cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peer Led Team Learning in a Foundational IPE Curriculum

BACKGROUND The Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) instructional model utilizes Peer Leaders, advanced students who mentor and guide student teams to collaborate on applied course concepts. PURPOSE To apply a modified PLTL model in the university’s foundational, longitudinal, competency-based interprofessional education (IPE) curriculum. METHODS Twelve Peer Leaders were selected, trained, and deployed as facilitators for interprofessional teams of students during the IPE curriculum’s first three large-scale learning events. Peer Leaders completed an evaluation of training, a facilitation skills survey, and participated in a semi-structured focus group interview process. RESULTS After participating in the PLTL program, Peer Leaders reported increased confidence in their interprofessional knowledge and facilitation skills. The primary challenge for Peer Leaders in facilitating teams was lack of student engagement (n=7, 58%). CONCLUSION PLTL is a feasible model for IPE settings. It has the potential to both increase facilitator capacity in interprofessional learning activities and have a positive impact on Peer Leaders.
Segmental Pulmonary Hypertension in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Segmental pulmonary hypertension is a complex condition in children that encompasses many congenital heart diseases including pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, hemitruncus/truncus arteriosus with branch pulmonary artery stenosis, unilateral absent pulmonary artery, and several post-tricuspid shunt lesions. Multimodality imaging is required to confirm and assess pulmonary vascular disease in subjects with major aorto-pulmonary collaterals. We describe 3 children with complex congenital heart defects who have a variable degree of segmental pulmonary hypertension and discuss management strategies and the role of interventional and/or pulmonary hypertension targeted therapies.
Clinical Improvement and Effectiveness of Exercise-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A BRIEF ANALYTICAL REVIEW.

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease associated with high mortality rates and poor clinical condition. Exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation (EBPR) has been demonstrated to be effective in improving 6-min walk distance (6MWD), although the clinical improvement and effectiveness are less characterized. The current review examined the existing evidence of EBPR among patients with IPF and aimed to analyze the effect of EBPR on clinical improvement and effectiveness. Methods A systematic databases search (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library) was conducted for available publications as of January 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of RCTs examining the effect of EBPR in patients with IPF were reviewed. Mean difference for RCTs and weighted mean difference for meta-analyses between the EBPR arm and the usual-care arm in 6MWD were compared with the established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 30 m. Clinical improvement following EBPR was determined when mean difference and weighted mean difference were equal or exceeding the MCID. Effectiveness of EBPR was assessed using the number needed to treat (NNT) analysis. Results Five independent RCTs (including 21-61 patients/study) and five meta-analyses (including two to five studies with 62-169 patients/meta-analysis) were included. The mean difference of 6MWD ranged from 16-81 m in RCTs. Three of five RCTs demonstrated an average improvement that meets or exceeds the MCID. Two RCTs showed favorable improvement in 6MWD but did not reach the MCID. The weighted mean difference of 6MWD ranged from 27-49 m in the meta-analyses. Four of five meta-analyses showed an average improvement that meets or exceeds the MCID. One early meta-analysis of only two RCTs showed significant improvement, although did not reach the MCID. The NNT in three RCTs and four meta-analyses that met clinical improvement in 6MWD was one. Conclusions This review provides novel evidence with respect to clinical improvement and high effectiveness of EBPR among patients with IPF. The results suggest that, on average, the majority of patients would be expected to clinically improve by completing the EBPR program. The findings further support the prescription of EBPR as clinically effective therapy and implementation as standard of care for patients with IPF. Future studies examining clinical improvement and effectiveness utilizing additional outcomes with the MCID are warranted.
Just like Henry James (Except with Cannibalism): The International Weird in H. P. Lovecraft's ‘The Rats in the Walls’

The early short story ‘The Rats in the Walls’ (1924) is recognized as the best of H. P. Lovecraft's fiction prior to ‘The Call of Cthulhu’, but this story is also non-cosmic and therefore (for some...
Merges: Back to the Shadows, or Onward and Upward? Current Trends in Patent Law

This blog posting addresses two primary concerns: (1) that the U.S. Supreme Court has taken an "anti-patent" turn in its recent decisions; and (2) emerging tensions between two key industry sectors with large stakes in the patent system, pharmaceutical/biotechnology and electronics/software. On the first point, I argue that the target of recent Supreme Court decisions is the Federal Circuit, and not patents or patent law. In particular I defend the eBay decision, and discuss the first wave of post-eBay cases, which I believe demonstrate a moderate and reasonable application of equitable principles to contemporary patent cases. As to the second point, I concur that there is a divergence of interests between pharma/biotech and electronics/software, but argue that it is essential to accommodate both sets of industries in "one big patent tent." This will require skillful compromise, legislatively and through the common law process, but it can and should be done.]
CD4+ T cell lymphopenia and dysfunction in severe COVID-19 disease is autocrine TNF-α/TNFRI-dependent

Lymphopenia is common in severe COVID-19 disease, yet the mechanisms are poorly understood. In 148 patients with severe COVID-19, we found lymphopenia was associated with worse survival. CD4+ lymphopenia predominated, with lower CD4+/CD8+ ratios in severe COVID-19 compared to recovered, mild disease (p<0.0001). In severe disease, immunodominant CD4+ T cell responses to Spike-1(S1) produced increased in vitro TNF-, but impaired proliferation and increased susceptibility to activation-induced cell death (AICD). CD4+TNF-+ T cell responses inversely correlated with absolute CD4+ counts from severe COVID-19 patients (n=76; R=-0.744, P<0.0001). TNF- blockade including infliximab or anti-TNFRI antibodies strikingly rescued S1-specific CD4+ proliferation and abrogated S1-AICD in severe COVID-19 patients (P<0.001). Single-cell RNAseq demonstrated downregulation of Type-1 cytokines and NF{kappa}B signaling in S1-stimulated CD4+ cells with infliximab treatment. Lung CD4+ T cells in severe COVID-19 were reduced and produced higher TNF- versus PBMC. Together, our findings show COVID-19-associated CD4+ lymphopenia and dysfunction is autocrine TNF-/TNFRI-dependent and therapies targeting TNF- may be beneficial in severe COVID-19. One Sentence SummaryAutocrine TNF-/TNFRI regulates CD4+ T cell lymphopenia and dysfunction in severe COVID-19 disease.
Modeling spatiotemporal patterns of gait anomaly with a CNN-LSTM deep neural network

Abstract In this work, we propose an end-to-end deep learning model that uses the skeleton data recorded by Kinect to capture spatiotemporal patterns for gait anomaly recognition. Via considering the entire skeleton, the proposed model captures the relationship between different body joints in locomotion. Unlike the common two-class or one-class approaches in skeleton-based methods, the proposed model considers a multi-class framework. Such a multi-class technique can be easily adapted for a more frequent and less expensive gait assessment outside of motion capture facilities. The proposed deep learning model is trained and evaluated on the publicly available Walking gait dataset and achieves an average accuracy of 90.57% in identifying nine different walking patterns. Through transfer learning, we also evaluate our model on two other publicly available datasets, acquiring an average accuracy of 83.64% on a dataset of three classes and 90.83% on a dataset with six classes of normal/pathological gait patterns. The results of this work indicate the potential of markerless modalities such as Kinect for designing less costly and more convenient health infrastructures for assisted living. Additionally, an automatic and non-invasive gait assessment can further augment the clinical diagnosis for an extensive list of ailments that cause different types of gait disorders.
Finding formulas: Does active search facilitate appropriate generalization?

One criterion of adaptive learning is appropriate generalization to new instances based on the original learning context and avoiding overgeneralization. Appropriate generalization requires understanding what features of a solution are applicable in a new context and whether the new context requires modifications or a new approach. In a series of three experiments, we investigate whether searching for an algebraic formalism before receiving direct instruction facilitates appropriate generalization. (1) Searching buffers against negative transfer: participants who first searched for an equation were less likely to overgeneralize compared to participants who completed a tell-and-practice activity. (2) Likelihood of creating a correct new adaptation varied by performance on the searching task. (3) Asking people to sketch alleviated some of the negative effects of tell-and-practice, but sketching did not augment the effect of searching. (4) When participants received more elaborate tell-and-practice instruction, the advantages of searching were less notable. Searching for an algebraic formula prior to direct instruction may be a productive way to help learners connect a formula to its referent and avoid overgeneralization. Tell-and-practice instruction that only described the mathematical procedures led to the greatest levels of overgeneralization errors and worst performance. Tell-and-practice instruction that highlighted connections between the mathematical structure of the formula and the visual referent performed at similar or marginally worse levels than the search-first conditions.
Exercise 25: Immunization of Mice with a Recombinant Protein

Following expression of a recombinant protein from E. coli and purification of the protein using a Nickel (Ni++-NTA resin ) column, the protein can be used to immunize mice for antibody production and as a vaccine for determining protection against a pathogen (Plasmodium yoelii). Using protocols approved by the institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC), mice can be immunized to investigate the immunogenicity of the recombinant protein, and antibodies generated can be used to investigate the characteristics of the protein. Eukaryotic proteins expressed in E. coli may be misfolded and lack post-translational modifications. In addition proteins may be found in aggregates or in inclusion bodies leading to the use of purification methods that may denature the proteins. Immunization with the recombinant proteins, generation of antisera and evaluation of the antisera using immunoassays can determine if the antibodies can be used in functional studies and in investigations to characterize the protein. Besides determining the titer of the antibodies, proteins that are part of large complexes such as those found in signaling pathways, can be co-precipitated using the antibody. The recombinant protein can be used in immunization challenge experiments to determine the effectiveness of antibodies produced against the recombinant protein in inhibiting parasite growth in vitro or preventing the establishment of infection in vivo. The first objective of this exercise is to learn how to immunize mice with a recombinant protein. The second objective is to learn how to screen the antisera using immunoassays to determine the titer of the antisera.
A mathematical programming formulation for long-term infrastructure investment planning in Small Island Developing States.

Abstract Mixed-integer programming is a common method used in electricity generation and transmission optimization models. However, the size of the problem can result in extraordinarily long run times. Solve time also increases exponentially with the number of variables to optimize. There is therefore a constant trade-off between a realistic representation of the network and computational tractability. Additionally, actual data and publicly available, real-world application are scare. This is particularly true for Small Island Developing States. This paper bridges these gaps by describing a customized mathematical formulation for co-optimizing generation and transmission infrastructure investments. Data from the island of Jamaica and program scripts are available for reproduction. Key customizations to a mixed-integer programming model for long-term generation and transmission infrastructure investment planning include: • Hours are treated as representative hour categories and multiplied by the number of hour types within a given period. • Simulated construction is limited to every other year. • While fossil fuel plants are treated as discrete variables, renewable energy plants are treated as continuous variables.
The effects of donor-specific antibody characteristics on cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

BACKGROUND Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) causes late graft dysfunction and post-transplant mortality. Currently, the effects of different donor-specific antibodies (DSA) on the severity of CAV remain unclear. METHOD We evaluated 526 adult heart transplant recipients at a single center between January 2010 and August 2015. Subjects were divided into those with DSA (n = 142) and those without DSA (n = 384, control). The DSA group was stratified into persistent DSA (n = 34), transient DSA (n = 105), 1:8 dilution DSA (n = 45), complement-binding (C1q) DSA (n = 36), Class I DSA (n = 37), and Class II DSA (n = 105). The primary outcome was the incidence of moderate-to-severe CAV (CAV 2/3) at 5-year follow-up. RESULTS Subjects with persistent DSA, 1:8 dilution DSA, and C1q DSA had higher incidence of CAV 2/3 compared the control group (17.6%, 13.3%, and 16.7% vs. 3.1%, respectively; P≤ .001). The incidence of CAV 2/3 between subjects with transient DSA and the control group was similar (2.8% vs. 3.1%; P = .888). Subjects with Class II DSA also had higher incidence of CAV 2/3 (7.6% vs. 3.1%; P = .039). CONCLUSION DSA that are persistent, 1:8 dilution positive, C1q positive, and Class II are associated with more severe grades of CAV. These DSA characteristics may prognosticate disease and warrant consideration for treatment.
Nonlinear partial differential equations in differential geometry

This is a survey of recent developments in a number of areas of nonlinear partial differential equations in differential geometry. The authors of the articles are not only excellent expositors, but are alos leaders in this field of research. All of the articles provide in-depth treatment of the topics and require few prerequisites and less background than current research articles.
Cytological features of Castleman disease: a review

Introduction Castleman disease (CD) is a benign lymphoproliferative disorder with hyaline vascular (HVCD), plasma cell (PC-CD), and mixed subtypes. Only HVCD lymph node cytomorphology has been described, mainly as case reports. We reviewed all CD subtypes. To the best of our knowledge, our case series is the largest and most comprehensive yet published. Materials and methods We searched our institution's database for histologically confirmed CD cytology cases (fine needle aspiration, touch preps) for the past 23 years. Two independent pathologists evaluated cytomorphology. We then reviewed touch preps from 6 histologically confirmed, non-CD reactive lymph node excisions. Results 8 patients (5 women, 3 men) had the following subtypes: HVCD (5 patients), PC-CD (2), and mixed (1). All cases had a heterogenous background population composed predominantly of small lymphocytes with single and clustered follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). The FDCs had delicate pale cytoplasm with indistinct borders showing lymphocyte emperipolesis. They were often binucleated or multinucleated with fine chromatin, regular nuclear borders, large nuclei, and small nucleoli. HVCD cases had traversing, frequently hyalinized capillaries. PC-CD cases had increased plasma cells, including binucleate forms, and tingible body macrophages with fewer FDC clusters. Human herpes virus-8 immunostain was negative in all cases. Non-specific follicular hyperplasia cases had abundant tingible body macrophages, rare hyalinized capillaries, and no lymphocyte emperipolesis. Conclusions CD is distinguished by background lymphocytes and cohesive FDC clusters with lymphocyte emperipolesis. HVCD has traversing, hyalinized capillaries and PC-CD has increased plasma cells and tingible body macrophages. Knowledge of these features can prevent a lymphoma misdiagnosis.
The study of single crystals for space processing and the effect of zero gravity

A study was undertaken to analyze different growth techniques affected by a space environment. Literature on crystal growth from melt, vapor phase and float zone was reviewed and the physical phenomena important for crystal growth in zero-gravity environment was analyzed. Recommendations for potential areas of crystal growth feasible for space missions are presented and a bibliography of articles in the area of crystal growth in general is listed.
The Effect of Self Efficacy and Meaning in Life on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Severity Among Veterans

Objective The current study examined the relationships among combat exposure, presence of and search for meaning in life, general and social self-efficacy, and both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptom severity for a Veteran sample (N = 93). Method Participants completed an online survey comprising the Combat Exposure Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Self-Efficacy Scale, Depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21, and PTSD Checklist-Specific Stressor version. The majority of participants were male and Caucasian. Participants served in various service eras Results To determine factors that predicted PTSD and depression severity, separate hierarchical linear regressions were performed. In the final PTSD model, rank, combat exposure, and general self-efficacy were significant predictors, with officer rank, lower combat exposure, and higher general self-efficacy associated with lower PTSD severity. The interaction between combat exposure and general self-efficacy was also significant, with self-efficacy moderating the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD severity. For depression, rank, presence of meaning in life, and general self-efficacy were significant predictors in the model, with officer rank, higher presence of meaning in life, and general self-efficacy associated with lower depression severity. Conclusion A focus on strengthening self-efficacy may assist with lower levels of PTSD and depression symptomatology after combat trauma.
Accountability without Democracy: LINEAGES AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE

When the boundaries of a solidary group coincide with the boundaries of the local government's jurisdiction, and the group encompasses the entire locality, the group's collective goods become the same thing as public goods. The model of informal accountability thus posits that localities with embedding solidary groups that encompass everyone in a local government's jurisdiction are more likely to have better local governmental provision of public goods than localities without these groups, all other things being equal. In this chapter, we look at lineage groups, which generally embed village officials in their activities but vary in scale, and whether or not they encompass a local governmental jurisdiction. By looking at a single type of solidary group, we can hold numerous group characteristics constant – lineage groups have similar principles of organization, similar kinds of collective activities, similar types of membership criteria – and see what happens when the scale of the group and its fit with political administrative boundaries vary. If the hypothesis is correct, we should expect villagewide lineages to be more likely to have a positive effect on village governmental provision of public goods. Lineage groups, however, which fragment a village into subvillage groups, should be less likely to have this kind of positive effect.
Teacher Perceptions of their Responsibilities as Site based Leaders in Mentoring Colleagues

In a school setting, teachers may serve as leaders as well as classroom teachers. In any school, principals are unable to run a school without the help of others. This help often comes from classroom teachers who are supporting student and school needs by taking on leadership roles. The focus of this study is to examine teacher perspectives on their leadership role in mentoring other teachers. The research literature indicates that teacher leaders play an important role in any school setting. Teacher leaders must build their confidence in stepping into this role, supporting the principals in school operations, mentoring, and collaborating with others (Heleterbran, 2010). The purpose of this study is to examine teacher perceptions of their role as mentors for others in their school setting. The participants in this study include teachers at a private elementary school. They were informed of the nature of the study and asked to volunteer and meet in a focus group, in which they are asked to respond to questions on their leadership role in mentoring other teachers. Results indicate that teachers in this setting who participated in the focus group consider themselves teacher leaders who mentor their colleagues. Teachers need to be open to change, be able to listen and take advice from their colleagues. Implications of the research include encouraging principals to foster teacher leadership, specifically mentoring other teachers at the school environment. Key Words: Teacher leaders, Mentor, Distributed Leadership
What are robust strategies in the face of uncertain climate threshold responses

We use an integrated assessment model of climate change to analyze how alternative decision-making criteria affect preferred investments into greenhouse gas mitigation, the distribution of outcomes, the robustness of the strategies, and the economic value of information. We define robustness as trading a small decrease in a strategy’s expected performance for a significant increase in a strategy’s performance in the worst cases. Specifically, we modify the Dynamic Integrated model of Climate and the Economy (DICE-07) to include a simple representation of a climate threshold response, parametric uncertainty, structural uncertainty, learning, and different decision-making criteria. Economic analyses of climate change strategies typically adopt the expected utility maximization (EUM) framework. We compare EUM with two decision criteria adopted from the finance literature, namely Limited Degree of Confidence (LDC) and Safety First (SF). Both criteria increase the relative weight of the performance under the worst-case scenarios compared to EUM. We show that the LDC and SF criteria provide a computationally feasible foundation for identifying greenhouse gas mitigation strategies that may prove more robust than those identified by the EUM criterion. More robust strategies show higher near-term investments in emissions abatement. Reducing uncertainty has a higher economic value of information for the LDC and SF decision criteria than for EUM.
Physical and chemical properties of opossum hemoglobin: A hemoglobin containing glutamine at position 58 (E7) in the α subunit

Abstract It has recently been proposed that the α subunit of the hemoglobin isolated from opossum (Didelphius marsupialus) blood contains 40 amino acid differences from the α subunit of human hemoglobin A. In the heme-binding region at Position E7, a glutamine residue is found in place of the distal histidine. Opossum hemoglobin is electrophoretically similar to hemoglobin A and has a sedimentation coefficient similar to that of hemoglobin A, even though it is found to contain six mercurialreactive sulfhydryl residues. On the other hand, opossum hemoglobin is more alkaline resistant and much more readily oxidized by Fe(CN)63− than hemoglobin A. The optical absorption properties of opossum hemoglobin are similar to those of hemoglobin A except in the visible region near 600 nm where opossum methemoglobin resembles methemoglobin MBoston. Unlike mutant human hemoglobins containing amino acid substitutions at Position E7, the O2-binding properties of opossum hemoglobin resemble those of hemoglobin A. Electron spin resonance studies at −174°C show that the high spin signal of opossum methemoglobin consists of a doublet, one peak representing α subunits and one representing β subunits. These two peaks are found to have different temperature dependencies. Inside the opossum crythrocyte only a small amount of methemoglobin can be detected but upon lysing the cells this amount increases greatly with time. The combination of amino acids which exist in opossum hemoglobin are such that a distal histidine is not required in the α subunit for normal transport of O2.
Information Integration from Semantically Heterogeneous Biological Data Sources

We present the first prototype of INDUS (intelligent data understanding system), a federated, query-centric system for information integration and knowledge acquisition from distributed, semantically heterogeneous data sources that can be viewed (conceptually) as tables. INDUS employs ontologies and inter-ontology mappings, to enable a user to view a collection of such data sources (regardless of location, internal structure and query interfaces) as though they were a collection of tables structured according to an ontology supplied by the user. This allows INDUS to answer user queries against distributed, semantically heterogeneous data sources without the need for a centralized data warehouse or a common global ontology
A note on measuring fuzziness for intuitionistic and interval-valued fuzzy sets

We first review the concept of fuzziness provided by DeLuca and Termini, and the view of fuzziness as related to the lack of distinction between a set and its negation. We then suggest a measure of fuzziness for intuitionistic fuzzy sets. We show that this measure satisfies the required conditions for an intuitionistic measure of fuzziness. We then take advantage of the connection between intuitionistic and interval-valued membership grades to transfer the intuitionistic measure of fuzziness to one suitable for interval-valued fizzy sets.
Hyperuricemia and incident hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective A novel rodent model and a recent randomized trial of hyperuricemic adolescents with hypertension suggest a pathogenetic role of uric acid in hypertension, but it remains unknown whether these findings would be applicable to adult populations where the larger disease burden exists. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if hyperuricemia was associated with incident hypertension, particularly in various demographic subgroups. Methods We searched major electronic databases using medical subject headings and keywords without language restrictions (through April 2010). We included prospective cohort studies with data on incident hypertension related to serum uric acid levels. Data abstraction was conducted in duplicate. We analyzed age, sex, and race subgroups. Results A total of 18 prospective cohort studies representing data from 55,607 participants were included. Hyperuricemia was associated with an increased risk for incident hypertension (adjusted risk ratio [RR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.23–1.58). For a 1 mg/dl increase in uric acid level, the pooled RR for incident hypertension after adjusting for potential confounding was 1.13 (95% CI 1.06–1.20). These effects were significantly larger in younger study populations (P = 0.02) and tended to be larger in women (P = 0.059). Two studies suggested that the effect may also be larger among African American individuals. Furthermore, later publication year and US-based studies were significantly associated with a lower effect estimate (P values <0.02). Conclusion Hyperuricemia is associated with an increased risk for incident hypertension, independent of traditional hypertension risk factors. This risk appears more pronounced in younger individuals and women.
Hydrological Research and the Status of Physical Geography Journals: Increasing the Impact of Physical Geography in the Academy

Physical geographers are often confronted with the decision of whether to publish in geography or nongeography journals. The present study seeks to quantify the number of articles with a significant hydrology content published in geography versus hydrology journals by physical geographers from 1997 to 2002 using the ISI Web of Knowledge electronic database. Of 690 articles published in the 10 selected geography and hydrology journals during the period of study, over four-fifths were published in hydrology journals. Based on our interpretation of the data, the comparatively smaller audience in geography and the risk of acquiring fewer citations compels physical geographers to publish in hydrology journals for increased visibility. A critical mass of physical geographers should consider publishing some of their work in physical geography journals to elevate the status of geography in the academy.
Jejunal Manometry Patterns in Health, Partial Intestinal Obstruction, and Pseudoobstruction

The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of jejunal manometry in evaluating patients having partial small intestinal obstruction or the pseudoobstruction syndrome. We studied 10 healthy volunteers, 9 patients with documented mechanical obstruction, and 3 patients with chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction during fasting and for 2 h after a 650-kcal meal. Contractile activity, especially during phase 2, was extremely variable in all individuals studied. After the meal, the most striking finding in mechanical obstruction was the regular occurrence of clustered contractions. These were defined as 3–10 regular contractions, occurring 1 per 5 s, preceded and followed by at least 1 min of absent motor activity. The associated periods of quiescent motor activity may account for the unexpectedly reduced frequency and motility index in obstructed patients compared with normal subjects after the meal. Two different contractile patterns occurred in patients with pseudoobstruction. Before and after the meal, infrequent and low-amplitude contractions occurred in 2 patients, and multiple, aborally migrating, clustered contractions occurred in the other patient with pseudoobstruction. Manometric abnormalities occur in both mechanical obstruction and pseudoobstruction. However, the technique is probably not more sensitive than radiologic procedures, and the abnormalities that are detected by manometry are not specific. Some of the same motility changes occurred in both disorders.
The role of bacteria in the uptake of hexoses from seawater by postlarval penaeid shrimp

Abstract 1. 1. The uptake of hexoses from dilute solutions in seawater by postlarval penaeid shrimp was measured at salinities from 10–40%. 2. 2. Uptake of d -mannitol was less than that of d -glucose but greater than that of both l -glucose and 3-O-methyl- d -glucose, which did not significantly differ. 3. 3. Preincubation in antibiotics reduced the uptake of both d -glucose and d -mannitol to the level of l -glucose uptake. 4. 4. The greater uptake of d -mannitol than l -glucose and the reduction of the uptakes of d -glucose and d -mannitol by preincubation in antibiotics suggest that bacteria are involved in the uptake of d -glucose and d -mannitol. 5. 5. Linear regression of the uptakes of both d -glucose and d -mannitol onto bacterial levels associated with the shrimp indicate that quantitative variations in bacterial levels can account for differences in the magnitude of uptake between different groups of shrimp.
Severe atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, healed myocardial infarction and chronic congestive heart failure: analysis of 81 patients studied at necropsy.

Abstract Observations are described in 81 necropsy, patients (aged 29 to 91 years [mean 62]; 77 [95%]men) with severe congestive heart failure (CHF) more than 3 months in duration, left ventricular (LV) transmural scar and >75% cross-sectional area narrowing by atherosclerotic plaque of 1 or more of the 4 major epicardial coronary arteries. The duration of symptoms from initial onset of acute myocardial infarction (59 patients) or CHF (18 patients) or angina pectoris (2 patients) to death ranged from 0.5 to 18 years (mean 7.1) (2 unknown). Angina pectoris occurred at some time, however, in 31 patients (38%). Cause of death was CHF In 48 patients (59%), sudden (arrhythmia) in 16 (20%), acute myocardial infarction in 11(14% ), and emboli in 6 (7% ). The heart weight ranged from 410 to 800 g (mean 585). Left or right ventricular thrombi or both occurred in 37 patients (46%), only 4 (10%) of whom had systemic emboli; of the 44 patients without intracardiac thrombi, none had any form of emboli. The severity of coronary narrowing was variable. In 24 patients (30%) only 1 artery was narrowed >75% in cross-sectional area; in 22 patients (27% ), 2 arteries were so narrowed; in 32 patients (39%), 3 arteries; and in 3 patients (4%), 4 arteries. The size of the LV scar also varied. Of the 81 patients, 58 (72%) had large scars (Involving >40% of the LV wall); 10 (12%) had moderate-sized scars (6 to 40% of the LV wall); and 13 (16% ) had small scars (⪯5% of the LV wall). Size of the LV scar correlated with a history of habitual alcoholism: of the 16 habitual alcoholics, 6 (38%) had small and 8 (50%) had large LV scars; of the 65 non-alcoholics, 7 (11%) had small and 50 (77%) had large LV scars (p
A flow cell reactor for the study of growth kinetics of single hairy roots

A flow cell reactor designed for the study of growth and branching of individual roots under defined fluid flow conditions is described and preliminary results with the hairy root clone Tagetes erecta T3 are presented. Observations of root growth in this reactor may help to formulate and verify mathematical models root growth kinetics.
Dependence of hydration free energy on solute size

The dielectrically consistent reference interaction site model theory (DRISM) was used to calculate excess chemical potentials of solvation for the immersion of a nonpolar solute molecule (Lennard-Jones sphere) in a molecular model of water in a wide variety of state conditions. The chemical potential was found to be predominantly entropic. In all cases the chemical potential was found to consist almost entirely of a solute surface area and a solute volume term. Both these terms were significant over a range of solute sizes and pressure/temperature states. It was concluded that the volume-dependent term must include contributions in addition to that from the system pressure. An exactly solvable lattice model of solvation was also investigated, and the model conditions for which the chemical potential becomes predominantly entropic were determined. One situation was shown where a volume-dependent entropic term in the chemical potential, other than pressure, arises.
Generation and Transport of Bubbles in a Microfluidic Device

In this paper we used high speed recording to characterize segmented micro-scale air bubble generation in a T-junction and bubble transport in a serpentine micro-channel fabricated in a standard silicon wafer.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Enzyme, protein, and nucleic acid content of two morphological forms of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi

Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi (Corpus Christi strain) was cultivated at 28°C over a monolayer of African Green Monkey kidney cells (Vero line). The epimastigote was converted into the trypomastigote by serial passage of the organisms at 33°C in a modified culture system. This resulted in preparations containing better than 90% trypomastigotes.
Electrophoretic repatterning of charged cytoplasmic molecules within tissues coupled by gap junctions by externally applied electric fields.

Ionic currents and cytoplasmic voltage gradients have been observed in a variety of polarizing cells and developing tissues. In certain cases, it has been determined that these endogenous electric fields can segregate intracellular charged molecules by electrophoresis; in other cases, the endogenous fields are suspected to have such an influence. Separate theoretical suggestions have been made that extracellular electric currents, whether from a biological or a nonbiological source, should be able to electrophorese intracellular molecules after being conducted through cell membranes into the interior of long single cells [L. F. Jaffe and R. Nuccitelli (1977) Annu. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng. 6, 445–476], or extended ensembles of cells coupled electrotonically by gap junctions [M. S. Cooper (1984) J. Theor. Biol. 111, 123–130]. To test whether external electric fields could redistribute intracellular molecules within a tissue coupled by gap junctions, and to quantitatively measure in situ the electrophoretic mobility of a charged intracellular molecule, we injected 6-carboxyfluorescein into the electrotonically coupled lateral giant neurons of the crayfish abdominal nerve cord. When a dc electric field (0.2–3.4 V/cm) was subsequently applied along the length of the cord, the negatively charged fluorescent dye was observed to migrate through both the cytoplasms and the gap junctions of the lateral giant neurons, toward the anode, at a rate directly proportional to the applied electric field strength (electrophoretic mobility = −0.92 ± 0.27 μm/sec per V/cm). These results suggest that electric fields of a sufficient magnitude, whether of an exogenous or an endogenous origin, can repattern the distribution of charged molecules within the cytoplasm of an extended ensemble of coupled cells. In addition, these results suggest that externally applied electric fields might be used in studies of pattern formation to repattern the intercellular distribution of charged molecules that are permeant to gap junctions within electrically coupled tissues.
Epidemiology of pertussis, Atlanta, 1977

In the period April to October, 1977, an epidemic of pertussis in the outpatient population of a large metropolitan hospital involved 115 cases that were diagnosed by culture or direct fluorescent antibody tests. A study of secondary cases in household contacts showed attack rates of 81% in children under one year of age; attack rates decreased with increasing age to 8% in persons over 20 years of age. Vaccine efficacy was estimated to be 63%. There was no evidence of decreased efficacy with increasing time after vaccination. Fourteen asymptomatic FA-positive individuals were identified; four of these were also culture positive. Four were adults and ten were children. Nine of the ten children had received three or more vaccinations, compared to only 29 of 78 symptomatic children ( P =0.002).
Direct from the Pressroom: Delivering Future Scenarios and Strategy to Users

A set of four newspapers developed as interactive conversation starters to support discussion with user audiences push the envelope of reality in order to increase scale of impact. The artifacts are scenario concept tools to present research while identifying drivers and early signals of change. This business strategy is designed to enable individuals or organizations to respond with– rather than to– change. This research product would be complimented by ethnographic research.
Inhibitory neurotransmission in lethal spotted mutant mice: a model for Hirschsprung's disease.

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: The pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease is not well understood. The suitability of the animal model for the unknown pathogenesis of inhibitory neurotransmission in Hirschsprung's disease was investigated. METHODS: Circular smooth muscle strips from the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and distal colon (2, 6, 8, 16, and 24 mm from the anal verge) from normal and Ls/Ls mice (mice homozygous for the lethal spotting mutation that develop fetal megacolon after aganglionosis of the terminal colon) were prepared to record changes in isometric tensions in response to different agents and nonadrenergic, noncholinergic nerve stimulation by electrical field stimulation. RESULTS: Bethanechol was used to produce contraction of the smooth muscle strips of distal colon to record a decrease in the tension. Conversely, the IAS smooth muscle strips developed spontaneous tone. In the normal homozygous mice, electrical field stimulation caused a biphasic response, an initial decrease followed by an after- contraction, whereas in Ls/Ls mice, the predominant response was contraction. All smooth muscle strips from normal and Ls/Ls mice produced relaxation in response to sodium nitroprusside and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. CONCLUSIONS: Ls/Ls mice may serve as an appropriate animal model to investigate the pathogenesis of the inhibitory neurotransmission in Hirschsprung's disease in the distal colon and IAS. (Gastroenterology 1997 May;112(5):1575-85)
Developmental accumulation of hydroxyproline and hydroxyproline-containing proteins in Zea mays pollen

The hydroxyproline content of developing Zea mays (maize) pollen was determined. The level of hydroxyproline in uninucleate microspores early in pollen development was low (0.004% of dry weight). In contrast, mature pollen is enriched for this amino acid (0.1% of dry weight). In mature pollen, 90% of the hydroxyproline is in the soluble fraction. Upon in vitro pollen germination, hydroxyproline associated with the insoluble fraction increased from 10% to 26% of the total hydroxyproline. Antibodies specific to extensins and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), two major classes of hydroxyproline-containing proteins, recognized two distinct groups of proteins in maize pollen by Western analysis. The two types of pollen hydroxyproline-containing proteins could also be distinguished based on their behavior upon anion exchange chromatography.
Wind energy–hydrogen storage hybrid power generation

In this theoretical investigation, a hybrid power generation system utilizing wind energy and hydrogen storage is presented. Firstly, the available wind energy is determined, which is followed by evaluating the efficiency of the wind energy conversion system. A revised model of windmill is proposed from which wind power density and electric power output are determined. When the load demand is less than the output of the generation, the excess electric power is relayed to the electrolytic cell where it is used to electrolyze the de-ionized water. Hydrogen thus produced can be stored as hydrogen compressed gas or liquid. Once the hydrogen is stored in an appropriate high-pressure vessel, it can be used in a combustion engine, fuel cell, or burned in a water-cooled burner to produce a very high-quality steam for space heating, or to drive a turbine to generate electric power. It can also be combined with organic materials to produce synthetic fuels. The conclusion is that the system produces no harmful waste and depletes no resources. Note that this system also works well with a solar collector instead of a windmill. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Techniques in Undersea Technology

The successful development of expendable instruments in oceanography is certainly one of the most exciting advances in the rapidly evolving technology of oceanography. It appears that microelectronics may be especially well qualified in this field. The economics of ship operations and expediency tend to dictate this new development.
A study of the S(3P2,1,0; 1D2) production in the 193 nm photodissociation of HS and H2S

Abstract The dynamics of the photodissociation processes, HS + hν (193 nm) → H(2S) + S(3PJ, 1D2) (process (A)) and H2S + hν (193 nm) → H2(X) + S(3PJ, 1D2) (process (B)) have been studied using 2 + 1 resonance-enhanced multiphoton-ionization techniques. By using the rate equation model and by calibrating the S(3PJ, 1D2) formation from processes (A) and (B) with that from the 193 nm photodissociation of CS2, we have determined the S(3P):S(1D) branching ratios, the fine-structure distributions of S(3P2,1,0), and the absolute cross sections for processes (A) and (B). The branching ratio S(3P):S(1D) = 0.87:0.13 observed for process (A) supports the direct photodissociation mechanism for HS at 193 nm via the excited repulsive HS(2Σ−, 2Δ) potential energy surfaces. The fine-structure distribution S(3P2):S(3P1):S(3P0) = 0.68:0.24:0.08 for process (A) is colder than the statistical distribution. The absolute cross section for process (A) is estimated to be 1.1 × 10−18 cm2. Process (B), which is estimated to have an absolute cross section of 0.3 × 10−18 cm2, is minor compared to the formation HS+H in the 193 nm photodissociation of H2S.
Oral toxicity and metabolism of diuron (N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N′,N′-dimethylurea) in rats and dogs

Abstract Diuron ( N -(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- N′,N′ -dimethylurea) has a relatively low order of acute oral toxicity in the rat. The LD 50 (14-day) for males was 3·4 g/kg. Ten daily doses of 1 g/kg were not lethal but growth depression was observed. In both studies, increased erythropoiesis was indicated histologically. Skin irritation and sensitization tests in guinea-pigs proved negative. 90-Day feeding studies in rats disclosed no growth depression at a dietary level of 400 ppm or less; slight in males at 2000 ppm; marked in both sexes at 2500 ppm and higher. Slight anaemia and enhanced erythropoiesis were observed at 250 ppm in females and in both sexes at 2500 ppm and above. An abnormal blood pigment, identified as sulphaemoglobin was detected at 2000 ppm and higher. Feeding studies on two dogs revealed no effect at 160 ppm for 1 month but slight growth retardation and a moderate anaemia were induced by 2-month feeding of increasing dietary levels commencing at 400 ppm and terminating at 2400 ppm. 2-Yr feeding studies were conducted on rats and dogs at dietary levels of 0, 25, 125, 250 and 2500 ppm. No effect was seen at the 25, 125 or 250 ppm levels in either species with the exception of a trace of abnormal blood pigment in some animals on 125 or 250 ppm diuron and of a trend towards reduced erythrocyte counts in dogs on 250 ppm. At the highest level of 2500 ppm the principal findings in both species were growth retardation, slight anaemia, presence of abnormal blood pigment, enlargement of spleen (occasionally in rats) and of liver (dogs) and increased erythropoiesis with splenic haemosiderosis. No histological changes were seen at any level and there was no evidence of carcinogenicity. In a three-generation reproduction study in rats maintained on 0 or 125 ppm diuron, no untoward findings were obtained. In metabolic studies in rats and dogs fed 25–2500 ppm diuron for 9 months–2 yr, tissue residue levels were proportional to the dietary intake of diuron but no tissue storage occurred. Excretion occurred in both faeces and urine. N -(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)urea was the predominant metabolite in the urine; small amounts of N -(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- N′ -methylurea, 3-4-dichloraniline, 3,4-dichlorophenol and unchanged diuron were also detected.
Far From Equilibrium: Essays on Technology and Design Culture: Requiem: For the City at the End of the Millennium

Far From Equilibrium: Essays on Technology and Design Culture By Sanford Kwinter, edited by Cynthia Davidson Actar, 2008 ISBN 9788496540644 $33, pp. 196 Requiem: For the City at the End of the Mill...