cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of 30-Day Postoperative Pulmonary Complications After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Vertebral Fractures.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of vertebral fractures. Methods We performed a retrospective study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2010 to 2014. Adult patients who underwent ORIF of vertebral fractures were included and divided into 2 groups based on the occurrence of 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications. Baseline patient and operative characteristics were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate regression (MVR) analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for pulmonary complications. Results A total of 900 patients were included in our cohort. The overall 30-day pulmonary complication rate was 5.67%. Patients who had a pulmonary complication after vertebral ORIF were more often men and more often had diabetes, functional dependence, American Society of Anesthesiologists score classification of 3 or higher, pulmonary comorbidity, renal comorbidity, and preoperative anemia. The pulmonary complication group also had a higher incidence of 30-day mortality, prolonged hospitalization, pneumonia, cardiac complications, urinary tract infection, blood transfusion, and sepsis. The MVR analysis found that pulmonary comorbidity (odds ratio [OR], 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5–11.5; P Conclusions Early identification of risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications is important in the evaluation of patients with vertebral fractures for surgical decision-making, preoperative optimization, and subsequent postoperative care to improve patient outcomes and minimize morbidity.
Mechanism of tricalcium silicate hydration in the presence of polycarboxylate polymers

The early-age hydration of cement is inhibited in the presence of comb-shaped polycarboxylate ether (PCE) polymer—a dispersant commonly added to control rheological properties of fresh cement paste. This study employs a series of microcalorimetry experiments and phase boundary nucleation and growth simulations to elucidate the effects of dosage and molecular architecture of PCE on hydration of tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5 or C3S in cement notation), the dominant phase in cement. Results show that PCE—regardless of its molecular architecture—suppresses early-age hydration of C3S. PCE-induced retardation becomes increasingly more pronounced as dosage of PCE in the paste increases. Such suppression of C3S hydration has been attributed to adsorption of PCE molecules on silicate surfaces, which inhibit topographical sites of C3S dissolution and C–S–H nucleation, and impede the post-nucleation growth of C–S–H. This study develops a correlation between molecular architecture of PCE and its ability to suppress C3S hydration through quantitative analyses of retardation effects induced by PCEs with different molecular architectures. The numerical equation, describing such correlation, offers a reliable, and, more importantly, a readily quantifiable indicator of PCE’s potential to suppress C3S hydration in relation to its dosage and molecular architecture. In the context of practical application of this study, the aforementioned numerical equation can be used to order and rank PCEs—of various molecular architectures—on the bases of their potentials to suppress C3S hydration, and to select ones that cause the optimum (i.e., user-desired) extent of hydration suppression.
Microcornea, posterior megalolenticonus, persistent fetal vasculature, chorioretinal coloboma (MPPC) syndrome: Case series post vitrectomy.

Abstract Purpose MPPC syndrome has been described as a syndrome that presents with chorioretinal coloboma, posterior megalolenticonus, persistent fetal vasculature, and chorioretinal coloboma. The purpose of our study is to report three patients who present with a variation of MPPC syndrome who each underwent pars plana vitrectomy, pars plana lensectomy, and amblyopic management. Clinical characteristics, ancillary test findings, and post-surgical functional results are compared to what is reported in the literature. Methods Retrospective review of medical records of patients who presented with microcornea, persistent fetal vasculature, chorioretinal coloboma, and microphthalmia who underwent surgical correction at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Results 3 patients (6 eyes) were included, two males and one female. All patients were born full term, vaginally, and had no family history of genetic abnormalities affecting the eye. All patients had color fundus images, fluorescein angiography (FA) and echography. Four eyes underwent surgery. Following surgical intervention, patients demonstrated improved visual acuity, and improved functional status. Conclusion and Importance Patients with microcornea, PFV, chorioretinal coloboma, and microphthalmos, can benefit from surgical intervention when functional decline or media opacities are noted. Though difficult to assess accurate visual acuity and visual improvement pre-operatively and post-operatively, it is evident that our patients demonstrated improvement in functionality and vision following surgical intervention.
ConTesa : Directed Test Suite Augmentation for Concurrent Software

As software evolves, test suite augmentation techniques may be used to identify which part of the program needs to be tested due to code changes and how to generate these new test cases for regression testing. However, existing techniques focus exclusively on sequential software, without considering concurrent software in which multiple threads may interleave with each other during the execution and thus lead to a combinatorial explosion. To fill the gap, we propose ConTesa , the first test suite augmentation tool for concurrent software. The goal is to generate new test cases capable of exercising both code changes and the thread interleavings affected by these code changes. At the center of ConTesa is a two-pronged approach. First, it judiciously reuses the current test inputs while amplifying their interleaving coverage using random thread schedules. Then, it leverages an incremental symbolic execution technique to generate more test inputs and interleavings, to cover the new concurrency-related program behaviors. We have implemented ConTesa and evaluated it on a set of real-world multithreaded Linux applications. Our results show that it can achieve a significantly high interleaving coverage and reveal more bugs than state-of-the-art testing techniques.
Evolution and revolution: Personality research for the coming world of robots, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems

Abstract In forty years, human existence will be radically transformed by advances in information technology, including Artificial Intelligence, robots capable of social agency, and other autonomous physical and virtual systems. Future personality research must assess, understand, and apply individual differences in adaptation to these novel challenges. This review article discusses directions for future personality research. Cross-cultural research provides a model, in that both universal traits and those specific to future society are needed. Evolution of major “etic” trait models of today will maintain their relevance. There is also scope for defining a range of new “emic” dimensions for constructs such as trust in autonomy, mental models for robots, anthropomorphism of technology, and preferences for communication with machines. A more revolutionary perspective is that availability of big data on the individual will revive idiographic perspectives. Both nomothetic and idiographic accounts of personality may support applications such as design of intelligent systems and products that adapt to the individual.
Mineralogical characterization and strain analysis of the Marcellus shales

Abstract Due to the complex structure of the brittle formations like shale, their microcracking and mechanical deformation behavior are not well known. To understand the fundamental factors at the micron scale, Marcellus shales were cored both parallel and perpendicular to the bedding orientation and mechanically tested through triaxial creep test under constant stress. The parallel-bedded shales exhibited higher level of permanent strain in the radial direction, which increased with increasing time. This also confirmed their anisotropic nature due to the bedding. Their advanced characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy techniques before and after the creep tests revealed the mineralogical heterogeneity, and the presence of an organic matter (kerogen) concentrated in the microcrack areas. Besides, the XRD peak shifts and changes in peak shape indicated that there was a certain level of macrostrain and microstrain in the shale. Further investigation of the XRD peak shape (integral breadth) changes using the Williamson-Hall method demonstrated a higher concentration of lattice defects and associated microstrain (inhomogeneous lattice strain) present in the calcite phase compared to the quartz. The parallel-bedded shales also revealed a higher level of microstrain with respect to the perpendicular-bedding. The results proved that the microcracking (initiation and propagation) and associated mechanical deformation of the Marcellus shales were mostly influenced by the presence of organic matter, microstrain level (defect concentration) in the calcite mineral, and the bedding orientation.
Current Survey of Early Childhood Intervention Services in Infants and Young Children With Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies

Sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) are the most commonly occurring aneuploidies in children with a collective prevalence rate of 1 in 500 live births. Prior research has documented SCAs are associated with an increased risk for early expressive language and gross motor delays, learning disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, and executive function problems. Although SCAs have been historically underdiagnosed in young children, recent advances in noninvasive prenatal testing have resulted in an increasing nationwide cohort of infants with confirmed diagnoses. Consequently, early childhood support systems must prepare for an influx of children with known risks for associated developmental delays and potential school problems. This national survey aimed to update our understanding of current early childhood intervention services for young children with SCA in the United States and to describe parent perspectives and priorities. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression models controlling for parent education revealed a majority of respondents reported receiving public early childhood intervention services with speech therapy as the most common service. There were significant differences in early childhood intervention services by timing of diagnosis (prenatal vs. postnatal), number of sex chromosomes (trisomy vs. tetra/pentasomy), and geographic location. Parents described interventions as desirable and effective yet also difficult to obtain due to issues with the SCA phenotype, lack of provider knowledge, and challenges navigating the intervention systems. Results support the need for enhanced provider training in SCAs, policy change for early childhood intervention qualification criteria for SCA conditions, and collaboration between medical and early childhood settings.
Reading Partus Sequitur Ventrem in Flannery O’Connor

P. D. Eastman’s classic Are You My Mother? concerns an orphan chick on a quest to find his mother. Although he encounters her early on his journey, he has no point of visual reference: “He did not ...
Therapeutic Efficacy of Cryopreserved, Allogeneic Extracellular Vesicles for Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Extracellular vesicles (EV) that are derived from endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have been determined to be a novel therapy for acute myocardial infarction, with a promise for immediate "off-the-shelf" delivery. Early experience suggests delivery of EVs from allogeneic sources is safe. Yet, clinical translation of this therapy requires assurances of both EV stability following cryopreservation and absence of an adverse immunologic response to EVs from allogeneic donors. Thus, more bioactivity studies on allogeneic EVs after cold storage are necessary to establish quality standards for its widespread clinical use. Thus, in this study, we aimed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy in delivering cryopreserved EVs in allogeneic recipients as a therapy for acute myocardial infarction.In this present study, we have analyzed the cardioprotective effects of allogeneic EPC-derived EVs after storage at -80°C for 2 months, using a shear-thinning gel (STG) as an in vivo delivery vehicle. EV size, proteome, and nucleic acid cargo were observed to remain steady through extended cryopreservation via nanoparticle tracking analysis, mass spectrometry, and nanodrop analysis, respectively. Fresh and previously frozen EVs in STG were delivered intramyocardially in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI), with both showing improvements in contractility, angiogenesis, and scar thickness in comparison to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and STG controls at 4 weeks post-MI. Pathologic analyses and flow cytometry revealed minimal inflammatory and immune upregulation upon exposure of tissue to EVs pooled from allogeneic donor cells.Allogeneic EPC-EVs have been known to elicit minimal immune activity and retain therapeutic efficacy after at least 2 months of cryopreservation in a post-MI model.
Anatomical characterization of acupoint large intestine 4

Large intestine 4 (LI4) is a major acupoint used in various treatments in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are structures associated within the region of LI4 that have three-dimensional anatomical relationship that needs further characterization. The aims of this study were: (a) to observe the anatomical variation of structures around LI4; (b) to observe specific overlap of structures around LI4. A 1256 mm2 area was dissected in 25 cadaveric hands around LI4. Nondissected areas were marked with pins as reference points. Dissections were photographed with a fixed camera. Subsequently, images were imported to Adobe Photoshop 2020 and analyzed. Descriptive statistics and graphs were compiled using Graphpad Prism 2020. The tributaries of the dorsal venous plexus (22.3%), branches of superficial radial nerve (18.9%), first dorsal interosseous muscle (52.4%), arterial branches in the first interosseous space (10.2%), and deep ulnar nerve (4.0%) were observed in the area of LI4. One branch of the superficial radial nerve passed through LI4. The deep ulnar nerve was found in the bulk of the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Several structures observed intersected at LI4. The superficial radial nerve interweaved with the dorsal venous plexus superficially. The deep ulnar nerve passed anterior to the second palmar metacarpal artery before entering into the first dorsal interosseous muscle. These results provide anatomical evidence and variation into the vascular contributions at LI4.
Nanoparticle dispersion in porous media: Effects of array geometry and flow orientation.

We investigate the effects of array geometry and flow orientation on transport of finite-sized particles in ordered arrays using Stokesian dynamics simulations. We find that quiescent diffusion is independent of array geometry over the range of volume fraction of the nanoposts examined. Longitudinal dispersion under flow depends on the direction of incident flow relative to the array lattice vectors. Taylor-Aris behavior is recovered for flow along the lattice directions, whereas a nonmonotonic dependence of the dispersion coefficient on the P\'eclet number is obtained for flow orientations slightly perturbed from certain lattice vectors, owing to a competition between directional locking and spatial velocity variations.
Kiva's Flat, Flat World: Ten Years of Microcredit in Cyberspace

AbstractWhile microcredit has been widely praised as a new, powerful tool for enabling development and empowering the poor, this form of ‘development from below’ does not exist in a vacuum. Rather, microcredit programs are inseperable from a host of neoliberal political, cultural, and economic practices and projects. These contexts are, however, systematically missing from Kiva.org, the largest and most popular peer-to-peer microlending portal. Instead, Kiva.org presents a placeless perspective on development and poverty, where borrowers’ skin color, native dress, and picturesque backgrounds seem to vary, but the ‘fix’ of microcredit remains universal. This ‘flat’ approach is problematic for two reasons. First, Kiva.org naturalizes the financialization of poor people's disadvantage in the coercive form of debt. Second, lenders are encouraged to channel their desire to help alleviate poverty through Kiva.org's lending portal based on an illusory sense of connection, transparency and beneficence in lending,...
Metaphors, Theories, and the Processes of Scientific Inquiry

Pondy has found much to criticize in my paper. I find that in some cases, I agree with him because he has mistaken or misinterpreted my points, in other cases, that I must disagree on quite substantial grounds, and in still others, that his criticisms are merely careless errors. I have attempted to group my responses to nearly a score of issues in his commentary according to general themes: reification, goals and progress in science, and so forth.
The All-American Canal Lining Dispute: An American Resolution over Mexican Groundwater Rights?

Recently, resistance to the All-American Canal Lining Project came from both sides of the border as a coalition of economic and environmental groups which us...
The Posttraumatic Growth Model: Sociocultural Considerations

T he term posttraumatic growth (PTG) first appeared in print in 1995 (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1995) and it has been defined as the experience of positive change resulting from the struggle with major life crises (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1999). Although PTG, and related terms such as stress-related growth (Park, Cohen, & Murch, 1996), adversarial growth (Linley & Joseph, 2004), construed or perceived benefits (McMillen, Zuravin, & Rideout, 1995; Tennen, Affleck, Urrows, Higgins, & Mendola, 1992), and thriving (O’Leary & Ickovics, 1995), are relative newcomers, the idea of growth as a potential consequence of grappling with trauma is ancient (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1995). The assumption that facing and struggling with major difficulties in life can lead to positive changes, sometimes radical transformations, is part of ancient myth, literature, and religion. Influential clinicians and scholars of the twentieth century also suggested this idea (Caplan, 1964; Frankl, 1963; Yalom 1980). This assumption, then, is not something that was recently discovered. However, the systematic quantitative investigation of PTG is recent, made possible by the development of scales specifically designed to measure growth (Joseph, Williams, & Yule, 1993; McMillen & Fisher, 1998; Park et al., 1996; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996). These scales were first developed in Western, English-speaking countries, but now their translations and the investigation of PTG using them are found in many countries around the world; this very book provides a strong indication of how much work has now been done. Subsequent chapters examine PTG in a variety of different geographic and cultural contexts, and in this chapter our focus is somewhat theoretical and specific to
Black Lists in EU Contract Law

The policing of consumer contracts relies mostly on general clauses. EU legislators, however, have occasionally resorted also to ‘black lists’, which displace judicial discretion and identify as void a finite set of contractual terms. Black lists epitomize an unusually high degree of supranational interference with both private autonomy and states’ sovereignty, and are therefore a privileged stand-point for investigating the EU private law project. This essay explores the regulatory, distributive, and discursive ambiguity of black lists, and posits that their normative desirability cannot be assessed without a systemic appraisal of the socio-political dynamics of European integration.
Electrocardiographic effects of myocardial ischemia induced by atrial pacing in dogs with coronary stenosis: I. Repolarization changes with progressive left circumflex coronary artery narrowing

The electrocardiographic effects of tachycardia in normal dogs and in dogs with progressive coronary stenosis were studied. In five animals, left atrial electrodes were surgically implanted and body surface isopotential patterns were recorded from 84 torso electrodes; pacing at rates of up to 250 beats/min increased recorded voltages registered during the ST segment but did not alter the spatial distribution of these potentials. In 10 dogs, an ameroid constrictor was also implanted about the left circumflex coronary artery. One week after surgery, pacing to rates of 250 beats/min had no effect on ST segment isopotential patterns. However, 2 and 3 weeks postoperatively, when significant coronary constriction was anticipated, pacing-induced ST segment depression was recorded along the inferior anterior and posterior chest surfaces. Abnormal negative voltages were more intense at 3 than at 2 weeks, but the distribution of these abnormalities was unchanged. This pattern was consistent with the location of ischemic myocardium. Calculation of early (10 to 40 ms) ST segment slopes demonstrated that downsloping forms were recorded over most of the area with abnormal ST segment voltages, but that horizontal or upsloping depression occurred at the margins of the abnormal zones. The findings suggest that this canine model may be a useful analog to clinical exercise stress testing to aid in evaluating the significance of clinical electrocardiographic patterns.
Autoradiography and Immunofluorescence Combined for Autecological Study of Single Cell Activity with Nitrobacter as a Model System

Specific detection of a particular bacterium by immunofluorescence was combined with estimation of its metabolic activity by autoradiography. The nitrifying bacteria Nitrobacter agilis and N. winogradskyi were used as a model system. Nitrobacter were incubated with NaH14CO3 and 14CO2 prior to study. The same preparations made for autoradiograms were stained with fluorescent antibodies specific for the Nitrobacter species. Examination by epifluorescence and transmitted dark-field microscopy revealed Nitrobacter cells with and without associated silver grains. Direct detection and simultaneous evaluation of metabolic activity of Nitrobacter was demonstrated in pure cultures, in a simple mixed culture, and in a natural soil.
Prion amyloid structure explains templating: how proteins can be genes

The yeast and fungal prions determine heritable and infectious traits, and are thus genes composed of protein. Most prions are inactive forms of a normal protein as it forms a self-propagating filamentous β-sheet-rich polymer structure called amyloid. Remarkably, a single prion protein sequence can form two or more faithfully inherited prion variants, in effect alleles of these genes. What protein structure explains this protein-based inheritance? Using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, we showed that the infectious amyloids of the prion domains of Ure2p, Sup35p and Rnq1p have an in-register parallel architecture. This structure explains how the amyloid filament ends can template the structure of a new protein as it joins the filament. The yeast prions [PSI(+)] and [URE3] are not found in wild strains, indicating that they are a disadvantage to the cell. Moreover, the prion domains of Ure2p and Sup35p have functions unrelated to prion formation, indicating that these domains are not present for the purpose of forming prions. Indeed, prion-forming ability is not conserved, even within Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suggesting that the rare formation of prions is a disease. The prion domain sequences generally vary more rapidly in evolution than does the remainder of the molecule, producing a barrier to prion transmission, perhaps selected in evolution by this protection.
Men of Color in Community Colleges: A Synthesis of Empirical Findings

The purpose of this chapter is to report on the empirical research on men of color in the community college. In particular, we highlight findings relevant to factors influencing student success outcomes for these men. This chapter employed the analytical lens of literature metasynthesis, a process in which research from a given topical area is synthesized to uncover extant themes. The Socio-Ecological Outcomes (SEO) model, as espoused by Harris and Wood (The socio-ecological outcomes model: A framework for examining men of color’s experiences and success in community colleges – Working paper. Minority Male Community College Collaborative, San Diego, 2014b), served as the guiding framework for this synthesis. The SEO model articulates the primary factors that serve to influence outcomes for historically underrepresented and underserved men in education. This chapter also recommends new directions for future research that expand the literature on men of color to be more inclusive of racial/ethnic male groups that have not been adequately investigated.
How one institution provides a global perspective for engineers

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has incorporated a project-based curriculum that now extends around the globe. With dynamic programs in Europe, the Far East, Latin America, Australia, and the US, WPI provides opportunities for undergraduates to complete meaningful off-campus experiences. WPI offers students the freedom to complete three different degree requirements away from campus under the direct supervision of WPI faculty. This experience is unrivaled by traditional international exchange. This paper will outline how the WPI addresses the issues raised by ABET Engineering Criteria 2000. It will focus on aspects of the program that are clearly connected to multi-disciplinary teaming, professional and ethical responsibility, communication competence, a real understanding of the, impact of solutions in a global and societal context, knowledge of contemporary issues and the motivation for life-long learning. This paper will emphasize current initiatives with regard to outcomes assessment, risk management, and implications for the future.
A dynamic neural network method for time series prediction using the KIII model

In this paper, the KIII dynamic neural network is introduced and it is applied to the prediction of complex temporal sequences. In our approach, KIII gives a step-by-step prediction of the direction of the currency exchange rate change. Previously, various multiplayer perceptron (MLP) networks and recurrent neural networks have been successfully implemented for this application. Results obtained by KIII compare favorably with other methods.
Sterne Studies on the Eve of the Tercentenary

This essay surveys the most vital developments within scholarly criticism of Laurence Sterne, especially since 2000. Attention is granted not merely to criticism of Sterne’s major works, Tristram Shandy and A Sentimental Journey, but also to his published sermons, letters, and the Journal to Eliza. Several scholarly trends are here described: the proliferation of interest in Sterne’s sermons, the increasing association of Shandean “doubleness” with various strands of “modernity,” scholarly attempts to redeem the literature of sentiment through Sterne’s works, and the emergence of loss as an important topic within contemporary Sterne criticism. Overall, Sterne studies follows Sterne’s life in reconciling seeming opposites, so that traditional enemies – especially “theory” and “history”– are seen engaging rather than rejecting one another.
Model-Based Solution for Personalization of the User Interaction in Ubiquitous Computing

Ubiquitous computing is strongly centered on the human, aiming to provide the right information through personalized interfaces and services in context of use to the applications users. We envision a ubiquitous computing based world in which a generic personalization model is applied to different applications, even if from different domains. The model is the core of a cloud-based platform, which guides developers by providing services to help them in the implementation of personalized solutions. Moreover, end-users will be less bothered when starting to use a new application, which already might know something about them in order to automatically adapt itself to the users' preferences and needs. A user's interactions with an application A might be useful to know how to personalize her experience when interacting with an application B. This paper presents the X-Users based solution in order to reach that vision, giving special attention to the personalization modeling. Important contributions of the paper are also two case studies that illustrate how X-Users can be used to help personalizing systems.
Genetic manipulation of wood of the southern pines including chemical characteristics

A review of possible changes in wood morphology through genetic manipulation of the southern pines showed that: A review of the inheritance of chemical characteristics revealed the existence of few definitive studies. Cellulose yield is inherited in such a manner that selection will not be effective, whereas, oppositely, resin content is inherited in a manner allowing gains to be made through selection. Because of the relationship between chemical characteristics and wood morphological characteristics such as specific gravity, breeding for one will generally affect the other. A previously unreported study of six trees from six control-pollinated families, all of which had the same mother but different fathers, showed that the sugar contents of the six families were essentially constant; glucose varied from 65 to 70 percent but this difference was not statistically meaningful. Polysaccharide differences were not closely related to specific gravity. Because of the close relationship between morphological and chemical characteristics it is the author's opinion that breeding for chemical differences should be limited to those instances in which it is specially useful for yield improvement. It is possible to manipulate wood in a desired direction by breeding for characteristics that affect wood or by breeding for the wood characteristics directly. Enough is now known about the effect of differing wood properties on the final product so that the worth of changes obtained can be assessed in terms of economic or utilization values.
Serum IgE levels in dairy calves: evaluation of parasite and pasture exposure as possible determinants of IgE response

Abstract Immunoglobulin E (IgE) has been regarded as an antibody isotype important in the host response to helminth infection and allergic conditions. Level of parasitic infection has been associated with serum total IgE level and the highest levels have been observed during the spring when environmental allergen levels are also high. Two groups of five parasite-naive calves were maintained in a barn and one of the groups received an experimental gastrointestinal nematode infection. One group of five parasite-naive calves was placed on clean pasture and another group of five was placed on a nematode-contaminated pasture. The contaminated pasture group acquired an acute gastrointestinal nematode infection, compared with a relatively low infection in the experimentally infected group. The only difference between the groups was a significant change (increase) in IgE level in calves on contaminated pasture, compared with the other three groups. This suggested that the infection acquired on pasture and not the experimental infection or environmental allergens encountered while grazing or in the barn stimulated an IgE response.
Adenocarcinoma in perineal fistulas of Crohn's disease

Until recently, Crohn's disease has not been regarded as a premalignant lesion, but the increasing number of patients with Crohn's disease in whom adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract develops strongly suggests that these patients are indeed at a higher risk for carcinoma. These patients are usually young and tend to develop a malignancy in the bypassed ileum or right colon. Patients with such lesions usually have a poor prognosis. Adenocarcinoma arising in perineal fistulas secondary to Crohn's disease has not been reported in English medical literature except for one case published in 1975. In this article, the authors report a second, similar case of Crohn's disease with recurrent perineal fistulas. An infiltrating adenocarcinoma developed in these fistulas, in the anorectal region, and in the left labia. The risk of malignancy should be seriously considered in the management of Crohn's disease, especially in young patients. Because of the risk of adenocarcinoma in these patients, resection rather than bypass is recommended in the surgical management.
High-performance liquid chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry of organophosphorus pesticides

Abstract Eighteen organophosphorus pesticides were studied by combined high-performance liquid chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-NCI-MS). The LC separation was done on a reversed-phase C 8 column, using acetonitrile-water (60:40) as mobile phase. The MS analysis was done on-line, using a direct liquid-insertion probe LC-MS interface. The negative-ion mass spectra obtained under these LC-MS conditions are very simple and are very similar to those reported for methane-enhanced negative ionization. Molecular ions are generally not present in either mode, but intense fragment ions containing useful structural information are usually observed.
Energy transfer and fluorescence depolarization in organic dendrimers and branched molecules

The measurements of the ultra-fast fluorescence anisotropy decay in conjugated dendrimers and in model branched dendritic molecules of different symmetry are reported. The excited state relaxation of carbon and adamantane-centered tetramers was investigated by polarized fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy. Fluorescence anisotropy was found to decay to the residual value in femtosecond time range. A comparison between the tetramer systems and a nitrogen cored distyrylbenzene dendrimer is provided. For the model system bis-MSB representing the linear building block of the investigated systems a fluorescence anisotropy decay time of 82 ps was obtained which agrees with rotational diffusion. Ultrafast anisotropy decay for these branched systems was explained in terms of interchromophore interactions. The results of these ultrafast anisotropy measurements are important to the understanding of the characteristics of excitations in organic dendrimers.
FASTSim: A Model to Estimate Vehicle Efficiency, Cost and Performance

The Future Automotive Systems Technology Simulator (FASTSim) is a high-level advanced vehicle powertrain systems analysis tool supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. FASTSim provides a quick and simple approach to compare powertrains and estimate the impact of technology improvements on light- and heavy-duty vehicle efficiency, performance, cost, and battery batches of real-world drive cycles. FASTSim’s calculation framework and balance among detail, accuracy, and speed enable it to simulate thousands of driven miles in minutes. The key components and vehicle outputs have been validated by comparing the model outputs to test data for many different vehicles to provide confidence in the results. A graphical user interface makes FASTSim easy and efficient to use. FASTSim is freely available for download from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s website (see www.nrel.gov/fastsim).
Sustainable energy development: The present (2009) situation and possible paths to the future

Abstract Recent estimates and forecasts of the oil, gas, coal resources and their reserve/production ratio, nuclear and renewable energy potential, and energy uses are surveyed. A brief discussion of the status, sustainability (economic, environmental and social impact), and prospects of fossil, nuclear and renewable energy use, and of power generation (including hydrogen, fuel cells, micropower systems, and the futuristic concept of generating power in space for terrestrial use), is presented. Comments about energy use in general, with more detailed focus on insufficiently considered areas of transportation and buildings are brought up. Ways to resolve the problem of the availability, cost, and sustainability of energy resources alongside the rapidly rising demand are discussed. The author’s view of the promising energy R&D areas, their potential, foreseen improvements and their time scale, and last year’s trends in government funding are presented.
Evaluation of a Radioisotope Labelling Technique for Measuring Bacterial Adherence on Fabrics

A technique utilizing tritiated thymidine labelled bacteria to quantify bacteria on fabrics has been evaluated. Quenching or self-absorption of isotope solution and labelled bacteria suspension by some of the fabrics has been observed. The extents of self-absorption of both isotope and labelled bacteria solutions on various fabrics was found to be dependent upon the fiber contents, i.e. the chemical compositions, of the substrata. This observation confirms that reduction of scinitillation efficiency or self-absorption does occur when radio-labelled substances in suspensions were measured with the presence of some fabrics. Cautions should be taken when radio-labelling techniques are applied to detect isotope-labelled micro-organisms or other substances which are in contact with fabrics in the form of solutions. However, when there is no excess and nonattached labelled bacteria in the aqueous surrounding of the fabric, scintillation counting efficiency of the labelled bacteria on all fabrics studied remained constant over a period of 8 h. This indicates that the application of the described isotope labelling procedure is appropriate for quantifying adherent bacteria on fibrous substrate.
Decision making of retail buyers: perspectives from China and India

Purpose – Buying decisions are often viewed as random and therefore not generalizable. Additionally, retail buying is typically conducted by individuals and is impacted by cultural considerations. The aim of this paper is to identify critical incidents from China and India, and use theoretical concepts from buyer‐supplier literature to explain the outcome success or failure.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses the critical incident technique to capture retail buying decisions that resulted in either successful or unsuccessful outcomes. The authors analyze and match each critical incident with theoretical evidence to explain the result.Findings – A total of ten critical incidents were described by ten senior retail‐buying executives in China and India. Critical incidents were classified under four retailing categories: assortment planning, product promotion, sourcing issues, and supply chain issues, and analyzed under four theoretical themes: opportunism, trust, long‐term orientation and power‐depe...
Non-surgical (laparoscopic) uterine flushing and egg recovery technique in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

The present study involved six female and one male squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus). Seventeen uterine flushings were done using laparoscopy including one trial flushing of trypan blue solution. In each case, 1.5 ml to 2.5 ml of normal electrolyte solution with 5% dextrose was flushed through the uterine lumen with a 25 ga, 5/8″ hypodermic needle, and a 3ml disposable syringe. An average of 73.2% of flushed fluid was recovered through a polyethylene catheter inserted into the cervical canal. Two ova were recovered by this technique.
Issues and perspectives for investigating root responses to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide

A thorough assessment of how plants and ecosystems will respond to increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO2 requires that the responses of root systems and associated belowground processes be understood. Static measures of root-to-shoot ratio have not been satisfactory for describing the integrated responses of plants to CO2-enriched atmospheres, but research with a process orientation has suggested that elevated CO2 can stimulate root growth or root activity and provide a positive feedback on plant growth. There are, however, critical questions concerning the relevance of root data from short-term studies with potted plants when scaling to questions about plants in the field. Data on root responses to CO2 enrichment in the field are fragmentary, but they allow us to more clearly define research questions for further investigation. Three perspectives for analyzing the significance of root responses as a component of the overall response of the terrestrial biosphere to increasing atmospheric CO2 are suggested: (1) roots as a platform for nutrient acquisition and a mediator of whole-plant response to CO2; (2) carbon storage in roots as a component of whole-plant carbon storage; and (3) effects of CO2 enrichment on root turnover and the implications for carbon storage as soil organic matter. The relative importance of these different perspectives will vary depending on the ecosystem of interest and the larger-scale issues being considered.
Understanding cognition, choice, and behavior

Abstract Bandura (1995) suggests that a “crusade against the causal efficacy of human thought” exists. The present paper disputes that claim, suggesting that the quest which does exist involves an understanding of self-efficacy. Examined are Bandura's shifting definitions of self-efficacy, his misunderstandings of others' work, and implications of some of his attempts to defend the construct. In the remainder of the paper Rotter's Social Learning Theory is discussed as a model of human choice behavior which recognizes the contributions of both cognitive and behavioral traditions within psychology, and has proven to be of great heuristic value.
Noninvasive vacuum integrity tests on fast warm-up traveling-wave tubes

A method of tube vacuum monitoring that uses the tube's existing internal electrodes as an ion gauge is discussed. This method has been refined using present-day instrumentation and has proved to be a precise, simple, and fast method of tube vacuum measurement. The method is noninvasive due to operation of the cathode at low temperature, which minimizes pumping or outgassing. Because of the low current levels to be measured, anode insulator leakage must be low, and the leads must be properly shielded to minimize charging effects. A description of the method, instrumentation used, limitations and data showing results over a period of 600 days are presented. >
M.I.A., or, Mythmaking in America

Almost two decades after the Vietnam War, most Americans remain convinced that U.S. prisoners are still being held captive in Southeast Asia, and many even accuse the government of concealing their existence. But as H. Bruce Franklin demonstrates in his startling investigation, there is no plausible basis for the belief in live POWs. Through scrupulous research, he shows for the first time how this illusion was fabricated and then converted into a powerful myth. Franklin reveals that in 1969 the Nixon administration, aided by militant pro-war forces, manufactured the POW/MIA issue to deflect attention from American atrocities in Vietnam, to undermine the burgeoning anti-war movement, and to stymie the Paris peace talks, resulting in the prolongation of the Vietnam War for another four years. Successive administrations, in an effort to mobilize public support for their continued economic and political warfare against Vietnam, asserted the possibility of live POWs at great emotional cost to both family members of the missing and countless Americans distressed about the fate of those supposedly left behind in Indochina. Born of political expediency, the POW/MIA issue was transformed in the 1980s into a potent myth. American culture was transfigured as movies and novels designed to reimage the Vietnam War turned the imagined post-war POWs into crucial symbols of betrayed American manhood and honor. Finally the myth began to turn against its creators when many Americans became convinced that the government itself was conspiring to betray the missing men. As he traces the evolution of the POW/MIA myth, Franklin not only exposes it as an elaborate hoax at the highest levels of government, butalso explains why the myth has penetrated to the heart of American life. By confronting the true tragedy of the missing in Vietnam, Franklin helps us to understand how to heal the terrible psychological and spiritual wounds of the Vietnam War.
Monocyte Derived Microvesicles Deliver a Cell Death Message via Encapsulated Caspase-1

Apoptosis depends upon the activation of intracellular caspases which are classically induced by either an intrinsic (mitochondrial based) or extrinsic (cytokine) pathway. However, in the process of explaining how endotoxin activated monocytes are able to induce apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells when co-cultured, we uncovered a transcellular apoptosis inducing pathway that utilizes caspase-1 containing microvesicles. Endotoxin stimulated monocytes induce the cell death of VSMCs but this activity is found in 100,000 g pellets of cell free supernatants of these monocytes. This activity is not a direct effect of endotoxin, and is inhibited by the caspase-1 inhibitor YVADcmk but not by inhibitors of Fas-L, IL-1beta and IL-18. Importantly, the apoptosis inducing activity co-purifies with 100 nm sized microvesicles as determined by TEM of the pellets. These microvesicles contain caspase-1 and caspase-1 encapsulation is required since disruption of microvesicular integrity destroys the apoptotic activity but not the caspase-1 enzymatic activity. Thus, monocytes are capable of delivering a cell death message which depends upon the release of microvesicles containing functional caspase-1. This transcellular apoptosis induction pathway describes a novel pathway for inflammation induced programmed cell death.
Hemodynamic alterations in the acute retinal necrosis syndrome

Background: Clinical and histopathologic observations suggest a role for ischemia in the pathogenesis of the acute retinal necrosis (ARN) syndrome. Disruption of blood flow appears to occur at some level in the retina or choroid and may account for some of the major features of the syndrome. Methods: To investigate these potential circulatory changes, color Doppler imaging (CDI) was used to quantitate blood flow velocities and vascular resistance in the central retinal, ophthalmic, and short posterior ciliary arteries in ten consecutive patients with unilateral ARN syndrome. Data were analyzed with a paired Student's t test. The unaffected fellow eyes served as controls. Results: Blood flow velocities within the central retinal artery were significantly reduced in eyes with ARN syndrome compared with control eyes. In affected eyes, there was a mean reduction of 55%, 60%, and 72% in peak systolic, average, and enddiastolic velocities, respectively ( P Conclusions: This study demonstrates marked circulatory changes in the central retinal artery of eyes involved with the ARN syndrome. Although the exact mechanism and clinical significance are yet to be determined, the data support the presence of retinal arterial hemodynamic compromise in this condition.