cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel one-step quick assay for detection of SARS-COV2 antibodies across mammalian species

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has so far infected almost a hundred of millions of people and caused more than a million of death across the world. Many serological tests have been developed to track down virus infection in community via identification of antibodies against SARS-CoV2 virus. However, the tests vary in sensitivity, specificity, complexity, and speed. Here, I developed a simple, one-step, quick test to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV2 N (scN) nucleocapsid protein via direct visualization of antigen-antibody reaction. A total of 40 serum samples of SARS-CoV2 patients were purchased from RayBiotech. A total of 50 pre-pandemic human serum samples from San Diego Blood Bank were used as negative controls. After performing the one-step quick test of these 90 serum samples, I found that 39 samples are positive for anti-scN antibodies. All of the 39 positives are from the 40 SARS-CoV2 patients, suggesting that the one-step test is more sensitive than the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), the most widely used rapid antibody test. None of the 50 pre-pandemic samples is positive for anti-scN antibodies, indicating that the one-step test has an excellent specificity. The one-step test takes only ~5 min to detect the antibodies; and 1 ml of Escherichia coli culture can produce reagent proteins sufficient for thousands of the tests. Since the one-step test does not need a secondary antibody, it can be used as a universal test for anti-scN antibodies across different mammalian species to track down both human infection and the animal reservoir of SARS-CoV2 virus.
Is U.S.-China Climate Action Possible in an Era of Mistrust?

The world can't meet the challenge of climate change without aggressive action from both China and the United States, the world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Together, they accounted for nearly 45% of total global carbon emissions in 2019, and any climate solution will benefit from their joint action. However, with U.S.-China relations at the lowest point in decades, competition rather than cooperation increasingly defines the relationship. Despite the friction, the U.S. and China could have a positive impact on climate change outside of a formal cooperation framework. Specifically, the evolving dynamics around climate action will increasingly foster conditions under which constructive competition can drive needed action by both as they pursue national self-interest. What’s more, some forms of cooperation will still be feasible, even if tensions remain high.
Mixing and oxygen transfer characteristics of a microplate bioreactor with surface-attached microposts.

Bioprocess optimization for cell-based therapies is a resource heavy activity. To reduce the associated cost and time, process development may be carried out in small volume systems, with the caveat that such systems be predictive for process scale-up. The transport of oxygen from the gas phase into the culture medium, characterized using the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kL a, has been identified as a critical parameter for predictive process scale-up. Here, we describe the development of a 96-well microplate with integrated Redbud Posts to provide mixing and enhanced kL a. Mixing in the microplate is characterized by observation of dyes and analyzed using the relative mixing index (RMI). The kL a is measured via dynamic gassing out method. Actuating Redbud Posts are shown to increase rate of planar homogeneity (2 min) verse diffusion alone (120 min) and increase oxygenation, with increasing stirrer speed (3500-9000 rpm) and decreasing fill volume (150-350 μL) leading to an increase in kL a (4-88 h-1 ). Significant increase in Chinese Hamster Ovary growth in Redbud Labs vessel (580,000 cells mL-1 ) versus the control (420,000 cells mL-1 ); t(12.814) = 8.3678, p ≤ .001), and CD4+ Naive cell growth in the microbioreactor indicates the potential for this technology in early stage bioprocess development and optimization.
Evaluation of rejection, infection, and malignancy outcomes in elderly liver transplant recipients receiving a similar level of immunosuppression compared to a younger group.

Elderly liver transplant (LTx) recipients at a lower risk of acute rejection compared to younger recipients due to immunosenescence. As such, they may benefit from reduced immunosuppression (IS) to minimize infectious and malignant complications. We aimed to evaluate outcomes in LTx recipients ≥60 years compared to a younger group of LTx recipients aged 18-59 years maintained on a similar level of IS. This was a single-center retrospective evaluation of adult LTx recipients from 2013 to 2018 who received methylprednisolone induction and were maintained on tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and a prednisone taper. A total of 143 LTx recipients were evaluated. Mean age in the older group was 65 ± 3.8 compared to 49 ± 10.4 years in the younger group (p < 0.0001). Mean tacrolimus levels and the duration of MMF and steroids were comparable. Both groups had a similar incidence of first rejection within 1 year (19.2% in the elderly group vs. 23.1% in the younger group, p = 0.57). There were no statistical difference in terms of infection, malignancy, or patient survival. In conclusion, our data suggests that elderly LTx recipients, when treated with a similar level of IS, had similar 1 year incidence of rejection, infection, malignancy, and patient survival as younger LTx recipients.
Estimating utilities from actual decisions in safety evaluation

This paper explores approaches for estimating utilities as revealed by past decisions. Some conceptual models are pre­ sented which have the potential for improving decision making in the evaluation of product or system safety by focusing on the use of the evaluator's past safety evaluations to measure his attitudes towards risk and uncertainty. These models provide a framework for empirically determining an evaluator's utility functions from his past decisions and reveal relationships among relevant elements in the evaluation process.
Origin, evolution, and population genetics of the selfish Segregation Distorter gene duplication in European and African populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Meiotic drive elements are a special class of evolutionarily "selfish genes" that subvert Mendelian segregation to gain preferential transmission at the expense of homologous loci. Many drive elements appear to be maintained in populations as stable polymorphisms, their equilibrium frequencies determined by the balance between drive (increasing frequency) and selection (decreasing frequency). Here we show that a classic, seemingly balanced, drive system is instead characterized by frequent evolutionary turnover giving rise to dynamic, rather than stable, equilibrium frequencies. The autosomal Segregation Distorter (SD) system of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a selfish coadapted meiotic drive gene complex in which the major driver corresponds to a partial duplication of the gene Ran-GTPase activating protein (RanGAP). SD chromosomes segregate at similar, low frequencies of 1-5% in natural populations worldwide, consistent with a balanced polymorphism. Surprisingly, our population genetic analyses reveal evidence for parallel, independent selective sweeps of different SD chromosomes in populations on different continents. These findings suggest that, rather than persisting at a single stable equilibrium, SD chromosomes turn over frequently within populations.
Sensitive Enzymatic Cycling Assay for Glutathione: Measurements of Glutathione Content and Its Modulation by Buthionine Sulfoximine in Vivo and in Vitro in Human Colon Cancer

We have measured glutathione content in small tissue samples derived from biopsies of primary and metastatic human colon tumors and from colon cancer cell lines in tissue culture and xenografts in athymic mice. Measurements were performed using an enzymatic cycling assay designed to quantitate extremely low levels of glutathione (GSH) (down to 10(-14) mol) from perchlorate extracts of tissue samples weighing less than 1 mg wet weight. Glutathione was stable in these acid extracts for at least 6 months when stored at -80 degrees C. A survey of normal tissues in mice, rats, and some human tissues showed considerable variation in GSH content of different tissues but generally similar levels were identifiable for the same tissues from different species. The highest GSH level was 56.9 nmol/mg protein in rat liver and the lowest was 1.8 nmol/mg protein in rat skeletal muscle. High GSH levels were also determined in mouse and human liver, while low GSH levels were detected in mouse muscle. Human colon cancer cell lines showed slightly higher GSH levels than did colon cancer tumor samples obtained from biopsies. These studies revealed a marked inter-individual difference in tumor GSH content, as well as a difference in GSH content between tumor deposits at different metastatic sites in the same individual. These results indicate the importance of direct tumor measurements of GSH content in clinical trials designed to modulate tumor glutathione content to try to increase sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase, was shown to produce almost complete depletion of GSH in four different human colon cancer cell lines in 24 h. Buthionine sulfoximine was also shown to be capable of producing drastic depletion of GSH in human colon cancer grown as xenografts in athymic animals.
Derivation of the Extrinsic Values of Biological Diversity from Its Intrinsic Value and of Both from the First Principles of Evolution

Conservation ethics have been based on 2 philosophical value systems: extrinsic value (defined broadly to include all values that derive from something external to the thing valued) and intrinsic value. Valuing biological diversity on the basis of an extrinsic value system is problematic because measurement is often difficult; extrinsic value changes as spatial or temporal scales change; extrinsic value differs on the basis of external factors; some species have trivial or negative extrinsic values; and extrinsic value varies across human cultures and societies and with such factors as socioeconomic conditions, individual experiences, and educational backgrounds. Valuing biological diversity on the basis of an intrinsic value system also poses challenges because intrinsic value can be seen as a disguised form of human extrinsic value; intrinsic value is initially ambiguous as to which objects or characteristics of biological diversity are to being valued; all aspects of biological diversity (e.g., species and ecosystems) are transitory; species and ecosystems are not static concrete entities; and intrinsic value of one species is often in conflict with the intrinsic value of other species. Extrinsic and intrinsic value systems share a common origin, such that extrinsic values are always derived from intrinsic value and life mutely expresses both intrinsic and extrinsic values-these are derived from and are products of biological evolution. Probing the values that underlie conservation helps the community clearly articulate its aims. Derivacion de los Valores Extrinsecos de la Biodiversidad a Partir de sus Valores Intrinsecos y de Ambos a Partir de los Primeros Principios de la Evolucion.
A linear programming approach for designing a herbaceous biomass delivery system

Abstract There are a number of systems-related issues associated with the harvest, storage, and transport of herbaceous biomass from on-farm storage locations to a centrally located plant. This modeling effort is directed toward the design of a biomass delivery system that considers storage, scheduling, and transportation issues. A statement of the problem, along with its salient characteristics, is presented, and a linear programming model is constructed. Uncertainty in production levels due to weather is addressed by reformulating the linear program as a two-stage problem with recourse. A specific case-study of a plant located in a country in the Piedmont of Virginia is described. The data for this study includes 20 producers having four to seven storage locations each. The model was solved using this data set and appropriate sensitivity analyses were conducted to illustrate the range of decision-making options that are available. The model minimized delivered cost by scheduling shipments from the various on-farm storage locations to meet a 5600 dry Mg monthly demand. The total cost (ownership+operating+labor) was $500/day/truck, and the resultant average cost of transportation ranged from $8 to $10/dry Mg. The average travel distance (farm+secondary+primary roads) was found to be 22 km for delivering the 67 200 dry Mg required for a year-round operation.
Volumetric properties of fluids calculated by renormalization-group theory

A renormalization-group theory has been developed recently with which to calculate thermal properties of fluids throughout an extended neighborhood of their gas-liquid critical point. In tests performed to date, the theory has proved capable of predicting volumetric properties to ∼ 1% accuracy (for pressures near the critical point and densities elsewhere) for several different fluids when applied in a very simple approximation that requires adjustment of at most three constants. Results are presented for these initial investigations. Comparison is made both with experimental data and with predictions of simple microscopic models of the underlying intennolecular forces.
The effects of age structure on the labor force and retirement in China

Abstract What are the current and future trends in age structure in China as it relates to labor force and retirement? And, what is the impact of the one-child policy on these trends? A trend analysis identifies that as the parents of the one-child family age, China will have an older population, proportionately, with a smaller middle-aged population to support them in the traditional manner, unlike previous generations. A burden will be placed on the working age population as the one-child generation will have to help support two parents if single, and four parents if married, particularly in urban areas. This will also impact rural areas where formal systems of elderly support are not yet fully developed. In terms of labor resources, the elderly may be better supported in old age if they stay in the labor force for a longer period. However, younger workers need employment, while the old must work to offset the lack of formal support, and the potential decline in intergenerational family support due to the changing age-structure. The challenge facing policy-makers is to bring about a balance between employment patterns and support between generations.
A system for priority routing and capacity assignment in packet switched networks

A model and its associated solution procedure for the problem of concurrent flow and capacity assignment in a packet switched network are presented. The distinguishing feature of the model lies in the fact that a user defined priority level is associated with each message in the network. Different service requirements and message characteristics are associated with each message class. An algorithm that generates good feasible solutions to the model, together with tight lower bounds on the value of the objective function, is developed. Results of numerical experiments using several network topologies are reported.
Accelerometer determined lifestyle behaviors over time-letter.

We read with interest the recent report by Sabiston and colleagues ([1][1]) whose data show that despite compelling evidence for the health benefits of exercise for cancer survivors ([2][2]), a majority remain sedentary (78% of their day) and engage in little exercise [<2% of their day in moderate-
Some blotto games

In many military “games” each “player” must allocate his forces to different “battlefields,” “fronts.” or “operations areas” before he has a clear picture of the deployment of the enemy. The following paper illustrates how each player should distribute his forces in certain interdiction games.
Persistent Protease-activated Receptor 4 Signaling Mediates Thrombin-induced Microglial Activation *

We have previously reported that thrombin, the ultimate serine protease in the coagulation cascades, is a proinflammatory agent that causes proliferation and activation of brain microglial cells. However, participation of its principal receptor, the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) appears to be limited to promoting microglial proliferation and not induction of inflammatory mediators. In the present study, we now report that thrombin action in promoting inflammatory mediators from brain microglia is mediated through another thrombin receptor, PAR4. Here we show that the PAR4 agonist peptide (PAR4AP, GYPGKF), but not the PAR1AP (TRAP, SFLLRN), induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production not only in cultured murine microglial cells in vitro but also in rat cortex in vivo. Down-regulation of PAR4 expression in microglial cultures by a specific antisense, but not a sense, oligonucleotide reduced PAR4AP-induced TNF-α. Mechanistic studies indicated that, in comparison with PAR1 signaling, prolonged increase of [Ca2+]i and phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases, as well as NFκB activation may be responsible for PAR4AP-induced TNF-α production in microglia. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PAR4 activation mediates the potentially detrimental effects of thrombin on microglia, implying that perspectives of exploiting PAR1 as a potential anti-inflammatory target should be shifted toward PAR4 as a much more specific therapeutic target in brain inflammatory conditions associated with neurotrauma and neurodegenerations.
Auxiliary Coil System for Scyllac

The system of auxiliary l = 1 and l = 0 coils for the toroidal Scyllac and Scylla IV-3 ?-pinch experiments at LASL is described in detail including theory of operation, coil design constraints, method of construction and test, and installation configuration. These coils produce magnetic fields of the general form sin(l? - hz) which, when added to the axial ?-pinch field Bo, provide toroidal equilibrium and a means of feedback stabilization. Because these coils are subjected to both induced and applied voltages, the major engineering effort has been directed toward achieving adequate electrical insulation in the limited space demanded by the low-inductance circuitry. This paper includes the step-by-step construction and test of a typical l-coil. Sophisticated epoxy potting, taping, and spacing techniques have been successfully employed. Dc and pulsed voltage tests to above 100 kV have been conducted prior to installation of the coils on the experiments. Electrical connections are made outside the ?-pinch coil in such a way as to cancel the induced voltages before they can reach the driving capacitor banks.
Inconsistency of Research Results and Researchers' Responsibility

When results of studies differ, having a careful description of the experimental conditions may allow systematic exploration of the factors which might contribute to the differences. Reconciliation may result from such responsible effort.
Evaluation of the fall prevention program in an acute care setting.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of a Falls Prevention Program (FPP) in reducing patient fall rate and to examine predictors of falls. SAMPLE A nonrandom, stratified convenience sample of 292 subjects was selected from medical-surgical/critical care patients at a large community hospital system. The sample included 101 patients who fell prior to the FPP, 98 patients who fell after FPP, and 93 patients who did not fall after FPP. METHODS A retrospective, preimplementation/long-term, postimplementation, comparative, descriptive design was used to address differences in patients who fell before and after FPP. Prediction factors associated with incidence of falls were assessed using a sample that included patients who fell and patients who did not fall in 1995. Data were collected about the patients and the fall incidents via a retrospective chart and incident report review. FINDINGS No decrease in patient fall rate was found between patients who fell before and after implementation of the FPP. Patients tended to fall attempting to get out of the bed, suffering no injury. Model testing of the linear results of patients who fell and patients who did not fall after the implementation of the FPP demonstrated that fall prediction factors included age 60 or over, impaired memory, muscle weakness, and need of ambulatory assistance (Log linear chi-square: 6.048, df 4, p = 0.811 (p > .05). CONCLUSION Identification of patients who exhibit characteristics of the fall prediction model may be useful in reducing falls in medical-surgical/critical care patients. Further testing of the four-factor model with subsequent inclusion of focused interventions may impact the incidence of falls.
Molecular weight ( M n ) and functionality effects on CUP formation and stability

The formation of colloidal unimolecular polymer (CUP) particles from single polymer strands was investigated as a function of molecular weight. The CUP particle size was correlated with the absolute molecular weight and its distribution. The characteristics of the particles were evaluated with respect to viscosity, acid number, size distribution, and stability. The particle size varied from less than 3 nm to above 8 nm representing polymers with molecular weight in the range of 3000–153,000. Lower molecular weight polymers were found to be unstable. Particle size measurements using dynamic light scattering technique indicated a normal distribution which corresponded to the molecular weight distribution of the copolymer. The statistical distribution of the acid groups in the polymer chains played a significant role in the stability of low molecular weight polymers.
Gender and Asset Dimensions of Seasonal Water Insecurity in Urban Philippines

AbstractSeasonal water insecurity is a social and climate-related problem of growing concern in many urban areas. From 2000 to 2050, the global urban population affected by seasonal water shortage is projected to increase from 312 million to 1.3 billion. This increase is due to a combination of drivers, including population growth, urbanization, and climate change. To advance understanding of the social dimensions of this problem, this study uses qualitative methods—archival research, informal interviews (N = 7), and in-depth interviews (N = 15)—to explore how gender and assets relate to water insecurity in the rainy and dry seasons in three urban neighborhoods in Baguio City, the Philippines. Analytic methods include memo production and qualitative text analysis. Key findings are that households manage complex water portfolios that change seasonally or more frequently; women and men have gendered roles in managing water portfolios, providing versus managing income for water purchases, and physically carr...
Mesoscopic Lateral Diffusion in Lipid Bilayers

The lateral diffusion in bilayers is modeled with a multiscale mesoscopic simulation. The methodology consists of two simulations, where the first employs atomistic models to obtain exact results for the mesoscopic model. The second simulation takes the results obtained from the first to parameterize an effective force field that is employed in a new coarse-grained model. The multiscale aspect of this scheme occurs at the point where the microscopic time-averaged results of the first simulation are employed to parameterize the second simulation that operates in a higher spatial and temporal domain. The results of both simulation schemes give quantitative information on the details associated with lipid lateral diffusion.
Understanding identity disruption and intimacy: One aspect of post-traumatic stress

This paper details the change taking place in the mental processes of trauma victims and the subsequent disruption of identity and intimacy. For those who experience a traumatic incident concepts of self and world views may be broken. The psychic numbing and disruption of the symbolic processes attendant to traumatic events may interfere with recovery. Lacking a strong sense of self and feeling blameful for what they have experienced, trauma victims may become unable to sustain intimate relationships and romantic dyads. They may become isolated and withdrawn, fearing the closeness of others. Psychic numbing blocks emotions and impedes interpersonal relations and intimacy. At the same time, symbolic processes become impaired and identity is marked by separation, disintegration, and stasis.
Steady-State Crack Propagation in Pressurized Pipelines

Previous work at Battelle-Columbus on the development of a theoretical model for unstable crack propagation and crack arrest in a pressurized pipeline is extended in this paper by including the effect of backfill. The approach being developed involves four essential aspects of crack propagation in pipelines. These four components of the problem are: 1 – a shell theory characterization of the dynamic deformation of a pipe with a plastic yield-hinge behind an axially propagating crack, 2 – a fluid-mechanics treatment of the axial variations in the gas pressure acting on the pipe walls, 3 – an energy-based dynamic fracture mechanics formulation for the crack-driving force, and 4 – measured values of the dynamic energy absorption rate for pipeline steels. Comparisons given in the paper show that the steady-state crack speeds predicted by the model are in reasonably good agreement with the crack speeds measured in full-scale tests, both with and without backfill. The analysis further reveals the existence of a maximum steady-state crack-driving force as a function of the basic mechanical properties of the pipe steel and the pipeline goemetry and operating conditions. Quantitative estimates of this quantity provided by the model offer a basis for comparison with the empirical crack-arrest design criteria for pipelines developed by AISI, the American Gas Association, the British Gas Council, and British Steel. These are also shown to be in substantial agreement with the predictions of the model developed in this paper.
Brain and Language: a Perspective from Sign Language

The participation of standard left hemisphere language regions to sign processing suggests strong biases that render those left hemisphere regions well suited to processing natural language independently of the surface properties of the language, such as its modality or form. The detailed comparison of the brain systems for signed and spoken languages, however, reveals differences as well. Present studies point to a larger recruitment of right hemisphere areas during the comprehension of signed than that of spoken languages. The recruitment of the right hemisphere in early learners of ASL suggests that the cerebral organization for language can be altered by the structure and processing requirements of the language. Thus, while standard left hemisphere language areas may be common to all natural languages, the final organization of the language system appears to be determined by the exact language experience of the individual.§The authors are listed alphabetically and contributed equally to this paper.∣∣To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Depth Oscillations of Planar Channeling Yields in InP and GaP for Lattice Location Applications.

For compound semiconductors with the diamond structure, (111) planar channel walls contain different atomic species when viewed from different sides; thus under channeling conditions, the yields of ions backscattered from the different species oscillate with depth in opposite senses for ion beams directed towards the different channel sides. We have studied this effect for 2 MeV He ions in a (111) channel of InP crystals. The application of this channeling phenomenon to the determination of the lattice sites of solute atoms was demonstrated for implanted In and Sb atoms at different depths in GaP.
A simulation model for multiple harvesting of pickling cucumbers

Abstract A simulation model for multiple-pick harvesting of pickling cucumbers has been developed. This model can be used as a tool to help pickling cucumber growers optimize their farm operation in terms of land area, harvest interval and harvesting machinery selection. This model also permits the grower to evaluate the sensitivity of the interactions of various parameters affecting the system including the day-to-day weather uncertainty.
The city-manager plan, as it was worked in akron

The city-manager plan started off in Akron in a densely political and partisan atmosphere with a local politically-powerful figure as manager, giving a prefect test which is still working itself out.
Effects of lactated Ringer's solutions on human leukocytes.

BACKGROUND: The standard lactated Ringer's (LR) solution contains racemic lactate, an equal mixture of D(-)- and L(+)-isomers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether racemic LR solution (containing both isomers, dl-LR) differs from LR containing L-isomer only (L-LR). METHODS: Blood from 20 volunteers was incubated for 30 minutes with lactated Ringer's solutions containing the DL- or L-form of lactate, Hank's balanced salt solution, normal saline, and ketone Ringer's (lactate replaced with ketone bodies). Neutrophil "oxidative burst" was measured using flow cytometry. Gene expression of 23 genes associated with leukocyte function was determined with cDNA array technique. The arraying procedure was repeated four times to obtain four sets of data. RESULTS: Compared with the L-LR and ketone Ringer's, DL-LR causes an increased production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils and affects expression of leukocyte genes known to be involved in inflammation, cell migration, and apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Lactated Ringer's solution in commonly used formulation (racemic mixture, DL-LR) influences neutrophil function and leukocyte gene expression.
Identifying Well Contamination through the use of 3-D Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Classify Coalbed Methane Produced Water

Production of unconventional gas resources commonly requires the use of hydraulic fracturing and chemical production well additives. Concern exists for the use of chemical compounds in gas wells due to the risk of groundwater contamination. This study focuses on a proposed method of identifying groundwater contamination from gas production. The method focuses on the classification of naturally occurring organic signatures of coalbed methane (CBM) produced water compared to anthropogenic organic compounds. The 3-D fluorescence excitation–emission matrix (EEM) spectra of coalbed methane produced water samples revealed four peaks characteristic of coalbed methane produced water: Peak P (aromatic proteins region), Peak M1 (microbial byproducts region), Peak M2 (microbial byproducts region), and Peak H (humic acid-like region). Peak H is characteristic of the coal–water equilibria present in all basins, while peaks P and M2 correlate with microbial activity in basins with biogenic methane generation pathways. ...
Dysmorphology and microstructural degradation of the corpus callosum: Interaction of age and alcoholism.

Chronic alcohol abuse is a ubiquitous health and societal problem, with a growing prevalence in the older population. Alcoholism is a source of substantial deterioration in brain tissue and has been consistently observed in vivo and postmortem in white matter. To quantify the potential compounded effect of age and alcoholism, we used conventional structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine the macrostructural and microstructural integrity of the corpus callosum, one of the most prominent white matter structures of the brain, in 131 adults, age 27–75 years. Compared with the 74 controls, the 40 alcoholic men and 17 alcoholic women, who were abstinent from alcohol for an average of 3 months, showed similar patterns and extents of callosal shrinkage, which was greatest in the genu and body and less prominent in the splenium. Microstructural integrity was measured with DTI as fractional anisotropy, an index of intravoxel orientational coherence of white matter fibers, and bulk mean diffusivity, an index of the amount of intravoxel water motility. The macrostructural shrinkage was accompanied by abnormalities in anisotropy and diffusivity of the microstructural environment of these callosal regions, indicative of disruption of structural constituents of local brain white matter. Correlational analyses revealed an age–alcohol interaction, where older alcoholics had smaller genu and splenium and higher diffusivity in these regions than younger alcoholics. Significant correlations between regional MRI and DTI measures and performance on working memory, visuospatial ability, and gait and balance provided evidence for the functional ramifications of the callosal abnormalities in the alcoholics. Thus, despite abstinence from alcohol, the interaction of age and recent alcoholism history exerted a compounded untoward effect on callosal macrostructure and microstructure.
Heat transfer phenomenon in the region of dispersed phase injection in a direct-contact liquid-liquid heat exchanger

Abstract A novel temperature measurement technique integrated with a high-speed data acquisition system allowed temperature distributions to be obtained in droplets rising in a liquid-liquid, direct-contact heat exchanger. Heat transfer results were computed from the temperature data and were correlated in terms of dimensionless parameters. A significant amount of the total heat transfer in the column occurred in the region near the dispersed phase inlet nozzle where droplet formation and release effects predominated. Heat transfer results are presented and the related droplet hydrodynamics are discussed.
A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Community Health Workers in Mozambique:

Introduction: Community health worker (CHW) programs are a key strategy for reducing mortality and morbidity. Despite this, there is a gap in the literature on the cost and cost-effectiveness of CH...
Finger movement deficits in the stumptail macaque following lesions of the fasciculus cuneatus.

Four stumptail macaques were trained to perform a key press with the index finger without associated movement of the adjacent (third) finger. Successful performance on this task required selective control over one finger (fractionation) and differential activation of muscles producing flexion or extension at different joints (multiarticulation). Following section of the fasciculus cuneatus (FC), a number of enduring deficits in finger movement capacities were observed. Over test periods of up to 2 years, fractionated key presses with the index finger could not be made, and the combination of flexion at the proximal joint with extension at the distal joints was absent. Coarticulated flexion at all the joints of each finger was substituted for the original multiarticulated, fractionated movements. We conclude that previous failures to observe impairments of finger movements following section of the dorsal columns (DCs) have resulted from the use of tasks that permit response substitution and therefore do no...
A moral critique of television values and the role of religion

(1987). A MORAL CRITIQUE OF TELEVISION VALUES AND THE ROLE OF RELIGION. Religious Education: Vol. 82, No. 2, pp. 285-292.
Improving the cervical spine X-ray in trauma patients utilizing dynamic range compression (DRC) modified digital radiography

Purpose: Inadequate cervical spine X-rays delay diagnosis and treatment and add radiation exposure to trauma patients with suspected cervical spine injury. Digital radiography (DR) with dynamic range compression (DRC) modification can improve the visualization of abnormalities in the cervical spine X-ray. Methods: Two digital hard copy cervical spine X-rays from each of 65 trauma patients were used, both with standard DR processing, and with the second image having the DRC algorithm applied. Blinded readers from emergency medicine, surgery, radiology, and critical care specialties evaluated the films with data analyzed by Student's t-test and ϰ2; P < 0.05. Results: Readers cleared more of the DRC than of the non-DRC images: 41 % vs 30 %, P < 0.001. More vertebral bodies were visualized on DRC than on non-DRC images: 65 % vs 53 % showing C7, P < 0.001. For overall impression of the image quality, DRC images rated higher on a 10-cm visual analog scale than non-DRC: 6.7 vs 4.2, P < 0.001. Conclusions: DRC modification of DR images enabled physicians to evaluate cervical spine X-rays more rapidly and accurately after trauma, requiring fewer repeat films.
Spiritual needs of patients with cancer and family caregivers

The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional, qualitative study was to describe the spiritual needs experienced in living with cancer from the perspective of patients with cancer and family caregivers. The sample included 28 African American and Euro-American patients with cancer and family caregivers receiving care from inpatient and outpatient units at two metropolitan hospitals in the southwestern United States. In-depth, tape-recorded, semistructured interviews were analyzed using the process of data reduction, data display, and verification. Seven categories of identified spiritual needs included needs associated with relating to an Ultimate Other; the need for positivity, hope, and gratitude; the need to give and receive love; the need to review beliefs, the need to have meaning; and needs related to religiosity and preparation for death. Informants responded with varying levels of awareness of personal spiritual needs. Caregivers were observed to have spiritual needs similar to those of patients. The findings of this study will inform nurses as they assess and document spiritual needs.
Toxic amines and alkaloids from Acacia berlandieri

Abstract Consumption of Acacia berlandieri Benth. by domestic livestock during periods of drought may result in a locomotor ataxia, as well as having negative effects on intake and male fertility. Four phenolic amines ( N -methyl- β -phenethylamine, tyramine, N -methyltyramine, and hordenine), had previously been extracted from the plant, and N -methyl- β -phenethylamine has been shown to negatively impact fertility in female Angora goats. In order to clarify the possible role of other secondary compounds from Acacia berlandieri on non-lethal toxicities in domestic livestock, leaf samples collected in the spring and autumn were subjected to rigorous chemical analysis. In addition to the four previously detected amines, 29 other alkaloids and amines were isolated and identified by GC-MS, these including nicotine, nornicotine, mescaline, mimosine, and four amphetamines. A significant increase in the number and relative quantities of these compounds was observed in late season foliage.
Consumption of endophyte-infected fescue seeds and osmoregulation in white-footed mice

Alkaloids produced by endophytic fungi in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) have been implicated as causative agents of fescue toxicosis and have been shown to inhibit synaptosomal Na + /K + ATPase activity. If these alkaloids inhibit Na + /K + ATPase in the kidney, regulation of water and minerals may be compromised in native consumers of infected plants, such as the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Groups of laboratory born mice (n = 16 per group) were fed one of three ground diets: laboratory chow, 75% endophyte-uninfected seeds of fescue plus 25% chow (uninfected diet), or 75% infected seeds of fescue plus 25% chow (infected diet). Intakes of food and water, and production and concentration of urine, were measured after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of consuming each diet. Mice consuming seed-based diets increased intakes of food and dietary water, decreased intakes of protein and sodium, and lowered rates of urinary production and losses of sodium and potassium compared to mice eating chow. Urine produced by mice on all diets was of greater concentration than that produced by free-living mice. Lower volumes of urine may represent a mechanism to limit urinary loss of sodium in response to low content of sodium in diets composed primarily of seeds. There were no substantial differences, however, in any parameters of mice consuming infected versus uninfected diets, suggesting that consumption of endophytes and presumably their alkaloidal products, does not affect balance of water and sodium in P. leucopus.
Adult Literacy: Monitoring and Evaluation for Practice and Policy

With the advent of the UN Literacy Decade launched in 2003, there is increased emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of adult literacy around the globe. The present paper presents an overview of the main approaches that have been taken to measure adult literacy within and across countries. A particular focus of the present review is to compare and contrast three models of literacy assessment: (1) the “traditional” model based largely on census enumeration, which has been used over recent decades to collect national and regional rates of illiteracy; (2) the large-scale survey techniques employed with the International Adult Literacy Survey and similar models; and (3) an intermediate type of assessment that borrows from the previous two models, and attempts to “tailor” the size and complexity of the survey methodology to the policy questions needing answers (called the SQC model). The present paper suggests that there is no single model or set of methods that are universally appropriate to monitoring and measuring in adult literacy around the world, but that blending both programmatic and comparative models through the SQC approach may bring greater involvement in, and insight into, adult literacy evaluations.
Conformation-dependent backbone geometry restraints set a new standard for protein crystallographic refinement

Ideal values of bond angles and lengths used as external restraints are crucial for the successful refinement of protein crystal structures at all but the highest of resolutions. The restraints in common usage today have been designed based on the assumption that each type of bond or angle has a single ideal value independent of context. However, recent work has shown that the ideal values are, in fact, sensitive to local conformation, and as a first step toward using such information to build more accurate models, ultra-high resolution protein crystal structures have been used to derive a conformation-dependent library (CDL) of restraints for the protein backbone (Berkholz et al. 2009. Structure. 17, 1316). Here, we report the introduction of this CDL into the Phenix package and the results of test refinements of thousands of structures across a wide range of resolutions. These tests show that use of the conformation dependent library yields models that have substantially better agreement with ideal main-chain bond angles and lengths and, on average, a slightly enhanced fit to the X-ray data. No disadvantages of using the backbone CDL are apparent. In Phenix usage of the CDL can be selected by simply specifying the cdl=True option. This successful implementation paves the way for further aspects of the context-dependence of ideal geometry to be characterized and applied to improve experimental and predictive modelling accuracy.
Design and implementation of a new UHV threshold cathode test facility

In support of cathode development at the Air Force Research Laboratory, a new ultra-high vacuum cathode test facility is being assembled to complement the existing repetition-rate test pulser. The existing test bed is a 500 kV, 100 Ohm, 1 microsecond(s) duration pulser capable of firing at up to 1 Hz. The new facility is designed to operate at lower voltages (20 - 200 kv), lower impedance (50 - 75 Ohm), and variable pulse lengths (200 - 800 ns) in a single-shot mode. This Threshold Cathode Test Facility (TCTF) will be used to generate data regarding emission turn-on field strengths, outgassing volumes and constituents, vacuum level effects, and anode effects for a variety of field-emitting and explosive- emitting cathode materials. Presented herein are the design parameters of TCTF including diagnostic capabilities and electrostatic simulations of the diode region both with and without beam current.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Design of Work-Based Learning for Students in the United States

Work-based learning (WBL) of the “learn-and-stay” variety prepares for specific occupations or industries, whereas “learn-and-go” WBL develops more broadly transferable knowledge and skills. Census data from California show that from the ages of 16 to 34, many workers move from industries with lower earning prospects to industries with higher ones. This natural flow might be facilitated by more learn-and-go WBL in low-wage industries and more learn-and-stay in high-wage industries. School-sponsored enterprises could play an important role in delivering additional WBL.
Acute electrophysiologic effects of Amiodarone in patients with congestive heart failure

Patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF) are at increased risk for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Amiodarone is generally well tolerated by this population and has a low proarrhythmic potential. Because of its peculiar kinetics, amiodarone requires a prolonged loading period, necessitating lengthy hospitalizations in a monitored setting. This study was planned prospectively to assess the electrophysiologic effects of an abbreviated high-dose oral load of amiodarone in patients with severe CHF and known or suspected life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Fifteen patients with stable CHF and known or suspected life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias underwent baseline electrophysiologic study. The study was repeated after administration of oral amiodarone, 50 mg/kg/day for 2 days in 8 divided doses (mean dose 6.9 +/- 0.4 g). After amiodarone administration, there was prolongation in virtually all conduction times and refractory periods. The prolongation of refractoriness was most pronounced in the atrium. Ventricular effective refractory periods demonstrated reverse frequency dependence. We conclude that a brief high-dose oral load of amiodarone is well tolerated by patients with CHF. It has marked and diffuse electrophysiologic actions suggestive of class I and III effects in addition to antiadrenergic and calcium blocking action. These effects are especially pronounced in the atrium.
Imaging epistasis in vivo : COMT and RGS4

Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, Genes, Cognition, and Psychosis Program, Division of Intramural Research, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Unit on Dynamic Imaging Genetics, Division of Intramural Research, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA and Neuroimaging Core Facility, Division of Intramural Research, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
Industrial energy conservation and the steel industry of the United States

Energy use in industry, in particular manufacturing, is reviewed. Materials manufacture dominates. Natural gas and electricity are the main energy forms, with coal and oil now almost specialty fuels. Declining energy use per ton of production has characterized materials manufacture, especially since 1972. An in-depth examination of trends and future possibilities in energy use per ton of product is made for the steel industry. Energy use in 1983 is analyzed by stage of production and for the integrated and secondary sectors. Ongoing reductions in energy use by means of technical improvements are discussed for iron making, steel making and shaping-treating. A conservation plan is presented for an integrated mill, which could reduce energy use by 20% and total costs by $12 per ton of mill product. Finally, expectations for changes in steel industry energy intensity in the medium term are very briefly discussed.