cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resilient urban water supply: preparing for the slow-moving consequences of climate change

Extensive efforts have been made in preparedness and restorative action to mitigate impacts on critical water sector services from extreme events, such as storms, earthquakes, and terrorism. Comparatively, with some exceptions, the more gradual, slow-moving consequences associated with climate change have garnered lower priority in decision-making processes. This research focuses on surface- and ground- water source contamination by elevated chloride levels, which is a common climate-induced effect. Historic and current response actions by water utilities to address elevated chloride levels were analyzed based on a literature review and interviews with water utility professionals. Key lessons and findings were selected to highlight the operational challenges, solutions implemented, and the adaptive measures considered to improve community water supply resilience.
A System Identification Approach to the Detection of Changes in Structural Parameters

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods for the detection of damage in structural systems have been receiving increasing attention in the recent past. Among the promising NDE methods are those based on the analysis of structural dynamic response measurements to identify a suitable mathematical model corresponding to the (changing) state of the physical structure.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Wrist

Rheumatoid deformity alone is not an indication for surgery; pain and loss of function are. For the wrist, the selection of the procedure depends on thorough clinical and radiographic evaluations for tendon and joint synovitis, tendon ruptures, nerve compressions, and deformity. Operative treatment varies with the patient's age, handedness, occupation, needs, and expectations. One or more of the following modalities may need to be used: joint and tendon synovectomy, tendon transfer, repair and relocation, ligament repair, ligamentodesis and capsulodesis, limited and total arthrodesis, arthroplasty with and without arthrodesis, and with and without endoprosthesis, and different techniques for the management of the painful distal radioulnar joint.
Case 25: A Tracheotomy Is Urgently Needed and You Have Never Done One

You are called stat to the Cath lab for a patient who has developed sudden difficulty in breathing. You find a 73-year-old woman with neck and face severely swollen. She is unresponsive with shallow, rapid, and labored breathing. She is receiving nasal oxygen at 4 l/min and the oxygen saturation is 86%. She has a diagnosis of a superior mediastinal syndrome. In an attempt to investigate this, the radiology staff has sedated the patient with IV fentanyl 100 microgram and IV 4 mg of midazolam. With the patient adequately sedated, a Shiley catheter has been placed in the right subclavian vein. They inform you that the subclavian artery has also been hit several times and there is now a large hematoma compressing her trachea. You listen to the chest but can hear little air entry. You assist ventilation with 100% oxygen via an Ambu bag, but with no improvement. You attempt to intubate the trachea with a Mac 3 blade but see nothing. You feel that succinylcholine will not be helpful as the patient is now relaxed and completely unresponsive. A two-person mask ventilation with a large oral airway is unsuccessful. The LMA that you have called for has not arrived. The neck is so swollen that you dismiss the use of a cricothyrotomy. A tracheotomy set is produced, and an ENT specialist is called for, but you are informed that he can only be there in 10 min. The oxygen saturation is now 76%, and there is a dramatic decrease in her pulse rate and blood pressure. Everyone is looking at you as the senior anesthesiologist. You know that you have never done a tracheotomy before by yourself and certainly never under these circumstances. However, since you have seen many tracheostomies, you feel this is the only option for this woman. You grab the scalpel and feel a great sense of insecurity and dread, but you have committed yourself as you make the incision.
Progression of dialysis-related amyloidoma towards pathologic fracture

Amyloidosis is the extracellular deposition of amyloid protein fibrils, and this condition may be hereditary or acquired. Patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis are particularly at risk for developing acquired amyloidosis. A rare form of amyloidosis is an amyloidoma or amyloid tumor, which occurs when amyloid focally deposits in a section of the musculoskeletal system, most commonly in the osteoarticular system. Here, we present a case of a hemodialysis-related amyloidoma of the left femoral neck in an 80-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis for 8 years. The purpose of this report is to provide an account of the unique clinical, imaging, and histopathologic manifestation of a dialysis-related amyloidoma that progressively enlarges over a 2-year period. This report also highlights some prophylactic measures that may reduce the risk of developing an associated pathologic fracture.
Skin cancer and actinic keratoses

Background Skin cancer is the most common cancer among whites and is increasing faster than most other cancers. Non-melanoma skin cancers are typically slow-growing, but in the periocular region they are more aggressive. If not treated early, malignant melanoma is almost always lethal. Optometrists can play an important role in the early detection of skin cancer. Methods One thousand (1,000) consecutive patients, ages 35 and older, were screened for skin cancer and actinic keratoses of the head and neck. Patients were also questioned for any previous diagnoses for these conditions. The screenings were done as part of an optometric examination in a private practice in southeastern Pennsylvania. Results Ninety-six (96) white patients had a previous diagnosis of skin cancer or actinic keratoses. Three additional patients were diagnosed with one of these conditions as part of this study. From this total of ninety-nine (99) positive patients, all had skin cancer-except three (3), who had actinic keratoses. Of the white patients, 10.3% were positive, none of the 41 blacks nor the one Asian had any history. More males reported these conditions than females (12.8% vs. 8.6). The head and neck was the most common site reported (69.7%). Conclusion A large number of white patients in this primary care optometric practice were positive for skin cancer or actinic keratosis. Optometrists should seriously consider screening the exposed skin of their older white patients.
The effects of minority and immigration status on elderly health: A community social capital perspective

Health disparity across ethnic and immigrant groups are well recognized. However, there is a lack of systematic understanding about health disparity among older adults particularly given the growing number and size of minority and/or immigrant elders in the United States. The chapter relies on published studies, relevant monographs, government reports and Census data; it explores possible ways in which minority and immigration status jointly or independently affects elderly health. The chapter then introduces the community social capital as a theoretical framework to understand elderly health disparity. In essence, it argues the magnitude of structural racism in the life of minority and immigrant older adults; and it discusses the role that community social capital might play to moderate the negative effects of social-economic disparity, community segregation, social discrimination, and other factors contributable to health outcomes.
Social Anxiety Disorder 2

Despite its relatively recent recognition as a distinct clinical entity, SAD has emerged as a common disorder associated with significant impairment in psychosocial functioning that follows a chronic and unremitting course. Relatively little is known about the etiology of SAD, although research points to the importance of both biological and environmental factors. Several useful assessment instruments with reasonably good psychometric properties have been developed. In addition, several effective treatments have emerged, including CBT programs and several medications. Unfortunately, the majority of persons diagnosed with SAD do not obtain treatment of any kind, and even among those who seek treatment, many do not receive an empirically supported intervention. Future clinical innovation and research is needed to target treatment-resistant patients, including those who benefit only partially from current treatments. In addition, dissemination efforts are needed to make effective treatment available to all those who suffer from this potentially debilitating condition. Finally, the majority of the research to date has focused on adults with SAD, with work with children and adolescents lagging far behind. Research targeting pediatric populations is especially critical to the goal of prevention and early intervention of SAD.
Air-Coupled Ultrasound and Leaky Lamb Waves in Composites

Recently, improvements in instrumentation have provided the option of gas- or air-coupled ultrasonic testing as a realistic alternative to immersion or contact testing. In this paper we present theoretical and experimental results on resonant sound transmission methods mediated by ultrasonic coupling directly through ambient air. Although these methods are not new [1], they have only recently been considered for MHz applications. Advances in transducer technology [2–5] have further improved signal to noise ratios.
Specific Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Group Codes Increase the Predictability of 30-Day Unplanned Hospital Readmission After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

The Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Group coding system (MS-DRG) is routinely used by hospitals for reimbursement purposes following pancreatic surgery. We aimed to determine whether specific pancreatectomy MS-DRG codes, when combined with distinct clinicopathologic and perioperative characteristics, increased the accuracy of predicting 30-day readmission after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Demographic, clinicopathologic, and perioperative factors were compared between readmitted and non-readmitted patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital following PD. Different pancreatectomy DRG codes, currently used for reimbursement purposes [407: without complication/co-morbidity (CC), 406: with CC, and 405: with major CC] were combined with clinical factors to assess their predictability of readmission. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate outcomes. Among 354 patients who underwent PD between 2010 and 2017, 69 (19%) were readmitted. The incidence of readmission was 13, 32, and 55% for patients with assigned DRG codes 407, 406, and 405, respectively (P = 0.0395). Readmitted patients were more likely to have had T4 disease (P = 0.0007), a vascular resection (P = 0.0078), and longer operative times (P = 0.012). On multivariable analysis, combining DRG 407 with relevant clinicopathologic factors was unable to predict readmission. In contrast, DRG 406 code among patients with N positive disease (P = 0.0263) and LOS > 10 days (P = 0.0505) was associated with readmission. DRG 405, preoperative obstructive jaundice (OR: 7.5, CI: 1.5–36, P = 0.0130), vascular resection (OR: 7.7, CI: 1.1–51, P = 0.0336), N positive stage of disease (OR: 0.2, CI: 0–0.9, P = 0.0447), and operative time > 410 min (OR: 5.9, CI: 1–32, P = 0.0399) were each strongly associated with 30-day readmission after PD [likelihood ratio (LR) < 0.0001]. Distinct pancreatectomy MS-DRG classification codes (405), combined with relevant clinicopathologic and perioperative characteristics, strongly predicted 30-day readmission after PD. DRG classification algorithms can be implemented to more accurately identify patients at a higher risk of readmission.
Miniature spatial heterodyne spectrometer for remote laser induced breakdown and Raman spectroscopy using Fresnel collection optics

Abstract A combined laser induced breakdown (LIBS) and Raman, spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHLS/SHRS) is described for remote measurements using Fresnel collection optics. The spatial heterodyne LIBS and Raman spectrometer (SHLS and SHRS) is based on a fixed diffraction grating interferometer with no moving parts that offers a very large field of view, high light throughput, and high spectral resolution in a small package. The field of view of the SHS spectrometer is ~1° making it very forgiving of collection optics alignment and image quality for remote LIBS and Raman measurements. In the SHLS/SHRS system described here, a ~100-mm diameter, f/1.25 Fresnel lens used for light collection is compared to a high quality ~100-mm aperture Questar long distance microscope. LIBS and Raman measurements were made at 10 m for a variety of organic and mineral samples including materials from deep ocean hydrothermal vents.
Bayesian calibration of a hybrid nuclear collision model using p − Pb and Pb-Pb data at energies available at the CERN Large Hadron Collider

We posit a unified hydrodynamic and microscopic description of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) produced in ultrarelativistic $p$-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02$ TeV and evaluate our assertion using Bayesian inference. Specifically, we model the dynamics of both collision systems using initial conditions with parametric nucleon substructure, a pre-equilibrium free-streaming stage, event-by-event viscous hydrodynamics, and a microscopic hadronic afterburner. Free parameters of the model which describe the initial state and QGP medium are then simultaneously calibrated to fit charged particle yields, mean $p_T$, and flow cumulants. We argue that the global agreement of the calibrated model with the experimental data strongly supports the existence of hydrodynamic flow in small collision systems at ultrarelativistic energies, and that the flow produced develops at length scales smaller than a single proton. Posterior estimates for the model's input parameters are obtained, and new insights into the temperature dependence of the QGP transport coefficients and event-by-event structure of the proton are discussed.
A percutaneous endovascular technique for reducing arteriovenous fistula flow.

Reduction of arteriovenous access flow is usually performed by tightening the inflow lumen through an open surgical procedure. A percutaneous endovascular approach can provide a precise and effecti...
Diagnosing Dementia and Clarifying Goals of Care.

A collaboration between AFP and the Lown Institute promotes a vision of delivering heath care that is based on the evidence, balanced in its approach, and focused on the patient.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Native and Non-Native Oysters

Non-native species introductions are associated with a range of ecosystem changes such as habitat destruction, competition with native species, and biodiversity losses. Less well known is the role non-native species play in altering biogeochemical processes, such as the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In this study we used laboratory incubations to compare seasonal (spring, summer, fall) emissions of the GHGs nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from native (Crassostrea virginica) and non-native (Ostrea edulis) oysters collected from a northern temperate estuary (Duxbury Bay, Massachusetts, USA). We observed strong seasonal signals in GHG fluxes, where C. virginica was the higher GHG emitter, and produced on average twice as much N2O (0.39 nmol g-1 dry tissue weight hr-1) and twenty times as much CH4 (1.31 nmol g DTW-1 hr-1) compared to O. edulis (0.16 nmol N2O g DTW-1 hr-1 and 0.07 nmol CH4 g DTW-1 hr-1). C. virginica also had significantly (p < 0.001) higher summer maximum production rates of CO2 compared to O. edulis (53.4 mol g DTW-1 hr-1 and 45.4 mol g DTW-1 hr-1, respectively). Despite these differences, chlorophyll-a consumption rates between the species were similar (p = 0.95). These results suggest that the non-native O. edulis is a lower GHG emitter than the native C. virginica and highlight that, at least in terms of GHG emissions, this non-native species introduction may not be detrimental to the environment.
Comparison of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation and Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Knee in a Large Insurance Database: Reoperation Rate, Complications, and Cost Analysis.

ObjectiveTo compare (1) the reoperation rates, (2) risk factors for reoperation, (3) 30-day complication rates, and (4) cost differences between autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and osteoc...
Propagation of Rayleigh wave in initially-stressed compressible hyperelastic materials

Abstract In this paper, propagation of Rayleigh surface wave in a compressible half-space solid with initial stress is discussed. The basic formulation of the problem includes the non linear theory of elasticity and theory of invariants. The equations governing infinitesimal motions superimposed on a finite deformation are used to study the combined effect of initial stress and finite deformation on wave speed. Secular equation governing the wave speed of a surface wave is presented and analyzed in detail. Various conditions are found for the existence and uniqueness of the wave speed. Furthermore, to understand the physical behavior of surface wave propagation, the theoretical results are plotted and analyzed for various numerical values of parameters involved in a prototype model. It is concluded that the surface wave speed is considerably affected by compression and tension as well as due to the stretch ratios of deformation. Moreover, for various choices of numerical values of governing parameters, the admissible numerical values of initial stress components and stretch ratios are also illustrated graphically.
Blackbody Radiation and the Loss of Universality: Implications for Planck's Formulation and Boltzman's Constant

Through the reevaluation of Kirchho ’s law (Robitaille P. M. L. IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., 2003, v. 31(6), 1263‐1267), Planck’s blackbody equation (Planck M. Ann. der Physik, 1901, v. 4, 553‐356) loses its universal significance and becomes restricted to perfect absorbers. Consequently, the proper application of Planck’s radiation law involves the study of solid opaque objects, typically made from graphite, soot, and carbon black. The extension of this equation to other materials may yield apparent temperatures, which do not have any physical meaning relative to the usual temperature scales. Real temperatures are exclusively obtained from objects which are known solids, or which are enclosed within, or in equilibrium with, a perfect absorber. For this reason, the currently accepted temperature of the microwave background must be viewed as an apparent temperature. Rectifying this situation, while respecting real temperatures, involves a reexamination of Boltzman’s constant. In so doing, the latter is deprived of its universal nature and, in fact, acts as a temperature dependent variable. In its revised form, Planck’s equation becomes temperature insensitive near 300 K, when applied to the microwave background. With the formulation of his law of thermal emission [1], Planck brought to science a long sought physical order. Though individual materials varied widely in their radiative behaviors, Kirchho ’s law of thermal emission [2, 3] had enabled him to advance dramatic simplifications in an otherwise chaotic world [1]. Given thermal equilibrium and enclosure, the blackbody cavity seemed to impart upon nature a universal property, far removed from the confusion prevailing outside its walls [4]. Universality produced conceptual order and brought rapid and dramatic progress in mathematical physics. In his “Theory of Heat Radiation” [4], Planck outlines the prize: the existence of the universal constants, and . Moreover, he is able to introduce natural units of length, mass, time, and temperature [4;x164]. He writes: “In contrast with this it might be of interest to note that, with the aid of the two constants and which appear in the universal law of radiation, we have the means of establishing units of length, mass, time, and temperature, which are independent of special bodies or substances, which necessarily retain their significance for all time and for all environments, terrestrial and human or otherwise, and which may, therefore, be described as ‘natural units’ ” [4;x164]. Planck then presents the values of the four fundamental constants [4;x164]:
Consumption rates vary based on the presence and type of oyster structure: A seasonal and latitudinal comparison

Abstract As oyster reefs continue to decline worldwide, interest has turned to restoration and aquaculture as ways to sustain the services derived from these ecologically and economically valuable habitats. While biogenic oyster reefs support a variety of ecological functions, it remains unclear whether aquaculture and its associated infrastructure can provide equivalent levels of functioning. Here, we compare consumption rates by fish and invertebrate predators, a key indicator of energy transfer between trophic levels, between reef and aquaculture habitats for the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in the Western Atlantic. We deployed a standardized dried squid prey item (‘Squidpops’) in three different structured settings: biogenic oyster reefs, on-bottom aquaculture, and off-bottom aquaculture. For each habitat treatment, we also implemented an adjacent control in nearby bare (unstructured) sediment. These assays were repeated across three seasons at twelve locations spanning 900 km of coastline. We found that consumption rates were contingent on the presence and type of structure: they were highest near off-bottom floating bags, and the difference between structured habitats and unstructured controls was also greatest for this treatment. Moreover, at large temporal and spatial scales, consumption rates increased with increasing temperature, and independently declined with increasing latitude. Our study revealed that certain types of aquaculture support comparable or greater consumption rates than natural reefs, suggesting an important role for this novel structured habitat in maintaining coastal food webs.
Case 1-2021: A 76-Year-Old Woman with Lethargy and Altered Mental Status.

A Woman with Lethargy and Altered Mental Status A 76-year-old woman with a history of gastric adenocarcinoma and chronic kidney disease presented with lethargy and altered mental status. She had an...
Case Report: Alpelisib-Induced Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms: A Rare Manifestation of a Common Side Effect

Alpelisib is a PIK3a inhibitor approved for the treatment of metastatic ER+ breast cancer in combination with fulvestrant. Although rash is a common side effect of this medication, we present the first case of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) upon initial exposure to alpelisib. Here we describe the clinical-pathological findings and management of our patient with alpelisib induced life-threatening DRESS syndrome. The goal of this case report is to highlight association of alpelisib with DRESS syndrome, in clinical practice, so that alpelisib can be immediately stopped and treatment for this serious condition promptly initiated.
The pursuit of a dream, Francisco Javier Sayas and the HDG methods

Franciso Javier Sayas, man of grit and determination, left his hometown of Zaragoza in 2007 in pursuit of a dream, to become a scholar in the USA. I hosted him in Minneapolis, where he spent three long years of an arduous transition before obtaining a permanent position at the University of Delaware. There, he enthusiastically worked on the unfolding of his dream until his life was tragically cut short by cancer, at only 50. In this paper, I try to bring to light the part of his academic life he shared with me. As we both worked on hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin methods, and he wrote a book on the subject, I will tell Javier’s life as it developed around this topic. First, I will show how the ideas of static condensation and hybridization, proposed back in the mid 60s, lead to the introduction of those methods. This background material will allow me to tell the story of the evolution of the hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin methods and describe Javier’s participation in it. Javier faced death with open eyes and poised dignity. I will end with a poem he liked.
Information asymmetries and the effects of banking mergers of firm-bank relationships

This study examines the effects of mergers between commercial banks and investment banks on firm-bank relationships and the pricing of loan contracts, focusing on the role of information asymmetries. I find that, prior to a public securities issuance, junk rated firms are more likely to switch lenders to a merged commercial-investment bank when their existing lenders are pure commercial banks. Borrowers that issue public securities and are in local lending relationships are less likely to switch lenders after their bank merges with an investment bank. Also, when issuing public debt, junk-rated firms and companies in local lending relationships are likely to select their commercial-investment bank as underwriter. The revealed preference by firms that issue informationally sensitive securities for commercial-investment bank relationships suggests that there are benefits from the bank’s ability to use private information from lending in investment banking. After merging with investment banks, commercial banks raise the interest rates of their junk rated and local continuing borrowers, but only when the firm has a single lending relationship, consistent with banks having information monopolies that allow for the extraction of merger-related gains. Mergers between commercial and investment banks do not affect firm-bank relationships or borrowing costs when the bank is less likely to acquire private information through lending or when firms are unlikely to issue public securities. Additional tests show that the findings are not likely due to mergers between commercial banks, changes in economic conditions, or poor ex-post performance of borrowers.
Adjustable- Versus Fixed-Rate Mortgage Choice: The Role of Initial Rate Discounts

This paper investigates relative pricing determinants of the fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) versus adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) decision. A probit model is estimated using data from a national sample of residential housing transactions for the 1986 to 1988 period. The results suggest that the probability of ARM choice is highly sensitive to ARM initial rate (“teaser”) discounts and differences in the ratio of FRM to ARM points. In addition, the findings indicate that the level of local housing prices is an important determinant of ARM choice.
Iowa record-linkage study: death rates in psychiatric patients.

The Iowa record-linkage study was developed to investigate death rates in psychiatric patients, and involved computer matching of death certificates with a roster of patients. A list of all patients admitted to our hospital from 1972 through 1981 was obtained and after removing duplicate entries the list was pared to 5412 names. The record included multiple identifiers (e.g., name, gender, date-of-birth, hospital number). This information was then linked by computer with all Iowa death certificates for the same period; a total of 331 deaths were identified. Patients were assigned to a single psychiatric diagnostic category based on a computer program that reviewed each patient's clinical diagnoses and picked the one with the highest priority in a hierarchy we had created. Age and sex adjusted mortality tables were constructed, allowing us to compute expected numbers of deaths. Relative risk for premature death was greatest among women, and those under 20 years. Risk was associated with all psychiatric diagnoses and was significantly higher among patients of either gender with an organic mental disorder or schizophrenia; women with acute schizophrenia, depressive neuroses, alcoholism, drug abuse, and psychophysiological disorders; and men with neuroses. Death from natural causes, especially from heart disease, was significantly excessive among women, while death from accidents and suicides was excessive for both men and women. The overall SMR was 1.65 (P<0.001). Most importantly, we found that the greatest excess of mortality occurred within the first 2 years following hospital discharge. Thus, we were able to demonstrate that risk of mortality in general, and of suicide specifically, differed according to age, gender, diagnosis, and portion of the follow-up. We have subsequently used this method to investigate specific risk factors associated with mortality in mood disorders, schizophrenia, and antisocial personality disorder. Findings from these studies are reported.
Mestizaje and Globalization: Transformations of Identity and Power

Mestizaje and globalization: Transformations of identity and power. Wickstrom, Stefanie, & Young, Philip D. (Eds). (2014). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press. 284 pp. ISBN: 978- 8165- 3090- 8.
On polynomial time algorithms for tree-decomposable graphs

Recent work in the design of efficient algorithms for optimization problems on tree-decomposable graphs concentrates on developing general approaches which lead to families of related algorithms, rather than on developing isolated ad hoc algorithms. The author extends previous results to obtain novel classes of related polynomial time algorithms for problems not previously handled by any general approach. Two families of polynomial time algorithms are presented for packing, partitioning, and covering problems, and for multiset and multiproperty problems. >
Ices in planetary rings

Understanding the structure and behavior of Saturnian rings in terms of properties of ices is basic for evolutionary planetology. The available information indicates the presence of quite pure, probably amorphous water ice in the form of medium-grained frost in a fairy castle structure with a low thermal inertia. Tidal forces and interparticle collisions lead to continuous break-up and re-formation of loose aggregates of smaller particles. Micrometeoroid bombardment and proton irradiation are important for explaining the mechanical and optical properties of the surfaces of ring particles. The transfer of angular momentum and mass among the rings should homogenize the chemical and structural characteristics of the ring ices. Uranian rings may be made of carbon-covered methane ice particles.
Comparative Structural Studies of the First Row Early Transition Metal(III) Chloride Tetrahydrofuran Solvates

Abstract Two compounds of empirical formula MCl3- (THF)3, M = V and Cr, have been characterized by single crystal X-ray studies. The VCl3(THF)3 molecule, which has a mer octahedral stereochemistry, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a= 8.847(2),b= 12.861(5),c= 15.134(3) A, β = 91.94(2)°, V = 1721(1) A3 and Z = 4. The V-Ci(1) and V-CI(2) distances have a mean value of 2.330 [3] A while V-CI(3) = 2.297(2) A, The VO(1) and VO(2) distances have a mean value of 2.061[8] A while V-O(3) = 2.102(3) A cis ClVCl angles average 92.0[5]° and cis OVO angles average 86.2[2]° . The isostmctural complex, CrCl3(THF)3, has a crystal structure made up of discrete octahedral mer-CrCl3(THF)3 molecules with the following unit cell dimensions (space group P21/c): a = 8.715(1), b= 12.786(3), c = 15.122(3) A, β = 92.15(1)°, V = 1684(1) A3 and Z = 4. The CrCl(1) and CrCl(2) distances have a mean value of 2.310131 A while CrCl(3) = 2.283(2) A. The CrO(1) and CrO(2) distances have a mean value of 2.0101171 A while CrO(3) = 2.077(4) A. cis ClCrCl angles average 90.9[4]° and cis OCrO angles average 86.1 [2]°. The structures of these two octahedral complexes and those previously reported for ScCl3(THF)3 and TiCl3(THF)3 are compared and certain general trends are discussed.
Risk of HIV-1 infection after human bites

THE FIRST DOCUMENTED SEROCONVERSION OF HIV-1 FOLLOWing a human bite1 raises an important concern regarding occupational transmission of HIV from patient to health care worker. The HIV seroconversion described [in The Lancet article “Transmission of HIV-1 by human bite”] suggests that for HIV-1 transmission to occur, there must be blood in the mouth of the source patient and a break in the integrity of the skin of the health care worker. Seventy-four hospitals in the U.S. participating in the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) report their employees’ occupational percutaneous injuries and exposures to blood or body fluids to researchers at the University of Virginia. A review of EPINet data from 1993 to 1995 was conducted to determine the rate of bite exposures in health care workers and the frequency of associated risk factors that might increase occupational infection risk. There were no occupational HIV-1 seroconversions in participating hospitals, and 50/70 (71%) hospitals reported that overall 1.7% of exposures involved an HIV-1-positive source patient. Fifty (.5%) of 10,125 total incidents involved a health care worker who was bitten by a patient, an annual rate of 0.12 reported bites per 100 occupied hospital beds. Based on 518,400 occupied U.S. hospital beds, this yields an estimated annual total of 622 reported bite exposures in U.S. hospitals. The job categories and locations of bites are shown in the table below. Nineteen of the 50 bites (38%) involved non-intact skin or a percutaneous injury to the health care worker. Information concerning presence of blood in the source patient’s mouth was available for 36 of the 50 cases. Of these, blood was noted in three cases of exposure to intact skin and in none of the cases in which there was a break in the integrity of the skin. In contrast to the case reported [in The Lancet1], of the 28 incidents in which descriptions of the bites were available, none involved an involuntary bite as might occur during a seizure. In the 28 cases, 14 source patients were combative, ten were children, three were psychiatric patients, and one involved the removal of an orthodontic appliance. These data show that occupational bites are fairly infrequent. Nevertheless, because 86% of bites were to the hands and arms of health care workers, the frequency of these exposures can be minimized by consistent glove use and arm protection when health care workers are in close contact with pediatric, psychiatric, or combative patients.
p38 MAP kinase pathway and stromelysin regulation in trabecular meshwork cells.

Purpose Increased expression of stromelysin-1 (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-3) by the trabecular meshwork (TM) initiates extracellular matrix turnover and increases aqueous humor outflow facility. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha and interleukin (IL)-1alpha are efficacious inducers of MMP-3 in TM. To facilitate understanding of the regulation of MMP-3, the authors investigated the involvement of p38 MAP kinase pathway proteins in this process. Methods Western immunoblots were used to determine the effects of these cytokines and p38 MAP kinase pathway inhibitors on MMP-3 protein levels, p38 MAP kinase isoforms, and phosphorylation levels in human and porcine TM cells. The effects of a dominant-negative p38 MAP kinase construct on MMP-3 expression were evaluated. Morphologic changes in the cells were also examined. Results Both cytokines increased MMP-3 levels. The p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB202190 diminished MMP-3 induction by TNFalpha at all times and at 24 hours by IL-1alpha but potentiated the IL-1alpha-induced increase in MMP-3 at later times. MMP-3 induction by both cytokines was blocked by dominant-negative p38 MAP kinase constructs. Each cytokine increased phosphorylation of the p38 MAP kinase pathway components and altered TM cell morphology. The p38 inhibitor blocked only the morphologic changes produced by TNFalpha. Human and porcine TM cells expressed p38 alpha, beta, delta, and gamma isoforms, which migrate coincident with bands of specific phosphorylation. Conclusions The effects of p38 inhibitors and the dominant-negative construct on TNFalpha and IL-1alpha induction of MMP-3 demonstrate an essential role for p38 in this signaling process. Differences between p38 inhibitor effects on TNFalpha and IL-1alpha induction of MMP-3 suggest divergent p38 isoform use, as do the morphologic responses. The anomalous p38 inhibitor effect on IL-1alpha induction of MMP-3 and phosphorylation of p38 delta/gamma suggests complex interactions between p38 MAP kinase isoforms and their differential uses by TNFalpha and IL-1alpha in TM.
Electrophoretic Patterns and Free Amino Acid Composition of Peanut Meal Fermented With Fungi

Abstract peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) meal was fermented with nine different fungi at 28°C for periods of time ranging to 98 h. Qualitative changes in peanut protein resulting from fungal proteolysis were followed electro–phoretically using polyacrylamide gel. During fermentation the large molecular weight globulins observed in gel patterns of non–fermented samples were hydrolyzed to smaller components. The extent of peptone formation varied with the fungal strain used for fermentation. Total amino acid composition and free amino acid content of the ferments were determined. Only small changes in the total amino acid profile of peanuts occurred upon fermentation; however, the percentage of amino acids as free and the proportions of specific amino acids within this fraction varied greatly among the ferments as well as between ferments and non–fermented controls.
Economics of Housing Dairy Cattle. A Review

Abstract Type of dairy housing varies greatly between production regions as well as within regions of the United States. Size of operation, climate, relative costs for labor and other inputs, and managerial skills and preferences of dairy farmers influence the choice of the type of housing and degree of mechanization attained. Investments in dairy housing including the milking system will range from $350 per cow. Although annual cost for dairy housing and equipment contribute only 5 to 13% of total costs of producing milk, it has a much greater impact on cost of producing milk than the low percentages indicate. Type of housing and degree of mechanization affect efficiency and cost of labor and feed, man and cow comfort, cow health, cleanliness and sanitation, and possibly milk output. Increasing costs and the need for larger volumes of business have encouraged the development of highly mechanized silage and grain feeding, herringbone milking parlor, free stall housing and liquid manure systems.
Localization of a blood pressure QTL to a 2.4-cM interval on rat chromosome 9 using congenic strains.

A blood pressure (BP) quantitative trait locus (QTL) was previously found on rat chromosome 9 using Dahl salt-sensitive (S) and Dahl salt-resistant (R) rats. A congenic strain, S.R(chr9), constructed by introgressing an R chromosomal segment into the S background, previously proved the existence of a BP QTL in a large 34.2-cM segment of chromosome 9. In the current work congenic substrains were constructed from the progenitor congenic strain, S.R(chr9). BP and heart weight comparisons between these congenic substrains and their S control localized the BP QTL to a 4.6-cM interval. Two solute carrier (Na(+)/H(+) exchanger) genes, Nhe2 and Nhe4, were excluded as candidates based on their map locations. A second iteration of congenic substrains was used to localize the QTL further to a 2.4-cM interval. Another solute carrier (Cl(-)/HCO3- exchanger) gene, Ae3, is in this reduced interval and was sequenced for both S and R strains, but no coding sequence variations were found. Ae3 mRNA was not differentially expressed in the kidney of congenic compared to S rats. Although the identity of the QTL remains unknown its map location has been reduced from an interval of 34.2 to 2.4 cM.
Remote triggered release of doxorubicin in tumors by synergistic application of thermosensitive liposomes and gold nanorods.

Delivery of chemotherapeutic agents after encapsulation in nanocarriers such as liposomes diminishes side-effects, as PEGylated nanocarrier pharmacokinetics decrease dosing to healthy tissues and accumulate in tumors due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Once in the tumor, however, dosing of the chemotherapeutic to tumor cells is limited potentially by the rate of release from the carriers and the size-constrained, poor diffusivity of nanocarriers in tumor interstitium. Here, we report the design and fabrication of a thermosensitive liposomal nanocarrier that maintains its encapsulation stability with a high concentration of doxorubicin payload, thereby minimizing “leak” and attendant toxicity. When used synergistically with PEGylated gold nanorods and near-infrared stimulation, remote triggered release of doxorubicin from thermosensitive liposomes was achieved in a mouse tumor model of human glioblastoma (U87), resulting in a significant increase in efficacy when compared to nontriggered...
Sequential flowering of neighboring goldenrods and the movements of the flower predator Epicauta pennsylvanica

As neighboring plants flower sequentially, do flower feeders preferentially remain in the area, rather than move to another area with flowering plants? I examined the movements of the meloid beetle Epicauta pennsylvanica, a flower predator specializing on Solidago, in four types of replicated experimental plots — monocultures of Solidago altissima, or S. altissima interplanted with members of the same genus, same family, or different taxonomic orders. I released marked beetles only in the “genus” plots, which contained four species of Solidago, two that bloom before S. altissima. The number of beetles in the genus plots declined steadily as S. altissima came into flower in all the plots; the total number of beetles in all the plots remained fairly constant. I found no evidence that plant neighborhoods affected beetle distribution. Beetles foraging on the early blooming Solidago species did not remain in the genus plots as S. altissima came into flower. In addition, beetles that left the genus plots did not differentially accumulate in any of the other plot types, even though one type of plot was a monoculture with four times the density of S. altissima than the other plots.
Fundamental factors affecting upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation - part II. Predicting effectiveness.

Compared with increasing outdoor air ventilation rate, upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is an attractive technology for lowering the indoor concentration of airborne microorganisms and thereby reducing the risk of airborne transmission of disease. With relatively modest vertical air circulation, most of the air in a room can be irradiated in a relatively brief time period without noise or significant power consumption. The hypothesis tested in this study is that the efficacy of upper-room UVGI to inactivate or kill airborne infectious microorganisms can be determined from an index of UVGI effectiveness, a dimensionless parameter designed to characterize adequacy of vertical air circulation, amount of UVGI provided, and their interaction. This index of effectiveness, which is determined independently of microbiological testing, was found to correlate well with experimental measurements made in a room-size chamber. A comparison of two other dimensionless parameters—the irradiation number...
Noise reduction of a miniature fan by using blade treatment

The method of noise reduction by providing porous surface [1, 2] on the fan blade was experimentally investigated on a miniature axial-flow fan that is popularly used in cooling for a business machine. Different porous materials such as foam, fiberglass and felt metal were evaluated on the fan. Narrow-band analyses are presented to show the effectiveness on quietening the blade pressure noise and vortex shedding noise by making use of their frequency spectrum signature. A simulation test with a stationary blade is given to verify the identification of vortex shedding noise.
Joule heating in the high‐latitude mesosphere

The contribution made by Joule dissipation to heating of the daytime high-latitude upper mesosphere is discussed. During solar proton precipitation events in regions of large electric fields, Joule dissipation can be substantially larger than the local solar heating rate. Altitude profiles of Joule dissipation are presented for the polar cleft region for the August 4, 1972, solar proton event.
Neural regulation of immunity: Role of NPR-1 in pathogen avoidance and regulation of innate immunity

The nervous and immune systems consist of complex networks that have been known to be closely interrelated. However, given the complexity of the nervous and immune systems of mammals, including humans, the precise mechanisms by which the two systems influence each other remain understudied. To cut through this complexity, we used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a simple system to study the relationship between the immune and nervous systems using sophisticated genetic manipulations. We found that C. elegans mutants in G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed in the nervous system exhibit aberrant responses to pathogen infection. The use of different pathogens, different modes of infection and genome-wide microarrays highlighted the importance of the GPCR NPR-1 in avoidance to certain pathogens and in the regulation of innate immunity. The regulation of innate immunity was found to take place at least in part through a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway similar to the mammalian p38 MAPK pathway. Here, the results that support the different roles of the NPR-1 neural circuit in the regulation of C. elegans responses to pathogen infection are discussed.
A Review of the Crawling Water Beetles of Mongolia (Coleoptera: Haliplidae)

ABSTRACT. The species of the aquatic beetle family Haliplidae that occur in Mongolia are reviewed. A total of eight species in the genus Haliplus Latreille, 1802 are known from the country, including four here newly recorded: Haliplus basinotatus Zimmerman, 1924, H. fulvus (Fabricius, 1801), H. furcatus Seidlitz, 1887 and H. simplex Clark, 1863. New locality records are provided for H. steppensis Guignot, 1954 and H. sibirieus Motschulsky, 1860. Prior published Mongolian records of H. apicalis Thomson, 1868 were misidentified and this species is not currently known from the country. A key to the species of Haliplidae occurring in Mongolia and surrounding regions is provided.
Five-day courses of irinotecan as palliative therapy for patients with neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND The authors describe a large experience using short courses of irinotecan for palliative therapy in patients with neuroblastoma (NB). Quality of life was a major issue in choosing this regimen for patients whose disease was resistant to standard anti-NB therapies. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who were followed by the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and treated for resistant NB with irinotecan at 50 mg/m2 per day for 5 days as a 1-hour intravenous infusion. Treatment was outpatient, and there was a minimum 2-week rest period between courses. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was used to keep the absolute neutrophil count > 500–1000/mL. RESULTS Forty-four patients had been treated aggressively and/or extensively before they received one or more five-day courses of irinotecan. Emetogenic, diarrheal, and myelosuppressive effects were readily managed. Hospitalizations were limited to three patients with bacteremia. Twenty-three patients had a change in therapy, although they did not have progressive disease (PD) after receiving 1 (n = 10), 2 (n = 3), 3 (n = 1), 4 (n = 6), 7 (n = 1 patient), 22 (n = 1 patient), or 24 (n = 1) courses. The most common reasons for changing treatment were to intensify retrieval therapy or to pursue immunotherapy. Of those 23 patients, 15 patients had stable disease, 7 were not evaluable for response because of concurrent radiotherapy, and 1 patient had a major response. Twenty-one patients had PD after 1 (n = 3, 2 (n = 9), 4 (n = 2), 5 (n = 1), 6 (n = 3), 7 (n = 1), 9 (n = 1), and 11 (n = 1) courses. CONCLUSIONS In heavily treated patients, the regimen studied was well tolerated, allowed patients to continue most normal life activities, and produced anti-NB effects. Its modest toxicity supported use with other antitumor agents. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.