cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Elastomeric Additives on the Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin and Composite Systems

Thermosetting resins such as epoxy and polyimide are widely used as matrix materials in organic composite systems. These polymers are inherently brittle materials, poor in their resistance to the growth of internal flaw and the propagation of crack. A practice in the industry is to add elastomeric particles to the brittle matrix in order to enhance the resin toughness. The mechanisms for this enhancement are only recently understood as involving triaxial dilatation of rubber particles at the crack-tip, particle elongation and matrix plastic flow. However, when such a modified resin system is used in a fiber-reinforced composite, the effects of these additive particles on the mechanical properties of the composite have not been clear. In this paper, both the fracture behavior and mechanical properties balance of such composite systems will be discussed, based on the results of an extensive experimental study.
Multimodal analgesia in crotalid snakebite envenomation: A novel use of femoral nerve block.

Abstract Snakebite envenomations occur throughout the United States, with most envenomations resulting from Crotalid bites. These envenomations can result in severe pain despite aggressive analgesia due to effects of venom toxins. We report a case in which we treated a 44- year-old man who sustained a Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) bite to his left hallux with progressive local toxicity, including severe pain radiating into his upper leg, without evidence of compartment syndrome or coagulopathy. His pain was unresponsive to multiple doses of opioids. We performed a fascia iliaca compartment femoral nerve block under dynamic ultrasound guidance with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, which provided substantial pain relief in his upper leg. To our knowledge, this is a novel application of regional anesthesia with peripheral nerve block. We demonstrate fascia iliaca compartment femoral nerve block may be a safe, beneficial technique for emergency physicians to utilize in providing multimodal analgesia in Crotalid envenomation.
A Meta-Analysis of Intracortical Device Stiffness and Its Correlation with Histological Outcomes

Neural implants offer solutions for a variety of clinical issues. While commercially available devices can record neural signals for short time periods, they fail to do so chronically, partially due to the sustained tissue response around the device. Our objective was to assess the correlation between device stiffness, a function of both material modulus and cross-sectional area, and the severity of immune response. Meta-analysis data were derived from nine previously published studies which reported device material and geometric properties, as well as histological outcomes. Device bending stiffness was calculated by treating the device shank as a cantilevered beam. Immune response was quantified through analysis of immunohistological images from each study, specifically looking at fluorescent markers for neuronal nuclei and astrocytes, to assess neuronal dieback and gliosis. Results demonstrate that the severity of the immune response, within the first 50 µm of the device, is highly correlated with device stiffness, as opposed to device modulus or cross-sectional area independently. In general, commercially available devices are around two to three orders of magnitude higher in stiffness than devices which induced a minimal tissue response. These results have implications for future device designs aiming to decrease chronic tissue response and achieve increased long-term functionality.
Lookahead widening

We present lookahead widening, a novel technique for using existing widening and narrowing operators to improve the precision of static analysis. This technique is both self-contained and fully-automatic in the sense that it does not rely on separate analyzes or human involvement. We show how to integrate lookahead widening into existing analyzers with minimal effort. Experimental results indicate that the technique is able to achieve sizable precision improvements at reasonable costs.
Characteristics and predictors of 7- and 30-day hospital readmissions to pediatric neurology

Objective Hospital readmission is an important quality improvement measure that has not been well-studied in pediatric neurology. We examined predictors of 7-day and 30-day readmissions for pediatric patients hospitalized with a neurologic diagnosis. Methods This was a retrospective study of hospital readmission rates in pediatric neurology patients admitted to a tertiary children9s hospital from January 2017 to December 2017. Inclusion criteria were age ≤18 years and a primary neurologic diagnosis on admission, with an unplanned readmission within 7 or 30 days. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including age, sex, income, insurance type, discharge occurring on a weekend, admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), use of multiple antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and involvement of multiple subspecialties. Results There were 923 neurology admissions, and 64 readmissions within 30 days. Total unplanned readmission rate was 6.9%, with 56% (36/64) readmitted within 30 days, 44% (28/64) readmitted within 7 days, and 11% (7/64) admitted multiple times within 30 days. The most common readmission diagnosis was seizure (62%), followed by other neurologic diagnosis (21%), headache (8%), encephalitis/meningitis (7%), stroke (1%), and ataxia (1%). Readmission was significantly associated with multiple AED, PICU admission, seizure with major complication or comorbidity, and presence of a major complication or comorbidity irrespective of diagnosis (p Conclusions This study identifies factors associated with higher rates of readmission for pediatric neurology patients. Patients with epilepsy and chronic neurologic conditions should be targeted for future discharge-related interventions to reduce hospital readmission and ensure safe transitions from the inpatient to the outpatient setting.
Assessment of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among UNRWA health staff in Jordan concerning mental health programme pre-implementation: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Mental health is a major public health priority, particularly among refugees worldwide. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) started to integrate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into its primary health-care services in Jordan in late 2017. This baseline study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers among UNRWA health staff regarding the implementation of the MHPSS programme. Methods The UNRWA Health Programme conducted a cross-sectional study of a sample of 220 out of the 390 male and female doctors, dentists, nurses, and midwives who work at 16 of the 25 UNRWA health centres in Jordan during November, 2017. Individuals on duty at the health centres on the day of the survey were included. The 16 health centres were selected based on their size and accessibility to surveyors (reflecting proximity to Amman, and the size of population served). Of the selected health centres, seven were large, seven were medium, and two were small according to the UNRWA classification of health centres (based on the number of medical doctors). A validated self-administered questionnaire was used. Ethics approval was granted by the UNRWA Health Programme ethics committee, and informed written consent was obtained from all participants. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (version 22). Findings Of the participants, 73% (161 of 220) believed that their knowledge of MHPSS programmes was insufficient, with no significant difference (p=0·116) between different categories of staff. Furthermore, 88% (194 of 220) said that they needed more training, 67% (147 of 220) reported that the number of mental health cases is increasing, and 50% (110 of 220) that dealing with these cases is difficult. Reflecting on the past 12 months, 31% of staff (69 out of 220) reported meeting between one and ten children, and 45% (100 out of 220) reported meeting between one and ten adults suspected of having mental illnesses. The most suspected condition was depression (84%; 150 of 220), followed by epilepsy (64%; 140 of 220). The main perceived barriers to implementation included the limited availability of MHPSS policies (87%; 192 of 220), MH professionals (86%; 190 of 220), resources (86%; 189 out of 220), and lack of privacy (14%; 31 out of 220). Interpretation Most health staff had positive attitudes towards MHPSS programme implementation but felt they lacked the required knowledge. There is a need for training and clear technical guidelines. Perceived barriers to MHPSS programme implementation need to be tackled with a structured plan of action. Funding The UNRWA Health Programme, UNRWA Headquarters, Amman, Jordan.
Reform and resistance: The political economy of land and planning reform in Kenya:

In August 2010, Kenyans voted to adopt a new Constitution. Amongst its many provisions was devolved governance, which established 47 independent counties each led by a directly elected governor and...
Juno: An Intelligent Chat Service for IT Service Automation

Juno is a chat-based service that interacts with user through natural language, in order to understand, assist and execute the user’s service request with a IT Service Management (ISM) system.
AII Optical Control of Beam Dynamics in a DLA

Dielectric laser acceleration draws upon nanofabrication techniques to build photonic structures for high gradient electron acceleration. At the small spatial scales characteristic of these structures conventional accelerator techniques become ineffective at stabilizing the beam dynamics. Instead we propose a scheme to stabilize the motion by directly modulating the drive laser, in analogy to a radio-frequency-quadrupole. Here we present a design for a programmable ‘lattice’ being built at UCLA's Pegasus laboratory. The accelerator accepts an unmodulated 3.5 MeV electron beam and then bunches and accelerates the beam by 1.5 MeV over a distance of 2 cm.
Structural and antigenic characterization of a computationally-optimized H5 hemagglutinin influenza vaccine.

Abstract Influenza A virus is a leading cause of death worldwide. Viruses of the H5 subtype have the potential to induce high mortality, and no vaccines are currently available to protect against H5 influenza viruses in the event of an outbreak. Experimental vaccination with one clade 2 virus does not protect against other subclades. The computationally optimized broadly reactive (COBRA) methodology was previously used to generate a H5 hemagglutinin (HA) antigen (COBRA2) that elicited increased serological breadth against multiple clade 2 H5N1 influenza viruses. In this report, we structurally and antigenically characterized the COBRA2 HA antigen. We examined the biochemical characteristics of the COBRA2 protein and determined the protein is correctly cleaved, properly folded into a trimeric structure, and antigenically correct by probing with HA head- and stem-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We further probed the antigenicity by examining binding of a panel of H5 mouse mAbs to the COBRA2 antigen, as well as several other HA antigens. We determined the X-ray crystal structure of the COBRA2 HA antigen to 2.8 A and the protein was observed to be in the expected trimeric form. The COBRA2 HA was structurally similar to the naturally occurring H5 HA antigens and suggests the protein folds similar to known HA structures. Overall, our data allow us to formulate a hypothesis on the mechanism of increased breadth due to vaccination with the COBRA2 HA antigen, which is that the protein incorporates antigenic sites from numerous HA antigens, and elicits mAbs with limited breadth, but with diversity in targeted antigenic sites.
Osteochondral Grafts Failures

Osteochondral graft failure, whether an autograft or allograft, can be a challenging condition for treatment, with revision surgeries showing inferior outcomes. Optimizing the primary procedure is of paramount importance and will require following well accepted guidelines that are outlined in this chapter. When a revision surgery is indicated, the preoperative plan must include an assessment of the mechanism of failure and careful evaluation of all associated pathologies, which will need to be recognized and addressed in the treatment plan. Osteochondral allografts is the preferred technique for most revision cases of cartilage repair procedures (when indicated) and will usually require replacing the failed cartilage repair tissue in its whole. A well performed preoperative evaluation, a complete treatment plan and a well-executed surgery are key components for a successful outcome.
Patient and caregiver reported facilitators of self-care among patients with chronic heart failure: report from a formative qualitative study.

Background: Adherence to a complex, yet effective medication regimen improves clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, patient adherence to an agreed upon plan for medication-taking is sub-optimal and continues to hover at 50% in developed countries. Studies to improve medication-taking have focused on interventions to improve adherence to guideline-directed medication therapy, yet few of these studies have integrated patients' perceptions of what constitutes effective strategies for improved medication-taking and self-care in everyday life. The purpose of this formative study was to explore patient perceived facilitators of selfcare and medication-taking in South Asian CHF patients. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews of patients with long standing heart failure admitted to the cardiology and internal medicine wards of a South Indian tertiary care hospital. We purposively sampled using the following criteria: sex, socio-economic status, health literacy and patient reported medication adherence in the month prior to hospitalization. We employed inductive coding to identify facilitators. At the end of 15 interviews (eight patients and seven caregivers; seven patient-caregiver dyads), we arrived at theoretical saturation for facilitators. Results: Facilitators could be classified into intrinsic (patient traits - situational awareness, self-efficacy, gratitude, resilience, spiritual invocation and support seeking behavior) and extrinsic (shaped by the environment - financial security and caregiver support, company of children, ease of healthcare access, trust in provider/hospital, supportive environment and recognizing the importance of knowledge). Conclusions: We identified and classified a set of key patient and caregiver reported self-care facilitators among Indian CHF patients. The learnings from this study will be incorporated into an intervention package to improve patient engagement, overall self-care and patient-caregiver-provider dynamics.
An Example of Project Based Learning to Advance Women's Interest in STEM Education and Robotics

This paper starts with a discussion of forensic imaging and its importance to robotics, computer forensics, and computer security. This is followed by a discussion of a computer science based robotics class that received favorable student opinion reports as well as accolades by the press. The class also inspired young women to pursue careers in STEM fields. Lastly we will discuss the need for project based lessons in STEM education and the need to increase the number of women in STEM fields in order to advance government, academia, and industry.
Deterioration of textile vs. electronic components over time in athletic wearable devices

Textile and electronic components are critical elements of most wearable technologies (wearables); both components deteriorate at different rates depending on factors of use, care, and user handling. The differences in mechanical performance characteristics (MPC) (i.e., abrasion, elongation, and bursting strength) of these components create a challenge for researchers and product designers to develop user-centric and economical wearables. For example, athletic wearables made of nylon/spandex knit blends exhibit drastically different MPC from minimal fiber content changes (1- 10%). However, the wearable's end-use remains constant. This article presents ideas and methods for testing MPC and how to evaluate results for different end-use cases. Designing for end-user activities also highlights these performance differences because specific, end-uses drive textiles design, which may or may not be the wearable design's end-use. Three American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test methods were used to test MPC of athletic fabrics and soft robotic sensors (SRS) to determine the abrasion resistance, elongation, and bursting strength of these components and two-tail ttest comparisons were performed on the results. The SRS's durability is less than the textiles they are integrated into, and with no standards for MPC testing on SRS, it can be unclear how long a sensor will last. Such methods need to be developed so product developers can find efficient combinations of fibers and electronic components to ensure user-centric functionality, wearer comfort, extended product longevity, and overall consumer satisfaction.
History of plant genetic mutations ± human influences

Genetic mutations in plants pre-date human influences and involvement. Throughout evolution, spontaneous mutations contributed to natural selection, enabling plants to better adapt to their environment. As humans became more sedentary (farmer-herders), they assisted in the domestication of crops by favoring specific characteristics (spontaneous mutations) within plant species over time. Since spontaneous mutation rates were low, plant breeders developed procedures to induce mutations via physical (primarily ionizing radiation) and chemical treatments; although first proven in 1928, it took approximately three decades to become more widely adopted with an emphasis placed on massive phenotypic screening efforts. Unfortunately, many hidden mutations were also present in the selected mutant lines. Starting in 1983, researchers confirmed more precise genetic changes could be made through gene introduction. Three decades later, these techniques were used in the present field of genome editing once the prokaryotic CRISPR/Cas system was modified by researchers for use in eukaryotes. This made it possible to generate precise mutations in plant genomes thereby increasing specificity and reducing unwanted/hidden mutations. Regardless of how mutations are generated, they will continue to facilitate adaptation to human-focused goals and the ever-changing environment.
Chapter 8 – Cameras for Digital Microscopy

This chapter reviews the fundamental characteristics of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) and related detectors, outlines the relevant parameters for their use in microscopy, and considers promising recent developments in the technology of detectors. Electronic imaging with a CCD involves three stages—interaction of a photon with the photosensitive surface, storage of the liberated charge, and readout or measurement of the stored charge. The most demanding applications in fluorescence microscopy may require as much as four orders of greater magnitude sensitivity. The image in the present-day light microscope is usually acquired with a CCD camera. The CCD is composed of a large matrix of photosensitive elements (often referred to as “pixels” shorthand for picture elements, which simultaneously capture an image over the entire detector surface. The light-intensity information for each pixel is stored as electronic charge and is converted to an analog voltage by a readout amplifier. This analog voltage is subsequently converted to a numerical value by a digitizer situated on the CCD chip, or very close to it. Several (three to six) amplifiers are required for each pixel, and to date, uniform images with a homogeneous background have been a problem because of the inherent difficulties of balancing the gain in all of the amplifiers. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensors also exhibit relatively high noise associated with the requisite high-speed switching. Both of these deficiencies are being addressed, and sensor performance is nearing that required for scientific imaging.
Probiotic potential of commercial dairy-associated protective cultures: In vitro and in vivo protection against Listeria monocytogenes infection

Abstract Protective bacterial cultures (PCs) are commercially available to producers to control undesirable microbes in foods, including foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. They are generally recognized as safe for consumption and many are capable of producing bacteriocins. Yet their potential to act as probiotics and confer a health benefit on the host is not known. This study investigated the ability of three commercial PCs to survive human gastrointestinal conditions and exert anti-infective properties against L. monocytogenes. Counts of two PCs of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum remained unchanged after exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, whereas counts of the PC Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis were reduced by 5.3 log CFU/mL. Cultures of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis adhered to human Caco-2 epithelial cells at ∼ 6 log CFU/mL. This pretreatment reduced subsequent L. monocytogenes adhesion and invasion by 1–1.6 log CFU/mL and 3.8–4.9 log CFU/mL, respectively, compared to control. L. monocytogenes-induced cytotoxicity was also reduced from 29.1% in untreated monolayers to ∼ 8% in those treated with PCs. Pretreatment of Caco-2 monolayers with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and one PC of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum reduced L. monocytogenes translocation by ≥ 1.2 log CFU/mL compared to control (≥ 94.5% inhibition). All PCs significantly reduced DextranFITC permeability through Caco-2 monolayers to approximately half that of control. Pretreatment with PCs also reduced L. monocytogenes-induced mortality in Caenorhabditis elegans. These findings demonstrate the potential for commercially produced PCs to exert probiotic effects in the host through protection against L. monocytogenes infection, thus providing an additional benefit to food safety beyond inhibiting pathogen growth, survival, and virulence in foods.
Immigrant foodways in Jersey City, NJ

This study explores the contemporary foodscape of Jersey City, New Jersey. Although Jersey City has a long history as a destination for immigrants from a wide range of countries, few studies exist ...
New Method for Updating Mean Time Between Failure for ISS Orbital Replaceable Units Consultation Report

A request to conduct a peer review of the International Space Station (ISS) proposal to use Bayesian methodology for updating Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) for ISS Orbital Replaceable Units (ORU) was submitted to the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) on September 20, 2005. The results were requested by October 20, 2005 in order to be available during the process of reworking the current ISS flight manifest. The results are included in this report.
Applying OOAD in the Design and Implementation of an Intelligent Geographic Information System

In this chapter we presented our experience in applying the Responsibility-Driven Approach to the design and implementation of a complex, real-life geographic application. The approach's emphasis on identifying and designing object-classes based on responsibilities rather than their characteristics proved to be very effective in achieving a robust design and implementation that is close to user requirement and at the same time enhancing the application's extensibility and maintainability.
Activation of mu-opioid receptors in commissural nucleus tractus solitarius markedly depresses hypoxic, but not hypercapnic, ventilatory response in conscious rats (712.11)

Activation of cNTS MORs blocks HVR and moderately depresses HCVR (↓30%) in anesthetized rats (Zhang et al, Anesthesiology 2011) in agreement with the cNTS synaptically receiving carotid body affere...
Induction of fetal breathing by metabolic acidemia and its effect on blood flow to the respiratory muscles

Abstract Sustained and vigorous fetal breathing activity was produced in a chronic fetal lamb preparation by infusion into the fetus of either NH 4 Cl or HCl. Over a 2 to 3 hour period, 20 to 25 mEq/kg were infused. All of the fetuses tolerated blood pH values of 6.7 to 6.8 and survived. The breathing activity began after the completion of the infusion, and consisted of regular 30 to 50 torr inspirations at a rate of 60 to 120 breaths/min. This activity was continous for as much as 8 hours, and persisted with pauses and decreased amplitude for 24 to 36 hours. During fetal breathing, blood flow to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles increased approximately 12- and sixfold, respectively.
On becoming reactive

Publisher Summary This chapter describes an autonomous robot agent called Theo-Agent that initially constructs explicit plans to solve new problems in its domain and converges to an agent that reacts directly to the features of its environment with an appropriate action. As the rules take into account the agent's multiple goals, why the agent has chosen to attend to its current goal, conditions under which the plan will satisfy the current goal, and the necessity of the action to achieving the agent's goal, they produce reactive, opportunistic decisions equivalent to those that would be produced by continually re-invoking costly planning methods. Theo-Agent has been used to learn such rules for a simulated blocks-world robot, a simulated thermostat, and an operating mobile robot. Theo-Agent is defined in terms of a frame whose slots and subslots define the agent's beliefs, or internal state. The fundamental cycle of Theo-Agent is to repeatedly access the value of its chosen.action slot and perform the action described therein. As its world is only partially observable, there are cases in which Theo-Agent cannot construct guaranteed plans.
Measurement, Empirical Meaningfulness, and Three-Valued Logic

The predominant current opinion appears to be that it is scarcely possible to set up criteria of empirical meaningfulness for individual statements. What is required, it is said, is an analysis of theories taken as a whole. There is even some skepticism regarding this, and it has been romantically suggested that the entire fabric of experience and language must be considered and taken into account in any construction of general categories of meaning or analyticity. What I have to say makes no contribution to the attempt to find a general criterion of meaning applicable to arbitrary statements. Rather I am concerned to exemplify a general method that will yield specific positive criteria for specific branches of science.
Report to the National Institutes of Health Division of Research Grants Computer Research Study Section on Computer Applications in Medical Communication and Information Retrieval Systems as Related to the Improvement of Patient Care and the Medical Record—September 26, 1966

( Editor's note : The full text of the original and previously unpublished 1966 historical document is available via an online JAMIA supplement at www.jamia.org; excerpts from representative segments follow below. An ellipsis in square brackets […] has been inserted at each point where text from the original document was omitted. Such text appears in the online “full” version of the document.) I would like to welcome the Public Health Service visitors to the Computer Research Study Section Meeting and to express my personal appreciation for the opportunity to lead this colloquium. It is both a privilege and a challenge to attempt to guide a discussion with such a group of participants and I am certain that it will be an informative experience for me. In the past few years, my work with the members of the Computer Study Section has greatly contributed to my understanding of the problems we are to examine today. The critical and imaginative ideas and the depth of under-standing displayed by these individuals have set a standard which continues to inspire me. It is my hope that this colloquium will conclude with an active discussion. I hope—and expect—to be challenged at many points and feel that we shall all benefit from such an approach. It will be interesting to hear from those among us who may have different philosophies regarding the nature of the objectives and procedures with which we are concerned and, above all, from those present who have had considerable experience in many of the topics we will discuss. This presentation is divided into four sections. 1. A characterization of the basic needs and problems which have brought the computer into medical care. 2. A brief review of certain research and development activities currently underway. 3. A discussion of some of the significant issues encountered in …
Reinstatement of festinating forward locomotion by antiserotonergic drugs in rats partially recovered from damage in the region of the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis

Abstract Damage in the region of the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis (NRTP) produces galloping festinating forward locomotion. Therefore, the NRTP is part of a system that normally inhibits locomotion. In operated rats that had partially recovered the ability to inhibit locomotion, presumably based on recovery of function in that inhibitory system, methysergide (45 or 60 mg/kg) or metergoline (5 or 10 mg/kg) reinstated such galloping. This suggests that serotonin systems blocked by these drugs may activate this system to inhibit locomotion. In haloperidol akinesia (a model of parkinsonian akinesia), NRTP destruction or inactivation also released festinating locomotion (3). We suggest that dopamine deficiency-induced akinesia may result from the unchecked action of the NRTP movement-inhibition system. This agrees with earlier findings by us that lateral hypothalamic damage-induced profound akinesia can be reversed by methysergide (4). Antiserotonergic drugs may therefore prove useful in alleviating parkinsonian akinesia.
Predictors of Mortality for Nursing Home-Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review

Background. Current risk stratification tools, primarily used for CAP, are suboptimal in predicting nursing home acquired pneumonia (NHAP) outcome and mortality. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate current evidence on the usefulness of proposed predictors of NHAP mortality. Methods. PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, and CINAHL databases were searched for articles published in English between January 1978 and January 2014. The literature search elicited a total of 666 references; 580 were excluded and 20 articles met the inclusion criteria for the final analysis. Results. More studies supported the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) as a superior predictor of NHAP severity. Fewer studies suggested CURB-65 and SOAR (especially for the need of ICU care) as useful predictors for NHAP mortality. There is weak evidence for biomarkers like C-reactive protein and copeptin as prognostic tools. Conclusion. The evidence supports the use of PSI as the best available indicator while CURB-65 may be an alternative prognostic indicator for NHAP mortality. Overall, due to the paucity of information, biomarkers may not be as effective in this role. Larger prospective studies are needed to establish the most effective predictor(s) or combination scheme to help clinicians in decision-making related to NHAP mortality.
A Field Study of Seasonal Neuronal Incorporation into the Song Control System of a Songbird That Lacks Adult Song Learning

Adult songbirds can incorporate new neurons into HVc, a telencephalic song control nucleus. Neuronal incorporation into HVc is greater in the fall than in the spring in adult canaries (open-ended song learners) and is temporally related to seasonal song modification. We used the western song sparrow, a species that does not modify its adult song, to test the hypothesis that neuronal incorporation into adult HVc is not seasonally variable in age-limited song learners. Wild song sparrows were captured during the fall and the spring, implanted with osmotic pumps containing [3H]thymidine, released onto their territories, and recaptured after 30 days. The density, proportion, and number of new HVc neurons were all significantly greater in the fall than in the spring. There was also a seasonal change in the incorporation of new neurons into the adjacent neostriatum that was less pronounced than the change in HVc. This is the first study of neuronal recruitment into the song control system of freely ranging wild songbirds. These results indicate that seasonal changes in HVc neuronal incorporation are not restricted to open-ended song learners. The functional significance of neuronal recruitment into HVc therefore remains elusive.
Cohort study of twinning in an academic health center: changes in management and outcome over forty years

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to explore the management and outcomes of twin pregnancies over 40 years (1952 to 1993) within a singie academic health center. STUDY DESIGN: According to a retrospective cohort design, twin pregnancies were collected and the following variables were analyzed: maternal age, parity gestational age, birth weight, twin gender, presentation, delivery route, intervals between births, Apgar scores, and perinatal outcome. Information was broken into approximately decade-long epochs (1952 to 1962, 1963 to 1972, 1973 to 1982, 1983 to 1993) to compare trends over time. RESULTS: A total of 814 twin pregnancies were delivered. Median birth weight and gestational age decreased over time. The prevalence of >20% birth weight discordancy was 23% and did not increase. Nulliparity increased over time but maternal age did not. Same-sex pairs were constant, as was presentation. Use of abdominal delivery and the abdominal delivery of a nonvertex second twin after vaginal delivery of the first increased in the last two epochs. Both the interval between births and the Apgar score of the second twin increased over time. Perinatal mortality of very-low-birth-weight and normal-birth-weight twins decreased over time. CONCLUSIONS: The maternal demographics of twinning changed little over 40 years. Gestational age and birth weight decreased over time because of the regionalization of perinatal care. Birth weight-specific perinatal mortality improved over time.
Genetic analysis of tissue interactions required for otic placode induction in the zebrafish.

Abstract Development of the vertebrate inner ear begins during gastrulation with induction of the otic placode. Several embryonic tissues, including cephalic mesendoderm, notochord, and hindbrain, have been implicated as potential sources of otic-inducing signals. However, the relative contributions of these tissues have not been determined, nor have any genes affecting placode induction been identified. To address these issues, we analyzed otic placode induction in zebrafish mutants that are deficient in prospective otic-inducing tissues. Otic development was monitored by examining mutant embryos for morphological changes and, in some cases, by visualizing expression patterns of dlx-3 or pax-2.1 in preotic cells several hours before otic placode formation. In cyclops ( cyc − ) mutants, which develop with a partial deficiency of prechordal mesendoderm, otic induction is delayed by up to 1 h. In one-eyed pinhead ( oep − ) mutants, which are more completely deficient in prechordal mesendoderm, otic induction is delayed by 1.5 h, and morphology of the otic vesicles is abnormal. Expression of marker genes in other regions of the neural plate is normal, suggesting that ablation of prechordal mesendoderm selectively inhibits otic induction. In contrast, the timing and morphology of otic development is not affected by mutations in no tail ( ntl ) or floating head ( flh ), which prevent notochord differentiation. Similarly, a mutation in valentino ( val ), which blocks early differentiation of rhombomeres 5 and 6 in the hindbrain, does not delay otic induction, although subsequent patterning of the otic vesicle is impaired. To test whether inductive signals from one tissue can compensate for loss of another, we generated double or triple mutants with various combinations of the above mutations. In none of the multiple mutants do the flh or val mutations exacerbate delays in placode induction, although val does contribute additively to defects in subsequent patterning of the otic vesicle. In contrast, mutants homozygous for both oep and ntl , which interact synergistically to disrupt differentiation of cephalic and axial mesendoderm, show a delay in otic development of about 3 h. These data suggest that cephalic mesendoderm, including prechordal mesendoderm and anterior paraxial mesendoderm, provides the first otic-inducing signals during gastrulation, whereas chordamesoderm plays no discernible role in this process. Because val − mutants are deficient for only a portion of the hindbrain, we cannot rule out a role for that tissue in otic placode induction. However, if the hindbrain does provide otic-inducing signals, they apparently differ quantitatively or qualitatively from the signals required for vesicle patterning, as val disrupts only the latter.
The portrayal of women’s images in magazine advertisements: Goffman’s gender analysis revisited

The research objective of this paper was to study the specific behaviors mentioned above and determine what gender behavior patterns have been most prevalent in magazine advertisements in 1979 and 1991. In this research, comparisons were made regarding gender displays between the years of 1979 and 1991 with random samples of print advertisements. The basic and essential starting question of this research project is: What messages about women have been given to society through magazine advertisements? This study was intended to be a conceptual replication of Erving Gofian’s study of Gender Advertisements to see how gender images in print advertisements have changed since Goffman’s study. For this research, advertisements were analyzed the gender behavior portrayed, utilizing Goffman’s categories of decoding behavior: relative size, feminine touch, function ranking, ritualization of subordination, and licensed withdrawal. Body display and IndependencelSelf-assertiveness categories were added. Advertisements that featured human subjects were collected from 1979 and 1991 women’s popular magazines. The random sampling procedure resulted in 252 samples in 1979 magazine advertisements and 252 samples in 1991 counterparts. This research showed that few changes have been made in the images of women in magazine advertisements since Goffman’s 1979 study. The findings indicate that the images of women in 1991 advertisements did not significantly change from the images found in 1979 advertisements. However; distribution or dispersion of stereotypical portrayal of women did change. In the categories of licensed withdrawal and body display, the magazine advertisements from 1991 showed more stereotyping of women than those from 1979. Two of Goffman’s categories-Relative Size and Function Ranking-were not prevalent depictions in magazine advertisements.
Optomechanical Fluid-filled Model of the Human Eye

The following describes the design and performance of an optomechanical fluid-filled eye model and its use for testing flaws in an actual eye using optical components that can be modified to match an individual’s eye.
Substructure synthesis method applied to vibration isolation systems

Substructure synthesis is an efficient modeling tool for complex vibration isolation systems. The advantages that are demonstrated include the ability to adapt to design changes, and include additional kinematic constraints into the model formulation. In general the advantages of substructure synthesis are that only admissible functions are needed to model the structure and a reduced number of degrees-of-freedom can be used in comparison with other methods such as the more standard finite element method. The problem formulation has a composition similar to the physical construction of actual systems. This enhances the practical understanding of the system modeled. The contribution here is to demonstrate a substructure synthesis method and its application to model complex kinematic constraints for a vibration isolation system.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influence of low‐level wind speed on droplet spectra near cloud base in trade wind cumulus

[1] Data collected during the Rain In Cumulus over the Ocean (RICO) campaign demonstrate a relationship between the low-level wind speed, droplet concentrations and the presence of large cloud droplets near cloud base in trade wind clouds in a clean marine background atmosphere. Weak winds were associated with fewer activated cloud droplets, larger mean droplet sizes, and more large cloud droplets, even though the concentration of giant/ultragiant sea-salt aerosol increased with increasing near-surface wind speed. The data suggest that in unpolluted trade wind cumuli: (1) the production of large cloud droplets near cloud base is controlled primarily by the intensity of the cloud base updraft rather than the concentration of giant/ultragiant sea-salt particles; (2) higher droplet concentrations are more likely under conditions of stronger low-level wind speeds, primarily because stronger low-level wind speeds are associated with more intense cloud base updrafts.
Effects of the Dicarboxylic Acids Malate and Fumarate on E . coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium Populations in Pure Culture and in Mixed Ruminal Microorganism Fermentations

The dicarboxylic acids malate and fumarate increase ruminal pH, reduce methane production, increase propionate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, and reduce lactic acid accumulation in a manner similar to ionophores. These acids stimulate the ruminal bacterium Selenomonasruminantium to ferment lactate to produce propionate. Thus, dicarboxylic acids have been suggested as nonantibiotic modifiers of the ruminal fermentation, but their impact on ruminal microbial ecology remains unknown. This study was designed to examine what effects these modifiers may have on intestinal pathogen populations such as Escherichiacoli O157:H7 and S.enterica Typhimurium prior to their widespread incorporation into cattle rations. Pure cultures of E. coli O157:H7 strain 933 and S. enterica Typhimurium were grown with malate and fumarate added at 0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 mM (v/v; n = 3). Neither dicarboxylic acid inhibited (p > 0.1) the growth rate or final populations of E. coli O157:H7 or S. enterica Typhimurium. Ruminal fluid was collected from cattle (n = 2) and E. coli O157:H7 and S. enterica Typhimurium were added to separate ruminal fermentations incubated for 24 h at 39°C. Fumarate and malate were added at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 20 mM (v/v; n = 2) and incubated for 24 h at 39°C. Malate or fumarate addition did not affect (p > 0.1) populations of E. coli O157:H7 or S. enterica Typhimurium. However, the final pH was increased (p < 0.05), the acetate:propionate ratio was decreased (p < 0.05), and the total VFA production was increased (p < 0.05) by ≥10 mM dicarboxylic acid addition. These results confirm that dicarboxylic acids can modify ruminal fermentation, but they do not affect populations of critical foodborne pathogens.
The Importance of Gender in the Assessment of Historical Knowledge.

Current efforts to assess higher education have highlighted the need for better evaluation of student outcomes and educational needs. Several recent studies have called for an increase in the use of tests as part of assessment activities. However, assessment research has not evaluated whether tests are an appropriate technique for measuring student outcomes, particularly when women or minority students are involved. Using data gathered from a 1992 historical knowledge exam, this study illustrates how the assessment of women's academic achievements can be distorted by using tests as measures of student outcomes. At the same time, the results indicate a need to rethink how we teach history at the university level. Consequently, this paper suggests that the use of tests as an assessment tool should be limited to questions about curricular shortcomings and not be expanded as a means to evaluate student proficiency.
Cyclodextrin-aided capillary electrophoretic separation and laser-induced fluorescence detection of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Two neutral cyclodextrins (CDs), hydroxypropyl-beta-CD (HP beta OD) and methyl-beta-CD (M beta CD), and two negatively charged forms, carboxymethyl-beta-CD (CM beta CD) and sulfobutylether-beta-CD (SB beta CD), were used to demonstrate the principle of separation of hydrophobic and non-charged polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by capillary electrophoresis (CE) based on differential partitioning of analytes between the CDs. The estimation of the partition coefficient (Ki) confirmed that the PAH components which partitioned most to the negative cyclodextrin (i.e. with the highest Ki) exhibited the longest migration time. The Ki values obtained for the CM beta CD-HP beta CD system are all below 1, indicating that the PAHs prefer to remain in the neutral HP beta CD. The Ki values for the SB beta CD-M beta CD buffer are all greater than 1, and cover a wider range, indicating preference of the PAHs for the anionic derivative. Methods were applied for separation of a PAH mixture containing various important PAHs on the US Environmental Protection Agency priority list. This novel procedure provided much better separation of PAH isomers, including benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[e]pyrene, than has been reported previously using CE. The system was applied to the sensitive determination of nanomolar levels of PAHs in contaminated soil.
Geographic variability of hemophilia-associated AIDS in the United States: effect of population characteristics. Hemophilia-Associated AIDS Study Group.

National AIDS surveillance suggests that approximately 3.5% of all hemophilic patients in the United States have developed AIDS as of February 1988; however, the cumulative incidence of AIDS among seropositive patients at individual hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) has been reported to be as high as 12%. The purpose of this study was to examine the reported excess risk of AIDS at selected HTCs. Between July 13 and November 6, 1987, we reviewed medical charts from the 598 hemophilia A and hemophilia B patients receiving comprehensive care as of 1980 at six U.S. hemophilia treatment centers (three identified as low AIDS risk and three identified as high AIDS risk using national hemophilia-associated AIDS surveillance data). The risk of AIDS among all patients was 8% and among seropositive patients was 18%. At the individual HTCs, the risk ranged from 0% to 14% among all patients and 0% to 25% among seropositive patients. Overall incidence rates were higher than those derived from national surveillance data because national estimates include all hemophilic patients (regardless of severity) whereas this study included only patients receiving comprehensive care (who are more likely to be severely affected by their coagulation disorder and receive concentrated clotting factors). The higher incidence of AIDS in the high-risk centers was attributable to the older age of the patients in these HTCs, a factor previously associated with an increased risk of AIDS in seropositive patients. These findings do not support geographic variability in the incidence of AIDS and emphasize the importance of patient characteristics when comparing the incidence of hemophilia-associated AIDS between populations.