cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormal Coagulation Profile in Brain Tumor Patients during Surgery

ABSTRACTNEUROSURGICAL PATIENTS ARE at high risk for the development of thrombosis and thromboembolism. We compared the perioperative clotting factor and coagulation parameters of 20 patients undergoing elective craniotomy for brain tumors to those of 20 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery
Summary of papers and research recommendations of Working Group on Tropospheric Ozone, Health Effects Institute environmental epidemiology planning project.

This paper summarizes the themes and recommendations that emerge from the papers presented by the Working Group on Tropospheric Ozone. In terms of current knowledge, the following are considered of...
Simulation-Based Training in Radiology

Although the apprenticeship model of medical training has been in use for centuries, there are several problems with its use. The fundamental ethical principle of nonmaleficence requires that no preventable harm come to patients involved in the training process. In addition, changing medical practice patterns with shorter hospital stays and duty-hour restrictions are making it difficult for trainees to be exposed to enough patients to prepare them to deal with the many possible scenarios they may face in practice. Despite these limitations, the apprenticeship model cannot be completely rejected because it is essential for trainees to perfect their technique by caring for real patients with the guidance of experienced practitioners. Simulation-based training can allow novices to learn from their mistakes in a safe environment and in accordance with the principles of deliberate practice, thus allowing simulation to be a bridge to help get trainees from the novice state, in which they have a higher risk of causing harm, to a more experienced state in which they are more likely to do what is needed for patients.
DISTURBANCE ACCOMMODATING CONTROL OF A VARIABLE-SPEED TURBINE USING A SYMBOLIC DYNAMICS STRUCTURAL MODEL

An investigation has been made into the performance of Disturbance Accommodating Control designed for a structural model with rotor speed as the only degree of freedom. A comparison has been made with the same controller attempting to regulate speed of a structural model with four degrees of freedom (including tower and blade deflection). The latter model was constructed using a symbolic modeling method, capable of providing the system equations of motion explicitly. For the current investigation, however, only simulation response was analyzed. The results show unstable closed-loop behavior of the multivariable system, due to excitation of collective blade flap-wise motion from the blade pitch controller.
Can montane landscapes recover from human disturbance? Long-term evidence from disturbed subalpine communities

Using toposequence and chronosequence studies spanning greater than 45 years, I examined the long-term recovery of disturbed subalpine plant communities in Colorado, USA. I found that, after over 100 years, these disturbed plant communities remained distinct from similar surrounding undisturbed areas. Differences included species composition, diversity (species richness and evenness), vegetation density, ground cover, and biomass. The results suggest that biotic factors structure vegetation communities even hundreds of years following disturbance.
Quantum dynamics of the photoinitiated unimolecular dissociation of HOCO

The photodissociation dynamics of HOCO in the overtone νOH=3 are studied using a time-dependent wave packet dynamics approach. The dynamics calculations are carried out using a four-dimensional planar model in which the terminal C=O bond (spectator) is fixed at its equilibrium bond distance in the trans-HOCO conformer based on an empirical potential energy surface for HOCO fit to accurate ab initio calculations of the stationary point energies. The branching fraction into the H+CO2 products, and the resonance states associated with νOH=3 are investigated in detail.
Performance of ANL 4-MV Dynamitron with Heavy-Ion Source

The performance of the ANL 4-MV Dynamitron accelerator using a Danfysik heavy-ion source is briefly described. Using CC14 support gas, 2 ?A beams of 58Ni+ were obtained at 3.5 MeV and 6 ?A beams at 2 MeV by optimizing source chemistry.
Synthesis and 32P-Postlabeling/High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Separation of Diastereomeric 1,N2-(1,3-Propano)-2‘-deoxyguanosine 3‘-Phosphate Adducts Formed from 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a major electrophilic byproduct of lipid peroxidation, is mutagenic and cytotoxic. The two pairs of HNE-derived diastereomeric 1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine 3'-monophosphate adducts were synthesized from reaction of HNE with 2'-deoxyguanosine 3'-monophosphate. After HPLC separation, these adducts were characterized by UV-visible absorption and negative ion electrospray ionization MS/MS analysis. To further characterize the structures, these adducts were dephosphorylated to the corresponding HNE-modified deoxyguanosine adducts and their HPLC retention times and UV spectra were compared with those of the synthetic standards prepared from reaction of HNE with 2'-deoxyguanosine. Separation of these adducts by 32P-postlabeling/HPLC was developed. Reaction of HNE with calf thymus DNA resulted in only one pair of diastereomeric adducts, with one adduct predominantly formed with a modification level of 1.2 +/- 0.5 adducts/10(7) nucleotides.
Rift basins of the Long Island platform

Four buried early Mesozoic rift basins on the Long Island platform region of the United States Atlantic continental margin were mapped, using seismic-reflection, magnetic, and gravity data. Low-angle normal border faults and high-angle cross faults control the structure of three of the basins, and some of these faults can be traced deep into the crust. Faulted basement blocks characterize the fourth basin. Adjacent basins form pairs in which the border faults dip toward each other and may have acted to localize crustal thinning. Two phases of rifting took place: an early stage characterized by widespread faulting leading to basin formation and a late stage characterized by uplift and erosion near the hinge zone and subsidence seaward of the hinge zone. The New York Bight basin, at the western end of the platform, may be an offshore extension of the Hartford basin. Paleozoic tectonic and structural trends are inferred to be the primary controls on the location of these basins, although our data are not specific enough to address local structural details.
Rapid surface detection of CO2 leaks from geologic sequestration sites

Abstract This study focuses on developing a method to characterize and detect leakage of carbon dioxide from a geologic sequestration site using a Picarro gas analyser, and to systematically evaluate the robustness of detection ability and optimize the data acquisition parameters by testing under varying conditions at the Zero Emissions Research and Technology field site in Bozeman, MT. It was determined (1) both 12CO 2 or 13CO 2 measurements provide equally good leak detection ability, (2) wind speed and direction does not limit detection ability with a sampling height less than 30 cm, and (3) δ13C measurements did not provide a reliable method for leak detection with our data acquisition strategy.
Decoder banks: versatility, automation, and high accuracy without supervised training

A methodology using decoder banks is proposed for high-accuracy, fully automatic recognition of machine printed text across a wide range of challenging image qualities, without requiring manual intervention or supervised training. This approach is made possible by two crucial properties of document image decoding (DID) technology: (1) it is trainable for high accuracy across a wide range of explicitly parameterized image degradations; and (2) decoders for arbitrary parameter settings can be generated automatically. We report the results of large-scale experiments on synthetic images which demonstrate that, when many pretrained decoders are applied in parallel to an input image with unknown parameters, the decoder that yields the highest accuracy is often the one that exhibits the highest DID posterior 'Viterbi score'. When implemented naively, in a brute-force manner, decoder banks are computationally intensive: but we suggest ways that this cost may be reduced with no loss of versatility, automation, or accuracy.
Molybdocalixarene structure control via rim deprotonation. synthesis, characterization, and crystal structures of calix[4]arene Mo(VI) monooxo complexes and calix[4]arene alkali metal/Mo(VI) dioxo complexes.

We report a series of calix[4]arene Mo(VI) dioxo complexes M 2 RC4MoO 2 (M = alkali metal, R = H or Bu t ) that were fully characterized by NMR, X-ray, IR, UV/vis, and elemental analysis. Molybdocalix[4]arene structures can be controlled via lower rim deprotonation, groups at para positions of calix[4]arene, and alkali metal counterions. Mono deprotonation at the lower rim leads to calix[4]arene Mo(VI) monooxo complexes RC4MoO (R = H, Bu t , or allyl), and full deprotonation gives rise to calix[4]arene Mo(VI) dioxo complexes. Structural studies indicate that HC4 Mo(VI) dioxo complexes easily form polymeric structures via cation-jr interaction and coordination between different calixarene units. However, Bu t C4 Mo(VI) dioxo complexes tend to form dimers or tetramers due to steric hindrance of the tert-butyl groups at para positions in calixarene. The structures of the reduced side products A and C were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The mechanism of RC4MoO formation from the reaction of calixarene monoanions with MoO 2 Cl 2 appears to include the addition of a calixarene -OH group across a Mo=O bond.
Are big city businesses more profitable than other firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus upon the financial performance of firms that maintain headquarters in the largest cities and firms based in smaller metropolitan areas. Big city locations offer numerous opportunities. On the other hand, maintaining headquarters in big cities is more costly than in less congested locations and the opportunities for distractions tend to be higher. A third alternative is that location does not matter. Design/methodology/approach – The study, the first of its type, applies a multivariate analysis to a large sample of Compustat firms. The analysis tests for the industry-adjusted return on investment as a function of population density. Findings – The results, which are both statistically and economically significant, show that firms headquartered in smaller cities tend to outperform those located in major business centers. Practical implications – These results suggest at least two implications for financial managers. One is that headquarters location should be ...
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the treatment of headache pain: A mixed-methods analysis comparing treatment responders and treatment non-responders.

Abstract Objectives Our recent pilot study demonstrated mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a potentially efficacious headache pain treatment; however, it was not universally effective for all participants. This study sought to explore patient characteristics associated with MBCT treatment response and the potential processes of change that allowed treatment responders to improve and that were potentially lacking in the non-responders. Design We implemented a mixed-methods analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. The sample consisted of 21 participants, 14 of whom were classified as treatment responders (≥50% improvement in pain intensity and/or pain interference) and seven as non-responders ( Setting The study was conducted at the Kilgo Headache Clinic and the University of Alabama Psychology Clinic. Intervention Participants completed an 8-week MBCT treatment for headache pain management. Measures Standardized measures of pain, psychosocial outcomes, and non-specific therapy factors were obtained; all participants completed a post-treatment semi-structured interview. Results Quantitative data indicated a large effect size difference between responders and non-responders for pre- to post-treatment change in standardized measures of pain acceptance and catastrophizing, and a small to medium effect size differences on treatment dose indicators. Both groups showed improved psychosocial outcomes. Qualitatively, change in cognitive processes was a more salient qualitative theme within treatment responders; both groups commented on the importance of non-specific therapeutic factors. Barriers to mindfulness meditation were also commented on by participants across groups. Conclusions Results indicated that change in pain related cognitions during an MBCT intervention for headache pain is a key factor underlying treatment response.
Fluid Mechanics: An Essential Part of an Environmental Engineering Curriculum

In this paper we discuss teaching fluid mechanics to civil and environmental engineering majors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Fluid mechanics is a key course in environmental engineering that ties together the physical aspects with chemical and biological aspects. We survey the historical development of the role of fluid mechanics in environmental engineering, discuss current needs and curriculum, and point out areas for potential improvements.
Catwoman’s Hyde: A Comparative Reading of the 2002 Catwoman Relaunch and Stevenson’s Novella

This article advocates that the comic character of Catwoman is a comic incarnation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Edward Hyde. It does this first by problematizing Andreas Reichstein’s reading of Batman as Hyde (1998). While the similarity between Bruce Wayne and Dr. Henry Jekyll is considerable (such as both being accomplished and affluent men of science who have nocturnal alter egos), Hyde embodies hedonistic desire and loss of control while Batman is the incarnation of discipline and control. This work then goes on to offer the numerous and stark similarities between Hyde and Catwoman, such as offering their counterparts animalistic freedom and the ability to achieve unification through embracing their darker halves. Because of her desire to embrace her dual human experience, the hero/villain Catwoman encapsulates the most human of comic characters.
Effects of prenatal X-irradiation on postnatal testicular development and function in the Wistar rat: Development/teratology/behavior/radiation

It is evident that significant permanent tissue hypoplasia can be produced following radiation exposure late in fetal development. Because two organs, brain and testes, are developmentally and functionally interrelated, it was of interest to determine whether fetal testicular hypoplasia was a primary or a secondary effect of fetal brain irradiation. Twenty-four pregnant Wistar strain rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups, and a laparotomy was performed on day 18 of gestation. The fetuses received sham irradiation, whole body irradiation, or only head/thorax or pelvic body irradiation at a dosage level of 1.5 Gy. Mothers were allowed to deliver and raise their offspring until postnatal day 30, when the offspring were weaned. At 60 days of age, 74 male offspring were allowed to mate with colony control females of similar age until successful insemination or until the males reached 90 days of age, when they were killed. Testes were weighed and processed for histologic examination. Direct radiation of testes, due to whole body or pelvic exposure, resulted in testicular growth retardation and significantly reduced spermatogenesis. Breeding activity of the males and the percent of positive inseminations were also slightly reduced. However, a significant percentage of male offspring receiving direct testicular radiation did produce offspring. Head/thorax-only irradiation did not adversely affect testicular growth or spermatogenesis. Therefore, the use of histologic analysis as the sole determinant of infertility may be misleading. This study indicates that testicular growth retardation and an increased infertility rate result from direct prenatal exposure of rat testes to X-radiation and are not necessarily mediated via X-irradiation effects on the central nervous system.
Copolymer of trifluoroethylmethacrylate-N-p-methoxyphenyl citraconimide as high TgE-beam resist

Copolymers of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) and N-p-methoxyphenyl citraconimide (MCM) have been synthesized. The Tg varies with composition reaching 150°C with 34% MCM. The copolymer has good radiation sensitivity according to both G values for chain scission and E-beam measurements. Though they have lower contrast than PMMA, they have much higher resistance to plasma etching. The resistance increases markedly with MCM content to values comparable to that for polyimides. Therefore, TFEMA–MCM copolymers of high MCM content can be useful as high temperature plasma etchable positive E-beam resists.
Dynamic Conflict-free Query Scheduling for Wireless Sensor Networks

With the emergence of high data rate sensor network applications, there is an increasing demand for high- performance query services in such networks. To meet this challenge, we propose Dynamic Conflict-free Query Scheduling (DCQS), a novel scheduling technique for queries in wireless sensor networks. In contrast to earlier TDMA protocols designed for general-purpose networks and workloads, DCQS is specifically designed for query services supporting in-network data aggregation. DCQS has several important features. First, it optimizes the query performance and energy efficiency by exploiting the temporal properties and precedence constraints introduced by data aggregation. Second, it can efficiently adapt to dynamic workloads and rate changes without explicitly reconstructing the transmission schedule. In addition, we provide an analytical capacity bound for DCQS in terms of query completion rate. This bound enables DCQS to handle overload through rate control. NS2 simulation results demonstrate that DCQS significantly outperforms a representative TDMA protocol (DRAND) and the 802.11 protocol in terms of query latency, throughput, and energy efficiency.
An Error-Detecting Binary Adder: A Hardware-Shared Implementation

A design for a binary adder-checker system which employs residue codes to detect any error resulting from a single fixed fault is presented. In an adder, special functional relationships must exist, regardless of the particular logical realization. Consequently, for adders with either serial or parallel carry propagation, the worst possible error can be described precisely. Certain residue codes may then be used to detect that error by means of a simple checking algorithm with a minimnum of extra circuitry.
Integrin-linked kinase is required for laminin-2–induced oligodendrocyte cell spreading and CNS myelination

Early steps in myelination in the central nervous system (CNS) include a specialized and extreme form of cell spreading in which oligodendrocytes extend large lamellae that spiral around axons to form myelin. Recent studies have demonstrated that laminin-2 (LN-2; alpha2beta1gamma1) stimulates oligodendrocytes to extend elaborate membrane sheets in vitro (cell spreading), mediated by integrin alpha6beta1. Although a congenital LN-2 deficiency in humans is associated with CNS white matter changes, LN-2-deficient (dy/dy) mice have shown abnormalities primarily within the peripheral nervous system. Here, we demonstrate a critical role for LN-2 in CNS myelination by showing that dy/dy mice have quantitative and morphologic defects in CNS myelin. We have defined the molecular pathway through which LN-2 signals oligodendrocyte cell spreading by demonstrating requirements for phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity and integrin-linked kinase (ILK). Interaction of oligodendrocytes with LN-2 stimulates ILK activity. A dominant negative ILK inhibits LN-2-induced myelinlike membrane formation. A critical component of the myelination signaling cascade includes LN-2 and integrin signals through ILK.
Properties of the Texas A&M Electron Beam Ion Source

An EBIS (Electron Beam Ion Source) is presently being constructed for use on the Texas A&M cyclotron as an external heavy ion source. This description of the source, which is nearing completion, includes the essential elements, the operating conditions, expected output, and results of initial tests on some of the components.
A negative feedback loop mediated by the Bcl6-cullin 3 complex limits Tfh cell differentiation.

Induction of Bcl6 (B cell lymphoma 6) is essential for T follicular helper (Tfh) cell differentiation of antigen-stimulated CD4+ T cells. Intriguingly, we found that Bcl6 was also highly and transiently expressed during the CD4+CD8+ (double positive [DP]) stage of T cell development, in association with the E3 ligase cullin 3 (Cul3), a novel binding partner of Bcl6 which ubiquitinates histone proteins. DP stage–specific deletion of the E3 ligase Cul3, or of Bcl6, induced the derepression of the Bcl6 target genes Batf (basic leucine zipper transcription factor, ATF-like) and Bcl6, in part through epigenetic modifications of CD4+ single-positive thymocytes. Although they maintained an apparently normal phenotype after emigration, they expressed increased amounts of Batf and Bcl6 at basal state and produced explosive and prolonged Tfh responses upon subsequent antigen encounter. Ablation of Cul3 in mature CD4+ splenocytes also resulted in dramatically exaggerated Tfh responses. Thus, although previous studies have emphasized the essential role of Bcl6 in inducing Tfh responses, our findings reveal that Bcl6–Cul3 complexes also provide essential negative feedback regulation during both thymocyte development and T cell activation to restrain excessive Tfh responses.
Gibbs sampling via neural network probability estimation

The authors propose a neural network approach an efficient nonparametric approach, for Markov random field (MRF) modeling to provide a good estimate of Bayesian a posteriori probability. The approach overcomes the difficulties encountered in estimating the parameters of the Gibbs distribution that characterizes the MRFs and the underlying texture. Its successful application to textured image segmentation using the Gibbs sampling technique is shown. >
Effect of Temperature on the Charge on KaoIinite Particles in Water

An electrophoretic technique was used to determine the variation of charge on a kaolinite particle as a function of temperature. A monodies-persed fraction of kaolinite was treated with various amounts of sodium hydroxide. The pH, conductivity, and electrophoretic mobility of the clay were determined as functions of temperature. From this information the charge on the particles and an energy related to the energy of adsorption
Software development as service to the student community: An experiential and high student involvement approach to software engineering education

While a common expression of experiential learning in software engineering is the industry-sponsored project, it suffers from key shortcomings at the introductory level. These center on the fact that projects are neither drawn from nor relevant to the everyday lives and communities of their student-developers. To address these challenges, we focus on casting project development in terms of service to the student community, with the involvement of our university's ACM Student Chapter. We discuss the pedagogical foundations of our work, present specific course organization issues, expand on a number of specific challenges with our approach, offer concrete project examples, and outline future work and evaluation.
GENE EXPRESSION CHANGES IN CERVICAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA AFTER INITIATION OF CHEMORADIATION AND CORRELATION WITH CLINICAL OUTCOME

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate early gene expression changes after chemoradiation in a human solid tumor, allowing identification of chemoradiation-induced gene expression changes in the tumor as well as the tumor microenvironment. In addition we aimed to identify a gene expression profile that was associated with clinical outcome. Methods and Materials Microarray experiments were performed on cervical cancer specimens obtained before and 48 h after chemoradiation from 12 patients with Stage IB2 to IIIB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated between April 2001 and August 2002. Results A total of 262 genes were identified that were significantly changed after chemoradiation. Genes involved in DNA repair were identified including DDB2, ERCC4, GADD45A, and XPC. In addition, significantly regulated cell-to-cell signaling pathways included insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), interferon, and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling. At a median follow-up of 41 months, 5 of 12 patients had experienced either local or distant failure. Supervised clustering analysis identified a 58-gene set from the pretreatment samples that were differentially expressed between patients with and without recurrence. Genes involved in integrin signaling and apoptosis pathways were identified in this gene set. Immortalization-upregulated protein (IMUP), IGF-2, and ARHD had particularly marked differences in expression between patients with and without recurrence. Conclusions Genetic profiling identified genes regulated by chemoradiation including DNA damage and cell-to-cell signaling pathways. Genes associated with recurrence were identified that will require validation in an independent patient data set to determine whether the 58-gene set associated with clinical outcome could be useful as a prognostic assay.
Comparative roles of the two Helicobacter pylori thioredoxins in preventing macromolecule damage

ABSTRACT Thioredoxins are highly conserved throughout a wide range of organisms, and they are essential for the isurvival of oxygen-sensitive cells. The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori uses the thioredoxin system to maintain its thiol/disulfide balance. There are two thioredoxins present in H. pylori, Trx1 and Trx2 (herein referred to as TrxA and TrxC). TrxA has been shown to be important as an electron donor for some antioxidant enzymes, but the function of TrxC remains unknown (L. M. Baker, A. Raudonikiene, P. S. Hoffman, and L. B. Poole, J Bacteriol 183:1961–1973, 2001; P. Alamuri and R. J. Maier, J Bacteriol 188:5839–5850, 2006). We demonstrate that both TrxA and TrxC are important in protecting H. pylori from oxidative stress. Individual Δ trxA and Δ trxC deletion mutant strains each show a greater abundance of lipid peroxides and suffer more DNA damage and more protein carbonylation than the parent. Both deletion mutants were much more sensitive to O 2 -mediated viability loss than the parent. Unexpectedly, the oxidative DNA damage and protein carbonylation was more severe in the Δ trxC mutant than in the Δ trxA mutant; it had 20-fold- and 4-fold-more carbonylated protein content than the wild type and the Δ trxA strain, respectively, after 4 h of atmospheric O 2 stress. trx transcript abundance was altered by the deletion of the heterologous trx gene. The Δ trxC mutant lacked mouse colonization ability, while the ability to colonize mouse stomachs was significantly reduced in the Δ trxA mutant.
Reliabilism and Demon World Victims

This paper defends reliabilism against the classic demon world victim thought experiment. In doing so, I underscore two of its key alleged intuitions. I then articulate a host of varied responses open to the reliabilist, arguing that these readily available responses provide the reliabilist with a way to either accommodate or reject these initial intuitions about the demon world victim thought experiment, and in a way consistent with reliabilism. Thus, I conclude that the demon world thought experiment does not undercut reliability as the hallmark of
Effect of Salt Concentration on Quality of Restructured Pork Chops

Restructured pork chops containing approximately 15% fat were manufactured from fresh hams and boston butts taken from sows. The effects of salt level (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) and freezer storage time (0 and 30 days) on quality attributes of restructured pork chops were studied with three replications. Triangle test differences were significant for all comparisons except 1.0% and 1.5% salt groups stored for 30 days. 2-Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values increased linearly with increasing salt levels for both 0 and 30 days storage. Salt addition also linearly increased Instron slicing strength values, and improved flavor, juiciness, and textural properties. The addition of salt decreased raw color evaluations, Instron shearing values and cooking losses. Following 30 days freezer storage, treatments containing salt had higher TBA values and lower color scores than the control treatment containing 0% salt. Salt addition at levels between 0.5 and 1.0% is recommended for restructured pork chops.
Elbow Fractures: Distal Humerus

A distal humerus fracture can be a debilitating and difficult injury to treat. The anatomy of the distal humerus is highly complex, as it articulates with both the radius and ulna and allows for motion in multiple planes. Furthermore, comminution and osteopenia may render the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction weak, making adequate stabilization difficult. Various methods of surgical fixation have been described, with bicolumnar plating being the most popular. Controversy over fixation techniques and the introduction of recently developed implants, including precontoured plates and locking plates, have led to renewed focus on biomechanical testing of various fixation constructs. Failure of adequate reconstruction or fixation can be addressed with adjunctive measures such as incorporation of structural bone grafts, external fixation, or, in certain instances, salvage with total elbow arthroplasty. The articular surface can also be injured from a shear force, resulting in fractures of the capitellum and trochlea in the coronal plane. This article presents a review of current literature concerning the diagnosis, classification, treatment, and outcome of distal humerus fractures.
Many-body wave scattering and creating materials with a desired refraction coefficient

Many-body scattering problem is solved asymptotically when the size of the particles tends to zero and the number of the particles tends to infinity.
Limits of performance of real-time DNA microarrays

DNA microarrays rely on chemical attraction between the nucleic acid sequences of interest (mRNA and DNA sequences, referred to as targets) and their molecular complements which serve as biological sensing elements (probes). The attraction between the complementary sequences leads to binding, in which probes capture target molecules. Molecular binding is a stochastic process and hence the number of captured analytes at any time is a random variable. Today, majority of DNA microarrays acquire only a single measurement of the binding process, essentially taking one sample from the steady-state distribution of the binding process. Real-time DNA microarrays provide much more: they can take multiple temporal measurements which not only allow more precise characterization of the steady-state but also enable faster detection based on the early kinetics of the binding process. In this paper, we derive the Cramer-Rao lower bound on the mean-square error of estimating the target amounts in real-time DNA microarrays, and compare it to that of conventional microarrays. The results suggest that a few temporal samples collected in the early phase of the binding process are often sufficient to enable significant performance improvement of the real-time microarrays over the conventional ones.
The feasibility of using teach-back to reinforce discharge instructions and its influence on the number of 30-day readmissions of heart failure patients

Purpose: 1. To assess the feasibility of having 4 clinical care nurse facilitators (CCNFs) on two inpatient cardiology units use teachback to reinforce heart failure discharge instructions provided by bedside nurses; 2. Compare the number of 30-day readmissions of those heart failure patients who received teach-back versus those who received the usual standard of care. Background: Early readmissions following inpatient treatment for heart failure may be the result of inadequately preparing patients for their transition from hospital to home. Teach-back (asking patients to repeat in their ownwords the instructions provided by clinicians) and teach-to-goal (patients accurately state the instructions offered during the teaching session) are a means to assess and improve patient comprehension of discharge instructions, which may avert these early, preventable rehospitalizations. Methods: A convenience sample of heart failure inpatients receiving care on a general cardiology or advanced heart failure unit in a 926-bed quaternary care center was invited to participate in the study. After informed consent was obtained, participants were randomly assigned to receive usual care or usual care plus teachback on 4 key discharge instruction topics (name of diuretic, 3 foods to avoid, reportableweight gain, and 3 reportable signs/symptoms of a worsening condition). Feasibility was measured by comparing the duration of the educational sessions between the two groups, the CCNFs subjective rating of the educational session, and if the intervention group patients reached teach-to-goal using no more than 3 teach-backs per key discharge instruction topic. Participants’ 30-day, all-cause readmissions to the study institution were measured. Results: Forty-one patients consented to participate; 29 completed the study– 17 patients in the intervention group (59%) and 12 (41%) in the comparison group. The mean age of participants was 55.7 years old (SD+/-13.1) and 51.7 % were male (N1⁄415). The majority of participants was Black (80%, N1⁄423). Patient characteristics were comparable among groups although alcohol use was more prominent in the intervention group (P1⁄40.03). The mean duration of educational sessions in the intervention group (19.1 minutes, SD +/9.9) was two minutes shorter than the comparison group (21.6 minutes, SD +/8.2) (P1⁄40.36). Using a 0-10 scale, the CCNFs rated the educational sessions high in both groups: intervention group1⁄48.1 (SD+/-1.4); comparison group1⁄48.3 (SD+/-0.9). All intervention group participants reached teach-to-goal in all categories using no more than three teach-backs. Six (21%) of 29 participants were readmitted within 30 days to the study hospital: 2 intervention group patients and 4 comparison group patients (P1⁄40.14).
OROPHARYNGEAL ASPIRATION OF RICIN AS A LUNG CHALLENGE MODEL FOR EVALUATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC INDEX OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST RICIN A-CHAIN FOR POST-EXPOSURE TREATMENT

To investigate the effectiveness of passive antibody treatment as post-exposure therapy for ricin, we had developed an oropharyngeal aspiration model for ricin lethal challenge and antibody administration. When polyclonal anti-deglycosylated ricin A-chain antibody (dgA Ab) was administered between 1-18 hr after ricin challenge, all animals survived while delayed treatment to 24 hr resulted in 30% survival. The protective effects of dgA Ab correlated with inhibition of apoptosis in the lungs in vivo and in RAW264.7 macrophage and Jurkat T cells in vitro. In addition, ricin-induced cell cytotoxicity was inhibited by both dgA Ab and RAC18 monoclonal antibody against ricin A-chain. Administration of RAC18 monoclonal antibody at 4, 18, and 24 hr after ricin exposure resulted in 100%, 60% and 50% protection, respectively, suggesting that the therapeutic window for passive vaccination extended to at least 24 hr post-ricin lung challenge.
A novel chemical delivery system comprising an ocular sustained release formulation of a 3α, 17α, 21-trihydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one-BIS-5-flourouracil codrug

ABSTRACTDirectly compressed sustained release pellets were prepared from material consisting of a molecule of 3α, 17α, 21-trihydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one (trihydroxy steroid, THS) covalently linked via carbonate moieties to two molecules of 5-flourouracil (5FU) to form a novel THS-BIS-5FU codrug for the treatment of angiogenisis. Dissolution and drug release was tested in vitro in 0.1M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), human serum, and vitreous humor. The results suggest that neat THS-BIS-5FU codrug pellets are useful for sustained release ocular delivery of the parent compounds, and that the unique physicochemical properties of the codrug allow slow dissolution and rapid release of the two parent drugs. This codrug formulation is regarded as a “chemical delivery” system that involves dissolution of the codrug as the rate-limiting step followed by rapid hydrolysis of the carbonate ester linkages to release the parent drugs via sustained delivery.
Inexpensive Computation of the Inverse of the Genomic Relationship Matrix in Populations with Small Effective Population Size.

Many computations with SNP data including genomic evaluation, parameter estimation, and genome-wide association studies use an inverse of the genomic relationship matrix. The cost of a regular inversion is cubic and is prohibitively expensive for large matrices. Recent studies in cattle demonstrated that the inverse can be computed in almost linear time by recursion on any subset of ∼10,000 individuals. The purpose of this study is to present a theory of why such a recursion works and its implication for other populations. Assume that, because of a small effective population size, the additive information in a genotyped population has a small dimensionality, even with a very large number of SNP markers. That dimensionality is visible as a limited number of effective SNP effects, independent chromosome segments, or the rank of the genomic relationship matrix. Decompose a population arbitrarily into core and noncore individuals, with the number of core individuals equal to that dimensionality. Then, breeding values of noncore individuals can be derived by recursions on breeding values of core individuals, with coefficients of the recursion computed from the genomic relationship matrix. A resulting algorithm for the inversion called “algorithm for proven and young” (APY) has a linear computing and memory cost for noncore animals. Noninfinitesimal genetic architecture can be accommodated through a trait-specific genomic relationship matrix, possibly derived from Bayesian regressions. For populations with small effective population size, the inverse of the genomic relationship matrix can be computed inexpensively for a very large number of genotyped individuals.
Assessments in Driver Rehabilitation

Publisher Summary The services that are offered by a driver rehabilitation program are usually a good indicator of the professionals who comprise a particular program's team structure. Every driver rehabilitation program employs primary team members to provide key driver rehabilitation services irrespective of the program's service delivery model, team structure, or service offerings. Among the driver rehabilitation team members is the driver rehabilitation specialist (DRS) that plays the central role in providing efficacious driver rehabilitation and, more recently, community mobility services to clients and their caregivers. Several clinical-based screening tools that are employed for driving fitness include a Gross Impairments Screening (GRIMPS) battery that has been developed as a tool for driver licensing agency staff to provide early detection of driving impairments in the well-elderly population. ADReS is designed for use by physicians. It comprises brief assessments designed to target essential functions that are required for safe driving including: vision; cognition; and motor skills. An assessment of the client's physical skills enables the DRS to anticipate potential challenges the client may face with vehicle control and helps guide the decision-making process for selecting adapted driving equipment, vehicle modifications, and driver-training strategies. The information acquired during the clinical evaluation can be used to determine the preferred vehicle type and adaptive driving aids for the on-road assessment.
Burning reveals cryptic plant diversity and promotes coexistence in a California prairie restoration experiment

Grassland and prairie restoration projects in California often result in long-term establishment of only a few native plant species, even when they begin with a diverse seed palette. One explanation for the disappearance of certain native species over time is that they are excluded through competition. If so, management that reduces interspecific competition may favor “subordinate” natives and promote greater native species diversity in restored communities. Potential management approaches to accomplish this goal include intraspecific spatial aggregation during seeding and prescribed fire. However, no studies have experimentally evaluated the effects of fire on a controlled (restoration) species pool or the interaction between fire and spatial aggregation. In a previous California prairie restoration experiment, we demonstrated that aggregated plantings protected competitively subordinate species from exclusion and increased community diversity for three years. However, native species richness declined throughout the study, and the benefits of aggregated seeding had begun to disappear by the third year. For the present study, we resurveyed the experimental plots five years after seeding and in the following year carried out controlled burns on half of the plots. The four subordinate species and one of the previously dominant species continued to decline and essentially disappeared aboveground during years four and five. However, burning in year five decreased the cover of dominant natives, triggered the reappearance of the three subordinate species that had disappeared or nearly disappeared in previous years, and increased diversity of the restored community. Seeding treatments (aggregated or interspersed) did not significantly affect community-level responses to the burning treatment. These results confirm that although initial intraspecific aggregation may promote species coexistence in the short term, re-establishing disturbance regimes can allow coexistence over a longer time scale by revealing and potentially renewing seed bank diversity.
Perceived stress and salivary cortisol in collegiate track and field athletes. A pilot study.

Purpose. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine changes in stress, recovery and salivary cortisol in track and field athletes over an eight month period. Method. Stress and recovery were measured using Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-52). Surveys and saliva for measurement of cortisol were collected weekly. In season and off season values were compared using t-tests (p<0.05). Results. One hundred and one saliva samples and 90 RESTQ-52 surveys were collected from eight athletes. Those who completed at least 50% of the surveys and saliva collections (4 athletes) were included in the final analysis. Salivary cortisol levels were not significantly different in the in season vs. off season (6.1+0.7 and 5.0+0.9 nmol/L, p=0.3). For stress scales, only fatigue was significantly different in the in season compared to the off season (1.2+0.2 and 2.2+0.2). For the recovery scales, success was significantly lower in the in season vs. off season (2.8+0.2 and 3.5+0.2), whereas physical recovery was significantly higher in the in season compared to the off season (4.1+0.2 and 3.4+0.3). Conclusion. The results of this pilot study suggest that stress and recovery values measured using the RESTQ-52 and salivary cortisol values may be variable within and between student athletes, with few significant differences between in season and off season periods. Additional studies are needed with a larger sample and a variety of athletes. These studies will help to determine effective ways to monitor perceived and physiological stress in athletes.
The Chicano and the Law: An Analysis of Community-Police Conflict in an Urban Barrio

A case study of a Southern California barrio with a history of police conflict is used to test several hypotheses concerning fear of crime and of the police in relation to support for increasing or...
1-(4-Methoxy-phen-yl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine.

The synthesis of the title compound, C16H15N3O, is regiospecific and single-crystal X-ray diffraction provides the only means of unambiguous structural analysis, with the benzene ring bonded to the imine C atom. The phenyl ring and the essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation 0.0354 A) methoxy­benzene group are rotated by 29.41 (5) and 37.01 (5)°, respectively, from the central pyrazole ring. An inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond links symmetry-related mol­ecules into a C(5) chain, which runs parallel to the b axis.
Toad Bladder Extract Which Binds Sodium Role in Sodium Transport.

SummaryThere is in the urinary bladder of Bufo marinus an ether soluble compound which binds sodium (ESC-Na). The theory that this compound is in some manner involved in the transport of sodium across the wall of the bladder is supported by the following observations: 1. The content of ESC-Na in the bladder wall is 9.35 μeq/g; while that of serosal tissue, which does not transport Na, is 0.33 μeq/g. 2. The quantity of ESC-Na is reduced by placing a sodium-free solution at either the serosal or mucosal surface. The significance of these findings is discussed.3. There is a similarity between the effect of increasing the sodium concentration of the mucosal fluid on reduction of ESC-Na concentrations and on rate of sodium transport.4. The possibility that ESC-Na did not exist as such in the body has been considered. Instead it might be formed after death of the bladder and/or during the extraction process. Data are presented which make this latter possibility unlikely. 5. It is concluded that the data present...
Effect of Saw Palmetto Supplements on Androgen-Sensitive LNCaP Human Prostate Cancer Cell Number and Syrian Hamster Flank Organ Growth.

Saw palmetto supplements (SPS) are commonly consumed by men with prostate cancer. We investigated whether SPS fatty acids and phytosterols concentrations determine their growth-inhibitory action in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells and hamster flank organs. High long-chain fatty acids-low phytosterols (HLLP) SPS ≥ 750 nM with testosterone significantly increased and ≥500 nM with dihydrotestosterone significantly decreased LNCaP cell number. High long-chain fatty acids-high phytosterols (HLHP) SPS ≥ 500 nM with dihydrotestosterone and high medium-chain fatty acids-low phytosterols (HMLP) SPS ≥ 750 nM or with androgens significantly decreased LNCaP cell number (; ). Five- to six-week-old, castrated male Syrian hamsters were randomized to control (), HLLP, HLHP, and HMLP SPS () groups. Testosterone or dihydrotestosterone was applied topically daily for 21 days to the right flank organ; the left flank organ was treated with ethanol and served as the control. Thirty minutes later, SPS or ethanol was applied to each flank organ in treatment and control groups, respectively. SPS treatments caused a notable but nonsignificant reduction in the difference between left and right flank organ growth in testosterone-treated SPS groups compared to the control. The same level of inhibition was not seen in dihydrotestosterone-treated SPS groups (). Results may suggest that SPS inhibit 5α-reductase thereby preventing hamster flank organ growth.
Homonuclear Metallic Microclusters: Structure and Energetics

We have calculated the energy and equilibrium geometry of Ni, Pd and Pt microclusters (N ≤ 10) using the Universal Binding Energy version of the Embedded Atom Method. Agreement with available experimental data is discussed. A systematic trend in the average binding energy per atom was found for each element studied. Parameterization of the trend are discussed.