cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Poison Center Guidelines Adversely Affect Patient Outcomes as Triage Referral Values Increase

AbstractBackground. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patient outcomes were adversely affected as healthcare referral values increased for two common poisonings: acute, unintentional acetaminophen (APAP) poisonings and acute, unintentional iron (Fe) poisonings. We hypothesized that symptom rates would increase with high referral values. Methods. Qualifying 1997 exposures were separated by substance (APAP or Fe) and then further stratified into three healthcare referral value ranges. Symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were totaled for each stratum. Expected vs. observed distributions of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients across triage referral strata for a given substance and treatment location were compared using chi‐square test for independence. The Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the distribution of patients across referral strata for home vs. healthcare facility locations for a specific substance. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the ...
In vitro activity of Ro 23-9424, a dual-action antibacterial agent, against bacterial isolates from cancer patients compared with those of other agents

The in vitro activity of Ro 23-9424 against bacterial isolates from patients with cancer was compared with those of fleroxacin, ciprofloxacin, cefoperazone, and ceftazidime. Ro 23-9424 inhibited the majority of the members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and all Aeromonas isolates at a concentration of less than or equal to 1.0 micrograms/ml. It was also active against Acinetobacter spp. and Haemophilus influenzae, including beta-lactamase-producing strains. The MIC for 90% of isolates (MIC90) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 16.0 micrograms/ml. All group A and B streptococci were inhibited by less than or equal to 0.25 micrograms/ml, and 90% of group G streptococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae were inhibited by 1.0 micrograms/ml. All methicillin-susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 60% of methicillin-resistant strains were susceptible to 2.0 micrograms of Ro 23-9424 per ml, whereas the MIC90 for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis isolates was 4.0 micrograms/ml. Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Enterococcus spp. were less susceptible; MIC90s for them were 16.0 and 32.0 micrograms/ml. Ro 23-9424 has a broad antibacterial spectrum and potential utility for therapy of infections in cancer patients.
Primary treatment of pelvic osteosarcoma: Report of five cases

Five patients, ages 12 to 20 years, with nonresectable primary (Patients 2, 3, and 5) and metastatic (Patients 1 and 4) pelvic osteosarcomas were treated with intraarterial cisplatin and concurrent radiation therapy from 1983 to 1987. Long-term local tumor control was achieved in all five patients. Patients 1 and 3 are alive with no evidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease at 77 and 56 months of follow-up, respectively, since diagnosis of the pelvic tumor. Patients 2, 4, and 5 died of metastatic lung disease at 25, 39, and 12 months, respectively, after diagnosis of the pelvic tumor. Patient 4 had no clinical or radiologic evidence of local recurrence. Control of tumor growth in patients with pelvic osteosarcomas can be achieved with regional chemotherapy and concurrent radiation therapy. These patients also should receive adjuvant intensive systemic chemotherapy to increase the probability of eliminating potential subclinical metastatic disease.
The Engineering Learning Portal for Problem Solving: Experience in a Large Engineering Economy Class

In an effort to improve students' problem solving skills with information technology across the industrial engineering curriculum, we created an Internet based problem-solving environment. The module implemented for engineering economy presents a realistic problem that establishes connections with other courses. The design of the learning environment promotes metacognitive skill development by requiring students to explain each major problem solving action taken and to evaluate their own progress toward a solution. Experience in two successive semesters of a large introductory course indicates that information technology can be used effectively to create opportunities for students to collaboratively solve realistic engineering problems, thereby promoting deeper learning and higher order thinking. Greater student engagement and efficient evaluation mechanisms motivate faculty adoption of such a system.
Permalloy-coated tungsten probe for magnetic manipulation of micro droplets

In this work, we present the magnetic manipulation of biocompatible droplets using a probe-based approach. First, we describe a simple method to develop magnetic probes that are capable of delivering localized magnetic fields, which is important for precise manipulation. The fabrication of magnetic probes involves controlled electroplating of permalloy (Ni80Fe20) on commercially available tungsten needles with tip radii as small as 0.5 μm. Experimental validation of probe functionality was achieved by characterizing the magnetic response of the probe with a highly sensitive scanning Hall probe system. The magnetic probe was then employed in manipulating biocompatible alginate micro droplets with encapsulated magnetic particles. The synthesis of the droplets was carried out in-house and droplets of different sizes and magnetic particle concentrations were obtained for use in manipulation experiments. Multiple experiments were done to demonstrate the efficacy of the developed probe in manipulating droplets, which is crucial for constructing droplet-based microfluidic systems.
Costlets: A Generalized Approach to Cost Functions for Automated Optimization of IMRT Treatment Plans

We present the creation and use of a generalized cost function methodology based on costlets for automated optimization for conformal and intensity modulated radiotherapy treatment plans. In our approach, cost functions are created by combining clinically relevant “costlets”. Each costlet is created by the user, using an “evaluator” of the plan or dose distribution which is incorporated into a function or “modifier” to create an individual costlet. Dose statistics, dose-volume points, biological model results, non-dosimetric parameters, and any other information can be converted into a costlet. A wide variety of different types of costlets can be used concurrently. Individual costlet changes affect not only the results for that structure, but also all the other structures in the plan (e.g., a change in a normal tissue costlet can have large effects on target volume results as well as the normal tissue). Effective cost functions can be created from combinations of dose-based costlets, dose-volume costlets, biological model costlets, and other parameters. Generalized cost functions based on costlets have been demonstrated, and show potential for allowing input of numerous clinical issues into the optimization process, thereby helping to achieve clinically useful optimized plans. In this paper, we describe and illustrate the use of the costlets in an automated planning system developed and used clinically at the University of Michigan Medical Center. We place particular emphasis on the flexibility of the system, and its ability to discover a variety of plans making various trade-offs between clinical goals of the treatment that may be difficult to meet simultaneously.
Unequal crossing-over and gene conversion at the amplified CUP1 locus of yeast.

Meiotic recombination was analyzed between two twelve-copy arrays of a gene amplification at theCUP1 locus ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Utilizing Southern analysis to identify spores with non-parental repeat arrays, we find that approximately 11% of a sample with 202 unselected tetrads possess at least one nonparental spore array. Both reciprocal and non-reciprocal changes are observed. The data suggest a model in which frequent mispairing among identical copies of the 2.0 kb repeat unit leads to the formation of unpaired loops containing integral numbers of repeat units. In this model, conversions involving the loops lead to non-reciprocal changes in arrays: about half are associated with reciprocal exchange, and net increases in repeat unit numbers occur about as frequently as net decreases. Thus, the known properties of gene conversion can account for all the segregations we observe.
Improving the Predictive Power of Conjoint Analysis: The use of Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis:

A method is derived to improve the predictive accuracy of conjoint analysis by grouping respondents with similar preferences. The often-used model of cluster analysis is shown to be inadequate beca...
Stimulation of erythropoiesis in the plethoric mouse by cyclic-AMP and its inhibition by antierythropoietin.

SummaryThe dibutyryl derivative of cyclic-AMP significantly stimulates erythropoiesis in plethoric mice. Antierythropoietin completely prevents the erythropoietic stimulation caused by cyclic-AMP, indicating that the observed erythropoietic stimulation is erythropoietin-dependent. Significant stimulation of radioiron uptake was observed in the spleens of normal mice after injection of cyclic-AMP. In addition, cyclic-AMP potentiated the erythropoietic response of plethoric mice exposed to brief periods of hypoxia.
Guest Workers and Immigration Reform: The Rise of a New Feudalism in America?1

This article argues that if the proponents of immigration reform have it their way, the proposed guest worker program will transform American citizenship from an institution based on civic membership to one based on residence rights and socio-economic status. American citizenship, now a relatively accessible option, will become a closed-off status, unattainable for the majority of temporary workers. With this policy, the United States will create a permanently disadvantaged category of guest workers and further reduce the competitiveness of low-skilled minimum wage American workers. The concept of immigration has begun to change from an inclusive notion granting equal rights to immigrants and citizens to a more ambivalent model emphasizing obligations and responsibilities of newcomers while withholding social, political, and legal rights. Guest worker programs with limited residence will accentuate for immigrants that they must pay taxes and benefit the American economy, obey US laws and otherwise contrib...
Experimental and Clinical Observations of the Intraocular Toxicity of Commercial Corticosteroid Preparations

We tested the vehicles Of six different commercially available depot corticosteroids (Celestone Soluspan, Depo-Medrol, Decadron, Decadron L. A., Aristocort, and Kenalog) for possible toxicity when injected intra-vitreally. When tested on rabbit eyes, the Celestone Soluspan and the Depo-Medrol vehicles caused remarkable retinal degeneration with preretinal membrane formation or cataracts in their standard concentrations. Three other vehicles (Decadron and Decadron L. A.) caused localized retinal degeneration in twice the standard concentration. Thus, toxic effects can be caused by preservatives or inadequate osmolarity of the vehicles alone. The development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy in some cases of injections of intraocular depot corticosteroid can be explained by retinal necrosis and repair processes caused by these vehicles.
Treatment of electron-electron correlations in electronic structure calculations

A methodology is introduced for the systematic treatment of electron-electron correlations in solids and other interacting quantum N-particle systems. The method is developed within the framework of electronic structure theory (band theory) but, in contrast to conventional approaches, which are based on the single-particle picture, it is formulated within a many-particle picture in which n particles in d-dimensional phase space are treated as a single particle in a phase space of nd dimensions. In this phase space, interparticle interactions appear as external potentials allowing the treatment of the system of particles through the use of single-particle methods, while at the same time allowing a systematic, direct, and nonperturbative treatment of interparticle interactions. The method makes use of the invariance of the Hamiltonian describing an interacting-particle system under partitioning into subsystems of n particles. This treatment leads to exact results in the limit n{r_arrow}N. Based on such partitioning, we propose a generalization of density functional theory and an appropriately defined local density approximation to treat the interactions between the n-particle units in a system of N{ge}n particles. This approach yields n-particle correlated densities and n-particle states which can be used in an analysis of the electronic properties of materials, such asmore » total energy, phase stability, electronic transport, and others. We use the formal construct of multiple-scattering theory to develop the method for the calculation of the two-particle electronic structure of a solid and the corresponding total energy of the ground state. We also illustrate some of the properties of the method in terms of a Hubbard model Hamiltonian on a linear ring. Various features of the method and further possible applications are presented in a discussion section. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
On the validity of Shannon-information calculations for molecular biological sequences.

The usefulness of information-theoretic measures of the Shannon-Weaver type, when applied to molecular biological systems such as DNA or protein sequences, has been critically evaluated. It is shown that entropy can be re-expressed in dimensionless terms, thereby making it commensurate with information. Further, we have identified processes in which entropy S and information H change in opposite directions. These processes of opposing signs for Δ S and Δ H demonstrate that while the Second Law of Thermodynamics mandates that entropy always increases, it places no such restrictions on changes in information. Additionally, we have developed equations permitting information calculations, incorporating conditional occurrence probabilities, on DNA and protein sequences. When the results of such calculations are compared for sequences of various general types, there are no informational content patterns. We conclude that information-theoretic calculations of the present level of sophistication do not provide any useful insights into molecular biological sequences.
Brilliance and Whiggery. A Review Article

To an American social historian with no special qualifications in demography and fewer still in modem English history, this book is impressive-perhaps more than it would be to a mathematical demographer or to an expert in the Industrial Revolution. But to the nonexpert, the length, 779 pages including appendices and index, is depressive rather than impressive. Does one really want to tackle a tome so full of back projections, formulae, Model West Tables, simulations, and, indeed, tables upon tables of data? As for buying it, the price per page is reasonable but the total price is inhibiting. Still, it is a wonderful and a brilliant book, above all for its sheer lucidity in building systematically from the most obscure toils of parish registers to convincing hypotheses about many of the most vital interactions in English and indeed in human populations in the early modem and modem eras. Neither E. A. Wrigley nor Roger Schofield write sentences as convoluted as the one above, so the journey has momentum, wit, and power. The Introduction is perhaps the weakest part of the book, but it does make clear the large aims of the enterprise. These are: (1) to evolve estimates of the total number of births, deaths, and marriages in England from 1541 to 1871, (2) to use these as real limits in a complex process of estimating the size and the death, birth, marriage, and migration rates of the English population through these years, and (3) to study the interactions of economic conditions, above all of real wages and of prices, with this known demographic behavior through the same period of time. The aims are in this sense huge. The authors are speaking of the way human life regulated itself, demographically and economically, in the short and long run, in the centuries before and during the Industrial Revolution in England. By using comparisons with research elsewhere, they are also aiming to understand these relationships in western society in general. Such issues lie at the core of that total, contrapuntal history of the mass of human lives, in its short and long cycles and regulatory
Restaurant managers' learning styles and their implications.

Abstract This study identified the learning styles of unit and district level restaurant managers by using the Semantic Differential format of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory. Data were collected from 118 unit level managers and 45 district level managers. Learning styles of participating managers were determined by using the scoring procedures of the Learning Style Inventory. Seventy-eight percent of the unit level managers and 76% of the district level managers had a convergent learning style. No significant difference was found between learning styles of unit level and district level managers. Implications for the industry management development programs were suggested.
Political Equilibrium, Income Distribution, and Growth

This paper analyzes the impact of income distribution on growth when investment in human capital is the source of growth and individuals vote over the degree of redistribution in the economy. The model has three main features. First, very different patterns of income distribution are conducive to high growth at different levels of per capita income. Second, growth is associated with an externality whereby investment in human capital by one group increases the productivity of other groups, thus potentially enabling them to invest in human capital. Third, the initial pattern of income distribution and the resulting political equilibrium are crucial in determining whether the transmission of this externality is promoted, in which case growth is enhanced, or prevented, in which case growth is stopped. Using a non-overlapping generations model with voting, I derive several empirical implications. In particular, the model implies an inverted-U relation between levels of inequality and levels of income in cross-sections, but not necessarily in time series, a result that seems consistent with a number of empirical studies.
On a modified streamline curvature method for the Euler equations

A modification of the streamline curvature method leads to a quasilinear second-order partial differential equation for the streamline coordinate function. The existence of a stream function is not required. The method is applied to subsonic and supersonic nozzle flow, and to axially symmetric flow with swirl. For many situations, the associated numerical method is both fast and accurate.
Platelet transfusions in neonates: questions and answers.

Two key questions can be raised about platelet transfusions (PTXs) for neonates (defined for this editorial as preterm infants during the first month following delivery). First, do sound evidence-b...
Effects of the delta opioid agonist BW373U86 in pigeons trained to discriminate fentanyl, bremazocine and water in a three-choice drug discrimination procedure

The delta opioid agonist BW373U86 was examined alone and in combination with mu agonists in pigeons trained to discriminate the mu agonist fentanyl (0.056 mg/kg), the kappa agonist bremazocine (0.017 mg/kg), and distilled water in a three-choice drug discrimination procedure. BW373U86 (0.01–10 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent increase in fentanyl-appropriate responding and complete generalization to fentanyl in four of five subjects. BW373U86 did not elicit bremazocine-appropriate responding in any of the subjects. Fentanyl-appropriate responding elicited by BW373U86 was antagonized by the delta selective antagonist naltrindole (0.1–10 mg/kg) but not by the mu selective antagonist naloxone (0.1–30.0 mg/kg). When BW373U86 was administered in combination with the mu agonists fentanyl, morphine and nalbuphine, a low dose of BW373U86 (0.01 mg/kg) that elicited primarily water-appropriate responding when administered alone did not produce a significant change in the ED50 values for fentanyl, morphine or nalbuphine. Higher doses of BW373U86 (0.1–1.0 mg/kg) increased levels of fentanyl-appropriate responding elicited by low doses of fentanyl, morphine and nalbuphine to levels similar to those produced by BW373U86 alone. These results indicate that BW373U86 shares discriminative stimulus properties with the mu agonist fentanyl in pigeons, possibly by acting at delta opioid receptors. However, BW373U86 does not potentiate the discriminative stimulus effects of mu agonists or share discriminative stimulus effects with the kappa agonist bremazocine.
The use of protein A in solid-phase binding assays: a comparison of four radioiodination techniques

Preparations of protein A radioiodinated by 4 different methods have been compared in indirect radioimmunoassays. The oxidative methods (chloramine-T and iodogen) for direct iodination of tyrosyl and histidyl residues were applied with high efficiency and gave a suitable product, provided the substitution ratio was kept low (1 iodine atom/molecule of protein A). Higher levels of modification tended to perturb the Fc-binding characteristics of the protein, especially with the use of iodogen. Introduction of the isotope via substitution of lysyl residues (Bolton-Hunter and Wood reagents) was also examined. The Bolton-Hunter modification of protein A gave an unsuitably low labeling efficiency; in contrast, the Wood reagent gave efficiencies approaching 50%. Protein A could be extensively substituted with the latter reagent (greater than 5 diiodinated benzimidate molecules per protein molecule). Thus, the use of the Wood-labeled protein A could raise the sensitivity of the binding assay at least an order of magnitude compared to using protein A iodinated by the oxidative methods. The effects on the biological activity of protein A exerted by the different labeling procedures are rationalized on the basis of the amino acid composition and tertiary structure of the protein.
A half-century of lanthanide aminopolycarboxylates

Abstract The evolution in our understanding of the structural features of the lanthanide aminocarboxylate complexes is reviewed with emphasis on thermodynamic, nuclear magnetic resonance, luminescence and kinetic data. Comparison with the azacarboxylate complexes is also included.
Neural Network Guided Spatial Fault Resilience in Array Processors

Computing with large die-size graphical processors, that involves huge arrays of identical structures, in the late CMOS era is abounding with challenges due to spatial non-idealities arising from chip-to-chip and within-chip variation of MOSFET threshold voltage. In this paper, we propose a software-framework using machine learning for in-situ prediction and correction of computation corrupted due to threshold voltage variation of transistors. Semi-supervised training is imparted to a fully connected cascade feed-forward (FCCFF) neural network (NN). This FCCFF-NN then creates an accurate spatial map of faulty processing elements (PE), which are avoided in computing. Besides correcting spatial faults, any transient errors (such as single-event upsets) are also tracked and corrected if the number of affected PEs is large enough to cause noticeable computing errors. For experimental validation, we consider a 256 × 256 PE array. Each PE is comprised of add-accumulate-multiply (AAM) block with three 8-bit registers (two for inputs and a third for storing the computed result). One thousand instances of this processor array are created and PEs in each instance are randomly perturbed with threshold voltage variation. Common image processing operations such as low pass filtering and edge enhancement are performed on each of these 1,000 instances. A fraction of these images (about 10 %) is used to train the NN for spatial non-idealities. Based on this training, the NN is able to accurately predict the spatial extremities in 95 % of all the remaining 90 % of the cases. The proposed NN based error tolerance produces superior quality processed images whose degradation is no longer visually perceptible.
Lessons in cultural competence: Adapting research methodology for Latino participants

Recent publications have suggested that research with diverse ethnic groups requires a reexamination of the methods and measures that have been developed on European-American samples. This is a methodological paper, sharing the lessons learned in the field by one research team. It reports on a study of persons with type 2 diabetes and their partners that included both Latino and European-American participants. Involvement of a multiethnic research team, the willingness to be flexible, and a healthy skepticism about our current methods are among the suggestions that emerge. More specifically, the article addresses such topics as the establishment of trust in the participants, language and meaning, the practical implications of cultural values, and the impact of social class on procedures. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Filling is believing...?: Broens P, Vanbeckevooort D, Bellon E, Penninckx F, Combined Radiologic and Manometric Study of Rectal Filling Sensation Dis Colon Rectum 2002;45:1016–22

Abstract Sensation is an essential aspect of fecal continence. We aimed to correlate manovolumetric and radiologic changes at successive levels of rectal filling sensation. Combined anorectal manometry and proctography were performed in nine volunteers. Images, volumes, and pressures were analyzed at the start of the test, at 20 s before first sensation, and at first, constant, urge, and maximum tolerable sensation. Consecutive levels of rectal filling sensation were associated with progressive opening and dilation of the upper anal canal (up to 44 mm) and sliding down of the rectal contents (14 mm), which had already started before the first sensation. This coincided initially with a pressure decrease in the proximal anal canal (from 94 to 42 mm Hg). With constant sensation and particularly with urge sensation, rectal pressure increase appeared to be responsible for further proximal anal dilation. This was accompanied by a significant increase of proximal anal pressure (up to 133 mm Hg) and sharpening of the angle between the anal axis and the horizontal reference line. The proximal anal canal or its surrounding structures plays an important role in the desire-to-defecate sensation. They can be activated by a progressive buildup of rectal reservoir pressure in the presence of a competent distal anal sphincter barrier.
Rolipram and Isoproterenol Reverse Platelet Activating Factor-Induced Increases in Pulmonary Microvascular Permeability and Vascular Resistance

Platelet activating factor (PAF) is an important mediator of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (PMVEC) injury in sepsis. Membrane receptors for PAF have been identified on PMVECs and mediate its actions at least in part by protein kinase C activation. Since rolipram, a family IV cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and isoproterenol, an adenylate cyclase activator, both reverse ischemia-reperfusion-induced lung permeability, we studied the effects of these agents on PAF-induced pulmonary microvascular permeability. The isolated rat lung model was used in which lungs were ventilated and buffer perfused at constant flow while suspended from a force transducer to monitor lung weight along with arterial (P(a)) and venous (Pv) pressures. Control lungs (n = 6) were infused with PAF (40 nmole/kg) via an arterial port and the capillary permeability coefficient (Kf,c) was determined at 0, 15, and 60 min. The remaining lungs were randomized for infusion with either rolipram (n = 4, 20 mumole/kg) or isoproterenol (n = 4, 5 mumole/kg) via an arterial port 30 min after injury with PAF. In the rolipram- and isoproterenol-treated groups, the Kf,c was determined 15 and 60 min postinfusion with these agents. The control group showed significant elevation in the Kf,c and total pulmonary resistance (Rt). At 15 and 60 min, rolipram and isoproterenol reversed PAF injury as shown by the significant improvement in the Kf,c and Rt. These findings support the concept that increased cyclic AMP is an important mediator in the reversal of PAF-increased PMVEC permeability and pulmonary resistance.
Calcium Triggered Membrane Penetration of Synaptotagmin may Provide the Driving Force to Reverse the Complexin Clamp

Synaptic proteins, Complexin and Synaptotagmin act in sync to achieve the speed and the accuracy of the synaptic transmission. Complexin (CPX) arrests the SNARE assembly in the late stages promoting the docking of the synaptic vesicles at the active zone and along with Synaptotagmin, the calcium sensor, synchronizes the fusion of these vesicles with the influx of calcium ions following the nerve impulse. Recently, we obtained the first X-ray crystal structure representing the clamped state of SNAREpin at the docked vesicles, which shows that Complexin arrests fusion by blocking the complete assembly of the v-SNAREs in the adjacent SNARE complex. This trans- interaction generates an unusual zigzag array of half-zippered (pre-fusion) SNARE complexes between the two bilayers. Here we present experiments using a novel Nanodisc-based system that mimics a vesicle-bilayer junction that suggests a simple model for the reversal of the CPX clamp by Synaptotagmin and calcium. In this model, Synaptotagmin binds the stalled CPX-SNARE complex via its interactions with the t-SNAREs and upon binding Calcium, the membrane loops inserts rapidly into the bilayers, while Synaptotagmin stays bound in place on the SNAREpins. This is expected to perturb the attached SNAREpin out of the planarity of the zigzag array and thus, trigger the rapid disassembly of the stalled zigzag structure allowing the SNAREs to complete zippering and open a fusion pore.
Making the right choice: optimizing rt-PA and eptifibatide lysis, an in vitro study.

Introduction Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only FDA approved lytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke. However, there can be complications such as intra-cerebral hemorrhage. This has led to interest in adjuncts such as GP IIb-IIIa inhibitors. However, there is little data on combined therapies. Here, we measure clot lysis for rt-PA and eptifibatide in an in vitro human clot model, and determine the drug concentrations maximizing lysis. A pharmacokinetic model is used to compare drug concentrations expected in clinical trials with those used here. The hypothesis is that there is a range of rt-PA and eptifibatide concentrations that maximize in vitro clot lysis.
Lead exposure and birth outcomes in five communities in Shoshone County, Idaho.

Abstract Introduction This study examined birth outcomes in five towns in Shoshone County, Idaho, where residents were exposed to high levels of lead in air emissions during a 6-month period after a fire had damaged the main baghouse (pollution-control device) of a local lead smelter plant in September 1973. Methods We studied birth certificate data of 169,878 live singleton infants born to mothers who resided in Idaho at the time of delivery. The outcomes evaluated were preterm infants, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, low birthweight among term infants (TLBW), and mean birthweight among term infants (TMBW). The study compared births in the five towns in Shoshone County (exposed group) to births in the rest of Idaho during three exposure periods: “pre-fire,” January 1, 1970–August 31, 1973; “high exposure,” September 1, 1973–December 31, 1974; and “post-fire,” January 1, 1975–December 31, 1981. Results During the high-exposure period, the exposed group had an increased prevalence of TLBW (OR=2.4; 90% CI: 1.6–3.6) and SGA (OR=1.9; 90% CI: 1.3–2.8) compared with the rest of Idaho. During the pre- and post-fire periods, the ORs for TLBW were 0.8 and 1.3, respectively, and for SGA, 1.0, and 1.3, respectively. During the high-exposure period, TMBW for the exposed group was 71 g lower than in the comparison group. The TMBW in the exposed group was 8 g lower in the pre-fire period and 26 g lower in the post-fire period than in the comparison group. The study found no increased risk for preterm birth in the exposed group. Conclusions Maternal exposures to airborne lead emissions appeared to be associated with increased risks for SGA, TLBW, and reduced TMBW.
Parasitoids, Predators, and Group Size in the Paper Wasp, Polistes Exclamans

The paper wasp Polistes exclamans loses part of its brood to the parasitoids Chalcoela iphitalis (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) and Elasmus polistis (Hymenoptera:Chalcidoidea:Eulophidae) and loses entire nests to bird predation, Crematogaster laeviuscula (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) predation, and orphanage (loss of all adult wasps). More nests fail because of bird predation than from all other causes combined. Larger nests are neither better protected nor more vulnerable to nest predators, though larger nests are less likely to fail because of orphanage than are smaller nests. Larger nests are more heavily attacked by Elasmus polistis, which reinfests its natal nest. Polistes exclamans may subdivide larger groups of females by forming satellite nests because of the lack of an overall advantage to large nests. Satellite nests increase the probability that the brood in either the original nest or satellite nest will avoid bird predation. See full-text article at JSTOR
Deformation of Carbon Nanotubes by Exposure to Water Vapor

The condensation of water inside multiwalled carbon nanotubes has been monitored and controlled using environmental scanning electron microscopy. Undersaturated vapor condenses inside nanotubes and forms nanometer-thick water films. Simultaneously, nanotubes deform and decrease their apparent diameter. When the vapor pressure in the chamber approaches the saturation pressure, we observe the formation of menisci and spontaneous buckling of the nanotubes. We derive a criterion of the buckling instability caused by capillary condensation. Remarkably, the buckling criterion appears to be independent of the meniscus shape. Using our experiments and models, we estimated the circumferential Young's modulus of large-diameter carbon nanotubes with disordered wall structure produced by the chemical vapor deposition method (CVD) to be E(thetatheta) approximately 13-18 MPa. It appears to be at least 2 orders of magnitude lower than the longitudinal modulus of nanotubes produced by arc discharge or catalytic CVD methods. The reported experiments and proposed theory suggest possible applications of "soft" nanotubes as sensors to probe minute concentrations of absorbable gases and vapors.
Image and Spectral Processing for ToF-SIMS Analysis of Biological Materials

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) instruments can rapidly produce large complex data sets. Within each spectrum, there can be hundreds of peaks. A typical 256×256 pixel image contains 65,536 spectra. If this is extended to a 3D image, the number of spectra in a given data set can reach the millions. The challenge becomes how to process these large data sets while taking into account the changes and differences between all the peaks in the spectra. This is particularly challenging for biological materials that all contain the same types of proteins and lipids, just in varying concentrations and spatial distributions. This data analysis challenge is further complicated by the limitations in the ion yield of higher mass, more chemically specific species, and potentially by the processing power of typical computers. Herein we briefly discuss analysis methodologies including univariate analysis, multivariate analysis (MVA) methods, and some of the limitations of ToF-SIMS analysis of biological materials.
Resist-Free Patterning of Surface Architectures in Polymer-Based Microanalytical Devices

The ability to form patterns of chemically reactive surface functionalities in microanalytical devices using a simple photopatterning approach without the need for photoresist-based methods is described. Direct UV exposure of the surfaces of poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, and poly(carbonate), PC, microfluidic devices through optical masks leads to the production of patterns of near monolayer quantities of surface carboxylic acid groups as determined by surface coverage, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy experiments. Formation of the reactive carboxylic acid groups without significant physical (topographical) damage to the polymer device substrates is achieved by use of low UV fluence and exposure times. Modification of the patterned, surface carboxylic acid groups with metals, thermally responsive polymers, and antibodies results in microfluidic devices possessing metallic interconnects and detection electrodes and the ability to capture intact biological cells and proteins f...
Performance evaluation of a new hybrid-modulation scheme for high-frequency-ac-link inverter: Applications for PV, wind, fuel-cell, and DER/storage applications

Advances in SiC (and upcoming GaN) based power semiconductor devices, high-permeability nanocrystalline high-frequency (HF) transformers, and advanced processing and sensing capabilities have paved the way for HF-ac-link (HFACL) based isolated inverter systems that have wide applications encompassing high-power (HP) renewable- and alternative-energy systems (e.g. photovoltaic, wind, fuel-cell energy systems), DG/DER applications, active filters, energy storage, and compact defense power-conversion modules. Unlike conventional Si-based low-frequency HP systems, the switches in these applications need to operate at frequencies 20–50 kHz instead of being limited by conventional HP devices (e.g. Si-based IGCTs, GTOs). Additionally, HFACL systems eliminate the intermediate dc-link filters, which are needed in fixed-dc-link (FDCL) approaches. However, one of the challenges of such HP and HF approaches is switching loss. In that regard, this paper demonstrates, under scaled-power condition, the efficacy of a recently-outlined and patented hybrid-modulation (HM) scheme, which can reduce the switching losses of the ac/ac converter of a HFACL inverter by up to 66%. This also leads to improved voltage utilization as compared to state-of-the-art space-vector-modulation (SVM) schemes and reduction in device current stress. We also demonstrate that, even though the HM based HFACL approach works without a dc-link capacitor, the output THD of the inverter is not worse than the SVM based FDCL inverter. The HM scheme is unlike all reported discontinuous-modulation (DM) schemes where the input to the final stage of the inverter is a dc and not a pulsating-dc; further, in the HM scheme, switches in 2 legs of the ac/ac converter do not change state in a 60° cycle and switches in any one leg do not change state for an overall 240°. In contrast, for a conventional DM scheme, at most switches of 1 leg of the ac/ac converter do not change stage in a 60° or 120° cycle.
DYNAMICS BASED ON RISING REGGE TRAJECTORIES.

An outline is given of a dynamical scheme based on rising Regge trajectories. The fundamental approximation is that the scattering amplitude can be approximated by the contribution of a finite number of Regge poles. An additional simplifying assumption is that the Regge trajectories are straight lines or, equivalently, that the scattering amplitude is dominated by narrow resonances. Unitarity is introduced by means of the Cheng-Sharp equations, but, in the narrow-resonance approximation, we adopt a very trivial solution of these equations. Crossing is introduced by means of the generalized superconvergence relations due to Igi and to Horn and Schmid. Levinson's theorem is not used; the bootstrap condition is the absence of Kronecker-$\ensuremath{\delta}$ singularities in the $J$ plane. It is hoped that this scheme avoids some of the disadvantages of conventional schemes. In the narrow-resonance approximation one has to solve numerical equations, not integral equations. The scheme is applied to the pseudoscalar, vector, and axial-vector nonets considered as bound states of the $N\overline{N}$ system. As only one channel is being examined, we have to introduce certain parameters from experiment, but we obtain reasonable values for the other parameters.
Immigration and Educational Inequality: Examining Latino Immigrant Parents’ Engagement in U.S. Public Schools

More foreign-born people live in the United States now than ever before in the country's history. Immigrants from Latin America, primarily from Mexico, constitute the largest proportion of all immigrants. Schools are the main vehicle, sometimes the only one, to integrate immigrant families and their children into U.S. society. This article, argues, however that broader social inequities affecting Latino immigrants infiltrate the practices of the public school system, galvanizing educational inequality around (perceived) deficiencies of Latino families, including their immigration status, via subtle (and often not so subtle) exclusion of Latino parents from active participation in the schools. We argue that the constructs of language proficiency, socioeconomic status, immigration status, and race/ethnicity pose challenges to Latino children and parents in U.S. society and its schools. A convergence of these 4 constructs creates vulnerabilities that constrict the opportunities for many Latinos. This article...
Investigation of NOx and CO formation in lean-premixed, methane/air, high-intensity, confined flames at elevated pressures

The coupling between NOx formation chemistry and the mixing/transport environment is of critical importance to the design of lean-premixed gas turbine combustors but is incompletely understood. In the present research, this problem was addressed via the study of NOx formation in a high-pressure jet-stirred reactor operating on lean-premixed methane/air. These experiments focused on the effects of residence time (0.5–4.0 ms), pressure (3.0, 4.7, and 6.5 atm), and inlet temperature (344–573K). The combustion temperature varied from 1815±5 K at the lowest residence times to 1910±30K at the largest residence times. The NOx was lowest at intermediate residence times, reaching higher values at the extremes. Increasing pressure and inlet temperature tend to reduce NOx concentrations. Concentration profiling in the reactor suggests two general environments: (1) a highly non-equilibrium reaction zone defined by high CO concentrations, and (2) a postflame environment. The NOx formation was concentrated in the region of strongly non-equilibrium combustion chemistry. The Damkohler number was 0.06≤Da≤1, and the ratio of turbulent intensity to laminar burning velocity was 28≤u′/SL≤356, indicating the combustion occurs in the high-intensity, chemical rate-limiting regime. The results were interpreted using a two-environment, detailed chemistry model in which the size and structure of the flame environment were established by matching the measured data, and which were independently verified using turbulent flame velocity/thickness correlations. The modeling suggests NOx formation is controlled by both the specific conditions in the non-equilibrium zone and by the size of the zone. Since both these features are influenced by the experimental parameters, a highly nonlinear scenario emerges with implications for minimizing NOx via combustor design. The modeling also suggests the unique case of well-stirred combustion for NOx at elevated pressure is obtained at low residence time conditions.
Effects of strain rate on room-temperature tensile properties of Ni3Ge+B

It has been suggested that the embrittlement involves the reaction of reactive elements in the alloys with water vapor in air and the subsequent generation of atomic hydrogen that diffuses from the surfaces to the interior. Since the hydrogen diffusion is time-dependent, there will be a strain-rate dependence of the ductility. Ni[sub 3]Ge is chemically similar to those Ni-based L1[sub 2] type compounds, and so it was expected that this intermetallic would also show a strain rate dependence of ductility. However, the boron-free Ni[sub 3]Ge was so brittle that it was very difficult to obtain a yielding load. Therefore, in the present work, Ni[sub 3]Ge doped with 0.06 at.% boron was used to examine the effect of strain rate on the ductility.
On the origin of oil droplets in maturing castor bean seeds,Ricinus communis

Fat droplets isolated from maturing castor bean seeds contain high concentrations of fatty acid synthetase and triglyceride synthesizing enzymes. These activities are not due to contamination by other organelles and account for at least 80% of the total lipid synthesis. Electron microscopy of the isolated oil droplets and the seed tissue in vivo revealed particulate containing vacuole-like inclusions which, it is suggested, are the site of lipid synthesis and which form the original locus of the droplet.
Prostate antigen: A new potential marker for prostatic cancer

A prostate-specific antigen, distinct from acid phosphatase, was identified by immunologic procedures in prostate tissues (normal, benign hypertrophic, and cancerous) and seminal plasma, as well as in sera of patients with prostatic cancer and of nude mice bearing human prostatic tumor. This antigen was shown by immunoperoxidase staining to be confined to epithelial cells comprising the prostatic ductal elements. Prostate antigen was purified from prostatic tissue and seminal plasma, and it was shown to have a molecular weight of 33,000-34,000 with no subunit component. The isoelectric point of purified antigen was around 6.9, though several unpurified isomers with different isoelectric points also were observed. Serum-borne prostate antigen showed a molecular weight of 90,000-100,000 but it exhibited a molecular weight of 36,000 in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. A sandwich-type, peroxidase-linked immunosorbent assay capable of detecting 0.1 ng of the antigen per milliliter of blood was developed. With this technique, serum level of the antigen was found to increase in patients with prostatic cancer as compared with normal males. The prostate-specific antigen can be a useful marker for detection of prostatic cancer.
Analysis of factors affecting functional assays for estimating IF1, the mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor.

Functional assays for IF1 have been in use for more than 30 years, i.e., since the initial report of Pullman and Monroy in 1963 on the inhibition of soluble F1-ATPase by the purified bovine heart inhibitor. However, beginning with the report of Horstman and Racker in 1970 and for approximately 17 years thereafter, workers in many laboratories routinely used IF1-depleted bovine heart submitochondrial particles (SMP) prepared from slaughterhouse material for the assay of IF1-containing extracts and preparations. Then, in 1987 we introduced the use of submitochondrial particles prepared from a species naturally poor in IF1 for this purpose. Thus, rat heart SMP which are largely depleted of IF1 in their native state were found to allow the performance of particularly linear and reproducible IF1 titration assays regardless of the species source of the IF1 titrated on them. The present study presents the first systematic comparison of the effects of a variety of factors upon functional assays for IF1. These include variations in IF1 functional assays due to seasonal effects on bovine A particles as well as to the species source of the IF1-depleted particles used in the assays. Interestingly, bovine heart A particles prepared during cold weather were considerably more active than those prepared during warmer weather. Moreover, the more active cold-weather particles allowed the performance of better IF1 assays. Also, the larger the species of origin of the IF1-depleted heart muscle SMP, the less IF1 was required to produce a given amount of ATPase inhibition regardless of both seasonal effects and the species source of the IF1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)