cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emergency Ultrasound in Trauma

Evaluation and treatment of a pediatric trauma patient are a common occurrence for every pediatric emergency medicine physician. The use of ultrasound at the bedside as part of this evaluation through the extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (E-FAST) is an essential skill. This chapter covers the basics of this examination, including evaluation of the abdomen, pericardium, and thorax. Utilizing case studies, the reader will understand the purpose of the examination, findings to be aware of, and how to integrate these findings into practice.
SARS-CoV-2 antibody characterization in emergency department, hospitalized and convalescent patients by two semi-quantitative immunoassays.

Abstract Background In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need for comprehensive performance evaluation and clinical utility assessment of serological assays to understand the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Methods IgM/IgG and total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were measured by a cyclic enhanced fluorescence assay (CEFA) and a microsphere immunoassay (MIA), respectively. Independent performance evaluation included imprecision, reproducibility, specificity and cross-reactivity (CEFA n = 320, MIA n = 364). Clinical utility was evaluated by both methods in 87 patients at initial emergency department visit, 28 during subsequent hospitalizations (106 serial samples), and 145 convalescent patients. Totally 916 patients and 994 samples were evaluated. Results Agreement of CEFA and MIA was 90.4%-94.5% (Kappa: 0.81–0.89) in 302 samples. CEFA and MIA detected SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 26.2% and 26.3%, respectively, of ED patients. Detection rates increased over time reaching 100% after 21 days post-symptom onset. Longitudinal antibody kinetic changes by CEFA and MIA measurements correlated well and exhibited three types of seroconversion. Convalescent sera showed a wide range of antibody levels. Conclusion Rigorously validated CEFA and MIA assays are reliable for detecting antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and show promising clinical utility when evaluating immune response in hospitalized and convalescent patients, but are not useful for early screening at patient’s initial ED visit.
Design and Test of a 6 kV Phase-Leg using Four Stacked 1.7 kV SiC MOSFET High-Current Modules

The stacking or series-connection of Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs is an attractive solution for achieving higher blocking voltage using lower voltage power semiconductors in medium- and high-voltage converter applications. However, when connecting MOSFETs in series, device voltages can be unbalanced due to tolerance in device parameters, package and layout parasitic components, and gate-signal timing delays. A modular gate-driver design with active gate control is implemented in this work in order to balance voltages between series-connected devices. The design of an online 6 kV bus measurement board is also described in this paper. This work demonstrates balancing performance of four stacked high-current power modules totaling eight 1.7 kV SiC MOSFETs in series under 6 kV bus voltage using an active dv/dt balancing method. Switching losses are evaluated for both turn-on and turn-off transitions across all eight MOSFETs under a load current of 240 A.
518. Factors Associated with Severe COVID-19 among Patients Hospitalized in Rhode Island

Background: To better understand patient factors that impact clinical outcomes in COVID-19, we performed a retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Rhode Island to identify patient and clinical characteristics associated with severe disease Methods: We analyzed 259 patients admitted to our academic medical center during a three month period with confirmed COVID-19 Clinical data was extracted via chart review and lab results within the first 24 hours of admission were extracted directly from electronic medical records Patients were divided in two groups based upon the highest level of supplemental oxygen (O2) required during hospitalization: severe COVID-19 (high flow O2, non-invasive, or invasive mechanical ventilation) and non-severe COVID-19 (low flow O2 or no supplemental O2) SAS 9 4 (Cary, NC) was used for statistical analyses Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and the Student's t-test for continuous variables were used to compare demographics, baseline comorbidities, and clinical data between the severe and non-severe groups Results: Of 259 patients, 166 (64%) had non-severe disease, and 93 (36%) severe disease;median age [IQR] was 62 [51,73] There were 138(53%) males and 75 (29%) Hispanics Among non-Hispanics,124(48%) were White, 48(19%) African Americans, and 12(5%) other races Sixty (23%) were admitted from a nursing facility and the in-hospital mortality rate was 15% (38/259) Severe COVID-19 was associated with older age (p=0 02), admission from nursing facility (p=0 009), increased BMI (p=0 03), diabetes mellitus (p=0 0002), and COPD (p=0 03) At the time of presentation, severe COVID-19 was associated with tachypnea, hypoxia, hypotension (all p< 0 0001), elevated BUN (p=0 002) and AST (p=0 001), and acute or chronic kidney injury (p=0 01) Median hospital stay [IQR] was 11 days [7,18] in the severe vs 6 days [3,11] in the non-severe group In the severe group, 72% required ICU admission and 39% died Conclusion: In this cohort of patients with COVID-19, specific comorbidities, and vital signs at presentation were associated with severe COVID-19 These findings help clinicians with early identification and triage of high risk patients (Table Presented)
Using Selective Bcl2 Inhibition to Induce Cardiac Allograft Tolerance

Purpose Cardiac allograft tolerance in non-human primates (NHPs) has been achieved by our group using a mixed chimerism model with allogeneic bone marrow transplant after non-myeloablative conditioning but not without kidney co-transplantation. B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) inhibition has allowed for durable mixed chimerism with reduced conditioning in the murine skin transplant model. We investigated whether the Bcl2 inhibitor ABT199 could enhance mixed chimerism and induce cardiac allograft tolerance in the absence of kidney cotransplantation. Methods Fifteen cynomolgus recipients underwent mixed chimerism conditioning (ATGAM, total body and thymic irradiation) then organ and bone marrow transplantation. Group 1 recipients received heart alone (n=5), Group 2 recipients received heart and kidney cotransplants (n=7), and in Group 3, heart recipients received ABT199 in lieu of kidney cotransplants (n=3).Group 1 and 2 received 3Gy total body irradiation (TBI) while Group 3 received 1.5Gy TBI. All recipients underwent a 28-day course of immunosuppression with a calcineurin inhibitor and anti-CD154 mAb after which all immunosuppression was stopped. Results All five Group 1 recipients demonstrated cellular rejection (ISHLT 3R) by 96 days post bone marrow transplant (pBMTx). In contrast, no Group 2 recipients showed early rejection and 6/7 survived >400 days pBMTx. The first two Group 3 recipients developed GvHD and succumbed by days 59 and 68 pBMTx without evidence of rejection. However, after reducing the size of the donor BMT, the third recipient is now 76 days pBMTx with excellent allograft contractility and no evidence of GVHD. Mean peak lymphoid chimerism was 10% on day 26 pBMTx for Group 1, 26% on day 33 pBMTx for Group 2, and 57% on day 54 pBMTx for Group 3. (Figure 1) Conclusion After further refinement of the conditioning regimen, ABT199 may allow for the induction of heart allograft tolerance without the need for kidney co-transplantation and with a reduction in TBI thereby improving safety.
Acupuncture's Radical Roots and Political Branches

Sometimes it was capturing a health department x-ray truck to do screening for tuberculosis in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City, or opening up free clinics to provide desperately needed services that were ignored by mainstream medical institutions Auricular acupuncture, combined with caring practitioners and a political analysis of the reasons for so many drugs and addicts in Black and Latinx communities, became an intriguing new treatment of choice 3 Throngs appeared for this care at a clinic in Oakland, California, and especially in what became known as Lincoln Detox in the decrepit Bronx public hospital undergoing enormous community and practitioner demands for improvements 4 It could be used instead of the more standard methadone, which substituted another drug for heroin, was carefully monitored, and required daily visits When I served on a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Obstetrics and Gynecology Devices Panel in the mid-1990s, for example, we were asked to evaluate a device called a "home uterine activity monitor " [ ]the monitor was never evaluated separately from that caring voice on the other end of the telephone line nor the ability of the pregnant woman to rest 6 In the case of the original efforts with auricular acupuncture in Oakland and the South Bronx, the intervention was never measured outside its political context
Morning report goes virtual: learner experiences in a virtual, case-based diagnostic reasoning conference.

OBJECTIVES Participation in case-based diagnostic reasoning (DR) conferences has previously been limited to those who can attend in-person. Technological advances have enabled these conferences to migrate to virtual platforms, creating an opportunity to improve access and promote learner participation. We describe the design and evaluation of virtual morning report (VMR), a novel case-based DR conference that aimed to expand access to these conferences, leverage a virtual platform to create new opportunities for learner participation, and improve learner confidence in performing DR. METHODS VMR took place on a videoconferencing platform. Participants included health professions students, post-graduate trainees, and practitioners. In designing VMR, we adapted concepts from the experience-based model of learning to design opportunities for learner participation. Teaching strategies were informed by information-processing and situativity theories. We evaluated learner experiences in VMR using a survey with open and closed-ended questions. Survey items focused on accessing case-based teaching conferences outside of VMR, participant perceptions of the educational value of VMR, and VMR's impact on participants' confidence in performing DR. We used thematic analysis to manually code open-ended responses and identify themes. RESULTS 203 participants (30.2%) completed the survey. 141 respondents (69.5%) reported they did not otherwise have access to a DR conference. The majority of participants reported increased confidence performing DR. Respondents highlighted that VMR supplemented their education, created a supportive learning environment, and offered a sense of community. CONCLUSIONS VMR can expand access to DR education, create new opportunities for learner participation, and improve learner confidence in performing DR.
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES RESISTING ANTERIOR INSTABILITY IN A COMPUTATIONAL GLENOHUMERAL JOINT MODEL

MECHANICAL STRUCTURES RESISTING ANTERIOR INSTABILITY IN A COMPUTATIONAL GLENOHUMERAL JOINT MODEL By Kevin A. Elmore, B.S. A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Major Director: Dr. Jennifer S. Wayne Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedic Surgery The glenohumeral joint is the most dislocated joint in the body due to the lack of bony constraints and dependence on soft tissue, primarily muscles and ligaments, to stabilize the joint. The goal of this study was to develop a computational model of the glenohumeral joint whereby joint behavior was dictated by articular contact, ligamentous constraints, muscle loading, and external perturbations. Validation of this computational model was achieved by comparing predicted results from the model to the results of a cadaveric experiment in which the relative contribution of muscles and ligaments to anterior joint stability was examined. The results showed the subscapularis to be critical to stabilization in both neutral and external rotations, the biceps stabilized the joint in neutral but not external rotation, and the inferior glenohumeral ligament resisted anterior displacement only in external rotation. Knowledge gained from this model could assist in pre-operative planning or the design of orthopedic implants. Use of this model as a companion to cadaveric testing could save valuable time and resources.
Keeping Google 'Googley'

This case, set in 2008, examines how Google has worked to avoid potential negative byproducts of rapid growth such as: bureaucracy, slow decision-making, lack of visibility and organizational inconsistency. When the case protagonist, Kim Scott, started with Google in 2004, she wondered if she would still be there in several years as she liked small, entrepreneurial companies. In 2008, she was pleased that Google still had the same entrepreneurial energy that it had when she joined. She and her colleagues reflect on how Google has been able to maintain its culture as the company keeps doubling in size.
An Interpretive Isomorphism Between Binary and Ternary Relations

It is well-known that in first-order logic, the theory of a binary relation and the theory of a ternary relation are mutually interpretable, i.e., each can be interpreted in the other. We establish the stronger result that they are interpretively isomorphic, i.e., they are mutually interpretable by a pair of interpretations each of which is the inverse of the other.
Questions on the Economics of Saving

How has saving behaved in the United States, in other parts of the developed world, and in developing countries? What are the theories behind saving? Does a fiscal deficit affect saving unfavorably? Does private saving exactly offset public saving? Did macro policy of the 1980s stimulate saving and, with it, economic performance? How does saving influence the distribution of income? How does saving bear on economic growth and on the transition to growth? And how important is saving in the process of development?
CHEMICAL ENRICHMENT OF SOILS AT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: SOME OREGON CASE STUDIES

Soil samples from six sites were analyzed for pH and total P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, and Mn. P is the most widely used chemical indicator of prehistoric human occupancy of a site, but other elements help in interpreting specific archaeological features within a site. Soil enrichment in P varies with the intensity of prehistoric occupancy of a site. Transient camps show little chemical enrichment, and intensely-occupied residential sites show strong enrichment in P, particularly around hearths and other areas where food or human wastes were deposited. Samples with high P concentrations commonly are also enriched in Ca and Mn. Features with bone are commonly enriched in other bases and Fe. Use of multiple elements allows identification of non-bone waste areas, waste areas with bone, burials with bone which are not waste areas, and non-cultural features such as natural charcoal concentrations. Vertical profiles are chemically stratified at 10-cm levels, and stratification is closely related to archaeological fea...
Automatic Sample Collector for Continuous Cultures

Abstract An automatic sample collector is described that samples growing cultures sequentially. It can be programmed to collect at preselected intervals (usually several hours apart) for a prescribed period (usually from minutes to hours). Samples are collected serially but during intermediate time periods; when the sample is not required, it is disposed of by diverting it into a discard reservoir. This device collects culture samples on a predetermined schedule and stores them under refrigeration for study at a later time.
Regeneration, post-embryonic induction and cellular interaction in the eye of Periplaneta americana

1. The eye grows by the addition of new ommatidia rather than by an increase in size of existing ones. 2. New ommatidia develop as a result of induction of epidermal cells by functional ommatidia. 3. The eye has great regenerative ability, but following removal of the entire eye and the growth zone that surround it regeneration does not occur. 4. Transplanted eye cells or epidermal cells from normal-eyed or from lavender-eyed mutants resulted in the development of normal eye pigmentation in a mutant that lacked any pigmentation in the eye. Only the eye to which the graft had been made developed pigments. The development of pigments was a result of tissue contact, not of a blood-borne factor. 5. When epidermal tissues from the prothorax of normal-eyed roaches were placed above the developing eye of a mutant with no pigment in the eye they were eventually incorporated into the eye as it grew. When these cells became eye cells, normal eye pigments were synthesized. 6. Growth of the eye is by a constant recruitment of epidermal cells that express their own genetic capability when they become eye cells.
Classical trajectory Monte Carlo simulations of particle confinement using dual levitated coils

The particle confinement properties of plasma confinement systems that employ dual levitated magnetic coils are investigated using classical trajectory Monte Carlo simulations. Two model systems are examined. In one, two identical current-carrying loops are coaxial and separated axially. In the second, two concentric and coplanar loops have different radii and carry equal currents. In both systems, a magnetic null circle is present between the current loops. Simulations are carried out for seven current loop separations for each system and at numerous values of magnetic field strength. Particle confinement is investigated at three locations between the loops at different distances from the magnetic null circle. Each simulated particle that did not escape the system exhibited one of four modes of confinement. Reduced results are given for both systems as the lowest magnetic field strength that exhibits complete confinement of all simulated particles for a particular loop separation.
Electrochromatography in chemically modified etched fused-silica capillaries

A new method of electrochromatography is described in which a 50-microns capillary is etched with ammonium hydrogen difluoride, followed by modification of the new surface via a silation reaction with triethoxysilane to produce a hydride intermediate, and then subsequently subjected to hydrosilation using 1-octadecene in the presence of a platinum complex catalyst. The C18 bonded phase is then compared with bare capillaries, etched bare capillaries and the hydride etched capillary to determine if any solute-bonded phase interactions are present. With bradykinin as a test solute, peak efficiencies are quite similar for all capillaries without C18 but become noticeably broader when the organic moiety is attached to the etched capillary wall. A test mixture of peptides and proteins displays shorter retention for some of the components when methanol is added to the mobile phase which is typical of reversed-phase behavior. The same result is also obtained when a mixture of tetracyclines is separated on the C18 capillary with and without methanol as part of the mobile phase. The reproducibility of retention times for two proteins is +/- 1.5%. A few results for several neutral compounds indicate small but measurable k' values.
Flow-Mediated Vascular Remodeling in Hypertension Relation to Hemodyamics

Background and Purpose— Changes in shear and medial wall stress induced by blood flow contribute to vascular remodeling, but details of these relations remain undefined. We hypothesized that remodeling has a strong genetic component and that phenotypic responses to hemodynamic stress will differ among rat strains. Here, we characterized phenotypic traits related to carotid remodeling in the 2 rat strains that we previously showed the greatest difference in shear stress regulation: Genetically Hypertensive (GH) and Brown Norway (BN) rat strains. Methods— Left internal and external carotid arteries were ligated and blood flow was reduced in the left common (LCA) by 90% and increased in the right common carotid artery (RCA) by 60%. Rats were studied for up to 28 days after flow modification and carotid outer diameters were measured in vivo, and wall and luminal components by histomorphometry, to obtain indices of remodeling. Blood flow and pressure measurements were made at corresponding time points. Results...
RETROGRADE SIGNALLING IN DEPOLARIZATION-INDUCED SUPPRESSION OF INHIBITION IN RAT HIPPOCAMPAL CA1 CELLS

1. We have investigated the phenomenon of 'depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition' (DSI) using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques in Ca1 pyramidal cells of rat hippocampal slices. DSI was induced by eliciting voltage-dependent calcium (Ca2+) currents with 1 s voltage steps of +60 to +90 mV from the holding potential. DSI was apparent as a reduction in synaptic GABAA responses for a period of about 1 min following the voltage step. 2. TTX-sensitive spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) were susceptible to DSI, while TTX-resistant miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current (mIPSCs) were not. Miniature IPSCs are ordinarily infrequent and independent of external Ca2+ in the CA1 region. To increase the frequency of mIPSCs and to induce a population of Ca(2+)-sensitive mIPSCs, we increased the bath K+ concentration to 15 mM. The increased mIPSCs were also insensitive to DSI, however. 3. T whole-cell pipette-filling solution contained 5 mM 2(triethylamino-N-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)acetamide (QX-314) to block voltage-dependent Na+ currents and caesium to block K+ currents. Nevertheless, bath application of 50 microM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) or 250 nM veratridine both clearly reduced DSI, evidently by acting at presynaptic sites. 4. The amplitudes of monosynaptically evoked IPSCs (elicited in the presence of 10 microM 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and 50 microM 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV)) were dramatically reduced during the DSI period. Weak stimulation produced small IPSCs and occasional 'failures' of transmission during the control period. The percentage of failures increased markedly during the DSI period. Moderate-intensity stimulation produced larger IPSCs that were often composed of distinguishable multiquantal components. All-or-none failures of multiquantal IPSC components also occurred during DSI. 5. The degree of paired-pulse IPSC depression did not change during DSI, whereas it was decreased, as expected, by baclofen. 6. We conclude that the data represent novel evidence that DSI is mediated by a retrograde signalling process possibly involving presynaptic axonal conduction block.
Participation and Experience of Third-Year Medical Students in Handoffs: Time to Sign Out?

BACKGROUND Although interns are expected to be competent in handoff communication, it is currently unclear what level of exposure, participation, and comfort medical students have with handoffs prior to graduation.
CT staging of early rectal carcinoma.

Of 43 rectal carcinomas, initially presumed to be modified Dukes' stage A or B-1, 42 were examined with computed tomography (CT) prior to endocavitary treatment or surgery in 40 cases. The CT correctly showed 28 patients to have early stages and incorrectly showed 2 to have perirectal extension. Three patients had anal neoplasms. The remaining 10 patients had disease stage B-2 or higher and CT was not good for staging them. A CT scan can fairly accurately stage rectal carcinomas stage A and B-l grouped together, and is doing better in predicting the prognosis than digital palpation when histologic sections show well or moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the rectum.
DEFENDING THE ENVIRONMENT: CIVIL SOCIETY STRATEGIES TO ENFORCE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

There is no way to gauge precisely the contribution civil society groups make to the enforcement of international environmental law. Until now, leading academic texts have highlighted some of the i...
Auditory and Visual Rhyme Judgements Reveal Differences and Similarities Between Normal and Disabled Adolescent Readers

Auditory and visual rhyme judgement tasks were administered to 16 adolescent dyslexics (age range 13–18 years, mean age 15½) and 16 age-matched normal readers. Dyslexics and controls demonstrated orthographic facilitation in both tasks, i.e. rhymes with matching orthography, e.g. king, sing, were responded to faster than rhymes with dissimilar orthography, e.g. chair, dare, thus indicating short term memory storage of orthographic information during visual presentations, as well as activation of orthographic information during auditory presentations. Despite this facilitation dyslexics made significantly more errors and responded significantly slower than controls in both tasks. Dyslexics had extremely high error rates for visual rhyme judgement trials in which phonological and orthographic information were inconsistent, i.e. rhymes that had different orthographic endings, e.g. chair, dare, and non-rhymes that had similar orthographic patterns, e.g. food, blood. The dyslexics' high error rates and slow reaction times are discussed in terms of poor phonological processing, lack or orthographic flexibility and slow processing speeds. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Logical effort of CNFET-based circuits in the presence of metallic tubes

CNFETs have potentials of becoming successors to CMOS devices. In this paper we explore value of the logical effort technique to design robust CNFET-based circuits that due to the presence of unwanted metallic tubes and variations of device parameters behave as stochastic systems. The presence of metallic tubes is one of the major fabrication challenges as it negatively impacts the performance, power and yield of CNFET-based circuits. We developed capacitance-based logical effort models to estimate the delay of CNFET-based circuits in the presence of metallic tubes, and when the metallic tubes are removed by one of known processing techniques. Our Monte Carle simulation uses the developed logical effort models to evaluate delay and functional yield of various types of stochastic logic gates and bigger building blocks. The simulations were done for fanout of one (FO1) and fanout of four (FO4) inverter chain, NAND gate, and 4-stage decoder circuit. The variation in the metallic tube presence was varied from 0% to 20%. The logical effort technique shows high potential for being very efficient in evaluation and optimization of stochastic CNFET-based designs.
Effect of substituent position on the phase separation of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) in diisopropylbenzene

Abstract The behaviour of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) in a mixture of diisopropylbenzene isomers mimics that of the 1,4-isomer to an extent proportional to the amount of 1,4-isomer in the mixture. The 1,3-isomer gives the normal cloud-point curve behaviour, while the 1,4-isomer gives an anomalous one. This difference is reflected in the physical appearance of the foams obtained from the separated solutions. From an analysis of the solvent-to-polymer composition at the onset of this anomalous behaviour, a unique relationship is found for one 1,4-isomer molecule per methylpentene repeat unit. The observed results suggest special ordering of molecules during gelation.
Fetal gastrointestinal motility in a rabbit model of gastroschisis

Abstract Purpose Gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility occurs frequently in full-term infants with gastroschisis (GS). Although controversial, preterm delivery of infants with GS has been advocated to prevent the development of GI dysmotility, and understanding the etiology of gestational-related bowel injury may lead to prenatal therapies. Using a fetal rabbit model, the authors assessed in vivo and in vitro GI motility in preterm GS fetuses. Methods On gestation day 24 (term, 31), surgery was performed in maternal rabbits and GS induced in fetuses, whereas control fetuses underwent sham procedures. On gestation day 29, both groups of fetuses received ultrasound-guided intragastric injection of fluorescein and colored microspheres. Two hours after injection, fetuses were delivered by cesarean section and stomach and small intestine harvested intact. "GI motility" was calculated as the distance traveled by fluorescein divided by total length. In vitro studies of fetal gastric muscle strips contractility responses to bethanechol, a cholinergic agonist, were assessed in an organ bath system. Data were analyzed as paired and unpaired t tests and expressed as means ± SEM. Results GS reduced fetal body weight and intestinal length compared with controls (28.4 ± 1.4 v. 33.5 ± 1.5 g, 36.9 ± 1.8 v. 25.9 ± 1.2 cm; P v 24.8 ± 2.7%; P v 396 ± 26 mNcm 2 ; P Conclusions GI exposure to amniotic fluid reduces intestinal motility and gastric contractility functions in the preterm rabbit fetus. The results suggest that GS-associated impairment of GI neuromuscular functions occurs in utero, before term, and may be responsive to manipulation of amniotic fluid content or other therapeutic interventions.
Synaptic Electrogenesis in Eel Electroplaques

Whether evoked by neural or by chemical stimulation, the synaptic membrane of eel electroplaques contributes a depolarizing electrogenesis that is due to an increased conductance for Na and K. The reversal potential (ES) is the same for the two modes of synaptic activation. It is inside-positive by about 30–60 mv, or about midway between the emf's of the ionic batteries for Na (ENa) and K(EK). The total conductance contributed by synaptic activity (GS) varied over a fivefold range, but the individual ionic branches, GSSNa, and GSSK, change nearly equally so that the ratio GSSNa:GSSK is near unity. GSSK increases independently of the presence or absence of Na in the bathing medium, and independently of the presence or absence of the electrically excitable GK channels. When activated, the synaptic membrane appears to be slightly permeable to Ca and Mg. When the membrane is depolarized into inside positivity the conductance of the synaptic components decreases and approaches zero for large inside-positive values. Thus, the synaptic components become electrically excitable when the potential across the membrane becomes inside-positive, responding as do the nonsynaptic components, with depolarizing inactivation.
Gifts 101: A Systematic Approach for Gifts of Music

Making decisions about gift donations to the library can be overwhelming when you accept your first professional music librarian job. The authors provide insight into their academic institutions and offer practical advice based on personal experience and a review of the literature. The goal is to help newer music librarians explore ideas and documents they can implement at their institutions and to give more experienced librarians an opportunity to revisit their gifts policies and procedures.
Composite resonator vertical-cavity laser diode

We report the first electrically injected coupled cavity InGaAs QW DBR vertical cavity laser diode and demonstrate novel methods for external laser modulation.
Pediatric dental practice and changing population demographics: a commentary.

U.S. Census Bureau reports for the 2010 census detail the slowing overall growth of the number of children with specific emphasis on the increasing proportion of Hispanic children in the population. A review of these data is considered in terms of the potential impact on pediatric dental practices.
Predictors of Intensive Care Unit Admission and Related Outcome for Patients After Pancreaticoduodenectomy

High-volume centers have low morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Less is known about treatment pathways and their influence on intensive care unit (ICU) utilization. Patients who underwent PD at a tertiary cancer center during the five-year period between January 1998 and December 2003 were identified from a prospective database. Preoperative and intraoperative factors relating to ICU admission and outcome were analyzed. Five hundred ninety-one pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed during the study period. Of these, 536 patients had complete records for analysis. Of the 536 patients, 51 (10%) were admitted to the ICU after surgery. Admission to the ICU was associated with decreased overall survival (P < .0001). Of the preoperative predictors of ICU admission, serum creatinine, albumin, and increased body mass index (BMI) were associated with ICU admission (P = .02, .05, and .002, respectively). Age, blood glucose, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were not predictive of ICU admission on univariate analysis. Of the intraoperative factors, longer operative time and estimated blood loss (EBL) correlated with ICU admission (P = .003 and .0001, respectively). On multivariate analysis, only preoperative BMI and intraoperative EBL were independent predictors of ICU admission (P = .03 and .003, respectively). Patients with a preoperative BMI greater than 30 had a substantially higher risk of ICU admission (relative risk 2.4). The majority of patients who undergo PD do not require admission to the ICU. Factors most associated with ICU admission after PD are increased preoperative BMI and intraoperative blood loss.
Lifetimes of levels in 66Zn

Abstract The mean lifetimes of several levels excited by inelastic α-scattering on 66Zn were measured using the attenuated Doppler-shift technique. The data were analyzed using the universal stopping cross sections of Lindhard, Scharff and Schiott. The excitation energies obtained and their lifetimes are: 1.040 MeV (2.1+1.0−0.7ps), 1.874 MeV (
Comparison of Residue Decomposition Models Used in Erosion Prediction

Crop residues protect soil from water and wind erosion. How long the residues remain effective depends on their decomposition rate. The crop residue decomposition submodels developed for the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), which are used to determine the effectiveness of conservation practices, use different approaches to account for water and temperature effects on decomposition. Because of these differences, residue losses may not agree between the two models for a given location. We compared the climatic indices used in RWEQ and RUSLE to determine the similarity of results for simulated climatic scenarios, as well as for field data. Simulated climatic regimes were used to evaluate the relative responsiveness of the temperature and water functions. The two models estimated different numbers of decomposition days (DD) when water and temperature were not limiting. RUSLE usually predicted more DDs than RWEQ. Underwaterlimiting conditions, the estimation of DD was similar for the two models. In comparisons with field decomposition data, mass loss predictions by RWEQ were as good as or better than those by RUSLE for locations in Texas, Oregon, and Georgia. RUSLE overpredicted decomposition by 20 to 50% when residues were irrigated. RWEQ underpredicted decomposition by 20 to 50% in the Pacific Northwest. Interactions between the climatic indices (CF) and decomposition coefficients influenced the differences between measured and predicted values. Differences in the CF were related to the method of calculating the water coefficient (WC) and interpretation of the interaction between the temperature coefficient and WC. The models could be improved by developing water and temperature functions that give results closer to those produced with daily time-step functions.
An evaluation of the use of new doppler methods for detecting longitudinal function abnormalities in a pacing-induced heart failure model

BACKGROUND: Doppler tissue echocardiography and color M-mode Doppler flow propagation velocity have proven useful in evaluating cross-sections of patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, but experience with serial changes is limited. Purpose and methods: We tested their use by evaluating the temporal changes of LV function in a pacing-induced congestive heart failure model. Rapid ventricular pacing was initiated and maintained in 20 dogs for 4 weeks. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and weekly during brief pacing cessation. RESULTS: With rapid pacing, LV volume significantly increased and ejection fraction (57%-28%), stroke volume (37-18 mL), and mitral annulus systolic velocity (16.1-6.6 cm/s) by Doppler tissue echocardiography significantly decreased, with ejection fraction and mitral annulus systolic velocity closely correlated (r = 0.706, P <.0001). In contrast to the mitral inflow velocities, mitral annulus early diastolic velocity decreased steadily (12.3-7.3 cm/s) resulting in a dramatic decrease in mitral annulus early/late (1.22-0.57) diastolic velocity with no tendency toward pseudonormalization. The color M-mode Doppler flow propagation velocity also showed significant steady decrease (57-24 cm/s) throughout the pacing period. Multiple regression analysis chose mitral annulus systolic velocity (r = 0.895, P <.0001) and propagation velocity (r = 0.782, P <.0001) for the most important factor predicting LV systolic and diastolic function, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler tissue echocardiography and color M-mode Doppler flow could evaluate the serial deterioration in LV dysfunction throughout the pacing period. These were more useful in quantifying progressive LV dysfunction than conventional ehocardiographic techniques, and were probably relatively independent of preload. These techniques could be suitable for longitudinal evaluation in addition to the cross-sectional study.
Older road users: Examining the relationship between injuries and fatalities

For years, researchers have examined the older-driver problem of increased fatalities relative to population or miles driven. Existing data were analyzed to determine whether the frailty explanation of the fatality rates of older people offers a complete picture. Fatality-to-injury ratios were calculated by using the fatality analysis reporting system, general estimates system, and national accident sampling system data. An increase was found in the number of fatalities related to age—the older the victim, the greater the probability of death. This was no surprise. However, there was a surprise regarding belted versus unbelted occupants: unbelted older occupants (drivers or passengers) are at a dramatically increased risk of being killed in a crash than those who are belted. This suggests that potential improvements to occupant protection within the vehicle, although important, may have less to offer older people than the simple use of seat belts.
Salts of Zinc

THE green tint referred to by “S.” (supra) as imparted by zinc sulphate to the Bunsen flame is only observed whilst the water of crystallisation contained in the salt is being given off; the dry salt which remains imparts no colour to the flame. It therefore appears probable that the green colouration of the flame is caused by very finely divided particles of the salt being carried off into the upper part of the flame by the escaping water of crystallisation. These particles then become so intensely heated as to emit the peculiar greenish light and very likely suffer previous reduction by the carbon of the flame. Other zinc salts, especially the acetate, impart to the flame, when first heated, a greenish-blue tint resembling that observed when metallic zinc is burnt in the air, this being doubtlessly due to a partial reduction of the acetate. The characteristic zinc lines (6362 and 6099 in the red, and 4928, 4924, and 4911 in the blue) are not seen in the case of the salts or when the metal is burnt. A more correct description of the combustion of zinc than that referred to would be: “the metal burns with a bluish-white flame.”
Solar energy comes of age

The author sees evidence in Administration statements, announced public hearings, and Congressional interest in commercializing solar technology that a serious national commitment to solar energy is emerging. Fundamental to a solar policy is determining the appropriate funding and strategies for stimulating solar use. No definitive estimates have been made of the total quad potential of solar energy, although solar space and water heating are ready for commercialization along with some agricultural, wind, and low-grade steam applications. The more costly technologies involving ocean thermal conversion, photovoltaic cells, and biomass will take longer, but no data have been compiled on the relationship between funding levels and quad projections to guide policymakers. Solar research has accounted for only four percent of the federal energy budget in spite of precedents set by government stimulation of the oil and nuclear industries. The choice among several solar energy policy options will determine whether the energy contribution in 2020 will be minimal or over fifty percent.
Celibacy and Charism in 1 Cor 7:5–7

The diversity among introductions to Paul is a tribute to the apostle's genius. There are two basic reasons for the diversity of opinion that exists today: First, internal incoherency—the difficulty of sorting Paul's thought into center and periphery (or event and context); and second, external incoherency—the gaps in our information about one of the most famous and interesting lives of all time. No consensus has emerged on the question of Paul's place in the world. We make this point not because this study will address the problem directly, but because we shall make inferences from one of the views in current circulation, namely that there is a basis to Paul's claim to Pharisaism (Phil 3:5). Attacking this view, some scholars have thought of him as a “would-be Pharisee” at best. We, nevertheless, think that the preponderance of evidence situates Paul in a universalist Jewish, probably Pharisaic, context. Paul believed that many of the law's prescriptions were still valid. As an illustration of Paul's belief in the continuing validity of the law, this essay attempts to show that 1 Cor 7:5–7 is best understood in the context of ritual purity concerns. These concerns include both the injunction for spouses to abstain from sexual activity for a time of prayer and Paul's defense of a celibate lifestyle within his own charismatic self-understanding.
In vivo O2 and water vapor permeability of the hen's eggshell during early development

The area of the chorioallantois was measured from the time it makes contact with the eggshell membranes on day 6 until it has completely enveloped the egg content on day 12. The oxygen uptake and air cell O2 tension were also determined during this period. These observations allow one to calculate that the O2 flux is confined to those areas of the shell which cover the chorioallantois and that the O2 permeability of the shell (including the outer membrane), KO2, is constant. The water vapor permeability of the shell, KH2O, was also measured. Since the ratio of KH2O/KO2 is essentially equal to the ratio of their diffusion coefficients, DH2O/DO2, it suggests a common diffusion path for O2 and water molecules.
The effect of remediation of chromium waste sites on chromium levels in urine of children living in the surrounding neighborhood.

Abstract Exposure to chromium was assessed for 40 children living near chromium waste sites. Sampling was conducted in one Jersey City, New Jersey neighborhood during the summer and fall of 1991. Household dust samples from residences and urine samples from children living near chromium waste sites were collected and analyzed for chromium. During the summer and fall visits when the samples were collected, the children were also interviewed about lifestyle/activity patterns. Comparisons were made with similar samples collected from children and homes in other areas of New Jersey outside of Hudson County with no known chromium waste sites. Household dust masses and chromium loadings and concentrations in the dust showed a significant decline in this Hudson County neighborhood since the area was first sampled in 1990. Interim remediation of neighborhood sites and an active community education program in the interval between the first and second year of sampling may have contributed to the reduction in dust m...
Probabilistic view clustering in object recognition

To recognize objects and to determine their poses in a scene we need to find correspondences between the features extracted from the image and those of the object models. Models are commonly represented by describing a few characteristic views of the object representing groups of views with similar properties. Most feature-based matching schemes assume that all the features that are potentially visible in a view will appear with equal probability, and the resulting matching algorithms have to allow for 'errors' without really understanding what they mean. PREMIO is an object recognition system that uses CAD models of 3D objects and knowledge of surface reflectance properties, light sources, sensor characteristics, and feature detector algorithms to estimate the probability of the features being detectable and correctly matched. The purpose of this paper is to describe the predictions generated by PREMIO, how they are combined into a single probabilistic model, and illustrative examples showing its use in object recognition.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Coherence-based dynamic navigation for virtual endoscopy

Complex anatomical information can be obtained from a high- resolution, 3D, radiologic image by interactively navigating through it in a manner similar to an endoscopic examination. Real-time computation of these 'virtual' endoscopic views, however, is needed to permit truly interactive navigation. We present such a method, based on the temporal-coherence concept. Included results show the method's efficiency. The method constitutes parts of a complete virtual-endoscopic system we have devised. This system is illustrated for 3D pulmonary analysis.
Molecular imaging of photodynamic therapy efficacy

Recent advances in light sources, detectors and other optical imaging technologies coupled with the development of novel optical contrast agents have enabled real-time, high resolution, in vivo monitoring of molecular targets. Noninvasive monitoring of molecular targets can help optimize photodynamic therapy (PDT) by providing the capabilities to monitor the efficacy of treatment. Our lab has developed optical imaging technologies to investigate a wide range of molecular, physiological and morphological responses to photodynamic therapy (PDT). With the idea that drug delivery to the different compartments in the tumor is an important determinant of the treatment effect, we studied drug delivery in vitro and in vivo using optical imaging tools. A molecular specific contrast agent that targets the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was developed to monitor the changes in the protein expression following PDT. We also studied the PDT-induced physiological changes in vascular permeability and metastasis with in vivo imaging.