cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bringing archaeology into the information age: entropy, noise, channel capacity, and information potential in archaeological significance assessments

Most archaeology today is conducted by private cultural resources management (CRM) firms in compliance with preservation legislation. Industry archaeologists make decisions that affect the expenditure of public and private development funds, and determine what resources, data, and information are available for the future. Decisions about what is archaeologically significant impact public value purchased by governments and firms, and impact cumulative ability to know the archaeological record. While there are many concepts of archaeological significance, many justify significance in terms of the information yield. Few define information. Discussions are confused by vague or absent definitions of information, and the conflation of data volume with information resulting in bias in the types of resources preserved. Perpetuating modern theoretical interests into the preserved data hobbles future archaeology. In the interest of representative preservation of archaeological information, we need an operational definition of “information” and which resources have information potential. To unify and organize discussions of information and representative samples, I turn to information theory. Claude E. Shannon provides a formal definition of “information”. Applying Shannon’s concepts of entropy and equivocation provides formal tools to objectively assess relative and absolute information potential, and can force CRM practitioners to more explicitly justify their recommendations for expenditure of public and private development funds and preserve a more representative sample of the archaeological record for future inquiry. Bringing archaeology into the information age is a practical solution to many problems with CRM significance evaluations, and will better justify the value CRM provides in return for public investment in archaeology.
Ventricular tachycardia in a patient with neuromuscular disease

A 41-year-old woman with type 1 myotonic dystrophy and a family history of sudden cardiac death presented with frequent palpitations and near syncope. During an electrophysiology study, she was found to have a prolonged HV interval and easily inducible wide complex tachycardia, consistent with bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia for which she underwent successful catheter ablation of the right bundle branch. The importance of clinical surveillance for conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias in patients with myotonic dystrophy is discussed.
Dissociation of Acetabular Polyethylene Liners With a Morse Taper Design

Abstract Background Polyethylene liner dissociation is an uncommon complication of hip replacement. Dissociation has been associated with particular acetabular component designs. This study reviewed acetabular liner dissociations in a specific modular cup with a Morse taper locking mechanism that has not been previously reported. Methods The senior author performed 655 primary total hip arthroplasties with one particular design of acetabular component using Class A polyethylene liners and metal head articulation. Cases with revision surgery performed for acetabular liner dissociation were reviewed. Results Seven of 655 patients with this cup underwent revision surgery for a dissociated liner. Liner dissociation occurred at a mean of 73 months postoperatively. Patients presented with new-onset hip pain or squeaking, 4 of which developed symptoms acutely. Two patients treated with polyethylene liner exchange into the same cup required a second revision surgery for recurrent dissociation. Conclusion Polyethylene liner dissociation is an infrequent but possible complication associated with modular acetabular components using a Morse taper locking. Providers should be vigilant with long-term follow-up of patients with this acetabular system for patient complaints of catching or squeaking. Patients treated for liner dissociation should not have a new liner placed into the same acetabular shell given the risk for further dissociation.
Calcifying Extracellular Vesicles: Biology, Characterization, and Mineral Formation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed organelles that serve as biological messengers that mediate cell-cell communication and have been implicated in disease progression. EVs are secreted by various cell types and can be assayed from tissue, cell culture media, and biological fluids collected from animals and human subjects. A special subtype of EVs known as matrix vesicles has been studied as nucleating sites for mineralization in skeletal tissues. More recently, studies have found that EVs derived from calcified vascular tissues have similar properties to matrix vesicles released within bone. This opens up novel avenues for a deeper mechanistic understanding and characterization of vascular calcification through analysis of these EVs. However, these analyses are limited by the small size and extremely complex and heterogeneous nature of the vesicles. The advent of new technologies, many of which were originally developed for analysis of synthetic nanoparticles, has provided new insight into EV properties and function. This chapter focuses on the characterization of EV properties demonstrated by various physical, structural, and biomolecular analyses that have allowed for a more comprehensive description of the initiation of calcification. We will begin by briefly reviewing the properties of calcifying EVs that promote mineralization, followed by a focus on the current discussion on commonly utilized and emerging techniques to measure EV properties. We outline several methodologies and detail the advantages and limitations of each technique, along with possible solutions.
The Mobile Lower Body Negative Pressure Gravity Suit for Long-Duration Spaceflight

Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome, bone decalcification, and muscle atrophy are among the most prevalent risks associated with long-duration spaceflight. Implementing the lower body negative pressure (LBNP) method is a potential countermeasure for these risks. LBNP counteracts head-ward fluid shifts and generates ground-reaction forces (GRFs). GRFs are beneficial for maintaining bones and muscles by producing gravity-like loads experienced on Earth. Currently, LBNP devices are large/bulky, and usually require the subject to maintain a stationary position. However, our new mobile gravity suit is relatively small, untethered, and flexible in order to improve mobility in space. We hypothesized that this novel mobile gravity suit generates greater GRFs than a standard LBNP chamber. While lying supine, GRF data were recorded in both devices using foot sole sensors and a weight scale. At -40 mmHg, the gravity suit generated a mean maximum bodyweight of 125 ± 22% (P < 0.02) whereas the standard LBNP chamber generated 91 ± 24%. The standard LBNP chamber generated a single force on the stationary subject, which was expressed as AW(LBNP) = GRF, where Aw = cross-sectional area (CSA) of subject's waist. However, the mobile gravity suit generated an additional force based on the following equation, (AF + AW)LBNP = GRF, where AF = CSA of subject's feet. The additional force was further expressed as F1 + F2 = AF × LBNP, where F1 = spinal loading force, F2 = waist shear force, and AF × LBNP = the total downward foot force. Thus, the mobile gravity suit produces higher percentages of bodyweight due to the suit's novel design.
A Step in the Right Direction: The Promise of PROMs in Routine Hemodialysis Care.

A good physician treats the disease, the great physician treats the patient who has the disease. —Sir William Osler Patients with kidney failure experience a high symptom burden that negatively affects their quality of life and experience. Despite the contribution of symptoms to poor outcomes,
Sport tourism entity desired outcomes.

Sport tourism entities serve to actively represent a locale in hosting sporting events across the United States and beyond (Sports ETA, 2019). Over the last quarter century, the number of sport tou...
Design Rules, Volume 2: Chapter 4—The Mirroring Hypothesis: Linkages Inside and Across Transaction Free Zones

A technology is a specific way to achieve a material goal. It describes a feasible path—a recipe—by which a group of people can arrive at a goal that none could achieve individually. Technical recipes thus require linkages between and among the various contributors to the technical process. The purpose of this chapter is to look at the relationship between the steps in a given technical recipe and organizational linkages between and among people implementing the recipe. I begin by introducing two concepts: (1) technical dependencies which are properties of the technical architecture; and (2) organizational ties which are properties of the organizational architecture. The idea that organizational ties ought to correspond to technical dependencies is known as the mirroring hypothesis. This chapter defines the mirroring hypothesis and describes its origins. It then investigates the theory behind the hypothesis and identifies a set of “predictable exceptions” where the hypothesis does not hold. Finally it considers the evidence for and against mirroring in the economy at large.
Multilayer network analyses as a toolkit for measuring social structure

The formalization of multilayer networks allows for new ways to measure sociality in complex social systems, including groups of animals. The same mathematical representation and methods are widely applicable across fields and study systems, and a network can represent drastically different types of data. As such, in order to apply analyses and interpret the results in a meaningful way the researcher must have a deep understanding of what their network is representing and what parts of it are being measured by a given analysis. Multilayer social networks can represent social structure with more detail than is often present in single layer networks, including multiple "types" of individuals, interactions, or relationships, and the extent to which these types are interdependent. Multilayer networks can also encompass a wider range of social scales, which can help overcome complications that are inherent to measuring sociality. In this paper, I dissect multilayer networks into the parts that correspond to different components of social structures. I then discuss common pitfalls to avoid across different stages of multilayer network analyses-some novel and some that always exist in social network analysis but are magnified in multi-layer representations. This paper serves as a primer for building a customized toolkit of multilayer network analyses, to probe components of social structure in animal social systems.
In-network reductions on multi-dimensional HyperX

The use of massively parallel systems for application scaling has pushed the performance bottleneck towards data communication on the network. This is especially critical for allreduce collective that exhibits an all-to-all communication pattern. In this paper, we present an approach for developing performance optimized in-network allreduce on a multi-dimensional HyperX network. Specifically, we describe (a) novel architectural features to support network embeddings of logical topologies for in-network collective computation, and (b) a scalable methodology to realize a low latency allreduce embedding on a HyperX network equipped with the aforementioned hardware support. The proposed architecture further allows pipelined computation in network embeddings for high throughput allreduce. Our approach is employed in the Intel PIUMA system which features a HyperX interconnection network between the nodes. Since there is no physical installation of PIUMA yet, we use simulations to evaluate the performance of our in-network allreduce. It demonstrates excellent scalability with less than 1µ s latency for a single element allreduce on 16K nodes, and up to 40× reduction in latency compared to software implementation. In terms of throughput, in-network allreduce achieves 98% of the ideal bandwidth on a 16 node cluster, outperforming state-of-the-art software allreduce by 3.6×.
Comparison of MIS-C Related Myocarditis, Classic Viral Myocarditis, and COVID-19 Vaccine related Myocarditis in Children

Background: Although rare, myocarditis in the pediatric population is a disease process that carries significant morbidity and mortality. Prior to the SARS-CoV-2 related (COVID-19) pandemic, enteroviruses were the most common cause of classic myocarditis. However, since 2020, myocarditis linked to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is now common. In recent months, myocarditis related to COVID-19 vaccines has also been described. This study aims to compare these three different types of myocarditis with regards to clinical presentation, course, and outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included all patients <21 years of age hospitalized at our institution with classic viral myocarditis from 2015-2019, MIS-C myocarditis from 3/2020-2/2021 and COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis from 5/2021-6/2021. We compared demographics, initial symptomatology, treatment, laboratory data, and echocardiogram findings. Results: Of 201 total participants, 43 patients had classic myocarditis, 149 had MIS-C myocarditis, and 9 had COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis. Peak troponin was highest in the classic myocarditis group, whereas the MIS-C myocarditis group had the highest recorded brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). There were significant differences in time to recovery of normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) for the three groups: nearly all patients with MIS-C myocarditis (n=139, 93%) and all patients with COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis (n=9, 100%) had normal LVEF at the time of discharge, but a lower proportion of the classic myocarditis group (n=30, 70%) had a normal LVEF at discharge (p<0.001). Three months post-discharge, 18 of 40 children (45%) in the classic myocarditis group still required heart failure treatment, whereas only one of the MIS-C myocarditis patients and none of the COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis patients did. Conclusions: Compared to those with classic myocarditis, those with MIS-C myocarditis had more significant hematologic derangements and worse inflammation at presentation, but had better clinical outcomes, including rapid recovery of cardiac function. Patients with COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis had similar clinical presentation to patients with classic myocarditis, but their pattern of recovery was similar to those with MIS-C, with prompt resolution of symptoms and improvement of cardiac function. Long-term follow-up should focus on cardiac and non-cardiac consequences of myocarditis associated with COVID-19 illness and vaccination. Key Words: MIS-C, myocarditis, COVID-19, mRNA vaccine
PI -- Terminal Planetary Defense.

We present a practical and effective method of planetary defense that allows for extremely short mitigation time scales. The method involves an array of small hypervelocity non-nuclear kinetic penetrators that pulverize and disassemble an asteroid or small comet. This mitigates the threat using the Earth's atmosphere to dissipate the energy in the fragment cloud. The system allows a planetary defense solution using existing technologies. This approach will work in extended time scale modes where there is a large warning time, as well as in short interdiction time scenarios with intercepts of minutes to days before impact. In longer time intercept scenarios, the disassembled asteroid fragments largely miss the Earth. In short intercept scenarios, the asteroid fragments of maximum $\sim$10-meter diameter allow the Earth's atmosphere to act as a "beam dump" where the fragments either burn up in the atmosphere and/or air burst, with the primary channel of energy going into spatially and temporally de-correlated shock waves. It is the de-correlated blast waves that are the key to why PI works so well. The effectiveness of the approach depends on the intercept time and size of the asteroid, but allows for effective defense against asteroids in the 20-1000m diameter class and could virtually eliminate the threat of mass destruction posed by these threats with very short warning times even in a terminal defense mode. A 20m diameter asteroid ($\sim$0.5Mt, similar to Chelyabinsk) can be mitigated with a 100s prior to impact intercept with a 10m/s disruption. With a 1m/s internal disruption, a 5 hours prior to impact intercept of a 50m diameter asteroid ($\sim$10Mt yield, similar to Tunguska), a 1 day prior to impact intercept of 100m diameter asteroid ($\sim$100Mt yield), or a 10 day prior to impact intercept of Apophis ($\sim$370m diameter, $\sim$4 Gt yield) would mitigate these threats.
Examining Information Needs of Heart Failure Patients and Family Companions using a Pre-Visit Question Prompt List and Audiotaped Data: Findings from a Pilot Study

Abstract Background Question prompt lists (QPLs) are an effective tool for improving communication during medical visits. However, no studies have attempted to correlate intentions related to question asking and actual questions asked during visits. Moreover, few studies have used QPLs with patients with Heart Failure (HF) or family companions who accompany them to visits. We examined the usage of a pre-visit QPL for patients with HF and their family companions intended to enhance engagement in HF care. The aim of this research was to assess which questions from the QPL patients and companions selected most frequently to ask and compare this to which questions were actually asked during the medical visit. Methods This is a secondary analysis of question prompt list and audiotaped visit data from a pilot study which enrolled and consented HF patients, family companions, and heart failure clinicians. A single group of 30 HF patients and 23 family companions received the QPL to complete in the waiting room immediately before their cardiology visit. To meet our aims, we calculated frequencies for each question selected and asked from the QPL, using data derived from completed prompt lists and audiotaped medical visits. A follow-up survey was administered 2 days after the appointment to assess differences in how participants filled out and used the prompt list. Results Patients and companions primarily selected and asked questions from the QPL regarding management and treatment of the disease, general questions about HF, and questions about prognosis. Participants rarely asked questions about support for family and friends or healthcare team roles and responsibilities. Patients and companions did not ask many of the questions they reported wanting to ask. Conclusion Prompt lists may empower patients and companions to communicate with their clinician by identifying important questions to help overcome patients’ and companions’ knowledge gaps. More research is needed to understand the true impact of prompt lists on patient-family-clinician communication and subsequent HF outcomes, and how best to implement them in clinical workflows to increase their potential utility.
Justices at Work, or Not: New Supreme Court Statistics and Old Impediments to Making Them Accurate

There is no such thing as an accurate record of the labors of the 112 (so far) Justices of the Supreme Court. And that makes the development and presentation of accurate "Supreme Court Sluggers" statistics a never-ending adventure. Which is not to say that the official records of the Court’s work – the reports of its decisions and opinions (in the U.S. Reports), and the minutes of its proceedings (in the Court’s Journal) – are dangerously unreliable; indeed, for recent years they seem to be very nearly perfect. Rather, it is to say that imperfections do exist and, roughly speaking, the farther back in time you go, the more incomplete and uneven you will find those records to be. It is a tendency that also holds for records of the Justices’ work in chambers, on circuit, and in the lower federal courts, and for records of their work as members of inferior courts before their elevation to the Court. Unofficial reports and other sources, though occasionally useful for filling gaps, are sometimes faulty and often incomplete.As the Green Bag digs into ever-older records to produce trading cards of past members of the Court, this problem will get worse. Consider two sets of 19th-century examples (fleshed out below), dealing with two basic questions we must answer about each case included in the "Sluggers" statistics: (1) when was it decided – that is, to which term of Court should statistics about that case be assigned – and (2) who participated – that is, to which Justices should credit of some sort be given for this piece of the Court’s work? In a distressingly large and uncertain number of cases, a just-look-it-up-online researcher will find the wrong answer, and even a look-it-up-in-the-U.S.-Reports researcher will get it wrong some of the time.
Testing Basketball Technique

(1924). Testing Basketball Technique. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 159-165.
Fracture toughness of fiber-reinforced glass ceramic and ceramic matrix composites

A fracture mechanics investigation of 2D woven Nicalon SiC/SiC and Nicalon SiC/LAS has been undertaken. An energy approach has been adopted to characterize and quantify the fracture properties of these materials. Chevron-notched bend specimens were tested in an edgewise configuration in which the crack propagated perpendicular to the ply direction. R-curves were obtained from repeated loading and unloading of specimens using several methods of data reduction. Values correconding to the plateau regions of the R-curves were taken as steady-state crack-growth resistance. These ranged from 37 to 63 kJ/sq m for 2D-SiC/LAS and 2.6 to 2.8 kJ/sq m for 2D-SiC/SiC composites.
Organizational Engagement Model Analysis

The purpose of this present paper is to compare and contrast between two models of organizational engagement. The first model is the Peace Education in Societies Involved in Intractable Conflicts, Direct and Indirect Models and the second model is the simulation model of inter-group conflict. In addition to that we will analyze these models, and any of these models is likely to result in the least amount of conflict, and explain my conclusion.
Pragmatic application of a clinical prediction rule in primary care to identify patients with low back pain with a good prognosis following a brief spinal manipulation intervention

Patients with low back pain are frequently encountered in primary care. Although a specific diagnosis cannot be made for most patients, it is likely that sub-groups exist within the larger entity of nonspecific low back pain. One sub-group that has been identified is patients who respond rapidly to spinal manipulation. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between two factors (duration and distribution of symptoms) and prognosis following a spinal manipulation intervention. Data were taken from two previously published studies. Patients with low back pain underwent a standardized examination, including assessment of duration of the current symptoms in days, and the distal-most distribution of symptoms. Based on prior research, patients with symptoms of <16 days duration and no symptoms distal to the knee were considered to have a good prognosis following manipulation. All patients underwent up to two sessions of spinal manipulation treatment and a range of motion exercise. Oswestry disability scores were recorded before and after treatment. If ≥ 50% improvement on the Oswestry was achieved, the intervention was considered a success. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio were calculated for the association of the two criteria with the outcome of the treatment. 141 patients (49% female, mean age = 35.5 (± 11.1) years) participated. Mean pre- and post-treatment Oswestry scores were 41.9 (± 10.9) and 24.1 (± 14.2) respectively. Sixty-three subjects (45%) had successful treatment outcomes. The sensitivity of the two criteria was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.67), specificity was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.96), and the positive likelihood ratio was 7.2 (95% CI: 3.2, 16.1). The results of this study demonstrate that two factors; symptom duration of less than 16 days, and no symptoms extending distal to the knee, were associated with a good outcome with spinal manipulation.
The preparation and use of fluorescent-protein conjugates for microvascular research

A procedure is described for making large quantities (100 ml) of fluorochrome-labeled albumin. Chromatographic techniques are described for the purification of commercial albumin (BSA) and the purification of albumin from serum. We report experimentally determined optimal conditions for the covalent attachment of fluorescent dyes (rhodamine isothiocyanate (RITC) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC] to albumin. Subsequent removal of all unreacted fluorescent material (UFM) was achieved using charcoal adsorption. We observed no loss of protein following charcoal treatment. The final protein conjugate was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel chromatography, and isoelectric focusing. The conjugates were determined to be free of UFM and homogeneous with respect to molecular weight. However, FITC conjugation lowered the average isoelectric point of albumin by 0.1 to 0.3 pH units. Illustrations of combining fluorescence microscopy with FITC-BSA and RITC-BSA to view microvascular phenomena in skeletal muscle and the heart are given. Knowledge of the biochemical characteristics of the fluorochrome employed is important for proper interpretation of experimental results using this technique.
Control over WirelessHART Network through a Host Application: A WirelessHART Network Control Proposal

The number of wires needed for effecting control increases with the complexity of the automation. In the last years, this has limited the development of process automation in the industry. Wireless networks offer an evolution to these restrictions, bringing facilities in reconfiguration and portability to mobile terminals. Meanwhile, some paradigms as, for example, security, reliability and latency, make it difficult for new technologies to be inserted into the industrial area. One of the major difficulties in wirelessly networked control systems is that the delay induced by the network in the control loop may cause degradation of the control performance and can destabilize the plant. This research offers a general view of the WirelessHART protocol for networked control systems, including the necessary mechanisms for an effective control loop through a host application. It also shows that is possible to perform control over WirelessHART networks with the control module placed in a host application using an acceptable working sample period for a process plant in a networked control system.
Observation on the effect of the rediae of Nanophyetus salmincola on the fatty acid content of the hepatopancreas of Oxytrema silicula (Gould)

Abstract 1. 1. Quantitative analysis of the fatty acid content in the hepatopancreas of the unparasitized and parasitized Oxytrema silicula and the rediae of Nanophyetus salmincola resulted in the detection of seven free fatty acids. 2. 2. Oleic acid was found in the highest concentration. 3. 3. An increase of 15 per cent in free fatty acid content of the infected hepatopancreas was observed with no appreciable change in the percentage composition with respect to individual fatty acid.
Optimal Surface Excitation of the Thermohaline Circulation

Abstract The amplification of thermohaline circulation (THC) anomalies resulting from heat and freshwater forcing at the ocean surface is investigated in a zonally averaged coupled ocean–atmosphere model. Optimal initial conditions of surface temperature and salinity leading to the largest THC growth are computed, and so are the structures of stochastic surface temperature and salinity forcing that excite maximum THC variance (stochastic optimals). When the THC amplitude is defined as its sum of squares (equivalent to using the standard L2 norm), the nonnormal linearized dynamics lead to an amplification with a time scale on the order of 100 yr. The optimal initial conditions have a vanishing THC anomaly, and the complex amplification mechanism involves the advection of both temperature and salinity anomalies by the mean flow and of the mean temperature and salinity by the anomaly flow. The L2 characterization of THC anomalies leads to physically interesting results, yet to a mathematically singular probl...
0.18‐μm CMOS wideband passive mixer

A 0.18-μm CMOS wideband passive mixer fully integrated with baluns in IBM7HP process is reported. The mixer exhibits wideband operation, despite the intrinsic narrow-band magnitude balance of passive baluns. Very low DC offset, of less than 3 mV, is achieved without any DC cancellation circuits, due to high LO–RF isolation. At the RF frequency of 2.4 GHz, the combined IF differential outputs provide conversion loss (CL) of 7.5 dB, input 1 dB compression point (IP1dB) of 6.2 dBm, and input third-order intercept point (IIP3) of 15.5 dBm. This mixer exhibits broad-band RF impedance matching with reflection coefficient magnitude better than −9.6 dB through the RF frequency range from 1 to 12 GHz. The CL of 10.1–12.9 dB, IP1dB of 8.6–14.4 dBm, and IIP3 of 16–22.2 dBm are achieved at this frequency range for broad-band applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:23–27, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27226
The presence of foreign private issuers in the North American Compustat Database: A note for empirical research in accounting and finance

Abstract This study highlights the importance of attention to the sample collection process when using the North American Compustat database. The study alerts researchers to a significant presence of foreign private issuers in the Compustat database, which is important as most of these firms use non-U.S. accounting standards. Hence, a sample which includes both U.S. and non-U.S. firm results in the use of heterogeneous accounting measurements, and may affect the inferences from accounting and finance research studies. The current study provides an empirical example using earnings and cash flow data from the Compustat database to demonstrate the problem. As predicted, the example indicates that the persistence of operating cash flow and operating accruals differs between U.S. firms and non-U.S. firms. In addition to descriptive statistics and industry membership information for foreign private issuers, the study includes general SEC filing requirements for these firms.
Detection of viral respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens among healthy adults and children of an informal settlement (Kibera) in Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Asymptomatic individuals (AIs) serve as reservoirs of pathogens associated with disease transmission. The objective of this study was to identify the presence and diversity of selected viral respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) pathogens in AIs among residents of an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods & Materials: In 2006, KEMRI/CDC established a population-based infectious disease surveillance site within Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. AIs (healthy controls) were enrolled as part of the system among persons who presented to the study’s referral facility (Tabitha Medical Clinic). Persons presenting without current or previous 2 weeks history of fever, respiratory or diarrheal symptoms were eligible for enrollment as healthy controls. Following consent, participants provided stool and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) specimens. Stool samples were tested by culture for bacterial pathogens and rotavirus by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Respiratory viruses were detected in NP/OP swabs by real time PCR. Results:Between01st November 2008 and31st December 2011, 384 stool samples and 779 NP/OP swabs were obtained from AIs. Pathogenswere found in23 (6.0%) of the384 stool samples. Shigella, 10 (43.5%), was the predominant bacterial pathogen isolated; S. dysenteriae (10%), S. flexneri (70%), and 2 unsubtypable Shigella species. Other bacterial species identified included Campylobacter coli (4.3%) and C. jejuni (17.3%). Rotavirus was the only viral pathogen targeted for isolation; however, it was only detected in <2% of the participants (n=384; 1.8%). Of the 779 NP/OP swabs, adenovirus (11%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (2.8%), human metapnuemovirus (hMPV) (2.7%), influenza virus type A and B (2.3 and 0.5%, respectively), parainfluenza (PIV) type 1, 2 and 3 (0.9, 1.0 and 1.9%, respectively) were detected. Adenovirus, hMPV, RSV, and influenza B were found more frequently in ages 5-17 years (28.1%, 33.3%, 45.5%, and 75% respectively). Adenovirus (78.9%) and all cases of RSV and PIV 1-3 in 18-34 years were identified more among females.Within the same age group Influenza A (85.7%) and hMPV (60%) were more common among males. Conclusion: AIs did show evidence of infection and could serve as reservoirs for thesepathogens throughclose contact in thisurban settlement especially among immunocompromised individuals.
Ventriculotomy Repair During Revascularization of Intracavitary Anterior Descending Coronary Arteries

Optimal revascularization of the rare variant anomolous intracavitary left anterior descending coronary artery requires, by definition, entrance into the right ventricular cavity. We present a simple method to repair the ventriculotomy without risk of obliterating the left anterior descending coronary artery, septal perforators, or diagonal branches.
Use of accelerometers to characterize physical activity patterns with COPD exacerbations.

Purpose To determine the feasibility of using an accelerometer to characterize physical activity patterns (PA) surrounding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations (AECOPD) in patients with COPD for 16 weeks.
Relationship between maladaptive cognitions about sleep and recovery in patients with borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been associated with maladaptive cognitive processes including dysfunctional attitudes and a negative attribution style. Comorbid insomnia affects the course of multiple psychiatric disorders, and has been associated with the absence of recovery from BPD. Because dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes are common among patients with insomnia, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between maladaptive sleep-related cognitions and recovery status (symptomatic remission plus good concurrent psychosocial functioning) in patients with BPD. Two hundred and twenty three BPD patients participating in the McLean Study of Adult Development (MSAD) were administered the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep questionnaire (DBAS-16) as part of the 16-year follow-up wave. Maladaptive sleep cognitions were compared between recovered (n=105) and non-recovered (n=118) BPD participants, in analyses that adjusted for age, sex, depression, anxiety, and primary sleep disorders. Results demonstrated that non-recovered BPD patients had significantly more severe maladaptive sleep-related cognitions as measured by the overall DBAS-16 score. These results demonstrate an association between dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep and recovery status among BPD patients. Further research is warranted to evaluate treatments targeted towards maladaptive sleep-related cognitions, and their subsequent effects on the course of BPD.
Chromatographic methods for large-scale preparation of immunoglobulin G2a monoclonal antibodies Lym-1 and TNT-1 F(ab')2 fragments.

Lym-1 and TNT-1 are two murine immunoglobulin G2a monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which have been used for clinical trials in cancer patients. This paper describes methods for large-scale preparation of F(ab')2 fragments from 50 mg to 4 g of MAbs Lym-1 and TNT-1. Digestion of MAbs with pepsin was optimized and performed at pH 3.8, a pepsin/antibody ratio of 1:250, and 3–4 h of incubation at 37°C. The F(ab')2 fragments were purified by tandem column procedures using fast protein liquid chromatography. Quality control analyses of the products included protein purity, isoelectric point, immunoreactivity, and endotoxin level. The results revealed that the chromatographic procedures are practical, simple, and effective, and can be used to produce gram quantities of clinical-grade F(ab')2 fragments for the diagnosis of cancer in patients.
Synchronous Lagrangian and Eulerian velocity measurements. IEEE Sixth Working Conference on Current Measurement

A Phased Array Doppler Sonar (PADS), as developed at SIO, images both acoustic backscatter intensity and Doppler shift over areas up to 90 degrees in bearing by 500 m in range. Sequences of are recorded continuously for up to two months, with individual "pings" 0.5 to 1.0 seconds apart. The images permit two independent estimates of the mean velocity to be formed over the imaged area: one from the Doppler shift (radial velocity), and another from tracking features from one frame to the next. For grazing incidence, the Doppler shifts provide an essentially Eulerian velocity estimate, an intensity-weighted average from the wave troughs downward. In contrast, the feature-tracking velocities are Lagrangian. A unique aspect of this is that both Eulerian and Lagrangian velocities are estimated from the same data. The difference between these two velocity estimates compares well with the Stokes' drift calculated via linear theory from a resistance wire elevation array.
Relationship of vitamin B6 to gluconeogenic action of cortisol.

Recent investigations have shown that cortisol administration results in a marked increase in liver glutamic-pyruvic transaminase enzyme activity. Because of this observation it has been suggested that gluconeogenic action of adrenal steroids may depend upon elevation of this transaminase level. Since pyridoxal phosphate is the cofactor for the enzyme, effects of cortisol on liver glycogen deposition and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity were studied in vitamin B6 deficient and control rats. The findings demonstrate that glucocorticoid action of cortisol is diminished in B6 depleted animals as is the effect of the hormone on transaminase activity. Other parameters of cortisol action such as involution of lymphoid tissue and inhibition of ACTH release were not altered by the vitamin deficiency. It is concluded that gluconeogenic activity of adrenal corticoids depends not only on their molecular configuration but also upon nutritional status of the animal. The findings also support the concept that glu...
Characterization of Recombinant Nonecotropic Murine Leukemia Viruses from the Wild Mouse Species Mus spretus

The wild mouse species most closely related to the common laboratory strains contain proviral env genes of the xenotropic/polytropic subgroup of mouse leukemia viruses (MLVs). To determine if the polytropic proviruses of Mus spretus contain functional genes, we inoculated neonates with Moloney MLV (MoMLV) or amphotropic MLV (A-MLV) and screened for viral recombinants with altered host ranges. Thymus and spleen cells from MoMLV-inoculated mice were plated on Mus dunni cells and mink cells, since these cells do not support the replication of MoMLV, and cells from A-MLV-inoculated mice were plated on ferret cells. All MoMLV-inoculated mice produced ecotropic viruses that resembled their MoMLV progenitor, although some isolates, unlike MoMLV, grew to high titers in M. dunni cells. All of the MoMLV-inoculated mice also produced nonecotropic virus that was infectious for mink cells. Sequencing of three MoMLV- and two A-MLV-derived nonecotropic recombinants confirmed that these viruses contained substantial substitutions that included the regions of env encoding the surface (SU) protein and the 5' end of the transmembrane (TM) protein. The 5' recombination breakpoint for one of the A-MLV recombinants was identified in RNase H. The M. spretus-derived env substitutions were nearly identical to the corresponding regions in prototypical laboratory mouse polytropic proviruses, but the wild mouse infectious viruses had a more restricted host range. The M. spretus proviruses contributing to these recombinants were also sequenced. The seven sequenced proviruses were 99% identical to one another and to the recombinants; only two of the seven had obvious fatal defects. We conclude that the M. spretus proviruses are likely to be recent germ line acquisitions and that they contain functional genes that can contribute to the production of replication-competent virus.
Effect of feeding Small Doses of Potassium Iodide on the Thyroid Gland.

Summary1. The daily feeding of 0.001 gm. KI to guinea pigs does not increase the number of mitoses and does not affect the structure of the thyroid gland. 2. Feeding daily 0.001 gm. KI to guinea pigs produces only a slight increase in mitoses but at the same time produces an otherwise histologically active thyroid gland. 3. The feeding of 0.01 gm. KI stimulates the thyroid in all its histological phases.
A goal-oriented web browser

Many users are familiar with the interesting but limited functionality of Data Detector interfaces like Microsoft's Smart Tags and Google's AutoLink. In this paper we significantly expand the breadth and functionality of this type of user interface through the use of large-scale knowledge bases of semantic information. The result is a Web browser that is able to generate personalized semantic hypertext, providing a goal-oriented browsing experience.We present (1) Creo, a Programming by Example system for the Web that allows users to create a general-purpose procedure with a single example, and (2) Miro, a Data Detector that matches the content of a page to high-level user goals.An evaluation with 34 subjects found that they were more efficient using our system, and that the subjects would use features like these if they were integrated into their Web browser.
Behavioral model and experimental validation for a spool-packaged shape memory alloy actuator

Shape memory alloy (SMA) based actuators have the potential to be lower mass, more compact, and more simplistic than conventional based actuators (electrical, hydraulic, etc); however, one of the key issues that plagues their broad use is packaging since long lengths of wire are often necessary to achieve reasonable actuation strokes. Spooling the wire around pulleys or mandrels is one approach to package the wire more compactly and is useful in customizing the footprint of the actuator to the available application space. There is currently a lack of predictive models for actuator designs with spooled packaging that account for the variation of stress and strain along the wire's length and the losses due to friction. A spooling model is a critical step toward the application of this technique to overcome the packaging limitations on SMA actuators. This paper presents the derivation of an analytical predictive model for rotary spooled SMA actuators that accounts for general geometric parameters (mandrel diameter, wire length, wire diameter, and wrap angle), SMA material characteristics, loss parameters (friction), and the external loading profile. An experimental study validated the model with good correlation and provided insight into the effects of load and wrap angle. Based upon the model and experimental results, the main limitation to this approach, binding, is discussed. The analytical model and experimental study presented in this paper provide a foundation to design future actuators and insight into the behavioral impact of this packaging technique.
Combustion mechanism of carbon monoxidenitrous oxide flames

This article presents measurements of the species concentration and temperature profiles in laminar, premixed, flat flames of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrous oxide (N{sub 2}O) at low pressure. The composition measurements were carried out using gas chromatography. Laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy was used to establish the absence of several key intermediates. Temperature was measured using R type thermocouple. The measurements show that the flame is most stable under fuel-rich conditions and that the oxygen atom is the only reactive intermediate. A detailed chemical kinetic model was completed to determine the kinetic mechanism of the flame. Agreement between experimental and calculated concentration profiles was excellent. A mechanism that initially consisted of 27 reactions was used and it was found that the flame structure could be accounted for by only 4 of the 27 elementary reactions. Since each measured species, except N{sup 2}O and N{sub 2}, was controlled by only one of the elementary reactions, it was possible to derive kinetic data for the four most important reactions in the mechanism. The effect of the experimental uncertainty of the temperature profile on the values of the rate constants derived was evaluated and was found to be small.
New Use of Foley Catheter for Precise Vesicourethral Anastomosis during Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

AbstractPurpose: We describe a new method of using a Foley catheter to assist vesicourethral anastomosis during radical retropubic prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: A total of 81 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy with this technique. Followup ranged from 4 to 48 months. Peri-catheter urethrograms were performed at 3 weeks. Patients were evaluated specifically for bladder neck contracture, urinary continence and prolonged catheterization.Results: Bladder neck contracture occurred in 4.9 percent of the patients and 87.6 percent were completely continent of urine. Only 1 patient required extended postoperative catheterization.Conclusions: Use of a Foley catheter for vesicourethral anastomosis is consistent and simple, and provided good surgical results in our experience.
Mediated intralist transfer effects in paired-associate learning

Two experiments are reported investigating the acquisition and retention of single lists of paired associates providing intralist transfer conditions comparable to the standard A-B, A-B′ and A-B, A-C interlist transfer paradigms. Homogeneous paired-associate lists of the type A-B, A′-B and A-B, A′-C were used, where A and A′ are free associates with known degrees of associative connection forming pairs of related stimulus terms within a list, and B and C represent nonsense-syllable responses. Each S learned one list, and 48 hr later returned for recall and relearning of the same list. Facilitation was demonstrated in the acquisition of A-B, A′-B lists, and interference in the A-B, A′-C lists. Retention of the lists was generally unrelated to transfer conditions.
Family-Oncologist Communication in Cancer Patient Care

Ensuring effective communication in cancer care is a challenge made greater by economic pressures, an increasing number and complexity of treatments, a profusion of information available to patient...
The ‘Properties’ of Leibnizian Space: Whither Relationism?

The metaphysical foundation of Leibniz's theory of space is examined against the backdrop of the subtantivalism/relationism debate, while largely confining the analysis to the ontological level of material bodies and properties. It emerges that the details of Leibniz' theory defy a straightforward categorization which employs the standard relationism that is often attributed to his views. Rather, a more careful analysis of his metaphysical doctrines on bodies and space reveals the importance of a host of concepts, such as the foundational role of God, the holism of both geometry and the material world's interconnections, and the viability and adequacy of a property theory in characterizing his natural philosophy of space.
A cost too high to bear? Prophylaxis versus preemptive therapy to prevent post-transplantation cytomegalovirus

Both prophylaxis and preemptive therapy are used to prevent the development of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after transplantation. Preemptive therapy exposes the least number of patients to costly and potentially toxic drugs. Prophylaxis is less labor intensive and requires less expensive monitoring. While the overall cost of the two modalities is similar, current literature suggests that prophylaxis has an advantage in avoiding secondary effects of CMV. Randomized comparative trials are imperative.