cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer keyboards and faucet handles as reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens in the intensive care unit.

Abstract Purpose: We postulate that computer keyboards and faucet handles are significant reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Methods: Sterile swab samples were obtained from 10 keyboards and 8 pairs of faucet handles in the medical ICU at Tripler Army Medical Center during a period of 2 months. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) obtained from the environmental and patient specimens were sent for DNA identification by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results: A total of 144 samples were obtained (80 keyboards and 64 faucet handles), yielding 33 isolates. The colonization rate for keyboards was 24% for all rooms and 26% in occupied rooms. Rates for faucet handles in all rooms and occupied rooms were 11% and 15%, respectively. The environmental isolates annd their prevalence were: MRS, 49%; Enterococcus, 18%; Enterobacter, 12%; and all other gram-negative rods, 21%. Fourteen individual patient isolates were recorded: MRSA, 43%; Enterobacter, 21%; other gram-negative rods, 36%; and Enterococcus, 0%. By using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, an indistinguishable strain of MRSA was identified in two patients, the keyboards and faucet handles in their respective rooms, and on other keyboards throughout the ICU, including the doctors' station. Conclusions: The colonization rate for keyboards and faucet handles, novel and unrecognized fomites, is greater than that of other well-studied ICU surfaces in rooms with patients positive for MRSA. Our findings suggest an associated pattern of environmental contamination and patient infection, not limited to the patient's room. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results have documented an indistinguishable strain of MRSA present as an environmental contaminant on these two fomites and in two patients with clinical infections patients during the same period. We believe these findings add evidence to support the hypothesis that these particular surfaces may serve as reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens and vectors for cross-transmission in the ICU setting. New infection control policies and engineering plans were initiated on the basis of our results. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 2000;28:465-70)
Infrared studies of reaction of ethylene with syngas on Ni/SiO2

Ni/SiO2, a methanation catalyst, has been shown to exhibit CO insertion activity. In situ infrared studies of CO/H2 and C2H4/CO/H2 reactions on Ni/SiO2 show that carbonylation of Ni/SiO2 to Ni(CO)4 leads to an inhibition of methanation in CO hydrogenation but an enhancement of formation of propionaldehyde in the C2H4/CO/H2 reaction.
On the existence of weakly interacting charge-retention currents

Abstract Cross sections and cross-section ratios of strangeness conserving reactions and expressions for ratios and branching ratios of strangeness changing decays are presented, which can serve as tests of the existence of weakly interacting nucleon and lepton currents of the charge-retention variety, and of the selection rules which govern them. The calculations are principally based on two interaction models within the framework of isospace; as to the nucleon-lepton inteaction, one model is charge-independent while the other involves only neutral currents in addition to charge-exchange currents. The strangeness changing currents are assumed to obey the ΔI = 1 2 rule.
Barrett's oesophagus: Frequency and prediction of dysplasia and cancer

The incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma is continuing to increase at an alarming rate in the Western world today. Barrett's oesophagus is a clearly recognized risk factor for the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, but the overwhelming majority of patients with Barrett's oesophagus will never develop oesophageal cancer. A number of endoscopic, histologic and epidemiologic risk factors identify Barrett's oesophagus patients at increased risk for progression to high-grade dysplasia and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic factors include segment length, mucosal abnormalities as seemingly trivial as oesophagitis and the 12 to 6 o'clock hemisphere of the oesophagus. Both intestinal metaplasia and low grade dysplasia, the latter only if confirmed by a pathologist with expertise in Barrett's oesophagus pathologic interpretation are the histologic risk factors for progression. Epidemiologic risk factors include ageing, male gender, obesity, and smoking. Factors that may protect against the development of adenocarcinoma include a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and the use of proton pump inhibitors, aspirin/NSAIDs and statins.
Integrative genomics identifies MCU as an essential component of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter

Mitochondria from diverse organisms are capable of transporting large amounts of Ca(2+) via a ruthenium-red-sensitive, membrane-potential-dependent mechanism called the uniporter. Although the uniporter's biophysical properties have been studied extensively, its molecular composition remains elusive. We recently used comparative proteomics to identify MICU1 (also known as CBARA1), an EF-hand-containing protein that serves as a putative regulator of the uniporter. Here, we use whole-genome phylogenetic profiling, genome-wide RNA co-expression analysis and organelle-wide protein coexpression analysis to predict proteins functionally related to MICU1. All three methods converge on a novel predicted transmembrane protein, CCDC109A, that we now call 'mitochondrial calcium uniporter' (MCU). MCU forms oligomers in the mitochondrial inner membrane, physically interacts with MICU1, and resides within a large molecular weight complex. Silencing MCU in cultured cells or in vivo in mouse liver severely abrogates mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake, whereas mitochondrial respiration and membrane potential remain fully intact. MCU has two predicted transmembrane helices, which are separated by a highly conserved linker facing the intermembrane space. Acidic residues in this linker are required for its full activity. However, an S259A point mutation retains function but confers resistance to Ru360, the most potent inhibitor of the uniporter. Our genomic, physiological, biochemical and pharmacological data firmly establish MCU as an essential component of the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter.
Self-Rated Health Changes, Trajectories, and Their Antecedents Among African Americans

Objective: Little is known about changes in self-rated health (SRH) among African Americans. Method: We examined SRH changes and trajectories among 998 African Americans 49 to 65 years old who we r...
Thermal expansion of copper, silver, and gold below 30 K

A variable transformer technique has been used to determine the linear thermal expansion coefficients of the noble metals from 4 to 30 K. The precision of the data initially was ±0.04 A, and this was later increased to ±0.015 A, resulting in a sensitivity of approximately 2×10−11 for relative length changes of a 10-cm-long sample. The results agree at all temperatures (to better than 5%) with those of White and Collins who used a differential capacitor technique. The differences are 2% or less above 20 K for Cu, above 8 K for Ag, and at all temperatures for Au. The differences between the two sets of data for the three metals are not systematic (αWC greater for Cu, less for Ag) and may be due to differences in sample purity since much larger low-temperature anomalies were found within each set for certain samples of Cu and Ag. The resulting electronic Gruneisen parameters γe and theT=0 lattice Gruneisen parameters γ0 are as follows: $$\begin{gathered} copper \gamma _{\text{e}} = 0.91 \pm 0.05 \gamma _{\text{0}} = 1.67 \pm 0.02 \hfill \\ silver \gamma _{\text{e}} = 1.18 \pm 0.15 \gamma _{\text{0}} = 2.29 \pm 0.03 \hfill \\ gold \gamma _{\text{e}} = 1.6 \pm 0.5 \gamma _{\text{0}} = 2.96 \pm 0.04 \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ The values of γ0 are in reasonable (5% at worst) agreement with elastic constant values.
Self-organized networks and lattice effects in high-temperature superconductors

The self-organized dopant percolative filamentary model, entirely orbital in character (no fictive spins), explains quantitatively and uniquely chemical trends in superconductive transition temperatures ${T}_{c}$, assuming that Cooper pairs are formed near soft dopants because there attractive electron-phonon pairing interactions outweigh repulsive Coulomb interactions. According to rules previously used successfully for network glasses, the host networks are marginally stable mechanically. The high ${T}_{c}$'s are caused by softening of the host network, enormously enhanced by large electron-phonon interactions at even softer interlayer dopants for states near the Fermi energy. Background inhomogeneities (antiferroelectric pseudogap regions) produce percolative ``hydrodynamic'' features in phase diagrams. The model is especially successful in describing the appearance of giant magnetic vortex ``precursive'' effects at temperatures $\ensuremath{\sim}2{T}_{c}$ far above the superconductive transition temperature ${T}_{c}$. The anomalous precursive temperature-dependent strains observed by extended x-ray-absorption fine structure are associated with relaxation of filamentary ends. Abrupt transitions at optimal doping are observed in time-resolved picosecond relaxation spectroscopy at $1.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$, and these are explained as well using no new assumptions and no adjustable parameters. The theory resolves the mystery of the vanishing isotope effect at optimal doping. Both broad and detailed features of global atomic-scale tunneling characteristics reported in 2007 in underdoped cuprates are in excellent agreement with the lateral and/or vertical zigzag filamentary model discussed in 1990.
Separation of a hydrolase from a pectic acid transeliminase in cell extracts of a Bacillus.

IN the past few years it has become increasingly evident that the principal mechanism involved in bacterial breakdown of pectic substances is a transelimination reaction resulting in the formation of unsaturated uronides1–5. So far as we know, no one has isolated a true hydrolase from bacteria. The presence of a hydrolase, however, can be deduced from the results obtained by Preiss and Ashwell3. Based mainly on the products found, they concluded that the cell extracts of a pseudomonad must have contained both transeliminase and hydrolase activities. These investigators did not isolate the hydrolase.
Temperature effects on enzyme-catalyzed reactions within a cell: Monte Carlo simulations for coupled reaction and diffusion

Abstract We report Monte Carlo simulations of temperature effects on single-step enzymatic reactions with varied rate constants and diffusion coefficients. For typical systems, where the intrinsic reaction rate is more sensitive to temperature than diffusion, the overall reaction is rate-limited at low temperatures and diffusion-limited at high temperatures. The effective activation energy shifts to a much lower value as temperature is increased. Our results show that the temperature dependence of enzyme-catalyzed reactions within a cell may be only loosely related to a potential energy barrier height. The effective activation energy may be strongly affected by coupling of reaction and diffusion.
High variability in Summative Usability Test methods & reporting among clinical informatics vendors complying with Federal certification requirements

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has been tasked with managing the integration of usability best practices into electronic health record development but, has provided little guidance on how to conduct Summative Usability Testing (SUT). We reviewed three aspects of SUT in four publicly available SUT vendor reports. Significant deviations from human factors engineering (HFE) and user-centered design (UCD) best practices and clear methodological errors were found in all four reports. The main sources of variation involved non-representative participant selection, instructions that led participant performance, and varied interpretation of results reporting requirements. Although ONC has made significant gains in implementing best practice UCD approaches, more explicit guidance may be needed to enhance integrity and reduce variation. As part of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, the federal government commissioned the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to develop and implement guidelines for integrating usability engineering into electronic health record (EHR) development. To strengthen the implementation process and increase EHR safety, summative usability testing (SUT) and subsequent public reporting was, for the first time, a requirement for EHR certification by the ONC prior to establishing Meaningful Use Stage 2 (MU2) compliance. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the SUT methods used by four vendors against established usability testing practices as a means for broadening discussion about EHR usability priorities. Usability engineering is mandated by the ONC’s Safetyenhanced Design criteria found in the Code of Federal Regulations §170.314(g)(3). Under this criterion, EHR developers are required to demonstrate a user-centered design (UCD) process and evaluate the safety and usability of eight capabilities through SUT. Collectively, the eight functions cover clinical information recording and reconciliation, computerized provider order entry, electronic prescribing, electronic medication administration and documentation, and seven clinical decision support functions such as prompts to recommend routine preventive screenings, out-of–range value alerts (e.g., elevated blood sugar), and drug-allergy interaction alerts.
A 10-Gb/s two-dimensional eye-opening monitor in 0.13-/spl mu/m standard CMOS

An eye-opening monitor (EOM) architecture that can capture a two-dimensional (2-D) map of the eye diagram of a high-speed data signal has been developed. Two single-quadrant phase rotators and one digital-to-analog converter (DAC) are used to generate rectangular masks with variable sizes and aspect ratios. Each mask is overlapped with the received eye diagram and the number of signal transitions inside the mask is recorded as error. The combination of rectangular masks with the same error creates error contours that overall provide a 2-D map of the eye. The authors have implemented a prototype circuit in 0.13-/spl mu/m standard CMOS technology that operates up to 12.5 Gb/s at 1.2-V supply. The EOM maps the input eye to a 2-D error diagram with up to 68-dB mask error dynamic range. The left and right halves of the eyes are monitored separately to capture horizontally asymmetric eyes. The chip consumes 330 mW and operates reliably with supply voltages as low as 1 V at 10 Gb/s. The authors also present a detailed analysis that verifies if the measurements are in good agreement with the expected results.
Lactate treatment causes NF-κB activation and CD44 shedding in cultured trabecular meshwork cells

PURPOSE To challenge human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells using lactate to mimic cell stress and observe the effects on cell viability, NF-kappaB, and membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) expression and the ectodomain shedding of soluble (s)CD44. METHODS Human TM cells grown in 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) were incubated in 0.1% FCS with 1, 10, or 40 mM lactate or PBS for 5 and 30 minutes and 1, 3, and 6 hours. Cell viability was determined with trypan blue staining. NF-kappaB and MT1-MMP expression was evaluated through Western blot analysis of medium and the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. Media sCD44 concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. RESULTS The TM cell viability was significantly decreased after incubation for 3 hours with 40 mM lactate (P < 0.01) and 6 hours with 10 and 40 mM lactate (P < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed an increased NF-kappaB p50 and MT1-MMP expression and activity by 5 minutes in lactate-treated TM cells compared with that of control cells. At 6 hours, NF-kappaB p65 was increased in nuclear fraction of lactate-treated compared with control cells. Treatment with 1 mM lactate caused an increase in the media concentration of both the 32 and 55 kDa sCD44 at 3 (P < 0.05) and 6 hours (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Lactate treatment resulted in dose- and time-dependent effects on human TM cell viability, translocation of NF-kappaB, and activation of MT1-MMP. Increased shedding of sCD44 occurred with the l mM dose of lactate. Lactate treatment of human TM cells in culture offers a useful cell model to examine the stress responses that occur in glaucoma.
Measurements of the mean heat transfer in a shock wave-turbulent boundary layer interaction

Using thin-film resistance technology characterized by a fast response time and a high sensitivity to heat transfer, a method is developed to measure mean Stanton number in a supersonic blowdown facility under near-adiabatic conditions. The successful application of thin-film gauges required corrections for the changes in total temperature with time and for departures from one-dimensional heat conduction in the gauge itself. This method was then demonstrated in a shock wave-turbulent boundary layer interaction generated by a 16° compression corner in a Mach 2.84 flow. The results show a strong increase in Reynolds analogy factor across the shock, and it appears to level off at a value of 2.15, which is approximately 1.75 times the usually quoted value for an unperturbed boundary layer flow.
Genetic variants associated with vein graft stenosis after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Vein graft stenosis after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is common. Identifying genes associated with vein graft stenosis after CABG could reveal novel mechanisms of disease and discriminate patients at risk for graft failure. We hypothesized that genome-wide association would identify these genes.Methods: We performed a genome-wide association study on a subset of patients presenting for cardiac catheterization for concern of ischemic heart disease, who also underwent CABG and subsequent coronary angiography after CABG for clinical indications (n = 521). Cases were defined as individuals with ≥50% stenosis in any vein graft on any cardiac catheterization, and controls were defined as those who did not have vein graft stenosis on any subsequent cardiac catheterization. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and vein graft stenosis.Results: Sixty-nine percent of patients had vein graft failure after CABG. Seven SNPs were significantly associated with vein graft stenosis, including intronic SNPs in the genes PALLD (Rs6854137, P = 3.77 × 10-6), ARID1B (Rs184074, P = 5.97 × 10-6), and TMEM123 (Rs11225247, P = 8.25 × 10-6); and intergenic SNPs near the genes ABCA13 (Rs10232860, P = 4.54 × 10-6), RMI2 (Rs9921338, P = 6.15 × 10-6), PRM2 (Rs7198849, P = 7.27 × 10-6), and TNFSF4 (Rs17346536, P = 9.33 × 10-6).Conclusions: We have identified novel genetic variants that may predispose to risk of vein graft failure after CABG, many within biologically plausible pathways. These polymorphisms merit further investigation, as they could assist in stratifying patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease, which could lead to alterations in management and revascularization strategy.
Pancoast's Tumor

Until 1956, surgical attempts to remove a Pancoast tumor had proven futile, since the neoplasm invades the endothoracic lymphatics, the sympathetic chain, intercostal nerves, ribs, bodies of the vertebrae, and subclavian vessels. In 1956, a man believed to have a nonresectable tumor received 3,000 rads over the upper right chest. Three weeks later, his superior sulcus tumor had shrunk to one-half its original size. At operation, en bloc resection of portions of the upper three ribs, along with the upper lobe of the lung, was accomplished. The patient is alive 27 years later and has only minor complications. Several other patients were successfully treated with this combined therapy, although those with distant metastases, supraclavicular tumefaction, obvious erosion of the transverse processes, extensive involvement of the brachial plexus, and vena caval obstruction are not suitable candidates for this approach.
Estimating Disequilibrium Cost Elasticities in Agricultural Production

A restricted cost function is estimated using annual data for western Canadian agriculture over the period 1961–84. Using the parameter estimates, disequilibrium cost elasticities are calculated. The elasticities for the sector indicate that the ex ante market prices of quasi-fixed inputs were higher than their shadow values. That is, quasi-fixed factors were underutilized during the sample period. Excess agricultural land contributed most to the cost of disequilibrium.
Income shifting and corporate taxation: the role of cross‐border intrafirm transfers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the cross‐sectional relation between the value of cross‐border intrafirm transfers (CITs) and three dependent variables: return on investment (ROI), the US effective tax rate (ETRUS), and the global effective tax rate (ETRGL) to assess the existence or nonexistence of cross‐jurisdictional income shifting.Design/methodology/approach – Regression analysis is used to test the relationship between CIT and accounting performance and effective tax rates.Findings – The results indicate that ROI and ETRUS increase whereas ETRGL decreases with the extent of CITs after we control for variables that impact earnings and taxes (e.g. size, industry classification, internationalization, tax shelter, and growth). This suggests that firms earn income, on average, in jurisdictions with tax rates greater than the USA, such that diverting income from overseas to the USA is a tax‐saving action. The tax results are consistent with Jacob and Mills and Newberry's findings that fi...
Detectability of Changes in the Walker Circulation in Response to Global Warming

AbstractChanges in the gradients in sea level pressure (SLP) and sea surface temperature (SST) along the equatorial Pacific are analyzed in observations and 101 numerical experiments performed with 37 climate models participating in the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The ensemble of numerical experiments simulates changes in the earth’s climate during the 1870–2004 period in response to changes in natural (solar variations and volcanoes) and anthropogenic (well-mixed greenhouse gases, ozone, direct aerosol forcing, and land use) radiative forcings. A reduction in the zonal SLP gradient is present in observational records and is the typical response of the ensemble, yet only 26 out of the 101 experiments exhibit a reduced SLP gradient within 95% statistical confidence of the observed value. The multimodel response indicates a reduction of the Walker circulation to historical forcings, albeit an order of magnitude smaller than the observed value. There are multiple nonexcl...
Clinical and economic consequences of nosocomial catheter-related bacteriuria * ** *

Indwelling catheters are strongly associated with the development of bacteriuria, which can lead to significant morbidity in hospitalized patients. This report, a review of the literature, evaluates the infectious outcomes of patients with indwelling catheters to determine the precise clinical and economic impact of catheter-related infection. Statistical pooling was used to estimate the incidence of bacteriuria in hospitalized patients with indwelling catheters. In addition, the proportion of patients with catheter-related bacteriuria in whom symptomatic urinary tract infection and bacteremia will develop was estimated through quantitative synthesis of previous reports. Costs were estimated by using microcosting techniques. Of patients who have indwelling catheters for 2 to 10 days, bacteriuria is expected to develop in 26% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23% to 29%). Among patients with bacteriuria symptoms of urinary tract infection will develop in 24%, (95% CI, 16% to 32%), and bacteremia from a urinary tract source will develop in 3.6% (95% CI, 3.4% to 3.8%). Each episode of symptomatic urinary tract infection is expected to cost an additional $676, and catheter-related bacteremia is likely to cost at least $2836. Given the clinical and economic burden of urinary catheter-related infection, infection control professionals and hospital epidemiologists should use the latest infection control principles and technology to reduce this common complication.
The end-to-end effects of Internet path selection

The path taken by a packet traveling across the Internet depends on a large number of factors, including routing protocols and per-network routing policies. The impact of these factors on the end-to-end performance experienced by users is poorly understood. In this paper, we conduct a measurement-based study comparing the performance seen using the "default" path taken in the Internet with the potential performance available using some alternate path. Our study uses five distinct datasets containing measurements of "path quality", such as round-trip time, loss rate, and bandwidth, taken between pairs of geographically diverse Internet hosts. We construct the set of potential alternate paths by composing these measurements to form new synthetic paths. We find that in 30-80% of the cases, there is an alternate path with significantly superior quality. We argue that the overall result is robust and we explore two hypotheses for explaining it.
Structure of the extracellular surface of the gap junction by atomic force microscopy.

The extracellular surface of the gap junction cell-to-cell channels was imaged in phosphate-buffered saline with an atomic force microscope. The fully hydrated isolated gap junction membranes adsorbed to mica were irregular sheets approximately 1–2 microns across and 13.2 (+/- 1.3) nm thick. The top bilayer of the gap junction was dissected by increasing the force applied to the tip or sometimes by increasing the scan rate at moderate forces. The exposed extracellular surface revealed a hexagonal array with a center-to-center spacing of 9.4 (+/- 0.9) nm between individual channels (connexons). Images of individual connexons with a lateral resolution of
Nitrogen Management for Irrigated Potato Production under Conventional and Reduced Tillage

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) field studies were conducted under center pivot irrigation for 4 yr using large plots and standard industry cultural practices to evaluate tillage effects (reduced vs. conventional) and different N management practices (preplant plus in-season N rates of 56 + 280, 112 + 224, 112 + 336, and 112 + 112 kg N ha -1 ). Despite growing conditions that produced tuber yields up to 80 Mg ha -1 potato size distribution and tuber specific gravity were similar across different tillage and N management practices with minor exceptions in one out of 4 yr. Reduced tillage avoided four equipment passes compared with conventional tillage. Tuber yield and quality were similar across all N rates. Increasing the frequency of in-season N application from five to 10 at a given N rate did not produce increased tuber yield or improved quality. This study demonstrated no negative effects of reduced tillage for irrigated potato production. The optimal N fertilization program appears to be 112 kg N ha I preplant application and a similar in-season N rate in five applications on a 2-wk interval beginning 4 wk after seedling emergence. Therefore, reduced tillage ofFers an option for saving energy and labor costs without compromising tuber yield or quality, and thus provides an economic incentive in addition to the benefits of reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil biology and soil quality.
Estimating Job Flow-Times in a Job Shop for Contractually Negotiated Due-Dates

One of the most important aspects of job shop planning is the contract negotiation process. In this process the job shop vendor must negotiate a job due-date acceptable to both job shop and the customer. Failure to obtain reasonably accurate predictions of the job completion time can result in penalties and/or lost future sales for the job shop. As such, estimation of job flow-times is critical to successful job shop operation. This paper presents a network modelling approach to the difficult and complex task of estimating job flow-times not previously presented in the literature. The approach is demonstrated via a case example where the system model is developed as a Q-GERT network and simulation results are obtained.
Food systems, planning and quantifying access: Using GIS to plan for food retail

Abstract Local food systems are often overlooked by urban planners, as the prevailing belief is that the private market is responsible for delivery of this system. Some argue that if planners can help guide local food systems with models of food accessibility in mind, they can help fill the gap and provide the opportunity for more urban residents to make proper food choices. This paper seeks to quantify and map accessibility of the food system in Toledo, Ohio, using geographic information science to measure the accessibility of each block group to retailers selling a selection of fresh foods to determine whether spatial accessibility to food outlets carrying nutritious and healthy choices is a concern in Toledo. The results indicate that one’s race, level of income, or other demographic characteristics cannot predict the likelihood of residing in an area of lower than average access. Thus, socioeconomic factors are not good predictors for where accessibility is hindered in Toledo, but several neighborhoods do have both low-income populations and low accessibility rates. This information can guide the discussion of local food systems planning and identify neighborhoods that could have significant numbers of residents facing food accessibility challenges.
Intermittency, pressure and acceleration statistics from hot-wire measurements in wind-tunnel turbulence

From hot-wire anemometer measurements in active-grid wind-tunnel turbulence we have determined the Reynolds number dependence of the velocity derivative moments, the mean-squared pressure gradient, $\chi$ , and the normalized acceleration variance, $a_0$ , over the Reynolds number range $100\,{\leq}\,R_\lambda\,{\leq}\,900$ . The values of $\chi$ and $a_0$ were obtained from the fourth-order velocity structure functions. The derivative moments show power-law dependence on Reynolds number and the exponent is the same with or without shear. In particular, we find the derivative kurtosis, $K_{\partial u/\partial x }\,{\sim}\,R_\lambda^{0.39}$ , and there is no evidence of the transition that has been observed in this quantity in some recent work. We find that at high Reynolds numbers, $\chi$ and $a_0$ tend to values similar to those obtained by direct particle tracking measurements and by direct numerical simulation. However, at lower Reynolds number our estimates of $\chi$ and $a_0$ appear to be affected by the evaluation technique which imposes strict requirements on local homogeneity and isotropy.
Attentional demands and daily functioning among community-dwelling elders.

Everyday life is full of numerous demands for attention that can affect the ability to function. For elders, examples of these attentional demands include negotiating public transportation and driving, sensory losses, and physical discomforts and worries that make it harder to concentrate and complete tasks. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between attentional demands and the ability to manage daily activities requiring concentration for 54 community-dwelling elders (34 women, 20 men). As theorized, attentional demands correlated (r = –.58) significantly with daily functioning: Elders with more attentional demands perceived themselves as having greater difficulty managing tasks requiring concentration. Attentional demands accounted for a significant proportion of variance in functioning (12%), even after partialling out the effects of depressive symptoms and health. Findings support the theorized relation between attentional demands and daily functioning, as well as nursing interventi...
Energy-efficient reconfigurable cache architectures for accelerator-enabled embedded systems

High-performance embedded systems often include one or more embedded processors tightly coupled with more specialized accelerators. These accelerators improve both performance and energy efficiency because they are specialized for specific (or specific classes of) computations. Data communication between the accelerator and memory, however, is a potential bottleneck for both performance and energy-efficiency. In this paper, we compare and evaluate, for the first time, the impact of L1 data cache design on performance and energy consumption of embedded processor-accelerator systems with shared memory. For this evaluation, we consider data cache design parameters such as size, associativity, and port count, as well as L1 cache sharing between the processor and accelerator. We demonstrate the potential of configurable caches to exploit diversity in cache requirements across hybrid software/hardware applications to significantly improve energy-efficiency while maintaining high performance. Guided by these studies, we propose two techniques for improving energy-efficiency of the cache hierarchy in processor-accelerator systems. The first technique adds configurability to the accelerator-cache interface to allow the accelerator to either share the processor's L1 data cache or use its own private L1 cache. The second technique modifies the L1 cache structure to provide a configurable tradeoff between bandwidth (number of ports) and capacity. Our simulation results show that the first and second techniques improve cache hierarchy energy-efficiency by up to 64% and 33%, respectively, over that of non-configurable caches.
Effects of weight loss on clinic and ambulatory blood pressure in normotensive men

Abstract Obesity and physical inactivity are associated with both elevated cardiovascular risk and blood pressure (BP), but the interrelation of exercise, weight loss and BP is poorly understood. This study examines the independent effects of exercise and weight loss on both standard clinic and automated, ambulatory BP in 115 overweight, sedentary, normotensive men (aged 30 to 59 years) who were randomly assigned to control status or to lose weight over 1 year by moderate caloric restriction (dieting) or by increased caloric expenditure (exercise). Median daytime and evening BP were determined from measurements made every 20 minutes while the subjects were awake. After 1 year, the control group gained (mean ± standard deviation) 0.5 ± 3.8 kg while the diet group lost 6.9 ± 4.4 kg and the exercise group lost 4.6 ± 3.5 kg. Clinic BP decreased similarly in all 3 groups, but daytime and evening ambulatory BP decreased in both intervention groups and increased in the control group. Relative to the 1-year change in control subjects, net change in daytime ambulatory BP averaged −2 to −3 mm Hg in both dieters and exercisers, while net change in evening ambulatory BP averaged −3 to −4 mm Hg. These changes were all statistically significant (p
Alternative models for the structuring of professional preparation programs

The author views the main purpose of evaluation training programs as preparing practitioners. She suggests that evaluation training programs could consider the model provided by professional schools.
Study of K - and K̄ 0 Meson Stars in Emulsion

108 ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ stars were found by area-scanning. The secondaries were followed and the hyperons were analyzed. The lifetime for ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ is (${1.38}_{\ensuremath{-}0.63}^{+1.39}$)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ sec and for ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ is (${0.31}_{\ensuremath{-}0.10}^{+0.32}$)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ sec. The latter figure is apparently in disagreement with the bubble chamber data on lifetimes of hyperons. Two events which were caused by ${\overline{K}}^{0}$ mesons are described.
Palynofloral geochronology of the Brandon Lignite of Vermont, USA

The palynoflora of the Brandon Lignite and associated sediments of central Vermont is reviewed palynostratigraphically and systematically, reflecting the changes in available information since the original research by the author on this deposit nearly fifty years ago. This study was undertaken because of continued interest in the rich Brandon flora of algal remains, wood, seeds, fruits and palynomorphs. The age of the sediments, based on the contained palynoflora, was originally proposed by the author as latest Oligocene. It is here revised upwards to middle Early Miocene. The fossil palynomorphs are referred to the appropriate form-taxa, including many transfers made by others. Two new form-genera, Parthenopollenites and Gordonipollenites, are proposed. There are also eight new species: Cupuliferoidaepollenites vermontensis, Cyrillaceaepollenites joabthomasii, Ericipites lyonipolliniatus, Ericipites oxydendripolliniatus, Tricolporites novae-angliae, Tricolporoidites forestalensis, Tricolporopollenites brandonensis and Tricolporopollenites vermontensis. Twenty-five new combinations are also proposed.
Inhibition of Premixed Methane–Air Flames by Fluoroethanes and Fluoropropanes

This paper presents experimental and modeling results for laminar premixed methane-air flames inhibited by the fluoroethanes C{sub 2}F{sub 6}, C{sub 2}HF{sub 5}, and C{sub 2}H{sub 2}F{sub 4}, and experimental results for the fluoropropanes C{sub 3}F{sub 8} and C{sub 3}HF{sub 7}. The modeling results are in good agreement with the measurements with respect to reproducing flame speeds. For the fluoroethanes, calculated flame structures are used to determine the reaction pathways for inhibitor decomposition and the mechanisms of inhibition, as well as to explain the enhanced soot formation observed for the inhibitors C{sub 2}HF{sub 5}, C{sub 2}H{sub 2}F{sub 4}, and C{sub 3}HF{sub 7}. The agents reduce the burning velocity of rich and stoichiometric flames primarily by raising the effective equivalence ratio and lowering the adiabatic flame temperature. For lean flames, the inhibition is primarily kinetic, since inhibitor reactions help to maintain the final temperature. The peak radical concentrations are reduced beyond that due to the temperature effect through reactions of fluorinated species with radicals.
Changes in Social Values in the United States: 1976–2007: “Self-Respect” Is on the Upswing as “A Sense of Belonging” Becomes Less Important

ABSTRACT The list of values (LOV) was administered in a national survey in 2007 to monitor social values across key demographic variables in the United States (Kahle, 1983). The results were compared and contrasted with those in two previous national surveys in 1976 and 1986. This study provides a rare glimpse into the changes in social values in America for the last three decades. We find that deficit values are being replaced by excess values over time in America. This suggests that some of the more traditional advertising approaches that relied on deficit values may need to be replaced by newer tactics that tap into excess values.
Parental child feeding practices: how do perceptions of mother, father, sibling, and self vary?

Mothers are important contributors to the development of eating behavior in children, but less is known about the influence of fathers. The purpose of this study was to investigate family perceptions of parental child feeding practices. Seventy two-parent American families including a mother, father, and two biologically related children participated in the study. Participants completed parent and child versions of the Child Feeding Questionnaire that assessed perceptions of parental control in child feeding. Most family member reports were positively correlated, indicating agreement about the use of the examined parental feeding practices; however, some salient differences between the reported behaviors of mothers and fathers were uncovered. Mothers reported using higher levels of monitoring and responsibility than fathers. In addition, fathers and children reported higher levels of paternal pressure related to feeding compared with mothers. Mothers and fathers used more pressure and felt more responsible for feeding younger children compared with older children. One interaction revealed that older male siblings reported the highest level of pressure from fathers. Reported differences in parents’ use of child feeding practices suggest that mothers and fathers may have distinct interactions with their children regarding food. Paternal feeding practices are likely to have unique implications for understanding the development of children's eating behavior.
The Minnesota experience: implementing mandatory continuing education

The development of legislation mandating continuing education in Minnesota, the policies and procedure s for administration of the requirement, and alternatives to the completion of the requirement are discussed.
Application of Connectivity Technology of U-shape Well in CBM Exploration

Abstract CBM extraction through horizontally connected wells realizes the connection of two wells by controlling well trajectory in coal seam, can effectively increase CBM flowing area, and improve CBM recovery of single well. It involves guiding while drilling, cavity making in seam, distant accurate connection, reservoir protection and other advanced technologies. The horizontal connected well engineering carried out by Xi’an Research Institute of China Coal Technology & Engineering Group Corp in Panzhuang block of Qinshui basin, which has successfully realized the distant connection of two wells by using wireless MWD, rotary magnetic distance and other tools as well as reasonable drilling technology, subsequent drainage and extraction effect was remarkable. The paper presents in detail the design, construction, drilling and development result of the connected wells.
Neonatal transection of the infraorbital nerve increases the expression of proteins related to neuronal death in the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve

Abstract Neonatal lesion of the primary afferents in the infraorbital nerve causes the death of one-third of the neurons in the second-order target, the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (PSN). We examined the expression of two candidate `death' proteins, p53 and the antigen recognized by the antibody ALZ-50, in the normal and deafferented PSN. In addition, the effect of neonatal transection of the infraorbital nerve (a major component of the trigeminal nerve) on protein expression was examined. The expression of c- fos in the developing PSN was also studied as an index of metabolic activity. Protein expression was measured using quantitative analyses of immunoblots and immunohistochemical preparations. The expression of p53- and ALZ-50-immunoreactivity in the normal PSN peaked during the first postnatal week. Transection of the infraorbital nerve directly affected the expression of p53 and the ALZ-50-positive antigen. The immunoblots showed that whereas p53 amounts were unaffected by the lesion, ALZ-50 expression was significantly upregulated in the ipsilateral PSN 2 h and 2 days postlesion. The density of p53- and ALZ-50-immunoreactive neurons was significantly higher in the ventral ipsilateral PSN (i.e., the target of the transected infraorbital nerve) than in the contralateral PSN. c- fos expression selectively and transiently rose in the ventral ipsilateral PSN within 2 h of the lesion. Thus, both p53 and the ALZ-50-positive antigen are involved in neuronal death. In light of data suggesting that ALZ-50 recognizes a phosphorylated form of p53, we conclude that neuronal death in the developing nervous system involves the post-translational modification of an existing protein, p53. The increase in ALZ-50 expression apparently occurs during a catabolic phase of neuronal death, as indicated by the increase in c- fos expression.
Intractable vomiting as the initial presentation of neuromyelitis optica

We report 12 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive patients (12% of seropositive Mayo Clinic patients identified since 2005) whose initial presenting symptom of neuromyelitis optica was intractable vomiting. The initial evaluation in 75% was gastroenterologic. Vomiting lasted a median of 4 weeks (range, 2 days-80 weeks). Optic neuritis or transverse myelitis developed after vomiting onset in 11 patients (median interval, 11 weeks; range, 1-156). At last evaluation (median, 48 months after vomiting onset), 7 patients fulfilled neuromyelitis optica diagnostic criteria. Our clinical, pathologic and neuroimaging observations suggest the aquaporin-4-rich area postrema may be a first point of attack in neuromyelitis optica.
Effects of higher-order diffractive processes in an absorptive eikonal model

We investigate the effects of opening diffractive channels on elastic scattering and diffractive production. Using a type of field-theoretic calculation in the eikonal approximation, we derive general expressions for elastic and diffractive amplitudes. We show that an explicit counting of all contributing graphs is completely equivalent to diagonalization procedures of a multichannel eikonal. By demanding that the calculated cross sections satisfy (sigma) + sigma)) less than or equal to sigma), we find that for a given absorption an upper bound exists on the ratio of diffractive to elastic coupling strengths. With this relation we derive the following results: (1) For a black- disk absorption profile, 1/8 less than or equal to sigma)/sigma) less than or equal to 1/2 and 0 less than or equal to sigma)/sigma/subT/ less than or equal to3/8; (2) for a Gaussian-shaped profile, approx. 0.06 less than or equal to sigma)/sigma) less than or equal to0.25 and 0 less than or equal to sigma)/sigma) less than or equal to approx.0.91. Bounds for (sigma) + sigma))/sigma) are also investigated.
An Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detecting Anthrax Antibody in White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus): Evaluation of Anthrax Vaccination and Sera from Free-ranging Deer

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anthrax antibody in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was developed and used to evaluate a vaccination study and compare sera from hunter-killed deer in anthrax endemic and non-endemic areas. Deer subcutaneously vaccinated with anthrax avirulent spore vaccine developed specific antibody to protective antigen (PA) which was significantly higher than the non-vaccinated controls at 30, 60, 90, and 240 days post-vaccination. There was no difference between the levels of antibody to PA between deer in anthrax endemic and non-endemic areas.
An air oxidizable bimetallic palladium(II) catalyst for asymmetric allylic oxidation of olefins in acetic acid

A bimetallic palladium(II) complex containing a triketone ligand and a bridging diphosphine ligand oxidizes olefins in acetic acid to allylic acetates by a direct air oxidation, which does not require intermediate redox systems. When the diphosphine is chiral, an asymmetric reaction occurs which gives enantioselectivities between 52 and 78% for cyclic olefins.
LORAZEPAM AND MORPHINE FOR I.V. SURGICAL PREMEDICATION

SUMMARY The effects of i.v. lorazepam alone, in doses of 2 mg and 4 mg, and combined with morphine 5 mg, were studied. Sedation, relief of anxiety, lack of recall, patient acceptance, physician acceptance and side-effects were evaluated. The addition of morphine to lorazepam significantly improved sedation and relief of anxiety. Physician acceptance and patient acceptance showed no significant difference between any of the combinations. Lack of recall was enhanced by increasing the dose of lorazepam from 2 mg to 4 mg, independent of the addition of morphine. The only significant side-effect was restlessness which occurred in 15% of patients receiving lorazepam 4 mg and 3% of patients receiving lorazepam 2 mg, again independent of the addition of morphine.