the determination in different types of injury of the degree of involvement of the pathogenic mediators and also the therapeutic potential of the cytoprotective drugs. In general, the cytoprotective analogs are vasodilators, promote increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP), enhance immunosuppression, and prolong allograft survival. In contrast, the pathogenic eicosanoids are vasoconstrictors and are associated with increased calcium input and lymphocyte proliferation. Some pathogenic mediators (e.g., platelet-activating factor, bradykinin) may act in part by activating acylhydrolases and thus promoting eicosanoid synthesis. However, other mediators do not, and therefore calcium entryblocking drugs may be more generally useful than eicosanoid synthase inhibitors and receptor antagonists.
Microangeional Surgery and its Techniques

Publisher Summary The term microangeional surgery was coined in the laboratories of the University of Vermont to denote surgery upon blood vessels less than 4 millimetres in outside diameter. Most of the work actually performed in these laboratories has been on vessels less than 2 millimetres in outside diameter. The term microangeional surgery has been used in preference to small vessel surgery, because the latter is a purely English term, and hence scarcely appropriate for techniques which have universal application. It has been used in preference to “neuro-vascular surgery” because it is applicable to vessels in any part of the anatomy and because the term “neuro-vascular’’ like the term “micro-vascular” is a term, half Latin and half Greek. In humans seven middle cerebral artery occlusions have been removed. There have been three deaths but two of these were operated late when there was edema and hemiplegia and one died of a cause which could not be ascribed to the procedure. Two vessels remained open and one had a small embolus to a more distant site. Only one of these patients was operated with the completed technique and this vessel remained open. Unfortunately one patient with an open vessel died 48 hours after surgery of a complication of angiography and the other patient with an open vessel also died of edema as the procedure had been done too late and opened flow into an area of infarction.
Separability of calcium slow waves and functional connectivity during wake, sleep, and anesthesia.

Modulation of brain state, e.g., by anesthesia, alters the correlation structure of spontaneous activity, especially in the delta band. This effect has largely been attributed to the ∼1 Hz slow oscillation that is characteristic of anesthesia and nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. However, the effect of the slow oscillation on correlation structures and the spectral content of spontaneous activity across brain states (including NREM) has not been comprehensively examined. Further, discrepancies between activity dynamics observed with hemoglobin versus calcium (GCaMP6) imaging have not been reconciled. Lastly, whether the slow oscillation replaces functional connectivity (FC) patterns typical of the alert state, or superimposes on them, remains unclear. Here, we use wide-field calcium imaging to study spontaneous cortical activity in awake, anesthetized, and naturally sleeping mice. We find modest brain state-dependent changes in infraslow correlations but larger changes in GCaMP6 delta correlations. Principal component analysis of GCaMP6 sleep/anesthesia data in the delta band revealed that the slow oscillation is largely confined to the first three components. Removal of these components revealed a correlation structure strikingly similar to that observed during wake. These results indicate that, during NREM sleep/anesthesia, the slow oscillation superimposes onto a canonical FC architecture.
Integrity, Concurrency, Recovery and Security

This chapter discusses some of the problems shared by all data base management systems (DBMSs) and some of the solutions. The chapter discusses preservation of the integrity of the data. In all models, one runs into trouble when one avoids redundancy by using references. One would have considerable trouble updating, inserting, or deleting if one had many copies of the same record in many places. One could easily insert, update, or delete in one place and neglect to do it in another. This is one reason for normalization. However, to avoid redundancy, one uses references. Thus, in solving one problem, one runs into another. Using references and having only one copy of information makes updating safe. Another integrity problem is that of preserving functional dependencies. When a data base is created, the functional dependencies are automatically preserved if the key of a record is specified to have no duplicates allowed. Usually this is done by creating an index. It confuses the issues of integrity and of efficient access, for indexes are used for both purposes.
Graduate and Undergraduate Student Development as a Result of Participation in a Grief Education Service Learning Course.

Limited research exists on the role service learning can play in helping students understand loss and grief. Through semi-structured interviews with students and instructors, online surveys, and course feedback, this qualitative case study examined the experiences of 15 university students in an outreach course working with grieving K-12 students. Students self-reported gaining greater intra- and interpersonal understanding and grief processing self-efficacy. Instructors emphasized intentionality and the intertwined nature of course experiences influencing meaning making.
Social Technologies for Digital Wellbeing Among Marginalized Communities

Discussions of online social technologies focus on their negatives in relation to wellbeing, prioritizing offline relationships and reduced screen time. However, many communities depend on online social technologies for building community, gaining social support, and even exploring identity. This makes the use of these technologies crucial for the wellbeing of these communities. Numerous CSCW-related disciplines examine marginalized people's use of social technology and its relationship to wellbeing. Yet opportunities to converse across domains and engage in thinking around these topics are scarce. We aim to bring together health, design, communication, HCI, STS, and a spectrum of diversity science researchers to discuss what digital wellbeing looks like for marginalized populations, share the state of knowledge in respective fields, and identify opportunities for leveraging social technologies for wellbeing across these communities. We will engage in exercises intended to foster mutual understanding, identify commonalities between areas of inquiry, and bridge gaps between research areas. Our goal is to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration, with the hope of advancing a research agenda regarding digital wellbeing for marginalized populations.
White-eyed Mutants of Diptera

Two recent papers1,2, as well as an older one3, compare white-eyed mutants found in Culex, Calliphora and Phormica, respectively, with the white-eyed types long known in Drosophila. Since in no Drosophila species is more than one single-gene difference known that will give rise to a white eye, it is concluded that these types in other Diptera represent mutations corresponding to the white of Drosophila.
Multiscale modeling of magnetospheric reconnection

[1] In our efforts to bridge the gap between small-scale kinetic modeling and global simulations, we introduced an approach that allows to quantify the interaction between large-scale global magnetospheric dynamics and microphysical processes in diffusion regions near reconnection sites. We use the global MHD code BATS-R-US and replace an ad hoc anomalous resistivity often employed by global MHD models with a physically motivated dissipation model. The primary kinetic mechanism controlling the dissipation in the diffusion region in the vicinity of the reconnection site is incorporated into the MHD description in terms of nongyrotropic corrections to the induction equation. We developed an algorithm to search for reconnection sites in north-south symmetric magnetotail. Spatial scales of the diffusion region and magnitude of the reconnection electric field are calculated consistently using local MHD plasma and field parameters. The locations of the reconnection sites are constantly updated during the simulations. To clarify the role of nongyrotropic effects in the diffusion region on the global magnetospheric dynamics, we perform simulations with steady southward interplanetary magnetic field driving of the magnetosphere. Ideal MHD simulations with magnetic reconnection supported by numerical resistivity often produce quasi-steady configuration with almost stationary near-Earth neutral line (NENL). Simulations with nongyrotropic corrections demonstrate dynamic quasi-periodic response to the steady driving conditions. Fast magnetotail reconnection supported by nongyrotropic effects results in tailward retreat of the reconnection site with average speed of the order of 100 km/s followed by a formation of a new NENL in the near-Earth thin current sheet. This approach allowed to model for the first time loading/unloading cycle frequently observed during extended periods of steady low-mach-number solar wind with southward interplanetary magnetic field.
Using non-oscillatory dynamics to disambiguate simultaneous patterns

Simultaneous patterns within images may have conflicting interpretations depending on context (other representations concurrently inferred). This causes significant problems known as 'the binding problem' and 'the superposition catastrophe' for recognition algorithms that incorporate parameter optimization (including neural networks). Previously oscillatory dynamics have been proposed to better separate patterns and address such problems. Another dynamic method, independent of oscillation, is proposed that infers which representations fit together. It works by cycling activation between inputs and outputs. Inputs activate contending representations which in turn inhibit their representative inputs. Inputs utilized by multiple representations are more ambiguous and are inherently inhibited more. The inhibited inputs then affect representation activity, which again affects inputs. The cycling is repeated until a steady state is reached. This method allows simultaneous evaluation of representations and can determine what set of representations best fit the whole image. The implementation of feedback dynamics for separating patterns is described in detail and key examples are demonstrated by simulations.
Conceptual State Analysis

Abstract Conceptual State Analysis (CSA) is the process of defining, exploring, and reasoning about state attributes and state spaces in complex system architectures. Model-Based State Analysis enhances CSA with formal modeling and analysis methods. We propose a process for generating the state vector of a given system architecture, based on a graph representation of the architecture’s model in Object-Process Methodology. A robust graph data structure that represents the model is queried to produce the architecture’s state space. The process facilitates analysis, reasoning, and model revision based on improved understanding of state vectors and state spaces. State attribute refinements within the model allow for model validity, viability, and reusability as the architecture evolves, with multiple agents, attributes, and attribute state values. The CSA approach advocates and facilitates careful, dynamic, and interactive state space exploration in lieu of exhaustive upfront enumeration of state space permutations. The results can be fed into other analysis, simulation, or visualization tools. We demonstrate CSA on driver assistance technology.
The smugglers’ world: illicit trade and Atlantic communities in eighteenth-century Venezuela: by Jesse Cromwell, Williamsburg, VA, Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, 2018, xiv + 314 pp., $39.95 (hardback), ISBN: 9781469636887

This beautifully written and superbly researched book makes a significant contribution to a variety of existing historical literature. Though the core of the research concerns a peripheral area of ...
Concepts for a Shear-Normal Gage to Estimate In Situ Soil Strength and Strength Angle

Concepts are developed whereby the in situ shear strength (S) and the effective soil strength angle (Φ') at large strains can be calculated from the readings of a combined shear/normal-stress gage mounted on the face of arough penetrator. It is possible to calculate S and Φ' even if interface friction is the mechanism of failure, unless that friction is local to the gage face. For the case of local friction, the method yields only the interface friction angle δ. Experimental results are encouraging, and the method is being studied for application to a deepwater wire-line device for in situ determinations of S and Φ'.
Volumetric geometry for DSMC and the Voldipar code

Abstract A quantized, volume-based approach to representing geometry in direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) simulations is presented, and its implementation in a reference code is assessed. Volumetric or discrete/rasterized geometry is shown to be an acceptable way to perform, and possibly accelerate, the particle movement step of the DSMC algorithm. Canonical flow problems are solved that demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. These simulations capture expected results to within a few percent of results obtained from established codes in two-dimensions, and to within engineering tolerances for three-dimensions. The excellent scaling behavior of this approach may allow for high-resolution simulations in significantly less time than more classical geometry representations in DSMC for a given cell gridding method.
Deoxycytidine preferentially protects normal versus leukemic myeloid progenitor cells from cytosine arabinoside-mediated cytotoxicity.

We examined the ability of high concentrations of the naturally occurring nucleoside deoxycytidine (dCyd) to reverse the cytotoxicity of high (eg, greater than or equal to 10(-5) mol/L) concentrations of 1- B-D arabinofuranosylcytosine (Ara-C) toward normal (CFU-GM) and leukemic myeloid progenitor cells (L-CFU). Leukemic myeloblasts from patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and normal human bone marrow mononuclear cells were cultured in soft agar in the continuous presence of 10(-5) to 5 X 10(-5) mol/L of Ara-C together with dCyd (10(-4) to 5 X 10(-3) mol/L). Administration of 10(-5) mol/L of Ara-C alone eradicated colony formation in all samples tested. Coadministration of 10(-3) mol/L of dCyd restored 72.2% of control colony formation for CFU-GM, but only 10.9% for L-CFU. When higher concentrations of Ara-C (eg, 5 X 10(-5) mol/L) were administered, dCyd- mediated protection toward CFU-GM decreased, but remained significantly greater than that observed for L-CFU. Incubation with 10(-3) mol/L of dCyd reduced the 4-hour intracellular accumulation of the triphosphate derivative of Ara-C (Ara-CTP) in both normal and leukemic cells by greater than 98%; under identical conditions, a significant expansion of the intracellular of the triphosphate derivative of dCyd (dCTP) pools was observed in normal bone marrow mononuclear cells but not in leukemic blasts. This finding was associated with a greater reduction in Ara-C DNA incorporation in normal elements. These in vitro studies suggest that dCyd may preferentially protect normal v leukemic myeloid progenitor cells from the lethal actions of high-dose Ara-C.
Performance Tuning IBM RS/6000 POWER2 Systems

This tutorial describes the algorithms and architecture approach to produce high-performance codes for numerically intensive computations. In this approach, for a given computation, we design algorithms so that they perform optimally when run on a target machine-in this case, the new POWER2™machines from the RS/6000 family of RISC processors. The algorithmic features that we emphasize are functional parallelism, cache/register blocking, algorithmic prefetching, and loop unrolling. The architectural features of the POWER2 machine that we describe and that lead to high performance are multiple functional units, high bandwidth between registers, cache, and memory, a large number of fixed- and floating-point registers, and a large cache and TLB (translation lookaside buffer). The paper gives BLAS examples that illustrate how the algorithms and architectural features interplay to produce high performance codes. These routines are included in ESSL (Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library); an overview of ESSL is also given in the paper.
[3H]-myo-inositol uptake in rat cortical slices. Identification of Na+-dependent and Na+-independent systems.

Abstract [ 3 H]- myo -Inositol (MI) uptake was measured in vitro using chopped rat cerebral cortical tissue. The uptake and accumulation of MI were linearly proportional to the amount of protein (0.1 to 4.0 mg) in the incubation medium. The uptake was also linear vs time for the first 20 min of incubation. When the uptake was observed at various substrate concentrations, it was found to be unsaturable up to a concentration of 0.78 M. Decreasing the concentration of NaCl or increasing the concentration of KCl in the incubation medium resulted in inhibition of the uptake and accumulation of MI. Inhibition of MI uptake was also produced by veratrine, ouabain and A23187 which alter the ionic gradients across the neuronal membranes. Inhibition of oxidative metabolism with dinitrophenol did not alter MI uptake. Sodium-independent uptake appeared to be the same as that which occurred at 0°. Sodium-independent uptake was still present in water-lysed homogenates and was inhibited by relatively high concentrations of ethanol. Thus, it appears that approximately one-half of the [ 3 H]inositol uptake and accumulation in chopped rat cerebral cortex occurs by a sodium-dependent mechanism that can be altered by drugs which change the sodium gradient and the remaining occurs by a sodium-independent mechanism that can be altered by ethanol which is known to change membrane fluidity of neuronal membranes.
Climate Change, Causation, and Delayed Harm

The causal linkage between human activity and climate change has been the locus for contentious debate over the past twenty years or so. It has been a proxy for larger debates over whether and how policymakers should respond to the possibility of significant anthropogenic global climate change. Questioning the causal linkages between human activity and climate change has been an argument adopted not only by those who sincerely doubt such a connection, but also by those who question climate change in the first place and by those who simply question the need for a major policy response to the possibility of climate change (whatever they might believe about whether climate change is happening or not, or is harmful or beneficial). Thus, today there are a non-trivial number of activists, policymakers, lobbyists, and scientists who contend that there are alternative explanations for any changes in the global climate system, with the most common alternative explanation being variations in sunspot activity. 1 These arguments inevitably undercut and undermine the political momentum towards efforts to regulate human activities that emit carbon dioxide, methane, and other “greenhouse gases.” If, as these skeptics contend, there is no connection between these human activities and climate change, then (as they vehemently maintain) regulatory efforts would be counterproductive. 2
A Role for Skin γδ T Cells in Wound Repair

Gammadelta T cell receptor-bearing dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs) found in murine skin recognize antigen expressed by damaged or stressed keratinocytes. Activated DETCs produce keratinocyte growth factors (KGFs) and chemokines, raising the possibility that DETCs play a role in tissue repair. We performed wound healing studies and found defects in keratinocyte proliferation and tissue reepithelialization in the absence of wild-type DETCs. In vitro skin organ culture studies demonstrated that adding DETCs or recombinant KGF restored normal wound healing in gammadelta DETC-deficient skin. We propose that DETCs recognize antigen expressed by injured keratinocytes and produce factors that directly affect wound repair.
Sloshing of superfluid helium in a viscous damping matrix

Operational problems may result from sloshing of liquid cryogens on space missions. Sloshing limits the pointing accuracy of spacecraft and the acceleration level of low-g experiments. The resonant frequencies of sloshing in space are low due to the small specific surface tension of cryogens. Cryogens also have small kinematic viscosity. Low frequencies and small viscous forces can result in large sloshing amplitudes at resonance. When a reduction of sloshing will improve a design, two methods are used: baffles and metal or plastic foam. This research presents an analysis of surface waves in a viscous damping matrix such as foam. When viscous forces are included in an analysis of surface waves, the dynamic interaction of the liquid with the gas is important in determining the damping. The velocity fields of the gas and liquid are solved and made compatible with appropriate boundary conditions. For an ordinary fluid, the temperature is constant. For HeII the temperature is a significant variable. Temperatu...
Debate: Taking Human Rights Seriously*

THE two core values of international political philosophy are state sovereignty and human rights. Traditionally, of course, the former has dominated: we have hoped that each state will conscientiously protect its constituents’ rights, but we have been reluctant to intervene in a country’s internal affairs even when it fails spectacularly in this task. Recently, however, our priorities have shifted. We now take human rights more seriously and are correspondingly less deferential to state sovereignty, so a central question of contemporary international ethics is how to adjudicate the tension between state sovereignty and human rights. In this article I argue that, if we take human rights as seriously as we should, then even a legitimate state has no principled objection to outsiders’ intervening in its internal affairs if this interference will prevent just a single human rights violation. I defend this stark view by, among other things, showing that it (surprisingly) leaves adequate room for state sovereignty.
5′‐Iodination of Solid‐Phase‐Linked Oligodeoxyribonucleotides

5′-Iodinated oligodeoxyribonucleotides readily react with 3′-phosphorothioated DNA in the presence of a complementary template to yield a conjugate that is identical to natural DNA in every respect except that one oxygen atom in the phosphodiester backbone is replaced by a sulfur atom. The 5′-iodo group is easily converted to a variety of other functional groups and will quickly react with thiol-containing labels to yield stable thioether conjugates. This unit presents manual and automated procedures for converting the 5′-hydroxyl of protected CPG–bound oligodeoxyribonucleotides to an iodo group and for releasing and purifying the products. Keywords: iodination; 5′-modification; solid-phase; oligodeoxyribonucleotide; electrophile; ligation
Can India reduce its birth rate? A question of modernization and governmental capacity.

The analysis of Indias family planning effort chronologically displays three phases. In 1952 the Central Ministry of Health received money for family planning for the first time. But the first official planning groups and blueprints for family planning on a national scale were established during the second five-year plan period (1956-1960). Although planning training and research got most of the attention during the first stage there was some program accomplishments. By 1961 1500 clinics were reported in operation. In April 1963 the main program goal was said to be the reduction of the nations birth rate from more than 40 per 1000 to 25 per 1000 population. Acceptance of a smaller family size norm personal knowledge on planning methods and availability of supplies and services were to aid the achievement of this goal. A final and third blueprint concluded that evaluation of the Planning Commission. Decentralization of certain powers to the states and for the Center to make the general policies and guidelines for such grants were recommended. By comparing the blue prints and action over the last decade the author presents the gap between the plans for family planning and the governments capacity to execute. Recommendations include adding experienced managers from business to those from government orienting them to family planning problems and giving them assistance in social services.
A Novel Use for the Word “Trend” in the Clinical Trial Literature

ABSTRACT Background A new meaning of the word “trend” is appearing in reports of clinical trials. Methods Abstracts of all clinical trials in PubMed with English abstracts that contained the word “trend” for each decade from 1971 to 2001 were reviewed. Results “Trend” was used 36 times in 1981, 170 times in 1991, to 375 times in 2001, most often to refer to a judgment about statistical significance. When the expression “significant trend” was accompanied by a P value, the P value was always less than 0.05; when the expression “nonsignificant trend” was accompanied by a P value, all P values were greater than 0.05; 25% of the time, P values were greater than 0.19, and 5% of the time, they were greater than 0.45. When the unmodified word “trend” was accompanied by a P value, most P values were greater than 0.05. However, on 16 occasions, the P value was less than 0.05, and 5% of the time, P values were greater than 0.20; on 1 occasion it was used with a P value of 0.6. About 30% of the time, the exact meaning of the word could not be determined from the abstract. Conclusion A novel use of the word “trend” has developed in the medical literature over the last several decades. This novel use should be documented in technical dictionaries, and further discussion should occur about the implications of this new connotation. In the meantime, clinical trials reporting can be improved by accompanying the word “trend” with associated P values or point estimates and 95% confidence intervals.
Grid embedding technique using Cartesian grids for Euler solutions

Grid-embedding techniques are presently applied to the solutions of the Euler equations on Cartesian grids for the NACA 0012 airfoil and the multielement SKF1.1 airfoil at transonic speeds. Based on comparisons with solutions on fine grids, it is shown that the present scheme, when used in conjunction with the Runge-Kutta time-stepping scheme as well as Cartesian grids, yields reduced memory requirements and a substantial reduction in computational time, without loss of accuracy.
Functional assessment of executive abilities following traumatic brain injury.

Primary objective: The Test of Functional Executive Abilities (TOFEA) is a measure of real-world planning/problem-solving abilities. The present study sought to identify the relationship between th...
Compressive Strength Analysis for High Performance Fibers with Different Modulus in Tension and Compression

The assumption of equal tensile and compressive modulus necessary to determine single fiber axial compressive strength from the elastica loop test is relaxed by deriving a compressive strength equation based on the analysis of the flexural response of a fiber with different modulus in tension and compression. Previously determined tensile (E1t) and compressive (E1c ) modulus values for different high performance organic fibers with varying degrees of lateral molecular interactions are used to determine fiber compressive strength. The importance of using the bi-moduli equation becomes evident in the case of fibers that lack strong intermolecular interactions, since calculations done with the original loop test equation can result in an overestimation of the compressive strength on the order of 80%, as seen for the poly-(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fiber PBO. Kink band angles measured from looped fiber specimens are documented and correlated to the calculated compressive strength values.
Temperature-Responsive Graft Copolymer Hydrogels for Controlled Swelling and Drug Delivery

Temperature-responsive graft copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and Jeffamine® M-1000 acrylamide were synthesized to provide controlled swelling without introducing degradable moieties or increasing the LCST above body temperature. Jeffamine® M-1000 caused a small LCST increase (0.24–0.27°C/wt%) and a broader sol-gel transition. Twenty wt% copolymer gels (Mw> 225 kDa) retained their initial volume after 42 days, while homopolymer gels shrank by more than 50%. Copolymer gels eluted 90% within 3 h. These results suggest that Jeffamine® M-1000 acrylamide is suitable for inclusion in N-isopropylacrylamide-based biomaterials to control swelling and drug release nearly independently of LCST.
Potential dissemination of Bacillus anthracis utilizing human lung epithelial cells

Dissemination of Bacillus anthracis spores from the lung is a critical early event in the establishment of inhalational anthrax. We recently reported that B. anthracis could adhere to and be internalized by cultured intestinal epithelial and fibroblast cells. Here, using gentamicin protection assays and/or electron microscopy, we found that Sterne strain 7702 spores were able to adhere to and subsequently be internalized by polarized A549 cells and primary human small airway epithelial cells. We showed for the first time that internalized spores were able to survive and that spores could translocate across an A549 cell barrier from the apical side to the basolateral side without disrupting the barrier integrity, suggesting a transcellular route. In addition, dormant spores of fully virulent Ames and UT500 strains were able to adhere to A549 cells at a frequency similar to that of 7702, whereas the capsule in germinated Ames and UT500 spores prevented adherence. Fluorescence microscopy also revealed that dormant Ames spores were internalized at a frequency similar to that of 7702. These findings highlight the possibility of a novel route of dissemination in which B. anthracis utilizes epithelial cells of the lung. The implications of these results to B. anthracis pathogenesis are discussed.
Hydrofoil Test Facility at ARL Penn State

The two-dimensional test section of the ARL/Penn State 12-inch water tunnel has been modified to allow a wide range of dynamic tests using hydrofoils. Three examples of test configurations for the hydrofoil test facility are given. These include tests of a single conventional hydrofoil with non-sinusoidal deflections, tests with two hydrofoils for studying tip vortex interactions, and tests of base ventilated supercavitating hydrofoils. When testing a single hydrofoil, the angle of attack can be varied as a function of time using a cam drive system. Arc length Reynolds number of over 1 million based on a 1.5-inch chord are possible. Hydrofoil lift, drag and pitching moment can be measured during transient operation with and without cavitation. Tip vortex interaction studies have been performed by using a second hydrofoil mounted upstream of the primary test hydrofoil. This upstream hydrofoil is inclined to the tunnel wall so only the tip projects in front of the downstream hydrofoil. The upstream hydrofoil can be traversed across the test section to study the tip vortex interactions. Supercavitating hydrofoils have been tested by ventilating behind a wedge installed along the tunnel wall upstream of the hydrofoil. A full range of test instrumentation is used to support the studies, such as LDV, PIV, high speed video, and acoustic measurements.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Quebec platelet syndrome: from the bench to the family

Bleeding manifestations were quantitatively assessed in 23 affected and 104 unaffected members of a single family with the Quebec platelet disorder, an autosomal dominant trait caused by deficient platelet alpha granule procoagulant proteins. McKay and colleagues (page [159][1]) describe a careful
DEGENERATION OF OLFACTORY RECEPTORS INDUCED BY COLCHICINE.

Abstract Colchicine evokes drastic degenerative effects on the olfactory receptors and bulb when a small amount of the drug is infused directly into one olfactory bulb of the rabbit. Infusion of 20 lambda of 0.1 m colchicine evoked severe ipsilateral, transneuronal cell degeneration in the olfactory epithelium. Slight alterations were observed in the contralateral bulb and epithelium. Upon intraperitoneal injection of colchicine in doses as high as 10 mg/kg, only slight degeneration was observed in the olfactory bulbs and epithelium. In spite of the severity of degenerative changes evoked by infusion, some olfactory receptors were free from disintegration and persisted up to 8 weeks.
3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase deficiency: review of 18 reported patients.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase deficiency (HMG-CoA lyase) is an inborn error of leucine catabolism which often leads to life-threatening illness in the neonatal period. The cardinal clinical features include severe infantile hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, hepatomegaly, lethargy or coma and apnea. Hyperammonemia is variable. There is a characteristic absence of ketosis. Considerable heterogeneity has been observed in clinical and biochemical presentation. Acute episodes of illness have been mistaken for Reye syndrome. The pattern of organic acids in the urine includes large amounts of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric, 3-methylglutaconic, 3-methylglutaric and 3-hydroxyisovaleric acids. Smaller, but appreciable levels of glutaric, adipic and other dicarboxylic acids may also be excreted in the urine. Lactic acid may be present in sizable amounts at times of acute illness. The primary defect is a deficiency of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase, a key enzyme in the cycle of ketogenesis.
Performance Evaluation of an Irregular Application Parallelized in Java

Irregular scientific applications are difficult to parallelize in an efficient and scalable fashion due to indirect memory references (i.e. A[B[i]]), irregular communication patterns, and load balancing issues. In this paper, we present our experience parallelizing an irregular scientific application written in Java. The application is an N-Body molecular dynamics simulation that is the main component of a Java application called the Molecular Workbench (MW). We parallelized MW to run on multicore hardware using Java's java.util.concurrent library. Speedup was found to vary greatly depending on what type of force computation dominated the simulation. In order to understand the cause of this appreciable difference in scalability, various performance analysis tools were deployed. These tools include Intel's VTune, Apple's Shark, the Java Application Monitor (JaMON), and Sun's VisualVM. Virtual machine instrumentation as well as hardware performance monitors were used. To our knowledge this is the first such performance analysis of an irregular scientific application parallelized using Java threads. In the course of this investigation, a number of challenges were encountered. These difficulties in general stemmed from a mismatch between the nature of our application and either Java itself or the performance tools we used. This paper aims to share our real world experience with Java threading and today's parallel performance tools in an effort to influence future directions for the Java virtual machine, for the Java concurrency library, and for tools for multicore parallel software development.
Makro- und Mikrochirurgie sowie Indikationsstellung zur IVF bei tubarer Sterilität

Im Vergleich der Schwangerschaftsraten sowie der Tubendurchgangigkeit nach der Operation liegen die mikrochirurgisch operierten Patientinnen deutlich besser. Die Domane der Mikrochirurgie liegt auch nach unseren Ergebnissen bei der Anastomose. Bei der Refertilisierung nach Sterilisatio sind die Ergebnisse am besten. Bei den heute noch relativ schlechten Erfolgsraten der IVF wird in allen Fallen eine mikrochirurgische Sterilitatslaparotomie vorangehen. Dabei kann man den Zustand der Tuben am besten beurteilen und den Operationserfolg abschatzen. Bei aussichtslosem Befund sollten die Ovarien funktionsgerecht im kleinen Becken plaziert werden, um moglichst eine ultraschallkontrollierte Follikelpunktion fur die spatere IVF zu ermoglichen.
Active anaphylaxis in IgE-deficient mice

THE IgE-triggered release of mast cell mediators in response to antigen is thought to be the primary event in immediate hypersensi-tivity reactions such as systemic anaphylaxis1. Although mast cells and basophils can be activated in vitro by non-IgE stimuli2–5, it is not known whether these triggers lead to physiological changes in vivo. To investigate this possibility, we generated mice with a homozygous null mutation of the Ce gene. Such mice make no IgE, but produce other immunoglobulin isotypes normally. We report that despite the IgE deficiency, sensitized mutant mice become anaphylactic on antigen challenge and display tachycardia and pulmonary function changes similar to those seen in wild-type animals. These responses are accompanied by vascular leak, sharply elevated plasma histamine and rapid death. IgE-indepen-dent anaphylaxis does not depend on complement activation, but, as indicated in studies using genetically immunodeficient RAG-2-SCID mice, does require a functional immune system. Such results clearly demonstrate that non-IgE pathways for hypersensi-tivity reactions exist in mice.
A power-assisted exoskeleton optimized for pinching and grasping motions

Over 450,000 Americans suffer from degenerative muscle diseases characterized by loss of strength and dexterity in the human hand. An assistive hand exoskeleton was designed to amplify residual muscle strength and restore functionality by assisting pinching and grasping motions. The device featured three movable digits: thumb, index, and middle-ring-small (MRS) digit. Adjustable straps wrapped around the exterior of the finger links and secured the user's fingers inside the device. A microcontroller processed force sensing resistor (FSR) data and commanded articulating motors. The exoskeleton was lightweight, flexible, portable and accessible to a wide range of user finger diameters.
Mappings and Spaces

In these notes we look at mappings which respect some geometric structure and the problem of being able to produce such mappings in order to study geometry.
The Psychotic Heroin Addict

(1971). The Psychotic Heroin Addict. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs: Vol. 4, The Contemporary Heroin Scene, Part I: The Problem, pp. 46-49.
Relationship between the Kraft Green Liquor Sulfide Chemical Form and the Physical and Chemical Behavior of Softwood Chips during Pretreatment

Chemical pretreatment of softwood chips with kraft mill green liquor results in the selective retention of various chemicals in the chips. It was found that each chemical component in the green liquor exhibits a different physicochemical behavior in the wood. For example, sulfide was determined to exist in wood chips in three distinct forms: free (in the bulk), adsorbed (physically entrained in the solid matrix), and chemically bonded (that cannot be leached). The ratios among these forms are a function of the pretreatment conditions employed. For example, high temperatures and high sulfide concentrations increase the amounts of both the adsorbed and chemically bonded forms. Meanwhile, surfactants, anthraquinone (AQ, a pulping catalyst), and polysulfide (PS, an active pulping chemical) added to a green liquor pretreatment scheme augment the levels of the chemically bonded form. This investigation into the influence of the pretreatment conditions on sulfide behavior demonstrated that lignin dissolution is...
Background and overview of current sediment toxicity identification evaluation procedures

Laboratory bioassays can provide an integrated assessment of the potential toxicity of contaminated sediments to aquatic organisms; however, toxicity as a sole endpoint is not particularly useful in terms of identifying remedial options. To focus possible remediation (e.g., source control), it is essential to know which contaminants are responsible for toxicity. Unfortunately, contaminated sediments can contain literally thousands of potentially toxic compounds. Methods which rely solely on correlation to identify contaminants responsible for toxicity are limited in several aspects: (a) actual compounds causing toxicity might not be measured, (b) concentrations of potentially toxic compounds may covary, (c) it may be difficult to assess the bioavailability of contaminants measured in a sediment, and (d) interactions may not be accounted for among potential toxicants (e.g., additivity). Toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) procedures attempt to circumvent these problems by using toxicity-based fractionation procedures to implicate specific contaminants as causative toxicants. Phase I of TIE characterizes the general physio-chemical nature of sample toxicants. Phase II employs methods to measure toxicants via different analytical methods, and Phase III consists of techniques to confirm that the suspect toxicants identified in Phases I and II of the TIE actually are responsible for toxicity. These TIE procedures have been used to investigate the toxicity of a variety of samples, including sediments. Herein we present a brief conceptual overview of the TIE process, and discuss specific considerations associated with sediment TIE research. Points addressed include: (a) selection and preparation of appropriate test fractions, (b) use of benthic organisms for sediment TIE work, and (c) methods for the identification of common sediment contaminants.
The application of polyethylene glycol solubility-concentration gradients in plant virus research

Abstract A simple method for determining the solubility of plant viruses and other macromolecules in aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is described. The method involves centrifugation of PEG-precipitated virus through a reverse concentration gradient of PEG, MW 6000, incorporated and stabilized in a positive sucrose gradient. The concentration of PEG at which the virus particles resolubilize is termed the solubility concentration. The solubility concentration of virus particles for a number of model systems was dependent upon their surface/volume ratio and their surface charge characteristics, the latter in turn depending on the pH and ionic conditions existing within the solubility gradient. Solubility gradient centrifugations were of value both analytically, in providing information for purification procedures and in the characterization of viruses and virus strains, and preparatively, allowing separation of certain morphologically or electrophoretically distinct components. The technique of solubility gradient centrifugation is potentially applicable to other systems having distinct solubility characteristics in an appropriate solvent.
Naturalistic Studies of the Long-Term Effects of Television Violence

Carefully controlled experimental laboratory research has provided valuable evidence about the effects of media violence on the aggressive behavior of viewers in laboratory settings. However, social stimuli such as media violence can produce different effects in laboratory as compared to nonlaboratory settings. Thus, research in laboratory settings may not provide accurate information about the effects of media violence in nonlaboratory settings. Some types of quasi-experimental field research can provide evidence about the long-term socialization and developmental effects of media violence on viewer's behavior in naturalistic settings. The present article summarizes the findings from a number of quasi-experimental studies about the effects of naturally occurring media violence. We conclude that the balance of the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that television produces a long-term increase in the aggressive behavior of boys but not of girls.
The Role of Antioxidant Vitamins in Cardiovascular Disease

Objective:To review the current data on the role of antioxidant vitamins in cardiovascular disease.Data Sources:Articles were obtained from a MEDLINE search covering all years. Terms used in the se...