cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brachyspira (Serpulina) pilosicoli and intestinal spirochetosis: How much do we know?

In the past 3 decades, there have been significant advances in molecular genetic techniques and a concurrent increase in the number of described spirochetal organisms in swine as well as other mammalian and avian species. This has led to a series of name changes as the phylogenetic relationships of various spirochetes have been established. Until recently, the five characterized species of “serpentine” enteric spirochetes in swine were in the genus Serpulina, including hyodysenteriae, innocens,4,5 pilosicoli,2 intermedia, and murdochii.3 Recently the phylogenetic relationship was clarified between Brachyspira aalborgi, an enteric spirochete found only in humans, and Serpulina hyodysenteriae, innocens, and pilosicoli.6 This was important because both Brachyspira aalborgi and Serpulina pilosicoli infect humans.7–10 Studies demonstrated that all four organisms belonged in the same genus.6 Brachyspira was selected as the genus name based on historic precedent. The genus Brachyspira was established when Brachyspira aalborgi was first described,7 which occurred prior to the establishment of the genus Serpulina.5 Unfortunately, Serpulina intermedia and murdochii were not included in the comparative study. For now, they remain in the genus Serpulina.
Molecular Alterations in Patients with Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Presenting with Malignant Pleural Effusion at the First Diagnosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to report cytologic and molecular features of pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients presenting with a malignant pleural effusion at the first diagnosis. Study Design: Patients who had a cytopathologic diagnosis conclusive for lung adenocarcinoma for the first time on their pleural fluid specimen, and molecular testing done, were studied. The control group consisted of patients with a malignant pleural effusion that developed during disease progression. Results: We identified 18 patients (9 males and 9 females). Micropapillary and/or solid adenocarcinoma type features predominated among cytologic specimens (n = 15), while acinar patterns predominated in controls. Survival was not significantly different from that of the control group (mean 13.8 vs. 13.9 months, respectively; p = 0.61). Ten (55%) cases had mutations in EGFR (n = 6; 60%), KRAS (n = 3; 30%), or ALK translocation (n = 1; 10%). No mutations were identified in BRAF, AKT, ERBB2, NRAS, or PIK3CA (tested in 7 patients). Patients positive for the tested mutations had a better overall survival than patients negative for the mutations (mean survival 16.2 vs. 6.05 months, respectively; p = 0.006, log-rank test). Ten (84%) control patients were positive for mutations in EGFR (n = 5; 42%), KRAS (n = 4; 34%), or ALK translocation (n = 1; 8.4%). Conclusion: In our series, a micropapillary-like and solid-like morphology, common in cytologic specimens, and alterations in EGFR were the most frequent identifiable molecular changes.
Microflora of Retail Fluid Milk Products1

Numbers and types of microorganisms in retail pasteurized fluid milk products were determined as well as the effect that type of product, brand, and season of the year had on counts of 13 different microbial types. Clostridium perfringens was the only pathogen detected and it averaged less than one organism per milliliter. Chocolate milk samples generally had the highest mean counts, followed by skim milk, low-fat (2%), and whole milk (3.25%). Most brands had means for the various microbial counts which were not significantly different from each other. Only three brands had counts which differed significantly from other brands. Psychrotrophic, coliform, staphylococcal, yeast and mold, and Standard Plate Counts were highest between May and October, while counts for spores, streptococci, and thermophiles were highest between December and March. No seasonal trends were detected for counts of anaerobes, C. perfringens , enterococci, or lactobacilli.
Anaerobic Respiration on Self-Doped Conjugated Polyelectrolytes: Impact of Chemical Structure.

We probe anaerobic respiration of bacteria in the presence of conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs). Three different CPEs were used to probe how structural variations impact biocurrent generation from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. For the self-doped anionic CPE only, absorption spectroscopy shows that the addition of S. oneidensis MR-1 leads to the disappearance of the polaron (radical cation) band at >900 nm and an increase in the band at 735 nm due to the neutral species, consistent with electron transfer from microbe to polymer. Microbial three-electrode electrochemical cells (M3Cs) show an increase in the current generated by S. oneidensis MR-1 with addition of the self-doped CPE relative to other CPEs and controls. These experiments combined with in situ cyclic voltammetry suggest that the doped CPE facilitates electron transport to electrodes and reveal structure–function relationships relevant to developing materials for biotic/abiotic interfaces.
Prediction (Or Not) During Language Processing. A Commentary On Nieuwland et al. (2017) And Delong et al. (2005)

The extent to which language processing involves prediction of upcoming inputs remains a question of ongoing debate. One important data point comes from DeLong et al. (2005) who reported that an N400-like event-related potential correlated with a probabilistic index of upcoming input. This result is often cited as evidence for gradient probabilistic prediction of form and/or semantics, prior to the bottom-up input becoming available. However, a recent multi-lab study reports a failure to find these effects (Nieuwland et al., 2017). We review the evidence from both studies, including differences in the design and analysis approach between them. Building on over a decade of research on prediction since DeLong et al. (2005)9s original study, we also begin to spell out the computational nature of predictive processes that one might expect to correlate with ERPs that are evoked by a functional element whose form is dependent on an upcoming predicted word. For paradigms with this type of design, we propose an index of anticipatory processing, Bayesian surprise, and apply it to the updating of semantic predictions. We motivate this index both theoretically and empirically. We show that, for studies of the type discussed here, Bayesian surprise can be closely approximated by another, more easily estimated information theoretic index, the surprisal (or Shannon information) of the input. We re-analyze the data from Nieuwland and colleagues using surprisal rather than raw probabilities as an index of prediction. We find that surprisal is gradiently correlated with the amplitude of the N400, even in the data shared by Nieuwland and colleagues. Taken together, our review suggests that the evidence from both studies is compatible with anticipatory semantic processing. We do, however, emphasize the need for future studies to further clarify the nature and degree of form prediction, as well as its neural signatures, during language comprehension.
The kinematics of phototaxis in larvae of the ascidian Aplidium constellatum

Although phototaxis has an important influence on the vertical distribution and settlement of marine invertebrate larvae, few studies have explored the mechanisms of taxis in larvae at the organismal level. We examined how phototaxis changes over ontogeny in larvae of the ascidian Aplidium constellatum and experimentally tested hypotheses about the kinematics of oriented swimming. By video recording their swimming movements at regular intervals over their ontogeny, we found that larvae switched from positive to negative phototaxis. We tested hypotheses about the kinematics of phototaxis by recording the three-dimensional movement of larvae in response to a change in the direction of illumination and by tracking the tail motion of tethered larvae in response to sinusoidal changes in light intensity. Larvae swimming with negative phototaxis changed their rate of rotation about their antero-posterior and dorso-ventral axes in response to a change in the direction of illumination. These changes in the rates of rotation caused the axis of the helical trajectory to orient away from the light source. Tethered larvae oscillated their tails at a constant tail beat frequency and with a slow periodicity that was correlated with the stimulus frequency. These findings suggest that ascidian larvae orient by changing tail motion in proportion to perceived changes in light intensity. This method of orientation predicts that larvae achieve the switch from positive to negative phototaxis by changing the delay of their kinematic response to changes in perceived light intensity.
Stock Volatility and the Great Depression (Presentation Slides)

Financial and real-side variables exhibited extreme volatility during the depression. This volatility is compared to volatility during the Great Recession of 2008-2010.
Plant gain estimation in online advertising processes

Application of control theory to auction networks is important since it offers computationally efficient solutions to otherwise intractable problems. It is also of great significance due to the widespread use of auctions for resource allocation, e.g. in online advertising. But controlling agents in many large auction networks is challenging because of an uncertain and discontinuous plant. In this paper we utilize bid randomization to make the plant effectively continuous and present novel theoretical results for how to estimate the plant gain given a model uncertainty of the competitive landscape.
Fossil Canids from the Mehrten Formation, Late Cenozoic of Northern California

The Hemphillian-age Mehrten Formation has yielded several fossil dogs (family Canidae). Initial study had identified all larger canids as Borophagus secundus ( = Osteoborus cyonoides), a bone-crush...
Meta-analysis of trials comparing cefazolin to antistaphylococcal penicillins in the treatment of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia.

AIMS The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of cefazolin vs. antistaphylococcal penicillin (ASP) in the treatment of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteraemia. METHODS The databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central were used to identify comparative trials of cefazolin vs. ASP in MSSA bacteraemia. Meta-analysis of included trials was performed to assess any differences regarding mortality, clinical cure, recurrence and withdrawal from adverse effects between groups. Data were analysed using fixed effect model. Studies were weighted using Mantel-Haenszel methodology. Heterogeneity was calculated using the I2 statistic. RESULTS Nine retrospective and one prospective trials were identified involving 4728 patients, 2954 with ASP and 1774 with cefazolin. Meta-analysis showed a lower mortality rate with cefazolin vs. ASP using fixed effect model [risk ratio (RR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.88, P < 0.0001] with borderline high heterogeneity (I2 = 51%). Clinical cure was noted more often with cefazolin (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.17, P = 0.02), although no difference was noted with relapse (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.96-1.74 P = 0.09). Analysis also showed more withdrawals from adverse events with ASP vs. cefazolin (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.16-0.47, P < 0.00001). A minority of patients enrolled in these trials were admitted to the intensive care unit or had endocarditis (11.4% with ASP and 9% with cefazolin). CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis of retrospective data demonstrate that cefazolin is more effective and safer ASP in patients with MSSA bacteraemia from various causes. Low quality of trials, borderline high heterogeneity, and possible publication bias may limit the validity of our findings. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.
T and B lymphocyte antigen positive null cell leukemias

To clarify the nature of null cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) we tested null lymphoblasts and other leukemic cells for human T and B lymphocyte antigens detected by reciprocally absorbed rabbit antisera prepared against autologous T and B lymphoblast cell lines HSB-2 and SB. Blasts from 4 of 4 patients with T cell leukemia and from 2 of 10 patients with null cell leukemia expressed T cell but not B cell antigens. Blasts from 8 of 10 patients with null cell leukemia, one patient with B cell leukemia, and 3 of 3 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia expressed B cell but not T cell antigens. T lymphocyte antigen-positive null cell ALL appear to be a form of T cell ALL. B antigen-positive null cell leukemia could arise from either immature B cell precursors or from multipotential stem cells.
What If Psychology Took Intersectionality Seriously? Changing How Psychologists Think About Participants:

Using intersectionality to change how psychologists think about the demographic profile of their participants is one readily available change that psychologists across the discipline can implement ...
A supramolecular sensor array for selective immunoglobulin deficiency analysis.

A host–guest based fluorescence sensor array can sense small differences in protein structure. The combination of three cavitand hosts and two fluorophores to form a 4-component array is sufficient to fully discriminate five structurally similar Ig protein isotypes. The array can be applied to recognize Ig deficiencies in serum, when combined with a Protein L-based extraction process, allowing analysis of immunodeficiency in a simpler, lower cost manner than tests that require multiple specific antibodies.
Analyzing the Robustness of Open-World Machine Learning

When deploying machine learning models in real-world applications, an open-world learning framework is needed to deal with both normal in-distribution inputs and undesired out-of-distribution (OOD) inputs. Open-world learning frameworks include OOD detectors that aim to discard input examples which are not from the same distribution as the training data of machine learning classifiers. However, our understanding of current OOD detectors is limited to the setting of benign OOD data, and an open question is whether they are robust in the presence of adversaries. In this paper, we present the first analysis of the robustness of open-world learning frameworks in the presence of adversaries by introducing and designing oodAdvExamples. Our experimental results show that current OOD detectors can be easily evaded by slightly perturbing benign OOD inputs, revealing a severe limitation of current open-world learning frameworks. Furthermore, we find that oodAdvExamples also pose a strong threat to adversarial training based defense methods in spite of their effectiveness against in-distribution adversarial attacks. To counteract these threats and ensure the trustworthy detection of OOD inputs, we outline a preliminary design for a robust open-world machine learning framework.
The investigation of the treatment for 4612 cases with dacryocystitis of different months old infant

Objective To investigate the treatment for dacryocystitis of different months old infant. Methods The data of 5032 eyes of 4612 cases with neonatal dacryocystitis who treated by probing of lacrimal passage and lacrimal sac massage were collected. Results About 5026 eyes(99.88%)were cured and recovered to normal lacrimal function, while only 6 eyes(0.12%)were not. The efficacy of lacrimal sac massage in the treatment of neonatal dacryocystitis was obvious for neonates younger than 3 months, and the efficacy of probing of lacrimal passage for infant elder than 3 months was better. Conclusion Lacrimal sac massage is suitable for neonates younger than 3 months, while probing of lacrimal passage can cure elder infants better. Key words: Infant; Age; Dacryocystitis; Massage, lacrimal sac; Probing, lacrimal passage
Return of the Repressed: Will the Coronavirus Bring a Great Transformation to America?

Historical analysis considering implications of the health and economic crisis for social welfare spending.
Physical activity modifies the association between prenatal perfluorooctanoic acid exposure and adolescent cardiometabolic risk

BACKGROUND AND AIM: No studies have examined whether previously observed associations between higher gestational PFAS exposure and worse offspring cardiometabolic outcomes might be ameliorated thro...
The Impact of Prior Knowledge on the Effectiveness of Haptic and Visual Modalities for Teaching Forces

We developed a haptically-enhanced physics simulation to investigate the effects of haptics on the understanding of conceptual concepts related to forces—specifically those related to buoyancy. We evaluated the effects of haptic force feedback, as well as traditional visual representations of forces, on learning via a between-participant user study. Participants completed a buoyancy assessment before and after interacting with the simulation. Haptics enhanced performance regardless of prior knowledge. However, the combined effect of haptics with visual cues differed based on participant prior knowledge. Participants with high prior knowledge significantly improved performance when given both abstract visual cues and haptic feedback combined. Participants with low prior knowledge significantly improved when given haptic feedback alone, and the combination of haptics with visual cues did not improve performance. Our results suggest that the prior knowledge of users and the visual cues used impact the effectiveness of haptically-enhanced simulations with respect to learning outcomes.
Recovery of Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate from Estuarine Microflora

Poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a uniquely procaryotic endogenous storage polymer whose metabolism has been shown to reflect environmental perturbations in laboratory monocultures. When hydrolyzed for 45 min in 5% sodium hypochlorite, PHB can be isolated from estuarine detrital microflora in high yield and purified free from non-PHB microbial components. Lyophilization of frozen estuarine samples shortens the exposure time to NaOCl necessary for maximal recovery. Lyophilized samples of hardwood leaves, Vallisneria, and the aerobic upper millimeter of estuarine muds yielded PHB. The efficiency of incorporation of sodium [1-C]acetate into PHB is very high and is stimulated by aeration. PHB was not recovered from the anaerobic portions of sediments unless they were aerated for a short time. Levels of PHB in the detrital microbial community do not correlate with the microbial biomass as measured by the extractible lipid phosphate, suggesting that PHB-like eucaryotic endogenous storage materials may more accurately reflect the metabolic status of the population than its biomass.
Evading the use tax on cross-border sales

Abstract A use tax is similar to a sales tax, except that it is imposed on purchases made from out-of-state firms. Historically, the use tax has been widely evaded. This paper uses a spatial model to analyze the welfare effects of such evasion. The analysis shows that the ability of consumers to evade the use tax alters their behavior in a way that leads firms to charge lower prices. This reduces the welfare loss created by the sellers' market power, and implies that evasion can increase welfare, even when tax rates are adjusted to offset the effect of evasion on tax revenue.
Situs inversus, bronchiectasis and sinusitis; report of a family with two cases of Kartagener's triad and two additional cases of bronchiectasis among six siblings.

A family is reported in which there occurred two cases of Kartagener9s triad and two of bronchiectasis without situs inversus among six siblings. Eighty cases of Kartagener9s triad previously reported are tabulated. The relation of this syndrome to the question of the etiology of bronchiectasis is discussed.
Recent advances in CO2 laser catalysts

This paper discusses several recent advances in CO2 laser catalysts including comparisons of the activity of Au/MnO2 to Pt/SnO2 catalysts with possible explanations for observed differences. The catalysts are compared for the effect of test gas composition, pretreatment temperature, isotopic integrity, long term activity, and gold loading effects on the Au/MnO2 catalyst activity. Tests conducted to date include both long-term tests of up to six months continuous operation and short-term tests of one week or more that include isotopic integrity testing.
A simple set of grasps for a dextrous hand

This paper describes a high-level control mechanism for a dextrous hand. It overviews a distributed environment for robot control currently under development. A simple flexible set of grasps for a dextrous hand is then suggested and their implementation discussed. Finally the paper speculates about the role the grasp can play in obstacle avoidance and vice-versa.
Complex Dielectric Permittivity Measurements from Ground-Penetrating Radar Data to Estimate Snow Liquid Water Content in the Pendular Regime

[1] Monitoring the snow water equivalent (SWE) is critical to effective management of water resources in many parts of the world that depend on the mountain snowpack for water storage. There are currently no methods to remotely sense SWE with accuracy over large lateral distances in the steep and often forested terrain of mountain basins. Previous studies have shown that measurements of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) velocity can provide accurate estimates of SWE in dry snow. Introduction of liquid water into the snowpack results in a three-phase system that cannot be accurately characterized with GPR velocity alone. We show that measuring the frequency-dependent GPR signal attenuation and velocity provides a direct estimate of the complex dielectric permittivity. Because the imaginary component is a function only of liquid water content, we can utilize both the real and imaginary components of the permittivity to estimate liquid water content, snow density, and SWE using existing empirical relationships that are valid in the pendular regime. We tested this new method at two field sites and found that the estimates were accurate to within 12% of gravimetric methods in both a moist and a dry snowpack. GPR has the potential to provide SWE estimates across large lateral distances over a broad range of snow conditions.
Laser Beam Shaping by Holographic Optical Elements

For material processing and laser machining, it is important to shape intensity and phase profiles of the laser beams. For dynamic beam shaping, we suggest the method based on energy exchange during self-diffraction of laser beams in the photorefractive materials. For applications, related to use of the powerful lasers we have tested a possibility of beam shaping by holographic optical elements, recorded in Photo-Thermo-Refractive (PTR) glasses, developed in CREOL. The gratings in PTR glasses are stable up to 400°C with laser-induced breakdown energy threshold of 10 J/cm2 in 1 ns pulses at 1064 nm. High diffraction efficiency more than 95% of gratings recorded in PTR glass allows to achieving high energy transfer that is vital for commercial laser applications. Preliminary results show that flattop distribution of laser intensity may be realized in the diffraction orders.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Impact of a Patient-Centered Medical Home on Access, Quality, and Cost

ABSTRACTContext: Patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) are intended to actively provide effective care by physician-led teams, where patients take a leading role and responsibility. Objective: To determine whether the Walter Reed PCMH has reduced costs while at least maintaining if not improving access to and quality of care, and to determine whether access, quality, and cost impacts differ by chronic condition status. Design, setting, and patients: This study conducted a retrospective analysis using a patient-level utilization database to determine the impact of the Walter Reed PCMH on utilization and cost metrics, and a survey of enrollees in the Walter Reed PCMH to address access to care and quality of care. Outcome measures: Inpatient and outpatient utilization, per member per quarter costs, Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set metrics, and composite measures for access, patient satisfaction, provider communication, and customer service are included. Results: Costs were 11% lower for tho...
Model-based inverse scattering for microwave breast imaging: An analysis of tissue feature sensitivity versus model error sensitivity

Quantitative microwave imaging based on inverse scattering shows promise for breast cancer risk assessment, detection, and treatment monitoring due to its low cost, non-ionizing nature, and fully three-dimensional imaging potential. Solving for the unknown tissue dielectric properties distribution is commonly achieved using iterative model-based inverse scattering algorithms. These algorithms function by comparing measured scattered fields to scattered fields calculated from a forward simulation. The underlying assumption is that the best match between simulated and measured signals will occur when the simulated model of the object, i.e. the breast, has the same dielectric properties as the true object, and that differences between the measured and simulated signals are dominated by differences between the actual and estimated properties of the object. For any array, uncertainty in the material properties of the “known” environment outside the object represents an additional source of signal discrepancy, and thus it is of interest to evaluate the desired sensitivity to breast tissue features relative to undesired sensitivity to uncertainty in the properties of the environment.
An IEEE 1451.0-based Platform-Independent TEDS Creator using Open Source Software Components

This paper introduces a Graphical User Interface supported and platform-independent application to generate a Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) based on the IEEE 1451.0 standard using Python programming language. Compared to other TEDS application development efforts, this application provides a help system that improves the usability as it requires little familiarity with the IEEE 1451 standard. It is built on the Hierarchical Model-View-Controller software design architecture to improve reusability and modularity, it is platform agnostic, light-weight and easy to install, it produces both binary and Text-based TEDS, supports a large array of physical units used in the hydrology field and also incorporates sensor data management provision. We have used the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences, Inc.’s Observations Data Model (CUAHSI ODM) as a test case to demonstrate how backend demands on data management can be incorporated in front end applications such as the TEDS. We have tested the results of our application with examples provided in the IEEE 1451.0 documentation, and both results show agreement.
Dedifferentiation and Redifferentiation of Cells in Hydra viridis

The interstitial cell of the green hydra is formed by dedifferentiation of specialized gastrodermal cells. Similarly, the epidermal epitheliomuscular cells are probably formed by direct difjerentiation of algae-laden digestive cells that lose their algae and enclosed food droplets, migrate to the periphery of the animal, and begin the mucous secretion characteristic of epidermal cells.
Cobalt-free and samarium-free permanent magnet materials based on an iron-rare earth boride

Abstract Ternary iron-praseodymium-boron alloys with 12 at.% Pr and 4 at.% B are potential high-performance permanent magnets in the bulk and respond to conventional processing methods. The magnetic phase is Fe21Pr3B with a primitive tetragonal lattice ( a = 0.886 , c = 1.224 nm). It exhibits high magnetocrystalline anisotropy with a single easy axis along [001]. The systems Fe-La-B and Fe-Nd-B have the same phase with comparable properties.
A chain compact space which is not strongly scattered

A compactT2 spaceX which is separable, scattered and uncountable, but still so thatXα−Xα+1is countable for all α∈[1, ω) is constructed. This answers one of the problems presented by M. E. Rudin in a conference as an open problem and attributed by her to Telgarsky.
Quantitative relationships between glucose reabsorption and mutarotation by dog kidney invivo

Summary When α or β glucose are infused into the renal artery of dogs the anomeric composition of the glucose found in urine due to exceeding the renal threshold is not substantially different from that of the glucose which entered the kidney. Glucose found in the renal vein blood plasma, however, has been subjected to catalyzed mutarotation. The data are consistent quantitatively with the proposal that mutarotase (aldose l-epimerase) action is involved in the reabsorption of glucose.
Core-level shifts of low coordination atoms at the W(320) stepped surface

We study the surface core-level shifts (SCLS's) at the W(320) surface by ab initio calculations, including both initial-state and final-state effects. This stepped surface features (110) terraces with five atom rows, separated by single atomic steps. We find that the final-state effect is important for the proper prediction of the SCLS at the W(320) surface. Unlike the W(110) surface where the final-state effect increases the SCLS to lower binding energy, the reverse is true in the W(320) surface, indicating inefficient core-hole screening at the stepped surface. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the interpretation of core-level photoemission spectra from the W(320) surface.
Academic and Noncognitive Factors Affecting the Retention of Black Men at a Predominantly White University.

High attrition rates have proven especially damaging to the population of "at risk" and minority students in institutions of higher education nationwide. However, budgetary constraints on many campuses have forced administrators to expand their focus beyond cultivating large freshman-class enrollments to including concerted retention efforts. Colleges and universities across the country continue to examine patterns of student retention. In fall 1989, the Office of Educational Services and Programs (ESP) at a predominantly White midwestern state university was configured to recruit, admit, and provide services to educationally underprepared students, racial minorities, and other historically underrepresented groups in higher education. Prior to that the Office of Special Projects provided such services, primarily for freshman students. Students admitted via the ESP route receive counseling and academic support services which include a two-day freshman orientation prior to admission, course placement and schedule completion assistance, academic and financial aid counseling, and group workshops addressing the transitional experiences freshmen encounter. These services are designed to maximize student retention and enhance the quality of academic life. The ESP admissions screening process currently incorporates evaluation of traditional variables such as American College Test (ACT) English subscores, high school class rank, high school courses taken, and grade point average (GPA), along with nontraditional variables (extracurricular activities, club and sports participation, school attendance and tardiness, and employment history). Additionally, applicants must submit an autobiographical letter which helps the staff determine the student's attitude toward college, long-range goals, and academic interest. The counseling staff then interviews each applicant prior to making a decision. The present study was designed to investigate whether and to what extent noncognitive and the traditional precollege variables such as ACT scores and high school class rank predict first-semester grade point average (GPA) and enrollment status for ESP-admitted freshman students by ethnic and gender subgroup. Of specific interest, however, was the sample of Black men. While the complex interplay of academic, eco-
Identity of green single- and two-photon excited interband emission in thin film CdS on glass

Nano- and femtosecond laser pulses at 355 and 768 nm cause purely green single- and two-photon-excited interband emission in thin film CdS on glass at room temperature. It is demonstrated that both emissions occur according to the detailed balance principle and that the spectral shape of the emission is independent of the mode of excitation. The work also addresses energy dissipation in thin film CdS excited beyond the Mott-transition.
Implications for the mechanism of sulfite oxidizing enzymes from pulsed EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations for “difficult” nuclei

The catalytic mechanisms of sulfite oxidizing enzymes (SOEs) have been investigated by multi-frequency pulsed EPR measurements of “difficult” magnetic nuclei (35,37Cl, 33S, 17O) associated with the Mo(V) center. Extensive DFT calculations have been used to relate the experimental magnetic resonance parameters of these nuclei to specific active site structures. This combined spectroscopic and computational approach has provided new insights concerning the structure/function relationships of the active sites of SOEs, including: (i) the exchange of oxo ligands; (ii) the nature of the blocked forms; and (iii) the role of Cl− in low pH forms.
Path integral treatment of an anisotropic nonquadratic potential

Abstract An anisotropic nonquadratic potential — a deformed ring potential, which has never been solved before, is solved by path integration. The exact energy spectrum and the normalized exact energy eigenfunctions of the system are obtained.
Determination of Discharge Coefficients for Hydraulic Sparger Design

This paper provides design examples and summarizes a study on the determination of multiple free discharge orifice coefficients in a circular walled manifold for a variety of shapes and area projections. A simplified design procedure is presented which allows engineers to accurately maintain a given pressure and flow at the entrance to the sparger. The design provides for uniform flow across the cooling tower basin, and prevents an increase in back pressure or open channel flow within the sparger, minimizing the effect on upstream performance.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Quality emphasis at IBM's software engineering institute

Improvements in quality and productivity in the development of programs can be obtained by instructing the programming development groups in the use of modern software engineering methodology. To provide this instruction for its employees, IBM has established a Software Engineering Institute. Currently training in the methodology is being offered through an education program of the Institute known as the Software Engineering Workshop. This paper describes the role of the Institute, its background and offerings, and some results obtained.
The push toward low voltage devices

Since the early 1980s, increasing attention has been focused on the development and manufacture of low voltage and low power electronics. The motivation for this trend is multifaceted. For RF and microwave circuitry, the constraints implied by the low voltage imperative can be examined as they apply to every aspect of RF/microwave component development. The ultimate success of a low voltage and low power RF product strategy is affected by all of the following issues: materials technology (GaAs, Si, epitaxy, implant, heterojunctions); device technology (BJT, HBT, MESFET, MOSFET, HEMT); circuit technology (topology challenges for low voltage); and radio system design issues (architecture trends and low voltage). Of these factors, system architecture has the greatest potential impact.
Proteomic Analysis of Human Cerebral Endothelial Cells Activated by Multiple Sclerosis Serum and IFNβ-1b

Several groups have recently described the endothelial cell (EC) as an important target of pathological mediators in multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite the recognition of the EC as a significant target in MS and a possible beneficiary of Beta-interferon therapy, the structural changes which occur in the cerebrovascular endothelium and the effects of interferon-β1b on these changes have not been closely evaluated. Disruption or dysregulation of the blood brain barrier (BBB) in MS represents a loss of endothelial integrity, which may facilitate the transendothelial migration of activated leukocytes responsible for the development of demyelinating lesions of MS. We used proteomics (2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-MS) to characterize the effects of serum from MS patients with active disease (with and without interferon-β1b therapy) on human cerebral endothelial cells. The results of this study revealed the up- and down-regulation of expression of several proteins related to blood vessel development, cell structure, and cell cycle control. Using this approach we have identified protein 14-3-3, metavinculin, myosin-9, plasminogen, reticulocalbin-2 and-3, ribonuclease/angiogenin inhibitor 1, annexin A1, tropomyosin and Ras-related protein Rap-1A as potential new markers of active MS disease. A more complete description of cerebrovascular endothelial biomarkers and mediators in MS pathogenesis and how they are regulated by inflammatory cytokines and β-interferons may lead to the development of more effective therapies and more accurate diagnostic markers in MS.
Studies on statistically excited shell model nuclei: The dependence of the shell structure and of the pairing correlation upon angular momentum

Abstract The statistical properties of excited shell model nuclei with the inclusion of the angular momentum and of the pairing correlation are studied. Particular attention is dedicated to the dependence of the shell effects and of the superfluid properties upon angular momentum. The statistical functions, generated from the pairing Hamiltonian properly generalized to account for angular momentum, are calculated for various nuclei on the basis of the Nilsson model. The neutron and proton gap parameters are evaluated as a function of temperature and angular momentum. The dependence of the critical angular momenta and of the critical temperatures upon the physical quantities characterizing the nucleus is discussed. The question of the existence of a second order phase transition associated with the disappearance of the pairing correlation is considered. The temperature scale is transformed to the excitation-energy scale and the yrast line, as well as other energy-angular-momentum isotherms, are calculated. The evaluation of the thermodynamical quantities for the combined system of neutrons and protons is discussed in detail. As a final product, the level densities as a function of angular momentum and excitation energy are obtained.
Hazards faced by informal recyclers in the squatter communities of Asunción, Paraguay

AbstractBackground: Informal recycling is widespread in developing countries and involves the collection, sorting, and selling of recyclable materials. Workers are exposed to hazards including the risk of cuts and musculoskeletal injury, infection, exposure to medical waste, and respiratory conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis and often use insufficient personal protective equipment.Objective: Assess the occupational and environmental health hazards faced by informal recyclers working at a landfill in Asuncion, Paraguay.Methods: We surveyed 102 informal recyclers and 12 formal recyclers about occupational health, workplace safety, general health, and household economics. Personal air samples were used to assess respirable dust and nobel metal exposure on 18 workers.Results: Exposures to hazards such as syringes, medical waste, and broken glass as well as risk factors such as eating food found in the trash, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and inadequate sanitation were frequent...
Photochemical versus Thermal Synthesis of Cobalt Oxyhydroxide Nanocrystals

Photochemical methods facilitate the generation, isolation, and study of metastable nanomaterials having unusual size, composition, and morphology. These harder-to-isolate and highly reactive phases, inaccessible using conventional high-temperature pyrolysis, are likely to possess enhanced and unprecedented chemical, electromagnetic, and catalytic properties. We report a fast, low-temperature and scalable photochemical route to synthesize very small (∼3 nm) monodisperse cobalt oxyhydroxide (Co(O)OH) nanocrystals. This method uses readily and commercially available pentaamminechlorocobalt(III) chloride, [Co(NH3)5Cl]Cl2, under acidic or neutral pH and proceeds under either near-UV (350 nm) or Vis (575 nm) illumination. Control experiments showed that the reaction proceeds at competent rates only in the presence of light, does not involve a free radical mechanism, is insensitive to O2, and proceeds in two steps: (1) Aquation of [Co(NH3)5Cl]2+ to yield [Co(NH3)5(H2O)]3+, followed by (2) slow photoinduced rele...
Malignant Melanoma Cells Assemble a Tumor Biofilm that Promotes Survival and Resistance in Response to External Stresses

Cutaneous melanoma cells secrete and assemble a myriad of extracellular matrix molecules into dense fibrillar and globular networks. We hypothesize that this tumor biofilm is dynamic and protective in response to external insults. Using quantitative proteomics, we identify the components and determine the temporal evolution of the tumor biofilm. Fibronectin was found to be one of the key architectural components, regulating drug efficacy for a broad spectrum of therapies. Stable cell lines engineered to secrete minimal levels of fibronectin in clonally derived 3D tumor aggregates became sensitive to cisplatin and BRAF and ERK inhibition. These cells failed to successfully form tumors in mice and remained dormant under hypoxic conditions. To determine if the protective properties conferred by fibronectin biogenesis similarly affect malignant cell survival in new microenvironments during metastasis, we evaluated tissue tropism of our stable cell lines in an intracardiac model of injection and correlated fibronectin production with broader colonization of diverse tissues. This suggests that the extracellular matrix proteins assembled by tumor cells are dynamically regulated in response to physical and chemical properties of the surrounding tissue. We reason that the architectural complexity conferred by integrating fibronectin into the tumor biofilm provides the degree of plasticity and flexibility that allows for better colonial adaptability and survival in response to microenvironmental perturbations.
Radiographic pulmonary abnormalities after different types of cardiac surgery

One aim of this study was to determine the incidence of new radiographic pulmonary abnormalities during hospitalization after cardiac surgery. Another aim was to determine if such abnormalities are more common among patients who had left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafting. The predictive value of radiographic abnormalities for clinically important pulmonary morbidity was also determined. The anteroposterior chest radiographs of 152 patients obtained by portable equipment were evaluated to determine the incidence of new postoperative radiographic pulmonary abnormalities such as atelectasis, consolidation, infiltrate, and pleural effusion. Clinically important pulmonary morbidity was defined as a delay in tracheal extubation or discharge from the hospital because of a pulmonary reason. Among the 89 patients who had LIMA grafting and left pleurotomy, there was an 88% incidence of left-sided pulmonary abnormalities; a 73% incidence of left-sided atelectasis; and a 55% incidence of left-sided effusion. Among the 63 patients who had saphenous vein grafting only and/or valvular surgery, the respective incidences were 68%, 54%, and 35%, which were lower (P less than or equal to 0.05) than those in the patients who had LIMA grafting. There was no significant difference in abnormalities between the saphenous vein grafting and the valvular surgery groups. The 35% incidence of left-sided pleural effusion when LIMA grafting and pleurotomy were not performed was unexpectedly high. There was no association between radiographic abnormalities and age, the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, and the duration of aortic occlusion, indicating that cardiopulmonary bypass was not a primary etiology of these radiographic abnormalities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Glycogenolysis in octopus spermatozoa

Abstract During in vitro incubation at 8 °C the glycogen reserve of octopus spermatozoa undergoes glycogenolysis. For the first 48 h, during which motility remains high, the formation of D (−)lactic acid accounts for most of the metabolized glycogen. Upon longer incubation, when motility begins to decrease, the glycogen content of the octopus spermatozoa continues to fall, but the concentration of lactic acid remains static, indicating that the latter is no longer the sole metabolic end-product.
Direct mammotrophic effect of a pituitary homograft in rats.

Grafting a single pituitary gland subcutaneously in the hypophysectomized or hypophysectomized and ovariectomized rat induces profound alveolar lobular growth of the atrophic mammary glands. When an ovary is implanted simultaneously with the pituitary graft, the corpora lutea of the ovarian graft are maintained. The mammotrophic effect of the graft, however, is observed only in the mammary gland on the side where the pituitary graft is implanted; the contralateral gland remains atrophic. It is concluded that the pituitary graft exerts a direct mammotrophic effect on the mammary gland, and that this effect is independent of the presence or absence of ovaries and pituitaries in situ. The extent to which the mammary gland develops appears to depend only upon the amount of prolactin secreted by the pituitary graft, and steroid hormones are probably not needed.
Decreased bone growth arrest in weanling rats with multiple radiation fractions per day

Abstract The relative growth arrest caused by fractionated irradiation delivered in single or multiple daily fractions was studied in weanling rats. Twenty-two day old male rats were treated to a total dose of either 20 or 25 Gy in five consecutive days to the distal femoral and proximal tibial epiphyses of the right and left leg. For each dose three treatment groups were followed for longitudinal tibial growth as measured on serial radiographs: (a) no treatment, (b) 5 fractions in 5 days or (c) 10 fractions in 5 days. Tibial length was significantly greater in the legs treated with twice-daily fractions (TDF) as compared with single daily fractions (SDF) with 23% and 27% sparing of growth arrest (at 200 days) in legs treated to total doses of 20 and 25 Gy respectively ( p ⪡ 0.001). This appeared to result from a continuously greater rate of growth during the first 40–50 days following TDF irradiation as compared with SDF. These data suggest that hyperfractionation may provide a means of reducing growth deficits in children when skeletal growth centers must be included in the irradiated volume.
Concomitant Aortic and Renal Artery Reconstruction in Patients on an Intensive Antihypertensive Medical Regimen: Long-Term Outcome

= 22) or bilateral (n= 19) aortorenal bypass or renal endarterectomy (n= 2). Operative mortality was 4.7% (2 of 43). The estimated 5-yr probability of survival was 83% (95% C.I. 0.70, 0.99). Late follow-up data on blood pressure control were available for review in 32 patients at a median follow-up of 37 months. Hypertension was cured in 1 (3%) and improved in an additional 15 (47%) patients. The numbers of antihypertensive medications taken preoperatively (mean = 2.7) declined at late follow-up (mean = 1.6). Notably, the largest reduction was observed with beta blockers (p= 0.006), central sympatholytics (p= 0.041), and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (p= 0.052). The number of preoperative antihypertensive medications was not significantly related to survival or to blood pressure improvement. However, uncontrolled preoperative hypertension despite antihypertensive therapy was associated with a favorable blood pressure response to operation (p < 0.001). Patients on an intensive antihypertensive regimen can safely undergo concomitant renal artery and aortic reconstruction for the empiric management of hypertension. Poorly controlled preoperative hypertension in the presence of multiple antihypertensive agents is a favorable marker for improved postoperative blood pressure control.