cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coding group behaviours for preschool children in the playground and the effects of teachers’ proximity on preschool children’s playground behaviours

Preschool-age children (range: 2.5–5 years old) were videotaped while in the sandbox and the climbing apparatus areas of a preschool playground prior to (i.e. baseline) and after a teacher zone defence training. The zone defence involved teachers being assigned to specific playground areas to monitor safety and facilitate the children’s play and peer interactions. The pretest data revealed less complex play behaviours in the sandbox area (i.e. greater aimless behaviour and solitary play) compared to the climbing area, and greater onlooker behaviour in the climbing area than in the sandbox area. Pre-to-post zone defence revealed a decrease in teacher interaction with other adults and an increase in teacher–child interactions in the playground as well as overall decreases in children’s play behaviours on the playground. Methods for coding and analysing group playground behaviours and the implications of teacher proximity in the playground are discussed.
A high-sensitivity ratio instrument for industrial resistance thermometers

To make practical the extensive use of resistance thermometers for industrial temperature measurement and control, an instrument having high sensitivity, sturdy construction, and simplicity is needed. To fill this need the ratio instrument described in this paper was developed. Conventional ratio instrument mechanisms proved to be inherently unstable at the high sensitivities required. The mechanism of the new instrument employs a crossed-coil moving system and a novel permanent magnet pole-face geometry resulting in higher sensitivities than have been previously obtained with ratio mechanisms. A resistance thermometer using the new instrument, while sturdy enough to withstand the shocks and vibration encountered in industrial applications, has a sensitivity high enough to make practical scale spans as small as 50 degrees centigrade.
KS900: a hypoxia-directed, reductively activated methylating antitumor prodrug that selectively ablates O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase in neoplastic cells

To most effectively treat cancer it may be necessary to preferentially destroy tumor tissue while sparing normal tissues. One strategy to accomplish this is to selectively cripple the involved tumor resistance mechanisms, thereby allowing the affected anticancer drugs to gain therapeutic efficacy. Such an approach is exemplified by our design and synthesis of the intracellular hypoxic cell activated methylating agent, 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-methyl-2-[[1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxy]carbonyl]hydrazine (KS900) that targets the O-6 position of guanine in DNA. KS900 is markedly more cytotoxic in clonogenic experiments under conditions of oxygen deficiency than the non-intracellularly activated agents KS90, and 90M, when tested in O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) non-expressing cells (EMT6 mouse mammary carcinoma, CHO/AA8 hamster ovary, and U251 human glioma), and than temozolomide when tested in AGT expressing cells (DU145 human prostate carcinoma). Furthermore, KS900 more efficiently ablates AGT in HL-60 human leukemia and DU145 cells than the spontaneous globally activated methylating agent KS90, with an IC50 value over 9-fold lower than KS90. Finally, KS900 under oxygen-deficient conditions selectively sensitizes DU145 cells to the chloroethylating agent, onrigin, through the ablation of the resistance protein AGT. Thus, under hypoxia, KS900 is more cytotoxic at substantially lower concentrations than methylating agents such as temozolomide that are not preferentially activated in neoplastic cells by intracellular reductase catalysts. The necessity for intracellular activation of KS900 permits substantially greater cytotoxic activity against cells containing the resistance protein O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) than agents such as temozolomide. Furthermore, the hypoxia-directed intracellular activation of KS900 allows it to preferentially ablate AGT pools under the oxygen-deficient conditions that are present in malignant tissue.
Aminocaproic acid in the treatment of traumatic hyphema.

Of 59 patients with traumatic hyphema studied prospectively, 32 received aminocaproic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent, to prevent secondary hemorrhage. The remaining 27 patients received placebo in an identical manner. Of the aminocaproic acid-treated patients, only one (3%) rebled, while nine patients (33%) receiving placebo suffered secondary hemorrhage. The results of this study indicate a statistically significant reduction (P less than .01) in the incidence of rebleeding in patients treated with this drug.
Optimizing Radiation Patterns of a Cylindrical Polarimetric Phased-Array Radar for Multimissions

Accurate radar remote sensing requires a radar system with high cross-polarization isolation, highly matched dual-polarization patterns, and low sidelobes. A cylindrical polarimetric phased-array radar (CPPAR), which has polarization purity and scan-invariant beam properties, has recently been introduced to the weather and air surveillance communities. To achieve low sidelobes and matched beams, pattern synthesis using an optimization method is presented. Results reported herein support the idea that CPPARs can be designed and implemented for accurate weather measurements. Furthermore, some uncertainty analysis is performed to show the effects of the amplitude and phase errors on the radiation patterns of the PAR.
INFLUENCE OF SCREENING PROCEDURES ON PROPERTIES OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES TO GLUCOSE OXIDASE

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies to glucose oxidase (E.C. 1.1.3.4) from Aspergillus niger were prepared with apoenzyme as the antigen. Five of these antibodies, all of the IgG1 subisotype, were further characterized. They were affinity purified using an affinity column prepared by covalent immobilization of glucose oxidase via a spacer arm. Glucose oxidase lost its immunological reactivity with these monoclonal antibodies under direct covalent immobilization. The carbohydrate moiety of the enzyme is not immunogenic. None of the antibodies had any detectable effect on the catalytic properties of the enzyme. All the antibodies are directed towards segmental epitopes of the enzyme, and each enzyme subunit has more than one non-overlapping epitope. All five antibodies bound the non-native enzyme coated on ELISA plates in preference to the enzyme in solution.
LESTER: using paradigm cases in a Quasi-Precedential legal domain

We are developing LESTER (Legal Expert System for Termination of Employment Review), a case-based reasoning program to advise in the area of unjust discharge from employment under collective bargaining agreements. LESTER uses paradigm cases to reason in a legal domain that is not governed by a strong concept of precedent. This paper describes the domain and gives an overview of the current version of the program.
Sperm motion in a microfluidic fertilization device

Microfluidics has shown promise as a new platform for assisted reproduction. To assess the potential of microfluidics for fertilization, we studied sperm and fluid motion in microchannels to better understand the flow characteristics in a microfluidic device, how sperm interacted with this flow, and how sperm–oocyte attachment occurs in the device. There is a threshold fluid velocity where sperm transition from traveling with the fluid to a regime in which the sperm can move independently of the flow. A significant population of sperm remained in the inlet well area. Based on the lack of progressive forward movement, it was presumed that these sperm may have defects. Also of extreme interest was the tendency of sperm to travel along surface contours. These observations provide an improved understanding of sperm motion in microchannels and provide a basis for improved device designs that take advantage of the sperm/flow and sperm/geometry interactions.
Saccades in huntington’s disease: Slowing and dysmetria

Article abstract-Eye movements were recorded from 20 mildly affected patients with Huntington’s disease (HD) who were divided into two groups, 10 patients with onset of symptoms before age 30 and 10 with onset of symptoms after age 30. In the younger onset group (HD 30) had peak saccade velocities lower than 300 deg/sec. Latencies for volitional saccades were greater than normal in the HD > 30 group, but were normal for the HD 30 group had an affected mother. These findings suggest that the pathophysiology of the slow saccades, initiation deficit, and excessive distractibility in HD are different. NEUROLOGY 1988;38427-431 In a recent study of eye movements in mildly affected patients with Huntington’s disease (HD), we found abnormalities of both the initiation of saccades as well as the ability to hold steady fixation.’ Most patients showed an increase in saccade latencies that was greater for saccades made on command (voluntary saccades) than for saccades made to the sudden appearance of a visual stimulus (reflexive saccades). All patients showed excessive distractibility; they had difficulty in suppressing a saccade to a suddenly appearing visual target even though they were instructed either to maintain straight-ahead fixation or to make a saccade in the direction opposite to the visual target. We attributed these abnormalities to involvement of the frontal eye fields or basal ganglia in HD. In the present study, we report further abnormalities of eye movements-saccade slowing andsaccade dysmetria-in the same group of patients, and compare these findings with their deficits in saccade initiation and in holding steady fixation. Slow saccades have been noted in patients with HD with a reported prevalence of 18% to 100%.2-10 While one study did seem to show a correlation between the age of the patient and the saccade ~elocity,~ few attempts have been made to correlate saccade slowing with other saccade abnormalities in HD or with patient age or severity or duration of illne~s.~J~J~ In contrast to the saccade initiation and the fixation deficits, which have been attributed to involvement of the basal ganglia or cerebral hemispheres, saccade slowing has usually been attributed to direct pathologic involvement of the intrinsic brainstem structures that generate the immediate premotor commands for saccadic eye movement~.~-~ Accordingly, to better understand the eye movement abnormalities in HD, we compared disor
Use of partial liquid ventilation to manage pulmonary complications of acute verapamil-sustained release poisoning.

Introduction: Verapamil is a papaverine-derived calcium channel blocker widely used for the treatment of hypertension and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. It is one of the leading agents involved in pharmaceutical poisoning-related deaths among adults. Case Report: We report a case of severe sustained-release verapamil poisoning associated with respiratory failure in an adult man who survived after receiving 4 days of partial liquid ventilation as a part of his medical management.
Leptin receptors expressed on pancreatic beta-cells.

Abstract Leptin (Ob protein) is a recently isolated hormone produced by adipocytes and is a powerful regulator of satiety centers in the brain. A defect in either leptin production or transmission of the leptin signal in animal models, i.e.ob/obanddb/dbmice, respectively, results in a syndrome of obesity and diabetes which closely resembles that which occurs in humans. Leptin release is regulated in part by nutritional status and its expression in adipose tissue is up-regulated by insulin. Since hyperinsulinemia is a primary defect inob/obanddb/dbmice which manifests early in the disease, we postulated that leptin may also regulate insulin release as part of a ‘adipoinsular’ feedback loop. We demonstrate the expression of leptin receptor mRNA in primary rat pancreatic islets and in the insulinoma cell line βTC-3. Furthermore, we find binding of125I-leptin to βTC-3 cells which is significantly displaced by leptin. These findings suggest the possibility that the binding of leptin to its receptor in β-cells may modulate insulin expression in a negative feedback loop, and thereby may have an anti-obesity effect.
Issues, challenges, and opportunities in model-based drug development for monoclonal antibodies

Over the last two decades, there has been a simultaneous explosion in the levels of activity and capability in both monoclonal antibody (mAb) drug development and in the use of quantitative pharmacologic models to facilitate drug development. Both of these topics are currently areas of great interest to academia, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and to regulatory authorities. In this article, we summarize convergence of these two areas and discuss some of the current and historical applications of the use of mathematical-model-based techniques to facilitate the discovery and development of mAb therapeutics. We also consider some of the current issues and limitations in model-based antibody discovery/development and highlight areas of further opportunity.
The rigid-body displacement observed at the Σ = 5, (310)-[001] symmetric tilt grain boundary in central transition bcc metals

Abstract The identical ∑ = 5, (310)-[001] symmetric tilt grain boundary (STGB) was fabricated in three different bcc metals (Nb, Mo and Ta) by ultrahigh-vacuum diffusion bonding and the atomic structure was observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. We report the results of quantitative measures of the rigid-body shift of the ∑ = 5, (310)-[001] STGB for all three metals. The atomic structures of these boundaries were also predicted by atomistic simulations using potentials developed within the framework of the model generalized pseudopotential theory for these same three metals. These potentials are an example of a new class of interatomic potentials that incorporate angularly dependent d-state interactions. These models of interatomic interactions should have applicability to simulations of the central transition bcc metals owing to the directional nature of the d bonding. To test these new models, methods were developed for quantitative measurement of the grain-boundary structure from...
Secondary structure of ITS2 rRNA provides taxonomic characters for systematic studies — a case in Lycoperdaceae (Basidiomycota)

The secondary structure of the ITS2 rDNA transcript (pre-rRNA) could provide information for identifying homologous nucleotide characters useful for cladistic inference of relationships. Such structure data could become taxonomic characters. This work compares the effect of several modern nucleotide alignment strategies, including those making use of structure data, on phylogenetic inference. From both the phylogenetic analyses and comparative secondary structure, implications for taxonomy and evolution of puffball fungi are discussed. Lycoperdaceae remain insufficiently resolved with present taxon and data sampling. Neither alignment allows statistically robust phylogenetic hypotheses under any current optimality criterion. The secondary structure data at this time are best used as accessory taxonomic characters as their phylogenetic resolving power and confidence in validity is limited compared with underlying nucleotide characters. We introduce a preliminary nomenclature convention to describe secondary structure for defining consensus features. These consensus structures are illustrated for the clades /Calvatia, /Handkea-Echinatum, /Vascellum, /Morganella, and /Plumbea-Paludosa (Bovista).
Multimodal input for computer access and augmentative communication

This paper describes the overall goals of a project that focuses on multimodal input for computer access and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. In particular the project explores the integration of speech recognition with head-pointing. The first part of this project addresses the use of speech and head-pointing to replace the traditional keyboard and mouse. While either of these technologies can emulate both keyboard and mouse functions, it is hypothesized that the most advantageous use of each technology will come from integration such that each device's strength is utilized appropriately.To test this hypothesis, a series of experiments are planned. The first experiment compares (quantitatively and qualitatively) each technology in the context of text generation. The second experiment looks at typical pointing tasks (e.g., dragging) for each technology. The third experiment will look at the technologies in an integrated context. Because each of the technologies are themselves highly complex, significant time and effort has been devoted to pilot testing. Those results and the implications on our research methodology are presented in this paper.
Iron overload following red blood cell transfusion and its impact on disease severity

Transfusion of red blood cells can be a life-saving therapy both for patients with chronic anemias and for those who are critically ill with acute blood loss. However, transfusion has been associated with significant morbidity. Chronic transfusion results in accumulation of excess iron that surpasses the binding capacity of the major iron transport protein, transferrin. The resulting non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) can catalyze the production of highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to significant and wide spread injury to the liver, heart, and endocrine organs as well as increases in infection. Acute transfusion of red blood cells in critically ill patients likewise has significant effects including increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and elevated risk of nosocomial infection. These effects appear to be more profound with increasing age of stored blood. The progressive release of free iron associated with storage time suggests that morbidity following acute transfusion, like that seen in chronic transfusion, may be due in part to elevated levels of NTBI. It is clear that transfusion is necessary in many instances; however, its risks and benefits must be carefully balanced before proceeding to avoid unnecessary iron toxicity.
Distributed control of a hyperbolic problem with control and stress constraints

Abstract Controlling a one-dimensional hyperbolic equation at x = 0 is considered so as best to follow a motion z ( t ) in L 2 (0, T ) at x = L . This is to be done in the presence of pointwise constraints on the stress function and constraints on the acceleration. Existence, approximation, and regularity are considered for penalizations of regularized problems.
Versatile Action of Escherichia coli ClpXP as Protease or Molecular Chaperone for Bacteriophage Mu Transposition

The molecular chaperone ClpX of Escherichia coli plays two distinct functions for bacteriophage Mu DNA replication by transposition. As specificity component of a chaperone-linked protease, it recognizes the Mu immunity repressor for degradation by the peptidase component ClpP, thus derepressing Mu transposition functions. After strand exchange has been promoted by MuA transposase, ClpX alone can alter the conformation of the transpososome (the complex of MuA with Mu ends), and the remodeled MuA promotes transition to replisome assembly. Although ClpXP can degrade MuA, the presence of both ClpP and ClpX in the reconstituted transposition system did not destroy MuA essential for initiation of DNA replication by specific host replication enzymes. Levels of ClpXP needed to overcome inhibition by the repressor did not prevent MuA from promoting strand transfer, and ClpP stimulated alteration of the transpososome by ClpX. Apparently intact MuA was still present in the resulting transpososome, promoting initiation of Mu DNA replication by specific replication enzymes. The results indicate that ClpXP can discriminate repressor and MuA in the transpososome as substrates of the protease or the molecular chaperone alone, degrading repressor while remodeling MuA for its next critical function.
Interaction between photogenerated biradicals and free radicals: di-tert-butylnitroxide

Abstract Di-tert-butylnitroxide interacts with the biradicals produced in the photochemistry of γ-methylvalerophenone with a rate κS of 1.2 × 109 M−1 s−1 in benzene. This process leads to a change in the mode of biradical partition, which should be attributed to biradical—di-tert-butylnitroxide interactions which reflect spin selection rules.
Specificity of Clinical Breast Examination in Community Practice

Millions of women receive clinical breast examination (CBE) each year, as either a breast cancer screening test or a diagnostic test for breast symptoms. While screening CBE had moderately high specificity (∼94%) in clinical trials, community clinicians may be comparatively inexperienced and may conduct relatively brief examinations, resulting in even higher specificity but lower sensitivity. To estimate the specificity of screening and diagnostic CBE in clinical practice and identify patient factors associated with specificity. Retrospective cohort study. Breast-cancer-free female health plan enrollees in 5 states (WA, OR, CA, MA, and MN) who received CBE (N = 1,484). Medical charts were abstracted to ascertain breast cancer risk factors, examination purpose (screening vs diagnostic), and results (true-negative vs false-positive). Women were considered “average-risk” if they had neither a family history of breast cancer nor a prior breast biopsy and “increased-risk” otherwise. Among average- and increased-risk women, respectively, the specificity (true-negative proportion) of screening CBE was 99.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 98.8–99.7%] and 97.1% (95% CI: 95.7–98.0%), and the specificity of diagnostic CBE was 68.7% (95% CI: 59.7–76.5%) and 57.1% (95% CI: 51.1–63.0%). The odds of a true-negative screening CBE (specificity) were significantly lower among women at increased risk of breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio 0.21; 95% CI: 0.10–0.46). Screening CBE likely has higher specificity among community clinicians compared to examiners in clinical trials of breast cancer screening, even among women at increased breast cancer risk. Highly specific examinations, however, may have relatively low sensitivity for breast cancer. Diagnostic CBE, meanwhile, is relatively nonspecific.
SNR advantage of group transmissions in multihop networks with amplify-and-forward relays

In this work, we study transmission of a single message over multiple levels of relays in a cooperative network. Relays, which are grouped into predetermined levels, amplify-and-forward (AF) the receptions from previous levels after combining them optimally (to achieve multihop diversity). We provide expressions for the asymptotic statistics of the accumulated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained in the limit where the number of nodes in a given group increases while the total power is fixed. Furthermore, we compare the performance of finite density networks with infinite density networks for different levels of multihop diversity. This work quantifies the advantages of multihop diversity in wireless networks with AF relays.
Emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 genotype as a major cause of late-onset nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care patients in the USA.

Summary Objective To compare demographic and clinical characteristics, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain characteristics, in patients with early-onset (EO) and late-onset (LO) MRSA nosocomial pneumonia. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of data from a multicenter observational study of nosocomial pneumonia patients admitted between November 2008 and July 2010. Laboratory analyses performed on MRSA isolates included confirmation of antimicrobial susceptibility and heteroresistance to vancomycin, USA typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec typing, and detection of Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes. Results We identified 134 patients; 42 (31%) had EO MRSA pneumonia and 92 (69%) had LO MRSA pneumonia. The patients in the LO group were more likely to have risk factors for multidrug-resistant pathogens (98% vs. 76%, p mec type IV. Conclusions Our findings provide further evidence of the continued migration of community-associated MRSA into the healthcare setting in the USA. MRSA USA300 genotype has emerged as a significant cause of LO nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care units. Appropriate anti-MRSA antimicrobial therapy should be considered for both EO and LO hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Symmetry Theorems and Uniform Rectifiability

We study overdetermined boundary conditions for positive solutions to some elliptic partial differential equations of -Laplacian type in a bounded domain . We show that these conditions imply uniform rectifiability of and also that they yield the solution to certain symmetry problems.
Interaction of lipid vesicle with silver nanoparticle-serum albumin protein corona.

The physical interaction between a lipid vesicle and a silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-human serum albumin (HSA) protein “corona” has been examined. Specifically, the binding of AgNPs and HSA was analyzed by spectrophotometry, and the induced conformational changes of the HSA were inferred from circular dichroism spectroscopy. The fluidity of the vesicle, a model system for mimicking cell membrane, was found to increase with the increased exposure to AgNP-HSA corona, though less pronounced compared to that induced by AgNPs alone. This study offers additional information for understanding the role of physical forces in nanoparticle-cell interaction and has implications for nanomedicine and nanotoxicology.
The crystal and molecular structure of 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-s-tetrathiane, ((CH3)2CS2]2,

Abstract The X-ray crystal structure of 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-s-tetrathiane (“duplodithioacetone”) confirms earlier nmr studies predicting the molecule to adopt a twist-boat conformation.
STUDIES ON PRIMARY ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA II. OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ANTIBODY IN PATIENTS

By using the indirect method of fluorescent staining to study the antibody response in patients with primary atypical pneumonai associated with the development of cold agglutinin, it was found that the PAP antibody developed during the 2nd and 3rd week of the illness, and persisted for over a year, and is not related to the cold and streptococcus MG agglutinins. The development of the PAP fluorescent staining antibody paralleled the neutralizing antibody for the PAP virus as tested in cotton rats. The sensitivity of this specific serological test was indicated by the observation that 67 to 92 per cent of the patients in several outbreaks of PAP showed a rise of antibody titer during convalescence. Absorption of the sera with various tissue powders did not affect the PAP antibody detected by this method.
Aldehyde Methacrylates Derived from Hydroxybenzaldehydes

Three crystalline aldehyde methacrylates with low melting points were synthesized from the readily available, isomeric hydroxybenzaldehydes and 2-bromoethyl methacrylate. These monomers can be purified by recrystallization and liquified by admixture in various proportions to obtain polymerizable liquids having workable viscosities at room temperature. These monomers may be used alone or as blends with other methacrylates since they are miscible and copolymerizable with the usual dental monomers. Also, they should be studied with other functional methacrylates designed to promote adhesion via the mineral phase to determine if this synergistic approach can improve the adhesion of dental resins to dentin. These aldehyde methacrylates, their mixtures, polymers and copolymers merit evaluation as adhesion-promoting agents for proteinaceous substrates such as bone and dentin.
Coronary Revascularization Trends in the United States, 2001-2008

Coronary revascularization, comprising coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is among the most common major medical procedures provided by the U.S. healthcare system, with over 1 million procedures performed annually.1 It is also among the most costly: Medicare inpatient payments to hospitals for coronary revascularizations exceeded $3.2 billion in fiscal year 2006,2 an amount larger than the reimbursement for any other medical or surgical procedure except for hip/knee replacement. Several innovations in coronary revascularization, such as drug-eluting stents, minimally invasive CABG, and "off-pump" CABG, have been adopted widely in the past decade,3–5 with the promise of improved clinical outcomes compared to older revascularization technologies and techniques.5–7 In addition, publication of randomized controlled trial results from the Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) trial (2007)8 and the Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) trial (2009)9 have provided important new information about both the potential clinical value of revascularization compared to pharmacotherapy, as well as the outcomes of CABG compared to PCI in the drug-eluting stent era. In addition, during the past decade updated appropriateness criteria for coronary revascularization have been issued and/or revised by the major cardiovascular societies.10–14 During this period of technological innovation, new published evidence, and updated guidelines, it is not well known whether or how the volume of coronary revascularization and its constituent types changed in the United States. Substantial changes in the overall volume of revascularizations and/or the relative use of CABG versus PCI would have important ramifications on clinical outcomes, healthcare costs, and the future organization and delivery of hospital-based cardiovascular care. Therefore, the goal of this study was to use a representative national sample of hospitalization claims to estimate temporal trends in the annual volume of coronary revascularization procedures during 2001–2008.
Ischemic Stroke of the Pyramidal Decussation Causing Quadriplegia and Anarthria

A 52-year-old man with a history of hypertension and previously irradiated head and neck cancer presented with quadriplegia and anarthria sparing the face and sensory functions. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated acute infarction of the pyramidal decussation. We describe the clinical and radiological characteristics of infarction at the pyramidal decussation and review the arterial supply to this region in the lower brainstem. Although rare, infarction of the pyramidal decussation should be considered in the differential diagnosis when patients present with atraumatic pure motor quadriplegia.
The role of organizational factors in the adoption of healthcare information technology in Florida hospitals

This study examines whether specific organizational characteristics, such as hospital size, geographic location (urban versus rural), system membership (stand-alone versus system-affiliated), and tax status (for-profit versus non-profit), influence adoption of healthcare information technologies (HIT) in hospitals. We hypothesize the above organizational characteristics to be related to hospitals' adoption of clinical, administrative, and strategic HIT, as well as all HIT in general. Using survey data collected from 98 Florida hospitals, we demonstrate that hospital size, system membership, and tax status, but not geographic location, are systematically related to HIT adoption, and that such factors explain about 28-41% of the adoption variance. A mixed pattern of effects emerge for clinical, administrative, and strategic HIT. For instance, hospital size appears to be less relevant for administrative HIT, where its effect is compensated by those of system membership and tax status. Implications for future HIT research and practice are discussed.
The MEF2 site is necessary for induction of the myosin light chain 2 slow promoter in overloaded regenerating plantaris muscle.

Abstract Functional overload (OV) of the rat plantaris muscle results in a fast to slow change in muscle phenotype with induction of the slow contractile protein genes including myosin light chain 2 slow (MLC2s). To identify potential cis-acting DNA sites regulating MLC2s following ablation, plasmid constructs were transfected in vivo into regenerating overloaded plantaris muscles. Activity of the 270bp promoter (−270MLC2s) was increased in OV muscles at 28 days. Mutation of the MEF2 site (−270MEF2) knocked out the overload-induced activity of the promoter. Mutation of the Ebox (−270Ebox) resulted in an earlier induction with OV and mutation of the CACC site (–270CACC) resulted in increased activity in the CON PLN with OV induction detected by 21 days. These results demonstrate that the –270MLC2s promoter contains the elements necessary for expression of MLC2s in regenerating OV PLN. More importantly, mutation analysis of −270MLC2s promoter demonstrates that mechanical loading induced expression shares some common molecular mechanisms with slow nerve dependent model regulation. In these two models of physiological induction of MLC2s, the CACC site acts as a repressor region (on/off switch) and the MEF2 site acts to modulate quantitative expression.
Mechanical properties and the evolution of matrix molecules in PTFE upon irradiation with MeV alpha particles

The morphology, chemical composition, and mechanical properties in the surface region of α-irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have been examined and compared to unirradiated specimens. Samples were irradiated with 5.5 MeV 4He2+ ions from a tandem accelerator to doses between 1 × 106 and 5 × 1010 Rad. Static time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), using a 20 keV C60+ source, was employed to probe chemical changes as a function of a dose. Chemical images and high resolution spectra were collected and analyzed to reveal the effects of a particle radiation on the chemical structure. Residual gas analysis (RGA) was utilized to monitor the evolution of volatile species during vacuum irradiation of the samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphological variation of samples with increasing a particle dose, and nanoindentation was engaged to determine the hardness and elastic modulus as a function of a dose. The data show that PTFE nominally retains its innate chemical structure and morphology at a doses 1010 Rad the polymer matrix suffers severe chemical degradation and material loss. Chemical degradation is observed in ToF-SIMS by detection of ions that are indicative of fragmentation, unsaturation, and functionalization of molecules in the PTFE matrix. The mass spectra also expose the subtle trends of crosslinking within the α-irradiated polymer matrix. ToF-SIMS images support the assertion that chemical degradation is the result of a particle irradiation and show morphological roughening of the sample with increased a dose. High resolution SEM images more clearly illustrate the morphological roughening and the mass loss that accompanies high doses of a particles. RGA confirms the supposition that the outcome of chemical degradation in the PTFE matrix with continuing irradiation is evolution of volatile species resulting in morphological roughening and mass loss. Finally, we reveal and discuss relationships between chemical structure and mechanical properties such as hardness and elastic modulus.
Theoretical investigation of thionyl and sulfuryl dihalide structures using density functional theory methods

Abstract The geometries of small polar molecules that contain S, O, Cl, and F were computed by both ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) methods. A large number of the DFT methods (hybrid, local, and non-local) were tested and the computed geometries were compared with experimental and ab initio results. By using a model basis set (6-311G(d)), two DFT methods (BHandH and XAP86) were selected as being appropriate for modeling these and similar systems. Considering the modest computational time, they should be methods of choice for computing the geometries of larger organic molecules that contain parte built from electronegative elements such as S, O, Cl, and F. This is a very important finding since two widely used ab initio methods (RHF and MP2) fail to generate satisfactory geometries.
Molecular assays for surveillance of antifolate-resistant malaria

to detect all known DHFR and DHPSmutations, and correlations were determined betweenDHFR and DHPS genotypes and therapeutic responsedefined as sensitive (S), RI, RII, or RIII resistance.A genotype defined by DHFR mutations Asn-108, Ile-51,and Leu-164 combined with DHPS mutations Gly-437,Glu-540, and Gly-581 was detected in 7/8 cases (87·5%) ofRIII resistance, 9/13 cases (69·2%) of RII resistance, 5/13cases (38·5%) of RI resistance, and 0/11 sensitive cases(0·0%) (figure). The Bolivia repeat mutation at codon 30,
Reservoir model updating by Ensemble Kalman Filter - Practical approaches using grid computing technology

Inversion of reservoir flow models using dynamic production observations and realistic a priori geologic models quantifies a posteriori model parameter and forecast uncertainty. However, geologic model complexity, the requirement of ensembles or repetitions of many simulations, and the computational difficulty of realistic problems have slowed broad application of inverse methods. This paper describes a method for reservoir model updating with Ensemble Kalman Filters (EnKF) using grid computing. EnKF uses a randomized ensemble of reservoir models for uncertainty estimation, and requires no gradient calculations. A computational grid combines the resources of many networked computers to solve large-scale data and computation problems. An ensemble manager (ResGrid) drives the EnKF on a computational grid of high performance computers. ResGrid provides a web interface, or portal, to obtain grid resources and control execution without requiring detailed knowledge of grid computing architecture, security certification, protocols, or commands. A new queue mechanism in ResGrid reduces queue waits and increases resource utilization in multicluster environments, which is especially useful for a sequential, synchronized process like EnKF. A synthetic case indicates that ResGrid efficiently performs EnKF inversions to obtain accurate, uncertainty-aware predictions of reservoir production. The ResGrid EnKF is open-source and available for downloading.
High-Pressure Effect on One- and Two-Photon-Excited Fluorescence of Organic Molecules in Solid Polymers †

We report the pressure effect on one- and two-photon-excited fluorescence from three organic molecules dissolved in solid polymers. The molecules studied are 4-(p-nitrophenyl)-3,4-dihydropyrazo[c]benzo[b]morpholine (NDPB), 1-phenyl-3-nitrophenylpyrazoline (PNP), and bis[4-(dimethylaminophenyl)]methylide ammonium chlorideAuramine O (AO). All these molecules exhibit strong fluorescence when subjected to visible or infrared laser light. We determine the pressure dependencies of fluorescence intensity, as well as energy and lifetime of the emitting state for one- and two-photon excitation. The pressure dependence of the last two parameters reveals that the fluorescence, for all molecules, originates in the same state regardless of the mode of excitation. In contrast to this, the emission intensity may change with pressure differently for one- and two-photon excitation. We introduce a parameter defined as a ratio of the emission intensity following two-photon excitation to the emission intensity following one-...
Shear flow past a flat plate

The controversy over the induced pressure gradient in shear flow is re-examined in the context of general bounding. It is shown that the results reported by Ludford and this author in two earlier papers are indeed typical near the leading edge. However far downstream they are only valid in the presence of walls. In particular two new effects arise; for weak bounding logarithmic terms appear in the inviscid pressure and a resonance with the first eigensolution occurs. For the symmetric case Toomre and Rott's result is recovered.
Short-wavelength color visual fields in glaucoma suspects at risk

Glaucoma suspect eyes were seen during a five-year study on color visual fields that used a 440-nm test on a bright-yellow background (96 normal eyes, 55 suspect eyes, and 110 eyes that developed glaucoma). The predictive ability of the test was assessed in 25 eyes followed up for more than one year, five of which developed glaucoma. These five eyes and those at high risk showed higher mean defect (P
A comparison of work-specific and general personality measures as predictors of work and non-work criteria

Previous studies on frame-of-reference effects have focused on domain-specific personality measures as predictors of performance. The current study expands on this research by comparing work-specific and general personality as predictors of non-performance work criteria. Using self-report data collected from 239 workers employed in a variety of different organizations, we found evidence that work-specific personality yielded stronger relationships with job satisfaction, work frustration, turnover intention, and absenteeism than did general personality. Furthermore, we found several instances in which work-specific personality predicted incremental variance in these criteria after general personality was controlled. Contrary to our hypothesis, general personality did not have stronger relationships with general criteria than did work-specific personality. In sum, these findings suggest that the use of work-specific personality measures can increase predictive validity when work-specific criteria are used without sacrificing one’s ability to predict general criteria.
Studies of the Hall coefficient and of the magneto-resistance of a donor doped soft carbon in the temperature range 1.5°–300° K

Abstract Using the experimental arrangement developed by Inagaki, Komatsu and Zanchetta the temperature dependence of the Hall coefficient, magnetoresistance and resistance were investigated in the range 1.5°–300°K for soft carbon samples heattreated from 1400° to 3200°C, after introduction of donors. Sufficiently large concentrations of sodium and of potassium were introduced to shift the Fermi level well above the band overlap; subsequent driving out of the donors by oxidation and reheat was done in steps and measurement performed for various degrees of doping. Selected data are presented in a number of graphs. The behavior of the Hall coefficient for HTT > 2000° C agrees well with expectations for the graphitic model with a band overlap. However for HTT 2000°C and below the results indicate the presence of a basically different structure with coalescing bands. The magnetoresistance is composed of two parts which seem to be additive. The regular positive magnetoresistance present in graphitized materials, decreases when graphite layers are spread apart and/or when the Fermi level moves out from the overlap region. The negative magnetoresistance part appears only when microcrystals become sufficiently small, does not depend on spreading of the layers nor on the position of Fermi level, saturates at higher magnetic fields and increases in absolute valne with decrease of temperature down to about 4°–10°K where a sharp turn-around is observed. The temperature coefficient of the resistance varies as the Fermi level moves across the band overlap. Problems in the interpretation of these results are discussed.
Luminescence From a Fibonacci Photonic Crystal

We report the realization of an active Fibonacci photonic quasi-crystal via spin coating. Alternation of the luminescence properties of rhodhamine dye embedded in the quasi-crystal is presented and compared to theoretical simulations.
Genetic variation in α1-antichymotrypsin and its association with Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles in brain parenchyma. Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) is a component of plaque cores, can bind to Aβ, and has been proposed as a possible candidate gene for AD susceptibility. The genetic association between the ACT codon –17*A allele of the signal peptide polymorphism and AD has been shown in some, but not in all studies. One hypothesis is that the ACT codon –17*A allele is in linkage disequilibrium with unknown functional mutation(s) in the ACT gene. This study was undertaken to identify new mutation(s) in the ACT gene by PCR-SSCP-sequencing and, in conjunction with known mutations, to assess their role in affecting the risk of AD. A total of seven new point mutations were observed: 5′UTR(A→G), Asp128Asn(G→A), Ser250Ser(C→T), Leu301Pro(T→C), Thr324Thr(A→G), G→A in intron 4, and 3′UTR C→A. Of these, mutations at codon 250, codon 324, intron 4 and 3′UTR showed a frequency of 1% or more. Of the known mutations, Thr–17Ala(A→G), Lys76Lys(A→G) and Leu241Leu(G→A) occur at a polymorphic level. The ACT codon –17*A allele was associated with increased risk of AD (OR for AA vs TT: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.16–2.53; P=0.007), especially in the presence of the APOE*4 allele (OR for AA vs TT: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.13–4.85; P=0.02). The codon 241*A allele and the codon 250*T allele were associated with protective effects against AD (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.13–0.86; P=0.02) (OR:0.39; 95% CI: 0.18–0.85; P=0.02). irrespective of the APOE*4 status. The codon 324*G allele was associated with a marginal protective effect (OR:0.57; 95% CI: 0.26–1.26; P=0.17). While the codon 241*A allele was in linkage disequilibrium with the codon –17*A allele, the codon 250*T and codon 324*G alleles were non-randomly associated with the codon –17*T allele. In contrast, the codon 76*G (OR:1.34; 95% CI: 0.92–1.95; P=0.13), codon 227*G (OR:3.96; 95% CI: 0.83–18.8; P=0.08) and intron 4*G (OR:1.47; 95% CI: 0.88–2.29; P=0.15) alleles were associated with a modest risk of AD, and all were in linkage disequilibrium with the codon –17*A allele. EH-based haplotype analysis showed that certain haplotypes are associated with either higher or lower risk of AD. Our data indicate that the ACT gene harbors several potentially important variable sites, which are associated with either an increased or decreased risk of AD. The non-random combination of risk and protective alleles may explain, in part, why the association studies regarding the ACT codon –17*A have been inconsistent, especially if the frequency of other ACT mutations varies between populations.
Determination of the effective strong coupling constant αs,g1(Q2) from CLAS spin structure function data

Abstract We present a new extraction of the effective strong coupling constant α s , g 1 ( Q 2 ) . The result agrees with a previous determination and extends the measurement of the low and high Q 2 behavior of α s , g 1 ( Q 2 ) that was previously deduced from sum rules. In particular, it experimentally verifies the lack of Q 2 -dependence of α s , g 1 ( Q 2 ) in the low Q 2 limit. This fact is necessary for application of the AdS/CFT correspondence to QCD calculations. We provide a parameterization of α s , g 1 ( Q 2 ) that can equivalently be used to parameterize the Q 2 -dependence of the generalized Gerasimov–Drell–Hearn and Bjorken sums.
Identifying Midwest Foreign Policy Opinion Makers

It is hypothesized that a very small number of people constitute the attentive world affairs public. The Minnesota World Affairs Center, like other educational groups on world affairs, needs methods of efficiently identifying foreign policy opinion makers in their communities. The Minnesota Center therefore compiled lists of individuals residing in Minnesota towns and cities outside the Twin City area who read leading journals of public affairs, belong to world affairs organizations, and have attended world affairs meetings. A computer sorted out the individuals whose names appeared more than once on these lists. Conference and meeting invitations to the individuals so selected yielded a good early response.