cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of risk factors of PICC-related bloodstream infection in newborns: implications for nursing care.

It is necessary to analyze the characteristics and risk factors of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in newborns with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Newborns undergoing PICC catheterization in the neonatal department of our hospital from January 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021 were included. The characteristics of newborns with and without CRBSI newborns were compared and analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors of CRBSI in newborns with PICC. Three hundred eighty-six newborns with PICC were included, of whom 41 newborns had the CRBSI, the incidence of CRBSI in newborns with PICC was 10.62%. There were significant differences regarding the birth weight, durations of PICC stay, 5-min Apgar score, site of PICC insertion of PICC between CRBSI and no CRBSI group (all P 0.05). Escherichia coli (26.08%) and Staphylococcus aureus (23.92%) were the most common CRBSI pathogens in newborns with PICC. Logistic regression analysis indicated that birth weight ≤ 1500 g (OR 1.923, 95% CI 1.135–2.629), durations of PICC stay ≥ 21 days (OR 2.077, 95% CI 1.024–3.431), 5-min Apgar score ≤ 7 (OR 2.198, 95% CI 1.135–3.414) and femoral vein insertion of PICC (OR 3.044, 95% CI 1.989–4.306) were the independent risk factors of CRBSI in neonates with PICC (all P < 0.05). For newborns with low birth weight, longer durations of PICC stay and femoral vein PICC insertion, they may have higher risks of CRBSI, and medical staff should take targeted measures to reduce the development of CRBSI.
New keys to unlock the treasure trove of microbial natural products.

This month’s Genome Watch highlights how recent advances in computational identification of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), and in their experimental manipulation, are opening new avenues to access novel secondary metabolites.
Evolution of non-genomic nuclear receptor function.

Abstract Nuclear receptors (NRs) are responsible for the regulation of diverse developmental and physiological systems in metazoans. NR actions can be the result of genomic and non-genomic mechanisms depending on whether they act inside or outside of the nucleus respectively. While the actions of both mechanisms have been shown to be crucial to NR functions, non-genomic actions are considered less frequently than genomic actions. Furthermore, hypotheses on the origin and evolution of non-genomic NR signaling pathways are rarely discussed in the literature. Here we summarize non-genomic NR signaling mechanisms in the context of NR protein family evolution and animal phyla. We find that NRs across groups and phyla act via calcium flux as well as protein phosphorylation cascades (MAPK/PI3K/PKC). We hypothesize and discuss a possible synapomorphy of NRs in the NR1 and NR3 families, including the thyroid hormone receptor, vitamin D receptor, ecdysone receptor, retinoic acid receptor, steroid receptors, and others. In conclusion, we propose that the advent of non-genomic NR signaling may have been a driving force behind the expansion of NR diversity in Cnidarians, Placozoans, and Bilaterians.
Implementing food bank and healthcare partnerships: a pilot study of perspectives from charitable food systems in Texas

BACKGROUND Partnerships between charitable food systems and healthcare systems have been forming across the country to support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, yet little research has focused on these partnerships, particularly from a food bank perspective. The objective of this exploratory pilot study was to identify implementation challenges and facilitators of charitable food system and healthcare partnerships from the food bank perspective. METHOD Texas food banks with existing food bank/healthcare partnerships were identify through website review and support from Feeding Texas. Interview questions were tailored to each interview, but all focused on identify program components of the food bank/healthcare partnership and implementation barriers/facilitators of the partnership. In total, six interviews were conducted with food bank/healthcare partnership leaders (n = 4) and charitable food system experts (n = 2) about their experiences of working with food bank/healthcare partnerships. All interviews were completed via Zoom and took between 30 and 60 min to completed. Detailed notes were taking during each interview, and immediately discussed with the complete research time to formulate broad implementation themes. RESULTS Interviews suggest unique implementation challenges exist at all levels of food bank/healthcare partnerships including the partnership, program, and system levels. Partnership-level implementation challenges focused on issues of partnership scale and data collection, sharing, and analysis. Program-level implementation challenges focused on food and produce expectations. Structural-level implementation challenges included issues of food safety, subsidized food regulations, and patient privacy. Implementation facilitators included leadership support, mission compatibility/organizational readiness, food insecurity training, and identify of partnership champions. CONCLUSIONS This study adds to the growing interest in food bank/healthcare partnership as it highlights unique implementation challenges and facilitators for cross-sector partnerships between healthcare systems and community-based charitable food systems. Ultimately, we believe that collaborative discussion among leaders of charitable food systems and healthcare systems is needed to overcome outlined implementation challenges to better facilitate sustainable, equitable implementation of food bank/healthcare partnerships.
Using stable carbon isotopes to track potential leakage of carbon dioxide: Example from an enhanced coal bed methane recovery site in West Virginia, USA

Abstract Produced natural gas, shallow groundwater, and soil vadose gas samples were collected at the CONSOL Energy Inc. CO 2 Sequestration Pilot Test Site in Marshall County, WV to test the feasibility of using carbon isotope signatures to detect potential leakage of CO 2 . CO 2 was injected into the Upper Freeport coal bed at a depth of ∼396 m intermittently from September 2009 to December 2013. Water and gas samples were collected over a 12-month period (August 2013–August 2014). The injected CO 2 had δ 13 C values ranging from −12.0‰ to −11.0‰ V-PDB. The average δ 13 C CO2 values of the soil vadose gas, the groundwater, and the produced CO 2 from overlying Pittsburgh coal bed were −25.0‰, −16.6‰ and +22.8‰ V-PDB, respectively. These distinct carbon isotope signatures allow us to use δ 13 C as a natural tracer to detect any potential leakage from the injected coal bed into the overlying monitored zones. In September 2013, the monitored downstream production well in Upper Freeport showed presence of injected CO 2 indicating injected CO 2 plume had migrated in the coal bed over the entire study area. However, the carbon isotope values observed in the overlying formations indicate no significant leakage of injected CO 2 from the underlying Upper Freeport coal bed.
Power law dependence of magnetic force vs. distance for a Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductor

The repulsive force between a magnet and a superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O disk has been measured as a function of the distance with emphasis on the exponent for F∝dn. Two experimental protocols have been used: Initial application of field with subsequent transition to the superconducting state and vice versa. Several theoretical models are discussed in an attempt to explain the results.
An Econometric Model of the Term Structure of Interest Rates Under Regime-Switching Risk

This paper develops and estimates a continuous-time model of the term structure of interests under regime shifts. The model uses an analytically simple representation of Markov regime shifts that elucidates the effects of regime shifts on the yield curve and gives a clear interpretation of regime-switching risk premiums. The model falls within the broad class of essentially affine models with a closed form solution of the yield curve, yet it is flexible enough to accommodate priced regime-switching risk, time-varying transition probabilities, regime-dependent mean reversion coefficients as well as stochastic volatilities within each regime. A two-factor version of the model is implemented using Efficient Method of Moments. Empirical results show that the model can account for many salient features of the yield curve in the U.S.
Myelitis Following Intrathecal Chemotherapy in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report (P3.307)

OBJECTIVE: To describe a rare case of intrathecal chemotherapy-induced myelitis in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who showed clinical improvement following discontinuation of intrathecal cytarabine without the addition of concurrent steroids. BACKGROUND: This report demonstrates the importance of evaluating for intrathecal chemotherapy-induced myelitis, and excluding alternative possiblities. Of the few documented cases, administration of chemotherapy was typically by lumbar puncture, with use of methotrexate more often than cytarabine. Concurrent steroids produced variable improvement in symptoms. DESIGN/METHODS: A retrospective case report RESULTS: The patient is a 35 year old female with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, peripheral neuropathy secondary to chemotherapy and remission of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. At presentation, systemic therapy consisted of augmented hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide/vincristine/doxorubicin/dexamethasone with intensified doses of vincristine, dexamethasone and asparaginase) with intrathecal administration of cytarabine via Ommaya reservoir. Initial symptoms included asymmetric distal lower extremity numbness which progressed proximally to perineal areas. The patient developed severe weakness of the lower extremities and became incontinent of bladder and bowel. Reflexes were brisk with bilateral Babinski signs present. Cerebrospinal fluid showed a substantial elevation of myelin basic protein (481 ng/mL) and was negative for cytology or other pathology. EMG performed early in the course showed a mild distal sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy with reduced motor activation suggestive of central nervous system dysfunction. MRI of the brain and spine were without abnormalities. Intrathecal cytarabine was discontinued due to concern for intrathecal chemotherapy-induced myelitis. Subsequently, her exam showed improvement in strength and sensation, though she continued to be incontinent and nonambulatory. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal chemotherapy-induced myelitis has been documented only rarely, with few cases implicating use of Ommaya reservoir or cytarabine. In this case, the patient exhibited clinical improvement following discontinuation of the intrathecal cytarabine without the administration of concurrent steroids. Disclosure: Dr. Parker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yassin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Woodman has nothing to disclose.
Finite rigid subgraphs of the pants graphs of punctured spheres

Abstract We prove a strong form of finite rigidity for pants graphs of spheres. Specifically, for any n ≥ 4 , we construct a finite subgraph X n of the pants graph P ( S 0 , n ) of the n-punctured sphere S 0 , n with the following property. Any simplicial embedding of X n into any pants graph P ( S 0 , m ) of a punctured sphere is induced by an embedding S 0 , n → S 0 , m .
Measuring quality of life in patients with melanoma: Development of the FACT-Melanoma subscale

A systematic review of the literature on quality of life (QOL) in melanoma patients suggested an overwhelming need for a disease-specific subscale. A melanoma subscale for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-Melanoma) was developed to meet this need. This instrument was developed in three stages. In stage I, the literature was comprehensively reviewed, and over 300 cancer-specific items from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) item bank were examined to identify questions of potential relevance to melanoma patients. In stage II, 20 melanoma experts identified questions that were relevant to melanoma patients and that were to be included in a pilot questionnaire. In stage III, the pilot questionnaire and a semistructured interview to assess item comprehension, relevance, and overall content were administered to 40 patients with various stages of melanoma. In all, 97 items were culled from the literature and the FACIT item bank; after items were reviewed and evaluated, 25 questions were retained. Most patients considered the content of the pilot questionnaire to be relevant (95%), comprehensive (60%), and easy to understand (88%). After final revisions were made, the FACT-Melanoma tool included 24 items encompassing three QOL domains: 20 items relate to physical well-being, 3 to emotional well-being,and 1 to social well-being. The face and content validity of the FACT-Melanoma assessment tool has been confirmed in melanoma patients and by professionals. Formal validation and reliability testing of the questionnaire is being determined in a prospective cohort of melanoma patients.
A Conceptual Framework for the Biomedical Domain

Specialized domains often come with an extensive terminology, suitable for storing and exchanging information, but not necessarily for knowledge processing. Knowledge structures such as semantic networks, or ontologies, are required to explore the semantics of a domain. The UMLS project at the National Library of Medicine is a research effort to develop knowledge-based resources for the biomedical domain. The Metathesaurus is a large body of knowledge that defines and inter-relates 730,000 biomedical concepts, and the Semantic Network defines the semantic principles that apply to this domain. This chapter presents these two knowledge sources and illustrates through a research study how they can collaborate to further structure the domain. The limits of the approach are discussed.
An Implementation of the IT Fundamentals Knowledge Area in an Introductory IT Course

The model curriculum also recommends that the material relevant to the IT fundamentals knowledge area be offered early in the curriculum, for example in an Introduction to IT course; however, many institutions will have to include additional material in an introductory IT course. For example, the Introduction to IT course at Georgia Southern University is used to introduce students to the available second disciplines (an important part of the Georgia Southern IT curriculum aimed at providing students with in-depth knowledge of an IT application domain), some productivity tools, and SQL in addition to an introduction to the discipline of IT. For many programs there may be too much material in an introductory IT course. This paper describes how Georgia Southern University resolved this problem by describing the structure of the introductory course at Georgia Southern, its assessment methods, and the relationship between the course and the ITF knowledge area and how those aspects of the ITF knowledge area that are not covered in the introductory course are covered elsewhere in the program.
Clinical impact of treatment timing for chronic hepatitis C infection: a decision model.

Recent advances in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have led to the availability of both highly efficacious interferon-containing and interferon-sparing regimens. However, the use of such therapies faces restrictions due to high costs. For patients who are medically eligible to receive interferon, the choice between the two will likely be impacted by preferences surrounding interferon, severity of disease, coverage policies and out-of-pocket costs. We developed a decision model to quantify the trade-offs between immediate, interferon-containing therapy and delayed, interferon-free therapy for patients with chronic, genotype 1 HCV infection. We projected the quality-adjusted life expectancy stratified by the presence or absence of cirrhosis for four strategies: (i) no treatment; (ii) immediate, one-time treatment with an interferon-containing regimen; (iii) immediate treatment as above with the opportunity for retreatment in patients who fail to achieve sustained virologic response with interferon-free therapy in 1 year; and (iv) delayed therapy with interferon-free therapy in 1 year. When compared to one-time immediate treatment with the interferon-containing regimen, delayed treatment with the interferon-free regimen in 1 year resulted in longer life expectancy, with a 0.2 quality-adjusted life year (QALY) increase in noncirrhotic patients, and a 1.1 QALY increase in patients with cirrhosis. This superiority in health benefits was lost when wait time for interferon-free therapy was greater than 3–3.2 years. In this modelling analysis, interferon-free therapy resulted in superior health benefits compared to immediate therapy with interferon until wait time exceeded 3–3.2 years. Such data can inform decision-making regarding treatment initiation for HCV as healthcare financing evolves.
Antibody microarray analysis of serum glycans in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases and controls

The objective of this study was to characterize specific serum glycan profile in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases and matched controls. A recently developed lectin-based antibody array was applied to detect various cancer-associated glycotopes in sera from 23 cases and 23 controls. Glycan levels were highly expressed in sera of ESCC patients as compared with controls. These included fucosylation level on interleukin (IL) 8; mannose level on haptoglobin; N-acetylglucosamine levels on IL6, mucin (MUC)1, and von Willebrand factor (vWf); sialyl Lewis a (sLea) levels on blood group Lewis X, IL6, IL10, MUC1, and serum amyloid A (SAA); sialyl Tn antigen (sTn) levels on cathepsin D, gelsolin, IL10, and vWf; T antigen levels on IL8, IL10, blood group Lewis X, vitronectin, and vWf (p<0.05). In addition, receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed significantly discriminal improvement between cases and controls as measured by area under ROC curve. The highest sum of sensitivity and specificity was 1.52 for carbohydrate antigen 19-9 detection on both MUC1 and SAA, with area under ROC curves of 0.73 and 0.71, respectively. Taken together, this lectin-based antibody microarray allows efficient profiling of variations in specific glycans on proteins in ESCC cases as compared with controls, some of which might be useful for clinical diagnosis, early detection, and/or treatment.
A Combined Scanning Tunneling Microscope-Quartz Crystal Microbalance Study of Heating and Wear at a Sliding Interface

The unique capabilities resulting from combining a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) have been used to characterize the heating and wear at the interface of a tungsten tip and Indium substrate with a change in the contact characteristics of the interface occurring for sufficient sliding speeds. The advantage of this system is the ability to probe heat rise from an asperity contact which will aide in developing a more complete understanding of the complex issue of heat generated via friction.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Doppler-limited molecular spectroscopy by difference-frequency mixing*

A cw difference-frequency spectrometer has been developed for the 2.2 to 4.2 μm infrared region by mixing argon and tunable dye lasers in LiNbO3. A resolution of 5 × 10−4 cm−1 with continuous scans up to 1 cm−1 and a scan precision better than 2 × 10−3 cm−1 have been achieved. Tunable ir powers of ~1 μW have been obtained, enabling sensitive absorption measurements and real-time spectroscopy. The range, resolution, speed, and sensitivity of this difference-frequency technique are demonstrated by absorption traces of water vapor, ammonia, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Modulation of water and urea transport in human red cells: effects of pH and phloretin.

It has previously been shown by Macey and Farmer (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 211:104–106, 1970) that phloretin inhibits urea transport across the human red cell membrane yet has no effect on water transport. Jennings and Solomon (J. Gen. Physiol. 67:381–397, 1976) have shown that there are separate lipid and protein binding sites for phloretin on the red cell membrane. We have now found that urea transport is inhibited by phloretin binding to the lipids with aK 1 of 25±8 μm in reason-able agreement with theK D of 54±5 μm for lipid binding. These experiments show that lipid/protein interactions can alter the conformational state of the urea transport protein. Phloretin binding to the protein site also modulates red cell urea transport, but the modulation is opposed by the specific stilbene anion transport inhibitor, DIDS (4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbene disulfonate), suggesting a linkage between the urea transport protein and band 3. Neither the lipid nor the protein phloretin binding site has any significant effect on water transport. Water transport is, however, inhibited by up to 30% in a pH-dependent manner by DIDS binding, which suggests that the DIDS/band 3 complex can modulate water transport.
Deep-Water Evaporites: Detrital, Authigenic, or Diagenetic?: ABSTRACT

The thought of "deep-water" evaporites commonly conjures images of hypersaline starved basins, chemical precipitation of evaporite minerals in the water column or at the sediment-water interface, and cyclically laminated salts. It is implicit in this model that the evaporite fabrics reflect stagnant, unstirred, abiotic conditions, but deep-water evaporites in the Messinian of the Sicilian basin include evaporite turbidites and resedimented clastic evaporites with wholly different petrographic characteristics and sedimentary structures. Detrital dolomites in the Onondaga Limestone and in the Cretaceous of the western United States reflect clastic depositional histories and yet may have strong diagenetic overprints that obscure the original depositional textures. Diagenetically altered, sandy, anhydritic dolomites from the Bell Canyon Formation in Texas provide examples of deep-water detrital, evaporitic carbonates with a depositional history indicated principally by the included siliciclastics and a diagenetic history indicated first by "groundmass" versus pore-filling dolomite crystal fabrics and second by nodular versus pore-filling and replacement anhydrite. Comparisons between the Bell Canyon deep-water anhydritic dolomites and other deep-water evaporites is useful in making the distinction between clastic, penecontemporaneous authigenic, and later diagenetic origins. End_of_Article - Last_Page 542------------
Reduction of the electromagnetic vector potential to the irreducible representations of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group and manifestly covariant quantization with a positive-definite metric for the hilbert space

In the present paper we expand the vector potential into modes, the amplitudes of which are wave functions for massless particles of spin 0 and 1 in Wigner’s classification of particles according to the irreducible representations of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group. It is shown that only the spin-1 wave functions contribute to the electromagnetic fields and that they represent circularly polarized electro magnetic waves. On replacing the wave functions by operators, one obtains a manifestly covariant quantization of the vector potential acting on a Hilbert space in which the norm of the Hilbert space and the energy are positive-definite. Unlike the treatments of Fermi and Bleuler and Gupta where the Lorentz condition is required to be satisfied in a subspace of the Hilbert space in order to obtain positive-definite energies and norms, in our treatment the Lorentz condition is satisfied identically over the entire Hilbert space. Indeed, our quantization procedure resembles that used for the Dirac electron field and has no more difficulties. It is also shown that the new method of quantization does not change in any way the Feynman-Dyson-Wick calculations for the matrix elements of the scattering operator, except that the photon wave functions are now explicit instead of implicit as in earlier treatments.
EFFECT OF COMPOSITION AND PROCESSING CONDITION ON MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES AND DURABILITY OF FLUOROPOLYMER/ACRYLIC BLENDS

Fluoropolymer blends have been widely used as binders for exterior coatings because of their excellent resistance to ultra-violet (UV) radiation as well as to many corrosive chemical agents. It is known that the fluorinated component usually has a lower glass transition temperature and easily crystallizes in the final structure depending upon the blend composition and sample annealing condition. We investigated the effect of blend composition and annealing process (slow and fast cooling) on the surface morphology and microstructure a poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PVDF/PMMA) blend before and after UV exposure. Surface and subsurface microstructures were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Bulk microstructure of PVDF-coatings before and after UV exposure were characterized using small angle neutron and light scattering. Higher PVDF content and a slow cooling process result in larger spherulite crystallite structure and rougher surface morphology. Significant ordering in the spherulite crystallite structure has been observed on the surface and the bulk films after UV exposure.
Doceamus: Persistent Learning, Critical Teaching: Intelligence Beliefs and Active Learning in Mathematics Courses

Over the past several decades, social psychologists have built a substantial body of evidence showing that beliefs about the nature of intelligence have a major impact on motivation and achievement. Such beliefs generally fall into one of two types: The belief that each individual has a fixed ability in mathematics is referred to as a fixed intelligence belief. The belief that individuals are capable of continually developing their mathematical abilities through persistence and effort is referred to as a malleable intelligence belief. This article surveys recent research regarding the positive role malleable intelligence beliefs play for mathematics students and highlights connections between such beliefs and active learning techniques.
Damage in aluminum, zinc and tin from a nanosecond electric pulse discharge

Abstract Microstructural effects associated with an electrical pulse discharge of 36 ns duration on aluminum, zinc and tin samples have been investigated. These experiments were conducted in air as well as in a pure N2 atmosphere. The effects of spark gap distance, operating potential and discharge gas pressure were studied. A linear relationship between the crater diameter and the operating potential or discharge gas pressure was observed. Adjacent to the damage site, plastic deformation in the form of slip as well as a concentric ripple pattern was observed. These latter effects are similar to the deformation behavior associated with damage from a short duration laser pulse.
Treatment of Acute Subdural Hematoma

Clinical presentation, neurologic condition, and imaging findings are the key components in establishing a treatment plan for acute SDH. Location and size of the SDH and presence of midline shift can rapidly be determined by computed tomography of the head. Immediate laboratory work up must include PT, PTT, INR, and platelet count. Presence of a coagulopathy or bleeding diathesis requires immediate reversal and treatment with the appropriate agent(s), in order to lessen the risk of hematoma expansion. Reversal protocols used are similar to those for intracerebral hemorrhage, with institutional variations. Immediate neurosurgical evaluation is sought in order to determine whether the SDH warrants surgical evacuation. Urgent or emergent surgical evacuation of a SDH is largely influenced by neurologic examination, imaging characteristics, and presence of mass effect or elevated intracranial pressure. Generally, evacuation of an acute SDH is recommended if the clot thickness exceeds 10 mm or the midline shift is greater than 5 mm, regardless of the neurologic condition. In patients with patients with an acute SDH with clot thickness <10 mm and midline shift <5 mm, specific considerations of neurologic findings and clinical circumstances will be of importance. In addition, consideration will be given as to whether an individual patient is likely to benefit from surgery. For an acute SDH, evacuation by craniotomy or craniectomy is preferred over burr holes based on available data. Postoperative care includes monitoring of resolution of pneumocephalus, mobilization and drain removal, and monitoring for signs of SDH reaccumulation. Medical considerations include seizure prophylaxis and management as well as management and resumption of antithrombotic and anticoagulant medication.
Delineation of geothermal deposits by means of long-spacing resistivity and airborne magnetics

Abstract In geothermal provinces such as the Imperial Valley of California useful information regarding the temperature distribution at depth can be obtained by comparing the apparent resistivity values obtained from long-spacing resistivity profiles with magnetic intensity values obtained from similar profiles generated from the airborne magnetic map. In Basin and Range « hotspring a type geothermal provinces long-spacing apparent resistivity data help in identifying zones of greater permeability and/or temperature along the faults discernible on the airborne magnetic maps. Examples of surveys conducted in each type of geothermal province are presented. To obtain reliable apparent resistivity data in highly conductive geothermal provinces it is necessary to resort to real-time cross-power analysis. The instrumentation used to compute these statistics in the field is described.
Ferromagnetic resonance of supported nickel with adsorbed hydrogen, oxygen, and ethylene

Abstract Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra have been obtained for silica-supported nickel in several mean particle sizes, and both before and after the chemisorption of hydrogen, oxygen, and ethylene. The results are in general agreement with previously reported studies on these systems by classical methods. The FMR method is more sensitive than the classical by several orders of magnitude. It also gives more information concerning, especially, the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the surface anisotropy, and the manner in which these are changed by adsorbed molecules.
Automated interpretation of electron density maps of proteins: derivation of atomic co-ordinates for the main chain.

Earlier work on the automated interpretation of protein electron density maps ( Greer, 1974 ) has been expanded to produce atomic co-ordinates for the main chain of the molecule. Procedures have been designed that select the main-chain segments, determined the directionality of the chain, and fit α -carbon and β -carbon co-ordinates at the appropriate positions. The orientation of the peptide plane is derived for a number of residues by pre-building secondary structure regions. Strategy for the refinement of these provisional co-ordinates is discussed. The method has been applied to the 2·0 A map of ribonuclease S ( Wyckoff et al. , 1970 ). Two polypeptide chains are found which correspond to the S-peptide and S-protein. α - and β -carbon positions are derived, and one α -helix and much of the β -sheet region are identified. The close fit of the automatically-calculated to the hand-measured co-ordinates suggests that the methods described here may prove useful to the protein crystallographer in interpreting his electron density map.
When enough is enough: early stopping of biometrics error rate testing

Testing of biometric devices to determine whether or not their error rates meet a specified threshold is often an important criterion for determining whether or not a device will be deployed. One consideration for this is how much testing is to be completed. In this paper we apply sequential testing methodology to testing whether or not a biometric device has an error rate below a certain bound. This approach has the advantage that the testing can be stopped at any time. A decision can be made once there is enough evidence to support or reject the hypothesis of interest. Application is made to biometric error rate data for three different modalities -facial recognition, hand geometry and fingerprints. Our results show that this approach can produce more efficient and less costly tests of biometric devices.
Astronomical image processing - applications to ultra-faint imaging of small, moving, solar system bodies: comets and near-Earth-objects

Summary form only given. Modern electronic detectors, or CCDs are being used on large optical ground-based and space-based telescopes to image ultra-faint astronomical sources, ranging from small, solar system bodies, to diffuse gas and dust in the interstellar medium to very distant galaxies. Observations of all these objects are challenging, but the small, solar system bodies create special demands on image processing because of their motion relative to background objects. Techniques for pushing CCD detectors on ground-based and space-based telescopes to the limits of their imaging capabilities to detect objects hundreds to thousands of times fainter than the dark night sky are discussed. The author also discusses automated techniques for searching the world's largest astronomical CCD mosaics for moving objects. The application of these techniques to understand the early history of the solar system, and toward discovering small fast-moving comets and asteroidal bodies in the near-Earth vicinity are presented.
Real-Time, Model-Based Spray-Cooling Control System for Steel Continuous Casting

This article presents a new system to control secondary cooling water sprays in continuous casting of thin steel slabs (CONONLINE). It uses real-time numerical simulation of heat transfer and solidification within the strand as a software sensor in place of unreliable temperature measurements. The one-dimensional finite-difference model, CON1D, is adapted to create the real-time predictor of the slab temperature and solidification state. During operation, the model is updated with data collected by the caster automation systems. A decentralized controller configuration based on a bank of proportional-integral controllers with antiwindup is developed to maintain the shell surface-temperature profile at a desired set point. A new method of set-point generation is proposed to account for measured mold heat flux variations. A user-friendly monitor visualizes the results and accepts set-point changes from the caster operator. Example simulations demonstrate how a significantly better shell surface-temperature control is achieved.
A cytogenetic study of a population of retarded females with special reference to the fragile(X) syndrome

A cytogenetic survey of a population of 278 mentally retarded females on community placement is described. Thirty-five females had an aneuploid chromosome constitution and a single female was found to have the fra(X) syndrome. The frequency of the fra(X) syndrome among female retardates is discussed together with the apparent absence of de novo mutants among this class of fra(X) probands.
Complicitous liability in war

Jeff McMahan has argued against the moral equivalence of combatants (MEC) by developing a liability-based account of killing in warfare. On this account, a combatant is morally liable to be killed only if doing so is an effective means of reducing or eliminating an unjust threat to which that combatant is contributing. Since combatants fighting for a just cause generally do not contribute to unjust threats, they are not morally liable to be killed; thus MEC is mistaken. The problem, however, is that many unjust combatants contribute very little to the war in which they participate—often no more than the typical civilian. Thus either the typical civilian is morally liable to be killed, or many unjust combatants are not morally liable to be killed. That is, the liability based account seems to force us to choose between a version of pacifism, and total war. Seth Lazar has called this “The Responsibility Dilemma”. But I will argue that we can salvage a liability-based account of war—one which rejects MEC—by grounding the moral liability of unjust combatants not only in their individual contributions but also in their complicit participation in that war. On this view, all enlistees, regardless of the degree to which they contribute to an unjust war, are complicitously liable to be killed if it is necessary to avert an unjust threat posed by their side. This collectivized liability based account I develop avoids the Responsibility Dilemma unlike individualized liability-based accounts of the sort developed by McMahan.
Relationship between emergent literacy and early social–emotional development in preschool children from low-income backgrounds

Sixty-one preschool children and their parents and teachers participated in a cross-sectional study of the social–emotional correlates of emergent literacy skills. The children's emergent literacy skills were assessed with the standard language and literacy tests: Expressive Vocabulary Test, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (third edition), and Test of Early Reading Ability (third edition). These tests measure oral language (expressive language and receptive language) and print awareness. The children's positive and negative behaviours were measured by the standard behaviour rating scales: the Behavior Assessment System for Children (second edition) and the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment. These behaviours are grouped into four subcategories, namely, externalising behaviour, internalising behaviour, approaches to learning, and interpersonal skills. Results showed a wide range of significant associations between the components of emergent literacy and social–emotional development. Age and sex were found...
Konzeptuelle und ethische Fragen der geriatrischen Onkologie

Geriatrische Onkologie beschaftigt sich mit der zunehmend groser werdenden Gruppe von alten Tumorpatienten. Zur Festlegung von therapeutischen Zielen muss auf individuelle Unterschiede, Komorbiditaten, und die spezifische Biologie der Tumoren Rucksicht genommen werden. Erst daraus kann sich ein multidimensionales Risikoprofil ergeben, das zur Grundlage von individuellen Therapiestrategien wird.¶ Die gemeinsame Entscheidungsfindung hinsichtlich Therapieoptionen in der geriatrischen Onkologie steht im Spannungsfeld von Fursorgeprinzip und Selbstbestimmung. Autonome Entscheidungen zu treffen kann gerade bei den alteren Patienten auch zu einer Uberforderung werden. Es ist die Aufgabe des Arztes im Prozess der Aufklarung und Begleitung einen verantwortlichen Weg zu finden, ohne den alten Patienten zu bevormunden.
T-box gene products are required for mesenchymal induction of epithelial branching in the embryonic mouse lung.

The regulation of signaling pathways is a prerequisite for coordinating the induction between mesenchymal and epithelial tissues during morphogenesis. Mesenchymal FGF10 is known to be an important paracrine factor regulating the branching morphogenesis of the bronchial epithelium. By using antisense oligonucleotides (AS ODNs) and in vitro culture of embryonic lungs, we demonstrate that the transcription factors Tbx4 and Tbx5 are critical for the expression of mesenchymal FGF10. Treatment of embryonic lung cultures with AS ODNs to Tbx4 and Tbx5 reduces the level of these transcripts, suppresses Fgf10 expression in the mesenchyme, and completely eliminates the formation of new lung branches. If FGF10 is locally replaced in these AS ODN-treated lungs, epithelial branching is restored. These studies provide evidence that the production of branching signals by the lung mesenchyme is mediated by T-box genes.
Measuring signal-to-noise ratio in partially parallel imaging MRI

Purpose: To assess five different methods of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurement for partially parallel imaging (PPI) acquisitions. Methods: Measurements were performed on a spherical phantom and three volunteers using a multichannel head coil a clinical 3T MRI system to produce echo planar, fast spin echo, gradient echo, and balanced steady state free precession image acquisitions. Two different PPI acquisitions, generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition algorithm and modified sensitivity encoding with acceleration factors (R) of 2–4, were evaluated and compared to nonaccelerated acquisitions. Five standard SNR measurement techniques were investigated and Bland–Altman analysis was used to determine agreement between the various SNR methods. The estimated g-factor values, associated with each method of SNR calculation and PPI reconstruction method, were also subjected to assessments that considered the effects on SNR due to reconstruction method, phase encoding direction, and R-value. Results: Only two SNR measurement methods produced g-factors in agreement with theoretical expectations (g ≥ 1). Bland–Altman tests demonstrated that these two methods also gave the most similar results relative to the other three measurements. R-value was the only factor of the three we considered that showed significant influence on SNR changes. Conclusions: Non-signal methods used in SNR evaluation do not produce results consistent with expectations in the investigated PPI protocols. Two of the methods studied provided the most accurate and useful results. Of these two methods, it is recommended, when evaluating PPI protocols, the image subtraction method be used for SNR calculations due to its relative accuracy and ease of implementation.
The production of recombinant beta-galactosidase in Escherichia coli in yeast extract enriched medium.

The productivity ofEscherichia coli biomass and recombinant beta-galactosidase was increased in Luria broth (LB) enriched with yeast extract. In flask culture under conditions of LB limitation, yeast extract suplementation gave the highest biomass (strain HB101/pRW756) stimulation per unit of component added compared with supplementation by various amounts of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, purines/pyrimidines, tryptone, casamino acids, casein peptone or gelatin peptone. The biomass production ofE. coli HB101/pRW756, XL-1 blue/puc118, XL-1 Blue FF/puc118 and TB-1/p1034 cells was stimulated in fermentor-scale experiments with additional yeast extract in LB. Total beta-galactosidase production from plasmid genes in fermentor-scale experiments was increased 105.4% in XL-1 blue/puc118 cells, 365.5% in XL-1 blue FF/puc118 cells and 421.4% in TB-1/p1034 cells by 0.5%, 1% and 1% weight per volume of additional yeast extract in LB, respectively. Depending on different strains, the increase of the enzyme production was obtained either by increased biomass, or the combination of enhanced gene expression and increased biomass. Neither the biomass nor beta-galactosidase production was stimulated in N4830/p1034 cells by the increase in yeast extract concentration in the medium.
A diagnostic model of the mean circulation of the upper atmosphere of Venus using remote temperature soundings

The development of a diagnostic model, designed to deduce characteristics of the mean circulation of a portion of the upper atmosphere of Venus, is described. The model is intended to use remotely sensed, global scale temperatures and solves momentum and mass flux equations. The solutions are dependent on externally specified, and inexactly known parameters.
Peer collaboration and children's representation of the horizontal surface of liquid.

The role of peer collaboration in the acquisition of Euclidean spatial knowledge was examined in 10 and 12 year-olds (N=85). Following a pre-test on the Piagetian water-level task, children received supplemental experience observing liquid in tipped containers in one of three conditions; alone, with a peer of comparable ability (Matched Dyad) or with a peer of differing ability (Unmatched Dyad). Individual post testing occurred after the intervention. Based upon a model of cognitive change emphasizing the role of sociocognitive conflict in the disequilibration and reequilibration of thought, children working with peers were expected to show greater change in their understanding of horizontality than children working alone. Results supported the hypothesis that children working with peers would show greater change than children working alone, F(3, 84)=3.55, p=.02. Children in the Matched condition and the less competent partners in the Unmatched condition showed a significant improvement from pre-test to post test. Twelve year olds were more accurate than ten year olds (M's=17.2 vs. 23.3). Males outperformed females, although this difference was not significant. Social interactions within the two peer conditions were coded for transactions reflecting sociocognitive conflict and its resolution. Within the Matched condition significantly more talk occurred than in the Unmatched condition. There was also a significant relationship between the frequency of Organizational comments and cognitive change (r=−.37). Within the Unmatched condition there was a significant relationship between frequency of explanations and change (r=−.58). Disagreements did not relate to change in either dyadic condition. Findings demonstrate the value of peer interaction for supporting spatial thinking in middle childhood. Implications or classroom instruction are considered.
Electrochemical adsorbate-induced substrate restructuring : gold(110) in aqueous bromide electrolytes

The electrode potential-dependent atomic structure of ordered Au(110) in bromide electrolytes is examined by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy, focusing on the ordered adlayer arrangements formed on the (1◊1) substrate terraces, and especially the adsorbate-induced nanoscale restructuring which is observed to occur at higher potentials. Comparison is made with the previously examined behavior of Au(110) in iodide electrolytes. Several ordered bromine structures were identified, all featuring ‘close-packed’ Br rows along the (001) direction, i.e. perpendicular to the (110) ‘rails’. At lower coverages, h Br <0.75, rectangular packing was commonly observed, featuring also Br rows parallel to the (110) direction. The Br binding sites were determined unambiguously from ‘potentiodynamic’ STM data, featuring juxtaposed substrate and adlayer domains created by potential-step perturbations during image acquisition. The rectangular unit cells contain Br atoms lying within the (110) troughs, and exhibit periodic variations from ‘long twofold’ to fourfold-hollow binding sites. These include (3◊1) and (4◊1) unit cells, corresponding to h Br =0.66 and 0.75, respectively. At similar potentials to the latter, an alternative (4◊1) structure can be formed having the same coverage, yet with quasi-hexagonal Br packing. Increasing the potential further yields erosion of terrace edges, especially along the (001) direction, and the appearance of arrays of single atomic-layer gold ‘nanorods’, 1.8 nm wide, also oriented along (001). These strings eventually self-assemble into ordered arrays, with rod separations of 0.9‐1.2 nm. The restructuring can be reversed rapidly by returning the potential to lower values. The ordered restructuring is markedly diVerent from that observed previously in the Au(110)‐I system, which features ‘miniterrace stripes’ largely paralleling the (11:0) direction. These structural diVerences can be understood in terms of the known dissimilarities in the close-packed Br and I adlattices; the strict (001) orientation of the nanorods in the Au(110)‐Br system is apparently triggered by the similarly oriented Br strings. The widths of the restructured gold miniterraces in both electrolytes are surmised to be determined by adsorbate-induced dipole repulsion forces. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.