cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lower Incidence Rate of Type 1 Diabetes after Receipt of the Rotavirus Vaccine in the United States, 2001-2017.

We evaluated whether rotavirus vaccination is associated with the incidence of type 1 diabetes among children. We designed a cohort study of 1,474,535 infants in the United States from 2001–2017, using data from a nationwide health insurer. There was a 33% reduction in the risk of type 1 diabetes with completion of the rotavirus vaccine series compared to the unvaccinated (95% CI: 17%, 46%). Completion of the pentavalent vaccine series was associated with 37% lower risk of type 1 diabetes (95% CI: 22%, 50%). Partial vaccination (incompletion of the series) was not associated with the incidence of type 1 diabetes. There was a 31% reduction in hospitalizations in the 60-day period after vaccination (95% CI: 27%, 35%) compared to unvaccinated children. Overall, there was a 3.4% decrease in incidence annually in children ages 0–4 in the United States from 2006–2017 which coincides with the vaccine introduction in 2006. We conclude that rotavirus vaccination is associated with a reduced incidence of type 1 diabetes. Rotavirus vaccination may be the first practical measure that could play a role in the prevention of this disease.
Reconstruction of Oncologic Sternectomy Defects: Lessons Learned from 60 Cases at a Single Institution.

Oncologic sternectomy results in complex defects where preoperative planning is paramount to achieve best reconstructive outcomes. Although pectoralis major muscle flap (PMF) is the workhorse for sternal soft tissue coverage, additional flaps can be required. Our purpose is to evaluate defects in which other flaps beside PMF were required to achieve optimal reconstruction. Methods A retrospective review of consecutive patients at our institution who underwent reconstruction after sternal tumor resection was performed. Demographics, surgical characteristics, and outcomes were evaluated. Further analysis was performed to identify defect characteristics where additional flaps to PMF were needed to complete reconstruction. Results In 11 years, 60 consecutive patients were identified. Mean age was 58 (28-81) years old, with a mean follow-up of 40.6 (12-64) months. The majority were primary sternal tumors (67%) and the mean defect size was 148 cm2 (±81). Fourteen (23%) patients presented with postoperative complications, and the 30-day mortality rate was 1.6%. In 19 (32%) cases, additional flaps were required; the most common being the rectus abdominis muscle flaps. Larger thoracic defects (P = 0.011) and resections involving the inferior sternum (P = 0.021) or the skin (P = 0.011) were more likely to require additional flaps. Conclusions Reconstruction of oncologic sternal defects requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Larger thoracic defects, particularly those that involve the skin and the inferior sternum, are more likely to require additional flaps for optimal reconstruction.
Extremism Leads to Ostracism

Abstract. Ostracism has been shown to increase openness to extreme ideologies and groups. We investigated the consequences of this openness-to-extremity from the perspective of potential ostracizer...
Special Article Celebrating SSO 80th Anniversary: William Stewart MacComb-The Father of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and a Pioneering Surgical Oncologist.

The year 2020 marks the 80th anniversary of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), so it is appropriate to celebrate the vision and leadership of Dr. William MacComb, who led the formation of the James Ewing Society as an alumni organization of the Memorial Hospital in New York City. The Ewing Society was later renamed and reorganized as the SSO in 1975. Dr. MacComb was elected as the first and second President of the James Ewing Society from 1940 to 1942. He was elected onto the Executive Council when it first formed in 1947 as the Secretary/Treasurer from 1947 to 1948, as Vice-President from 1948 to 1949, and then continued as a member of the Executive Council for 3 years until 1952. He was elected again as Vice President from 1958 to 1959, as President-elect from 1959 to 1960, as President for a third time from 1960 to 1961, and then as Chair of the Executive Committee from 1961 to 1962. No other person in the history of the SSO was President for multiple terms and also was one of the founding leaders. For these reasons, it would be a fitting accolade to refer to Dr. William MacComb as “the Father of the Society of Surgical Oncology” (founded as the James Ewing Society). Dr. MacComb also served as President of both the American Radium Society (1950) and the Society of Head and Neck Surgery (1969). He one of the first surgical oncologist trained in head and neck surgery, and, uniquely, one of the first physicians to be Board Certified in Radiology because of his training and publications in therapeutic radiology. Dr. MacComb made important contributions in the field of Head and Neck surgery, as a pioneer in the development of radiation therapy and radiation physics, and for advancing the use of combined surgery and radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.
Analysis of evaluation results of malaria elimination in Jiujiang City

Objective To analyze the evaluation results of malaria elimination and summarize the experience in Jiujiang City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the surveillance work plan post-malaria elimination. Methods According to the requirements and arrangements of Jiangxi Eliminating Malaria Action Plan (2010 - 2020), the evaluation of malaria elimination was completed in all 13 counties (cites and districts) of Jiujiang City from 2013 to 2016, and the data were collected and analyzed. Results In Jiujiang City, the last local malaria case was reported in 2008. From 2010 to 2016, there were 20 imported malaria cases reported, including 12 cases of falciparum malaria, 7 cases of vivax malaria, and 1 case of mixed infection. Totally 67 501 fever patients were tested for Plasmodium and 13 cases were positive, with the positive rate of 0.02%. The comprehensive evaluation scores were between 88.75 and 98.15 in all the 13 counties (cities and districts), which meant they all reached the evaluative criteria. Conclusions All 13 counties (cities and districts) of Jiujiang City have passed the city level evaluative criteria of malaria elimination, and the key work should be the prevention and surveillance of imported malaria in the future.
The Imaging Toolbox to Assess Patients with Suspected Myocardial Infarction in the Absence of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (MINOCA)

This paper will review myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCAs) briefly, and then focus on the imaging tools that should be employed when caring for patients with suspected MINOCA. Diagnostic imaging has a critical role in assessing patients with suspected or confirmed MINOCA. The extent at which these diagnostic tests are used in any given patient will depend on the clinical acumen for the underlying condition, as well as the available resources. There are myriad conditions that can lead to MINOCA; further testing to exclude other underlying causes of myocardial injury is crucial. Cardiovascular imaging may assist in identifying the etiological cause in cases where MINOCA remains the most likely diagnosis. A systematic approach to the diagnostic assessment will help to uncover the underlying diagnosis, guide therapy, and provide the patient and their families with appropriate feedback.
Resident Involvement in Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy: A Review of Operative Times and Surgical Outcomes

Study Objective To evaluate laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy operative times, complication rates and long-term surgical outcomes at one academic institution with significant trainee involvement. Design This is a retrospective chart review of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy cases. Setting Cases took place in an operating room at a large academic medical center. Patients were in dorsal lithotomy position with five abdominal laparoscopic trocar sites. Patients or Participants A series of 181 consecutive laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy cases (with or without concomitant procedures) were examined between February 2014 and August 2019. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Descriptive statistics were used to compare primary outcomes with published literature. The average operative time was 139.9 minutes, compared to 180-190 minutes noted in other studies. Four cases of intraoperative cystotomy (2.2%) and one enterotomy (0.6%) were noted compared to 5-6% and 1.4% respectively in the literature (Sheyn et al 2019). There were 16 cases of postoperative urinary tract infection (8.8%). At their most recent postoperative visit, which occurred on average at postoperative day 278, recurrent prolapse was noted in 11.7% of patients and 3.9% of those patients underwent a subsequent repair to correct their prolapse. Other complications included 0.6% small bowel obstruction, 1.1% mesh erosion and 7.7% de-novo stress urinary incontinence; all of these were less than those documented in the literature. The overall complication rate was 15.4% compared to 18% in the literature (Nosti et al 2014). Conclusion This institutional demonstrates short operative times, low complication rates and favorable outcomes with resident involvement in laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. This indicates advanced urogynecology procedures can be performed with significant resident involvement without compromising operative time and surgical outcomes.
News at the Bell and a Level Playing Field

We provide initial evidence that stock exchange procedures around closing auctions advantage speed traders at the expense of auction participants. We show that 4:00 pm earnings releases result in informed trading in the continuous regular-hour session in the short window between 4:00 pm and the closing auction; this trading subsequently moves closing prices in the direction of the earnings news. The ability of speed traders to submit 4:00 pm-news orders to the auction through the continuous session earns them up to 1.5% profit and creates an unlevel playing field because most auction participants are not allowed to cancel their orders. Furthermore, firms with higher institutional ownership are more likely to voluntarily delay their earnings announcements to after market close once they become aware of this pre-close activity. Our study has implications regarding the timing of information releases, trading halts during auctions, and the design of the closing process.
Rate of Submandibular Gland Atrophy Secondary to Chronic Sialolithiasis.

The rate of salivary gland atrophy secondary to chronic obstructive sialolithiasis has not been well-documented. The combination of 5 imaging studies over 12 years in a patient with repeat imaging ...
Xyloglucan Xylosyltransferase 1 Displays Promiscuity Toward Donor Substrates During In vitro Reactions.

Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are a large family of enzymes that add sugars to a broad range of acceptor substrates, including polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, by utilizing a wide variety of donor substrates in the form of activated sugars. Individual GTs have generally been considered to exhibit a high level of substrate specificity, but this has not been thoroughly investigated across the extremely large set of GTs. Here we investigate Xyloglucan Xylosyltransferase 1 (XXT1), a GT involved in synthesis of the plant cell wall polysaccharide, xyloglucan. Xyloglucan has a glucan backbone, with initial side chain substitutions exclusively composed of xylose from UDP-Xylose. While this conserved substitution pattern suggests a high substrate specificity for XXT1, our in vitro kinetic studies elucidate a more complex set of behavior. Kinetic studies demonstrate comparable kcat values for reactions with UDP-Xylose and UDP-Glucose, while reactions with UDP-Arabinose and UDP-Galactose are over 10-fold slower. Using kcat/Km as a measure of efficiency, UDP-Xylose is 8-fold more efficient as a substrate than the next best alternative, UDP-Glucose. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to demonstrate that not all plant XXTs are highly substrate specific, and some do show significant promiscuity in their in vitro reactions. Kinetic parameters alone likely do not explain the high substrate selectivity in planta, suggesting there are additional control mechanisms operating during polysaccharide biosynthesis. Improved understanding of substrate specificity of the GTs will aid in protein engineering, development of diagnostic tools, and understanding of biological systems.
A New Approach for Timely Systematic Reviews of Rapidly Evolving Research: Identifying Evidence in Which We Can Place Our Confidence

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the world in unprecedented ways since first emerging in December 2019. In the last two years, the scientific community has made an enormous effort to understand COVID-19 and potential interventions. As of June 15, 2021, there were more than 140,000 COVID-19 focused manuscripts on PubMed and preprint servers, such as medRxiv and BioRxiv. Preprints, which constitute more than 15% of all manuscripts, may contain more up-to-date research findings compared to published papers, due to the sometimes lengthy timeline between manuscript submission and publication. Including preprints in systematic reviews and meta-analyses thus has the potential to improve the timeliness of reviews. However, there is no clear guideline on whether preprints should be included in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Using a prototypical example of a rapid systematic review examining the comparative effectiveness of COVID-19 therapeutics, we propose including all preprints in the systematic review by assigning them a weight we term the "confidence score". Motivated by our observation that, unlike the traditional journal submission process which is unobserved, the timeline from submission to publication for a preprint can be observed and can be modeled as a time-to-event outcome. This observation provides a unique opportunity to model and quantify the probability that a preprint will be published, which can be used as a confidence score to weight preprints in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. To obtain the confidence score, we propose a novel survival cure model, which incorporates both the time from posting to publication for a preprint, and key characteristics of the study described in the content of the preprint. Using meta data from 158 preprints on evaluating therapeutic options for COVID-19 posted through 09/03/2020, we demonstrate the utility of the confidence score in weighting of preprints in a systematic review. Our proposed method has the potential to advance timely systematic reviews of the evidence examining COVID-19 and other clinical conditions with rapidly evolving evidence bases by providing an approach for inclusion of unpublished manuscripts.
Inhibition of cellular processing of surfactant protein C by drugs affecting intracellular pH gradients.

Abstract Surfactant protein C (SP-C) is a hydrophobic protein synthesized and secreted exclusively by alveolar type II cells through proteolysis of a 21-kDa propeptide (SP-C21) to produce the 3.7-kDa surface active form. Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that early processing of proSP-C involves extensive intracellular proteolysis of the COOH terminus of proSP-C21 in subcellular compartments, which include the acidic type II cell-specific subcellular organelle, the lamellar body. (Beers, M. F., Kim, C. Y., Dodia, C., and Fisher, A. B. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 20318-20328). The role of intracellular pH gradients in SP-C processing was studied in freshly isolated rat type II cells. Using vital fluorescence microscopy, the pH indicator acridine orange (AO) identified intense fluorescence staining of acidic cytoplasmic vesicles within fresh type II cells. The AO vesicular staining pattern was similar in cells labeled with the lamellar body marker phosphine 3R and the phospholipid dye nile red. AO fluorescence was quenched by the addition of a membrane-permeable weak base, methylamine. Immunoprecipitation of cell lysates with anti-proSP-C antisera following pulse-chase labeling (0–2 h) with 35S-Translabel demonstrated rapid synthesis of 35S-proSP-C21 with a time-dependent appearance of 16- and 6-kDa intermediates (SP-C16 and SP-C6). Tricine polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of organic extracts of cell lysates showed time-dependent appearance of mature SP-C3.7. The addition of 5 mM methylamine significantly blocked the post-translational processing of proSP-C resulting in disruption of normal precursor-product relationships and inhibition of SP-C3.7 formation. Methylamine-treated cells exhibited slow accumulation of SP-C16 and SP-C6, a persistence of SP-C21, and an absence of SP-C3.7 for the duration of the chase period. The lysosomotropic agent chloroquine, the proton ionophore monensin, and bafilomycin A1, a specific vacuolar H+-ATPase inhibitor, each caused inhibition of proSP-C processing in a similar manner. These results demonstrate that normal post-translational proteolysis of proSP-C occurs in acidic intracellular compartments, which include the lamellar body, and that complete processing to SP-C3.7 is dependent upon maintenance of transmembrane pH gradients by a vacuolar H+-ATPase.
Chapter 49 Arch models

Abstract This chapter evaluates the most important theoretical developments in ARCH type modeling of time-varying conditional variances. The coverage include the specification of univariate parametric ARCH models, general inference procedures, conditions for stationarity and ergodicity, continuous time methods, aggregation and forecasting of ARCH models, multivariate conditional covariance formulations, and the use of model selection criteria in an ARCH context. Additionally, the chapter contains a discussion of the empirical regularities pertaining to the temporal variation in financial market volatility. Motivated in part by recent results on optimal filtering, a new conditional variance model for better characterizing stock return volatility is also presented.
Optimized model for SOI and cryogenic analog/digital circuits

A cryogenic model based on transverse field and temperature dependence for different scattering mechanisms that influence channel mobility is developed. The kink effect is shown in both SOI (body floating) and bulk (carrier freezeout) at cryogenic temperatures below 30 Kelvin. The negative conductance model based on both a 2-dimensional electric field and temperature effect in SOI body tie transistors is also developed and implemented in SPICE.
Mechanism of Fatty Acid and Phospholipid Autoxidation

Autoxidation, the reaction of molecular oxygen and hydrocarbons, is one of the most general reactions in organic chemistry. The reaction of free radicals with oxygen is extremely rapid, and many mechanisms for initiation of free radical reactions have been described. The weak link with regard to autoxidation is those lipids which contain multiple double-bounded systems. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids, for example, are particularly prone to autoxidation, and the susceptibility of these compounds to autoxidation has been known for decades. There are many examples which suggest that autoxidation plays a crucial role in the development of flavors and aromas, and this is the focus of many of the chapters in this volume.
Energies and derivative couplings in the vicinity of a conical intersection. II. CH2(2 3A″,3 3A″) and H2S(1 1A″,2 1A″), unexpected results in an ostensibly standard case

The 2 3A′′−3 3A′′ and the 1 1A′′−2 1A′′ seams of conical intersection in CH2 and H2S, respectively, are considered. The nuclear coordinate dependence of the seam of conical intersection, the energy of the lower adiabatic potential energy surface along closed loops containing the conical intersection, and the nonremovable part of the derivative coupling in the region contained within the closed loops are studied. The energetics and derivative couplings in the vicinity of the conical intersections are analyzed in terms of the characteristic parameters of a conical intersection, determined at the configuration interaction level using analytic gradient techniques. The characteristic parameters are found to predict, in a qualitative manner, the energetics at moderate distances from the conical intersection. Loops containing the conical intersection that exhibit and do not exhibit the geometric phase effect are considered. An unusual trifurcation of the C2v seam of conical intersection in CH2 into a C2v branch ...
Water mass linkages between the Middle and South Atlantic bights

Abstract Time and frequency domain analyses are used to relate coastal meteorological data with 7 years of daily surface temperature and salinity collected at three coastal light stations; offshore of the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, on Diamond Shoals, at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and on Frying Pan Shoals, off Cape Fear, North Carolina. Salinity fluctuations at Diamond Shoals are highly correlated with alongshore wind stress, implying wind driven advection of the front between Virginia Coastal Water (VCW) and Carolina Coastal Water (CCW) across Diamond Shoals. The data collected at Diamond Shoals indicate that more than half the time there is significant encroachment of Mid Atlantic Bight water into the South Atlantic Bight around Cape Hatteras, contrary to the notion that VCW is entirely entrained into the Gulf Stream. In fact, VCW can appear as far south as Frying Pan Shoals, thereby extending across the entire North Carolina Capes inner to mid shelf. Temperature and salinity time series also indicate that water masses overlying Diamond Shoals respond quickly to cross-shelf winds. Cross-shelf wind stress is significantly correlated with surface water temperature at Diamond Shoals, for periods between 2 and 12 days. Changes in temperature can be brought about by wind-driven cross-shelf circulation and by wind-induced upwelling. Seasurface temperature satellite (AVHRR) imagery taken during the SEEP II confirm these concepts.
Vibrational–rotational energies of all H2 isotopomers using Monte Carlo methods

Using variational Monte Carlo techniques, we have computed several of the lowest rotational–vibrational energies of all the hydrogen molecule isotopomers (H2, HD, HT, D2, DT, and T2). These calculations do not require the excited states to be explicitly orthogonalized. We have examined both the usual Gaussian wave function form as well as a rapidly convergent Pade form. The high-quality potential energy surfaces used in these calculations are taken from our earlier work and include the Born–Oppenheimer energy, the diagonal correction to the Born–Oppenheimer approximation, and the lowest-order relativistic corrections at 24 internuclear points. Our energies are in good agreement with those determined by other methods. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Inclusive decay distributions of coherent two-body states

When a vector meson such as {phi} , J/{Psi}(3S) , or {Upsilon}(4S) decays to a particle-antiparticle pair of neutral mesons, the time distribution of inclusive decay to a given final state is naively expected to be the incoherent sum of those of the two mesons with opposite flavors. In this paper, we show that this is in general not the case for arbitrary coherent two-body states and obtain conditions under which such a naive incoherent sum gives the correct distributions. In particular, the condition is satisfied by any linear superposition of B{sup 0}{bar B}{sup 0} and {bar B}{sup 0}B{sup 0} . The analysis is applicable to the cases with more than two orthogonal states. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Mechanics of F-actin characterized with microfabricated cantilevers.

Abstract In this report we characterized the longitudinal elasticity of single actin filaments manipulated by novel silicon-nitride microfabricated levers. Single actin filaments were stretched from zero tension to maximal physiological tension, P 0 . The obtained length-tension relation was nonlinear in the low-tension range (0–50 pN) with a resultant strain of ∼0.4–0.6% and then became linear at moderate to high tensions (∼50–230 pN). In this region, the stretching stiffness of a single rhodamine-phalloidin-labeled, 1- μ m-long F-actin is 34.5±3.5 pN/nm. Such a length-tension relation could be characterized by an entropic-enthalpic worm-like chain model, which ascribes most of the energy consumed in the nonlinear portion to overcoming thermal undulations arising from the filament's interaction with surrounding solution and the linear portion to the intrinsic stretching elasticity. By fitting the experimental data with such a worm-like chain model, an estimation of persistence length of ∼8.75 μ m was derived. These results suggest that F-actin is more compliant than previously thought and that thin filament compliance may account for a substantial fraction of the sarcomere's elasticity.
Computational Linguistics and the Study of Linguistic Performance

T begin with, I would like to assert that computational linguistics (henceforth CL), despite its qualifying adjective, has to do with human behavior and, in particular, with that subset of human behavioral patterns that we study in linguistics. In other words, one of the tasks of c L as a science is to explain human behavior insofar as it avails itself of the possibilities inherent in man's faculty of speech. In this sense, CL and linguistics proper both pursue the same aim. However, there are differences, as we will see shortly; for the moment, let us just establish that CL can be considered as a subfield of linguistics and leave the delineation of the boundaries for later. An important notion in behavioral sciences is that of a model as a set of hypotheses and empirical assumptions leading to certain testable conclusions called predictions (cf., e.g., Braithwaite 1968, Saumjan 1966). I would like to call this kind of model the descriptive one. "Descriptive" here is not taken in the sense that Chomsky distinguishes descriptive adequacy from explanatory adequacy; indeed, the function of the descriptive model is to explain, as will become clear below. However, there is another respect in which the descriptive model reminds one of some of the characteristics attributed to Chomskyan models: it need not be (and should not be) considered a "faithful" reproduction of reality in the sense that to each part of the model there corresponds, by some kind of isomorphic mapping, a particular chunk of "real" life. In other words, this descriptive kind of model does not attempt to imitate the behavior of its descriptum. The other kind of model I propose to call the simulative one. As the name indicates, we are dealing with a conscious effort to picture, point by point, the activities that we want to describe. Of course, the simulative model, in order to be scientifically interesting, must attempt to explain; a machina loquax, to use Ceccato's expression (1967), is no good if there is a deus in machina. Although the idea of building homunculi, robots, and whatever else they are called is not exactly a new one, the advent of the computer made it possible to conduct these experiments on a hitherto unknown scale, both with regard to dimensions and to exactitude. In fact, one of the popular views of the computer is exactly that: a man-like machine. Interestingly, the fears connected with this
Design, analysis, and simulation of I/O architectures for hypercube multiprocessors

Several issues concerning the design of an I/O (input/output) system for a multiprocessor such as a hypercube are examined. A methodology is proposed for connecting the I/O processors to such a system for efficient I/O access. The effect of I/O communication on the multiprocessor network is analyzed. Different disk organizations that can be employed within such a system are evaluated to see which organization has a better performance. It is observed that parallelism in serving an I/O request plays a dominant role in the scientific workload. The problem of mapping specific data structures such as matrices onto the disks so that the data can be accessed efficiently is considered. >
Comparison of thoracic and lumbar epidural infusions of bupivacaine and fentanyl for post-thoracotomy analgesia

Abstract Epidural analgesia, via either a thoracic or lumbar route, is commonly used to provide postoperative analgesia following thoracotomy for pulmonary resection, but little data indicate which location is better in terms of postoperative analgesia, side effects, or associated complications. In this study, 45 patients, who were scheduled to have epidural analgesia and undergo a lateral thoracotomy, were randomized to receive either a thoracic or a lumbar catheter. Pain assessments and routine clinical data were recorded to determine if either thoracic or lumbar epidural catheters provided superior analgesia, fewer side effects, or fewer complications. This study found no statistical difference in pain relief or side effects between lumbar and thoracic epidural analgesia for post-thoracotomy pain. An increased infusion rate (6.4 ± 1.9 v 5.1 ± 1.4 mL/ h, P = 0.02) was required in the lumbar group to achieve equivalent analgesic levels.
Droplet size and velocity measurements from commercial "fogger" type pepper spray products

Commercial pepper spray devices are available that deliver either a coherent liquid stream or an aerosol from the canister. Information is unavailable in the literature regarding either the spray characteristics (i.e., the droplet diameter, velocity, and number density) or the canister-to-canister variability of these devices. Consequently, their performance in delivering the active agent to the target is not well characterized and the amount of material delivered as small, potentially harmful, particles is unknown. This investigation used phase Doppler interferometry (PDI) to measure the size and velocity distributions of aerosol-type pepper sprays. This information was used to obtain preliminary information on the amount of smaller diameter droplets present in pepper spray products currently on the market. This preliminary information could then be combined with toxicity information (expected to become available) to determine whether the potential hazard is sufficient to warrant further study. Thus, characterization of the sprays (i.e., both droplet size and velocity) at the target location is important for this purpose. Each canister was fired repeatedly to discharge its contents in 1 s shots at 1 min intervals until the PDI could not detect droplets. Four different sets of commercially available pepper spray canisters were studied to document the variation in the aerosol diameter distribution from shot to shot. The results indicated that there were significant differences in the spray characteristics for the different canister sets. The number of shots per canister varied among the sets of canisters. The droplet mean diameter was fairly constant per shot for three of the four canister sets (averaging 54.0 µm with a standard deviation of 2.4 µm for all shots from these three sets) until nearly all of the canister liquid contents were expelled. At this point, the values of the droplet mean diameter, streamwise velocity, and number of droplets decreased significantly. The droplet diameters detected varied from a few micrometers (at the detection limit of the optical arrangement) to about 120 µm. For some groups, the diameter distributions were bimodal with peaks at about 10 µm and 40 µm.
10,000-fold concentration increase of the biomarker cardiac troponin I in a reducing union microfluidic chip using cationic isotachophoresis.

This paper describes the preconcentration of the biomarker cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and a fluorescent protein (R-phycoerythrin) using cationic isotachophoresis (ITP) in a 3.9 cm long poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip includes a channel with a 5× reduction in depth and a 10× reduction in width. Thus, the overall cross-sectional area decreases by 50× from inlet (anode) to outlet (cathode). The concentration is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area so that as proteins migrate through the reductions, the concentrations increase proportionally. In addition, the proteins gain additional concentration by ITP. We observe that by performing ITP in a cross-sectional area reducing microfluidic chip we can attain concentration factors greater than 10000. The starting concentration of cTnI was 2.3 µg mL−1 and the final concentration after ITP concentration in the microfluidic chip was 25.52 ± 1.25 mg mL−1. To the author's knowledge this is the first attempt at concentrating the cardiac biomarker cTnI by ITP. This experimental approach could be coupled to an immunoassay based technique and has the potential to lower limits of detection, increase sensitivity, and quantify different isolated cTnI phosphorylation states.
Physician attitudes toward collaborative agreements with pharmacists and their expectations of community pharmacists' responsibilities in West Virginia.

Abstract Objectives To (1) investigate physicians' expectations about community pharmacist's roles and physician attitudes toward collaborative agreements with community pharmacists in West Virginia and (2) determine physicians' perceptions of pharmacists providing medication therapy management (MTM) services. Methods A mail survey was conducted for a random sample of 500 physicians practicing in West Virginia. Survey items measured the physicians' perceptions about the roles of pharmacists, their level of comfort with pharmacists providing certain MTM services, and their attitudes toward a collaborative agreement with pharmacists. Results 102 responses were received, yielding a response rate of 22.1%; 60% of the physicians had a favorable attitude toward supporting collaborative agreement with pharmacists. Physicians were more comfortable with certain areas of MTM services, such as general drug education and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, and they expected pharmacists to identify medication errors and educate the patients about the safe and appropriate use of medications Conclusion Of the physician respondents, 60% reported a favorable attitude toward collaborative practice agreements, but their attitude toward pharmacists' role in collaborative drug therapy management and pharmacists providing MTM services were not that favorable. Participating physicians may not have consistent expectations regarding pharmacists providing patient care.
Effects of regional anesthesia on perioperative outcome

Abstract To provide an overview of current knowledge, this article reviews experimental and clinical data from investigations examining effects of regional anesthesia on perioperative morbidity in specific physiologic systems. The issues of morbidity and mortality following general and regional anesthesia are addressed, as are the development of perioperative thrombo-embolism and blood loss, which are known to be increased during general anesthesia. Finally, the effects of regional anesthesia on the vascular system, the perioperative stress response, and the pulmonary function are discussed.
El inicio de la vida laboral como detonador de la independencia residencial de los jóvenes en México

Whereas in Western European and North American countries the lack of employment appears to be delaying the age when young people leave the parental home, in Mexico youth begins it transition to adulthood by joining the labor market. Some are incorporated into economic activity by being employed as secondary labor, and part of a family survival strategy, in which case the start of their working lives seeks primarily to contribute to the family economy, rather than to achieve economic independence. In this context, the aim of this paper is to analyze the effect on Mexican youth of leaving the parental home once they start work. Young people that leave the parental home to start a conjugal union are analyzed separately from those that leave home for other reasons. Excluding particular individual and familial characteristics, the author finds that starting work is strongly and positively linked to leaving the parental home in both kinds of departure, but particularly so among those that leave home for other reasons than to begin living with their partners.
Distribution and genetic structure of two allopatric beetle (Coleoptera: Melyridae) species on rock outcrops in the southeast

This study compares the population genetic structure of two spatially subdivided species that differ in the average distance separating their populations. Collops georgianus Fall and C. tricolor Say are allopatrically distributed on granitic rock outcrops of the southeastern United States. C. georgianus is distributed on a dense cluster of outcrops in northcentral Georgia, and C. tricolor is found on outcrops farther apart to the east, north, and west. Populations within the ranges of each species were analyzed using protein electrophoresis. The more geographically isolated species ( C. tricolor ) is genetically more diverse, with a significantly higher average within-species genetic distance. Its populations tend to be fixed, or nearly so, for alternate alleles and contain more alleles per locus. C. tricolor is more highly substructured, its FST value (0.485) being higher than those generally reported for other spatially subdivided species. A Mantel analysis showed the genetic distances between populations to be related more to their contiguity than to the geographic distances between them.
Modeling and Computer Simulation Approach to the Mechanism of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease Virus Neutralization Assays

Block neutralization data since 1949 for the foot-and-mouth disease virus system have been analyzed in terms of a unified mass-action theory for computing the amounts of infectious complexes. Proof that infectious complexes contribute considerably to the assays was obtained by demonstrating a reduction in titer after an additional reaction with anti-Ig antibody before the assay. In the suckling-mice assay with intraperitoneal inoculation, both the data of others and our own on several types indicate that for IgG probably three of the unknown total number of critical sites on the virion must be available for infectivity and death. For IgM, just one of an unknown different total number of critical sites on the virion must be available. In tissue culture infectivity assays the minimum number is two or three, whereas in the bovine tongue assay it could be one or two, but probably two. The difficulties in establishing the at present unknown total numbers of neutralization sites to both IgG and IgM are considerable. However, by the simplest interpretation of the data, the number is estimated to be between 5 and 10 for IgG and perhaps just 1 for IgM. A speculation, consistent with the known virion architecture, is that just 1 of the 12 vertices is uniquely involved in infectivity and death, at least in the suckling-mice assay.
Controlled interactions of femtosecond light filaments in air

We experimentally demonstrate coherent control of two light filaments in air generated by ultrafast laser pulses, as proposed by Xi et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 025003 (2006)]. We show that depending on the relative phase and the incidence angle, the filaments can experience fusion, repulsion, energy redistribution, and spiral motion for propagation in air. By translating the initial beams on subwavelength scales, we achieve $~1$-mm transverse deflection of approximately $0.5$-mJ energy for parallel propagation and $7$${}^{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}$ angular deflection for spiral motion in $3$-m propagation. Our approach using the relative beam phases to reliably control propagation of femtosecond light filaments is potentially applicable to remote sensing and lightning guiding.
Pressure measurements in the 0.01-30 torr range with an inclined-piston gauge

An inclined-piston pressure gauge is described that will supply a long-standing need in thermochemical research for accurate vapour-pressure determinations in the low and intermediate pressure range. Residual friction between the piston and the cylinder is minimized by a unique oscillatory method that is free of end thrust on the piston and allows full sensitivity of the gauge to be realized. The axial component of the weight-to-area ratio of the piston is determined by measuring the angle of declination with a goniometer that can be read to 1 sec. Accuracy of the gauge proper is estimated to range from 0.001 to 0.012 torr from lower to upper pressure limits respectively. Vapour pressure results on ice, water, 1-heptanethiol, 1-decanethiol, and hexafluorobenzene are described.
A "bug-in-the-eye" can be better than a "bug-in-the-ear". A teleprompter technique for on-line therapy skills training.

The only existing method of therapy supervision that provides on-line feedback to trainees is the "bug-in-the-ear," an auditory communication system. Although this system has several advantages over supervision strategies that use retrospective accounts, audio-and videotapes, and direct observation of sessions, it is disruptive to the trainee and must be limited to strategically timed three-or four-word communications. We describe and discuss advantages of the "bug-in-the-eye," an alternative to the bug-in-the-ear, which provides visual on-line feedback for therapist skill training.
Terrestrial physical and chemical processes for liquid waste treatment.

Abstract Experiences gained from full-scale evaluation of advanced treatment processes used for reclaiming wastewaters should help in the evaluation of potential treatment systems for treatment and reuse of water in space. Water Factory 21 is a 0.66 m 3 s −1 (15 million gallons per day) water reclamation plant in California that has been in operation since 1976. The plant receives biologically treated wastewater. Lime treatment is effective for removal of heavy metals. Volatile organic constitutes are efficiently removed by air stripping. Non-volatile organic constituents are removed by activated carbon adsorption and reverse osmosis (RO). RO is a highly effective polishing step, and removes most of the remaining materials including inorganic salts, heavy metals, and organics. RO removed 85% of the total organic carbon, down to about 1 mg 1 −1 , which is lower than in many treated drinking waters. The series of treatment processes used insured virus and pathogen removal, with lime treatment and chlorination together proving highly effective. Sufficient data has been collected to provide statistically reliable confidence limits to be set on the performance of each unit process.
Midazolam as Intravenous Sedative for Electrocardioversion

Of the various agents which have been employed for sedation in patients undergoing electrocardioversion, diazepam has had the most extensive use. However, this agent possesses several disadvantages including pain and venous complications at the site of injection and a lower incidence of amnesia. Midazolam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is being increasingly used in general and local anesthesia as well as for procedures requiring conscious sedation, eg, endoscopy. We used intravenous midazolam for conscious sedation in 12 patients undergoing a total of 17 cardioversions. All of the patients experienced amnesia for the procedure and manifested no significant adverse effects. However, serious respiratory failure may occur when intravenous midazolam is used in patients with COPD, debilitated patients, or when the drug is injected rapidly. The use of midazolam should therefore be confined to areas that are able to deal with cardiorespiratory complications. Using guidelines and precautions described here, we encountered no major complications. We conclude that midazolam offers a safe and effective alternative to other agents for conscious sedation in patients undergoing electrocardioversion.
Quantification of Phencyclidine in Mainstream Smoke and Identification of Phenylcyclohex-1-ene as Pyrolysis Product

Parsley cigarettes containing [3H]phencyclidine were machine smoked, and the mainstream smoke was trapped in glass wool filters. Radioactivity was extracted from these filters with chloroform. The average recoveries of radioactivity were 76, 85, 70, and 69% for cigarettes containing 3, 10, 30, and 50 mg of [3H]phencyclidine hydrochloride, respectively. TLC and GLC-mass spectrometry were employed to identify and quantify compounds in the filter extracts. Approximately one-half of the recovered radioactivity represented a pyrolysis product, phenylcyclohex-1-ene. Formation of this product involved loss of piperidine from phencyclidine. Piperidine, which was not radiolabeled, also may appear in smoke intact. The remainder of the radiolabeled material represented unchanged phencyclidine. Therefore, the percentage of [3H]phencyclidine delivered was approximately 40% of the amount smoked. This result was independent of puff frequency and quantity of phencyclidine hydrochloride smoked over the range tested. The [3H]phencyclidine delivery was compared to the quantities of [3H]-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and [3H]nicotine delivered in mainstream smoke. The recovery of unchanged [3H]-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol from placebo marijuana cigarettes injected with a solution containing 3 mg of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol was 60%. Tobacco cigarettes injected with [3H]nicotine yielded 70% unchanged nicotine in mainstream smoke.
Mode of action of pediocin AcH from Pediococcus acidilactici H on sensitive bacterial strains

The peptide, pediocin AcH, from Pediococcus acidilactici H binds to the cell surface of Lactobacillus plantarum NCDO 955, its resistant mutant and several other sensitive and resistant Gram-positive bacteria but not to Gram-negative bacteria. Sensitive cells, following treatment with pediocin AcH, lost intracellular K ions, u.v.-absorbing materials, became more permeable to ONPG and, in some strains, lysed. Binding of pediocin AcH was maximum at pH 6.0. Anions of several salts inhibited binding of pediocin AcH but this was overcome by increased concentrations of pediocin AcH. Treatment of sensitive cells with 1% SDS, 4 mol/1 guanidine-HCl, several organic solvents and enzymes did not reduce subsequent binding of pediocin AcH. Partially purified cell wall from a sensitive strain was also able to bind pediocin AcH. However, treatment of the cell walls to remove lipoteichoic acid prevented binding. These molecules might, therefore, be one of the binding sites of pediocin AcH.
Influences on Trip Frequency According to Travel Purposes: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach in Seoul, South Korea

A comparison is made between the effects of three variable groups or factors—urban forms, sociodemographics, and attitudes—on the frequencies of trips for commuting, shopping, and leisure purposes....
A coated piezoelectric crystal detector for the determination of hydrogen sulfide

Abstract A method is presented for the detection and determination of hydrogen sulfide. It is based on the selective and reversible adsorption of hydrogen sulfide on the surface of a piezoelectric crystal coated with a cadmium iodide/urea/-glycerol solution. The proposed detector has a response time of 30 s with linear response over the concentration range 2–25 μl l−1 (ppm).
Focal partial tears of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon at the entrance to the bicipital groove: MR imaging findings, surgical correlation, and clinical significance

Purpose The purpose of the study was to depict a subset of focal partial tears of the biceps brachii tendon, occurring at the entrance to the bicipital groove, which can be difficult to detect with MRI.