cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Data-Driven Approach for Classification of Subjectivity in Personal Narratives

Personal narratives typically involve a narrator who participates in a sequence of events in the past. The narrator is therefore present at two narrative levels: (1) the extradiegetic level, where the act of narration takes place, with the narrator addressing an audience directly; and (2) the diegetic level, where the events in the story take place, with the narrator as a participant (usually the protagonist). Although story understanding is commonly associated with semantics of the diegetic level (i.e., understanding the events that take place within the story), personal narratives may also contain important information at the extradiegetic level that frames the narrated events and is crucial for capturing the narrator’s intent. We present a data-driven modeling approach that learns to identify subjective passages that express mental and emotional states of the narrator, placing them at either the diegetic or extradiegetic level. We describe an experiment where we used narratives from personal weblog posts to measure the effectiveness of our approach across various topics in this narrative genre.
Current Approach to the Management of Neutropenia

Neutrophils have a critical role in host defense. Reduction in the absolute neutrophil count to below 1,000/μL is associated with increased susceptibility to infection. The pattern of infections depends on the severity and the duration of neutropenia and other associated defects in host defense mechanisms and exposure to antibiotics and other drugs, particularly corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. Breaks in the integrity of the skin or the gastrointestinal mucosal surfaces serve as the portals of entry for the majority of infecting organisms. Empiric antibiotic therapy and hospitalization are almost always required for the management of fever (temperature >38.2°C) in a neutropenic patient. A single antibiotic (e.g., ceftazidime or imipenem) or a combination of antibiotics with activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms usually provides effective antimicrobial therapy. In low-risk patients, trials of out-patient therapy are ongoing. When febrile neutropenia does not respond t...
Multiagent mission specification and execution

Specifying a reactive behavioral configuration for use by a multiagent team requires both a careful choice of the behavior set and the creation of a temporal chain of behaviors which executes the mission. This difficult task is simplified by applying an object-oriented approach to the design of the mission using a construction called an assemblage and a methodology called temporal sequencing. The assemblage construct allows building high level primitives which provide abstractions for the designer. Assemblages consist of groups of basic behaviors and coordination mechanisms that allow the group to be treated as a new coherent behavior. Upon instantiation, the assemblage is parameterized based on the specific mission requirements. Assemblages can be re-parameterized and used in other states within a mission or archived as high level primitives for use in subsequent projects. Temporal sequencing partitions the mission into discrete operating states with perceptual triggers causing transitions between those states. Several smaller independent configurations (assemblages) can then be created which each implement one state. The Societal Agent theory is presented as a basis for constructions of this form. The Configuration Description Language (CDL) is developed to capture the recursive composition of configurations in an architecture- and robot-independent fashion. The MissionLab system, an implementation based on CDL, supports the graphical construction of configurations using a visual editor. Various multiagent missions are demonstrated in simulation and on our Denning robots using these tools.
'The Pen is Mightier than the Sword': Lysander Spooner’s Constitutional Response to Increasing Abolitionist Violence in the 1850's

Like many other abolitionists, during the 1850's Lysander Spooner (1808-1887) began to infuse the advocacy of violent responses to slavery into his antislavery arguments. However, this Massachusetts native did so by maintaining a decidedly hands-off approach. Instead of oratorical bluster or physical confrontation, Spooner continued to adhere to his lifelong strategy of using written treatises and/or essays of constitutional interpretation and legal logic in order to convey his thoughts. Paying particular attention to his 1858 broadside entitled “A Plan for the Abolition of Slavery (and) to the Non-Slaveholders of the South” (the timing of whose publication John Brown’s supporters considered dangerously inflammatory), this paper asks whether the tendencies towards increased militarism and advocacy of the use of violence changed or weakened the legal bases of the “unconstitutionality of slavery” arguments that Spooner made in the 1840s.Drawing on Spooner’s works and correspondence, I reach the conclusion that his invitations to violence were just that, invitations. They were, as was the case for so many abolitionists, responses to government actions that had the effect (both perceived and real) of further entrenching Slave Power. They did not in any appreciable manner affect Spooner’s belief that rigid and logical adherence to the rule of natural law and justice could prevail – if only the U.S. Constitution were correctly interpreted.This is a version of a paper that will be presented at the “John Brown Remembered: 150th Anniversary of the Raid on Harpers Ferry" conference in Harpers Ferry, WV, October 14-17, 2009
Lifestyle Intervention for Sleep Disturbances Among Overweight or Obese Individuals

Little is known about the effect of different lifestyle interventions on sleep disturbances among sedentary obese or overweight persons. We randomized men and women aged 35-65 to 6 months of a weight loss diet (D); or D combined with supervised exercise training D + E. Measurements were self-reported sleep disturbances, the Profile of Mood States questionnaire, BMI, total abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat by magnetic resonance imaging, and aerobic fitness expressed as VO2peak. The groups did not differ in changes for body weight, abdominal total fat, VO2peak, and sleep disturbances. The novel finding herein is that reduced abdominal subcutaneous fat and depressive symptoms, with either D or D + E were associated with less sleep disturbances.
Regiochemical studies on halocyclization reactions of unsaturated sulfides

Abstract The regiochemistry of halocyclization reactions for olefinic and acetylenic has been examined.
The role of packaging size on contamination rates during simulated presentation to a sterile field.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the impact of package size on the contact between medical devices and non-sterile surfaces (i.e. the hands of the practitioner and the outside of the package) during aseptic presentation to a simulated sterile field. Rationale for this objective stems from the decades-long problem of hospital-acquired infections. This work approaches the problem from a unique perspective, namely packaging size. DESIGN Randomized complete block design with subsampling. SETTING Research study conducted at professional conferences for surgical technologists and nursing professionals. PARTICIPANTS Ninety-seven healthcare providers, primarily surgical technologists and nurses. METHODS Participants were gloved and asked to present the contents of six pouches of three different sizes to a simulated sterile field. The exterior of pouches and gloves of participants were coated with a simulated contaminant prior to each opening trial. After presentation to the simulated sterile field, the presence of the contaminant on package contents was recorded as indicative of contact with non-sterile surfaces and analyzed in a binary fashion using a generalized linear mixed model. RESULTS Recruited subjects were 26-64 years of age (81 females, 16 males), with 2.5-44 years of professional experience. Results indicated a significant main effect of pouch size on contact rate of package contents (P = 0.0108), whereby larger pouches induced greater rates of contact than smaller pouches (estimates±SEM: 14.7±2.9% vs. 6.0±1.7%, respectively). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study utilized novel methodologies which simulate contamination in aseptic presentation. Results of this work indicate that increased contamination rates are associated with larger pouches when compared to smaller pouches. The results add to a growing body of research which investigate packaging's role in serving as a pathway for product contamination during aseptic presentation. Future work should investigate other packaging design factors (e.g. material, rigidity, and closure systems) and their role in contamination.
Rapid Calculation for Convective Heat Transfer in Laminar Boundary Layer by Gaussian Quadratures

The integral of the form\(\int_0^\infty {\exp \left[ { - Pr\int_0^\eta {f(\zeta )d\zeta } } \right]d\eta } \), which arises in the convective heat transfer with constant wall temperature, is integrated by using Gauss-Laguerre and Gauss-Legendre Quadrature formulae. It is shown that the Nusselt number can be expressed explicitly in terms of the Prandtl number and the method proposed in this paper is valid for wide range of Prandtl numbers. Examples are given for the cases of flow over a semi-infinite plate and two-dimensional and axisymmetrical stagnations. The results are compared with the exact solutions for Prandtl numbers ranging from 0.006 to 100 (flat plate) and 0.01 to 50 (two-dimensional and axisymmetrical stagnation flows).
On Models of Hospital Chaplaincies: Which One Works Best for the Muslim Community?

The Muslim community and professional chaplains associations are realizing the need for Muslim chaplains to get involved in the many institutions that require their services, such as universities, hospitals, prisons, and the military. Having observed different models by which hospital chaplaincies operate, the research presented in this article seeks to outline and examine three models of operating chaplaincy service: the chaplain-only model, the volunteer model, and the volunteer-chaplain model. While the models outlined here are restricted to hospital ministry, they might be beneficial, with varying degrees, to people engaged in other areas of chaplaincy services. This article investigates the model that might work best for the Muslim community, and ends with a summary of future steps for the proper implementation of this health care chaplaincy model.
Culture conditions that influence accumulation of zwittermicin A by Bacillus cereus UW85

Bacillus cereus strain UW85 produces an antibiotic, designated zwittermicin A, that is associated with the ability of UW85 to suppress damping-off disease of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) caused by the oomycete pathogen, Phytophthora medicaginis, in a laboratory bioassay. We have identified certain culture conditions that promote or suppress zwittermicin A accumulation by UW85. Maximum accumulation was detected in supernatants of trypticase soy broth cultures after sporulation, which is when cultures of UW85 provide the greatest suppression of damping-off on alfalfa. Inorganic amendments to trypticase soy broth cultures had the following effects on zwittermicin A accumulation and disease suppression: phosphate (50 mM or more) reduced zwittermicin A accumulation and disease suppression; ferric iron (0.25–1.0 mM) enhanced zwittermicin A accumulaiton and disease suppression; micronutrients (manganese, boron, copper, molybdenum, zinc) had no effect on zwittermicin A accumulation or disease suppression. Cultures of UW85 grown in chemically defined minimal medium supplemented with casein hydrolysate or grown in defined medium containing the minimal requirements for growth supplemented with five amino acids (Gln, Arg, Met, Phe, Ile) accumulated zwittermicin A. In minimal medium, alfalfa seed exudate inhibited growth of UW85, whereas alfalfa sprout exudate enhanced zwittermicin A accumulation by 40%. These data indicate that the accumulation of zwittermicin A can be modulated by specific nutrients, inorganic compounds, and plant-derived factors. These results will facilitate the improvement of large-scale purification of zwittermicin A, suggest appropriate conditions under which to conduct further genetic and biochemical analyses, and further substantiate the association between antibiotic accumulation and disease suppression by UW85.
Are Local Policies Supporting Instruction Becoming Standardized

This study examined whether instructional policies at the local level are becoming standardized as a result of state and federal accountability initiatives. A stratified random sample of 21 Virginia school districts was used, and the policies reviewed covered seven topics: class size, student grouping, homework, remedial instruction programs, school-year programs for students who fail state tests, summer school programs, and retaking state tests. The authors found that the majority of the 21 districts adopted or amended policies in the wake of accountability initiatives instituted since 1995. Both similarities and differences were found in the districts' policies, but the differences did not appear to be substantial.
Developing genomic resources for the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): isolation and characterization of 153 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 53 genotyping assays

Although single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are commonly used in human genetics, they have only recently been incorporated into genetic studies of non-model organisms, including cetaceans. SNPs have several advantages over other molecular markers for studies of population genetics: they are quicker and more straightforward to score, cross-laboratory comparisons of data are less complicated, and they can be used successfully with low-quality DNA. We screened portions of the genome of one of the most abundant cetaceans in U.S. waters, the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and identified 153 SNPs resulting in an overall average of one SNP every 463 base pairs. Custom TaqMan(®) Assays were designed for 53 of these SNPs, and their performance was tested by genotyping a set of bottlenose dolphin samples, including some with low-quality DNA. We found that in 19% of the loci examined, the minor allele frequency (MAF) estimated during initial SNP ascertainment using a DNA pool of 10 individuals differed significantly from the final MAF after genotyping over 100 individuals, suggesting caution when making inferences about MAF values based on small data sets. For two assays, we also characterized the basis for unusual clustering patterns to determine whether their data could still be utilized for further genetic studies. Overall results support the use of these SNPs for accurate analysis of both poor and good-quality DNA. We report the first SNP markers and genotyping assays for use in population and conservation genetic studies of bottlenose dolphins.
Purification of three γ-chains with different molecular weights from normal human plasma fibrinogen

Three forms of the normal human plasma fibrinogen gamma-chain which differ in molecular weight have been purified. Plasma fibrinogen was separated by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel into three populations of molecules, each with a unique gamma-chain composition. Following reduction and S-carboxymethylation, the fibrinogen polypeptide chains in each chromatographic peak were separated by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel and identified following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The A alpha, B beta and smallest gamma-chain (gamma 50) eluted at progressively higher ionic strengths, but the elution positions of A alpha, B beta and gamma 50 chains were identical for fibrinogen from each of the three different chromatographic fractions. The unique gamma chain of fibrinogen in the second chromatographic peak (gamma 55) eluted at an ionic strength higher than that of the gamma 50 chain, while the largest gamma-chain (gamma 57.5), which was contained only in the third chromatographic peak of fibrinogen, eluted at the highest ionic strength. The higher ionic strengths needed to elute fibrinogen in the second and third peaks was paralleled by the higher ionic strengths needed to elute the gamma-chains unique to them, suggesting that the gamma-chain composition of the three fibrinogen fractions accounted for their differential binding to the ion exchange resin. Following desialation with neuraminidase, the differences in electrophoretic mobilities between the three gamma-chain forms was maintained, indicating that differential migration on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was not due to variation in sialic acid content.
Spin-gap formation and thermal structural studies in reduced hybrid layered vanadates.

Reduced layered M(C4H4N2)V4O10 ((I, M = Co; II, M = Ni; III, M = Zn); C4H4N2 = pyrazine, pyz) hybrid solids were synthesized via hydrothermal reactions at 200−230 °C, and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (Cmcm, No. 63, Z = 4; a = 14.311(2), 14.2372(4), 14.425(1) A; b = 6.997(1), 6.9008(2), 6.9702(6) A; and c = 11.4990(8), 11.5102(3), 11.479(1) A; for I, II, and III, respectively). All three solids are isostructural and contain V4O102- layers condensed from edge- and corner-shared VO5 square pyramids. A single symmetry-unique V atom is reduced by 1/2 electron (on average) and bonds via its apical oxygen atom to interlayer M(pyz)2+ chains. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show a strong temperature dependence and a Curie constant that is consistent with two randomly localized spins per V4O102- formula for III. Further, the unusual discovery of a remarkably well-defined transition to a singlet ground state, as well as formation of a spin gap, is found for III at 22(1) K. The...
Detection of seismic structural damage using parameter-based global damage indices

The problem of detecting the onset of seismic structural damage is considered. A structure exhibits a nonlinear behaviour when it experiences an earthquake. Nonetheless a time variant equivalent structure can be defined. A global damage index can be defined from the vibrational parameters of the equivalent linear structure considered. Experiments on small-scale models are analyzed to calibrate the damage detection model. Since many uncertainties are present in any damage analysis problem, a stochastic definition is obtained, in terms of the probability that the structure considered is damaged after the seismic event. Finally, records from large-scale models and full-scale structures are analyzed. The model proposed performs very well in detecting seismic structural damage for the available data, and holds promise for future use in post-earthquake resource management.
Flesh and Nature: Understanding Merleau-Ponty's Relational Ontology

In this paper I attempt to develop several ways Merleau-Ponty’s ontology might contribute to an environmental ethic through a redefinition of his concept of flesh in terms of a general theory of affectivity. Currently accepted interpretations of the concept such as those in Abram, Toadvine, Barbaras, and Dastur rely upon conceiving flesh as a perceptual experience. I contest this interpretation and argue that a more productive conception of flesh emerges when understood in terms of Heidegger’s philosophy. The paper concludes with a consideration of the normative significance of flesh by examining the role of “wildness” within a place-based ethic.
Gene therapy of apolipoprotein E–deficient mice using a novel macrophage-specific retroviral vector

The use of retroviral gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells for human gene therapy has been hampered by the absence of retroviral vectors that can generate long-lasting, lineage-specific gene expression. We developed self-inactivating retroviral vectors that incorporate gene-regulatory elements from the macrophage-restricted human CD68 gene. Through the transplantation of transduced murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), we show that a vector incorporating a 342-base pair (bp) fragment of 5' flanking sequence from the CD68 gene, in addition to the CD68 first intron, was able to direct macrophage-specific expression of an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene in inflammatory cell exudates and lymphoid organs in vivo. Levels of EGFP expression generated by this vector were greater than those generated by a standard Moloney murine leukemia retroviral vector, and they were stable for at least a year after transplantation of transduced HSCs. To evaluate the ability of this vector to generate therapeutically useful levels of gene expression, we transplanted apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient HSCs transduced with a virus encoding ApoE into ApoE-deficient mice. Macrophages from these mice expressed levels of ApoE that were comparable to those from wild-type mice, and vector-driven expression of ApoE in macrophages was sufficient to reverse both hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesion development. The future application of this retroviral vector should provide a powerful tool to further elucidate macrophage function and for human gene therapy.
SCIENTIFIC REALISM AND THE EMPIRICIST CHALLENGE: AN INTRODUCTION TO ERNAN MCMULLIN'S AQUINAS LECTURE

In The Inference That Makes Science, Ernan McMullin recounts the clear historical progress he saw toward a vision of the sciences as conclusions reached rationally on the basis of empirical evidence. Distinctive of this vision was his view of science as driven by a specific form of inference, retroduction. To understand this properly, we need to disentangle the description of retroductive inference from the claims made on its behalf. To end I will suggest that the real rival to McMullin's vision of science is not the methodologies he criticizes so successfully but a more radical empiricist alternative in epistemology.
Crisis mundial, protección social y empleo

Las politicas adoptadas frente a la crisis financiera mundial que estallo en 2008 promueven casi exclusivamente los intereses nacionales. El proteccionismo y los planes nacionales de salvamento de bancos y de reactivacion economica estan distorsionando la competencia en detrimento de los paises en desarrollo, de la proteccion social y de la meta de una recuperacion rapida. Y tal vez haya una destruccion de empleos excepcional. El autor aboga por que se adopte un plan mundial de reactivacion economica. Defiende tambien una reconsideracion de las ideas y reglamentaciones economicas y de la asistencia al mundo en desarrollo, una actitud menos exigente del Fondo Monetario Internacional y el apoyo a la proteccion social para que actue como estabilizador.
A Concise Route to Branched Erythrono-γ-lactones. Synthesis of the Leaf-Closing Substance Potassium (±)-(2R,3R)-2,3,4-Trihydroxy-2-methylbutanoate

A series of 1,2-dioxanes 3 were ring-opened with Co(SALEN)2 to furnish lactol regioisomers 4 and 5 (86−99% yield). The lactols were oxidized to γ-lactones 8 and 9 (72−96% yield) and deprotected to ...
Hyperprolactinaemia and verapamil: prevalence and potential association with hypogonadism in men

OBJECTIVE Verapamil has been associated with hyperprolactinaemia, but there have been no population-based studies. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and degree of hyperprolactinaemia associated with verapamil in the clinical setting. DESIGN Observation with cross-sectional and longitudinal components in the setting of an urban teaching hospital and its satellite out-patient clinics. PATIENTS Male out-patients excluding those taking other drugs known to raise PRL, renal failure and known primary hypothyroidism (1265 eligible subjects). Control subjects were drawn from eligible out-patients not taking verapamil. MEASUREMENTS Serum PRL levels, frequency of persistent hyperprolactinaemia and total testosterone levels. RESULTS Prolactin levels were obtained in 449 subjects on verapamil (35.5% response rate) and 166 controls. The proportions of individuals with hyperprolactinaemia (PRL > 460 mU/l) were 0.085 and 0.030 in the verapamil and control groups, respectively (P = 0.012, χ2-test). The mean (±SD) serum PRL levels were 267 ± 205 and 203 ±118 mU/l in the verapamil and control groups, respectively (P 120, P < 0.00001). The ± SD serum testosterone levels at follow-up were significantly lower in Group 1 (6.16 ± 2.52 nmol/l) than in Group 2 (9.42 ± 3.92 nmol/l, P = 0.029, independent t-test). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia associated with verapamil use in this study of male out-patients was .5% (95% Cl 5.9–11.1%). The persistence of hyperprolactinaemia when verapamil was continued (Group 1) and the return to normal PRL levels when verapamil was discontinued (Group 2) confirm verapamil’s causal role in the development of hyperprolactinaemia. While low testosterone levels were common in both groups, testosterone levels were lower in patients on verapamil. Our data suggest that screening for hyperprolactinaemia should be considered in male patients taking verapamil.
ION EFFECTS IN X-RAY DEPOLARIZATION OF MUSCLE MEMBRANE.

Abstract Irradiation of frog sartorius muscles with 100 Kr of X-rays results in a relative decrease in resting membrane potential which is dependent on external sodium concentration, but not on potassium concentration provided that the latter exceeds 1.0 mM. In zero potassium solutions, the potential decreases more, and continues to fall after irradiation. Neither irradiation nor stimulation alters the rate at which 45Ca is lost from previously loaded muscle fibers. These results are interpreted to mean that irradiation damage to the muscle cell membrane results in increased permeability to sodium, but not via the release of calcium ions. The sodium extrusion mechanisms are altered by irradiation so as to require an external potassium concentration above 1.0 mM to match the increase of Na influx. Permeability to potassium does not appear to be altered by irradiation.
Impact of health literacy and patient trust on glycemic control in an urban USA population

Diabetes, with its consequences of premature death, complications, and economic costs, is a precursor to a public health crisis that is expected to worsen over the next several decades. The improvement of diabetes outcomes, specifically glycemic control as measured by glycosylated hemoglobin concentration (HbA1c), can impact this critical situation. A quantitative study was conducted that examined health literacy and patient trust as predictors of glycemic control. The related factors of demographics, socioeconomic status, diabetes knowledge, self-care activities, and depression were also considered. Implementing a cross-sectional, predictive design, a convenience sample of 102 patients with diabetes was recruited from two urban primary care clinics in the USA. A simultaneous multiple regression was conducted. The regression analysis was significant, with patient trust and depression accounting for 28.5% of the variance in HbA1c. There was a significant positive relationship between socioeconomic status and health literacy and between diabetes knowledge and health literacy. The results support promotion of the patient-provider relationship, depression screening among individuals with diabetes, and exploration of new strategies for diabetes education. Future research is needed to advance the framework, ascertain which factors engender patient trust, and determine the role of health literacy in glycemic control.
Cell signaling, internalization, and nuclear localization of the angiotensin converting enzyme in smooth muscle and endothelial cells.

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) catalyzes the extracellular formation of angiotensin II, and degradation of bradykinin, thus regulating blood pressure and renal handling of electrolytes. We have previously shown that exogenously added ACE elicited transcriptional regulation independent of its enzymatic activity. Because transcriptional regulation generates from protein-DNA interactions within the cell nucleus we have investigated the initial cellular response to exogenous ACE and the putative internalization of the enzyme in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC). The following phenomena were observed when ACE was added to cells in culture: 1) it bound to SMC and EC with high affinity (Kd = 361.5 ± 60.5 pm) and with a low binding occupancy (Bmax = 335.0 ± 14.0 molecules/cell); 2) it triggered cellular signaling resulting in late activation of focal adhesion kinase and SHP2; 3) it modulated platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β signaling; 4) it was endocytosed by SMC and EC; and 5) it transited through the early endosome, partially occupied the late endosome and the lysosome, and was localized to the nuclei. The incorporation of ACE or a fragment of it into the nuclei reached saturation at 120 min, and was preceded by a lag time of 40 min. Internalized ACE was partially cleaved into small fragments. These results revealed that extracellular ACE modulated cell signaling properties, and that SMC and EC have a pathway for delivery of extracellular ACE to the nucleus, most likely involving cell surface receptor(s) and requiring transit through late endosome/lysosome compartments.
A Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Tool for Optimization and Guided Implantation of Biomedical Devices

We are developing computational tools to perform virtual surgeries under physiological conditions with patient-specific anatomies. Virtual surgery can revolutionize the biomedical device (BMD) design and implantation by: enabling the optimization of BMD on the specific patient's anatomy and flow conditions, which has already been shown to significantly affect the hemodynamics; and facilitating surgical planning to select the best location/orientation for BMD implantation. As shown by past research the difference in the implantation, for example, of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve (BMHV) can affect the performance and hemodynamics of the valve. We have developed a powerful CFD tool that can simulate the blood flow through biomedical devices with moving boundaries and the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) under physiologic conditions. This tool has been tested in different applications with complex anatomic configurations, such as aneurysm hemodynamics, Fontan surgeries, and BMHV flows. The FSI simulations of a BMHV flow was validated against in vitro experiments and could capture all the flow features with great accuracy. We have recently carried out FSI simulations of a BMHV implanted in a anatomically realistic aorta in which the left ventricle (LV) was replaced by a pulsatile inflow waveform. In this work, we propose to extend our method to simulate the flow through a BMHV driven by the actual LV motion. The anatomy of the heart is obtained from MRI scan of unhealthy volunteer (St. Jude Hospital) and the left ventricle and the aorta geometry are extracted. The first step is to simulate the flow through a stationary LV with an implanted BMHV to test the capabilities of FSI-CFD tool in real anatomical setting. The second step is to impose theoretical kinematics for LV motion and test the interaction of the BMHV with the flow. The last step is to extract the real patient-specific LV wall motions from MRI data and specify it into the simulation. The shear stress and other parameters will be calculated in the flow field and the cardiovascular walls to identify the locations with high chance of blood cell damage. This work is supported by NIH Grant RO1-HL-07262 and the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.
A voluntary decision [Personal and Professional Growth]

Volunteering can be beneficial to both the recipient and the volunteer. Given that I also have to make a living, I only have so much time to dedicate to volunteer activities, making prioritization necessary. While my particular motivations may not apply to you, volunteers should consciously consider for what they are volunteering and use some method to manage their set of volunteer opportunities.
Arsenic and fluoride in the upper madison river system: Firehole and gibbon rivers and their tributaries, yellowstone national park, wyoming, and southeast montana

Chemical analyses of 21 water samples from the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers, which combine to form the Madison River, gave arsenic and fluoride values above the Environmental Protection Agency Interim Primary Drinking Water maximum contaminant levels (0.05 mg/l arsenic and 2.0 mg/l fluoride). On 18 October, 1975, during a period of moderate flow (16,600 l/s), the Madison River at West Yellowstone contained 0.23 mg/l arsenic and 6.2 mg/l fluoride. Below Hebgen Lake the Madison River during periods of high flow (56,000 liter/s at West Yellowstone and 708,000 liter/s below Hebgen Lake) would contain 0.05 mg/l arsenic at both stations and 1.5 and 4.0 mg/l fluoride at West Yellowstone and below Hebgen Lake, respectively. The strong correlations of arsenic and fluoride with other chemical constituents of the river water at the sampling sites demonstrate the conservative nature of each element after it reaches the Madison River system. Calculations indicate that water from three sampling sites is above saturation with respect to fluorite.
Survivor-victims: Who discovers or witnesses suicide?

At least 25,000 suicides are identified each year. For each suicide there are approximately six survivor-victims left bereaved (Shneidman, 1969). The present study examined 1,092 suicides committed...
High-spin excitation modes in even Hg nuclei

Abstract The low-lying high-spin states in mercury isotopes with A = 188, 194, 196, and 198 have been studied by γ-ray spectroscopy following (HI, xn) reactions, and for 188Hg also by the β-decay of 188T1. A variety of modes of excitation are found. Irregularities in the energies of the positive-parity states in 188Hg are interpreted as a shape transition to larger deformation similar to those recently observed in 186Hg and 184Hg. In the heavier Hg isotopes a small spacing between the 8+ and 10+ states (less than 100 keV) has been found, and in 194Hg and 196Hg values of B(E2; 10+ → 8+) were determined to be considerably smaller than the B(E2; 2+ → 0+) value. The interpretation of these results as being due to a transition to a two-particle (hole) configuration, predominantly (π h 11 2 −2 ) is discussed. Still another type of excitation is illustrated by the negative-parity band observed up to the 11− level in 194, 196, 198Hg It is most likely a combination of the collective motion of the core and of two-quasiparticle states, predominantly [vi i 13 2 , vij] , with some contribution of π h 11 2 ,πj] .
Essential role for caspase-8 in transcription-independent apoptosis triggered by p53.

p53's dual regulation of arrestversus apoptosis may underlie tumor-selective effects of anti-cancer therapy. p53's apoptotic effect has been suggested to involve both transcription-dependent and -independent mechanisms. It is shown here that caspase-8 is activated early in cells undergoing p53-mediated apoptosis and in S100 cell-free extracts that recapitulate transcription-independent apoptosis. Depletion or inactivation of caspase-8 either in cells or cell-free extracts completely prevents this transcription-independent apoptosis and significantly attenuates overall death induced by wild-type p53. Importantly, caspase-8 activation appears to be independent of FADD, and caspase-8 is found in a novel 600-kDa complex following p53 activation. These findings highlight the roles of both transcription-dependent and -independent apoptosis by p53 and identify an essential role for caspase-8 in the transcription-independent pathway.
Neurological complications of vasculitis.

The vasculitides are a group of disorders that include the polyarteritis nodosa group of systemic necrotizing vasculitides, hypersensitivity vasculitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, lymphomatoid granulomatosis, giant cell arteritis, Behcet's disease, and isolated angiitis of the central nervous system. Classification is based on clinical, angiographic, and histological features. The frequency and distribution of neurological involvement vary with the underlying disorder and may provide the initial symptoms. Polyarteritis nodosa and Wegener's granulomatosis may affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems, whereas isolated angiitis of the central nervous system and Behcet's disease affect the central nervous system alone. Neurological dysfunction occurs in 80% of patients with polyarteritis nodosa and fewer than 10% of patients with hypersensitivity vasculitis. The mechanism of neurological dysfunction in the vasculitides is tissue ischemia. The clinical effects of ischemia vary, and symptoms may be transient or prolonged. Mononeuritis multiplex, polyneuropathy, and stroke are frequent complications, but encephalopathies, cranial neuropathies, and brachial plexopathies are seen as well. The occurrence of symptoms late in the course of a disease suggests ischemia resulting from healed, scarred vessels as well as from those that are acutely inflamed; this is the case in Takayasu's arteritis and possibly also in polyarteritis nodosa. Treatment is based on identifying and removing the sensitizing agent when possible. Wegener's granulomatosis requires therapy with cyclophosphamide; temporal arteritis, with corticosteroids. In other vasculitides a balance must be reached between the progression of the disease and the side effects of immunosuppression.
Defined Single Strains of Lactic Streptococci in Bulk Culture for Cheddar and Monterey Cheese Manufacture

Abstract Acid production and Cheddar cheese quality were improved at three cheese plants when undefined commercial blends of “lactic cultures were removed and replaced with phage insensitive, single strains propagated either in pairs or in one multiple blend of five or six strains. The paired strain program worked in one plant for over 12 mo with only six strains used during the last 7 mo. Two mutants replaced parent strains. The multiple blend worked for 6 mo in two plants with only one mutant replacing a parent strain. Careful phage-activity monitoring and strain selection were necessary to assure optimal success of the programs. A refrigerated reserve culture was used to provide back-up for the primary blend in the plant using the paired strain program. Make time and final cheese pH were more uniform than when undefined culture blends were used.
Molecular flux dependence of chemical patterning by microcontact printing.

We address the importance of the dynamic molecular ink concentration at a polymer stamp/substrate interface during microcontact displacement or insertion printing. We demonstrate that by controlling molecular flux, we can influence both the molecular-scale order and the rate of molecular exchange of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold surfaces. Surface depletion of molecular ink at a polymer stamp/substrate interface is driven predominantly by diffusion into the stamp interior; depletion occurs briefly at the substrate by SAM formation, but diffusion of molecules into the bulk of the stamp dominates over practical experimental time scales. As contact time is increased, the interface concentration varies significantly due to diffusion, affecting the quality and coverage of printed films. Controlling interfacial concentration improves printed film reproducibility and the fractional coverage of multicomponent films can be controlled to within a few percent. We first briefly review the important aspects ...
A compiler for deterministic, decomposable negation normal form

We present a compiler for converting CNF formulas into deterministic, decomposable negation normal form (d-DNNF). This is a logical form that has been identified recently and shown to support a number of operations in polynomial time, including clausal entailment; model counting, minimization and enumeration; and probabilistic equivalence testing, d-DNNFs are also known to be a superset of, and more succinct than, OBDDs. The polytime logical operations supported by d-DNNFs are a subset of those supported by OBDDs, yet are sufficient for model-based diagnosis and planning applications. We present experimental results on compiling a variety of CNF formulas, some generated randomly and others corresponding to digital circuits. A number of the formulas we were able to compile efficiently could not be similarly handled by some state-of-the-art model counters, nor by some state-of-the-art OBDD compilers.
High-quality pulse-compression of pre-chirped pulses in fiber-amplifiers

We combine steady-state propagation-rate equation and generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation to accurately model high-repetition rate femtosecond Yb-fiber amplifiers. Such modeling reveals the nonlinear-evolution dynamics of the amplified pulse and allows the optimization of the compressed-pulse quality.
Three Studies in Medieval Religious and Social Thought: The Interpretation of Mary and Martha, the Ideal of the Imitation of Christ, the Orders of Society

This volume concentrates on the changes in religious thought and institutions in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and includes not only monks and nuns but also less organised types of life such as hermits, recluses, crusaders, and penitents. It is complimentary to Professor Constable's subsequent book, The Reformation of the Twelfth Century (now also published as a paperback), but is dissimilar to it in examining three themes over a long period, from late Antiquity to the seventeenth century, in order to show how they changed over time.
Pathogen indicator microbes and heavy metals in Lake Pontchartrain following Hurricane Katrina.

Storm surge and several breaches of the New Orleans, Louisiana levee system caused flooding of more than 80% of the city following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Most of the floodwaters pumped out of the city were discharged to Lake Pontchartrain. Lake water and sediment samples were collected during September 19 to October 9, 2005 to determine the possible impact of the dewatering operation on Lake Pontchartrain. Surface water E. coli and enterococcus counts were high at stations near the mouth of the 17th Street Canal (geometric means = 6.0 × 103 CFU/100 mL and 1.7 × 102 CFU/100 mL, respectively) but decreased by factors of 40 and 5, respectively, at stations 5 km from the mouth of the canal. Priority heavy metal concentrations were generally undetectable or below U.S. EPA criterion maximum and criterion continuous concentrations. Surface sediments near the mouth of the canal contained generally higher concentrations of enterococcus, E. coli, and Al-normalized metals than points further from the cana...
Barium trapping in rectoceles: are we trapped by the wrong definition?

Background: Barium trapping within a rectocele is a criterion used by surgeons to select which patients with rectoceles should undergo operative repair. This proctographic study compared the presence and depth of barium trapping within a rectocele on postevacuation radiography with those seen on posttoilet radiography after further evacuation in the privacy of the bathroom.
Characterization of the Tautomycetin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster from Streptomyces griseochromogenes Provides New Insight into Dialkylmaleic Anhydride Biosynthesis

Tautomycetin (TTN) is a highly potent and specific protein phosphatase inhibitor isolated from Streptomyces griseochromogenes. The biological activity of TTN makes it an important lead for drug discovery, whereas its rare dialkylmaleic anhydride moiety and structural similarity to tautomycin (TTM), another potent phosphatase inhibitor with tremendous medicinal potential, draws attention to novel biosynthetic chemistries responsible for its production. To elucidate the biosynthetic machinery associated with TTN production, the ttn biosynthetic gene cluster from S. griseochromogenes was isolated and characterized, and its involvement in TTN biosynthesis confirmed by gene inactivation and complementation experiments. The ttn cluster was localized to a 79 kb DNA region, consisting of 19 open reading frames that encode two modular type I polyketide synthases (TtnAB), one type II thioesterase (TtnH), eight proteins for dialkylmaleic anhydride biosynthesis (TtnKLMNOPRS), four tailoring enzymes (TtnCDFI), two reg...
Solar, geomagnetic and long term effects on thermospheric neutral kinetic temperatures at midlatitude

Abstract Measurements of midlatitude thermospheric neutral kinetic temperatures obtained from 1972 to 1979 have been used to investigate the effects of solar and geomagnetic activity, as well as long term effects, on the thermosphere. With these data a simple power law relationship between the temperature and solar activity (expressed as the 2.8 GHz solar radio flux) has been found to give a high correlation. In addition, a linear relationship between temperature changes and geomagnetic activity (expressed as Ap), as well as annual and semiannual effects have been found. The annual variation is found to be indistinguishable in phase from the annual variation of the solar declination angle. The present four parameter formulation gives a better fit to the data than is obtained with available empirical models of the thermosphere, and this has allowed us to investigate the properties and postulates of some of these models.
Techniques of laparoscopic gastric bypass: on-line survey of American Society for Bariatric Surgery practicing surgeons

Abstract Background Various techniques have been used for laparoscopic gastric bypass. This study was performed to survey American Society for Bariatric Surgery practicing surgeons on how they perform laparoscopic gastric bypass. Methods An Internet-based survey was sent to all practicing surgeons in the American Society for Bariatric Surgery database by way of e-mail. The survey was divided into sections, including experience, pouch, limbs, gastrojejunostomy (GJ), jejunojejunostomy, and band. The survey results were collected from the Internet site after 4 months. Results A total of 215 surgeons responded; 98% stated they performed laparoscopic gastric bypass. The surgeons had performed an average of 423 cases in their career and 95 cases during the past 12 months. The average pouch size was 25 cm 3 and approximately one half of the surgeons (49%) measured the pouch size by the distance for the gastroesophageal junction. Almost all surgeons (99.5%) performed Roux-en-Y and not loop GJ. The average biliopancreatic limb length was 48 cm, and the average Roux limb was 114 cm. About one half of the surgeons (46%) measured the limb length with an open grasper, and few (7%) used a suture or umbilical tape. The antecolic and antegastric approaches were the more common. The percentage of those using the circular stapler, linear stapler, and hand sewing was 43%, 41%, and 21% for the GJ technique. Most surgeons (93%) routinely tested the GJ intraoperatively. The percentage of those using staple anastomosis and hand-sewn common enterotomy, double stapling, triple stapling, and hand sewing was 53%, 36%, 13%, and 1% for the jejunojejunostomy technique. Most surgeons (94%) closed at least one mesenteric defect. Also, most surgeons (95%) did not place a band around the pouch. Conclusion Technical variations exist in how laparoscopic gastric bypass procedures are performed by American Society for Bariatric Surgery practicing surgeons. Additional research is needed to explore the links between the technical variations and outcomes.
A method for measuring activities of acid phosphatases separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Methods for measuring the activities of acid phosphatases with the same substrate, alpha-naphthyl acid phosphate, both before and after acrylamide gel electrophoresis are described. The gel assay, which involves elution of the precipitated dye complex, can be used to measure the length of linear reaction rates of the enzymes separated in gels. It is possible with the use of these methods both to determine the effect of electrophoresis on the activity of acid phosphatases and to correlate the amount of precipitated dye with the area under the peak on a densitometric tracing of the same band.