cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reusable vs disposable nasopharyngolaryngoscopes: Cost analysis and resident survey.

Objective Assess the quality of a new disposable nasopharyngolaryngoscope (NPL) through resident feedback at multiple academic institutions and provide a cost analysis of reusable and disposable NPLs at a single academic center. Study Design An online survey was distributed to residents at institutions throughout the United States that have implemented use of a disposable NPL (Ambu aScope 4 Rhinolaryngo). Setting Cost analysis performed at a single academic center. Resident survey distributed to multiple residency programs throughout the United States. Subjects and Methods The survey collected demographic information and asked residents to rate the new disposable NPL and other reusable NPLs using a 5-point Likert scale. A cost analysis was performed of both reusable and disposable NPLs using information obtained at a single academic center. Results The survey was distributed to 109 residents throughout the country and 37 were completed for a response rate of 33.9%. The disposable NPL was comparable to reusable NPLs based on ergonomics and maneuverability, inferior in imaging quality (P < .001), and superior in setup (P < .001), convenience (P < .001), and rated better overall (P < .04). The disposable NPL was found to be cheaper per use than reusable NPLs at $171.82 and $170.36 compared to $238.17 and $197.88 per use for the reusable NPL if the life span is 1 year and 5 years respectively. Conclusion Disposable NPLs may offer an alternative option and initial feedback obtained from resident physicians is favorable. Cost analysis favors disposable NPLs as the cost-effective option. Level of Evidence NA.
Extending Johnson's Typology: Additional Manifestations of Dating Violence and Coercive Control.

In this study, we explored patterns of violence and coercive control in young adult dating relationships by testing and extending Johnson’s typology of intimate partner violence. Young adults (N = ...
Orthopädie bei Muskelerkrankungen

Es gibt eine Vielzahl von Muskelerkrankungen mit unterschiedlichen Ursachen. Kausale Therapien stehen bisher in der Regel nicht zur Verfugung. Dargestellt werden krankheitsspezifisch die orthopadischen Probleme am Bewegungsapparat an den oberen und unteren Extremitaten sowie der Wirbelsaule. Zu jedem Krankheitsbild werden die konservativen und operativen Behandlungsmoglichkeiten erortert. Die wichtigste Gruppe stellen die Dystrophinopathien (Duchenne- und Becker-Kiener-Muskeldystrophie) dar. Im Fokus steht der Erhalt der Geh- und Stehfahigkeit, die Therapie der Skoliose sowie die Frakturbehandlung. Beschrieben werden auch die Probleme bei der Gliedergurtel-Muskeldystrophie, fazioskapulohumeralen und Emery-Dreyfuss-Muskeldystrophie sowie den kongenitalen Muskeldystrophien. Ebenso werden die Besonderheiten der kongenitalen Myopathien und der myotonen Dystrophie erlautert.
Identifying Content Themes in Primary Care Physician and Rheumatologist Communications Within Electronic Consultations: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE Electronic consultation (eConsult) communications between primary care physicians (PCPs) and rheumatologists may reveal common knowledge gaps and educational opportunities. The aim of our study was to identify content themes in PCP questions and rheumatology recommendations through analysis of eConsult and the need for rheumatology appointments and facilitated urgent visits post-eConsult. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study involving qualitative and quantitative analysis of rheumatology eConsults in a single center was performed from May 1, 2019, to January 9, 2020. Conventional content analysis was used to derive content themes in PCP questions and rheumatology recommendations. We evaluated the proportion of eConsults, which included a need for rheumatology appointments and expedited visits through frequency counts. RESULTS Among 120 rheumatology eConsults, six PCP questions and five rheumatology recommendation content themes were identified. The most common PCP question themes were the following: 1) joint pain, 2) suspected rheumatic disease differential, and 3) abnormal laboratory tests. The most common rheumatology recommendation or teaching themes were the following: 1) education on differential diagnoses of rheumatic diseases, 2) education on the specific rheumatic disease, and 3) laboratory test interpretation. The majority of eConsults (82%) recommended a subsequent rheumatology appointment, and 27% facilitated an expedited appointment. CONCLUSION In this analysis of eConsults, we identified common knowledge gaps in PCPs and rheumatology educational topics, including differentiating inflammatory from noninflammatory arthritis, using caution in interpreting abnormal laboratory tests without clinical manifestations, managing chronic gout, evaluating elevated creatine phosphokinase levels, and differentiating C-reactive protein (CRP) from high-sensitivity CRP. Timely feedback through eConsult recommendations may allow for focused educational opportunities.
Disease Prediction and Diagnosis Model for IoT–Cloud-Based Critical Healthcare System

Cloud-based healthcare service has become more prevalent because of the centralized electronic healthcare record (EHR) and continuous service provisioning to patients tenuously. Internet of things (IoT)-centric healthcare applications is utilized to gather the required information on health factors. The blend of cloud and IoT-based applications functions better than the typical cloud-based applications regarding efficacy. This paper has developed a disease prediction and diagnosis model for IoT–cloud-based critical healthcare systems. For each patient, a medical information database (MDB) is constructed from the HER. To predict the diseases based on these databases, random forest deep neural network (RF-DNN)-based classification model is used. Experimental results show that the RF-DNN classifier achieves the highest accuracy in all the diseases compared to ANN.
Human Trafficking: First Responders in Health Care

This article addresses the problems first responders encounter when attempting to identify and rescue survivors of human trafficking. Research indicates that 87.8% of women who escape captivity report they saw a health care provider at least once during captivity. This makes health care providers a critical first responder partner. First responders include law enforcement officers, health care providers, school nurses, and faith-based organizations. Health care workers are most likely to encounter survivors while in captivity. Multi-disciplinary collaborations between health care workers and law enforcement provide increased opportunities to share knowledge and recognize signs of human trafficking in patients. Theoretical paradigms have been used to analyze and anticipate changes in criminal activity and identify victims. Multi-disciplinary teams have developed a check-list of behaviors typical of captives and a questionnaire that illuminates captivity. The article further comments on the reported impact of COVID 19 on the health care’s system ability to recognize victims. It presents the many contributions of school nurses and the faith community to the first responder movement.
Acute Ischemic Stroke due to Vasospasm after Daily Vaping of Tetrahydrocannabinol: a Case Report (2773)

Objective: To describe a case of acute ischemic stroke in a patient vaping THC Background: Use of electronic nicotine delivery devices, or vaping, has been linked to respiratory failure, myocardial infarction, and death. These devices are also used to inhale tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, little is known about the effects of vaping on the central nervous system. Design/Methods: A 32-year-old woman with history of asthma, was intubated for respiratory failure. She is a former smoker and quit cocaine and heroin 4 years ago; recently she has been vaping THC daily, but not nicotine. On hospital day 4, while intubated, she became acutely hypertensive and bradycardic prompting head imaging. Head CT revealed large bilateral frontal and left occipital acute infarcts with early signs of herniation. Cerebral angiogram showed severe bilateral anterior cerebral arteries and moderate middle cerebral arteries vasospasm. Cerebral blood flow velocities measured by transcranial Doppler (TCD) were elevated in these arteries. Lactic acid was 1.0 mmol/L, ESR: 38mm/h, CRP: 1.4 mg/dL. ANA, dsDNA, ANCA, rheumatoid factor, RPR, hepatitis and the viral panels were negative. Lumbar puncture showed WBC: 9/μL, RBC: 1000/μL, protein: 23.6 mg/dL, glucose: 82 mg/dL, no xanthochromia. Urine toxicology was positive for cannabinoid 27 days after admission. Transthoracic echocardiogram with contrast and cardiac monitoring revealed no abnormalities. Intra-arterial verapamil was administered followed by a 28 day course of oral nimodipine with improvement of the serial TCD measurements and clinical status. Results: To our knowledge, this is the first case of acute stroke in a young patient who was vaping THC only. While the relationship between cannabinoids and stroke is not clearly established, heavy exposure may increase the risk. The positive cannabinoid result one month from admission suggests heavy use which may have triggered severe vasospasm and stroke. Conclusions: Further investigation of the link between stroke and vaping of THC is urgently needed. Disclosure: Dr. Lam has nothing to disclose. Dr. Caruana has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yeung has nothing to disclose. Dr. Marchidann has nothing to disclose.
Revision and Immortality in Philosophical Argumentation: Reconsidering the Rhetorical Wedge

This essay explores Johnstone's idea that "rhetoric is a wedge." In particular, it explores the place of this idea in Johnstone's philosophy of argument, the need to confront this idea with argument, and ways of confronting it with ad rem and ad hominem arguments. Resume: On explore I'idee du Johnstone selon laquelle la rhetorique est une "coin". En particulier, on examine I'importance de cette idee dans sa philosophie de I 'argument et Ie besoin d'opposer cette idee aux arguments ad rem et ad hominem.
Equalization via iterative detection in multi-mode fiber optic links

We propose a novel, ultra-fast, iterative equalizer that has lower complexity than conventional equalizers but has performance that approaches the optimum receiver. Using this technique we demonstrate significantly increased reach for 10 Gb/s over differential modal delay limited multi-mode fiber.
Hypersensitivity investigation into a folate-hapten targeted cancer immunotherapy in animal models

2854 Cancer vaccine and immunotherapy rarely involve systemic administration of an immunogenic compound in an actively immunized host. We have developed an active immunotherapy strategy that utilizes folic acid to deliver antigenic haptens (e.g. fluorescein, dinitrophenyl) to folate receptor-positive tumors in a host pre-vaccinated against the hapten. Such folate-targeted “haptenization” of tumor cell surfaces promotes their opsonization by endogenous anti-hapten antibodies, recruitment of immune effector cells, and subsequent removal of the tumor by the immune system. Although no allergic reactions to any folate-hapten conjugates had been observed in our preclinical studies, hapten-immunized mice were observed to produce a small amount of anti-hapten IgE antibody (an allergic Th2-type response); further, the systemic administration of folate-hapten formulations containing small amounts of multi-haptenated species was found to cause hypersensitivity responses in animal models of allergy, namely active systemic anaphylaxis and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Using fluorescein (FITC) as the model hapten, we investigated the extent of folate-FITC allergy in multiple animal species and devised strategies to circumvent the observed allergic response. The current findings suggest that allergic reactions to folate-FITC (or a bisFITC-eda contaminated folate-FITC formulation) may be independently prevented by two distinct manipulations: (i) increasing the immunogen (e.g. KLH-FITC) dose during the immunization phase, and (ii) dosing immunized animals early (i.e. 1 week after the initial vaccine injection) with the same folate-FITC preparation. Our data demonstrate that folate-hapten can be administered without allergic reactions in a hapten-immunized host and that the manipulations described above do not alter the effectiveness of immunotherapy against folate receptor-positive cancers.
Effects of Hypergravity Exposure on Plasma Oxytocin (OT) Concentrations in Pregnant and Lactating Rat Dams

From pregnancy to weaning there is a progressive elevation of plasma oxytocin (OT) levels associated with nursing activity, irrespective of litter size. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of continuous 1.5G, 1.75G and 2.0G hypergravity exposure on OT plasma concentration in prepartum (Gestation Day 20) (G20) and lactating (Postnatal day) (P10) rat dams. For this study, litter size was controlled with a yoking procedure established in our lab where individual control litters were yoked-matched to individual hypergravity litters. We reviewed all data at hypergravity irrespective of gravitational level and compared the values with the controls in both G20 (HG, n=15;SC, n=9) and P10 (HG, n=21;SC, n=16). Results showed that over time, we did observe the expected OT increase in both groups. In G20 dams, measurement of OT concentrations showed no significance. However, at P10, measurements of OT concentrations suggest a reduction of about 20% compared to established controls in our laboratory, 0.9+/-0.09 ng/ml for the controls and 0.7+/-0.06 ng/ml for centrifuged animals (p<0.02). These data suggest that exposure to centrifugation may reduce OT levels during lactation. When these plasma samples were obtained, the dams were removed from the litters, and values were not adjusted for the size of the litters. The reduction in OT with centrifugation may reflect a decrease in nursing activity or a decreased responsiveness of the mammary hypothalamic axis. In addition, we have analyzed data on plasma prolactin concentrations and mammary gland development, which may give additional insight to the results of our OT measurements.
Automated online mechanism design and prophet inequalities

Recent work on online auctions for digital goods has explored the role of optimal stopping theory -- particularly secretary problems -- in the design of approximately optimal online mechanisms. This work generally assumes that the size of the market (number of bidders) is known a priori, but that the mechanism designer has no knowledge of the distribution of bid values. However, in many real-world applications (such as online ticket sales), the opposite is true: the seller has distributional knowledge of the bid values (e.g., via the history of past transactions in the market), but there is uncertainty about market size. Adopting the perspective of automated mechanism design, introduced by Conitzer and Sandholm, we develop algorithms that compute an optimal, or approximately optimal, online auction mechanism given access to this distributional knowledge. Our main results are twofold. First, we show that when the seller does not know the market size, no constant-approximation to the optimum efficiency or revenue is achievable in the worst case, even under the very strong assumption that bid values are i.i.d. samples from a distribution known to the seller. Second, we show that when the seller has distributional knowledge of the market size as well as the bid values, one can do well in several senses. Perhaps most interestingly, by combining dynamic programming with prophet inequalities (a technique from optimal stopping theory) we are able to design and analyze online mechanisms which are temporally strategyproof (even with respect to arrival and departure times) and approximately efficiency (revenue)-maximizing. In exploring the interplay between automated mechanism design and prophet inequalities, we prove new prophet inequalities motivated by the auction setting.
Managing information privacy and information access in the public sector

Government agencies collect and disseminate data that bear on the most important issues of public interest. Advances in information technology, particularly the Internet, have multiplied the tension between demands for evermore comprehensive databases and demands for the shelter of privacy. In mediating between these two conflicting demands, agencies must address a host of difficult problems. These include providing access to information while protecting confidentiality, coping with health information databases, and ensuring consistency with international standards. The policies of agencies are determined by what is right for them to do, what works for them, and what they are required to do by law. They must interpret and respect the ethical imperatives of democratic accountability, constitutional empowerment, and individual autonomy. They must keep pace with technological developments by developing effective measures for making information available to a broad range of users. They must both abide by the mandates of legislation and participate in the process of developing new legislation that is responsive to changes that affect their domain. In managing confidentiality and data access functions, agencies have two basic tools: techniques for disclosure limitation through restricted data and administrative procedures through restricted access. The technical procedures for disclosure limitation involve a range of mathematical and statistical tools. The administrative procedures can be implemented through a variety of institutional mechanisms, ranging from privacy advocates, through internal privacy review boards, to a data and access protection commission THE TENSION BETWEEN PRIVATE LIVES AND PUBLIC POLICIES An Environmental Scan In its normal activities, the public sector captures enormous amounts of data, stores it in very large databases, analyzes some of it, and disseminates information products to individuals, governments, businesses, and other organizations. Much of these data are obtained directly from respondents in surveys and censuses or through building systems of administrative records based on a variety of citizen interactions with government. Surveys include: • Face-to-face interviews, as with the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics • Telephone surveys, as with the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System conducted by the Center for Disease Control, which estimates current cigarette smoking and use of smokeless tobacco • Mail-back responses (including electronic mail), as with the reactions to their web site obtained by Inland Revenue of the Government of New Zealand (see Error! Bookmark not defined.. Administrative records include: • Employer-furnished data, as with Social Security Administration earnings records • Licensing data, as with state Departments of Motor Vehicles and local building permits • Individual and firm submitted data, as with Internal Revenue Service tax returns.
Observations of Interstellar Extinction in the Ultraviolet with the OAO Satellite

We present a preliminary analysis of a number of spectrophotometric scans of reddened and unreddened early-type stars obtained with the OAO-A2 satellite. The principal findings are: (1) all the extinction curves show a ‘bump’ at 1/λ ≈ 4.5; (2) most extinction curves show a minimum at 1/λ ≈ 5.5–6.0; (3) all the extinction curves show a rapid rise in the far ultraviolet; and (4) there appear to be real differences in the far ultraviolet extinction. A brief comparison of our observed extinction curves is made with theoretical particle models.
Characterization of major recognition sequences for a herpes simplex virus type 1 origin-binding protein.

To investigate early initiation events in the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1, we analyzed interactions of proteins from infected cell extracts with the small origin of herpes simplex virus type 1 (oris1). Using the mobility shift assay, we detected two origin-specific binding interactions. We characterized the more prominent interaction on both strands of the DNA duplex with DNase I protection and methylation interference assays. Protein binding protects 17 bases of DNA on each strand from DNase I. These sequences are located at the left end of the central palindrome and are shifted four bases relative to one another. On the basis of the DNase protection pattern, we believe this protein to be related to the origin-binding protein defined by Elias et al. (P. Elias, M.E. O9Donnell, E.S. Mocarski, and I.R. Lehman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 83:6322-6326, 1986). Our DNase I footprint shows both strong and weak areas of protection. The regions strongly protected from DNase I align with the essential contact residues identified by interference footprinting. Methylation interference defines a small binding domain of 8 base pairs: 59-GTTCGCAC-39/39-CAAGCGTG-59. This recognition sequence contains two inverted 59-GT(T/G)CG-39 repeats which share a 2-base overlap; thus, the origin-binding protein probably binds to the inverted repeats as a dimer. Images
Michael J. LaRosa y Germán R. Mejía. Colombia: A Concise Contemporary History

La editorial Rowman & Littlefield publico el ano pasado, en Estados Unidos, el libro Colombia: A Concise Contemporary History . Es una historia concisa de Colombia y, como tal, tiene mas un caracter introductorio o divulgativo que interpretativo de la historia del pais. La palabra contemporary , por su parte, alude al periodo que abarca el texto, que va desde 1800 hasta 2011. Los autores son dos profesores de historia, un americano que trabaja en Estados Unidos y un colombiano que ensena en Colombia, cuyo trabajo, sin embargo, esta orientado al publico estadounidense.
Modeling hyperarticulate speech during human-computer error resolution

Hyperarticulate speech to computers remains a poorly understood phenomenon, in spite of its association with elevated recognition errors. The research presented analyzes the type and magnitude of linguistic adaptations that occur when people engage in error resolution with computers. A semi automatic simulation method incorporating a novel error generation capability was used to collect speech data immediately before and after system recognition errors, and under conditions varying in error base rates. Data on original and repeated spoken input, which were matched on speaker and lexical content, then were examined for type and magnitude of linguistic adaptations. Results indicated that speech during error resolution primarily was longer in duration, including both elongation of the speech segment and substantial relative increases in the number and duration of pauses. It also contained more clear speech phonological features and fewer spoken disfluencies. Implications of these findings are discussed for the development of more user centered and robust error handling in next generation systems.
Frequency analysis for predicting 1% annual maximum water levels along Florida coast, US

In the Coastal Flood Insurance Study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA, 2005), 1% annual maximum coastal water levels are used in coastal flood hazard mitigation and engineering design in coastal areas of USA. In this study, a frequency analysis method has been developed to provide more accurate predictions of 1% annual maximum water levels for the Florida coast waters. Using 82 and 94 years of annual maximum water level data at Pensacola and Fernandina, performances of traditional frequency analysis methods, including advanced method of Generalized Extreme Value distribution method, have been evaluated. Comparison with observations of annual maximum water levels with 83 and 95 years of return periods indicate that traditional methods are unable to provide satisfactory predictions of 1% annual maximum water levels to account for hurricane-induced extreme water levels. Based on the characteristics of annual maximum water level distribution of Pensacola and Fernandina stations, a new probability distribution method has been developed in this study. Comparison with observations indicates that the method presented in this study significantly improves the accuracy of predictions of 1% annual maximum water levels. For Fernandina station, predictions of extreme water level match well with the general trend of observations. With a correlation coefficient of 0·98, the error for the maximum observed extreme water level of 3·11 m (National Geodetic Vertical Datum) with 95 years of return period is 0·92%. For Pensacola station, the prediction error for the maximum observed extreme water level with a return period of 83 years is 5·5%, with a correlation value of 0·98. The frequency analysis has also been reasonably compared to the more costly Monte Carlo simulation method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maximal cardiac output during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Cardiac output, determined by the direct Fick method, was measured each minute during multistage treadmill testing in which patients exercised to the point of exhaustion. Twenty-nine tests and 183 measurements of cardiac output during exercise were performed in 16 patients with coronary artery disease. Maximal cardiac output paralleled the maximal oxygen intake and was reflected by a plateau during the final minutes of exercise. Significant decreases in stroke volume and increases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure suggest that acute left ventricular dysfunction is the mechanism limiting the maximal cardiac output in these patients. Maximal cardiac output is a sensitive and fundamental indicator of the degree of impairment resulting from coronary disease, and has potential value in defining the role of various methods of treating this disease.
Effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on rat heart noradrenaline.

Abstract The rapid release and prolonged decrease of noradrenaline in rat heart caused by 6-hydroxydopamine was studied. The site and manner of the NA-releasing and specific nerve degenerating action of 6-hydroxydopamine was investigated using desmethylimipramine, reserpine and inhibitors of catecholamine metabolism.
Tension on the thin blue line: Police officer resistance to community-oriented policing

While over 60% of police agencies in the United States are either implementing or planning for community policing (Annan, 1995), actual implementation of community policing practices is disjointed and has produced more problems than solutions. One such problem is the resistance among officers to the philosophy itself. In a study of the orientations of noncommunity policing officers in the largest public safety department in the US, it is determined that elements of the organizational culture of the police agency are not significant predictors of support for the community policing philosophy. Rather, individual orientations toward citizen involvement in crime prevention and job involvement are predictors of officer support. Implications for police managers are discussed.
Side Chain Orientation of Residues Lining the Selectivity Filter of Epithelial Na+ Channels

Abstract Epithelial Na+ channels (ENaCs) selectively conduct Na+ and Li+ but exclude K+. A three-residue tract ((G/S)XS) present within all three subunits has been identified as a key structure forming a putative selectivity filter. We investigated the side chain orientation of residues within this tract by analyzing accessibility of the introduced sulfhydryl groups to thiophilic Cd2+. Xenopus oocytes were used to express wild-type or mutant mouse αβγENaCs. The blocking effect of external Cd2+ was examined by comparing amiloride-sensitive Na+ currents measured by two-electrode voltage clamp in the absence and presence of Cd2+ in the bath solution. The currents in mutant channels containing a single Cys substitution at the first or third position within the (G/S)XS tract (αG587C, αS589C, βG529C, βS531C, γS546C, and γS548C) were blocked by Cd2+ with varying inhibitory constants (0.06-13 mm), whereas the currents in control channels were largely insensitive to Cd2+ at concentrations up to 10 mm. The Cd2+ blocking effects were fast, with time constants in the range of seconds, and were only partially reversible. The blocked currents were restored by 10 mm dithiothreitol. Mutant channels containing alanine or serine substitutions at these sites within the α subunit were only poorly and reversibly blocked by 10 mm Cd2+. These results indicate that the introduced sulfhydryl groups face the conduction pore and suggest that serine hydroxyl groups within the selectivity filter in wild-type ENaCs face the conduction pore and may contribute to cation selectivity by participating in coordination of permeating cations.
Finger counting money

Through a discussion of a novel design concept for an embodied currency, this paper inquires into gesture and number. In so doing, it underscores the importance of attending to the phenomenological character of number and money. It speculates on the creation of an embodied currency lived in and through community. Copyright © 2010 SAGE Publications.
Mechanics of a Single Nozzle Air-Jet Filling Insertion System: Part III: Yarn Insertion Through Tubes

Yarn insertion through regular and slotted tubes (simulating the air guide system on air-jet looms) has been investigated. A theoretical analysis describing the yarn movement during insertion and the equation of motion is presented. The effects of the conditions behind the nozzle on yarn insertion are shown in terms of the loop length and the speed of the feeding system. Experimental results of yam insertion using different conditions for the various parameters are discussed. Good agreement between experimental and theoretical results was found.
Dose intensity and high dose therapy. Two different concepts

«Dose response» refers to a direct relationship between the amount of chemotherapy administered and observed degree of antitumor effect. What is often implied by the term is the administration of pulsed, high dose therapy, resulting in very high peak concentrations. Clinically, this has been translated as multiple alkylating agentbased regimens requiring intensive supportive care and associated with substantial morbidity and an appreciable mortality risk. Such regimens typically are given as consolidation after an initial period of standard outpatient therapy and may require autologous hematopoietic stem cell support. «Dose intensity» is defined as the amount of drug administered per unit of time, typically reported in mg/m 2 /week
Observation of multiple silicon dangling bond configurations in silicon nitride

We show that silicon dangling bonds with different nearest‐neighbor configurations and energy levels can be resolved by electron spin resonance (ESR) in silicon nitride. Using an in situ bias technique on large‐area metal‐nitride‐silicon structures, we demonstrate that the ESR line in Si‐rich nitride consists of an inhomogeneous distribution of discrete components at different g values. We show that trapping of holes occurs at a site with a g value of 2.0052 corresponding to a pure Si environment, while electron trapping occurs at a site with a g value of 2.0028, corresponding to a pure N environment.
On the Perception of Coarticulation Effects in English VCV Syllables

Ohman’s 1966 investigation of the acoustic correlates of coarticulation in VCV sequences indicates that terminal formant frequency transition values are strongly influenced by the nature of the tra...
Addressing the State: The Syrian ʿUlamaʾ Protest Personal Status Law Reform, 1939

In February 1939, the Syrian government received two documents from 'ulama protesting two decrees of the French High Commission that were intended to reform personal status law in Syria: decree 60/L.R. of 13 March 1936 and decree 146/L.R. of 18 November 1938. The first was a petition signed by Muslims from Homs to the Syrian prime minister (pictured); the second was a letter from the Damascus Association of 'Ulama to the Syrian interior minister.
Oxalacetate control of Krebs cycle oxidations in purified plant mitochondria

Abstract Plant mitochondria survive separation on sucrose gradients and subsequent dilution to iso-osmolar conditions. Oxalacetate penetrates these remarkably uniform and intact preparations, and inhibits all Krebs cycle oxidations. With the exception of succinate these inhibitions are caused by oxidation of a common pool of NADH, reduced by dehydrogenases, during conversion of added oxalacetate to malate.
Assessment of the Energy Performance of Cogeneration Systems for Powering and Cooling Data Centers

The Syracuse/IBM Green Data Center utilizes micro turbines in combination with exhaust fired heat exchangers and absorption chillers to produce electrical power, cooling and heating for the data center and surrounding infrastructure. The overall efficiency of cogeneration systems depend greatly on the utilization of turbine exhaust heat. This makes a data center (where cooling load and electrical power requirements are closely correlated) an excellent candidate for cogeneration technology. Over 200 data points collected in the data center allow for in-depth energy analysis of this unique data center and the surrounding infrastructure. This paper provides information on the Syracuse/IBM Green Data Center systems as well as analysis of the data center over all four seasons. In addition to PUE, the common data center metric, a new metric defined as ERE1 is used to measure data center efficiency when energy is exported to the surrounding infrastructure.© 2013 ASME
Atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention.

Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia whose most serious clinical consequence is stroke. Described in pathological studies in the 1940s, uncoordinated atrial contractions result in slu...
Testing the spin-cutoff parametrization with shell-model calculations

The nuclear level density, an important input to Hauser-Feshbach calculations, depends not only on excitation energy but also on angular momentum $J$. The $J$ dependence of the level density at fixed excitation energy ${E}_{x}$ is usually parametrized via the spin-cutoff factor $\ensuremath{\sigma}$. We carefully test the statistical accuracy of this parametrization for a large number of spectra computed using semirealistic interactions in the interacting shell model, with a nonlinear least-squares fit of $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ and finding the error bar in $\ensuremath{\sigma}$. The spin-cutoff parametrization works well as long as there are enough states to be statistical. In turn, the spin-cutoff factor can be related to the average value of ${J}^{2}$ at a fixed excitation energy, and we briefly investigate extracting $\ensuremath{\langle}{\stackrel{\ifmmode \hat{}\else \^{}\fi{}}{J}}^{2}({E}_{x})\ensuremath{\rangle}$ from a thermal calculation such as one might do via a Monte Carlo method.
Pluralism, Liberal Democracy, and Compulsory Education: Accommodation and Assimilation

Dans le cadre de l'analyse politique et juridique de la justice, du pluralisme et de la stabilite sociale, l'A. evalue les pratiques d'assimilation et les demandes d'adaptation des democraties liberales, a travers l'exemple de l'education comme institution. Soulignant la fonction mediatrice, sociale et citoyenne, de l'enseignement obligatoire, l'A. montre que l'ideal de neutralite doit faire face a la culture de groupe.
Kinetic Reactions in Quenched MgO:Fe3+ Crystals

Quenched single crystals of trivalent iron-doped MgO were studied using etching and EPR spectroscopy. Quench-rate measurements indicated that a liquid nitrogen quench from 1100°C is not rapid enough to prevent localized association and clustering. The distribution, size, and concentrations of precipitates, clusters, and associates in quenched crystals are critically dependent on both solute concentration and quench rate. At T<600°C, the mobility of iron is reduced as a result of cluster formation. Above 600°C, clusters dissociate, liberating mobile associates and vacancies.
UV‐visible spectrophotometric approach to blood typing II: phenotyping of subtype A2 and weak D and whole blood analysis

BACKGROUND: A recently introduced quantitative blood typing approach uses antibody-induced changes in the UV-visible spectra of blood. Changes in the blood spectra's slope, caused by RBC agglutination, are translated into a numerical agglutination index (AI). Comparing the AI value against an established threshold yields a “yes and/or no” output from which to determine the phenotype. The efficacy and flexibility of this approach with whole blood use and the ability to analyze weak D, A2, and A2B were examined. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two hundred randomly selected blood bank donor samples were coded and forward typed directly from whole blood by using the spectrophotometric analysis. Reverse grouping on plasma from each sample was carried out with a new modified procedure by using higher ratios of plasma to RBCs. Results were compared to typing by an FDA-cleared automated typing system. Twenty-seven weak D samples, 15 A2 and 12 A2B, were similarly analyzed from whole blood. PEG improved detection of weak D, A2 and A2B subtypes. RESULTS: All two hundred coded samples were accurately typed, yielding identical results to the blood bank analysis in both forward and reverse grouping. All the weak D samples and A2 and A2B samples were clearly identified, having AIs above the type threshold indicator value. CONCLUSION: Spectrophotometric blood typing successfully phenotyped ABO and D in 200 whole blood samples. Reverse grouping of plasma was equally successful. The same method can identify weak D and A2 and A2B subtypes.
Quantifying Energy Transfer From a Reacting Thermite to a Target Using Infrared Diagnostics

A study was conducted to examine the energy transfer from a reacted thermite placed on a steel target substrate. A high speed infrared camera captured a temporally evolving thermal distribution on the substrate, while the thermite, which was placed in a v-notch, self propagated. The thermite investigated for this experiment was Aluminum with Iron (III) Oxide (Al-Fe2 O3 ). An energy balance model was developed to predict temperatures near the v-notch in order to quantify the amount of energy transferred into the steel. Results quantified the percent of energy available from the reaction that was conducted through the substrate and energy losses were estimated. The thermite reaction transferred 10% of the heat of reaction to the steel. The Al-Fe2O3 exhibited greater heat losses to convection and radiation upon propagation through the powder mixture. The Al-Fe2 O3 reaction produced more gas by chemistry, 10% by mass, which contributed to transporting energy away from the v-notch. Much work had been performed that examined the combustion behaviors from a reacting thermite, but there are very few studies that quantify the energy transfer from a reacting thermite to a target. This diagnostic approach and numerical analysis were the first steps toward understanding energy transferred from a thermite into a target, and lost to the environment.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Data–Driven Methodology for Signal Timing Plan Development: A Computational Approach

Traffic signal systems serve as one of the most powerful control tools available to improve the efficiency of surface transportation travel. A large number of signal systems currently operate using the time-of-day (TOD) approach. In TOD systems, a day is segmented into a number of intervals in which a different timing plan is used. Thus, the challenge in operating a TOD system effectively is to (1) identify appropriate TOD intervals, and (2) develop optimal timing plans for each interval. The existing procedures used by traffic engineers to address these challenges are time consuming and use relatively small sets of data. This research effort developed a new timing plan development methodology that takes advantage of the large sets of archived traffic data (volume and occupancy) that modern systems are equipped to compile. Based upon statistical cluster analysis, this methodology (1) automates the identification of TOD intervals using a high-resolution definition of system state, and (2) provides representative volumes for plan optimization based on the set of archived data. The results of a case study reported in this paper demonstrate that the methodology supports the development of a TOD system that provides benefits when considering performance measures such as delay, when compared to currently used techniques.
Plasmodium falciparum adhesion in the placenta

Plasmodium falciparum parasites sequester in the human placenta, and placental malaria is associated with disease and death of both mother and child. Placental isolates of P. falciparum uniformly bind to chondroitin sulfate A on the syncytiotrophoblast. Forms of the variant surface antigen PfEMP1 that bind chondroitin sulfate A in vitro (PfEMP1(varCSA)) are highly conserved in many field isolates. Two related forms of PfEMP1(varCSA) are commonly expressed by placental isolates, but these are also transcribed by most non-placental isolates. PfEMP1(varCSA) gene transcription is not upregulated when parasites are selected to bind chondroitin sulfate A, but other PfEMP1 forms may be upregulated. Young ring-stage parasites derived from chondroitin sulfate A-binding isolates may also bind to the endothelium through a process that does not involve PfEMP1 or chondroitin sulfate A. Adhesins and other surface proteins of placental parasites are targets of naturally occurring antibodies associated with protection and therefore could be used to develop vaccines that prevent malaria in pregnancy.
Contact with the N termini in the central E domain enhances the reactivities of the distal D domains of fibrin to factor XIIIa.

The reaction of Factor XIIIa with fibrin is the last enzyme-catalyzed step on the coagulation cascade, leading to the formation of a normal blood clot. The finding that fibrin is preferred by the cross-linking enzyme about 10-fold over the circulating fibrinogen suggests the operation of a unique substrate-level control for the orderly functioning of the physiological process in the forward direction. An important task is to elucidate the molecular mechanism for the transmission of the signal generated by the thrombin-catalyzed cleavage in the central E domain of fibrin to the distant Factor XIIIa-reactive glutamine residues. By focusing on the substrate sites present in γ chain remnants of D type domains of fibrinogen and by employing the approach of fragment complementation with the regulatory E domain, which represents the thrombin-modified portion of fibrin, we have now succeeded in reconstructing in solution the phenomenon of kinetic enhancement for the reaction with Factor XIIIa. Two D type preparations (truncated fibrinogen, ~250 kDa and D‘, ~105 kDa) were obtained by digestion of human fibrinogen with endo Lys-C. Neither product could be cross-linked by Factor XIIIa, but as shown by the incorporation of dansylcadaverine, both were acceptor substrates for the enzyme. The plasmin-derived D (~105-kDa) product, however, could be cross-linked into DD dimers. In all cases, the admixture of E fragments exerted a remarkable boosting effect on the reactions with Factor XIIIa. Even with native fibrinogen as substrate, cross-linking of γ chains was enhanced in the presence of E. Nondenaturing electrophoresis was used to demonstrate the complex forming potential of E fragments with fibrinogen, truncated fibrinogen, D‘, or D. The GPRP tetrapeptide mimic of the GPRV N-terminal sequence of the α chains in the E fragments, abolished both complex formation and the kinetic boosting effect of E on the reactions of substrates with Factor XIIIa. Thus, the N-terminal α chain sequences seem to act as organizing templates for spatially orienting the D domains, probably during the protofibrillar assembly of the fibrin units, for favorable reaction with Factor XIIIa.
Rapid regulation of neurite outgrowth and retraction by phospholipase A2-derived arachidonic acid and its metabolites.

Abstract Arachidonic acid and lipoxygenase metabolites have been proposed to act as retrograde synaptic messengers and as early mediators of neuronal injury, but few studies have analyzed their roles in controlling neurite behavior within a time window of minutes to hours. Phospholipase A2 inhibitors (BPB, ONO-RS-082, quinacrine and AACOCF3) and the lipoxygenase inhibitor AA861 delayed the initial outgrowth of NG108-15 cell neurites on laminin. Inhibitors of diacylglycerol lipase (RHC 80267), cyclooxygenase (indomethacin) and free radicals (N-acetyl cysteine and vitamin E) did not produce similar effects. Phospholipase A2 and lipoxygenase inhibitors also prevented acute neurite retraction in response to lysophosphatidic acid and eight other agents tested, and decreased F-actin staining at cell margins. Conversely, exogenous arachidonic acid (1 μM) enhanced the responses of neurites in outgrowth and retraction assays. Phospholipase A2 and lipoxygenase pathways appear to have a general role in maintaining the ability of neurites to respond rapidly to external stimuli, possibly via regulating the ability of the cytoskeleton to remodel.
An application of pert to R & D scheduling

Abstract This paper deals with an application of PERT to R & D scheduling for the National Center for Drug Analysis, U. S. Food and Drug Administration. The Center is a pharmaceutical-chemistry laboratory having specialized functional responsibilities for research and development of analytical chemical procedures. The model was constructed based on the empirical data obtained at the Center for a five-year period. The model has been statistically tested and interpreted. It assists the management of the Center in developing a complete work-planning process and in controlling the project tasks, thus achieving the effective utilization of human and physical resources.
Tribological Properties of LDPE + Boehmite Composites

Tribological properties of composites of low density polyethylene (LDPE) reinforced with 1, 5, 10, 20 wt% micrometric Boehmite (B) and/or preheated Boehmite (HB) powders were studied in combination with two silane coupling agents (SCAs): vinyltri(2-methoxyethoxy)-silane (VTMES)-SCA 972 and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propylmethacrylate (3MPS)-SCA 989. When coupling agents are used, the samples not subjected to preheating provide higher yields of grafting and more bonds introduced on surfaces of Boehmite particles than heated ones. We have determined sliding wear by multiple scratching along the same groove using a micro scratch tester. Instantaneous penetration depth is lowered by the filler addition to LDPE. However, there is less viscoelastic recovery and the residual (healing) depths increase with increasing Boehmite concentration. Friction was determined using a pin-on-disk tribometer and also a moving sled friction device. Addition of 20 wt% untreated B and/or HB particles to LDPE matrix reduces friction. However, a more significant improvement of tribological properties results from incorporation of grafted particles; this occurs because of an increase of the filler/matrix interfacial adhesion. Surface morphology seen in scanning electron microscopy confirms this explanation. Friction values for all samples decrease along with the filler concentration increase. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Response to venlafaxine in a previously antidepressant treatment-resistant combat veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently treated with antidepressant medications, especially the newer selective serotonergic antidepressants which have documented efficacy in PTSD. Analagous to depression, however, some PTSD patients may not have a satisfactory response to these agents. This case report describes a PTSD patient who did not respond to several serotonergic antidepressants, but did improve with venlafaxine which has both noradrenergic and serotonergic properties.