cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The excess burden of stroke in hospitalized adults with sickle cell disease.

This report compares the relative rates and risk factors associated with stroke in adults versus children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the United States over the last decade. We identified incident strokes in patients with SCD using ICD-9 codes for acute stroke and SCD and the California Patient Discharge Databases. We estimated SCD prevalence by using the incidence of SCD at birth with adjustment for early mortality from SCD. We identified 255 acute strokes (70 primary hemorrhagic and 185 ischemic) among 69,586 hospitalizations for SCD-related complications from 1998 to 2007. The rate of stroke in children [ or =65 years old (4,700/100,000 person-years)]. Stroke was associated with hypertension in children and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, and renal disease in adults. Most acute strokes (75%) and in-hospital deaths from stroke (91%) occurred in adults. Our results suggest that the rate of stroke in SCD peaks in older adults and is three-fold higher than rates previously reported in African-Americans of similar age (35-64 years) without SCD. Stroke in SCD is associated with several known adult risk factors for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Studies for the primary and secondary prevention of stroke in adults with SCD are urgently needed.
Nutrition Assessment, Care, and Considerations of Ventricular Assist Device Patients

A ventricular assist device (VAD) is an implantable mechanical device that is used to partially or completely replace the circulatory function of a failing heart. VADs may serve as a bridge to heart transplantation or as permanent circulatory assistance, also referred to as destination therapy. There is a paucity of information regarding the nutrition complications in VAD patients, and as such, little is presently known of the optimal means of nutrition assessment and management of these complex and often critically ill patients. In this review, a general overview of the VAD, comparisons of nutrition assessment measures, and strategies to meet the nutrition needs of these patients are provided using evidence-based information wherever possible. Because there is a lack of nutrition studies and assessment guidelines specifically for VAD patients, many of the guidelines for care of these patients are currently based on the information available for the care of patients with heart failure. Although the optimal measure to assess nutrition status remains poorly studied, a systematic, thorough nutrition assessment of patients with heart failure and heart transplant candidates prior to VAD placement appears to be important to identify those at nutrition risk and, with appropriate nutrition therapy, decrease their risk for morbidity and mortality. VAD patients with inadequate oral intake may require nutrition support to meet their nutrition needs; however, feeding the hemodynamically compromised patient provides additional challenges.
Binding of Acanthamoeba to 23 mannose-glycoproteins of corneal epithelium: effect of injury

Purpose. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a sight-threatening corneal infection. It is known that: (i) more amoebae bind to the surface of injured corneas than to the normal corneal surface and (ii) mannose-containing glycoproteins (GPs) possess binding sites for Acanthamoeba. The present study was undertaken to determine whether subtle corneal surface injury exposes mannose-GPs and whether more amoebae bind to the mannose-GPs of injured corneas than to those of normal corneas.Methods. Corneal cup assays were developed to determine whether corneal surface injury exposes binding sites for a mannose/glucose-specific lectin, succinylated-concanavalin A (s-ConA). To determine whether injury exposes mannose-GPs, corneal surface proteins were biotinylated, biotin-labeled mannose-GPs were allowed to bind to s-ConA-agarose beads and were analyzed by SDS-polyaerylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Amoeba binding to mannose-GPs of corneal epithelia was analyzed by PAGE-blot overlay assays.Results. S-ConA binding site densi...
The Ly6 neurotoxin-like molecule target of wit regulates spontaneous neurotransmitter release at the developing neuromuscular junction in Drosophila.

Refinement of neural circuits during development requires formation and elimination of synaptic connections, a process governed by activity-dependent mechanisms and developmental genetic programs. Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) retrograde signaling through the type II receptor Wishful thinking (Wit) is essential for synaptic growth and functional development of the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction. However, little is known about the genes that are regulated by the pathway to effect synaptic growth and proper synaptic transmission. We have identified a transcriptional target of wit (twit), whose expression in motoneurons depends on Wit activity. Null twit mutants are viable and fertile, but recapitulate some of the electrophysiological phenotypes of wit mutants, such as decreased frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory junction potentials. Other wit phenotypes, such as decreased synaptic terminal size and evoked excitatory junction potentials, are not found in twit mutants, suggesting that homeostatic compensation of presynaptic release is intact in twit mutants and that Wit regulates additional genes to accomplish proper synaptic maturation. Twit is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein of the Lymphocyte antigen 6 family (Ly-6), and neuronal expression of a twit transgene rescues twit's mutant phenotypes. Importantly, twit expression partially rescues diminished frequency of miniature excitatory synaptic potentials in wit mutants. This further supports the conclusions that Twit is signaling in larval motoneurons and an essential effector of the retrograde BMP signal. Taken together, our results suggest that retrograde BMP signaling regulates spontaneous neurotransmitter release by activating the transcription of the Ly-6 gene twit. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
X-33 Reusable Launch Vehicle Demonstrator, Spaceport and Range

The X-33 was a suborbital reusable spaceplane demonstrator, in development from 1996 to early 2001. The intent of the demonstrator was to lower the risk of building and operating a full-scale reusable vehicle fleet. Reusable spaceplanes offered the potential to lower the cost of access to space by an order of magnitude, compared with conventional expendable launch vehicles. Although a cryogenic tank failure during testing ultimately led to the end of the effort, the X-33 team celebrated many successes during the development. This paper summarizes some of the accomplishments and milestones of this X-vehicle program, from the perspective of an engineer who was a member of the team throughout the development. X-33 Program accomplishments include rapid, flight hardware design, subsystem testing and fabrication, aerospike engine development and testing, Flight Operations Center and Operations Control Center ground systems design and construction, rapid Environmental Impact Statement NEPA process approval, Range development and flight plan approval for test flights, and full-scale system concept design and refinement. Lessons from the X-33 Program may have potential application to new RLV and other aerospace systems being developed a decade later.
Hypothesis sampling systems among preoperational and concrete operational kindergarten children

Abstract Groups of 60 preoperational and 60 concrete operational kindergarten children received stimulus differentiation training either with feedback (experimental groups) or without (control groups), prior to a series of discrimination-learning problems in which a blank-trial probe, used to detect the child's hypothesis, followed each feedback trial. The concrete operational children manifested significantly better performances than the preoperational on seven of eight dependent measures examined. There were also significant differences in favor of the experimental groups on three dependent measures. While the results were generally consistent with predictions derived from Piagetian stage theory, it was suggested that this theory must be elaborated to include a perspective derived from conventional developmental learning theory in order to adequately account for these and other data.
Academic stratification and functional theory

This paper examines empirically a set of propositions on organizational stratification drawn from functional theory. The data consist of 38 departments of a large university which are treated as contextual units, as well as the responses of individual faculty to a survey. The findings present an interesting theoretical paradox: (1) functional arguments do not appear adequate to account for differences in income stratification among departments, but (2) they do explain participants' beliefs and judgments about the legitimacy of organizational reward systems. The implications are discussed, and a line of inquiry is suggested that would focus on the problem of establishing legitimacy with the environment(s) as a major source of organizational structure. It is suggested that organizational features act as symbolic devices that inform others that a given organization is a competent member of its set. In short, it is conforming to agreed upon definitions of the appropriate—most “rational”—structure for thattype of organization.
A search for intergalactic hydrogen in the virgo cluster.

A fixed-horn antenna having a beam 10° by 10°, and a switched-load radiometer with traveling-wave-maser preamplifier were used to observe the 21-cm spectrum of the Virgo cluster of galaxies. An upper limit to the antenna temperature is 0.024°K relative to regions outside the cluster with filters whose width is 2 Mc/sec. If the excitation temperature of the intergalactic hydrogen is enough greater than the background continuum radiation so that absorption can be ignored, and if the velocity spectrum is that defined by the galaxies, the density of optically thin neutral hydrogen in the cluster does not exceed that outside of the cluster by an amount that gives 5.6 x 10 12 solar masses in the cluster.
Explaining the Decline in Intimate Partner Homicide The Effects of Changing Domesticity, Women's Status, and Domestic Violence Resources

This article explains the two-decades-long decline in the intimate partner homicide rate in the United States in terms of three factors that reduce exposure to violent relationships: shifts in marriage, divorce, and other factors associated with declining domesticity; the improved economic status of women; and increases in the availability of domestic violence services. The authors' explanation is based on a theory of exposure reduction that helps to account for the especially pronounced decline in the rate at which married women kill their husbands. The authors test the theory with data from a panel of 29 large U.S. cities for the years 1976 to 1992. The results of the analysis are generally supportive of our exposure-reduction theory. The authors consider the importance of the results for subsequent research on intimate partner homicide and call for further evaluation of the efficacy of legal responses to domestic violence.
Population structure and genetic diversity of metamorphic and paedomorphic populations of the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum

Genetic relationships, population subdivision and genetic diversity were estimated from mtDNA and allozyme data for two subspecies of tiger salamander, one of which is obligately metamorphic and the other polymorphic for paedomorphosis (larval reproduction). Far greater genetic differentiation exists between subspecies than within subspecies, suggesting that the subspecies have evolved in allopatry. Values of F,, calculated from both mtDNA and allozymes were greater than 0.400 for each subspecies. Significant population subdivision was detected even on a microgeographic scale. This extensive population subdivision indicates that populations can respond to extremely localized selection pressures. In the case of paedomorphosis, populations in permanent water should evolve paedomorphosis as long as the appropriate genes exist. For both mtDNA and allozymes, comparisons of population structure within the polymorphic subspecies and between polymorphic and metamorphic subspecies reveal no discernible effects of paedomorphosis. However, a comparison of paedomorphic and metamorphic populations of the polymorphic subspecies showed significantly higher mtDNA diversity in paedomorphic populations. The discrepancy between the allozyme and mtDNA results may be due to the lower effective population size of mtDNA compared to autosomal genes.
Size-Resolved Particle Fluxes and Vertical Gradients over and in a Sparse Pine Forest

Although a number of flux data sets indicate apparent upward fluxes of particles over forests, the causes of such fluxes remain only partially understood. Using data collected during the 2011 BEACHON experiment, it is shown that over one third of fluxes of both sub- and super-30-nm diameter particles over this sparse pine forest are upward. Quadrant analysis, timescale analysis using a particle dynamics model, and frequency power spectra of particle concentrations demonstrate that, in this environment, the morning upward fluxes tend to be associated with downward “sweeps” of particle depleted air during break down of the nocturnal inversion, and it is the most common mechanism resulting in upward fluxes of particle size distributions with diameters above 30 nm. Upward fluxes of particles later in the day are more strongly linked to “ejections” of particle enriched air from the canopy that are attributable to growth of fairly recently nucleated particles by both addition of oxidation products of biogenic v...
Evaluating research training outcomes: experience from the cancer prevention fellowship program at the National Cancer Institute.

Purpose The authors describe an evaluation approach to assess research training that is easy to implement, takes into account individual experience and diversity in research disciplines, and can be adapted to measure various outcomes, depending upon program goals. Method Using publications as the outcome measure, the authors analyzed data from 66 trainees in the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) to illustrate this evaluation strategy. For postdoctoral fellows entering the CPFP between 1987 and 1997, the authors considered the three-year period prior to entry in the CPFP (pre-CPFP), the period during training, and the three-year period after completion of the CPFP (post-CPFP). Summary measures for individuals' publications during each of the three time periods were calculated, and the probability of change in total, peer-reviewed, and first-authored publications post-CPFP compared to pre-CPFP was assessed. Results Compared to pre-CPFP, the CPFP fellows published significantly more total, peer-reviewed, and first-authored publications post-CPFP. Post-CPFP younger individuals published more than older fellows. MDs had a greater increase in publications over time than did PhDs, but both groups had similar overall numbers of publications post-CPFP. Individuals pursuing a master of public health degree during training published more post-CPFP than did those who did not pursue this training in the program. Conclusions Training programs facing the challenge of evaluating research outcomes will require new evaluation methods that take into account program goals. This easily adaptable, longitudinal evaluation strategy allows for diversity in research disciplines and research experience and can inform programmatic needs and individual progress.
Skeletonization via vertices of morphologically decomposed subsets

This paper shows that images can be decomposed into a series of homotopic subsets by means of morphological erosions using a series of disk-like structuring elements, and the skeleton can be obtained from the homotopic subset by detecting the vertices of each homotopic subset. It is an affine transform to map objects into a series of subsets and the skeleton points can be obtained from the mapped subsets individually. When a digital disk is rotation-invariant, the mapping is rotation-invariant. Consequently, the skeleton is rotation-invariant. It is shown that the convex vertices of an object of which curvatures change significantly are the skeleton points. Two algorithms for detecting vertices are presented in this paper. A fast mapping algorithm and a reconstruction algorithm are presented. Compared to other morphological methods, this proposed skeletonization method generates more accurate skeletons, particularly in the cases involving rotated shapes. Based on the skeleton, we introduce a new concept of major points (MPs) for skeleton descriptions. This is a skeleton sampling method. MPs can be obtained through choosing skeleton points with maximally weighted self-information. The MPs emphasize the contribution of each skeleton point to original objects. This paper also presents a detailed description on selections of MPs, where an object can be partially reconstructed via MPs based on a proposed reconstruction criterion.
Best Treatment Strategies in High-Risk Multiple Myeloma: Navigating a Gray Area

A previously healthy 62-year-old man presented to his primary care physician with a 3-month history of fatigue and unremitting back pain. Physical examination revealed mucosal pallor, point tenderness at T10-T12, and a normal neurologic examination with preserved lower extremity strength and sphincter tone. Laboratory work-up disclosed hemoglobin 10.1 g/dL with mean corpuscular volume of 101 fL and otherwise normal blood cell counts; reticulocytes, 0.98%; stable creatinine, 1.1 mg/dL; calcium, 9.1 mg/dL; albumin, 3.4 g/dL; β2-microglobulin, 5.7 mg/L; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 397 IU/L; and normal liver function tests. Bone survey showed lytic lesions at T10, T12, and throughout the axial skeleton and osteopenia. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) demonstrated a 3.5 g/dL monoclonal peak in the gamma region, with monoclonal immunoglobulin G and lambda light chain detected on immunofixation. Serum free light chain (sFLC) ratio was 0.0001. Twenty-four-hour urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) was normal. Bone marrow biopsy showed 60% infiltration with lambda light chain-restricted plasma cells staining positive for CD138 and CD56 and negative for CD45 by flow cytometry (Fig 1). Congo red stain on bone marrow biopsy and fat pad aspirate was negative for amyloid light-chain deposition. Cytogenetics of the malignant cells identified a t(4;14) translocation, confirming the diagnosis of high-risk, International Staging System stage III immunoglobulin G lambda multiple myeloma (MM). The patient began treatment with lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVD) plus monthly intravenous zoledronic acid therapy. He has tolerated therapy well, and the monoclonal protein peak is rapidly declining. He is now referred to discuss indications for autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) and overall prognosis.
Human Timeline: A Spatial-Kinesthetic Exercise in Biblical History.

The Human Timeline invites students to physically re-create biblical history. Each student holds a card that denotes an event randomly selected from the biblical timeline. They then arrange themselves chronologically to learn the correct flow of biblical history. Because of the movement involved and the arbitrary layout of the cards among their classmates, learners engage their spatial-kinesthetic intelligences through this activity. The exercise proves popular among students who identify themselves as “visual” learners, and ultimately serves the biblical studies classroom by reinforcing biblical history as a necessary framework for understanding the biblical text.
A captive solvent method for rapid radiosynthesis: Application to the synthesis of [1-11C]palmitic acid

Abstract A method is described for the synthesis of [1-11C]palmitic acid,in which 11CO2 is reacted with a Grignard reagent trapped within the pores of microporous polypropylene powder in a column. The free acid is liberated by passing gaseous HCl through the column. The apparatus is very simple, facilitating automation and miniaturization of the synthesis.
Prospects for quantum integrated circuits

Recent progress in research on resonant tunneling diodes, and on lateral quantization effects in quantum wells renews hope for the development of active unipolar heterojunction devices which incorporate no depletion layers, and hence can be extremely compact in both vertical and lateral dimensions. If such devices meeting the fundamental requirements for ultrahigh density integrated circuits can be developed, and if revolutionary chip architectures which overcome current interconnection limitations can be devised, then a new generation of integrated circuits approaching the ultimate limits of functional density and functional throughput may eventually ensue. Although many of the most challenging problems in this scenario have not yet been addressed, progress is being made in the areas of fabrication and characterization of resonant tunneling devices, simulation of such devices using quantum transport theory, and simulation of nearest-neighbor connected (two-dimensional cellular automaton) architectures. This paper reviews the progress in these areas at Texas Instruments, and discusses the prospects for the future.© (1987) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Applying the many-body theory to quarks and gluons

The article is a brief review of three topics: (i) description of the QCD vacuum in the so-called instanton liquid approach; (ii) physics of high temperature hadronic matter; and (iii) color superconductivity in dense quark matter. More focus is on the second issue where the progress is most recent. The data from heavy ion collisions indicate robust collective flows, well described by hydrodynamics. This is in striking contradiction to expected kinetics of QGP based on weakly interacting quasiparticles, but can be explained by loosely bound qq and gg states leading to large rescattering. We also discuss connections to strongly coupled supersymmetric theories studied via Maldacena duality, as well as recent progress in trapped atoms with very large scattering length.
Molecular and Functional Diversity of Voltage‐Gated Calcium Channels

The contributing roles of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) to the generation of electrical signaling are well documented. VGCCs open in response to depolarization of the plasma membrane and mediate the flux of calcium into excitable cells, which further depolarizes the membrane. But a more relevant role of VGCCs is to serve as highly regulated mechanisms to deliver calcium ions into specific intracellular locales for a variety of calcium-dependent processes including neurotransmitter release, hormone secretion, neuronal survival, and muscle contraction. Recent biochemical and molecular biological studies have demonstrated that the calcium channel pore-forming subunit (alpha 1) is not an isolated entity, but in fact interacts physically with a variety of strategically localized proteins. The functional consequences of such interactions as well as other molecular aspects of VGCC will be discussed. Finally, although far from a final conclusion, what is currently known about the molecular composition of native calcium channels will be summarized.
Introduction to Ergonomics for Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers who handle and move patients as part of their jobs suffer a disproportionately high number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The majority of reported work-related MSDs are back pain cases that result in significant numbers of lost work days. It is likely that these lost workdays have a substantial impact on the quality and cost of health care. Patient care ergonomics can reduce the risk of work-related MSDs by helping safety experts design the work so it can be safely performed by most workers. This article provides a general overview of ergonomics--what it is, how it can be used to help design safe work, and why all healthcare workers and administrators should know and understand how excessive work demands can lead to increased risk of work-related MSDs. The article will also explain technological solutions that can be implemented to reduce the risk of work-related MSDs for healthcare workers.
Carbon dioxide and water vapour exchange of bean leaves responding to fusicoccin

Abstract Transpiration, net photosynthesis, photorespiration and dark respiration were measured by infrared gas analysis and differential psychrometry in leaf chamber studies of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Pinto) responding to fusicoccin. Painting the leaves with a 10−5 m solution of the toxin quickly damped the rhythmic oscillations of transpiration and net photosynthesis. After the oscillations had ceased, transpiration proceeded rapidly at 1·5 to 1·9 g H2O dm−2 h−1. Net photosynthesis progressively declined from about 10·5 mg CO2 dm−2 h−1 50 to 90 min after painting with the toxin to about 6·5 mg CO2 dm−2 h−1 160 min after painting, although the stomata were open. Two h after painting, dark respiration of treated leaves was nearly double that of controls, but photorespiration was inhibited.
Primary pulse transmission in coupled steel granular chains embedded in PDMS matrix: Experiment and modeling

Abstract We present an experimental study of primary pulse transmission in coupled ordered steel granular chains embedded in poly-di-methyl-siloxane (PDMS) elastic matrix. Two granular one-dimensional chains are considered (an ‘excited’ and an ‘absorbing’ one), each composed of 11 identical steel beads of 9.5 mm diameter with the centerline of the chain spaced at fixed distances of 0.5, 1.5 or 2.5 mm apart. We directly force one of the chains (the excited one) by a transient pulse and measure, by means of laser vibrometry, the primary transmitted pulses at the end beads of both chains and at the first bead of the absorbing chain. It is well known that the dynamics of this type of ordered granular media is strongly nonlinear due, (i) to Hertzian interactions between adjacent beads, and (ii) to possible bead separations in the absence of compressive forces and ensuing collisions between neighboring beads. Accordingly, we develop a strongly nonlinear theoretical model that takes into account the coupling of the granular chains due to the PDMS matrix, with the aim to model primary pulse transmission in this system. After validating the model with experimental measurements, we employ it in a predictive fashion to estimate energy transfer between chains as a function of the interspatial distance between chains. Furthermore, based on this model we perform predictive matrix design to achieve maximum energy transfer from the excited to the absorbing chain, and provide a theoretical explanation of the nonlinear dynamics governing energy transfer (including energy equi-partition) in this system.
Gray Matters: Teaching Geriatric Assessment for Family Nurse Practitioners Using Standardized Patients

Abstract Research supporting use of standardized patients in health professional education is strong. Evidence suggests integrating the use of standardized patients into clinical training provides learners with interactive practice in gaining and perfecting clinical skills, in becoming competent in communication skills for provision of health care, and results in improved satisfaction for faculty and students. Comprehensive geriatric assessment was chosen as the focus of this simulation so that Family Nurse Practitioner students could begin to integrate theoretical course concepts into clinical experiences.
Role of plasma renin activity and the renal nerves in the natriuresis of L-NMMA infusion in rats.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) infusion on plasma renin activity (PRA) in the presence or absence of the renal nerves in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). All rats were unilaterally nephrectomized two weeks before the acute experiment. On the day of the experiment, acute renal denervation (Dnx) of the remaining kidney was performed in one group of WKY rats (Dnx-WKY; n=10) and one group of SHRs (Dnx-SHR; n=7). The renal nerves were left intact in a group of WKY rats (Inn-WKY; n=8) and SHRs (Inn-SHR; n=9). After a control clearance period, l-NMMA was administered i.v. (15 mg/kg bolus followed by 500 μg/kg/min infusion) and another clearance period of 20 min was taken. In all experimental groups l-NMMA infusion resulted in a significant natriuresis. l-NMMA infusion increased fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) to a greater extent in the Inn-SHR than in the Inn-WKY (ΔFENa = 5.23±0.87% vs ΔFENa = 2.87±0.73% respectively; P=0.05), PRA did not change in the SHR with the infusion of l-NMMA. However, in the Inn-WKY group, the natriuresis of l-NMMA infusion was associated with a tendency for lower PRA levels as compared to a group of time control Inn-WKY rats. In Dnx-WKY, the natriuresis of l-NMMA infusion (ΔFENa = 4.60±0.52%) was associated with a significantly lower level of PRA (4.26±1.18 ng AI/ml/hr) as compared to a group of time control Dnx-WKY rats (9.83±1.32 ng AI/ml/hr; P<0.05). In the Dnx-SHR, the natriuretic response to l-NMMA infusion was significantly attenuated by renal denervation (ΔFENa = 2.36±0.34%) and PRA was unchanged. In conclusion, the natriuretic effect of systemic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis was associated with decreased PRA in the Dnx-WKY suggesting that a potential interaction exists between NO and the renal nerves in the modulation of PRA in the normotensive WKY rat. Whereas, the natriuretic effect of l-NMMA infusion in the SHR in the presence and absence of the renal nerves, were independent of 2001 Elsevier Science. All rights reserved. changes in PRA.
Preferred gimbal angles for single gimbal control moment gyros

This paper deals with torque command generation using single gimbal control moment gyros. The angular momentum and torque envelopes are assumed to be known a priori. A method based on back integration of the gyro torque equation from desired final conditions is used to determine a family of initial gimbal angles that avoid singularities. Each member of this family is defined as a preferred initial gimbal angle set. The pseudoin- verse steering law is used during the numerical integrations. This procedure is demonstrated by means of numerical examples that include attitude control and momentum management of the Space Station Freedom. A feedback control scheme based on "null motion" is also developed to position the gimbals at preferred angles. ONTROL moment gyros (CMGs) are attractive space- craft attitude-control devices. They require no expendable propellant, which is a limited resource and can contaminate the spacecraft environment. Their fixed rotor speeds minimize structural dynamic excitations. They can be used for rapid slewing maneuvers and precision pointing. For low Earth or- biting spacecraft, momentum dumping can be easily achieved by gravity-gradient torques. From the steering-law viewpoint, it is widely accepted that double-gimbal CMGs (DCMGs) are preferable to single-gimbal CMGs (SCMGs). For DCMGs, steering laws proposed by Kennel 1'2 have been well accepted. The SCMGs have the advantages of possessing relative me- chanical simplicity and producing amplified torques (for low spacecraft angular velocities) on the spacecraft. However, de- velopment of gimbal steering laws for their use is made diffi- cult by the existence of internal singular states. For any system of n CMGs and any direction in space, there exist 2" sets of gimbal angles3 for which no torque can be produced in that direction, and these sets are called internal singularities. Exter- nal singular states correspond to directional angular momen- tum saturation. DCMGs have internal singularities also, but they are easier to avoid. Margulies and Aubrun3 present a geometric theory of SCMG systems. They characterize the momentum envelope of a cluster of SCMGs and identify the internal singular states. Yoshikawa4 presents a steering law for a roof-type configura- tion with four SCMGs. His steering law is based on making all of the internal singular states unstable by providing two jumps with hystereses around the singularities. Cornick5 develops singularity avoidance control laws for the pyramid configura- tion. His technique is based on the ability to calculate the instantaneous locations of all singularities. Hefner and McKenzie6 develop a technique for maximizing the minimum torque capability of a cluster of SCMGs in the pyramid con- figuration. Bauer7 concludes that it is impossible to avoid some singularities and, in general, no global singularity-avoid- ance steering law can exist. Consequently, there will be in- stances when torque demand cannot be met exactly.
Sensitive proteolytic enzyme assay using differential solubilities of radioactive substrates and products in biphasic systems.

Abstract A continuous assay for proteolytic enzymes capable of measuring 1 nanogram of crystalline trypsin, using tritium-labeled methyl esters of arginine and lysine, is described. Two novel applications of this method have been: (1) the determination of tissue and nuclear proteoesterases and (2) a differential method for the determination of thrombin where plasmin and other trypsin-like enzymes are inhibited by lysine methyl ester.
Paradoxes of Pitch Space

Parallels between the mathematics of tiling, which describes geometries of visual space, and neo-Riemannian theory, which describes geometries of musical space, make it possible to show that certain paradoxes featured in the visual artworks of M. C. Escher also appear in the pitch space modelled by the neo-Riemannian Tonnetz. This article makes these paradoxes visually apparent by constructing an embodied model of triadic pitch space in accordance with principles drawn from the mathematics of tiling, on the one hand, and from cognitive science, on the other – specifically, the notion that our experience of pitch relationships is governed in part by the metaphorical projection of patterns abstracted from embodied experience known as image schemas. These paradoxes are illustrated with reference to passages drawn from four compositions to whose expressive character such paradoxes contribute: the fifteenth-century motet ‘Absalon fili mi’; the finale of Haydn's String Quartet in G major, Op. 76 No. 1; Brahms's Intermezzo in B minor, Op. 119 No. 1; and Wagner's Parsifal.
Estimating the Effects of Water Policies in the West

HE topic of this paper continues to be timely. After decades of analysis of public investment in western water resource development projects, considerable work remains to be done. Public, especially Federal, involvement in natural resource allocation appears to have been increasing during the recent past. Since 1965 Congressional action has concerned itself, for example, with water quality management, additions to the national park system, the protection of estuaries, and the preservation of wild and scenic rivers. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been established, and state and national planning for outdoor recreational developments has been encouraged. It will be noted that the above list of actions taken at the national level is not necessarily consistent with the traditional role of the Federal Government in water resource development in the West. This list appears to be biased in favor of the so-called "quality of life" objectives, in contrast to those served by the traditional public investment policy. Furthermore, as the result of an executive order, the rate to be used for discounting future costs and benefits in Federal water resource development projects has been raised substantially during the recent past. Since much of western water resource development has been of the type requiring high initial capital outlay and producing benefits over a relatively long time span, the general effect of raising the discount rate is to lower the benefit/ cost ratio by which projects are evaluated. Finally, and most recently, the Water Resources Council has published a report [1] suggesting new procedures for the evaluation of development projects. The outstanding features of this report appear to be (1) emphasis on the concept that public investment in natural resources may also serve objectives whose achievement is not readily reflected in the national income accounts, and (2) a set of suggestions for comparing the costs and benefits associated with pursuing these other objectives.' It is of interest to this discussion that the report recommends specifically the con
Dying To Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing

Anita Moorjani’s (2012) book, Dying to be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing, is a compelling story about healing that will mystify the most open-minded reader, while perhaps even rocking the near-death experience (NDE) community to the core. In fact, when this book was first brought to my attention I had yet to see why this book stood out, compared to many others written by near-death experiencers (NDErs), and was hitting popular media circles globally. Upon glancing at the first page it became abundantly clear why, and in fact, I was so intrigued that I did not put the book down until I finished it later that same day. Why, you may ask? NeuroQuantology | June 2012 | Volume 10 | Issue 2 | Page 341-345
Poisoning in the United States: 2012 Emergency Medicine Report of the National Poison Data System

Deaths from drug overdose have become the leading cause of injury death in the United States, where the poison center system is available to provide real-time advice and collect data about a variety of poisonings. In 2012, emergency medical providers were confronted with new poisonings, such as bath salts (substituted cathinones) and Spice (synthetic cannabinoid drugs), as well as continued trends in established poisonings such as from prescription opioids. This article addresses current trends in opioid poisonings; new substances implicated in poisoning cases, including unit-dose laundry detergents, bath salts, Spice, and energy drinks; and the role of poison centers in public health emergencies such as the Fukushima radiation incident.
Causation as Simultaneous and Continuous

We propose that all actual causes are simultaneous with their direct effects, as illustrated by both everyday examples and the laws of physics. We contrast this view with the sequential conception of causation, according to which causes must occur prior to their effects. The key difference between the two views of causation lies in differing assumptions about the mathematical structure of time.
Cytopathic effect of in situ gene therapy in prostate cancer

This is a morphologic study of in situ gene therapy effects in patients with prostate cancer using the Herpes Simplex VirusThymidine Kinase gene (HSV-tk) followed by ganciclovir. Prostatectomy specimens from the first 4 patients showed the following morphologic changes: (1) various degrees of necrosis were seen in cancer foci; (2) cytopathic changes were seen across the whole spectrum of Gleason grades; (3) the normal prostate was rarely affected by necrosis, but contained an intense mononuclear infiltrate; (4) loss of nuclear detail was a common finding. Volumetric studies showed that only portions of the tumor show morphologic effects as well as an inverse relationship between percentage of affected tumor and prostate and tumor size. An inflammatory response was observed, with predominance of CD20-positive cells in normal prostate tissue, CD8 (cytotoxic T cells) in the tumor, and macrophages in all areas of the treated prostates. We believe that these changes represent the cytopathic effect of our in situ gene therapy on prostate cancer, and that they trigger a local immune response.
Ovarian cancer and gangrene of the digits : Case report and review of the literature

Digital ischemia has been reported with various types of cancer, especially gastrointestinal. It is more common in elderly women than in any other group, and the most common symptom is a gangrenous finger (or fingers). More than half of the patients have metastatic involvement. Once the primary disease has been treated, when feasible, the digital symptoms usu­ally regress or disappear. The presence of digital ischemia without other rheumatologic stigmata or vascular predisposition in an elderly patient should raise clinical suspicion of a paraneoplastic phenomenon. Herein we describe a 65-year-old woman with digital ischemia associated with ovarian cancer. The diagnosis was established by biopsy after extremely high levels of cancer antigen 125 were detected.
The natural language processing of medical databases

The consideration of natural language as a domain for computer processing has has been one of the long-term projects in the history of data processing. Computers were developed in the late 40's and early 50's in the United States and from the very beginning there was a desire and intent that someday the computer would handle speech and be able to understand normal English literature and text with the coherency of a student or perhaps even an expert. Such breakthroughs have also been anticipated in the medical area. This paper will present a series of design specifications that facilitate the processing of natural language medical databases. Using these techniques it will be possible to expand the use of our traditional tools and exploit the effort that has been invested in these literary creations.
Acute vibration increases α2C-adrenergic smooth muscle constriction and alters thermosensitivity of cutaneous arteries

The vascular symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome, including cold-induced vasospasm, are in part mediated by increased sensitivity of cutaneous arteries to sympathetic stimulation. The goal of the present study was to use a rat tail model to analyze the effects of vibration on vascular function and alpha-adrenoceptor (AR) responsiveness. Rats were exposed to a single period of vibration (4 h, 125 Hz, constant acceleration 49 m/s2 root mean square). The physical or biodynamic response of the tail demonstrated increased transmissibility or resonance at this frequency, similar to that observed during vibration of human fingers. Morphological analysis demonstrated that vibration did not appear to cause structural injury to vascular cells. In vitro analysis of vascular function demonstrated that constriction to the alpha1-AR agonist phenylephrine was similar in vibrated and control arteries. In contrast, constriction to the alpha2-AR agonist UK14304 was increased in vibrated compared with control arteries, both in endothelium-containing or endothelium-denuded arteries. The alpha2C-AR antagonist MK912 (3 x 10(-10) M) inhibited constriction to UK14304 in vibrated but not control arteries, reversing the vibration-induced increase in alpha2-AR activity. Moderate cooling (to 28 degrees C) increased constriction to the alpha2-AR agonist in control and vibrated arteries, but the magnitude of the amplification was less in vibrated compared with control arteries. Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was similar in control and vibrated arteries. Based on these results, we conclude that a single exposure to vibration caused a persistent increase in alpha2C-AR-mediated vasoconstriction, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of vibration-induced vascular disease.
The Impact of Depression on the Expression of Caregiver Burden and Grief

This study examined the impact of self-reported doctor's depression diagnosis on burden and grief expression in dementia caregivers (N = 80). Depression was not related to overall grief and burden levels, but influenced the item endorsement pattern on these measures. Depressed caregivers were significantly more likely to endorse items concerning loss of freedom and control in their lives. Furthermore, caregivers with a depression diagnosis scored significantly higher on a personal sacrifice and burden subscale, compared to caregivers who had never received a diagnosis. There was no difference on subscales measuring heartfelt sadness and longing or worry and felt isolation. Caregivers with past depression may not necessarily demonstrate greater grief and burden levels, but may experience these differently than caregivers without past depression.
Impact of interactive westerly wind bursts on CCSM3

Abstract Westerly wind bursts or events (WWBs or WWEs) are commonly viewed as stochastic processes, independent of any oceanic forcing. Some recent work and observations have suggested that these events can be viewed as state-dependent noise in that they are modulated by the SST variability. This potentially affects the predictability of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In this study, we examine the impact of parameterized WWBs on ENSO variability in the Community Climate System Model version 3.0 and 4.0 (CCSM3 and CCSM4). The WWBs parameterization is derived based on 50 years of atmospheric reanalysis data and observed estimates of tropical Pacific SST. To study the impact of WWBs three experiments are performed. In the first experiment, the model is integrated for several hundred years with no prescribed WWBs events (i.e. the control). In the second case, state-independent WWBs events are introduced. In other words, the occurrence, location, duration, and scale of the WWBs are determined (within bounds) randomly. These wind events are always positive (eastward) without a westward counterpart and are totally independent of the anomalies in the state variables, and can be thought of as additive noise. For the third case, the WWBs are introduced but as multiplicative noise or state-dependent forcing, modulated by SST anomalies. The statistical moments for the Nino 3.4 index shows that the state-dependent case produced larger El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and the bias toward stronger cold events is reduced as compared to the control and the state-independent runs. There is very little difference between the control and the state-independent WWB simulations suggesting that the deterministic component of the burst is responsible for reshaping the ENSO events. Lag-lead correlation of ocean variables with Nino 3.4 index suggests larger temporal coherence of the ENSO events. This, along with SSTA composites, also suggest a shift toward a more self sustained mechanism as the experiments progress from the control to the state dependent WWBs. Overall, the parameterized WWBs have the capability to modify the ENSO regime in the CGCM, demonstrating the importance of sub-seasonal variability on interannual time scales. The fast varying (stochastic) component of WWB is of little importance, whereas the slow (SST dependent) component has a significant impact overall. The results are consistent between CCSM3 and CCSM4.