cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Museum metabarcoding: A novel method revealing gut helminth communities of small mammals across space and time

Abstract Natural history collections spanning multiple decades provide fundamental historical baselines to measure and understand changing biodiversity. New technologies such as next generation DNA sequencing have considerably increased the potential of museum specimens to address significant questions regarding the impact of environmental changes on host and parasite/pathogen dynamics. We developed a new technique to identify intestinal helminth parasites and applied it to shrews (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) because they are ubiquitous, occupy diverse habitats, and host a diverse and abundant parasite fauna. Notably, we included museum specimens preserved in various ways to explore the efficacy of using metabarcoding analyses that may enable identification of helminth symbiont communities from historical archives. We successfully sequenced the parasite communities (using 12S mtDNA, 16S mtDNA, 28S rDNA) of 23 whole gastrointestinal tracts. All gastrointestinal tracts were obtained from the Museum of Southwestern Biology, USA, and from recent field collections, varying both in time since fixation (ranging from 4 months to 16 years) and preservation method (70% or 95% ethanol stored at room temperature, or flash frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80 °C). Our proof of concept demonstrates the feasibility of applying next generation DNA sequencing techniques to authoritatively identify the parasite/pathogen communities within whole gastrointestinal tracts from museum specimens of varying age and fixation, and the value of future preservation of host-associated whole gastrointestinal tracts in public research archives. This powerful approach facilitates future comparative examinations of the distributions and interactions among multiple associated groups of organisms through time and space.
The association between students mathematic knowledge and factors related to students, parents, and school: A cross-cultural comparison study

Abstract Few studies have examined how factors predict students’ mathematic knowledge/literacy. By using the data from the United States and China from PISA 2012, 11 factors were constructed and used to identify relationships between mathematic knowledge/literacy and factors related to student, parent, and school using a complex samples general linear model. Results revealed that math self-efficacy was the only common factor that positively affected students’ mathematic knowledge/literacy across the two countries. For U.S. students, mathematic knowledge/literacy was also positively affected by math self-concept and negatively affected by perceived peer math norms, math anxiety, and math professional development. However, for Chinese students, mathematic knowledge/literacy was positively affected by student-teacher relationships and student-math teacher ratio and negatively affected by sense of belonging.
Is the unusual near-threshold potential behavior in elastic scattering of weakly-bound nuclei a precision error?

Abstract We present the first example of a rigorous uncertainty quantification on elastic nucleus-nucleus scattering at energies near the Coulomb barrier. Experimental data has been analyzed using an energy-dependent effective optical model potential with physical constraints imposed. We confirm the compatibility of these uncertainties with the well known Coulomb threshold anomaly, explained in terms of a dispersive relation, and contrast our results with previous analyses that suggest otherwise.
Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor: Imaging Pattern of Disease at Presentation.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical, pathologic, and multimodality cross-sectional imaging features of a cohort of 94 patients with desmoplastic small round cell tumor ...
Review of Medical, Socioeconomic, and Systemic Barriers to Transgender Care

Transgender individuals face many barriers to accessing medical care. In this chapter, we review the major barriers to health care faced by transgender patients in three parts: First, issues within health care that encompass gaps in medical education, physician knowledge and competencies, and innovations in medical curricula. Second, socioeconomic considerations of the impact of age, race, and ethnicity on access to care. Lastly, we cover systemic barriers in the form of both state and federal insurance coverage of transgender patients and challenges in data collection. While health disparities in the LGB and transgender population persist, it remains important to identify and target the major barriers, as well as consider future steps to be taken.
Completeness of Electronic Dental Records in a Student Clinic: Retrospective Analysis.

Background: A well-designed, adequately documented, and properly maintained patient record is an important tool for quality assurance and care continuity. Good clinical documentation skills are supposed to be a fundamental part of dental student training. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the completeness of electronic patient records in a student clinic. Methods: Completeness of patient records was assessed using comparative review of validated cases of alveolar osteitis treated between August 2011 and May 2017 in a student clinic at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, USA. Based on a literature review, population-based prevalence of nine most frequently mentioned symptoms, signs, and treatment procedures of alveolar osteitis was identified. Completeness of alveolar osteitis records was assessed by comparison of population-based prevalence and frequency of corresponding items in the student documentation. To obtain all alveolar osteitis cases, we ran a query on the electronic dental record, which included all cases with diagnostic code Z1820 or any variation of the phrases “dry socket” and “alveolar osteitis” in the notes. The resulting records were manually reviewed to definitively confirm alveolar osteitis and to extract all index items. Results: Overall, 296 definitive cases of alveolar osteitis were identified. Only 22% (64/296) of cases contained a diagnostic code. Comparison of the frequency of the nine index categories in the validated alveolar osteitis cases between the student clinic and the population showed the following results: severe pain: 94% (279/296) vs 100% (430/430); bare bone/missing blood clot: 27% (80/296) vs 74% (35/47) to 100% (329/329); malodor: 7% (22/296) vs 33%-50% (18/54); radiating pain to the ear: 8% (24/296) vs 56% (30/54); lymphadenopathy: 1% (3/296) vs 9% (5/54); inflammation: 14% (42/296) vs 50% (27/54); debris: 12% (36/296) vs 87% (47/54); alveolar osteitis site noted: 96% (283/296) vs 100% (430/430; accepted documentation requirement); and anesthesia during debridement: 77% (20/24) vs 100% (430/430; standard of anesthetization prior to debridement). Conclusions: There was a significant discrepancy between the index category frequency in alveolar osteitis cases documented by dental students and in the population (reported in peer-reviewed literature). More attention to clinical documentation skills is warranted in dental student training.
Non-Branded Food Placements in Children's Entertainment Programs: A Content Analysis.

ABSTRACTFood messages transmitted in media are considered to affect children´s eating habits. Depending on the healthiness of the food messages, these food portrayals can be supportive or non-suppo...
Utilization of zeolite as a potential multi-functional proppant for CO2 enhanced shale gas recovery and CO2 sequestration: A molecular simulation study on the competitive adsorption of CH4 and CO2 in zeolite and organic matter

Abstract It is well known that CO2 is one of the most effective enhanced hydrocarbon recovery agents due to its thermodynamic characteristics, and extensive research and pilot studies have been conducted in recent years on how to utilize CO2 for enhanced gas recovery in shales. The common delivery method involves injecting CO2 in its liquid or supercritial form into a shale formation. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to shale gas recovery that uses zeolite as a multi-functional proppant and carrier of adsorbed CO2 to enhance shale gas recovery as well as CO2 sequestration and storage. This process involves complex thermodynamic and transport processes, among which the competitive adsorption behaviors of CO2 and CH4 into organic matter and zeolite is the most critical to the success of the proposed approach. In this paper, we carry out a systematic molecular simulation study to investigate the adsorption behaviors of methane and CO2 into organic matter (kerogen) and silica zeolite (silicalite-1). We use grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations to measure single-component adsorption isotherms and calculate the isosteric heat of adsorption at surface temperature and at elevated temperatures of up to 425 K. Moreover, we simulate the competitive adsorption of binary mixtures of CH4 and CO2 with various compositions and investigate the competition between the two gas components in kerogen and silicalite-1. Both silicalite and kerogen show a stronger affinity for CO2 than for CH4. While the adsorption capacity of kerogen is about two times that of silicalite, the isosteric heat of adsorption demonstrates that the kerogen/CO2 interaction is the strongest among all four single-component adsorption systems. These findings demonstrate the great potential of using zeolite as a proppant and CO2 carrier to displace CH4 in shale organic matter under subsurface conditions. This observation is also validated via a competitive adsorption study, in which kerogen preferentially adsorbs CO2 over CH4 under all conditions and silicalite exhibits weaker CO2/CH4 selectivity, especially when the CO2 fraction is very low in the bulk phase. These results suggest the potential applicability of using zeolite as a proppant and CO2 carrier to enhance shale gas recovery. In reservoir conditions, the CO2 desorbed from zeolite can be favorably adsorbed by kerogen due to the increase in temperature and decrease in pressure; in the meantime, it can displace the adsorbed CH4 to enhance gas production.
Clathrin and clathrin adaptor AP-1 control apical trafficking of megalin in the biosynthetic and recycling routes.

In epithelial cells, clathrin and clathrin adaptors AP-1A and AP-1B control recycling of basolateral receptors, transferrin, and low-density lipoprotein. Now, it is found that clathrin and AP-1 orc...
Oxidation-Sensitive Dextran-Based Polymer with ImprovedProcessability through Stable Boronic Ester Groups

Particulate immunotherapy holds promise to vaccinate or treat a broad array of illnesses, including cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders. The rate of antigen release from nano/microparticles (MPs) can impact both the type and quality of the immune response they elicit. The lysosomes of antigen-presenting cells are highly oxidizing. Thus, an oxidation-sensitive vehicle could enable a significant advancement in effective MP immunotherapy. One promising class of materials being developed toward this end is aryl-boronate-modified dextran polymers. The boronic esters used for oxidation-sensitive materials and sensors are typically made using pinacol (Pin) as a diol. However, Pin-based aryl-boronate-modified polymers are capable of transesterifying with biogenic diols, which can lead to undesirable interactions and poor material properties. To solve this, pinanediol (PD) was used in place of Pin in the synthesis of an aryl-boronate-modified dextran polymer (PDB-Dex), yielding a highly stable bo...
Granulomatous Mastitis: A Rare Case with Sjogren's Syndrome and Complications.

Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a rare benign chronic inflammatory process of the breast in reproductive aged females. Although considered idiopathic in many cases, it has been associated with other conditions. Herein we report a highly complex and interesting case of GM in a young female with Sjogren's syndrome. We also review the literature and discuss challenges pertaining to the management of patients with similar risk factors. According to our knowledge, this is the third case documenting the co-occurrence of GM and Sjogren's syndrome. We focus on the challenges and complications of GM in the context of an autoimmune disease. With evidence from our patient's disease course and support from the literature, we advocate the use of corticosteroids for GM to prevent complications in patients with additional risks factors such as an autoimmune disease.
Catatonia in Down syndrome: systematic approach to diagnosis, treatment and outcome assessment based on a case series of seven patients.

Objective The goal is to expand our knowledge of catatonia occurring in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome (DS) by describing the first prospective, consecutive, well-characterized cohort of seven young people with DS diagnosed with catatonia and treated between 2013 and 2018, and to assess each patient's treatment responses. Longitudinal assessment of each patient's response to treatment is intended to provide clinicians and psychiatrists a firm foundation from which assess treatment efficacy. Study design Young adults with Down syndrome were consecutively enrolled in the study as they were diagnosed with catatonia. A comprehensive data set included medical, laboratory, developmental, demographic, family, social and genetic data, including query into disorders for which individuals with DS are at risk. Catatonia was diagnosed based on an unequivocal history of regression, positive Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and positive response to intravenous lorazepam. Patients' longitudinal progress was monitored using the Catatonia Impact Scale (CIS) developed for this purpose. Results Seven consecutive DS patients, who presented with unequivocal regression were diagnosed with catatonia and treated for 2.7-6 years using standard-of-care therapies; primarily GABA agonist, lorazepam, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and glutamate antagonists (dextromethorphan/quinidine, memantine, minocycline). Responses to each treatment modality were assessed at clinic visits and through weekly electronic CIS reports. Conclusion Seven young adults with DS were diagnosed with catatonia; all responded to Lorazepam and/or ECT therapy with good to very good results. Though ECT most dramatically returned patients to baseline, symptoms often returned requiring additional ECT. Dextromethorphan/quinidine, not used until mid-2017, appeared to reduce the reoccurrence of symptoms following ECT. Though all seven patients improved significantly, each continues to require some form of treatment to maintain a good level of functioning. Findings of a significant number of autoimmune disorders and laboratory markers of immune activation in this population may guide new diagnostic and treatment opportunities.
Investigating school children’s behavioral and emotional problems using pediatric symptoms checklist-17 in a structural equation modeling framework:

The Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 was originally used in primary care settings with parents to identify their children’s behavioral and emotional problems, but there has been some research support...
A Critical Review of the Urban Institute Model of Financing Long-Term Services and Supports

Since the demise of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) insurance program in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) covering long-term care and since the majority report of the 2013 Commission on Long-Term Care, which did not endorse a new social insurance program, some advocates and analysts have been looking for other means to encourage policymakers to create a mandatory, tax-based social insurance program to finance long-term care. These advocates and analysts will find some comfort in the Urban Institute scoring model, which shows that the cost of such a program is surprisingly low. But a closer examination of the assumptions and methodology of the Urban Institute model reveals many sources leading to a significant underestimate of the cost. In particular, compared with the mainstream professional literature, Congressional Budget Office and Social Security Trustees models, and actuarial pricing, the Urban Institute assumes that the elderly (above age 65) population is healthier, experiences lower incidence and duration of disability, and gets significantly more unpaid care, both currently and, especially, projected into the future. The model also suffers from a policy biasit is set up to consider only major federal programs, not the creation of varied incentives to encourage retired households to get private insurance and asset holdings to cover the long-term-care risk.
A System of Systems Approach to Optimize a Realtime Risk Situational Awareness System

In 2017, about 37,151 fatalities resulted from motor vehicle traffic crashes. Crashes cost the U.S. over $ 800 billion annually in lives lost or injured, lost productivity, and property damage. Many interventions have been adopted to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. A real-time crash intervention can estimate the chance of crash occurrence and analyze risk factors of live video streams captured by the onboard camera of a vehicle, so as to notify the driver to take the appropriate response. This application paper is aimed to improve the prediction to achieve an optimal system by integrating existing risk factors, the algorithms to identify and analyze risk factors result in visualization, etc. Existing systems are integrated into a System of Systems (SoS), the overall objective of which is to maximize the Key Performance Attributes (KPA): Performance of the SoS predicted Time, Performance of the SoS predicted Decision, Affordability, Scalability and Adaptability. The meta-architecture is structured as a chromosome assessed and selected with the non gradient optimization approach based on the simple genetic algorithm integrated with a Fuzzy Inference System.
Accurate Electromagnetic Field and Optical Force Calculations for Metallic Nanoparticles

Computation of the scattered electromagnetic fields from and optical forces on metallic nanoparticles depend on their dipole moments. We show that an extensively-used volume correction based on skin depth for calculating dipole moments is inaccurate.
Political geography 1: Extractions:

This progress report incorporates the concept of extraction as an umbrella term for political and geopolitical analyses of the spaces, sites, settings, and scales of power, authority, influence, an...
Financial toxicity in gynecologic cancer survivors and its impact on quality of life.

53Background: Financial toxicity (FT) is a critical concern for cancer survivors. There is limited data about the relationship between FT throughout the continuum of cancer care, demographics, dise...
Academic Integrity At Mason: Best Practices, What To Avoid, And Tips For Submitting Referrals

Location: Dewberry Hall Abstract: During the 2018-2019 Academic Year 626 students were referred to the Office of Academic Integrity for violations of the Honor Code. Several approaches are being utilized to deter students from engaging in academic misconduct, but there are also steps that faculty can take to prevent integrity violations. Additionally, there are some key points faculty should know in order to submit a strong referral. This presentation is designed to provide some tips as well as information on reporting structures at Mason. More information on the Honor Code and Academic Integrity at Mason can be found at our website oai.gmu.edu.
Drug-Induced Torsade de Pointes. Role of Genetic Factors

Inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an uncommon cardiac electrophysiologic abnormality that predisposes to a malignant polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia, commonly known as Torsade de Pointes (TdP) [1]. Mutations in several cardiac ion channels genes have been identified that cause the hereditary LQTS/TdP [2]. During the past several years, a number of approved and marketed drugs, both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular agents, have been associated with QT interval prolongation, TdP, and sudden cardiac death [3]. Several of these drug have been removed from the market or have had restrictive labeling. This has caused significant concern among the regulatory agencies, the pharmateutical industry, the medical profession, and the public. The mechanism of drug-induced LQTS/TdP are not fully understood. It has been suggested that a fruste of the congential LQTS may play key role in the required LQTS/TdP. A better understanding of the factors involved in drug-included LQTS/TdP will help to implement effective preventive and therapeutic measures.
Shear Strength of Reinforced Concrete Beams

Rational interaction equations for failure of plain concrete developed on basis of Mohr's failure theory; strength of concrete in direct compression and in direct tension must be known; latter determined from modulus of rupture; calculation of shear strength without and with web reinforcement; tests cited show satisfactory agreement. (37 refs.)
Dynamic programming, the Fermat principle and the eikonal equation revisited

We derive the eikonal equation using the technique of dynamic programming. The formalism of dynamic programming is based on the procedure defining the minimum pathway, and an immediate application of the Fermat principle leads to the well-known eikonal equation of classical geometrical optics.
E.coli Fis protein activates ribosomal RNA transcription in vitro and in vivo.

An upstream activation region (UAR) contributes to the extremely high activity of the Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA promoter, rrnB P1, increasing its activity 20- to 30-fold over that of the same promoter lacking the UAR. We have used DNase footprinting to define three specific sites in the rrnB P1 UAR that bind Fis, a protein identified previously by its role in recombinational enhancer function in other systems. We find that purified Fis activates transcription from promoters containing these sites 10- to 20-fold in vitro at concentrations correlating with the filling of these sites. Three approaches indicate that Fis contributes to the function of the UAR in vivo. First, there is a progressive loss in the activity of rrnB P1-lacZ fusions as Fis binding sites are deleted. Second, an rrnB P1 promoter with a mutation in a Fis binding site has 5-fold reduced transcription activity in vivo, dramatically reduced Fis binding in vitro, and shows no Fis dependent transcription activation in vitro. Third, upstream activation is reduced 5-fold in a Fis- strain. We show that rRNA promoters derepress in response to the loss of Fis in vivo in accord with the predictions of the negative feedback model for rRNA regulation. We find that fis is not essential for the function of two control systems known to regulate rRNA, growth rate dependent control and stringent control. On the basis of these results, we propose roles for Fis and the upstream activation system in rRNA synthesis.
Simple, Scientific Syntheses with Common Catalyst Precursors

Abstract We have developed the impregnation strategy of “strong electrostatic adsorption” (SEA) which can yield ultra-small metal particles with a simple impregnation process. The key is to perform the impregnation at the pH which maximizes electrostatic interactions between the substrate and the adsorbing metal complex. The overarching hypothesis of the SEA approach is that the high dispersion of strongly adsorbed precursors can be retained as the metal is reduced. The steps of the SEA approach for any particular metal/support system are a) the measurement of support PZC (which determines the type of metal ion and pH range to employ), b) uptake – pH surveys to determine the pH of strongest interaction, and c) after adsorbing the metal complex at the optimal final pH, tuning the reduction treatment to preserve high dispersion. This approach can be employed at low or high pH over many supports, utilizing common catalyst precursors. The production of small particles by SEA will be demonstrated for cationic metal (Pt, Cu, Ru, Co, etc.) ammines on silica, anionic metal chlorides on alumina, and both types of precursors on carbon. The electrostatic mechanism will also be demonstrated for the selective partitioning of a metal onto a mixed oxide surface, such as a promoted or bound catalyst support, and for the production of bimetallics particles when one metal can exist as an oxide in a preliminary state.
Complex Numbers and Curves

The fundamental theorem of algebra—that a polynomial of degree k has exactly k complex roots—enables us to get the “right” number of intersections between a curve of degree m and a curve of degree n. However, it is not enough to introduce complex coordinates: getting the right count of intersections also requires us to adjust our viewpoint in two other ways. 1. We must count intersections according to their multiplicity, which amounts to counting a root x = r of a polynomial equation p(x) = 0 as many times as the factor (x - r) occurs in p(x). 2. We must view curves projectively, so that intersections at infinity are included. For these reasons, and others, algebraic geometry moved to the setting of complex projective space in the 19th century. In this chapter we see how this viewpoint affects our picture of algebraic curves. The simplest such curve is the complex projective line, which turns out to look like a sphere. Other algebraic curves also look like surfaces, but they can be more complicated than the sphere. It was discovered by Riemann that rational curves (curves that can be parameterized by rational functions) are essentially the same as the sphere, but nonrational curves have “holes” and hence are essentially different. This discovery reveals the role of topology in the study of algebraic curves.
Palliative Care: A Core Competency for Stroke Neurologists

The past 2 decades have seen remarkable advances in our abilities to treat and prevent stroke. Better vascular risk factor control has led to a decrease in stroke incidence by 50% since the early 90s.1 Improvements in acute stroke care, especially at specialized centers, have led to a decline in overall stroke mortality. Over the past decade, stroke death rate in the United States decreased by one third, and stroke has moved from the third to the fifth leading cause of mortality.2 If a patient with an acute ischemic stroke presents early enough to the hospital, systems should be in place to appropriately administer tissue-type plasminogen activator within less than an hour of arrival, thereby often doubling their chances of achieving future independence.3,4 Some patients may continue on to the angio-suite for mechanical clot retrieval; those who do are twice more likely to be independent at 3 months.5–7 Despite these remarkable advances, only around 5% to 7% of patients with acute ischemic stroke receive tissue-type plasminogen activator.8,9 Mechanical thrombectomy is reserved for an even smaller proportion. Although community education may increase the proportion of patients calling for help sooner10 and mobile CT scanners and prehospital treatment may shorten the time and increase the proportion of patients receiving tissue-type plasminogen activator,11 for most patients, stroke remains disabling and often deadly. For these reasons, palliative care remains an important part of the stroke care that we deliver, especially for patients with severe stroke. Here we provide a contemporary review of the literature and offer some recommendations on how stroke providers may integrate palliative care into the care of their patients with severe ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, focusing on early interactions. Stroke palliative care is fundamental to high-quality stroke care …
Sensitivity of ERG components from dark-adapted goldfish retinas treated with APB.

Abstract The electroretinogram (ERG) of the dark-adapted goldfish was examined before and after intravitreal injection of DL -2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB). APB abolished the b-wave and decreased absolute sensitivity of the remaining waveform, which was composed of a vitreal-negative component followed by a vitreal-positive component. The sensitivity, time course and amplitude of these components differed from ERGs obtained from animals treated with sodium aspartate. Spectral sensitivity of both post-APB components closely resembled that of the normal dark-adapted b-wave. The results suggest that APB does not act selectively on any particular class of photoreceptors or photoreceptor pathways in the dark-adapted goldfish retina.
Properties of Lead-Indium Alloys. II. Specific Heat

Specific-heat measurements have been made on a series of lead-indium alloys containing from 0 to 60 at.% indium. For each sample the data yield precise (within 1%) values for both the normal-state electronic specific-heat coefficient $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and the Debye temperature ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{D}$. In addition, though with less precision, both the bulk thermodynamic critical field ${H}_{c}(0)$ and the first generalized Ginsburg-Landau parameter ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{1}$ have been obtained. These results, together with those previously obtained for the magnetic properties of the same system, provide a set of comprehensive data for bulk thermal and magnetic properties of Pb-In alloys. The data are examined in order to established to what extent strong-coupling and electronic structure effects may need to be incorporated into existing theoretical treatments. A combination of both effects is found to provide a quantitative explanation of the electronic specific-heat changes observed on alloying.
Serum lactate dehydrogenase and platelet count predict survival in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

A significant number (some 20%) of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura do not respond to standard therapy and die. We reasoned that early identification of those who are likely to fail standard therapy would allow the rational introduction of other treatment modalities. To this end we prospectively evaluated 27 consecutive patients, examining serum LDH levels and platelet counts as markers of disease activity and as predictors of outcome. All patients were treated, according to a written protocol, with high volume plasma exchange (35 ml/kg), prednisone, aspirin, and persantine. Twenty-one of the 27 patients (78%) are alive following therapy. Initial LDH and platelet values did not distinguish between the survivors and nonsurvivors. However, by day 3 of therapy both LDH levels and platelet counts differed significantly between the two groups. Mean day 3 LDH level for survivors was 364 units/L, and for nonsurvivors, 891 units/L (P < 0.005). Mean day 3 platelet count for survivors was 119,000/microL, and for nonsurvivors, 46,000/microL (P < 0.005). Receiver Operator Characteristic curves were constructed and assessed by calculating the area under the curve. This analysis showed that LDH is able to discriminate survivorship one day earlier than platelet count. Both LDH level and platelet count are excellent predictors of survival, under standard therapy, after 3 days of treatment. Early identification of those at greatest risk will facilitate the early institution and evaluation of alternative methods of treatment, such as splenectomy, intravenous Ig, or Vincristine.
Long-Term Epidemiology of Infections with Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was monitored in a large prepaid medical-care group in Seattle, Washington, between 1963 and 1975. The disease was diagnosed by isolation of M. pneumoniae and/or significant rises in titer of complement-fixing (antilipid) antibody in paired sera. Infection was endemic without significant seasonal fluctuations. Two epidemics occurred: the first peaked in January 1967, the second late in the summer of 1974. Total rates of pneumonia infection in children increased during M. pneumoniae epidemics, but epidemics of infection with respiratory syncytial virus had a greater effect. Age-specific attack rates for M. pneumoniae pneumonia among children aged five to nine years (about six per 1,000) were about twice the rates for younger children and four times those for adults. Serologic study of healthy schoolchildren showed annual rates of infection that paralleled but greatly exceeded rates of recognized M. pneumoniae pneumonia. Infection rates varied from 2% in endemic years to 35% in epidemic periods. A higher proportion of infections among children aged five to nine years than among adolescents aged 15-19 years resulted in pneumonia.
The principle of “least” action in non-linear and/or non-conservative oscillations

This paper presents the general variable time-end points form of the (Maupertuis-Euler-Lagrange) Principle of “Least” Action for non-conservative (but holonomic) systems, and some of its applications to the approximate calculation of vibratory motions (amplitudes and frequencies) of non-linear and/or non-conservative oscillators. Specifically, the following four autonomous and non-linear problems are presented: (i) the cubic pendulum (soft Duffing case); (ii) van der Pol oscillator with an additional small non-linear elastic term; (iii) a two degree-of-freedom coupled and conservative mass-spring system, and (iv) a coupled pair of van der Pol oscillators.
Habit reversal in the turtle

Abstract Two groups of mature “painted” turtles were trained in a T-maze. One group had five trials per day, with correct and incorrect turns reversed for each animal whenever it reached the criterion of five errorless trials on a given day. The second group had 10 trials per day, with correct and incorrect turns reversed daily, irrespective of the performance of the animals. Only in the data for the second group did there appear some indication of progressive improvement in habit reversal. The results are considered in relation to those obtained in analogous experiments with other species.
Quantum mechanics: a new tool for engineering thermodynamics

Computational quantum mechanics is leading to new, theoretically based methods for the prediction of thermodynamic properties and phase behavior of interest to engineers. Three such methods we have been working on are reviewed here. In the most direct and computational intensive form, computational quantum mechanics is used to obtain information on the multidimensional potential energy surface between molecules, which is then used in computer simulation to predict thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria. At present, this method is limited to the study of small molecules due to the computational resources available. The second method is much less computationally intensive and provides a way to improve group-contribution methods by introducing corrections based on the charge and dipole moment of each functional group that is unique to the molecule in which it appears. The final method we consider is based on the polarizable continuum model, in which the free energy of transferring a molecule from an ideal gas to a liquid solution is computed, leading directly to values of activity coefficients and phase equilibrium calculations.
Plasticizers for rubbers and resins

The mechanism of plasticizer action has been discussed for linear, slightly and highly crosslinked polymers. The important factors considered are the flexibility of the polymer chain, the polar interaction of groups along the chain, the masking of these interactions by plasticizer molecules, and the importance of the relative shape of polymer unit and plasticizer in the effectiveness of separating the chains. For nonpolar polymers, without secondary valence cross links, the plasticization is largely an entropy effect since no secondary valence bonds are broken or formed.
La2CuO4+δ: A superconducting superoxide

Abstract Recent experimental studies at Sandia National Laboratories have shown that high pressures oxygen enrichment (3kbar at 875K) of La2CuO4 transforms this semiconducting cermaic material into a bulk superconductor with a Tc ≈ 30K. A variety of analytical probes of the enriched material, La2CuO4+δ, indicate that (1) δ is greater than zero in the superconducting phase; (2) the La:Cu ration is 2.00 ± 0.04; and (3) the charge differential introduced by oxygen-enrichment and measured by an iodimetric technique is less than 50% of the number of extra oxygen atoms introduced. These observations coupled with steric considerations led to the proposal that the extra oxygen responsible for the superoxide phase is present as interstitial superoxide (O2−) ions. Recent X-ray photoemission spectroscopic data in support of this hypothesis are presented in this paper and alternate models are evaluated.
A simple heuristic for valuing certain perpetual American-type securities

We present a simple, purely probabilistic method for valuing certain perpetual (i.e., with no expiration) derivative securities which may be exercised at the holder's option.
The exposure vessel as a factor in ultrasonically-induced mammalian cell lysis—II. An explanation of the need to rotate exposure tubes

This paper is an attempt to explain the need to rotate a polystyrene tube containing a cell suspension in order to obtain cell lysis. Calculations, based on known physical laws, were performed in order to determine the important forces on cells and bubbles and the movements and interactions which these forces are likely to cause. These calculations support the following conclusions: (1) in the absence of rotation, cells and bubbles larger than resonance size are trapped at pressure minima while bubbles smaller than resonance size are trapped at pressure maxima, (2) at 1 W/cm2 with rotation, lysis is caused by cells sweeping through arrays of trapped small bubbles, (3) at higher intensities lysis is caused by both trapped and non-trapped small bubbles.
Lack of efficacy of nafazatrom, a novel anti-thrombotic compound, in patients with coronary artery disease.

Abstract Nafazatrom (Bay G 6575) is a novel antithrombotic compound, which acts by stimulation of prostacyclin as well as by inhibition of lipoxygenase enzymes. To determine its effects on exercise performance in coronary artery disease patients, a double-blind study was conducted. Twenty patients with coronary artery disease underwent an exercise stress test before and 2 hours after administration of placebo or nafazatrom (1.2 gm). Before the drug administration, there was evidence of enhanced platelet activity, as reflected by elevated resting plasma beta thromboglobulin and thromboxane B 2 concentrations. Plasma 6-keto-PGF 1α levels were undetectable in most patients. All coagulation tests were in the normal range. None of these parameters changed with exercise. Administration of placebo or nafazatrom before the exercise stress test did not significantly influence any of the coagulation or platelet function parameters or plasma concentrations of thromboxane B 2 and 6-keto-PGF 2α . This lack of effect was evident both at rest and upon exercise. Compared to placebo, nafazatrom did not significantly increase exercise tolerance time or exercise-induced symptoms. In conclusion, nafazatrom did not influence exercise performance in patients with coronary disease.
Active Site-independent Recognition of Substrates and Product by Bovine Prothrombinase A FLUORESCENCE RESONANCE ENERGY TRANSFER STUDY

The conversion of prothrombin to thrombin is catalyzed by prothrombinase, an enzyme complex composed of the serine proteinase factor Xa and a cofactor protein, factor Va, assembled on membranes. Kinetic studies indicate that interactions with extended macromolecular recognition sites (exosites) rather than the active site of prothrombinase are the principal determinants of binding affinity for substrate or product. We now provide a model-independent evaluation of such ideas by physical studies of the interaction of substrate derivatives and product with prothrombinase. The enzyme complex was assembled using Xa modified with a fluorescent peptidyl chloromethyl ketone to irreversibly occlude the active site. Binding was inferred by prethrombin 2-dependent perturbations in the fluorescence of Oregon Green488 at the active site of prothrombinase. Active site-independent binding was also unequivocally established by fluorescence resonance energy transfer between 2,6-dansyl tethered to the active site of Xa and eosin tethered to the active sites of either thrombin or meizothrombin des fragment 1. Comparable interprobe distances obtained from these measurements suggest that substrate and product interact equivalently with the enzyme. Competition established the ability of a range of substrate or product derivatives to bind in a mutually exclusive fashion to prothrombinase. Equilibrium dissociation constants obtained for the active site-independent binding of prothrombin, prethrombin 2, meizothrombin des fragment 1 and thrombin to prothrombinase were comparable with their affinities inferred from kinetic studies using active enzyme. Our findings directly establish that binding affinity is principally determined by the exosite-mediated interaction of either the substrate, both possible intermediates, or product with prothrombinase. A single type of exosite binding interaction evidently drives affinity and binding specificity through the stepwise reactions necessary for the two cleavage reactions of prothrombin activation and product release.
Community organizations and sense of community: further development in theory and measurement

The Community Organization Sense of Community Scale (COSOC) is a frequently used or cited measure of the construct in community psychology and other disciplines, despite a lack of confirmation of its underlying 4-factor framework. Two studies were conducted to test the hypothesized structure of the COSOC, the potential effects of method bias on psychometric properties, and whether a revised measure (COSOC-R) yielded improved model-to-data fit. Study 1 included year 2002 data from two samples: (a) randomly selected community residents (n=724) of five cities in the United States, and (b) randomly selected organizational members (n=508) of community-organizing initiatives in the same five US cities. Study 2 included year 2006 data from organizational members (n=151) of community-based prevention partnerships located in the midwestern United States. Results from both samples in Study 1 confirmed that method bias from the mixed use of positively and negatively worded items had a detrimental effect on the factor structure of the original COSOC. Results of Study 2 strongly supported the hypothesized 4-factor structure of the COSOC-R (i.e., relationship to organization, organization as mediator, influence of the organization, and bond to community). Study 2 results also showed that the overall COSOC-R and its subscales were reliable and related in expected ways with psychological empowerment, community participation, and organizational involvement. Implications of the study and strategies to further develop the COSOC are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Leadership selection, internal promotion, and bureaucratic corruption in less developed polities

The establishment of a professional government bureaucracy in place of political appointees is an important component of an enabling environment for private enterprise. I show that internal promotion can help to bring to power individuals who highly value (relative to income) imposition of their preferences over collective goods on the public. Such individuals restrain the corruption of their subordinates as a byproduct of their efforts to implement their preferences using tax revenue. As a result, large-scale and petty corruption tend to move together and both tend to be lower the longer the practice of internal promotion has been in place. JEL Classification: D73 Selection des leaders, promotion interne, et corruption bureaucratique dans les pays en voie de developpement. La mise en place d'une bureaucratie gouvernementale professionnelle pour remplacer les nominations politiques constitue un element important pour creer un environnement porteur pour l'entreprise privee. On montre que la promotion interne peut aider a porter au pouvoir des personnes qui valorisent beaucoup la possibilite d'imposer au public leurs preferences quant aux biens collectifs (par opposition a la simple recherche de revenus personnels accrus). De telles personnes vont limiter la corruption de leurs subordonnes en cherchant a imposer leurs preferences dans l'usage des rentrees fiscales. En consequence, la grande et la petite corruption tendent aetre co-reliees, et toutes deux tendent a decroitre a proportion que l'on pratique la promotion interne.
THE NATIONAL PATTERN OF AIRBORNE TOXIC RELEASES

Incident-specific data reveal the spatial patterns of two major classes of acute toxic airborne releases in the United States (1982–86): rural agricultural and urban industrial. Rural (primarily truck transport) incidents dominate the distribution in the western US, while rail incidents and fixed site incidents dominate in the east. Using a combination of cartographic and statistical analyses, risk and mitigation measures were calculated to identify high-hazard and low-hazard states. Risk factors, primarily numbers of chemical firms and rail miles per state, best predict the frequency of incidents and their resulting spatial pattern.
Decoding semantic information from human electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals

This study examined the feasibility of decoding semantic information from human cortical activity. Four human subjects undergoing presurgical brain mapping and seizure foci localization participated in this study. Electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals were recorded while the subjects performed simple language tasks involving semantic information processing, such as a picture naming task where subjects named pictures of objects belonging to different semantic categories. Robust high-gamma band (60–120Hz) activation was observed at the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG) and the posterior portion of the superior temporal gyrus (pSTG) with a temporal sequence corresponding to speech production and perception. Furthermore, Gaussian Naive Bayes and Support Vector Machine classifiers, two commonly used machine learning algorithms for pattern recognition, were able to predict the semantic category of an object using cortical activity captured by ECoG electrodes covering the frontal, temporal and parietal cortices. These findings have implications for both basic neuroscience research and development of semantic-based brain-computer interface systems (BCI) that can help individuals with severe motor or communication disorders to express their intention and thoughts.
Failure to block opiate effects of oral etonitazene with naltrexone during 24-h choice testing

Thirty rats were given access to 5-μg/ml etonitazene and 0.1-mg/ml quinine solutions during 12 days of 24-h choice testing with a single daily 3-mg/kg naltrexone injection (Group N-CT), two 3-mg/kg naltrexone injections per day (Group 2N-CT), or a single daily vehicle (1-ml/kg saline) injection (Group Sal-CT). Control groups received either the daily naltrexone treatment or saline, and were provided with only water. Both naltrexone groups receiving choice tests displayed signs of precipitated withdrawal upon naltrexone administration. When drug solutions were replaced with water and intraperitoneal injections were terminated, spontaneous withdrawal was displayed by all three choice test groups. The results clearly demonstrate that naltrexone does not block the pharamacological properties of etonitazene in a 24-h choice test paradigm. Thus, procedures for separating taste factors from pharmacological properties of etonitazene with choice testing must employ limited access to the opiate.