cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unanticipated Improvement of Stiff Person Syndrome after severe COVID-19 (2397)

Objective: We describe a patient with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), who had only minimal improvement on weekly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for 3 years, but improved significantly after treatment with tocilizumab for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Background: NA Design/Methods: 51-year-old woman with history of Diabetes mellites and temporal lobe seizures, presented initially in 2014 with episodes of right leg stiffness, painful tonic spasms and falls. She was diagnosed with SPS in 2017. Her cerebrospinal fluid analysis was positive for anti-Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies. She was started on IVIG and botulinum toxin injections. There was only minimal improvement as she continued to have multiple episodes of tonic spasms daily and needed one-person support with a walker to ambulate. In April 2020, she was admitted for COVID-19 infection complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which necessitated intubation, sedation and mechanical ventilation. During her hospitalization she received hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, convalescent plasma and tocilizumab (400mg/2 doses at an interval of 2 weeks). After being weaned off sedation, she observed that stiffness of right lower extremity had significantly improved, and she no longer had any tonic spasms. She was able to walk without support and continued to do so at 3-month follow up. Her glucose control has also improved significantly requiring less insulin. Results: NA Conclusions: We hypothesize that tocilizumab is the likely cause of significant improvement in our patient’s condition. Anti-GAD antibodies are known to elicit T-Helper 2 response, which increases production of cytokines such as Interleukin (IL-4) and IL-6. Tocilizumab, an IL-6 inhibitor, has shown significant clinical improvement in patients with other autoimmune encephalitis who were refractory to rituximab in case-control studies. This has never been studied in SPS. We suggest that it may be a feasible option to consider for patients with SPS, who are refractory to traditional treatments including weekly IVIG Disclosure: Dr. Tofade has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shaulov has nothing to disclose. Dr. Surathi has nothing to disclose. Martha Mulvey has nothing to disclose. Dr. Marks has nothing to disclose.
Driver Assessment and Training in the 1980s and 1990s: An Analysis of the Most Cited-Publications

This study analyzed the most-cited publications in the area of driverassessment and training. The citation counts were obtained from both the ScienceCitation and Social Science Citation databases, which at the time of the analysiscontained a total of over 27 million items. The search was restricted to items thatwere published during the 20-year period from 1980 through 1999. The focus ofthe search was on the assessment and training of driving-related skills. Inaddition to documenting the most influential publications, the results are alsopresented in terms of changes over time by topic and by publication outlets.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Immune Modulators in VCA

In addition to their widely publicized regenerative properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also function as powerful immunomodulatory cells. They have broad impact on several critical features of both the innate and adaptive immune response that makes them attractive agents for use in clinical transplantation to decrease or eliminate the need for systemic lifelong immunosuppression. Preclinical studies in both solid organ and vascularized composite allotransplantation have demonstrated a definitive therapeutic potential to modulate the inflammatory milieu to suppress rejection, improve the host response to foreign antigens, and promote the generation of tolerogenic cell types. Although the clinical data are in its infancy, there is significant evidence that MSCs can modulate the recipient immune response to an allograft and facilitate peripheral tolerance. Herein, we discuss these novel properties of MSCs, their specific immunomodulatory functions on effector cells of the immune system, and their potential role in shaping a new paradigm in the approach to transplantation.
Complement receptor-mediated uptake and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated growth inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by human alveolar macrophages.

The relative phagocytosis and intracellular fate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) (H37Ra) in human alveolar macrophages (AM) and their precursors blood monocytes (MN) was investigated. Uptake of MTB by MN and AM was confirmed by electron microscopy. At an infection ratio of 100:1 (MTB:target cell), the percentage of infected AM and the number of MTB per AM was > MN (p MN (p MN). A polyclonal neutralizing antibody to TNF-alpha also increased MTB growth in AM. Thus, AM are more efficient in phagocytosis of MTB than MN, and uptake is mediated through CR4 to a greater extent than CR1 or CR3. The slowed replication of MTB in AM is associated with an increase in TNF-alpha production, and intracellular growth is promoted by pentoxifylline and neutralizing antibody to TNF-alpha. These data suggest that AM may play a prominent and efficient role in the primary defense of the lung in tuberculosis through CR-mediated uptake, predominantly CR4, and TNF-alpha-mediated killing of MTB.
The effect of peer assessment on project performance of students at different learning levels

Peer assessment has been increasingly integrated in educational settings as a strategy to foster student learning. Yet little has been studied about how students at different learning levels may benefit from peer assessment. This study examined how peer-assessment and students’ learning levels influenced students’ project performance using a two-way factorial design. One hundred and thirty teacher education students participated in this quasi-experimental study. When working on a technology-integrated lesson plan project, the experimental group completed an online peer assessment process while the control group followed the discussion method. Students’ learning levels were measured and divided into low, average and high achieving according to the quality of their draft lesson plans. Data analysis suggested that the impact of peer assessment on students’ lesson plan project seemed to vary according to students’ learning levels. While low- and average-achieving students showed significantly improved perform...
The Amino Acid Sequence of Δ5-3-Ketosteroid Isomerase of Pseudomonas testosteroni

Abstract The primary structure of the identical subunits of crystalline Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase (EC 5.3.3.1) of Pseudomonas testosteroni has been determined by standard procedures to be the following: [see PDF for sequence] Thus, each subunit consists of a single polypeptide chain of 125 amino acid residues. The subunit molecular weight, calculated from the amino acid sequence, is 13,394 or 33% of the ultracentrifugally determined molecular weight of the intact isomerase.
A systematic review of vision screening tests for the detection of amblyopia.

Objective. To review the test characteristics and the quality of evidence regarding available screening tests for the detection of amblyopia in preschool-aged children to help primary care practitioners select a screening strategy. Design. Systematic review of published studies. Data Sources. The MEDLINE database was searched from 1966 through January 1999 using a broad and inclusive strategy. A total of 9551 citations were identified. Study Selection. All studies that compared the results of commercially available screening tests in preschool-aged children to ophthalmologic examination. Data Extraction. The setting of the study, the age of the population, the type of screening test, criteria for a positive screen, criteria for the ophthalmologic examination, test characteristics, and measures of reliability were abstracted by 2 reviewers for each selected study. Data Synthesis. Four eligible articles were identified that studied the test characteristics of 3 screening tests. None of these studies were performed in a primary care setting. Each study used different criteria for failure of the ophthalmologic examination. None of the studies measured observer or test reliability. Conclusions. Few high-quality data exist regarding the performance of preschool vision screening. Important future work should include the development of a consensus gold standard ophthalmologic examination and evaluation of screening tests in the primary care setting.
On Glimpsing the Face of God in Maimonides: Wonder, "Hylomorphic Apophasis" and the Divine Prayer Shawl

It is common to interpret Maimonides as emphasizing the unknowability of God’s essence. In this paper, Sarah Pessin asks us to supplement this interpretation with the additional sense that God’s essence is also knowable for Maimonides. Analyzing Maimonides’ treatment of Exodus 33-34 and his treatment of the various ways of knowing and not knowing “God’s Face” and “God’s Back,” Pessin identifies “philosophical wonder” as a special state in which philosophers and prophets apprehend nature in such a way as to be filled with an awareness of God’s presence in the universe. After presenting passages of the Guide of the Perplexed which beckon to God’s knowability, she goes on to introduce “hylomorphic apophasis”—the idea that God, for Maimonides, is simultaneously manifest in and obscured by the materiality of nature. The essay ends with a consideration of Maimonides’ analysis of a Rabbinic verse about God’s wrapping himself in a prayer shawl.
Altered BOLD Response during Inhibitory and Error Processing in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

Background: Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) are often cognitively rigid and behaviorally over-controlled. We previously showed that adult females recovered from AN relative to healthy comparison females had less prefrontal activation during an inhibition task, which suggested a functional brain correlate of altered inhibitory processing in individuals recovered from AN. However, the degree to which these functional brain alterations are related to disease state and whether error processing is altered in AN individuals is unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings: In the current study, ill adolescent AN females (n=11) and matched healthy comparison adolescents (CA) with no history of an eating disorder (n=12) performed a validated stop signal task (SST) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore differences in error and inhibitory processing. The groups did not differ on sociodemographic variables or on SST performance. During inhibitory processing, a significant group x difficulty (hard, easy) interaction was detected in the right dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), right middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), which was characterized by less activation in AN compared to CA participants during hard trials. During error processing, a significant group x accuracy (successful inhibit, failed inhibit) interaction in bilateral MFG and right PCC was observed, which was characterized by less activation in AN compared to CA participants during error (i.e., failed inhibit) trials. Conclusion/Significance: Consistent with our prior findings in recovered AN, ill AN adolescents, relative to CA, showed less inhibition-related activation within the dorsal ACC, MFG and PCC as inhibitory demand increased. In addition, ill AN adolescents, relative to CA, also showed reduced activation to errors in the bilateral MFG and left PCC. These findings suggest that altered prefrontal and cingulate activation during inhibitory and error processing may represent a behavioral characteristic in AN that is independent of the state of recovery.
On the higher order transfer function of two-phase servomotors

By employing two reference frames for the motor equations, a sixth-order transfer function is developed for a two-phase servomotor, taking fully into account the electromechanical transients, rotor current and speed feedback, and unbalanced excitation with the reference winding excited continuously. In applications, the model can readily be approximated by a fourth-order transfer function. A numerical example illustrates the differences with several transfer functions available in the literature.
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)-independent microvascular angiogenesis in the aged rat brain

Angiogenesis is a critical component of mammalian brain adaptation to prolonged hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced angiogenesis is mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)-dependent transcriptional activation of growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Microvascular angiogenesis occurs over a 3-week period in the rodent brain. We have recently reported that HIF-1α accumulation and transcriptional activation of HIF target genes in the aged cortex of 24-month-old F344 rats is significantly attenuated during acute hypoxic exposure. In the present study, we show that cortical HIF-1α accumulation and HIF-1 activation remain absent during chronic hypoxic exposure in the aged rat brain (24-month-old F344). Despite this lack of HIF-1 activation, there is no significant difference in baseline or post-hypoxic brain capillary density counts between the young (3-month-old F344) and old age groups. VEGF mRNA and protein levels are significantly elevated in the aged cortex despite the lack of HIF-1 activation. Other HIF-independent mediators of hypoxia-inducible genes could be involved during chronic hypoxia in the aged brain. PPAR-γ coactivator (PGC)-1α, a known regulator of VEGF gene transcription, is elevated in the young and aged cortex during the chronic hypoxic exposure. Overall, our results suggest a compensatory HIF-1-independent preservation of hypoxic-induced microvascular angiogenesis in the aged rat brain.
Information systems auditing - going beyond compliance

Compliance to industry standards is just the minimum requirement for auditing. A critical analysis of the requirements of compliance reveals that auditing for compliance purposes should not be viewed as a onetime or an ad hoc effort. It needs to be done on a periodic basis. This paper argues that a comprehensive framework that goes above and beyond auditing is important and necessary for protecting information which is the most valuable asset of an organisation. Continuous auditing allows us to monitor the organisational processes that are in place for information protection and take appropriate actions to rectify them in the most efficient manner. Information security management team needs to view compliance requirements from the organisational strategy towards information assurance, and risk management perspectives in order to appreciate the benefits of compliance. This comprehensive view is important for every organisation that strives to improve its auditing process.
Micro-plasticity of surface steps under adhesive contact: Part II—Multiple-dislocation mediated contact hardening

Abstract The study of micro-plastic behavior of rough surface contacts is the critical link towards a fundamental understanding of contact, friction, adhesion, and surface failures at small length scales. In the companion paper (Yu, H.H., Shrotriya, P., Gao, Y.F., Kim, K.-S., 2007. Micro-plasticity of surface steps under adhesive contact. Part I. Surface yielding controlled by single-dislocation nucleation. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 55, 489–516), we have studied the onset of surface yielding due to single-dislocation nucleation from a stepped surface under adhesive contact. Here we analyze the contact hardening behavior due to multiple dislocations in a two-dimensional dislocation model. Continuum micro-mechanical analyses are used to derive the configurational force on the dislocation, while a modified Rice–Thomson criterion is used to model dislocation nucleation. Dislocations nucleated from the surface step are stabilized and pile up as a result of the balance between the resolved driving force and the non-zero lattice resistance in the solid. The dislocation pileup will exert a strong back stress to prevent further dislocation nucleation and thus lead to the contact hardening behavior, the degree of which depends on the slip-plane orientation. Particularly, we find that dislocation interactions between two slip planes can make the contact loading order-of-magnitude easy to nucleate multiple dislocations, which is thus named “latent softening”. A mechanistic explanation shows that the latent softening is closely related to the stress-concentration mode mixity at the surface step. Dislocation nucleation will modify the geometric characteristics of the surface step, so that the contact-induced stress state near the step, as described by the mode mixity, changes, which influences the subsequent dislocation nucleation. Our calculations show that the dislocation pileup on one slip plane can even cause the spontaneous dislocation nucleation on the other slip plane without further increase of the contact load. Furthermore, it is found that rough surface contacts at small length scale can lead to the dislocation segregation and the formation of a surface tensile sub-layer. The discrete-dislocation model presented here and in the companion paper provides novel insights in bridging the atomistic simulations and continuum plastic flow analysis of surface asperity contact.
Comparison between magnitudes and rayleigh wave spectra of Aleutian underground explosions and earthquakes

Abstract This study investigates the regionalized magnitude relationship between surface ( M s ) and body ( m b ) waves for 80 shallow earthquakes, three underground nuclear explosions (Longshot, Milrow and Cannikin) and a cavity collapse (Cannikin), all located along the Aleutian seismic zone and having body wave magnitudes between 4.8 and 6.8. The best fit M s : m b , relation for earthquakes shows a gradient of 1.1. The earthquake population separates by 1.0 to 1.5 M s unit from the explosions in the M s : m b relationship. The Rayleigh wave spectral amplitude in the period range of 10–50 sec, shows a decrease with decreasing M s , as expected. The explosion Milrow, though of smaller yield than Cannikin, released relatively higher long-period energy. The observed differences in spectral amplitudes for two nearby (≈100 km) earthquakes with similarly oriented underthrust focal mechanisms have been tentatively interpreted as due to focal depths.
Bounds for partitioning rectilinear polygons

We study the problem of partitioning a rectilinear polygon with interior points into rectangles by introducing a set of line segments. All points must be included in at least one of the line segments introduced and the objective function is to introduce a set of line segments such that the sum of their lengths is minimal. Since this problem is computationally intractable, we present efficient approximation algorithms for its solution. The solutions generated by our algorithms are guaranteed to be within a fixed constant of the optimal solution value. Even though the constant approximation bound is not so small, we conjecture that in general the solutions our algorithms generate are close to optimal.
Effects of a subanesthetic concentration of nitrous oxide on establishment, elicitation, and semantic and phonemic generalization of classically conditioned skin conductance responses.

Abstract Classical conditioning of skin conductance responses was studied in 16 men and 16 women breathing nitrous oxide or 100% oxygen to see how nitrous oxide affected establishment, elicitation, and generalization of conditioned responses (CRs). For CRs that had been established before gas inhalation, nitrous oxide blocked elicitation of “anticipatory” (long latency) but not “orienting” (short latency) CRs. Nitrous oxide appeared to prevent new CRs from being established during its inhalation, but learning evidently took place since anticipatory CRs could be elicited after nitrous oxide inhalation had ceased. Words were used as the conditioned stimuli and nitrous oxide altered generalization of CRs to other words related in meaning or sound, though generalization effects were limited. Nitrous oxide also seemed to reduce the efficacy of the unconditioned stimulus. The results were interpreted in terms of Rescorla's theory of classical conditioning.
Stationary room temperature MOS-C deep-depletion characteristics

A room temperature experimental technique which yields time-independent MOS-C C−VG deep depletion characteristics for both n- and p-bulk devices is described, explained and illustrated. The stationary deep depletion characteristics are obtained by making use of lateral charge transfer in a standard ring-dot structure after having controllably charged the interelectrode ambient-oxide interface. Technique limitations associated with the magnitude of the interelectrode charge, surface states, and minority carrier dynamics are also illustrated experimentally and analyzed theoretically.
Bringing simulation to life

Abstract As the complexity and acuity of patients are ever increasing, the faculty at Kingsborough Community College struggled to assure that their students will be qualified to safely care for their patients when they graduate from the nursing program. Because opportunities often were not available in the clinical setting, simulation was introduced into the curriculum to meet these needs. Simulation is an ideal teaching strategy for high-risk/low-volume events in a safe environment. This article describes the implementation of simulation into the nursing curriculum with emphasis on critical thinking in the clinical setting as well as debriefing and reflection at the completion of the simulation.
Selling the Promise of Change: The United Nations NGO Panel on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts

In 2013, The United Nations (UN) Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Committee for Human Rights and the NGO Committee on HIV/AIDS, in collaboration with the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO), organized the first UN panel on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE). The program was called Selling the Promise of Change: International Health and Policy Consequences of Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE). The event featured a panel of experts presenting on this controversial issue, providing a rigorous examination from different frameworks. The topic was reviewed from medical, political, international, legal, academic, personal, and religious perspectives. The author, who was the organizer of the event, gives a summary of the event and speakers.
Exocortis disease: subcellular distribution of pathogenic (viroid) RNA.

Abstract The pathogenic (viroid) RNA identified as the causal agent of the exocortis disease is associated not only with nuclei-rich preparations but also with a plasma-membranelike component of the endomembrane system. This distribution of CEV-RNA with subcellular constituents may reflect distinct phases in the host-viroid interaction, namely, a site of viroid-RNA synthesis and a site of accumulation resulting in the pathological condition. Properties of the membrane-associated CEV-RNA resemble those of the transmissible agent associated with the scrapie disease of animals.
Gas-Phase Coordination Complexes of UVIO22+, NpVIO22+, and PuVIO22+ with Dimethylformamide

Electrospray ionization of actinyl perchlorate solutions in H2O with 5% by volume of dimethylformamide (DMF) produced the isolatable gas-phase complexes, [AnVIO2(DMF)3(H2O)]2+ and [AnVIO2(DMF)4]2+, where An = U, Np, and Pu. Collision-induced dissociation confirmed the composition of the dipositive coordination complexes, and produced doubly- and singly-charged fragment ions. The fragmentation products reveal differences in underlying chemistries of uranyl, neptunyl, and plutonyl, including the lower stability of Np(VI) and Pu(VI) compared with U(VI).
The maturation-inducing hormone 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one regulates gene expression of inhibin βA and bambi (bone morphogenetic protein and activin-membrane-bound inhibitor) in the rainbow trout ovary ☆

Abstract Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) superfamily members are important paracrine and autocrine regulators of ovarian development and steroidogenesis in mammals and birds, but their reproductive roles in fish are not well understood. The activin system, Tgfb, and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (Bmp15) participate in the regulation of follicle maturation in some fish species. In addition, transcript levels of TGFβ superfamily members and their inhibitor, bambi ( bmp and activin-membrane-bound inhibitor), change in the rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) ovary during reproductive development including the transition from vitellogenesis to follicle maturation. The objective of the present study was to determine if the maturation-inducing hormone (MIH) in trout, 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, regulates gene expression of TGFβ superfamily members and their inhibitors. Transcript levels of inhibin β A subunit ( inhba ) were increased and bambi decreased in isolated follicles incubated overnight without hormones compared to abundance in freshly excised tissues from the same fish, suggesting systemic factors influenced transcript abundance. Incubation with MIH decreased inhba and increased bambi expression in a dose-dependant manner and MIH was the most potent steroid examined. The transcripts’ responses to incubation with and without MIH were observed in maturationally competent follicles, which are follicles competent to resume meiosis in response to MIH, and incompetent follicles, although the responses to MIH were greater in competent follicles. In summary, MIH regulates inhba and bambi expression in a stage specific manner supporting a role for MIH regulation of the TGFβ superfamily system and participation of the TGFβ superfamily system in the regulation of follicle maturation in rainbow trout.
Reaction pathways of halocarbon catalytic oligomerization

Abstract The hydrodechlorination of CH 2 Cl 2 , CHCl 3 , and their mixtures catalyzed by a Pt-Co/C catalyst has been investigated in an effort to elucidate the chemistry associated with the generation of hydrocarbon oligomerization products. Both saturated and unsaturated C 2 + hydrocarbons were observed with all three reaction mixtures, with the selectivity following the order CH 2 Cl 2 + H 2 3 + H 2 2 Cl 2 + CHCl 3 + H 2 . The results suggest that C 2 + paraffins are formed by means of the alkyl mechanism of hydrocarbon chain growth; whereas, the alkenyl mechanism is responsible for olefin formation.
Imaging the earth's magnetosphere: Effects of plasma flow and temperature

The effects of Doppler shifting on the line centers of the magnetospheric O(+) cross section are investigated, and the resulting structure of the scattering rate as a function of bulk density is explained. Whereas the Doppler shifting frequently results in a decrease of the scattering rate, it is demonstrated that for certain drift speeds the overlap of the cross section and the solar intensity profile can lead to an increased rate, thus enhancing the relative brightness of the image above that obtained when v(p) is zero. Simulated images of the magnetosphere are obtained which are used to show quantitively how the magnetospheric image responds to variations in plasma drift speed and temperature. Changes in the brightness of the magnetospheric images also depend on the variability of the solar flux at 83.4 nm. In regions where there are plasma drifts, the brightness in the image is governed by the structure of the scattering rate, assuming a fixed temperature.
Chemorepellent signaling through the PACAP/lysozyme receptor is mediated through cAMP and PKC in Tetrahymena thermophila

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide and lysozyme are potent chemorepellents which act through the same receptor in Tetrahymena. Using in vivo behavioral studies, we have found that the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide /lysozyme receptor appears to signal through a G-protein pathway which is mediated through both adenosine 3'5'monophosphate and protein kinase C. Avoidance to pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide and lysozyme is inhibited by the G-protein inhibitor, guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), the adenosine 3'5'monophate analog, Rp-adenosine-3', 5' cyclic monophosphorothioate, and the protein kinase C inhibitors, calphostin C and bisindolylmaleimide IV. A proposed model for signaling through the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide /lysozyme receptor is briefly outlined.
Coping with State Tax and Expenditure Limitation: The Oregon Experience

SINCE THE PASSAGE of California’s Proposition 13 in 1978, tax and expenditure limitation measures (TELs) have been widely used for altering the revenue systems of state and local governments (Joyce and Mullins 1991). Oregon’s Ballot Measure 5, a TEL passed in 1990, provides an opportunity to (1) identify some of the effects of a TEL on local governments and (2) examine how local officials try to cope with such measures. Oregon’s public sector has considerable experience with tax and expenditure limitations. A cap on the annual percentage increase in the yield of the property tax for local governments has existed for many years, and state law limits increases in the state government’s general revenues and expenditures. A growing displeasure with the property tax culminated in November 1990 with the passage of Ballot Measure 5, an initiative limiting property taxes. Ballot Measure 5 set a 1⁄2 percent property tax rate ceiling. The measure immediately imposed a 1 percent cumulative rate limit on Oregon cities, counties, and special districts (except school districts) and a fiveyear, phased reduction in the rate limit for school districts down to ⁄2 percent. Hence, after five years, the cumulative tax rate for all Coping with State Tax and Expenditure Limitation: The Oregon Experience
Classic “Outlet” Rectal Bleeding does not Require Full Colonoscopy to Exclude Significant Pathology

Purpose Full diagnostic colonoscopy often is performed to exclude significant pathology in patients presenting with rectal bleeding. In patients with classic “outlet” bleeding, defined as bright red blood after or during defecation, with no family history of colorectal neoplasia or change in bowel habits, we hypothesize that the diagnostic yield of complete colonoscopy will be low. The purpose of this study was to determine whether complete colonoscopy is necessary in the evaluation of patients with “outlet” rectal bleeding.
Reactivity of coordinated Ph2P(C5H5). Preparation of M(CO)6-n[Ph2P(C5H4Tl)]n complexes (M = Cr, Mo; n = 1, 2)

Abstract The interaction of C7H8Cr(CO)4 with two equivalents of Ph2P(C5H5) in hexane at 0°C gives trans-Cr(CO)4[Ph2P(C5H5)]2 (I) in high yield (80%). In CDCl3 at 30°C, I isomerizes to cis-Cr(CO)4(Ph2PC10H10PPh2) (II) quantitatively. Compound II can also be prepared in high yield (85%) by the interaction of trans-Cr(CO)4(Ph2PCl)2 with two equivalents of TI(C5H5) in refluxing toluene. Treatment of M(CO)6 (M = Cr, Mo) with one equivalent of trimethylamine N-oxide in THF followed by the addition of one equivalent of Ph2P(C5H4Tl) affords M(CO)5[Ph2P(C5H4Tl)] (III, M = Cr; IV, M = Mo) and M(CO)4 [Ph2P(C5H4Tl)]2 (V, M = Cr; VI, M = Mo). M(CO)4[Ph2P(C5H4Tl)]2 adopts a trans- and a cis-configuration for chromium and molybdenum, respectively. The M(CO)4[Ph2P(C5H4Tl)]2 complex can also be prepared conveniently either by the interaction of C7H8]M(CO)4 with two equivalents of Ph2P(C5H4Tl) or by the interaction of M(CO)4[Ph2P(C5H5)]2 with two equivalents of Tl(OEt) in THF.
Enhanced tensile strength for electrodeposited nickel-copper multilayer composites

The tensile strength of electrodeposited layered composites of the nominal overall composition 90 pct Ni-10 pct Cu is shown to increase sharply to the 1300 MPa range as the thickness of the Cu layers is decreased below ~0.4 ώm. This tensile strength value is almost a factor of three greater than that measured for Ni itself, and more than a factor of two greater than the handbook value for Monel 400.
WebDAV: versatile collaboration multiprotocol

The first installment of the new standards track explores the Web distributed authoring and versioning protocol. WebDAV supports remote collaborative authoring of Web sites and individual documents, remote access to document-management systems, and more. It is the most popular network file-system protocol for use across the wide-area Internet, and it has been integrated into existing authoring tools of many types. WebDAV defines a series of extensions to the set of methods defined by HTTP version 1.1 and contains a set of features that can be used in numerous settings.
Coal Flotation with Nonionic Surfactants

Abstract The flotation response of two high-sulfur coals to a variety of collectors was studied in detail using a 2-liter Denver flotation cell. In comparison with dodecane as the standard oily collector, the introduction of a benzene ring into the oily collector can significantly improve its collecting ability for coal. In our two series of compounds containing oxygenated functional groups, it was necessary to incorporate a benzene ring in the molecular structure in order to have an effective collector without die use of dodecane. The results showed that a much lower dosage of these nonionic surfactants was required to achieve the same coal recovery as compared with dodecane. Most important was the performance of these compounds as promoters for oxidized as well as unoxidized coal. Mechanisms of interaction of these compounds with coal are suggested
Associations of body mass index with meniscal tears.

Background Meniscal tears are common knee injuries, with limited reported data on associated factors, let alone risk factors. The objective of this study was to determine whether associations exist between increasing obesity and meniscal tears leading to surgery. Methods We performed frequency-matched case-control studies using surgical case data for years 1996 to 2000 from administrative databases of two large Utah hospitals; each case was matched with three controls from a large cancer screening trial. Meniscal tear cases (262 male and 282 female) were determined by surgical procedures. Inclusion criteria were age (50 to 79) and body mass index (BMI) (17.00 to 54.99 kg/m 2 ). Gender-specific, age-adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for BMI categories from Results Age-adjusted odds ratios for likelihood of meniscal surgery among those with a BMI of ≥40.00 were 15.0 (95% CI=3.8–59.0) for men, and 25.1 (95% CI=10.3–60.8) for women. All odds ratios for men and women with BMIs of ≥27.50 and ≥25.00, respectively, were statistically significantly elevated. Conclusions Significant associations were demonstrated between increasing BMI and meniscal surgeries in both genders, including obese and overweight adults.
Holographic And Finite Element Studies Of Vibrating Beams

Fundamentals of time average hologram interferometry and procedures for quantitative interpretation of holograms of vibrating beams are presented. Unification of the holographic method with the finite element method (FEM) is discussed, with particular emphasi on estimation and control of errors inherent in the numerical methods. These discussions are illustrated by representative examples of holographic and FEM studies of vibrating beams.
Compton scattering in strong magnetic fields: Spin-dependent influences at the cyclotron resonance

The quantum electrodynamical (QED) process of Compton scattering in strong magnetic fields is commonly invoked in atmospheric and inner magnetospheric models of x-ray and soft gamma-ray emission in high-field pulsars and magnetars. A major influence of the field is to introduce resonances at the cyclotron frequency and its harmonics, where the incoming photon accesses thresholds for the creation of virtual electrons or positrons in intermediate states with excited Landau levels. At these resonances, the effective cross section typically exceeds the classical Thomson value by over 2 orders of magnitude. Near and above the quantum critical magnetic field of 44.13 TeraGauss, relativistic corrections must be incorporated when computing this cross section. This paper presents formalism for the QED magnetic Compton differential cross section valid for both subcritical and supercritical fields, yet restricted to scattered photons that are below pair creation threshold. Calculations are developed for the particular case of photons initially propagating along the field, mathematically simple specializations that are germane to interactions involving relativistic electrons frequently found in neutron star magnetospheres. This exposition of relativistic, quantum, magnetic Compton cross sections treats electron spin dependence fully, since this is a critical feature for describing the finite decay lifetimes of the intermediate states. The formalism employs both the Johnson and Lippmann (JL) wave functions and the Sokolov and Ternov (ST) electron eigenfunctions of the magnetic Dirac equation. The ST states are formally correct for self-consistently treating spin-dependent effects that are so important in the resonances. Relatively compact analytic forms for the cross sections are presented that will prove useful for astrophysical modelers.
A stability property of symplectic packing

We prove that for any closed symplectic 4-manifold (M,Ω) with [Ω]∈H 2(M, Q) there exists a number N 0 such that for every N≥N 0, (M,Ω) admits full symplectic packing by N equal balls. We also indicate how to compute this N 0. Our approach is based on Donaldson's symplectic submanifold theorem and on tools from the framework of Taubes theory of Gromov invariants.
Writing histories of sexuality in the Middle East.

The study of histories of sexuality in the region that today we term the Middle East has only recently become a domain populated by historians, and much inno vative work continues to be accomplished by literary scholars, social scientists, and, recently, art historians. This interdisciplinarity results in part from the fact that our primary sources confound modern disciplinary taxonomies—we encounter chroni cles as literature, poetry as political satire, belles lettres as social commentary, painted images more sexually graphic than the written word—so that silences in one genre or field of study may be vocalized in another. Because literary texts, particularly of the medieval and early modern periods, openly engaged sexual matters, literary and philological studies preceded the more purely historical. The buildup to histories of sexuality was gradual. The opening of the rich Ottoman archives following World War II facilitated social history and so cially oriented political history (Iranian studies lacks a comparable archive). In the 1980s, women's and then gender history was a significant stimulus to exploration of social cultures, slavery, gender and politics, spatial configurations of gender, and so on. Important publications of the early 1990s focused specifically on the history of sexualities in the region, and since then the field has made steady if not spectacular progress. Some preliminary observations may help to advance this forum's goal of facil itating comparative and transnational histories. First, the term "Middle East" is not a wholly accurate label for the region covered here, and its narrowness masks the rich potential for transnational history-writing that the actual history of the region invites. Only in the nineteenth century, with the loss of territory to European empires and overseas colonial powers, does it become an appropriate label (leaving aside quibbles over the terminology "middle" and "east"). Until then, the eastern Med iterranean, the North African coast, the Balkans, the Danube principalities, the Black Sea region, and substantial parts of the Caucasus and Central and South Asia were critical domains incorporated by the empires—Ottoman, Iranian, and colo nial—that dominated from late medieval until modern times. The borderlands of
The relationship between plasma corticosterone levels and leverpress avoidance vs. escape behaviors in rats

Groups of rats were exposed to training procedures that produce leverpress avoidance (Experiment 1) or escape (Experiment 2) behaviors. Plasma samples were obtained by decapitation after 30 sessions, and corticosterone concentrations were determined and compared with those of corresponding yoked and nonshocked (time-in-box) groups. The mean corticosterone level of the “avoiders” was lower than that of their yoked mates and not different from that of their non-shocked mates. This indicated a reduction in their arousal level with mastery of the avoidance response, which could not be accounted for by the reduction in numbers of shocks received. The mean corticosterone level of the “escapers” was as high as that of their yoked mates, and both levels were higher than that of the nonshocked group.
Flux Adaptations of Citrate Synthase—deficient Escherichia colia

The results from the experiments performed with a mutant deficient in citrate synthase activity can be summarized as follows. (1) Totally blocking entry into the TCA cycle did not appreciably alter the cellular ATP yield. The unchanged yield suggests that for growth on abundant glucose, the sensitivity of ATP yield to TCA cycle flux is low. ATP production in the mutant is altered, in part, by modulating the relative amounts of formate and acetate produced. (2) The in vivo operation of pyruvate-formate lyase and malic enzyme corresponds to proposals developed from in vitro studies. Namely, pyruvate activates the former, and acetyl CoA inhibits the latter. Overall, the diversion of pyruvate to formate under aerobic conditions constitutes an adaptation of the mutant to the enzymatic lesion. The low alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase flux estimated for the mutant indicates that the enzyme is highly repressed in cells growing rapidly on glucose, which is in accord with prior induction-repression studies. Moreover, the lack of a change in uptake flux during the bulk of batch growth is consistent with prior induction-repression studies. (3) The mutant exhibits a heightened sensitivity to CO2 as compared to wild-type counterparts. Growth rate is increased, and the production of formate, malate, glycerate, and pyruvate is reduced. This sensitivity illustrates that citrate synthase is more than an expendable component in an amphibolic pathway. Its presence in wild-type cells "immunizes" against the effect of CO2 fluctuations. (4) The effects of CO2 can be tentatively explained by assuming that the PEP carboxylase-catalyzed reaction is stimulated.
Autophagy Works Out

Autophagy is generally considered to be a cytoprotective response to stress, whether in the form of nutrient deprivation or the presence of dysfunctional organelles. He et al. now show in Nature that exercise-induced autophagy is needed for some of the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism (He et al., 2012).
A comparison of cardiac resynchronization by sequential biventricular pacing and left ventricular pacing to simultaneous biventricular pacing: rationale and design of the DECREASE-HF clinical trial.

Abstract Background The first generation of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices approved for the treatment of heart failure used simultaneous biventricular (BiV) pacing to achieve ventricular resynchronization. Left ventricular pacing alone and sequential BiV pacing also show promise as alternative ways to deliver CRT, but have not been studied together in a large randomized trial. Methods The Device Evaluation of CONTAK RENEWAL 2 and EASYTRAK 2: Assessment of Safety and Effectiveness in Heart Failure (DECREASE-HF) Trial is a randomized, double-blind, 3-arm study of patients in New York Heart Association Class III or IV with an ejection fraction of 35% or less and a QRS duration ≥150 ms. Patients are randomized to receive either left ventricular pacing, simultaneous BiV pacing, or sequential BiV pacing. Conclusion The study uses a novel composite endpoint that combines peak oxygen consumption and left ventricular end systolic dimension, thus combining a measure of symptomatic improvement (peak oxygen consumption) with a physiologic measure of ventricular reverse remodeling (left ventricular end systolic dimension) into a single composite score. Additionally, the safety and effectiveness of the CONTAK RENEWAL 2/4/4HE/EASYTRAK 2 system will be evaluated using: heart failure-related adverse events; system-related complications; left ventricular lead-related complications; detection time of induced ventricular fibrillation; and left ventricular lead performance (pacing threshold, pacing impedance, and R-wave amplitude).
ASME Open Source Project: Prototype Re-Design and Conclusion of a Human Powered Water Purification Device

The Western Kentucky University Mechanical Engineering program partnered with ASME to host an Open Source student design project to develop a prototype water purification device in 2008. The project was funded by an ASME grant and is part of a continuing initiative by ASME to extend the relevance of their annual Student Design Competitions (SDC) and link student projects to societal concerns. The Open Source Project extended the 2007 SDC which required students to design and construct human-powered devices to purify water. The design challenge was inspired by Hurricane Katrina-like temporary disasters, but also addresses one of the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges for Engineering: provide access to clean water. Affordable and practical solutions are needed to provide drinkable water to people who do not have the equipment, power or other resources necessary to assure safe water supplies. During the spring and early summer of 2008, five students from various SDC teams qualifying for the 2007 SDC finals used their competition experience to develop a new design for a human powered water purification system. Team members were distributed at universities from Sweden to Venezuela to New Mexico, and therefore interacted via internet and teleconferences to refine the design. Ongoing work was posted to the ASME website, allowing people external to the team a chance to critique or contribute to the design. The team met at WKU in May to construct and test a prototype of the design. The initial prototype was able to purify water at 10 times the rate of any SDC devices, using a combination of passive sand filtration, solar heat collection and mechanical friction heating. While this was a marked improvement, the reality is that the human effort to purify this water is still excessive. The second generation prototype was completed by faculty, staff and students at WKU during the 2009 summer with the information learned and experiences gained from the initial prototype of the distributed team. This paper will discuss the evolution of the project design from the SDC to through the second prototype and the impact of the open source approach to the design process. The project represents ASME’s first attempt at executing an “Open Source” project, providing a forum for mechanical engineers around the world to contribute to solutions of critical social, economic and environmental problems. If the final design proves technically feasible, the Open Source team will seek support from the ASME Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation to commercialize the design.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A Technique for Testing and Evaluation of Aircraft Flight Performance During Early Design Phases

A technique is proposed for examining complex behaviors in the "pilot - vehicle - operational conditions" system using an autonomous situational model of flight. The goal is to identify potentially critical flight situations in the system behavior early in the design process. An exhaustive set of flight scenarios can be constructed and modeled on a computer by the designer in accordance with test certification requirements or other inputs. Distinguishing features of the technique include the autonomy of experimentation (the pilot and a flight simulator are not involved) and easy planning and quick modeling of complex multi-factor flight cases. An example of mapping airworthiness requirements into formal scenarios is presented. Simulation results for various flight situations and aircraft types are also demonstrated.