cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A quantitative assessment of patient and nurse outcomes of bedside nursing report implementation

Aims and objectives To quantify quantitative outcomes of a practice change to a blended form of bedside nursing report. Background The literature identifies several benefits of bedside nursing shift report. However, published studies have not adequately quantified outcomes related to this process change, having either small or unreported sample sizes or not testing for statistical significance. Design Quasi-experimental pre- and postimplementation design. Methods Seven medical-surgical units in a large university hospital implemented a blend of recorded and bedside nursing report. Outcomes monitored included patient and nursing satisfaction, patient falls, nursing overtime and medication errors. Results We found statistically significant improvements postimplementation in four patient survey items specifically impacted by the change to bedside report. Nursing perceptions of report were significantly improved in the areas of patient safety and involvement in care and nurse accountability postimplementation. However, there was a decline in nurse perception that report took a reasonable amount of time after bedside report implementation; contrary to these perceptions, there was no significant increase in nurse overtime. Patient falls at shift change decreased substantially after the implementation of bedside report. An intervening variable during the study period invalidated the comparison of medication errors pre- and postintervention. There was some indication from both patients and nurses that bedside report was not always consistently implemented. Conclusions Several positive outcomes were documented in relation to the implementation of a blended bedside shift report, with few drawbacks. Nurse attitudes about report at the final data collection were more positive than at the initial postimplementation data collection. Relevance to clinical practice If properly implemented, nursing bedside report can result in improved patient and nursing satisfaction and patient safety outcomes. However, managers should involve staff nurses in the implementation process and continue to monitor consistency in report format as well as satisfaction with the process.
Kindergarten screenings in New York state: Tests, purposes, and recommendations

Three hundred and fifty-nine school districts in New York State were surveyed about tests that they used in kindergarten screenings, the purposes of the screenings, and recommendations made based on the screening results. The 260 respondents (a 72% return) indicated tremendous variability in response to all three questions. Thirty- four different tests were used in the screenings. The main purposes of the screenings were to identify handicapped and gifted students, group students in kindergarten classes, make school readiness placements, and plan and individualize instruction. Recommendations based on the screening results included referrals for further evaluation and multiple levels of placement decisions. Based on these results, it seems that tests are being used for purposes for which they were not designed. The need to avoid making placement recommendations based on the results of a screening test, as is often done with extra-year school readiness programs, is emphasized.
Leadership in Architectural Research: Between Academia and the Profession

Recent decades have witnessed a notable expansion of architectural research activities, with respect to both subject and methodology. This expansion can be mostly credited to an increase in government and private funding of primarily academic research initiatives. More recently, however, a noticeable increase in research activities within the architectural profession makes it possible to argue that it is the profession itself that is now taking leadership in the development of contemporary research agendas. This growing significance of architectural research, in both academia and the profession,is ultimately a response to the diverse challenges facing the profession; most notably, the issue of environmental sustainability, but also including the rapid pace of technological change, the increase ddiversity of users, and the growing complexity of architectural projects. Engaging research is an essential factor in facing these challenges as well as taking full advantage of the opportunities they offer. For this research to be most effective, however, a greater perspective and a clearer definition of its role and the goals it can aspire to, in both academia and the profession, are needed; and most importantly, the question becomes, how do we foster a more integrated research culture between academia and the profession?
Effect of Contacts on Quantum Transport in Nanostructures

In quasiballistic nanoscale devices, the process of relaxation towards a steady state cannot be attributed to carrier scattering. Rather, carrier exchange between the active region and the rapidly dephasing contacts is the mechanism governing relaxation. In this paper, we present a novel technique for the treatment of quantum transport in quasiballistic semiconductor nanostructures. The approach utilizes a first-principles model interaction between the current-limiting active region and the contacts. With the use of the model interaction and by accounting for the energy relaxation in the contacts due to the electron- electron interaction, irreversible evolution of the active region's many body statistical operator is derived in the Markovian approximation. Specifically, analytical steady-state distribution functions are derived for a generic two-terminal nanostructure, and used to obtain the steady-state I-V curves for the cases of a resonant-tunneling diode and an nin diode.
A microcomputer-aided system for the graphic reproduction of neurohistochemical maps

Abstract In this report we describe the computer hardware and software used in the production of microscopic maps from histochemical data. The maps may consist of lines, shaded areas and symbols, each drawn in any of four styles and in any of four colors. The system employs a microscope stage digitizer and plotter to produce an initial map containing precise positional information. A desktop computer equipped with a four-color digital plotter and a digitizing tablet is used to produce the final map. The positional information of the initial map is traced on the computer's digitizer to produce the final map. The software enabling this transformation is specialized for three basic types of structures. Cytoarchitectural landmarks and macroscopic morphology are represented by lines. Areas of a microscopic field which have some degree of visibly definable characteristics such as axonal staining are represented by areas shaded with dots. Microscopic structures of individual interest are represented by various symbols. Other program options allow the computation and printing of figure areas and perimeters while digitizing shaded areas, storage of all map information on a mass-storage medium, the drawing of alignment registration marks, and flexible access to and prompting for all program options. While the role of the anatomist in recognition and descrimination of meaningful histochemical information is unchanged, production of microscopic maps using this system consumes far less time than hand methods and results in uniform, accurate illustrations.
Abdominal hysterectomy versus transvaginal morcellation for the removal of enlarged uteri

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative complications of transvaginal morcellation and abdominal hysterectomy for the removal of moderately enlarged uteri. Study Design: An observational study was performed on all uteri weighing > 200 gm removed transvaginally from July 1, 1987, to June 30, 1993. An abdominal hysterectomy control group was selected. Results: There were 50 patients in the vaginal group and 112 in the abdominal group. At a p value p p p p Conclusions: In selected patients transvaginal morcellation is a safe and effective alternative to abdominal hysterectomy for the removal of moderately enlarged uteri. The two procedures are comparable in operative time, blood loss, and complications. Both ovaries are more likely to be removed with abdominal hysterectomy. Cosmesis and recuperation may be advantages of the vaginal approach.
Melanoma in children

Four cases of malignant melanoma in children younger than 17 years of age are presented. Several preexisting conditions increase the risk of development of melanoma during childhood. These include giant congenital melanocytic nevi, the familial dysplastic nevus syndrome, and xeroderma pigmentosum. The role of small congenital lesions and sporadic dysplastic nevi in the development of melanoma in children is less clear. The signs and symptoms associated with melanoma in children are similar to those in adults, as are the histopathologic features, biologic behavior, and treatment of this tumor. The inadequacy of available therapy for metastatic melanoma underscores the necessity for the early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment of melanomas in children.
Theory of the directionality and spatial coherence of wind-driven ambient noise in a deep ocean with attenuation

Acoustic attenuation in seawater usually has little effect on the spatial statistics of ambient noise in the ocean. This expectation does not hold, however, at higher frequencies, above 10 kHz, and extreme depths, in excess of 6 km, an operating regime that is within the capabilities of the most recently developed acoustic instrument platforms. To quantify the effects of attenuation, theoretical models for the vertical directionality and the spatial coherence of wind-generated ambient noise are developed in this paper, based on a uniform distribution of surface sources above a semi-infinite, homogeneous ocean. Since there are no bottom reflections, all the noise is downward traveling; and the angular width of the directional density function becomes progressively narrower with increasing frequency because sound from the more distant sources experiences greater attenuation than acoustic arrivals from overhead. This narrowing of the noise lobe modifies the spatial coherence, shifting the zeros in the horizontal (vertical) coherence function to higher (lower) frequencies. In addition, the attenuation modifies the amplitudes of the higher-order oscillations in the horizontal and vertical coherence functions, tending to suppress the former and enhance the latter. These effects are large enough to be detectable with the latest deep-diving sensor technology.
A Computational Model of Cell-Generated Traction Forces and Fibronectin Assembly

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an assembly of proteins that surround cells, and serves as the cell substrate in vivo. A primary component of newly synthesized ECM is the fibronectin (FN). Despite many years of research, the mechanism of FN assembly is still not completely understood. While it is recognized that FN assembly requires application of traction force to expose a buried FN-FN binding site, such a site has never been elucidated. We hypothesize that assembly of fibronectin (FN) fibrils is a complex event: each of the 15 Type III domains in FN is made up of a sandwich of 7 beta strands; when relaxed, the Type III domains are folded such that the beta strands are twisted, blocking the non-specific binding of other proteins. Application of force straightens these beta-strands, allowing for binding of other FNs via a beta-strand addition mechanism. This suggests that all 15 domains are capable of binding FN molecules in a growing fibril. To investigate this hypothesis, we present a mechanistic computational model of cell/FN/substrate biomechanical interactions, which accounts for the unique, nonlinear mechanical properties of each domain and the stochastic binding between molecular clutches and the moving actin bundle. Monte Carlo simulations predict that increasing substrate stiffness leads to longer and thicker fibrils. Additionally, the model demonstrates complex time-dependent dynamics governing the size of the growing fibril, the domains’ stiffness, and traction forces; that is, at low force, a small subset of domains open, allowing for minimal fibril assembly, while large forces unfold a considerable fraction of domains and create large, thick fibrils. Simulation outputs are compared to experimental data in which traction force, FN assembly, and domain opening are quantified using microfabricated pillar arrays and cysteine-labeling of recombinant FNs with introduced buried cysteines.
Energy-resolved positron annihilation for molecules

This paper presents an experimental study designed to address the long-standing question regarding the origin of very large positron annihilation rates observed for many molecules. We report a study of the annihilation, resolved as a function of positron energy ( DE;25 meV, full width at half maximum! for positron energies from 50 meV to several eV. Annihilation measurements are presented for a range of hydrocarbon molecules, including a detailed study of alkanes, CnH2n12, for n51 ‐9 and 12. Data for other molecules are also presented: C2H2 ,C 2H4 ;C D 4; isopentane; partially fluorinated and fluorinated methane (CH xF42x); 1-fluorohexane (C 6H13F) and 1-fluorononane (C 9H19F). A key feature of the results is very large enhancements in the annihilation rates at positron energies corresponding to the excitation of molecular vibrations in larger alkane molecules. These enhancements are believed to be responsible for the large annihilation rates observed for Maxwellian distributions of positrons in molecular gases. In alkane molecules larger than ethane (C2H6), the position of these peaks is shifted downward by an amount ;20 meV per carbon. The results presented here are generally consistent with a physical picture recently considered in detail by Gribakin @Phys. Rev. A 61, 022720 ~2000!#. In this model, the incoming positron excites a vibrational Feshbach resonance and is temporarily trapped on the molecule, greatly enhancing the probability of annihilation. The applicability of this model and the resulting enhancement in annihilation rate relies on the existence of positron-molecule bound states. In accord with this reasoning, the experimental results presented here provide the most direct evidence to date that positrons bind to neutral molecules. The shift in the position of the resonances is interpreted as a measure of the binding energy of the positron to the molecule. Other features of the results are also discussed, including large, qualitative changes in the annihilation spectra observed when hydrocarbon molecules are fluorinated.
Immunization of monkeys with an inactivated measles antigen and their response to a subsequent measles infection.

Monkeys vaccinated with killed concentrated measles antigen uniformly develop neutralizing and complement-fixing antibodies. When vaccinated and control animals were exposed to live measles virus, the antigenically sensitized monkeys developed antibody faster and to a higher titer than normal animals. Viremia occurred in the presence of circulating antibody and it is suggested that leucocytes may serve to protect circulating virus.
Finding social dilemma: West of Babel, not east of Eden

This paper refracts Gordon Tullock’s The Social Dilemma onto a framework of spontaneous order theorizing, and finds the refraction to work well. The Social Dilemma reveals Gordon Tullock to be a theorist whose conceptualizations are anchored in a societal setting represented better by networks than by fields, and where societal outcomes emerge out of local networked interaction. The theoretical orientation of The Social Dilemma is redolent with spontaneous order themes, including his adoption of a field of vision that looks for social order west of Babel and not east of Eden. The paper also makes some secondary effort to compare The Social Dilemma with James Buchanan’s The Limits of Liberty.
The Prognostic Significance of T-Stage and N-Stage in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx (OPSCC) in the HPV Era

preliminary study on the same patient population, only comboMD and mid-treatment shrink had been found to be correlated to the time to xerostomia resolution. Therefore in the present paper we assessed the role of each covariate at logistic regression at different time points. Results: Out of 85 potentially eligible patients, 81, 82 and 69 have observations at week 3, 12 and 24 months, respectively. The rate of xerostomia at each time point is 59.3%, 58.5% and 24.6% at 3 week, 12 months and 24 months, respectively. At mid treatment median treatment shrink was 19.6% (range: 1.2-52.1%, upper quartile-UpQ: 26.2%). Results are reported in the table. Conclusions: There is a correlation between shrinkage and xerostomia at mid-treatment. Patients whose parotids significantly shrink during IMRT are less likely to be long-term supplemental fluids dependent.
Anharmonicity in Noble Metals; Higher Order Elastic Constants

The third-order elastic constants of copper, silver, and gold have been measured at room temperature using high-purity single crystals. A sensitive ultrasonic interference method was employed to measure small changes of wave velocities in crystals deformed both uniaxially and hydrostatically at low stress levels. The results of the measurements were analyzed using finite elasticity theory to obtain the complete sets of six third-order constants. The values of ${C}_{111}$ are largest (of the order of ${10}^{13}$ dyn/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$), ${C}_{112}$ and ${C}_{166}$ are about half of ${C}_{111}$ in magnitude, and all are negative in sign. Almost all of the values of ${C}_{123}$, ${C}_{144}$, and ${C}_{456}$ are negative and small compared with the other constants. It is shown that the closed-shell repulsive interaction between nearest-neighbor atoms makes the dominant contribution to the higher order elastic constants in noble metals. In this sense, the anharmonic properties are simpler than the harmonic properties of these materials. The fourth-order elastic constants are also estimated on this basis.
Patterns of second recurrence of malignant astrocytomas

CT scans of 12 patients who underwent resection of recurrent malignant astrocytoma and who had a radiographically documented second tumor recurrence were studied. Second tumor recurrence was histologically verified in four patients. Eight of 12 second recurrences were no more than 2.0 cm from the contrast-enhancing margin of the first recurrence. The remaining four patients had tumor recurrence within 2.2, 4.6, 5.1 and 6.9 cm of the enhancing margin of the first tumor recurrence. Peritumoral edema at the time of initial recurrence had no relationship to the patterns of second recurrence. It is concluded that patients who undergo reoperation for recurrent malignant astrocytoma are still primarily at risk for local tumor failure, as opposed to diffuse dissemination of disease throughout the brain.
The Effectiveness of Aftercare Services for African American Families in an Intensive Family Preservation Program

Objective: This project tested the effectiveness of extended aftercare in an intensive family preservation program for African American families. Method: Service providers collected pretest and posttest data for 49 families who received intensive services only and 69 who received aftercare in addition to intensive services. Results: In the year following termination, nonrelative placements for the entire sample were reduced to 20.3% from 41.5% in the year prior to receiving services ( p < .01). Families receiving aftercare had a postservice placement rate of 13.0% (p < .05). Services were less effective with caregivers with criminal involvement or mental health issues. Discussion: Significant reductions in re-referrals for neglect (p < .01) and improvement in factors contributing to child well-being (p < .01) indicate that child safety was not compromised by providing in-home services as an alternative to placement.
Styrene vapor control systems in FRP yacht plants

The production of large (greater than 25-ft) fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) yachts has presented problems of styrene exposure in excess of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure level (OSHA PEL) of 100 ppm. Also, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is currently recommending a 10-hour workshift, 40-hour workweek time weighted average (TWA) of 50 ppm for styrene. Meeting this challenge will require a system of engineering, work practice, personal protective equipment, and monitoring control measures. NIOSH has performed a study of the engineering controls in three FRP yacht plants. Work practices and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) were also considered in the evaluation. The three systems evaluated included a dilution system, a local ventilation system, and a push-pull ventilation system. The cost of constructing and operating these systems was not evaluated in this study. Study results indicated that each type of ventilation system can meet the present PEL of 100 ppm styrene; however, it is not certain that these systems can meet a lower PEL of 50 ppm styrene.
Vesicocutaneous fistula secondary to bladder instability.

We present a case of persisting fistula despite repeated attempts at long-term catheter drainage and surgical excision.
The role of osteotomy in surgical repair of bladder exstrophy

Classic bladder exstrophy (CBE) patients are born with a pubic diastasis that increases steadily with age from a mean value of 4 cm at birth to a mean of 8 cm at age 10, compared with a mean normal width of the pubic symphysis of 0.6 cm at all ages. The width of the sacrum and length of the posterior (iliac) segment of the pelvis in CBE patients are normal; however, the anterior (ischiopubic) segment of the pelvis is a mean 30% shorter and both the anterior and posterior segments are externally rotated compared to controls. The main role of osteotomy in treatment of CBE appears to be to relax tension on the bladder and repaired abdominal wall during wound-healing. Anterior innominate osteotomy with optional posterior vertical iliac osteotomy presents several advantages over the prior conventional technique of posterior iliac osteotomy. These include (a) less intraoperative blood loss, (b) better apposition and mobility of the pubic rami at the time of closure, (c) allowance for placement of an external fixator under direct vision, (d) allowance for secure external fixation in children over 6 months old, and (e) no requirement to turn the patient during the operation.
Recovery of polyvinyl alcohol and hot water from the textile wastewater using thermally stable membranes

The recovery of polyvinyl alcohol from the textile process waste streams is presented. Three filtration systems are described that are able to operate at 100°C or above. Two systems are tubular. One uses carbon tubes to support a zirconium oxide membrane and the other uses stainless steel tubes coated with a fused titanium dioxide layer to support a zirconium hydroxide membrane. The third system described is an asymmetric polyvinyl sulfone membrane in a spiral wound configuration. All three systems have been in operation for several years displaying the successful recovery of polyvinyl alcohol. The economics of the recovery process are described. Also presented is the application of automated control to the PVA recovery process and to the recycle of bleaching rinse water to the scouring process.
Gill sampling as a method of following biochemical changes: ATPase activities altered by ouabain injection and salt water adaption

Abstract 1. 1. A method of sampling gills of individual fish was used to follow changes in ATPase activities resulting from ouabain injection or salt-water adaption of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). 2. 2. Ouabain inhibited Na+, K+-stimulated ATPase activity by 40 to 50 per cent in microsomes of fresh-water fish and 80–90 per cent in those adapted to salt water. 3. 3. A decrease in Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity which accompanies increased Na+, K+-stimulated activity as coho salmon adapt to salt water may reflect conversion of one form of the enzyme to another.
Association between Surgical Care Improvement Program venous thromboembolism measures and postoperative events.

Abstract Background In 2006, the Surgical Care Improvement Program (SCIP) implemented measures to reduce venous thromboembolism (VTE). There are little data on whether these measures reduce VTE rates. This study proposed to examine associations between SCIP-VTE adherence and VTE rates. Methods SCIP-VTE adherence for 30,531 surgeries from 2006 to 2009 was linked with VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical characteristics associated with VTE were summarized. VTE rates were compared by SCIP-VTE adherence. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model VTE by adherence, adjusting for multiple associated factors. Results Of 30,531 surgeries, 89.9% adhered to SCIP-VTE; 1.4% experienced VTE. Logistic regression identified obesity, smoking, functional status, weight loss, emergent status, age older than 64 years, and surgical time as associated with VTE. SCIP-VTE was not associated with VTE (1.4% vs 1.33%; P = .3), even after adjustment. Conclusions This study identified several important risk factors for VTE but found no association with SCIP-VTE adherence.
Phosphors Versus the Periodic System of the Elements

The properties of a number of well-known inorganic luminescent materials (phosphors) are described as a function of variations of their constituents. Chemical substitutions made according to the ordered series in the periodic system of the elements are shown to produce many anomalous energy changes which appear as shifts in the spectral emission colors of phosphors. The anomalous energy changes indicate that the mechanisms of luminescence in solids cannot be given a simple interpretation. The relative cathodoluminescences of forty-five phosphors are codified and presented in tabular form for the convenience of cathode-ray tube engineers.
Effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons on cellular volume regulation in slices of rat liver.

Abstract The effects of carbon tetrachloride and 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2DCE) on the recovery of slices of rat liver from cellular swelling in vitro were studied. Slices took up water during pre-incubation at 1°C, then cellular volume and ultrastructure were rapidly restored during subsequent incubation at 38°C. Ouabain (2 m m ) inhibited water extrusion by less than 50%, while inducing formation of peri-canalicular vesicles, apparently derived from the Golgi apparatus. Neither CCl4 nor 1,2DCE (up to 10 m m ) affected the initial extrusion of water at 38°C in the absence of ouabain, but renewed swelling occurred after 60 min with either agent; this was associated with loss of membrane selectivity and some histological damage. By contrast, 1,2DCE inhibited water extrusion in the presence of ouabain after less intensive exposure, for example with 5 m m -1,2DCE for 60 min or 10 m m for 15–30 min. With ouabain present, 1,2DCE (10 m m ) caused marked swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum, reduced the peri-canalicular vesicles seen with ouabain alone and reduced the formation of canalicular microvilli. Both CCl4 and 1,2DCE inhibited the ATP-dependent accumulation of Cl− by isolated vesicles of the Golgi apparatus, The delayed swelling of hepatocytes at high concentrations of 1,2DCE and CCl4 in the absence of ouabain is probably a non-specific consequence of membrane damage. By contrast, 1,2DCE specifically inhibits the ouabain-resistant extrusion of water, possibly by interfering with a postulated mechanism for the exocytotic expulsion of water.
Enabling earth science through cloud computing

Cloud Computing holds tremendous potential for missions across the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Several flight missions are already benefiting from an investment in cloud computing for mission critical pipelines and services through faster processing time, higher availability, and drastically lower costs available on cloud systems. However, these processes do not currently extend to general scientific algorithms relevant to earth science missions. The members of the Airborne Cloud Computing Environment task at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have worked closely with the Carbon in Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment (CARVE) mission to integrate cloud computing into their science data processing pipeline. This paper details the efforts involved in deploying a science data system for the CARVE mission, evaluating and integrating cloud computing solutions with the system and porting their science algorithms for execution in a cloud environment.
Medial septal lesions impair performance on a preoperatively acquired delayed alternation task

Male hooded rats were preoperatively trained to perform an operant delayed alternation (DA) task. The rats were tested, for 10 days each, on DA at 5-, 10-, 20-, and 30-s delays. The rats were then randomly assigned to serve as control subjects or receive a medial septal lesion. Following surgical recovery the rats were retested on DA in the exact manner as they were tested preoperatively. Prior to surgery the groups did not differ, but all rats improved over days of testing, and performed better at short delays than at long delays. In contrast, group differences were obvious following surgery, with the septal-lesioned subjects showing a clear impairment. The control subjects ranged between 85% correct (end of 5-s delay) to 65% correct (end of 30-s delay), while the septal-lesioned rats ranged between 72% correct (end of 5-s delay) to 50% correct (end of 30-s delay). The results are discussed in terms of a working memory impairment produced by the septal lesions.
Quantum cascade lasers and the Kruse model in free space optical communication

Mid-infrared (MIR) free space optical communication has seen renewed interest in recent years due to advances in quantum cascade lasers. We present data from a multi-wavelength test-bed operated in the New York metropolitan area under realistic weather conditions. We show that a mid-infrared source (8.1 m) provides enhanced link stability with 2x to 3x greater transmission over near infrared wavelengths (1.3 m & 1.5 m) during fog formation and up to 10x after a short scavenging rain event where fog developed and visibility reduced to ~ 1 km. We attribute the improvement to less Mie scattering at longer wavelengths. We confirm that this result is generally consistent with the empirical benchmark Kruse model at visibilities above 2.5 km, but towards the 1 km eye-seeing limit we measured the equivalent MIR visibility to be > 10 km.
EPR signal II in cyanobacterial Photosystem II reaction-center complexes with and without the 40 kDa chlorophyll-binding subunit

The steady-state amplitude and flash-induced kinetics of EPR signal II in two Photosystem II (PS II) reaction center protein complexes from Synechococcus were measured to probe the organization of species involved in the PS II electron-transfer chain. A PS II reaction center complex (E-1) which has 47, 40, 31, 28 and 9 kDa subunits shows both fast decaying (signal IIf) and slowly decaying (signal IIs+u) EPR components. The amplitude of signal IIf, which represents Z (the donor to P-680), is about 1 spin per 30 Chl. This corresponds to one spin per reaction center in this preparation. Signal IIs+u, the slowly decaying component of signal II, reflects D, a donor to PS II on a side chain from the path of water oxidation in higher plants and algae. Signal IIs+u is present in the E-1 preparation in a ratio of about 1 spin per 40 Chl. Flash-induced signal IIf in E-1 shows biexponential decay with half-times of 20 ms and 300 ms. In a PS II reaction center complex (CP2b) which has 47, 31, 28 and 9 kDa subunits, but no 40 kDa subunit, an appreciable amount of signal IIf is observed (about 1 per 50 Chl). Less than 1 spin per 400 Chl of signal IIs+u is visible in this sample. The kinetics of Z+ reduction (signal IIf) in CP2b is similar to that seen in E-1 preparations, indicating that CP2b contains all of the molecules necessary for primary charge separation and secondary electron donation from Z.
Quantitative characterization of growth rate of an incidental deep dermoid cyst in a child using sequential magnetic resonance imaging

When orbital lesions are discovered incidentally, some have advocated observation given the slow-growing nature of deep dermoids; however, little has been published regarding the true growth potential of these tumors. We describe a case of an incidental deep orbital dermoid cyst in a 7.5-month-old girl with retinoblastoma. The cyst was monitored with five sequential magnetic resonance imaging studies of the orbit over 23 months with careful documentation of growth. The cyst was surgically removed without complication, and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of dermoid cyst. This case represents the first published quantitative measurement of dermoid growth potential and highlights the need for close early monitoring in incidentally discovered cases.
Dissociated behavioral and cholinesterase decrements following malathion exposure.

Rat conditioned avoidance performance and erythrocyte, plasma, and brain cholinesterase activity were examined after a single intraperitoneal injection of 25, 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg of malathion. Avoidance performance was significantly impaired 1 hr after injection with 50 mg/kg, although blood and brain cholinesterase remained at greater than 90% of control values. The higher dosages (100 and 150 mg/kg) produced significant decreases in blood and brain cholinesterase activity as well as avoidance performance, but the behavioral and biochemical decrements did not necessarily coincide. The results suggest that low dosages of malathion may disrupt behavior without significantly reducing cholinesterase activity.
Development of scintillation-proximity assays for alpha adrenoceptors

Binding assays have long been used to determine compound affinity and selectivity for various seven-transmembrane receptors. Over time, the degree of complexity has significantly reduced, whereas the throughput of the various assays has greatly increased. In this article, we detail the development of a filter-binding assay and a scintillation-proximity assay (SPA) designed to quantify a compound's affinity for the three alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes, alpha1A, alpha1B, and alpha1D. The various components of the assays such as ease of assay performance, robustness, cost, and generation of radioactive waste are compared and contrasted. On the basis of the results, the SPA offers many advantages of high-throughput assay formats over the traditional filter-binding assay. To follow up on the success of the alpha1-adrenoceptor SPA, SPAs for the three alpha2-adrenoceptors were developed and are detailed in this article. Affinity data generated for a select number of alpha2 compounds agree with reported literature values. These assays, like those for alpha1 subtypes, are very amenable to high-throughput screening campaigns. In conclusion, scintillation-proximity assays offer significant advantages over filter-binding assays.
Short range correlation effects in MnO

Abstract We show that short range correlation effects are very important in MnO. When these short range correlations are taken into account, there is an effective energy gap of about 22 eV between the highest filled and lowest empty electronic states in MnO.
Magnetic resonance abnormalities and cardiovascular disease in older adults. The Cardiovascular Health Study.

Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging often detects abnormalities whose significance is unknown. The prevalence and correlates of findings such as ventricular enlargement, sulcal widening, and increased white matter signal intensity were examined in 303 men and women aged 65 to 95 years participating in a multicenter study of cardiovascular disease.Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was performed and interpreted according to a standard protocol, and findings were correlated with measures of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors.Measures of cerebral atrophy increased with age and were greater in men than in women (each P < .01). Ventricular enlargement and sulcal widening were associated with prior stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and white race (each P < .03). Extent of white matter hyperintensity was associated with age, prior stroke, hypertension, and use of diuretics (each P < .004). On multivariate analysis, age, male gender, white race, and prior stroke retained strong associations with increased...
Growth and properties of low bandgap amorphous (Si, Ge) alloy materials and devices

Abstract The properties of low bandgap a-(Si, Ge):H alloy materials and devices prepared using low pressure, high dilution ECR plasma deposition techniques have been investigated. Significant reduction in dihydride type bonding have been achieved by using low pressure, high ion flux conditions for alloys with Tauc gaps ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 eV. The defect density was measured using space charge limited current techniques and found to be in the low 1016/cm3 eV range. Photo and dark conductivity measurements and subgap absorption reveal good material quality, with valence band Urbach energies below 50 meV. p/i/n junction devices were fabricated on stainless steel substrates, and show good fill factors and voltages. Subgap quantum efficiency techniques reveal low valence band Urbach energies in devices.
Molecules MH3 (M = Cr, Mo, W) Are Pyramidal: CCSD(T) Ab Initio Study of Structure and Vibrational Dynamics

Ab initio calculations were carried out on chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten trihydrides. The equilibrium parameters of the ground states, vibrational frequencies, IR intensities and the inversion barriers of the molecules were calculated at the CCSD(T) level with large basis sets. The relative energies to the excited states were evaluated by the EOM−CCSD method. All molecules were found to have pyramidal (C3v) equilibrium structures. The calculated inversion barriers of CrH3, MoH3, and WH3 are 1353, 1086, and 472 cm-1, respectively. The vibrational levels corresponding to the totally symmetric H−M−H bending mode were predicted using the discrete variable representation approach. The tunneling splitting and rates were also evaluated within the Wentzel−Kramers−Brillouin approximation. The available experimental data are discussed in light of results from the ab initio calculations.
Immune tolerance induced by intravenous transfer of immature dendritic cells via up-regulating numbers of suppressive IL-10+ IFN-γ+-producing CD4+ T cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) regulate immunity and immune tolerance in vivo. However, the mechanisms of DC-mediated tolerance have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that intravenous (i.v.) transfer of bone marrow-derived DCs pulsed with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide blocks the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6J mice. i.v. transfer of MOG-pulsed DCs leads to the down-regulation of the production of IL-17A and IFN-γ and up-regulation of IL-10 secretion. The development of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is facilitated via up-regulation of FoxP3 expression and production of IL-10. The number of suppressive CD4+IL-10+IFN-γ+ T cells is also improved. The expression of OX40, CD154, and CD28 is down-regulated, but the expression of CD152, CD80, PD-1, ICOS, and BTLA is up-regulated on CD4+ T cells after i.v. transfer of immature DCs. The expression of CCR4, CCR5, and CCR7 on CD4+ T cells is also improved. Our results suggest that immature DCs may induce tolerance via facilitating the development of CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs and suppressive CD4+IL-10+IFN-γ+ T cells in vivo.
Spermatogenic cell differentiation in vitro

Culture conditions that support the in vitro development of many spermatogenic stages from the frog Xenopus laevis are described. Spermatogenic cells were dissociated with collagenase and preelongation stages aseptically isolated by density gradient centrifugation in Metrizamide. The cells were then cultured in modified forms of defined nutrient oocyte medium (DNOM). The development of spermatogenic cells was affected significantly by changes in fetal calf serum concentration, cell density, energy sources, and NaCl concentration. Optimum in vitro spermatid development was obtained when spermatogenic cells were cultured at relatively high densities (3–7 × l07 cells/25 cm2) in DNOM modified to contain 10% heat-inactivated, dialyzed fetal calf serum, 2 mM 1-glutamine, 0.1 % glucose, 15 mM HEPES buffer (pH 7.4), and 38.3–48.3 mM NaCl. These culture conditions also supported the differentiation of preelongation spermatids and spermatocytes isolated by density-gradient centrifugation in Metrizamide and subsequent unit gravity sedimentation in gradients of bovine serum albumin. Approximately 95 % of such isolated spermatids and spermatocytes continued differentiating in vitro for 14 days at in vivo rates. Phase-contrast and electron microscopy of the cultured cells demonstrated that in vitro differentiation was morphologically normal between the leptotene and elongate spermatid stages. Autoradiographic studies of preleptotene development demonstrated that spermatogonia proliferated and preleptotene spermatocytes developed to zygotene in 12-day cultures. The results suggest that many spermatogenic stages in Xenopus can develop independent of Sertoli cells, and demonstrate that spermatogenic cell cultures can now be used for in vitro studies of spermatogenesis.
High-speed voltage-controlled oscillator with quadrature outputs

A voltage-controlled oscillator topology is described that combines a fully-differential four-stage ring oscillator with a balanced exclusive NOR gate frequency doubler, and provides both inphase and quadrature output signals at twice the ring oscillator frequency. These quadrature signals have a period of only four gate delays, which implies high frequency operation.
ON THE PRESENCE OF CHOLIN AND NEURIN IN THE INTESTINAL CANAL DURING ITS COMPLETE OBSTRUCTION : A RESEARCH ON AUTOINTOXICATION.

My experiments lead me to believe that complete occlusion of the small intestine at its lower end will give rise to the occurrence of cholin, neurin and perhaps other bases, provided the food taken contains any considerable quantity of lecithin. It is not improbable that still other poisons are formed by bacterial action from other constituents of the food in cases of intestinal obstruction. While cholin would have to be absorbed in relatively large amounts to exert a marked toxic action in human beings it is otherwise with neurin, which is many times more intense in its action and must be classed with the exceedingly active poisons. It has been shown both by the experiments of Schmidt and Weiss and also by those recorded in this paper that the poisonous neurin may be formed from cholin by bacteria. In its physiological action neurin agrees closely with muscarin; especially to be noted here is the paralytic action on the heart and its power to increase the intestinal movements to such an extent that continual evacuations occur. Whether the ptomaine which was found by me is poisonous 1 cannot yet say. It must be considered proved, however, that highly toxic substances may arise in the intestinal canal during its complete occlusion. The method of treating cases of intestinal obstruction, before surgical means are resorted to, namely, washing out the stomach and as much of the gut as possible often reduces the violent paristalsis and this is due, perhaps, to the removal of substances out of which irritating and toxic products are formed by bacteria. In conclusion, I would remark that our knowledge of the fate of lecithin in the digestive canal under normal conditions is very deficient. The assumption that it is saponified by the fat-splitting enzyme of the pancreatic juice, thus yielding cholin, glycero-phosphoric acid and fatty acids, rests on the work of Bokai in 1877 and, as that investigator himself admits, without excluding bacterial action. This omission throws grave doubts on the results. If the assumption of Bokai be correct, caution must be observed in the use of some foods that have been considered most nutritious and healthful; for instance, the ingestion of a meal made up largely of eggs would hardly be without danger because of the poisonous action of the large quantity of cholin liberated from the lecithin and the probability of the formation of the highly poisonous neurin. It is my purpose in the near future to examine this question with the help of modern methods.
Heparinized catheters and coagulation studies.

Summary The effects of heparin on coagulation studiesdrawn through indwelling catheters has been evaluated using the activated partial thromboplastin time and the whole blood partial thromboplastin time. The heparin effect can be eliminated by removing 4 ml. of blood prior to obtaining a sample.
Experimental evaluation of nonlinear feedback and feedforward control schemes for manipulators

The manipulator trajectory tracking control problem revolves around computing the torques to be applied to achieve accu rate tracking. This problem has been extensively studied in simulations, but real-time results have been lacking in the robotics literature. In this paper, we present the experimental results of the real-time performance of model-based control algorithms. We compare the computed-torque control scheme with the feedforward dynamics compensation scheme. The feedforward scheme compensates for the manipulator dy namics in the feedforward path, whereas the computed-torque scheme uses the dynamics in the feedback loop for lineariza tion and decoupling. The parameters in the dynamics model for the computed-torque and feedforward schemes were esti mated by using an identification algorithm. Our experiments underscore the importance of including the off-diagonal terms of the manipulator inertia matrix in the torque compu tation. This observation is further supported by our analysis of the dynamics...
In vitro expansion of adipose-derived adult stromal cells in hypoxia enhances early chondrogenesis.

Cartilage is an avascular tissue, and chondrocytes in vivo experience a severely hypoxic environment. Using a defined in vitro model of early chondrogenesis, we attempted to enrich for cells with a...
Classical trajectory study of three-body direct photofragmentation of Cd(CH3)2. Comparison of sampling methods

Abstract The classical trajectory method has been used to investigate product-state symmetry in the three-body direct photofragmentation of Cd(CH3)2. Photon absorption was assumed to satisfy the Franck principle and relative weights for trajectory initial conditions were assigned by either the Wigner or the classical (300 K) distribution function. In qualitative agreement with earlier “quasi-classical” sampling studies of Kellman et al. for photolysis of the Cd(CH3)2 vibrational ground state, product-state asymmetry is found to increase with increasing photolysis wavelength. Contrary to the “quasi-classical” sampling results, however, sampling with the classical distribution function indicates that product-state symmetry is unaffected by vibrational excitation of Cd(CH3)2 prior to photolysis. For sampling with the Wigner distribution function, in agreement with the “quasi-classical” sampling studies, excitation of the Cd(CH3)2 asymmetric stretch prior to photolysis is found to increase product-state asymmetry.