cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calibration of low-cost particulate matter sensors: Model development for a multi-city epidemiological study

Abstract Low-cost air monitoring sensors are an appealing tool for assessing pollutants in environmental studies. Portable low-cost sensors hold promise to expand temporal and spatial coverage of air quality information. However, researchers have reported challenges in these sensors′ operational quality. We evaluated the performance characteristics of two widely used sensors, the Plantower PMS A003 and Shinyei PPD42NS, for measuring fine particulate matter compared to reference methods, and developed regional calibration models for the Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Baltimore, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Winston-Salem and Seattle metropolitan areas. Duplicate Plantower PMS A003 sensors demonstrated a high level of precision (averaged Pearson′s r = 0.99), and compared with regulatory instruments, showed good accuracy (cross-validated R2 = 0.96, RMSE = 1.15 µg/m3 for daily averaged PM2.5 estimates in the Seattle region). Shinyei PPD42NS sensor results had lower precision (Pearson′s r = 0.84) and accuracy (cross-validated R2 = 0.40, RMSE = 4.49 µg/m3). Region-specific Plantower PMS A003 models, calibrated with regulatory instruments and adjusted for temperature and relative humidity, demonstrated acceptable performance metrics for daily average measurements in the other six regions (R2 = 0.74–0.95, RMSE = 2.46–0.84 µg/m3). Applying the Seattle model to the other regions resulted in decreased performance (R2 = 0.67–0.84, RMSE = 3.41–1.67 µg/m3), likely due to differences in meteorological conditions and particle sources. We describe an approach to metropolitan region-specific calibration models for low-cost sensors that can be used with caution for exposure measurement in epidemiological studies.
Hacia la posibilidad de una teología política ecofeminista

En este articulo discuto una nueva aproximacion al concepto de teologia politica. Mi propuesta es que al incluir la perspectiva ecofeminista se abren nuevas miradas para abordar la discusion de la teologia politica, que se ha caracterizado por una dominacion geografica, androcentrica y antropocentrica en el estado del arte sobre la teologia politica y su relacion con la soberania. El articulo se articula a partir de ideas planteadas por la teologia ecofeminista de Ivone Gebara y Mary Judith Ress en el contexto latinoamericano. Para finalizar, planteo el caso del colectivo Con-spirando como una posibilidad politica de acercarnos a nuevos modos de abordar el concepto de teologia politica.
Hydrochar structural determination from artifact-free Raman analysis

Abstract Hydrochar was studied using Raman spectroscopy to understand thermal damage potentially introduced during analysis. Analysis of glucose hydrochar at power densities less than 5 GW m−2 indicated a furan-rich material, while analysis at power densities greater than 50 GW m−2 indicated an arene-rich structure. Thermal tests using conventional heating revealed furan-to-arene transition in the temperature range between 300 and 500 °C, suggesting that Raman analysis at power densities greater than 5 GW m−2 converts furans to arenes. A heat transfer model predicted temperatures consistent with the transition identified experimentally and indicated pelletizing the hydrochar as an approach for acquisition of artifact-free Raman spectra without sacrificing signal-to-noise. Subsequent experimental analysis of hydrochar-KBr pellets confirmed the potential effectiveness of the approach. The artifact-free Raman spectrum of glucose hydrochar was re-analyzed and found to be much more consistent with structures inferred from solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) than previously thought. Hydrochar is a thermally sensitive material and should be studied with great care when subjected to temperatures greater than 300 °C or (equivalently) laser powers greater than 5 GW m−2. The approaches described here should be used for future work in order to get a proper description of char structure.
Evaluating the Use of Ultraviolet Light to Reduce Transmission of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Emergency Medical Service Vehicles

Background Emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles may pose pathogen exposure risks for patients on route to a healthcare facility. One organism, particularly of concern in this environment, is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The objective of this study was to develop a surface transmission model for estimating MRSA infection risk reductions associated with motion-activated ultraviolet (UV-C) light disinfection on surfaces in between hand-to-surface contacts in EMS vehicles. Methods A published mathematical transmission model was adapted to estimate MRSA transmission and infection risk for a patient during an emergency call. Two simulated scenarios were explored: 1) Baseline (no UV-C) and 2) UV-C disinfection (intervention) on a heart monitor, keyboard and portable radio in between contacts. The simulation was adapted to estimate the probability of a patient's wound exposure to MRSA and subsequent infection risk during a single transport. Variability and uncertainty in EMS personnel hand-to-medical equipment behavior and in MRSA concentration on high contact surfaces were accounted for within the model using a Monte Carlo simulation approach, where a series of potential outcomes could be considered. Results Over a 34-minute period, MRSA concentrations on both patient's wound and paramedics’ hands reached a steady state. Baseline infection (no UV-C light) risk was 3.5 × 10-8 on average. The infection risk for the UV-C light disinfection scenario was 2.53 × 10-8 on average. The reduction in mean infection risk was 27.8%. With the UV-C light intervention, there was a decrease in the overall MRSA surface concentrations within the EMS vehicle. Conclusions This mathematical simulation demonstrates that UV-C light disinfection within EMS vehicle may reduce MRSA infection risks for patients with when only three surfaces are targeted for treatment. Future studies are planned to better characterize paramedic behaviors that drive surface and hand contamination rates and to evaluate variables of UV-C light efficacy.
Ophthalmology Applicant Perceptions of Two Residency Application Services: The San Francisco Match Central Application Service and Electronic Residency Application Service

Purpose Given ophthalmology residency programs are transitioning to include the internship year, either through “joint” or “integrated” 4-year programs, we set out to identify applicant preferences regarding the match and their experiences with two residency application systems: (1) the Central Application Service (CAS) and (2) the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Design This study is designed as a retrospective repeated cross-sectional survey. Methods A 15-question online survey was sent to 196 and 461 applicants to the 2019 and 2020 ophthalmology match cycles, respectively. Questions from the survey assessed user experiences with specific components of both application services and evaluated preferences regarding the future of the ophthalmology match. Results Responses were received from 208 (32%) applicants. A majority of users had positive experiences with both application services; for CAS, 162 (78%) applicants had a positive experience, compared with 111 (53%) for ERAS. When compared directly, applicants favored the CAS (60%) to ERAS (21%). Furthermore, 108 (52%) respondents stated that they would prefer ophthalmology continue to use both the CAS and ERAS, while 47 (23%) respondents indicated a desire for the CAS to become the only application system for both matches. Conclusion Although half of all respondents prefer that both the CAS and ERAS systems are utilized for the match process, many express a desire for a single matching program. As ophthalmology residency programs move to joint and integrated 4-year programs, the complexity of matching will increase. Further evaluation of applicant preferences during this transition phase is needed as applicants are required to apply to a variety of different joint and integrated internship and ophthalmology programs.
A Human Vascular Injury-on-a-Chip Model of Hemostasis

Hemostasis is an innate protective mechanism that plays a central role in maintaining the homeostasis of the vascular system during vascular injury. Studying this essential physiological process is often challenged by the difficulty of modeling and probing the complex dynamics of hemostatic responses in the native context of human blood vessels. To address this major challenge, this paper describes a microengineering approach for in vitro modeling of hemostasis. This microphysiological model replicates the living endothelium, multilayered microarchitecture, and procoagulant activity of human blood vessels, and is also equipped with a microneedle that is actuated with spatial precision to simulate penetrating vascular injuries. The system recapitulates key features of the hemostatic response to acute vascular injury as observed in vivo, including i) thrombin-driven accumulation of platelets and fibrin, ii) formation of a platelet- and fibrin-rich hemostatic plug that halts blood loss, and iii) matrix deformation driven by platelet contraction for wound closure. Moreover, the potential use of this model for drug testing applications is demonstrated by evaluating the effects of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents that are in current clinical use. The vascular injury-on-a-chip may serve as an enabling platform for preclinical investigation of hematological disorders and emerging therapeutic approaches against them.
Transaminases are Potential Biomarkers of Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND: Considering the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), the clinical implications of gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U S population require analysis METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to our facility Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of GI symptoms and transaminitis at presentation Univariable analysis was performed to assess the differences between study groups Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's chi-square tests were used to compare the median of continuous and categorical variables, respectively Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of mechanical ventilation, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and mortality after adjusting for baseline variables RESULTS: A total of 84 patients were analyzed After adjusting for baseline comorbidities, presence of GI symptoms (aOR, adjusted odds ratio 4 2, 95% CI, 1 17-15 60, p=0 03) and transaminitis on admission (aOR 5 69, 95% CI, 1 47-21 99, p=0 01) were associated with CRS Transaminitis on admission and elevated total bilirubin during hospitalization were associated with an increased need for mechanical ventilation (aOR 6 17, 95% CI, 1 49-25 44, p=0 02 and aOR 7 29, 95% CI, 1 73-30 75, p=0 007, respectively) An elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) on admission (aOR 13 41, 95% CI, 1 08-165 69, p=0 04) and elevated total bilirubin during hospitalization (aOR 82 68, 95% CI, 1 67-4074 8, p=0 02) were independently associated with an increased risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients CONCLUSION: COVID-19 patients with transaminitis on admission had a higher risk of requiring mechanical ventilation and developing CRS Patients with elevated AST on admission and elevated total bilirubin had higher mortality Patients with GI symptoms did not have worse outcomes
Trends in export of dairy Holstein heifers from the United States

A general overview of the export and testing requirements is given for bred female dairy cattle from the United States (US) to Turkey, Mexico, and Russia, the top three export markets. Disease-by-disease serologic test results are presented for 7,339 Holstein dairy heifers tested in quarantine in southeastern Chester County, Pennsylvania for export to Turkey from June 2010 to October 2011. Management practices to decrease the prevalence of diseases of importance to the export market are reviewed. Prevalence rates of serologically positive heifers tested during the quarantine period using the enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay were: bluetongue virus (BTV) 4.9%, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) 0.65%, and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) 5.7%. Prevalence rate of bovine viral diarrhea virus - persistently infected (BVDV PI) heifers using pooled polymerase chain reaction was 0.68%. Because of the high prevalence of BLV in US cattle, most if not all heifers are routinely screened for BLV prior to purchase and entry into quarantine. Some of the heifers in this data set originating from endemic BTV states were pre-screened for BTV. Because of pre-screening for BLV prior to purchase for export, the prevalence of BLV reported was lower than would be expected in the general population of heifers in the US. The prevalence of BTV would depend on whether heifers came from BTV free or endemic states. Dairy herds wanting to market heifers for export should apply management practices known to decrease the prevalence of BTV, BLV, MAP, and BVDV PI.
Reducing Our Energy Usage and Reliance to Mechanical Air Conditioning Through Passive Cooling: Can It Be Done at Home Today?

Today more houses are being built to rely solely on air conditioning as the only means of cooling a home. This research study explored methods available that may help minimize energy consumption and reduce reliance on mechanical cooling through passive cooling while focusing on retrofit options for existing residential buildings and energy-saving considerations for new residential construction in the United States of America. The data of this research was collected through literature review, a combination of an online survey and interviews on individuals’ experiences with air conditioning, and an interview with an electrical energy provider managing weatherization home improvements.
Single-use flexible ureteroscopes: how to choose and what is around the corner?

Purpose of review The pace of technology development with single-use endoscopy has led to a range of disposable ureteroscopes. We review the development of single-use scopes, deconstruct the basic design and functional characteristics of available devices, and discuss future directions for next-generation platforms. Recent findings Currently available devices are differentiated on the basis of several core features. The optical, deflection and irrigation characteristics are marginally different with no device clearly superior in every category. Studies comparing single-use ureteroscopes in patients linked to outcomes are limited. The incorporation of next-generation technologies into these platforms include sensors to monitor intrarenal pressure and temperature, suction of fluid and fragments, and computer vision for artificial intelligence. Summary Each ureteroscope has specific features that may be advantageous in different circumstances. Single-use devices could transform the ureteroscope from a visual conduit to a transformative surgical instrument that improves outcomes and reduces complications.
The Impact of Main Street Revitalization on the Economic Vitality of Small-Town Business Districts:

The Main Street Program is a popular smaller-scale economic development strategy used to revitalize historic town centers across the rural United States. In this article, a difference-in-difference...
Using hierarchical similarity to examine the genetics of Behçet's disease.

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disease that affects patients along the historic silk road. Thus far, the pathogenesis of the disease has proved elusive due to the complex genetic interactions of the disease. In this paper, we seek to clarify the genetic factors of the disease while also uncovering other diseases of interest that present with a similar genotype as BD. To do this, we employ a convergent functional genomics approach by leveraging the hierarchical similarity tool available in Geneweaver. Through our analysis, we were able to ascertain 7 BD consensus genes and 16 autoimmune diseases with genetic overlap with BD. The results of our study will inform further research into the pathogenesis of Behcet’s disease.
Technical Note: Long-term monitoring of diode sensitivity degradation induced by proton irradiation.

PURPOSE To measure diode sensitivity degradation (DSD) induced by cumulative proton dose delivered to a commercial daily quality assurance (QA) device. METHODS At our institution, six Daily QA 3 (DQA3, Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, FL, USA) devices have been used for daily proton pencil beam scanning QA in four proton gantry rooms over a span of 4 years. DQA3 diode counts were cross-calibrated using a homogenous field with a known dose of 1 Gy. The DSD rate (ΔR%/100 Gy) was calculated using linear regression on time-series plots of diode counts and an estimate of cumulative dose per year based on the cross-calibration. The effect of DSD on daily QA spot position measurements was quantified by converting DSD to baseline spot position shift. RESULTS The average dose delivered to the four inner DQA3 diodes was 104 ± 5 Gy/year, and the rate of DSD was -5.1% ± 1.0/100 Gy with the exception of one DQA3 device that had a significantly higher rate of DSD (-12%/100 Gy). The R2 s of the linear fit to time-series plots were between 0.92 and 0.98. The DSD rates were not constant but decreases with accumulated doses. The four center diodes, which received 40% of the cumulative dose received by inner diodes, had a DSD rate of -7.2% ± 0.9/100 Gy. For our daily QA program, 1 year of DSD was equivalent to a 0.2 mm shift in spot position. CONCLUSIONS The DSD rate of DQA3 diodes determined by long-term proton daily QA data was about -5%/100 Gy, which is more than 10 times greater than the reported DSD rate from photon irradiation. DQA3 diodes may be used for daily proton QA programs, provided that they are recalibrated at an appropriate frequency that should be determined specifically for different daily QA programs.
Biopolitics: Power, Pandemics and War

COVID-19 and the subsequent global response has had a profound impact on the public health, economic health, and political health in nearly every country. The impact of the pandemic has been particularly acute in active warzones where the ability to enforce public health recommendations, to provide for the care of patients, to secure supplies, and transmit information are all undermined. This paper examines the biopolitics of power and pandemics in war. The paper is rooted in three case studies, the Spanish Influenza Outbreak of 1918-1920 and the COVID-19 outbreak and response in Syria, and Eastern Ukraine. The central question posed is how does war influence the biopolitics of public health in active warzones?
PGC-1α Modulates Telomere Function and DNA Damage in Protecting against Aging-Related Chronic Diseases

Cellular senescence and organismal aging predispose age-related chronic diseases, such as neurodegenerative, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders. These diseases emerge coincidently from elevated oxidative/electrophilic stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and telomere dysfunction and shortening. Mechanistic linkages are incompletely understood. Here, we show that ablation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) accelerates vascular aging and atherosclerosis, coinciding with telomere dysfunction and shortening and DNA damage. PGC-1α deletion reduces expression and activity of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and increases p53 levels. Ectopic expression of PGC-1α coactivates TERT transcription and reverses telomere malfunction and DNA damage. Furthermore, alpha lipoic acid (ALA), a non-dispensable mitochondrial cofactor, upregulates PGC-1α-dependent TERT and the cytoprotective Nrf-2-mediated antioxidant/electrophile-responsive element (ARE/ERE) signaling cascades, and counteracts high-fat-diet-induced, age-dependent arteriopathy. These results illustrate the pivotal importance of PGC-1α in ameliorating senescence, aging, and associated chronic diseases, and may inform novel therapeutic approaches involving electrophilic specificity.
Art, Poetry, Loss, and Life: A Case Study of Ann

Through a case study method, the author examines the role of art and poetry in the life of a female inmate serving a life-sentence. Insights regarding the inmate's institutional journey, relationships, daily life, poetry writing, and art making are provided. The author concludes that art and poetry are powerful forces that pervade, inform, and are informed by culture. Implications for practice, policy, and research are noted.
Property Rights, Economics and the Environment

1. The Intersection Of Law, Economics, and Environmental Policy M.D. Kaplowitz 2. Legal Economic Perspectives: Property rights and economics for helping address environmental problems A. Randall 3. Regulatory Takings and Land Use Conflicts D.W. Bromley 4. How Perspectives On Property Rights Have Changed In The United States Supreme Court D.L. Callies Common Property and Natural Resources 5. Property Rights, The Commons, and Natural Resource Management B.J. McCay 6. Common Property And Natural Resource Management: A Michigan Perspective M.A. Lawrence 7. Property Rights, Tenure Systems and Managing Natural Capital R.A. Devlin 8. Purchasing Development Rights To Protect Farmland, Forests, and Open Space T. Daniels 9. Transferable Development Rights: A market-based land use control P. Machemer and M.D. Kaplowitz 10. Tradable Permit Approaches To Pollution Control: Faustian bargain or paradise regained T. Tietenberg 11. Coase And Car Repair: Who should be responsible for emissions of vehicles in use? W. Harrington and V.D. McConnnell New Approaches 12. Ethics and Tradable Permits: Pollution trading and the global atmosphere M. Sagoff 13. Shared Governance, Collaboration, and Innovation L.L. Marsh 14. Interdisciplinary Paradigms For Environmental Policy: Interrelations among ecology, law, and economics N. Mercuro
Characterizing Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems (DDDAS) in Terms of a Computational Model

The DDDAS (Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems) concept creates new capabilities in applications and measurements, through a new computational paradigm where application simulations can dynamically incorporate and respond to online field-data and measurements, and/or control such measurements. Such capabilities entail dynamic integration of the computational and measurement aspects of an application in a dynamic feed-back-loop, leading to unified SuperGrids of the computational and the instrumentation platforms. Examples of advances in applications capabilities enabled through DDDAS over traditional computational modeling methods, and advances in measurements methods, and instrumentation and sensor network systems, have appeared extensively in the literature. This paper concentrates in discussing a computational model representing the unified DDDAS computation-measurement environments, and asymptotic cases leading to traditional computational environments, data assimilation, and traditional control systems.
Vaccinia virus ribonucleotide reductase expression and isolation of the recombinant large subunit.

Abstract The vaccinia virus gene encoding the 87-kDa protein that comprises the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (vvR1) was cloned into a bacterial expression vector under the control of an inducible promoter. Culture of Escherichia coli cells harboring the recombinant plasmid under standard induction conditions (0.4 mM isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside, 37 degrees C) resulted in synthesis of a completely insoluble product. Production of soluble vvR1 was achieved by growing bacteria at low temperature (15 degrees C) during the induction period, initiating induction at low cell density, and using a low concentration (0.05 mM) of the inducer isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, increased production of soluble vvR1 in a dose-dependent manner. Recombinant vvR1 was purified from a high salt extract of the E. coli lysate in four steps, the last utilizing an affinity column consisting of the carboxyl-terminal seven amino acids of the vvR2 protein linked to an insoluble resin. Using purified recombinant vvR2 to reconstitute active enzyme, we determined that maximizing the rate of CDP reduction required pH 8.0-8.8, 50 mM dithiothreitol, and 2 mM ATP. Specific activity of purified vvR1 was 122 nmol/min/mg. Limited proteolysis of the vvR1 protein revealed protease-resistant fragments approximately 30 and 58 kDa in size. To our knowledge, this study represents the first expression, solubilization, and isolation of a recombinant "eukaryotic" form of ribonucleotide reductase large subunit.
Your Money and Your Life: The Value of Health and What Affects it

This paper examines the role of medical care in improving health and compares that value of better health produced by medical care with the costs of that care. Valuing medical care requires measuring the health of the population. We start by developing a measure of the nation's health capital -- the dollar value of health a person will have over the course of their remaining life. We estimate health capital empirically using data on the length of life, the prevalence of adverse conditions for those alive, and the quality of life conditional on having an adverse condition. For a newborn in 1990, we estimate health capital at about $3 million, while for the elderly, health capital is nearly $1 million. Health capital has increased greatly over time -- by roughly $40,000 to $50,000 per decade. Comparing the change in health capital with the increase in medical spending, we estimate that, for most plausible assumptions, increased medical technology has been worth its cost. In our preferred specification, only about 30 percent of the improvement in health capital in the past 40 years would need to result from medical care advances for the improvement of medical technology to justify its cost. While we find that on average value of medical technology is high, we discuss other evidence that substantial amounts of medical care is provided in situations where its value is low. We thus suggest a fundamental repositioning of the public debate about medical spending. Traditionally, the question that has been posed in the public sector is: how can society (or the government) limit medical costs so that we can afford medical care in the future on our budget today? Our results suggest that a more appropriate question is: how can we get more of the spending that is valuable but avoid the spending that is not valuable?
MODELLING OF EQUATORIAL PHASE AND AMPLITUDE SCINTILLATIONS FROM OGO-6 AND AE IRREGULARITY DATA

The technique of modelling equatorial phase and amplitude scintillations from in-situ measurements of irregularity amplitude, ambient ionization density and irregularity power spectrum is outlined. The in-situ measurements do not directly provide information on irregularity layer thickness for which radar backscatter observations are utilized. The equatorial scintillation models developed from OGO-6 and AE-C in-situ measurements during the two solstices are presented. Considerable differences in the longitude variation of scintillations are predicted during the two solstices. The model estimates are in good agreement with the available ground based phase and amplitude measurements. Problems associated with the use of bottomside spread-F data for transionospheric propagation modelling at VHF/UHF are also discussed.
Pressure and intermittency in the inertial range of turbulence

The intermittency corrections in pressure in the inertial range of turbulence using high resolution decaying turbulence simulations are discussed. The contribution to pressure intermittency of strain-dominated, enstrophy-dominated, equal-strain-enstrophy and the background-structures are presented. It is found that the pth order pressure structure function is independent of the order p for a wide range of separation distances r.
Structure and Function of the Auditory System in the Clown Knifefish, Notopterus Chitala

Hearing sensitivity and the anatomy of the auditory system in the clown knifefish, Notopterus chitala , were studied using behavioural techniques and scanning electron microscopy. While many structural features of the inner ear were similar to those found in other teleost species, the saccular endorgan in Notopterus was unusual in having three discrete epithelial regions. These regions could be distinguished from one another by regional differences in portions of the otolith overlaying them, by hair-cell orientation patterns, and by their position relative to the swimbladder. Notopterus was found to be able to detect sounds from 100 to 1000 Hz and best sensitivity occurred at 500 Hz, where the mean threshold was - 30 dB (re: 1 microbar). For frequencies from 300 to 700 Hz there was substantial variation in threshold values and indications of a bimodal distribution of thresholds. One hypothesis that may tie the ultrastructural and behavioural results together is that the ear in Notopterus is anatomically and functionally differentiated to mediate independent detection of two sound properties: changes in pressure and particle motion.
Which gauge matters

Abstract I present a new interpretation of the Aharonov–Bohm by identifying an overlooked physical field: the current field. The interpretation is non-arbitrary, completely local, deterministic, and separable. I then consider the connection between theoretical methodology and fundamental ontology by considering Earman's call to consider gauge matters. I conclude that we should be clear about which gauge matters we consider, and question the tight connection he draws between the methodological and ontological roles of gauge fields.
Analysis of the herpes simplex virus type 1 UL6 gene in patients with stromal keratitis

Recent work suggests that herpes simplex virus (HSV) stromal keratitis in the mouse is caused by autoreactive T lymphocytes triggered by a 16 amino acid region of the HSV UL6 protein (aa299-314), Science 279, 1344-1347). In the present study we sought to determine whether genetic variation of this presumed autoreactive UL6 epitope is responsible for different pathogenic patterns of human HSV keratitis. To accomplish this, we sequenced the HSV UL6 gene from ocular isolates of 10 patients with necrotizing stromal keratitis, 7 patients with recurrent epithelial keratitis, and 8 patients with other forms of HSV keratitis. The sequences obtained predicted identical UL6(299-314) epitopes for all 25 viral isolates. Furthermore, the upstream sequence of all isolates was free of insertions, deletions, and stop codons. We conclude that different pathogenic patterns of human HSV keratitis occur independent of genetic variation of the HSV UL6 (299-314) epitope.
Do simultaneous bilateral tunneled infusion catheters in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation increase catheter-related complications?

PURPOSE Secure venous access with multiple lumens is necessary for the care of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. The outcomes associated with simultaneous bilateral tunneled internal jugular infusion catheter placement in the HSCT recipient population were investigated in an attempt to determine whether simultaneous introduction of these catheters compounds or magnifies the risks (infection, venous thrombosis) associated with tunneled catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients undergoing HSCT and receiving bilateral tunneled infusion catheters in a single procedure were identified using a quality assurance data base. Medical records for the duration of catheterization were reviewed; 43 patients were included in the study (mean age, 42 years; range, 22–56). Diagnoses included acute lymphocytic leukemia ( n = 4), acute myelogenous leukemia ( n = 8), aplastic anemia ( n = 2), chronic myelogenous leukemia ( n = 17), chronic lymphocytic leukemia ( n = 1), Hodgkin lymphoma ( n = 1), myelodysplasia ( n = 4), myelofibrosis ( n = 2), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma ( n = 4). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to determine differences in infection rates between dualand triple-lumen catheters. RESULTS Forty-three pairs of catheters were placed. All met venous access needs for HSCT recipient care. Complete follow-up was achieved for 77 of 87 (89%) catheters. The overall infection rate was 0.25 per 100 catheter-days. The rate was 0.19 and 0.33 for dualand triple-lumen catheters, respectively ( P = .15). Mechanical failure did not differ between catheter types (dual: 0.14 episodes per 100 days, triple: 0.05 per 100 days, P = .2). CONCLUSIONS Bilateral multilumen tunneled infusion catheter placement in a single procedure using imaging guidance is safe with acceptable outcomes and meets venous access needs for HSCT. There is a trend toward higher infection rates, with more lumens and more mechanical failure with dual-lumen catheters.
Orientation dependence of core edges from anisotropic materials determined by inelastic scattering of fast electrons

Electron-energy-loss spectra have been measured in the region of the $K$ edges in graphite and hexagonal boron nitride. The fine structure is found to be strongly dependent on the crystal orientation and momentum transfer. Angular distributions of peaks in the spectrum have been recorded from crystals with the $c$ axis parallel and at 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the beam direction. These agree well with the theoretical distributions for transitions to ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{*}$ and ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{*}$ final states in a hybridized atomic-orbital model. Peaks in the energy-loss spectrum are compared with band calculations of the ground-state density of states. Some correspondence is found between these but there is also evidence of core excitons.
Transient and static thermal behavior of high-power single-mode semiconductor lasers

Transient and static thermal response of high power single-mode laser module has been simulated using finite element method (FEM). FEM modeling revealed the time constants of heat propagation in lateral direction and in vertical direction. The time constants calculated by FEM modeling in the microsecond scale and the sub-millisecond to millisecond scale were experimentally verified by a time-resolved far-field optical measurement and a transient forward-voltage measurement respectively. It is shown that the active region, semiconductor substrate and the solder-submount each contributes about 35%, 50% and 15% to the total static thermal resistance of the laser package.
Rapid assessment and disposition: applying LEAN in the emergency department

The nation's emergency rooms are overflowing with patients who endure increasingly long waits to be examined and treated. When our large metropolitan adult acute care hospital adopted LEAN as its standard operating procedure, we began to examine our processes from the customers' perspective and identified a significant opportunity to reduce the emergency department length of stay. Using LEAN tools we designed and implemented a Rapid Assessment and Disposition process to decrease the amount of time patients waited in the emergency department, reduce diversion time, and reduce the number of patients who left without being seen. We have succeeded in reducing the average length of stay for all emergency department patients by 45 minutes, diversion by 55%, and patients who left without being seen by 28%.
Scanning transmission electron microscope observations of defects in as-grown and pre-strained Mo alloy fibers

Abstract Compression testing of micro-pillars has recently been of great interest to the small-scale mechanics community. Previous compression tests on single crystal Mo alloy micro-pillars produced by directional solidification of eutectic alloys showed that as-grown pillars yield at strengths close to the theoretical strength while pre-strained pillars yield at considerably lower stresses. In addition, the flow behavior changes from stochastic to deterministic with increasing pre-strain. In order to gain a microstructural insight into this behavior, an aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope was used to study the defect structures in as-grown and pre-strained single crystal Mo alloy fibers. The as-grown fibers were found to be defect free over large lengths while the highly pre-strained (16%) fibers had high defect densities that were uniform throughout. Interestingly, the fibers with intermediate pre-strain (4%) exhibited an inhomogeneous defect distribution. The observed defect structures and their distributions are correlated with the previously reported stress–strain behavior. Some of the mechanistic interpretations of Bei et al. are examined in the light of new microstructural observations.
The light-green society : ecology and technological modernity in France, 1960-2000

The accelerating interpenetration of nature and culture is the hallmark of the new "light-green" social order that has emerged in postwar France, argues Michael Bess in this penetrating new history. On one hand, a preoccupation with natural qualities and equilibrium has increasingly infused France's economic and cultural life. On the other, human activities have laid an ever more potent and pervasive touch on the environment, whether through the intrusion of agriculture, industry, and urban growth, or through the much subtler and more well-intentioned efforts of ecological management. "The Light-Green Society" limns sharply these trends over the last fifty years. The rise of environmentalism in the 1960s stemmed from a fervent desire to "save" wild nature-nature conceived as a qualitatively distinct domain, wholly separate from human designs and endeavors. And yet, Bess shows, after forty years of environmentalist agitation, much of it remarkably successful in achieving its aims, the old conception of nature as a "separate sphere" has become largely untenable. In the light-green society, where ecology and technological modernity continually flow together, a new hybrid vision of intermingled "nature-culture" has increasingly taken its place.
Reversal of the cytotoxicity of 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine by pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides.

Abstract Mammalian cell replication is strongly inhibited by 3′-amino-3′deoxythymidine (3′-aminothymidine). This cytotoxieity can be specifically prevented or reversed by pyrimidine 2′-deoxyribonucleosides. The addition of 50 μM 2′-deoxycytidine to L1210 cells treated with 10 μM 3′ the population doubling time from about 38 hr to 17 hr. The control cells doubled every 13 hr. Another cytotoxic effect produced by 3′-aminothymidine is a dose- and time-dependent increase in cell volume. 2′-Deoxycytidine can effectively prevent and reverse this increase. 3′-Aminothymidme appears to be a potent selective inhibitor of DNA synthesis in L1210 cells. The incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine into DNA was inhibited by 50 per cent at 1 μM 3′-aminothymidine, a concentration which reduced L1210 replication by about 65 per cent. The rate of incorporation of [ 3 H] adenine into DNA, another measure of DNA synthesis, was reduced similarly by 3′-aminothymidine. and 2′-deoxycytidine eliminated this inhibition as well. An effect on RNA or protein synthesis was not detected. The incorporation of [ 3 H] uridine or [ 3 H] adenine into RNA, or of tritiated amino acids into protein, was not reduced by 25 μM 3′-aminothymidine. These results suggest that selective disruption of DNA metabolism may account for the cytotoxicity of 3′-aminothymidine.
Can a Relative Purchasing Power Parity-Based Model Outperform a Random Walk in Forecasting Short-Term Exchange Rates?

This study uses a relative purchasing power parity (ppp) model—one that is an alternative to the ‘real exchange rate’—to construct a time-varying equilibrium exchange rate of six US Dollar exchange rates. A linear forecasting technique is then used to determine the horizon over which a relative ppp-based model outperforms a random walk in forecasting exchange rates out-of-sample. The ppp models presented are based on CPI, PPI, and a proxy for traded goods price indexes. For all the currencies examined, the relative ppp-based model displays some sizeable forecasting improvements over a random walk. The ability of the relative ppp model (based on the proxy for traded goods price indexes) to outperform the random walk is most consistent in predicting changes in the US Dollar–British Pound exchange rate. Moreover, the best forecasting results vis-a-vis the random walk are obtained over the post-Plaza Accord period. For example, the ppp model statistically significantly outperforms the random walk for the British Pound (based on the proxy for traded goods price indexes) and the German Mark (based on CPI) over a 1-month forecasting horizon. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The hisR locus of Salmonella: nucleotide sequence and expression.

In S. typhimurium, the hisR locus is defined by mutations causing reduced levels of the histidine tranfer RNA. As a preliminary step in the analysis of the hisR mutants, a 972 bp DNA fragment containing the histidine tRNA gene from wild-type Salmonella was cloned and completely sequenced. This analysis revealed the existence of a tRNA gene cluster which, in addition to the tRNAHis gene, includes the genes for tRNA 1 Leu , tRNA 1 Pro and a tentative tRNA CGG Arg . All four tRNA genes are present as single copies and are separated by spacer sequences ranging from 20 to 53 bp in length. The gene cluster is efficiently transcribed in vitro by E. coli RNA polymerase and yields a transcript, approximately 480 nucleotides long, which contains all four tRNA sequences. This tetrameric precursor can be processed to 4S RNA in vitro with a wild-type Salmonella extract, but not with an extract prepared from a hisU (RNase P) mutant. Using portions of the tRNA gene cluster as specific hybridization probes, various processing intermediates were shown to accumulate in vivo in the hisU mutant. Most of these RNAs are monomeric precursors only a few nucleotides longer than the respective mature tRNA species.
Research on Talking About the Past: The Past, Present, and Future

Research on mother–child reminiscing about previously experienced events carried out over the last 20 years indicates clear linkages between mothers' use of an elaborative conversational style and children's developing skills for remembering. The articles that comprise this special issue utilize both longitudinal designs and experimental methods, focus on social-emotional as well as cognitive outcomes, consider the family as the unit of analysis, and examine the continuing impact of reminiscing in adolescence. Taken as a collection, the work presented here advances our understanding of the impact of reminiscing on development. In this introduction to the special issue, we sketch the central themes, as we see them, in past, present, and future research on reminiscing.
Variation and phylogenetic utility of the Arabidopsis thaliana Rps2 homolog in various species of the tribe Brassiceae.

Our objective was to analyze the evolutionary paths of cultivated diploid Brassica species and a few related wild species (tribe Brassiceae) in relation to Arabidopsis thaliana (tribe Arabidae), using the Rps2 sequence. Rps2 confers resistance to Pseudomonas syringae in A. thaliana. We found that similar to Arabidopsis, the Rps2 homolog in Brassica species is present in a single copy. Primers based in the Rps2 sequence amplified Rps2 homologs from the other species. Maximum-parsimony analysis based on number of nucleotide substitutions yielded a single tree, grouping the species as expected from other evolutionary inferences. Age of divergence between the two tribes was within the range of previous estimates. Indels in the different sequences were also useful for distinguishing some of the species. The Rps2 gene is a useful phylogenetic tool for more comprehensive studies of the species of Brasicaceae.
Modification of a Capillary for Electrophoresis by Electrostatic Self-Assembly of an Enzyme for Selective Determination of the Enzyme Substrate

The integration of a separation capillary for capillary electrophoresis (CE) with an on-column enzyme reaction for selective determination of the enzyme substrate is described. Enzyme immobilization is achieved by electrostatic assembly of poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) followed by adsorption of a mixture of the negatively charged enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) and anionic poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS). The reaction of glucose with the GOx produces hydrogen peroxide which migrates the length of the capillary and is detected amperometrically at the capillary outlet. The enzyme reaction occurs during a capillary separation, allowing selective determination of the substrate in complex samples without the need for pre- or post-separation chemical modification of the analyte. The enzyme reactor is found to have an optimal response to glucose when a 5 : 1 mixture of PSS:GOx is used. Under these conditions the limit of detection for glucose is found to be between 5.0×10−4 and 1.3×10−3 M, dependent upon the inner-diameter of the capillary. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant for the enzyme reaction was determined to be 0.047 (±0.001) M and 0.0037 (±0.0007) M for a 50 and 10 μm inner-diameter capillaries, respectively. These results indicate that the enzyme reaction is efficient, having enzyme kinetics similar to that of a reaction occurring in solution. This enzyme immobilization method was also applied to another enzyme, glutamate oxidase, yielding similar results.
The legacy from childhood: Considerations for treatment of the adult with learning disabilities

(1987). The legacy from childhood: Considerations for treatment of the adult with learning disabilities. Psychoanalytic Inquiry: Vol. 7, Applications of Infant Research to Adult Psychoanalytic Treatment, pp. 431-452.
Regulation of intracellular acetyl-CoA carboxylase by ATP depletors mimics the action of the 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase.

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) can be regulated in vitro via phosphorylation by a 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase. A potential intracellular role for this kinase has been studied in the Fao hepatoma cell by manipulating the intracellular adenine nucleotide pool with ATP-depleting agents. Three different ATP depletors, antimycin A, dinitrophenol, and sodium azide, all promote the rapid loss of ACC activity characterized by a marked reduction in enzyme Vmax, abolition of citrate-independent activity, an increase in the Ka for citrate and a reduction in the mass of a complex between the two major ACC isozymes. These effects persist through enzyme purification on monomeric avidin-Sepharose and are accompanied by an increase in 32P-content, both consistent with depletor-induced covalent enzyme modification. The effects of ATP depletors in intact cells are mimicked in vitro on phosphorylation of ACC by the 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase and are reversible on dephosphorylation. These data indicate that ACC activity is sensitive to the intracellular adenylate charge, but that changes in the state of enzyme phosphorylation, rather than direct allosteric regulation by adenine nucleotides, underly this mode of enzyme control. This kinase-mediated modulation provides a mechanism for altering the rate of fatty acid synthesis and, secondarily, fatty acid oxidation, depending on the rate of ATP generation from carbohydrate-derived precursors in several tissues in vivo.