cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppressor Cells in Mycobacterial Infections

Mycobacterium bovis BCG has been widely used as the antituberculosis vaccine and is also a well-known immunopotentiator in both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) or Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an indispensable component of Freund’s complete adjuvant and has been used in various experimental systems to potentiate immune responses. Because of its adjuvant activity, BCG has been used for immunotherapy of cancer, such as acute lymphoid leukemias1 or melanomas2 in humans. There are quite a few reports in this field both in animal experiments and in human cases,3–7 many of which indicated improvement or even cure of the tumor by the immunotherapy with BCG. However, several reports show enhanced tumor growth by treatment with BCG. Likhite4 reported that in some instances tumor growth was enhanced by BCG injection in rats. Piessens et al.8 showed that injection of a tumor cell-BCG mixture into rats resulted in either suppressed or enhanced growth of the tumor depending on the dose of BCG. Mathe,9 who had emphasized the immunotherapeutic effect of BCG, even found that a high dose of BCG suppresses antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in mice. BCG injected intravenously (IV) induced suppressed immunity to rodent malaria.10 Thus, it has been known for some time that the famous immunopotentiator BCG has double-faced activity, modulating immune responses either into a positive (immunity) or negative (suppression) direction.
Exchange Relation Planar Algebras

An inclusion of II1 factors N⊂M of finite index has as an invariant, a double sequence of finite-dimensional algebras known as the standard invariant. Planar algebras were introduced by V. Jones as a geometric tool for computing standard invariants of existing subfactors as well as generating standard invariants for new subfactors. In this paper we define a class of planar algebras, termed exchange relation planar algebras, that provides a general framework for understanding several classes of known subfactor inclusions: the Fuss–Catalan algebras (i.e. those coming from the presence of intermediate subfactors) and all depth 2 subfactors. In addition, we present a new class of planar algebras (and thus a new class of subfactors) coming from automorphism subgroups of finite groups.
Fertility preservation options for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.

Purpose of review To provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of fertility risks of gender-affirming therapy, review fertility preservation options for transgender individuals and ways to minimize gender dysphoria during fertility treatment, and identify gaps in knowledge. Recent findings Recent studies have corroborated older data that gender-affirming hormone therapy creates histopathological changes in the gonads; however, the newer data suggests that some function of the gametes may be preserved. One study in transgender men reported successful in-vitro maturation of testosterone-exposed oocytes with normal spindle structures, and recent studies in transgender women reveal early spermatogenesis in estradiol-exposed testes and some recovery of semen parameters following cessation of hormones. Particular attention has recently been given to fertility preservation in transgender adolescents, revealing unmet informational needs in this population and very few are actually pursuing fertility preservation, even with counseling. Summary There is currently a paucity of data on the fertility effects of gender-affirming hormones, necessitating fertility preservation counseling prior to initiation of therapy. Several modifications can be made to fertility preservation protocols and procedures to decrease gender dysphoria or distress in transgender individuals, but outcome data is still lacking. Achieving high-quality data collection will likely require cooperation across multiple institutions.
The Complexity of Context

Most implementation theories in the literature use the term context both to refer to broad context, as described above, and the specific setting. Thus, context covers a lot of ground and much effort is being expended to define the various aspects of context in the hope that someone looking at the results of a study can assess the degree to which their own context is similar to that where an intervention worked. Studying organizational or complex social interventions presents additional problems. The potential dimensions and facets of context are large and the potential interactions even larger, so large in fact, that it is unlikely than an adequate sample size to distribute differences equally is even possible. This is the context and it is complex. The complexity of context is illustrated by examples of characteristics of complex adaptive systems. Two rules of thumb – heuristics – are presented relevant to implementation of an intervention in an organization. First, implementation is a function of the interaction between intervention and context. Second, sustainability is equal to the degree to which the intervention becomes part of the context, i.e., − just the way we do business.
Spektrale Fernerkundung und Airborne Laserscanning von Freileitungen per Helikopter

Mit der Energiewende gewinnt das Problem des Stromtransports eine immer grosere Bedeutung. Der damit verbundene Ausbau des Netzes ruckt auch Leitungstrassen und deren Einfluss auf die umliegende Natur starker ins Blickfeld der Offentlichkeit. Seit jeher werden fur die Planung und Instandhaltung von Freileitungen die Trassen in regelmasigen Abstanden begangen oder beflogen. Vor allem die Befliegung und Instandhaltung der Trassen ist zeit- und kostenintensiv. Daher haben die Partner 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, Helimap System AG, Pergam-Suisse AG, Sky Heli GmbH und SPIE SAG GmbH ein gemeinsames Projekt aufgesetzt, mit dem Ziel, moglichst viele Anwendungsfalle der Planung und Instandhaltung von Freileitungstrassen mit nur einem Uberflug zu berucksichtigen, um letztendlich Kosten einzusparen. Unter Einsatz modernster Technik und Analysemethoden ist es gelungen, qualitativ hochwertige Daten zu generieren, die sowohl eine effektive Nachtrassierung, eine objektivierte Zustandsbewertung als auch ein okologisches Vegetationsmanagement ermoglichen. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Einblick in das Projekt, beschreibt die Herausforderungen einer multisensoralen Befliegung, die eingesetzte Messtechnik und gibt praktische Anwendungsbeispiele.
Phase and Test Function Spaces

The state of a flow can be represented as a point or a pathline in an appropriately set up function space, called phase space and denoted by \(\Omega \), which contains all possible flow states for all times.
A Probabilistic Model-adaptive Approach for Tracking of Motion with Heightened Uncertainty

This paper presents an approach for state tracking in scenarios where motion is highly uncertain. The proposed approach improves on traditional Kalman filters by integrating model parametric uncertainty in deriving state covariances for prediction at each time step. A model correction stage then continuously adjusts the mean and variance of state matrix elements based on the observation-corrected state, compensating for an initially inadequate system model. The symbiotic relationship between state tracking and motion model correction is leveraged to perform both tasks simultaneously in-the-loop. In a representative dynamic example, simulated experiments were performed and analyzed statistically for varying combinations of sensor and model uncertainty. For low model variance, traditional Kalman filters generally perform estimation better due to over-confidence with regards to model parameters. However, the proposed approach increasingly outperforms both traditional and adaptive Kalman filters in estimation when model and input uncertainty is appreciable. The motion model updating approach formulated here tends to improve parameter estimates over the course of state tracking, thus validating the symbiotic process. The robotics applications of this simultaneous estimation and modeling framework extend from target state tracking to self-state estimation, while broader signal processing applications can be readily extracted.
Cutting Cubes Out of Fog: The Whole View of Design

Abstract In this article we argue that the field of design evolved to include helping organizations address complex problems in the face of uncertainty, but it has yet to build knowledge in a way that formalizes the various activities embraced by the field. We use our relationship with the school of public health at Harvard to illustrate the advantages of formalizing design knowledge more explicitly. We introduce the Whole View model to provide the field of design with a tentative structure for its knowledge that could make it easier for design and other fields to work together. We situate the model in the context of different types of design education, and show examples of how the Whole View provides a structure for teaching, research, and practice. We conclude by introducing a new agenda for design centered on the well-being of people, organizations, and the natural environment, with health, happiness, and prosperity as the levers driving change.
Magnetic Liver Retraction Decreases Postoperative Pain and Length of Stay in Bariatric Surgery Compared to Nathanson Device.

Objective: Retrospective case-matched comparison of magnetic liver retraction to a bedrail-mounted liver retractor in bariatric surgery specifically targeting short-term postoperative outcomes, including pain and resource utilization. Background: Retraction of the liver is essential to ensure appropriate visualization of the hiatus in bariatric surgery. Externally mounted retractors require a dedicated port or an additional incision. Magnetic devices provide effective liver retraction without the need of an incision. Methods: The sample consisted of primary and revisional bariatric surgery patients, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) operations. Propensity score analysis was used to match patients with magnetic retraction to patients with a bedrail-mounted retractor with a 1:2 ratio using preoperative characteristics. Baseline characteristics and postprocedure outcomes were compared using two-sample t-tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests and chi-square or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: One hundred patients met inclusion criteria for the use of magnetic liver retraction (45 RYGB, 35 SG, 20 BPD-DS) with 196 suitable matched external retractor patients identified. Patients were matched and comparable for all preoperative characteristics except for transversus abdominus plane block (27% versus 47%). Patients in the magnet cohort had significantly decreased mean 12-hour postoperative pain scores (2.9 versus 4.2, P = .004) and decreased hospital length of stay (LOS) (1.5 versus 1.9 days, P = .005) while operating room supply were higher in the magnet cohort ($4600 versus $4213, P = .0001). Conclusions: Magnetic liver retraction in bariatric surgery is associated with decreased postoperative pain scores, decreased hospital LOS, and increased operating supply costs.
Is Having a Gun for Safety Associated with Feeling Safer, Safety Planning, and More Assertive Responses to Conflict Among Women with Interpersonal Victimization Experiences?

Some violence victims are advised to obtain a gun for safety, while others are discouraged from obtaining a gun. This study compared women with interpersonal victimization experiences who did (n = ...
Disulfide bonds: the power switches of elastic proteins

The delivery of mechanical power, a crucial component of animal motion, is constrained by the universal compromise between force and velocity of its constituent molecular systems. Here we demonstrate a switchable power amplifier in the elastic proteins that comprise contractile tissues. Elastic proteins are typically very large and composed of tandem repeats of individually folded domains, which unfold and extend under force and readily refold when the force is quenched. Cryptic cysteine residues are common in elastic proteins like titin where they can oxidize to form intra-domain disulfide bonds, limiting the extensibility of an unfolding domain. However, the functional significance of disulfide-bonds in elastic proteins remains unknown and may be fundamental to tissue mechanics. Here we use ultra-stable magnetic tweezers force spectroscopy to study the elasticity of a disulfide bonded modular titin protein operating in the physiological range, with the ability to control the oxidation state of the protein in real time. We show that the midpoint folding probability of the parent Ig domain reversibly shifts from 4.0 pN to 12.8 pN upon oxidation. In this force range, the folding contraction dominates the elastic recoil of the protein, delivering stepwise mechanical work which depends on the oxidation state in an all-or-none manner. For example, the output power of a folding contraction at 6 pN goes from 0 zW to 6,000 zW upon introduction of the disulfide bond. This large amount of power is delivered by folding at forces where single molecular motors are typically stalled. We explain our results with a simple polymer model where the extensibility of the protein is determined in a binary form by the presence or absence of the disulfide bond. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the functional significance of disulfide bonds as potent power amplifiers in proteins operating under force.
André Breton: Nadja (1928)

Is Nadja fiction or poetry? In a sense, it is both in that Breton creates a new novel with analogies to modern poetry and an homage to earlier novel writing traditions. The text is unique in that it contains elements of autobiography, poetics of Realist fiction and poetry, plus inclusion of such postmodern techniques as using footnotes as fiction as well as illustrations/photos that truly amalgamate into something completely different, namely, a new novel that predates the Nouveau roman. This chapter explores the cutting-edge techniques Breton uses in his novel while paying a kind of literary homage to the literary techniques of the past especially toward the writing of Flaubert and Hardy. (112)
Speaking Up: How Family Members Advocate for Relatives Living with a Mental Illness

Consumers with a mental health condition often feel powerless and overwhelmed in interactions with mental healthcare providers. Consumer self-advocacy and advocacy actions undertaken by their family members on the behalf of their relative contribute to a sense of empowerment for both consumers and their family members. This qualitative study explored family member perspectives of advocacy actions they took on behalf of their relatives and themselves. Data analysis of interviews with 20 family members, including parents, partners/spouses, siblings, and adult children, yielded three themes of family member advocacy actions: advocating for a relative's mental healthcare, normalizing mental illness, and engaging in social and political actions. Advocacy frameworks offer useful guidelines for speaking up for individuals who live with a mental illness.
A mixed-methods analysis examining child and family needs following early brain injury.

Purpose:To understand child and family needs following TBI in early childhood, 22 caregivers of children who were hospitalized for a moderate to severe TBI between the ages of 0 and 4 within the pa...
When IT Creates Legal Vulnerability: Not Just Overutilization but Underprovisioning of Health Care Could be a Consequence

We study the potential impact of the legal vulnerability created by ubiquitous information technology (IT) and provide insights into its unintended consequences in a typical healthcare context. Informed by algorithmic predictions based on risk information, screening policies determine the level of care provision (i.e., whether to conduct a test). When such predictions are provided to physicians via IT in the testing stage, follow-up decisions could be more accurate. Yet, physicians may also observe heightened legal risk due to increased information visibility. In this context, we examine the socially optimal screening (based on risk information) and follow-up policies (based on risk and test information) in light of increased visibility of patient data due to health IT and possible litigation risks associated with it.We nd that strategic underprovisioning of health care, therefore a lower utilization of health care services, through screening policies could potentially mitigate the adverse impact of health IT. The underprovisioning of health care is aggravated if the precision of the risk factors relative to that of the medical test increases or the physician becomes more self-interested and less patient-oriented. On the other hand, limits on malpractice damage can alleviate the underprovisioning of health care.
Promoting exercise in patients with cancers of the head and neck during COVID-19 and beyond

In recent years, the benefits of exercise in patients with cancer have increasingly been recognised. Unfortunately, patients with, and survivors of, cancers of the head and neck often face a constellation of symptomatic and nutritional obstacles that can interfere with their ability to adhere to structured exercise regimens. The spread of COVID-19 has only added to these challenges. In this Viewpoint, the authors detail the impediments faced by patients with cancers of the head and neck in obtaining sufficient exercise, review the evidence supporting the benefits of exercise in patients with cancer and discuss interventions to promote exercise in this patient population.
In Support of the Doctoral Degree as the Entry Level for School Psychologists in the 1990s

School psychologists must acquire skills that will remain marketable and of use to schools in the future. Presently, school psychologists spend a preponderance of time engaged in activities related...
O36 College Students Cope to Achieve Food Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Feeding America estimates an additional 13.2 million people experienced food insecurity in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. College students have higher risk given their transitionary life stage and lack of access to enablers of food security, including federal food assistance programs. This project investigates interpersonal and community-level factors of the social ecological model that affect food choices, self-efficacy, and coping mechanisms among food insecure college students during the pandemic. Describe facilitators and barriers to food security among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. After IRB approval was obtained, participants (n = 18) were interviewed via a video-conferencing platform to investigate interpersonal coping mechanisms related to food security. Inclusion criteria encompassed current enrollment, participation in the on-campus food pantry, and age less than 30 years. Interviews focused on students' food acquisition and utilization, experiences with food insecurity before and during the pandemic, and feelings of stress. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and themed using a 2-coder method. Students identified lack of knowledge about food assistance programs, confusion over food assistance qualification, and lack of transportation to food assistance sites as perceived barriers to improving food security during the pandemic. Primary coping mechanisms and facilitators to obtaining food were food pantry utilization, social support through food sharing, participation in the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and engagement with community support programs. COVID-19 has further exacerbated college students' vulnerability to food insecurity. College students have limited access to SNAP and rely on interpersonal relationships and community resources to maintain food security. Findings describe unique coping strategies to access food and identify strategies to improve college student food security during the pandemic. United Way for Greater Austin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
A convolutional neural network-based approach to composite power system reliability evaluation

Abstract This paper proposes a machine learning-based approach in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to improve the computation efficiency of composite power system reliability evaluation. Traditional composite system reliability evaluation approaches are computationally demanding and may become inapplicable to large integrated power grids due to the requirements of repetitively solving optimal power flow (OPF) for a large number of system states. Machine learning-based approaches have been used to avoid solving OPF in composite system reliability evaluation except in the training stage. However, current approaches have been derived to classify system states into success and failure states (i.e., up or down). In other words, they can be used to evaluate power system probability and frequency reliability indices, but they cannot be used to evaluate power and energy reliability indices unless OPF is solved for each failure state to determine minimum load curtailments. In this paper, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based regression approach is proposed to determine the minimum amount of load curtailments of sampled states without solving OPF, except in the training stage. Minimum load curtailments are then used to evaluate power and energy indices (e.g., expected demand not supplied) as well as to evaluate the probability and frequency indices. The proposed approach is applied on several systems including the IEEE Reliability Test Systems (The IEEE RTS and IEEE RTS-96) and Saskatchewan Power Corporation in Canada. Results show that the proposed approach is computationally efficient (fast and accurate) in calculating the most common composite system reliability indices. The developed source code of the proposed method is available to the community for future research and development.
Active Cortex Tractography

Most existing diffusion tractography algorithms are affected by gyral bias, causing the termination of streamlines at gyral crowns instead of sulcal banks. In this paper, we propose a tractography technique, called active cortex tractography (ACT), to overcome gyral bias by enabling fiber streamlines to curve naturally into the cortex. We show that the cortex can play an active role in cortical tractography by providing anatomical information to overcome orientation ambiguities as the streamlines enter the superficial white matter in gyral blades and approach the cortex. This is achieved by devising a direction scouting mechanism that takes into account the white matter surface normal vectors. The scouting mechanism allows probing of directions further in space to prepare the streamlines to turn at appropriate angles. The surface normal vectors guide the streamlines to turn into the cortex, perpendicular to the white-gray matter interface. Evaluation using synthetic, macaque and human data with different streamline seeding schemes demonstrates that ACT improves cortical tractography.
Development of a Perception System for an Autonomous Surface Vehicle using Monocular Camera, LIDAR, and Marine RADAR

This paper describes a set of software modules and algorithms for maritime object detection and tracking. The approach described here is designed to work in conjunction with various sensors from a maritime surface vessel (e.g. marine RADAR, LIDAR, camera). The described system identifies obstacles from the input sensors, estimates their state, and fuses the obstacle data into a consolidated report. The system is verified using experiments conducted on a live system and successfully demonstrates the ability to detect and track obstacles up to 450m away while operating at 7 fps. The software is open source and available at https://github.com/uml-marine-robotics/asv_perception.
Fitness Fights Fires: Exploring the Relationship between Physical Fitness and Firefighter Ability

Background: Regular exercise in firefighters may be effective in preventing or attenuating ill health (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, and obesity), as well as improving their firefighting ability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and firefighting ability. Methods: Male firefighter recruits' (n = 89; age = 27.1 ± 4.2 yrs) physical fitness and firefighting ability were assessed at Week 1 and Week 7 during a basic firefighting training academy. Physical fitness was assessed via 1.5 mile run time, sit-up and push-up repetitions, the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) bench press test, vertical jump height, and sit-and-reach flexibility, while firefighting ability was assessed via completion time on a firefighting skills test. Results: Fitness predicted significant variance in firefighting ability at Week 1 (R2= 0.46; p < 0.01) and Week 7 (R2 = 0.46; p < 0.01), after accounting for age and body mass index. Cardiovascular endurance accounted for 22.4% (FΔ (1, 85) = 25.75) and 39.3% (FΔ (1, 85) = 55.53) while muscular endurance accounted for an additional 19.0% (FΔ (3, 82) = 10.34) and 6.3% (FΔ (3, 82) = 3.2) unique variance in firefighting ability at Week 1 and Week 7, respectively. Conclusions: Given the strong association between fitness and firefighting performance, municipal departments may want to focus on increasing fitness levels among firefighters.
Isolation as a Form of Marital Violence: The South Asian Immigrant Experience

Isolation is an important factor in marital abuse among South Asian immigrant families. It lends itself to the invisibility immigrant women experience based on their ethno-gender status in the United States. Drawn from unstructured interviews with abused South Asian immigrant women, three different levels of isolation are explained. The first level involves the quality of a woman's relationship with her spouse; the second is related to the frequency and quality of social interaction with friends, relatives, and coworkers; and the third is explained in terms of the level of access to and participation in the ethnic community and other formal institutions.
Dynamic bandwidth allocation for interactive applications

The transmission of stored video across an ATM network is considered for interactive applications with bounded reaction times. The performance of the services renegotiated VBR (RVBR) and renegotiated CBR (RCBR) is investigated for this class of applications by trace-driven simulations. The goal is to determine the most efficient service for interactive applications. Here we present three basic results. First, for delay sensitive applications smoothing the video stream in advance is much more efficient than adding smoothing buffers to the network switches. Second, services with renegotiation (RCBR, RVBR) are better suited for interactive applications than the static services CBR and VBR. Third, the RVBR service with a deterministic call admission control scheme is the best choice for interactive applications that require small reaction times.
Chapter 18 Cognitive Processes in Stated Preference Methods

Abstract Cognitive psychology is best known, to many environmental economists, through the filter of acrimonious debates over the validity of contingent valuation methods (CVM). Psychologists' views on CVM reflect concerns that are deeply rooted in their profession's history and theories. Although psychologists have participated in some CVM studies, their roles have rarely allowed them to present a comprehensive design philosophy, illustrated in actual studies. This chapter sets psychologists' critiques and alternatives within a general cognitive perspective on value elicitation, including stated preferences for environmental goods. It begins with a historical review, organized around two converging streams of psychological research. One stream leads from psychophysics to attitude research. The second leads from decision theory to decision analysis and behavioral decision research. The next section reports some environmental valuation studies arising from each tradition. These studies do not directly monetize environmental goods. However, they can still directly inform policies that do not require monetization and indirectly inform policies that do, by shaping studies with that ambition. The following section considers the role of cognitive studies in helping investigators to know what issues matter to people and present them comprehensibly. The concluding section of the chapter presents a cognitive approach to stated preference methods for environmental values – one that could be developed most fully in collaboration with economists. It is built around a cognitive task analysis of the four main elements in any evaluation process: (a) specifying the valuation question, (b) understanding its terms, (c) articulating a value for that specific question (from more general basic values), and (d) expressing that value in a public form.
Performance modeling of operating systems using object-oriented simulation: a practical introduction

Preface. 1. Overview of System and Performance Modeling. 2. Object Oriented Modeling. 3. Basic Probability Theory. 4. Single-Server Models. 5. Queuing Networks. 6. CPU Scheduling. 7. Process Synchronization. 8. Deadlock. 9. Inter-process Communication. 10. Virtual Memory. 11. Device Management. 12. Additional Models. Appendix A: Brief Update On Psim And PsimL. Appendix B: Psim/PsimL Software and Additional Files. Appendix C: Bibliography. About the Author. Index.
How Good is Phase-Shift Keying for Peak-Limited Rayleigh Fading Channels in the Low-SNR Regime?

This paper investigates the achievable information rate of phase-shift keying (PSK) over frequency non-selective Rayleigh fading channels without channel state information (CSI). The fading process exhibits general temporal correlation characterized by its spectral density function. We consider both discrete-time and continuous-time channels, and find their asymptotics at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Compared to known capacity upper bounds under peak constraints, these asymptotics usually lead to negligible rate loss in the low-SNR regime for slowly time-varying fading channels. We further specialize to case studies of Gauss-Markov and Clarke's fading models.
Accumulation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA in T cells: results of multiple infection events.

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA synthesis was followed in a CD4+ line of T cells (C8166) grown in the presence or absence of a monoclonal antibody to CD4 that blocks infection By 48 h after infection, cultures grown in the presence of the antibody contained approximately 4 copies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA per cell, whereas those grown in the absence of the antibody contained approximately 80 copies of viral DNA per cell. Most of the viral DNA in cultures grown in the absence of the antibody was present in a broad smear of apparently incomplete viral sequences. In cultures grown in the presence or absence of the antibody, the 9.6-kilobase linear duplex of viral DNA appeared to undergo integration within 24 h of its appearance. These results demonstrate that T cells accumulate unintegrated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA as a result of multiple virions entering cells.
Abstract 245: Achieving Appropriate Use Metrics for Angioplasty

Background: With the development of appropriate use metrics for coronary angioplasty, application of these criteria to the NYS PCI data base resulted in 14.3% of PCIs in NYS being deemed “inappropriate”. While “inappropriate” has been changed to “rarely appropriate’’ in professional society guidelines, public interpretation of this designation, medicolegal issues, and reimbursement for procedures in this category remain concerns. Because the bulk of PCI procedures are ad hoc, appropriateness of treatment is largely determined by preprocedural documentation and treatment. Procedure: The 2010 SBUH “inappropriate” PCI rate from NYS was utilized as a baseline and compared with post intervention Qtr 4, 2012 - Qtr 3, 2013. Trained abstractors audited charts to identify patients that would potentially be classified “inappropriate” and determine which data elements were missing most frequently. A preprocedural screening tool was developed and implemented to establish PCI appropriateness as supported by adequate d...
Physiological and anatomical consequences of infraorbital nerve transection in the trigeminal ganglion and trigeminal spinal tract of the adult rat

Single-unit recording and retrograde tracing techniques were used to assess the receptive field properties, topography, and projections of rat trigeminal primary afferent neurons subsequent to transection of the infraorbital (IO) nerve in adulthood. Four hundred and fifty-eight units were recorded in the trigeminal ganglion ipsilateral to nerve section. Of these, 66.6% had IO receptive fields. Thirty percent responded to innocuous stimulation of vibrissae, 39.1% to guard hair deflection, 8.2% to gentle indentation or stretch of the skin, and 22.3% to noxious stimuli (compared to 77.2% vibrissa, 12.0% guard hair, 4.5% skin, and 6.3% noxious in normal animals). An additional 15 units were driven by a stimulating electrode placed on the IO nerve proximal to the site of the lesion but had no receptive field. Of the cells with vibrissa receptive fields, 33.3% were slowly adapting type I (SAI), 6.6% were slowly adapting type II (SAII), 32.2% were low velocity rapidly adapting (RA-LV), 20.0% were high velocity rapidly adapting (RA- HV), and 7.7% were nociceptive (NX, in normal animals 43.8% were SAI, 10.3% SAII, 27.6% RA-LV, 16.8% RA-HV, and 1.5% NX). A number of cells had receptive field properties not seen in normal animals. The single- unit recordings indicated that the topography of mandibular and ophthalmic representations in the ganglion were essentially normal, while the organization of the maxillary region of the ganglion was slightly abnormal. The ganglion physiology experiments were augmented by records from primary afferents in the trigeminal spinal tract (TrV). Eighty-one (72.2%) of the 112 fibers recorded in the TrV of normal rats had IO receptive fields. Of these, 73.2% responded to innocuous vibrissal stimulation, 14.6% to guard hair deflection, 8.5% to gentle indentation of the skin, and 2.5% to noxious stimuli. Of the 61 vibrissa units, 37.8% were SAI, 19.7% SAII, 37.8% RA-LV, 3.3% RA-HV, and 1.6% NX. In adult-lesioned animals, 81 (61.3%) of the recorded fibers had IO receptive fields. Of this number, 38.2% responded to vibrissae, 29.6% to guard hairs, 16.0% to skin, and 19.7% to noxious simuli. Of the vibrissa-sensitive units, 16.1% were SAI, 3.2% were SAII, 45.2% were RA-LV, 35.5% were RA-HV, and 3.2% NX. As in the ganglion recording studies, a number of abnormal receptive fields were documented.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Larval and post-larval stages of a new Abrolophus species (Acari: Erythraeidae) from a deciduous forest in northern Michigan, USA

Abstract Abrolophus welbourni sp. n. is described from Northern Michigan, USA. All instars including laboratory-reared specimens were available for study. Laboratory rearing results as well as field collections indicated that larvae previously assigned to Hauptmannia developed into deutonymphs and adults of Abrolophus.
Analysis of early readmissions after combined pancreas-kidney transplantation

Combined pancreas-kidney transplantation (PKT) has become generally accepted as an effective treatment option, but controversy exists regarding the early morbidity rate of the procedure. To address this issue, we retrospectively analyzed all readmissions occurring in the first 3 months after PKT. Over a 5-year period, we performed 98 PKTs with bladder drainage. The mean recipient age was 36.6 years, with a mean pretransplant duration of diabetes of 23.5 years. All patients received quadruple immunosuppression with antilymphocyte induction therapy. The mean length of initial hospital stay was 20 days. One hundred forty-five readmissions occurred in 73 patients (74.5%), with the initial readmission occurring at a mean of 8.5 days after hospital dismissal and 28 days after PKT. Twenty-five patients (25.5%) had no readmissions, 35 (36%) had one readmission, 17 (17%) had two readmissions, and the remaining 21 patients (21.5%) had three or more readmissions in the first 3 months. The mean number of readmissions was 1.5 per patient. Forty-seven patients (48%) were readmitted within 1 week, and all but one initial readmission occurred within 1 month of hospital dismissal. Causes of readmission included rejection (51), infection (32), pancreas-specific morbidity (such as dehydration, hematuria, or pancreatitis; 50), and miscellaneous causes (12). Thirteen patients (13%) underwent reoperation during readmission. The mean length of hospital stay during readmission was 7.6 days. The mean total length of hospitalization in the first 3 months after PKT was 31 days. Over the span of 5 years, no changes have occurred either in the incidence, timing, causes, or duration of readmissions. The patient survival rate is 96%, the kidney graft survival rate is 90%, and the pancreas graft survival rate is 88% after a mean follow-up of 2.6 years. Mean rehabilitation time (return to work or normal activity) after PKT was 4.0 months. In conclusion, PKT is associated with a fixed morbidity characterized by early readmission (within 1 week) in nearly half of patients and pancreas-specific morbidity as the cause in 35% of readmissions. During evaluation, prospective candidates should be counseled regarding the unique morbidity of PKT. Successful management strategies must emphasize the intensity of early follow-up and recognize the propensity toward immunologic, metabolic, exocrine, and urologic side effects.
Sub-10 ps monolithic and low-power photodetector readout

Abstract Recent advances in photon detectors have resulted in high-density imaging arrays that offer many performance and cost advantages. In particular, the excellent transit-time-spread of certain devices show promise to provide tangible benefits in applications such as positron emission tomography (PET). Meanwhile, high-density, high-performance readout techniques have not kept on pace for exploiting these developments. Photodetector readout for next generation high event rate particle identification and time-resolved PET requires a highly integrated, low-power, and cost-effective readout technique. We propose fast waveform sampling as a method that meets these criteria and demonstrate that sub-10 ps resolution can be obtained for an existing device.
Chronic disease: Effect on health cognition and health locus of control

An assessment of health cognition and health locus of control (HLOC) was obtained in 85 healthy and 81 chronically ill children, using instruments adapted from Piaget's work and standard HLOC measures. A relationship between HLOC and compliance was sought in a subset of children with spina bifida taught self-catheterization. Evidence of the developmental nature of health cognition and HLOC was documented. Contrary to the effect of experimence in formal learning, experience with chronic disease did not alter developmental progression in these health-related areas. Our results suggest that in communicating with children about illness, the pediatrician's approach should not be altered by an appearance of superficial sophistication that some children may acquire as part of their experience with chronic disease.
P-N COMPOUNDS 28. PHOSPHAMINIMIDES 3. 4-NITROBENZYLATION OF PHOSPHINYL-1, 1-DIMETHYL HYDRAZIDES AND FORMATION OF A UNIQUE HYDRAZINIUM INNER SALT1

Abstract The treatment of diethoxyphosphinyl-1,1-dimethylhydrazide with 4-nitrobenzylbromide at 82–90°C resulted in the loss of EtBr and the formation of EtO(−O)P(O) NHN+(CH3)2CH2-4-NO2Ph, a novel type of phosphaminimide. At lower temperatures the diethoxyhydrazide gave the hydrazinium bromide which slowly underwent loss of EtBr to yield the same product. The diphenoxy compound similarly lost HBr at high, but not lower, temperature with production of the normal phosphaminimide. The diphenyl derivative yielded the expected hydrazinium bromide which was dehydrobrominated to the usual phosphaminide with NaOH. The reaction between all three hydrazides and iodomethane, followed by dehydroiodination, gave the usual phosphaminimides.
Acoustic Agglomeration of Power Plant Fly Ash for Environmental and Hot Gas Clean-up

This two year research program has the objectives of completing the several investigations associated with the use of high intensity acoustic energy to agglomerate micron and submicron sized particles in fly ash aerosols in order to provide the necessary scientific knowledge and design criteria for the specification of technically and economically viable intermediate flue gas treatment of coal fired power plants. Goals are to further the understanding of certain fundamental processes by means of theoretical and experimental investigations to include this knowledge in an advanced computerized model of the agglomeration processes. Tests with the acoustic agglomeration facilities available in Penn State's new High Intensity Acoustic Laboratory were to be used to verify the results from the acoustic agglomeration simulations. Research work continued on high power, high efficiency sirens with special emphasis on the nonlinear acoustic phenomena and novel means of significantly increasing siren efficiency. A study was carried out to evaluate the economics of conventional coal fired power plant clean-up systems using acoustic agglomeration as an intermediate flue gas treatment. 154 refs., 152 figs., 30 tabs.
Effects of varying shock intensities on pain-elicited aggression in the domestic fowl.

To determine the effects of varying shock intensities upon the behavior of domestic fowl, wing shock was administered to 7 pairs of Plymouth Rock hens. Administered intensities ranged from 0.0 ma. to 8.5 ma. Results indicated that shock generally reduced the incidence of fighting behavior. This finding contradicts the pain-elicited aggression hypothesis. The painful stimulation may have become associated with defeat in the pecking-order struggle, or resulted in behavior which competed with fighting.
Boron and hydrogen bonding in B-doped a-Si:H — an NMR study

Abstract 11 B and 1 H NMR measurements performed on boron-doped films of a-Si:H prepared by glow discharge are reported. A sample containing 10 atomic % B exhibits two distinct boron sites, both of them being threefold coordinated. A second sample containing 0.7 atomic % B shows only one boron site, also threefold coordinated. Measurements of the 11 B spin-spin relaxation time T 2 indicate that the boron sites are clustered in both the 10% B and 0.7% B materials. The temperature dependence of the 1 H spin-lattice relaxation time T 1 in the 10% B film does not exhibit the sharp T 1 minimum commonly observed in undoped a-Si:H films prepared by glow discharge. Suppression of the T 1 minimum in the B-containing material is explained in terms of a spin diffusion bottleneck in the relaxation pathway of the Si- or B-bonded protons in the film.
Problem-Solving Instruction as an Oral Comprehension Aid for Reading Disabled Third Graders

The intent of the study was to determine the effects of Cognitive Monitoring (CM), Creative Problem Solving (CPS), and Combination (CM and CPS) instructional programs on reading disabled third-graders oral comprehension as measured by performance on the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (BTBC). The BTBC was administered in groups of ten subjects and also individually. Subjects were one-hundred third-graders, identified as reading one and one-half years below grade level expectancy within average range intelligence. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: CM, CPS, Combination, or Control. Treatment lasted for ten consecutive school days for a total of five hours. Criterion group means on the BTBC were subjected to a one-way Analysis of Variance. Treatment effects were found for measures of Form A, BTBC (group administration) and Form B, BTBC, (individual administration).
Production of Two Phytotoxic Metabolites by the Fungus Alternaria cassiae

Alternaria cassiae is a phytopathogen that has been isolated from diseased sicklepod. Ferricrocin and coprogen were isolated from a solid culture of A. cassiae and identified as phytotoxic compounds. The phytotoxicity of the two siderophores was compared by a leaf-wounding assay.
The nature of the 3P0 fluorescence quenching processes in LaF3: Pr3+

The temporal decay profiles of 3P0 fluorescence from five single crystals of LaF3 with Pr3+ dopant concentrations from 1% to 80% have been measured at 2 K. The quenching of fluorescence from this level is discussed in terms of both long-range multipolar and short-range superexchange cross-relaxation interactions. The superexchange interaction provides the most consistent fit to the observed data and is believed to be dominant, however it is concluded that no single interaction provides a complete description of the fluorescence decay.
Dead Sea gas solubilities

Abstract The solubilities of helium and argon have been measured in Dead Sea brine. A simple model is presented whereby the solubilities of these and other gases in Dead Sea water as functions of temperature and salinity may be closely approximated from existing equations for the solubilities of these gases in pure water and seawater. The salting out per unit mass of Dead Sea salt exceeds that of sea salt by about 9%. The Bunsen solubility coefficients of a number of selected gases in the Dead Sea are about 15–25% of their values in pure water. Parametric equations are given for calculating the equilibrium concentrations of dissolved atmospheric gases in the Dead Sea.
Shape instabilities of plate-like structures—I. Experimental observations in heavily cold worked in situ composites

Abstract The capillary shape instabilities associated with ribbon or finite plate dispersoids are described and documented with experimental evidence from three composite systems: (1) drawn castings of CuFe containing ribboned Fe fibers (14.3 vol.% Fe), (2) rolled liquid-phase sintered NiW alloys containing elliptic W plates (48 vol.% W), (3) rolled “hypoeutectic” NiW alloys containing W blades which occupy 17% of the eutectic microconstituent's volume. The primary instabilities observed include cylinderization via edge recession, boundary splitting via the thermal grooving of internal boundaries, and edge spheroidization via the ovulation of ridges formed by edge recession. For a given plate-shaped dispersoid, the dominant instability is determined by cross sectional aspect ratio (width/thickness) and, when internal boundaries are present, the ratio of the internal boundary's energy to that of the phase interface.
Monitoring instruments are no substitute for careful clinical observation

Two clinicians present their views on contemporary patient monitoring equipment and methods. The first suggests that, although monitoring instruments and currently used gadgetry have improved his daily practice of anesthesiology, they are no substitute for careful and scrupulous clinical observations and are only as good as those who use them. He decries the “prescription” of monitoring instruments by those who do not administer anesthetics, such as insurance companies. The second clinician is impressed with the benefits of current monitoring equipment, but agrees that the instruments are no substitute for careful clinical observation. He contends that lower insurance premiums reflect the real improvements that have resulted from the use of sophisticated monitoring equipment.