cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrated framework for the Relocation Potential Assessment of Coastal Communities (RPACC): application to Hurricane Sandy-affected areas

Coastal communities represent aggregates of wealth, economic activity, and population, but also of emerging physical hazards that can undermine their long-term vitality and prosperity. The 2012 Hurricane Sandy event is in many ways indicative of what may become a major issue in densely populated coastal centers whose unsustainable land use patterns often dictate their inherently low resilience to coastal hazards. Ideally, disaster-affected communities should recognize this window of opportunity to reverse said trends, establish realistic linkages between risks and response options, and engage in innovative adaptation. Despite increasing exposure to repetitive hazards and new risk information, many places still prefer to simply rebuild, maintain status quo, or support only conservative in situ adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies. However, some circumstances call for more drastic and permanent solutions, such as relocation. This paper presents a novel integrated framework for the Relocation Potential Assessment of Coastal Communities designed to inform dilemma whether to rebuild or relocate from coastal areas devastated by a disaster. The main objective of this early effort is to propose metrics for the development of comprehensive assessment tool that will help identify areas of heightened social and physical vulnerabilities for which relocation may represent a more viable adaptation option. The proposed two-pronged approach promulgates the need for the integration of qualitative secondary data on socioeconomic profile, physical risks, and disaster exposure, with the bottom-up generated information on additional household-specific concerns that would improve accuracy and validity of considered stressors and therefore the usability of relocation potential assessment tool.
810: Emergency cesarean delivery in obese women: delivery and neonatal outcomes

women: delivery and neonatal outcomes Robert Ehsanipoor, Mathew Goldshore, Haitham Baghlaf, Janice Henderson, Irina Burd, Erika Werner The Johns Hopkins University, Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health OBJECTIVE: To compare delivery and neonatal outcomes of morbidly obese women (BMI or 40 kg/m2) to those with a BMI of less than 40 kg/m2 undergoing emergency cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of all singleton pregnancies undergoing emergent Cesarean delivery at an academic institution from 2004 2011. Body mass index was calculated based on the weight at delivery. Outcomes for women with a BMI of or 40 kg/m2 were compared to those with a BMI of 40 kg/m2. Women undergoing an unscheduled Cesarean delivery with an indication of non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing, vaginal bleeding, suspected uterine rupture, or cord prolapsed were included. Women with abnormal labor progression, malpresentation, or that presented in labor prior to a scheduled Cesarean were not included unless they also had one of the above mentioned indications. The primary outcome was the time from decision to perform a Cesarean to incision. Wilcoxan rank sum test was used to evaluate continuous variables. Chi squared and logistic regression tests were used to evaluate dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: A total 102/456 (22.4%) women had a BMI of or 40 kg/m. There were no significant differences between the groups in regard to age, parity, previous Cesarean delivery, or epidural use during labor. Morbid obesity was associated with a significantly greater median decision to incision time (41 vs 30.5 mins; p 0.04), length of surgery (71 vs 58.5 mins; 0.01), and estimated blood loss (900 vs 800 ml; p 0.01). There was not a significant difference in the need for general anesthesia (OR 1.7; 95% CI 0.9-3.3), or NICU admission (OR 1.3; 95% CI 0.8-2.1). CONCLUSION: Emergency Cesarean delivery in morbidly obese women is associated with longer decision to incision intervals, length of surgery, and a greater blood loss. These factors need to be considered when counseling and managing morbidly obese women.
Characterization of depletion mode MOSFET's

Simple models have been used for the depletion mode MOSFET which consider the device to be identical to the well studied enhancement mode transistor with a negative threshold voltage. Closer examination shows this model to be inadequate to accurately predict the performance of the device in many cases. In particular this paper will show that the threshold of a depletion mode device (DMD) is a function not only of the drain and substrate bias along with physical dimensions of the device as for the enhancement mode device, but is also a function of the mode of operation, be it linear or saturated. This effect is shown to be caused by a change in conduction mechanism from surface to buried-channel conduction which is present in the DMD due to the threshold adjust implant. Both experimental and computer modeled results will be presented which show this effect to be present even for long, wide channels at room temperature. Methods for characterizing these devices to adequately predict their behavior will be presented.
Experienced, recreational scuba divers in Australia continue to dive despite medical contraindications.

Objective In Australia, a medical examination is required before undertaking a scuba diving course in order to screen for contraindications to diving. No further medical screening is required, and yet divers may develop diseases during their diving careers. This study aimed to survey experienced recreational scuba divers to determine the prevalence of diseases contraindicated in diving. Methods A cross-sectional, postal survey was taken of divers belonging to scuba diving clubs across Australia. Results Three hundred forty-six divers returned completed questionnaires. Two hundred fifty-four (73.4%) were male, and 258 (74.6%) were aged 31 to 60 years. The mean years of diving equaled 10.6±9.18 years, and the mean number of dives undertaken was 414±740 dives. One hundred sixty-two (46.8%) divers were overweight, 45 (13.0%) divers required regular medication, and 39 (11.3%) divers smoked. Thirty-six (10.4%) divers reported a past or present history of asthma, and the same number reported hypertension or coronary heart disease. Eighty-six (24.9%) divers reported past or present psychological symptoms. Forty-two (12.1%) divers reported hearing difficulties, and 81 (23.4%) divers reported past or present tinnitus. Two divers had a past history of epilepsy, 2 had a history of pneumothorax, and 1 was diabetic. Conclusions Experienced, recreational scuba divers continue to dive despite medical contraindications. This raises the questions: Did the divers fail to disclose these conditions at the initial examination, or did these conditions develop subsequently? Is the risk associated with these conditions clinically significant, and should screening examinations be undertaken at regular intervals? The high prevalence of hearing difficulties and tinnitus may be the result of aural barotrauma and requires further research.
Third Row Transition Metal Hexafluorides, Extraordinary Oxidizers, and Lewis Acids: Electron Affinities, Fluoride Affinities, and Heats of Formation of WF6, ReF6, OsF6, IrF6, PtF6, and AuF6

High level electronic structure calculations were used to evaluate reliable, self-consistent thermochemical data sets for the third row transition metal hexafluorides. The electron affinities, heats of formation, first (MF6 → MF5 + F) and average M−F bond dissociation energies, and fluoride affinities of MF6 (MF6 + F− → MF7−) and MF5 (MF5 + F− → MF6−) were calculated. The electron affinities which are a direct measure for the oxidizer strength increase monotonically from WF6 to AuF6, with PtF6 and AuF6 being extremely powerful oxidizers. The inclusion of spin orbit corrections is necessary to obtain the correct qualitative order for the electron affinities. The calculated electron affinities increase with increasing atomic number, are in good agreement with the available experimental values, and are as follows: WF6 (3.15 eV), ReF6 (4.58 eV), OsF6 (5.92 eV), IrF6 (5.99 eV), PtF6 (7.09 eV), and AuF6 (8.20 eV). A wide range of density functional theory exchange-correlation functionals were also evaluated, an...
Effects of ozone exposure on the structural, mechanical and barrier properties of select plastic packaging films

The effects of ozone (O3) gas exposure at various concentrations and treatment times on structural, mechanical and barrier properties of polyethylene and polyamide films were investigated. Changes in the structure of the films were monitored using an FT-IR spectrometer. The results showed that O3 treatment affected polyethylene and polyamide films differently. While O3 treatment caused formation of oxygen-containing functional groups and degradation of polymeric chains in polyethylene films, O3 treatment of polyamide films significantly increased the –C–N– stretch observed at 1125 cm−1 in the FT-IR spectra. The changes in the mechanical properties of polyethylene films depended on the O3 treatment conditions (temperature and O3 concentration were the most significant), but an increase in tensile strength of polyamide films was observed regardless of the treatment conditions. Permeability to O2 for both types of films decreased with increasing O3 treatment time. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of amoxapine and ethanol on psychomotor skills related to driving: A placebo and standard controlled study

Abstract 1. 1. Eight normal male volunteers were tested under eight different treatment conditions: amoxapine 50 and 100 mg, amitriptyline 50 mg. and placebo—each condition with and without ethanol—(1.3 g/kg body weight), utilizing a double-blind repeated measures latin square design balanced for carry-over. Motor reflex, pursuit rotor and depth perception tests were conducted when blood levels of the active drugs and alocohol were simultaneously at or near peak. 2. 2. Analyses revealed significant effects of amitriptyline and ethanol on the motor reflex and pursuit rotor but not for depth perception tests, and the effects of ethanol appeared to be potentiated by amitriptyline on the pursuit rotor test; this was not true for amoxapine. 3. 3. Although the effects of 100 mg of amoxapine were consistently greater than for 50 mg or placebo, these differences did not reach a statistical significant level. 4. 4. Since amoxapine did not differ significantly from placebo, these results suggest that the effects of amoxapine on driving skills may not be as pronounced as those produced by amitriptyline.
A Critical Implanted Cl Concentration for Pit Initiation on Aluminum Thin Films

The pitting potential of pure aluminum thin films in 50 mM K 2 SO 4 was measured as a function of implanted Cl fluence. Samples were implanted with 35 keV Cl + at room temperature using fluences from 2.25 X 10 16 to 3.25 X 10 16 ions cm -2 in increments of 0.25 X 10 16 . An empirical relationship between pitting potential and fluence was found which suggests a critical Cl concentration in the oxide is necessary for pit initiation. No correlation between pitting potential and the measured Cl concentration or distribution in the metal was found.
Thermal degradation of poly(styrene-g-acrylonitrile)

The thermal degradation of a graft copolymer in which acrylonitrile is grafted onto polystyrene has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis, TGA, thermogravimetric analysis coupled to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, TGA/FTIR, and cone calorimetry. The results from TGA suggest that the grafted acrylonitrile undergoes thermal degradation to give a char layer and this char offers some thermal protection to the polystyrene. TGA/FTIR results confirm that the appearance of degradation products of polystyrene are formed at a higher temperature in the graft copolymer than in polystyrene homopolymer. Analysis by cone calorimetry shows that the char which is formed in the TGA experiment under nitrogen is volatilized when the combustion reaction is performed in air.
The Electrical Response of the Human Eye to Sinusoidal Light Stimulation

In order to extract maximum information from electroretingraphic waveforms obtained under clinical conditions, it is necessary to have reliable quantitative methods to characterize both the amplitude and shape of these waveforms. When sinusoidally modulated light is used to stimulate the retina, the resulting ERG potentials are, in general, not sinusoidal due to the nonlinearities in the system. However, the responses are very reproducible and can easily be characterized by a few parameters based on a Fourier analysis. The more conventional flash ERG, although usually of higher amplitude, is much less reproducible in shape and needs many more parameters to characterize completely. Amplitude and phase characteristics can be understood on the basis of a simple model for the scotopic B-wave system and additive interaction by the photopic system. Changes in amplitude and phase characteristics with various experimental conditions could be predicted and were confirmed by subsequent experiments. The ultimate goal of this work is to improve the quantitative basis for clinical electroretinography and to provide the clinician with additional data which can be useful in the diagnosis of retinal diseases.
The Sullying Effect of Recessions

Previous work has established that recessions involve a "cleansing" effect, so that in downturns, only high productivity jobs remain. But empirical evidence suggests job quality is procyclical: jobs created in recessions are likely to be low-paying and temporary. This paper modifies previous models by adding on-the-job search, which leads to an additional "sullying" effect. Calibration of the model suggests this offsetting sullying effect is likely to be much larger than the cleansing effect, and can account for the procyclical match quality we observe in the data.
Thurstonian psychophysics: Case III

Abstract Thurstonian psychophysics is re-examined from the viewpoint of a theory of “random comparisons” which generalize the notion of “discriminal differences.” The assumption of normality which appears so crucial to all varieties of Thurstone models is not invoked but becomes a consequence of our theory—at least this is so under independence assumptions similar to those employed in conventional derivations of Case III models. If nothing else, the theoretical scheme developed in this work clarifies the status of Thurstone's assumption of normality, placing it in the deeper probabilistic context of stability . Under reasonable side assumptions we are also able to arrive at satisfactory conclusions as to the uniqueness of the scales (i.e., mean and standard deviation) which appear in Case III of the Law of Comparative Judgement.
Estimation of a mass transfer coefficient for nylon manufacture using multiple neural networks

Abstract The manufacture of nylon involves the use of cyclohexane, whose successful production is strongly dependent on the kinetics and gas-liquid mass transfer of its oxidation. To properly design the cyclohexane oxidation process, both equipment and process variables must be considered; however, previous studies have been quite limited and specific only to a certain equipment setup. In this paper, a more generalized predictive model of cyclohexane oxidation is proposed that can be used to design the best production method by accurately estimating the mass transfer coefficient. Using experimental data, two neural network approaches are devised and tested. The first is a single network approach whereas the second contains multiple neural networks in a hierarchy, termed a “mixture of experts” approach. These models are assessed using cross validation, which leverages the available data for both the construction and validation of the predictive models. The capabilities of the neural network approach are compared with that of statistical nonlinear regression on a published data set.
Prospective evaluation of concomitant lymphadenectomy in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Preliminary analysis of outcomes

Background and Purpose: Lymph-node staging is important in many patients with prostate cancer, as it influences adjuvant treatment and prognosis. However, lymphadenectomy adds to the operating time, cost, and potential for complications. Herein, we compared the effects of concomitant lymphadenectomy in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Patients and Methods: Data were collected prospectively on 145 consecutive RARPs. Patients were evaluated in two groups. Group I was patients who underwent RARP and concomitant lymphadenectomy (LAD)(N = 40), and group II consisted of patients who underwent RARP only (N = 105). Operative time (OT), length of hospital stay (LOS), estimated blood loss (EBL), cost, and complications were compared in the two groups. Results: The mean number of lymph nodes removed per patient in group I was 14.08 (range 9–24). Lymphnode metastases were detected in 2 (5%) of the patients. There were no statistically significant differences in LOS, EBL, OT, operative ...
Short-term memory impairment following chronic alcohol consumption in rats.

Abstract Prolonged alcohol consumption (20 weeks), concomitant with adequate nutrition, was found to result in a residual short-term memory deficit after a 2-month alcohol-free period. Alcohol was administered in a liquid diet containing 35–37% ethanol-derived calories. One control group was pair-fed the same diet, except that sucrose was isocalorically substituted for ethanol. A second control group received pelleted laboratory food. After a 60-day alcohol-free period, short-term memory was assessed by training the rats on a discrete-trial temporal-alternation task in which bar presses were reinforced on alternate trials. Performance of the alternation problem was evaluated under conditions of short (20 sec) and long (50 sec) between-trial retention intervals. Although alcohol-treated-rats were relatively unimpaired when the retention interval was short, they were severely impaired with the long retention interval. In addition, the performance of alcohol-treated rats was severely disrupted when a distractor task was introduced during the short retention interval. The results were discussed relative to the similar short-term memory impairments of chronic alcoholic and alcoholic Korsakoff patients.
Cytogenetical diagnosis in paraffin‐embedded fetoplacental tissue using comparative genomic hybridization

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a FISH-related technique used to assess global chromosomal aberrations in a variety of human tumours. Recently CGH has been applied to cytogenetic analysis of fresh frozen fetoplacental tissues. Here we report the application of CGH to paraffin-embedded placental samples. Ten samples from paraffin-embedded blocks of 6 control placentas and fetoplacental tissue from 10 aneuploidies, and 2 unbalanced aberrations were evaluated. Balanced karyotype profiles were obtained from samples of healthy placentas and all samples from the same placenta appeared to have similar confidence intervals. CGH analysis of four cases of trisomy 21, three cases of trisomy 18, one case of trisomy 13, one case of trisomy 15 and one case of trisomy 7 all showed overrepresentation of the respective trisomic chromosome. The CGH profile was also in accordance with the karyotyping of a case with isochromosome 21. The CGH profile of a case with der (2)t(2;6)(q37.3;q22.2) revealed partial trisomy for chromosome 6 between q21 and q27. CGH may be a useful adjunct in prenatal genetic diagnosis when retrospective diagnosis is needed from archival samples.
Surface modification of ultra-high strength polyethylene fibers for enhanced adhesion to epoxy resins using intense pulsed high-power ion beam

The effects of intense pulsed high power ion beam (HPIB) treatment of ultra-high strength polyethylene (UHSPE) fibers on the fiber/epoxy resin interface strength were studied. For this study, argon...
Singlet fission in pentacene through multi-exciton quantum states

Multi-exciton generation-the creation of multiple charge carrier pairs from a single photon-has been reported for several materials and may dramatically increase solar cell efficiency. Singlet fission, its molecular analogue, may govern multi-exciton generation in a variety of materials, but a fundamental mechanism for singlet fission has yet to be described. Here, we use sophisticated ab initio calculations to show that singlet fission in pentacene proceeds through rapid internal conversion of the photoexcited state into a dark state of multi-exciton character that efficiently splits into two triplets. We show that singlet fission to produce a pair of triplet excitons must involve an intermediate state that (i) has a multi-exciton character, (ii) is energetically accessible from the optically allowed excited state, and (iii) efficiently dissociates into multiple electron-hole pairs. The rational design of photovoltaic materials that make use of singlet fission will require similar ab initio analysis of multi-exciton states such as the dark state studied here.
Spatial genetic features of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica Gmelin) in the Gulf of Mexico: northward movement of a secondary contact zone

The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica Gmelin) is an economically and ecologically valuable marine bivalve occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. This study builds upon previous research that identified two divergent populations of eastern oysters in the western Gulf of Mexico. Allelic and genotypic patterns from 11 microsatellite markers were used to assess genetic structure and migration between the previously described oyster populations in Texas. The main findings are as follows: (1) there are two distinct populations (F ST = 0.392, P < 0.001) of oysters that overlap in the Corpus Christi/Aransas Bay estuarine complex in Texas, (2) the distribution of genotypes among individuals in the contact zone suggests limited hybridization between populations, (3) the variables of salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and depth are not correlated with allele frequencies on reefs in the contact zone or when analyzed across Texas, and (4) there is little evidence of directional selection acting on the loci assayed here, although patterns at four markers suggested the influence of balancing selection based on outlier analyses. These results are consistent with long-term historical isolation between populations, followed by secondary contact. Recent hydrological changes in the area of secondary contact may be promoting migration in areas that were previously inhospitable to eastern oysters, and observed differences in the timing of spawning may limit hybridization between populations. Comparison of these findings with the results of an earlier study of oysters in Texas suggests that the secondary contact zone has shifted approximately 27 km north, in as little as a 23-year span.
Acute renal failure secondary to solid tumor renal metastases: Cases report and review of the literature

Renal metastases from solid tumors to both kidneys rarely result in acute renal failure (ARF). We present a case of squamous cell pulmonary carcinoma responsible for ARF due to (1) extensive (50% to 75%) bilateral parenchymal infiltration and replacement accompanied by tissue destruction, (2) widespread vascular invasion and thrombosis resulting in ischemia, and (3) histological evidence for foci of distal intratubular obstruction and pyelonephritis. Five additional cases, including one pulmonary cancer, causing ARF from extensive tissue replacement and destruction are reviewed. In a separate case, ARF resulted from lymphatic metastases rather than from parenchymal destruction or obstruction. Common findings in all six reported cases include bilaterally enlarged kidneys and progressive oligoanuria despite correction of prerenal or postrenal conditions. In our patient and in one other prior reported case, extrarenal obstruction was not considered important because invasive therapeutic procedures were unsuccessful in reversing ARF. In one case, irradiation of kidney tumor resulted in reversal of ARF. These cases emphasize the rare potential for solid tumors to metastasize to both kidneys and result in irreversible oligoanuric ARF. A high level of suspicion is required, and an early diagnosis may result in reversible ARF if the tumor is amenable to chemotherapy or irradiation.
Algebraic elements in matrix ring over division algebras

Let K be an arbitrary field, G a polycyclic-by-finite group and A a prime ideal of the group ring KG . It is well known that the quotient ring ( KG )/ A is a Goldie ring; we denote by R its ring of fractions. Let U be a subgroup of units of the matrix ring R n × n let K [ U ] be the linear envelope of U and let rad ( K [ U ]) be the nilpotent radical of K [ U ].
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Dihydrofolate Reductase is a Target for Isoniazid

Isoniazid is a key drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Isoniazid is a pro-drug, which, after activation by the katG-encoded catalase peroxidase, reacts nonenzymatically with NAD+ and NADP+ to generate several isonicotinoyl adducts of these pyridine nucleotides. One of these, the acyclic 4S isomer of isoniazid-NAD, targets the inhA-encoded enoyl-ACP reductase, an enzyme essential for mycolic acid biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here we show that the acyclic 4R isomer of isoniazid-NADP inhibits the M. tuberculosis dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an enzyme essential for nucleic acid synthesis. This biologically relevant form of the isoniazid adduct is a subnanomolar bisubstrate inhibitor of M. tuberculosis DHFR. Expression of M. tuberculosis DHFR in Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 protects cells against growth inhibition by isoniazid by sequestering the drug. Thus, M. tuberculosis DHFR is the first new target for isoniazid identified in the last decade.
Bifurcations in a parabolic equation with variable diffusion

On considere le probleme aux valeurs limites: u t =(a 2 (x)u x ) x +δf(u), 0≤x≤1, u x (0, t)=u x (1, t)=0 pour δ≥0, f(u)=u−u 3 , a(x)=1, x≤γ et a(x)=α, x>γ, 0<α<1. On etudie la stabilite et la bifurcation des solutions d'equilibre pour les cas: x∈[0, 1], 0<γ<1; et x∈[0, 1/2], 0<γ<1/2 et a(x)=a(1−x) pour x∈[1/2, 1]
High power slab-coupled waveguide laser

Slab-coupled waveguide laser was theoretically analyzed by E. A. J. Marcatili [1] in the 1970's, based on which, we recently demonstrated a high power slab-coupled waveguide laser with buried hetero-structure. The laser lases around 1525.5 nm, with 3.4 μm*4.4 μm (FWHM) spatial mode shape. With improved current blocking mechanism, the output power reaches 326mW per facet, the coupling efficiency to the single mode fiber (SMF) is 80%, the horizontal and vertical far field angles are 10°, 18° respectively. Electron blocking layer will be implemented to improve internal quantum efficiency. Epi-side down bonding will be used to improve heat dissipation and output power.
Development and in vivo testing of a chronic percutaneous prosthesis.

: Significant progress has been made in the development of a percutaneous energy transmission system (PETS) designed to provide energy to intracorporeally implanted blood pumps for up to 2 years. The mean survival of our six most recent PETS implantations was 351 ± 33 days. Four of these were explanted electively after a full year of implantation. Sinus formation around each prosthesis was limited by a biomaterial seal at the sinus termination point. The results support the hypothesis that collagen inhibits epidermal downgrowth. Continued development of systems based on this hypothesis is desirable.
Radiative transfer theory verified by controlled laboratory experiments

We report the results of high-accuracy controlled laboratory measurements of the Stokes reflection matrix for suspensions of submicrometer-sized latex particles in water and compare them with the results of a numerically exact computer solution of the vector radiative transfer equation (VRTE). The quantitative performance of the VRTE is monitored by increasing the volume packing density of the latex particles from 2% to 10%. Our results indicate that the VRTE can be applied safely to random particulate media with packing densities up to ∼2%. VRTE results for packing densities of the order of 5% should be taken with caution, whereas the polarized bidirectional reflectivity of suspensions with larger packing densities cannot be accurately predicted. We demonstrate that a simple modification of the phase matrix entering the VRTE based on the so-called static structure factor can be a promising remedy that deserves further examination.
Abasic Sites in DNA of HeLa Cells Induced by Lucanthone

Abasic sites in HeLa cell DNA were increased in frequency by exposing the cells to lucanthone. Cell growth in the presence of lucanthone caused progressive accumulation of abasic sites and loss of cellular DNA. After 2 hr in 8 μM lucanthone, the abundance of abasic sites was 2.4 fold greater than the background of 9.9±2.0 SE abasic sites/106 nucleotides; 80 μM lucanthone in the growth medium increased the level 12.6±2.5 SE fold and decreased the DNA content in HeLa cells to one-half of the value obtained in untreated cells. The frequency of abasic sites in cellular DNA was determined by the aldehyde reactive probe method, with reference to abasic sites created in plasmid pBR322.The ability of lucanthone to inhibit the normal repair of abasic sites might reflect inhibition of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (HAP1) by the drug, thereby preventing an early step in the base excision repair pathway. Unrepaired abasic sites prevalent after ionizing radiation are cytotoxic lesions that promote DNA strand brea...
Complete Genome Sequence of a thermotolerant sporogenic lactic acid bacterium, Bacillus coagulans strain 36D1

Bacillus coagulans is a ubiquitous soil bacterium that grows at 50–55 °C and pH 5.0 and ferments various sugars that constitute plant biomass to L (+)-lactic acid. The ability of this sporogenic lactic acid bacterium to grow at 50–55 °C and pH 5.0 makes this organism an attractive microbial biocatalyst for production of optically pure lactic acid at industrial scale not only from glucose derived from cellulose but also from xylose, a major constituent of hemicellulose. This bacterium is also considered as a potential probiotic. Complete genome sequence of a representative strain, B. coagulans strain 36D1, is presented and discussed.
Identification and characterization of the BPV-2 L2 protein

The bovine papilloma virus type 2 (BPV-2) L2 open reading frame was cloned into a lambda pL promoter expression vector. This plasmid was shown to express a fusion protein which constituted 75% of the BPV-2 L2 ORF linked to the first 13 N-terminal amino acids of the lambda cll gene product. Antisera generated against this fusion protein were used to identify the L2 gene product as a 64,000-Da protein in BPV-2 virions. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the L2 viral protein was present in full capsids and in small amounts in empty capsids. Densitometer analysis indicated that the L2 protein constituted only 8% of the total L1 + L2 protein content of full capsids. Antisera was also used to demonstrate that the BPV-2 L2 protein is antigenically related to the BPV-1 L2 protein.
Eighteenth-century encyclopedias and national identity

Avec l'« Encyclopedie » de Diderot et d'Alembert, la France etait consideree comme le leader culturel. Mais la partie consacree a la geographie etait fortement critiquee et de nombreuses compilations furent realisees. L'A. etudie les questions nationales a travers les encyclopedies suisse (Yverdon) et espagnole, et a travers l'edition de Lucca (reimpression de l'« Encyclopedie » francaise).
Bumped Kinase Inhibitor 1294 Treats Established Toxoplasma gondii Infection

Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular parasite that causes severe brain and eye disease. Current drugs for T. gondii are limited by toxicity. Bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) selectively inhibit calcium-dependent protein kinases of the apicomplexan pathogens T. gondii, cryptosporidia, and plasmodia. A lead anti-Toxoplasma BKI, 1294, has been developed to be metabolically stable and orally bioavailable. Herein, we demonstrate the oral efficacy of 1294 against toxoplasmosis in vivo.
Photoluminescence of Cr-Doped CaTi O 3

At 4 and 77 K, photoluminescence from nominally undoped and 0.0025% Cr-doped CaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ shows identical spectra in the infrared with an intensity ratio of 1:2. The emission is attributed to the $^{2}E\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{4}A_{2}$ transition of the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ ion at a ${\mathrm{Ti}}^{4+}$ site. At 4 K it consists of a single no-phonon line at 1.744 eV of half-width 1.5 meV and a complex vibronic spectrum which is anomalously intense. Data at 77 K show a 2-meV splitting of the $^{2}E$ state. The absorption spectrum of CaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$:Cr is dominated by a "background absorption" by unknown defects. From the coincidence of the excitation spectrum with the absorption spectrum, we conclude that the excitation is dominated by absorption by these unknown defects which transfer energy into ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$. In undoped CaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ a single-exponential decay of the emission is reported, with decay time 700 \ensuremath{\mu}sec. In CaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$:0.0025% Cr, on the other hand, two exponentials with decay times 700 \ensuremath{\mu}sec and 11 msec were observed. The former is assigned to ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$, the latter to the time of energy transfer from defects responsible for the background absorption to the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$. We also report a visible emission consisting of a broad structureless band centered at 2.7 eV, with half-width 0.7 eV. Presumably, it is recombination radiation caused by the recombination of a free charge carrier with a trapped charge at an unknown defect. Its excitation spectrum gives a band gap for CaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ of 3.70 eV at 4 K.
Structure transformation of Ir clusters on Ir surfaces

A small Ir cluster can assume either a one-dimensional linear-chain structure or a two-dimensional island-like structure. We present a study of the energetics of the 1 D to 2 D structure transformation of three-atom Ir clusters on the Ir(111) and (001) surfaces. On the (111) plane, the temperature dependence of the ratio of the probabilities of observing a three-atom cluster in the 1 D and 2 D structures exhibits a simple linear Arrhenius behavior. The 2 D island structure is found to be more stable with the cluster binding energy lower by 0.098±0.004 eV. On the (001) plane, the 1 D chain structure is more stable with the cluster binding energy lower by 0.335±0.015 eV. From these energies, the relative pair interaction at three different bond lengths can be derived. The relative pair potential is found to be non-monotonic in distance dependence. We explain the (1×5) reconstruction of the Ir(001) surface as being caused by the large difference in the pair binding energy of the first and second nearest-neighbor bonds. In addition, we find a significant deviation from the simple linear Arrhenius behavior at low temperatures for the three-atom Ir cluster on the Ir (001) plane, indicating that the entropy factor is temperature dependent.
Immersive Training and Mentoring for Laparoscopic Surgery

We describe in this paper a training system for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) that creates an immersive training simulation by recording the pathways of the instruments from an expert surgeon while performing an actual training task. Instrument spatial pathway data is stored and later accessed at the training station in order to visualize the ergonomic experience of the expert surgeon and trainees. Our system is based on tracking the spatial position and orientation of the instruments on the console for both the expert surgeon and the trainee. The technology is the result of recent developments in miniaturized position sensors that can be integrated seamlessly into the MIS instruments without compromising functionality. In order to continuously monitor the positions of laparoscopic tool tips, DC magnetic tracking sensors are used. A hardware-software interface transforms the coordinate data points into instrument pathways, while an intuitive graphic user interface displays the instruments spatial position and orientation for the mentor/trainee, and endoscopic video information. These data are recorded and saved in a database for subsequent immersive training and training performance analysis. We use two 6 DOF DC magnetic trackers with a sensor diameter of just 1.3 mm - small enough for insertion into 4 French catheters, embedded in the shaft of a endoscopic grasper and a needle driver. One sensor is located at the distal end of the shaft while the second sensor is located at the proximal end of the shaft. The placement of these sensors does not impede the functionally of the instrument. Since the sensors are located inside the shaft there are no sealing issues between the valve of the trocar and the instrument. We devised a peg transfer training task in accordance to validated training procedures, and tested our system on its ability to differentiate between the expert surgeon and the novices, based on a set of performance metrics. These performance metrics: motion smoothness, total path length, and time to completion, are derived from the kinematics of the instrument. An affine combination of the above mentioned metrics is provided to give a general score for the training performance. Clear differentiation between the expert surgeons and the novice trainees is visible in the test results. Strictly kinematics based performance metrics can be used to evaluate the training progress of MIS trainees in the context of UCLA - LTS.
The young adult years: diversity, structural change, and fertility.

An understanding of fertility behavior is improved by consideration of roles and behavior by those of childbearing age. This perspective is consistent with the changes taking place in demography to expand the range of behavior under examination. The focus is on the young adult years (18-30 years) which represent a demographically dense period of multiple transitions which may occur as similarity or diversity staged in a mandated order or not or appear ambiguous or clear cut. The data used for discussion are from the US National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (senior year) with followup data from 1973747679 and 86 (NLS72). This population of baby boomers with separate family activities and work/school activities which impact on one another is diverse in many ways. The demographic density of the young adult years is characterized by fertility and migration which reaches a peak magnitude during these years; i.e. age specific fertility begins to decline after age 27 and 66% of all births in 1987 were to women 18-29 versus 76% in 1975. Mortality is the only core demographic variable which shows a trough unless one considers mortality specific causes such as motor vehicle accidents which peak during the young adult years. Other variables such as 1st marriage peak in the mid 20s for women and the late 20s for men and divorces and remarriage rates are also highest in the 20s. Leaving school and unemployment rates are also concentrated in these years to add to the density. The sparsity of activity in the midlife years may account for the crisis; young adults have the most positive view of life and provide the engines of social change with the least resources (28% of households with 8% of the assets) with relatively little power. The substantial number of demographic events for young adults is coupled with their diverse roles and activities. The sequencing of roles is examined with the NLS72 data and 75% of combinations of work school other are unique to 1 person and only 10% worked all 12 years. Gender differences reflect females experiencing more diversity. Across societies the US offers greater opportunity to drop in and out of education. In the work and family sphere there are consequences of the diverse and demographically dense years where order is the exception. A fixed set of reproductive norms and operating in a changing context. Little empirical work has been done to examine the extent to which transitions are blurred or crisp. American fertility trends may not follow the pattern of decline due to changes in the evolving relationships among the roles of father mother spouse worker student. With the changes in choices child rearing will be very different in the future.
Cranial computed tomography in the emergency evaluation of adult patients without a recent history of head trauma: a prospective analysis.

Objectives To examine the pattern of nontrauma cranial CT use in an urban ED, to identify the rate of significant CT abnormalities in this setting, and to develop criteria for restricting the ordering of CT scans. Methods A prospective, observational study of a case series of adults who underwent cranial CT scanning for nontraumatic cases was performed at the EDs of an urban teaching hospital and an affiliated community hospital with a combined annual census of 110,000. Clinically significant CT scans were defined as: 1) acute stroke, 2) CNS malignancy, 3) acute hydrocephalus, 4) intracranial bleeding, or 5) intracranial infection. X2 recursive partitioning was used to derive a decision rule to restrict ordering of CT scans. Results Only 61 (8%) of 806 CT scans revealed clinically significant abnormalities. The presence of any of the following: age > or = 60 years, focal neurologic deficit, headache with vomiting, or altered mental status, was 100% sensitive (95% CI: 94-100%) and 31% specific (95% CI: 28-33%) in detecting clinically significant CT scans. This set of features had positive and negative predictive values of 11% (95% CI: 8-13%) and 100% (95% CI: 98-100%), respectively. If these criteria had been used to restrict cranial CT use, 229 fewer patients (28%) would have had CT scans obtained and no clinically significant abnormalities would have been missed. Conclusion Clinically significant CT abnormalities were uncommon in this study population, suggesting that current criteria for ordering nontrauma cranial CT scans may be too liberal. In this study, a set of clinical criteria was derived that may be useful at separating patients into high- and low-risk categories for clinically significant cranial CT abnormalities. Before these results are applied clinically, these criteria should be validated in larger, prospective studies.
Ineffectiveness of anticoagulants in myocardial infarction

T he use of anticoagulants in the management of acute myocardial infarction is a widespread practice accepted by most clinicians as of considerable value. Published data on which this acceptance is based are numerous but only rarely include well-documented controls. Schnurl pointed out in 1953 that the prognosis of myocardial infarction is a function of many factors other than the simple presence of infarction, and that in order to serve as controls a group of patients with this diagnosis must be comparable in all ways to those in the treated group. He devised a system for evaluating the degree of illness of patients, the Pathologic Index Rating (PIR), by assigning numbers to various findings, such as cardiac decompensation, arrhythmia, shock, etc. (Table I). Use of this system allows patients with similar severity of illness to be paired for evaluation of treatment. His experience indicated that prognosis was predictable from the PIR, and that the use of anticoagulants did not alter the predicted mortality. Smart and Bruce2 applied the same criteria in a study of their patients with myocardial infarction and confirmed the finding that higher Pathologic Index Ratings are associated with higher mortality rates. Their” evaluation of the effectiveness of anticoagulants in the management of myocardial infarction showed no significant difference between the mortality rates of the control group and those of the treated groups when patients in the same PIR category were compared. The purpose of this paper is to report on another series in
Diagnosis of Intestinal Injuries by Computed Tomography and the Use of Oral Contrast Medium

Abstract [Federle MP: Diagnosis of intestinal injuries by computed tomography and the use of oral contrast medium. Ann Emerg Med June 1998;31:769-771.]
Biologically active polyamines in beef, pork and meat products : A review

Abstract Dietary polyamines (PAs) putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) participate in an array of roles in human metabolism. Nevertheless, under some physiological conditions they can be undesirable. Meat and meat products are among important sources of PAs in human nutrition, mainly of SPM. The usual contents of PUT, SPD and SPM in fresh beef and pork are
A new perspective on behavioral inconsistency and neural noise in aging: compensatory speeding of neural communication.

This paper seeks to present a new perspective on the aging brain. Here, we make connections between two key phenomena of brain aging: 1) increased neural noise or random background activity; and 2) slowing of brain activity. Our perspective proposes the possibility that the slowing of neural processing due to decreasing nerve conduction velocities leads to a compensatory speeding of neuron firing rates. These increased firing rates lead to a broader distribution of power in the frequency spectrum of neural oscillations, which we propose, can just as easily be interpreted as neural noise. Compensatory speeding of neural activity, as we present, is constrained by the: A) availability of metabolic energy sources; and B) competition for frequency bandwidth needed for neural communication. We propose that these constraints lead to the eventual inability to compensate for age-related declines in neural function that are manifested clinically as deficits in cognition, affect, and motor behavior.
Computational fluid dynamics analysis of core bypass flow and crossflow in a prismatic very high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor based on a two-layer block model

Abstract The very high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor (VHTR) has been designated as one of the promising reactors that will serve for the Next Generation (Generation IV) Nuclear Plant. For a prismatic VHTR core, the bypass flow and crossflow phenomena are important design considerations. To investigate the coolant distribution in the reactor core based on the two-layer block facility built at Texas A&M University, a three-dimensional steady-state CFD analysis was performed using the commercial code STAR-CCM+ v6.04. Results from this work serve as a guideline and validating source for the related experiments. A grid independence study was conducted to quantify related errors in the simulations. The simulation results show that the bypass flow fraction was not a strong function of the Reynolds number. The presence of the crossflow gap had a significant effect on the distribution of the coolant in the core. Uniform and wedge-shape crossflow gaps were studied. It was found that a significant secondary flow in the crossflow gap region moved from the bypass flow gap toward coolant holes, which resulted in up to a 28% reduction of the coolant mass flow rate in the bypass flow gap.