cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Posttrauma Symptoms in Childhood Leukemia Survivors and Their Parents

This study used a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress (the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index) to evaluate 64 pediatric leukemia survivors age 7-19 years and their parents (mothers n = 63, fathers n = 42). Based upon normative data for the Reaction Index, 12.5% of the survivors, 39.7% of the mothers, and 33.3% of the fathers reported symptoms consistent with a severe level of posttraumatic stress. The data indicate that a substantial subset of pediatric cancer survivors and their parents experience severe symptoms that can be understood within a posttraumatic stress model. The data are discussed with regard to pediatric follow-up care for cancer survivors, as well as in terms of preventive steps that could be taken to lessen the traumatic aspects of pediatric cancer treatment.
New developments in computational polyelectrolyte theory

A computational methodology for calculating the spatial distribution of average electrolyte ion density in the presence of a polyelectrolyte macroion is presented. The method makes use of an iterative solution technique previously applied to solve the three-dimensional Poisson–Boltzmann equation. Criteria are developed for determining the regions in space at which the Poisson–Boltzmann approximation fails. In these regions the formal series of sums of products describing the local probability densities is constructed. Accurate approximations to the series are developed. The result is a computationally feasible method that avoids the inaccuracies of Poisson–Boltzmann theory.
Diffusion and reaction in viscous-flow tubular reactor

The effect on point and integral average conversion of chemical reaction, coupled with radial diffusion and radial distribution of reaction times in viscous-flow tubular reactors, is reported. Solutions are given for first-order reaction over an extensive range of dimensionless rate and time variables. An expression is given for a criterion of the conditions when the contribution of diffusion is so small that it may safely be disregarded as a variable. Another criterion also is given for the situation when diffusivity is so large, in comparison with other system constants, that the simple plug flow solution may be used without incurring more than a specified error. The hydrolysis of acetic anhydride was studied in 1/4- and 1/2-in.–diam. reactors in 10- and 15-ft. lengths. Reynolds numbers were between 40 and 400 and temperatures between 25° and 35 °C. It was found that the derived equations form a proper description of experiments in the smaller tube. Deviations from theory in the larger tube are explained in terms of free convection arising from nonisothermal conditions and from concentration gradients in the tube. Grashof criteria for initiation of convection in the system are discussed.
Why do some engineering students study alone

This paper looks at undergraduate engineering students who have solitary study habits and do not frequently engage with classmates. These students, referred to as ‘academic solitaries,’ explicitly state that they do not interact or study much with their academic peers and may find a sense of belonging elsewhere. Using a mixed methods approach (including interviews with students and surveys), our data show that while some students are happy studying alone and do so by choice (‘preferred solitaires’), others universally express feeling like an outsider and study alone as a result (‘outsider solitaries’). We argue that many of these outsider solitaries may be at risk of dropping out or changing fields over short, moderate, or long-term time scales. As part of our mixed methods study, we have identified a unifying set of indicators that can be obtained by survey at much lower self-select bias than recruiting students for interviews. We found that this approach allows greater success in identifying outsider solitaries at potential risk of dropping out. In this pilot study, we show that using these affective indicators in survey form can potentially allow practitioners to identify students at risk of dropping out long before they reach the point of leaving.
Characterizing electronic structure motifs in β-UH 3

Density-functional theory was used to evaluate the electronic structure of $\ensuremath{\beta}{\text{-UH}}_{3}$ over a range of unit-cell volumes. Using population analysis methods (projection and topological) the magnetic and electronic structure were probed. It was found that the topological analysis led to the description of the $\ensuremath{\beta}{\text{-UH}}_{3}$ crystal as partially ionic, with delocalization of electrons running across the U-U bonds that form one-dimensional chains in the (100), (010), and (001) directions. Magnetic moments were divided into delocalized (itinerant) moments running along the chains of the crystal, and localized moments, for the U atoms sited at the bcc sites. The experimental observation regarding the identical magnetic properties for the two distinct sites was shown to result from a coincidence in the moments and electronic configurations of the uranium atoms obtained at the equilibrium volume whereas these properties diverged at higher and lower cell volumes. The electronic structure was interpreted in terms of three primary categories of orbital overlap: U-U of the dissimilar sites, U-U of the chain sites, and U-H effects, each having separate volume dependencies. Analysis of the magnetovolumetric properties of $\ensuremath{\alpha}{\text{-UH}}_{3}$, in which U-U bonding at the chain sites does not occur, shows features that support this analysis.
NO SYNTHASE ISOZYMES HAVE DISTINCT SUBSTRATE BINDING SITES

The resonance Raman spectra of the carbon monoxide (CO) derivatives of nitric oxide synthases (NOSs), in which CO coordinates to the heme at the site occupied by oxygen under physiological conditions, are very sensitive to the presence of substrates and inhibitors. Significant differences in the modes associated with the bound CO are now found to depend on the isoenzyme. In the presence of L-arginine, the physiological substrate, the frequencies of the Fe-Co stretching mode and the C-O stretching mode in nNOS, the brain enzyme, are detected at 503 and 1929 cm-1, respectively; whereas in iNOS, the inducible enzyme from macrophage, the modes are detected at 512 and 1906 cm-1, respectively. The frequencies in eNOS, the endothelial isozyme, are similar to those of iNOS. These results indicate that nNOS has a much more open substrate-binding pocket than iNOS and eNOS. A theoretical simulation based on the interaction between the CO and a positively charged guanidino group on the arginine indicates that the polar environment of the CO differs markedly between the isozymes. This may be accounted for either by an arginine-CO distance that is as much as 1 A greater in nNOS than in iNOS and eNOS or by a substantial shielding of the charge on the arginine in nNOS as compared to the other isozymes. This is the first reported detection of a structural difference of the substrate binding sites between the isozymes and serves as an initial step in a rational drug design for NOS.
Calculation of the nonlinear optical properties of molecules

Abstract : A finite field method for the calculation of polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities is developed based on both an energy expansion and a dipole moment expansion. This procedure is implemented in the MOPAC semiempirical program. Values and components of the dipole moment (mu), polarizability (alpha), first hyperpolarizability (beta), and second hyperpolarizability (gamma) are calculated as an extension of the usual MOPAC run. Applications to benzene and substituted benzenes are shown as test cases utilizing both MNDO and AM1 Hamiltonians.
The distribution of iodine in the upper layers of the equatorial Atlantic

Abstract Thirty-seven stations were occupied between 2°N and 2°S along 33, 28, 22, 16, and 10°W. Surface samples were analyzed for iodate. Some selected samples were analyzed for iodide. Iodate is depleted in the surface waters, more so than in the Argentine Basin, possibly reflecting the higher productivity in the equatorial area. Sharp iodate maxima a few tens of meters thick were observed; they form a continuous lens in the area. Along the equator, the lens occurs at 80 m at 33°W and rises upwards to 55m at 10°W. It coincides with a core of high-salinity water characteristic of the Equatorial Undercurrent. The iodate concentration, oxygen content, salinity, current velocity and direction permit at least three cores of water with high iodate concentrations to be identified.
Diagnosis of iron deficiency: The limitations of laboratory tests in predicting response to iron treatment in 1-year-old infants

This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of laboratory tests for iron deficiency (mean corpuscular volume, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin) in predicting hemoglobin response to iron therapy in infants found to have low Hgb concentrations. Screening for anemia was performed on capillary blood of 1,128 healthy 1-year-old infants of United States Air Force personnel. The 25% who had Hgb values one of the tests in combination with a capillary Hgb value
The Behavior-Image Model: a paradigm for integrating prevention and health promotion in brief interventions

This paper describes the Behavior-Image Model (BIM), an emerging and innovative paradigm for planning brief interventions for adolescents that fuse the prevention of harmful behaviors with the promotion of healthy habits. We discuss the components of the BIM as a new paradigm for creating multiple behavior health interventions, as well as the empirical and conceptual underpinnings of the model, and present Project Sport as an illustration of how the BIM may be applied to construct a brief multi-behavior intervention. The BIM posits that selected salient images of others and ourselves may be used to cast gain- and loss-framed messages coupling and motivating health-promoting and health-risk behaviors within single interventions. This content in turn activates prototypes and future self-images through the processes of social and self-comparison, leading to improvements in risk and protective factors and subsequent change in targeted health-promoting and health-risk behaviors. Recommendations are offered for conducting future research integrating health-risk and health-promoting behaviors in both brief and non-brief interventions for adolescents and adults.
Antisense knockdown of neuronal nitric oxide synthase antagonizes nitrous oxide-induced behavior

The behavioral effects of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) were antagonized by non-specific inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). To identify the isoform of NOS involved in this response, mice were pretreated with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) against neuronal NOS, and then tested in a light/dark exploration paradigm. The AS-ODN but not the mismatch ODN significantly antagonized N(2)O induced behavior and also reduced NOS activity in the cerebellum and hippocampus. These results implicate neuronal NOS in the N(2)O response.
Fundamental Study on Extracting Vanadium from Vanadium-Bearing Titanomagnetite

A new, high efficient comprehensive utilization technology with non-pollution, low energy consumption, and strong feedstock adaptability is investigated with the view to developing an efficient smelting process of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite by non-BF route. It includes three major steps in this process: selective chlorination of the concentrates for extraction vanadium using industrial chloride wastes, direct reduction for producing DRI at medium temperature, and separation of hot metal from slag at elevated temperature. In this paper, it focuses on the extraction of vanadium from vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite by selective chlorination. The mechanisms of selective chlorination for extracting vanadium is discussed from the view of thermodynamics analyses and it is found that the reasonable temperature is over the temperature range of 900K~1300K if chlorine potential (logpCl2) and oxygen potential (logpO2) are controlled at a certain region (hatched region A). Furthermore, some preliminary experimental are conducted and the results show that it is possible to extract vanadium from vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite by selective chlorination and extraction ratio can reach up to 30% under 1100K after 2 hours calcination.
Direct effect of fertilization on microbial carbon transformation in grassland soils in dependence on the substrate quality.

Response of microbial metabolism (growth, substrate utilization, energetic metabolism) to fertilization by N and P and resulting changes in soil-organic-matter (SOM) decomposition (priming effect) were studied in grassland soils with relatively high organic-matter content. Treatments with and without glucose addition were studied to simulate difference between rhizosphere and bulk soil. Our expectation was that fertilization would decrease soil respiration in both treatments due to an increased efficiency of microbial metabolism. At first, fertilization activated microbial metabolism in both treatments. In glucose-nonamended soils, this was connected with a short-term apparent priming effect but if glucose was available, the higher energetic demand was covered by its mineralization in preference against SOM, causing significant SOM savings as compared to unfertilized soils. After a relatively short period of 1-3 d, however, the phase of deprived microbial metabolism occurred in both treatments, which was characterized by lower soil respiration in fertilized than in unfertilized soils. Fertilization further decreased net microbial growth following glucose addition, shortened turnover time of microbial biomass and changed the partitioning of assimilated glucose within microbial biomass (decreased accumulation of storage compounds and increased the proportion of mineralized glucose). As a result, fertilization reduced soil respiration mainly due to a deprivation of microbial metabolism. The rate and range of microbial response to fertilization and also the amount of saved soil C were larger in the soil with higher SOM content, likely driven by the higher content of microbial biomass.
Great Salt Lake–Effect Precipitation: Observed Frequency, Characteristics, and Associated Environmental Factors

AbstractThis climatology examines the environmental factors controlling the frequency, occurrence, and morphology of Great Salt Lake–effect (GSLE) precipitation events using cool season (16 September–15 May) Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) imagery, radiosonde soundings, and MesoWest surface observations from 1997/98 to 2009/10. During this period, the frequency of GSLE events features considerable interannual variability that is more strongly correlated to large-scale circulation changes than lake-area variations. Events are most frequent in fall and spring, with a minimum in January when the climatological lake surface temperature is lowest. Although forecasters commonly use a 16°C lake–700-hPa temperature difference (ΔT) as a threshold for GSLE occurrence, GSLE was found to occur in winter when ΔT was only 12.4°C. Conversely, GSLE is associated with much higher values of ΔT in the fall and spring. Therefore, a seasonally varying threshold based on a quadratic fit to the monthly minimum...
IBM contributions to computer performance modeling

Performance modeling can be used throughout the life of a computer system, from initial design, through implementation, configuration (and reconfiguration) and even tuning. Performance models are usually solved by numerical techniques, where possible, and by simulation, otherwise. This paper summarizes IBM's contributions to performance modeling and the solution of performance models.
The social perception of assertive behavior as a function of response class and gender

Seven distinct response classes of assertiveness were identified through a literature search and the factor structure of assertiveness inventories. Male and female subjects evaluated vignettes of males and females behaving assertively as defined by the seven response classes. Factor analysis of the ratings identified an Evaluative factor and a Perceived Assertiveness factor. Analyses of variance on the factor scores revealed that the potency and social evaluation of the assertive behaviors varied among the response classes and, further, that labeling assertive behavior and the social evaluation of the asserter are independent judgments. Although the response classes closest to dictionary definitions of assertiveness were labeled more assertive, these received mixed social evaluations with some giving approval and others not. Male and female observers perceived assertiveness similarly for both male and female assertion. Unexpectedly, male asserters were consistently devalued by both male and female observers.
Psychological separation and adjustment to university: Moderating effects of gender, age, and perceived parenting style.

Examined in this article is the association between psychological separation and adjustment to university in a sample of 969 late adolescents. Structural equations modeling confirmed the existence of two dimensions of psychological separation, namely independence from parents and positive separation feelings. Results indicated that both dimensions of psychological separation positively predicted better adjustment to university, but that positive separation feelings clearly were the better predictor. None of these associations was moderated by students' grade level or gender or by their parents' perceived parenting style. In the total sample, independence from parents was associated with lower levels of positive separation feelings. This association was, however, moderated by students' grade, gender, and parents' perceived parenting style. The negative relationship between the two dimensions of psychological separation only held for freshmen and junior students, females, and students reared by authoritaria...
SEROLOGICAL REACTIONS IN PNEUMONIA WITH A NON-PROTEIN SOMATIC FRACTION OF PNEUMOCOCCUS

1. Sera from individuals acutely ill with lobar pneumonia possess the capacity to precipitate in high titre a non-protein somatic fraction derived from pneumococci (Fraction C). Following crisis the reaction is no longer demonstrable. 2. Sera obtained from cases of pneumococcus pneumonia during illness and convalescence have been tested for antibodies specifically reactive with three chemically distinct constituents of Pneumococcus. The results, when correlated with the course of disease, demonstrate differences in the occurrence of each qualitatively distinct antibody. 3. The precipitation of pneumococcus Fraction C is not limited to the sera of individuals ill with pneumococcus infection. But in the few other cases available for comparative tests, definite reactions have been obtained only in streptococcus and staphylococcus infections and in acute rheumatic fever.
Alterations in periphyton characteristics due to grazing in a Cascade foothill stream

SUMMARY 1. In situ experiments were conducted in a Washington stream to quantify the effects of grazing by a caddisfly larva, Dicosmoecus gilvipes (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae), and a mayfly nymph, Nixe rosea (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) on periphyton biomass, structure, and function. 2. Dicosmoecus gilvipes reduced periphyton biomass from 92 mg m−2(as mean chlorophyll a) to 33 mg m−2. The grazed assemblage was less diverse and composed of smaller, closely attached diatoms, whereas there was a higher proportion of overstorey and filamenttius algae in the diverse, ungrazed periphyton. 3. By maintaining the periphyton community as a thin layer of diatoms, grazing by D. gilvipes appeared to promote a healthier, more vigorous community relative to the ungrazed mat, which became senescent in the latter part of the experiment. 4. Nixe rosea had little measurable effect on any characteristics of the periphyton measured. These nymphs apparently preferred small diatoms, which resulted in only micro-scale alterations in periphyton characteristics that were difficult to detect. 5. Biomass accrual of ungrazed and grazed periphyton was described by the logistic growth equation. Loss of biomass due to grazing by D. gilvipesor to senescence and sloughing were incorporated in the model to account for changes in grazed and ungrazed periphyton. respectively. Proposed mechanisms which described biomass accumulation were largely sup ported by model predictions.
Submonolayer Au on Si(111) phase diagram

Abstract Based on a review of the current literature, a surface phase diagram is proposed for the submonolayer Au on Si(111) system. Kinetic considerations are reviewed and key surface phase diagram features such as the Θ Si (111)-( 3 × 3 ) R 30°- Au structure and the high temperature Si (111)-( 3 × 3 ) R 30°- Au to Si(111)-(1 × 1)Au second order phase transition are discussed. Experiments to verify certain portions of the phase diagram are proposed.
Steps toward the development of a chronic retinal implant

Summary form only given. This talk describes the efforts at MIT and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary over the past 15 years to develop a chronically implantable retinal prosthesis. The goal is to restore some useful level of vision to patients suffering from outer retinal diseases, primarily retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. We initially planned to build an intraocular implant, wirelessly supplied with signal and power, to stimulate the surviving cells of the retina. In this design electrical stimulation is applied through an epiretinal microelectrode array attached to the inner (front) surface of the retina. We have carried out a series of six acute surgical trials on human volunteers (five of whom were blind with retinitis pigmentosa and one with normal vision and cancer of the orbit) to assess electrical thresholds and the perceptions resulting from epiretinal retinal stimulation. The reported perceptions often corresponded poorly to the spatial pattern of the stimulated electrodes. In particular, no patient correctly recognized a letter. We hope that chronically implanted patients will adapt over time to better interpret the abnormal stimuli supplied by such a prosthesis. Experiences with both animals and humans exposed surgical, biocompatibility, thermal and packaging difficulties with this epiretinal approach. Two years ago we altered our approach to a subretinal design which will, we believe, reduce these difficulties. Our current design places essentially the entire bulk of the implant on the temporal outer wall of the eye, with only a tiny sliver of the 10 micron thick microelectrode array inserted through a scleral flap beneath the retina. In this design the entire implant lies in a sterile area behind the conjunctiva. We plan to have a wireless prototype version of this design ready for chronic animal implantation this Spring.
Go Out and See What the People Are Doing

Based on a range of sources, there is ample evidence of a general decline in American Jewish identification with Israel, a pattern especially evident today among younger Jews in their twenties and thirties and among Jews who identify with the political left. Survey findings alone are of only limited utility in capturing the underlying social reality and the erosion of connections to Israel stemming from peer pressure.
Microarchitecture on the MOSFET diet

Microarchitecture and technology scaling have historically shared responsibility for the microprocessor's phenomenal generation-over-generation performance improvement. The era marked by unrestrained proliferation of successively scaled, leakier devices to achieve incremental architectural transaction rate growth is coming to a close, however. Increased pipeline depth has caused non-linear latch density expansion; shorter FO4-equivalent cycles have made control logic substantially more complex. The resulting energy per operation, scaled-process-induced delay variation, logic corruption due to soft errors, and erosion in die area access latency has become real-world constraints. This talk explores how features of past technologies have influenced high speed microarchitectures, and how the characteristics of proposed new devices and interconnects for lithographies beyond 90 nm may shape future machine design. Given our industry's power-restricted ability to continue scaling, and the approach of fundamental, quantum-mechanical precision boundaries, the role of microarchitecture in extending CMOS performance is more important than ever.
Protecting processing elements in communications satellites

Fault tolerance features in the first three major subsystems of the satellite up-link resources are described. The critical processing subassemblies are the demultiplexer, demodulators, and forward error-correcting decoders. The extra checking resources needed for fault tolerance also serve as replacements for failed units during reconfiguration. The demultiplexer, an efficient multirate filter bank, containing a fast Fourier transform (FFT) section, is protected by a high rate real number convolutional code, and parity values are computed in parallel at a much reduced rate. The redundancies inherent in the binary convolutional code used to combat transmission noise afford protection for the Viterbi decoders. Selected invariant features of the Viterbi algorithm coupled with the code structure constantly monitor values within the decoder. The demodulators are protected by virtue of their location between two protected units, the demultiplexer and the decoders. >
Detection and Identification of Botrytis Species Associated with Neck Rot, Scape Blight, and Umbel Blight of Onion

Diagnosis of detection and identification of Botrytis species associated with neck rot, scape blight, and umbel blight of onion are discussed in detail, including the disease's symptoms and signs, ...
Penile calciphylaxis: analysis of risk factors and mortality.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Penile calciphylaxis is a rare condition resulting in infection and gangrene. Most cases are associated with systemic calciphylaxis. The pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of penile calciphylaxis as a distinct entity have received little attention. We reviewed the literature to increase understanding of this disease.Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the literature was performed after treating a case of penile calciphylaxis. Patient characteristics, presentation, serum chemistry studies, management and outcomes are reported.Results: A total of 34 cases of penile calciphylaxis were identified in the literature including our patient. Average patient age was 58 years. All patients had end stage renal disease, and diabetes mellitus was a co-morbidity in 76%. Additional areas of gangrene beyond the genitalia were found in two-thirds of patients. Average calcium phosphate product was 78.5 mg.2/dl.2 (range 20.6 to 52.5) and mean parathormone level was 553 pg./ml. (10 to 65)....
Adiabatic tapered mode converter for selectively-oxidized waveguide devices

In recent times a new class of semiconductor photonic device has gained popularity. These devices use lateral selective oxidation to create highly efficient, low-threshold-current edge-emitting lasers where both the optical waveguide and lateral current confinement are achieved by lateral selective oxidation of AlGaAs. We have also recently explored use of selective-oxidation waveguides for low-drive-voltage high-speed optical phase modulators and electroabsorption modulators suitable for >40 Gb/s optical modulation. We propose a new concept for an adiabatic tapered mode converter for buried-oxide waveguide devices. Within this new converter the optical mode of the laser or modulator is expanded or shrunk, depending on the direction of light travel, to move light efficiently between the very small (1.5 /spl times/ 0.3 /spl mu/m FWHM) mode size of the oxidized device and the large, 10 /spl mu/m, modal field diameter of conventional single-mode optical telecom fiber. The new design achieves this by variation of the width of a selectively-oxidized waveguide mesa and a novel upper mesa, or rib, forming a wedding-cake-type overall structure.
Blowup of a concrete pavement adjoining a rigid structure

Abstract The main cause of concrete pavement blowups are axial compression forces induced into the pavement by a rise in temperature and moisture. Recently, Kerr and Dallis and Kerr and Shade presented analyses based on the notion that blowups are caused by lift-off buckling of the pavement. The cases analyzed were: (1) continuously reinforced concrete pavements and (2) concrete pavements weakened by a transverse joint or crack. The present paper contains an analysis of another case, when a long continuously reinforced concrete pavement adjoins a rigid structure, like a bridge abutment. The analysis is similar to the one used by Kerr and Shade. The resulting formulation is non-linear and is solved exactly, in closed form. The obtained results are evaluated numerically and are compared with those of a long continuously reinforced pavement, in order to show the effect of the rigid structure on the pavement response.
Shortfall as a risk measure: properties, optimization and applications

Motivated from second-order stochastic dominance, we introduce a risk measure that we call shortfall. We examine shortfall’s properties and discuss its relation to such commonly used risk measures as standard deviation, VaR, lower partial moments, and coherent risk measures. We show that the mean-shortfall optimization problem, unlike mean-VaR, can be solved e7ciently as a convex optimization problem, while the sample mean-shortfall portfolio optimization problem can be solved very e7ciently as a linear optimization problem. We provide empirical evidence (a) in asset allocation, and (b) in a problem of tracking an index using only a limited number of assets that the mean-shortfall approach might have advantages over mean-variance. ? 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Children, Television Viewing, and Weight Status: Summary and Recommendations from an Expert Panel Meeting:

Overweight and obesity among American children has reached epidemic proportions. More than 9 million youth between the ages of six and nineteen years are considered overweight, and more than 80 percent of overweight adolescents will go on to become obese adults. Research has indicated a wide range of factors believed to contribute to obesity among children, but of growing concern is the potential contribution made by children's media use. In April 2006, an expert panel meeting was convened to meet and address children, television viewing, and weight status. This article reviews the evidence discussed at this meeting about the role that media, specifically television, play in the prevalence of overweight among children. It lays out the panel member's conclusions about the most promising strategies for reducing the negative effects of television on children's weight status and makes recommendations for future research that is needed to fully understand the relationship.
How to assess risk of disease transmission to patients when there is a failure to follow recommended disinfection and sterilization guidelines.

Background Disinfection and sterilization are critical components of infection control. Unfortunately, breaches of disinfection and sterilization guidelines are not uncommon. Objective To describe a method for evaluating a potential breach of guidelines for high-level disinfection and sterilization of medical devices. Methods The appropriate scientific literature was reviewed to determine the frequency of failures of compliance. A risk assessment model was constructed. Results A 14-step protocol was constructed to aid infection control professionals in the evaluation of potential disinfection and sterilization failures. In addition, a model is presented for aiding in determining how patients should be notified of the potential adverse event. Sample statements and letters are provided for communicating with the public and individual patients. Conclusion Use of a protocol can guide an institution in managing potential disinfection and sterilization failures.
Buyer and Seller at Odds: The Economic Consequences of Holding Appreciated Assets in a C Corporation

ABSTRACT: A business holding appreciated assets is worth less to its owner if it is held in a C corporation than the fair market value of the assets. This fact arises from the double tax imposed on C corporations. One naive solution to this issue is for the shareholder to structure the sale of the business as a sale of stock in the corporation. What is often overlooked with this suggestion, however, is that the buyer will demand a discount in the price of the business if the deal is structured as a purchase of stock as opposed to a direct purchase of the assets. This economic reality is driven by the fact that the buyer forgoes the future tax savings from the step-up in basis in the appreciated assets of the target corporation in a stock acquisition. To illustrate this economic reality, this case study requires students to determine the present value of the future forgone tax savings to the buyer and to use that information along with the tax consequences to the seller to negotiate a compromise final purc...
Role of bacterial infections in pancreatic cancer

Established risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including tobacco smoking, chronic pancreatitis, obesity and type 2 diabetes, collectively account for less than half of all pancreatic cancer cases. Inflammation plays a key role in pancreatic carcinogenesis, but it is unclear what causes local inflammation, other than pancreatitis. Epidemiological data suggest that Helicobacter pylori may be a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, and more recently, data suggest that periodontal disease, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, a pathogen for periodontal disease, may also play a role in pancreatic carcinogenesis. Individuals with periodontal disease have elevated markers of systemic inflammation, and oral bacteria can disseminate into the blood, stomach, heart and even reach the brain. These infections may contribute to the progression of pancreatic cancer by acting jointly with other pancreatic cancer risk factors that impact the inflammation and immune response, such as smoking and obesity, and the ABO genetic variant, recently linked to pancreatic cancer through genome-wide association studies. The complex interplay between bacteria, host immune response and environmental factors has been examined closely in relation to gastric cancer, but new research suggests bacteria may be playing a role in other gastrointestinal cancers. This review will summarize the literature on epidemiological studies examining infections that have been linked to pancreatic cancer and propose mechanistic pathways that may tie infections to pancreatic cancer.
Changes in the Concentrations of Guanosine 5′-Diphosphate 3′-Diphosphate and the Initiating Nucleoside Triphosphate Account for Inhibition of rRNA Transcription in Fructose-1,6-Diphosphate Aldolase (fda) Mutants

Early screens for conditional lethal mutations that affected rRNA expression in Escherichia coli identified temperature-sensitive fda mutants (fda encodes the glycolytic enzyme fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase). It was shown that these fda(Ts) mutants were severely impaired in rRNA synthesis upon shift to the restrictive temperature, although the mechanism of inhibition was never determined. Here, we bring resolution to this long-standing question by showing that changes in the concentrations of guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate and initiating nucleoside triphosphates can account for the previously observed effects of fda mutations on rRNA transcription.
Evaluation of hurricane ocean vector winds from WindSat

The ability to accurately measure ocean surface wind vectors from space in all weather conditions is important in many scientific and operational usages. One highly desirable application of satellite-based wind vector retrievals is to provide realistic estimates of tropical cyclone intensity for hurricane monitoring. Historically, the extreme environmental conditions in tropical cyclones (TCs) have been a challenge to traditional space-based wind vector sensing provided by microwave scatterometers. With the advent of passive microwave polarimetry, an alternate tool for estimating surface wind conditions in the TC has become available. This paper evaluates the WindSat polarimetric radiometer's ability to accurately sense winds within TCs. Three anecdotal cases studies are presented from the 2003 Atlantic Hurricane season. Independent surface wind estimates from aircraft flights and other platforms are used to provide surface wind fields for comparison to WindSat retrievals. Results of a subjective comparison of wind flow patterns are presented as well as quantitative statistics for point location comparisons of wind speed and direction.
A numerical investigation of the structure of persistent shear bands in granular media

The structure of persistent shear bands in granular materials is investigated by numerically simulating an idealized assembly of two-dimensional particles. Flexible stress-controlled boundaries are...
Oxyphil Cell Adenomas: Three Case Reports

• The clinical and histopathologic features of three cases of oxyphil cell adenomas (oncocytomas) include two cases involving the lacrimal sac and one involving the caruncle. These lesions generally occur in the caruncle of elderly women, although they have been reported to involve the conjunctiva, lacrimal sac, and rarely the lacrimal gland. They are usually controlled by wide local excision.
A Novel CUGexp·MBNL1 Inhibitor with Therapeutic Potential for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by an expanded CUG repeat (CUGexp) that sequesters muscleblind-like 1 protein (MBNL1), a protein that regulates alternative splicing. CUGexp RNA is a validated drug target for this currently untreatable disease. Herein, we develop a bioactive small molecule (1) that targets CUGexp RNA and is able to inhibit the CUGexp·MBNL1 interaction in cells that model DM1. The core of this small molecule is based on ligand 2, which was previously reported to be active in an in vitro assay. A polyamine-derivative side chain was conjugated to this core to make it aqueous-soluble and cell-penetrable. In a DM1 cell model this conjugate was found to disperse CUGexp ribonuclear foci, release MBNL1, and partially reverse the mis-splicing of the insulin receptor pre-mRNA. Direct evidence for ribonuclear foci dispersion by this ligand was obtained in a live DM1 cell model using time-lapse confocal microscopy.
Mead-Conway VLSI design approach and system design challenges ahead

What should the students of today be learning and doing to prepare them for system design 10 years from now? What will be the biggest challenges facing them at that time? Then too, where are the biggest opportunities for research impact right now? To help us think about such questions, we'll look back 25 years and reflect on some lessons from the early VLSI adventures of the late 70's. We'll see how separate disciplines were merged to create a new, simplified design methodology. We'll see how QTA implementation provided students and researchers with means to rapidly explore new design spaces opened by these methods. And we'll look at how a unique university/industry/government collaboration supported and motivated all these explorations. Looking ahead, we'll speculate about whether we might be at a similar "break-point" in complexity and system design challenges, and about the possibility that new innovations in system design could re-revolutionize microelectronics.
Imaging ATUM ultrathin section libraries with WaferMapper: a multi-scale approach to EM reconstruction of neural circuits

The automated tape-collecting ultramicrotome (ATUM) makes it possible to collect large numbers of ultrathin sections quickly—the equivalent of a petabyte of high resolution images each day. However, even high throughput image acquisition strategies generate images far more slowly (at present ~1 terabyte per day). We therefore developed WaferMapper, a software package that takes a multi-resolution approach to mapping and imaging select regions within a library of ultrathin sections. This automated method selects and directs imaging of corresponding regions within each section of an ultrathin section library that may contain many thousands of sections. Using WaferMapper, it is possible to map all the sections at low resolution and target multiple points of interest for high resolution imaging based on anatomical landmarks. The program can also be used to expand previously imaged regions, acquire data under different imaging conditions, or re-image after additional tissue treatments.
Environmental effects on bacterial copper extraction from low‐grade copper sulfide ores

In bacterial extraction of copper from low-grade copper sulfide ores, at least three contributions are made by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. They are: (1) enzymatic oxidation and consequent solubilization of insoluble sulfides; (2) regeneration of ferric lixiviant for chemical oxidation and solubilization of insoluble sulfides; and (3) partial fixation of externally introduced iron in the ore. Although it is not possible at the present time to measure each of these contributions separately, it is possible to measure the combined contributions. Such measurements reveal a strong dependence of extraction efficiency on various physical, chemical, and biological factors. The following physical factors may affect the rate of bacterial copper extraction: particle-size of ore, oxygen and carbondioxide supply, oxidation-reduction potential, pH, temperature, adsorption and ion exchange capacity of ore, and surface tension effects. The following chemical factors may influence the rate of copper extraction: the mineralogy of the ore, the nature of the gangue, the distribution of the sulfide minerals in the host rock, the external supply of ferrous or ferric iron, and the availability of inorganic and organic nutrients. Finally, the following biological agents in addition to T. ferrooxidans may influence the rate of copper extraction: fungi, protozoa, Thiobacillus thiooxidans, and heterotrophic bacteria. Proper control of these various factors is essential for efficient bacterial extraction of copper from low-grade ore. It is recognized that the foregoing environmental factors also influence chemical copper extraction.
Sunflower seed rectal bezoar in an adult

A 61-year-old man with a history of mild mental retardation, seizure disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and benign prostatic hyperplasia, presented to his primary care doctor with a 3-day history of constipation, episodes of painful, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and inability to empty his bladder. The patient admitted to having eaten a large bag of unshelled sunflower seeds 5 days earlier. He denied fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Office physical examination disclosed a sharp, thorny mass at the anal verge. Several sunflower seeds were extracted. Digital rectal disimpaction, however, was limited by severe pain, and the patient was hospitalized. On admission abdominal plain x-rays (Fig. 1) showed no free air or air-fluid levels. A rectal bezoar characterized by an ill-defined mass was evident in the distal sigmoid and rectal ampulla. Another attempt at digital disimpaction was unsuccessful because of pain. The patient was given several mineral oil enemas in an attempt to lubricate the bezoar; however, it was not possible to administer the mineral oil proximal to the sunflower seed mass because of pain and a concern about perforation. Mineral oil was also given by mouth. The patient remained unable to urinate, and a urinary bladder catheter was placed. Only a few seeds were passed in a 24-hour period. After adequate sedation was achieved with midazolam and propofol, flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed a large, thorny, irregular aggregation of sunflower seeds that retained its shape even when probed with the tip of the endoscope (Fig. 2). Manual disimpaction was performed and many sunflower seeds, shelled and unshelled, were retrieved (Fig. 3). Several hours after the procedure the patient developed a fever. Treatment with ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole was started because of concern for bowel perforation; however, urinary cultures indicated a urinary tract infection, and antibiotics were changed to ciprofloxacin. An attempt was made to combine mineral oil by mouth and per rectum, along with polyethylene glycol by mouth to flush out the remaining sunflower seeds. On the following day, digital examination of the anal
Chicken Coccidiosis: Correlation Between Resistance and Delayed Hypersensitivity

Broiler chickens were immunized with viable oocysts of Eimeria necatrix, E. tenella, or with a commercially prepared vaccine (CocciVac D) containing oocysts from eight chicken Eimeria species. Before challenge with oocysts of E. necatrix or E. tenella, delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reactions to particulate-oocyst antigen extracts of E. nectrix, E. maxima, and E. tenella were demonstrated in the previously immunized broilers. Broilers immunized, tested for DH, and challenged showed good corrrelation between DH reactions and resistance in each homologous trial. Birds immunized with CocciVac D also gave good correlation between DH reactions to E. maxima, E. necatrix, or E. tenella antigens and resistance when challenged with E. necatrix or E. tenella oocysts. Oocyst antigens from E. maxima, E. necatrix, or E. tenella were cross reactive for DH, indicating some antigen sharing among species of chicken coccidia. A few broilers immunized with chicken coccidia showed DH to an oocyst antigen from E. bovis, a cattle pathogen. Results show that DH to oocyst antigens can predict resistance to coccidiosis.
A Comment on Commas

This article aims to get some respect for the underappreciated comma, using a New York Times book review to illustrate how misplaced punctuation can turn sense into nonsense.
Circadian Rhythms in Neurospora

By comparison with some organisms, only a moderate amount of research on circadian rhythms has been carried out with the fungus Neurospora, although it is fast becoming one of the better characterized systems. The first report of a rhythm in Neurospora was in a strain called patch (Brandt, 1953) and, since that time, other strains have been described which exhibit rhythmicity, e.g. clock (Sussman, Lowry, and Durkee, 1964), and timex (Sargent and Woodward, 1965). In addition, this paper describes conditions under which most Neurospora strains manifest some degree of rhythmicity. Little has been done with any of these rhythmic strains in terms of studying the biochemistry of the rhythm or in attempting to elucidate the mechanism(s) involved in generating oscillations. The beginnings of such studies on Neurospora are discussed in this paper.
Aminocaproic acid for the management of bleeding in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Four adult case reports and a review of the literature

Abstract Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with a significant risk of bleeding and thrombosis. Despite high rates of bleeding and bleeding-related mortality in patients on ECMO, there is little evidence available to guide clinicians in the management of ECMO-associated bleeding. Methods We report the use of aminocaproic acid in four patients with bleeding on ECMO and a review of the literature. Results High D-dimer levels and low fibrinogen levels suggested that an antifibrinolytic agent may be effective as an adjunct to control bleeding. After aminocaproic acid administration, bleeding was controlled in each patient as evidenced by clinical and laboratory parameters. One patient suffered a cardiac arrest and care was withdrawn. Conclusions In patients on ECMO with evidence of fibrinolysis, aminocaproic acid may be an effective option to control bleeding and to stabilize clot formation.