cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical activity and its relationship with COVID-19 cases and deaths: Analysis of U.S. counties.

PURPOSE: The study was to examine county-level associations of physical activity with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and deaths, per 100,000 county residents. METHODS: Data were collected from publicly available data sources for 3142 counties and equivalents, including the District of Columbia. Subjective health ratings, percentage uninsured, percentage unemployed, median household income, percentage female residents, percentage White residents, percentage of residents age 65 or older, and rural designation served as controls. RESULTS: The two-level random intercept regression showed that physical activity rates at the county level were statistically and negatively associated with COVID-19 cases and deaths. Additional analyses showed that physical activity rates moderated the relationship between cases and deaths, such that the relationship was strongest when physical activity rates were low. CONCLUSION: The results presented here offer empirical evidence of the benefits of county-level physical activity during a pandemic. Implications for public health and physical activity provision are discussed.
Computer als Modelle des Geistes: Über Simulation und das Gehirn als Modell des Designs von Computern

The article considers the complexities of thinking about the computer as a model of the mind. It examines the computer as being a model of the brain in several very different senses of ‚model‘. On the one hand the basic architecture of the first modern stored-program computers was „modeled on“ the brain by John von Neumann. Von Neumann also sought to build a mathematical model of the biological brain as a complex system. A similar but different approach to modeling the brain was taken by Alan Turing, who on the one hand believed that the mind simply was a universal computer, and who sought to show how brain-like networks could self-organize into Universal Turing Machines. And on the other hand, Turing saw the computer as the universal machine that could simulate any other machine, and thus any par- ticular human skill and thereby could simulate human intelligence. This leads to a discussion of the nature of ‚simulation‘ and its relation to models and modeling. The article applies this analysis to a written correspondence between Ashby and Turing in which Turing urges Ashby to simulate his cybernetic Homeostat device on the ACE computer, rather than build a special machine.
Variability in venous gas emboli following the same dive at 3,658 meters.

Exposure to a reduction in ambient pressure such as in high-altitude climbing, flying in aircrafts, and decompression from underwater diving results in circulating vascular gas bubbles (i.e., venous gas emboli [VGE]). Incidence and severity of VGE, in part, can objectively quantify decompression stress and risk of decompression sickness (DCS) which is typically mitigated by adherence to decompression schedules. However, dives conducted at altitude challenge recommendations for decompression schedules which are limited to exposures of 10,000 feet in the U.S. Navy Diving Manual (Rev. 7). Therefore, in an ancillary analysis within a larger study, we assessed the evolution of VGE for two hours post-dive using echocardiography following simulated altitude dives at 12,000 feet. Ten divers completed two dives to 66 fsw (equivalent to 110 fsw at sea level by the Cross correction method) for 30 minutes in a hyperbaric chamber. All dives were completed following a 60-minute exposure at 12,000 feet. Following the dive, the chamber was decompressed back to altitude for two hours. Echocardiograph measurements were performed every 20 minutes post-dive. Bubbles were counted and graded using the Germonpre and Eftedal and Brubakk method, respectively. No diver presented with symptoms of DCS following the dive or two hours post-dive at altitude. Despite inter- and intra-diver variability of VGE grade following the dives, the majority (11/20 dives) presented a peak VGE Grade 0, three VGE Grade 1, one VGE Grade 2, four VGE Grade 3, and one VGE Grade 4. Using the Cross correction method for a 66-fsw dive at 12,000 feet of altitude resulted in a relatively low decompression stress and no cases of DCS.
3-D Transient Hydraulic Tomography in Unconfined Aquifers with Fast Drainage Response

We investigate, through numerical experiments, the viability of three-dimensional transient hydraulic tomography (3DTHT) for identifying the spatial distribution of groundwater flow parameters (primarily, hydraulic conductivity K) in permeable, unconfined aquifers. To invert the large amount of transient data collected from 3DTHT surveys, we utilize an iterative geostatistical inversion strategy in which outer iterations progressively increase the number of data points fitted and inner iterations solve the quasilinear geostatistical formulas of Kitanidis. In order to base our numerical experiments around realistic scenarios, we utilize pumping rates, geometries, and test lengths similar to those attainable during 3DTHT field campaigns performed at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site (BHRS). We also utilize hydrologic parameters that are similar to those observed at the BHRS and in other unconsolidated, unconfined fluvial aquifers. In addition to estimating K, we test the ability of 3DTHT to estimate both average storage values (specific storage Ss and specific yield Sy) as well as spatial variability in storage coefficients. The effects of model conceptualization errors during unconfined 3DTHT are investigated including: (1) assuming constant storage coefficients during inversion and (2) assuming stationary geostatistical parameter variability. Overall, our findings indicate that estimation of K is slightly degraded if storage parameters must bemore » jointly estimated, but that this effect is quite small compared with the degradation of estimates due to violation of ‘‘structural’’ geostatistical assumptions. Practically, we find for our scenarios that assuming constant storage values during inversion does not appear to have a significant effect on K estimates or uncertainty bounds.« less
Information Asymmetry and Thwarting Spam

We explore a novel approach to spam based on economic rather than technological or regulatory screening mechanisms. Our rst point is that mechanisms designed to promote valuable communication can often outperform those designed merely to block wasteful communication. Our second is to shift focus from the information in the message to the information known to the sender. We can then use principles of information asymmetry to cause people who knowingly misuse communication to incur higher costs than those who do not. In certain cases, though not all, we can show this approach leaves recipients better o than even an idealized or \perfect" lter that costs nothing and makes no mistakes. Our mechanism also accounts for individual differences in opportunity costs, and allows for bi-directional wealth transfers while facilitating both sender signaling and recipient screening. 1
Perturbation of benzodiazepine receptor binding by pyrazolopyridines involves picrotoxinin/barbiturate receptor sites

The two pyrazolopyridines, etazolate (SQ20009) and cartazolate (SQ65396), enhance the binding of [3H]diazepam to benzodiazepine receptor sites in rat brain. This enhancement is due to a change in affinity without a change in maximal binding. Pentobarbital also enhances [3H]diazepam binding by lowering the K(D). Pentobarbital gives a maximal enhancement of benzodiazepine binding slightly greater than that induced by etazolate, but maximal concentrations of etazolate cannot increase further the maximal enhancement by pentobarbital. By contrast, the enhancement of benzodiazepine binding by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is fully additive with the effect of either etazolate or pentobarbital. The enhancement by γ-aminobutyric acid is blocked specifically by the two γ-aminobutyric acid mimetic compounds, imidazole acetic acid and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo [5,4-c]pyridine-3-ol (THIP), compounds which do not inhibit the enhancement of diazepam binding by pentobarbital or etazolate. The effects of etazolate and pentobarbital, but not those of GABA, can be blocked competitively by 1 to 10 μM picrotoxinin. Etazolate and cartazolate, like pentobarbital competitively inhibit α-[3H]dihydropicrotoxinin binding with potencies correlating well with their stimulatory properties on benzodiazepine binding. These results suggest that pyrazolopyridines, like pentobarbital, stimulate [3H]diazepam binding through a picrotoxinin-sensitive site which is distinct from the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor site. These in vitro interactions between the etazolate and benzodiazepine receptor sites can be modulated also by the GABA antagonist, bicuculline, consistent with the existence of a complex containing three receptors (GABA, benzodiazepines, and etazolate/barbiturates/picrotoxinin). Bicuculline reverses completely the effects of etazolate and GABA on benzodiazepine binding but reverses only partially the enhancement by pentobarbital. This difference between the effects of pentobarbital and etazolate, as well as differences in their maximal enhancing effects mentioned above, suggests that pentobarbital may have an action similar to etazolate on some bicuculline-sensitive benzodiazepine binding sites, but, in addition, pentobarbital can enhance some other benzodiazepine sites in a manner which is neither mimicked by etazolate nor blocked by bicuculline. (Less)
Analysis of Optimization Experiments

Industrial experiments are typically analyzed by identifying effects with a five percent level of significance and then optimizing the model containing only those effects. The risk of using this approach is demonstrated and a methodology is proposed using the easily-specified practical significance level. In addition, empirical Bayes estimation is used to provide shrinkage estimates of the effects. Connections are established between the proposed approach and Taguchi’s beta coefficient method. Advantages of the proposed method are demonstrated with real examples and simulation.
Effective Science Instruction: Impact on High-Stakes Assessment Performance.

This longitudinal prospective cohort study was conducted to determine the impact of effective science instruction on performance on high-stakes high school graduation assessments in science. This s...
The Microbiota, the Immune System and the Allograft

The microbiota represents the complex collections of microbial communities that colonize a host. In health, the microbiota is essential for metabolism, protection against pathogens and maturation of the immune system. In return, the immune system determines the composition of the microbiota. Altered microbial composition (dysbiosis) has been correlated with a number of diseases in humans. The tight reciprocal immune/microbial interactions complicate determining whether dysbiosis is a cause and/or a consequence of immune dysregulation and disease initiation or progression. However, a number of studies in germ-free and antibiotic-treated animal models support causal roles for intestinal bacteria in disease susceptibility. The role of the microbiota in transplant recipients is only starting to be investigated and its study is further complicated by putative contributions of both recipient and donor microbiota. Moreover, both flora may be affected directly or indirectly by immunosuppressive drugs and antimicrobial prophylaxis taken by transplant patients, as well as by inflammatory processes secondary to ischemia/reperfusion and allorecognition, and the underlying cause of end-organ failure. Whether the ensuing dysbiosis affects alloresponses and whether therapies aimed at correcting dysbiosis should be considered in transplant patients constitutes an exciting new field of research.
Similarity Solutions for Turbulent Jets and Plumes

Problems of the convection and diffusion of momentum and of heat (or salinity) in turbulent jets and buoyant plumes, with or without crosswind, are of importance to modern civil engineering practice. Analytical solutions of these problems are presented. First, by dimensional analysis or, if a crosswind is present, by using the equations of motion and of heat diffusion, it is found that the mean velocity, the mean temperature (or mean salinity), and the eddy viscosity obey power laws (in powers of the distance from the source along the general direction of flow). Then, based on the appropriate form of the eddy viscosity, the analytical solution for each case studied is found. For every problem the solution found is characterized by mathematical and dynamic similarity at all cross sections—a fact of great significance.
Eye-safe Er,Yb:Y2O3 ceramic laser materials

Nanophase yttria co-doped with erbium and ytterbium (Er,Yb:Y 2 O 3 ) was successfully synthesized using gas-phase condensation. As-prepared nanoparticles were about 2 nm in diameter, while annealed nanoparticles were about 20 nm in diameter. Two-stage sintering of the nanoparticles led to ceramics with grain sizes of less than 160 nm in diameter, while vacuum sintering led to ceramics with grain sizes of about 5 μm. The annealed nanopowder, as well as the two-stage and vacuum sintered ceramics showed fluorescence from erbium and ytterbium ions.
Development of a New Automated Tactility Test for Assessing Hand Sensory Function

Design and test results of an automated aesthesiometer for measuring gap detection threshold in a tactile inspection task are presented. What distinguishes this test from conventional tactility tests, such as two-point discrimination or monofilaments, is that it measures performance in a functional tactility task resembling those performed during manual work activities. Although test conditions are highly controlled, this test still permits natural finger probing activity while sensing surface feature defects like scratches, rather than sensing static unnatural sensory stimuli such as distinguishing two points, or detecting a point-pressure stimulus. The size of a precision scratch, or gap, introduced in an otherwise smooth surface is controlled using a micropositioner capable of producing a gap as small as 0.1 μm. Finger contact force is also carefully controlled within 100 mg accuracy for loads between 25 g and 75 g using a precision balance beam system. This instrument is entirely under microcomputer c...
Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia

Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT; also known as chaotic atrial tachycardia) is an unusual arrhythmia in children. The defining characteristics—P-waves of three or more distinct morphologies with irregular P–P intervals, an isoelectric baseline, and an atrial rate greater than 100 beats per minute—are the same as those in adults.
Laser applications for benign oral lesions

Background and Objective Different subspecialists treat benign intraoral lesions using various approaches including surgical excision, medical therapy, sclerotherapy, and laser photocoagulation. The goal of this study was to establish whether lasers could effectively target and destroy oral lesions containing endogenous chromophores, while minimizing injury to unaffected adjacent tissues and critical structures. Materials and Methods This retrospective study involved 26 cases of benign oral lesions, both vascular and pigmented, which were addressed by means of selective laser treatment. Pathologies were port-wine stains, hereditary hemorragic teleangectasia, hemangiomas, venous and arteriovenous malformations, pyogenic granuloma, and hairy reconstructive flaps. Electronic medical records and photographic documentation were reviewed. Three blinded staff personnel not involved with patient care in this study evaluated photographs taken prior to the first and after the final laser treatments. Observers rated the percentage clearance of the lesions or the ablation of bleeding, and the assessed values were averaged for each patient. Results An average of 30–95% lightening was observed in the intraoral port-wine stains, 90% in the hemangiomas, 70% in arteriovenous malformations, 81% for venous malformations, 86% for venous lakes, and 100% for the pyogenic granuloma. Bleeding was ablated in all hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia lesions treated using the pulsed dye laser with or without the Alexandrite laser. Intraoral hair growing on the skin paddle of microvascular flaps was completely removed in one of the three cases treated using the Alexandrite laser. In the two remaining cases, some hair removal was achieved, but because the residual hairs were grey or white (absence of melanocytic chromophore), photocoagulation was less effective. Conclusion Lasers are a safe and effective means to selectively destroy specific chromphores. Such specific targeting ensures complete destruction of pathological tissue, decreasing the possibility of relapse and/or recurrence. Selective laser treatment of benign intraoral lesions represents a niche application that fills a gap in the multidisciplinary management of several conditions such as oral vascular anomalies and hairy reconstructive flaps. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:643–650, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using garnet to constrain the duration and rate of water-releasing metamorphic reactions during subduction: An example from Sifnos, Greece

Abstract We present a method to reconstruct the dehydration flux associated with garnet-forming reactions during subduction. Garnet-bearing blueschists from the island of Sifnos, Greece, in the Attic–Cycladic Blueschist Belt are used as a test case to extract information on the timescales of dehydration during subduction. We use garnet growth as a proxy for the net dehydration reaction. Thermodynamic (pseudosection) analysis of a mafic blueschist in this unit (representative of an altered basalt protolith) indicates that garnet grew via net reaction(s) of the form chlorite + chloritoid + glaucophane + phengite = garnet + pyroxene + lawsonite + paragonite + quartz + H2O. Garnet core and rim chemistry indicates that growth began at 2.0 GPa and 460 °C and ended at 2.2 GPa and 560 °C. The stabilization of matrix lawsonite (promoted by the bulk chemical shift of the matrix due to fractionation of the garnet and its inclusions from the system) throughout garnet growth limits the amount of water liberated from the rock over this P–T span. The average stoichiometry of the garnet-forming reaction(s) indicates an average molar production ratio of garnet to water of ~ 1.0:0.7. Given the 11 vol.% garnet observed in the rock, this analysis indicates a loss of 0.3 to 0.4 wt.% H2O from the bulk rock during garnet growth. Zoned garnet geochronology from these rocks provides a constraint on the dehydration rate from this lithology during the time span of garnet growth. Two garnet grains, roughly 1.5 cm each in diameter, were microdrilled based on major element zoning contours. Three concentric growth zones were extracted from each garnet for Sm–Nd geochronology. Very low Nd concentrations in acid-cleansed garnet (0.03 to 0.09 ppm) yielded very small samples (~ 1 ng Nd) that were analyzed with TIMS using a NdO+ with Ta2O5 activator method. Untreated “garnet” powders rich in mineral inclusions from each garnet zone were also analyzed. The powders fall off of the garnet-matrix isochron, likely indicating age inheritance in the inclusions. Combining acid-cleansed garnet data from each garnet, multi-point garnet-matrix isochron ages of 46.50 ± 0.80 Ma for the core, 46.49 ± 0.53 Ma for the intermediate zone, and 46.46 ± 0.59 Ma for the rim were determined, indicating a brief growth duration of 0.04 Ma with an upper bound (2 SD) on growth duration of 1.0 Myr. This equates to a release of 0.3–0.4 wt.% of water due to this reaction in this lithology, and heating of 100 °C, in less than 1.0 Myr. The short time interval represents a focused, rapid pulse of dehydration and heating within the context of the overall subduction descent timescale of ~ 10–20 Myr.
Antibodies to human immunoglobulin detected by hemolysis of human immunoglobulin-coated red blood cells.

A hemolysis assay was developed to detect alloantibodies to human immunoglobulin. A total of 1035 serum samples was tested. Anti-IgM antibodies were found in 8% of 59 normal persons and in 13% of 439 multiparous women, with the highest incidence of 67% in 341 dialysis patients. Although the anti-IgM antibodies were inhibited by both IgM and IgG, it appeared that they were also inhibited by F(ab')2 but not by Fc. Anti-IgG antibodies were more strongly inhibited by Fc than F(ab')2. These results suggest that anti-IgM antibodies might be analogous to antiidiotypic antibodies directed to F(ab')2, whereas anti-IgG antibodies tend to have greater reactivity to Fc.
Time correlation of cosmic-ray-induced neutrons and gamma rays at sea level

Abstract The neutrons and gamma rays produced by cosmic ray interactions in spallation and evaporation processes of air nuclei are time-correlated. The occurrence of their counts in a fixed time interval is not a random (Poisson) distribution, but rather time-correlated bursts of counts. A computational model is developed to explore time correlations of cosmic-ray-induced background of neutrons and gammas at sea level. Their lifetimes in air showers, multiplicity distributions, coincidence count statistic, and excess variance are analyzed. The effects of latitude and area size on multiplicity and coincidence distributions are also studied. The coincidence count distributions and Feynman-Y statistic are used to reveal the duration of spallation processes and properties of multiplying media. It is found that the coincidence count distribution in fixed time intervals deviates from a Poisson distribution. The Feynman-Y is about an order of magnitude greater for gammas than that for neutrons. For both neutrons and gammas, the duration of time-correlated multiplying processes in air showers is ~250 µs.
Conceptual model and strategies for creative thinking in apparel design

Most educators would agree that the development of creativity is a crucial part of an apparel design curriculum and an essential component in the success of students. Models provide a conceptual basis for creative thinking; therefore, further investigation of models from other disciplines provides new insight. In addition to models, students entering today's highly competitive apparel industry need divergent thinking strategies that can effectively assist in enhancing their creative output. This article presents a Conceptual Model of Creative Thinking in Apparel Design and creative thinking strategies to serve as a practical means for recognising, encouraging, and developing creative thinking abilities in apparel design students by increasing the applicability of theory in educational practices.
Sex differences in cognitive abilities and sex-role stereotypes in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents

A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that sex differences in patterns of cognitive ability could be accounted for by variation in identification with sex-role stereotypes. Hong Kong Chinese adolescents from two different age groups served as subjects. Sex differences were discovered in patterns of performance on a battery of cognitive tests, with males performing better on tests of spatial ability and females performing better on tests of fluent production. Sex differences in sex-role identification were also discovered. There were, however, no significant relationships between sex-role identification and patterns of ability. Biological sex was found to be the best predictor of a male or female pattern of performance. A reformulation of a sex-role identification hypothesis appears to be warranted on the basis of these data. Suggestions for further research on the relationships among sex-role identification, cultural values, and personal adjustment are also presented.
Nonuniformly coupled microstrip transversal filters for analog signal processing

The Fourier transform relationship between frequency response and impedance profile for single nonuniform transmission lines is used to derive the time-domain step response of single and coupled nonuniform lines. The expression for the step response of a characteristically terminated nonuniformly coupled transmission line structure is shown to correspond to the characteristic impedance profile. By using this relationship, any arbitrary step response can be realizing by utilizing nonuniformly coupled strip or microstrip lines for possible applications as waveform-shaping networks and chirp filters. A numerical procedure to compute the step response of the nonuniform coupled line four-port is also formulated in terms of frequency-domain parameters of an equivalent cascaded uniform coupled line model with a large number of sections. Sinusoidal and chirp responses are presented as examples that are readily implemented using coupling microstrip structures. The step response of an experimental nonuniformly coupled microstrip structure is presented to validate the theoretical results. >
Color analysis of the human airway wall

A bronchoscope can be used to examine the mucosal surface of the airways for abnormalities associated with a variety of lung diseases. The diagnosis of these abnormalities through the process of bronchoscopy is based, in part, on changes in airway wall color. Therefore it is important to characterize the normal color inside the airways. We propose a standardized method to calibrate the bronchoscopic imaging system and to tabulate the normal colors of the airway. Our imaging system consists of a Pentium PC and video frame grabber, coupled with a true color bronchoscope. The calibration procedure uses 24 standard color patches. Images of these color patches at three different distances (1, 1.5, and 2 cm) were acquired using the bronchoscope in a darkened room, to assess repeatability and sensitivity to illumination. The images from the bronchoscope are in a device-dependent Red-Green-Blue (RGB) color space, which was converted to a tri-stimulus image and then into a device-independent color space sRGB image by a fixed polynomial transformation. Images were acquired from five normal human volunteer subjects, two cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and one normal heavy smoker subject. The hue and saturation values of regions within the normal airway were tabulated and these values were compared with the values obtained from regions within the airways of the CF patients and the normal heavy smoker. Repeated measurements of the same region in the airways showed no measurable change in hue or saturation.
Electromyography profiles of knee joint musculature during pivoting: Changes induced by anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency and associated rotational instability of the knee joint is a potentially disabling condition. In particular, anterior-posterior laxity increases when the ACL is damaged and decreases with contraction of the hamstring musculature. Because laxity is controllable with muscle activity, comparison of muscular synergy patterns between groups of subjects with ACL-deficient and uninjured knees may identify compensatory mechanisms that could influence therapeutic procedures. All participants selected were between 18 and 40 years of age and had clinical or surgical documentation of ACL deficiency. Each subject was asked to walk and pivot with a stride time of 1 s on a 12-m walkway. The right and left foot-contact patterns and linear envelopes (LE) from the surface electromyographic (EMG) patterns of the gastrocnemius (GS), medial and lateral hamstring, rectus femoris (RF), and vastus lateralis (VL) were measured. Results from 15 subjects with uninjured knees and 12 subjects with ACL-deficient knees showed significant differences between their muscle synergy patterns. The types of differences observed depended on the stride period. All muscles within the ACL-deficient population showed some periods of abnormal activity. The differences in synergies indicate that there is a tendency for a greater net posterior force, flexor moment, and external rotation moment to be produced on the tibia during the time when most external rotation occurs to compensate for the mechanical actions of the lost ligament.
High-speed fabrication of microchannels using line-based laser induced plasma micromachining

Microtexturing of surfaces has various applications that often involve texturing over large (macroscale) areas with high precision and resolution. This demands scalability and speed of texturing while retaining feature sizes of the order of a few microns. Microchannels are a versatile microfeature, which are often used in microfluidic devices and can be arrayed or joined to form patterns and free-form geometries. We present a technique to fabricate microchannels on surfaces with high-speed and by using a multimaterial process, namely, laser induced plasma micromachining (LIPMM). The process has the potential to machine metals, ceramics, polymers, and other transparent, brittle, and hard-to-machine materials. The presented technique uses an optical system to modify the laser spot into the shape of a line, to fabricate microchannels directly without scanning as in the case of a regular circular spot. The process schematics are shown, and micromachining experiments on polished aluminum are discussed. Moreover, it is shown that the depth and width of the channels may be varied by changing process parameters like the pulse energy, pulse frequency, and number of exposures.
Anisotropic weak-link properties and intergranular lower critical field of grain-aligned YBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract We studied the weak-link nature of sintered, grain-aligned YBa 2 Cu 3 O x x using DC magnetization and AC susceptibility. The sample was highly anisotropic for fields applied perpendicular and parallel to the grains' a, b planes. For fields applied perpendicular to the a, b planes, the magnetization curves show small intergranular coupling losses and the susceptibility curves show sharp coupling transitions. For parallel fields there are large coupling losses and broad transitions. From AC susceptibility measurements in parallel fields, the intergranular lower critical fields are no higher than 0.15 kA/m (1.9 Oe) at 76 K and 0.5 kA/m (6.3. Oe) at 4 K. In perpendicular applied fields, the fields were 0.3 kA/m (3.8 Oe) at K and 1.3 kA/m (16.3 Oe) at K.
CRW 2.0: A representative-compound approach to functionality-based prediction of reactive chemical hazards †

The NOAA Chemical Reactivity Worksheet (CRW) has provided a user-friendly, yet powerful method of qualitatively predicting reactive chemical hazards since its introduction in 1998, and has seen its use in spill response, storage management, and process safety for intentional chemistry. The CRW predicts reaction hazards based on a database of more than 6,000 common industrial chemicals, classified by major reactive groups, using 43 × 43 matrix of organic and inorganic reactive groups, modified from the earlier “EPA method for determining the compatibility of hazardous mixtures.” CRW output describes the hazards qualitatively; e.g., “spontaneous ignition of reactants or products due to reaction heat,” or “combination liberates nonflammable, nontoxic gas and may cause pressurization.” The CRW also provides summaries of properties and special hazards for many of the compounds in the database. CRW 2.0, a new, standalone version of the CRW, is due to be released later this year. Earlier versions of the CRW had a limited set of references and limited information about specific reactions, and this information could only be found in each compound's chemical profile, increasing search time for assessing reaction specifics, and providing little information that could be used to mitigate the chance of false-positives—the CRW is designed to be conservative in its predictions, and will indicate an incompatibility even if only a few reactions are found between two functional groups. Version 2.0 improves the database based on an extensive literature survey of potentially hazardous reactions for representative members of all 43 listed functional groups, with primary literature references available for many of the hazards predicted, and many errors and omissions corrected. This article describes the methodology for the literature search, rationale for changes to the operation of the database, extent of the new documentation, and the remaining design limitations of the product. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 2008
Lithium pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in postnatal day 20 rats results in greater neuronal injury in ventral versus dorsal hippocampus.

Many quantitative animal studies examining the possible relationship between hippocampal neuronal loss and the development of epilepsy have examined only the dorsal hippocampus. The ventral hippocampus, however, represents the more homologous structure to the anterior hippocampus in humans which is the area associated with the maximal damage in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. This study tested the hypothesis that the ventral hippocampus has greater neuronal injury than the dorsal hippocampus in an animal model of chemoconvulsant-status epilepticus at postnatal day 20. Status epilepticus was induced in postnatal day 20 Sprague Dawley rat pups with the chemoconvulsant lithium-pilocarpine and brain tissue was examined with Fluoro-Jade B. Horizontal sections (n=7) favoring a visualization of the ventral hippocampus showed marked Fluoro-Jade B staining in CA1, CA3, and hilar region. Coronal sections favoring a visualization of the dorsal hippocampus did not consistently show as robust a staining pattern in these regions. In coronal sections where both the dorsal and ventral hippocampus could be viewed, greater staining was always seen in ventral versus dorsal hippocampus. Quantitative analysis of cell counts demonstrated a significant difference between ventral and dorsal hippocampus in CA1and CA3, but not hilus. These results demonstrate that in ventral hippocampus, lithium pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus consistently results in hippocampal neuronal injury in postnatal day 20 rats. This study shows the importance of including the ventral hippocampus in any analysis of seizure-induced hippocampal neuronal injury, and raises concerns about the accuracy of studies quantifying hippocampal neuronal loss when only the dorsal hippocampus is examined.
Glucose-Driven Fuel Cell Constructed from Enzymes and Filter Paper

A glucose-driven enzymatic filter-paper fuel cell is described. A strip of filter paper coated with carbon nanotubes and the glucose oxidase enzyme functions as the anode of the enzyme fuel cell. Another strip of filter paper coated with carbon nanotubes and the laccase enzyme functions as the cathode. Between the anode and the cathode, a third strip of filter paper is placed that holds the glucose, which is the fuel, and that allows the transport of ions. The design of the cell is simple, and all the materials used for the construction are readily available and biocompatible. The cell utilizes the oxidation of glucose to generate electricity and is useful to demonstrate how chemical energy can be converted to electrical energy.
Imaging performance of long range laser scanning through atmospheric turbulence

The process of laser scanning a target to form an image through atmospheric turbulence is studied in terms of the optical transfer function (OTF). The problem of scanning a two-dimension target within the Fresnel zone distance is examined for long and short time exposures. An OTF for wave front tilt is introduced to describe the specific effect of beam wander. An analysis for typical operational parameters shows that wave front tilt can be a more significant limitation to imaging performance at high spatial frequencies than short exposure effects (e.g., beam spread). Wave optics simulations are performed to visualize the performance of the scanning method through turbulence and compare the results with the theoretical model.
Islet cell transplantation: the future?

Background: Islet of Langerhans' cell transplantation is a promising strategy for the treatment of type-1 diabetes mellitus. Results of this procedure have yet to match those of whole organ pancreas transplantation, but are rapidly improving, as witnessed by increasing rates of insulin independence and graft function (i.e., C-peptide production) after islet transplantation. Discussion: Identification of obstacles to the success of islet transplantation, such as primary nonfunction, immunosuppression-related metabolic workload, or recurrence of autoimmunity, will allow the development of new strategies tailored to overcome them. In particular, novel immunosuppressive protocols, with or without the aim of inducing tolerance, and immunoisolation devices are reaching the stage of clinical applicability. Finally, several strategies, such as utilization of porcine xenogeneic islets or genetically engineered β-cell lines, or in vitro expansion of cultured β-cells could theoretically expand indefinitely the pool of islet tissue for transplantation.
Haack’s foundherentism is a foundationalism

Susan Haack has always maintained that her unquestionably important foundherentist theory of epistemic justification is not a foundationalism. In a 1997 Synthese exchange, Laurence BonJour questioned her right to this claim, and she dug in and defended it. What was at stake is of timeless importance to epistemology: it goes directly to the question, “What is foundationalism?” I inquire with greater care than either Haack or BonJour took in 1997, and I find decisively in favor of the view that foundherentism is a foundationalism. In the process, I explore the outer limits of foundationalism: I examine just how far a foundationalism can go in allowing the relevance of coherence to epistemic justification.
Chitin decomposition in a model soil system

Abstract The effect of various organisms on the decompositon of chitin in a gnotobiotic soil system was investigated. Chitin decomposers were isolated from the short grass prairie in Colorado and selected by their ability to use chitin as a source of both C and N. Three bacteria, a fungus, and an actinomycete were grown for 45 days in sterile chitin amended (3 mg g−1 chitin-C) and unamended soil microcosms. Net mineralization of ammonium was greatest in the chitin-ainended microcosms. The greatest increases in N mineralization occurred in chitin-amended microcosms containing the fungus and the actinomycete. A second series of sterile soil microcosms amended with chitin (3 mg g−1 chitin-C) were inoculated with decomposers, a fungus and a bacterium, and a nematode and an amoeba (bacteriophagic grazers) in various combinations. Bacterial and grazer populations, NH4+ CO2 evolution, and residual chitin were measured periodically for 80 days. Bacterial grazing reduced bacterial populations, increased N mineralization, but had no effect on the decomposition of chitin.
“Burning mouth syndrome in Parkinson’s disease: dopamine as cure or cause?” Letter to the Editor Reply

We appreciate Drs. Fortuna and Pollio’s interest in our case report describing a woman with Parkinson’s disease who developed burning mouth syndrome (BMS) with carbidopa/levodopa therapy that resolved after its discontinuation and initiation of a dopamine agonist. The authors bring up an excellent and also contentious point regarding the semantics of burning mouth syndrome [1, 2]. We utilize the current diagnostic criteria from the International Headache Society which classifies primary BMS under “Central causes of facial pain” [3]. The intent of reporting our case was not to define the syndrome, but instead to contribute anecdotal evidence to the hypothesis that the pathophysiology of BMS is related to dopamine dysregulation. We believe our case supports this notion given our patient’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and apparent accentuation of BMS symptoms with administration of carbidopa/levodopa [4–6]. Our speculation is that carbidopa/levodopa’s central action led to the neurophysiological manifestations of BMS. Beyond superficially dismissing our patient’s symptoms as drug induced, the value in our case is related to deeper consideration of the underlying pathogenesis of BMS. Although we agree with the authors that it is quite difficult to delineate the role of depression and anxiety in cases of burning mouth syndrome [7], we did not think these psychiatric factors were of primary relevance in our case as there was no history of such. As outlined in our report, her BMS symptoms precisely correlated to carbidopa/levodopa administration. We appreciate the input of Drs. Fortuna and Pollio and come to the agreement that it is helpful to look at BMS from a multidisciplinary perspective. This approach will only advance our understanding of a disease plaguing patients who seek care from a variety of specialists.
Differences in heterosocial behavior and outcomes of ADHD-symptomatic subtypes in a college sample:

The purpose of this study was to explore heterosocial relational outcomes in a college-aged sample showing symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Using questionnaires and a behavioral observation task, dating, sexual, and social outcomes were examined in three groups: 24 non-ADHD controls, 27 ADHD-Combined (ADHD/C) Type, and 13 ADHD-Primarily Inattentive (ADHD/IA) Type. The ADHD/IA group showed a consistent pattern of passivity and inexperience and was perceived relatively negatively by female confederates, whereas the ADHD/C group reported increased sexual drive and early dating experience. The effects of externalizing comorbidity differed by DSM-IV ADHD subtype. These findings indicate that ADHD-symptomatic adults differ by DSM-IV subtype in the manifestation of heterosocial deficits. Results suggest specific and divergent types of psychosocial intervention with ADHD/C versus ADHD/IA clients.
Development and Validation of the Numeracy Understanding in Medicine Instrument Short Form

Health numeracy can be defined as the ability to understand and use numeric information and quantitative concepts in the context of health. The authors previously reported the development of the Numeracy Understanding in Medicine Instrument (NUMi), a 20-item test developed using item response theory. The authors now report the development and validation of a short form of the NUMi. Item statistics were used to identify a subset of 8 items representing a range of difficulty and content areas. Internal reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha. Divergent and convergent validity was assessed by comparing scores of the S-NUMI with existing measures of education, print and numeric health literacy, mathematic achievement, cognitive reasoning, and the original NUMi. The 8-item scale had adequate reliability (α=.72) and was strongly correlated to the 20-item NUMi (α=.92). S-NUMi scores were strongly correlated with the Lipkus Expanded Health Numeracy Scale (α=.62), the Wide Range of Achievement Test-Mathematics (α=.72), and the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test (α=.76). Moderate correlation was found with education level (α=.58) and print literacy as measured by the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (α=.49). Results show that the short form of the NUMi is a reliable and valid measure of health numeracy feasible for use in clinical and research settings.
Evaluating infiltration for border irrigation models

Abstract The infiltration characteristics of a soil are important to the design, evaluation and management of border irrigation systems. The use and verification of border irrigation models also rely heavily on infiltration. This paper presents a technique for determining infiltration when detailed information is available on the total infiltrated volume during the irrigation which can be obtained from measurements of inflow, outflow, and water depths on the border strip. The method uses a volume balance at progressive times and is an extension of earlier work. Data from this method were used as input to the zone-inertia border irrigation model and good agreement was found between measured and computed values of advance, recession, runoff rates and volumes, and surface water depths.
New York University (NYU) ultracomputer-a general-purpose parallel processor

We present the design for the NYU ultracomputer, a general-purpose MIMD parallel processor composed of thousands of autonomous processing elements. This machine uses an enhanced omega-network to approximate the ideal behavior of Schwartz's paracomputer model of computation and to effeciently implement the important replace-add synchronization primitive. The novelty of the design lies in the enhanced network, in particular in the constituent switches and interfaces. We also present the results of analytic and simulation studies of the network as well as including a sample of our efforts to implement parallel variants of important scientific codes.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Deep reactive ion etch conditioning recipe

Deep Reactive Ion Etch (DRIE) has historically been regarded as a process possessing inherent variable response. These varying responses include etch rate, mask selectivity, etch depth uniformity across the wafer, and the overall profile of the features being etched. Several factors are thought to lend themselves to this observed variation. Among them are process temperature disparities and residual parasitic compounds within the reaction chamber itself. A long term experiment was carried out to examine the statistical difference between DRIE runs with and without a specially defined pre-process conditioning recipe. This recipe was developed with the expectations of serving a twofold effect: the first serving as a “warm-up” of the process chamber to a steady state temperature, and the second being a stripping of residual organic compounds within the chamber that might otherwise add variance to the following DRIE process. The pre-process recipe has duration of ~30 minutes. The results of the experiment performed will clearly show that this conditioning recipe run prior to processing reduces the typical variance of DRIE processing.
Psychotherapeutic strategies for coping with HIV infection

Psychotherapy promotes adaptation to the medical, neuropsychiatric, and psychosocial challenges faced by people with HIV infection. This chapter describes a range of individual and group psychotherapy techniques with demonstrated efficacy in this population.
Advances in fiber optic Raman instrumentation

The analytical potential for routine Raman analyses has promoted the development of class 1 instruments configured for analytical laboratory use. A particular topic of interest regarding these systems for the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields is calibration standardization. Widespread acceptance of Raman spectroscopy in regulated industries requires automated, reliable, traceable instrument calibration. Key dispersive Raman analyzer elements that require calibration include excitation laser wavelength, Raman emission wavelengths, and the spectral response profile of the instrument. In this paper we will detail recent developments in fiber optically coupled Raman instruments. Hardware approaches to calibration issues will be the primary focus of this discussion. Candidate wavelength and intensity calibration references are evaluated. Potential system calibration/qualification protocols are discussed.
The solution of magnetostatic BEM systems of equations using iterative methods

A boundary element method for the solution of magnetostatics problems is developed. For large problems when using a direct linear equation solver such as LU decomposition, the decomposition phase of the algorithm comprises the predominant portion of the overall CPU time. A variety of indirect linear equation solvers are considered as a means of significantly reducing the CPU usage. Because of the excellent conditioning of the discretized linear systems, the number of iterations required of the indirect solvers to reach a prescribed residual is quite low and remains relatively constant with refined discretizations.