cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variables influencing wearable sensor outcome estimates in individuals with stroke and incomplete spinal cord injury: a pilot investigation validating two research grade sensors

Monitoring physical activity and leveraging wearable sensor technologies to facilitate active living in individuals with neurological impairment has been shown to yield benefits in terms of health and quality of living. In this context, accurate measurement of physical activity estimates from these sensors are vital. However, wearable sensor manufacturers generally only provide standard proprietary algorithms based off of healthy individuals to estimate physical activity metrics which may lead to inaccurate estimates in population with neurological impairment like stroke and incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). The main objective of this cross-sectional investigation was to evaluate the validity of physical activity estimates provided by standard proprietary algorithms for individuals with stroke and iSCI. Two research grade wearable sensors used in clinical settings were chosen and the outcome metrics estimated using standard proprietary algorithms were validated against designated golden standard measures (Cosmed K4B2 for energy expenditure and metabolic equivalent and manual tallying for step counts). The influence of sensor location, sensor type and activity characteristics were also studied. 28 participants (Healthy (n = 10); incomplete SCI (n = 8); stroke (n = 10)) performed a spectrum of activities in a laboratory setting using two wearable sensors (ActiGraph and Metria-IH1) at different body locations. Manufacturer provided standard proprietary algorithms estimated the step count, energy expenditure (EE) and metabolic equivalent (MET). These estimates were compared with the estimates from gold standard measures. For verifying validity, a series of Kruskal Wallis ANOVA tests (Games-Howell multiple comparison for post-hoc analyses) were conducted to compare the mean rank and absolute agreement of outcome metrics estimated by each of the devices in comparison with the designated gold standard measurements. The sensor type, sensor location, activity characteristics and the population specific condition influences the validity of estimation of physical activity metrics using standard proprietary algorithms. Implementing population specific customized algorithms accounting for the influences of sensor location, type and activity characteristics for estimating physical activity metrics in individuals with stroke and iSCI could be beneficial.
A large congenital splenic pseudocyst in an adolescent treated surgically after failed percutaneous drainage

Abstract Symptomatic splenic cysts have historically been addressed using different surgical approaches. Percutaneous drainage, while desirable due to being less invasive than open or laparoscopic surgery, may not provide definitive treatment for every patient. We describe below an adolescent patient with a congenital splenic pseudocyst in which percutaneous drainage failed requiring subsequent laparoscopic marsupialization. The merits of each approach are discussed.
Some Questions in Eigenvalue Problems in Engineering

This paper deals with some questions arising in dealing with engineering eigenvalue problems. The emphasis is placed on the coincident or closely spaced natural frequencies from the standpoint of the normal mode method applied for determining the structural response; it concentrates on the degree of refinement in the determination theories which should be introduced, in order to obtain accurate predictions of the response of structures subjected to high-frequency excitation. Nonsymmetric eigenvalue problems arising in composite plates are considered. Some pertinent questions associated with the eigenvalue problems arising for small vibrations superimposed on the basic nonlinear state, as well as those for nonprobabilistic treatment of uncertainty are posed. Special considerations associated with interval arithmetic and convex models of uncertainty are elucidated. Each section is concluded with open problems, awaiting for their resolution by the combined efforts of mathematicians and engineers.
Complicit in Victimage: Imagined Marginality in Southern Communication Criticism

Tragic twenty-first century events linked to southern identity prompt reflection on regional identification in rhetoric’s critical literature. Doing so reveals the same “imagined marginality” seen ...
Sex Toys on the Altar

“Sex Toys on the Altar” describes Ibrahim Farajaje’s influence on one of his colleagues and coconspirators, centering his influence directly in the pulsating power point where spiritual and erotic ...
The feasibility and acceptability of using virtual world technology for interprofessional education in palliative care: a mixed methods study

The objective of this mixed methods study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using a virtual world educational environment for interprofessional health professions students learni...
Impact of the Medicare hospital readmissions reduction program on vulnerable populations

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) was established by the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in an effort to reduce excess hospital readmissions, lower health care costs, and improve patient safety and outcomes. Although studies have examined the policy’s overall impacts and differences by hospital types, research is limited on its effects for different types of vulnerable populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the HRRP on readmissions for three targeted conditions (acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia) among four types of vulnerable populations, including low-income patients, patients served by hospitals that serve a high percentage of low-income or Medicaid patients, and high-risk patients at the highest quartile of the Elixhauser comorbidity index score. Data on patient and hospital information came from the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD), which contained all discharges from community hospitals in 27 states during 2010–2014. Using difference-in-difference (DD) models, linear probability regressions were conducted for the entire sample and sub-samples of patients and hospitals in order to isolate the effect of the HRRP on vulnerable populations. Multiple combinations of treatment and control groups and triple difference (DDD) methods were used for testing the robustness of the results. All models controlled for the patient and hospital characteristics. There have been statistically significant reductions in readmission rates overall as well as for vulnerable populations, especially for acute myocardial infarction patients in hospitals serving the largest percentage of low-income patients and high-risk patients. There is also evidence of spillover effects for non-targeted conditions among Medicare patients compared to privately insured patients. The HRRP appears to have created the right incentives for reducing readmissions not only overall but also for vulnerable populations, accruing societal benefits in addition to previously found reductions in costs. As the reduction in the rate of readmissions is not consistent across patient and hospital groups, there could be benefits to adjusting the policy according to the socioeconomic status of a hospital’s patients and neighborhood.
Positive mathematical programming and risk analysis.

In 1956, Freund introduced the analysis of agricultural price risk in a mathematical programming framework. His discussion admitted only constant absolute risk aversion. This paper generalizes the treatment of risk preference in a mathematical programming approach along the lines suggested by Meyer (1987) who demonstrated the equivalence of expected utility of wealth and a function of mean and standard deviation of wealth for a wide class of probability distributions that differ only by location and scale. This paper extends the definition of calibration under Positive Mathematical Programming (PMP) by considering limiting input prices along with the traditional decision variables. Furthermore, it shows how to formulate an analytical specification for the estimation of the risk preference parameters and calibrates the model to the base data within small deviations. The PMP approach under generalized risk allows also the estimation of output supply elasticities and the response analysis of decoupled farm subsidies that recently has interested policy makers. The approach is applied to a sample of farms that do not produce all the sample commodities.
“Give a Brotha a Break!”: The Experiences and Dilemmas of Middle-Class African American Male Students in White Suburban Schools

Background/ContextToday, in the era of the first African American president, approximately one third of all African Americans live in suburban communities, and their children are attending suburban...
Abstract IA-23: Multi-scale modeling of cancer patients

Recently biomedical analysis in both imaging and non-imaging data has advanced rapidly aided by the modeling power of deep learning networks. Complex diseases such as cancer may reveal different aspects of disease characteristics in different data modalities, and thus integrating imaging with non-imaging biomarkers and clinical data has the potential to discover information that is not obvious in any single data modality. We are developing methods for integrating image, genomic and clinical data to improve precision medicine applications for cancer patients. Our results suggest that the integration strategies achieve improved prediction results than using each single data modality alone. We further show that information is transferrable across age groups or tumor subtypes under the data fusion framework. Citation Format: Olivier Gevaert. Multi-scale modeling of cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Diagnosis, and Imaging; 2021 Jan 13-14. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(5_Suppl):Abstract nr IA-23.
Looking for truths in the stories we tell in queer communication studies

This article offers two suggestions for the future of queer communication studies: First, we should continue to use language carefully and thoughtfully, especially about gender, sex, gender identit...
Assess Electric Vehicle Adoption Through an Agent Based Approach

With technological innovations and support from government agencies, the auto industry for electric vehicle (EVs) has now gained a renowned popularity among consumers who are in search for emission-free substitutes to replace diesel and petrol-fueled vehicles. This paper employs an Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) technique, providing us the opportunity to capture interactions among agents (consumers), each with different socio-economic levels and unique utility function. The simulated result allows us to analyze micro-level EV adoption and macro-level impact from changing environment. The aim of our research is to investigate interconnected factors, especially on decision making process, behind the evolving preference towards EVs. Under each tick (tick = day), agents are designated to move from home, to work and have the opportunity to other locations of their choice. Hence, each agent has distinct daily travel distance to mimic reality. In addition, we input data collect from official government agencies including average gas price, EVs rebate program offering and vehicle range per charge to empirically analyze the comparison between electric and gas vehicles. Furthermore, we leverage cost benefit analysis using willingness to pay (WTP) and affordability as key thresholds in the decision-making process; only when both affordability and willingness thresholds are met, agents are then able to consider adopting the optimal vehicle type to maximize their utilities. In three scenario analysis, external macro-level shocks that can impact consumer’s affordability or/and willingness: number of available public charging stations, price of EVs, and EV rebate programs are considered. Simulated result presents the aggregated emergent behaviors and illustrates a calibrated multi-agent framework that enables us to address issues related to purchase incentives and consumer price sensitivity in decision-making process.
Yield of DNA-Protein Cross-Links in γ-Irradiated Chinese Hamster Cells

Abstract γ-Irradiation of Chinese hamster V79 cells increases the percentage of nuclear DNA cross-linked to proteins. Studies were carried out to ascertain whether the radiation-induced increase in DNA-protein cross-links (DPC) is due to an increase in the number of DNA fragments which are cross-linked to protein or to an increase in the size of bound DNA fragments. Cells were prelabeled with [ 3 H]thymidine and irradiated (10-600 Gy), and DPCs were collected on nitrocellulose filters. Native gel analyses of the DNA recovered from the filters indicate that the number average molecular weight of cross-linked DNA (1.22 × 10 7 Da) is the same in unirradiated cells and in cells given up to 100 Gy. Assuming 5 pg of DNA per V79 cell, it was possible to calculate that there are approximately 6 × 10 3 DPC per unirradiated cell and that 150 DPC are formed per gray of γ-radiation for doses of 0–100 Gy. Thus, radiation increases the number of new linkages between DNA and protein. At radiation doses greater than 200 Gy the percentage of nuclear DNA cross-linked to protein approaches a plateau value. The number of DPC (>6 × 10 4 ) formed at higher doses is within the range of the estimated number of DNA attachment sites on the nuclear matrix.
Using fuzzy cognitive maps to identify multiple causes in troubleshooting systems

Fuzzy cognitive maps are a qualitative tool that can capture the extensive cause/effect relationships that an expert believes exist within a complicated system such as an electronic circuit. In addition to predictive capabilities when inputs are applied and propagated through the model, the topology of the map itself can be used in diagnosing failures by identifying causes for nodes of interest. But simply tagging a node as a cause of another is inadequate because this identification does not indicate whether this node is a sole cause or whether other nodes must also be present. The identification of combinations of nodes is key to the determination of a strategy for locating the system problem. An algorithm is given in this paper that uses a modified version of the reachability matrix to identify multi-node combinations that can cause a node of interest.
Phase-pure iron oxide nanoparticle MPI tracers: Comparison of alternative thermal decomposition synthesis strategies

MPI signal intensity and spatial resolution are highly dependent on the median core size and size monodispersity of the tracers[1]. Increasing the core size of the highly monodisperse tracers to about 25–27nm (i.e close to the superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic transition at room temperature and 100s measurement time, assuming bulk anisotropy) significantly improves the MPI spatial resolution and signal intensity[1]. However, the performance of these larger core sizes is also highly dependent on their crystalline structure and phase (magnetite, maghemite, or wustite) purity. Here, we discuss important factors that should be considered for size-tuned synthesis of single crystalline magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) through the thermal decomposition of three common organometallic iron precursors.
The determinants of banking crises : evidence from industrial and developing countries

Vulnerability to crises in the banking sector appears to be associated with these factors: a weak macroeconomic environment characterized by slow GDP growth and high inflation, vulnerability to sudden capital outflows, low liquidity in the banking sector, a high share of credit to the private sector, past credit growth, the existence of explicit deposit insurance, and weak institutions. In the 1980s and 1990s several countries experienced banking crises. Demirguc-Kunt and Detragiache try to identify features of the economic environment that tend to breed problems in the banking sector. They do so by econometrically estimating the probability of a systemic crisis, applying a multivariate logit model to data from a large panel of countries, both industrial and developing, for the period 1980-94. Included in the panel as controls are countries that never experienced banking problems. The authors find that crises tend to occur in a weak macroeconomic environment characterized by slow GDP growth and high inflation. When these effects are controlled for, neither the rate of currency depreciation nor the fiscal deficit are significant. Also associated with a higher probability of crisis are vulnerability to sudden capital outflows, low liquidity in the banking sector, a high share of credit to the private sector, and past credit growth. Another factor significantly (and robustly) associated with increased vulnerability in the banking sector is the presence of explicit deposit insurance, suggesting that moral hazard has played a major role. Finally, countries with weak institutions (as measured by a law and order index) are more likely to experience crises. This paper-a product of the Development Research Group, World Bank, and the Research Department, International Monetary Fund-is part of a larger effort to understand the causes of banking crises.
Effect of cannulation site on the primary determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption during left heart bypass.

Various methods have been used to provide mechanical circulatory support for patients in cardiogenic shock following myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery. The most commonly used device currently is the intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) . Left ventricular (LV) bypass has also been used clinically, with devices varying from a simple roller pump to a gas-powered pulsatile left ventricular assist device. An important function of circulatory support devices is reduction of metabolic need to promote recovery of “stunned” myocardium. Studies on isolated cat papillary muscle show myocardial oxygen consumption (MV02) to be a function of developed tension and the velocity of shortening of the unloaded muscle [l]. Moreover, MVO2 has been shown to be directly proportional to LV wall stress in intact hearts [2]. LaPlace’s law states that T = PR/2, where T = wall stress in a sphere, P = transmural pressure, and R = radius. An LV assist device therefore should decrease wall stress and MV02 in proportion to its ability to decrease LV pressure and/or radius. Virtually all clinically proposed methods of LV bypass use left atrial-to-aortic rather than LV apical-to-aortic bypass, despite canine studies showing that LV cannulation provides more complete decompression of the heart than left atria1 cannulation [3]. It is unclear whether or not the technical ease of inserting an atria1 cannula is an adequate rationale for using left atrial-to-aortic bypass in patients with reversible LV dysfunction. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of cannulation site on myocardial oxygen consumption and on the three primary determinants of MV02 during left heart bypass: wall tension, contractile state, and heart rate. Previous studies which have compared the effect of cannulation site on MV02 used noninfarcted paced canine models. Canine hearts are small and collateral coronary flow is greater than in humans. To study MV02 in both the noninfarcted
Proteins derived from neutrophil extracellular traps may serve as self-antigens and mediate organ damage in autoimmune diseases

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in circulation and represent one of the first lines of defense against invading pathogens. Neutrophils possess a vast arsenal of antimicrobial proteins, which can be released from the cell by a death program termed NETosis. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like structures consisting of decondensed chromatin decorated with granular and cytosolic proteins. Both exuberant NETosis and impaired clearance of NETs have been implicated in the organ damage of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), small vessel vasculitis (SVV), and psoriasis. NETs may also represent an important source of modified autoantigens in SLE and SVV. Here, we review the autoimmune diseases linked to NETosis, with a focus on how modified proteins externalized on NETs may trigger loss of immune tolerance and promote organ damage.
Multi-Camera Human Activity Monitoring

With the proliferation of security cameras, the approach taken to monitoring and placement of these cameras is critical. This paper presents original work in the area of multiple camera human activity monitoring. First, a system is presented that tracks pedestrians across a scene of interest and recognizes a set of human activities. Next, a framework is developed for the placement of multiple cameras to observe a scene. This framework was originally used in a limited X, Y, pan formulation but is extended to include height (Z) and tilt. Finally, an active dual-camera system for task recognition at multiple resolutions is developed and tested. All of these systems are tested under real-world conditions, and are shown to produce usable results.
ABNORMALLY LOW P 50 IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANCIES

Oxygen equilibrium curves of red cell suspensions were measured on 34 anemic children with malignant disease and 10 non-anemic control subjects, and the results were compared to the levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate(DPG). The P50 and DPG levels for normal controls were in a narrow range (P50=29.1±0.7mm Hg, DPG=4.448±.329 umoles/ml RBC), while many of the children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy showed abnormally low P50 values in view of the anemia (Hct.=21 1±4.0%). One group which consisted primarily of patients with acute leukemia in relapse did not respond to the anemia with an increase in P50(28.8±1.8mm Hg) or in DPG levels (4.678±.449 umoles/ml RBC). Another group comprised primarily of patients with solid tumors with progressive disease and acute leukemia receiving intensive chemotherapy demonstrated no increase in P50(28.1±0.9mm Hg) in spite of elevated DPG levels(6.493±.868 umoles/ml RBC). Upon retrospective analysis, the low P50 values with or without elevated DPG levels were found to be related in part to the chemotherapy, frequency of prior transfusion, and bone marrow status of the child. Studies on 15 additional children requiring transfusion showed that patients with poor bone marrow function, due either to intensive chemotherapy or malignant cell infiltration, did not exhibit the rapid recovery in P50 to normal values following transfusions with old blood. These studies indicate that children with malignancies and poor bone marrow activity requiring repetitive transfusion should be given relatively fresh blood.
Polyisonitriles. II. Heterophasic catalytic synthesis of poly(α-phenylethylisonitrile) and of poly(n-hexylisonitrile)

A three-component catalytic system has been discovered, which successfully polymerizes α-phenylethylisonitrile to high polymer (DP = 200–900) and also polymerizes n-hexylisonitrile. The catalyst components are a strong acid, a free-radical source, and a heterophase and are all necessary in this system. The use of a liquid medium in which the polymer is insoluble promotes the rate of polymerization and total yield. Poly(α-phenylethylisonitrile), formed from monomer in a presence of oxygen and finely ground glass coated with sulfuric acid, can itself serve, in the presence of monomer and oxygen, as a catalyst for this polymerization. Preparative details and discussion of these synthesis factors are given.
Scratching someone else's itch: (why open source can't do usability)

Every good work of software starts by scratching a developer's personal itch.---Eric Raymond,The Cathedral and the BazaarThere's a closely related issue, however that I don't know how to solve yet without a big player with a lot of money, which is doing systematic user interface end user testing. We're not very good at that yet, we need to find a way to be good at it.---Eric Raymond,Why Open Source will Rule
Increasing Play Skills of Children With Autism Using Activity Schedules and Correspondence Training

Play is a critical component of preschool children's development. For children with autism, restricted play skills eliminate common tools needed to build independent performance and peer relationsh...
Ground‐Water Tracing with Injected Helium

Helium has several characteristics that make it attractive for use as a tracer in hydrological studies. Two types of experiments were conducted to investigate applicability of helium as a tracer of ground-water movement. The experiments included studies using laboratory sand and soil columns and field ground-water tracing in a basaltic aquifer. A water helium analyzer comprised of a thin quartz glass membrane and diode ion pump (making use of the preferential permeation of helium through the quartz glass into an evacuated space) was developed and used for the experiments. Results of our studies demonstrated that breakthrough curves of specific conductance and helium were similar under saturated conditions. In the unsaturated sand/soil columns, breakthrough curves of helium were retarded relative to specific conductance reducing the usefulness of helium as a tracer.
Wide-bandgap organic photovoltaics on flexible plastic substrates using conducting polymer electrodes

Single heterojunction and multi-heterojunction, small-molecule organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) have been prepared on Glass/ITO and fully-flexible thermoplastic substrates using pre-patterned, conducting polymer electrodes (∼ 450 Ω/□). OPVs were fabricated via sequential vacuum vapor deposition of layers of the organic electron donating/hole transporting material: N,N'-(α-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diamine (α-NPD) and the electron accepting/transporting material C 60 . Devices built on glass/ITO substrates operated with a maximum, white-light power conversion efficiency (η power ) of 1.1% (AM1.5, 97 mW/cm 2 ). Analogous devices fabricated on fully-flexible, plastic substrates using conducting polymer transparent electrodes exhibited white-light power conversion efficiencies of ∼1%, virtually identical to those fabricated on prepatterned ITO/glass substrates. The glass/ITO cells were further optimized by including an exciton blocking layer of 2,9-Dimethyl4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BCP) and their η power s exhibited a 30% increase to 1.3%.
Long-term liraglutide treatment is associated with increased insulin content and secretion in β-cells, and a loss of α-cells in ZDF rats.

Abstract The ultimate treatment goal of diabetes is to preserve and restore islet cell function. Treatment of certain diabetic animal models with incretins has been reported to preserve and possibly enhance islet function and promote islet cell growth. The studies reported here detail islet cell anatomy in animals chronically treated with the incretin analog, liraglutide. Our aim was to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze islet cells from diabetic animals treated with vehicle (control) or liraglutide to determine whether normal islet cell anatomy is maintained or enhanced with pharmaceutical treatment. We harvested pancreata from liraglutide and vehicle-treated Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats to examine islet structure and function and obtain isolated islets. Twelve-week-old male rats were assigned to 3 groups: (1) liraglutide-treated diabetic, (2) vehicle-treated diabetic, and (3) lean non-diabetic. Liraglutide was given SC twice daily for 9 weeks. As expected, liraglutide treatment reduced body weight by 15% compared to the vehicle-treated animals, eventually to levels that were not different from lean controls. At the termination of the study, blood glucose was significantly less in the liraglutide-treated rats compared to vehicle treated controls (485.8 ± 22.5 and 547.2 ± 33.1 mg/dl, respectively). Insulin content/islet (measured by immunohistochemistry) was 34.2 ± 0.7 pixel units in vehicle-treated rats, and 54.9 ± 0.6 in the liraglutide-treated animals. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated islets (measured as the stimulation index) was maintained in the liraglutide-treated rats, but not in the vehicle-treated. However, liraglutide did not preserve normal islet architecture. There was a decrease in the glucagon-positive area/islet and in the α-cell numbers/area with liraglutide treatment (6.5 cells/field), compared to vehicle (17.9 cells/field). There was an increase in β-cell numbers, the β- to α-cell ratio that was statistically higher in the liraglutide-treated rats (24.3 ± 4.4) compared to vehicle (9.1 ± 2.8). Disrupted mitochondria were more commonly observed in the α-cells (51.9 ± 10.3% of cells) than in the β-cells (27.2 ± 4.4%) in the liraglutide-treated group. While liraglutide enhanced or maintained growth and function of certain islet cells, the overall ratio of α- to β-cells was decreased and there was an absolute reduction in islet α-cell content. There was selective disruption of intracellular α-cell organelles, representing an uncoupling of the bihormonal islet signaling that is required for normal metabolic regulation. The relevance of the findings to long-term liraglutide treatment in people with diabetes is unknown and should be investigated in appropriately designed clinical studies.
Genetic instability in Drosophila melanogaster: De novo induction of putative insertion mutations

Abstract The capacity of a so-called male recombination (MR) chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster to generate mutations at 14 X-chromosome loci specifying visible phenotypes was investigated. Appreciable increases in mutation were found at three loci y, sn, and ras. Tests of represnetative mutants generated at each locus establish all to be putative insertion mutants, as judged by their spontaneous mutability. These facts suggest that insertion mutation production may be a general function of MR chromosomes. The relationship of the MR chromosomes to established insertion elements (IS and Mu) is discussed.
A Model for Assessing the Impact of an Impulsive Noise Process on Land-Mobile Communication

This paper develops a statistical model with which the impact of a given noise random process upon a land-mobile communication system (LMCS) can be assessed. This model is useful for computing an upper bound for the fraction of communication-system messages which are affected by any given EMI at any given interference level. Applications of the model include, for example, bounding the interference effects on land-mobile communication of the EMI produced by arbitrary electrical apparatus.
The Bacterial Flora of the Antecubital Fossa: The Efficacy of Alcohol Disinfection of this Site, the Palm and the Forehead

The surface flora of the antecubital fossa (ACF) of 25 subjects comprised the same kinds of bacteria as are commonly found on the hands, arms, back and forehead. The population density was bimodal. Fifteen subjects had a sparse flora. After alcohol disinfection there were no surviving bacteria on these subjects. The other 10 subjects had a more abundant flora (310 to 10,000 per cm 2 ) and after alcohol treatment there remained on 9 of these subjects a surviving population showing no quantitative correlation with the surface flora. On the palm (hypothenar eminence) of 5 subjects all bacteria were eliminated by alcohol disinfection despite initial surface populations equal to those of the 5 ACF subjects with the greatest alcohol resistant flora. On the forehead, bacterial population densities were much greater than on the palm or ACF. Alcohol disinfection reduced the surface population on the average, more than the subsurface populations, but did not eliminate either propionibacteria or gram positive cocci. Five ACF subjects with the highest alcohol resistant populations in the initial survey were retested several times over 7 mo (1 subject) or 2½ yr (4 subjects). On each person, the surviving bacteria in the initial test were of one particular species, Propionibacterium acnes, Peptococcus saccharolyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis or an aerobic diphtheroid. In subsequent tests, S. epidermidis disappeared but the other 4 organisms continued to be present as alcohol resistant populations on both arms of their respective subjects throughout the study (22 of 25 tests positive). We suggest that the terms sheltered and exposed flora would be more accurate than transient and resident in discussing skin disinfection.
Research note: influence of ahemeral light:dark cycles on egg traits in brown egg pullets.

Brown egg pullets (DeKalb Sex-Sal) were subjected to an ahemeral lighting program to determine their response in terms of egg traits. All birds were reared on a conventional lighting program of 10 h light (L):14 h dark (D) to 16 wk. At 16 wk, all birds received a schedule of 11L:13D followed by a weekly 1-h increase in photoperiod to 14L:10D at 19 wk. Control treatment (CON) birds were continued on this schedule. Ahemeral treatment (AHM) birds were given a 28-h schedule 14L:14D at 23 wk that was continued to 28 wk, then returned to a 24-h cycle of 14L:10D. Shell weight responded quickly to the ahemeral treatment and showed a significant (P less than .05) increase during the 2nd 28-h cycle. Shell thickness and total egg weight showed significant increases on the 3rd cycle; albumen weight showed an increase on Cycle 4, and yolk weight increased significantly only on the 8th cycle. When AHM treatment birds were returned to a conventional cycle (14L:10D) at 28 wk, the total weight remained significantly higher (P less than .05) as late as Cycle 6.
Hydrogel‐Mediated Direct Patterning of Conducting Polymer Films with Multiple Surface Chemistries

A new methodology for selective electropolymerization of conducting polymer films using wet hydrogel stamps is presented. The ability of this simple method to generate patterned films of conducting polymers with multiple surface chemistries in a one-step process and to incorporate fragile biomolecules in these films is demonstrated.
BUD2 encodes a GTPase-activating protein for Bud1/Rsr1 necessary for proper bud-site selection in yeast

Cells of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae bud at either axial or bipolar sites depending on their cell type. Bud-site selection directs both cell polarity and the cytoskeletal orientation during budding and is determined by at least five genes: BUD1/RSR1, BUD2, BUD3, BUD4 and BUD5. Mutants defective in BUD1, BUD2 or BUD5 choose bud sites randomly. Bud1 protein (Bud1p) has sequence similarity to Ras, a small GTP-binding protein, and Bud5p is similar to Cdc25p (refs 4, 5), a GDP-GTP exchange factor. Here we report that Bud2p is a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for Bud1p with a sequence similar to the catalytic domain of rasGAPs, and that Bud2p purified from yeast stimulates GTP hydrolysis by Bud1p. Chromosomal deletion of BUD2 causes a random budding pattern but no obvious growth defect. Overexpression of BUD2 also causes a random budding pattern by wild-type cells.
Sparse blind deconvolution: What cannot be done

Identifiability is a key concern in ill-posed blind deconvolution problems arising in wireless communications and image processing. The single channel version of the problem is the most challenging and there have been efforts to use sparse models for regularizing the problem. Identifiability of the sparse blind deconvolution problem is analyzed and it is established that a simple sparsity assumption in the canonical basis is insufficient for unique recovery; a surprising negative result. The proof technique involves lifting the deconvolution problem into a rank one matrix recovery problem and analyzing the rank two nullspace of the resultant linear operator. A DoF (degrees of freedom) wise tight parametrized subset of this rank two null-space is constructed to establish the results.
The helix-loop-helix protein, Id-1, is overexpressed and regulates growth in papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract Background. Members of the Id helix-loop-helix proteins are key regulators of cell growth and differentiation in a variety of cell types. They are also required for cell cycle progression and regulate tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, deregulated expression of Id proteins has been observed in some human malignancies. Therefore we hypothesized that the Id-1 gene may play a role in papillary thyroid carcinogenesis. Methods. Id-1 gene expression was characterized by Northern blot analysis and Id-1 immunohistochemistry in human thyroid tissue. Id-1 gene expression and regulation was evaluated in a human papillary thyroid cancer cell line, TPC-1, by Northern blot analysis. Results. The Id-1 gene was significantly overexpressed in papillary thyroid cancer compared with normal thyroid tissue from the same patients (n = 18) by both Northern blot analysis and semiquantitative Id-1 immunohistochemistry (P
Hormonal Regulation of the Amount, Activity, and Subcellular Targeting of GLUT1 in Normal and Neoplastic Mammary Epithelial Cells † 435

Hormonal Regulation of the Amount, Activity, and Subcellular Targeting of GLUT1 in Normal and Neoplastic Mammary Epithelial Cells † 435
Posttraumatic stress symptoms in adolescent survivors of childhood cancer and their mothers

We examined symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescent survivors of childhood cancer and their mothers and the contribution of family functioning, including perceived emotional support and familial conflict, and individual factors including life stress and severity of disease to PTSD symptoms. Participants were 52 adolescent cancer survivors and their mothers and 42 healthy adolescent counterparts and their mothers. Findings revealed that mothers of cancer survivors endorsed more PTSD symptoms than did their healthy counterparts and that survivors and mothers also reported greater recent and past stressful life events. Although no survivors met clinical criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, over 36% endorsed mild subthreshold symptomatology. Findings are discussed in the context of understanding PTSD symptoms within a family systems framework.
Laryngeal xanthomas in alagille syndrome: A new physical finding?

Summary Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by bile duct paucity, often with associated liver failure. Common characteristics of AGS include cholestasis with pruritus, peculiar facies, cardiovascular defects, jaundice, embryotoxon, vertebral abnormalities, and cutaneous xanthomas. The case history is presented of a 2.5-year-old female with AGS status post-orthotopic liver transplantation and stertorous breathing. Flexible laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy revealed adenoid hypertrophy along with laryngeal xanthomas. The previously undocumented finding of laryngeal xanthomas in AGS is discussed along with possible etiologies and complications.
Matrix-analytic methods in queuing theory☆

Abstract This review describes the development during the past decade of a number of matrix-analytic methods for the study of a variety of stochastic models, primarily queues but also certain models for dams and inventories. This work originated in the search for algorithmic methods and has led to results that are well-suited for computer implementation. It has also required a reexamination of the theoretical approaches to these stochastic models, which may now be analyzed by purely probabilistic methods rather than by techniques from complex analysis. The author also argues the case for an algorithmic optic on the problems of applied probability and sketches the main steps in the construction of computer codes for the evaluation of stationary distributions of interest. The approach is built on certain nonlinear matrix equations that arise naturally in the study of structured Markov chains which are generalizations of the chains embedded in the classical GI/M/1 and M/G/1 queues.
cJun integrates calcium activity and tlx3 expression to regulate neurotransmitter specification

Neuronal differentiation is accomplished through cascades of intrinsic genetic factors initiated in neuronal progenitors by external gradients of morphogens. Activity was thought to be important only late in development, but recent evidence indicates that activity also regulates early neuronal differentiation. Activity in post-mitotic neurons prior to synapse formation can regulate phenotypic specification, including neurotransmitter choice, but the mechanisms are not clear. Here we identify a mechanism that links endogenous calcium spike activity with an intrinsic genetic pathway to specify neurotransmitter choice in neurons in the dorsal embryonic spinal cord of Xenopus tropicalis. Early activity modulates transcription of the GABAergic/glutamatergic selection gene tlx3 and requires a variant cAMP response element (CRE) in its promoter. The cJun transcription factor binds to this CRE site, modulates transcription, and regulates neurotransmitter phenotype through its transactivation domain. Calcium signals through cJun N-terminal phosphorylation, thus integrating activity-dependent and intrinsic neurotransmitter specification. This mechanism provides a basis for early activity to regulate genetic pathways at critical decision points, switching the phenotype of developing neurons.
Intraluminal prostaglandin stimulation and bile salt inhibition of basal acid secretion in the instilled rat stomach.

Abstract To determine the effect of prostaglandin on acid secretion and the effectiveness of cytoprotection afforded by prostaglandins against bile salt damage, the stomachs of anesthetized rats were exteriorized and cannulated for determination of net acid output (H+) and electrical potential difference (PD). The stomachs were successively instilled with acid buffer, 5 mM and 15 mM sodium taurocholate (NaTC) with or without 3.3 × 10−6M 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2). With dmPGE2 present in the instillate, H+ was twice as large in the control period. Exposure to 5mM NaTC reduced H+ by 63% and abolished the stimulatory effect of dmPGE2. Subsequent exposure to 15mM NaTC depressed H+ further. In the absence of dAPGE2, NaTC reduced H+ to equivalent rates. The PD was unaffected by NaTC in the presence of dmPGE2 and lowered by 45% in the absence of dmPGE2. It may be concluded that 1) prostaglandins stimulate rather than inhibit basal H+ in vivo , and 2) prostaglandins provide weak protection against the ionic actions of conjugated bile salts instilled in the stomach.
Early and mid-term results of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in the endovascular era in a community hospital

Objective Endovascular repair (EVAR) has been increasingly used for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs), especially in major academic centers. The goal of this article is to report our results with an EVAR-first approach for rAAA which we adopted in 2001 in our community hospital. Methods All consecutive patients who underwent attempted repair for rAAA between February 2001 and July 2006 were analyzed. Only patients with computed tomographic or visual verification of extraluminal blood were included. Results A total of 40 patients (30 men; mean age, 76.4 ± 7.2 years; range, 57-89 years) presented with rAAA. Thirty patients underwent attempted EVAR for rAAA, constituting 4.1% of all EVAR cases (n = 738), and 10 patients had attempted open repair. Twenty-one (53%) were transferred from another institution. Computed tomography was performed in 97.5%. On arrival to the emergency department, 43%% were hypotensive (systolic blood pressure P = .19). In the entire cohort, hypotension (systolic blood pressure P = .019). The multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that hypotension (odds ratio [OR], 7.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-42.0; P = .025), loss of consciousness (OR, 37.5; 95% CI, 3.4-40.8; P = .003), and the need for balloon occlusion (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.8-25.5; P = .042) were correlated with higher perioperative mortality, whereas age greater than 76 years, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes, renal insufficiency, and type of procedure did not. Conclusions Our results show that EVAR is feasible with favorable outcomes in patients presenting with rAAA in a busy community hospital. There is a high secondary intervention rate, which can potentially be decreased by ensuring good iliac limb anatomy at the end of the procedure and by a closer follow-up.
Survey of pharmacists’ and physicians’ perceptions of therapeutic interchange

Therapeutic interchange has long been an integral part of drug formulary management, but physicians' and pharmacists' attitudes toward such programs are relatively unknown. This survey was undertaken to determine pharmacists' attitudes, physicians' potential response to a hypothetical interchange, and how well pharmacists predicted physicians' responses. A survey that described a drug interchange program and several potential responses to the proposed switch was provided to 300 staff physicians at a 512-bed community facility in southwest Florida; the survey was also mailed to pharmacy directors or clinical pharmacy coordinators at 42 southwest Florida hospitals. Responses were obtained from 98 physicians and 95 pharmacists. Most physicians would not cooperate with an interchange if they were not familiar with the proposed drug; 16% would continue to prescribe the original drug, knowing that the new agent would be provided; and 58% would switch to another agent with which they had clinical experience. Only 26% of physicians would follow the interchange program. In contrast, 48% of pharmacists believed that physicians would continue to order the original therapy, 32% believed that physicians would order the new agent, and only 20% believed that physicians would switch to an alternative drug (P<.005 vs physician responses). Clearly, pharmacists' expectations of physicians' response to a therapeutic interchange differ significantly from the physicians' expected behavior. This difference has potentially important implications for actual versus projected cost savings of therapeutic interchange.
Transdermal Dual-Controlled Delivery of Testosterone and Estradiol: (I) Impact of system Design

AbstractA multilaminate-type transdermal drug delivery (m-TDD) system was designed with the objective of delivering testosterone and estradiol simultaneously but at different daily dosage rates. To achieve such a dual-controlled transdermal delivery, skin permeation enhancer and permselective membrane were incorporated into the system. The results demonstrated that skin permeation enhancer, which is incorporated into the testosterone reservoir layer, and permselective membrane, which is added onto the drugreleasing surface of estradiol reservoir layer, can both alter the overall rate of skin permeation for both drugs. The skin permeation enhancer was observed to enhance the skin permeation rate of testosterone, while the permselective membrane was shown to reduce the skin permeation rate of estradiol. The addition of permselective membrane was observed to modify the release kinetics of estradiol from the matrix diffusion-controlled drug delivery to membrane permeation-controlled drug delivery. Other facto...
Using judgment analysis to improve consultant/client understanding: An advertising application

Abstract This study uses regression‐based judgment analysis to develop decision profiles for a matched group of 22 clients and their advertising agency representatives. We compared agencies and clients according to five criteria for a successful advertising campaign: market research, media planning, message and creativity, budget, and agency/client working relationship. Considered in the aggregate, agencies and clients showed solid cognitive consensus. However, the 22 individual working partnerships revealed striking cognitive handicaps: agency/client partners agreed only moderately about campaign criteria, had little insight into each others’ decision values, and did not self‐report their own values accurately. We analyzed several agency/client partnerships in detail to show the implications of such cognitive misunderstandings, and to support our overall recommendation that judgment analysis form a central part of agency performance audits.