cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of a Multiplexed Analyte Biosensor using Digital Barcoded Particles and Impedance Spectroscopy

Multiplexing allows quantifying multiple analytes in a single step, providing advantages over individual testing through shorter processing time, lower sample volume, and reduced cost per test. Currently, flow cytometry is the gold standard for biomedical multiplexing, but requires technical training, extensive data processing, and expensive operational and capital costs. To solve this challenge, we designed digital barcoded particles and a microfluidic architecture for multiplexed analyte quantification. In this work, we simulate and model non-fluorescence-based microfluidic impedance detection with a single excitation and detection scheme using barcoded polymer microparticles. Our barcoded particles can be designed with specific coding regions and generate numerous distinct patterns enabling digital barcoding. We found that signals based on adhered microsphere position and relative orientation were evaluated and separated based on their associated electrical signatures and had a 7 µm microsphere limit of detection. Our proposed microfluidic system can enumerate micron-sized spheres in a single assay using barcoded particles of various configurations. As representation of blood cells, the microsphere concentrations may provide useful information on disease onset and progression. Such sensors may be used for diagnostic and management of common critical care diseases like sepsis, acute kidney injury, urinary tract infections, and HIV/AIDS.
Chromatin Regulator, CHD1, Remodels the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in PTEN-Deficient Prostate Cancer.

Genetic inactivation of PTEN is common in prostate cancer and correlates with poorer prognosis. We previously identified CHD1 as an essential gene in PTEN-deficient cancer cells. Here, we sought definitive in vivo genetic evidence for, and mechanistic understanding of, the essential role of CHD1 in PTEN-deficient prostate cancer. In Pten and Pten/Smad4 genetically engineered mouse models, prostate-specific deletion of Chd1 resulted in markedly delayed tumor progression and prolonged survival. Chd1 deletion was associated with profound tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling characterized by reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and increased CD8+ T cells. Further analysis identified IL6 as a key transcriptional target of CHD1, which plays a major role in recruitment of immunosuppressive MDSCs. Given the prominent role of MDSCs in suppressing responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), our genetic and tumor biological findings support combined testing of anti-IL6 and ICI therapies, specifically in PTEN-deficient prostate cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: We demonstrate a critical role of CHD1 in MDSC recruitment and discover CHD1/IL6 as a major regulator of the immunosuppressive TME of PTEN-deficient prostate cancer. Pharmacologic inhibition of IL6 in combination with immune checkpoint blockade elicits robust antitumor responses in prostate cancer.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1241.
EMG, MEP, and SSEP in the Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring of Lumbar Surgeries (P3.7-009)

Objective: To assess EMG, SSEP, and MEP changes in monitoring for neural damage during lumbar surgeries. Background: Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (IONM) is used to assess for and reverse damage during surgeries that place the nervous system at risk. Lumbar surgeries are done to address progressive spinal lesions or instability of the spinal column. Deficits occur when neural structures are damaged, for example, when local perfusion changes cause cord ischemia, or pedicle screws breach the spinal canal, or spinal correction mechanically strains the cord or roots. Postoperative weakness or numbness can result. Design/Methods: A retrospective review of 100 lumbar surgical cases from August 2017 to July 2018 was performed via electronic medical records review of IONM reports, and pre- and post-operative exams. All included free running electromyography (EMG), 98 included transcranial motor evoked potentials (MEPs), and 32 included somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs). Results: IONM changes occurred in 7 cases: 6 involving EMG changes, 4 involving MEP changes, and 1 involving an SSEP change. Four had changes in multiple modalities. Two patients experienced new postoperative deficits, one of which experienced both EMG and MEP changes. The other involved no IONM changes, but rather, worsening of preoperative deficits in the setting of an expanding spinal epidural abscess causing cord compression. Some “false positives” may have resulted in postoperative deficits if not for interventions taken as a result of the IONM changes. For example, the only SSEP change occurred with an MEP change, both in the right arm, due to an unintended change in arm positioning, and resolved by repositioning the arm. Conclusions: EMG and MEP can be useful in monitoring for neural damage in lumbar surgeries. The only SSEP change occurred alongside an MEP change. Some “false positives” may be due to interventions done as a result of IONM changes to prevent postoperative deficits. Disclosure: Dr. Nguyen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Atikilt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cho has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Le has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lopez has nothing to disclose.
Ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis. Methods 51 cases of 69 mass with ovarian endometriosis confirmed by post-operation and pathologically were enrolled retrospectively. Results The sensitivity of ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis was 94.2%(66/69), The accuracy was 75.5% (37/49). Ovarian endometriosis according to ultrasound-image characteristics could be divided into five types: spot-uniform capsule, simplex -cyst, polycystic type, capsule mass and mixed type. In 16.6% symptoms, stripe or star-like blood streams had been found on cyst wall or partition, the highest RI-value was 0.72, the lowest 0.56, and the mean was 0.61.Conclusion Ultrasound is a valuable means for diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis. Key words: Ultrasound; Ovarian endometriosis
In Situ Monitoring of the Seeding and Growth of Silver Metal–Organic Nanotubes by Liquid-Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy

Metal-organic nanotubes (MONTs) are highly ordered one-dimensional crystalline porous frameworks. Despite being nanomaterials, virtually all studies of MONTs rely on characterization of the bulk crystalline material (micron-sized) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For MONTs to achieve their raison d'etre as tunable one-dimensional nanomaterials, individual tubes or small finite bundles of tubes must be synthesized and characterized. Therefore, to directly observe their formation under a variety of reaction conditions in solution, we employ liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM), which allows the early stages of MONT assembly to be monitored in real time. Notably, changing the metal-to-ligand ratio alters the local concentrations of reactant monomers, resulting in multiple nucleation and growth pathways and diverse morphologies at the nanoscale. These various initial seeds grow to form the same nanocrystalline needle phase. This approach of employing LCTEM to study these nanomaterials is analogous to monitoring typical homogeneous solution phase reactions by NMR for controlled nanomaterial formation.
4-(Di­methyl­amino)­benzohydrazide

The title compound, C9H13N3O, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c and all non-hydrogen atoms are within 0.1 A of the mol­ecular mean plane. In the crystal, the hydrogen-bonding pattern results in [001] chains built up from fused R22(6) and R22(10) rings; the former consists of N—H⋯N bonds and the latter N—H⋯O bonds. Electrostatic and dispersion forces are major contributors to the lattice energy, which was estimated by DFT calculations to be −215.7 kJ mol−1.
Quantum Chemical Modeling of the Effects of Hydrated Lime (Calcium Hydroxide) as a Filler in Bituminous Materials

Hydrated lime is widely used as a mineral filler to improve several properties of bituminous materials such as reducing the susceptibility of the composite to moisture-induced damage. Although expe...
Externalities, Spillover Effects, and Implications for Payment-for-Performance Programs

To reduce the non-point source pollution generated by agricultural activities that leads to undesirable effects on downstream water resources, policymakers have instituted programs to incentivize farmers’ mitigation adoption behavior. These programs, however, have proven to be costly and generate low participation rates. We investigate the interaction of two externalities in farmers’ best management practices (BMP) adoption decisions under performance-based payment programs: knowledge spillovers and positive environmental outcomes. Our results illustrate that targeted programs can improve the cost-effectiveness of policies by focusing on those communities where the programs have more impact through the spillover mechanism. The results are driven by interactions between the distribution of farmers’ willingness to adopt and the positive externalities generated by neighbors’ decisions
Infant health outcomes in mega-fire affected communities

We undertake a nationwide US study to estimate how mega-fires (defined as wildfires >100,000 acres in size) affect short-term infant health outcomes in communities located within the flame zone. Th...
After the Null Subject Parameter: Acquisition of the Null-Overt Contrast in Spanish

In many so-called canonical null subject languages, null and overt subject pronouns have contrasting referential preferences: null subjects tend to maintain reference to the preceding subject while...
Duplication of the rectum.

Summary A case of cystic duplication of the rectum in a 21-year-old woman is described. The mass was resected and the patient is now asymptomatic.
Informational support exchanges using different computer-mediated communication formats in a social media alcoholism community

E-patients seeking information online often seek specific advice related to coping with their health conditions among social networking sites. They may be looking for social connectivity with compassionate strangers who may have experienced similar situations to share opinions and experiences rather than for authoritative medical information. Previous studies document distinct technological features and different levels of social support interaction patterns. It is expected that the design of the social media functions will have an impact on the user behavior of social support exchange. In this part of a multipart study, we investigate the social support types, in particular information support types, across multiple computer-mediated communication formats forum, journal, and notes within an alcoholism community using descriptive content analysis on 3 months of data from a MedHelp online peer support community. We present the results of identified informational support types including advice, referral, fact, personal experiences, and opinions, either offered or requested. Fact type was exchanged most often among the messages; however, there were some different patterns between notes and journal posts. Notes were used for maintaining relationships rather than as a main source for seeking information. Notes were similar to comments made to journal posts, which may indicate the friendship between journal readers and the author. These findings suggest that users may have initially joined the MedHelp Alcoholism Community for information-seeking purposes but continue participation even after they have completed with information gathering because of the relationships they formed with community members through social media features.
Myocardial anaerobiosis in anemia in uremic man.

Myocardial anaerobic metabolism (lactate production) has been previously observed in man primarily in ischemic heart disease. Myocardial lactate balance was studied in severe anemia in 6 stable uremic patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis before and after transfusion. They were young, aged 21 to 31, and had no evidence of heart disease or angina pectoris. At rest, the mean extraction coefficient for lactate by the myocardium (A-V/A)L was abnormally low at —1.2 percent (range 14.3 to —18.9 percent). Intravenous isoproterenol infusion (2 to 8 μg/min) resulted in definite anaerobiosis in all patients, mean (A-V/A)L —29.9 percent (range —1.5 to —76.5 percent). After transfusion, the extraction coefficient at rest was normal, mean 22 percent (range 11 to 39 percent), and decreased with isoproterenol infusion but remained positive in 5 of 6 patients. Electrical pacing (mean heart rate 148 beats/min) before transfusion increased the average extraction coefficient from 5.9 percent at rest to 7.9 percent; after transfusion, extraction increased from 22.9 percent to 34.3 percent. Exercise changes were not significant. Lactate/pyruvate ratio tended to increase from artery to coronary sinus during stress, before transfusion. There was improvement in the extraction coefficient for lactate with transfusion, without alteration of the uremic state. Cardiac index and systolic ejection rates indicated a hyperkinetic circulation at rest, increased by isoproterenol and exercise, and decreased by transfusion. Compensatory myocardial anaerobiosis may thus occur in physiologically stable anemic uremic patients with normal hearts and without development of angina.
ON STOCK RETURN SEASONALITY AND CONDITIONAL HETEROSKEDASTICITY

We model the seasonal volatility of stock returns using GARCH specifications and size-sorted portfolios. Estimation results indicate that there are volatility differences between months and that these seasonal volatility patterns are conditional on firm size. Additionally, we find that seasonal volatility does not explain seasonal returns when the reward for risk is held constant over the sample period. Specifically, our results indicate that much of the abnormal return in January for small firms cannot be entirely attributed to either higher systematic risk or a higher risk premium in January.
A new large proteolytic complex distinct from the proteasome is present in the cytosol of fission yeast.

Abstract One eukaryotic proteolytic complex – the proteasome – is classed as the major nonlysosomal protease, by its known and suspected functions, its size and its complexity [1,2]. It seems improbable that other enzymes may be capable of substituting, even partially, for the potent proteasome, as this complex has a vital role in many cellular processes [1–3]. Nevertheless, it is possible to adapt cultured EL-4 mouse lymphoma cells to survive in the presence of a specific inhibitor of the proteasome [4]. The inhibition of the proteasome in these adapted EL-4 cells is accompanied by a dramatic increase in the activity of a new, as yet uncharacterized, large proteolytic complex [4]. Here, we have presented evidence that a similar proteolytic activity is constitutively present in fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe , and that the yeast and mouse enzymes share basic physicochemical properties. We have shown that the S. pombe protease is found in two stable oligomeric forms, both of which are peptidases, although only the larger form acts as a proteinase. The relative amounts of the large and the small forms of the protease in the complex depended on the growth phase of the yeast culture and affected enzyme activity, suggesting that the activity of the enzyme is regulated by its oligomerization status. We refer to the new proteolytic complex as the ‘multicorn' to indicate its analogy to the archaebacterial tricorn protease [5].
The measurement of phase separation in wyes and tees

Abstract Analysis of light water nuclear reactor loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCA) requires that one be able to accurately calculate how two-phase flows split in complex, branching conduits. This paper is intended to provide a more thorough understanding of phase separation phenomena in such systems. In particular, detailed experiments have been performed with air/water mixtures in vertical wyes and tees to provide a data base for the development and verification of analytical models. The dependence of phase separation on different parameters, such as inlet quality, mass flux and separation angle, is discussed.
Heavy metals in bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles: Effects of depuration before analysis

Although tadpoles may well be excellent organisms to use as bioindicators of heavy metal contamination, the relationship of deposition in the body compared to the tail, and the effect of sediments or other debris in the digestive tract on heavy metal concentrations is unknown. We examined the effect of experimental depuration of bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles on heavy metal and selenium concentrations in intact tadpoles, as well as their bodies and tails. We defined depuration in this experiment as allowing defecation as an elimination process for intestinal contents (=clearing). We maintained wild-caught tadpoles in clean water for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h to determine the effects of clearing on heavy metal concentrations. We also examined the concentrations of heavy metals in the whole body and digestive tract separately. We test the null hypotheses that no differences occur in metals as a function of time in uncontaminated water, and that no differences occur in metal concentrations in the body compared to the tail and to the digestive tract. We rejected these hypotheses based on regression models. Variance in concentrations of chromium (77%) and lead (70%) were explained by part (body, tail, whole body) and clearing time; for manganese (80%), mercury (64%), selenium (28%), and cadmium (25%) the variation was explained only by body part; for arsenic (53%), the variation was explained by part, clearing time, and weight of the various parts. For those metals in which clearing time explained part of the variation, metal concentrations in both the body and tail decreased after 24 and 48 h, but increased slightly thereafter. Clearing, however, did not greatly decrease metal concentrations in either the body or tail. These data suggest that for some metals (mercury, manganese, cadmium, selenium), clearing has no effect, and for others the effect is slight. For fresh tadpoles, however, the digestive tract contained significantly higher concentrations of all metals than either the body or head, probably reflecting metals absorbed to sediment particles in the gut.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Islet Cell Tumors of the Head of the Pancreas: Long-term Survival Analysis

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has been performed infrequently for islet cell tumors of the pancreas because of the perceived perioperative morbidity and the relatively protracted natural history of those tumors. To determine whether the improved safety of PD affects long-term outcome of patients with islet cell tumors, we reviewed our experience. All consecutive patients who underwent PD or total pancreatectomy for islet cell tumors between 1980 and 1995 were analyzed. Diagnoses were based on histologic findings and endocrine (biochemical) manifestations of the tumors. Patients were followed by outpatient clinic visits and mail correspondence. Clinical and pathologic factors were analyzed for prognostic risk. Survival and recurrence curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used for comparison (p <0.05 was significant). We identified 29 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria with an even distribution by gender (14M:15F). Mean age of patients was 56 years (SD +/- 14 years); mean tumor size was 4.4 cm (SD +/- 2.6 cm). Most tumors were nonfunctioning (n = 20); there were 4 somatostatinomas, 3 insulinomas, and 2 gastrinomas. Operating time was 316 minutes (SD +/- 75 minutes), median transfusion requirement was 0 units (mean 1.5 units). Standard Whipple resection was performed in 20 patients; the pylorus-preserving Whipple procedure, in 7; and total pancreatectomy, in 2. Regional lymph nodes were involved by tumor in 16 patients. The complication rate was 31%, and operative mortality was 10% (n = 3). Length of hospital stay was 17 days (SD +/- 8.8 days). Overall survival was 81% and 70% at 5 and 10 years. Recurrence-free survival was 76% at 5 and 10 years. There was a trend toward greater recurrence-free survival for node-negative patients (88% vs 65% at 5 years, p = 0.13), and overall survival was greater for node-negative patients (100% vs 67% at 5 years, p = 0.04). Mean follow-up was 8.8 years. PD is an appropriate strategy for selected malignant islet cell tumors of the pancreas, which offers extended survival with a low recurrence rate and control of endocrine symptoms.
Impact of deformation faceting on {101¯2},{101¯1} and {101¯3} embryonic twin nucleation in hexagonal close-packed metals

Abstract A crystal boundary under stress may develop pile-ups of disconnections. The augmented distortion field around the pile-up may relax by forming a low-energy boundary, but one which does not require a significant change in misorientation. In deformation faceting, the change in misorientation is mediated by an interfacial wedge disclination dipole, while disconnection content persists if the new facet preserves the incompatibility of the original disconnection steps. Any disconnection gliding on one facet may enter and glide along the adjacent facet (cross-facet), provided it transforms across the disclination barrier into a mobile defect. { 1 0 1 ¯ 2 } and { 1 0 1 ¯ 1 } are special twin boundaries in hexagonal close-packed metals that can convert slip dislocations into disconnections which tend to pile-up and relax via facet nucleation. Thus, these twins may facet into other mobile boundaries which enable cross-faceting as a way to absorb and overcome slip barriers without sacrificing much of their mobility. In this paper, we provide a detailed characterization of the low-energy boundaries, disclinations and disconnection transformations that may separately intervene in { 1 0 1 ¯ 2 } and { 1 0 1 ¯ 1 } twin faceting, with extensions to { 1 0 1 ¯ 3 } twinning. We further show that this faceting promotes formation of bulk twin embryos and facilitates their maturity into large dimensions appropriate for lenticular twin propagation. We apply the trichromatic complex concept, which we recently introduced for { 1 0 1 ¯ 2 } twin faceting.
How Hot are Your Ions in TWAVE Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Effective temperatures of ions during traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry (TWIMS) analysis were measured using singly protonated leucine enkephalin dimer as a chemical thermometer by monitoring dissociation of the dimer into monomer, as well as the subsequent dissociation of monomer into a-, b-, and y-ions, as a function of instrumental parameters. At fixed helium cell and TWIMS cell gas flow rates, the extent of dissociation does not vary significantly with either the wave velocity or wave height, except at low (<500 m/s) wave velocities that are not commonly used. Increasing the flow rate of nitrogen gas into the TWIMS cell and decreasing the flow rate of helium gas into the helium cell resulted in greater dissociation. However, the mobility distributions of the fragment ions formed by dissociation of the dimer upon injection into the TWIMS cell are nearly indistinguishable from those of fragment ions formed in the collision cell prior to TWIMS analysis for all TWIMS experiments. These results indicate that heating and dissociation occur when ions are injected into the TWIMS cell, and that the effective temperature subsequently decreases to a point at which no further dissociation is observed during the TWIMS analysis. An upper limit to the effective ion temperature of 449 K during TWIMS analysis is obtained at a helium flow rate of 180 mL/min, TWIMS flow rate of 80 mL/min, and traveling wave height of 40 V, which is well below previously reported values. Effects of ion heating in TWIMS on gas-phase protein conformation are presented.
The Bellevue Teachers Strike and Its Implications for the Future of Postindustrial Reform Unionism

Striking for nine days in 2008, teachers in Bellevue carved a distinctive path through the contradictory movements for professional reform unionism and national accountability. In addition to compensation, Bellevue’s teachers struck over the top-down prescriptive management epitomized by the Gates Foundation supported “Curriculum Web.” Where district administrators envisioned the web as a community resource, teachers complained that its detailed daily lesson plans hamstrung their ability to teach effectively. Teachers returned to work only when a memorandum of understanding was signed recognizing their authority to deviate from the district’s web-based curriculum. To achieve reform minded goals, teachers relied upon traditional union militancy.
The effects of cognitive-behavior therapy for panic disorder on comorbid conditions.

In a replication and extension of prior research (Brown, Antony, & Barlow, 1995) examining the impact of treatment on additional diagnoses, our study investigated the effects of cognitive-behavioral treatment for panic disorder on frequency and severity of comorbid conditions in 33 principal panic disorder patients. Patients were diagnosed using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-Revised (ADIS-R; Di Nardo & Barlow, 1988) and assigned severity ratings indicating degree of distress and/or impairment for both principal panic disorder and comorbid conditions. A high rate of comorbidity (63.6%) was found at pretreatment. Following cognitive-behavioral treatment, there was a significant reduction in the number of patients with at least one additional diagnosis (p < .01); the greatest declines were found in comorbid social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder. Severity ratings also declined significantly from pre- to posttreatment for comorbid social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (p < .01) and were marginally significant for depression. There was a trend for comorbidity to reduce likelihood of achieving high improvement in panic at posttreatment. Implications of these findings for classification and treatment mechanisms are discussed.
Interactive effects of habitat selection, food supply and predation on recruitment of an estuarine fish

Seagrass meadows are often important habitats for newly recruited juvenile fishes. Although substantial effort has gone into documenting patterns of association of fishes with attributes of seagrass beds, experimental investigations of why fish use seagrass habitats are rare. We performed two short-term manipulative field experiments to test (1) the effects of food supply on growth and densities of fish, and (2) effects of predation on the density and size distribution of fish recruits, and how this varies among habitat types. Experiments were conducted in Galveston Bay, Texas, and we focused on the common estuarine fish, pinfish Lagodon rhomboides. In the first experiment, replicate artifical seagrass and sand plots were either supplemented with food or left as controls. Recruitment of pinfish was significantly greater to seagrass than sand habitats; however, we detected no effect of food supplementation on the abundance of recruits in either habitat. Pinfish recruits in artifical seagrass grew at a significantly faster rate than those in sand habitats, and fish supplemented with food exhibited a greater growth rate than controls in both sand and artifical grass habitats. In our second experiment, we provided artificial seagrass and sand habitats with and without predator access. Predator access was manipulated with cages, and two-sided cages served as controls. Recruitment was significantly greater to the cage versus cage-control treatment, and this effect did not vary between habitats. In addition, the standard length of pinfish recruits was significantly larger in the predator access than in the predator exclusion treatment, suggesting size-selective predation on smaller settlers or density-dependent growth. Our results indicate that the impact of predation on pinfish recruits is equivalent in both sand and vegetated habitats, and thus differential predation does not explain the higher recruitment of pinfish to vegetated than to nonvegetated habitats. Since predators may disproportionately affect smaller fish, and a limited food resource appears to be more effectively utilized by fish in vegetated than in unvegetated habitats, we hypothesize that pinfish recruits may select vegetated habitats because high growth rates allow them to achieve a size that is relatively safe from predation more quickly.
A Micropuncture Study of Growth Cartilage in Phosphonate (EHDP) Induced Rickets

Evidence in the cartilage for influence of EHDP on mineralization processes was found by the biochemical examination of nanoliter samples (Cfl) aspirated in vivo from the upper tibial growth plate of rats subjected to a regimen of EHDP. The induced rachitic syndrome was distinctively different from that resulting from lack of vitamin D and low-phosphate rachitogenic diet (−VDP). Significant findings were the following: (a) the Cfl phosphate concentration was about half that in the serum; (b) the proteoglycan concentration was depleted to about 20% of the value in both −VDP rachitic and normal control rats. These macromolecules, however, exhibited an abnormally high average sedimentation coefficient as if all the molecules were organized as large aggregates; (c) the lysozyme activity, easily detectable in the normal controls (equivalent to that of 50µg/ml of egg white lysozyme), was not detectable. Also, unlike the −VDP rickets, the calcium and phosphate concentration product was, although smaller than in the controls, high enough to sustain mineral growth in vitro.
Acoustic enhancement of concrete pavement surface through diamond grinding

Functionality of concrete pavements can be restored through conventional diamond grinding (CDG) that improves ride quality and friction. Recently, an alternative diamond grinding configuration was proposed by the Institute for Safe Quiet and Durable Highway at Purdue University as part of a nationwide interest in quiet pavements. This paper discusses the field-testing of the CDG and alternative (innovative) diamond grinding as well as the pre-existing transverse tined (TT) texture at the MnROAD research facility. Acoustic properties, ride quality and friction performance of the diamond ground surfaces are compared to data obtained in the pre-existing TT surface. The initial performance of the innovative grind over a period of 3 years is also compared to that of the conventional grind and the TT surface. Test results, analysis, merits and demerits of the grinding types are also accentuated.
Lowered seizure threshold as a part of the narcotic abstinence syndrome in rats.

A decrease in threshold to flurothyl-induced seizures in rats is a sensitive measure of the morphine primary abstinence syndrome. The test is easy to perform, yields highly reproducible results, allows for simple statistical group comparisons and correlates well with the usual methods of assessing withdrawal.
Fragmentation of singly protonated peptides via a combination of infrared and collisional activation.

The coupling of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) provides an exceptionally capable platform for peptide analysis, but an important limitation of this approach is the difficulty in obtaining informative tandem mass spectra (MS/MS) of singly protonated peptides. This difficulty is especially pronounced with peptide ions containing basic amino acid residues (for example, tryptic peptides). While such ions can be fragmented in some instrument configurations, most FTICR instruments have comparatively little facility for high-energy fragmentation. Here, a novel MS/MS approach implemented with MALDI-FTICR-MS and specifically intended for enhanced fragmentation of singly protonated peptides is described. The method involves infrared irradiation in concert with the simultaneous application of sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID). This form of MS/MS, described as a combination of inf...
The acquisition and application of information in the problem‐solving process: An electronically operated logical test

Brothers and sisters have I none But this man's father is my father's son. If a man has only ten trees and wants to plant them in five rows with four trees to a row, how can he do it? 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, –, – How did you solve these problems? What mental processes did you use? How can these processes be measured? With the advent of electronics, “thinking machines,” and information theory has come the possibility that human problem solving can now be studied in a more objective, quantitative, and systematic way.
Formation of needle-like aggregates in stirred solutions of hemoglobin S

Summary When concentrated solutions of hemoglobin S are gently stirred under conditions such that a gel would be formed in the absence of stirring, gellation does not occur. Instead, as light scattering measurements have shown, after an initial latent period, which can range from minutes to several hours — depending upon the experimental conditions — a highly turbid but fluid suspension of particles of aggregated hemoglobin is rapidly produced. The tubidity is fully reversed upon cooling to 0° C, nad subsequent gellation can be induced by refraining from stirring upon raising the temperature. The turbid solutions are stable for weeks under the conditions of their formation, even when in contact with gels of hemoglobin S. The particles giving rise to the turbidity have been viewed and photographed by light and electron microscopy, and are seen as highly asymmetrical rigid filaments with lengths ranging to about 15 microns.
Electrochemical studies of packed iron powder electrodes: Effects of common constituents of natural waters on corrosion potential

Abstract Using a powder disk electrode (PDE) made with micron-sized, high purity iron metal we investigated how the corrosion of this material is affected by solution conditions that are relevant to the degradation of contaminants in environmental remediation applications. Changes in corrosion potential (Ecorr) with time showed that low pH, high concentrations of chloride, and natural organic matter led to breakdown of the passive film. Bicarbonate caused Ecorr to decline rapidly into the active potential region, but then Ecorr rose back into the passive region over 10s of hours. The rate of decline in Ecorr was greatest at higher pHs, suggesting a specific effect of HCO 3 - rather than a general effect of pH.
Calculation of room temperature conductivity and mobility in tin-based topological insulator nanoribbons

Monolayers of tin (stannanane) functionalized with halogens have been shown to be topological insulators. Using density functional theory (DFT), we study the electronic properties and room-temperature transport of nanoribbons of iodine-functionalized stannanane showing that the overlap integral between the wavefunctions associated to edge-states at opposite ends of the ribbons decreases with increasing width of the ribbons. Obtaining the phonon spectra and the deformation potentials also from DFT, we calculate the conductivity of the ribbons using the Kubo-Greenwood formalism and show that their mobility is limited by inter-edge phonon backscattering. We show that wide stannanane ribbons have a mobility exceeding 106 cm2/Vs. Contrary to ordinary semiconductors, two-dimensional topological insulators exhibit a high conductivity at low charge density, decreasing with increasing carrier density. Furthermore, the conductivity of iodine-functionalized stannanane ribbons can be modulated over a range of three orders of magnitude, thus rendering this material extremely interesting for classical computing applications.
Epidemiology of hospital sharps injuries: A 14-year prospective study in the pre-AIDS and AIDS eras

The world pandemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has focused enormous attention on the problem of accidental sharps injuries sustained by health care workers (HCWs) and the risk of occupationally acquired infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). At the 1980 Conference, we reported a 4-year epidemiologic study (1975-1979) of sharps injuries in HCWs at our hospital. Using the same reporting system and analyses, we now report the epidemiology of sharps injuries in our center during the current AIDS era (1987-1988) and assess trends over the 14-year period. Despite greatly increased institutional efforts to prevent sharps injuries, the annual incidence has increased more than threefold (60.4 to 187.0/1,000 HCWs), reflecting better reporting and increased exposure. Reported injuries by house officers have increased ninefold. Adjusting for inflation, the direct costs of sharps injuries has increased sevenfold ($5,354 to $37,271/year). Environmental service HCWs (305.8 sharps injuries per 1,000 employees) now have the highest incidence in our center, followed by nursing personnel (196.5/1,000) and laboratory personnel (169.9/1,000), but as in 1975-1979, two thirds of all injuries occur in nursing personnel. Although phlebotomy team members have a very low risk per procedure (1/26,871 draws), their annual incidence is extraordinarily high, 407.0/1,000. Injuries continue to occur mainly during disposal of waste, linen, or used procedure trays (19.7% of all injuries), administration of parenteral injections or infusion therapy (15.7%), surgery (16.0%), blood drawing (13.3%), or recapping of used needles (10.1%). Making disposal units available at every bedside has reduced injuries from needle disposal two-fold since 1975-1979. With consistent application of a stringent postexposure protocol, and wide acceptance of the hepatitis B vaccine, we have had no sharps injury-related infections during the past 3 years. These data indicate the increasing risk, complexity and cost of sharps injuries in HCWs and the need for more innovative--ideally, technology-based--approaches to prevention. Certain groups of HCWs are at very high risk. Comprehensive postexposure protocols that are uniformly applied can provide substantial protection to exposed HCWs.
Mechanism of photoinactivation of coliphage T7 sensitized by acridine orange

A chemical lesion produced by visible light irradiation of Escherichia coli phage T7 sensitized by acridine orange has been detected by ultracentrifugal analysis. The irradiated DNA contains a new bond which is alkali labile and insensitive to short periods of heating. Several properties of the bond suggest that a nucleotide base, as yet unknown, has been photochemically changed so that either it has a labile N-glycosidic bond or it is removed from the DNA leaving a gap in the base sequence. The correlation between the percentage of surviving phages and the percentage of single strands not possessing the alkali-labile bond suggests that the photochemical change which leads to alkali lability is the lethal lesion and that one such alteration in either DNA strand is lethal.
Noninvasive Polymer Reaction Monitoring by Infrared Emission Spectroscopy with Multivariate Statistical Modeling

Infrared absorption and emission spectroscopy have been used to monitor the curing of a commercial paint product. Principal component analysis of the absorption data indicates that three factors are needed to explain the observed spectral/temporal variance. The interpretation of this finding in terms of changes in the physical state of the reaction mixture is discussed. A similar analysis of the emission data proved more difficult due to a nonlinear concentration/response relationship. A linearization step based on an approximate theoretical model is suggested. The absorption, linearized emittance, and raw emittance data are fit to a two-step sequential rate model using multivariate nonlinear optimization and error estimates derived by Monte Carlo calculations. Better agreement of the model parameters between the absorbance and emittance data is found after linearization, but it is found that linearization introduces large errors in the nonlinear parameter estimates. Comparisons of model parameters for the raw emittance data at different temperatures are made.
Traditional Chinese medicine use among Chinese immigrant cancer patients.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) includes both herbal remedies and non-herbal practices. Chinese cancer patients are particularly at high risk for herb–drug interactions. Providers, both primary care physicians and oncologists, frequently do not ask patients about TCM use, which has potentially dangerous consequences. This study describes an assessment of TCM use while undergoing conventional cancer treatment, among a cohort of Chinese immigrant cancer patients in New York City. The Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities Service at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center assists underserved cancer patients through a patient navigation program, the Cancer Portal Project. Six questions related to TCM are included in the existing Portal Needs Assessment Intake. Mandarin- or Cantonese-speaking Portal patients enrolled between January 2010 and May 2012 were surveyed. One hundred nine Chinese-speaking patients were enrolled in the Portal Project during the study period. Forty-six completed the TCM questions. Ninety-six percent preferred to speak Mandarin, Cantonese, or Fujianese in the healthcare setting. Thirty-nine percent (n = 18) of the 46 participants reported using TCM since being diagnosed with cancer. Nearly all (n = 16) who used TCM reported using herbal medicines. Ten TCM users did not describe sharing their use with Western doctors. Eight (44 %) of TCM users reported concurrently using TCM and conventional cancer treatment. Larger scale studies should further explore the concurrent use of TCM and conventional cancer treatment in this unique population. Future research should also address patient–provider communication related to the concurrent use of TCM and cancer treatment. This is also an important area of education for both patients and providers.
Insect cell culture: improved media and methods for initiating attached cell lines from the Lepidoptera.

Several cell lines from the pupae of the noctuid moth speciesSpodoptera frugiperda, Heliothis zea, andTrichoplusia ni were isolated on a synthetic medium containing insect hemolymph and turkey serum. These lines were progressively adapted to improved media free of insect hemolymph but containing one or more of the following sera: turkey, chicken, and fetal calf. Primary culture tissue disruption was improved by substituting collagenase for trypsin. Primary culture survival was improved by controlling the total tissue volume per unit medium volume, and by the addition of glutathione to prevent melanization and to improve cell adherence to the substrate. Culture survival was also improved by heat treatment of sera, control of medium osmolality, and changes in the basal medium and serum supplementation. Some of these changes also resulted in improved growth giving higher maximal cell counts. Comparative cell growth on the various media was graphed and generation times given.
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Produces Prolonged Alterations of Neural Control in Airways of Developing Ferrets

A dysfunction of pathways that normally cause contraction or relaxation of airways has been proposed to explain heightened levels of responsiveness produced by various insults to the airway. For example, we previously reported (4) that infection of cotton rats with the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) leads to a significant decrease in an airway's nonadrenergic noncholinergic inhibitory (NANCi) response shortly after the infection. In the present study we addressed the more chronic effects of HRSV infection on airway function in young ferrets during a period of rapid somatic growth. Animals 1 wk old received HRSV or uninfected cell culture medium intranasally. In vitro studies of airway function were performed on tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) segments at 4, 8, and 24 wk of age. To evaluate neurally mediated contractile responses, frequency-response curves to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were performed with results expressed in terms of the frequency causing 50% of the maximal contractile resp...
Emotional Understanding, Cooperation, and Social Behavior in High-Functioning Children with Autism

In contrast to typically developing children, children with autism rarely exhibit cooperative social behavior. To examine whether this problem reflects global developmental delays or autism-specific deficits, the present study compared cooperation, emotional understanding, personality characteristics, and social behavior of 10 children with autism who had average IQ to those of 16 children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and 10 typically developing children. In cooperative behavior, level of emotional understanding, and aloof behavior, the autism group outperformed the ADHD/ODD group and did not differ significantly from typically developing children. However, the autism group showed worse emotion recognition and more active-but-odd behavior than the other groups. The results indicate that high-functioning children with autism can develop cooperative social behavior and advanced theory of mind abilities, but continue to show deficits in identifying emotions and displaying socially appropriate behavior.
Measurement of protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in single cells by capillary electrophoresis.

A fluorescent peptide substrate was used to measure dephosphorylation by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) in cell lysates and single cells and to investigate the effect of environmental toxins on PTP activity in these systems. Dephosphorylation of the substrate by PTPN1 and PTPN2 obeyed Michaelis–Menten kinetics, with KM values of 770 ± 250 and 290 ± 54 nM, respectively. Dose–response curves and IC50 values were determined for the inhibition of these two enzymes by the environmental toxins Zn2+ and 1,2-naphthoquinone, as well as pervanadate. In A431 cell lysates, the reporter was a poor substrate for peptidases (degradation rate of 100 ± 8.2 fmol min–1 mg–1) but an excellent substrate for phosphatases (dephosphorylation rate of 1.4 ± 0.3 nmol min–1 mg–1). Zn2+, 1,2-naphthoquinone, and pervanadate inhibited dephosphorylation of the reporter in cell lysates with IC50 values of 470 nM, 35 μM, and 100 nM, respectively. Dephosphorylation of the reporter, following loading into living single cells, occurred ...
Continuing Education for Distance Librarians

Distance librarians as engaged professionals work in a complex environment of changes in technologies, user expectations, and institutional goals. They strive to keep current with skills and competencies to support distance learners. This article provides a selection of continuing education opportunities for distance librarians, and is relevant for all practicing librarians. Suggestions include physical and virtual conferences, professional journals for reflective reading, short-term webinars about current topics and innovative approaches, blogs for sharing ideas, and discussion and interest groups for networking with colleagues about best practices, leadership, and serving academic populations.