cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis on SVC Modification Program

The electric arc furnace(EAF)uses the heat caused by the arc light between electrodes to melt the metal. Especially at the instant of arc ignition,the current varies abruptly with severe fluctuation. The highest fluctuation closes to short circuit,whilst the lowest fluctuation just like open circuit. Frequent variation of the current would cause voltage drop on the network impedance,result in the fluctuation of network voltage and lead to deterioration of power quality.In this paper,the influence of voltage fluctuation at instant of arc ignition on existing SVC reactive power compensation system of certain substation is analyzed,its shortcoming is pointed out and reasonable modification program is given on the basis of comparison of simulation result.Finally,very satisfactory result is obtained.
Phase association method of multisection sampled data

The characteristics of multisection sampled data are analysed by means of unit circle on complex plane firstly. On the basis of the analysis, two kinds of phase association methods of multisection sampled data are proposed for accumulating multidata in phase and improve the precision of frequency estimation. The new methods can be used in both detection of FMCW echo and frequency estimation of correlative pulse train. Finally, simulation data is given to certify the capability of new methods.
Immunoperoxidase localization of prolactin in endometrium during normal menstrual, luteal phase defect, and corrected luteal phase defect cycles*†

An avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining technique for human prolactin (hPRL) was developed for determination of the location of PRL-producing cells in the endometrium of women with normal menstrual cycles (NMC), luteal phase defects (LPD), and corrected LPD cycles (CLPD). One hundred eight biopsy specimens were studied. Fifty-six patients had NMC, 29 had LPD, and 23 had CLPD. Only decidualized stromal cells stained specifically for hPRL. There was no specific staining in specimens dated earlier than day 25. All specimens dated later than day 25 exhibited decidual cell staining. In specimens dated day 25, 15 of 20 NMC, 5 of 11 CLPD, and 6 of 10 LPD demonstrated decidual staining ( P > 0.1). These findings suggest that decidual cells are responsible for hPRL production in late secretory endometrium and that the ability of decidual cells to stain for hPRL is dependent on the histologic date of the endometrium and not on the diagnosis of LPD or CLPD.
Separate Roads to Feminism: The Vanguard Center

Many people don't believe that Black women were involved in the feminist movement and many people don't believe Black women should have been involved in the feminist movement, and I think it's important to tell the truth. Dorothy King Harrisburg, Pennsylvania February 2000 Introduction: Black Feminism as the “Vanguard Center” In this chapter, I examine the emergence of Black feminism in the second wave, a movement that grew out of changes in the Civil Rights and Black Liberation movements of the 1960s and 1970s. From the 1950s to the mid-1960s, the Civil Rights movement was predominantly rooted in local community institutions in the South; women played key roles within these institutions (Crawford et al. 1990; McNair Barnett 1993; Payne 1989, 1990; Robnett 1997). But by the mid-sixties, the movement's social base had shifted, becoming younger and more northern; with this shift of the movement's social base came an infusion of a masculinist version of Black nationalism. Black women were subsequently discouraged from keeping the positions of responsibility that they had held, and were asked to take “supportive” roles behind the scenes. These role constrictions sat poorly with many Black women, who argued that male activists were being influenced by a white middle-class conception of traditional gender roles, roles that were in any case alien to the Black community, and which contradicted the revolutionary goals that movement activists espoused.
Interaction of bone marrow stem cells with other cells

Transplantation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) as a regenerative cell replacement therapy for stroke holds great promise. However, the mechanisms underlying functional recovery after stroke remain unclear. Clearly, BMSCs benefit the neurological dysfunction in either direct or indirect methods through the interaction with other cells. In this chapter, we review the direct and indirect interactions of transplanted BMSCs with HSCs, immune cells, neural stem cells (NSCs), neurons, astrocytes, and endothelial cells for better understanding of the mechanisms underlying BMSC-mediated neurological function improvement after stroke.
Electronic patient-reported outcomes and toxicities during radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer

Purpose To characterize quality of life (QOL) using real-time, electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) and to evaluate adverse events (AEs) and supportive care during head-and-neck radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).
The Effect of Implant-Induced Artifacts on Interpreting Adjacent Bone Structures on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans.

INTRODUCTION Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging can be used to visualize anatomical structures before implant placement. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of implant artifacts on the accuracy of measuring periimplant bone dimensions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nineteen implants were placed into 9 fresh, frozen cadavers. A CBCT scan was taken, the implants were removed, and a second scan was taken. Implant dimensions and periimplant bone measurements were calculated. The mean differences were compared with paired t tests. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for bone thickness measurements. DISCUSSION No significant differences were found between the implant dimension or bone thickness measurements on each scan. Bone thickness at the implant platform and apex were significantly correlated (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The presence of dental implants did not impact the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) measurements of bone thickness by metallic artifacts.
Comparison of outcomes following transplantation with T-replete HLA-haploidentical donors using post-transplant cyclophosphamide to matched related and unrelated donors for patients with AML and MDS aged 60 years or older.

Allografting from HLA-haploidentical donors (HID) is being increasingly utilized worldwide for patients lacking a conventional matched donor. However, its efficacy in older patients with AML and MDS is unclear. We analyzed 127 consecutive allografts for AML/MDS patients aged ≥ 60 years at our center to compare outcomes using HID to those of contemporaneous transplants using matched sibling (MRD) or matched unrelated (MUD) donors. Patient characteristics were similar except HID transplants were more likely in non-white patients and were more commonly performed with reduced intensity conditioning and a marrow graft. For MRD, MUD and HID transplants respectively, 2-year estimates of non-relapse mortality (17, 23, and 9%), relapse (32, 34, and 33%), overall survival (OS) (62, 55, and 67%) and disease-free survival (DFS) (51, 43, and 58%) were not significantly different. Maximum cumulative incidences of grade 2–4 acute GVHD were not different (27, 37, 39%), but incidences of NIH grade moderate to severe (39, 35, 15%, p = 0.028 MUD vs. HID, p = 0.026 MRD vs. HID) and severe chronic GVHD (9, 12, 0%, p = 0.030 MUD vs. HID, p = 0.009 MRD vs. HID) were significantly higher in MRD and MUD than in HID transplants. On multivariable analysis, donor type was not a significant determinant of OS, DFS, TRM, or relapse. However, male gender and high/very high Disease Risk Index (DRI) were associated with significantly higher rates of relapse (HR 1.94, p = 0.047 for male gender, HR 2.48, p = 0.004 for high/very high DRI) and lower OS (HR 1.94, p = 0.018 for male gender, HR 1.80, p = 0.025 for high/very high DRI). HIDs are an acceptable alternative to matched donors in older patients with AML and MDS.
Drones as collaborative sensors for image recognition

Distributed sensor networks have the ability for more data collection and advanced tasks such as object recognition and tracking than a singular sensor. However, these sensor networks are often limited in their ability to coordinate either by their requirement to be connected to a central system or by their fixed position and static nature. Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a unique opportunity in multi-sensor networks. Although drones are usually limited by their available power due to battery capacity, recent advances in technology and algorithms provide drones with more available computational power. In addition to computability augmentation in drone mobility, decentralized coordination enables drones to create the next generation of distributed multi-sensor networks. In this paper, we explore combination of the existing image processing and object recognition techniques in the perspective of collaborative drones, which can improve the robustness of image recognition tasks.
Light Scattering Analysis of Single Cells

Light scattering is an attractive tool for flow cytometric analysis because it is an inherently nondestructive probe and can be used for the analysis and sorting of unstained, viable cells. Since every cell passing through the laser beam scatters light, it can be used in conjunction with fluorescence probes to discriminate between stained and unstained fractions of a sample.
Speech Patterns of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction

The purpose of this chapter is to acquaint the non-speech-language pathologist with speech characteristics that are symptomatic of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Our intent is not to furnish the reader with an all-encompassing description of “cleft palate speech” but to broadly define issues and terms.
Delayed onset of neurosarcoidosis after concurrent ipilimumab/nivolumab therapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed the treatment landscape for many cancers, including metastatic melanoma, but have also opened the door for a diverse variety of immune-related adverse effects. We describe the first reported case of presumed neurosarcoidosis as an immune-related adverse effect that developed nearly a year after discontinuation of treatment with combination ipilimumab and nivolumab for recurrent metastatic melanoma. The patient was noted to develop clinical signs consistent with systemic sarcoidosis shortly after the initiation of treatment and underwent a biopsy of hilar lymphadenopathy that confirmed sarcoidosis and after which immunotherapy was discontinued. His melanoma remained stable on surveillance imaging for the next year after which time he developed neurological symptoms and was found to have MRI brain abnormalities without evidence of intracranial metastatic disease, consistent with probable neurosarcoidosis given biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis and lack of evidence of CNS infection or malignancy. He underwent treatment with high dose steroids, followed by infliximab, and then methotrexate with both clinical and radiographic improvement within 4 months of starting treatment. Immune-related adverse effects often occur within 3–6 months of receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, with some reports of late toxicity. This report highlights a case of probable neurosarcoidosis nearly a year after discontinuation of immune checkpoint therapy. The potential for durable responses after discontinuation of therapy also likely underscores a potential for late toxicity. In patients presenting with new or unexplained symptoms after checkpoint inhibitor therapy, the index of suspicion for an immune-related adverse effect should remain high, irrespective of timing.
Probing Conformational Diversity of Fc Domains in Aggregation-Prone Monoclonal Antibodies

Fc domains are an integral component of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and Fc-based fusion proteins. Engineering mutations in the Fc domain is a common approach to achieve desired effector function and clinical efficacy of therapeutic mAbs. It remains debatable, however, whether molecular engineering either by changing glycosylation patterns or by amino acid mutation in Fc domain could impact the higher order structure of Fc domain potentially leading to increased aggregation propensities in mAbs. Here, we use NMR fingerprinting analysis of Fc domains, generated from selected Pfizer mAbs with similar glycosylation patterns, to address this question. Specifically, we use high resolution 2D [13C-1H] NMR spectra of Fc fragments, which fingerprints methyl sidechain bearing residues, to probe the correlation of higher order structure with the storage stability of mAbs. Thermal calorimetric studies were also performed to assess the stability of mAb fragments. Unlike NMR fingerprinting, thermal melting temperature as obtained from calorimetric studies for the intact mAbs and fragments (Fc and Fab), did not reveal any correlation with the aggregation propensities of mAbs. Despite >97% sequence homology, NMR data suggests that higher order structure of Fc domains could be dynamic and may result in unique conformation(s) in solution. The overall glycosylation pattern of these mAbs being similar, these conformation(s) could be linked to the inherent plasticity of the Fc domain, and may act as early transients to the overall aggregation of mAbs.
Different Effects of Vinblastine on the Polymerization of Isotypically Purified Tubulins from Bovine Brain

Vinblastine, a highly successful antitumor drug, targets the tubulin molecule. Tubulin, the subunit protein of microtubules, consists of an α- and a β-subunit, both of which consist of isotypes encoded by different genes. We have purified three isotypes of bovine brain tubulin, namely, αβII, αβIII and αβIV. Microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2) and Tau-induced assembly of these isotypes were compared in the presence and absence of vinblastine. MAP2-induced assembly of unfractionated tubulin and all the isotypes except αβII tubulin was resistant to 1 μM vinblastine. Vinblastine at low concentrations (<10 μM) progressively inhibited the assembly of all of the isotypes but the vinblastine concentration required for inhibition of MAP2-induced microtubule assembly was minimal for αβII. The tau-induced assembly of unfractionated tubulin and αβIII were equally sensitive to 1 μM vinblastine whereas αβII and αβIV were much more sensitive to vinblastine. The microtubules obtained in the presence of tau from unfractionated tubulin, αβII and αβIV could be easily aggregated by 20 μM vinblastine whereas such as aggregation of microtubules obtained from αβIII and tau required approximatedly 40 μM vinblastine. Our results suggest that among the tubulin isotypes, αβII is the most sensitive to vinblastine in the presence of MAPs while αβIII is the most resistant and this intrinsic resistance of αβIII dimers persists in the polymeric form of αβIII tubulin as well. These results may be relevant to the therapeutic and toxic actions of vinblastine.
Positive margin rates and predictors in transoral robotic surgery after federal approval: A national quality study.

BACKGROUND Purpose of the study is to assess nationwide margin performance in oropharynx transoral robotic surgery (TORS). METHODS Retrospective review of the National Cancer Database. RESULTS Two thousand six hundred sixty-one patients were included. The national positive margin rate (PMR) was 16.9%. High-volume facilities had a lower PMR than low-volume facilities (12.7% vs 21.9%; P < .001). Patients with disease of the tonsil had a lower PMR (15.7%) than base-of-the-tongue (18.2%; P = .14). PMR increased with T classification (T1 = 13.0%, T2 = 17.1%, T3 = 28.2%, T4a = 45.9%, T4b = 58.3%; P < .001). On multivariable regression, factors associated with margin status included only lymph-vascular invasion (1.63[1.13-2.36]; P = .01), high volume (0.57[0.36-0.92]; P = .005), and T classification (as compared to T1, T2: 1.50[1.03-2.18], T3: 3.11[1.77-5.46], T4a: 7.03[2.95-16.75], T4b: 6.72[1.26-35.93]; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS National PMR is 16.9%, substantially higher than reported in high-volume TORS centers. There is a linear association between positive margins and T classification, with T3 and T4 PMRs exceeding 28%. High-volume facilities are half as likely to yield positive margins compared to low-volume facilities. There was no association between human papilloma virus status, tumor subsite, or academic facility status and positive margins.
Inhibition of a Selective SWI/SNF Function Synergizes with ATR Inhibitors in Cancer Cell Killing

SWI/SNF (BAF) complexes are a diverse family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers produced by combinatorial assembly that are mutated in and thought to contribute to 20% of human cancers and a large number of neurologic diseases. The gene-activating functions of BAF complexes are essential for viability of many cell types, limiting the development of small molecule inhibitors. To circumvent the potential toxicity of SWI/SNF inhibition, we identified small molecules that inhibit the specific repressive function of these complexes but are relatively non-toxic and importantly synergize with ATR inhibitors in killing cancer cells. Our studies suggest an avenue for therapeutic enhancement of ATR/ATM inhibition and provide evidence for chemical synthetic lethality of BAF complexes as a therapeutic strategy in cancer.
Thyroid Dysfunction, Recovery, and Prognosis in Melanoma Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Retrospective Review

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe thyroid dysfunction, factors associated with thyroid recovery, and survival in melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors that developed thyroid immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Methods: This was a retrospective study in a tertiary center from 2010–2017. We reviewed the charts of patients with melanoma that developed thyroid dysfunction after checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Cases with thyroid irAEs were grouped by recovery of thyroid function at 1 year. We collected a timeline of thyroid function tests, medication exposure, and survival and compared variables between the groups. We studied survival in comparison to a matched group without thyroid dysfunction. Results: A total of 186 melanoma patients received checkpoint inhibitors, and 17 (9%) had thyroid irAEs. Median time to abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone was 38 days and followed a pattern of thyroiditis. Seven of 17 had thyroid recovery. In the no-recovery group, free thyroxine (T4) was often above 2 ng/dL (5/10 in no recovery, 0/7 in recovery; P = .04). In the recovery group, irAE grade was significantly lower, with 7/7 grade 1 (P = .004). Exposure to glucocorticoids was associated with recovery (3/10 in no recovery, 6/7 in recovery; P = .049). There was no difference in overall survival between the thyroid dysfunction group and controls, or between those that received glucocorticoids or not. Conclusion: Certain aspects of thyroid irAEs may correlate with thyroid recovery, including grade 1 thyroid irAEs, exposure to glucocorticoids, and peak free T4 levels less than 2 ng/dL. Thyroid irAEs did not appear to be associated with change in survival nor did exposure to glucocorticoids. Abbreviations: ASCO = American Society of Clinical Oncology; CTLA-4 = cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4; irAE = immune-related adverse event; PD-1 = programmed cell death protein 1; T4 = thyroxine; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone
Active Power Reserve Control for Grid-Forming PV Sources in Microgrids using Model-based Maximum Power Point Estimation

Power curtailment of grid-forming photovoltaic (PV) sources to provide power reserves is a promising solution to deal with significant survivability challenges in PV microgrids. A control scheme is presented that is capable of providing both maximum power point (MPP) estimation and active power reserve regulation for grid-forming PV sources. Model-based MPP estimation is proposed that avoids the need for irradiance and temperature sensors. This power reserve control algorithm can provide adjustable levels of power reserves under different operating conditions. MATLAB/Simulink-based simulations and controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHiL) emulation results demonstrate the accurate and fast response of the control scheme for grid-forming PV sources in islanded microgrids. Experimental verification of the estimation and control algorithms using an installed outdoor PV array during grid- connected operation is also included to confirm its effectiveness in real-time environments.
Enrichment of CpG island shore region hypermethylation in epigenetic breast field cancerization

While changes in DNA methylation are known to occur early in breast carcinogenesis and the landscape of breast tumour DNA methylation is profoundly altered compared with normal tissue, there have b...
Surgical Management of Carotid Body Tumor with Case Illustrations

While their incidence is rare, carotid body tumors (CBT) can present a formidable challenge to the surgeon. Due to their anatomic location and persistent yearly growth, with a mean tumor doubling time of 4.2 years, CBTs gradually lead to vascular invasion and cranial nerve compromise. Potential management options of no intervention, surgical resection, or radiation therapy are discussed. A review of CBT classification and its relevance to surgical resection is presented. Three representative cases are presented in order to provide recommendations on management options and decision-making.
Coronary and aortic calcification are associated with cardiovascular events on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

Abstract Background Although the incidence of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related cardiovascular (CV) toxicity is low, the overall burden of CV events after ICI is unknown. Risk factors for CV events after ICI have yet to be identified. Objectives We sought to evaluate the association between vascular calcification on routine baseline computed tomography (CT) imaging and CV events following ICI. Method This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of 76 patients referred to Cardio-Oncology with prior ICI treatment. Coronary and aortic calcification on non-gated chest and abdominal CT imaging were qualitatively assessed. The association of baseline clinical parameters and vascular calcification with symptomatic heart failure (HF), acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis, symptomatic arrhythmia, or pericardial effusion after ICI was evaluated. Results Over 11 months of follow-up, there were 80 CV events that occurred in 49 patients. Worse coronary and aortic calcification on pre-treatment CT imaging was seen in patients with a CV event (p = .018 and p = .014, respectively). There were no differences in traditional CV risk factors between those with and without a CV event. Eighteen patients (37%) were restarted on ICI therapy after a non- myocarditis or symptomatic systolic HF CV event without recurrent events or mortality over 13 months of follow-up. Conclusions Symptomatic HF was the most common CV event seen after ICI therapy. Worse coronary and aortic calcification on baseline CT imaging was associated with CV events following ICI. With careful clinical evaluation, selected patients may be re-treated with ICI following a non- myocarditis or symptomatic systolic HF CV event.
A Bibliometric Exploration of the Qualitative Research Literature in Distance Education Using A Network Approach

Following repeated calls to ground the research surrounding distance education in theory, we engaged in a bibliometric exploration of the extant literature in order to determine the degree to which...
Illuminating the degradation of lithium fluoride mirror coatings in humid environments

Lithium fluoride (LiF) is difficult to work with because of its hygroscopic nature (it pulls water out of air). The stability limits of LiF thin films and the nature of their failure when exposed to humid air are poorly understood. We show that LiF films undergo irreversible changes in optical properties and microstructure as determined by ellipsometry and SEM when exposed to dew points greater than 6 C. On the other hand, samples stored at a dew point of -22 C (4% RH at room temperature), showed only small changes in ellipsometric parameters. The ones stored at intermediate humidity 6 C (21% RH at room temperature) showed larger changes in ellipsometric parameters. SEM shows that deliquescence as well as efflorescence is important in LiF thin films. In situ spectroscopic ellipsometric measurements using a controlled variable humidity environment illuminates the changes in LiF thin films moving from moisture absorption to complete deliquescence.
First Amendment audits: comparing the arguments for the right to record on the street to arguments in case law

This study compares arguments made on the streets during First Amendment audits (FAAs)—YouTubers who purposefully record the police—to the arguments made in the courts over the right to record. Aft...
Teaching Rapid Assessment Skills in Triage for the Emergency Medicine Clerkship.

Abstract Background Rapidly assessing an undifferentiated patient and developing a gestalt for “sick vs. not sick” is a core component of emergency medicine (EM). Developing this skill requires clinical experience and pattern recognition, which can be difficult to attain during a typical EM clerkship. Objective We developed a novel approach to teaching medical students rapid assessment skills in the emergency department (ED) by implementing a teaching shift in triage. Methods Fourth-year medical students in our EM clerkship in fall 2019 were scheduled one shift in triage with a dedicated teaching attending. The students evaluated patients under direct supervision, discussed their immediate differential diagnosis, and proposed an initial workup. The attending gave real-time feedback using a standardized direct observation tool. Students completed an electronic pre and post survey (5-point Likert scale) to assess their comfort level in the following areas: performing a rapid triage assessment, determining "sick vs. not sick", performing a focused physical examination, developing a targeted differential diagnosis, and ordering an initial diagnostic workup. Results Twenty-one students participated in the triage shifts. There was a significant improvement in self-assessed comfort with performing a rapid triage assessment, mean pre 2.76 and post 4.43 (p Conclusions A teaching shift in triage can increase medical students’ self-assessed rapid assessment skills for patients in the ED. Benefits to the teaching attending included the opportunity to perform direct observation, give real-time feedback, and identify real-time teaching moments.
A New Cascaded SuperCascode High Voltage Power Switch

Medium Voltage (MV), High Current (HC) switches are growing in demand for MV applications in land, sea and air transport, fast charging, renewable energy, and a host of applications in pulsed power, e.g. solid-state protection. However, widespread adoption of commercially available MV-HC modules is limited due to retracted dynamic performance from paralleling many high voltage, low current semiconductors. The associated cost is relatively high because of low yield, and expensive material and fabrication. An alternative is series connection of Low Voltage (LV)-HC semiconductors to form a SuperCascode (SC) power switch. This paper introduces a Cascaded SuperCascode (CSC) power switch topology that scales to very high voltages (>100 kV) or applied to optimize previously reported MV SCs to achieve higher switching speed, reduced balancing network size and lower switching losses. This paper describes the design of the balancing network for optimized CSC switch switching speed, and provides simulation and test results of a 6.5 kV power switch. The switch simulated to show a 4.5x improvement in switching speed (avg of T on and T off ), 40% reduction in switching losses, 60% net charge reduction in network capacitors (i.e. size reduction) and superior avalanche energy management for greater short circuit performance compared to other SCs. The switch was fabricated and tested showing 408 mΩ, 0.7 mA @ 4.8 kV and 23ns rise and 50ns fall in current at 4kV for 50A switching from double-pulse testing (DPT).
Effect of Water Quality on Caddisflies (Trichoptera) in Kallada River, Kerala, India

The caddisflies (Trichoptera) constitute a significant water quality marker group because of their taxonomic richness, ecological diversity, and abundance in virtually all freshwater ecosystems. In this study, caddisflies were collected for an evaluation of the water quality in Kallada river, South, India. Samples collected during the pre-monsoon season were identified at the family level. In total, more than 4500 specimens were identified as belonging to five different taxa. These sensitive species have typically been restricted to non-polluted water bodies. The dominant family at stations S1, S2, S3 and S4 was determined to be Hydropsychidae, whereas the dominant family at S5 was found to be Philopotamidae. The upstream, midstream and downstream sites of Kallada River show drastic differences among caddisfly assemblages. The lack of caddisflies in the midstream and downstream areas is due to anthropogenic interferences and mixing of seawater with freshwater within these low-altitude regions. Other sources of pollution, including bridge construction, urbanization and fishing both midstream and downstream are likely reasons for the fundamental changes in the composition of caddisfly assemblages observed in these areas.
Case 44: An Orthopedic Trauma

You are called to the emergency room where a 45-year-old man is admitted. He is morbidly obese and has sustained massive fractures to his pelvis and long bones after falling off his motor bike at great speed. Luckily, he was wearing his helmet while his female friend did not. She was dead on arrival to the hospital. You examine him and concur that he has no chest or head injury. He has very difficult IV access and the emergency doctor has placed an Arrow-Flex sheath (9Fr) (international, Reading, PA 19605) in his femoral vein. Colloid and crystalline solutions have been given and his vital signs are HR 100, BP 100/60. The orthopedic surgeon wants to take him to the operating room stat. You decide to secure the airway in the emergency room. You “ramp him up” for optimum tracheal intubating conditions [1] and secure the airway with etomidate and succinylcholine. The patient is transported to the operating room where a long and complicated orthopedic procedure commences. However, before the surgery starts, the groin sheath is removed since the surgeon does not want any interference with blood flow to the legs. You insert another Arrow Sheath in his right internal jugular.
Update on Aplaviroc: An HIV Entry Inhibitor Targeting CCR5

Aplaviroc (873140) is a novel spirodiketopiperazine CCR5 antagonist that binds specifically to human CCR5 and allosterically inhibits HIV entry. Aplaviroc has exhibited potent in vivo antiviral activity (1.66 log decrease in viral load at nadir) following 10 days of monotherapy. In vitro studies of antiviral activity demonstrate that aplaviroc is active against HIV isolates from a variety of clades as well as those resistant to current HIV therapies targeting RT, PR, and gp41. In vitro studies suggest prolonged CCR5 receptor occupancy (RO) by aplaviroc with an offset halflife of >100 hours. In vivo studies following short term aplaviroc administration using CCR5-specific mAb demonstrate substantial and prolonged CCR5 RO (>50%) by aplaviroc, when plasma drug levels were undetectable, observed for approximately 5 days.
CHANGED SOIL AND ROCK CONDITIONS IN CONSTRUCTION

The object the changed conditions clause in construction contracts is to minimize the gamble in bidding on soil and rock work by paying the contractor for unexpected soil and rock conditions. Four categories of claims appear: (1) Real differences, which could not have been anticipated; (2) foreseeable changes caused by the specified construction; (3) pseudo or preventable changes caused by faulty construction methods and; (4) mistaken changes, which are costs blamed on the soil but which are the result of other job conditions. Only the first category deserves compensation. The diagnosis of changed conditions require immediate expert evaluation to determine the true conditions as well as to prevent the change from generating a catastrophe. Quick action not only provides the basis for a valid claim but also minimizes the ultimate cost to both the contractor and the owner.
The conduct of labor and results with continuous caudal anesthesia.

Abstract The foregoing has been an attempt to demonstrate the feasibility of one man acting as an obstetrical team. A sound basic training in the progress of labor in one who is thoroughly interested in obstetrical anesthesia can preclude many of the disadvantages of continuous caudal anesthesia. Knowledge and experience in each may enhance one's ability to deliver "ideally" healthy, vigorous infants even within the uncomfortable environment of understaffed hospitals. 9, 10 In summary then: 1.1. Elective low forceps deliveries are increased with caudal anesthesia but should be regarded as innocuous because of the ease of forceps deliveries under such ideal conditions. 2.2. Spontaneous deliveries with caudal anesthesia may occur within the same time period after full cervical dilatation as with the usual analgesia followed by inhalation anesthesia. 3.3. The average duration of labor, particularly in primiparas with ruptured membranes, is seemingly reduced under caudal anesthesia. 4.4. Postpartum bladder care is decreased with caudal anesthesia. 5.5. Infants delivered under caudal anesthesia appear more vigorous at birth than those delivered under inhalation anesthesia. 6.6. Proficiency to the point of better than 95 per cent may be attained in establishing effective caudal anesthesia in unselected patients.
Effects of keyboard keyswitch design: A review of the current literature

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to provide designers and researchers with a summary of the current literature regarding the effects of specific keyswitch design parameters on user preference, performance, and biomechanical outcomes. METHODS: Studies which evaluated the effects of keyswitch make force, make travel and over travel on preference, typing speed, errors, keyboard reaction forces and upper extremity EMG are included in the review. Studies which examined possible control strategies employed during keyswitch tapping are also covered. RESULTS: General conclusions that can be drawn from these studies are: greater make forces result in increased keyboard reaction forces and EMG activity, users strike keys with forces 2-7 times the required make force and that they employ a ballistic finger motion to do so. Furthermore, typists tend to prefer kinesthetic and auditory feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the ballistic nature of typing, new keyswitch designs should be aimed at reducing impact forces. Future studies should examine the role of breakaway force and over travel as limited research has been done on the role of these parameters.
Motorcycle Toroidal CVT Design Concepts

Although the toroidal continuously variable transmission (CVT) has been successfully introduced into the automotive market, it has not been developed for the motorcycle community even though manufacturers have shown interest. Further, little information is available with regards to their application in motorcycles. To aid in the development process, continuously variable toroidal transmission design concepts for a motorcycle application are presented. Alternate packaging configurations developed in this paper represent potential future motorcycle transmission arrangements. Variator design parameters and their effect on transmission operation are discussed. Both single and dual cavity designs as well as orientation of the engine and final drive are reviewed.
Intertextuality and Narrative Practices of Young Deaf Students in Classroom Contexts: A Microethnographic Study

This study explores how intertextuality influences the narrative practices of young deaf children in two classrooms. Specifically, the study examines how variations in what texts are made available to juxtapose and variations in how texts are juxtaposed influence the narratives young deaf children produce. A major premise underlying these two purposes is that intertextual links are socially constructed by teachers and children. Data from each classroom was collected using ethnographic methods including participant observation 2.5 days per week in each classroom for six months, collection of classroom artifacts (e.g., student writing and drawing) and video recordings of select storytelling and story writing events. Data analysis involved transcribing the video recorded events, identifying potential instances of intertextuality in the transcripts and student written products, and coding for intertextual substance (the range of texts referenced) and intertextual process (how intertextual connections were constructed). Findings revealed two models of narrative practice in the classrooms: an individual model with a focus on a narrow range of narrative forms and structures aligned with formal curriculum and required assessments and a narrow range of potential intertextual connections; and, a shared model of narrative practice that involved a broader range of potential intertextual connections, social play, a focus on author-audience relationships (where the audience were classroom peers) often eschewing formal narrative structures and forms, and the use of multiple modalities / sign systems. In one of the classrooms the individual model prevailed, while the shared model prevailed in the other. The findings suggest that over time deaf children, like hearing children, engage in, adopt, and adapt different classroom narrative practices dependent on the classroom social contexts of their production. The findings have implications for reconceptualizing narrative development and the assessment of spoken and written narratives.
Ecological Risk-O-Meter: a risk assessor and manager software tool for better decision making in ecosystems†

Increased awareness of environmental issues and their effects on ecological systems and human health drive an interest in developing computational methods to reduce detrimental consequences. For example, there are concerns regarding chlorofluorocarbons and their impact on stratospheric ozone, radon and its effect on human health, coal mining and effects on habitat loss, as well as numerous other issues. However, these issues do not exist in a vacuum nor occur just one at a time. There is a need to assess social and ecological risks comprehensively and account for numerous, inter-related potential risks. Given limited funds available for addressing these issues, how can spending for purposes of environmental and ecological mitigation be optimized? What is the magnitude of overall ecological risk for a given region? Novel software, the “Ecological Risk-o-Meter”, addresses these questions and concerns. The software tool not only assesses the current environmental and ecological risks, but also takes into account potential solutions and provides guidance as to how spending can be optimized to reducing overall environmental risk. We demonstrate this new tool and show how to optimize the costs of risk reduction in recursive cycles based on feedbacks. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relative Performance Of English Second Language Students In University Accounting Courses

This paper explores the relative performances of Native English Speaking (“NES”) students and English Second Language (“ESL”) students in accounting courses at a large urban state university. Based upon a longitudinal study, we conclude that the relative performance between NES and ESL students depends upon the particular course being evaluated and its order in the sequence of courses to graduation. The further along in the sequence, the more likely the ESL students will significantly outperform the NES students. In Introductory Financial Accounting, the first course in the sequence, NES students significantly outperform ESL students. We attribute this to ESL students’ difficulties with English, new learning/teaching styles, lack of necessary academic skills plus culture shock. In Managerial Accounting and Intermediate Financial Accounting I, the differences are not significant which we credit to the ESL students’ work on their English vocabulary, the new learning/teaching styles, and the necessary academic skills to “catch up” to the NES students. Assuming that our conclusion is correct, however, the full effect of this effort on the part of the ESL students is not completely felt until Intermediate Financial Accounting II and Cost Accounting. In those two courses, ESL students significantly outperform NES students. We conclude that this represents the culmination of the efforts by the ESL students. In addition to our primary objective, we also investigated the use of the relative performances of the NES and ESL students as a possible assessment of a university’s success, or lack of thereof, in meeting the needs of ESL students. We concluded that this was both feasible and a reasonable approach to assessment.
The IEEE GRSS Technical Committee on Data Standardization and Distribution: A refocus

Data standardization is a topic of major importance for the enhanced utilization of remotely sensed data. Nonetheless, the Society needs to reflect on the nature of the present Data Standardization and Distribution Technical Committee charge and consider modifications that would allow the Society to better serve the evolving needs of its members. In reality, data standards are intimately connected to the associated application software (within which data is ultimately used), as well as the telecommunication channels and media used for its transmission and storage. Currently, the Data Fusion Technical Committee is actively pursuing data usage through their interest in a variety of fusion approaches for mining more information from imagery. It might thus be proposed that the charge of the Data Standardization and Distribution Technical Committee be modified to better reflect transmission and storage of geospatial data. Therefore, it is proposed to the membership to change the name of the Technical Committee to Data Archival and Distribution (DAD), and expand its service area to the society and its members.
Filamin-A Binds to the Carboxyl-terminal Tail of the Calcium-sensing Receptor, an Interaction That Participates in CaR-mediated Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase

The G protein-coupled, extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) regulates parathyroid hormone secretion and parathyroid cellular proliferation as well as the functions of diverse other cell types. The CaR resides in caveolae-plasma membrane microdomains containing receptors and associated signaling molecules that are thought to serve as cellular "message centers." An additional mechanism for coordinating cellular signaling is the presence of scaffold proteins that bind and organize components of signal transduction cascades. With the use of the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified filamin-A (an actin-cross-linking, putative scaffold protein that binds mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) components activated by the CaR) as an intracellular binding partner of the CaR's carboxyl (COOH)-terminal tail. A direct interaction of the two proteins was confirmed by an in vitro binding assay. Moreover, confocal microscopy combined with two color immunofluorescence showed co-localization of the CaR and filamin-A within parathyroid cells as well as HEK-293 cells stably transfected with the CaR. Deletion mapping localized the sites of interaction between the two proteins to a stretch of 60 amino acid residues within the distal portion of the CaR's COOH-terminal tail and domains 14 and 15 in filamin-A, respectively. Finally, introducing the portion of filamin-A interacting with the CaR into CaR-transfected HEK-293 cells using protein transduction with a His-tagged, Tat-filamin-A fusion protein nearly abolished CaR-mediated activation of ERK1/2 MAPK but had no effect on ERK1/2 activity stimulated by ADP. Therefore, the binding of the CaR's COOH-terminal tail to filamin-A may contribute to its localization in caveolae, link it to the actin-based cytoskeleton, and participate in CaR-mediated activation of MAPK.
Introducing Students to Research by Use of Biographical Materials in a Comparative Psychology Course

Students in this course learn not only the major content of the subject, but also the psychology of becoming a major psychologist.
Timing of Valve Replacement in Aortic Stenosis Moving Closer to Perfection

The current results of aortic valve replacement for acquired aortic stenosis represent a medical triumph. Age-corrected survival after aortic valve replacement is excellent for patients over the age of 65 years and is similar to that of the normal population of that age.1 In the absence of extracardiac co-morbidity and in the absence of coronary artery disease, aortic valve replacement can be performed at a 2% to 3% operative mortality with an 85% age-corrected 10-year survival.1 This excellent outcome can be attributed to a variety of factors including the universal use of intraoperative cardiac protection, the insertion of hemodynamically excellent and durable valve prostheses, and the proper timing of aortic valve replacement. Currently, timing in most cases is predicated upon the absence or presence of symptoms. In the absence of cardiac symptoms, survival is excellent without surgery.2 3 4 5 Since there is always some risk of operative death and some risk of prosthetic valve–related complications, the risk-benefit ratio does not favor operating on the asymptomatic patient. However, studies that have examined the “natural” history of aortic stenosis in the modern era consistently report a few subjects who progress from the asymptomatic state to the development of symptoms and then to sudden death in a very short period of time.3 4 In two echocardiographic studies of asymptomatic patients in whom aortic stenosis was quantified by Doppler interrogation as at least moderate, 5 of 195 patients with aortic stenosis suffered this rapid and unfortunate progression.3 4 Thus, the guidelines for timing aortic valve replacement are not yet perfect. An obvious question is, “How do we recognize and protect this small at-risk minority of patients with aortic stenosis?” It is clear that prophylactic surgery (surgery before symptoms develop) is not the answer, since the whole population of …
High‐latitude Joule heating response to IMF inputs

[1] We evaluate the response of the high-latitude Joule heating to orientation and magnitude of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Approximately 9000 individual Joule heating patterns derived from data assimilation for the northern hemisphere were used to develop averaged and hemispherically integrated Joule power maps for the northern hemisphere north of 40° magnetic latitude. Hemispherically integrated Joule heating increases with IMF magnitude when the IMF is southward, but is relatively unchanged with increased IMF magnitude when the IMF is north. Only a small IMF By effect is evident in the Joule heating patterns. We quantify the IMF effects with linear fits of integrated Joule heating as a function of IMF magnitude for eight different IMF clock angle bins in the GSM Y-Z plane. During extreme northward IMF conditions, Joule heating is restricted to the high latitude dayside. During extreme southward IMF conditions, Joule heating is located predominantly in the auroral region, with increased heating in the morning sector compared to the evening sector. This additional heating may lead to the increased incidence of gravity waves reported in the morning sector. Our estimate of the increase of hemispherically integrated Joule heating with IMF magnitude during southward IMF periods is 13GW/nT.