cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The monoclonal gammopathies (paraproteins).

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the pathogenesis of monoclonal gammopathies, including their cause, animal models, and role of T and B lymphocytes, cytogenetic aspects, and molecular biology. It focusses on the recognition of monoclonal proteins in the clinical chemistry laboratory, and a practical classification of the monoclonal gammopathies. The chapter presents the long-term follow-up data on a group of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). The differentiation of benign from malignant monoclonal gammopathies is examined, and the association of monoclonal gammopathies with other diseases is discussed. The antibody activity of monoclonal gammopathies is presented, and biclonal gammopathies and idiopathic Bence Jones proteinuria are discussed. Genetic factor is important in the pathogenesis of monoclonal gammopathies. There are several well-documented reports of familial clusters of two or more first-degree relatives with multiple myeloma. Analysis of urine is essential for patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Sulfosalicylic acid or Exton's reagent is best for the detection of protein. Electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis of urine were performed on all patients with a serum monoclonal protein. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with monoclonal gammopathies.
Diversity as a natural occurrence: an enrichment strategy of peer learning

ABSTRACTBusiness educators are concerned with integrating diversity-related topics and seek methods by which to teach them. This paper suggests that as classes become more heterogeneous, the opportunity to examine diverse perspectives and experiences naturally arises in the course of class assignments and activities. The differential experiences of majorities and minorities are revealed when students discuss and write about their own experiences related to the content of various business courses. The issues of self and group identity and perceptions of others emerge in the context of small group discussions when students share their experiences as recorded in learning logs, personal cases, research assignments, and typical class discussions. The opportunity for community learning in heterogeneous groups provides a forum for diverse perspectives and experiences to be shared. Students and professors learn about different perceptions and reactions to personal and current events as well as their own perspecti...
The Cultural Psychology of Clinton and Trump Supporters: A Narrative Approach

Master narratives are culturally constituted stories that guide individual and collective behavior. Here, we examined Clinton and Trump supporters’ master narratives of election night 2016 and devi...
Photophysical and Photodynamic Properties of New Photosensitizers

Currently, there is much research interest in new photosensitizers with intense far red optical absorptions. Such absorption properties would permit deeper penetration of exciting light into the skin and lower doses of photosensitizer. In our laboratory, we have been working in two areas with regard to these new photosensitizers. First, we are using time-resolved nanosecond flash photolysis to characterize excited states of these new, and also certain older, photosensitizers in vivo. Second, we are measuring the photodynamic cell killing of HeLa cells by two new photosensitizers, bis(tri-n-hexylsiloxy-2,3-naphthalocyanato) silicon (SiNC) (Firey and Rodgers, 1987) and bis(dibutyl-octadecylsiloxy-2,3-naphthalocyanato) silicon (BuSiNC).
Best Linear PredictiOn: Further Topics

Throughout the case studies of BLP in Chapters 5 and 6, a number of simplifying assumptions were made: first moments (E(g), E(y)) known, second moments (variances and covariances) known, observations in y restricted to family means from half- or full-sib progeny tests, all parents unrelated, only one trait measured (although possibly at different ages), and one trait predicted. Also, generally we assumed that the measured traits had homogeneous variance structures. Often in actual applications of BLP in genetic improvement programs, some or all of these assumptions may not be valid. The objective of this chapter is to show how BLP can be applied to broader, more realistic situations.
In vitro evaluation of Capiox FX05 and RX05 oxygenators in neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass circuits with varying venous reservoir and vacuum-assisted venous drainage levels.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic properties and microemboli capture associated with different vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) vacuum levels and venous reservoir levels in a neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. Trials were conducted in 2 parallel circuits to compare the performance of Capiox Baby RX05 oxygenator with separate AF02 arterial filter to Capiox FX05 oxygenator with integrated arterial filter. Arterial cannula flow rate to the patient was held at 500 mL/min and temperature maintained at 32°C, while VAVD vacuum levels (0 mm Hg, -15 mm Hg, -30 mm Hg, -45 mm Hg, -60 mm Hg) and venous reservoir levels (50 mL, 200 mL) were evaluated in both oxygenators. Hemodynamic parameters measuring flow, pressure, and total hemodynamic energy were made in real time using a custom-made data acquisition system and Labview software. Nearly 10 cc bolus of air was injected into the venous line and gaseous microemboli detected using an Emboli Detection and Classification Quantifier. Diverted blood flow via the arterial filter's purge line and mean pressures increased with increasing VAVD levels (P < 0.01). Mean pressures were lower with lower venous reservoir levels and were greater in RX05 groups compared to FX05 (P < 0.01). Microemboli detected at the preoxygenator site increased with higher VAVD vacuum levels and lower venous reservoir levels (P < 0.01). The amount of microemboli captured by the FX05 oxygenator with integrated arterial filter was greater than by the RX05 oxygenator alone, although both oxygenators were able to clear microemboli before reaching the pseudo-patient.
Structure-photodegradation of 2-thiomethyl-N-methylphenylcarbamate

Abstract 2-Thiomethyl-N-methylphenylcarbamate was prepared, and Huckel Molecular Orbital(HMO) calculations were carried out for both the ground state and its excited state phenoxy radical.Pi-bond orders and charge densities obtained from the HMO calculations were successfully used to predict the major photodegradation product of the photolysis of this compound in ethanol. Photodegradation product was characterized to be 3-thiomethyl-4-hydroxy-N-methylbenzamide. Also, the rate of photodegradation of the carbamate was determined to be first order, with an average half-life ( t 1 2 ) of 32.3 hours.
Places Are Open-Ended with Fuzzy Boundaries

The main point of Issue C7 is that places are not autonomous entities or closed-systems with clear geographical or sociological boundaries. Instead, they are open systems with fuzzy boundaries. Like many of the characteristics in Table 1.1, Issue C7 is well defined. Let us explain.
Investigating Elementary Teachers’ Tensions and Mitigating Strategies Related to Integrating Engineering Design-Based Science Instruction

The adoption of engineering design-based science teaching requires elementary teachers to modify their current science pedagogy, often resulting in tensions or hard choices they must make in their teaching practice. The purpose of this study is to identify, compare, and characterize the tensions faced by 45 grade 3 and grade 4 elementary teachers over the course of 2 years within the context of a large-scale math-science partnership aimed at improving student learning of science through design and what mitigating strategies they employed to relieve these pressures. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews prior to and after implementation. Transcripts of these interviews were analyzed using open coding. Findings indicate that within 1 year, teachers’ challenges shifted from conceptual and pedagogical in quality to more multifaceted and cultural, reflecting the nature of engineering design and emphasizing teachers’ changing roles to facilitate student small group interactions. Mitigating strategies were related to the type of tensions described by teachers, the majority of which became apparent through teachers’ repeated enactments of engineering design. Despite facing tensions, teacher participants expressed purposeful intentions to continue using engineering design to teach science. Implications included unearthing engineering design-based science teaching as a reflective teaching approach deeply connected to the nature of engineering that promotes the development of student-centered teaching practices. Ways of connecting these findings with professional development and teacher preparation are discussed.
The Power of a Comfortable White Body: Race and Habitual Emotion.

AbstractThis article explores the role of white comfort in sustaining white hegemony in institutional culture and classroom dynamics. The presumption of comfort and security in established social n...
Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Essential Thrombocythemia: Prevalence and Prognostic Significance.

Objectives: We conducted a study to describe the cytogenetic findings as well as clinical correlates and long-term prognostic relevance of abnormal cytogenetics at the time of diagnosis of Essential thrombocythemia (ET), in terms of clinical presentation, disease transformation into more aggressive myeloid disorders, and life expectancy. Patients and Methods: The study cohort consisted of a consecutive group of patients with ET who fulfilled the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria, in whom bone marrow biopsy was performed at diagnosis, with interpretable cytogenetic analysis obtained in all cases. Results: A total of 403 patients were studied (median age, 56 years; median follow-up 64 months). The prevalence of abnormal cytogenetics at presentation was 6.7 % (27 of 403). The most common cytogenetic anomalies identified included trisomy 9 (4 patients), trisomy 8 (3 patients) and deletion 20q (3 patients). Parameters at diagnosis that were significantly associated with abnormal cytogenetics included palpable splenomegaly (p=0.03), current tobacco use (p=0.04); venous thrombosis (p= 0.019), extreme thrombocytosis (i.e., platelet count >1500 × 10 9 /L, p = 0.03) and anemia with a hemoglobin of less than 10 g/dl (p=0.02); but did not include Jak2 mutation status, nor advanced age (≥ 60 years). During follow up, patients with abnormal cytogenetics were more likely to experience venous thrombosis (p=0.02) but not shorter survival [figure 1], transformation to AML, MDS or MMM, nor a greater requirement for cytotoxic therapy. Conclusion: Cytogenetic anomalies at presentation are relatively uncommon in ET, and do not predict a greater predilection towards evolution into more aggressive myeloid disorders, nor inferior survival.
Cross-specialty Collaboration and Education for Neurosurgical Trainees: Teaching Arterial Line Placement Under Ultrasound Guidance.

Introduction Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) increases patient safety. IPC is learned through task-based exercises, such as ultrasound (U/S)-guided arterial lines. We set out to teach U/S-guided arterial lines as a framework to improve IPC between emergency medicine and neurosurgery residents. The objectives of the study were to provide a U/S session to teach the proper arterial line placement technique, to assess post-workshop arterial line placement competency and attitude toward U/S for procedural guidance, and to improve interdepartmental relationships through IPC. Methods The course was completed in 2018 and consisted of pre-workshop assignments, the workshop, a competency assessment, and a post-workshop survey for neurosurgical residents. After a didactic and hands-on training session, trainees completed a simulated U/S-guided arterial line placement. Trainees then completed a post-workshop assessment. Results There were a total of 21 participants out of 24 total residents, an 87.5% participation rate. Prior to the workshop, on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 is not at all likely and 5 is very likely, the residents reported they would use U/S 1.7/5, with 57% of respondents answering 1 out of 5. After the workshop, on the same Likert scale, the residents reported using U/S first 3.6/5 (P < 0.05) with 52% of the respondents answering 4 out of 5. After the course, the belief that the landmark technique is non-inferior decreased to 28.6% of respondents. Conclusions The overall goal of this workshop was to improve patient care through continuing education. Using IPC as the framework, the workshop significantly increased the reported likelihood of using U/S for arterial line placement.
5-Methyl-4-(5-methyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-di­hydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one

The title compound, C20H18N4O2, known as bis­pyrazolone, was crystallized from dimethyl sulfoxide. The structure has ortho­rhom­bic (Pbca) symmetry at 150 K, and displays both intra- and inter­molecular hydrogen bonding through C—H⋯O and N—H⋯O contacts, respectively. None of the phenyl and pyrazolone rings in the mol­ecule are coplanar. The dihedral angle between the pyrazolone rings is 66.18 (5)°.
The Application of the Rorschach Inkblot Test in the Study of Neural and Cognitive Aging

Abstract. The Rorschach Inkblot test has been adopted and adapted by many researchers to assess and predict different aspects of human experience and cognitive performance. The present review exami...
Dental management of patients with substance use disorder

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsion and chronicity. SUD has detrimental effects on oral health. Drugs and alcohol negatively impact oral health by inducing a myriad of orofacial conditions including xerostomia, dental caries, periodontal disease, bruxism, pre-cancer and cancer, to name a few. Limited recommendations are available for dental professionals on how best to manage patients afflicted with SUD. The aim of this article is to review the oral health consequences of alcohol and commonly abused drugs to provide guidelines for the public health community and dental professionals. The United Nations estimates that a quarter billion people, representing five per cent of the global adult population, used drugs at least once in 2015. Developing public health interventions that include the participation of dental professionals and access to dental services for persons afflicted with SUD could play a critical role in improving their quality of life, their recovery, and their reintroduction into society.
Regulation Control Design Techniques for Integrated Switched Capacitor Voltage Regulators

This paper presents and comprehensively compares various regulation control design techniques targeted to improve output voltage ripple, droop against load transients, and power efficiency of a 2:1 switched-capacitor voltage regulator (SCVR). Three unique SCVR schemes are designed in 40nm CMOS that provide enhanced tradeoffs over the baseline design. First, we present the divided reference slice scheme, which achieves the least droop (27.95 mV) and quickest recovery of 600 ps across a 10X load step. Second, the switch width modulation scheme is proposed to help in power reduction proportional to the load current. Third, a header-footer based current-mode control design scheme is presented which achieves up to 2X reduction in output voltage ripple compared to the baseline scheme. A peak efficiency of 87.6% is achieved at a load current of 44 mA.
Computing Harmonic Maps and Conformal Maps on Point Clouds

We propose a novel meshless method to compute harmonic maps and conformal maps for surfaces embedded in the Euclidean 3-space, using point cloud data only. Given a surface, or a point cloud approximation, we simply use the standard cubic lattice to approximate its $\epsilon$-neighborhood. Then the harmonic map of the surface can be approximated by discrete harmonic maps on lattices. The conformal map, or the surface uniformization, is achieved by minimizing the Dirichlet energy of the harmonic map while deforming the target surface of constant curvature. We propose algorithms and numerical examples for closed surfaces and topological disks.
Equity-Centered Approaches to Educational Technology

This chapter reviews the perspectives and scholarship that address educational equity through the application of technology and digital tools. We first explore how equity is framed in global discourse and the role that educational technology has played in both addressing and perpetuating disparities in achievement. Policymakers, designers, and researchers have routinely attempted to use digital technologies to address the learning needs of historically marginalized populations. Before we examine these technological interventions in context, we must first explore the root causes of what “counts” as an achievement gap as well as what “counts” as technology.
Activin to the rescue for overexcited neurons.

Overactivation of receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate may be involved in disorders ranging from epilepsy to Alzheimer disease. This destructive pathway may be held in check by basic fibroblast growth factor acting through an intermediary cytokine called activin A (pages 812–815 )
Strength and ductility of Ni3Ga with and without boron

Experiments have shown that upon alloying Ni-rich Ni{sub 3}Ga with 0.11 at% boron the contribution of the grain boundaries to both the yield stress and the hardness is reduced by about 40%. Correspondingly, the ductility is increased from about 2% elongation to about 10% elongation, although the fracture mode remains predominantly intergranular. In dry oxygen or under reduced pressure, the ductility of the boron-free alloy, increases to about 3%, as it does when the alloy is strained in air at a high rate ({approx_gt} 10{sup {minus}2} s{sup {minus}1}). Auger electron spectroscopy revealed an enrichment off boron at grain boundaries in the doped alloy. In situ TEM straining experiments showed that in both alloys slip is transmitted from grain to grain through the nucleation of dislocations at the heads of dislocation pile-ups. Slip dislocations are comprised of pairs of a/3 superlattice partials coupled by a superlattice intrinsic stacking fault. The effects of boron on the mechanical behavior are explained in terms of the nucleation of dislocations at the heads of pile-ups and the accommodation/transmission of slip at/across grain boundaries.
Case report: airway and concurrent hemodynamic management in a neonate with oculo-auriculo-vertebral (Goldenhar) syndrome, severe cervical scoliosis, interrupted aortic arch, multiple ventricular septal defects, and an unstable cervical spine.

Summary We report the challenging case of a 1-week-old, term, 2.4 kg neonate with Goldenhar syndrome (including microcephaly, left microtia, left facial palsy, dextro-scoliosis of the cervical spine, and cervico-thoracic levoscoliosis), multiple ventricular septal defects, a type B interrupted aortic arch, a large patent ductus arteriosis, and radiographic and clinical signs concerning for an unstable cervical spine. Our anesthesia team was consulted for perioperative management of this patient during her surgical repair. This case report describes the use of the Air-Q size 1 laryngeal airway (LA) to assist fiberoptic intubation in an ASA 4 neonate with cardiac disease, an anticipated difficult airway with the addition of an unstable cervical spine, as well as the anesthetic techniques used to maintain hemodynamic stability while the airway was secured.
Comparative study of strategies for formal verification of high-level processors

Different methods are compared for the evaluation of formulas expressing microprocessor correctness in the logic of equality with uninterpreted functions and memories (EUFM) by translation to prepositional logic, given recently developed efficient Boolean-to-CNF translations, in order to identify the best overall translation strategy from EUFM to CNF. The translation from EUFM to propositional logic is done by exploiting the property of positive equality, allowing us to treat most of the abstract word-level values as distinct constants while performing complete formal verification. For EUFM formulas from correct microprocessors, the best translation was by using the e/sub ij/ encoding of g-equations (dual-polarity equations), the nested-ITE scheme for the elimination of uninterpreted predicates, preserving the ITE-tree structure of equation arguments, and Boolean-to-CNF translation by encoding the unobservability of logic blocks by merging them with adjacent gates on the only path to the primary output. For EUFM formulas from buggy microprocessors, the best translation was by using the e/sub ij/ encoding of g-equations, the Ackermann scheme for the elimination of uninterpreted predicates, preserving the ITE-tree structure of equation arguments, and Boolean-to-CNF translation by applying optimizations to reduce the number of clauses - merging of ITE-trees with one level of their AND/OR leaves, and exploiting the polarity of gates and logic blocks to reduce the number of their clauses.
Curcumin and Pancreatic Cancer: A Research and Clinical Update

Pancreatic cancer is currently one of the most deadly types of cancer. Poor patient prognosis is linked to the lack of effective early detection techniques and emerging resistance to current therapeutic strategies. Thus, current research efforts are focusing on overcoming drug resistance. One branch of this field of study is the use of natural compounds to combat pancreatic cancer and drug resistance. Curcumin, a turmeric derivative, is one such compound that has been shown to have potent anti-cancer properties in the context of pancreatic cancer. However, curcumin’s poor bioavailability limits its clinical utility. Multiple approaches have been taken to overcome this problem, including curcumin modifications, curcumin combination therapy with other natural and synthetic therapeutic agents and the use of nano-formulations. This review is intended to provide a compendium of the cutting-edge investigations related to preclinical and clinical uses of curcumin, including its analogues and nano-formulations, in the context of pancreatic cancer. Journal of Nature and Science, 1(6):e124, 2015
Expression of a cloned lipopolysaccharide antigen from Neisseria gonorrhoeae on the surface of Escherichia coli K-12.

Abstract A gonococcal gene bank maintained in Escherichia coli K-12 was screened by colony immunoblotting, and a transformant expressing a surface antigen reactive to anti-gonococcal outer membrane antiserum was isolated. The isolate carried a recombinant plasmid, pTME6, consisting of approximately 9 kilobases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA inserted into the BamHI site of pBR322. Surface labeling of E. coli HB101(pTME6) confirmed that the antigen was expressed on the E. coli cell surface. The antigenic material was resistant to proteinase K digestion and sensitive to periodate oxidation, indicating that the material was carbohydrate. Purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from HB101(pTME6) produced a unique band on silver-stained polyacrylamide gels that contained immunoreactive material as seen on Western blots of LPS samples. Only two of three E. coli LPS mutant strains carrying pTME6 reacted with the antigonococcal antiserum, suggesting that a certain E. coli core structure is necessary for antigen expression. We conclude that pTME6 contains one or more gonococcal genes encoding an LPS core biosynthetic enzyme(s) which can modify E. coli core LPS to produce a gonococcuslike epitope(s).
Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 with an Altered Glutamyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Synthetase

Three streptomycin-suppressible lethal mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 have been shown to possess structurally altered glutamyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) synthetases. Each mutant synthetase displays a K(m) value for glutamate which is 10-fold higher than the parental value, and the mutations reside in two widely separate loci on the genetic map. Mixing of the mutant extracts in pairs gave no indication of in vitro complementation. All three enzymes charge the minor tRNA(glu) fraction identically, but one (EM 120) charges the major fraction at a twofold lower rate than do the other two (EM 102 and EM 111). Possible explanations for the existence of the two synthetase loci are presented.
Rate-adaptive compressed-sensing and sparsity variance of biomedical signals

Biomedical signals exhibit substantial variance in their sparsity, preventing conventional a-priori open-loop setting of the compressed sensing (CS) compression factor. In this work, we propose, analyze, and experimentally verify a rate-adaptive compressed-sensing system where the compression factor is modified automatically, based upon the sparsity of the input signal. Experimental results based on an embedded sensor platform exhibit a 16.2% improvement in power consumption for the proposed rate-adaptive CS versus traditional CS with a fixed compression factor. We also demonstrate the potential to improve this number to 24% through the use of an ultra low power processor in our embedded system.
Hydrothermal microearthquake swarms beneath active vents at Middle Valley, northern Juan de Fuca Ridge

[1] Over 3000 local and regional earthquakes were recorded by a compact network of eight ocean bottom seismographs (500 m instrument spacing) from August 1996 to January 1997 in Middle Valley, a sediment-covered rift valley on the northern Juan de Fuca Ridge. Thirteen swarms of small-magnitude microearthquakes (−1.2 < Mw < 0.2) were detected beneath Dead Dog vent field, a major hydrothermal area in Middle Valley with exit fluid temperatures near 270°C. High precision relative positions for 304 events within swarms were determined using waveform cross-correlation techniques. The events were relocated into small, spatially distinct clusters. The intensity of the swarms is correlated with high heat flow with the largest swarm positioned 1.3 km beneath the Dead Dog vents. Smaller clusters of earthquakes are located up to hundreds of meters outside the vent field. The results suggest that the observed seismicity in the Dead Dog region is triggered by thermal strain (contraction) in the hydrothermal reaction zone as fluids extract heat from hot basement rock. Microearthquake swarms appear to be concentrated in regions where faulting has promoted seawater penetration through the sediment layer, cooling the crust, and yielding larger strain rates than those produced by seafloor spreading.
MPH Program Adaptability in a Competitive Marketplace: The Case for Continued Assessment

In the last several years, the number of Master of Public Health (MPH) programs has increased rapidly in the US. As such, MPH programs, particularly smaller-sized ones, need to critically examine how their programs are meeting the needs and preferences of local public health practitioners. To assist in this necessity, the University of New Hampshire conducted a comprehensive educational assessment of its effectiveness as a smaller-sized, accredited MPH program. The aim of the assessment was to review the MPH program from the perspective of all stakeholders and then to agree on changes that would contribute to the fulfillment of the program’s mission, as well as improve program quality and reach. The program’s stakeholders examined the following components: policy development and implementation; target audience; marketing strategies; marketplace position; delivery model; curriculum design; and continuing education. Though assessment activities explored a wide array of program attributes, target audience, curriculum design, and delivery strategy presented significant challenges and opportunities for our smaller MPH Program to remain competitive. The effort put forth into conducting an in-depth assessment of the core components of our program also allowed for a comparison to the increasing number of MPH programs developing regionally. Since public health practice is changing and the education of public health practitioners must be adaptable, we propose that a routine assessment of an institution’s MPH program could not only meet this need but also assist with keeping smaller, unbranded MPH programs competitive in a burgeoning marketplace.
Electric-field distribution in composite media

Spatial fluctuations of the local electric field induced by a constant applied electric field in composite media are studied analytically and numerically. It is found that the density of states for the fields exhibit sharp peaks and abrupt changes in the slope at certain critical points which are analogous to van Hove singularities in the density of states for phonons and electrons in solids. As in solids, these singularities are generally related to saddle and inflection points in the field spectra and are useful in characterizing field fluctuations. The critical points are very prominent in dispersions with a regular, ‘‘crystal-like,’’ structure. However, they broaden and eventually disappear as the disorder increases. @S0163-1829~98!50542-5# In the study of heterogeneous materials, the preponderance of work has been devoted to finding the effective transport, electromechanical, and mechanical properties of the material, 1 which amounts to knowing only the first moment of the local field. When composites are subjected to constant applied fields, the associated local fields exhibit strong spatial fluctuations. The analysis and evaluation of the distribution of the local field has received far less attention. Nonetheless, the distribution of the local field is of great fundamental and practical importance in understanding many crucial material properties such as breakdown phenomenon 2 and the nonlinear behavior of composites. 3 Much of the work on field distributions has been carried out for lattice models using numerical 4,5 and perturbation methods. 6 Recently, continuum models have been also addressed using numerical techniques. 7 In this paper, we study the local electric field fluctuations by analyzing the density of states for the fields. To illustrate the procedure, we evaluate the density of states for three different continuum models of dielectric composites: the Hashin-Shtrikman ~HS! construction, 8 periodic, and random arrays of cylinders. It is found that the density of states for the fields exhibits sharp peaks and abrupt changes in the slope at certain critical points which are analogous to van Hove singularities in the density of states for phonons and electrons in solids. This analogy is useful in quantifying field fluctuations in composites. In the case of the HashinShtrikman construction, we obtain an exact analytical expression for the density of states. We first describe the basic equations and then determine the density of states for the aforementioned examples. Consider a composite material composed of (n21) isotropic inclusions with dielectric constants e i and volume fractions f i (i52,...,n) in a uniform reference matrix of dielectric constant e 1 with volume fraction f 1 . Clearly, the local dielectric constant at position r is e(r) 5( i51
Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Mellitus: Cause and Effect

In the care of the diabetic patient being admitted to the hospital from the emergency department (ED), there is an opportunity to provide a smoother transition of care by recognizing that the first 6–12 h of care have an important impact on the outcomes and overall length of hospital stay. This is especially true when an inpatient bed is not immediately available for transfer and the burden of initial care falls on the emergency physician and nurses. Although it varies across the country, for many patients, the first 12 or more hours of “inpatient care” may be spent in the ED, representing perhaps as much as one-third of the entire hospital stay. With the rapid growth and influence of Accountable Care Organizations and focus on value over volume, length of stay is more critical than ever. It is more important to initiate the correct dose of insulin, along with a thorough evaluation of the diabetic patient’s other medications with the aim to stabilize the patient for a more effective hand-off to the hospitalist, cardiologist, surgeon, or any other inpatient provider. The value of this type of coordinated care is enhanced in patients who also have cardiovascular disease (CVD) because of the benefits associated with optimal glycemic control. In this article, we will review the current definition of optimal glycemic control as it applies to the patient with diabetes who also has cardiovascular disease, in order to highlight procedural changes that can be made to facilitate overall quality care. Underlying this call for a new focus is the observation that the impact of tighter glycemic control on outcomes in CVD such as acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, sepsis, and stroke cannot be underestimated.
The Decoupling of Second-Order Linear Systems with a Singular Mass Matrix

Abstract It was demonstrated in earlier work that a nondefective, linear dynamical system with an invertible mass matrix in free or forced motion may be decoupled in the configuration space by a real and isospectral transformation. We extend this work by developing a procedure for decoupling a linear dynamical system with a singular mass matrix in the configuration space, transforming the original differential-algebraic system into decoupled sets of real, independent, first- and second-order differential equations. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the application of the decoupling procedure.
Laser modulated scattering as a nondestructive evaluation tool for optical surfaces and thin film coatings

Laser modulated scattering (LMS) is introduced as a non-destructive evaluation tool for defect inspection and characterization of optical surfaces and thin film coatings. This technique is a scatter sensitive version of the well-known photothermal microscopy (PTM) technique. It allows simultaneous measurement of the DC and AC scattering signals of a probe laser beam from an optical surface. By comparison between the DC and AC scattering signals, one can differentiate absorptive defects from non-absorptive ones. This paper describes the principle of the LMS technique and the experimental setup, and illustrates examples on using LMS as a tool for nondestructive evaluation of high quality optics.
Bubble chamber for chemical analysis: a new concept

A new technique for the detection of trace concentrations of molecules in solution has been developed. This system utilizes the amplification characteristics of a bubble chamber in which energy deposition from laser absorption is monitored. In the experimental set-up, a trace quantity of solute is introduced into liquid propane that is contained in a small (10 ml) stainless steel cell at 120 psi. The propane is superheated by sudden reduction of the cell pressure. Before wall nucleated boiling occurs, target solute molecules are energized by a laser pulse. Absorption of pump laser energy results in the formation of nucleation centers which develop into bubbles and which in turn are detected by CCD camera. Preliminary experiments with crystal violet used as a test absorber have demonstrated detection sensitivity of 10 parts per trillion (ppt).
Surgical approach to the ulnar wrist

A dorsal surgical approach that allows safe exposure of the distal radioulnar joint and the ulnar aspect of the wrist joint and carpus is described.
Characterization of dissolved organic matter in cave and spring waters using UV–Vis absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) was examined using fluorescence and absorbance spectra from sulfidic cave and thermal and non-thermal surface-discharging spring waters. Many of the sites have a limited allochthonous supply of organic matter (OM) and contain ecosystems that are dependent on chemolithoautotrophic microbial communities. Water-extracted OM from microbial mats at the sites had fluorescence signatures consistent with the fluorescent amino acids. Based on fluorescence-derived indices and absorbance spectral characteristics, the origin of the cave and spring CDOM appeared to be from microbially-derived material, and the degree of OM humification was low. Little of the CDOM pool was represented by terrestrial humic fluorescence signatures, which are typically observed in surface waters, as well as soil and sediment porewaters. Comparison of the cave and spring waters with a wide array of reference humic substances and OM from other environments showed a continuum of spectral properties constrained by origin and degree of humification.
Postoperative prophylactic antibiotics and surgical site infection rates in breast surgery patients

A single preoperative prophylactic dose of an intravenous antibiotic with antistaphylococcal activity is standard of care for breast and axillary surgical procedures. Some surgeons also prescribe postoperative prophylaxis for all patients with drains to prevent infection despite its lack of proven efficacy. A retrospective chart review of patients with breast and/or axillary surgical procedures between July 2004 and June 2006 were included. Data were collected on patient demographics, procedure types, and use of prophylactic antibiotics. Surgical site infection (SSI) was defined by means of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, including patients meeting the physician diagnosis criterion if an antibiotic was prescribed for a clinical diagnosis of cellulitis. χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare SSI rates. Three hundred fifty-three patients with 436 surgical sites who received either preoperative or both pre- and postoperative antibiotic were analyzed. Overall, the SSI rate was 7.8% (34 of 436 surgical sites). Eighty-five patients (24%) with 127 surgical sites were provided both preoperative and postoperative prophylactic antibiotics. The SSI rates did not differ statistically (P = .67) for the groups that did (95% confidence interval, 4.8–15.0; 11 of 127 surgical sites, 8.7%) and did not receive postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis (95% confidence interval, 5.0–11.0; 23 of 309, 7.4%). Although the overall number of patients who developed SSI was relatively small, there was no reduction in the SSI rate among those who received postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Because of the potential adverse events associated with antibiotic use, further evaluation of this practice is required.
Nuclidic mass relationships and mass equations

Mass equations M(N,Z) are generally obtained by establishing the analytical form of the equation on the basis of nuclear structure considerations and by subsequently minimizing the differences M(N,Z) — Mexp(N,Z) for all known masses by adjusting parameters. An alternate approach is described in this contribution. It makes use of nuclidic mass relationships which represent partial difference equations. Some aspects of this approach have been reported earlier[1,2].
Semiclassical quantum unimolecular reaction rate theory revisited

Abstract We describe a semiclassical quantum unimolecular reaction rate theory derived from the corresponding classical theory developed by Davis, Gray, Rice and Zhao (DGRZ). The analysis retains the intuitively useful mechanistic distinctions between intramolecular energy transfer and reaction, with the consequence that the semiclassical quantum theory version neglects some interference effects in the reaction dynamics. In the limiting case that intramolecular energy transfer is very fast compared to the rate of reaction we show that the DGRZ representation of the rate constant can be transformed, using the Weyl correspondence between quantum operators and classical variables, to the quantum flux–flux correlation function representation of the rate constant. In the more general case that the rate of intramolecular energy transfer influences the reaction dynamics, the semiclassical representation of the Wigner function for a classical system with both quasiperiodic and chaotic motion is used to obtain the reaction rate constant. Our analysis identifies the quantum analogue of the classical bottleneck to intramolecular energy transfer with the scars of unstable periodic orbits; it leads to a flux–flux correlation function representation of the rate constant for intramolecular energy transfer.
Tuberculosis control assisted by family planning.

The suggestion that one of the principal reasons for the control of tuberculosis in the U.S. was the advent of family planning is backed up by mortality statistics. Tuberculosis often occurred in young women particularly immigrants under severe deprivation and stress. These women would spread the infection to their children some of whom would die and others would harbor tuberculosis to become active in young adulthood for women having repeated pregnancies or in old age. Data from Seattle-King County from 1881-1960 show high death rates in young children and in young adults. After 1940 the death rates decreased in all age groups and in 1960 only a few older adults died of tuberculosis. A graph labeled "precedence of maternal tuberculosis" compares female versus male mortality in the U.S. in 1880 1920 and 1950. Historically there was a greater occurrence of tuberculosis among mothers with many children especially in lower socioeconomic strata. Tuberculosis subsided as birth rates fell and tuberculosis control drugs became available. Tuberculosis will cease to exist if its transmission can be halted from older to younger generations.
Hyaluronan Constitutively Regulates Activation of Multiple Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Epithelial and Carcinoma Cells

Hyaluronan (HA) is enriched in the pericellular matrices of many malignant human tumors, and manipulations of HA interactions have strong effects on tumor progression in animal models. Increased HA production stimulates ERBB2 activation, leading to increased cell survival activities and several malignant cell properties. On the other hand, inhibition of constitutive HA-tumor cell interactions in malignant cells inhibits these properties. We have now investigated the role of HA in activation of several additional receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), i.e. IGF1R-β, PDGFR-β, EGFR and c-MET, in colon, prostate, and breast carcinoma cells. In each case we show that antagonists of endogenous HA interactions inhibit their tyrosine phosphorylation, i.e. activation. On the other hand, we show that these RTKs are activated in phenotypically normal or relatively benign tumor cells by experimentally increasing HA production. We also investigated the role of HA in constitutive versus ligand-induced activation of RTKs. In HCA7 colon and C4-2 prostate carcinoma cells, ERBB2 is constitutively activated in a ligand-independent manner, whereas IGF1R-β and PDGFR-β require ligand interaction for activation. We show that both constitutive activation of ERBB2 and ligand-mediated activation of IGF1R-β and PDGFR-β are reversed by co-treatment of the cells with a HA antagonist. We conclude that HA serves a general function in RTK activation.
Undocumented Migration from Mexico: Some Geographical Questions

Although undocumented Mexican immigrants in the United States are highly concentrated in California and Texas their locations have become increasingly dispersed in recent years. The most rapid growth in apprehensions by U.S. authorities is now occurring outside the Southwest. Furthermore the already-dispersed patterns of migrant origins in Mexico are becoming more so over time. Thus the phenomenon of undocumented flows is spreading spatially in both the U.S. and Mexico. Historic factors promoting migrant channelization are being supplanted by factors promoting dispersion: increased migrant job awareness and capability a liberalization of U.S. immigration enforcement and generally worsening conditions in rural Mexico. (EXCERPT)
Sca-1+ cells from fetal heart with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity exhibit enhanced gene expression for self-renewal, proliferation, and survival.

Stem/progenitor cells from multiple tissues have been isolated based on enhanced activity of cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzyme. ALDH activity has emerged as a reliable marker for stem/progenitor cells, such that ALDHbright/high cells from multiple tissues have been shown to possess enhanced stemness properties (self-renewal and multipotency). So far though, not much is known about ALDH activity in specific fetal organs. In this study, we sought to analyze the presence and activity of the ALDH enzyme in the stem cell antigen-1-positive (Sca-1+) cells of fetal human heart. Biochemical assays showed that a subpopulation of Sca-1+ cells (15%) possess significantly high ALDH1 activity. This subpopulation showed increased expression of self-renewal markers compared to the ALDHlow fraction. The ALDHhigh fraction also exhibited significant increase in proliferation and pro-survival gene expression. In addition, only the ALDHhigh and not the ALDHlow fraction could give rise to all the cell types of the original population, demonstrating multipotency. ALDHhigh cells showed increased resistance against aldehyde challenge compared to ALDHlow cells. These results indicate that ALDHhigh subpopulation of the cultured human fetal cells has enhanced self-renewal, multipotency, high proliferation, and survival, indicating that this might represent a primitive stem cell population within the fetal human heart.
Metal-binding properties of human centrin-2 determined by micro-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and UV spectroscopy

We analyzed the metal-binding properties of human centrin-2 (HsCen-2) and followed the changes in HsCen-2 structure upon metal-binding using micro-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (μESI-MS). Apo-HsCen-2 is mostly monomeric. The ESI spectra of HsCen-2 show two charge-state distributions, representing two conformations of the protein. HsCen-2 binds four moles calcium/mol protein: one mol of calcium with high affinity, one additional mol of calcium with lower affinity, and two moles of calcium at low affinity sites. HsCen-2 binds four moles of magnesium/mol protein. The conformation giving the lower charge-state HsCen-2 by ESI, binds calcium and magnesium more readily than does the higher charge-state HsCen-2. Both conformations of HsCen-2 bind calcium more readily than magnesium. Calcium was more effective in displacing magnesium bound to HsCen-2 than vice versa. Binding of a peptide from a known binding partner, the xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group protein C (XPC), to apo-HsCen-2, occurs in the presence or the absence of calcium. Near and far-UV CD spectra of HsCen-2 show little difference with addition of calcium or magnesium. Minor changes in secondary structure are noted. Melting curves derived from temperature dependence of molar ellipticity at 222 nm for HsCen-2 show that calcium increases protein stability whereas magnesium does not. Δ25 HsCen-2 behaves similarly to HsCen-2. We conclude that HsCen-2 binds calcium and magnesium and that calcium modulates HsCen-2 structure and function by increasing its stability without undergoing significant changes in secondary or tertiary structure.
Selecting software subcontractors

Large-scale software projects place special demands on the developing organization and can require much greater participation by outside companies. The authors describe their methods for selecting subcontractors for a large project in which outside companies are supplying 90 percent of the code.