cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Collaborative Group Testing on Dental Students’ Performance and Perceived Learning in an Introductory Comprehensive Care Course

The use of collaboration while in dental school can help prepare dental students for the team-oriented nature of the workforce. One way to do this is via collaborative group testing (CGT), a method of assessment allowing students to learn from one another. The aim of this study was to examine the CGT method in a predoctoral dental education setting to determine if student examination performance improved with the addition of collaboration and if collaborative testing was beneficial to students' learning process. In 2016, all first-year dental students (n=76) at one U.S. dental school were assessed in an introductory comprehensive care course using a two-stage CGT in which students were assessed individually, prior to taking the same test in collaboration with an assigned partner. Three quizzes and a final examination were given in which student participants served as both control (individual assessments) and treatment (collaborative assessment). At the conclusion of the course, a questionnaire was administered to ascertain student perspectives. All assessments yielded favorable results with an overall score improvement from a mean of 81.1% on individual assessments to 91% on collaborative assessments (p=0.001), indicating that collaboration improved assessment outcomes. Additionally, retention of material was suggested with individual scores on the cumulative final surpassing average individual scores of the preceding quizzes (p<0.001). Students' responses on the questionnaire indicated that they perceived implementation of CGT was beneficial to their learning process. With these results, this testing methodology shows promise to enhance dental student learning, material retention, and teamwork.
Microglial activation, but not tau pathology, is independently associated with amyloid positivity and memory impairment.

Abstract We sought to determine if upstream amyloid accumulation and downstream cognitive impairment have independent relationships with microglial activation and tau pathology. Fifty-eight older adults were stratified by amyloid and cognitive status based on 18F-florbetaben PET, history, and neuropsychological testing. Of these, 57 had 11C-PBR28 PET to measure microglial activation and 43 had 18F-MK-6240 PET to measure tau pathology. Amyloid and cognitive status were associated with increased overall binding for both 11C-PBR28 and 18F-MK-6240 (p’s
SOF: An Efficient String Graph Construction Algorithm

In contrast to genome assemblers that use de Bruijn graphs, those based on string graphs are able to losslessly retain information from sequence data. However, despite the advantages provided by a string graph framework in repeat detection and in maintaining read coherence, the high computational cost for constructing a string graph hinders its usability for genome assembly. Even though different algorithms have been proposed over the last decade for string graph construction, efficiency is still a challenge due to the demand for processing a large amount of sequence data generated by Next-Generation Sequencing technologies. In this paper, we provide a novel, linear time and alphabet-size-independent algorithm SOF which uses the property of irreducible edges and transitive edges to efficiently construct a string graph from an overlap graph. Experimental results show that SOF is at least 2.3 times faster than the string graph construction algorithm provided in SGA (one of the most popular string graph-based assemblers), while maintaining almost the same memory footprint as SGA. Moreover, the implementation of SOF as a subprogram in the SGA assembly pipeline will allow a user easy access to the preprocessing and postprocessing steps for genome assembly provided in SGA. Implementation: https://github.com/iqbalmorshed/sof
Tolerability of single agent nivolumab in cancer patients—A meta-analysis.

e15146Background: Nivolumab, a PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, is being widely utilized in a number of cancers as a single agent. Adverse events, including those that are immune mediated, have be...
Fusarium head blight resistance in F1 hybrid spring wheat

Hybrid wheat shows promise to increase yield potential, but many questions remain about the hybrid system. One of the most important is how hybrids will perform in terms of diseases such as Fusariu...
Efficacy of standard chest compressions in patients with Nuss bars

Background The Nuss procedure temporarily places intrathoracic bars for repair of pectus excavatum (PE). The bars may impact excursion and compliance of the anterior chest wall while in place. Effective chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) require depressing the anterior chest wall enough to compress the heart between sternum and spine. We assessed the force required to perform the American Heart Association's recommended chest compression depth after Nuss repair. Methods A lumped element elastic model was developed to simulate the relationship between chest compression forces and displacement with focus on the amount of force required to achieve a depth of 5 cm in the presence of 1-3 Nuss bars. Literature review was conducted for evidence supporting potential use of active abdominal compressions and decompression (AACD) as an alternative method of CPR. Results The presence of bars notably lowered compression depth by a minimum of 69% compared to a chest without bar(s). The model also demonstrated a dramatic increase (minimum of 226%) in compressive forces required to achieve recommended 5 cm depth. Literature review suggests AACD could be an alternative CPR in patients with Nuss bar(s). Conclusions In our model, Nuss bars limited the ability to perform chest compressions due to increased force required to achieve a 5 cm compression. The greater the number of Nuss bars present the greater the force required. This may prevent effective CPR. Use of active abdominal compressions and decompressions should be studied further as an alternative resuscitation modality for patients after the Nuss procedure.
Improving Understanding of Screening Questions for Social Risk and Social Need Among Emergency Department Patients.

Author(s): Ciccolo, Gia; Curt, Alexa; Camargo Jr., Carlos A.; Samuels-Kalow, Margaret | Abstract: Introduction: With recent healthcare policy changes, including the creation of accountable care organizations, screening for social risks such as food and housing insecurity has become increasingly common in the healthcare system. However, the wide variety of different tools used for screening makes it challenging to compare across systems. In addition, the majority of tools used to measure social risks have only been tested in primary care settings and may not be optimal for emergency department (ED) use. Therefore, the goal of this study was to create a brief social screening tool for use in EDs.Methods: We developed an initial tool using publicly available questions corresponding to the five core categories of the Centers for Medicare a Medicaid Services’ Accountable Health Communities Screening Tool. Iterative cycles of cognitive interviews with purposively sampled participants were performed using a hybrid model of think-aloud and verbal probing to understand/experience answering questions and potential comprehension challenges. After thematic saturation was reached in one cycle, the tool was changed per participant input; cycles were completed until thematic saturation was reached overall.Results: A total of 16 participants (six patient guardians and 10 patients) completed cognitive interviews throughout three cycles. Participant feedback included suggestions for further clarification and simplification of survey questions for improved comprehension. The survey was thus reduced and simplified from 16 questions concerning five domains to 10 questions concerning four domains.Conclusion: We used an iterative cognitive interviewing process to develop a social screening tool for use in EDs. This process demonstrates the importance of patient input to refine questionnaires, and provides a brief screening tool for ED use.
Human Rights Trump Property Rights – Lawyers Are Called to Become Revolutionaries

Current law, as practiced, prizes profit motives and property rights much more than people and human rights. in a justice-based value system, people must be valued as more important than property. Human rights must be valued as more important than property rights. Minimum standards of living must be valued as more important than the privileges that come from being well-off. Basic freedom for all must be valued as more important than the liberty privileges of accumulated political, social and economic power. And increasing the political, social, and economic power of those who are left out of current arrangements must be valued more than the preservation of the existing order which created and maintains unjust privileges. Prioritizing human rights creates conflict because it essentially turns current legal practice upside down. It looks at the world from the perspective of the working poor, the powerless, and the left out and makes a conscious decision to make radical changes to that world. No current rules or laws or institutions are more important than justice and equality. Privileges conferred by an unjust system can no longer be honored. It is not possible to bring about justice in this world without radical change, and radical change is not possible without reducing the power and influence and comfort of those who have more than their fair share of the world’s resources. Private property should be a protected right to the extent that it provides to a person and their family the right to live in basic human decency and to pursue their rightful place consistent with the overall common good. However, when a person or entity claims property in excess of what is necessary for basic human survival and there are people who are in need of the basics for human survival, then it is time to re-define the laws of property in order to share the earth’s resources in a manner more consistent with justice and equality and the shared human dignity of all.
Behavioral state resource selection in invasive wild pigs in the Southeastern United States

Elucidating correlations between wild pig (Sus scrofa) behavior and landscape attributes can aid in the advancement of management strategies for controlling populations. Using GPS data from 49 wild pigs in the southeastern U.S., we used hidden Markov models to define movement path characteristics and assign behaviors (e.g., resting, foraging, travelling). We then explored the connection between these behaviors and resource selection for both sexes between two distinct seasons based on forage availability (i.e., low forage, high forage). Females demonstrated a crepuscular activity pattern in the high-forage season and a variable pattern in the low-forage season, while males exhibited nocturnal activity patterns across both seasons. Wild pigs selected for bottomland hardwoods and dense canopy cover in all behavioral states in both seasons. Males selected for diversity in vegetation types while foraging in the low-forage season compared to the high-forage season and demonstrated an increased use of linear anthropogenic features across seasons while traveling. Wild pigs can establish populations and home ranges in an array of landscapes, but our results demonstrate male and female pigs exhibit clear differences in movement behavior and there are key resources associated with common behaviors that can be targeted to improve the efficiency of management programs.
Verifying intervention fidelity procedures for a palliative home care intervention with pilot study results.

Fidelity (consistency of intervention implementation) is essential to rigorous research. Intervention fidelity maintains study internal validity, intervention reproducibility, and transparency in the research conduct. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe intervention fidelity strategies/procedures developed for a pilot study testing a new palliative care nursing intervention (FamPALcare) for families managing advanced lung disease. The procedures described herein are based on the fidelity best practices recommendations from the NIH Consortium. An evidence-based checklist guided observational ratings of the fidelity procedures used and the intervention content implemented in each intervention session. Descriptive data on how participants understood (received), enacted, or used the intervention information were summarized. The fidelity checklist observational scores found ≥93% of the planned intervention content was implemented, and the fidelity strategies were adhered to consistently during each intervention session. The small variation (7%) in implementation was expected and related to participants' varying experiences, input, and/or questions. The helpfulness scale items include participants' ability to use home care resources, to anticipate and manage end-of-life symptoms, and to use Advance Directive forms. The high ratings (M = 4.4) on the 1-5 (very helpful) Likert Helpfulness Scale verified participants utilized the information from the intervention. Furthermore, there was an improvement in patients' breathlessness scores and completion of Advance Directive forms at 3 months after baseline. It is essential to plan intervention fidelity strategies to use throughout a study and to report fidelity results.
Jet substructure and correlations in hadronic final states from ALICE

Jets of high energy collimated particles provide a rich phenomenology to study quantum chromodynamics, from first-principles tests of perturbative calculations to investigations of the emergent properties of the strongly-coupled quark-gluon plasma. In these proceedings, we highlight several recent jet measurements by the ALICE Collaboration, with a focus on jet substructure observables.
Developing Study Abroad Opportunities in Economics and Finance: Guidance from a Faculty-Led Program in Madrid, Spain

As universities have focused more attention on study abroad opportunities for students in recent years, an increasing number of students have studied abroad through short-term programs. While short-term trips associated with a class have the potential to offer great learning experiences for students, faculty face high startup costs in the design of programs and students may not experience an improvement in intercultural competence without a focus on design principles. This chapter provides faculty with a program development guide for a faculty-led course in Madrid, Spain. Initial preparation, curriculum design, marketing and enrollment, teaching, trip management, and assessment of the program are discussed in detail. Additionally, guidance is provided to assist students in the development of intercultural competence and assessment throughout the course.
Valproic acid down-regulates the conversion of arachidonic acid to eicosanoids via cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in rat brain.

Sodium valproate, a mood stabilizer, when chronically administered to rats (200 mg/kg i.p. daily for 30 days) significantly reduced the brain protein levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2, without altering the mRNA levels of these enzymes. COX activity was decreased, as were the brain concentrations of 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) produced via COX. In contrast, the brain protein level of 5-lipoxygenase and the concentration of its AA metabolite leukotriene B4 were unchanged. In view of published evidence that lithium chloride administered chronically to rats, like chronic valproate, reduces AA turnover within brain phospholipids, and that lithium post-transcriptionally down-regulates COX-2 but not COX-1 protein level and enzyme activity, these observations suggest that mood stabilizers generally modulate the release and recycling of AA within brain phospholipids, and the conversion of AA via COX-2 to PGE2 and related eicosanoids. If targeting this part of the 'AA cascade' accounts for their therapeutic action, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or selective COX-2 inhibitors might prove effective in bipolar disorder.
Abstract 13901: Elevated Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Appalachian Women with a History of Pregnancy Complications

Introduction: A growing body of evidence links complications of pregnancy (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension) with double the risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) related death in affected women. However, little is known about which CVD risk factors are more prominent among women who have experienced pregnancy complications. Purpose: Compare the presence of modifiable CVD risk factors among women with and without a self-reported history of pregnancy complications living in Appalachian Kentucky- an area with the highest rate of CVD mortality in the U.S. Methods: Rural Kentucky Appalachian women (n = 122, 97% Caucasian, 42 ± 12 years) engaged in a comprehensive measurement of CVD risk factors including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, A1C, lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL), tobacco smoke exposure (objectively measured with urine cotinine), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and anxiety (Brief Symptom Inventory). We used independent t-tests and chi-square analysis to compare risk factors between women with and without a history of pregnancy complications. Results: One-fourth of the sample had one or more pregnancy complications: gestational diabetes (8.2%), preeclampsia (6.6%) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (15.6%). Women with at least one pregnancy complication had a higher average BMI (33.4 vs. 30.4, p = .014), larger waist circumference (42.8 vs. 39.1 cm, p = .006), and a higher proportion with moderate to severe symptoms of depression (27.6% vs. 15.9%, p = .02) compared to women without a history of pregnancy complications. There were no differences between groups in systolic or diastolic blood pressure, A1C levels, lipid profiles, tobacco smoke exposure, or anxiety. Conclusions: Women with a history of pregnancy complications have several modifiable risk factors- higher BMI, higher waist circumference, and higher levels of depression- that could constitute a link between past pregnancy complications and their risk of future CVD death. Pinpointing which modifiable risk factors are elevated in these women will help us develop self-management interventions to prevent the development of CVD in this high-risk population.
A hybrid system model of planar cell polarity signaling in Drosophila melanogaster wing epithelium

A hybrid system model of a 4-protein signaling mechanism within an array of cells in the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) wing is presented and analyzed. While the protein interaction model between cells is biologically fairly well understood, the interaction resulting in spatial distribution of proteins within each cell is not. We propose a weak interaction mechanism between proteins within each cell, and we incorporate this with a model of the protein interaction between cells to form a hybrid model, in which the continuous growth and decay of proteins is modeled using continuous state linear differential equations, and the discrete switches which activate and deactivate proteins are modeled using finite state machines. We then present a preliminary model validation: equilibrium analysis of the hybrid model provides allowable parameter ranges for growth and decay rates, as well as conditions on the cell network boundary conditions, for the biologically feasible steady state protein concentrations to occur. We conclude with a comparison of our analytical results against experimental image data obtained in collaboration with the Stanford University School of Medicine: we present the design of our image analysis algorithm and results for time stamped images of protein localization within the Drosophila wing.
Descriptive naming of context data providers

Much context data comes from mobile, transient, and unreliable sources. Such resources are best specified by descriptive names identifying what data is needed rather than which source is to provide it. The design of descriptive names has important consequences, but until now little attention has been focused on this problem. We propose a descriptive naming system for providers of context data that provides more flexibility and power than previous naming systems by classifying data providers into “provider kinds” that are organized in an evolving hierarchy of subkinds and superkinds. New provider kinds can be inserted in the hierarchy not only as subkinds, but also as superkinds, of existing provider kinds. Our names can specify arbitrary boolean combinations of arbitrary tests on data-source attributes, yielding expressive power not found in naming schemes based on attribute matching.
IN VITRO STUDIES ON SINGLE BEATING RAT HEART CELLS. VII. ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE BEATING CELL LAYER.

The ultrastructure of synchronously beating heart cells grown in culture was observed. The cells appeared to vary as to the stage of development as judged by the appearance of the myofilaments and mitochondria. In the area of contact between cells, cell membrane thickenings, attached to the myofibrils, were seen. The relation of these structures to the development of intercalated disks and myofibrils and the propagation of excitation in the synchronous cells was discussed. Cells whose centers are crowded with radially arranged fibrils were observed, and their possible relation to their function as pacemaker or “leading” cells was discussed. The presence of “knot”-like structures with Z bands and fibrils was related to their possible function as centers of contraction in the cell.
Chemical Shift Scales on an Absolute Basis

In NMR spectroscopy, one measures the chemical shift of a particular peak in a spectrum with respect to a reference compound whose chemical shift is set to a particular arbitrary value for convenience. The NMR chemical shift is not a fundamental quantity, but is a derived quantity defined in terms of the nuclear magnetic shielding. To connect the chemical shift scales and chemical shift values used in NMR spectroscopy with fundamental molecular and electronic properties, one must establish an absolute shielding scale, whereby the absolute nuclear magnetic shielding for a particular compound (a reference compound) is measured. An absolute shielding scale allows one to make use of quantum chemical calculations of shielding tensors because a proper comparison between experimental chemical shift tensors and calculated nuclear magnetic shielding tensors may be made. Keywords: nuclear shielding; chemical shift; referencing
Representation and querying of interpolation data in constraint databases

We propose using a simple linear constraint relational representation for spatial data derived using 2D shape function interpolations. We show that many queries that could not be done in traditional GIS systems can be efficiently expressed and evaluated using linear constraint database systems.
Ceramic and Cermet Targets

Use of isotopic materials as targets in high temperature environments, e.g., reactor cores, requires that chemically stable forms of the isotopes be employed. Usually oxides are compatible with temperatures >1600 K, although some light element oxides exhibit some volatility at temperatures >1300 K. Especially in. the case of heavy elements, the relatively low melting points of the metals, poor compatibility of the metals with encapsulation materials, and high chemical reactivity at moderate temperatures preclude the use of metal targets. However, encapsulation of ceramic targets has been successfully performed yielding high integrity samples. If hydrogen-reducible metals are mixed with the isotope(s), malleable, high strength, corrosion resistant targets can be rolled which contain a ceramic phase of isotope oxide. Isotope dilutions, additions of metals to form the metal matrix of a cermet target, and subsequent homogenization of all components are performed by dissolution in molten urea followed by calcination and compaction into the desired target form.
Basic research on calcification transformation process of low grade bauxite

Our group put forward a “Calcification-Carbonation” new process use of low grade bauxite to produce alumina based on the problem of bauxite grade are decreasing gradually in china. This paper studies the effect of reaction thermodynamics, kinetics and processing parameters in calcification process. The thermodynamics calculation results show that both calcification reactions of gibbsite and diaspore can proceed within their dissolution temperature range. The study of Non-isothermal kinetics by high-pressure DCS results show that the calcification reaction for gibbsite occur within the temperature range 231.7–248.2°C and 248.2–268.7°C, with an activation energy of 23.7kJ/mol and 18.0kJ/mol respectively; diaspore occur within the temperature range 236.7–255.6°C and 255.6–287.5°C, with an activation energy of 264.9kJ/mol and 118.5kJ/mol respectively. Experimental results show that the appropriate calcification temperature of diaspore and gibbsite are 245°C and 180°C, molar ratio of CaO to SiO2 is 4.69:1; under these condition, silicon phase in minerals transformed hydrogarnet completely.
Distribution network reconfiguration with aggregated electric vehicle charging strategy

With a higher level of electric vehicle load penetrated in the distribution network, reconfiguration could be employed to minimize energy losses. Based on a second-order conic programming formulation, an improved set of network radiality constraints is proposed using power-flow based network connectivity conditions. This proves to be a computationally more efficient method compared to the spanning tree constraints. To incorporate electric vehicle charging in the reconfiguration model, two aggregated charging strategies are proposed: the arbitrary delay and the peak-avoiding delay. The decision of delay hours is formulated as constraints and co-optimized into the reconfiguration model. Case study on the IEEE 33-bus system illustrates the performance of the proposed model and the effectiveness of the proposed charging strategy.
Selective stimulation of marine bacteria by algal extracellular products1

Two marine bacterial isolates differ considerably in their uptake rates of extracellular products produced by the alga Skeletonema costatum: 0.4 × 10−8 µg C cell−1 hr−1 for spirillum 7697; 16 × 10−8 µg C cell−1 hr−1 for pseudomonad HNY. These disparate uptake rates are used to interpret the growth patterns of the bacteria in the presence of the alga on a seawater inorganic enrichment medium. Pseudomonad HNY grows well with the alga in both batch and continuous culture, in the latter attaining a steady state population two orders of magnitude greater than achieved in the absence of the alga. Spirillum 7697, however, grows poorly in the presence of growing algal cells and appears to be inhibited to some extent under such conditions. Such observations suggest that dominant bacterial populations associated with algal blooms are a result of both stimulation and inhibition mediated by the release of extracellular products.
Mars Science Laboratory Algorithms and Flight Software for Autonomously Drilling Rocks

One of the goals of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission is to collect powderized samples from the interior of rocks in order to deliver these samples to onboard science instruments. This paper describes the algorithms and software used to control the drill, which is the component of the sample collection and delivery system that directly interacts with rocks to create and acquire powderized samples from their interior. This is the first time that autonomous drilling of rocks has ever been performed on another planet. One of the most important components of the algorithm used for drilling is a force feedback control system used to regulate the force applied to the rock during drilling. This algorithm and all of the other algorithms and software used to enable the process of robustly, efficiently, and autonomously drilling into rocks with a priori unknown and widely varying properties are described in detail in this paper. Results are shown from drilling rocks using the drill software on testbed hardware on Earth as part of the software development process. Results are also shown from the first holes drilled with the flight vehicle on Mars, thus successfully demonstrating the first extraterrestrial autonomous drilling of a rock.
Dynamic self-assembly of motile bacteria in liquid crystals

This paper reports an investigation of dynamical behaviors of motile rod-shaped bacteria within anisotropic viscoelastic environments defined by lyotropic liquid crystals (LCs). In contrast to passive microparticles (including non-motile bacteria) that associate irreversibly in LCs via elasticity-mediated forces, we report that motile Proteus mirabilis bacteria form dynamic and reversible multi-cellular assemblies when dispersed in a lyotropic LC. By measuring the velocity of the bacteria through the LC (8.8 ± 0.2 μm s−1) and by characterizing the ordering of the LC about the rod-shaped bacteria (tangential anchoring), we conclude that the reversibility of the inter-bacterial interaction emerges from the interplay of forces generated by the flagella of the bacteria and the elasticity of the LC, both of which are comparable in magnitude (tens of pN) for motile Proteus mirabilis cells. We also measured the dissociation process, which occurs in a direction determined by the LC, to bias the size distribution of multi-cellular bacterial complexes in a population of motile Proteus mirabilis relative to a population of non-motile cells. Overall, these observations and others reported in this paper provide insight into the fundamental dynamic behaviors of bacteria in complex anisotropic environments and suggest that motile bacteria in LCs are an exciting model system for exploration of principles for the design of active materials.
So What's New in the Field of Plant Cold Acclimation? Lots!

Due to its intrinsically interesting nature and importance to agriculture, considerable effort has been directed at understanding the phenomenon of “cold acclimation,” the process whereby certain plants increase in freezing tolerance upon exposure to low temperature. By 1980, thousands of
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis : an update on evaluation, management, and prevention

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication in patients with cirrhotic ascites. Greater understanding of the pathogenesis and risk factors for the development of SBP recently has improved our ability to prevent and treat the infection. The decreased threshold for performing diagnostic paracentesis in cirrhotic patients coupled with the use of non-nephrotoxic antibiotics have resulted in decreasing mortality rates for patients with SBP. Despite these advances, recurrence is common and often fatal. Thus, the prevention of SBP by diuresis and oral antibiotic prophylaxis has recently been studied. This review summarizes the recent developments in SBP, with an emphasis on patient management and prevention of SBP.
Intermolecular reductive coupling of hindered N -aryl imines towards the modular synthesis of chiral N -heterocyclic carbenes

We describe a simple method for the synthesis of hindered N-aryl diamines. The diastereoselectivity for these processes are relatively low but the diamines can be separated using either chromatography or selective crystallization. Separation of enantiomers can be accomplished using HPLC equipped with a chiral stationary phase.
The Impact of the Demand for Clinical Productivity on Student Teaching in Academic Emergency Departments

Objective: Because many emergency medicine (EM) attending physicians believe the time demands of clinical productivity limit their ability to effectively teach medical students in the emergency department (ED), the purpose of this study was to determine if there is an inverse relation\ ship between clinical productivity and teaching evaluations. Methods: The authors conducted a prospective, observational, double-blind study. They asked senior medical students enrolled in their EM clerkship to evaluate each EM attending physician who precepted them at three academic EDs. After each shift, students anonymously evaluated 10 characteristics of clinical teaching by their supervising attending physician. Each attending physician's clinical productivity was measured by calculating their total relative value units per hour (RVUs/hr) during the nine-month study interval. The authors compared the total RVUs/hr for each attending physician to the medians of their teaching evaluation scores at each ED using a Spear', man rank correlation test. Results: Seventy of 92 students returned surveys, evaluating 580 shifts taught by 53 EM attending physicians. Each attending physician received an average of 11 evaluations (median score, 5 of 6) and generated a mean of 5.68 RVUs/hr during the study period. The correlation between evaluation median scores and RVUs/hr was -0.08 (p = 0.44). Conclusions: The authors found no statistically significant relationship between clinical productivity and teaching evaluations. While many EM attending physicians perceive patient care responsibilities to be too time consuming to allow them to be good teachers, the authors found that a subset of our more productive attending physicians are also highly rated teachers. Determining what characteristics distinguish faculty who are both clinically productive and highly rated teachers should help drive objectives for faculty development programs.
Neonatal tracheal rupture complicating endotracheal intubation: a case report and indications for conservative management

Neonatal tracheal injury represents a rare complication of endotracheal intubation. Previous case reports have demonstrated high morbidity and mortality (75%) associated with the rapid occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema, respiratory failure and death in this patient population. This mandates the prompt recognition, evaluation and management of this injury in the neonate. Although there is no clear consensus, previous authors have described both surgical therapy and expectant management. We report a case of a newborn who sustained tracheal rupture following traumatic intubation who survived with expectant management. The pathophysiology, management and indications for conservative management of neonatal tracheal rupture are reviewed.
Determination of oxygen consumption of isolated adipose tissue cells obtained by needle trocar puncture

Abstract A method has been described which can be used for the estimation of the rate of respiration of a suspension of cells prepared from a very small sample of tissue and for the study of the effect of active materials on this process. The construction of a thermostated Lucite chamber with adjustable volume in the range of 0.25 to 1.50 ml, which can be used as a closed system, permits study of 5 to 30 mg tissue samples such as are obtainable from the subcutaneous fat pad with a special trocar needle (5). The system is sensitive enough to measure the oxygen consumption of a suspension of adipocytes prepared from such samples even though the oxygen consumption of adipose tissue is very low. A method for the preparation of the isolated fat cell suspension from such amounts of tissue and for the estimation of the cell content of the suspension by microdetermination of DNA is also described.
Environmental Assessment of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Processes

Summary The environmental assessment of nanomanufacturing during the initial process design phase should lead to the development of competitive, safe, and environmentally responsible engineering and commercialization. Given the potential benefits and concerns regarding the use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), three SWNT production processes have been investigated to assess their associated environmental impacts. These processes include arc ablation (arc), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and high-pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco). Without consideration of the currently unknown impacts of SWNT dispersion or other health impacts, life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used to analyze the environmental impact and provide a baseline for the environmental footprint of each manufacturing process. Although the technical attributes of the product resulting from each process may not be fully comparable, this study presents comparisons that show that the life cycle impacts are dominated by energy, specifically the electricity used in production. Under base case yield conditions, HiPco shows the lowest environmental impact, while the arc process has the lowest impact under best case yield conditions.
Bakeable ionization chamber for low-level tritium counting☆

Abstract In order to minimize background and facilitate decontamination we built a cylindrical ionization chamber using ultrahigh-vacuum metallic seals. Sapphire and pure alumina insulators isolated the collector electrode from the chamber. The chamber and inlet lines are bakeable to 450°C and withstand pressures up to 3 atm. The unshielded background of a new chamber was 2 fA. The operating voltage plateau of the chamber was determined at 20 and 764 torr. We calibrated output current vs total tritium content, using tritiated methane and a tritium-argon mixture, both by increasing the pressure of a constant-concentration standard and by diluting the standard gas mixture at vonstant pressure. Theoretical calculations of efficiency of beta-energy absorption in spherical vessels filled with several gases are presented, as well as experimentally determined chamber efficiencies for methane and argon.
PROTEIN QUALITY AND QUANTITY IN PRETERM INFANTS ON THE SAME ENERGY INTAKE

Whey predominant formulas cause less metabolic stress in LBW infants but their nutritional benefit as well as that of casein hydrolysate formulas seem limited to a better % nitrogen absorption. Fifteen LBW AGA infants weighing 1.3-1.6 kg were assigned to 3 isocaloric diets differing in the quantity and form of nitrogen delivered. Nitrogen was fed as whole proteins with a whey/casein ratio of 60/40(I), 20/80(II) or as a casein hydrolysate (III) at concentrations of 310, 240 and 314 mg/dl. A balance study was done between 21 and 30 d after birth. Energy intake was the same (150 kcal/kg/d) and the % fat absorption was unaffected by the presence of 40% MCT in I and III. In subjecs fed III, the % nitrogen absorbed (93.5±.8) was greater than in those fed either I (87.2±1.7) or II (87.8±.7). Nitrogen retention as mg/kg/d and as mg/kg/100 kcal metabolizable energy on I (481.6±30.4 and 170.4±8.3) and on III (505.7±34.8 and 179.0± 14.3) did not differ but was greater than on II (399.0±19.2 and 127.7±4.3). Daily weight gain from regained birth weight to 2200 g was the same on I (35.9±2.9) as on III (30.2±3.4) but lower on II (28.6±1.8). Height (cm/wk) and head circumference (cm/wk) monitored over 3 months also showed an advantage of I (1.05±.08 and .81±.04) and III (.90±.04 and .80±.03) over II (.84±.02 and .67±.04). These data suggest that on high energy intakes, protein quality may not affect nitrogen retention and growth unless the quantity of protein ingested falls below a critical level.
The Hierarchy Principle in Designed Industrial Experiments

The general question of appropriate criteria for the development of models from a designed experiment is considered. Since models that are found in this setting are generally not mechanistic but rather empirical in nature, the arbitrary requirement of hierarchy may often lead to a model choice that is inferior in terms of satisfying the goals of the experiment. The non-hierarchial model may be no less interpretable than a hierarchial one and may allow for appreciably better predictive capability. Leaving highly insignificant terms in the model for the sake of hierarchy can increase standard errors and result in poor prediction. Parsimony in empirical modeling is often an important virtue. The broader research question revolves around the choice of criteria for model building, variable selection and model discrimination. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gateway Reactions to Diverse, Polyfunctional Monolayer-Protected Gold Clusters

Amide and ester coupling reactions of ω-functionalized monolayer-protected gold cluster molecules (MPCs) are an exceptionally efficient avenue to a diverse variety of polyfunctionalized MPCs starting from a small subset of ω-functionalized materials. In this paper, coupling reactions have been employed to produce 13 MPCs bearing multiple copies of a diverse variety of structural groups. Detailed features of three of the 13 polyfunctionalized products are highlighted: (a) stepwise coupling and deprotection reactions result in an MPC surrounded by ca. eight pendant tripeptides, (b) a preliminary Steady-State Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (SSEPR) experiment is described for MPCs bearing multiple spin labels (ca. 13/cluster), and (c) a polyelectron electrochemical reaction is described for an MPC bearing multiple (ca. 7/cluster) coupled phenothiazine derivatives. The coupling reactions substantially expand the available diversity of MPCs as polyfunctionalized chemical reagents platformed on a nanometer-siz...
Ethanol production of semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation from mixture of cotton gin waste and recycled paper sludge

Ethanol production from the steam-exploded mixture of 75% cotton gin waste and 25% recycled paper sludge in various conditions was investigated by semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSSF) consisting of a pre-hydrolysis and a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Four cases were studied: 24-h pre-hydrolysis + 48-h SSF (SSSF 24), 12-h pre-hydrolysis + 60-h SSF (SSSF 12), 72-h SSF, and 48-h hydrolysis + 24-h fermentation (SHF). The ethanol concentration, yield, and productivity of SSSF 24 were higher than those of the other operations. A model of SSF was used to simulate the data for four components in SSF. The analysis of the reaction rates of cellobiose, glucose, cell, and ethanol using the model and the parameters from the experiments showed that there was a transition point of the rate-controlling step at which the cell growth control in the initial 2 h was changed to the cellobiose reaction control in later period during ethanol production of SSF from the mixture.
Chlamydia: the most prevalent cause of sexually transmitted disease.

Despite the fact that chlamydia infections are much more numerous than infections caused by gonococcus or the herpes virus, the topic is still relatively unfamiliar to the public and even to health care providers. This article describes the characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of chlamydia infections. The importance of this topic is emphasized by the estimated 3 million cases of chlamydia genital infections per year in the U.S. and the estimated 80% positive chlamydial antibody titers in some populations. Effects of this infection can be especially serious for both women and their offspring and are manifested in a wide variety of pathology. Ideally, one would prefer to prevent the occurrence of chlamydial infections. However, control is difficult because diagnosis is complicated, treatment is long, and reinfection is common. For the present, increased awareness on the part of health care providers leading to earlier treatment and comprehensive patient education seems to provide...
Non-aqueous reversed-phase chromatography of glycerides using infrared detection

Summary Non-aqueous reversed-phase liquid chromatography has been found to provide an effective means of resolving complex mixtures of low-polarity substances present in glyceride-based oils. The most selective elution conditions from a column containing Zorbax ODS chromatographic packing are obtained with mobile phases formed from methylene chloride or tetrahydrofuran and acetonitrile. Separation of the essentially UV-transparent glyceride-type solutes can be monitored by either differential refractive index or infrared detection. The latter method has the advantage that temperature control of the detector is unneccessary and that the wavelength of operation imparts a degree of specificity to the detection system. By using infrared detection, it has been possible to monitor separations carried out under gradient elution conditions.
Association between inflammatory-related disease burden and frailty: Results from the Women's Health and Aging Studies (WHAS) I and II

Frailty is associated with a pro-inflammatory state, which has been characterized by elevated levels of systemic inflammatory biomarkers, but has not been related to the number of co-existing chronic diseases associated with inflammation. We sought to determine the extent to which a higher number of inflammatory-related diseases is associated with frailty and to identify the most common disease patterns associated with being frail in older adults. We performed binomial regression analyses to assess whether a higher count of inflammatory-related diseases increases the probability of frailty using data from the WHAS I and II, companion cohorts composed of 70-79-year-old community-dwelling older women in Baltimore, Maryland (n=620). An increase of one inflammatory-related disease was associated log-linearly with frailty (Prevalence Ratio (PR)=2.28, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=1.81-2.87). After adjusting for age, race, education, and smoking status, the probability of frailty remained significant (PR=1.97, 95%CI=1.52-2.55). In the frail population, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and depressive symptoms (Prevalence=22.9%, 95%CI=14.2-34.8%); CVD and depressive symptoms (21.7%, 95%CI=13.2-33.5%); CKD and anemia (18.7%, 95%CI=11.1-29.7%); cardiovascular disease (CVD), CKD, and pulmonary disease (10.7%, 95%CI=5.2-21.0%); CKD, anemia, and depressive symptoms (8.7%, 95%CI=3.9-18.2%); and CVD, anemia, pulmonary disease, and depressive symptoms (5.0%, 95%CI=1.6-14.4%) were among the most frequent disease combinations. Their prevalence percentages were significantly higher in the frail versus non-frail women. A higher inflammatory-related disease count, perhaps reflecting a greater pro-inflammatory burden, increases the likelihood of frailty. Shared mechanisms among specific disease combinations may further contribute to this risk.
Synchrotron Mossbauer spectroscopy of powder samples

Synchrotron Mossbauer Spectroscopy, SMS, is an emerging technique that allows fast and accurate determination of hyperfine field parameters similar to conventional Mossbauer spectroscopy with radioactive sources. This new technique, however, is qualitatively different from Mossbauer spectroscopy in terms of equipment, methodology, and analysis to warrant a new name. In this paper, the authors report on isomer shift and quadrupole splitting measurements of Mohr`s salt, Fe(NH{sub 4}){sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}{center_dot}6H{sub 2}O for demonstration purposes. Theoretical calculations were performed and compared to experiments both in energy and time domain to demonstrate the influence of thickness distribution and preferential alignment of powder samples. Such measurements may prove to be useful when the data collection times are reduced to few seconds in the third generation, undulator based synchrotron radiation sources.
An integrated and compact hybrid silicon 2R regenerator

An optical 2R regenerator is presented. The device consists of an optical amplifier integrated with a saturable absorber. Over 3 dB improvement in the extinction ratio is seen for 1 Gb/s signals at 1560 nm.