cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Occupational Health Nurses' Self-Efficacy in Implementing Smoking Cessation Interventions for Workers: A Manufacturing Company Quality Improvement Project

Background:Effective smoking cessation interventions (SCIs) are urgently needed for the working population where smoking continues at high rates. Occupational health nurses (OHNs) could be effectiv...
The Silencing of U.S. Campuses Following the COVID‐19 Response: Evaluating Root Mean Square Seismic Amplitudes Using Power Spectral Density Data

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, many populated and active regions have become deserted and show significant reductions in their background seismicity, especially campuses across the United States (U S ) Seismic sensors located in the vicinity of or within U S campuses show that anthropogenic seismic noise remains elevated during the ordinary, nonpandemic, academic year, only subduing during periods of recess (e g , winter break) Here, we use power spectral density (PSD) data computed by the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology Data Management Center for quality assessment to calculate root mean square (rms) amplitude and analyze the effects of the COVID-19 school closures We processed and analyzed PSD data for 46 seismic stations located within 50 m of a U S university or college Results show that 42 campus stations show an overall rms drop following a statewide school closure
Preferences for More Aggressive End-of-life Pharmacologic Care Among Racial Minorities in a Large Population-Based Cohort of Cancer Patients

Abstract Context Minority patients receive more aggressive and potentially suboptimal care at the end of life (EOL). We investigated preferences about pharmacologic interventions at the EOL and their potential variation by sociodemographic factors among recently diagnosed cancer patients. Methods A population-based cross-sectional survey of cancer patients identified through the Texas Cancer registry was conducted using a multi-scale inventory between March 2018 and June 2020. Item responses to questions about potential pharmacologic interventions at the EOL were the focus of this investigation. Inverse probability weighted multivariate analysis examined associations of sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, and trust in medical professionals with pharmacologic preferences. Results Of the 1480 included responses, 13.3% stated they would take a medication that may prolong life at the cost of feeling worse. Adjusted analyses showed Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, living with another person, and having a higher trust score were more likely to express this preference. In contrast, 41–65 years (vs. 21–40 years), living in a rural area, and adequate or unknown health literacy were less likely to express this preference. Overall 16% of respondents were opposed to potentially life shortening palliative drugs. In adjusted analysis Black or Hispanic respondents were more likely to be opposed to potentially life shortening drugs although age 65–79 and ≥college education were associated with a decreased likelihood of opposition to this item. Conclusion Black and Hispanic cancer patients were more likely to express preferences toward more aggressive EOL pharmacologic care. These findings were independent of other sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy and trust in the medical profession.
Highly-loaded protein nanocarriers prepared by Flash NanoPrecipitation with hydrophobic ion pairing.

Abstract The efficient encapsulation of therapeutic proteins into delivery vehicles, particularly without loss of function, remains a significant research hurdle. Typical liposomal formulations achieve drug loadings on the order of 3–5% and encapsulation efficiencies around 50%. We demonstrate the encapsulation of model proteins with isoelectric points above and below pH 7 into nanocarriers (NCs) with protein loadings as high as 46% and encapsulation efficiencies above 95%. This is done by combining the continuous nanofabrication process Flash NanoPrecipitation (FNP) with the technique of hydrophobic ion pairing by forming and encapsulating an ionic complex within a nanocarrier stabilized by a block copolymer surface layer. We complex and encapsulate lysozyme with two anionic hydrophobic counterions, sodium oleate and sodium dodecyl sulfate, using either a pre-formed complex or in situ pairing. The strategy successfully forms NCs ~150 nm in diameter and achieves encapsulation efficiencies over 95%. Protein release rate from the NCs in physiological conditions and the bioactivity of released lysozyme are measured, and both are found to vary with the complexing counterion and the protein/counterion ratio used during formulation. Protein release on the time scale of weeks is observed, and up to 100% bioactivity is measured from released lysozyme. 16 quaternary ammonium cationic counterions are tested to encapsulate ovalbumin in 32 formulations. Of these, 19 successfully form ~150 nm NCs with loadings up to 29% and encapsulation efficiencies up to 88%. We divide the formulations into four regimes and identify chemical factors responsible for the success or failure of a given counterion to formulate NCs with the desirable size, loading, and encapsulation efficiency. A successful ovalbumin NC formulation was then tested in vivo in a mouse nasal vaccine model and found to induce a higher titer of OVA-specific IgG than unencapsulated ovalbumin. Taken together, these findings suggest that Flash NanoPrecipitation with hydrophobic ion pairing is an attractive platform for encapsulating high molecular weight proteins into NCs. In particular, the ability to tune protein release rate by varying the counterion or protein/counterion ratio used during formulation is a useful feature.
Spatially and temporally distributed data foraging decisions in disciplinary field science.

How do scientists generate and weight candidate queries for hypothesis testing, and how does learning from observations or experimental data impact query selection? Field sciences offer a compelling context to ask these questions because query selection and adaptation involves consideration of the spatiotemporal arrangement of data, and therefore closely parallels classic search and foraging behavior. Here we conduct a novel simulated data foraging study—and a complementary real-world case study—to determine how spatiotemporal data collection decisions are made in field sciences, and how search is adapted in response to in-situ data. Expert geoscientists evaluated a hypothesis by collecting environmental data using a mobile robot. At any point, participants were able to stop the robot and change their search strategy or make a conclusion about the hypothesis. We identified spatiotemporal reasoning heuristics, to which scientists strongly anchored, displaying limited adaptation to new data. We analyzed two key decision factors: variable-space coverage, and fitting error to the hypothesis. We found that, despite varied search strategies, the majority of scientists made a conclusion as the fitting error converged. Scientists who made premature conclusions, due to insufficient variable-space coverage or before the fitting error stabilized, were more prone to incorrect conclusions. We found that novice undergraduates used the same heuristics as expert geoscientists in a simplified version of the scenario. We believe the findings from this study could be used to improve field science training in data foraging, and aid in the development of technologies to support data collection decisions.
Performance of allergen testing in a survey of frozen meals and meals ready-to-eat (MREs)

A 7-plex immunoassay capable of detecting cashew, egg, hazelnut, milk, peanut, shrimp, and soy allergens was used to screen meals ready-to-eat (MREs) and frozen meals that contained meat or poultry...
Alaska’s Petroleum Industry, Institutions and Sovereign Wealth Fund

Alaska is a unique petroleum-producing region in that it is a state within the USA and therefore both an independent oil-producing and gas-producing region with an independent State government as well as a region dependant on, and intertwined with, a more powerful developed U.S. economy and its U.S. Federal Government. As such, it is possible to better observe political characteristics in the formation of petroleum policies and how they relate to the larger governmental institutions since some policies are based on State government policies and therefore the State’s citizens’ desires. Moreover, some policies are driven by the more powerful U.S. Federal Government policies and its American citizens’ desires. The chapter looks at Alaska’s oil and gas fiscal system, the State’s petroleum industry, its petroleum institutions and its sovereign wealth fund and how all those items work together within the broader government functioning.
Constrained flexibility of parental cooperation limits adaptive responses to harsh conditions

Parental care is predicted to evolve to mitigate harsh environments, thus adaptive plasticity of care may be an important response to our climate crisis. In biparental species, fitness costs may be reduced by resolving conflict and enhancing cooperation among partners. We investigated this prediction with the burying beetle, Nicrophorus orbicollis, by exposing them to contrasting benign and harsh thermal environments. Despite measurable fitness costs under the harsh environment, sexual conflict persisted in the form of sex-specific social plasticity. That is, females provided equivalent care with or without males, whereas males with partners deserted earlier and reduced provisioning effort. The interaction of social condition and thermal environment did not explain variation in individual behavior, failing to support a temperature-mediated shift from conflict to cooperation. Examining selection gradients and splines on cumulative care revealed a likely explanation for these patterns. Contrary to predictions, increased care did not enhance offspring performance under stress. Rather, different components of care were under different selection regimes, with optimization constrained due to lack of coordination between parents. We suggest that the potential for parenting to ameliorate the effects of our climate crisis may depend on the sex-specific evolutionary drivers of parental care, and that this may be best reflected in components of care.
A Child's Loss.

A Child’s Loss The 11-year-old girl knew that her mother had cancer, but it fell to me to tell her that the cancer had spread to her mother’s brain. Breaking such devastating news to a patient’s yo...
Simulation of Chemical Reactions in Solution Using an AB Initio Molecular Orbital-Valence Bond Model

A mixed molecular orbital and valence bond (MOVB) method has been developed and applied to chemical reactions. In the MOVB method, a diabatic or valence bond (VB) state is defined with a block-localized wave function (BLW). Consequently, the adiabatic state can be described by the superposition of a set of critical adiabatic states. Test cases indicate the method is a viable alternative to the empirical valence bond (EVB) approach for defining solvent reaction coordinate in the combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) simulations employing explicit molecular orbital methods.
Applied Metacognition: Influence of practice tests on the accuracy of predicting memory performance for paired associates, sentences, and text material

Learning and retaining class material is not only the primary goal in many class exercises (e.g. from learning the ABC to the periodic table of the elements) but may be essential for successfully mastering more complex lessons (e.g. reading, and developing chemical compounds). Accordingly, many researchers and educators have devoted their careers to engineering techniques that will improve learning. In the present chapter, we discuss the utility of one technique for improving individuals' ability to master new materials: practice tests or self-testing. A practice test involves an individual testing their memory or comprehension of class material to evaluate whether they will succeed on a subsequent test and, as such, can be considered a metacognitive activity. That is, practice testing may inform the learner about the degree to which to-be-learned materials have been stored in memory (or have been comprehended) so that they can accurately predict future test performance. In this way, practice tests may help students to regulate their study more effectively. For instance, a student may devise a test to evaluate whether to-be-learned material can be retrieved. If the material is retrieved during the test, they can move on to study other less well-learned materials. If the material is not successfully retrieved, then more study time should be allocated. The idea is that self-testing will improve the efficiency of self-regulated learning by helping students isolate poorly learned material for restudy. This simple strategy has been included in popular learning techniques and is undoubtedly used by many students.
Signal transduction in a compliant short loop of Henle.

To study the transformation of fluctuations in filtration rate into tubular fluid chloride concentration oscillations alongside the macula densa, we have developed a mathematical model for tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) signal transduction along the pars recta, the descending limb, and the thick ascending limb of a short-looped nephron. The model tubules are assumed to have compliant walls and thus a tubular radius that depends on the transmural pressure difference. Previously it has been predicted that TGF transduction by the thick ascending limb (TAL) is a generator of nonlinearities: if a sinusoidal oscillation is added to a constant TAL flow rate, then the time required for a fluid element to traverse the TAL is oscillatory in time but nonsinusoidal. The results from the new model simulations presented here predict that TGF transduction by the loop of Henle is also, in the same sense, a generator of nonlinearities. Thus this model predicts that oscillations in tubular fluid alongside the macula densa will be nonsinusoidal and will exhibit harmonics of sinusoidal perturbations of pars recta flow. Model results also indicate that the loop acts as a low-pass filter in the transduction of the TGF signal.
Probabilistic Models of Nonprojective Dependency Trees

A notable gap in research on statistical dependency parsing is a proper conditional probability distribution over nonprojective dependency trees for a given sentence. We exploit the Matrix Tree Theorem (Tutte, 1984) to derive an algorithm that efficiently sums the scores of all nonprojective trees in a sentence, permitting the definition of a conditional log-linear model over trees. While discriminative methods, such as those presented in McDonald et al. (2005b), obtain very high accuracy on standard dependency parsing tasks and can be trained and applied without marginalization, “summing trees” permits some alternative techniques of interest. Using the summing algorithm, we present competitive experimental results on four nonprojective languages, for maximum conditional likelihood estimation, minimum Bayes-risk parsing, and hidden variable training.
On the prediction of failure at a fiber/matrix interface in a composite subjected to a transverse tensile load

This paper deals with the 3-D stress field of a cylindrical fiber which is embedded into a resin matrix. The composite is then subjected to a uniform tensile load so. The strain energy release rate is computed and the criterion is used to predict debonding initiation at the fiber/matrix interface. The analysis shows that this failure is most likely to occur at the free surface, i.e. the region where the fiber intersects a free surface, for example a hole, an edge, or a crack. Moreover, it will occur at approximately (1/10) the load value required for the same failure to commence at the center of the fiber length.The results are also extended to include a doubly periodic array of fibers which are embedded into a matrix. Based on 3-D considerations, the stiffness matrix is shown to increase as the volume fraction of the fibers increases. Similarly, the stress sr, in the matrix is shown to decrease as the volume fraction of the fibers increases.
CMV: Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common infection after organ transplantation and has a major impact on morbidity, mortality and graft survival. Optimal prevention, diagnosis and treatment of active CMV infection enhance transplant outcomes, and are the focus of this section. Methods to prevent CMV include universal prophylaxis and preemptive therapy; each has its merits, and will be compared and contrasted. Diagnostics have improved substantially in recent years, both in type and quality, allowing for more accurate and savvy treatment; advances in diagnostics include the development of an international standard, which should allow comparison of results across different methodologies, and assays for cellular immune function against CMV. Therapy primarily involves ganciclovir, now rendered more versatile by data suggesting oral therapy with valganciclovir is not inferior to intravenous therapy with ganciclovir. Treatment of resistant virus remains problematic, but is enhanced by the availability of multiple novel therapeutic agents.
Circular-Secure Encryption from Decision Diffie-Hellman

We describe a public-key encryption system that remains secure even encrypting messages that depend on the secret keys in use. In particular, it remains secure under a "key cycle" usage, where we have a cycle of public/secret key-pairs (pk i ,sk i ) for i= 1,...,n, and we encrypt each sk i under ${\rm pk}_{(i \bmod n)+1}$. Such usage scenarios sometimes arise in key-management systems and in the context of anonymous credential systems. Also, security against key cycles plays a role when relating "axiomatic security" of protocols that use encryption to the "computational security" of concrete instantiations of these protocols. The existence of encryption systems that are secure in the presence of key cycles was wide open until now: on the one hand we had no constructions that provably meet this notion of security (except by relying on the random-oracle heuristic); on the other hand we had no examples of secure encryption systems that become demonstrably insecure in the presence of key-cycles of length greater than one. Here we construct an encryption system that is circular-secure against chosen-plaintext attacks under the Decision Diffie-Hellman assumption (without relying on random oracles). Our proof of security holds even if the adversary obtains an encryption clique, that is, encryptions of sk i under pk j for all 1 ≤ i,j≤ n. We also construct a circular counterexample: a one-way secure encryption scheme that breaks completely if an encryption cycle (of any size) is published.
The range and unity of planetary circulations

Altering the rotation rate, obliquity and diurnal period of an Earth-like model atmosphere produces a wide range of circulation forms, some of which resemble those observed on Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and (perhaps) on Uranus and Neptune. These unified solutions suggest: that Jupiter and Saturn resemble a larger, faster-spinning Earth and possess a stress-bearing or momentum-exchanging sublayer-, that easterly winds prevail in Uranus' summer hemisphere; and that Venus resembles a slowly rotating Earth if diurnal heating variations are included.
Dexamethasone as Treatment in Cerebrovascular Disease. 2. A Controlled Study in Acute Cerebral Infarction

Fifty-four patients with acute cerebral infarction were included in a double-blind study to evaluate Decadron® as therapy. When comparison of patients with similar levels of consciousness was made, there was no significant difference between those patients receiving Decadron® and those receiving placebo therapy. Three patients developed gastrointestinal tract bleeding in the placebo group, but there were none in the Decadron®-treated group. There was no good correlation between the clinical state of the patient and the CSF pressure, either on admission or during the 14-day course of the study.
Changes in the Employment Continuity of Succeeding Cohorts of Young Women

This article examines employment continuity for three succeeding cohorts of women in their 20s who would be typically experiencing early life-cycle transitions to marriage and parenthood. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Young Women, women's work attachment is analyzed over 5-year periods during the 1970s, a decade of rapid social change. Two competing explanations are presented to account for the expected increase in women's employment continuity: (a) A growing number of women have characteristics traditionally conducive to employment, and (b) the employment behavior of those who have typically worked intermittently has increasingly resembled that of women who have typically worked more continuously. Findings show that the impact of behavioral change was far more significant than changes in women's characteristics. The implications of these results for models of female labor force participation are discussed.
Strong CP problem versus Planck scale physics

We discuss conditions that should be satisfied by axion models for solving the strong CP problem. It has been observed that Planck scale effects may render the axion models ineffective if there are gauge-invariant operators of dimension less than ten which break explicitly the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry. We argue that only those operators formed of fields which have vacuum expectation values are dangerous. Supersymmetric axion models fail to prevent even this restricted class of operators. Furthermore, the models that relate the PQ scale and the supersymmetry-breaking scale are particularly sensitive to gauge-invariant PQ-breaking operators. By contrast, in nonsupersymmetric composite axion models the PQ scale arises naturally, and the dangerous operators can be avoided. However, the composite axion models contain heavy stable particles which are cosmologically ruled out. Another problem is a Landau pole for the QCD coupling constant. Both these problems may be solved if the unification of color with the gauge interactions which bind the axion could be achieved. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Effects of negative ions on cognitive performance.

Male and female subjects (undergraduate students) participated in two studies designed to investigate the impact of negative air ions on cognitive performance. In the first experiment, they worked on three different tasks (proofreading, memory span, word finding) in the presence of low, moderate, or high concentrations of such ions. Results indicated that among men, performance on two of these tasks (proofreading and memory span) was enhanced by moderate but not by high concentrations of ions. In the second experiment, undertaken to extend the generality of these initial results, male and female subjects performed two additional tasks (letter copying, decision making) in the presence of low, moderate, or high concentrations of ions. Output on the letter copying task increased significantly as ion level rose among both sexes. With respect to decision making, the tendency of male (but not female) participants to select initially preferred alternatives was significantly enhanced by moderate concentrations of negative ions. Together, the findings of these studies suggest that negative air ions can indeed exert appreciable effects on cognitive performance. However, contrary to claims often associated with advertising for commercially produced ion generators, these effects are neither simple nor uniformly beneficial in nature.
The effect of sulfate on the bioconcentration of selenate by Chironomus decorus and Daphnia magna

Agricultural drainage containing high concentrations of selenium (Se) poses a continuing threat to wildlife in California's San Joaquin Valley. Drainage water from this area frequently contains high concentrations of sulfate, which are known to have mediating effects on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of Se in some organisms. It has been proposed that sulfate concentration should be a consideration in determining water quality criteria for Se. As a step toward analyzing the viability of such a plan, this study evaluated the effect of varying sulfate concentration on Se bioconcentration by two aquatic invertebrates. Fourth instar Chironomus decorus and neonate Daphnia magna were exposed, for a 48 h period, to 5.92 and 0.71 mg Se/L, as selenate, respectively. The selenium:sulfur (Se:S) ratio in the dilution waters ranged from 1:0 to 1:480 for C. decorus and 1:3 to 1:240 for D. magna. Increasing sulfate concentrations significantly reduced the accumulation of Se by both organisms. However, D. magna and C. decorus bioconcentrate Se differently at low sulfate concentrations. This difference can be explained by a two permease model for selenate/sulfate absorption. Although this experiment showed that sulfate may reduce selenate bioavailability to aquatic invertebrates, there is no indication that sulfate may completely eliminate selenate absorption. Thus, further research should be performed before sulfate concentration becomes a factor in the determination of water quality standards for selenium.
The Boeing flight deck

Describes how the Next Generation (NG) Boeing 737‐600/700/800/900 flight deck uses either of two instrument panels. One is based on the 737‐300/400/500 series and the other on the 777 and 747‐400. These are more commonly known as the EFIS/MAP and the PFD/ND layouts, respectively. The article goes on to describe the flight deck of the Boeing 717 which first flew last year, and how this has been adapted from previous designs.
Throughput Analysis by Varying the Network Size in Mobile Ad Hoc Network

An ad hoc network is an infrastructure less network which means it does not require any base station for the data transmission. The performance of these networks is impacted by the topology of the network where the mobility pattern and the number of nodes are the important metrics. This paper is intended to measure the throughput of the network as the density of nodes increases. We simulated the AODV routing protocol for calculating the performance metrics namely packet delivery fraction, Average end-to-end delay by varying network size through simulation using NS-2. The objective of this paper is to observe the behavior of the network as the density of the nodes increases.
Superconductivity in irradiated A-15 compounds at low fluences. I. Neutron-irradiated V 3 Si

The behavior of the superconducting transition temperature T c of singlecrystal and polycrystalline V3Si was investigated as a function of low-fluence neutron irradiation. It is found that the initial degradation of T c is sample-dependent, some specimens showing no degradation in T c up to a fluence of 2 × 1018 n/cm2. This and many other earlier observations on low-fluence behavior are explained in terms of a recently proposed model of radiation damage in A-15 compounds.
Graphene based RF/microwave impedance sensing of DNA

The dynamic processes occurring in microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic organisms play key roles in device sensing and can be effectively monitored by impedance characterization. Graphene and its derivatives have attracted much attention for potential applications in biological sensing systems because of their unique 2D structural, surface and electronic properties. In this work, on-chip integrated impedance bio-sensors are demonstrated using coplanar waveguides (CPWs) as the sensing platform. Absorption of Chitoson and DNA on graphene /graphene derivatives leads to remarkable red-shift of the resonant frequencies. Substrate complex permittivity is extracted from momentum simulations. The imaginary part of the permittivity indicates significant leakage currents in the graphene/graphene derivatives, Chitoson, and DNA.
Translating standards into practice

Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted Highlights? VA has a successful IT program and a culture favorable to standards adoption. ? An internal team, a life cycle, and enterprise tools facilitate standards adoption. ? Alignment with business objectives is key. standards implementation is critical. ? A Likelihood of Adoption Scale is offered to assess ease of implementation. ? An agile process with incremental gains helps with standards adoption. The increased need for interoperable electronic health records in health care organizations underscores the importance of standards. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a long history of developing and adopting various types of health care data standards. The authors present in detail their experience in this domain. A formal organization within VA is responsible for helping to develop and implement standards. This group has produced a Standards Life Cycle (SLC) process endorsed by VA key business and information technology (IT) stakeholders. It coordinates the identification, description, and implementation of standards aligned with VA business requirements. In this paper, we review the adoption of four standards in the categories of security and privacy, terminology, health information exchange, and modeling tools; emphasizing the implementation approach used in each. In our experience, adoption is facilitated by internal staff with expertise in standards development and adoption. Use of processes such as an SLC and tools such as an enterprise requirement repository help formally track and ensure that IT development and acquisition incorporate these standards. An organization should adopt standards that are aligned with its business priorities and favor those that are more readily implementable. To assist with this final point, we offer a standard "Likelihood of Adoption Scale," which changes as standards specifications evolve from PDF documents only, to PDF documents with construction and testing tools, to fully functional reference implementations.
Significance of hypotension preceding fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias in post-coronary obstruction sudden death

While sudden death after acute myocardial infarction or ischemia most commonly occurs in the first few minutes, usually from tachyarrhythmias, little is known of associated hemodynamics. We monitored hemodynamics for 15 minutes following coronary embolization with mercury in 31 awake dogs. In 17 nonsurvivors, mean arterial pressure (MAP) fell 7 mm Hg at 15 seconds, 15 mm Hg by 45 seconds, 27 mm Hg at 120 seconds, and continued falling until ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred. In contrast, in 14 survivors, MAP was unchanged at 15 seconds, fell 8 mm Hg at 45 seconds, 15 mm Hg at 120 seconds, and than returned toward control. The decline in MAP was significantly greater and earlier in nonsurvivors. Heart rate increased at 15 seconds in nonsurvivors (21 bpm) but not until 75 seconds in survivors (33 bpm). Cardiac output fell significantly only in nonsurvivors. Ventricular ectopics (greater than 5 beats/15 sec) first appeared after hemodynamic changes in both groups; at 68 seconds in survivors and at 45 seconds in non survivors. While such ectopy persisted at the same frequency thereafter in both groups, VF occurred only in the more hypotensive dogs at 177 seconds. In a second series of 26 dogs, hypotension was randomly treated by intra-aortic balloon. All nine nonhypotensive dogs survived, whereas five of six untreated hypotensive dogs died compared to 2 of 11 treated ones (p less than 0.02). We conclude that significant hemodynamic changes precede ectopy, and VF and sudden coronary death occurs usually after persistence of hypotension.
Abstract A137: Chemotherapy molecule delivered by tumor‐targeted salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium under the control of integrated modular gate

Several strictly or facultative anaerobic bacteria have attracted more and more attention in cancer therapeutics because of their targeting and accumulating abilities in solid tumors, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is one of them. These bacteria were also adapted to deliver therapeutic factors and were applied alone or in combination with conventional therapeutics. The aim of this study is to test a new integrated gene expression system in S. Typhimurim SL1344, and the benefit of the new system in amplifying therapeutic molecule production during bacterium targeting and accumulating in solid tumor. We have constructed a synthetic genetic gate in S. Typhimurim SL1344 that integrates information from two promoters as inputs and actives a promoter output only when both input promoters are induced. The integration occurs via an interaction between L‐arabinose concentration and bacterium cell density. When certain amount of L‐arabinose were added in the system and bacterium population were higher enough, the tumor necrosis factor apoptosis inducing ligand(TRAIL) and fluorescent protein ZsGreen as the control were produced by bacteria. LS174T colon carcinoma cells were processed to form cylindroids between the bottom surface of a 96‐well plate and the top surface of a set of polycarbonate cylindrical plugs attached to a polycarbonate lid to mimic solid tumor, and then cylindroid cultures were inoculated with S. typhimurium SL1344 carrying TRAIL or ZsGreen expression system. 0.2% (w/v) L‐arabinose was added into the well after 12hr inoculation, and then washed out after 2hr induced. Extents of apoptosis in cylindroids were tested by caspase‐3 activity assay. Results showed that the bacteria accumulated inside cylindroids indicated by ZsGreen expression, and the average normalized intensity of apoptotic cell was higher in the cylindroids inoculated by the bacteria carrying the TRAIL than those inoculated by the bacteria carrying the ZsGreen. It can be concluded that the constructed integrated modular gate could effectively control bacteria to produce functional chemotherapy molecule in solid tumor at desirable time and places. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):A137.
Efficient Complete Coverage Through Heterogeneous Sensing Nodes

We investigate the coverage efficiency of a sensor network consisting of sensors with circular sensing footprints of different radii. The objective is to completely cover a region in an efficient manner through a controlled (or deterministic) deployment of such sensors. In particular, it is shown that when sensing nodes of two different radii are used for complete coverage, the coverage density is increased, and the sensing cost is significantly reduced as compared to the homogeneous case, in which all nodes have the same sensing radius. Configurations of heterogeneous disks of multiple radii to achieve efficient circle coverings are presented and analyzed.
Experimental observation of nonuniversal behavior of the conductivity exponent for three-dimensional continuum percolation systems.

We measured the conductivity of both silver-coated-glass--Teflon composites and indium-glass composites made with use of standard mixing and pressing techniques. In the conducting-sphere--insulator composites, the silver-coated glass spheres were randomly distributed inside the Teflon host, with the conduction occurring only through the contact point between spheres. For this composite, we found t=2.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 and ${p}_{c}$=0.170\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002, in agreement with the conventionally accepted values of t and ${p}_{c}$ for a three-dimensional (3D) random composite. In the insulating-sphere--conductor composites, the hard glass spheres were randomly distributed inside the indium. For these composites, we found the percolation threshold to be strongly dependent upon the pressure used to make the sample, with ${p}_{c}$ usually falling between 0.04 and 0.1, well below the expected value for a 3D random composite. Scanning-electron-microscope pictures show that narrow necks of the conducting paths do exist. The conductivity exponent was independent of the pressure used to make the sample and equal to t=3.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3. The difference between the above two exponents shows that the conductivity exponent for continuum percolation systems in 3D is not universal.
Structure and function of the Salmonella Typhi chimaeric A 2 B 5 typhoid toxin

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) differs from most other salmonellae in that it causes a life-threatening systemic infection known as typhoid fever. The molecular bases for its unique clinical presentation are unknown. Here we find that the systemic administration of typhoid toxin, a unique virulence factor of S. Typhi, reproduces many of the acute symptoms of typhoid fever in an animal model. We identify specific carbohydrate moieties on specific surface glycoproteins that serve as receptors for typhoid toxin, which explains its broad cell target specificity. We present the atomic structure of typhoid toxin, which shows an unprecedented A2B5 organization with two covalently linked A subunits non-covalently associated to a pentameric B subunit. The structure provides insight into the toxin's receptor-binding specificity and delivery mechanisms and reveals how the activities of two powerful toxins have been co-opted into a single, unique toxin that can induce many of the symptoms characteristic of typhoid fever. These findings may lead to the development of potentially life-saving therapeutics against typhoid fever.
Androgen-Induced Inhibition of Proliferation in Human Breast Cancer MCF7 Cells Transfected with Androgen Receptor

Sex steroids control the proliferation of their target cells through two different pathways: 1) proliferative response (Step-1); and 2) inhibition of cell proliferation (Step-2). Mechanisms of cell proliferation regulation are incompletely understood; however, there is general agreement with the notion that sex steroid receptors play an important role in the control of the proliferation of sex steroid target cells. To test this hypothesis, a full human androgen receptor (AR) vector was transfected into human breast cancer MCF7 cells. The cloned cells that stably express the AR, called MCF7-AR1 cells, contained approximately five times more AR than the wild-type MCF7 cells from which they were derived. These AR-transfected cells retained their capacity to proliferate when estrogens were added to 10% charcoal-dextran stripped human serum but did not acquire the ability to proliferate when androgens were added to this medium. In serumless medium (ITDME), these cells proliferated maximally, as MCF7 cells did;...
Differential alterations in sympathetic neurotransmission in mesenteric arteries and veins in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

Abstract Sympathetic control of arteries and veins may be altered in hypertension. To test this hypothesis, constrictions of mesenteric arteries and veins caused by nerve stimulation and by norepinephrine (NE) and ATP were studied in vitro in tissues from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive and sham normotensive rats. In DOCA-salt arteries, the maximum neurogenic response was greater than that in sham arteries. The P2 receptor antagonist, pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulfonic acid (PPADS, 10 μM), greatly reduced neurogenic responses in sham but not DOCA-salt arteries. The α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, prazosin (0.1 μM), inhibited responses in DOCA-salt but not sham arteries. Concentration–response curves for norepinephrine and ATP were similar in sham and DOCA-salt arteries, indicating that reactivity to sympathetic vasoconstrictor transmitters was not changed in DOCA-salt arteries. Neurogenic constrictions in sham and DOCA-salt veins were similar in amplitude, and they were completely blocked by prazosin. However, concentration–response curves for norepinephrine in DOCA-salt veins were right-shifted compared to those in sham veins. Cocaine (10 μM) and corticosterone (10 μM) caused a leftward shift in norepinephrine concentration–response curves in DOCA-salt but not sham veins. Norepinephrine content was decreased in DOCA-salt arteries and veins, and there was an increased norepinephrine transporter (NET) level in DOCA-salt veins. These data indicate that, in DOCA-salt hypertension, there is an increased norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerves associated with mesenteric arteries and veins. In arteries, this results in an increase in the amplitude of neurogenic constrictions. In veins, increased norepinephrine release maintains neurogenic constrictions in the presence of increased NET levels.
Ground state and excitations of a one-dimensional two-band supersymmetric t-J model with crystalline field splitting.

We consider a one-dimensional two-band model of electrons on a lattice with nearest-neighbor hopping {ital t} constrained by the excluded multiple occupancy of the sites, an interband splitting, {Delta}, and intraband and interband exchange {ital J} between neighboring sites. This model is integrable at the supersymmetric point and reduces to the SU(4)-invariant supersymmetric {ital t}-{ital J} model with crystal field splitting. We present the exact solution via Bethe's ansatz and discuss ground-state properties and the excitation spectrum as a function of {Delta}.
Regulation of murine lymphokine production in vivo II. Dehydroepiandrosterone is a natural enhancer of interleukin 2 synthesis by helper T cells

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an adrenal steroid hormone produced in abundance by humans and most other warm-blooded animals, is uniquely sulfated (DHEAS) prior to export into the plasma, and exhibits an age-related decline in production with progressive age. No major physiological functions have been ascribed to the activity of this steroid, although DHEA is known to serve as an intermediary in sex steroid synthesis. Studies on the effects of glucocorticoids (GCS) on the immune system led us to question whether DHEA had effects on the ability of activated lymphocytes to produce interleukin 2 (IL 2). We determined that (a) lymphocytes from DHEA- or DHEAS-treated mice consistently produced much greater levels of IL 2 than normals in response to stimulation, (b) direct lymphocyte exposure to DHEA at low doses (10(-10)-10(-7) M) caused an enhanced capacity to secrete IL 2 following activation, (c) IL 2 production by activated cloned T cell lines could be augmented by DHEA treatment, and (d) GCS-induced depressions in IL 2 synthesis by T cells or T cell clones could be overcome in vitro and in vivo by exposure to the effects of DHEA. These findings suggest that DHEA, presumably through receptor-mediated mechanisms similar to other types of steroid hormones, may represent a natural and important regulator of IL 2 production in both normal and pathologic conditions.
Analysis of anisotropic, stiffened composite laminates using a continuum-based shell element

Abstract The incremental equations of motion based on the principle of virtual displacements of a continuous medium are formulated using the total Lagrangian description. A degenerate shell element with a degenerate curved beam element as a stiffener is developed for the geometric nonlinear analysis of laminated, anisotropic, stiffened shells. Compatibility and completeness requirements are stressed in modeling the general shell-type structures in order to assure the convergence of the finite-element solution. An iterative solution procedure, either Newton-Raphson method or modified Riks method, is employed to trace the nonlinear equilibrium path. A variety of numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the stiffened shell element. The effects of boundary conditions, lamination scheme and geometric nonlinearity on deflections are also investigated.
Latino urbanism: the politics of planning, policy and redevelopment

In their insightful and provocative book Latino Urbanism, David R. Diaz and Rodolfo D. Torres has produced an excellent volume of original essays, by new and senior scholars, providing critical and...
The Effect of Needle Gauge on the Risk of Pneumothorax and Chest Tube Placement After Percutaneous Computed Tomographic (CT)-Guided Lung Biopsy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coaxial guide needle gauge (18 vs. 19 gauge) on the risk of pneumothorax and chest tube placement after CT-guided lung biopsy. Imaging records of all patients who had undergone CT-guided lung biopsies at our institution from March 1, 2006 to December 9, 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of various patient-, lesion-, and procedure-related variables on subsequent pneumothorax and chest tube placement rates. The study included 4262 biopsies (2304 with 18-gauge and 1958 with 19-gauge coaxial guide needles) in 3917 patients. The rates of pneumothorax and chest tube placement were 30.2 and 15 %, respectively. Pneumothorax occurred in 35 % of procedures performed with 18-gauge needles and in 24.5 % of procedures performed with 19-gauge needles (p < 0.0001). Chest tube insertion occurred in 16.7 % of procedures performed with 18-gauge needles and in 13.1 % of procedures performed with 19-gauge needles (p = 0.0011). Multivariate logistic regression models demonstrated that the use of an 18-gauge needle was associated with a higher rate of pneumothorax (p < 0.0001) and chest tube placement (p = 0.0003). The following factors were also associated with higher rates of pneumothorax and chest tube placement: older age, emphysema, greater number of pleural surfaces crossed, and a longer biopsy needle path length. The use of a 19-gauge coaxial guide needle significantly decreases the risk of pneumothorax and chest tube placement compared with an 18-guage needle.
Effect of a Circumferential Arc Crack on the Vibration Characteristics of a Flexible Spinning Disk

The vibration characteristics of a circumferentially cracked rotating disk are investigated. The disk is assumed to be axisymmetric, flexible and clamped at the center. The crack increases the local flexibility of the disk at the crack location and is modeled as linear and torsional springs, connecting the two segments of the disk. The spring constants are evaluated by considering crack opening displacements due to bending moment and shear force at the crack location. The equations of motion of two segments of the disk, for disk operating in vacuum as well as subjected to shear fluid flow are developed. Using the Finite Difference Technique, the coupled systems of equations are solved and the natural frequencies and mode shapes are obtained. The mode shapes are seen to be comparatively flattened in the inner region of the crack and heightened towards the periphery of the disk. Shear fluid loading reduces the natural frequencies and results in a quicker onset of instability. It is observed that the effect of the crack on the vibration characteristics of the disk is mainly a function of the crack location.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Central Retinal Artery Obstruction and Visual Acuity

The records of 72 patients (73 eyes) with acute central retinal arterial obstruction (CRAO) were reviewed. Three eyes (4%) were initially observed to have no light perception vision. However, two of these three were found to have concomitant posterior ciliary circulation defects on fluorescein angiography, and the third had electroretinographic evidence of both outer and inner retinal damage. Previous studies have indicated that a much higher percentage of patients with CRAO present with NLP vision. From the data presented it is the feeling of the authors that cases with obstruction of the central retinal artery alone and NLP acuity in the involved eye are most unusual. If true NLP vision is present, additional complicating factors should be suspected, particularly abnormalities of the choroidal circulation and the optic nerve.