cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Viral Hepatitis B, C and D in ALF and ALF/CLD

Infectious jaundice has been with mankind for thousands of years. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and hepatitis D are all transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. There can also be vertical transmission from mother to child. All three viruses can result in acute viral liver disease or chronic viral disease leading to cirrhosis. These viruses are also notorious for causing the acute decompensation of pre-existing chronic liver disease. In that last situation, the prognosis of acute on chronic liver disease is worse than a patient who has decompensation of cirrhosis. In the present chapter we will summarize the history and epidemiology of each virus. The clinical course of acute or acute on chronic liver disease are reviewed as well as the prognosis of each presentation. The availability of therapy for treatment will be discussed along with any possible strategies for prevention.
Social Issues in Supply Chain Sustainability – Focus Areas for Energy and Manufacturing sectors in India and USA

The paper is a capsule to understand various social issues in supply chain, the social sustainability practices and strategies used for mitigation. Data was collected through questionnaire survey and systematic literature review of the supply chain social sustainability papers, published in peer-reviewed journals within the time frame of January 2000 to October 2020. Findings from this study show that social aspects are less researched and practiced compared to economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Research is still at an infancy stage in the emerging economies with very few social sustainability-centered studies focusing on practices and metrics to measure the impact of these practices. The paper identifies 26 social issues for social sustainability in supply chain for two different economies and does a comparative study. Scope of the paper is limited to Manufacturing and Energy sectors in the USA and in India to seek a possible contrasting or adhering perspective to the issues. Results and discussion pertain to the chosen sectors and geographies and provide key insight on the perspectives in the region with a conclusion on further research and mitigation methods through research and implementation of corporate practices that can help mitigate systemic social issues.
Nutri-bullets Hybrid: Consensual Multi-document Summarization

We present a method for generating comparative summaries that highlight similarities and contradictions in input documents. The key challenge in creating such summaries is the lack of large parallel training data required for training typical summarization systems. To this end, we introduce a hybrid generation approach inspired by traditional concept-to-text systems. To enable accurate comparison between different sources, the model first learns to extract pertinent relations from input documents. The content planning component uses deterministic operators to aggregate these relations after identifying a subset for inclusion into a summary. The surface realization component lexicalizes this information using a text-infilling language model. By separately modeling content selection and realization, we can effectively train them with limited annotations. We implemented and tested the model in the domain of nutrition and health – rife with inconsistencies. Compared to conventional methods, our framework leads to more faithful, relevant and aggregation-sensitive summarization – while being equally fluent.
On smooth activation functions

We had earlier constructed neural networks which are capable of providing optimal approximation rates for smooth target functions. The activation functions evaluated by the principal elements of these networks were infinitely many times differentiable. In this paper, we prove that the parameters of any network with these two properties must satisfy certain lower bounds. Our results can also be thought of as providing a rudimentary test for the hypothesis that the unknown target function belongs to a Sobolev class.
Asymptomatic Neisseria subflava biovar perflava bacteriuria in a child with obstructive uropathy.

A case of asymptomatic urinary tract infection withNeisseria subflava biovarperflava in a 10-year-old male patient with congenital structural abnormalities of the urinary bladder is presented. The organism was recovered from three catheter urine specimens collected over a seven-month period. A brief review of the role of saprophyticNeisseria species in infectious processes is presented and the likely source of this unusual urinary tract isolate is discussed.
Human senescence, evolutionary and biocultural perspectives

Preface 1. Introduction and background 2. Evolutionary and biological theories of senescence 3. Human variation: growth, development, life history and senescence 4. Human variation: chronic diseases, risk factors and senescence 5. Human life span and life extension 6. Discussion and perspectives References.
Writing Research Reports

As publication provides the primary basis for an evaluation for promotion and tenure, the ability to write and produce research reports is a fundamental skill for the academic professional. Whether one writes final papers, theses, dissertations, or professional publications, the essential characteristics of the research report remain the same. Research reports are written to present an argument, and all the components of the report should be written to serve the argument. This chapter summarizes and discusses components and characteristics of the research report from several different points of view, but each with an eye toward effective argumentation. First, an overview of the American Psychological Association's Publication Manual is provided. The Manual presents more than the most commonly followed citation style; it embodies received wisdom with respect to writing style in the social sciences. However, when considering how to write an effective research report, a wealth of additional resources exists. These resources include the vast literature on writing theses and dissertations (the “how to finish” genre) and articles on academic style and argumentation written from editors' and researchers' points of view (the “how to publish” genre). These how to genres are augmented by a large body of literature in which the process and the products of research writing are objects of investigation. Considered together, these resources demystify both process and genre, providing a foundation that allows writers to present their research with confidence. Keywords: Assessment evaluation; Language for academic purposes; Language for specific purposes; Research methods
Correlation of creatine kinase and gait measurement in the postpolio population: A corrected version

Measurements of stride length, gait speed, and distance walked during seven days were obtained from 15 postpolio and eight control subjects. Pedometers were used to measure distance walked. Measurements of stride length and speed were performed three times, and there was a high correlation between tests (R = .852-.969). The pedometers failed to record accurately in some postpolio subjects, and these subjects were dropped from analysis when ambulation distance was used as a variable. There were significant differences between the postpolio subjects and controls with respect to gait speed (47.7 +/- 14.0 vs 74.9 +/- 15.9 m/min, p less than 0.0005), stride length (55.3 +/- 11.7 vs 69.8 +/- 8.6 cm, p = .006), and average kilometers walked per day for seven days (1.97 +/- 1.3 vs 3.89 +/- 1.7, p = .016). The postpolio subjects had their serum creatine kinase (CK) levels measured at the end of the study. Forty percent of subjects had a level above the normal limits of our laboratory. There was a significantly positive correlation between CK levels and the distance walked during the previous 24 hours (R = .75, p = .012). The findings of this study illustrate the impact of gait abnormalities on the ambulatory abilities of the postpolio population. The correlation of CK with ambulation supports the association of exercise as a source of elevated CK levels in the postpolio population.
Differential congestion notification: taming the elephants

Active queue management (AQM) in routers has been proposed as a solution to some of the scalability issues associated with TCP's pure end-to-end approach to congestion control. A recent study of AQM demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing the response times of Web request/response exchanges as well as increasing link throughput and reducing loss rates [L. Le et al., 2003]. However, use of the ECN (explicit congestion notification) signaling protocol was required to outperform drop-tail queuing. Since ECN is not currently widely deployed on end-systems, we investigate an alternative to ECN, namely applying AQM differentially to flows based on a heuristic classification of the flow's transmission rate. Our approach, called differential congestion notification (DCN), distinguishes between "small" flows and "large" high-bandwidth flows and only provides congestion notification to large high-bandwidth flows. We compare DCN to other prominent AQM schemes and demonstrate that for Web and general TCP traffic, DCN outperforms all the other AQM designs, including those previously designed to differentiate between flows based on their size and rate.
Job Stress and Coping Strategies of Elementary Principals: A Statewide Study

The purpose of this exploratory study is to gather and examine data regarding the job-related stress of elementary public school principals in Indiana. Specific job issues that principals perceive as stressful are explored, as well as self-reported changes in the stress levels of experienced principals. Objectives of this research are to deepen understanding of the evolving climate surrounding public school leadership, in particular, to investigate current roles, challenges, and stress levels of principals. Findings suggest that supportive measures should be considered in order to assist principals in dealing with increasing job stress and time demands. Several such supportive practices are discussed. In addition, the 20 most common stress-management strategies that principals self-reported as helpful are presented in the appendix.
The shadow of the future promotes cooperation in a repeated prisoner’s dilemma for children

Cooperation among genetically unrelated individuals can be supported by direct reciprocity. Theoretical models and experiments with adults show that the possibility of future interactions with the same partner can promote cooperation via conditionally cooperative strategies such as tit-for-tat (TFT). Here, we introduce a novel implementation of the repeated Prisoner's Dilemma (PD) designed for children to examine whether repeated interactions can successfully promote cooperation in 10 and 11 year olds. We find that children cooperate substantially more in repeated PDs than in one-shot PDs. We also find that girls cooperate more than boys, and that children with more conduct problems cooperate less. Finally, we find that children use conditional cooperation strategies but that these strategies vary by gender and conduct problem rating. Specifically, girls and children with few conduct problems appear to follow an altruistic version of win-stay, lose-shift (WSLS), attempting to re-establish cooperation after they had defected. Boys and children with more conduct problems appear to follow a Grim strategy, defecting for the duration after the partner defects. Thus we provide evidence that children utilize the power of direct reciprocity to promote cooperation in strategic interactions and that, by late elementary school, distinct strategies of conditional cooperation have emerged.
Telecommunications technology, health services, and technology assessment

Technology assessment, applied to new or unestablished medical technologies, is concerned with the evaluation of risks, costs, benefits, and clinical effectiveness. Although relatively straightforward for many technologies, it is complex when one considers the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide health care at a distance. Data are needed regarding specific applications of specific technologies in circumscribed clinical situations. Health services can be provided through the use of appropriate technology, but the equipment and medium used must facilitate high quality transmission of different types of sensory and cognitive data. Constraints are placed on these data by the technical parameters of a telemedicine setup, but the effectiveness of health care also is dependent on the quality of the interaction between provider and patient, and in the case of telemedicine, between the equipment and its users. Usefulness and usability-and hence the design of the interface between equipment and the providers and patients who use it-must assume a more central role in the assessment of telemedicine technology.
Thermal stresses and movements in bridges

A state-of-the-art review regarding the thermal behavior of bridges and considerations to be given to the resultant thermal effects is presented. The results of studies related to the thermal effects on bridges are reviewed. Studies attempting to relate environmental factors to bridge temperatures, and subsequently to bridge movements and stresses, indicate that the task is extremely complex. Some correlation has been made between equations predicting bridge temperatures and movements based on weather bureau records. However, further research is needed to evaluate the effects of factors other than temperature, such as creep, shrinkage, and humidity, on bridge movements and stresses.
Sire-son relationships for type in Holstein-Friesian cattle

Abstract Official classification scores of 336,253 registered Holstein cows recorded from 1 January 1967 through 30 September 1971 were utilized to develop daughter average progeny test information on bulls for final score, the four scorecard traits (general appearance, dairy character, body capacity, and mammary system), and 12 descriptive traits in the official Holstein classification program. Only the first available classification score on each cow was used. Age correction factors were derived for final score and for the scorecard traits, and all traits were adjusted to a 5-yr-old mature base. A total of 1,872 sire-son pairs was included. Regressions of son progeny test on sire progeny average were positive for all traits. Regressions generally were greater than .20 for final score, scorecard traits, and some descriptive traits including stature, back, rump, fore udder, rear udder, udder support, and teat placement. They were less than .20 for head, front end, hind legs, feet, and udder quality. Regressions of nonartificial insemination sons on artificial insemination sires were larger than regressions of artificial insemination sons on artificial insemination sires. Regressions of nonartificial insemination and artificial insemination sons on nonartificial insemination sires were erratic and were not consistent with overall regressions. For progeny averages from sires with varying numbers of sons, final score and scorecard traits along with stature, head, rump, hind legs, fore udder, and rear udder had received considerable emphasis in selection of sires of sons.
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy in substance misusing schizophrenia: Results of an 18-month feasibility trial

Substance use is a frequent problem in schizophrenia, and although many substance misusing patients with the disorder also experience considerable cognitive impairments, such individuals have been routinely excluded from clinical trials of cognitive remediation that could support their functional and addiction recoveries. This study conducted a small-scale feasibility trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) in substance misusing schizophrenia patients to assess the feasibility and efficacy of implementing comprehensive neurocognitive and social-cognitive remediation in this population. A total of 31 schizophrenia outpatients meeting addiction severity criteria for alcohol and/or cannabis use were randomized to 18months of CET or usual care. Feasibility findings indicated high degrees of satisfaction with CET, but also presented significant challenges in the recruitment and retention of substance misusing patients, with high levels of attrition (50%) over the study period, primarily due to positive symptom exacerbation. Intent-to-treat efficacy analyses showed large and significant improvements in neurocognition (d=.86), social cognition (d=1.13), and social adjustment (d=.92) favoring CET. Further, individuals treated with CET were more likely to reduce alcohol use (67% in CET vs. 25% in usual care) during treatment (p=.021). These results suggest that once engaged and stabilized, CET is a feasible and potentially effective treatment for cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia who misuse alcohol and/or cannabis. Substance misusing patients who are able to engage in treatment may be able to benefit from cognitive remediation, and the treatment of cognitive impairments may help improve substance use outcomes among this underserved population.
Forward-error correction with decision feedback*

A new coding scheme is presented. In this scheme a given t-error-detectin g code is used for transmission over a noisy channel. When t or less errors are detected, a single request is made via a feedback channel for transmission of additional redundancy to enable the decoder to correct t or less errors. It is shown to be superior to forward error correction in rate and probability of error. For low channel errors the resulting rate is higher than that of retransmission with no significant difference in the probability of error.
Social influencing among two-year-olds: The role of affiliative and antagonistic behaviors*

Sixteen pairs of initially unacquainted 2-year-olds (8 boy and 8 girl dyads) were observed in four free-play sessions conducted over a two-week period. A code describing both affiliative and antagonistic behaviors formed the basis of a probability analysis of the interaction sequences between children. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the antecedents and consequences of affiliative and antagonistic behaviors. Results revealed an interesting contrast between affiliative and antagonistic antecedents. Each depressed the opposite type of behavior in the playmate, but while antagonistic overtures also led to antagonistic responses from the playmate, affiliative overtures increased simple looking (at the initiator) on the part of the playmate rather than affiliative responses. Further analyses showed that if an affiliative overture led to only a simple look on the part of the playmate, rather than a clear behavioral response, the child who mode the affiliative overture was likely to respond antagonistically in the following turn in the sequence. Results of these several analyses were interpreted in terms of the change in peer relationships from physical, object oriented contacts to more distal attempts to influence the environment.
Combining phacoemulsification with pars plana vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy: A series of 223 cases

Abstract Purpose To describe the results of combined phacoemulsification, insertion of posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL), and pars plana vitrectomy for patients with retinal disorders resulting from diabetic retinopathy. Design Retrospective, consecutive, noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants Two hundred twenty-three patients with vitreoretinal disorders secondary to diabetic retinopathy. Methods A case series of 223 consecutive patients with retinal disorders resulting from diabetic retinopathy who underwent combined phacoemulsification, insertion of PCIOL, and pars plana vitrectomy. Main outcome measures Vision, number of secondary procedures, and complications. Results Two hundred twenty-three patients (153 with vitreous hemorrhage, 58 with traction retinal detachment, and 12 with macular traction) underwent combined surgery. The average increase in vision was 4.3 Snellen lines. The average follow-up was 10 months. Retinal detachment occurred in 5% of patients who underwent surgery. Diabetic macular edema was found in 12% after combined surgery. Cystoid macular edema was found in 3%. Vitreous hemorrhage requiring another procedure occurred in 11%. Twenty-two patients (10%) required a repeat vitrectomy (12 for vitreous hemorrhage and 10 for retinal detachment). Conclusions Combined phacoemulsification, insertion of PCIOL, posterior capsulectomy, and pars plana vitrectomy can be used to treat patients with complications resulting from proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Combined surgery may prevent a second operation for postvitrectomy cataract, allowing earlier visual rehabilitation.
Unusual trimetallic magnesium cations and adamantyl anions of aluminum and gallium

Abstract Reaction of adamantylmagnesium bromide, AdaMgBr (Ada=C 10 H 15 ) with aluminum(III) chloride, gallium(III) chloride, dimethylgallium chloride, or dimethylaluminum chloride gives [Mg 3 BrCl 3 (OEt)(OEt 2 ) 6 ][Ada 3 AlBr] ( I ), [Mg 3 Br 2 Cl 3 (OEt 2 ) 6 ][Ada 2 GaBr 2 ] ( II ), [Mg 3 Br 4 (OEt)(OEt 2 ) 6 ][Ada 2 GaMe 2 ] ( III ), and [Mg 3 Br 4 (OEt)(OEt 2 ) 6 ][Ada 2 AlMe 2 ] ( IV ), respectively. These ionic compounds, characterized by 1 H- and 13 C-NMR, elemental analyses, and single crystal X-ray diffraction, contain trimetallic magnesium cations with each alkaline earth metal residing in a distorted octahedral environment. The aluminum and gallium atoms in the adamantyl-based anions reside in distorted tetrahedral environments. These substances are the first examples of adamantyl-based Group 13 organometallic compounds.
A model of zinc-nickel alloy electrodeposition in an industrial-scale cell

This paper analyses continuous alloy plating of steel strip with the use of a rate model that accounts for migration and homogeneous equilibria in the mass-transport boundary layer adjacent to the cathode. The model predicts the effect of bath composition, temperature, electrolyte velocity, and current density on the alloy composition and current density distribution within the cell. The effect of a slight taper of the interelectrode gap was also considered. The results were used to evaluate which of several currently used electrogalvanizing cells are most likely to succeed in producing coats of uniform zinc-nickel alloy composition. It is demonstrated that mass-transfer of the zinc is a critical factor under typical industrial conditions and that electrolyte injection counter to the strip movement is important for application of an electrodeposit uniform in composition.
A mathematical theory of enhanced para-xylene selectivity in molecular sieve catalysts

Abstract In certain molecular sieve catalysts, such as the zeolite ZSM-5, the diffusivity of para -xylene can be more than a thousand times higher than the diffusivities of ortho - and meta -xylenes. The xylene mixtures produced in such catalysts from alkylation of toluene or from toluene disproportionation can have para -xylene concentrations far in excess of the equilibrium concentration. A mathematical theory is developed here to explain this enhancement of para -selectivity and the decline of selectivity under increasing conversion.
Surface properties and blood compatibility of polyurethaneureas.

Abstract A series of polyurethaneureas of varying soft segment type and hard/soft segment ratio were synthesized, and their bulk and surface properties evaluated. A canine ex vivo arteriovenous series shunt was used to monitor initial thrombus deposition. Significant levels of surface hard segment components are apparent in these materials. Polymers with poly(tetramethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) soft segments showed blood compatibility variations with changes in hard/soft segment ratios: the more well-phase-separated materials showing lower platelet and fibrinogen deposition levels. Those trends were not apparent in polymers synthesized with poly(dimethylsiloxane) or poly(ethylene oxide) soft segments, but poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based materials showed higher levels of thrombus deposition than the poly(ethylene oxide)-based polymers.
Motor Protection for Valve Actuators

Valve actuator motors as a category have never really been defined by NEMA, NEC, or any other group. Moreover, NEC Section 430-33 states that intermittent-duty motors need not have motor protection. As a result, the decision to protect motors and the selection of protector type are both left to the specifying engineer or the manufacturer. A guideline is presented to help the engineer and the manufacturer make both decisions. Our recommendations are based on field experience confirmed by laboratory testing.
Effects of informative and justificatory variables upon imitation

Abstract An experiment was performed to examine the influence of vicarious reinforcement, verbalization by the model of his own acts, and task difficulty upon imitation. Presence of verbalization resulted in both greater comprehension and greater acceptance of the modeled act. A Verbalization × Vicarious reinforcement interaction indicated that presence of verbalization increased imitation in the vicarious reinforcement, but not in the nonreinforcement, treatment. Exposure to modeling on a discrimination task of low difficulty produced both greater comprehension and greater imitation than exposure to modeling on tasks of high difficulty. Results were interpreted in terms of a theoretical viewpoint postulating that comprehension and acceptance are both antecedents to the behavioral disposition to imitate a model.
Influence of selenium status on activity of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase in rat liver and testis in comparison with other selenoproteins

Abstract Selenium-deficient rats (-Se, fed a Torula yeast-based diet containing no added selenium for 6 weeks) were injected intraperitoneally with up to 50 μg selenium per kg bodyweight (BW) and sacrificed 6 or 12 hr later. Control rats were fed a similar diet with 0.25 mg Se/kg diet added as sodium selenate. Phospholipid hydroper-oxide glutathione peroxidase (phGSH-Px) and cellular glutathione peroxidase (cGSH-Px) activities were determined in liver and testis. Extracellular glutathione peroxidase (eGSH-Px) activity and selenoprotein P level were measured in plasma. Liver phGSH-Px activity in control rats was small in comparison with liver cGSH-Px activity. Much of the phGSH-Px activity measured in liver (especially under -Se conditions) was accounted for by non-specific NADPH oxidation, which was measurable in the absence of any added substrate in the reaction vial, or when a non-reactive substrate analogue was used. Gross activity of liver phGSH-Px fell only to 76% of control values in selenium deficiency and showed little response to selenium injection. Liver cGSH-Px and plasma eGSH-Px activities in -Se rats were reduced to
Detection of penicillin G and ampicillin as contaminants in tetracyclines and penicillamine

A method was developed to detect residual levels of ampicillin and penicillin G in various tetracyclines and penicillamine. Residues are detected by reversed-phase TLC followed by bioautography. The directness of the techniques makes this method a good means of detecting residual contaminants in drugs.
Hygroscopic behavior and liquid‐layer composition of aerosol particles generated from natural and artificial seawater

[1] Sea-salt aerosol (SSA) particles affect the Earth's radiative balance and moderate heterogeneous chemistry in the marine boundary layer. Using conventional and environmental transmission electron microscopes (ETEM), we investigated the hygroscopic growth and liquid-layer compositions of particles generated from three types of aqueous salt solutions: sodium chloride, laboratory-synthesized seawater (S-SSA particles), and natural seawater (N-SSA particles). Three levels of morphological change were observed with the ETEM as the laboratory-generated particles were exposed to increasing relative humidity (RH). The first level, onset of observable morphological changes, occurred on average at 70, 48, and 35% RH for the NaCl, S-SSA, and N-SSA particles, respectively. The second level, rounding, occurred at 74, 66, and 57% RH for NaCl, S-SSA, and N-SSA particles, respectively. The third level, complete deliquescence, occurred at 75% RH for all particles. Collected ambient SSA particles were also examined. With the exception of deliquescence, they did not exhibit the same hygroscopic characteristics as the NaCl particles. The ambient particles, however, behaved most similarly to the synthesized and natural SSA particles, although the onset of morphological change was slightly higher for the S-SSA particles. We used energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry to study the composition of the liquid layer formed on the S-SSA and N-SSA particles. The layer was enriched in Mg, S, and O relative to the solid particle core. An important implication of these results is that MgSO 4 -enriched solutions on the surface of SSA particles may be the solvents of many heterogeneous reactions.
The utility of Y-STR profiling in four-, six- and eight-day postcoital vaginal swabs.

Y-STR profiles using the Promega PowerPlex® Y system were attempted on multiple vaginal swabs collected at four, six and eight days after intercourse from female partners of 11 couples. At four days postcoitus, full composite profiles (where swabs yielded confirmed alleles at all 11 loci) were obtained for five of the 11 couples and 78% of all possible alleles summed for all couples were confirmed (able to be duplicated in different swabs). Results for composite profiles for all couples taken at six days after intercourse showed that 53% of all alleles summed for all couples were confirmed. Only one couple yielded a full composite profile at six days after intercourse. Composite profiles from swabs taken at eight days after intercourse for all couples confirmed only 44% of all possible alleles summed for all couples. At eight days postcoitus, no couple yielded a full composite profile and the largest number of confirmed alleles for any couple was eight. However, one of 44 individual swabs taken from all c...
Electrophoretic Mobility of Nonuniformly Charged Spherical Particles with Polarization of the Double Layer

Abstract A model is developed to simultaneously account for both a nonuniform zeta potential (ζ) on the surface and polarization of the double layer in computing the electrophoretic motion of a spherical particle. The double layer is assumed thin (κR ⪢ 1 where κ is the Debye parameter and R the particle's radius) but effects of ion transport within it are included; this work extends the previous theory for nonuniformly charged particles which neglects ion transport within the double layer. The model is generally valid for symmetrically charged electrolytes and any distribution of ζ along the surface of a particle as long as the surface gradient is O(R-1). Sample calculations for the electrophoretic mobility are made for a particle when its axis of charge distribution is aligned with the applied electric field. When polarization is important, the mobility depends on the details of the ζ-distribution and not just on the monopole and quadrupole moments as is the case without polarization. Several examples demonstrate that particles having the same mobility at infinite κR (no polarization) but different ζ-distributions can have significantly different mobilities at finite κR.
Intrafamilial transmission of Epstein-Barr virus infections

Intrafamilial transmission of Epstein-Barr virus infections was studied in 35 familial. After infectious mononucleosis was diagnosed in an index child, all siblings were tested for antibodies to EBV. Susceptible children were retested in four to eight weeks. In five families, a concurrent seroconversion was detected in an asymptomatic younger child. Two of 35 seronegative siblings developed clinical IM, confirmed serologically, during the study period. Overall, there evidence of spread in 7 (20%) of the 35 families. We conclude that there is significant intrafamilial transmission of IM. Our findings are compatible with an incubation period of four to six weeks.
Domain decomposition for multi-dimensional, first order systems of partial differential equations

We consider a general, variationally based, domain decomposition method for positive symmetric systems. This procedure contains as a special case the frequently used method of assigning matching conditions across interfaces based upon inflow and outflow characteristics. The correct method of monitoring the possible convergence of various methods is studied as well as the error in a finite element discretization of the resulting split-up subproblems.
Randomized trial comparing packed red cell blood transfusion with and without leukocyte depletion for gastrointestinal surgery

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic transfusion is associated with postoperative infections that significantly prolong hospital stays and increase costs. Recent studies suggest that filtering leukocytes from blood prior to transfusion reduces the risk of postoperative infection associated with blood transfusion. We compared the incidence of postoperative infections, hospital stays, and hospital charges of gastrointestinal surgery patients transfused with packed red cells or leukocyte-depleted cells. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted for elective gastrointestinal surgery without previous blood transfusion were randomized to receive routine packed red cells or packed red cells filtered to remove leukocytes if transfusion was required. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the significance of the relationship between leukocyte-depleted blood and postoperative infectious complications, postoperative stay, and hospital charges. RESULTS: Fifty-nine (27%) of the 221 patients were transfused. The most significant variable related to transfusion was intraoperative blood loss (P <0.0001), followed by admission hematocrit (P <0.0001) and age (P = 0.0022). Infections were noted in 16% of the patients: 11% of untransfused patients, 16% of leukocyte-depleted blood recipients, and 44% of patients transfused with packed red cells. Both operative site and nosocomial infections were significantly (P <0.001) more frequent in patients transfused with packed red cells compared with patients transfused with leukocyte-depleted red cells. Postoperative stays averaged 9 days for untransfused patients, 12 days for leukocyte-depleted recipients, and 18 days for recipients of packed red cells. Hospital charges were $19,132, $33,954, and $41,002, respectively. Both transfusion and infection were significantly (P <0.001) related to postoperative stay in multivariate analysis. Hospital charges were significantly related to postoperative stay (P <0.001), blood loss (P <0.001), age (P <0.001), infection (P = 0.007), and randomization to packed red cells (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Filtering blood of leukocytes prior to transfusion for elective gastrointestinal surgery is associated with lower risk of postoperative infection, shorter postoperative stays, and lower hospital charges.
Coordination polymers of 1,8-bis(2-methylthioethoxy)anthraquinone and 1,5-bis(2-methylthioethoxy)anthraquinone with Ag(I): Synthesis and X-ray crystallography

Abstract The reaction of 2-(methylthioethanol) with 1,8-dichloroanthraquinone and 1,5-dichloroanthraquinone in THF with base produces 1,8-bis(2-methylthioethoxy)anthraquinone (1) and 1,5-bis(2-methylthioethoxy)anthraquinone (2), respectively. Silver(I) complexes of 1 and 2 have been synthesized after combination with [Ag(CH3CN)4]BF4 in 1:1 M ratio to yield, [(1,8-bis(2-methylthioethoxy)anthraquinone)Ag]BF4, (3) and [(1,5-bis(2-methylthioethoxy)anthraquinone)Ag·CH3CN]BF4, (4). X-ray crystal structures of the free ligand (1) and the Ag(I) complexes (3 and 4) are reported. The intraannular carbonyl group forms a coordinate–covalent bond with Ag(I) and, in the solid state, both silver(I) complexes are found as coordination polymers.
On assumed boundary conditions at an interface between a dielectric and a compressible plasma

Some remarks are made concerning two assumed boundary conditions at the interface between a dielectric region and a compressible plasma. It is indicated that Fedorchenko's double Laplace integral formulation, which invokes causality, is equivalent to the assumption of continuity of the normal electric field. In general, this differs from results derived on the basis of an assumed rigid boundary. It is shown that both expressions for the reflection coefficient in the dielectric region have the same form, but the temperature correction is different. Without appeal to the physics of the sheath, there is no reason to choose one condition over the other.
THE STABILITY OF CHLOROPLASTS FROM SIPHONACEOUS ALGAE IN SYMBIOSIS WITH SACOGLOSSAN MOLLUSCS

SUMMARY Chloroplasts from siphonaceous algae remain photosynthetically active in the digestive epithelial cells of the sacoglossan opistobranchs Elysia viridis and Tridachia crispata for up to 3 months. During this time, chlorophylls and glycolipids are not synthesized, but the synthesis of small molecular weight metabolites such as sugars, amino acids etc. can readily be demonstrated. Analysis of the capacity of symbiotic chloroplasts to synthesize ribulose diphosphate carboxylase and membrane proteins produced negative results in both instances, even though photosynthetic CO2 fixation could always be demonstrated. These findings show that symbiotic chloroplasts are biochemically stable entities, and that they neither grow nor divide while in the animals’cells. It it likely that chloroplasts depend on the plant cell nucleus and cytoplasmic protein synthesizing machinery for the synthesis of many of their structural and enzymatic components.
Current computer use by diabetes educators.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to ascertain diabetes educators' current use of computer technologies. METHODS The study population consisted of 279 randomly selected certified diabetes educators, all of whom were members of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Participants were asked to complete the Attitudes Toward Patient Education Technology instrument. RESULTS Descriptive findings showed that most educators (89.6%) have access to computers and use them primarily for word processing (43%). Nearly 30% of participants had never accessed the Internet, and no significant difference was noted when this variable was categorized by age. In addition, age and gender were not significant predictors of computer use, although age was significantly related to computer ownership. Patient access and organizational issues were the primary barriers to computer use in patient education. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide further understanding of diabetes educators' computer use and integration of computer technology in the patient education process.
“Fixed” Sentencing: The Effect on Imprisonment Rates Over Time

Objective Sentencing guidelines, statutory presumptive sentencing, determinate sentencing, truth in sentencing, and three strikes are important components of the criminal justice system. The main purpose behind a relatively-fixed sentence is to remove judicial discretion by insuring that convicted felons receive a reasonably-assumed sentence depending on the crime committed. The current study assessed shifts in year-to-year changes in incarceration rates within all 50 states from the years 1965–2008 due to the adoption of sentencing reforms.
Genetic components and intellectual functioning during senescence: a 20-year study of aging twins.

Psychological test scores of 13 identical and six fraternal pairs of twins aged 77–88 years were analyzed. These individuals are the survivors of a group of senescent twins studied earlier. The identical twins remained more similar than the fraternal ones, and there was a remarkable conservation of cognitive abilities in most individuals. Moreover, preservation of intelligence and longevity may be related.
A new monitoring architecture for distribution feeder health monitoring, asset management, and real-time situational awareness

Delivering reliable service requires satisfactory operation of numerous line components, spanning significant geographical areas and subject to environmental, electrical, and mechanical stresses, plus normal aging. Conventional reliability practices use periodic maintenance to minimize failures, coupled with rapid restoration procedures when outages occur. Reliability statistics have shown little change in decades. Newer technologies can shorten outages, by automatically rerouting service to customers on healthy feeder segments, but they: require redundant paths for power flow; react only after outages occur; and often require communications with pole-mounted switches. Over the past decade, Texas A&M University has demonstrated that electrical waveforms, available via conventional substation-based CTs and PTs, contain evidence of failures, incipient failures, and improper operation of feeder equipment, often well before these conditions escalate and cause outages. This provides the basis for conditioned-based maintenance and outage avoidance. This paper provides examples, from operating feeders, demonstrating some of these advances.
Improved hydrogen release from LiB0.33N0.67H2.67 with metal additives: Ni, Fe, and Zn

Abstract We have examined the effect of adding small quantities of Fe, Ni, and Zn, or their dichlorides, on the dehydrogenation temperature of the new quaternary hydride material LiB 0.33 N 0.67 H 2.67 . NiCl 2 proved to be an especially effective dehydrogenation promoter. The hydrogen release temperature, represented by the temperature T 1/2 at which the hydrogen release reaction is half completed, decreased by Δ T 1/2 = −104 °C for 5 wt% NiCl 2 addition and by Δ T 1/2 = −112 °C for 11 wt% NiCl 2 addition compared to that of additive-free LiB 0.33 N 0.67 H 2.67 . This represents a significant improvement over the maximum temperature reduction of Δ T 1/2 = −90 °C achieved previously with Pt/Vulcan carbon additive (Pt nanoparticles supported on a Vulcan carbon substrate). Transmission electron microscopy on LiB 0.33 N 0.67 H 2.67 + 11 wt% NiCl 2 revealed uniformly dispersed nanoparticles with diameters less than 8 nm within the LiB 0.33 N 0.67 H 2.67 matrix, consistent with reduction of the NiCl 2 to metallic Ni during synthesis by ball milling. Mass spectrometry of the evolved gas showed that the total amount of NH 3 released concurrently during dehydrogenation of LiB 0.33 N 0.67 H 2.67 + 5 wt% NiCl 2 was reduced by an order of magnitude compared to the additive-free material, and by a factor of four compared to LiB 0.33 N 0.67 H 2.67 + 5 wt% Pt/Vulcan carbon. In contrast to additive-free LiB 0.33 N 0.67 H 2.67 , which melts completely above 190 °C and releases hydrogen from the liquid state only above about 250 °C, hydrogen release from LiB 0.33 N 0.67 H 2.67 + 5 wt% NiCl 2 is accompanied by partial melting above 190 °C plus transformation to a new, hydrogen-poor solid intermediate phase. Addition of 5 wt% FeCl 2 gave Δ T 1/2 = −36 °C, but Fe, Zn, and ZnCl 2 additives did not produce significant improvement.
Hydrodynamic Performance of Meso Scale Gas Journal Bearings

Recent advancement of micro machining technology enabled a fabrication of micro scale gas bearings for high performance miniature scale rotating machinery. This paper presents recent development of micro gas bearings fabricated through X-ray lithography, and suggests fabrication method of various meso scale (~mm) gas journal bearings, which include Rayleigh step gas journal bearings, pressure dam bearings, grooved pressure dam bearings. Also presented are simulations performed using orbit method for the suggested meso scale gas bearings with diameter of 2mm, length of 2mm, and clearance of 1~2 micron. Pan’s first order slip model was adopted to simulate molecular rarefaction effects. The rotor mass was 0.3g, simulating very small Laser scanner unit. From the simulations, Rayleigh step journal bearing had highest threshold speed reaching 300,000 rpm. Effects of molecular rarefaction in sub micron bearing clearance on the dynamic performance at very high bearing numbers, were also investigated.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A remark on differential algebraic groups.

Let U be a universal differential field of characteristic 0 with a set of commuting derivations. In [C] it is shown that if G is an almost simple differential algebraic group then G is isogeneous (as a differential algebraic group) to a linear algebraic group relative to a δclosed subfield of U. Here we show, using some model-theoretic facts, that isogeneous can be replaced by isomorphic. In differential algebra the underlying "universe" is taken to be a “universal” differential field U with a set of commuting derivations. Starting with subsets of Un defined by differential polynomial equations (theδ-closed subsets of Un), and maps defined by differential polynomials, a category of differential algebraic sets (varieties) is constructed [K]. A differential algebraic group is a group object in this category. If G is such a group then G is said to be A-connected if G has no proper δ-closed subgroup of finite index. G is said to be almost - simple (or, in the language of [C], δ-simple) if G has no proper nont...
A Real-Time Monitor for Entrained Particle Loading

The use of coal and coal-derived fuels in combustion gas turbines is being aggressively pursued. Contaminants in these fuels can lead to various detrimental effects to the turbine including increased pressure drops, altered gas flow patterns, and the potential for surging. An instrument has been developed to provide a real-time measure of the loading of particles entrained in the products of combustion of these fuels. The unit is a self-compensating, two color transmissometer which measures the obscuration of a laser beam due to the scattering of light by particles along the path of the beam. The transmissometer consists of, a HeNe laser (632.8 nm) and a HeCd laser (441.6 nm), detectors, and data acquisition/control electronics. Utilizing windows appropriately placed in the products of combustion stream, the transmissometer has a time resolution of about 1 second and a sensitivity of about 0.1 percent.Copyright © 1985 by ASME
Conformational distribution of n-hexane in a nematic liquid crystal obtained from nuclear spin dipolar couplings by Monte Carlo sampling

Motionally averaged proton−proton dipolar couplings measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy can provide information about the conformations and orientations sampled by partially oriented molecules. In this study, the measured dipolar couplings between pairs of protons on n-hexane dissolved in a nematic liquid crystal solvent are used as constraints in a Monte Carlo sampling of the conformations and orientations of n-hexane. Rotation about each carbon−carbon bond in the molecule is modeled by the complete sinusoidal torsional potential of Ryckaert and Bellemans rather than by the three-state rotational isomeric states (RIS) model that has been used in previous studies. Comparison of the results of the simulations using the Ryckaert−Bellemans potential and the RIS model indicates little difference in the values of the adjustable parameters and the quality of the fits to the experimental data. The primary difference between the models appears in the calculated conformer probability distribu...