cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operating Room Door Opening Patterns in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties

Background Operating room (OR) foot traffic is a contributing factor in the development of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Operating room door openings have been shown to increase bacterial counts in the OR, contributing to the risk of PJI. Because PJI is a costly and challenging complication, understanding door opening behavior is essential to minimize potential of PJI. Methods An observational study was conducted to evaluate OR foot traffic patterns for total knee and hip arthroplasties in a non-academic facility. Sixteen surgeries by 6 different surgeons were observed, 10 inpatient total hip arthroplasties (THA) and 6 inpatient total knee arthroplasties (TKA). OR traffic was monitored and recorded by counting the number of door openings, noting the timing of door openings, detailing personnel entering/exiting, and documenting the door used and the duration of each procedure. Results The average number of door openings for all cases during the possible contamination period was 73.4, and the average case length was 147 minutes. Sixty-four percent of traffic occurred from the time sterile trays were open to the incision being made and 36% of traffic occurred from incision to wound closure. Conclusion Managing door openings in the OR is a modifiable risk factor associated with PJI. From incision to closure, nurses and medical supply representatives were the largest contributors to OR foot traffic during TJA procedures. Understanding uring TJA will allow for the implementation of effective strategies to reduce OR foot traffic.
Decolonization without a linguistic turn is like drinking sugar without tea: Ọlábíyìí Babalọlá Joseph Yáì

This article interpretes highlights of the intellectual legacies of Ọlabiyii Yai (1939–2020), Beninois/Yoruba, linguist and literary theorist, as revealing expressions of the autonomy strivings of ...
Opportunities for Infrastructure PPP Projects in Time of COVID-19 - as a Resilience Strategy

In December 2019, the pandemic of COVID -19 has hit the world without warning by the unprecedented scale and intensity to be declared officially as a pandemic in March 2020. Consequently, it has forced the countries to follow immediate strategies to alleviate this crisis's impacts. The lockdown and social distance were the most applied precautionary procedures. This situation has devastating consequences for both economic and social life. The construction sector is affected by this temporary paralysis, especially the public-private partnerships (PPP) infrastructure projects with a long-term contract and different stakeholders. Some earlier researches have analyzed the consequences and suggested options to alleviate the negative impacts, but potential positive risks are still spotting. Therefore, there is a need to follow proactive behavior to maximize the potentiality of opportunities. This research is exploring the positive risks for PPP infrastructure projects during COVID 19. This objective has been attained by a literature survey for allocated risks for PPP projects, factors affecting successful PPP projects, and the current practices as a response strategy to COVID -19. The research findings will contribute to building a known base of resilience plans for pandemic through two scenarios of negative and positive impacts to support PPP projects with leading practices. The revealed opportunities have been revealed based on exploring the common concepts between four main areas: 1) Positive Impacts of COVID-19, 2) Principles of resilient infrastructure, 3) Critical success factors of PPP projects, and 4) Current practices to respond to COVID-19. It was found that besides the tremendous burden on project stakeholders, users, the private corporate sector, and the public sector for the short and long term, some opportunities could be attained for PPP infrastructure projects. These revealed opportunities have been summarized as follows: 1) The need for implementing the resilience strategy and long term thinking, 2) Available time for maintenance work and updating operating systems for completed projects, 3) Priority to support and invest in innovative smart infrastructure projects that adopt artificial intelligence and smart systems that reduce human resource interferences and control the social distance, and 4) exploring the need to simplify or remedy the procurement processes of PPP. The concluded opportunities will help investors and public partners react positively during the pandemic and reduce the negative impacts and maximize positive impacts. This attitude will help PPP projects to survive in order to complete successfully after the crisis and integrate resilience into infrastructure projects.
Modelling the Effectiveness of US Presidential TV Advertisements

I analyze a data set on the characteristics of 399 US presidential TV ads for seventeen election campaigns, 1952-2016, by modelling their impact on the probability of the candidate favored in each ad winning the presidential election to which the ad relates. Certain emotional variables are found to dominate, although the mention of civil rights in TV ads is negatively significant. The model, out of sample, picks the winner in both the 2012 and 2016 election campaigns. I also test whether the estimated model of TV ad effectiveness is mimicking the macroeconomic fundamentals and find that this is not the case. While the direction of causality cannot be definitively determined by statistical analysis, the results quantitatively indicate the importance of emotional characteristics of TV ads used in successful and unsuccessful presidential campaigns.
COMBINE ANALYSIS OF BITUMEN WITH HDPE AND PVC FOR USE IN FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT

Bitumen is a binding material mostly used in construction projects like road surfacing, airports, parking lots etc. This is primarily because of their excellent binding characteristics and water proofing property The study results shows that rheological properties like Penetration, Ductility of waste plastic and PVC modified bitumen decreases with increase of these contents. While Softening point, increases with increase in polymer contents in bitumen. The Marshall stability test results shows that the polymer increases the stability values of the compacted mixes with increasing. The polymer content in the bitumen up to optimum level (i.e.4%). The values obtained in the Marshall stability test show increasing pattern up to 4% of PVC and waste plastic content, whereas the density of the compacted mixes slightly decreases with the increase of polymer contents in the bitumen. This paper presents a research study the behavior of BC mix modified with waste polythene and PVC. Various percentages of these polymer are used for preparation of mixes with a aggregate grading as given in the IRC Code
Why It's OK to Eat Meat

Vegetarians have argued at great length that meat-eating is wrong. Even so, the vast majority of people continue to eat meat, and even most vegetarians eventually give up on their diets. Does this prove these people must be morally corrupt? In Why It’s OK to Eat Meat, Dan C. Shahar argues the answer is no: it’s entirely possible to be an ethical person while continuing to eat meat—and not just the "fancy" offerings from the farmers' market but also the regular meat we find at most supermarkets and restaurants. Shahar’s examination forcefully echoes vegetarians’ concerns about the meat industry’s impacts on animals, workers, the environment, and public health. However, he shows that the most influential ethical arguments for avoiding meat on the basis of these considerations are ultimately unpersuasive. Instead of insisting we all become vegetarians, Shahar argues each of us has broad latitude to choose which of the world’s problems to tackle, in what ways, and to what extents, and hence people can decline to take up this particular form of activism without doing anything wrong. Key Features First book-length defense of meat-eating written for a popular audience Punchy, accessible introduction to the multifaceted debate over the ethics of eating meat Includes pioneering new examinations of humane labeling practices Shows why appeals to universalized patterns of behavior can’t vindicate vegetarians’ claims that there’s a duty to avoid meat Develops a novel theory of ethical activism with potential applications to a wide range of other issues
Complicated Laparoscopic Trachelectomy Following Supracervical Hysterectomy

Study Objective To review the most common indications and risk factors for trachelectomy after supracervical hysterectomy and demonstrate technique for a complicated laparoscopic trachelectomy. Design Narrated video tutorial for a safe and reproducible laparoscopic trachelectomy complicated by extensive adhesive disease after supracervical hysterectomy. Setting Although trachelectomy is a relatively uncommon procedure, it may be indicated for a variety of benign pathologies women who have undergone supracervical hysterectomy. The potential complications of this procedure may be elevated from baseline surgical risks due to the presence of adhesive disease from prior surgeries or concurrent pelvic pathologies. This patient underwent her surgery at a tertiary academic center. She was positioned in dorsal lithotomy with arms tucked for surgical ergonomics. Patients or Participants This is a 43-year-old para 1 who presented for surgical management of cyclic heavy vaginal bleeding after a supracervical hysterectomy for adenomyosis and fibroids in 2014. Interventions This educational video demonstrates a complicated laparoscopic trachelectomy with an opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy, left ureterolysis, excision of endometriosis, and cystoscopy. Measurements and Main Results Not applicable. Conclusion Laparoscopic trachelectomy after supracervical hysterectomy may be significantly complicated by adhesive disease. The following strategies are key in the approach to a complicated laparoscopic trachelectomy: 1. Restoration of normal pelvic anatomy 2. Retroperitoneal dissection to safely identify the ureters, as well as the gonadal and uterine vessels and 3. Use of a uterine manipulator with a colpotomy ring to delineate target tissues, allow for multidirectional movement and facilitate safe entry into key planes.
Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injury: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Unlike many other acute aortic syndromes in which the differential diagnosis may be broad, blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) is usually clearly evident at the time of patient presentation. The widespread use of computed tomographic (CT) scanning in the workup of polytrauma patients has led to the early detection of BTAI in the vast majority of cases. However, while the diagnosis is rarely in doubt, determining the ideal management for patients with BTAI may be challenging.
Radiofluorinated Enzyme Probes of Dopaminergic Function

Radiofluorinated analogs of enzyme substrates offer a useful strategy for designing radiotracers to probe or label specific enzymes and their function (1). They are being used to investigate the dopaminergic system in vivo to obtain information about the structural requirements associated with neurotransmitter enzyme function as well as critical information about pharmacological information and the effects of disease. Radiofluorinated enzyme probes (e.g. 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA) have been useful to uncover the biochemical mechanisms behind specific brain tracer kinetic profiles and to understand kinetic changes occurring with the specifically designed radiotracers as a result of pharmacological interventions, centrally acting drugs (i.e., methamphetamine, cocaine), mood disorders or cell degeneration.
Treatment of Ulcerative Proctitis

Ulcerative proctitis is a subset of ulcerative colitis confined to the distal 15–20 cm from the anal verge. The unique quality of inflammation limited to the rectum can often manifest as a challenging disease to effectively treat. The mainstay of medical therapy is topical 5-ASA medicines, usually in the form of suppositories. Oral 5-ASAs are also used, while dual therapy with both has been shown to be most effective. Topical steroids are used to help induce remission but are not appropriate long-term options. Proctitis which is refractory to 5-ASA therapy often requires quick escalation to treatment with biologic agents.
PROTON TRANSFER PATHWAYS IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC REACTION CENTERS STUDIED BY SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS

Proton transfer in the bacterial reaction center associated with the reduction of the bound secondary quinone, QB, plays an important role in the energetics of photosynthetic bacteria. We have used site-directed mutagenesis to delineate the proton transfer pathways from the external aqueous solution to QB in the hydrophobic interior of the protein. Mutations of three protonatable residues, Glu L212, Ser L223, and Asp L213 to non protonatable, homologous, residues Gln, Ala, and Asn resulted in a reduction in the rate of proton transfer to QB by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. These results were interpreted in terms of pathways for proton transport in which uptake of the first proton, required for the transfer of the second electron, occurs via a pathway involving Ser L223 and Asp L213. Uptake of the second proton, which follows transfer of the second electron, occurs via a pathway involving Glu L212 and Asp L213.
The Piracy Paradox Persists in Cyber Space

Business managers need to monitor several trends relating to the protection of a firm’s intellectual property on the internet. On the one hand, the internet has presented many companies with the opportunity to explore markets, gather information, and sell through the web. On the other hand, this virtual marketplace has been a way for unscrupulous players in an intricate game of cyber crime to renounce a company’s intellectual property rights and channel illicit goods by way of the internet piracy pyramid. The overall positive growth in global technology, such as internet penetration rates, has paradoxically created a lucrative distribution channel for the counterfeit trade. The Business Software Alliance forecasts that the increased use of the internet, the proliferation of peer-to-peer networks, and the growth of broadband access will increase software piracy rates, especially in emerging markets such as China, India and Russia. A recent study conducted for the Business Software Alliance by Harris Interactive, involving 1,644 youth, found that young people clearly viewed downloading music (60%), software (56%), and games (54%) without payment less harmful than stealing from a store (92%). In 2005, the Motion Picture Association (MPA), in their study on the cost of movie piracy, found that the typical consumer of fake goods was aged 16-24, male, and lived in an urban environment. Although this demographic profile does not yield detailed segmentation, it does show the bias of the younger generation, the so-called Generation Me, as a ‘willing player’ in the internet piracy game.
Genomics of Clostridium

The clostridia have a rich history and contemporary importance in industrial, environmental, and medical microbiology. Due to their ability to form endospores, clostridia are ubiquitous in nature and are found in many environments, especially in soils and the intestinal tract of animals including humans. Many clostridia cause devastating diseases of humans and animals, such as botulism, tetanus, and gas gangrene, through the production of protein toxins. The clostridia produce more protein toxins that are lethal for humans and animals than any other bacterial genus (Johnson, 2005; Van Heyningen, 1950). Other species are important in the formation of solvents and organic acids by anaerobic fermentations or as a source of unique enzymes for biocatalysis (Bradshaw and Johnson, 2010; Hatheway and Johnson, 1998).
Ceftriaxone-associated gallbladder sludge: Identification of calcium-ceftriaxone salt as a major component of gallbladder precipitate

Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin, is partially excreted into bile. With its clinical use, the formation of gallbladder sludge detected by ultrasonography has been reported. Four surgical specimens were examined and no gallstones were found. Instead, fine precipitates of 20-250 microns were present. Microscopically, there was a small number of cholesterol monohydrate crystals and bilirubin granules among an abundant amount of granular-crystalline material that was not morphologically cholesterol monohydrate crystals. The chemical composition of the precipitates (n = 4) was determined. There was a small amount of cholesterol (1.7% +/- 0.8%) and bilirubin (13.9% +/- 0.74%). The major component of the precipitate was a residue. On further analysis using thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and electron microprobe analysis, the residue was identified as a calcium salt of ceftriaxone. The residue also had identical crystal morphology and chromatographic elution profile as authentic calcium-ceftriaxone standards. It is concluded that ceftriaxone, after excretion and being concentrated in the gallbladder bile, can form a precipitate. The major constituent has been identified as a ceftriaxone-calcium salt.
Interactive (In)security: The participatory promise of ready.gov

Fitter, happier, more productive, comfortable, not drinking too much Regular exercise at the gym, 3 days a week ... No longer empty and frantic like a cat tied to a stick. (Radiohead) Shortly after...
Application of A3MCNP™ to Radiation Shielding Problems

This paper briefly discusses the theory of the A3MCNP™ code and its application to three real-world shielding/fixed-source problems; including PWR cavity dosimetry, DPA estimation at a BWR core-shroud weld, and dose estimation at the surface of a storage cask. These problems all address major concerns of nuclear utilities and are very important for the continued safe and economical operation of nuclear power plants. The paper demonstrates that A3MCNP™, with its automated variance reduction capability, is able to solve these problems in a relatively short time with modest computational resources, while significantly reducing the engineer’s time and effort for performing these calculations.
The need for an intermediate mass scale in GUTs

The minimal SU(5) GUT model fails to resolve the strong CP problem, suffers from the cosmological monopole problem, sheds no light on the nature of the “dark” mass in the universe, and predicts an unacceptably low value for the baryon asymmetry. All these problems can be overcome in one fell swoop in suitable grand unified axion models with an intermediate mass scale of about 1011- 1012 GeV. An example based on the gauge group SO(10) is presented. Among other things, it predicts that the axions comprise the “dark” mass in the universe, and that there exists a galactic monopole flux of 10-8 - 10-7 cm-2 yr-1. Other topics that are briefly discussed include proton decay, family symmetry, neutrino masses and the gauge hierarchy problem.
A Centre-Stable Manifold for the Focussing Cubic NLS in $${\mathbb{R}}^{1+3}$$

Consider the focussing cubic nonlinear Schrodinger equation in $${\mathbb{R}}^3$$ : $$i\psi_t+\Delta\psi = -|\psi|^2 \psi. \quad (0.1) $$ It admits special solutions of the form e itα ϕ, where $$\phi \in {\mathcal{S}}({\mathbb{R}}^3)$$ is a positive (ϕ > 0) solution of $$-\Delta \phi + \alpha\phi = \phi^3. \quad (0.2)$$ The space of all such solutions, together with those obtained from them by rescaling and applying phase and Galilean coordinate changes, called standing waves, is the 8-dimensional manifold that consists of functions of the form $$e^{i(v \cdot + \Gamma)} \phi(\cdot - y, \alpha)$$ . We prove that any solution starting sufficiently close to a standing wave in the $$\Sigma = W^{1, 2}({\mathbb{R}}^3) \cap |x|^{-1}L^2({\mathbb{R}}^3)$$ norm and situated on a certain codimension-one local Lipschitz manifold exists globally in time and converges to a point on the manifold of standing waves. Furthermore, we show that $${\mathcal{N}}$$ is invariant under the Hamiltonian flow, locally in time, and is a centre-stable manifold in the sense of Bates, Jones [BatJon]. The proof is based on the modulation method introduced by Soffer and Weinstein for the L 2-subcritical case and adapted by Schlag to the L 2-supercritical case. An important part of the proof is the Keel-Tao endpoint Strichartz estimate in $${\mathbb{R}}^3$$ for the nonselfadjoint Schrodinger operator obtained by linearizing (0.1) around a standing wave solution. All results in this paper depend on the standard spectral assumption that the Hamiltonian $$\mathcal H = \left ( \begin{array}{cc}\Delta + 2\phi(\cdot, \alpha)^2 - \alpha &\quad \phi(\cdot, \alpha)^2 \\ -\phi(\cdot, \alpha)^2 &\quad -\Delta - 2 \phi(\cdot, \alpha)^2 + \alpha \end{array}\right ) \quad (0.3)$$ has no embedded eigenvalues in the interior of its essential spectrum $$(-\infty, -\alpha) \cup (\alpha, \infty)$$ .
Interannual and Climatic Characteristics of an Ice Ocean Circulation Model

In the high latitudes sea ice and the underlying ocean form a tightly coupled system with the ocean circulation modifying the sea ice characteristics, and the sea ice dynamics and thermodynamics affecting the ocean circulation. A framework for examining this system was developed by Hibler and Bryan (1987) who constructed a coupled diagnostic ice-ocean model and examined the seasonal characteristics of this coupled model. A major result of the Hibler and Bryan (1987) study was that inclusion of oceanic circulation effects is critical for simulating the ice margin in the Greenland, Norwegian and Barents Seas. However an issue not addressed by Hibler and Bryan (1987) was the extent to which this model can be used to simulate interannual variations of the ice margin. Also some of the longer term climatic characteristics of the model were not addressed and the crude resolution of the model together with lack of inflow boundary conditions produced poorly balanced salt and heat budgets.
What Is the ROAR Factor for Your Health Promotion Program? (Hint: We Used to Call It ROI)

The ROAR factor is three things. First, it is about feeling great. Second, it is about helping other people feel great. Third, it is about helping employers maximize the Return on Allocated Resourc...
The influence of suspending phase viscosity on the passage of red blood cells through capillary-size micropores

Much attention has been paid to the study of blood flow in long, narrow tubes. While the influence of tube diameter and driving pressure have been examined in detail, the influence of suspending phase viscosity has generally been assumed only to affect the blood viscosity in a linearly proportional manner, hence the practice of normalizing apparent blood viscosity values by the suspending phase viscosity to give a relative viscosity (e.g., Pries et al., 1992). While this assumption is probably valid for long tubes, it apparently does not hold for blood flow in short tubes (and by extension also for flow in short or branching capillary segments in vivo) in which RBC deformation plays a more significant role. In this paper we present a series of experiments using the Cell Transit Analyzer (CTA) in which the influence of driving pressure and suspending phase viscosity on RBC passage through short, narrow tubes has been systematically evaluated. Over the range studied (1 to 10 cm water), the influence of driving pressure was found to be unremarkable, in that RBC velocity scaled directly and linearly with pressure. This finding is consistent with previous studies. However, a distinct intercept was observed in the linear relationship between RBC pore transit time and suspending phase viscosity, which presumably arises as a consequence of RBC deformation either at the pore entrance or within the pore. Two simple mathematical models for the suspending phase-viscosity/transit-time relationship were considered. The results show that making CTA measurements over a range of suspending medium viscosities is a simple and practical way to obtain additional information about RBC mechanical properties.
Litter legacy increases the competitive advantage of invasive Phragmites australis in New England wetlands

Exotic plant invaders that form monocultures and exclude native plants are often the most detrimental to native diversity and the hardest to eradicate. To generate a monoculture, the invader must garner more resources than resident natives and, once established, persist despite high densities of conspecific neighbors. Coincident with expansion and long-term persistence, successful invaders typically accumulate senesced material, but the role of this litter in mediating the invader’s ability to establish and maintain monospecific dominance has rarely been investigated. We used stands of the common reed, Phragmites australis, a prolific wetland invader in North America, to explore the impact of litter on interspecific competition with the native rush, Juncus gerardii, and intraspecific competition among live shoots. In 10 × 10 m areas positioned on Phragmites expansion fronts, we removed litter to isolate its effect from live Phragmites on light availability, aboveground biomass and community composition. Compared to adjacent, unmanipulated fronts, light availability nearly tripled and Juncus biomass increased >170% in litter removal areas after 4 months. Although the positive response of Juncus and native forbs was most pronounced on the leading edge of Phragmites stands, litter removal triggered a 271% increase in native plant biomass even in the interior of stands where Phragmites’ live stem density was highest. Litter treatment did not significantly affect Phragmites biomass, but more, shorter stems emerged in litter removals revealing Phragmites modifies stem phenotype in response to local litter and light conditions. These results suggest that litter plays a central role in Phragmites’ invasion process, from initial establishment to subsequent monospecific dominance. Thus, prescribed litter removal may be an effective strategy to enhance coexistence of native plant populations in wetlands where eradication of invasive monocultures is not an ecologically or economically feasible option.
Characterization and Application of Osmotic Dewatering to the Crystallization of Oligonucleotides

The recent increase in research and applications of oligonucleotides in new drug design has stimulated a need to determine the three-dimensional structures of oligonucleotides and their complexes with various ligands. Three-dimensional structure determination relies on X-ray diffraction data from high-quality crystals. However, only a very limited number of RNA molecules have been crystallized, and a broad record of experience in oligonucleotide crystallization is lacking. Osmotic dewatering is a crystallization method in which the oligonucleotide and its precipitant are concentrated at a controlled rate by the removal of water through a reverse-osmosis membrane using a specified concentration gradient. Therefore, rates of nucleation and crystal growth can be controlled. In this study, a transport model was developed to predict the water removal rates at various concentration gradients. Experimental dewatering rate data agreed very well with theoretical calculations. Model predictions were applied to different osmotic dewatering crystallization devices to crystalize a model RNA, “U-U dodecamer”. High-quality dodecamer crystals were successfully grown and yielded a maximum X-ray diffraction resolution of 2.46 A and usable resolution of 3.0 A. The results of this research will facilitate the applications of osmotic dewatering to crystallographic studies and industrial purification of biopharmaceuticals.
Allergens from short ragweed leaf tissue cultures.

Short ragweed (Ambrosia elatior L.) leaf cells were grown as callus and suspension cultures. Immunodiffusion tests against anti-pollen crude extract and anti-antigen E sera did not detect antigen E in the tissue cultures. However, two allergenically active fractions were isolated from the tissue cultures by ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. Two fractions isolated (Sephadex G-100, fractions II and III) were electrophoretically homogeneous, carried net charges similar to that of antigen E in polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis at pH 8.9 and had molecular weights of 10,000 to 15,000 and 30,000 to 40,000, respectively. These fractions were highly skin reactive in individuals sensitive to short ragweed pollen.
Direct observation of ensemble averaging of the Aharonov-Bohm effect in normal-metal loops.

Aharonov-Bohm magnetoconductance oscillations have been measured in series arrays of 1, 3, 10, and 30 submicron-diameter Ag loops. At constant temperature, the amplitude of the h/e oscillations is observed to decrease as the square root of number of loops, while the amplitude of h/2e conductance oscillations, measured in the same samples, is independent of the number of series loops. This is direct confirmation of the ensemble averaging properties of h/e oscillations in multiloop systems. The amplitude of the h/e oscillations is in good agreement with recent calculations.
Instructional Equity for Low Achievers in Elementary School Mathematics

AbstractBoys and girls labeled as low achievers in the elementary grades are often placed in a less-demanding curriculum with lower teacher expectations. An instructional model, based on Goodlad’s (1984) community of learners concept, Anderson’s (1986) ideas of quality circle management, and Adler’s (1984) instructional model, was specifically designed to increase the achievement of low-achieving fourth- and fifth-grade students in mathematics. Results of the study strongly supported this program for all groups of achievers.
Enhanced Gallbladder Absorption During Gallstone Formation: The Roles of Cholesterol Saturated Bile and Gallbladder Stasis

Cholesterol saturated bile and gallbladder stasis are important factors in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones. The degree to which either or both of these factors affect gallbladder transport of fluid remains obscure. The authors tested the hypothesis that both cholesterol saturated bile and gallbladder stasis, and not stasis alone, promotes gallbladder fluid absorption. Prairie dogs were maintained for 2 weeks on either a control chow, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), or a 1.2% cholesterol enriched chow. The bile acid pool was labeled with 14C-cholic acid and indexes for cholesterol saturation (CSI) and gallbladder stasis (Rsa) were determined. Fluid transport was indirectly measured by calculating the ratio of gallbladder to hepatic bile concentrations of individual and total biliary lipids. Despite evidence of stasis in prairie dogs maintained on TPN, bile was unsaturated, and gallbladder absorption was not appreciably changed. In contrast, cholesterol-fed animals had cholesterol supersaturated bile, gallbladder stasis, and altered gallbladder absorption, as manifested by a significant change in the ratio of gallbladder to hepatic bile concentrations of individual and total biliary lipids. These data suggest that both cholesterol saturated bile and gallbladder stasis, and not stasis alone, are essential in promoting the enhanced gallbladder absorption, which has previously been observed during early cholesterol gallstone formation.
Biodistribution and Intraoperative Evaluation of Radiolabeled Monoclonal Antibody MX 35 in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) MX 35 shows strong homogeneous reactivity with more than 90% of epithelial ovarian cancers. Twenty-five patients with advanced ovarian cancer were entered into a clinical trial using 125 I- or 131 I-labeled MX 35 in doses of 2, 10, or 20 mg administered by intravenous (IV) or intraperitoneal injection. All patients underwent laparotomy at 7 to 20 days following MAb injection to assess tumor distribution, obtain biopsies of tumor and normal tissue, and evaluate the use of an intraoperative hand-held gamma-detecting device. Following IV injection, serum MAb half-life was 36 hr. Tumor biopsies obtained at surgery showed MAb accumulation of from 6.7 × 10 -3 to 4.0 × 10 -5 % injected dose/g of tissue. There was no correlation between absolute MAb accumulation in tumor and MAb dose administered. Regression analysis showed a correlation between MAb accumulation and the interval between MAb injection and surgery ( P = 0.008). Specific localization of MAb in tumor was demonstrated by tumor:normal tissue ratios ranging from 2.3:1 to 34:1 (mean, 10.18:1). The tumor:normal tissue ratios were not significantly related to MAb dose, the level of immunohistochemical antigen expression, or the interval between MAb injection and surgery. Due to the relatively long serum half-life, mean tumor:serum ratios were only 1.53 following IV injection. This ratio did not correlate with MAb dose, days from injection, or antigen expression. There was an excellent correlation ( P = 0.001) between MAb uptake, as measured by the intraoperative hand-held gamma counter, and direct gamma counting of excised tissues. MAb MX 35 localizes well to tumor in selected patients with ovarian cancer, and MAb uptake can be reliably quantitated in vivo with the hand-held intraoperative gamma counter.
A Multiple Regression Approach to Multiple Comparisons for Comparing Several Treatments with a Control.

A multiple regression approach is used for the multiple comparison situation in which several treatment groups are compared to a control group. Using a regression approach, it is shown that the multiple comparison procedure described by Dunnett can be found as a by-product of the general regression program; the test described by Dunnett yields identically the same results as the test of significance for the partial regression weights.
Transmission wavefront shearing interferometry for photoelastic materials

A general analysis and experimental validation of transmission wavefront shearing interferometry for photoelastic materials are presented. These interferometers applied to optically isotropic materials produce a single interference pattern related to one phase term, but when applied to photoelastic materials, they produce the sum of two different interference patterns with phase terms that are the sum and difference, respectively, of two stress-related phase terms. The two stress-related phase terms may be separated using phase shifting and polarization optics. These concepts are experimentally demonstrated using coherent gradient sensing in full field for a compressed polycarbonate plate with a V-shaped notch with good agreement with theoretical data. The analysis may be applied to any wavefront shearing interferometer by modifying parameters describing the wavefront shearing distance.
Consistent condom use among men with non-marital partners in four sub-Saharan African countries

Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys for Namibia, Swaziland, and Zambia and the AIDS Indicator Survey from Tanzania were used to examine the influence of marital status and number of partners on consistent condom use among men with casual sexual partnerships in four generalized HIV epidemic settings. We restrict the sample to the 26% (Zambia), 29% (Tanzania), 35% (Swaziland), and 42% (Namibia) of men, who, in the last 12 months before the survey, had any non-marital/non-cohabiting (i.e., casual) sexual partners. We use "condom always used with any partner in the last 12 months" as a dichotomous-dependent measure of consistent condom use. Analyses were stratified by country. Of men with casual partners, 41% (Zambia) to 70% (Namibia) used a condom every time with at least one partner. The majority of men were unmarried/non-cohabiting with one casual partner in the last year. In Swaziland and Zambia, multivariate results suggest that unmarried/non-cohabiting men with one casual partner had significantly lower odds than married/cohabiting men with casual partners to use condoms consistently (odds ratio [OR]=0.56, p=0.01 and OR=0.41, p<0.001, respectively.). In Namibia, unmarried/non-cohabiting men with two or more casual partners had significantly greater odds than married/cohabiting men with casual partners to use condoms consistently (OR=2.80, p<0.01). With some exceptions by country, higher education, religious group, wealth, having no children, knowing HIV results, having an STI, having one lifetime partner, and positive condom knowledge and beliefs also were significantly associated with using a condom every time with any partner. We conclude that consistent condom use remains an elusive goal even among men with casual sexual relationships. Condom use messages should be refined and targeted to men based on their number and types of relationships and combined with other messages to decrease concurrent relationships.
The pneumatic theory of female Warao herbalists.

Abstract Among the Warao Indians of eastern Venezuela herbalism is a nonritualized occupation practiced by women. As a medical practice herbalism complements the ritual occupation of shamanism practiced by men. But whereas Warao herbalism is governed by a theory of supernatural causation of illness mystically brought about by contagion, Warao shamanism is a theory of supernatural causation of illness attributed to spirit aggression and object intrusion. According to herbalist theory, pathogenesis results from odoriferous agents that invade the body regions (head, thorax, abdomen) of the victim. Here they expand in the form of fetid gas, producing clinical symptoms by affecting the organs and the soul of a particular region. Treatment of disease by herbal medicines is allopathic. Upon administration the remedy transforms into an aromatic gas which is denser, hence more powerful, than the noxius gas. This enables the therapeutic air to displace the pathogenic air. A cure is achieved after both gases have left the body, returning the patient to an inodorous state. This study presents physical, cultural and ideational data as they relate to health, disease and herbal medicine among the Warao. The status and role of the female herbalist are described. Warao herbal curers make use of more than 100 plant species from which they prepare 259 remedies. The collecting and processing of materia medica conform to a meticulous protocol which is transmitted from mother to daughter through informal methods of training. Treatment of ‘symptom-oriented’ diseases is effected through the administration of ablutants, ingestants and/or inhalants. While practicing medicine in a nonritual way Warao herbalists are nevertheless directly aligned with the Mother of the Forest. As a personage of the Warao pantheon she is the mistress of the trees and ultimate owner of herbal medicines. Tree people are anthropomorph and the body/tree, people/forest metaphors connote the compatibility of the Warao as potential patients and the ‘forest people’ as providers of medicinal herbs.
The extracellular matrix and the control of proliferation of corneal endothelial and lens epithelial cells.

Abstract When rabbit or bovine corneal endothelial cells were plated at low cell density in the presence of high (10%) concentrations of serum, cells maintained on plastic proliferated slowly and after a few days enlarged considerably. If the cultures were exposed to FGF, the cells proliferated actively and, after a week, a confluent monolayer of closely apposed mononucleated cells was formed. In contrast to cells maintained on plastic, cells maintained on an extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by corneal endothelial cells proliferated even faster than cells maintained on plastic and exposed to FGF and no longer required the presence of FGF to reach confluence. Addition of FGF to such cultures did not decrease the mean doubling time, which was already at a minimum (16 hr), nor did it result in a higher final cell density, which was already at a maximum (700–1000 cells/mm2). It can therefore be concluded that, when the proliferation of corneal endothelial cells from two different species is compared, cells maintained on plastic proliferate poorly and FGF is needed in order for the cultures to become confluent. In contrast, when similar cultures are maintained on ECM, they proliferate actively and no longer require FGF in order to become confluent. Similar results were observed when lens epithelial cells were maintained on plastic versus an ECM. Although cells maintained on plastic hardly proliferated, yielding within a few days a population composed of large and binucleated cells, cells plated on an ECM proliferated actively, with an average doubling time for lens epithelial cells of 15 hr during their logarithmic growth phase. The ability of plasma vs. serum to sustain cell proliferation was analyzed using corneal endothelial cells maintained on plastic versus an ECM. It was observed that cultures maintained on plastic proliferate poorly when exposed to plasma. When exposed to serum they proliferate more actively. Nevertheless, in both cases cultures required the presence of FGF in order to become confluent. When similar cultures were maintained on an ECM, they proliferated equally well regardless of whether they were exposed to plasma or serum and no longer required FGF in order to become confluent. One can therefore conclude that the simple change of substrate from plastic to ECM will restore the sensitivity of these cells to agents present in plasma.
Myth & Reality: Social Mobility of the American Olympic Athletes

As a social institution, sport is one of the most powerful agencies in changing and molding lives of young people. It is especially true in the case of athletes who had the opportunity and fortune ...
Molecular dynamics studies of brittle failure in silica: bond fracture

Abstract Collective atomic motions necessary for bond breakage are detailed during the process of brittle fracture in a molecular dynamics study of silica glass under strain.
Thermally unstable gating of the most common cystic fibrosis mutant channel (ΔF508): 'Rescue' by suppressor mutations in nucleotide binding domain 1 and by constitutive mutations in the cytosolic loops

Most cystic fibrosis (CF) cases are caused by the ΔF508 mutation in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which disrupts both the processing and gating of this chloride channel. The cell surface expression of ΔF508-CFTR can be “rescued” by culturing cells at 26–28 °C and treating cells with small molecule correctors or intragenic suppressor mutations. Here, we determined whether these various rescue protocols induce a ΔF508-CFTR conformation that is thermally stable in excised membrane patches. We also tested the impact of constitutive cytosolic loop mutations that increase ATP-independent channel activity (K978C and K190C/K978C) on ΔF508-CFTR function. Low temperature-rescued ΔF508-CFTR channels irreversibly inactivated with a time constant of 5–6 min when excised patches were warmed from 22 °C to 36.5 °C. A panel of CFTR correctors and potentiators that increased ΔF508-CFTR maturation or channel activity failed to prevent this inactivation. Conversely, three suppressor mutations in the first nucleotide binding domain rescued ΔF508-CFTR maturation and stabilized channel activity at 36.5 °C. The constitutive loop mutations increased ATP-independent activity of low temperature-rescued ΔF508-CFTR but did not enhance protein maturation. Importantly, the ATP-independent activities of these ΔF508-CFTR constructs were stable at 36.5 °C, whereas their ATP-dependent activities were not. Single channel recordings of this thermally stable ATP-independent activity revealed dynamic gating and unitary currents of normal amplitudes. We conclude that: (i) ΔF508-CFTR gating is highly unstable at physiologic temperature; (ii) most rescue protocols do not prevent this thermal instability; and (iii) ATP-independent gating and the pore are spared from ΔF508-induced thermal instability, a finding that may inform alternative treatment strategies.
Human behavior incorporation into ecological computer simulations

The responses of ecological computer simulations are significantly changed by the inclusion of human behavior patterns. Two computer simulations illustrate this principle for internal and external decision making. The Northwest Educational Trawler Simulation (NETS) models the interaction between fish populations, fishing effort, markets, and a fishing community. This simulation includes an internal decision making submodel for changing fishing effort based on observed behaviors of fishermen. NOGERO, a simulation of a mythical coastal fishing culture, uses external decision making where simulation users act as stewards. The patterns of model response vary depending on the attitudes and goals of decision makers. This shows how human behavior interacts with ecosystem dynamics to produce a variety of results.
Microfabrication Inside Capillaries Using Multiphase Laminar Flow Patterning

The reaction of species in solutions flowing laminarly (without turbulent mixing) inside capillaries was used as the basis for a broadly applicable method of microfabrication. In this method, patterning occurs as a result of transport of reactive species to interfaces within the capillary by laminar flow. A wide range of chemistries can be used to generate structures with feature sizes of less than 5 micrometers and with spatial localization to within 5 micrometers. The method is applicable to the patterning of metals, organic polymers, inorganic crystals, and ceramics on the inner walls of preformed capillaries, using both additive and subtractive processes.
Tonic firing of rat nucleus accumbens neurons: changes during the first 2 weeks of daily cocaine self-administration sessions.

Activity of single neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of rats was recorded extracellularly on the 2nd and 15th days of intravenous cocaine self-administration. Each of the two electrophysiological recording sessions consisted of three successive phases: a pre-drug baseline recording period, a cocaine self-administration session, and a post-drug recording period. Firing of individual neurons was typically inhibited during the self-administration session, relative to the pre-drug period. The inhibition was greater on the 15th day relative to the 2nd day. Additionally, firing rates during the pre-drug period and the self-administration session were typically lower on the 15th day as compared to the 2nd day. The present data are consistent with previous acute electrophysiological findings and are in line with the hypothesis that repeated drug self-administration engenders changes in the mesoaccumbens pathway that contribute to drug addiction.
Strehl ratio simulation results under strong turbulence conditions for actively compensated free-space optical communication systems

Current Strehl ratio models for actively compensated free-space optical communications terminals do not accurately predict system performance under strong turbulence conditions as they are based on weak turbulence theory. For evaluation of compensated systems, we present an approach for simulating the Strehl ratio with both low-order (tip/tilt) and higher-order (adaptive optics) correction. Our simulation results are then compared to the published models and their range of turbulence validity is assessed. Finally, we propose a new Strehl ratio model that is valid for general turbulence conditions independent of the degree of compensation.