cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biomagnetic Imaging in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

At the beginning of the eighties still no demonstration had been given that magnetocardiography could be performed in a noisy unshielded hospital environment. Furthermore, when the first so called “high resolution MCG measurements” were reported (Farrel et a1 1978; Fenici et a1 1980 ), their interpretation and potential diagnostic utility were questionable. Tentative interpretation and validation of the experimental measurements on the basis of mathematical models (Leoni et a1 1982; Erne’ et a1 1985; Lorenzana et a1 1985), although clearcut and impressively coherent with what expected from the anatomy and physiology of the heart, were strongly criticized. Few experimental animal investigation had given counterdicting results (Leifer et a1 1983). Both cardiac electrophysiologists and cardiologists asked for direct demonstration that magnetocardiography could really provide new information with respect to the less expensive and troubleless electric measurements and that the MCG could be easily recorded in an hospital setting. For this reason at the Clinical Physiology Laboratory of the Catholic University of Rome a perspective project was started in 1980 to set up a Cardiovascular Biomagnetism Unit in the hospital, which should feature both the characteristics of a Biomagnetism and Cardiac Catheterization laboratory, without the use of any electromagnetic shielding.
The Morality of Compulsory Licensing as an Access to Medicines Tool

Drug prices are soaring in rich and poor countries and are reducing access to medicines for many people who need them the most. Nevertheless, efforts by governments, activists, scholars, and others to reduce costs through mechanisms such as compulsory licenses routinely meet with censure at the hubris of even considering harm to the goose that lays the golden eggs of new medical breakthroughs and life-saving treatments, with such efforts often being labeled as “theft.” This Article examines the biblical origins of theft rhetoric in relation to pharmaceutical patents and compulsory licenses. It explores the broad context of Judeo-Christian prohibitions on theft to provide a richer, more nuanced, and more accurate understanding of the appropriateness and wisdom of limits on pharmaceutical patents to enhance access to medicines in the United States and beyond. Using the biblical analogy of pe’ah, it allows us to begin to reframe the compulsory licensing discussion and ask who is really “stealing” from whom.
The parallel paradigm between intestinal transplant inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease

Purpose of review A significant shift in our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mirrors research that has been ongoing in intestinal transplantation. The blurring of lines between these two disease states creates an avenue into potential therapeutic interventions which take advantage of these molecular similarities. Recent findings Traditional knowledge of T-cell involvement in IBD has expanded to highlight the role of T helper 17 (Th17) cells as key effector cells. A similar role has been demonstrated in cellular rejection of intestinal allografts. Genetic polymorphism related to the propagation and function of Th17 cells has been found to confer significant risk of developing autoimmune conditions. Interleukin-23, a cytokine identified as crucial to the expansion of Th17 cells, has become a validated molecular target in psoriatic arthritis and IBD, and could become a target for intestinal transplant therapies. Summary Intestinal transplant rejection and IBD share a similar phenotype, especially as it relates to key effector cells and gene polymorphisms. Improvements in our understanding of the immune-pathogenesis of IBD, as well as molecular targeting exploiting that knowledge, provide a potential route to improve outcomes for intestinal transplant patients.
The benefits of animal identification for food safety.

The Center for Veterinary Medicine supports the effort to have a practical, workable form of mandatory animal identification. An animal identification system will make tracing of the source of animals with drug or chemical residues quicker and more effective. One of the best means of addressing and solving the problem of residues is through mandatory livestock identification. A successful traceback benefits both the producer and the industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed a mandatory nationwide system to require that all swine in interstate commerce be identified. Under the proposal several means of identification are listed and could be used. Additional methods or devices could be requested in writing to USDA. Persons required to keep records under the system would maintain the documents at their place of business for 2 yr. Records would be available to authorized USDA employees during ordinary business hours. FDA has had difficulty tracing tissue residue violations, particularly those involving sulfamethazine residues in swine. Investigations involving culled dairy cows and veal calves also have been closed due to lack of producer identification. The ability for FDA to determine the source of residues is vitally important in a coordinated government program to eliminate illegal tissue residues.
It’s All Part of the Process: Advising, Coaching, and Mentoring Graduate Students

This essay examines doctoral student advising as an essential component of the faculty role in doctoral student retention. The essay breaks down advising from a monolithic catch-all term and instead argues that advising is composed of three progressively expansive roles: adviser, coach, and mentor. The distinctions between the roles are clarified and explained and, finally, several strategies for advising within each role are offered.
Learning Assistant Approaches to Teaching Computational Physics Problems in a Problem-Based Learning Course.

There is a hierarchical structure of four approaches to teaching computational problems that learning assistants take in a problem-based undergraduate physics course incorporating computation.
Earlier onset of menstruation is related to increased body mass index in adulthood and altered functional correlations between visual, task control and somatosensory brain networks.

Later onset of puberty has been associated with lower body mass index (BMI) in adulthood independent of childhood BMI. However, how the relationship between time of onset of puberty and BMI in adulthood is associated with neurocognitive outcomes is largely unstudied. In the present study, women were sampled from the Human Connectome Project 1200 parcellation, timeseries and netmats1 release (PTN) release. Inclusion criteria were: four (15 minutes) resting state fMRI scans, current measured BMI, self-reported age at onset of menstruation (a proxy of age at onset of puberty) and no endocrine complications (eg, polycystic ovarian syndrome). The effect of age at onset of menstruation, measured BMI at scan date and the interaction of age at onset of menstruation by BMI on brain functional correlation was modelled using fslnets (https://fsl.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl/fslwiki/FSLNets) controlling for race and age at scan. Corrected significance was set at a family-wise error probability (pFWE) < 0.05. A final sample of n = 510 (age 29.5 years ± 3.6, BMI at scan 25.9 ± 5.6 and age at onset of menstruation 12.7 ± 1.6 were included. Age at onset of menstruation was negatively associated with BMI at scan (r = - 0.19, P < 0.001). The interaction between age at onset of menstruation and BMI at scan was associated with stronger correlation between a somatosensory and visual network (t = 3.45, pFWE = 0.026) and a visual network and cingulo-opercular task control network (t = 4.74, pFWE = 0.0002). Post-hoc analyses of behavioural/cognitive measures showed no effect of the interaction between BMI and age at onset of menstruation on behavioural/cognitive measures. However, post-hoc analyses of heritability showed adult BMI and the correlation between the visual and somatosensory networks have high heritability. In sum, we report increased correlation between visual, taste-associated and self-control brain regions in women at high BMI with later age at onset of menstruation.
Avoiding or Co-Opting ATP Inhibition: Overview of Type III, IV, V, and VI Kinase Inhibitors

As described in the previous chapter, most kinase inhibitors that have been developed for use in the clinic act by blocking ATP binding; however, there is growing interest in identifying compounds that target kinase activities and functions without interfering with the conserved features of the ATP-binding site. This chapter will highlight alternative approaches that exploit unique kinase structural features that are being targeted to identify more selective and potent inhibitors. The figure below, adapted from (Sammons et al., Molecular Carcinogenesis 58:1551–1570, 2019), provides a graphical description of the various approaches to manipulate kinase activity. In addition to the type I and II inhibitors, type III kinase inhibitors have been identified to target sites adjacent to the ATP-binding site in the catalytic domain. New information on kinase structure and substrate-binding sites has enabled the identification of type IV kinase inhibitor compounds that target regions outside the catalytic domain. The combination of targeting unique allosteric sites outside the catalytic domain with ATP-targeted compounds has yielded a number of novel bivalent type V kinase inhibitors. Finally, emerging interest in the development of irreversible compounds that form selective covalent interactions with key amino acids involved in kinase functions comprise the class of type VI kinase inhibitors.
A Physically Based Approach for Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity from HPT Pressure and Flowrate

The hydraulic profiling tool (HPT) is widely used to generate profiles of relative permeability vs. depth. In this work, prior numerical modeling results are used to develop a relationship between probe advance rate V (cm/s), probe diameter D (cm), water injection rate Q (mL/min), corrected pressure Pc (psi), and hydraulic conductivity K (feet/d) [Formula: see text] where E is an empirically derived hydraulic efficiency factor. The relationship is validated by 23 HPT profiles that, after averaging K vertically, were similar to slug test results in adjoining monitoring wells. The best fit value of E for these profiles was 2.02. This equation provides a physically based approach for generating hydraulic conductivity profiles with HPT tooling.
Cost Estimation of Electronic Parts in NASA Space Missions

This paper provides a cost model to develop early estimates for electronics, electrical, and electromechanical (EEE) parts costs during early design phases for instruments and spacecraft. Often, to support a certified proposal, the EEE parts group is required to generate a detailed cost estimate for instruments and spacecraft during preliminary design phases. This requires a premature development of a detailed bill of materials (BOM) far in advance of the final design and fabrication phases; it is therefore no surprise that EEE parts costs grow as a given design is refined and finalized and the required BOM is established. The aerospace cost estimating community lacks sufficient data and understanding of what contributes to EEE parts costs, which is becoming increasingly critical as many advanced instrument and spacecraft designs are relying more heavily on advanced electronics and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) development. This analysis seeks to identify several high-level parameters that can be identified early in the design phase (pre-Phase A through Phase C) to generate a realistic range of EEE parts. The resulting cost model can be used to inform the EEE parts estimating process, and provide program management with the potential cost range for appropriate reserve allocation. Actual costs of APL missions, instruments, and EEE parts are used. Technical leads provide the potential cost drivers as well as the technical data. These cost drivers (such as parts class, radiation, board area, and complexity of design and requirements) are investigated through multiple linear regression analysis. The regression results are used to develop cost estimating relationships (CERs) by determining the best predictors of EEE parts cost. It benefits the NASA and DoD cost communities to obtain a rough estimate of EEE cost during the design phase to more properly budget and provide a reasonable cost risk assessment.
Synthesis of a planar, multicomponent catalytic surface of Na2CO3/MnO

Abstract O2 adsorption on MnO(100) precovered with sodium (Na) multilayers was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). Deposition of Na multilayers leads to a first monolayer of oxidic Na followed by metallic Na island growth. XPS results for the oxidation of the metallic Na islands indicate an incomplete oxidation of Na at 125 K. Oxidation at 350 K completely oxidizes the metallic islands producing a mixture of Na2O and Na2O2. Thermal evolution of the oxidation products was examined. After oxidation at 350 K and flashing to 750 K, Na2O and Na2O2 are the primary oxides on MnO(100). After flashing to 850 K, a solid state reaction of Na2O2/Na2O and the MnO(100) substrate forms a NaMnO2-like surface compound which decomposes above 850 K. Oxygen exchange between CO2 and Na oxides is observed. The strong interaction between CO2 and Na oxide islands forms Na2CO3 on MnO(100). Heating the Na2CO3 covered MnO(100) surface to 600 K for 10 min drives oxidic Na in the first monolayer into the MnO subsurface, and produces a surface exposing islands of Na2CO3 on MnO(100).
Low-level pharmaceuticals alter stream biofilm structure and function

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a contaminant class of worldwide concern and a potential source of global change. To better understand the impact of low levels of PPCPs on st...
Bilateral hearing aid use is feasible in patients with well-preserved hearing who struggle to acclimate to combined electro-acoustic (hybrid) stimulation

Objective This report presents a case study of a patient who resumed bilateral hearing aid use after nearly four years of limited progress and subjective dissatisfaction with a hybrid cochlear implant device. Design Case study. Study sample One patient. Results The patient's post-operative objective and subjective abilities with bilateral hearing aids were better than with a hybrid cochlear implant and contralateral hearing aid. Conclusions Although the benefits of combined acoustic and electric hearing have been well-documented, this report presents a solution for those with well-preserved hearing and poor hybrid cochlear implant performance: returning to bilateral hearing aid use.
Public Health, Prevention, and Community Psychiatry

Community psychiatrists have traditionally approached their work from diverse perspectives. Although the biopsychosocial model is more consistent with this approach than the more widely practiced medical model, the public health model—focusing on entire communities and populations—is also consistent with the eclectic values and practices of the field of community psychiatry. Several disciplines within public health, such as behavioral sciences, health education and health communication, epidemiology and health services research, health policy, and health services administration and management, help to define the field of community psychiatry. Additionally, community psychiatrists have a significant focus on mental health promotion among individuals and communities, as well as the various aspects of prevention of mental illnesses, for which two classifications are described in this chapter. The public health perspective is an essential aspect of community psychiatry, and the field will be strengthened through opportunities for community psychiatrists to deepen their involvement in these activities.
Paul as an Administrator of God in 1 Corinthians

Acknowledgments Abbreviations 1. Apostolic authority in 1 Corinthians Part I. Oikonomoi as Administrators in Graeco-Roman Antiquity: 2. Oikonomoi as regal administrators 3. Oikonomoi as civic administrators 4. Oikonomoi as private administrators Part II. Paul's Administrator Metaphor in 1 Corinthians: 5. Identifying Paul's metaphor in 1 Corinthians 6. Interpreting Paul's metaphor in 1 Corinthians 4.1-5 7. Interpreting Paul's metaphor in 1 Corinthians 9.16-23 8. Conclusion Bibliography Index of passages Index of authors.
Hypoxia and Mechanical Factors Drive Coronary Vascular Development

Coronary vascular development requires a variety of signaling molecules expressed spatially and temporally, which are activated by metabolic and mechanical factors. Hypoxia plays the earliest role in this activation via its stimulation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF–1), and the subsequent activation of VEGF and other growth factors. The early growth of the coronary vasculature consists of a tubular network formed prior to myocardial perfusion. A part of this vascular plexus penetrates the aorta, largely in response to VEGF, to form the coronary ostia, which provides the anatomical substrate for coronary flow. Shear stress then becomes a key regulator of the formation of the coronary hierarchy along with the key growth factors that facilitate the formation of the tunica media of the arterial tree, i.e., FGF, PDGF, and TGF-β. Hypoxia plays a dual role by its activation of HIF-1 and by affecting increases in blood flow and shear stress. Growth of the myocardium involves stretch of both cardiomyocytes and blood vessels, which activates stretch signals in both cell types and causes growth factor paracrine and autocrine signaling and consequently, angiogenesis. Shear stress and stretch are the major mechanical influences that drive coronary vascularization. These mechanical effects are determinants of vessel diameters and composition of their walls. Arterial and venous specification is also affected by blood flow as indicated by endothelial phenotype changes that can occur in response to altered perfusion.
EFFECT OF ANTICOAGULANT, FIBRINOLYTIC, AND ANTIFIBRINOLYTIC AGENTS ON EXPERIMENTAL HYALINE MEMBRANES.

Abstract 1.1. Pulmonary hyaline membranes were produced in the lungs of guinea pigs by highly concentrated oxygen. 2.2. This oxygen poisoning was combined with the administration of excessive amounts of an anticoagulant (heparin), fibrinolytic agent (streptokinase), and antifibrinolytic agent (epsilon-aminocaproic acid). 3.3. The incidence and severity of hyaline membrane was greater in the heparin-treated group (80 per cent) than in the control group (60 per cent). The administration of streptokinase increased slightly the incidence of hyaline membrane (69 per cent). 4.4. The incidence and severity of hyaline membrane was less in the epsilon-treated group (25 per cent) than in the other groups. Intra-alveolar fibrin formation was common in the epsilon-treated group. The fibrin formation was inversely proportional to the incidence of hyaline membrane, i.e., by increase of the fibrin formation, hyaline membranes were decreased. 5.5. These findings cast some doubt upon the validity of the fibrin hypothesis of hyaline membrane formation.
C3 Power Tools

The 3rd generation of the Cluster Command and Control (C3) Power Tools is an even more powerful and secure command line cluster interface than its predecessors. Furthermore, C3 continues to extend the Single System Illusion (SSi) concept from single clusters to federated clusters (multiple clusters viewed as one computing entity) by providing secure remote access to the C3 Power Tools for both users and administrators in a manner that is as easy to use and as transparent as command line operations issued on a single workstation. This paper will discuss the evolution of C3 and expand on its new capabilities.
Enterprise business process management: architecture, technology and standards

All enterprises’ operations require integrating information, and processing information with applications. This has been true for decades, if not centuries. Information and application integration has evolved from completely person centered verbal communication (blacksmith to apprentice), through paper documents-mail-fax, email and Web page interactions. The information and applications control the flow of goods and operations on them. These are the business processes of the economy. Coming from vastly different starting points, the evolutionary paths of business designs and IT architectures are converging, in a striking example of convergent evolution. In some cases, enterprises are almost purely information processing businesses, e.g. insurance. The past few years have seen explosive growth in direct program-program interaction for application integration, removing manual steps to yield tremendous improvements in reliability and efficiency. Controlling the sequence of program interactions and information flow, and knowing the status of the flows, are fundamental to an enterprise’s functions. Automating, monitoring and optimizing the flow is the field of business process management. The past two years have seen the emergence of several architectural and standards based innovations. This paper, with a focus on the end-to-end model, provides a technical overview of the standards, architecture, programming and runtime models that make modern BPM possible.
extended treatment with an acid ceramidase inhibitor modulates the metabolism of ceramide and selects for a radiation-resistant population of human lymphoma cells

4401 Sphingolipids and their metabolites participate in cellular signaling and proliferation, and modify several other cellular functions. Of these, ceramide has ability to coordinate a cell’s response to various forms of stress, including cell cycle arrest, cell senescence and apoptosis. In ceramide metabolism, ceramidases catalyze the breakdown of ceramide to sphingosine and the inhibition of ceramidase activity results in the intracellular accumulation of ceramide leading to apoptosis. Herein, we report that modulation of ceramide metabolism by extended treatment with a ceramidase inhibitor allows cells to acquire resistance to radiation-induced apoptosis in a radiosensitive human T cell lymphoma cell line. H9 cells, a human T cell lymphoma cell line, were cultured in medium with the acid ceramidase inhibitor N-oleoyl-ethanolamine (NOE), starting at a concentration level of 10 μM, with gradual increases to an NOE concentration of 100 μM. The cells were maintained in culture at a final NOE concentration of 100 μM. The period for treatment of NOE in medium was 2 days, every 2 weeks. For these experiments, H9 cells were cultured with NOE for more than 6 months. Both untreated and NOE-treated H9 (NOE-H9) cells were irradiated with doses of 0 to 8 Gy. Lipid analysis in these cells was investigated by mass spectrometry. Intracellular accumulation of ceramide was observed in untreated H9 cells after 48hr culture with 100 μM NOE, and greater than 50% of the cells died by apoptosis. Interestingly, there was no intracellular accumulation of ceramide in NOE-treated H9 cells, even after exposure to 100μM NOE. The viability of NOE-treated H9 cells at 48hr post-irradiation with a dose of 8 Gy was significantly higher than that in untreated H9 cells (74.0 ± 3.9% vs. 42.5 ± 1.1%, p=0.0002). Moreover, the intracellular accumulation of ceramide in NOE-H9 cells at 48hr after irradiation with a dose of 8 Gy was significantly less than that in untreated H9 cells (p=0.003). These results suggest that the absence of intracellular accumulation of ceramide following irradiation, through the modulation of ceramide metabolism using an acid ceramidase inhibitor for extended periods of time in culture, represents one potential mechanism for the development of radioresistance.
Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration with Castleman Disease: A Case Report (P1.027)

OBJECTIVE: To report the first case of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration with Castleman disease. BACKGROUND: Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration (PCD) is a rare syndrome that has been previously associated with small cell lung cancer, gynecologic cancers, and Hodgkin lymphoma. Though multiple autoantibodies have been implicated, CSF/serum testing can be negative and symptoms often precede cancer detection, making prompt diagnosis a challenge. Castleman disease is a heterogeneous lymphoproliferative disorder which has associations with HHV-8, POEMS syndrome and paraneoplastic pemphigus. On review of current literature, there have been no prior case reports of PCD with Castleman disease. DESIGN/METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 30-year-old, previously healthy male pastor presented with a one-month history of progressive vertigo, ataxia and speech changes. On exam, he had severe nystagmus, scanning speech and profound axial and appendicular ataxia. Enhancement in the cerebellar fissures was seen on MRI, and CSF studies revealed lymphocytosis. Paraneoplastic panels sent from both CSF and serum were negative, as were CSF oligoclonal bands and extensive bacterial, fungal and viral studies (including EBV, VZV, HSV, Lyme, Coxsackie, enterovirus, HHV-8, HIV). Serum IL-6 was mildly elevated at 26. Due to concern for a paraneoplastic process, CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis was done and showed multiple anterior mediastinal soft tissue nodules that were metabolically active on subsequent PET scan. Pathology results from lymph node biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of hyaline vascular Castleman disease. The patient was treated with steroids, IVIG and subsequent resection of the mass. Follow-up MRI showed resolution of cerebellar enhancement and the patient experienced some improvement, though was still significantly impaired at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although a specific autoantibody was not identified, the rarity of both Castleman disease and cerebellar degeneration, in conjunction with the well-described neoplastic and paraneoplastic associations of both, strongly suggests a relationship not previously described. Disclosure: Dr. Lee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Le has nothing to disclose.
Kids and thermostats

We present a study of family practices around the use of thermostats to control residential heating and cooling systems. Our analysis is focused on the role of children and adolescents and factors that affect their participation in the management of household energy consumption. As "smart" technologies become more common in homes, our goal is to understand how we might involve parents and children together in learning about issues of environmental sustainability. Based on interviews with families, thermostat installers, and a thermostat designer, our findings suggest that thermostats tend to be adult-only devices. Children rarely (and sometimes never) adjust the temperature or program settings, and there appears to be limited opportunity for youth to become more involved as they get older. We encountered variation in family practices along dimensions such as age, economic situation, environmental attitudes, and type of heating and cooling equipment. Despite this variation, however, there was a pervasive lack of interest and awareness on the part of children, even among those who reported adjusting thermostats on occasion. Based on these findings, we discuss how this situation might be changed through the design of new technologies to raise awareness while creating more active and distributed participation.
"That one's gotta work" Mars Odyssey's use of a fault tree driven risk assessment process

The Odyssey project was the first mission to Mars after the failures of Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander. In addition to incorporating the results of those failure review boards and responding to external "Red Team" reviews, the Odyssey project itself implemented a risk assessment process. This paper describes that process and its use of fault trees as an enabling tool. These trees were used to break the mission down into the functional elements needed to make it a success. By determining how each function could be prevented from executing, a list of failure modes was created. Each fault was individually assessed as to what mitigations could prevent the fault from occurring, as well as what methods should be used to explicitly verify that mitigation. Fault trees turned out to be an extremely useful tool in both identifying risks as well as structuring the development of mitigations.
Evaluation and design of full-scale wastewater treatment plants using biological process models

Results from application of the IAWQ Activated Sludge Model No. 1, either with or without the excess biological phosphorus removal model of Dold, to thirteen full-scale wastewater treatment plants are presented. For nitrogen removal applications the model is capable of accurately predicting full-scale plant performance and trends in performance, even using model default parameters. Additional work is needed to allow accurate predictions of the effect of reactor configuration and oxygen transfer systems on plant performance. The model of Dold accurately characterized the steady-state performance of biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal systems, but not their dynamic behavior. Detailed wastewater characterization is necessary to allow accurate prediction of the steady-state performance of biological phosphorus removal systems. Further work is necessary to demonstrate its applicability to dynamic applications.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of 4-chloro-N-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-5-(3-(piperazin-1-yl)phenoxy)thiophene-2-sulfonamide (B-355252): a new potentiator of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth.

Abstract The synthesis of 4-chloro-N-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-5-(3-(piperazin-1-yl)phenoxy)thiophene-2-sulfonamide (B-355252) using an MW-assisted nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reaction will be discussed. Utilization of this method allowed for the rapid generation of B-355252 heteroaryl ether core structure in the presence of cesium carbonate in dimethylformamide or tripotassium phosphate in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in 94% yield. Evaluation of B-355252 enhancement of nerve growth factor’s ability to stimulate neurite outgrowths was determined using NS-1 cells.
Eva Strittmatter: Mai in Piestany

In ria_i P i e s t a n y we e x p e r i e n c e w i t h Eva S t r i t t m a t t e r her ongoing s t r u g g l e w i t h change and her g r a d u a l a c c e p t a n c e o f i t . A l t h o u g h death and i l l n e s s dominate the second p a r t , t h i s a u t o b i o g r a p h i c a l work ends w i t h a c a u t i o u s o p t i m i s m : she f i n a l l y r e a l i z e s t h a t d e s p i t e change there can be c o n t i n u i t y which enables her t o f a ce t h e u n c e r t a i n t y o f t h e f u t u r e . An e l o q u e n t and warm l a n q u a q e , a h e i g h t e n e d s e n s i t i v i t y , and, above a l l , frank honesty lend unusual charm, i n t e r e s t , and r e a d a b i l i t y to Mai_ i n P i estany,
Anatomy of a Haitian Tragedy: When the Fury of Nature Meets the Debility of the State:

On January 12, 2010, Haiti experienced one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in recent history. In terms of fatalities, only the Bangladesh cyclone of 1970 and the Tangshan earthquake of 1976 in China surpassed the Haitian tragedy. This article argues that geography and geology sparked the Haitian earthquake, but the extent of the destruction was due to the massive failure of Haitian institutions, in particular the state, and international policy, which predated the earthquake. In sum, the Haitian tragedy combined the fury of Nature and the ineptitude of "Man." The article demonstrates the logic, mechanisms, and consequences of institutional failure. Furthermore, it deems Haitian state building an existential imperative and suggests a road map to its achievement.
Elevation of blood β-carboline alkaloids in essential tremor

Background: β-Carboline alkaloids are normal body constituents but are also potent tremor-producing chemicals that are naturally present in the food chain. Objective: To explore the hypothesis that high concentrations of β-carboline alkaloids are associated with essential tremor (ET). Methods: One hundred cases and 100 controls were frequency matched on age, sex, and ethnicity. Blood concentrations of harmane and harmine were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, blinded to clinical information. Results: The mean log blood concentration of harmane was higher in cases than controls (0.72 ± 0.53 vs 0.51 ± 0.64 g −10 /mL; p = 0.01). A nonparametric test on nontransformed data (median harmane = 5.21 g −10 /mL in cases and 2.28 g −10 /mL in controls) confirmed this difference ( p = 0.005). The mean log blood concentration of harmine was 0.20 ± 0.48 g −10 /mL in cases and 0.10 ± 0.65 g −10 /mL in controls ( p = 0.20). Log harmane concentrations were stratified based on the median value; 62% of cases vs 39% of controls had a high log harmane concentration ( p = 0.001). Mean log harmane concentration was similar in the cases with (0.74 ± 0.58 g −10 /mL) and without (0.71 ± 0.50 g −10 /mL) an affected relative ( p = 0.83). Conclusions: Blood concentrations of harmane were measured in ET cases compared with controls. Concentrations were elevated in cases with and without a family history of ET.
Cellulosic nanocomposites. II. Studies by atomic force microscopy

Dissolving-grade wood pulp fibers were partially esterified by mixed p-toluene sulfonic/hexanoic acid anhydride in a nonswelling suspending agent. A biphasic morphology was revealed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) for the compression-molded, partially modified pulp fibers. The AFM phase images indicated distinct periodicity on the scale of several 10's of nanometers. Surface etching with cellulolytic enzymes of the modified pulp fibers produced height images that had virtually the same periodicity. These results indicate that the modified pulp fibers are nanocomposites comprising unmodified cellulose and cellulose hexanoate. Regenerated lyocell fibers (from N,MMNO solvent) subjected to the same esterification system as applied to pulp fibers, by contrast, exhibited AFM phase images that indicated a high level of surface (skin) versus core reactivity. Modified lyocell fibers with an average diameter of about 12 μm and having an overall DS of 0.6 had surface layers that were approximately 1 μm thick. The latter represented a transitional phase in which the chemical composition and the physical properties were intermediate between a highly substituted surface (skin) and an unsubstituted core. When a compression-molded sheet of the modified lyocell fibers was analyzed by microthermal analysis, the thermoplastic matrix on the lyocell fiber surface was revealed to have an apparent T g of 75°C corresponding to cellulose hexanoate, whereas no significant thermal transition was determined for the (unmodified) fiber core. These results suggest that both partially modified lyocell fibers and partially modified pulp fibers are capable of producing composites with morphologies that have grossly different scales.
Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea as a Presenting Symptom of Aqueductal Stenosis : Case Report

A 30-year-old male patient presented with chronic spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. He had sustained a mild head injury in childhood. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed aqueductal stenosis associated with moderate supratentorial hydrocephalus, and erosion of the cribriform plate. Following insertion of ventriculoperitoneal shunt, the CSF rhinorrhea completely ceased and no direct repair of the CSF fistula was necessary. Long-standing spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea indicates the possibility of concurrent intracranial pathology, such as aqueductal stenosis.
Initiation of Bidirectional Replication at the Chromosomal Origin Is Directed by the Interaction between Helicase and Primase

Several protein-protein interactions have been shown to be critical for proper replication fork function in Escherichia coli. These include interactions between the polymerase and the helicase, the helicase and the primase, and the primase and the polymerase. We have studied the influence of these interactions on proper initiation at oriC by using mutant primases defective in their interaction with the helicase and DNA polymerase III holoenzyme lacking the τ subunit so that it will not interact with the helicase. We show here that accurate initiation of bidirectional DNA replication from oriC is dependent on proper placement of the primers for leading strand synthesis and is thus governed primarily by the interaction between the helicase and primase.
STORAGE OVERHEAD OF O-TREES, B-TREES AND PREFIX B-TREES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The O-tree is an indexing mechanism closely related to B-trees and Prefix B-trees. In this paper we derive the expected storage overhead of O-Trees under the standard Bernoulli model of randomness, compare the results with the expected overhead of B-trees and Prefix B-trees under the same conditions, and assess the expected relative improvements.
Dynamic fault weakening and the formation of large impact craters

Abstract Impact craters are the most common landform on planetary surfaces; however, the mechanics of the end stages of their formation are not fully understood. The final stage of crater formation involves the collapse of a hemispherical transient cavity. Around small craters, the limited amount of collapse preserves a bowl-shaped cavity. In contrast, the observed shallow depths and complex inner morphologies of large craters require very low shear strength in the collapsing material. Because the observed amount of collapse cannot be reproduced using quasi-static values for the frictional strength of fractured rock, a temporary weakening mechanism is necessary. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that craters collapse along a network of impact-generated faults that weaken during long displacements at high slip velocities via, for example, frictional melting. Using the CTH shock physics code, we simulate the formation of about 100-km diameter impact craters using a simple strain-rate weakening model with parameters constrained by fault friction experiments on crystalline rocks. The model reduces the coefficient of friction from a quasi-static value (0.6–0.85) to a weakened value (0.1–0.2) when a parcel of fractured material exceeds thresholds for cumulative plastic shear strain (a proxy for slip distance) and shear strain rate (a proxy for slip velocity). During crater formation, the strain-rate weakening model leads to strain localizations that are interpreted to be fault zones. Fault zones are spontaneously created and slip over discrete time intervals during collapse. The strain-rate weakening model reproduces the major geologic features observed around the largest terrestrial craters (Vredefort, Sudbury, and Chicxulub), including shallow depths, fault structures, frictional melt distributions, and deep-seated central uplifts. The good agreement between calculations and observations supports the hypothesis that small volumes of transiently weakened material in fault zones control the collapse of large impact craters.
Achieving curriculum-integrated computing

Abstract Management programs to incorporate computing into the curricula of schools, colleges, and universities on an institution-wide basis can be designed more effectively if two basic ideas are built into the planning. High quality instructional documents, developed prior to full implementation, minimize demends on instructors for individual student procedural troubleshooting and insure that the computing exercise is meaningfully tied to the other course work. The diffusion model, which describes how innovations spread throughout a potential user population, provides a means by which the incorporation of computing into coursework can be facilitated by certain strategic interventions that promote curriculum-wide, integrated computing in the academic setting.
Far infrared through millimeter Backshort-Under-Grid arrays

We are developing a large-format, versatile, bolometer array for a wide range of infrared through millimeter astronomical applications. The array design consists of three key components - superconducting transition edge sensor bolometer arrays, quarter-wave reflective backshort grids, and Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) multiplexer readouts. The detector array is a filled, square grid of bolometers with superconducting sensors. The backshort arrays are fabricated separately and are positioned in the etch cavities behind the detector grid. The grids have unique three-dimensional interlocking features micromachined into the walls for positioning and mechanical stability. The ultimate goal of the program is to produce large-format arrays with background-limited sensitivity, suitable for a wide range of wavelengths and applications. Large-format (kilopixel) arrays will be directly indium bump bonded to a SQUID multiplexer circuit. We have produced and tested 8×8 arrays of 1 mm detectors to demonstrate proof of concept. 8×16 arrays of 2 mm detectors are being produced for a new Goddard Space Flight Center instrument. We have also produced models of a kilopixel detector grid and dummy multiplexer chip for bump bonding development. We present detector design overview, several unique fabrication highlights, and assembly technologies.
The rabbit — Trichostrongylus axei: T. colubriformis system as a preliminary screen for testing potential anthelmintics

Abstract Rabbits infected with the ruminant parasites Trichostrongylus axei and T. colubriformis were administered eight drugs (phenothiazine, thiabendazole, haloxon, cambendazole, mebendazole, levamisole, fenbendazole, and oxibendazole) at dose rates known to be highly effective as anthelmintics in ruminants. All but phenothiazine and thiabendazole were highly active against adult T. colubriformis; mebendazole, levamisole, and fenbendazole were highly active against T. axei. When the dose rates of thiabendazole, haloxon, cambendazole, and oxibendazole were doubled, all but haloxon were highly active against T. axei adults. Efficacy against 3 and 10-day old worms was generally poor; oxibendazole showed best overall activity.
Some solutions for the kinetics of combined fracture and abrasion breakage

Abstract A phenomenological description of autogenous breakage of ores is accomplished by considering the simultaneous occurrence of fracture- and abrasion-like processes. A general differential equation is derived and solved for the batch abrasion phenomenon with and without fracture breakage of lumps within a screen size interval. For short grinding times, that is, for less than 50% of breakage, pure abrasion produces an almost first-order disappearance of the top size class material. A strong increase in the kinetic of disappearance occurs when the larger lumps reduce to the lower sieve size of the interval. Approximate solutions for the complete batch and continuous steady-state equations are developed by using a first-order fracture and the limiting first-order abrasion kinetics. In accordance with experimental findings, non-normalized B values with regard to particle size and bimodal distributions of progeny fragments are predicted by the model.
Real-Life Challenges in Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication by Persons With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Given the linguistic and cognitive demands of communication, adult Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users with acquired communication disorders may have difficulty using AAC systems consistently and effectively in “real-life” situations. The process of recommending AAC systems and strategies is an area of exploration, where clinicians need to treat each client as a unique individual. Speech-language pathologists are required to analyze speech, language, cognition, sensory, and motor skills of the client when attempting to choose appropriate AAC systems. Various challenges during the AAC implementation process may range from funding sources, time commitment, training, and device acquisition to effective use of the device in day-to-day situations. The AAC management strategies are discussed in light of functional and multimodal communications. Also, the perspectives of AAC user regarding environment, communication partners, social communication status, and quality of life are addressed, alon...
Environmental Test Program for the Mars Exploration Rover Project

On June 10 and July 7, 2003, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched two spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Florida, for 6-month flights to the Red Planet, Mars. The two Mars Exploration Rover spacecraft landed safely on the planet on January 3 and 24, 2004. Prior to the successful launch, both of the spacecraft were involved in a comprehensive test campaign that included development, qualification, and protoflight test programs. Testing was performed to simulate the environments associated with launch, interplanetary cruise, landing on the planet, and Mars surface operations.Unique test requirements included operating the spacecraft while the chamber pressure was controlled to simulate the descent to the planet from deep space, high-impact landing loads, and rover operations on the surface of the planet at 8 Torr and -130 °C (-202 °F). This paper will present an overview of the test program that included vibration, pyroshock, landing loads, acoustic noise, thermal-vacuum, and solar...
Some physical factors affecting the enhanced blepharoptotic activity of orally administered reserpine-cholanic acid coprecipitates

In order to elucidate the mechanism by which orally administered cholanic acid derivative-reserpine coprecipitates potentiate the pharmacological activity of reserpine in mice, a study of the surface tension and dissolution properties of the various systems was undertaken. Deoxycholic acid, cholic acid, lithocholic acid, and 3,12,24-trihydroxycholane were found to significantly lower surface tension. These same compounds, as coprecipitates, enhanced the ptotic activity of reserpine. A fifth compound, 5β-cholanic acid, showed only minor surface tension lowering properties. No indication of micelle formation was observed with these five compounds in the pH 6.4 buffer system used. In vitro dissolution studies of the coprecipitates of reserpine with these compounds in ethyl acetate at 37° were also undertaken. An increase in the dissolution rate of the coprecipitates over that for pure reserpine was noted, due most probably to a reduction in the particle size of reserpine during the formation of the coprecipitates. The rate of dissolution of reserpine from the coprecipitates in a 1:16 molar ratio showed a rank order correlation with in vivo potency.
Preserving the character of perturbations in scaled pitch contours

The global and fine dynamic components of a pitch contour in voice production, as in the speaking and singing voice, are important for both the meaning and character of an utterance. In speech, for example, slow pitch inflections, rapid pitch accents, and irregular regions all comprise the pitch contour. In applications where all components of a pitch contour are stretched or compressed in the same way, as for example in time-scale modification, an unnatural scaled contour may result. In this paper, we develop a framework for scaling pitch contours, motivated by the goal of maintaining naturalness in time-scale modification of voice. Specifically, we develop a multi-band algorithm to independently modify the slow trajectory and fast perturbation components of a contour for a more natural synthesis, and we present examples where pitch contours representative of speaking and singing voice are lengthened. In the speaking voice, the frequency content of flutter or irregularity is maintained, while slow pitch inflection is simply stretched or compressed. In the singing voice, rapid vibrato is preserved while slower note-to-note variation is scaled as desired.
Do Additional Expenditures Increase Achievement in the High School Economics Class

Expenditures allocated directly to the economics classroom are found to increase student achievement in economics; the more disaggregated the measure of expenditures, the stronger the effect on student achievement.