cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Artificial Lungs: Current Status and Future Directions

Although lung transplantation can be used to treat lung failure, limited donor organ availability creates a pressing need for improved artificial lung technology. This review discusses recent developments and future research pathways for respiratory assist devices and regenerative therapies intended to treat advanced lung disease. Hollow fiber membrane gas exchangers can be used to bridge lung failure patients to transplantation. Engineering improvements to such devices are on the verge of enabling longer term wearable systems that simplify and improve support. Progress with microchannel-based devices provides hope of smaller, more biomimetic devices that may even enable implantation; however, further development and testing are needed. Advances in cell-based technologies and tissue engineering have enabled early proof of concept of bioartificial lungs with properties similar to the native organ. Recent progress with artificial lungs has enabled better treatment as a bridge therapy. Continued advances in both engineering and biology will be necessary to achieve a truly implantable artificial lung capable of destination therapy.
On-Orbit Trending of CYGNSS Data

Shortly after its launch in December of 2016, the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation began producing estimates of sea surface wind speeds. With its unique remote sensing method and use of eight satellites, the constellation is able to produce winds with shorter revisit times and in more intense weather than other sea surface wind missions. As a part of the CYGNSS calibration and validation (cal/val) process, these estimates are routinely compared to other estimates in order to understand their uncertainties as well as to diagnose and develop corrections for calibration issues. This paper presents trending of CYGNSS data, focusing primarily on comparisons to numerical weather forecast model analysis wind speed estimates and inter-comparison of simultaneous observations within the CYGNSS constellation.
Defining Human Disturbance to Shorebirds Using Manager and Scientist Input

Shorebird researchers and land managers recognize human disturbance as a serious threat facing shorebirds. Yet, a common understanding of what defines human disturbance is lacking. To address this issue, we employed the Delphi technique, an iterative consensus-building social science method, to bring scientists and managers together to develop a shared definition of human disturbance and a list of priority human activities that could affect migratory shorebirds. During four iterative rounds, participants with extensive knowledge on human disturbance to shorebirds from varying geographic locations within the Northeastern U.S. worked together to produce a shared understanding. Through analyzing participants’ open-ended responses, we identified important themes for the definition. The participants then refined and ranked these themes through surveys, and the top-ranked themes were used to draft a final definition also reviewed by the participants. Participants provided 94 human activities in response to our request to list and describe all potential human disturbances that affect shorebirds during fall migration. From there, we grouped the activities into 23 categories. Through rating and ranking tasks, participants reduced this list to 12 priority disturbance categories that represent the perceived most significant human disturbances in the Northeastern United States. We also compared responses among the different participant groups (i.e., managers, scientists, and manager/scientists), finding that groups’ responses generally did not significantly differ. While nearly all participants were satisfied with the process, we provide some suggestions to improve it. The outputs of the Delphi technique have informed a best practices guidance document for shorebird management.
Complementary and Integrative Medicine for Pediatric Chronic Pain

In the current opioid crisis era, many integrative medical therapies can be used as complements to mainstream medicine to address pain and reduce opioid abuse and addiction-related disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines indicate that non-opioid therapy is the currently preferred method for managing chronic pain. In the United States, both clinicians and patients are trying to find non-opioid solutions for pediatric chronic pain by looking into complementary and alternative medicine. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health emphasizes the incorporation of complementary approaches into mainstream health care. Most of the available evidence on complementary and integrative medicine has been extracted from clinical trials involving adult patients. This chapter provides a critical review of the common complementary medical approaches that may prove beneficial for pediatric patients. The integration of complementary and alternative medical therapies in pediatric pain management programs is commonly being utilized. Of the available evidence, several treatment categories provided preliminary or strong positive evidence for the use of complementary therapies in children. As complementary therapies become more popular and integrated into mainstream health care, patients should be reminded to inform their physicians of its use and report any side effects that occur.
Dynamic optical beam induced current variation mapping: A fault isolation technique

Abstract In this paper, we describe the concept and applications of a dynamic laser stimulation technique based on optical beam-induced current (OBIC) variation mapping for global fault localization. A production tester exercised the chip dynamically while a 1064 nm wavelength laser interrogates the devices in the region of interest from the chip backside. OBIC variations at different test cycles are recorded for every scanned pixel and translated into a current profile. A post-processing scheme then determines the suspected defect location. Unlike laser-assisted device-alteration (LADA) which uses the same laser, this technique applies to hard defects localization. Five case studies will be presented as proof of concept.
Teaching research skills to student pharmacists: A multi-campus, multi-semester applied critical care research elective.

Abstract Background and purpose Research electives are commonly offered in doctor of pharmacy programs but are typically limited to one faculty member mentoring individual students at a single site for a semester long self-study experience. The purpose of this paper is to describe pharmacy student experiences and perceptions of the research process after completing a multi-campus, multi-investigator critical care research elective. Educational activity and setting The Research in Critical Care Pharmacotherapy elective was launched in spring 2019 and implemented a novel approach to the pharmacy research elective that promoted collaborative research across four campuses that may be continued for up to four semesters of credit. Findings Six second- and third-year doctor of pharmacy students enrolled in the course during the first offering. Three students were located on the main campus with one student on each of the extended campuses. Students completed a median of five unique research activities with at least one student participating in 15 of the 19 activities evaluated. Students were asked to complete a pre- and post-course survey assessing perceived research abilities using the Dreyfus model. There was a significant decrease in the number of novice responses in the post-course survey (pre- 10 vs. post- 2, p = 0.043). Summary A multi-campus, multi-investigator critical care research elective provided broad research experiences and increased student confidence related to numerous research skills.
Highly covalent metal–ligand π bonding in chelated bis- and tris(iminoxolene) complexes of osmium and ruthenium

The bis(aminophenol) 2,2′-biphenylbis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenylamine) (ClipH4) forms trans-(Clip)Os(py)2 upon aerobic reaction of the ligand with {(p-cymene)OsCl2}2 in the presence of pyridine and triethylamine. A more oxidized species, cis-β-(Clip)Os(OCH2CH2O), is formed from reaction of the ligand with the osmium(VI) complex OsO(OCH2CH2O)2, and reacts with Me3SiCl to give the chloro complex cis-β-(Clip)OsCl2. Octahedral osmium and ruthenium tris-iminoxolene complexes are formed from the chelating ligand tris(2-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)amino-4-methylphenyl)amine (MeClampH6) on aerobic reaction with divalent metal precursors. The complexes’ structural and electronic features are well described using a simple bonding model that emphasizes the covalency of the π bonding between the metal and iminoxolene ligands rather than attempting to dissect the parts into discrete oxidation states. Emphasizing the continuity of bonding between disparate complexes, the structural data from a variety of Os and Ru complexes show good correlations to π bond order, and the response of the intraligand bond distances to the bond order can be analyzed to illuminate the polarity of the bonding between metal and the redox-active orbital on the iminoxolenes. The osmium compounds’ π bonding orbitals are about 40% metal-centered and 60% ligand-centered, with the ruthenium compounds’ orbitals about 65% metal-centered and 35% ligand-centered.
Detection method for Fusarium torreyae the canker pathogen of the critically endangered Florida torreya, Torreya taxifolia

Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia Arn.) is an endangered conifer with a very limited range in the USA: two counties in Florida and one in Georgia, along the Apalachicola River. The species was once abundant in its small native range but suffered a major decline, ~99% loss, in the late 1950s to early 1960s that is thought to have been caused by a disease. Recently, a canker disease caused by Fusarium torreyae was identified as the primary cause of Florida torreya decline. Efforts to restore and preserve the species in situ and ex situ are hampered by lack of pathogen‐free planting stock, and there exists an interest in methods to verify pathogen presence in seeds and seedlings prior to collection and transport for planting. This paper presents a new species‐specific diagnostic method that enables detection of F. torreyae and may allow for conservation programmes to ensure germplasm is free of the pathogen prior to planting.
Evaluating Coupling Models for Cloud Datacenters and Power Grids

The rapid growth of datacenter (DC) loads can be leveraged to help meet renewable portfolio standard (RPS, renewable fraction) targets in power grids. The ability to manipulate DC loads over time (shifting) provides a mechanism to deal with temporal mismatch between non-dispatchable renewable generation (e.g. wind and solar) and overall grid loads, and this flexibility ultimately facilitates the absorption of renewables and grid decarbonization. To this end, we study DC-grid coupling models, exploring their impact on grid dispatch, renewable absorption, power prices, and carbon emissions. With a detailed model of grid dispatch, generation, topology, and loads, we consider three coupling approaches: fixed, datacenter-local optimization (online dynamic programming), and grid-wide optimization (optimal power flow). Results show that understanding the effects of dynamic DC load management requires studies that model the dynamics of both load and power grid. Dynamic DC-grid coupling can produce large improvements: (1) reduce grid dispatch cost (-3%), (2) increase grid renewable fraction (+1.58%), and (3) reduce DC power cost (-16.9%). It also has negative effects: (1) increase cost for both DCs and non-DC customers, (2) differentially increase prices for non-DC customers, and (3) create large power-level changes that may harm DC productivity.
Numerical Computation with Validation

In order to conform to mathematical standards, numerical computations should produce results accompanied by a guarantee of their validity, or else a statement that validated results could not be obtained. The problem of validation of numerical computations turns out to involve fundamental interactions between computer arithmetics, programming languages, and mathematical algorithms. Details of these issues are examined, and examples of successful self-validating computational methods are given.
Immunization with superantigen-derived oligopeptides protect against S. aureus bacteremia (VAC8P.1058)

Staphylococcal superantigens are exotoxins that play a major role in disease pathogenesis. Using a T cell epitope prediction tool from the Immune Epitope Database Analysis Resource (IEDB) site, sequences within staphylococcal enterotoxin A and B (SEA, SEB) and Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin with high affinity towards H2-Iab were identified and oligopeptides SEA_aa116-128, SEB_aa16-28 and TSST-1_aa212-224 were generated. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with a cocktail of oligopeptides or whole toxins in Al(OH) 3 . Serum samples from peptide-immunized mice tested positive towards individual peptides and whole toxins, however, samples from mice immunized with whole toxins did not bind to any of the peptides. To determine peptide-specific T cell response primed CD4 T cells isolated from spleens and total LNs of immunized mice were co-cultured with peptide-pulsed BMDCs and cytokine response was evaluated. Only cells of peptide-immunized mice resulted in elevated levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, GM-CSF, IFNg and TNFa, while cells obtained from whole toxin-immunized mice did not differ from baseline levels. To evaluate protective efficacy of peptides against toxin expressing strains, immunized mice were infected intravenously with MNHOCH (SEB+) or Newman (SEA+) and monitored up to 13 days. Mice that were infected with MNHOCH showed significantly extended survival compared to non-immunized mice ( P =0.03). No significant difference in survival was observed when infected with strain Newman.
Molecular characterization of fibroblast growth factor: distribution and biological activities in various tissues.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of molecular characterization and the distribution and biological activities of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in various tissues. FGF in the pituitary plays a nonmitogenic role in the maintenance of prolactin and thyrotropin responsiveness, while the same molecule in macrophages may promote wound healing and in the corpus luteum angiogenesis. It is based on the diverse biological activities of somatostatin in brain, hypothalamus, stomach, and pancreas and the wide distribution of numerous neuropeptides in both the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The concept is equally applicable to FGF and perhaps other growth factors that show a wide distribution in many tissues. The results presented in the chapter suggest that heretofore unidentified biologic activities may be related if not identical to acidic and basic FGFs. These would include ovarian growth factor, macrophage-derived growth factor, cartilage growth factor, tumor angiogenic factor, eye-derived growth factor, retina-derived growth factor, corpus luteum angiogenic peptide, follicular angiogenic factor, adrenal vascularizing factor, and endothelial cell growth factors.
Are x-rays the ultimate?

Abstract Radiations other than those of the electromagnetic spectrum or of sound may be used for neurologic diagnosis. These consist of beams of sub-atomic particles, particularly of protons and other heavy ions. With these beams radiographs of unusually high contrast are obtained for the visualization and differentiation of the soft body tissues at very low doses (down to approximately two orders of magnitude less than with x-rays). The method is practical for use in hospitals and has potential for screening purposes. The properties of these and other sub-atomic particles are reviewed for their diagnostic and basic research potential.
Security Assurance for Web Device APIs

There are currently proposals for web access to devices. The security threats are obvious. We propose design principles intended to ensure that the user actually controls access, despite potential errors in judgment, tricky web pages, or flaws in browsers.
Rape Trauma Syndrome

Symptoms of rape survivors were first noticed and reported by Burgess and Holmstrom in 1974, who coined the term rape trauma syndrome. The two noticed that victims of rape not only reported physical symptoms, but also numerous psychological effects of rape. Short-term effects for rape victims typically include fear, anxiety, and hypervigilance, as well as flashbacks and problems with romantic relationships. Long-term effects might include avoidance of places or people associated with the assault, emotional numbness, reexperiencing of the trauma through flashbacks or nightmares, and long-term relationship instability. Rape trauma syndrome has been debated in the field, especially with regard to whether it should be allowed as a topic of expert testimony. Rape trauma syndrome is not a psychological diagnosis, but individuals in the field equate it to posttraumatic stress disorder where the stressor is rape. Keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); rape; trauma
Barriers to managerial learning: lessons for rapidly changing organizations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers to managerial learning in rapidly changing organizations.Design/methodology/approach – The material presented in this paper is based on a focus group methodology designed to solicit the input of managers operating in dynamic organizations on the subject of factors that influence their ability to learn and develop.Findings – The study identified ten recurring barriers that prevent managers from learning and developing that included such factors as time pressure, lack of awareness, little or no performance feedback, lack of self‐reflection, and egos, among others.Research limitations/implications – Learning is difficult for most managers in normal times, let alone when their organizations are changing at a previously unseen pace. This study identified factors that damage the ability of managers to learn. This subject matter warrants further exploration as organizational structures, levels, and industries may influence the outcome of the findings...
Differential effects of cis-3-methylproline and trans-3-methylproline on actinomycin synthesis in Streptomyces antibioticus.

Abstract The cis and trans stereoisomers of 3-methyl-dl-proline appeared to inhibit actinomycin synthesis in Streptomyces antibioticus by different mechanisms. Inhibition by trans-3-methyl-dl-proline was reversed by chloramphenicol. The antagonistic effects of cis-3-methyl-dl-proline were prevented or partially reversed by chloramphenicol during the first 2 hours after addition of the inhibitor but became irreversible after this time period. As indicated by experiments in which tritiated imino acid was used, the trans, but not the cis, stereoisomer was incorporated into actinomycins. In both cases the protein fraction was labeled.
The Origin of the Milky Way and Other Living Stories of the Cherokee

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2008 Pages: 144 Publisher: University of North Carolina Press ISBN: 978-0-8078-3219-6 (hard cover). Prices: $19.95 USD(hard cover).
Regulatory Takings Issues: The Case of Grass Field-Burning Restrictions In Eastern Washington State

This chapter develops a framework for evaluating the constitutional feasibility and social efficiency of regulations that employ flexible incentives. A preliminary framework summarizes the principles that the U.S. Supreme Court applies to decide whether a regulation satisfies the constitutional protections of private property. The Court’s approach is assessed for its ability to promote socially efficient regulation and resource use. A modified decision framework is developed to better promote these objectives, which are applied to determine the constitutionality and economic efficiency of grass field-burning restrictions in eastern Washington State.
Elevated levels of polyamines alter chromatin in murine skin and tumors without global changes in nucleosome acetylation.

Polyamines affect nucleosome oligomerization and DNA conformation in vitro, yet little information exists regarding the influence of naturally synthesized polyamines on mammalian chromatin. Capitalizing on the relative inefficiency of a moderate ionic strength extraction buffer to dissociate histones, we obtained evidence of altered chromatin in transgenic mice that overexpress ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which catalyzes polyamine synthesis. Dissociation of histones from chromatin in ODC transgenic mouse skin, as well as in tumors that develop spontaneously in ODC/Ras bigenic mice, is dramatically reduced relative to normal littermate skin. This could reflect tighter tethering of nucleosomes to DNA or a more compacted chromatin structure due to elevated intracellular concentrations of polyamines since this effect is reversible upon treatment with α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a specific inhibitor of ODC enzymatic activity. Impeded release of nonhistone chromatin proteins HP-1β and nucleophosmin, but not Lamin B, HDAC-1, HMGB, HMGN2, or HMGA1, suggests that polyamines exert selective effects on specific chromatin protein complexes. Moreover, overall acetylation, as well as specific methylation, of nucleosomes in ODC mice is unaffected, implying that access by histone modifying enzymes is not generally restricted. The abnormal chromatin environment fostered by elevated levels of polyamines may be a necessary prerequisite for epithelial tumor growth and maintenance.
Observations on the phrenic nerves and the ductus venosus in human embryos and fetuses

Abstract The phrenic nerves, celiac plexus, and portions of the vagus nerves were studied in human embryos and fetuses which had been sectioned serially and stained with silver. The phrenic nerve gives off a branch to the plexus of nerves along the internal thoracic (mammary) artery. In some instances, a small ganglion was observed in the path of the phrenic nerve in the neck. In the root of the neck, communicating branches from the sympathetic trunk and ganglia were seen to join the phrenic nerves. Nerve bundles are described which pass between the celiac plexus and branches of the phrenic nerves in the diaphragm. Routes for fibers to pass from these nerves in the diaphragm to the sphincter of the ductus venosus are also described, as well as a route for nerve fibers from the vagal trunks to this sphincter. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Polymeric [Li(NO3)(monoglyme)]n

The title compound, catena-poly­[[(1,2-di­methoxy­ethane)­lithium(I)]-μ-nitrato-O:O′], [Li(NO3)(C4H10O2)]n, is a one-dimensional polymer. In the asymmetric unit, there are two Li+ cations and two monoglyme mol­ecules located on crystallographic twofold axes and one NO3− anion on a general position. Both cations are coordinated by two ether O atoms from a single monoglyme. In addition, one cation is coordinated by two bidentate anions, making a six-coordinate Li+, and the other by two monodentate anions, making a four-coordinate Li+. Each NO3− anion is coordinated to two Li+ cations, to one in a monodentate fashion and to the other in a bidentate fashion. The one-dimensional Li(monoglyme)NO3 chains are propagated by the 31 screw axis along the c axis, with alternating four- and six-coordinate Li+ cations.
INTEGRANDO LAS TECNOLOGÍAS GEOESPACIALES EN LOS PROYECTOS DE LOS ESTUDIANTES DE SECUNDARIA: EL SEMESTRE GEOESPACIAL

The Geospatial Semester is a geographical education activity focused on students in their final year of secondary schools in the U.S., acquiring specific skills in GIS, GPS and remote sensing. Through a methodology for project-based learning, students are motivated and involved in conducting research using geographic information systems and analyze, and even propose solutions, different processes, problems or issues spatial in nature. The Geospatial Semester university management not only ensures proper coaching, guidance and GIS training for teachers of colleges, but has established a system whereby students who pass this course of secondary education gain the recognition of certain credits from the University.
Connections of the Stria Medullaris and Habenulae

The stria medullaris is a fiber system which becomes evident just posterior to the septal region, from which point it arches dorsally and caudally along either side of the midline to the habenular nuclei. This fiber bundle interconnects a variety of structures from the septal, hypothalamic, and olfactory regions with more posteriorly located nuclei of the thalamus and the tegmentum.
Early and late menarche and risk of depressive symptoms in young adulthood

We investigated whether girls experiencing early menarche have an increased risk of depression during young adulthood. This study used data collected in the Growing Up Today Study (N = 9,039), an ongoing prospective cohort of the daughters of women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study II. After excluding girls who were postmenarcheal at baseline in 1996, <20 or ≥26 years old in 2007, or missing data on key covariates, the final sample size was 3,711. Self-reported age at menarche was collected annually. Depressive symptomatology was measured in 2007 using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D-10) score. Sixteen percent of girls (N = 596) reported high levels of depressive symptoms (CES-D-10 ≥ 14) in 2007. Neither early nor late menarche was associated with high depressive symptoms (for early vs. normative menarche, odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–1.38; for late vs. normative menarche, OR = 0.91, 95 % CI = 0.70–1.18) or with differences in continuous CES-D-10 score in young adulthood. Although previous studies suggest that girls with early menarche suffer from an increased risk of adolescent depression, this does not appear to persist into young adulthood.
Use of phenotypic suppression for direct selection of loss of aminoglycoside antibiotic resistance determinants.

A strain of Escherichia coli containing a conditional drug dependent arginine auxotrophy was used to select for the loss of plasmid and/or transposon encoded kanamycin (Km) or streptomycin (Sm) resistance determinants. Because these determinants inactivate the corresponding drug thus elminating drug suppression, loss of the drug-resistance determinants was selected directly by growth on minimal media plates containing sub-lethal dosages of the drug. This method was used to select loss of Km or Sm resistance determinants due to loss of plasmids, transposition from plasmid to chromosome, and eduction of transposons from the chromosome. Drug suppression was compared to phage PRD1 resistance in selecting for loss of plasmid vehicles during transposition and was found to be 10-1,000 times more efficient. Eighty percent of the eductant clones had undergone imprecise eductions suggesting that this method may be useful in selecting stable deletion mutants. An antibiotic suppressible strain of Pseudomonas stutzeri was obtained implying a broad utility of this selection procedure.
Physically present, mentally absent: technology use in face-to-face meetings

This work-in-progress discusses qualitative findings about the impact of portable technologies in collocated collaboration. Laptops, cell phones, and other handheld devices are both a distraction during face-to-face meetings, and at the same time allow spontaneous access to needed information. Interviews with fifteen professionals were conducted to elicit why and how these technologies are used in meeting settings. Responses across participants varied strongly and indicate that this emerging research area must look at the notion of context in new ways to support both individual and group needs.
Hypoxic ventilatory responses in rats after hypercapnic hyperoxia and intermittent hyperoxia

Abstract Perinatal hyperoxia attenuates the adult hypoxic ventilatory response in rats. Hyperoxia might elicit this plasticity by inhibiting chemoreceptor activity during early life. Thus, we hypothesized that stimulating chemoreceptors with CO2 during hyperoxia or interrupting hyperoxia with periods of normoxia would reduce the effects of hyperoxia on the hypoxic ventilatory response. Rats were born and raised in 60% O2 for the first two postnatal weeks. Two groups were simultaneously exposed to either sustained hypercapnia (5% CO2) or intermittent hypercapnia (alternating 1-h exposures to 0 and 7.5% CO2) while another group was exposed to only intermittent hyperoxia (alternating 1-h exposures to 21 and 60% O2). Hypoxic ventilatory responses were assessed at 6–10 weeks of age by whole-body plethysmography. Rats exposed to intermittent hypercapnia during hyperoxia or to intermittent hyperoxia exhibited greater increases in ventilation-to-metabolism ratio ( V ˙ E / V ˙ O 2 ) in response to 12.5% O2 than rats exposed to hyperoxia alone (both P
Absorbable hemostatic agents.

Purpose. The pharmacology, clinical efficacy, adverse effects and toxicities, drug interactions, dosage and administration, and safety issues related to the use of absorbable hemostatic agents are reviewed. Summary. Absorbable hemostatic agents exert their pharmacologic effects at various points within the coagulation cascade. These agents are indicated for use during surgical procedures as adjunctive therapy when bleeding is not controlled by conventional methods. Early clinical data on absorbable hemostatic agents revealed a beneficial effect with regard to controlling capillary bleeding, achieving hemostasis during vascular surgery, and controlling bleeding from fistula-puncture sites. Few randomized controlled clinical trials have directly compared available agents, but case reports describing the efficacy of absorbable hemostatic agents in specific situations, especially unlabeled uses of thrombin, abound. Existing trials have compared the efficacy of established agents with newer agents, including fibrin sealants, with varying results. A variety of rarely occurring adverse effects have been reported with the administration of absorbable hemostatic agents; some of these rare effects, such as paralysis, are quite severe. No standardized dosing regimens are available for these agents, although surgeons may have a preference for a particular regimen based on their own clinical experience. No drug interactions involving absorbable hemostatic agents have been published; however, the use of these agents with other medications that affect hemostasis may disrupt clot formation. Conclusion. Absorbable hemostatic agents are useful as adjunctive therapy during surgical procedures when conventional methods do not control bleeding. Although rare adverse effects have occurred with these agents, their careful administration will prevent serious adverse outcomes.
Thrust-chamber technology for oxygen difluoride/diborane propellants

Oxygen difluoride/diborane propellant thrust chamber and injector technology, discussing engine duty cycles and performance
Tensile fracture and thermal conductivity characterization of toughened epoxy/CNT nanocomposites

Abstract Rubber toughened epoxy/CNT nanocomposites were manufactured at different weight percents between 0 and 1% of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) using a high intensity ultrasonic liquid processor with a titanium probe. Mechanical properties of manufactured dog bone samples were measured in tension and the results indicated a maximum of 23% increase in the elastic modulus at 0.6% by weight of MWNT. However, the fracture strength showed a maximum decrease of about 11% as a function of increasing MWNT loading. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images from the neat samples revealed a distinct circular pit at the top left edge of the specimen with an overall tearing deformation causing the fracture paths. Comparatively, all nanocomposite samples on an average seemed to show a prominent brittle fracture with little or no evidence of circular pit formation. The amount of tearing deformation seemed to be enhanced in the nanocomposite specimens as compare to the neat ones. Finally, Transmission Electron Microscopy images indicated that different states of dispersion exist in all of the nanocomposite samples. The data showed that agglomeration of nanotubes increases as a function of weight percent. In addition to mechanical property characterization, thermal conductivity of all the samples was determined as a function of temperature between 30 °C and 100 °C using the 3ω method. The tested samples showed an almost 16% increase in thermal conductivity. The minimal enhancement in thermal conductivity has been analyzed from the standpoint of the Effective Medium Theory. Interfacial thermal resistances exhibit no order of magnitude changes explaining the conductivity results.
Study of Free Alternative Numerical Computation Packages

Matlab is the most popular commercial package for numerical computations in mathematics, statistics, the sciences, engineering, and other fields. Octave, FreeMat, and Scilab are free numerical computational packages that have many of the same features as Matlab. They are available to download on the Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X operating systems. We investigate whether these packages are viable alternatives to Matlab for uses in teaching and research. We compare the packages under Linux on one compute node with two quad-core Intel Nehalem processors (2.66 GHz, 8 MB cache) and 24 GB of memory that is part of an 86-node distributed-memory cluster. After performing both usability and performance tests on Matlab, Octave, FreeMat, and Scilab, we conclude that Octave is the most usable and most powerful freely available numerical computation package. Both FreeMat and Scilab exhibited some incompatibility with Matlab and some performance problems in our tests. Therefore, we conclude that Octave is the best viable alternative to Matlab because not only was it fully compatible with Matlab, but it also exhibited the best performance. This paper reports on work done while working for the REU Site: Interdisciplinary Program in High Performance Computing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
The legacy of early insecurity histories in shaping adolescent adaptation to interparental conflict.

This study tested whether the mediational pathway involving interparental conflict, adolescent emotional insecurity, and their psychological problems was altered by their earlier childhood histories of insecurity. Participants included 230 families, with the first of the five measurement occasions occurring when children were in first grade (Mage = 7 years). Results indicated that interparental conflict was associated with increases in adolescent emotional insecurity that, in turn, predicted subsequent increases in their psychological problems. Childhood insecurity predicted adolescent maladjustment 5 years later even after considering contemporaneous family experiences. Moderator findings revealed that adolescents with relatively higher levels of insecurity in childhood evidenced disproportionately greater and reduced levels of insecurity in the context of high and low levels of interparental conflict, respectively.
Two Statistical Parsing Models Applied to the Chinese Treebank

This paper presents the first-ever results of applying statistical parsing models to the newly-available Chinese Treebank. We have employed two models, one extracted and adapted from BBN's SIFT System (Miller et al., 1998) and a TAG-based parsing model, adapted from (Chiang, 2000). On sentences with ≤40 words, the former model performs at 69% precision, 75% recall, and the latter at 77% precision and 78% recall.
Genotyping for 21-hydroxylase deficiency: one or two genes?

We have devised nomograms relating the baseline and ACTH stimulable levels of 17-OHP, Δ 4-androstenedione and testosterone for genotyping 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The nomograms provide a method for classifying the patient with congenital, late onset or cryptic 21-hydroxylase deficiency as well as classifying the heterozygotes for each of these disorders. In addition, the subject predicted by HLA genotyping to be genetically unaffected can also be classified by these nomograms. Further the nomograms permit us to obtain evidence for genetic recombination between HLA and the 21-hydroxylase locus. For example a patient predicted by initial HLA genotyping to be unaffected was classified by the nomogram to be a heterozygote. When HLA-DR typing was performed an informative maternal HLA A:DR recombination was discovered. This recombination explained the heterozygote response of this subject. In another family a maternal DR:GLO recombination was found in an asymptomatic sister who was HLA identical to the patient with late onset 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Although most recombinants have mapped the gene for 21-hydroxylase between B and DR, this DR:GLO recombination presents evidence that there may also be a 21-hydroxylase locus between the DR-GLO loci. The nomograms thus provide a powerful tool to determine the 21-hydroxylase genotype by hormonal testing and assist in mapping the gene for 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
The school-based violence prevention planning program: a pilot test

Despite a growing research literature identifying evidence-based prevention strategies, schools often adopt programs lacking evidentiary support (Gottfredson and Gottfredson, 2002; Ringwalt et al., 2002). Further, when evidence-based programs are adopted they often suffer from poor implementation (Gottfredson and Gottfredson, 2002). This gap between research and practice defines a need for efforts to further the dissemination and effective implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies. The School-Based Violence Prevention Planning Program (SBV3P) is designed to improve the dissemination of evidence-based prevention strategies by building the capacity of school personnel to identify and effectively implement violence prevention strategies that have substantial empirical support. In this program, prevention planning teams from schools create violence prevention plans by progressing through a structured planning framework emphasizing data-driven decision making and the use of empirically validated violence prevention strategies. To build capacity, participating teams are provided with training, technical assistance, and online resources. Here we present the SBV3P and review a pilot test of this program.
Pressure Ulcers in Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury

Pressure ulcers can be a devastating complication of pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI). In addition to the medical and surgical consequences, pressure ulcers interfere with education, employment, ...
The heuristic role of sewall Wright's 1932 adaptive landscape diagram

Sewall Wright’s adaptive landscape is the most influential heuristic in evolutionary biology. Wright’s biographer, Provine, criticized Wright’s adaptive landscape, claiming that its heuristic value is dubious because of deep flaws. Ruse has defended Wright against Provine. Ruse claims Provine has not shown Wright’s use of the landscape is flawed, and that, even if it were, it is heuristically valuable. I argue that both Provine’s and Ruse’s analyses of the adaptive landscape are defective and suggest a more adequate understanding of it.
Circadian clock genes: Effects on dopamine, reward and addiction

Addiction is a widespread public health issue with social and economic ramifications. Substance abuse disorders are often accompanied by disruptions in circadian rhythms including sleep/wake cycles, which can exacerbate symptoms of addiction and dependence. Additionally, genetic disturbance of circadian molecular mechanisms can predispose some individuals to substance abuse disorders. In this review, we will discuss how circadian genes can regulate midbrain dopaminergic activity and subsequently, drug intake and reward. We will also suggest future directions for research on circadian genes and drugs of abuse.
Homosexuality, type 1: an Xq28 phenomenon.

Despite the absence of phenotypic manifestations in alternating generations characteristic of X-linked disorders, a thesis is presented that a major type of Kinsey grades 5 and 6 male homosexuality is determined by a gene in the Xq28 region. A total of 133 families in 78 kinships of male and female homosexual probands, in addition to 116 families (including those of 40 famous homosexuals) from the literature, revealed an unbalanced secondary sex ratio in the maternal generation of male, but not of female, homosexuals. On the maternal side, in this study, the ratio of all uncles to all aunts of 90 males homosexuals was 132/209, χ2 = 8.52, p = 0.004. On the maternal side for the total of all sources, the ratio of uncles to aunts of male homosexuals was 241/367, χ2 = 13.20; p < 0.0001. The male/female ratio of the total number of maternal sibships bearing homosexuals (310/628: 0.491) was a measure of fetal wastage of the mothers' male sibs: 49%. This ratio was very close to that of the total number of children born to fathers affected with any one of nine Xq28-linked male semilethal conditions (255/508: ratio 0.556); for the difference between the two populations χ2 = 0.859, p = 0.354. The male/female ratio of the total number of children born to female carriers of any one of these same conditions (1,232/1,062: ratio 1.16), χ2 = 13.8 p ≤0.0001, is close to that of the total number of children in homosexual sibships: 511/413, χ2 = 10.4, p = 0.005. Between the number of children born to Xq28 mothers and to those born of mothers of homosexuals χ2 = 0.581, p = 0.446. One may readily surmise that the maternal influence so often related to homosexuality may lie in the mother being a genetic carrier, with traits thereto associated. In this study, 65% of the mothers of homosexuals had no or only one live-born brother. Additional support for a genetic hypothesis is found in the occurrence of multiple instances—almost exclusively among maternal relatives—of infertility, spontaneous abortions, miscarriages, stillbirths, remaining single past age 30, and suicide. Of 109 male and 43 female homosexual index cases in the present series there were 6 instances of brother/sister homosexual sibships. Instances of homosexual parent-to-homosexual child transmission occurred as follows: one father-to-son; one father-to-daughter; one bisexual father-son; one father/mother-to-2 sons; one of mother-to-son, and one of father-to-son and father-to-bisexual daughter. There were 16 instances of presumptive transmissions from heterosexual father-to-homosexual son and 5 of heterosexual father-to-homosexual daughter. A hypothesis is proposed: Homosexuality is due to a gene at Xq28 characterized by (i) elongated cytosine-containing trinucleotide repeats upstream to translation of a gene, (ii) elongated CpG islands upstream of the trinucleotides, and (iii) cytosine methylation of CpG islands and of the cytosine-containing trinucleotides.
THERMOELASTIC STRESSES ASSOCIATED WITH A TRIAXIAL ELLIPSOIDAL CAVITY

Expressions for the state of stress associated with an ellipsoidal cavity in an infinite elastic medium are derived for the case of uniform temperature on the cavity surface. Specialization of the general stress solutions to determine the stress intensity factors for elliptic cracks is accomplished by collapsing the cavity to the case of a very flat ellipsoidal cavity (c ↦0 )Of Numerical results revealing the ellipsoidal-cavity thermal-stress concentrations and profiles are presented.
HBV + HCV = HCC?

See article on page 284 Most people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop a chronic infection with persistent viraemia and are at risk of progressive liver damage. However, the outcome of chronic HCV infection is extremely variable and is influenced by many factors, including HCV genotype, HCV viral load, route of infection, age at infection, sex, and alcohol consumption. Ultimately, it is the progression to cirrhosis that is the key determinant of both morbidity and mortality1 and a better understanding of additional influences likely to promote this development is needed. Both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV are transmitted parenterally and coinfection is not uncommon, particularly in intravenous drug users and in countries with a high prevalence of HBV infection.2Coinfection with evidence of chronic HBV and HCV seems to result in more severe liver disease than either infection alone,3with an increased risk of liver cancer2 and probably an increased risk of fulminant hepatitis when superinfection with HCV occurs on the background of chronic HBV.4 The presence of hepatitis B surface and/or hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBs and anti-HBc) …
Generation of a 96 GHz Pulse Train through On-Chip Pulse Shaping of an Optical Frequency Comb

We demonstrate a 4-channel Si3N4 pulse shaper capable of 2π-phase tuning and 25dB-amplitude control in each channel. A 96 GHz pulse train is generated through pulse shaping of an optical frequency comb.
Clinical Evidence: Metastases can Metastasize

We report the unusual case of a 52-year-old female with known stable metastatic ovarian cancer presenting with a new, rapidly growing gastric metastasis, leading to surgical resection. Histologic assessment of the specimen revealed evidence of submucosal and intramuscular metastatic disease originating from a metastatic lesion and not from the primary tumor. This case represents one of an otherwise rarely documented clinical scenario that a metastatic focus can itself metastasize.
Calcium-dependent, slow desensitization distinguishes different types of glutamate receptors.

1. L-Glutamate, the most likely transmitter of rapid excitatory synaptic interactions in the brain and spinal cord, is a potent neurotoxin. Mechanisms that terminate the action of glutamate are, therefore, likely to be important for maintaining the integrity of glutaminoceptive neurons. In this study, we show that glutamate currents evoked in voltage-clamped chick motoneurons fade during prolonged or repeated application of glutamate by pressure ejection from nearby pipettes. 2. The magnitude of the decline depends on the Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio in the extracellular medium. With Ca2+ = 10.0 mM and no added Mg, the steady-state glutamate current amounted to 50% of the initial value. 3. Single-channel measurements indicate that the fade is due to receptor desensitization rather than to agonist-induced channel blockade, as the mean channel open time within bursts is independent of the agonist concentration. 4. Application of more selective agonists showed that Ca2+-dependent slow densensitization involved only G1 (NMDA) receptors. G2 responses (activated by kainate and quisqualate) did not exhibit this slow phase of desensitization under the same conditions.
Effects of the microbial siderophore DFO-B on Pb and Cd speciation in aqueous solution.

This study investigates the complexation environments of aqueous Pb and Cd in the presence of the trihydroxamate microbial siderophore, desferrioxamine-B (DFO-B) as a function of pH. Complexation of aqueous Pb and Cd with DFO-B was predicted using equilibrium speciation calculation. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy at Pb L(III) edge and Cd K edge was used to characterize Pb and Cd-DFO-B complexes at pH values predicted to best represent each of the metal-siderophore complexes. Pb was not found to be complexed measurably by DFO-B at pH 3.0, but was complexed by all three hydroxamate groups to form a totally 'caged' hexadentate structure at pH 7.5-9.0. At the intermediate pH value (pH 4.8), a mixture of Pb-DFOB complexes involving binding of the metal through one and two hydroxamate groups was observed. Cd, on the other hand, remained as hydrated Cd{sup 2+} at pH 5.0, occurred as a mixture of Cd-DFOB and inorganic species at pH 8.0, and was bound by three hydroxamate groups from DFO-B at pH 9.0. Overall, the solution species observed with EXAFS were consistent with those predicted thermodynamically. However, Pb speciation at higher pH values differed from that predicted and suggests that published constants underestimate the bindingmore » constant for complexation of Pb with all three hydroxamate groups of the DFO-B ligand. This molecular-level understanding of metal-siderophore solution coordination provides physical evidence for complexes of Pb and Cd with DFO-B, and is an important first step toward understanding processes at the microbial- and/or mineral-water interface in the presence of siderophores.« less