cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relation of Right Ventricular Dilation After Pulmonary Valve Replacement to Outcomes in Patients With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

The rationale for timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) has focused on pre-PVR threshold values of indexed right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDVi) that lead to normalization of right ventricular (RV) size after valve implantation. The goal of this study was to determine whether persistent RV dilation after PVR is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Subjects with rTOF who underwent PVR and had a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) exam after valve implantation at a single center from 2001 to 2017 were included. The composite clinical outcome after PVR included: death, aborted sudden cardiac death, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), or NYHA class ≥3. In 189 rTOF subjects, the mean age at PVR was 23.5 ± 11.7 years, median follow-up was 6.0 years (IQR 3.4 to 8.7), and the primary outcome occurred in 14 subjects (7%). The 5- and 10-year event-free rates were 97% and 91%, respectively. Post-PVR RVEDVi was not associated with the composite outcome (p = 0.59). Independent predictors of the outcome were older age at PVR (hazard ratios [HR] 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 1.11; p = 0.004), post-PVR lower RV ejection fraction (HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.86 to 0.97; p = 0.002), and post-PVR atrial tachyarrhythmia (HR 7.60, 95% CI 1.65 to 35.05, p = 0.009). Our study shows that post-PVR RV dilation as measured by CMR-derived RVEDVi was not associated with the composite adverse clinical outcome in this cohort. These findings challenge the validity of current guidelines for PVR, which are based on pre-procedural threshold values of RVEDVi aimed at achieving normal post-procedural RV volumes.
Fear of an other geography

Geography has failed to accommodate ‘indigenous ways of knowing’. To do so requires transforming and shifting power relations to account for the landscapes of white supremacy and imperialist practi...
A combination of soil water extraction methods quantifies the isotopic mixing of waters held at separate tensions in soil

Abstract. Measurements of the isotopic composition of separate and potentially interacting pools of soil water provide a powerful means to precisely resolve plant water sources and quantify water residence time and connectivity among soil water regions during recharge events. Here we present an approach for quantifying the time-dependent isotopic mixing of water recovered at separate suction pressures or tensions in soil over an entire moisture release curve. We wetted oven-dried, homogenized sandy loam soil first with isotopically “light” water ( δ2H = - 130 ‰; δ18O = - 17.6 ‰) to represent antecedent moisture held at high matric tension. We then brought the soil to near saturation with “heavy” water ( δ2H = - 44 ‰; δ18O = - 7.8 ‰) that represented new input water. Soil water samples were subsequently sequentially extracted at three tensions (“low-tension” centrifugation ≈0.016 MPa; “mid-tension” centrifugation ≈1.14 MPa; and “high-tension” cryogenic vacuum distillation at an estimated tension greater than 100 MPa) after variable equilibration periods of 0 h, 8 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d. We assessed the differences in the isotopic composition of extracted water over the 7 d equilibration period with a MANOVA and a model quantifying the time-dependent isotopic mixing of water towards equilibrium via self-diffusion. The simplified and homogenous soil structure and nearly saturated moisture conditions used in our experiment likely facilitated rapid isotope mixing and equilibration among antecedent and new input water. Despite this, the isotope composition of waters extracted at mid compared with high tension remained significantly different for up to 1 d, and waters extracted at low compared with high tension remained significantly different for longer than 3 d. Complete mixing (assuming no fractionation) for the pool of water extracted at high tension occurred after approximately 4.33 d. Our combination approach involving the extraction of water over different domains of the moisture release curve will be useful for assessing how soil texture and other physical and chemical properties influence isotope exchange and mixing times for studies aiming to properly characterize and interpret the isotopic composition of extracted soil and plant waters, especially under variably unsaturated conditions.
A Budget Feasible Mechanism for k-Topic Influence Maximization in Social Networks

The past decade has seen vast research on the influence maximization problem in social networks: How to select a subset of individuals to become initial adopters, so that the word-of-mouth effect in the social network is maximized Approximation algorithms have been proposed for this NP-hard problem with knapsack or other constraints. To incentivize influencers to become initial adopters, Singer has initiated budget feasible mechanisms. In this paper, we generalize them to the budget feasible mechanism for k-topic influence maximization problem. We investigate this problem and propose KIMI. We rigorously prove that KIMI achieves 5e/(e-1) approximation and computational efficiency, individual rationality, truthfulness, budget feasibility. Extensive simulations demonstrate that KIMI significantly outperforms baseline methods.
Standard-dose salvage chemotherapy in patients with refractory metastatic germ-cell tumors (mGCT) progressing after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and peripheral-blood stem-cell transplant (PBSCT).

e17061Background: About 40% of patients with relapsed GCT will progress after HDCT and PBSCT and are generally incurable with further standard dose chemotherapy. We previously evaluated standard do...
Love, Money, and Parenting

Parents fifty years ago would hardly recognize the pervasive “Tiger moms” that frequent playgrounds and schools today. These significant changes have made the topic of parenting more relevant than ...
Thermal transport properties enhancement of paraffin via encapsulation into boron nitride nanotube: a molecular dynamics study

This research investigates a novel composite of encapsulated paraffin in boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) which is more thermally and chemically stable than carbon nanotube. This composite can achieve high thermal conductivity and, meanwhile, have thermal energy storage capability for efficient thermal management under extreme conditions. Equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to study self-diffusion coefficient, thermal conductivity, and specific heat of encapsulated paraffin. The simulation results indicated that the self-diffusion coefficient and thermal conductivity of paraffin could be increased by up to 10 and 7 times, respectively, while specific heat was reduced after encapsulating into BNNT.
Guandino Compounds: Implications in Uremia

Guanidine, which may be described as an “aminated” urea (Fig.1), was first isolated in uremia as far back as 19271. It is an extremely toxic material, producing effects when injected into dogs that mimic many of the clinical symptoms of uremia, such as encephalopathy and gastroenteropathy. Its structural similarity to urea makes it an attractive candidate for the role of the enigmatic “uremic toxin”. It makes economic sense, in states of nitrogen excess, to assemble a molecule which binds three, in place of two, amino groups to carbon.
Vision screening outcomes in children less than 3 years of age compared with children 3 years and older

Purpose To compare the rates of amblyopia and treatment outcomes in children 0-2 years to those of children aged 3-5 years referred from a well-established community-based photoscreening program. Methods The medical records of children who failed vision photoscreening through Iowa KidSight and were subsequently seen at the University of Iowa for a complete eye examination over a 13-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures were the number of children obtaining normal vision, the age at which normal vision was attained, and the elapsed time from screening examination to first documentation of normal vision. Results Of 319 subjects, 67 (21%) were 0-2 years of age and 252 (79%) were at least 3 years of age at screening. Amblyopia was found in 19% of the younger group and 30% of the older group (P = 0.12). Follow-up time was similar between groups. At final follow-up, 8% of children in the younger group did not attain normal vision, compared with 40% in the older group (OR = 8.92; 95% CI, 1.65-92.95; P = 0.009). Normal vision was attained on average at 35 months of age in the younger group and 69 months in the older group (P Conclusions In our study cohort, children
Abstract PO-049: SARS-CoV-2 multiepitope vaccine constructs designed to drive long-term immunity in the majority of the population

The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has precipitated an urgent need for a safe and effective vaccine to be developed and deployed in a highly accelerated timeframe as compared to standard vaccine development processes. Upfront selection of epitopes most likely to induce a safe and effective immune response can accelerate these efforts. Optimally designed vaccines maximize immunogenicity towards regions of proteins that contribute most to protective immunity, while minimizing the antigenic load contributed by unnecessary protein domains that may result in autoimmunity, reactogenicity, or enhanced infectivity. Adopting tools developed for population-scale characterization of HLA presentation of tumor antigens and cross-reactivity of TCRs with tumor self-antigens, we have generated an immunogenicity map of SARS-CoV-2 to inform vaccine design based on analyses across five parameters: 1) stimulation of CD4 and CD8 T cells; 2) immunogenicity across the majority of human HLA alleles; 3) targeting both evolutionarily conserved regions, as well as newly divergent regions of the virus that increase infectivity; 4) targeting linear and conformational B-cell epitopes; and 5) targeting viral regions with the highest degree of dissimilarity to the self-immunopeptidome such as to maximize safety and immunogenicity. Using these analyses, we have generated 11 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine constructs optimized for long-term immunity across the majority of the population. These constructs contain combinations of epitopes selected from our analysis such as to drive affinity-enhanced memory response in combination with current spike protein vaccine strategies, for use as T-cell vaccines, and a stand-alone vaccine designed to drive memory B- and T-cell responses in the majority of the population. Epitopes were optimized using our immunogenicity algorithm to minimize immunogenicity across the junctions between epitopes and cloned into pVAX vectors, using signal peptides targeting the lysosome, ER, and cytoplasmic secretion, such as to promote presentation to CD4, CD8, and B cells, respectively. Finally, we describe methods for identifying immunodominant epitopes arising from vaccination using barcoded, multiplexed tetramers. Vaccine constructs are currently undergoing testing in transgenic mice expressing human HLA-A2. We expect that these constructs will help drive long-term immunity across the population, targeting conserved regions across multiple coronaviruses. Citation Format: Mark Yarmarkovich, John M. Warrington, Alvin Farrel, John M. Maris. SARS-CoV-2 multiepitope vaccine constructs designed to drive long-term immunity in the majority of the population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2020 Jul 20-22. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(18_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-049.
Performance Evaluation of Molybdenum Disulfide Based Cutting Fluids Under Near-Dry Machining as an Environment-Friendly Technique

Machining is the most important process and prone to deal with many complexities in terms of surface roughness, chip formation, extreme cutting temperature, cutting forces, tool wear, and abrupt tool failure, etc. To deal with the concerned complexities; cutting fluids are widely used in industries. The application of cutting fluids minimizes the adverse effect of temperature and friction on the entire machining environment which finally results in better machining performance. The current research work is an attempt to evaluate the performance of molybdenum disulfide powder addition in water-soluble conventional oil and mineral oil during the turning of AISI 316L stainless steel under near-dry machining technique. The Taguchi orthogonal array has been used for the design of the experiment. The investigation shows better results with molybdenum disulfide addition in the cutting fluids under consideration in terms of improved surface finish and lower chip thickness.
An Empirical Correlation for the Penetration of a Cryogenic Liquid Jet into a Gaseous Crossflow

Empirical correlations have been widely used to map the penetration and trajectory of an injected liquid jet into a gaseous crossflow. Such correlations for the case of cryogenic liquid injection into a gaseous crossflow of the same species are limited. In this study, medium-resolution images of the injection of cryogenic liquid nitrogen into a gaseous nitrogen crossflow with momentum blowing ratios of 1-4 and Weber numbers of 1500-4500 are captured and image analysis is used to identify the jet boundary. Using these data, an empirical correlation for the penetration of liquid nitrogen into a gaseous crossflow as a function of momentum blowing ratio and downstream distance from the point of injection is developed. Minimizing the root mean square error of the correlation parameters over the full range of experimental conditions investigated leads to a power-law correlation with a mean error of 16%.
“It’s really geniuses that live in the hood”: Black urban youth curricular un/makings and centering Blackness in slavery’s afterlife

Curriculum within the US was birthed in a context of antiblackness and continues to operate as anti-Black through imagining Black youth as less than and uneducable. However, despite the ways educat...
Diagnostic Peritoneal Aspiration Revisited: Its Diagnostic Accuracy for the Detection of Intraabdominal Hemorrhage.

BackgroundThe use of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) in combination with computed tomography (CT) has become the mainstay of diagnostic workup in patients with suspected intraa...
Religion and Volunteering Over the Adult Life Course

Previous studies have not longitudinally assessed whether religion is related to individuals’ movement into volunteering activities across the adult life course. Using four waves of panel data, I present evidence that religion is associated with individuals’ movement into religious institution and nonreligious institutional forms of volunteerism—volunteering for a religious congregation or other religious organization, and volunteering for a nonreligious institution, respectively. I consider the general religious mechanisms of changes in motivation to volunteer through enhanced religious beliefs and increased opportunities to volunteer through greater religious service attendance and involvement. Increased religious belief and attendance result in a greater probability that individuals engage in religious institution volunteerism. Religious institution volunteering increases the likelihood of movement into other formal volunteering over the adult life course. This analysis offers evidence that religious institutions are feeder systems, as increased involvement yields more opportunities for formal volunteerism over the adult life course, irrespective of underlying personality traits. Additionally, the findings suggest that religious mechanisms may operate differently across Christian religious traditions.
Experimental realization of the bound state resonant tunneling transistor

Summary form only given. Bound states resonant tunneling transistors (BSRTTs) with direct contacts to ultrathin base layers ( approximately 60 AA) have been experimentally realized. In the BSRTT structure, bound states are created in the quantum well by using a base material with a low band gap. Electrons in these bound states form a low-resistance base region for application of bias to the device. Resonant tunneling of electrons via the second energy level in the well results in negative differential transconductance (NDT) or negative differential resistance (NDR) in the output current. This NDT or NDR can be used for applications in high-speed digital circuits to reduce the complexity of conventional transistor technology. The BSRTTs studied consist of a 3000-AA In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As emitter layer doped at 5*10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/, an emitter stepped barrier which includes a 500-AA n/sup +/ and a 300-AA undoped In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/ layer, a 20-AA AlAs barrier, a 60-AA In/sub 0.75/Ga/sub 0.25/As base layer doped at 5*10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/, a 20-AA AlAs barrier, a 1000-AA undoped In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As collector barrier, and a 5000-AA In/sub 053/GA/sub 0/./sub 47/As collector layer doped at 5*10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/. Device testing results are reported. >
Gestational outcome following hysteroscopic lysis of adhesions

Thirty-eight infertile women conceived 43 times following treatment for intrauterine adhesions (IUA). Adhesions were classified as being minimal in 7 women, moderate in 20 others, and extensive in 11. All women underwent hysteroscopy with division of all adhesions utilizing miniature scissors and high-dose estrogen treatment for 2 months. In addition 35 of the 38 women had either an intrauterine contraceptive device or a Foley catheter placed to prevent readherence of the walls, and 31 women had the uterine cavity investigated again prior to attempting a pregnancy. Prior to treatment for IUA only 16.7% of all pregnancies in those women with no other cause for pregnancy loss resulted in the delivery of a living infant. However, following treatment 87.2% of these pregnancies resulted in the delivery of a viable infant (P less than 0.001). No instances of placenta accreta occurred, and manual removal of the placenta was not required. Division of adhesions under hysteroscopic control together with the adjunctive measures utilized is superior to all other methods of therapy for IUA and should replace them.
Research facility for biological/environmental applications of cold plasmas

Summary form only given, as follows. We have built a research facility designed to accommodate various investigations in the physics and applications of large volume, non-thermal plasmas. This facility is capable of generating cold plasmas ignited by DC, AC, and RF power sources. Electrode designs aimed at experimenting with DBD-based, RBD-based, and bare parallel plate discharges are built. The operating pressure in the experimental chamber can be varied from low pressure (/spl mu/Torr) to atmospheric pressure. The facility is equipped with diagnostics, which include current-voltage measurement with a wide band (1 GHz) digital oscilloscope, emission spectroscopy using an imaging spectrograph, and residual gas analysis using a quadrupole mass spectrometer capable of operating at pressures up to one atmosphere. One of the applications that is of particular interest is the biological decontamination by non-thermal plasmas. Our facility permits us to test the effect of plasmas on microorganisms introduced in the discharge chamber in a mist-like form or seeded on various surfaces. Description of our experimental setups and discussion of some interesting results regarding both the discharges and their biological/environmental applications will be presented.
Medical Examination in Nutrition Surveys

Pellagra was the most important deficiency disease used as a model for nutrition surveys, because its diagnosis depended on physical signs. By the mid twentieth century, laboratory tests improved the specificity of physical signs in diagnosis of deficiency disease. The author uses his experience in Panama to illustrate how attention to the details of a medical examination can improve accuracy and sensitivity of a nutrition survey.
Factors determining the deposition and demineralization of bone.

A rational approach to the study of pathological changes in bone involves an analysis of the factors which influence the two fundamental processes of bone deposition and demineralization. Upon such a basis, a classification of the diseases which affect bones is submitted. As the chief reliance must often be placed upon the roentgenogram, the value of which lies in the portrayal of variations in the density of bones, such a classification may be used as a chart of differential diagnosis.
A method of estimating spare-part essentiality†

This paper contains the text of a briefing on a method of estimating spare-part “essentiality” or “shortage penalties.” The estimates are made by collecting and combining the judgments of individual maintenance specialists. While the talk was primarily directed to a military audience, the subject appears to be of general interest, since the problem of estimating shortage penalties must be faced in applying any of the optimal inventory policies which have been developed in recent years. The quantitative solution of many other management problems also requires input data which can only be obtained on the basis of expert judgment.
Variance Reduction in a Dataset of Normal Macular Ganglion Cell Plus Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness Maps with Application to Glaucoma Diagnosis

PURPOSE To examine the similarities and differences in the shape of the macular ganglion cell plus inner plexiform layers (GCL+IPL) in a healthy human population, and seek methods to reduce population variance and improve discriminating power. METHODS Macular images of the right eyes of 23 healthy subjects were obtained with spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The thickness of GCL+IPL was determined by manual segmentation, areas with blood vessels were removed, and the resulting maps were fit by smooth surfaces in polar coordinates centered on the fovea. RESULTS The mean GCL+IPL thickness formed a horizontal elliptical annulus. The variance increased toward the center and was highest near the foveal edge. Individual maps differed in foveal size and overall GCL+IPL thickness. Foveal size correction by radially shifting individual maps to the same foveal size as the mean map reduced perifoveal variance. Thickness alignment by shifting individual maps axially, then radially, to match the mean map reduced overall variance. These transformations had very little effect on the population mean. CONCLUSIONS Simple transformations of individual GCL+IPL thickness maps to a canonical form can considerably reduce the population variance in a sample of normal eyes, likely improving the ability to discriminate abnormal maps. The transformations considered here preserve the local geometry of the thickness maps. When used on a patient's map, they can produce a deviation map that provides a meaningful measurement of the size of local thickness deviations and allows estimation of the number of ganglion cells lost in a glaucomatous defect.
Yield Determination and Water-Use Efficiency of Wheat under Water-Limited Conditions in the U.S. Southern High Plains

ABSTRACT Drought is the most important stress for reduc-ing wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) yield and water-use efficiency (WUE) in the U.S. Southern High plains (SHp). Adoption of cultivars with higher yield and WUE under drought conditions is criti -cal in the area. The objective of this study was to investigate the physiological basis of yield determination and WUE of wheat in the SHp. A 2-yr field experiment was conducted in 10 gen-otypes under dryland and irrigated conditions. The newer cultivars or more drought tolerant genotypes had higher yield, biomass, WUE, and water-use efficiency for biomass (WUEbm) under drought. Genotypes with higher yield had more seeds per spike and higher 1000-kernel weight (TKW). The WUE or WUEbm was deter-mined by yield or biomass as genotypic differ-ences in evapotranspiration were not significant. Biomass at anthesis significantly contributed to higher yield under drought. Yield, spikes per square meter, TKW, and harvest index were cor -related to spike, stem, and total dry weights per unit area at anthesis. Single stem dry weight was linearly related to seeds per spike. For dryland wheat, remobilization of stem C reserves con-tributed to yield in 1 yr and to seeds per spike and seeds per square meter in both years. The amount of remobilization was linearly related to single stem dry weight at anthesis. The results of this study indicated that stem dry weight at anthesis may be an important trait for high yield in the SHp environment.Q. Xue, J. C. Rudd, S. Liu, K. E. Jessup, and R. N. Devkota, Texas AM J. Mahan, USDA-ARS, 3810 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79415. Received 19 Feb. 2013. *Corresponding author (qxue@ag.tamu.edu).
Changes in prescriptive practices in skin and soft tissue infections associated with the increased occurrence of community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Summary Background Over 30% of the US population is colonized with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). People within the community, without factors associated with Hospital Acquired (HA) MRSA, present with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Community Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) is resistant to antibiotics typically prescribed for SSTI. Many SSTIs are treated with antibiotics that are ineffective against drug resistant strains. Study objectives This study examines the incidence of SSTIs associated with CA-MRSA, to determine if an increase in SSTI's is associated with changes in prescribing patterns for MRSA. Methods A secondary analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) data was used to detect incidence of SSTIs based on ICD-9 coding between the periods of 1997–2002 and 2003–2008. Antibiotic prescribing patterns were examined for treatment. Results Incidence of SSTIs increased by 84.7% from 1997–2002 to 2003–2008. Antibiotics prescribed for methicillin sensitive S. aureus decreased while treatment with MSRA antibiotics increased. Conclusion There is an increased incidence of SSTI within the community, suggesting that CA-MRSA may be a contributing factor. Health care providers are recognizing the increased incidence of CAMRSA, and are treating SSTI with appropriate antibiotics.
Teaching nutrition to student veterinary technicians.

ABSTRACT Graduates of veterinary technology programs must have the knowledge and skills to understand, implement, and encourage owner compliance with appropriate feeding recommendations for healthy animals and therapeutic regimens to promote optimal health, enhance recovery, and manage chronic disease conditions. This article describes nutrition education for veterinary technology students at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University. Veterinary technology students are novice learners in nutrition who prefer visual, applied, and experiential modes of instruction. The program uses the American College of Veterinary Nutrition's “Circle of Nutrition,” concept maps, and case-based delivery and assessment.
Properties of silicon oxynitride coated fatigue-resistant fibers

Optical fibers coated with a thin silicon oxynitride film have shown a dramatic reduction in static fatigue susceptibility compared with fibers lacking such a coating.1,2 However, their fast fracture strength is ≤3.1 GPa rather than the 5.0 GPa typical of conventional fibers. This strength reduction could become a problem if required proof test levels exceed 2.0 GPa. Possible causes for this reduced strength include abrasion of the underlying fiber by the film during deposition or a stress concentration at the surface of the fiber due to rupture of the film under stress. Film rupture is expected If the total tensile stress In the film, including Internal stresses, exceeded its (unknown) tensile strength.
Is there an increased risk of burns to Amish children

The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence, causes, and demographics of burn injuries in Amish children, treated at a pediatric burn center located in close proximity to the Midwestern Amish country. After Institutional Review Board approval, we used our TRACS Burn Registry to identify burn injuries in Amish and non-Amish children. We then compared the groups formed by gender and culture. We identified 37 Amish children (1.25%) among the 2972 acute burn patients admitted over the 12-year period of review. Importantly, Amish girls sustained significantly more extensive and deeper burns than Amish boys or non-Amish children of either gender (P Language: en
Chemical speciation and bioaccessibility of arsenic and chromium in chromated copper arsenate-treated wood and soils

This research compares the As and Cr chemistry of dislodgeable residues from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood collected by two different techniques (directly from the board surface either by rubbing with a soft bristle brush or by rinsing from human hands after contact with CCA-treated wood) and demonstrates that these materials are equivalent in terms of both the chemical form and bonding of As and Cr and in terms of the As leaching behavior. This finding links the extensive chemical characterization and bioavailability testing that has been done previously on the brush-removed residue to a material that is derived from human skin contact with CCA-treated wood. Additionally, this research characterizes the arsenic present in biological fluids (sweat and simulated gastric fluid) following contact with these residues. The data demonstrate that in biological fluids the arsenic is present primarily as free arsenate ions. Arsenic-containing soils were also extracted into human sweat to evaluate the potential for arsenic dissolution from soils at the skin surface. For soils from field sites, only a small fraction of the total arsenic is soluble in sweat. Based on comparisons to reference materials that have been used for in vivo dermal absorption studies, these findings suggest that the actual relative bioavailability via dermal absorption of As from CCA residues and soil may be well below the current default value of 3% used by U.S. EPA.
The importance of fracture pattern in guiding therapeutic decision-making in patients with hemorrhagic shock and pelvic ring disruptions.

Background: Pelvic fractures may be associated with significant hemorrhage. Although this hemorrhage may emanate from the pelvic vasculature, it may also be secondary to abdominal visceral injury. The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with pelvic and/or abdominal visceral bleeding in hypotensive patients with pelvic fractures to guide the appropriate therapeutic intervention sequence for these difficult-to-manage patients. Methods: Medical records of all hypotensive (systolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mm Hg) patients with pelvic fractures seen at a Level I trauma center from January 1995 to December 1999 were evaluated. Records were abstracted for age, base deficit, 24-hour blood requirement, hemoperitoneum (positive ultrasound, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, or computed tomographic scan), abdominal hemorrhage discovered at celiotomy, pelvic hemorrhage discovered at angiography, emergency department disposition, Injury Severity Score, and mortality. Pelvic fracture categories were derived by adapting the Young-Burgess pelvic fracture classification scheme. Lateral compression (LC) I and anteroposterior compression (APC) I fractures were characterized as stable fracture patterns (SFPs), and APC II, APC III, LC II, LC III, and vertical shear were characterized as unstable fracture patterns (UFPs). Results: Of 231 hypotensive patients, 38 patients died in the emergency department, leaving 193 surviving initial resuscitation. One hundred seven patients stabilized (group I) and were transferred to the intensive care unit. Eighty-six patients (group II) required ongoing resuscitation and underwent celiotomy and/or angiography in an attempt to manage their hemorrhage. Within group II, in the SFP population, abdominal hemorrhage was responsible for hypotension in 34 of 40 (85%), and 10 patients died (25%). In patients with UFP injury, hemorrhage was predominantly from a pelvic source, as shown by 27 positive angiograms in the 46 patients (59%). Twenty-four of 46 (52%) UFP patients died. In patients with a UFP, 14 had both angiography and celiotomy. Four patients underwent angiography before celiotomy and one of four (mortality, 25%) died. In contrast, 10 patients underwent celiotomy before angiography and 6 of 10 died (mortality, 60%). Conclusion: Patients with signs of ongoing shock with SFP pelvic injury and hemoperitoneum require celiotomy as the initial intervention, as the hemorrhagic focus is predominantly intraperitoneal. In patients with UFP, even in the presence of hemoperitoneum, consideration should be given to angiography before celiotomy.
Scaling and river networks: A Landau theory for erosion

We propose a coarse-grained theory for the formation of a river network in the form of a Langevin equation for the erosion of the landscape coupled to a conservation law for the surface water flow. We claim that this is the universal form for large-scale behavior. We show by simulations of a discrete model that represents the same dynamics that the slope-area law, the basin size distribution law, and Horton's laws agree with real rivers. We discuss the relationship to optimal channel networks and to self-organized criticality.
Long-term complications of treatment and causes of mortality after Hodgkin's disease

The majority of newly diagnosed patients are expected to survive Hodgkin's disease because of effective therapies established during past 30 years. Long-term observations from large populations of treated patients have disclosed a variety of late effects of the disease and its therapy that have contributed morbidity and excess mortality to Hodgkin's disease survivors. Secondary cancers have continued to accrue, and the risk relative to the general population has increased to 6.4 (95% confidence intervals: 5.5 to 7.3) in updated experience at Stanford University. Risks are significantly elevated for leukemia (primarily after chemotherapy regimens containing alkylating agents); non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and tumors of the lung, breast, soft tissues, bone, stomach, pancreas, salivary gland, thyroid, and cutaneous melanoma. Early cardiovascular disease has also been observed and numerically exceeds second cancers as a cause of death in patients with early stage Hodgkin's disease (49 v 47 cases). Pulmonary dysfunction, thyroid dysfunction, infertility, psychosocial changes, gastrointestinal problems, softtissue changes, alterations in immunity, and risks for infection have also affected some treated patients. As these problems have been recognized, treatment approaches have been modified over the last 10 to 15 years, and early data suggest a decrease in some treatment sequellae.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Impact on the care of gynecologic oncology patients in the absence of Medicaid expansion in Central Virginia

Abstract Objective Many gynecologic oncology (GO) patients in Virginia are low income and their care is supplemented by Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funds. Our objective is to estimate how many new GO patients may lose access to care if the state forgoes Medicaid expansion. Methods New patients referred to the GO service between July 1, 2010 and July 1, 2012 were identified. Data were collected regarding age, race, referral diagnosis, payor, and state pay scale. Pay scale 1 (PS1) is equal to the federal poverty level (FPL). Assumptions included the following: (1) pay scale is a surrogate for income, (2) PS1 patients will be ineligible for discounted insurance through the exchanges, and (3) decreasing DSH funds will result in a reduction of the free-care pool. Results There were 1623 referrals to the GO service and the majority (83%) was Caucasian. The payor distribution was 44% commercial insurance, 5.6% Medicaid, 31% Medicare, and 10.4% uninsured. Among the 361 women who were PS1, 32% were uninsured. Thirty percent of PS1 patients were minorities and 47.4% had a malignancy. Of note, 52% of new patients with cervical cancer were PS1. Conclusion Seven percent of new GO patients are PS1 and uninsured. This population contains a disproportionate number of minorities and women with cancer. These women will have difficulty affording care as DSH funding decreases, particularly in states with lean Medicaid that opt out of Medicaid expansion. The burden of lack of access to care will be shouldered by an unfortunate few.
Early development of Xenopus embryos is affected by simulated gravity

Early amphibian (Xenopus laevis) development under clinostat-simulated weightlessness and centrifuge-simulated hypergravity was studied. The results revealed significant effects on (i) 'morphological patterning' such as the cleavage furrow pattern in the vegetal hemisphere at the eight-cell stage and the shape of the dorsal lip in early gastrulae and (ii) 'the timing of embryonic events' such as the third cleavage furrow completion and the dorsal lip appearance. Substantial variations in sensitivity to simulated force fields were observed, which should be considered in interpreting spaceflight data.
Partial characterization of the pathway from propionate to acetate in the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni

Abstract Experiments were performed to characterize the metabolism of propionate to acetate in the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni and correlate the results with vitamin B 12 levels. Fourth and fifth instar larvae contain 2–4 pg vitamin B 12 /mg dry wt whereas pupae and adults do not contain detectable amounts. In vivo studies as a function of time in larvae, pupae and adults gave evidence that [2- 14 C]propionate was converted to 3-hydroxypropionate and then to acetate, which subsequently labeled Krebs cycle intermediates. Radioactivity from [1- 14 C]propionate was recovered only in the propionate and 3-hydroxypropionate fractions, and not in acetate or Krebs cycle intermediates, suggesting that carbon 1 of propionate was lost as carbon dioxide and that carbons 2 and 3 of propionate were retained during conversion to acetate. The enzymes of this pathway were located entirely in the mitochondrial fraction. Cyanide inhibited the metabolism of propionate to 3-hydroxypropionate and acetate in mitochondrial preparations, whereas carbon monoxide did not. [2,3- 14 C]Acrylic acid was metabolized to 3-hydroxypropionate, which is consistent with a dehydrogenase converting propionate to acrylate which is then hydrated to 3-hydroxypropionate and then oxidized and decarboxylated to acetate.
The repetitive use of samples to measure multiple cytokines : The sequential ELISA

The inexpensive and highly effective enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) is widely used for the quantification of biomarkers in a variety of biological samples. The applicability of the standard ELISA is difficult when experiments yield low volume samples. In such studies, the capacity of sample collection system does not meet the sample volume requirements to measure multiple different cytokines by the traditional ELISA protocol. In the modified methodology of the sequential ELISA, samples are re-used in multiple successive cycles, dramatically increasing the number of biomarkers which may be measured. Although the protocols presented to date were developed for quantification of cytokines in either blood plasma or cerebrospinal fluid, the sequential ELISA protocol has wide potential for further uses. When only limited quantities of samples are available for analysis, the sequential ELISA technique based on commercially available antibody pairs can be an attractive alternative to more advanced, costly multiplex methods. Additionally, any laboratory that currently runs traditional ELISAs has all the necessary equipment and reagents to perform the sequential ELISA.
Synthesis of 2′(S), 3′(R),5′-trihydroxypentyladenine

Abstract A synthesis of 2′(S), 3′(R),5-trihydroxypentyladenine (1) from D-ribonic acid γ-lactone (2) is described.
The survival of traditional medicine in a Peruvian Barriada

Current trends in population dynamics reflect increasing movement from rural to urban environments. As a result the provision of health care for migrants has become a national priority in many countries 'in development'. Information describing the extent to which traditional medical beliefs and practices persist is crucial to the formation of systems of health care for migrant communities. This paper describes the dynamics of medical conservatism. Data analysis obtained from a comparative study of 52 Peruvian women living in a rural highland province and 50 Peruvian women from a migrant squatter settlement, a barriada, indicates that length of exposure to an urban environment is less of a determinant in medical conservatism than age of enculturation. Positive and negative implications of medical conservatism for the delivery of health services are discussed. Recommendations are suggested for greater emphasis on the coordination of programs of health care with community education.
Ultrafast measurement in GaAs thin films using NSOM

Abstract We combine near-field microscopy with ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy. By combining these two techniques, local carrier cooling and relaxation processes can be measured with submicron spatial resolution, shedding light on their relationship to the microstructure in these materials. The first step in making these kinds of measurements is to characterize the measurement technique. NSOM measurements of differential transmission in GaAs thin films made using transmission mode NSOM combined with the equal pulse correlation (EPC) technique (first demonstrated by Tang and Erskine [C.L. Tang, D.J. Erskine, Phys. Rev. Lett. 51 (9) (1993) 844]) are presented. These measurements show some features unique to the near-field: a high sensitivity to impurity concentrations (as low as 1013 cm−3), a decrease in the depth of field as compared to a linear NSOM measurement, and a contribution due to carrier transport. These measurements show the potential for making spatially resolved femtosecond time-resolved measurements at surfaces of semiconductor bulk materials and devices.
Atypical mole syndrome

Nomenclature des naevus dysplasiques: le terme naevus dysplasique syndrome n'est-il pas plus approprie ?
IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL CAP-BINDING PROTEIN FROM ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

Cap-binding proteins specifically bind to the 7-methyl guanosine (m7G) functional group at the 5′ end of eukaryotic mRNAs. A novel Arabidopsis thalianaprotein has been identified that has sequence similarity to cap-binding proteins but is clearly a different form of the protein. The most obvious primary sequence difference is the substitution of two of the eight conserved tryptophan residues with other aromatic amino acids in the novel protein. Analogous forms of this novel protein appear to be present in other higher eukaryotes but not in yeast. Analysis of the native and recombinant forms of the novel protein by retention on m7GTP-Sepharose indicate that it is a functional cap-binding protein. Measurements of the dissociation constant for this protein indicate that it binds m7GTP 5–20-fold tighter than eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)(iso)4E. The novel protein also supports the initiation of translation of capped mRNA in vitro. Biochemical analysis and yeast two-hybrid data indicate that it interacts with eIF(iso)4G to form a complex. Based on these observations, this protein appears to be able to function as a cap-binding protein and is given the designation of novel cap-binding protein (nCBP).
Low-Friction Rolling-Element Gear Profile Generation Using Instant Centers and Equivalent Four-Bar Linkage

A great deal of energy is lost to friction in power-transmitting devices, especially geared mechanisms. Based on a mechanism equivalence relationship between a four-bar mechanism and a geared mechanism, a procedure is developed for generating custom gear-tooth profiles using the concept of instant centers. These tooth profiles make use of roller elements between the teeth in order to eliminate the rolling-sliding contact which occurs in typical gear meshes, thus reducing power losses. Practical applicability and design constraints are investigated and preliminary results presented.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A novel modified secant method for computing the fair share rate

In this paper, we propose a novel modified secant algorithm to compute the flow fair share rate within the framework of the core-stateless fair queueing [1]. The geometric explanation and numerical results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm possesses better performance in terms of accuracy and convergence than that proposed in [1].
Human Carcinoma Antigens cross reacting with Anti-embryonic Antibodies

EMBRYONAL antigens found in malignant neoplasms but not in homologous normal adult tissues have been much studied. Recently, universal embryonal tissue components were detected in different types of carcinomas of mice1. Our work indicates that immunologically definable embryonic cell components are universally present in human carcinomas.
An evaluation of the national safety council's defensive driving course in various states

Abstract The National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course (DDC) was evaluated by two methods—comparison of self-reported accident rates from the year before and the year after DDC, and comparison of the after-DDC rates with those reported by other drivers who were not exposed to DDC but were driving at the same time. Official state records were also collected. Information was obtained from 8182 DDC graduates (study group) in 26 states who completed a survey describing their accident histories for the 12-month period before DDC. One year later. 72 per cent (5921) of these drivers responded to a similar self report for the 12-month period after DDC. At the time this after-DDC information was collected, comparison group information was obtained for 2397 drivers who entered the DDC program 1 year later. Official records from seven states were collected for approximately one third of the study and comparison group samples. DDC graduates responding to the recontact questionnaire reported significant reductions of 32.8 per cent fewer accidents in the year after DDC as compared to the year before. The study group respondent accident rate was also significantly lower than the comparison group rate. Further analysis of self report data showed that reductions following DDC were greater for males than females and were less for those drivers 24 yr and under with females in this age group showing the least reductions after DDC. Accident profiles after DDC including type, severity, and manner of collision remained generally similar to before-DDC profiles, although there appeared to be a positive connection between course emphasis and the magnitude of reduction for different types of accidents. The study group showed a 17.6 per cent reduction in state-recorded accidents in the year after as compared with the year before DDC. The comparison group showed an increase of 11.9 per cent in state-recorded accidents over the same period. The reductions in state-recorded accidents after DDC for the study group were not significantly different from those of the comparison group, however, the results of the state-recorded analysis were viewed as supporting the significant decreases found in the self reports.
Fork diagrams for teaching selection in CS I

We propose a fork diagram as a visual representation of the algorithm for binary selection. Among other things, fork diagrams can be used to teach students how to write correctly nested if-else statements, analyze nested selection code, appreciate the problem of dangling else, and understand short circuit evaluation of conditions with boolean operators (and and or). We have used C code to illustrate concepts, although fork diagrams can be used for any high level language.