cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of Right Atrial Area as a Measure of Right Atrial Size and Normal Values of in Healthy Pediatric Population by Two-Dimensional Echocardiography

Right atrial (RA) size is a prognostic indicator for heart failure and cardiovascular death in adults. Data regarding use of RA area (RAA) by two-dimensional echocardiography as a surrogate for RA size and allometric modeling to define appropriate indexing of the RAA are lacking. Our objective was to validate RAA as a reliable measure of RA size and to define normal reference values by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in a large population of healthy children and develop Z-scores using a validated allometric model for indexing RAA independent of age, sex, and body size. Agreement between RAA and volume by 2D, 3D TTE, and MRI was assessed. RAA not volume by 2D TTE is an excellent surrogate for RA size. RAA/BSA1 has an inverse correlation with BSA with a residual relationship to BSA (r = − 0.54, p 1 m2, respectively, and was validated against an independent sample. The mean indexed RAA ± SD for BSA ≤ 1 m2 and > 1 m2 is 9.7 ± 1.3 cm2 and 8.7 ± 1.3 cm2, respectively, and was used to derive Z-scores. RAA by 2D TTE is superior to 2D or 3D echocardiography-derived RA volume as a measure of RA size using CMR as the reference standard. RAA when indexed to BSA1, decreases as body size increases. The best-fit allometric modeling is used to create Z scores. RAA/BSA0.95 for BSA 1 m2 can be used to derive Z scores.
TEAM-UP for quality: a cluster randomized controlled trial protocol focused on preventing pressure ulcers through repositioning frequency and precipitating factors.

Pressure ulcers/injuries (PrUs), a critical concern for nursing homes (NH), are responsible for chronic wounds, amputations, septic infections, and premature deaths. PrUs occur most commonly in older adults and NH residence is a risk factor for their development, with at least one of every nine U.S. NH residents experiencing a PrU and many NHs having high incidence and prevalence rates, in some instances well over 20%. PrU direct treatment costs are greater than prevention costs, making prevention-focused protocols critical. Current PrU prevention protocols recommend repositioning residents at moderate, high, and severe risk every 2 h. The advent of visco-elastic (VE) high-density foam support-surfaces over the past decade may now make it possible to extend the repositioning interval to every 3 or 4 h without increasing PrU development. The TEAM-UP (Turn Everyone And Move for Ulcer Prevention) study aims to determine: 1) whether repositioning interval can be extended for NH residents without compromising PrU incidence and 2) how changes in medical severity interact with changes in risk level and repositioning schedule to predict PrU development. In this proposed cluster randomized study, 9 NHs will be randomly assigned to one of three repositioning intervals (2, 3, or 4 h) for a 4-week period. Each enrolled site will use a single NH-wide repositioning interval as the standard of care for residents at low, moderate, and high risk of PrU development (N = 951) meeting the following criteria: minimum 3-day stay, without PrUs, no adhesive allergy, and using VE support surfaces (mattresses). An FDA-cleared patient monitoring system that records position/movement of these residents via individual wireless sensors will be used to visually cue staff when residents need repositioning and document compliance with repositioning protocols. This study will advance knowledge about repositioning frequency and clinically assessed PrU risk level in relation to PrU incidence and medical severity. Outcomes of this research will contribute to future guidelines for more precise preventive nursing practices and refinement of PrU prevention guidelines. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02996331 .
Data-driven material discovery for photocatalysis: a short review

In this short review, we introduce recent progress in the research field of data-driven material discovery and design for solar fuel generation. Construction of material databases under the materials genome initiative provides a great platform for material discovery and design by creating computational screening pipelines based on the materials’ descriptors. In the field of solar water splitting, data-driven computational discovery approach has been effective in making material predictions. When combined with synergistic and complimentary experimental efforts, high-throughput computations based on density functional theory showed great predictive power for accelerated discovery of inorganic compounds as functional materials for solar fuel generation. As an example, we introduce the theory–experiment joint discovery of a large set of metal oxide photoanode materials that have been theoretically predicted to be efficient candidates and soon verified by synergistic experimental fabrication and characterization processes. In the field of two-dimensional materials, the application of data-driven approach has realized the prediction of many promising candidates with suitable direct band gaps and optimal band edges for the generation of chemical fuels from sunlight, greatly expanding the number of theoretically predicted 2D photoelectrocatalysts that are awaiting experimental verification. We discuss the challenges for the continued discovery and design of novel bulk and 2D compounds for photocatalysis via a data-driven approach. At the end of this review, we provide a brief outlook for future material discoveries in the field of solar fuel generation.
Amphotericin-B promotes leukocyte aggregation of nylon-wool-fiber- treated polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Severe pulmonary reactions have been reported in patients receiving leukocyte transfusion and amphotericin-B. To study the interaction of amphotericin-B with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), purified human PMN were incubated with 200 mg of nylon wool fiber for 60 min either in the absence or presence of 2 mM EDTA. PMN were recovered in acid citrate dextrose solution and were suspended in balanced salt solution for determination of their aggregation properties. The cells exposed to nylon wool fibers without EDTA aggregated in response to concentration as low as 1.25 micrograms/ml of amphotericin-B. Cells initially treated with EDTA, however, failed to aggregate. Serum from a patient treated with amphotericin-B aggregated PMN exposed to nylon wool fiber but not control cells, whereas serum taken before amphotericin was given without effect on the PMN treated with nylon wool fiber. Amphotericin-B at 5 micrograms/ml failed to potentiate the release of beta-glucocuronidase or lactic dehydrogenase by PMN treated by nylon wool beyond that seen with exposure to the fibers alone. Rabbit peripheral blood was similarly incubated with nylon wool fibers and the recovered PMN were infused into recipient rabbits that had received 1 mg/kg of amphotericin-B intravenously 1 hr prior to the infusion of the leukocytes. Rabbits were sacrificed 30 min after transfusion of PMN, and their lungs were excised for histologic sectioning. Those rabbits receiving a combination of amphotericin-B and 4 x 10(7) nylon-wool-fiber-treated PMN had evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage and accumulation of leukocytes in the pulmonary vasculature whereas those animals who received such cells alone had normal appearing lung tissue. In summary, amphotericin-B at concentrations achievable in vivo enhanced the aggregation of PMN damaged by incubation with nylon fiber with subsequent accumulation of the phagocytes in pulmonary tissue.
A Rare Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Gastric Ulcer and Acute Pancreatitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease which can manifest in many different organ systems. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is common in SLE, but the symptoms are usually mild. More severe GI complications including acute pancreatitis and peptic ulcer bleeding are rare but represent a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. We present a case of a 25-year-old Hispanic female with a severe SLE flare. The initial presentation included symptoms of hematemesis and epigastric abdominal pain secondary to both gastric ulceration and acute pancreatitis, an atypical presentation of an SLE flare. The non-specific symptom of abdominal pain makes both acute pancreatitis and gastric ulcer disease a clinical challenge; however, clinicians need to have a high suspicion for these conditions co-existing at the same time due to higher mortality rates.
Health Care Disparities in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Differences in Disease Presentation and Access to Care.

Objectives:Data on health care disparities by socioeconomic status for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are lacking, and the available literature shows mixed results. The aim of this study was to evalu...
MAR Project Implementation and Regulatory Issues

MAR planning and implementation start with identification of project goals and success criteria. A feasibility assessment is then performed to determine whether MAR is technically and economically feasible in the proposed project areas. Feasibility assessments involve both a review of existing data and regulatory requirements and constraints (desktop assessment) and field testing. For projects determined to be technically and economically feasible, the next steps are system design and obtaining required regulatory approvals. Subsequent project phases are the construction and operational testing of a pilot or full-scale system. Project planning, design, and implementation should incorporate flexibility to allow for adaptive management. Project performance should be objectively evaluated against specific success critera established at the start of a project.
Implementing a hash-based privacy-preserving record linkage tool in the OneFlorida clinical research network.

Objective To implement an open-source tool that performs deterministic privacy-preserving record linkage (RL) in a real-world setting within a large research network. Materials and methods We learned 2 efficient deterministic linkage rules using publicly available voter registration data. We then validated the 2 rules' performance with 2 manually curated gold-standard datasets linking electronic health records and claims data from 2 sources. We developed an open-source Python-based tool-OneFL Deduper-that (1) creates seeded hash codes of combinations of patients' quasi-identifiers using a cryptographic one-way hash function to achieve privacy protection and (2) links and deduplicates patient records using a central broker through matching of hash codes with a high precision and reasonable recall. Results We deployed the OneFl Deduper (https://github.com/ufbmi/onefl-deduper) in the OneFlorida, a state-based clinical research network as part of the national Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet). Using the gold-standard datasets, we achieved a precision of 97.25∼99.7% and a recall of 75.5%. With the tool, we deduplicated ∼3.5 million (out of ∼15 million) records down to 1.7 million unique patients across 6 health care partners and the Florida Medicaid program. We demonstrated the benefits of RL through examining different disease profiles of the linked cohorts. Conclusions Many factors including privacy risk considerations, policies and regulations, data availability and quality, and computing resources, can impact how a RL solution is constructed in a real-world setting. Nevertheless, RL is a significant task in improving the data quality in a network so that we can draw reliable scientific discoveries from these massive data resources.
Emissions impacts of future battery storage deployment on regional power systems

Abstract Battery storage technologies have attracted attention from policymakers for their potential to reduce electric sector emissions by enabling greater wind and solar penetration. Yet existing studies indicate that adding energy storage actually increases emissions. The difference may be explained by the absence in the previous literature of “investment effects” – changes in deployment of other generation technologies after storage is deployed. Our paper tests this hypothesis by evaluating battery-storage-induced emissions changes using a model that accounts for both long-run investment and dispatch effects simultaneously across regions in the United States, which can be used to separate the relative magnitudes of these two effects. Model results indicate that the investment effect dominates the dispatch effect under a range of sensitivities. We find that emissions may increase or decrease with battery storage, depending on policy and market assumptions, with reductions more likely in environments where wind and solar are more economically competitive relative to natural-gas-fired generation. These results suggest that existing studies that only account for operational impacts likely underestimate potential emissions changes from battery storage deployment.
A Monitoring Sensor Management System for Grid Environments

Large distributed systems such as Computational Grids require a large amount of monitoring data be collected for a variety of tasks such as fault detection, performance analysis, performance tuning, performance prediction, and scheduling. Ensuring that all necessary monitoring is turned on and that data is being collected can be a very tedious and error-prone task. We have developed an agent-based system to automate the execution of monitoring sensors and the collection of event data.
Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with working memory in an older population.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine the association between dietary lutein and zeaxanthin (L + Z) intake and immediate word recall (IWR) and delayed word recall (DWR), and to identify the major contributors to dietary L + Z intake in a recent and representative sample of the older US population. Design: In this cross-sectional analysis, multivariate path analytic models estimated the association between L + Z consumption and cognitive performance while adjusting for covariates. Setting: Observations were drawn from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative panel study of older US adults, and the 2013 Health Care and Nutrition Study, which assessed dietary intake via FFQ in a subsample of respondents. Participants: The analytic sample included 6390 respondents aged ≥50 years. Results: L + Z intake was 2·44 ± 2·32 mg/d on average, and L + Z intake differed significantly across quartiles (P < 0·001). For example, average L + Z intake in Q1 was 0·74 ± 0·23 mg/d and in Q4 was 5·46 ± 2·88 mg/d. In covariate adjusted models, older adults in the highest quartiles of L + Z intake had significantly greater IWR and DWR scores than those in the lowest quartile. Leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, dark yellow vegetables, fish and seafood, legumes, eggs and fruit were significant and meaningful predictors of dietary L + Z intake. Conclusion: A high consumption of vegetables, fish and seafood, legumes, eggs and fruit is associated with a higher intake of L + Z and greater word recall among older adults.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Receiving Emergency Medical Services in King County, Washington.

Importance The ability to identify patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the prehospital emergency setting could inform strategies for infection control and use of personal protective equipment. However, little is known about the presentation of patients with COVID-19 requiring emergency care, particularly those who used 911 emergency medical services (EMS). Objective To describe patient characteristics and prehospital presentation of patients with COVID-19 cared for by EMS. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study included 124 patients who required 911 EMS care for COVID-19 in King County, Washington, a large metropolitan region covering 2300 square miles with 2.2 million residents in urban, suburban, and rural areas, between February 1, 2020, and March 18, 2020. Exposures COVID-19 was diagnosed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 from nasopharyngeal swabs. Test results were available a median (interquartile range) of 5 (3-9) days after the EMS encounter. Main Outcomes and Measures Prevalence of clinical characteristics, symptoms, examination signs, and EMS impression and care. Results Of the 775 confirmed COVID-19 cases in King County, EMS responded to 124 (16.0%), with a total of 147 unique 911 encounters. The mean (SD) age was 75.7 (13.2) years, 66 patients (53.2%) were women, 47 patients (37.9%) had 3 or more chronic health conditions, and 57 patients (46.0%) resided in a long-term care facility. Based on EMS evaluation, 43 of 147 encounters (29.3%) had no symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Based on individual examination findings, fever, tachypnea, or hypoxia were only present in a limited portion of cases, as follows: 43 of 84 encounters (51.2%), 42 of 131 (32.1%), and 60 of 112 (53.6%), respectively. Advanced care was typically not required, although in 24 encounters (16.3%), patients received care associated with aerosol-generating procedures. As of June 1, 2020, mortality among the study cohort was 52.4% (65 patients). Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cohort study suggest that screening based on conventional COVID-19 symptoms or corresponding examination findings of febrile respiratory illness may not possess the necessary sensitivity for early diagnostic suspicion, at least in the prehospital emergency setting. The findings have potential implications for early identification of COVID-19 and effective strategies to mitigate infectious risk during emergency care.
Digitization of the Health and Education Sectors in the Palestinian Society, in View of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Policy- and strategy-makers, governments, and societies, in general, are facing nowadays, worldwide, a stage of transformation towards the digitization era through information and communications’ technology (ICT). People today, around the world, have access to mobile phones more than to life’s necessary basics, such as electricity and water. In addition, the amount of information generated globally is expanding exponentially at exceptional rates, as a result of the benefits offered by the ICT.
Undergoing the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic as ruptures in American civil society create conditions for right action

The global pandemic known as COVID-19 has brought most cities and counties to a slow dance of shelter-in-place and stay-at-home curfews. This is our first personally experienced civilization-wide t...
Effect of a diet intervention on cardiometabolic outcomes: Does race matter? A randomized clinical trial.

Summary Background & aims In the U.S., Blacks as a group have an earlier onset, greater severity, and earlier mortality from cardiovascular disease than their White peers. The aim of this study was to test whether Black and White individuals experience similar cardiovascular risk reduction in response to a dietary intervention. Methods In the course of a randomized trial assessing the effect of low-fat plant-based dietary intervention on cardiometabolic outcomes in overweight adults, this study compared the effects of a 16-week intervention in Black and White participants. Results We randomly assigned 244 participants to the intervention (n = 122, including 60 Blacks and 57 Whites) or control (n = 122, including 53 Blacks and 60 Whites) groups. The full study was completed by 222 (91.0%) participants. There were no significant differences between Blacks and Whites in changes in body mass index (−2.3 kg/m2 in both races; p-value for the difference between Blacks and Whites p = 0.99), insulin resistance (Blacks −1.9, Whites −0.85; p = 0.30), total cholesterol (Blacks −0.73 mmol/L, Whites −0.69 mmol/L p = 0.89), LDL-cholesterol (Blacks −0.59 mmol/L, Whites −0.68 mmol/L p = 0.76), or any other measure. Conclusions Our data suggest that a healthful plant-based diet improves measures of cardiometabolic health independent of race. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02939638.
Surface characteristics on commercial dental implants differentially activate macrophages in vitro and in vivo.

Objectives Biomaterial implantation provokes an inflammatory response that controls integrative fate. M2 macrophages regulate the response to implants by resolving the inflammatory phase and recruiting progenitor cells to aid healing. We have previously shown that modified titanium (Ti) disks directly induce M2 macrophage polarization. The aim of this study was to examine macrophage response to commercially available Ti or Ti alloy implants with comparable roughness and varying hydrophilicity. Material and methods Eleven commercially available Ti (A-F) or Ti alloy (G-K) dental implants were examined in this study. Surface topography, chemistry, and hydrophilicity were characterized for each implant. To compare the immune response in vitro, human monocyte-derived macrophages were seeded on implants and secreted pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins measured. To evaluate the inflammatory response in vivo, mice were subcutaneously instrumented with clinical implants, and implant adherent macrophage populations were characterized by flow cytometry. Results Macrophages on hydrophobic Implant C produced the highest level of pro-inflammatory proteins in vitro. In contrast, hydrophilic Implant E produced the second-highest pro-inflammatory response. Implants F and K, both hydrophilics, produced the highest anti-inflammatory protein secretions. Likewise, pro-inflammatory CD80hi macrophages predominated in vivo on implants C and E, and M2 CD206 + macrophages predominated on implants F and K. Conclusions These findings show that hydrophilicity alone is insufficient to predict the anti-inflammatory effect on macrophage polarization and that other properties-surface composition or topography-determine immune modulation. This in vivo model may be a useful screening method to compare the immunomodulatory response to clinical implants of disparate geometry or size.
Synthesis of Disulfide-Bridging Trehalose Polymers for Antibody and Fab Conjugation Using a Bis-Sulfone ATRP Initiator.

Antibodies and antigen binding fragments (Fabs) are widely used as therapeutics and conjugated polymers can enhance the properties of these important biomolecules. However, limitations to the selectivity and stability of current conjugation methodologies can inhibit the exploration of new antibody–polymer conjugates. Herein, we describe a new strategy for the synthesis of these conjugates that forms a stable thioether bond and can be directly incorporated into an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator. Specifically, a bis-sulfone alkyl bromide initiator was synthesized and utilized in the activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) ATRP of ethylene glycol methacrylate and trehalose methacrylate to form the respective polymers. The trehalose polymer was then irreversibly inserted into the disulfide bonds of Herceptin and Herceptin Fab after mild reduction to form the conjugates with quantitative conversions as verified by Western Blot and mass spectrometry after cleavage of the polymer. The binding of the Herceptin and Herceptin Fab conjugates to the receptor was investigated by indirect ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and the EC50s were 0.90 and 2.74 nM, respectively, compared to Herceptin (0.26 nM) and the Fab (0.56 nM). The conjugates were subjected to heating studies at a constant 75 °C, the temperature determined in a heat ramp to be the threshold of stability for the antibody and FAB; the trehalose polymer was found to considerably increase the thermal stability of both Herceptin and Herceptin Fab. This work provides a new way to prepare polymer–antibody/Fab conjugates utilizing bis-sulfone end groups installed by atom transfer radical polymerization of the functionalized initiators and a way to stabilize these important molecules by conjugation to trehalose polymers.
The Impact of Prior Abdominal Surgery on Complications of Abdominally Based Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Approximately half of all patients presenting for autologous breast reconstruction have abdominal scars from prior surgery, the presence of which is considered by some a relative contraindication for abdominally based reconstruction. This meta-analysis examines the impact of prior abdominal surgery on the complication profile of breast reconstruction with abdominally based free tissue transfer. Methods Literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Included studies examined patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery who then underwent abdominally based free flap breast reconstruction. Prior liposuction patients and those with atypical flap designs were excluded. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. Flap complications included total and partial flap loss, fat necrosis, infection, and reoperation. Donor-site complications included delayed wound healing, infection, seroma, hematoma, and abdominal wall morbidity (hernia, bulge, laxity). Relative risk and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between groups were calculated. Forest plots, I 2 statistic heterogeneity assessments, and publication bias funnel plots were produced. Publication bias was corrected with a trim-and-fill protocol. Overall effects were assessed by fixed-effects and random-effects models. Results After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 16 articles were included for final review. These included 14 cohort and 2 case–control studies, with 1,656 (46.3%) patients and 2,236 (48.5%) flaps having undergone prior surgery. Meta-analysis showed patients with prior abdominal surgery were significantly more likely to experience donor-site delayed wound healing with a risk ratio of 1.27 (random 95% CI [1.00; 1.61]; I 2= 4) after adjustment for publication bias. No other complications were statistically different between groups. Conclusion In patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery, abdominally based free tissue transfer is a safe and reliable option. Abdominal scars may slightly increase the risk of delayed donor-site wound healing, which can aid the surgeon in preoperative counseling.
Ovarian follicular fluid: an innovative approach to assess internal dose for reproductive epidemiology

Ovarian follicular fluid serves as a biological window revealing metabolic processes in the microenvironment of a maturing oocyte, and so may offer a more accurate biomarker of biologically effecti...
Simulation experiments: better insights by design

Simulation models are integral to modern scientific research, national defense, industry and manufacturing, and public policy debates. These models tend to be extremely complex, often with thousands of factors and many sources of uncertainty. To understand the impact these factors and their interactions have on model outcomes requires efficient, high-dimensional design of experiments. All too often, many large-scale simulation models are explored in ad hoc ways. This suggests that more simulation researchers and practitioners need to be aware of the power of experimental design in order to get the most from their simulation studies. In this tutorial, we demonstrate the basic concepts important for designing and conducting simulation experiments, and provide references to various resources for those wishing to learn more. This tutorial will prepare you to make effective use of designed experimentation in your next simulation study.
Uniform Layer Hetero-Junction Targets for Television Camera Tubes

Publisher Summary This chapter investigates the uniform-layer heterojunction targets for television camera tubes. In this experimental study, holes generated by optical absorption in a thin n-type silicon wafer diffuse to a surface on which a 1-μm-thick layer of antimony trisulfide has been deposited by evaporation. This layer is scanned by a low-energy electron beam, as it is in a vidicon, and biased by connecting the silicon wafer through a load resistor to a source a few volts to tens of volts more positive than the electron-gun cathode. A typical spectral-response curve for a target structure is shown. The experimental data shows that heterojunction structures formed by evaporation of amorphous Sb 2 S 3 on to an n-type silicon wafer can function as a camera tube target, having low dark current, a nearly linear transfer characteristic, and the spectral response of silicon. On the negative side, the best collection efficiency measured so far is only 1 to 2% as compared to the 60 to 70% measured for a diode target, and considerable variability in characteristics between targets underlines the need for a far better understanding of the physics of the interface.
Using the new DB2 : IBM's object-relational database system

"A must read for anyone using, planning to use, or simply curious about V2 of DB2. A beautifully written book that is bound to become the definitive reference for the system. The book covers the new features of the system in a style that is complete, yet not overwhelming. Simply a great book." "-- David Dewitt, University of Wisconsin" "Using the New DB2" provides: A comprehensive user's guide to DB2 Version 2 for OS/2, Windows/NT, AIX, and other UNIX platforms. Hundreds of tested programming examples, and dozens of practical tips for writing applications. A road map for the merging of relational and object-oriented database technologies. DB2 Version 2 is the most significant enhancement to IBM's database product family since the introduction of IBM's original relational database products. It supports a broad array of Intel- and UNIX-based platforms, and includes many new SQL features. It defines IBM's direction for combining the advantages of relational and object-oriented database technologies in a single system. "Using the New DB2" presents an overview of the basic features of DB2 Version 2, including historical notes on the development of SQL. It then offers a comprehensive explanation of the advanced features of the system, including recursive queries, constraints, triggers, user-defined types and functions, stored procedures, and client-server applications. Several complete sample applications are provided, illustrating storage and manipulation of complex objects, design of an active database, and use of stored procedures. A chapter is devoted to describing tools and procedures for database administrators. Written in an informal and accessiblestyle, "Using the New DB2" is a valuable resource for DB2 application developers, end users, database designers and administrators, as well as for readers with a general interest in database systems and in the convergence of the relational and object-oriented paradigms.
A rack-mounted precision waveguide-below-cutoff attenuator with an absolute electronic readout

A coaxial precision waveguide-below-cutoff attenuator is described which uses an absolute (unambiguous) electronic digital readout of displacement in inches in addition to the usual gear driven mechanical counter-dial readout in decibels. The attenuator is rack-mountable and has the input and output RF connectors in a fixed position. The attenuation rate for 55, 50, and 30 MHz operation is given along with a discussion of sources of errors. In addition, information is included to aid the user in making adjustments on the attenuator should it be damaged or disassembled for any reason.
Rigid body passive and active stability of ITER

Passive and active vertical stability properties of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) are presented based on a linearized, rigid body model of plasma motion within a set of axisymmetric conducting elements. The proposed passive twin loops concept and a single, midplane symmetric coil pair are analyzed with emphasis on the active control problem. An ideal proportional/derivative controller is used to predict system performance for nominal and off-nominal plasma conditions. The proposed system is shown to meet the primary fast active control specifications for vertical control in ITER. Recommendations are made for improvements in performance based on active control coil position. The combined vacuum vessel and passive shell structure in ITER is shown to be sufficient to meet the design requirements for vertical passive stabilization and the power requirements for the active control system. The proposed system, operating with the baseline plasma, has a 105% margin against Alfven time scale growth and a growth rate of approximately 20 s/sup -1/. The active control system can stabilize a 10-cm initial displacement for the nominal plasma and a 5-cm displacement for the deteriorated plasma within a 1-GVA power supply limit. >
Evaluation of perennial ryegrass straw as a forage source for ruminants.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate perennial ryegrass straw as a forage source for ruminants. Experiment 1 evaluated digestion and physiological variables in steers offered perennial rye- grass straw containing increasing levels of ergot alka- loid, lolitrem B. Sixteen ruminally cannulated Angus × Hereford steers (231 ± 2 kg BW) were blocked by weight and assigned randomly to one of four treat- ments. Steers were provided perennial ryegrass straw at 120% of the previous 5-d average intake. Before straw feeding, soybean meal was provided (0.1% BW; CP basis) to meet the estimated requirement for de- gradable intake protein. Low (L) and high (H) lolitrem B straws (<100 and 1,550 ppb, respectively; DM basis) were used to formulate treatment diets: 100% L; 67% L:33% H; 33% L:67% H; 100% H (DM basis). Intake and digestibility of DM and OM, and ruminal pH, total VFA, and NH3-N were not affected by increasing loli- trem B concentration. Ruminal indigestible ADF (IADF) fill increased linearly (P = 0.01) and IADF pas- sage rate decreased linearly (P = 0.04) as lolitrem B increased. Experiment 2 evaluated performance and production by 72 Angus × Hereford cows (539 ± 5k g BW) consuming perennial ryegrass straw containing
Non-operative management of posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction: design of a randomized clinical trial [NCT00279630]

Posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a common cause of foot pain and dysfunction in adults. Clinical observations strongly suggest that the condition is progressive. There are currently no controlled studies evaluating the effectiveness of exercise, orthoses, or orthoses and exercise on Stage I or IIA PTTD. Our study will explore the effectiveness of an eccentric versus concentric strengthening intervention to results obtained with the use of orthoses alone. Findings from this study will guide the development of more efficacious PTTD intervention programs and contribute to enhanced function and quality of life in persons with posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction.
Least square approach for voltage control optimization

The author describes a procedure for determination of optimum voltage control using the quadratic optimization technique based on the least squares method. The approach is capable of handling generalized optimization problems with the number of variables greater/equal, less than number of constraints. These constraints can be linear or nonlinear but can be modeled as quadratic forms of voltage. Although the power system models are nonconvex, nonconcave, and nonlinear, the optimization scheme determines the feasible and global optimum points. The method is based on the sensitivity method with first order approximation of Taylor series to achieve the necessary and sufficient conditions extended from Kuhn Tucker conditions. To satisfy the generalized optimization scheme, the method is specialized to use a least squares method for the determination of unknown quantities. >
Induced extrusion of DNA from the capsid of herpes simplex virus type 1.

DNA-filled capsids (C capsids) of herpes simplex virus type 1 were treated in vitro with guanidine-HCl (GuHCl) and analyzed for DNA loss by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy. DNA was found to be lost quantitatively from virtually all capsids treated with GuHCl at concentrations of 0.5 M or higher, while 0.1 M GuHCl had little or no effect. DNA removal from 0.5 M GuHCl-treated capsids was effected without significant change in the capsid protein composition, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or in its structure, as judged by electron microscopy. Electron microscopic examination of capsids in the process of emptying showed that DNA was extruded from multiple, discrete sites which appeared to coincide with capsid vertices. DNA exited the capsid in the form of thick strands or fibers that varied in diameter from approximately 4 to 13 nm with preferred diameters of 7 and 11 nm. The fibers most probably correspond to multiple, laterally aligned DNA segments, as their diameters are nearly all greater than that of a single DNA double helix. The results suggest that GuHCl treatment promotes an alteration in the capsid pentons which allows DNA to escape locally. Hexons must be more resistant to this change, since DNA loss appears to be restricted to the pentons. The ability of GuHCl to cause loss of DNA from C capsids with no accompanying change in capsid morphology or protein composition suggests that penton sites may open transiently to permit DNA exist and then return to their original state. Images
Service Learning Partnership between University and School Students: Experiential Learning Inspired through Community Research.

This article describes a service learning project implemented jointly by undergraduate and high school students during summer. The service learning project was designed through a Summer Research Institute hosted at a Midwestern University; the institute encouraged faculty to recruit undergraduate students who would partner with area high school students to conduct a community-based research project in their field of interest. The article describes the partnership between students, as well as the experiential learning that occurred during: research topic identification, literature analysis, planning and implementing a mixed-methodology community-based research project, and during the qualitative and quantitative data analysis, by students. Using a mosaic theory, the students inferred relationships between three apparently unrelated spheres of their research: challenges faced by youth in the community, financial health of social services for youth, and corporate philanthropy for youth services. Recommendations for designing creative academic, experiential and service learning projects are offered for all educators.
Overexpression of Eg5 correlates with high grade astrocytic neoplasm

To investigate the relationship between Eg5 and histopathological grade of astrocytoma, Eg5 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical examination on 88 specimens including 25 cases of glioblastoma (WHO grade IV), 22 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III), 20 cases of diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II), and 21 cases of pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I). The histopathological characteristics and Eg5 expression level of each tumor were assessed and statistically analyzed. Astrocytic tumors exhibited significant correlation of expression of Eg5 with higher WHO histopathological grades (p < 0.001). Eg5 is expressed in 51-98% (mean 76.88%) of neoplastic cells in glioblastoma, 34-57% (mean 43.59%) of neoplastic cells in anaplastic astrocytoma, 6-36% (mean 18.60%) of neoplastic cells in diffuse astrocytoma, and 2-28% (mean 13.48%) of neoplastic cells in pilocytic astrocytoma. In conclusion, overexpression of Eg5 associates with high-grade astrocytic neoplasm, and it may represent an independent diagnostic and prognostic factor in grading astrocytic tumors and predicting prognosis of astrocytic tumor patients.
The Emperor's New Design

Where Darwin Meets the Bible. Creationists and Evolutionists in America. Larry A. Witham. Oxford University Press, New York, 2002. 338 pp. $30, £25. ISBN 0-19-515045-7. A supporter of intelligent design offers an even-handed account of the creation-evolution debates that is focused on the current protagonists rather than the arguments per se.
Effect of computer software on time required to prepare parenteral nutrient solutions.

Pharmacist and technician times required for the preparation of parenteral nutrient (PN) solutions were studied before and after the introduction of a software package that is used with an automated compounder. At a 580-bed teaching hospital, work sampling was used to collect data on how time was spent by personnel in the i.v. admixture pharmacy during six-week periods before and after the introduction of software that calculates the quantities of PN solution ingredients on a computer-generated work sheet and prints labels. The second data-collection period began when the software had been in use for four months. In the second study period, there was a significant decrease (28%) in total pharmacist time spent per PN solution; the mean +/- S.D. pharmacist times per PN solution per day for the two study periods were 14.03 +/- 3.24 minutes and 10.12 +/- 1.61 minutes, respectively. There were also significant decreases in pharmacist time spent performing calculations, checking calculations, and typing labels. After introduction of the software, technicians spent significantly less time typing labels and pumping base solutions. Overall, technicians spent significantly less time per PN solution in the second study period (20.15 +/- 3.50 versus 17.82 +/- 1.94 minutes). Use of the software allowed pharmacist staffing in the i.v. admixture pharmacy to be reduced, and the pharmacy resources were reallocated toward the provision of clinical services. The generation of PN labels and calculation worksheets by computer software reduced pharmacist and technician time requirements for PN solution preparation.
Responses of cotton and wheat photosynthesis and growth to cyclic variation in carbon dioxide concentration

The carbon dioxide concentration in free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) systems typically has rapid fluctuations. In our FACE system, power spectral analysis of CO2 concentration measured every second with an open path analyzer indicated peaks in variation with a period of about one minute. I used open-top chambers to expose cotton and wheat plants to either a constant elevated CO2 concentration of 180 μmol mol−1 above that of outside ambient air, or to the same mean CO2 concentration, but with the CO2 enrichment cycling between about 30 and 330 μmol mol−1 above the concentration of outside ambient air, with a period of one minute. Three short-term replicate plantings of cotton were grown in Beltsville, Maryland with these CO2 concentration treatments imposed for 27-day periods over two summers, and one winter wheat crop was grown from sowing to maturity. In cotton, leaf gas-exchange measurements of the continuously elevated treatment and the fluctuating treatment indicated that the fluctuating CO2 concentration treatment consistently resulted in substantial down-regulation of net photosynthetic rate (PN) and stomatal conductance (gs). Total shoot biomass of the vegetative cotton plants in the fluctuating CO2 concentration treatment averaged 30% less than in the constantly elevated CO2 concentration treatment at 27 days after planting. In winter wheat, leaf gas-exchange measurements also indicated that down-regulation of PN and gs occurred in flag leaves in the fluctuating CO2 concentration treatment, but the effect was not as consistent in other leaves, nor as severe as found in cotton. However, wheat grain yields were 12% less in the fluctuating CO2 concentration treatment compared with the constant elevated CO2 concentration treatment. Comparison with wheat yields in chambers without CO2 addition indicated a nonsignificant increase of 5% for the fluctuating elevated CO2 concentration treatment, and a significant increase of 19% for the constant elevated treatment. The results suggest that treatments with fluctuating elevated CO2 concentrations could underestimate plant growth at projected future atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
The γ-aminobutyric acid receptor in catfish brain

Abstract 1. When the binding of [ 3 H]γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to its receptor in catfish synaptic membranes was studied, a high affinity ( K d = 8.4 nM) and a low affinity ( K d = 65 nM) binding component was observed. 2. Muscimol, thiomuscimol, tetrahydroisoxazole-5,4- c -pyridin-3-ol, imidazole acetic acid and bicuculline each competitively inhibited both high affinity and low affinity [ 3 H]GABA binding. 3. The potency of these inhibitors was similar to that reported for the GABA receptor from mammalian brain. 4. It is concluded that the GABA receptor from catfish brain has very similar properties to the receptor from mammalian central nervous system and consequently has not undergone any obvious evolutionary changes.
Miscellaneous fungus diseases

Abstract A brief review of sporotrichosis, geotrichosis, aspergillosis, penicilliosis, mucormycosis, chromoblastomycosis, maduromycosis, and rhinosporidiosis will be presented in this article. Sporotrichosis ranks with the major fungus infections of man and deserves, if space permitted, a more comprehensive presentation. The other mycoses listed above are not of major importance in this country.
When the Software Goes Beyond its Requirements -- A Software Security Perspective

Evidences from current events have shown that, in addition to virus and hacker attacks, many software systems have been embedded with "agents" that pose security threats such as allowing someone to "invade" into computers with such software installed. This will eventually grow into a more serious problem when Cluster and Cloud Computing becomes popular. As this is an area that few have been exploring, we discuss in this paper the issue of software security breaches resulting from embedded sleeping agents. We also investigate some patterns of embedded sleeping agents utilized in software industry. In addition, we review these patterns and propose a security model that identifies different scenarios. This security model will provide a foundation for further study on how to detect and prevent such patterns from becoming security breaches.
Low-energy electron capture by N4+ ions from H atoms: Experimental study using merged beams and theoretical analysis by molecular representation.

Measurements and theoretical analyses of total electron-capture cross sections for collisions of ${\mathrm{N}}^{4+}$ with ground-state hydrogen (deuterium) are reported in the energy range 1\char21{}300 eV/u. The present measurements have reduced relative uncertainty compared to previous absolute measurements at Oak Ridge National Laboratory [Huq et al., Phys. Rev. A 40, 1811 (1989)] and are used for detailed comparison with more recent coupled-channel molecular-orbital calculations [Shimakura et al., Phys. Rev. A 45, 267 (1992); Zygelman et al., ibid. 46, 3846 (1992)]. The most striking difference between the calculations was the increasing trend in the cross section for collision energies below 4 eV/u, as estimated by Zygelman et al. using only singlet states of the quasimolecule and the decreasing trend predicted by Shimakura et al. using both singlet and triplet states. The latter decreasing trend is consistent with the previous measurement. At 0.5 eV/u, the predicted singlet cross sections differ nearly by a factor of 2. Possible origins for this difference are explored. Strong structure is predicted in the cross section of Zygelman et al. and, to a lesser extent, in that of Shimakura et al. ; however, the phase of the structure is different in the two theories. Structures observed in the measurement at the higher collision energies are not in complete harmony with either prediction.
The simple stochastic epidemic for small populations with one or more initial infectives

SUMMARY For the simple stochastic epidemic, values are tabulated of the probability that at an arbitrary time point there are s = a(1)N infectives, given that at time zero there are a = 1(1) N-I infectives. As an application of the tables, an example, which involves estimating the infection rate, is given.