cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biomechanics and Clinical Application of Translaminar Screws Fixation in Spine: A Review of the Literature.

Study Design:Broad narrative review.Objectives:Translaminar screw (TLS) fixation was first described as a salvage technique for fixation of the axial spine. Better understanding of the spine anatom...
Usability Evaluation of a Voluntary Patient Safety Reporting System: Understanding the Difference between Predicted and Observed Time Values by Retrospective Think-Aloud Protocols

The study evaluated the usability of a voluntary patient safety reporting system using two established methods of cognitive task analysis and retrospective think-aloud protocols. Two usability experts and ten end users were employed in two separated experiments, and predicted and observed task execution times were obtained for comparison purpose. According to the results, mental operations contributed to the major effort in reporting. The significant time differences were identified that pointed out the difficulty in human cognition as users interacted with the system. At last, the data collected by retrospective think-aloud technique, e.g. the response consistency on structured questions and the user’s attitudes, revealed the frequent usability problems impeding completion of a quality report.
Carbonic Anhydrase IX-Targeted Near-Infrared Dye for Fluorescence Imaging of Hypoxic Tumors

Use of tumor-targeted fluorescence dyes to help surgeons identify otherwise undetected tumor nodules, decrease the incidence of cancer-positive margins, and facilitate localization of malignant lymph nodes has demonstrated considerable promise for improving cancer debulking surgery. Unfortunately, the repertoire of available tumor-targeted fluorescent dyes does not permit identification of all cancer types, raising the need to develop additional tumor-specific fluorescent dyes to ensure localization of all malignant lesions during cancer surgeries. By comparing the mRNA levels of the hypoxia-induced plasma membrane protein carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) in 13 major human cancers with the same mRNA levels in corresponding normal tissues, we document that CA IX constitutes a nearly universal marker for the design of tumor-targeted fluorescent dyes. Motivated by this expression profile, we synthesize two new CA IX-targeted near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging agents and characterize their physical and biological properties both in vitro and in vivo. We report that conjugation of either acetazolamide or 6-aminosaccharin (i.e., two CA-IX-specific ligands) to the NIR fluorescent dye, S0456, via an extended phenolic spacer creates a brightly fluorescent dye that binds CA IX with high affinity and allows rapid visualization of hypoxic regions of solid tumors at depths >1 cm beneath a tissue surface. Taken together, these data suggest that a CA IX-targeted NIR dye can constitute a useful addition to a cocktail of tumor-targeted NIR dyes designed to image all human cancers.
Classical and Contemporary Conventional Theories of Social Movements

Social movements are groups of people organizing to bring about—or resist—social change, using, at least in part, non-institutional strategy and tactics (also known as “unconventional politics”). Most social movements have social inequality and injustice as core concerns and mobilize around these issues. Social movements received scant scholarly attention in the United States prior to the 1960s, aside from dismissive, passing treatments. But with the rise in social activism in the 1960s and the resurgence of the conflict perspective, scholars began to give social movements more serious consideration.
Breaking the Silence: a Framework for School Psychologists Working with Students of Undocumented Immigrant Families

Recent action from the White House canceling the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act has increased the fear felt by undocumented families about their security to continue living in the USA. This fear especially affects children, whether they are undocumented or have parents that are undocumented. Beyond the legal ramifications, this is a mental health issue that affects school academic performance and behavior; yet, too often many school staff members prefer to avoid the issue as too sensitive or complex for them to address. As such, it falls within our role as school psychologists to help schools deal with the avoidance that this political development creates. This article discusses the issues that emerge for these dual language learners, as well as best practices in mental health services and the promotion of culturally relevant curriculum and dual language programs in supporting immigrant students to succeed in our schools and society.
Review of seed pelletizing strategies for arid land restoration

Arid lands face numerous restoration challenges due to infrequent and irregular precipitation which impacts plant germination, growth, and survival. Abundant seed predators, harsh surface conditions, and native seeds often poorly suited to mechanical distribution compound restoration challenges. Seed pellets (a.k.a. pods, seed balls, and seed bombs), an aggregation of clay, soil, water, and multiple seeds, have the potential to reduce some of the challenges. However, no formal guidelines based on an aggregated research review exist. Available publications, both peer‐reviewed and any public domain, were reviewed. Of the 24 publications found (some describing multiple tests), seed pellets tested on rangelands had 9 negative effects, 10 neutral effects, and 8 positive effects. Greenhouse testing showed five negative effects, two neutral effects, and four positive effects. Forest systems had three neutral effects and two positive effects. Advantages in mechanical distribution were not well quantified and other effects were lumped together in germination and seedling establishment totals. The use of pelleted seed would benefit from a more mechanistic understanding of the interaction between the pellets and the systemic constraints. As long as the pellets themselves do not greatly reduce germination or establishment, they appear a potentially viable method for improving seed distribution and seeding efficiency, protecting seeds, and adding amendments. While the evidence is far from conclusive, seed pellets may also hold some advantages in increasing germination and establishment.
Nitrogen–Sulfur-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots with Metal Ion-Resistance for Bioimaging

The development of ultrastable and highly fluorescent heteroatoms-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for bioimaging remains a challenge due to the fluorescence quenching caused by binding between t...
Salience of Threat: The Effects of Dissident Violence and Ethnic Diversity on Internal Displacement

What causes the internal displacement of civilians during civil conflicts? In this study, I suggest that the practice of lumping refugees alongside displaced persons fails to uncover the true processes leading to either population. Past scholarship has found a significant relationship between the production of forced migrants and the amount of violence carried out by belligerents during conflict. However, I suggest that the choice to become an internally displaced person rather than a refugee is a reflection of the source of threat faced by potential migrants. More specificially, I find that past dissident violence against civilians is associated with wide-scale internal displacement, while similar violence perpetrated by government actors is not. I also find that while ethnic conflicts are no more likely to produce internal displacement, more ethnically diverse societies are prone to experience higher numbers of internally displaced persons, regardless of the goals of the conflict. Lastly, I find that wars in which dissidents are able to hold and control distinct portions of territory are associated with the onset of internal displacement.
Teaching Physical Education in an Urban Intensive Environment

The purpose of this study was to understand the unique stressors faced by physical educators working in New York City schools. Participants included 34 New York City physical educators who particip...
How Do Interviewers and Respondents Navigate Sexual Identity Questions in a CATI Survey

Accurate measurement of sexual identity is needed in surveys to explore sexual minorities’ unique experiences in health, crime, politics, and education-related outcomes, among others. Previous research on interviewer-administered sexual identity questions (SIQs) has focused on data quality indicators derived from responses (e.g., “Don’t Know” or refusal answers) or has used lab-based cognitive interviews. However, these studies ignore interactional difficulties between interviewers and respondents that may occur prior to negotiating an acceptable answer, and lab studies lack generalizability. In this study, we code behaviors of interviewers and respondents during administration of an SIQ on Work and Leisure Today 2, a nationally representative telephone survey of US adults. We use these behavior codes to examine deviations from a paradigmatic “question asked/answered” interaction between the interviewer and respondent that arise because the SIQ is sensitive and/or confusing. We find evidence that the SIQ is sensitive: some respondents express concerns over the intrusiveness of the SIQ, while interviewers occasionally avoid probing unacceptable answers and sometimes skip administering the SIQ altogether. We also find that indicators of problems with the SIQ’s construction are more prevalent than sensitivity concerns. Respondents express confusion with the words used to categorize sexual identity, and mistake the SIQ’s nominal construction for a yes/no question. Interviewers sometimes deviate from reading the SIQ exactly as worded, perhaps in an attempt to repair the SIQ’s construction. Together, these issues highlight problems with interviewer-administration of an SIQ that may affect accurate classification of sexual identity.
Criteria-based return-to-sport testing is associated with lower recurrence rates following arthroscopic Bankart repair

Hypothesis and background This study aimed to analyze the impact of a criteria-based return-to-sport (CBRTS) testing protocol on recurrent instability following arthroscopic Bankart repair. We hypothesized that patients who underwent an objective CBRTS testing protocol to guide their clearance to return to sports would have less recurrent instability than those who did not undergo testing. Methods Thirty-six consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair from 2016 to 2018, had a minimum of 1 year of follow-up, and completed functional and strength testing to evaluate readiness to return to sports were included in this retrospective case-control study. Patients with critical glenoid bone loss > 13.5%, multidirectional instability, and off-track Hill-Sachs lesions necessitating a remplissage or bone augmentation procedure were excluded from the study. Recurrence was defined as dislocation or subluxation symptoms requiring revision surgery. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and the independent t test. Results There was no difference between the study and control groups regarding age (P = .15), sex (P = .11), hand dominance (P = .56), or participation in contact sports (P = .78). Patients who underwent the CBRTS testing protocol had a reduced rate of recurrent shoulder instability (5% vs. 22%; odds ratio, 4.85; P Conclusion Athletes who underwent an objective CBRTS testing protocol to guide their clearance to return to sports had a lower rate of recurrent instability following arthroscopic Bankart repair than those cleared to return based on the time from surgery. Athletes who did not undergo CBRTS testing after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization had a 4.85 times increased likelihood of recurrent instability development after return to sports.
Exploring Student Perceptions as Co-authors of Course Material

Students acting as co-creators of academic material is growing in popularity as a pedagogical approach in higher education. With student engagement and persistence consistently being emphasized for student and institution well-being, educational praxis must foster engaged, high-retention student cohorts. This exploratory research uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the experience of students participating in a first-year course utilizing OER-enabled Pedagogy. Students considered how projects that were open impacted their perception of course engagement, satisfaction, and overall experience. Participants also evaluated their level of concern in sharing attributed academic work. A plurality of students preferred the project using OERenabled Pedagogy, indicating it increased engagement and skills acquisition. The majority of students were unconcerned about sharing work publicly, even if their names were included. Themes that emerged from interviews included the motivational value of creating work potentially valuable to others, being given agency, and receiving public credit for their efforts.
Genotyping diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease: frontiers in precision medicine

Investigations in recent decades have exploited tissue DNA genotyping as a powerful ancillary tool for the precision diagnosis and subclassification of gestational trophoblastic disease. As lesions of gestational origin, the inherited paternal genome, with or without copy number alterations, is the fundamental molecular basis for the diagnostic applications of DNA genotyping. Genotyping is now considered the gold standard in the confirmation and subtyping of sporadic hydatidiform moles. Although a precise diagnosis of partial mole requires DNA genotyping, prognostic stratification according to distinct genetic zygosity in complete moles has recently gained significant clinical relevance for patient care. Beyond hydatidiform moles, DNA genotyping has fundamental applications in the diagnosis or prognostic assessment of gestational trophoblastic tumors, in particular gestational choriocarcinoma. DNA genotyping provides a decisive tool in the separation of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia from non-gestational counterparts/mimics of either germ cell or somatic origin. The FIGO/WHO prognostic scoring scheme requires ascertaining the precise index gestational event and the time interval between the tumor and index gestation, where DNA genotyping can provide highly relevant information. With rapid acquisition of molecular diagnostic capabilities in the clinical practice, DNA genotyping has become closely integrated into the routine diagnostic workup of various forms of gestational trophoblastic disease.
Fractious Pluralism and Husserl’s European Reason

For the last 30 years, the United States has been rifted by factionalism, especially in academia, in social service organizations and in government, particularly at state and national levels, and, at the more local level, in large cities. These rifts have been caused by “set asides” and by affirmative action and quotas, by racial politics and by the insistence of social groups that their identities be recognized. But the broader issue concerns the assumptions underlying the self-definitions of various social groups. European countries may not yet have seen this kind of factionalism to the same extent and in the same way, but there is no question that the Atlantic countries especially have seen comparable factionalism and, in all likelihood will soon see, in ever noisier form, variations of the United States’ divisiveness. Social fads, after all, travel from West to East, and in this, are borne on the wings of television and other media.
Hepatitis A Virus Pathogenesis and Attenuation

In 1973, Feinstone and coworkers first visualized hepatitis A virus (HAV) in the feces of an individual with acute hepatitis A. HAV was originally classified as enterovirus 72, but subsequent analysis of the sequence of its genome in comparison with newer information about the genomic sequences of other picornaviruses led to its being reclassified in its own genus, Hepatovirus, which it shares with the closely related simian HAVs. The current hypothesis is that viral hepatitis is both caused and cured by the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity of CD8+ lymphocytes infiltrating the virus-infected liver. In general, wild-type strains of HAV recovered from clinical cases of acute hepatitis replicate extremely slowly and to low titer in vitro and inoculated cell cultures may require months of incubation before maximum amounts of virus are produced. Coincident with this adaptation to cell culture, the virus, in some cases, lost its virulence for primates or humans and acquired an attenuation phenotype. As hepatitis A vaccines are based on the immunogenicity of intact virions, an appreciation of the molecular basis for efficient growth in cell culture or of attenuation has been necessary for the development of such vaccines. Live attenuated hepatitis A vaccines also have been developed by isolation and blind serial passage in cells. The most promising candidate vaccines have been grown in primary or continuous monkey kidney cells. However, virtually all primary monkey kidney cells are contaminated with simian viruses and therefore not useful for vaccine propagation.
14q32 translocations are associated with mixed-lineage expression in childhood acute leukemia.

The frequency and characteristics of childhood acute leukemia with a 14q32 translocation [other than the t(8;14)(q24;q32)] were determined in 335 cases of newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 105 cases of acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL). Ten children, representing 2.3% of the entire cohort, had this abnormality (1.5% of ALL patients and 4.8% of ANLL patients). By French-American-British (FAB) criteria, 4 cases were classified as L1, 1 as L2, 2 as M1, 1 as M2, and 2 as M5. Remarkably, mixed-lineage expression was found in 6 of these 10 cases, but in only 21 of the other 430 cases without a 14q32 translocation (P less than .001). Leukemic cells from 5 of these 6 cases (4 ANLL, and 1 ALL) coexpressed CD13, a myeloid-associated antigen, and CD2, a T-cell-associated antigen; blasts from the sixth case (ALL) coexpressed CD13 and CD19, a B-lineage-associated antigen. Thus, in addition to the well-described 11q23 translocations and t(9;22), 14q32 translocations also appear to be associated with mixed lineage antigen expression. Break-points of the reciprocal chromosomes from chromosome 14 were identified in five of these cases: 1q23, 6q23- q25, 7p15, 8q11, and 12q13. Of the four mixed-lineage cases that were tested, none showed rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene. This suggests that the 14q32 breakpoint does not involve the IgH gene and that an unidentified important gene may reside on 14q32.
Regulation of G protein-coupled receptors by receptor kinases and arrestins.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the regulation of G protein-coupled receptors by receptor kinases and arrestins. Signal transduction through seven-transmembrane domain or serpentine receptors, which is mediated by guanine nucleotide-binding (G) proteins, accounts for a significant fraction of all signaling in the body. Heterotrimeric G proteins modulate the activities of multiple effectors, including cyclic GMP (cGMP) phosphodiesterase, adenylyl cyclase, phospholipases C and A 2 , and potassium and calcium ion channels, which alter the levels of second messenger molecules and ultimately lead to a variety of cell-specific events. Absorption of a photon of light by a molecule of rhodopsin residing in the disk membrane of rod outer segments results in the isomerization of the chromophore 11-cis-retinal to the all-trans conformation, yielding the active form of rhodopsin, metarhodopsin II. Two members of the G protein-coupled receptor kinases family appear to be expressed in a limited number of tissues. It is found that rhodopsin kinase is predominantly expressed in the retina, where it localizes to both rod and cones by immunofluorescence, and in the pineal body to a lesser extent.
Soil pipe collapses in a loess pasture of Goodwin Creek watershed, Mississippi: role of soil properties and past land use

Little is known about the association of soil pipe collapse features with soil properties or land use history. Three loess covered catchments in northern Mississippi, USA were characterized to investigate these relationships. Soil pipe collapses were characterized for their size, type feature and spatial location along with soil properties across the three catchments. Although mapped as the same soil, one of the catchments did not contain pipe collapse features while the other two had 29.4 and 15.4 pipe collapses per hectare. These loess soils contained fragipan layers that are suspected of perching water, thereby initiating the piping processes. Pipe collapses associated with subsurface flow paths were not always consistent with surface topography. The surface layer tended to be non-erodible while layers below, even the upper fragipan layers, were susceptible to erosion by pipeflow. Soil properties of the lowest fragipan layer were highly variable but tended to prevent further downward erosion of soil pipes and thus formed a lower boundary for gullies. Middle to lower landscape positions in one of the piped catchments contained anthropic soils that were highly erodible. These anthropic soils were previously gullies that were filled-in in the 1950s when forested areas, assumed to have been established when land was previously converted from crop to forest land, were converted to pasture. Three decades after this land use change from forest to pasture, pipe collapses became evident. In contrast, the adjacent catchment that does not exhibit pipe collapse features experienced severe sheet and rill erosion prior to the 1930s while in cotton production. The surface horizons above the lower fragipan layer were completely removed during this period, thus the top-soil layer that tends to form a bridge above soil pipes in the more erodible subsoil layers was removed. This study showed that knowledge of soil characteristics or topography alone do not explain the distribution of soil pipe collapses as past land use can play a definitive role. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Changing Context of Human Services Administration

In response to economic, political, and other changes in their environment, human service agencies undergo a financial and ideological crisis. This crisis leads to major transitions in the administration of agencies that are expressed by degovernmentalization (the shift to nongovernmental jurisdiction over human services), privatization, and cutback management. This article explores the implications of these transitions for both the delivery and the future character of human services.
New perspectives on using brain imaging to study CNS stimulants.

Abstract While the recent application of brain imaging to study CNS stimulants has offered new insights into the fundamental factors that contribute to their use and abuse, many gaps remain. Brain circuits that mediate pleasure, dependence, craving and relapse are anatomically, neurophysiologically and neurochemically distinct from one another, which has guided the search for correlates of stimulant-seeking and taking behavior. However, unlike other drugs of abuse, metrics for tolerance and physical dependence on stimulants are not obvious. The dopamine theory of stimulant abuse does not sufficiently explain this disorder as serotonergic, GABAergic and glutamagergic circuits are clearly involved in stimulant pharmacology and so tracking the source of the “addictive” processes must adopt a more multimodal, multidisciplinary approach. To this end, both anatomical and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MR spectroscopy (MRS) and positron emission tomography (PET) are complementary and have equally contributed to our understanding of how stimulants affect the brain and behavior. New vistas in this area include nanotechnology approaches to deliver small molecules to receptors and use MRI to resolve receptor dynamics. Anatomical and blood flow imaging has yielded data showing that cognitive enhancers might be useful adjuncts in treating CNS stimulant dependence, while MRS has opened opportunities to examine the brain's readiness to accept treatment as GABA tone normalizes after detoxification. A desired outcome of the above approaches is being able to offer evidence-based rationales for treatment approaches that can be implemented in a more broad geographic area, where access to brain imaging facilities may be limited. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘CNS Stimulants’.
Investigation on the charging process of Li2O2-based air electrodes in Li–O2 batteries with organic carbonate electrolytes

Abstract The charging process of Li 2 O 2 -based air electrodes in Li–O 2 batteries with organic carbonate electrolytes was investigated using in situ gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) to analyze gas evolution. A mixture of Li 2 O 2 /Fe 3 O 4 /Super P carbon/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was used as the starting air electrode material, and 1-M lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) in carbonate-based solvents was used as the electrolyte. We found that Li 2 O 2 was actively reactive to 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and PVDF that were used to prepare the electrode. During the first charging (up to 4.6 V), O 2 was the main component in the gases released. The amount of O 2 measured by GC/MS was consistent with the amount of Li 2 O 2 that decomposed during the electrochemical process as measured by the charge capacity, which is indicative of the good chargeability of Li 2 O 2 . However, after the cell was discharged to 2.0 V in an O 2 atmosphere and then recharged to ∼4.6 V, CO 2 was dominant in the released gases. Further analysis of the discharged air electrodes by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that lithium-containing carbonate species (lithium alkyl carbonates and/or Li 2 CO 3 ) were the main discharge products. Therefore, compatible electrolytes and electrodes, as well as the electrode-preparation procedures, need to be developed for rechargeable Li-air batteries for long term operation.
Lung cancer evolution to preinvasive management.

Cancer screening measures generally are accepted for cervical, breast, and colon cancer. With prostate cancer screening, the practice is used broadly, but the evidence for this approach is not established clearly. The aggregate clinical experience with these screening procedures provides a useful precedent to consider in designing a new approach to lung cancer screening. For instance, formidable logistic issues exist in responsibly evaluating the vast at-risk population for lung cancer. Obvious issues include the needs for cost-economy and precise classification procedures. In the field of cervical cancer screening, recent developments in automated image analysis highlight the potential for improving the precision of diagnosis by moving beyond traditional manual cytomorphologic evaluation. The authors have outlined how the overexpression of hnRNP A2/B1 was associated significantly with the eventual development of lung cancer, as corroborated by several independent studies. In discussing this marker, they reviewed several issues with relevance to the general challenge in using biomarkers as screening tools for lung cancer. The experience with cervical cancer screening informs the development of a cellular diagnostic screening platform for lung cancer. Issues such as optimized cell preparation, reproducibility, and assay precision are fundamental to the success of the platform for lung cancer detection. The recent Institute of Medicine study of health care delivery provides an excellent point of departure in outlining the global infrastructure that will be necessary in the evolution of a prevention-oriented lung cancer care system. The power of early detection in saving lives from cancer is reflected in the fact that more people die from a single cancer without any validated screening tool (i.e., lung cancer) than die from the aggregate of the four other major cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer cases--which all have more established early detection approaches. New technologies may provide an opportunity to engage lung cancer routinely at a fundamentally early stage in its natural history, which may provide an opportunity for clinicians to reconsider what may be the best way to manage lung cancer. Further sustained efforts will be required to define the true value of these new approaches through clinical trials as the specialty moves responsibly to routine preventative care of individuals at risk for lung cancer.
Association of the Type I Regulatory Subunit of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase with Cardiac Myocyte Sarcolemma

Cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles purified from bovine and porcine left ventricles contained approximately 45 pmol of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) regulatory (R) subunit per milligram membrane protein based on [3H]cAMP-binding activity. Less than 26% of this activity was complexed with the catalytic subunit forming the type H holoenzyme of PKA. The remainder was contributed by the free type I R subunit (RI). Purification of sarcolemma with buffers containing 0.15 M NaCl instead of 0.75 M NaCl did not affect the ratio of RI to RII, nor did it increase the total amount of membrane-associated cAMP-binding or kinase activity. Canine, rabbit, and rat heart sarcolemma also contained RI, but in highly varying proportions compared with RII as determined by 8-N3-[32P]cAMP photoaffinity labeling. Analysis of sarcolemmal vesicles from isolated porcine ventricular myocytes demonstrated that this cell type was the source of the membrane-associated RI. The results indicate that sarcolemmal RI must be considered as a factor that could influence the varied responses of the heart to agents that elevate intracellular cAMP.
“I Can't Do it on My Own”: Motivation to Enter Therapy for Depression among Low Income, Second Generation, Latinas

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of 12 low income, second generation, Latinas seeking to enter therapy for depression. Qualitative data collected at the time of a diagnostic interview (SCID) using Motivational Interviewing techniques, included an assessment of the woman's motivation to enter therapy and confidence that she could follow through with treatment. Data were analyzed using Constructivist Grounded Theory and revealed six positive and six painful motivators that catalyzed the women towards treatment amidst complications related to "self" and "time." Despite demanding schedules for taking care of their families, finances, current or estranged partners, and work responsibilities, women were determined to get help for their depression.
Inhibition of complement activation in cardiac surgery.

DOI:€10.1016/j.jtcvs.2005.10.019 J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;131:266-267 Frank W. Sellke and Munir Boodhwani Inhibition of complement activation in cardiac surgery http://jtcs.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/131/2/266 located on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is
Semantics of EqL

The formal semantics of a novel language, called EqL, are presented for first-order functional and Horn logic programming. An EqL program is a set of conditional pattern-directed rules, where the conditions are expressed as a conjunction of equations. The programming paradigm provided by this language may be called equational programming. The declarative semantics of equations is given in terms of their complete set of solutions, and the operational semantics for solving equations is an extension of reduction, called object refinement. The correctness of the operational semantics is established through the soundness and completeness theorems. Examples are given to illustrate the language and its semantics. >
Evidence of explosive seafloor volcanic activity from the Walvis Ridge, South Atlantic Ocean

[1] Hydrophones moored in the North Atlantic Ocean recorded a sequence of explosive, volcano-acoustic signals originated at the Walvis Ridge in the South Atlantic Ocean. 365 explosive signals were detected from the Walvis Ridge beginning 24 November 2001 continuing through March 2002. The largest swarm began on 19 December at 2329 GMT, and lasted 1.25 hrs producing 32 locatable events. Swarm locations are centered on the northern flank of an unnamed seamount (−32.96°S; −5.22°W), northwest of Wust Seamount. These signals are interpreted as volcanogenic explosions due to similarities with acoustic signals recorded from a confirmed submarine eruption in the Caribbean in 2001 (Kick'em Jenny volcano). The observations presented suggest recent magmatic activity along the Walvis Ridge may be unrelated to the Tristan da Cunha mantle plume. Furthermore, these events lend support for an extensional fracture-zone model resulting in the recurrence of volcanic activity along older segments of large-scale sea floor lineaments.
Toward Flapping Wing Control of Micro Air Vehicles

Research into insect-sized flappingwingmicro air vehicles has exploded over the last decade, yetmost of this work has focused on simply achieving flight, while leaving the issue of how to control it to future researchers. Here, previous work in the field of flapping wing control is summarized and each proposed technique is evaluated according to how many body forces and moments it can directly influence on the micro air vehicle and how complicated a wing flapping mechanism is needed to implement it. Though some promising techniques have been proposed, none satisfactorily address all of the design criteria; therefore, a new technique is proposed, biharmonic amplitude andbiasmodulation. This technique is analyzedwith quasi-steady blade-element techniques and shown to provide direct influence over five micro air vehicle body forces and moments in hover while requiring only two actuators. Furthermore, it is applicable to a wing flapping mechanism operating at its resonant frequency, which reduces the energetic cost of control for the micro air vehicle.
Sensing of extracellular Ca2+ by parathyroid and kidney cells: Cloning and characterization of an extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor

The ability of the parathyroid cell to sense minute fluctuations in the extracellular ionized calcium concentration (Ca2+ o) is essential for maintaining mineral ion homeostasis. However, the mechanism(s) through which the parathyroid cell and other cells recognize and respond to changes in Ca2+ o has remained unclear. We recently isolated a cDNA encoding a Ca2+ o-sensing receptor from bovine parathyroid using expression cloning in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The receptor shows pharmacologic properties that are almost identical to those of the receptor on the parathyroid cell and, like the latter, stimulates phospholipase C in a G-protein-dependent manner. The amino acid sequence of the cloned receptor deduced from this cDNA predicts a protein with a molecular mass of 121 kd, which has three principal structural domains. The first is a 613 amino acid, putatively extracellular amino terminus which has several regions rich in acidic amino acids that may potentially be involved in binding Ca2+ and other polycationic agonists. The second comprises seven membrane-spanning segments that are characteristic of the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors, and the third is a 222 amino acid cytoplasmic tail. Transcripts for this Ca2+ o-sensing receptor are present in the parathyroid as well as in the kidney, thyroid, and brain. We next investigated the hypercalcemic disorders, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism, as possible examples of inherited abnormalities in this Ca2+ o-sensing receptor, since both disorders show abnormal Ca2+ o-sensing and/or handling in the kidney and parathyroid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Composition and structure of native oxide on silicon by high resolution analytical electron microscopy

Compositional analysis of thin nanoscale native oxide films formed on {001} silicon wafer surfaces at room temperature was done with an electron energy loss spectrometer coupled to an analytical electron microscope having a field emission source, with better than 4 nm spatial resolution. The electron energy loss spectra show a shift in the threshold onset energy of the Si–L edge of the native oxide from ∼99 eV loss corresponding to pure elemental silicon to ∼105 eV loss, and elemental analysis using the ionization regions of the core loss edges showed the composition to be SiO, within a few percent. Microdiffraction and high resolution electron microscopy (HREM) results showed that the native oxide was completely amorphous, and did not contain detectable nanocrystals. The native oxide can be removed from the Si surface by heating in UHV for a short time at 1000 °C. However, this procedure resulted in the formation of small amounts of a crystalline phase on the Si wafer surface, which was shown to be β-SiC by the same methods.
Lipid Mediated Packing of Transmembrane Helices

The factors that affect packing of Transmembrane (TM) helices are vast. Previous research studying packing focused on the role of direct helical interactions but ignored the role of the membrane. Studies typically rely on a single configuration snapshot (e.g. X-ray crystallographic structure) and address factors that affect only the minimal energy structure such as specific side-chain interactions. In previous work (1) we have showed that the membrane has profound effects on the interactions between proteins. In this work we study the effect of the membrane on the packing of model TM helices and show that closed packing and crossing angle distribution are largely affected by the presence of the lipid surroundings as well as by the helical geometry. We study a vast range of hydrophobic mismatches and show that the role of the membrane is in ensuring a tilted configuration as well as in minimizing the area of disturbed lipids around the helix pair. These driving forces combine together to create a mismatch-specific cross-angle distribution that reproduces the qualitative features of the naturally occurring helical cross-angle distribution. Specific interactions are not essential for obtaining an ensemble of configurations with tightly packed crossed helix pairs. We study those effects using a coarse grained model with Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) (2).(1) FJM de-Meyer, M Venturoli, B Smit; Biophys J, 95 (2008) 1851-1865.(2) FJM de-Meyer, A Benjamini, JM Rodgers, Y Misteli, B Smit; JPC B 114 (2010) 10451-10461.
Identification of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide as products of nitrite reduction by Pseudomonas cytochrome oxidase (nitrite reductase)

Summary Both NO and N2O were identified by GC/MS as gaseous products of nitrite reduction catalyzed by the cytochrome oxidase (nitrite reductase) purified from Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Gas production was inhibited by cyanide. The enzyme also catalyzed the reduction of NO to N2O. No N2 was identified as a consequence of either nitrite or NO reduction.
Computational modeling of device-tissue interface geometries for time-resolved fluorescence in layered tissue

Temporal measurements of fluorescence emitted from biological tissue provide information on biochemistry and morphology which may be useful in identifying neoplasia onset. Depth-selective detection of time-resolved fluorescence may enable enhanced discrimination of signals originating from individual tissue layers and thus improve device efficacy. In this study, we investigate how illumination-collection design parameters influence a device's ability to measure fluorophore lifetime and changes in superficial layer thickness. A two-layer, time-resolved Monte Carlo model of fluorescence light propagation in colonic polyps was used to simulate temporal decay curves. Several normal- and oblique-incidence geometries were investigated. Also, the efficacy of a convolution-based, bi-exponential lifetime calculation is compared to a full-width-half-max decay curve metric. Results indicate that interface design has a significant effect on the accuracy of fluorophore lifetime estimates and the ability to discriminate changes in tissue morphology. This is due to changes in the relative contribution of each tissue layer to the total detected signal.
Using case studies to evaluate students' ability to develop a geriatric interdisciplinary care plan.

ABSTRACT The Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training (GITT) program, an educational intervention funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation of New York City, has trained more than 1800 health care professions students and clinicians throughout the United States. Evaluating the effectiveness of this training intervention has proven to be quite a challenge. Core measures were collected pre-and post-GITT training to evaluate student development as a result of GITT. This paper focuses on one of these core measures, the Test of Geriatric Interdisciplinary Care Planning (TGICP). This instrument, developed for the GITT program, is one mechanism created to test trainees' ability to develop an interdisciplinary plan of care. Using a case study methodology, this two-part instrument provides an innovative approach to quantifying and correlating responses from an interdisciplinary cohort of students. This paper will describe the development of the TGICP, including the creation and validation of the case studies, the...
Special Section Guest Editorial: Guest Editorial: Special Section on Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems

The field of photovoltaics has undergone dramatic growth over the past few years. This growth has been accompanied by two significant changes in the commercial photovoltaic (PV) market. 1.The major PV market has shifted from the residential and commercial building markets to central station utility power markets. With this switch has come a new focus on the long-term reliability and durability of PV modules and systems. If you are installing tens or even hundreds of megawatts of PV modules, it is absolutely necessary to ensure that they will continue to perform adequately throughout their expected lifetime of at least 25 years. 2.Selling prices for PV modules have decreased from more than $4 per watt to less than $1 per watt in the last 5 years. This reduction in selling process has been driven by low-cost production in the developing world. This means that most of today's PV modules are being manufactured by companies that did not exist 10 or, in many cases, even 5 years ago. Yet the modules must carry 25-year warranties and are expected to survive at least that long without having the benefit of long-term field experience.
Determination of whole body magnesium by in vivo neutron activation

Abstract In vivo studies utilizing 28 Mg provide an incomplete description of the effects of endocrine and metabolic factors on Mg homeostasis and conservation since the majority of body Mg does not exchange with the injected radioisotope. Neutron activation analysis has been shown to be a feasible technique for in vivo determinations of total body calcium, sodium, chlorine, iodine, nitrogen and phosphorus in man and animals. The 11 per ent of body Mg which exists as 26 Mg is capable of being transmuted by thermal neutron irradiation to 27 Mg [ 26 Mg( n , γ) 27 Mg], a radionuclide which emits gamma rays at 0·84 and 1·01 MeV with a half-life of 9·5 min. Studies of the thermal neutron beam from the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor indicate a variation in depth flux density of ±4·0 per cent across a rat phantom when it is irradiated rotationally in a specially designed holder apparatus. The induced gamma ray activity from 27 Mg is linearly related to the total Mg content of the rat phantom over the range 50–500 mg. The gamma ray activity is measured with a 25 cm 3 Ge(Li) semiconductor detector and both the 0·84 and the 1·01 MeV emissions are measured. The technique is non-destructive and multiple determinations of whole body Mg in the same rat are possible. Absolute values for body Mg content may be attainable by the use of appropriate phantoms.
Electric-dipole, quadrupole, and magnetic-dipole susceptibilities and shielding factors for closed-shell ions of the He, Ne, Ar, Ni (Cu+), Kr, Pb, and Xe isoelectronic sequences

Abstract Theoretical values of electric and magnetic susceptibilities ( α 1 , α 2 , χ 1 ) and shielding factors ( γ 1 , γ 2 , σ 1 ) calculated in the relativistic random-phase approximation are presented in tabular form for ions with closed 1 s , 2 p , 3 p , 3 d , 4 p , 4 d , and 5 p shells. The table includes all ions in these sequences with nuclear charge up to Z = 56 and a representative selection of ions with 56 Z ⩽ 92.
Interactive salt and sediment evolution: self-consistent quantitative models

Abstract Assessment of the combined evolution of salt and surrounding sediments is one of the major problems in salt-dominated basins. A quantitative approach, guided by observations from seismic and/or well data, is presented. The modeled present-day shape of a salt structure is constrained by an inverse non-linear procedure which determines the parameters controlling the salt shape. The non-linear procedure guarantees the shape to be in close correspondence with the observed present-day salt shape. By introducing time dependence of each of the parameters controlling the salt shape, the procedure permits an assessment of an evolving salt shape with time. By letting sedimentary beds move around the developing salt structure, the influence of the uprising salt on the evolving bed geometries above and around the salt is depicted. As the predicted present-day bed geometries must also be in accord with the observed rim syncline bed geometries, additional constraints are put on the parameters controlling the dynamic evolution of the salt structure. The inverse procedure automatically determines, in a self-consistent way, resolution and sensitivity of all parameters in the quantitative model, and also of the dynamic evolution of both the salt and the surrounding sedimentary formations. The procedure handles symmetric and asymmetric two-dimensional structures as well as symmetric three-dimensional structures. Applications are given to two salt structures in the North Louisiana salt basin. The first structure is a tall diapir with clearly defined rim synclines. By varying the parameters in the non-linear inverse procedure, a consistent reproduction of the observed data is obtained on both sides of the asymmetric diapir. In addition, in the regions where absence of data is greatest, the consistent model provides a measure of the degree, extent and location of allowed salt overhang in order that the observed and predicted salt shapes are in accord. Therefore, the procedure produces a quantified measure of the salt stock stem width to overhang width and the locations of both. The second structure consists of two salt pillows. Here the quantitative model provides a consistent picture of the dynamic shaping of each mound in relation to their common rim syncline. A synthetic case exemplifies the capability of modeling the combined salt-sediment evolution with the constraint that the depositional surfaces through time are horizontal. The modeled self-consistent dynamical evolution then permits a better understanding of evolving stress-strain, thermal focusing and hydrocarbon entrapment to be realized.