cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient and Clinician Perspectives of New and Return Ambulatory Teleneurology Visits

Objective To evaluate the adoption and perceived utility of video visits for new and return patient encounters in ambulatory neurology subspecialties. Methods Video visits were launched in an academic, multi-subspecialty, ambulatory neurology clinic in March 2020. Adoption of video visits for new and return patient visits was assessed using clinician-level scheduling data from March 22 to May 16, 2020. Perceived utility of video visits was explored via a clinician survey and semi-structured interviews with clinicians and patients/caregivers. Findings were compared across 5 subspecialties and 2 visit types (new vs return). Results Video visits were adopted rapidly; all clinicians (n = 65) integrated video visits into their workflow within the first 6 weeks and 92% of visits were conducted via video although this varied by subspeciality. Utility of video visits was higher for return than new patient visits, as indicated by surveyed (n = 48) and interviewed clinicians (n = 30), aligning with adoption patterns. Compared to in-person visits, clinicians believed it was easier to achieve a similar physical exam, patient-clinician rapport, and perceived quality of care over video for return rather than new patient visits. Of the 25 patients/caregivers interviewed, most were satisfied with the care provided via video, regardless of visit type, with the main limitation being the physical exam. Conclusions Teleneurology was robustly adopted for both new and return ambulatory neurology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Return patient visits were preferred over new patient visits, but both were feasible. These results provide a foundation for developing targeted guidelines for sustaining teleneurology in ambulatory care.
Die Embedding Challenges for EMIB Advanced Packaging Technology

Intel's Embedded Multi-die Interconnect Bridge (EMIB) technology is an advanced, cost-effective approach to in-package high density interconnects of heterogeneous chips, providing high density I/O, and controlled electrical interconnect paths between multiple dice in a package. This technology uses local silicon bridges to host ultrafine line / space structures for die-to-die interconnect communications and opens avenues for heterogeneous chip integration applications. In EMIB package architecture, a silicon bridge die is embedded into an organic substrate, encapsulated with dielectric materials, and connected to external layers of package substrate through semi additive substrate build-up processes at the panel level. Many bridge dice can be embedded as part of the high-density interconnect package substrate fabrication process. Afterwards, logic or heterogeneous dice (Chiplets of various nodes / sources, HBMs, IO tiles, etc.) are bonded to EMIB substrates through assembly process, with EMIB bridges serving as a high-bandwidth, low-latency, and low-power solution for die-to-die communications, thereby enabling a low-cost, highperformance in-package heterogeneous chip integration solution. Simply put, EMIB employs a silicon piece that hosts ultrafine line / space structures, fabricated with silicon far-backend technology, but out of Intel's high-density interconnect package substrate manufacturing infrastructures and capabilities. One of the key elements of EMIB advanced packaging technology is to embed the EMIB bridge dice reliably during the substrate fabrication process. As such, an overview of the general technical challenges associated with panel level EMIB die embedding will be presented in this paper as compared to the industry standard wafer level packaging (WLP) die embedding process.
Gender Disparities in Stroke Code Activation in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Abstract Objectives Routine implementation of protocol-driven stroke “codes” results in timelier and more effective acute stroke management. However, it is unclear if patient demographics contribute to disparities in stroke code activation. We aimed to explore these demographic factors in a retrospective cohort study of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Materials and Methods We identified consecutive patients with non-traumatic ICH who presented directly to our Comprehensive Stroke Center over 2 years and collected data on demographics, clinical features, and stroke code activation. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine differences in stroke code activation based on patient demographics while adjusting for initial clinical features (NIH Stroke Scale, FAST [facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties] vs. non-FAST symptoms, time from last-known-well [LKW], and systolic blood pressure [SBP]). Results Among 265 patients, 68% (n=179) had a stroke code activation. Stroke codes occurred less frequently in women (62%) than men (72%) and in non-white (57%) vs. white patients (70%). Non-stroke code patients were less likely to have FAST symptoms (37% vs. 87%) and had lower initial SBP (mean±SD 159.3±34.2 vs. 176.0±31.9 mmHg) than stroke code patients. In our primary multivariable models, neither age nor race were associated with stroke code activation. However, women were significantly less likely to have stroke codes than men (OR 0.49 [95% CI 0.24-0.98]), as were non-FAST symptoms (OR 0.11 [95% CI 0.05-0.22]). Conclusions Our data suggest gender disparities in emergency stroke care that should prompt further investigations into potential systemic biases. Increased awareness of atypical stroke symptoms is also warranted.
Some general aspects of human genetics

Abstract Some years ago, J. B. S. Haldane was given the Kimber Genetics Award of the National Academy of Sciences. In acknowledging his selection, Haldane commented that he had gone over the list of former recipients and found that in the present case, and contrary to some of his predecessors in other honors, every one of them had his esteem. Likewise, the honor conferred on me by the American Gynecological Society in presenting me with its Fred Lyman Adair Award for 1967 is particularly meaningful when I consider my three predecessors, C. E. Ford, Edith Potter, and Murray L. Barr. I cannot match in importance the specific discoveries in human genetics of these distinguished investigators. Coming from general genetics my role in human genetics has been primarily as a teacher and synthesizer. Accordingly, my award address “Some General Aspects of Human Genetics” will reflect these general functions. My deep appreciation for the award goes to the members of the American Society of Gynecology and the founder and sponsor of the award, Dr. Adair, who still takes a lively interest in it.
NMR characterization of impurities

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) characterization of impurities. The ability of NMR to provide information regarding the specific bonding structure and stereochemistry within a molecule has created broad applicability across several subjects. NMR provides a powerful analytical tool for structural elucidations. The single most important piece of non-NMR data used by the NMR spectroscopist is the total molecular mass. The nondestructive, noninvasive nature of NMR spectroscopy makes it a valuable tool for the characterization of low-level impurities and degradants. NMR can be considered close to a “universal detector” for hydrogen and carbon, as well as for other magnetically active nuclei. The general characterization strategy for NMR is presented schematically. Deuterated solvents are used in NMR for two reasons. First, deuterium provides a signal on which to lock the spectrometer frequency, thus enhancing long-term stability. Second, it dramatically reduces the protonsignal that arises from the solvent, which would otherwise overwhelm the signal of the target compound. Clean glassware is essential for characterization of low-level impurities and degradants. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system contains various components: degasser, binary or quaternary pump, ultraviolet detector, auto or manual injector, column oven, and loop collection. The most basic NMR experiment is the one-pulse proton experiment.
Virtual Reality and Planetary Exploration

NASA-Ames is intensively developing virtual-reality (VR) capabilities that can extend and augment computer-generated and remote spatial environments. VR is envisioned not only as a basis for improving human/machine interactions involved in planetary exploration, but also as a medium for the more widespread sharing of the experience of exploration, thereby broadening the support-base for the lunar and planetary-exploration endeavors. Imagery representative of Mars are being gathered for VR presentation at such terrestrial sites as Antarctica and Death Valley.
Improved /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ DAC linearity using data weighted averaging

A new dynamic element matching (DEM) algorithm, referred to as data weighted averaging (DWA), is presented for improving DAC linearity in multi-bit delta-sigma (/spl Delta//spl Sigma/) data converters. It out-performs all previously described algorithms. By cycling through the elements of the DAC at a rate dependent on the input to the DAC, the elements of the DAC are exercised at the maximum rate possible. With this algorithm, the distortion spectra are shaped by first-order noise shaping which results in 9 dB/octave improvement in the converter dynamic range when DAC errors dominate the performance. Simulating a third-order 3-bit modulator with an oversampling ratio of 128 and 1% DAC element matching, 110 dB signal-to-noise ratio (18 bits) is achieved by employing DWA DEM.
Robust non-linear observer for islanding detection of inverter based Distributed Generation

This paper provides the design of a robust nonlinear adaptive observer for the purpose of islanding detection of inverter based Distributed Generation (DG). The non-linear observer provides simultaneous online estimates for the amplitude and frequency of a noisy sinusoidal signal where amplitude estimation values will be used to determine the existence of islanding condition or not. The main goal of this paper is to provide analytical derivations and proofs of robustness and convergence for the proposed non-linear observer and to utilize results of proposed observer for the islanding detection problem. The IEEE 34-bus system with inverter-based DGs is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed observer.
Tools for Browsing a TV Situation Comedy Based on Content Specific Attributes

This paper presents general purpose video analysis and annotation tools, which combine high-level and low-level information, and which learn through user interaction and feedback. The use of these tools is illustrated through the construction of two video browsers, which allow a user to fast forward (or rewind) to frames, shots, or scenes containing a particular character, characters, or other labeled content. The two browsers developed in this work are: (1) a basic video browser, which exploits relations between high-level scripting information and closed captions, and (2) an advanced video browser, which augments the basic browser with annotations gained from applying machine learning. The learner helps the system adapt to different peoples' labelings by accepting positive and negative examples of labeled content from a user, and relating these to low-level color and texture features extracted from the digitized video. This learning happens interactively, and is used to infer labels on data the user has not yet seen. The labeled data may then be browsed or retrieved from the database in real time. An evaluation of the learning performance shows that a combination of low-level color signal features outperforms several other combinations of signal features in learning character labels in an episode of the TV situation comedy, Seinfeld. We discuss several issues that arise in the combination of low-level and high-level information, and illustrate solutions to these issues within the context of browsing television sitcoms.
Scaling against Environmental and Biological Variability: General Principles and A Case Study

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a case study on scaling of leaf photosynthesis to predictions of global terrestrial C influx stimulated by rising Ca. The nature and approaches of scaling studies are discussed in an attempt to establish criteria for scalability of parameters. These criteria are then used to review recent results on scaling photosynthesis from leaf to globe. This review establishes supportive evidence for parameter scaling and also identifies sources of uncertainty. Four supplementary studies are also presented to examine rigorously some of the uncertain sources involved in extrapolating photosynthetic responses from small to large scales. Based on the current evidence, it is concluded that separating photosynthetic responses to rising atmospheric CO2 into two components, that is, photosynthetic sensitivity and acclimation, facilitates scaling-up studies. A baseline prediction can be provided by using the sensitivity component to estimate global terrestrial C influx stimulated by a yearly increase in Ca. Research on plant and ecosystem responses to CO2 is primarily driven by large-scale issues. Modeling studies of global carbon (C) cycling have long suggested that the global C budget cannot be balanced without storage of C in terrestrial ecosystems.
Completely monotonic functions involving the gamma and q-gamma functions

We give an infinite family of functions involving the gamma function whose logarithmic derivatives are completely monotonic. Each such function gives rise to an infinitely divisible probability distribution. Other similar results are also obtained for specific combinations of the gamma and q-gamma functions.
Perturbations of supertube in KK monopole background

We study perturbations of supertube in KK monopole background, at both DBI and supergravity levels. We analyse both NS1-P as well as D0-F1 duality frames and study different profiles. This illuminates certain aspects of bound states of KK monopoles with supertubes.
Volcanic processes as alternative mechanisms of landform development at a candidate crater-lake site near Tyrrhena Patera, Mars

[1] Palos crater, a prominent candidate crater-lake site in the Hesperia region of Mars, is located at the mouth of a sinuous inlet channel that extends from the northern flanks of Tyrrhena Patera. Previous studies of this site have concluded that channels and basin-infill units likely formed through aqueous processes that partly involved karst-like removal of materials in the subsurface by the flow of groundwater. As with many locales on Mars, the aqueous processes hypothesized to have been involved in the formation and evolution of terrain features are compelling. However, the characteristics of this site suggest that an alternative set of mechanisms for landform development should be considered alongside aqueous hypotheses. The main attributes of channels and infill of the central crater include: (1) an association with a very large volcanic rise to the south; (2) the existence of roofed segments of the main inlet channel; and (3) infill of the central crater and outlet channel by materials that have characteristics consistent with those expected of volcanic plains. These general attributes are consistent with formation through or in association with processes that involved the flow of lava. Although a volcanic model may account for the presence and basic nature of landforms previously considered supportive of a paleolake interpretation of the site, an overprint of dendritic valley networks on parts of the inlet system suggests that aqueous processes may have also acted in the evolution of the site. A complex interrelation between past igneous and aqueous processes at this site is possible.
Atomic structure of a voltage-dependent K+ channel in a lipid membrane-like environment.

Voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channels repolarize the action potential in neurons and muscle. This type of channel is gated directly by membrane voltage through protein domains known as voltage sensors, which are molecular voltmeters that read the membrane voltage and regulate the pore. Here we describe the structure of a chimaeric voltage-dependent K+ channel, which we call the 'paddle-chimaera channel', in which the voltage-sensor paddle has been transferred from Kv2.1 to Kv1.2. Crystallized in complex with lipids, the complete structure at 2.4 angstrom resolution reveals the pore and voltage sensors embedded in a membrane-like arrangement of lipid molecules. The detailed structure, which can be compared directly to a large body of functional data, explains charge stabilization within the membrane and suggests a mechanism for voltage-sensor movements and pore gating.
Improving HOG descriptor accuracy using non-linear multi-scale space in people detection

People detection is commonly the first automation step in many computer vision based applications such as 3D body pose estimation and reconstruction. The feature extraction algorithm of Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG) combined with supporting vector machine (SVM) has been successful in pedestrian detection and had since inspired a series of variational algorithms that improves its accuracy. However, the extensions and enhancements to HOG on multi-scale is rare. In this paper, we propose HOG detection in non-linearly filtered multi-scale image spaces. Our people detection experiment shows significant detection improvement comparing to the traditional linear multi-scale detections, with recall increase from 26% to 67%, and the precision increase of 3.8 times at the recall of 26%. We conclude that the proposed non-linear multi-scale detection framework is necessary in detecting those objects that are in much larger size than trained detection window.
Subtest Scores From the In-Training Examination: An Evaluation Tool for an Obstetric-Anesthesia Rotation

Abstract Objective To evaluate resident performance in the obstetric-anesthesia rotation using resident portfolios and their In-Training Examination scores, which are provided by the American Board of Anesthesiology/American Society of Anesthesiologists. Methods We reviewed academic portfolios for second- and third-year anesthesiology residents at a single institution from 2006–2008 to examine United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 1 and 2 scores, grade for obstetrics-gynecology in medical school, and performance on the In-Training Examination. Faculty evaluation of medical knowledge and correlations for the various scores were obtained. Results We examined scores for 43 residents. The subtest score for obstetric anesthesia increased after completing a rotation in obstetric anesthesia, 26.1 ± 10.3 versus 36.3 ± 10.6 (P = .02). The subtest score correlated with United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 2, r = 0.46 (P = .027) but not with United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 1 or with the grad...
Cleavage of transmembrane junction proteins and their role in regulating epithelial homeostasis

Epithelial tissues form a selective barrier that separates the external environment from the internal tissue milieu. Single epithelial cells are densely packed and associate via distinct intercellular junctions. Intercellular junction proteins not only control barrier properties of the epithelium but also play an important role in regulating epithelial homeostasis that encompasses cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and regulated shedding. Recent studies have revealed that several proteases target epithelial junction proteins during physiological maturation as well as in pathologic states such as inflammation and cancer. This review discusses mechanisms and biological consequences of transmembrane junction protein cleavage. The influence of junction protein cleavage products on pathogenesis of inflammation and cancer is discussed.
Reducing Employer Health Care Expense: A Look at Transaction Costs

Almost all firms have taken measures to reduce the employee health claim cost component of health care expense. Many large firms have also been able to reduce the transaction costs of health insurance by changing to partial or full self‐insurance. For smaller firms the self‐insurance decision involves careful weighing of cash flow and tax considerations against risk consequences. This paper analyzes the risk trade offs inherent in the self‐insurance decision. A case study illustrates how cash flow and tax considerations affect the cost of partial and full self‐insurance for a medium size firm.
The Occurrence of a Katadidymus Chinook Salmon Alevin

(1967). The Occurrence of a Katadidymus Chinook Salmon Alevin. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society: Vol. 96, No. 2, pp. 214-216.
LYING PERSON‐TO‐PERSON ABOUT LIFE EVENTS: A COGNITIVE FRAMEWORK FOR LIE DETECTION

Undetected lies of prospective or current employees cost business billions of dollars annually. The ability to detect these lies would be of immense benefit. Several recent reports have called for research on new, theoretically based methods of lie detection. In response, we tested the Activation-Decision-Construction Model of lying (Walczyk, Roper, Seeman, & Humphreys, 2003) according to which response time is a cue to deception. Participants were tested person-to-person. In Experiment 1, half lied to questions probing recent episodic memories. The other half answered honestly. Liar-truth teller response time differences were observed between subjects. Discriminant analyses demonstrated the value of response time for uncovering deceit. Those highest in social skills were the quickest liars. In Experiment 2, lying was shown to take longer than truth telling within subjects, and within-subject response time standard deviations were shown to be converging cues to deception. Based on these data and the ADCM, a Time-Restricted Integrity Confirmation (Tri-Con) framework for lie detection is proposed that might one day provide cost effective lie detection for business.
A century and a half of moral statistics in the United Kingdom: Variations on Joseph Fletcher's thematic maps

Do ignorance and crime go together? And does immorality accompany them?Robert Cook and Howard Wainer tell of a Victorian pioneer of maps that contain more than geography, and bring his advances up to date.
Will Perturbing Soil Moisture Improve Warm-Season Ensemble Forecasts? A Proof of Concept

Abstract Current generation short-range ensemble forecast members tend to be unduly similar to each other, especially for components such as surface temperature and precipitation. One possible cause of this is a lack of perturbations to the land surface state. In this experiment, a two-member ensemble of the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model (ARW) was run from two different soil moisture analyses. One-day forecasts were conducted for six warm-season cases over the central United States with moderate soil moistures, both with explicit convection at 5-km grid spacing and with parameterized convection at 20-km grid spacing. Since changing the convective parameterization has previously been demonstrated to cause significant differences between ensemble forecast members, 20-km simulations were also conducted that were initialized with the same soil moisture but that used two different convective parameterizations as a reference. At 5 km, the forecast differences due to changing the...
Elucidating the function of primary cilia by conditional gene inactivation.

Purpose of review This review discusses recent experimental approaches to determine the function of primary cilia by conditional inactivation of genes crucial for cilia formation. Recent findings A functional role in the sensing of fluid flow was recently assigned to the primary cilia. This discovery shed light onto how cells sense dynamic fluid movements. Conditional inactivation of primary cilia formation in later ontogenic stages demonstrated the crucial role renal primary cilia play in the control of cell proliferation. Summary Primary cilia can act as flow sensors, transmitting signals by means of calcium influx into the cells. Structures based on primary cilia are also crucial for the function of photoreceptor cells and it can be expected that additional functions of these organelles will be determined in the future. An important experimental approach to elucidate the involvement of primary cilia in other physiological processes is to specifically inactivate genes crucial for formation of primary cilia. Morphological and physiological changes induced by the loss of primary cilia will help determine additional roles primary cilia play in physiology and organ development.
Scattering operators on Fock space. II. Representations of the scattering operator generated by SL(2,R)

For pt. I see ibid., vol.18, p.3141, 1985. A representation for unitary scattering operators acting on a symmetric Fock space and invariant under an SO(N) internal symmetry group is constructed. A group of transformations commuting with SO(N), is seen to be isomorphic to SL(2,R); the representations of SL(2,R) acting on the Fock space are shown to come from the discrete series of representations of SL(2,R). These representations are used to label the equivalent irreducible representations of SO(N) and the partial wave amplitudes of the scattering operators are shown to be matrix elements of the discrete series of representations of SL(2,R). The example of isospin internal symmetry and the pion triplet is briefly discussed.
Transcutaneous Aortic Valve Implantation – A Call for Action

Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly Australians, developing in 5-10% of people who have survived into their 80s and 90s. Open aortic valve replacement in this group, particularly those with comorbidities or general frailty, may be associated with major complications from sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass resulting in higher mortality and prolonged convalescence. A less invasive strategy, such as transcutaneous aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is likely to be safer, less morbid and may reduce the development of complications and the need for multiple hospital admissions, thereby reducing health costs. TAVI using trans-femoral, subclavian, trans-aortic or trans-apical (via mini-thoracotomy) access with implantation within the beating heart, avoids the problems of sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, which may afford rapid mobility, brief hospital stays and an accelerated recovery – benefits considered highly advantageous by most patients, particularly the elderly. Occasionally, however, TAVI may be technically challenging and associated with stroke, vascular complications, need for a permanent pacemaker or significant paravalvar leaks. These problems can never be eliminated, but are less likely to occur when performed by a high volume and experienced TAVI team. Following the first implant in Europe by Alain Cribier in 2002, over 30,000 TAVI procedures have been performed worldwide. TAVI was launched in Australia in 2008, with Corevalve procedures performed in four centres following education and training by European proctors. Edwards Sapien implants commenced soon after, and since then the number of TAVI sites has expanded to about a dozen in five Australian states and several in New Zealand. Two large randomised trials have demonstrated the benefits and limitations of TAVI. The PARTNER trial [1,2], employing the Edwards Sapien balloon inflatable valve, showed that TAVI reduced mortality compared with medical therapy (30.7% v 50.7% at one year) in patients deemed inoperable
The Effects of Institutional Complexity on Individual Agency

Recent research on institutional logics and complexity has advanced what was once considered a top-down perspective on organizational behavior by articulating how individual actors wield their agen...
Goal tracking in attentional-associative networks: Spatial learning and the hippocampus

Moore and Stickney’s (1980) formalization of Mackintosh’s (1975) attention theory is applied to the general problem of goal tracking in spatial learning tasks. The model is stated, and computer simulations describe the evolution of attentional-associative networks for various scenarios of goal tracking. Both normal and abnormal cases are considered, the latter involving the failure of computations that normally reduce the salience of stimuli and other events. The resulting behavioral pathology, when observed, is likened to animals with deficits in spatial learning as described by O’Keefe and Nadel (1978) in their theory of the hippocampus as a cognitive map.
A note on stability of linear time-varying systems

An example is given to show that even if the eigenvalues of the system A -matrix A(t) of a linear time-varying system \dot{x}(t) = A(t)x(t) are independent of t and some of them have positive real parts, the system is asymptotically stable.
Radiation-Controlled, Opposed-Flow Flame Spread in a Microgravity Environment

The effects of surface and gas-phase radiation on the rate and the structure of laminar flame spread over thin fuels are investigated using a flame-spread model which consists of the continuity, momentum, species, and energy equations in the gas and the continuity and energy equations in the solid. Numerical calculations, complemented by scaling arguments, show that, at high velocities of the oxidizer flow, radiation effects are unimportant; the spread rate decreases with increasing opposing velocity due to finite-rate gas-phase kinetics. However, radiation becomes progressively important when the opposing velocity is below a certain value: the flame cools, shrinks in size, and its spread rate falls sharply with decreasing opposing velocity.
Neutral Beam Test Facility At Brookhaven National Laboratory

As part of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has constructed a Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF). This facility uses surplus capacity from the 200 MeV H- linac injector for the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS). An H- beam can be transported into the experimental area via a beam transport tunnel containing magnetic optics and a beam spectrometer. A reference target system, situated at the end of a 100-meter vacuum flight path extending from the experimental area confirms the pointing direction of the particle beam. This reference target system can also provide pointing direction information for laser beams. The facility is normally operated with a particle beam energy of 200 MeV and a beam current of approximately 0.5 mA (4.5 pps, 450 μsec pulse length) transported to the experimental area. Operation at lower beam energy is possible but at reduced beam current. A low divergence laser beam may be folded into the particle beam path as part of an ATP-related experiment. The facility is now in operation, and an ATP experiment is scheduled to run during May 1989.
Introduction to the IUPHAR Compendium of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels 2005

The voltage-gated ion channels and their structural relatives comprise a superfamily encoded by at least 143 genes in the human genome and are therefore one of the largest superfamilies of signal transduction proteins, following the G protein-coupled receptors and the protein kinases in number. In
The immuno-enzymology of muscle proteins. I. General features of myosin and 5′-adenylic acid deaminase☆

Abstract Antisera produced in rabbits against electrophoretically homogeneous chicken skeletal muscle myosin A showed relative homogeneity by immunochemical criteria in only two animals. Sera from eleven other similarly injected animals showed varying degrees of heterogeneity in quantitative precipitin tests and Ouchterlony tests. Some of the antibodies in these latter antisera were directed against the small amounts of 5′-adenylic acid deaminase (AMP-deaminase) normally present in the myosin preparations. Myosin adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity is not inhibited on combination and precipitation by its specific antibody. Its K m remains unchanged. AMP-deaminase, on the other hand, is completely inhibited. AMP-deaminase can be separated from myosin preparations by means of the antibody prepared against partially purified AMP-deaminase. The antibodies directed against myosin and those directed against AMP-deaminase are species and organ specific. This specificity is at variance with the results obtained with fluorescein-labeled antimyosin. The differences are discussed.
Mothers' and fathers' perceptions of parenting hassles: Associations with psychological symptoms, nonparenting hassles, and child behavior problems

Abstract The purpose of this study was to specify the relation between parenting hassles, nonparenting hassles, and child behavior problems in 60 nonreferred families and to determine if parenting hassles predict adult psychological symptoms beyond that explained by nonparenting hassles. Sixty families (56 mothers, 40 fathers) completed measures assessing parenting hassles, nonparenting hassles, and symptoms of psychological distress. Mothers and teachers also provided data on frequency of children's behavior problems. Results indicated that child behavior problems and nonparenting stress were both correlated with parenting stress, yet in a majority of multivariate analyses, child behavior problems played a much stronger, predictive role. In addition, teacher reports of child behavior problems were positively associated with both maternal and paternal parenting hassles, indicating that within this sample, parenting stress was associated with hassles pertaining to realistic, as opposed to distorted, perceptions of child behavior problems. Supporting current models of the stress process, nonparenting hassles were significantly associated with symptoms of psychological distress in both mothers and fathers; however, parenting hassles also predicted distress in an additive manner. Implications for future research and application are discussed.
The systematic use of positive and negative consequences in managing classroom encopresis

Abstract An 11-year-old male with a history of chronic encopresis was successfully treated by his teachers. Through the contingent application of a combination of positive (i.e., social reinforcers, token reinforcers, activity reinforcers) and negative consequences (i.e., required to wash himself and denied access to activity reinforcers), the subject's soiling behavior was reduced from an 80% daily occurrence level during Baseline to just two occasions during the final five-month treatment phase. A six-month follow-up conducted during the next school year revealed no incidences of soiling. The investigation utilized and ABACD type behavior modification design.
Stability of weighted averages of 2-exchangeable random variables

We study the convergence of weighted averages of 2-exchangeable random variables; they enjoy the property that the joint distribution of every two of them are the same. They include exchangeable and pairwise independent, identically distributed random variables.
Sialic acid inhibits agrin signaling in C2 myotubes.

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering is an early event in neuromuscular synapse formation that is commonly studied using muscle cell culture. Motor neuron-derived agrin induces the postsynaptic tyrosine phosphorylation of both a muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) and the AChR β-subunit. These phosphorylation events are required for AChR clustering, suggesting an agrin-driven signaling pathway. Both the phosphorylation events and AChR clustering can also be induced by neuraminidase, an enzyme that cleaves sialic acid from glycoconjugates, suggesting that neuraminidase is able to activate the agrin signaling pathway. A postulated signal for postsynaptic differentiation at sites of nerve-muscle contact during vertebrate development is the enzymatic removal of basal lamina components. We show here that bath-applied sialic acid has an effect directly opposite that of agrin or neuraminidase. Sialic acid not only decreases AChR clustering but also diminishes the tyrosine phosphorylation of MuSK and the AChR β-subunit signal-transduction events normally driven by agrin. However, sialic acid does not prevent agrin-binding molecules from colocalizing with the decreased number of AChR clusters that do form, suggesting that sialic acid is acting to inhibit the agrin signaling pathway downstream of agrin binding to the muscle cell membrane. We propose a regulatory role for sialic acid in the signal transduction events of neuromuscular synapse formation, in which agrin or neuraminidase can overcome this sialic acid repression, resulting in the clustering of AChRs and other postsynaptic molecules.
Application of fixed point theory to chaotic attractors of forced oscillators

A review of the structure of chaotic attractors of periodically forced second-order nonlinear oscillators suggests that the theory of fixed points of transformations gives information about the fundamental topological structure of attractors. First a simple extension of the Levinson index formula is proved. Then numerical evidence is used to formulate plausible conjectures about absorbing regions containing chaotic attractors in forced oscillators. Applying the Levinson formula suggests a fundamental relation between the number of fixed points or periodic points in a section of the chaotic attractor on the one hand, and a topological invariant of an absorbing region on the other hand.
Staffing and the Cost of Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy Services in United States Hospitals

A survey was mailed to pharmacy directors at all United States acute care medical-surgical hospitals that related to staffing and cost components of hospital pharmacies and clinical services. Cost information was evaluated as both unadjusted and adjusted for severity of illness using the Health Care Financing Administration's Medicare case mix index (CMI). Unadjusted drug costs/occupied bed/year were $13,350+/-6927, a 36% increase over 1992 and a 112% increase over 1989, with statistically significant differences observed by geographic region, hospital size, hospital ownership, and drug delivery system. Annual median pharmacist salary costs/patient associated with centrally based clinical pharmacy services were drug use evaluation $111, in-service education $20, drug information $117, poison information $24, and clinical research $35. Annual median pharmacist salary costs/patient associated with patient-specific clinical services were drug therapy monitoring $5, pharmacokinetic consultation $8, patient counseling $6, medical rounds $4, admission drug histories $7, and drug therapy protocol management (prescribing) $9. Drug costs continue to increase at double-digit rates. Substantial differences exist among various regions of the country with salary and specific cost components. Registered nursing staffing is increasing at twice the rate of pharmacists staffing increases.
Return to Activity After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Repair or Reconstruction

Purpose This study aimed to determine the ability of patients to return to activity after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction or repair for patellar instability. Methods A systematic review was performed using multiple databases. Studies reporting outcomes with Tegner scores after repair or reconstruction of the MPFL were included. Surgical technique, Tegner scores, and episodes of recurrent patellar instability were recorded. Results Ten articles with a total of 402 patients were included. The mean preoperative Tegner score was 4.7 (2.9 to 7.5). The mean postoperative Tegner score was 5.8 (4.0 to 7.7). Forty-nine patients (12.2%) had a recurrent episode of instability, 11 of whom required additional corrective procedures. There was a statistically significant larger failure rate among those who underwent MPFL repair (26.9%) than those who underwent reconstruction (6.6%) or medial retinacular repair/plication (16.5%). Conclusions Recurrent dislocation was higher in patients who underwent MPFL repair rather than reconstruction. However, repair and reconstruction had similar Tegner scores. Repair or reconstruction of the soft tissue structures contributing to patellofemoral instability is successful in returning patients to preinjury activity levels. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level II, III, and IV studies.
Longitudinal reliability of the Life Satisfaction Index (Short Form) with nursing home residents: a cautionary note.

We administered the Life Satisfaction Index (Short Form) 18 times over a 39-wk. period to an initial sample of 76 old, frail, multiply impaired, and depressed nursing home residents participating in a longitudinal quasi-experimental study of the effects of cognitive group interventions on cognition and depression. As no changes over time were observed on the outcome variable of life satisfaction, the stability of the instrument's internal consistency could be examined. Kuder-Richardson KR-20 coefficients ranged from .11 to .60, with a mean of .42 (SD = .11). We conclude that caution should be used when applying this instrument to measure life satisfaction in frail nursing home residents.
Role of crystallization in the phase inversion dynamics and protein release kinetics of injectable drug delivery systems.

Abstract The role of polymer crystallization in the phase inversion dynamics and in vitro protein release kinetics of semi-crystalline poly (e-caprolactone) and amorphous poly ( d , l -lactide) (PDLA) blend solutions has been examined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Varying the degree of crystallizability of the solutions led to the emergence of two general classes of depots. Depots with a high degree of crystallinity are characterized by porous morphologies indicative of solid–liquid (s–l) de-mixing and delayed burst release profiles. Alternatively, depots with a low degree of crystallinity are characterized by dense morphologies formed by mild liquid–liquid (l–l) phase separation and slow, uniform protein release rates. An interpretation of these results in terms of a qualitative model for the protein release mechanism is also given.
Implementation, reliability testing, and compliance monitoring of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit in trauma patients.

Objective To implement delirium monitoring, test reliability, and monitor compliance of performing the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) in trauma patients.
Management of Acquired Rectourinary Fistulas: How Often and When is Permanent Fecal or Urinary Diversion Necessary?

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate our experience in the management of acquired rectourinary fistulas at our tertiary center. METHODS: Eighteen patients with fistulas treated from 1999 to 2004 were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, etiology of the fistulas, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: The median age of the group was 69 years. Sixteen patients had fistulas that were malignant-associated. One patient died from tumor progression before any surgical therapy. The remaining 17 patients underwent surgical treatment of the fistula with a median of one procedure per patient. Eight patients had excision with permanent diversion, two had excision with repair/reconstructive procedures, and seven had repair surgical procedures. Initial surgical management was successful for 13 (76 percent) patients. Reoperation resulted in a final success rate of 100 percent. The rates of permanent fecal, urinary, and fecal plus urinary diversion in the malignant associated fistula group were 5.8, 47, and 5.8 percent, respectively. The median follow-up for all patients was 9.5 months. There were no procedure-related mortalities and five (29 percent) patients had significant surgical-related morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that surgical treatment for acquired rectourinary fistulas can successfully avoid permanent fecal and/or urinary diversion in a large number of patients if locally curative cancer treatment can be achieved.
Application of non-biological surrogates for analysis of sequential disinfection continuous flow systems

ABSTRACT Brannon RichardsJoel Ducoste (corresponding author)Department of Civil, Construction, andEnvironmental Engineering,North Carolina State University,208 Mann Hall CB 7908,Raleigh, NC 27695-7908,USAE-mail: jducoste@eos.ncsu.edu Fluorescent YG-microspheres (Polysciences Inc.) were evaluated to simulate Cryptosporidiuminactivation in a continuous ﬂow system that utilizes multiple disinfectants. Experiments wereperformed in a disinfection process consisting of an ozone primary stage and a secondary freechlorine stage. Impacts of the chemical disinfectant exposure were calculated by tracking thechanges in ﬂuorescence distribution with a ﬂow cytometer. Tests were performed at two ﬂowrates (11- and 15.5-ml/s) and a target concentration-time (Ct) product of 1.4mg/L-min for ozoneand 510mg/L-min for chlorine. Analysis of the results suggest that the ﬂuorescence decay ofYG-ﬂuorescent microspheres does display synergistic effects when free chlorine is usedsequentially with ozone in a continuous ﬂow system. The study also included the use of a simpleSegregated Flow Reactor (SFR) model to simulate the sequential disinfection process. The modelwas not effective at predicting ﬂuorescent intensity changes at different intermediate pointswithin the disinfection process stream due to the complexity of the paths taken by themicrospheres through the ozone primary disinfectant chamber and its eventual inﬂuence onchlorine secondary disinfectant kinetics. An ozone Ct distribution, which utilized the ﬂuorescencemicrospheres experimental data and was created from the range of paths traveled by themicrospheres, displayed a range of Ct values between 0.5 to 3.2mg/L-min for the low ﬂowcondition and 0.8 to 2.2mg/l-min for the high ﬂow condition. A new model structure wasproposed that may improve the simulation of sequential disinfection systems.
Women's disclosure of HIV status: experiences of mistreatment and violence in an urban setting.

ABSTRACT Women represent an increasing proportion of AIDS cases and anecdotal reports suggest some face substantial risks when others learn they are HIV-positive. The purpose of this paper is to describe women's fears and experiences regarding disclosure of their HIV status. Fifty HIV-positive women, ages 16–45 from urban teaching hospital outpatient clinics, were interviewed using an in-depth, qualitative interview. Eighty-six percent of the women were African American and 56% were current or former IVDU. At the time of the interview, 88% of the women had known their HIV status for a year or more. All but one woman had disclosed her HIV status to at least one person and 82% had disclosed to multiple people. Although two-thirds of the women had been afraid to disclose to others because of concerns about rejection, discrimination or violence, three-quarters of the sample reported only supportive and understanding responses to their disclosure. One-quarter of the sample reported negative consequences of dis...