cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mortality Associated with Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: A Single Tertiary Care Institute Experience

Abstract Background: Hospital-associated venous thromboembolism (HA-VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults; there is a paucity of data about mortality risk in children. Objective: To determine clinical factors associated with mortality in children with HA-VTE. Methods: We conducted retrospective chart review of patients Results: Of 330 HA-VTE cases, there were 55 deaths (16.7%); 18 deaths (5.5%) were attributable to VTE. Median follow up was 2.9 years. Within 30 days of VTE diagnosis, all-cause mortality was 4.2% and VTE-attributable mortality was 1.8%. Acute systemic infection (adjOR 11.3; 95%CI 4.7-26.8) and malignancy (adjOR 3.9; 95%CI 1.6-9.5) were associated with increased adjusted odds of all-cause mortality (Table 1). For deaths specifically attributable to VTE, acute systemic infection (adjOR 18.6; 95%CI 4.9-71.4) was associated with increased adjusted odds of mortality. Conclusion: The majority of VTE-attributable deaths occurred over 30 days from VTE diagnosis. Acute systemic infection was a significant predictor of VTE-related mortality in HA-VTE. Further studies are warranted to identify additional risks for VTE-related mortality to develop prevention strategies. Table 1 . Odds Ratio Estimates of All-cause Mortality in Hospital Associated Venous Thromboembolism in Children in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Putative Risk Factor Odds Ratio 95% Wald Confidence Limits *Systemic Infection 11.3 4.7 26.8 Cancer 3.9 1.6 9.5 Pulmonary Embolism 0.7 0.3 2.0 Age (each year increase) 0.9 0.9 1.1 Male gender versus female 0.7 0.3 1.5 Central Venous Catheter 1.4 0.6 3.2 Hospital readmission within 90 days 1.5 0.6 3.7 *Meningitis, abscess, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, bacteremia, fungemia, and pyelonephritis Disclosures Takemoto: Novo Nordisk: Research Funding; Mast Therapeutics: Speakers Bureau.
Editorial: Teaching and learning between virtuality and reality

Discussions about the digitisation of the professional and working world assume that virtual teaching and learning will increasingly merge with real teaching and learning which will result in new, innovative technology-based teaching and learning approaches. Against this background, this article addresses technology-based realms of experience and considers the challenges associated with the use of virtual teaching and learning environments in vocational education and training. Keywords: Virtual reality, professionalisation, teacher training, digitalisation
Virtual Therapeutic Environments with Haptics: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Developing Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Systems.

Abstract – Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability among American adults. Each year, nearly 400,000 people survive but suffer from neurological disability. Patients’ motivation and engagement during rehabilitation therapy is important because the amount, type and intensity of practice available to the patients during the recovery process is critical for the functional recovery after stroke. In the current paper we will introduce a National Institutes of Health-supported interdisciplinary project, involving researchers from the fields of Communication, Cell Neurobiology, Computer Science, Psychology, and Physical Therapy, to develop virtual therapeutic environments for post-stroke recovery. The purpose of the project is to develop virtual environments (VEs) that include different levels of haptic sensory feedback and to evaluate the effectiveness of these applications for neurorehabilitation training. The current system development, including applications using the PHANToM and CyberGrasp (haptic devices) as well as future research plans are discussed.
The virtual firefly: an interdisciplinary undergraduate research project

This paper describes an interdisciplinary undergraduate research project involving students and faculty from the Biology and Computer Science departments at our college. The goal of the project is to conduct innovative biological research using a unique device developed by our computer science students called the "Virtual Firefly". Students and faculty collaborated to develop a virtual firefly device that is able to generate, recognize and respond to flash signaling patterns of various firefly species. The device is also capable of recording experimental data for post-hoc analysis. The project provided our computer science undergraduates with an opportunity to be involved with a development project from the conceptual stages through device deployment. Our efforts resulted in a working product that was deployed and successfully used in experiments involving actual fireflies in the laboratory.
Nonspecific oral mucositis in a patient with Crohn's disease

Background A wide variety of oral lesions have been reported in Crohn's disease (CD), with a reported prevalence of 20% to 50%. We report a case of lip swelling and severe mucositis affecting the lips and the oral mucosa in a patient with CD. Case Summary A 48-year-old female presented with a 2-year history of painful gingiva and lips. She had seen 26 doctors for this condition and had undergone multiple biopsies with nonspecific results, including a most recent perioral biopsy showing spongiotic dermatitis with neutrophils and eosinophils and negative results on direct immunofluorescence (DIF). Attempted treatments included chlorhexidine rinse, dexamethasone rinse, azathioprine, an increase in the infliximab dose that she had been taking for CD, and prednisone. Among these treatments, only prednisone helped reduce the severity of the symptoms. Past medical history included CD, celiac disease, and meningioma. Medications included infliximab every 8 weeks for 7 years, azathioprine, amitriptyline, sertraline, and pantoprazole. Her CD had been well controlled, and multiple endoscopies and colonoscopies after the onset of the oral lesions had confirmed that there were no current CD lesions. Examination revealed swelling and generalized erythema with multiple ulcerations and blisters of the lips, generalized erythema on all facial gingiva and vestibules, and a slight hyperplastic appearance of the anterior facial gingiva simulating orofacial granulomatosis. Biopsies had been performed previously on perioral cutaneous tissues. We performed biopsy of oral mucosa, and the result, again, indicated nonspecific inflammation with a negative result on DIF. The oral lesions subsequently responded relatively well to systemic steroids. Conclusions This case demonstrates the simultaneous presentation of multiple conditions. Oral biopsy revealed a solitary focus of granulomatous inflammation, indicative of orofacial granulomatosis. However, the biopsied lesion was also unusual in that inflammation extended into the epithelium, a relatively unusual feature for a granulomatous inflammatory disease and a pattern more commonly seen in vesiculobullous eruptions. Because this patient's CD was well controlled, it is difficult to believe that these oral lesions were associated with CD activity. One reasonable assumption is that the long-time treatment of the patient's CD with infliximab might have hindered histologic and immunologic identification to establish a more definitive diagnosis.
Why are there so few ethnic minorities in ecology and evolutionary biology? Challenges to inclusion and the role of sense of belonging

African Americans and other ethnic minorities are severely underrepresented in both graduate education and among the professoriate in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB). In the present research, we take a social psychological approach to studying inclusion by examining interrelationships among challenges to inclusion, the sense of belonging, and interest in pursuing graduate education in EEB. We conducted a survey of African American (N = 360), Latino/a/Hispanic (N = 313), White (N = 709), and Asian/Asian American (N = 524) college undergraduates majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math fields and used the results to test several interrelated hypotheses derived from our theoretical model. Compared to Whites, ethnic minorities were more likely to experience challenges to inclusion in EEB (e.g., less exposure to ecology, fewer same-race role models, discomfort in outdoor environments). Challenges to inclusion were associated with a decreased sense of belonging in EEB educational contexts. Finally, experiencing a low sense of belonging in EEB educational contexts was associated with lower interest in pursuing graduate education in EEB. Sense of belonging in EEB was especially low among African Americans relative to Whites. We discuss the implications of the study results for educational interventions.
Effect of panretinal photocoagulation on optic nerve head blood flow with OCT angiography in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To investigate the effect of pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) on Optic nerve head blood flow with OCT angiography in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted at Eye Unit III, Institute of Ophthalmology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, over a period of seven months i.e. from 10th May 2019 to 10th November 2019. Thirty-five patients having proliferative diabetic retinopathy were included in this study. Ocular blood flow was measured with OCT Angiography, then pan retinal photocoagulation was performed and patients were called for follow-up after one month and ocular blood flow was measured again with OCT Angiography. The difference in the blood flow was calculated. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for the categorical data and mean and standard deviations were calculated for the continuous data. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was performed and effects of PRP on blood flow were compared. Significance level was taken as p≤0.05. Results: Out of 35 patients, 30 patients (85.71%) had decreased post PRP blood flow, four patients (11.43%) had increased post PRP blood flow and one patient (2.86%) did not have any effect. Conclusion: OCT angiography revealed there is significantly reduced optic nerve head blood flow in PRP treated eyes compared to non-PRP treated eyes. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.5.2190 How to cite this:Amanat SA, Khan AA, Tayyab H, Sarwar S. Effect of panretinal photocoagulation on optic nerve head blood flow with OCT angiography in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(5):1075-1078. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.5.2190 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Perceptions of and Behavior toward University Students with Autism

This study examined neurotypical university students’ (n = 116) perceptions of and behavior toward student confederates they believed to have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or not. Confederates wer...
Instructional leadership structures across five university departments

In this paper, we investigate leadership related to the instruction of lower division undergraduate courses at five university mathematics departments with strong calculus programs. We use social network analysis to identify patterns of influence on instruction, using the relations: advice seeking, instructional material sharing, discussion of instructional matters, and explicit influence on teaching approach. Data were gathered through social network surveys, which received over 60% response rate at each site. Considering both formal and informal phenomena, we identify variation in vertical and distributed instructional leadership structures within these departments. In these five communities, not all those with hierarchical authority have real influence over instructional practice, but those with the most influence over instruction do hold formally recognized positions. In light of these findings, we discuss implications for future research and practice in higher education.
Symptomatic Hypoglycemia During Treatment with a Therapeutic Dose of Metformin

BACKGROUND Metformin has a longstanding reputation as the first-line treatment for glycemic control in the setting of diabetes mellitus type 2. A contributing factor to this reputation is metformin having a low risk of inducing hypoglycemia compared to other oral hypoglycemics or insulin. There are no case reports of hypoglycemia while on conventional or therapeutic doses of metformin. This case report is of a patient who developed symptomatic hypoglycemia while being treated with a therapeutic dose of metformin. CASE REPORT A 58-year-old man with history including diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and schizoaffective disorder was dismissed early from work due to symptoms of severe weakness, confusion, diaphoresis, dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, and a sensation of feeling hot. Continuous glucose monitoring revealed hypoglycemic episodes up to 4% of the time. The hypoglycemic events appeared to occur primarily between midnight and 7 A.M., with the second likely time frame being between 7A.M. and noon. Within 2 weeks of discontinuing metformin, there were no further "attacks", and the chronic daytime fatigue and somnolence significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS This case report suggests that there is a risk of symptomatic hypoglycemia with therapeutic doses of metformin. Although advised to be taken with meals to avoid gastrointestinal upset, patients should also be educated to take metformin with meals to reduce the risk of metformin-associated hypoglycemia.
Factors Influencing Medical Student Choices in the Integrated Vascular Surgery Match: Implications for Future Post-pandemic Residency Matches.

Abstract Objective Integrated vascular surgery residency is among the most competitive specialties, but little is known about the applicant perspective. The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak impacted the 2021 integrated vascular surgery residency match because of travel restrictions. We sought to better understand pre-pandemic applicant recruitment strategies, logistics of away rotations, and the residency interview process to identify areas for improvement in the application process. Methods An anonymous survey was sent to matched students in 2020, inquiring about motivations for pursuing vascular surgery (VS), logistic of away rotations and interviews, and factors influencing students' rank lists. Results Seventy of the 73 matched students completed the survey (95.9% response rate). The median age was 27 (range, 25-41); 32.9% were female, 91.4% were U.S. medical students, and 77.1% were from institutions with a VS training program. Factors most strongly influencing the decision to choose VS as a career were interest in open vascular procedures, endovascular procedures, perceived job satisfaction, emerging technologies, and influence of a mentor. The prospect of the job market, future salary, and competitiveness of the application process had the least impact. Of the matched students, 82.9% completed an away rotation (median, 2; range, 1-4), with 51.7% of students paying a total cost of more than $2500. Fifty percent of students matched either at their home institution or where they had performed an away rotation. Students reported application submissions to a median of 50 programs (range, 1-70) and interviewed at 17 (range, 1-28), with 40% of students paying a total of more than $4000 for interview costs. The most significant factors affecting students' rank lists included program culture, open aortic surgical volume, geography, and complex endovascular procedure volume. Tours of facilities, resident salary, and male/female distribution had the least importance. Conclusions Successfully matched applicants in 2020 prioritized operative case volume and program collegiality when ranking programs. Despite their high cost, away rotations played an important role in the Match, suggesting that time spent at potential institutions allowed ideal assessment of factors for students. The high average number of away rotations and in-person interviews performed in 2019-2020 was limited for the 2021 Match due to coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions. Programs will have to continue developing creative alternatives or additions to away rotations and the application processes to assure continued success in future post-pandemic Match cycles.
Adjustment Strategies of Older Adults Transitioning Into an Assisted Living Facility: Implications for RT Practice

Transitions into an assisted living facility (ALF) may have major impacts on the well-being of older adults, both positively and negatively. The purpose of this study was to explore strategies that older adults are implementing to maintain or improve their well-being during their transition into an ALF. A grounded theory, descriptive approach employed 14 individual, in-person interviews at an ALF in the rural, southeastern U.S. Eight central findings emerged as adjustment strategies used by older adults, catorgizied as active and passive strategies. The five active strategies were identified as importance of health promoting activities (subthemes: promoting physical health and promoting mental health), connections to the outside world (subthemes: community integration outings and community visitors), placing possessions, finding a new routine, and engaging in spiritual practices. Three passive strategies were identified: peer support, staff support, and prior familiarity with the ALF. Implications for recreational therapists working with older adults in ALFs are detailed and future research recommendations are provided. Subscribe to TRJ
Gaining Experience in Interpreting Health Education

(1978). Gaining Experience in Interpreting Health Education. Health Education: Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 42-42.
3'-Terminal polyadenylation of mRNA in procaryotes

Studies in our laboratory have shown that polyadenylation of bacterial mRNA is a common phenomenon, in contrast to general belief. Poly(A)RNA constitutes a surprisingly large fraction of mRNA in Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus brevis. eDNA can be synthesized from bactenal poly(A)RNA using reverse transcriptase only in the presence of oligo(dT) primer, thus providing independent evidence that bacterial rnRNA is poiyadenylated. This facilitated the construction of a cDNA library from poly(A)RNA of B. subtilis. The 3'-terminal sequences adjacent to the poty(A) moiety has been detennined in some clones. We have also examined the polyadenylation of specific E. coli mRNAs. They include the relatively stable mRNA for the outer membrane lipoprotein (lpp) as well as the mRNA for tryptophan synthase (trpA), which serves as paradigm for relatively unstable mRNAs encoding intracellular proteins. So far, all the specific gene transcripts we have probed in B. suhtilis and in E. coli were found to be polyadenylated.
A possible role for plasmalogens in protecting animal cells against photosensitized killing.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells incorporate 12-(1'-pyrene) dodecanoic acid (P12) into membrane lipids. Exposure of P12-labeled cells to long wavelength ultraviolet light causes cell killing, presumably because excitation of the pyrene moiety (a photosensitizer) leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Cytotoxicity is dependent upon the concentration of P12 used to label the cells, and time of UV exposure, and the presence of oxygen during irradiation. CHO mutant cells deficient in plasmalogen biosynthesis and peroxisome assembly (Zoeller, R.A., and Raetz, C.R.H. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 5170-5174) are several orders of magnitude more sensitive to P12/UV treatment than wild-type cells, permitting direct selection of one wild-type cell in 1 X 10(4) mutant cells. A major factor responsible for the P12/UV hypersensitivity of these mutants appears to be the absence of plasmalogens. Supplementation of the mutants with 1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycerol restores plasmalogen levels and nearly normal resistance to P12/UV treatment, whereas the biogenesis of peroxisomes is not restored. The P12/UV hypersensitivity of the plasmalogen-deficient mutants, together with the selective, P12/UV-induced decomposition of plasmalogens in wild-type cells, documented in the accompanying manuscript, suggest that the vinyl ether linkage of plasmalogens plays a direct role in protecting animal cell membranes against certain oxidative stresses.
The Amino Acid Sequence of a κ Type Bence-Jones Protein II. CHYMOTRYPTIC PEPTIDES

A chymotryptic digest of the human κ Bence-Jones protein Ag was prepared to enable the ordering of its tryptic peptides and the determination of its amino acid sequence. Thirty-five chymotryptic peptides were purified by column chromatography, paper chromatography, and paper electrophoresis and their amino acid compositions were determined. The partial or complete amino acid sequence was determined for 15 peptides. The complete sequence is given for 6 of the chymotryptic peptides totalling 66 residues from positions 33 through 98 where tryptic peptides were unavailable.
Target conspicuity and visual search.

A general measure of target conspicuity is proposed for predicting the level of search performance as a function of spatial and temporal variables. The probability of locating a target is shown to depend on two factors: target conspicuity, the rate at which the observer can scan the field, and information input rate, the rate at which the field is presented to the observer. Predictions of the effects of such factors as size, scale, rate of movement, and time available, are made for reconnaissance displays. Some experimental support is presented.
Solid-state properties of tobramycin.

Tobramycin (I) obtained from two different sources was subjected to powder X-ray diffractometry, thermal analyses, and Karl Fischer titrimetry. It was concluded to be tobramycin monohydrate (C18H37N5O9 · H2O). When heated in the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), the dehydration of I resulted in the formation of metastable anhydrous tobramycin, which melted at 164°C. This was followed by the crystallization of the stable anhydrous tobramycin, which then melted at 217°C. The polymorphic transition was concluded to be monotropic and the calculated free energy difference between the metastable and the stable forms, at 25°C, was 348 cal · mol−1. Both the heating rate in the DSC and the sample size had a significant influence on the enthalpy values of most of the thermal events. These observations were attributed to the presence of trace amounts of moisture in the sample. No detectable decomposition of I occurred when it was heated up to 224°C.
Reduced basis technique for collapse analysis of shells

A hybrid finite-element Rayleigh-Ritz technique is used to predict the collapse behavior of shells. In this hybrid technique, the modeling versatility of the finite-element method is preserved, and a significant reduction in the number of degrees of freedom is achieved by expressing the nodal displacement vector as a linear combination of a small number of basis vectors. A Rayleigh-Ritz technique is used to approximate the finite-element equations of the discretized shell by a reduced system of nonlinear algebraic equations. A scalar function is introduced to measure the degree of nonlinearity of the structure for the case of loading applied by means of axial end shortening. Also, a quantitative measure for the error of the reduced system of equations is proposed. Some insight is given as to why and when the reduced basis technique works, and the effectiveness of the technique for predicting the collapse behavior of shells is demonstrated by means of a numerical example of elastic collapse of an axially compressed pear-shaped cylinder.
Fault-tolerant control of mechanical systems

Fault tolerance attempts to provide for uninterrupted system operation even when one or more of a system's components fail. This is accomplished by continuously monitoring the state of each of the components. Upon detection of a failure, the recovery process makes decisions for the reallocation of the resources, and then announces the new task assignments in order to recover the system from failure as gracefully as possible. While the recovery process takes place, usually the post-failure system is not the same system before failure. Hence, a new controller design is usually required in the recovery process. This work examines controllers based on adaptive parameter estimation, sliding control and computed-torque method for their potential use in fault-tolerant controller design of mechanical systems such as serial and parallel mechanisms.
The Photochemistry of Sulfur Analogues of Dialkyldiazomalonates

Laser flash photolysis studies (LFP) of O,S-diethylmonothiodiazomalonate (1) and S,S-diethyldithiodiazomalonate (2) in 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon-113) were consistent with the trapping of an intermediate with λmax = 425 nm, attributed, in the LFP of 1, to that of ylide 10, formed from the reaction of singlet O,S-carboethoxythioethoxycarbene (9) with pyridine. The deduced lifetime of both singlet O,S-dicarboethoxycarbene (9) and S,S-dicarbothioethoxycarbene (13) are essentially the same in Freon-113, but compared to dicarbomethoxycarbene 14, the lifetimes of 9 and 13 were found to be about six times shorter. The LFP studies, in addition to calculations at the B3LYP/6−31 G* level of theory, provide an explanation for the effect of sulfur perturbation that shortens the carbene lifetimes, as well as an explanation for the exclusive migration of the SEt group to ultimately form 5 upon light (300 nm) induced nitrogen extrusion and Wolff rearrangement of 1 in EtOH.
Alternative Generation of MHC Class II-Restricted Epitopes. Not So Exceptional?

By convention, peptides presented at the cell surface by MHC class II molecules (MHCII) are derived from internalized (“exogenous”) antigen that is denatured and fragmented in the endocytic compartment and loaded onto MHC in the late endosome with the assistance of the H2-DM chaperone. Over the past two decades several alternatives to this pathway have been described but the extent to which they contribute to natural CD4+ T cell (TCD4+) responses has not been assessed, mainly because studies have focused primarily on individual epitopes. My laboratory has begun to address this issue in virus infection models and a picture is emerging in which classical presentation plays a relatively minor role, with a number of alternative presentation pathways collectively accounting for the majority of peptide presentation. The potential ramifications for this fundamentally altered view of MHCII peptide supply are discussed.
Thermo-chemical wear model and worn tool shapes for single-crystal diamond tools cutting steel

Abstract An Arrhenius-type thermochemical wear model proposed by past researchers is evaluated for predicting diamond tool wear when machining low carbon steel. Tool temperature values are determined using finite element modeling. These temperatures are related to tool wear measured after diamond turning tests on a low carbon steel workpiece to determine constants in the Arrhenius-type model. Measured tool wear shows a transition in worn tool shape from low speed (1 mm/s) to high speed (4 m/s) machining tests. Model results show a minimum value of wear per cutting distance occurs at a cutting speed of 2.5 m/s. The model also gives an activation energy between 25.0 kJ/mol and 29.3 kJ/mol. In addition, this model is used to explain experimental results obtained by others researching chemical wear of diamond.
Eye movements and optical flow

Translation of an observer through a static environment generates a pattern of optical flow that specifies the direction of self-motion, but the retinal flow pattern is confounded by pursuit eye movements. How does the visual system decompose the translational and rotational components of flow to determine heading? It is shown that observers can perceive their direction of self-motion during stationary fixations and pursuit eye movements and with displays that simulate the optical effects of eye movements. Results indicate that the visual system can perform the decomposition with both continuous and discontinuous fields on the basis of flow-field information alone but requires a three-dimensional environmental structure to do so. The findings are inconsistent with general computational models and theories based on the maximum of divergence, oculomotor signals, or multiple fixations but are consistent with the theory of reliance on differential motion produced by environmental variation in depth.
Elevated CO2 and O3 effects on fine-root survivorship in ponderosa pine mesocosms.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) concentrations are rising, which may have opposing effects on tree C balance and allocation to fine roots. More information is needed on interactive CO2 and O3 effects on roots, particularly fine-root life span, a critical demographic parameter and determinant of soil C and N pools and cycling rates. We conducted a study in which ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings were exposed to two levels of CO2 and O3 in sun-lit controlled-environment mesocosms for 3 years. Minirhizotrons were used to monitor individual fine roots in three soil horizons every 28 days. Proportional hazards regression was used to analyze effects of CO2, O3, diameter, depth, and season of root initiation on fine-root survivorship. More fine roots were produced in the elevated CO2 treatment than in ambient CO2. Elevated CO2, increasing root diameter, and increasing root depth all significantly increased fine-root survivorship and median life span. Life span was slightly, but not significantly, lower in elevated O3, and increased O3 did not reduce the effect of elevated CO2. Median life spans varied from 140 to 448 days depending on the season of root initiation. These results indicate the potential for elevated CO2 to increase the number of fine roots and their residence time in the soil, which is also affected by root diameter, root depth, and phenology.
Properties of calponin isolated from sheep aorta thin filaments

Calponin, a 35 kDa actin-binding protein, was shown to be a normal component of ‘native’ thin filaments prepared from sheep aorta. Actin, tropomyosin, caldesmon and calponin were present in molar ratios 14 : 2 : 1 : 0.9. Calponin was isolated from thin filaments in yield 0.5 mg/100 mg thin filament protein. Calponin inhibited actomyosin ATPase up to 85%, half maximal at 0.2 calponin/actin. Inhibition did not depend on tropomyosin, Ca2+ or Ca2+·calmodulin. Caldesmon inhibited actomyosin with a 10-fold greater potency than calponin in the presence of tropomyosin and inhibition could be reversed by Ca2+·calmodulin under certain conditions. Calponin had no effect on caldesmon inhibition or the reversal of inhibition.
Optimization of a Low Heat Load Turbine Inlet Vane

Abstract : Often there is a distinction between the design of turbomachinery airfoils for aerodynamic performance and durability. However, future aero-engine systems require ever increasing levels of turbine inlet temperature causing the durability and reliability of components to be an ever more important design concern. As a result, the need to incorporate heat transfer predictions into traditional aerodynamic design and optimization systems presents itself. Here, an effort to design an airfoil with both acceptable aerodynamics and minimized heat load is reported. First, a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) flow solver was validated over different flow regimes as well as varying boundary conditions against extensive data available in literature. Next, a nominal turbine inlet vane was tested experimentally for unsteady heat load measurements in a linear cascade. The tests were performed in a reflected shock tunnel to validate the flow solver further at the current experimental conditions, and special attention was paid to leading edge and suction side heat-flux characteristics. The nominal airfoil geometry was then redesigned for minimum heat load by means of both design practice and two types of optimization algorithms. Finally, the new airfoil was tested experimentally and unsteady heat load trends were compared to design levels as well as the nominal vane counterpart. Results indicate an appreciable reduction in heat load relative to the original vane. Thus, it is a credible proposition to design turbine airfoils for aero-performance and durability concurrently.
Statistical biases and errors inherent in photoclinometric surface slope estimation with natural light

Photoclinometry is the most common method used to obtain high-resolution topographic maps of planetary terrain. We derive the likelihood function of photoclinometric surface slope from (1) the probability distribution of the measured photon count of natural sunlight through a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) including uncertainty due to camera shot noise, camera read noise, small-scale albedo fluctuation and atmospheric haze, and (2) a photometric model relating photocount to surface orientation. We then use classical estimation theory to determine the theoretically exact biases and errors inherent in photoclinometric surface slope and show when they may be approximated by asymptotic expressions for sufficiently high sample size. We show how small-scale albedo variability often dominates biases and errors, which may become an order of magnitude larger than surface slopes when surface reflectance has a weak dependence on surface tilt. We provide bounds on the minimum possible error of any unbiased photoclinometric surface slope estimate, and compute the sample sizes necessary to constrain errors within desired design thresholds.
Demonstration by labeled treponemal antigen of specific antibodies in the tissue infiltrates of secondary syphilis

Specific antitreponemal antibodies have been demonstrated by immunofluorescence techniques in the lymphoplasmocytic infiltrates which characterize early syphilitic lesions. A purified suspension of Nichols strain Treponema pallidum was sonified and labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and applied to cryostat sections of 12 biopsy specimens from the cutaneous lesions of 11 patients with proven secondary syphilis, using a modified direct immunofluorescence procedure. Specimens from various inflammatory dermatoses processed similarly served as controls. Granular fluorescence was noted in the dermis in 9 of the 12 specimens corresponding to areas of heavy plasma cell infiltration and some fluorescence was found directly on plasma cells which were identified by subsequent hematoxylin arid eosin staining. This fluorescence could be blocked by prior incubation of the sections with unlabeled sonified treponemal suspension. Control slides did not reveal any fluorescence. The use of labeled treponemal antigen may aid the tissue diagnosis of early syphilitic lesions which can mimic a variety of dermatological disorders.
Effects of solvent and temperature on pressurized liquid extraction of anthocyanins and total phenolics from dried red grape skin.

Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was used to extract anthocyanins from the freeze-dried skin of a highly pigmented red wine grape with six solvents at 50 °C, 10.1 MPa, and 3 × 5 min extraction cycles. Temperature (from 20 to 140 °C in 20 °C increments) effects on anthocyanin recovery by acidified water and acidified 60% methanol were also studied. Acidified methanol extracted the highest levels of total monoglucosides and total anthocyanins, whereas the solvent mixture (40:40:20:0.1 methanol/acetone/water HCl) extracted the highest levels of total phenolics and total acylated anthocyanins. Acidified water extracts obtained by PLE at 80−100 °C had the highest levels of total monoglucosides, total acylated anthocyanins, total anthocyanins, total phenolics, and ORAC values. Acidified methanol extracts obtained by PLE at 60 °C had the highest levels of total monoglucosides and total anthocyanins, whereas extracts obtained at 120 °C had the highest levels of total phenolics. High-temperature PLE (80−100 °C)...
Determination of oxygen atom concentrations by cavity ring-down spectroscopy

Abstract Cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) has been applied to the detection of oxygen atoms, on the highly forbidden 1D2 ← 3P2 line at 630.030 nm. Results are presented for CRDS detection in a discharge flow system, in which the atoms are prepared by a microwave discharge of N2O/Ar or O2. Comparison of concentrations determined by CRDS and chemical titration by NO2 is made. CRDS is found to be a non-intrusive technique for the determination of oxygen atom concentrations in the range of 1014 atoms cm−3 and higher, with an estimated accuracy of ⩽20%.
Naltrexone administration attenuates surgery-induced immune alterations in rats

Abstract Surgery is a commonly performed procedure which produces substantial alterations in immune function in both humans and animals. To better understand the mechanism of surgery-induced immunomodulation, the present study investigated the effect of the opioid antagonist naltrexone on surgery-induced immune alterations in rats. Based on previous investigations in our laboratory, rats underwent a 6-cm laparotomy with no internal manipulation and immunological assessments were completed 24 h following the surgical procedure. Naltrexone was administered at the time of surgery and every 4 h thereafter until immune assessment. Results showed that naltrexone attenuated the surgery-induced decrease in natural killer cell cytotoxicity, B-cell proliferation, T-cell proliferation, and production of the cytokine IFN-γ. These results are among the first to show that pharmacological antagonism of opioid receptors can prevent deleterious immune changes in the postoperative state, suggesting a detrimental role of the endogenous opioids in surgical procedures.
Factors Controlling the Bioaccumulation of Mercury, Methylmercury, Arsenic, Selenium, and Cadmium by Freshwater Invertebrates and Fish

Concentrations of mercury (Hg), methylmercury (MMHg), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), and cadmium (Cd) were measured in atmospheric deposition, stream water, and biota in two streams in western Maryland. Overall, concentrations were slightly higher in the water of the lower pH Herrington Creek tributary (HRCT). Bioaccumulation factors were also higher for HRCT compared to Blacklick Run (BLK). MMHg concentrations in biota increased with trophic level and essentially all the Hg was as MMHg in predatory insects and insectivorous/carnivorous fish. Thus, the overall trophic status of the organism was indicated by the %MMHg in its tissues. Levels of As, Se, Cd, and Hg, however, decreased with increasing trophic level. Adsorption of As to the exoskeleton of invertebrates appears to be an important accumulation mechanism. MMHg was distributed evenly throughout crayfish and fish organs, whereas As, Se, Cd, and Hg were found in higher concentrations in detoxifying organs. Concentrations in biota in this study were somewhat elevated compared to other rural sites, but were less than those of point source-contaminated sites. Overall, as atmospheric inputs to the two watersheds were similar, the results of this study show the importance of water chemistry in determining the bioaccumulation of the metals and metalloids into insects. Subsequent transfer to higher trophic levels is related to both the ability of the organisms to depurate and the mode of accumulation, either directly from water or from food.
Water in coal pores: The enthalpy of fusion reflects pore size distribution

Abstract The differential enthalpy of fusion of absorbed water in three coals varying in rank from lignite to bituminous varies with water content. We propose an explanation of this and other apparently contradictory results for water in a wide variety of porous systems, including coal, glass, ceramic, wool, and collagen. We conclude that the differential enthalpy of fusion directly reflects the pore size distribution of the particular absorbent. We then interpret the changes in coal structure which are caused by drying the raw coals and show that the lignite structure in particular is markedly affected by drying.
Synthesis of primary amines via nucleophilic addition of organometallic reagents to aldimines on solid support

Abstract Resin-immobilized aldimines 5 , derived from the condensation of amine-functionalized Rink polystyrene resin with aldehydes, react with Grignard reagents, lithium reagents or LiBH 4 to afford a wide variety of primary amines in good to excellent yields upon trifluoroacetic acid cleavage. In this amine synthesis, Rink resin functions both as a solid support and as a NH protecting group.
An ultimate storage ring lattice with vertical emittance generated by damping wigglers

Abstract We discuss the approach of generating round beams for ultimate storage rings using vertical damping wigglers (with horizontal magnetic field). The vertical damping wigglers provide damping and excite vertical emittance. This eliminates the need to generate large linear coupling that is impractical with traditional off-axis injection. We use a PEP-X compatible lattice to demonstrate the approach. This lattice uses separate quadrupole and sextupole magnets with realistic gradient strengths. Intrabeam scattering effects are calculated. The horizontal and vertical emittances are 22.3 pm and 10.3 pm, respectively, for a 200 mA, 4.5 GeV beam, with a vertical damping wiggler of a total length of 90 m, a peak field of 1.5 T and a wiggler period of 100 mm.
Othello the Traveller

In this study, I employ Francis Bacon's concept of simulation, or 'false profession,' to discuss Othello the traveller and the significance of his penchant for telling wondrous tales. Defined by Bacon as 'when a man industriously and expressly feigns and pretends to be that he is not' (Essays VI.19-20), simulation is a kind of affirmative untruth in which perpetrators invent false materials, embellish their achievements or exaggerate their talents in order to achieve self-promotional goals - actions akin to padding one's resume today. Bacon terms this calculated mis-representation of the self a 'vice' that reveals to discerning auditors that which it would conceal, namely, faults or weaknesses in the teller (VI.20). Contradictions in Othello's marvellous truth-claims (e.g., about his past, his sword, his 'magical' handkerchief) expose a myth-making process by which, paradoxically, he overstates his foreign-ness in order to gain European admirers. In short, Othello does not fear being other; he fears not being other enough. Using travellers' tales and moving accounts of the 'battles, sieges, fortunes' that he has passed (1.3.131-32), Othello markets himself to Venice as culturally exotic and militarily indispensable, qualities which are ultimately revealed to have been overstated. This article contextualizes Othello using contemporary plays featuring that emerging figure of ridicule, the stock comic traveller, as well as within increasing early modern skepticism about travellers' tales, in order to propose that early audiences may have been prompted to interpret Othello's stories as narrative simulations forming a pseudo-exotic persona which secures him unwarranted prominence in Venetian society.
AIDS-lymphoma (ARL): one more step along the way.

In this issue of Blood , some of the controversies surrounding optimal therapy for patients with AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) are now clarified by the analyses of Barta et al.[1][1] ![Figure][2] OS for ARL patients treated with rituximab-containing regimens vs those treated with regimens that
Perceptual evaluation of voice quality and its correlation with acoustic measurements

To determine whether a correlation exists between the Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Aesthenia, Strain (GRBAS) scale (a subjective measure of voice) and the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP) scale (an objective measure of voice). A retrospective review of 37 voice patients (12 male/25 female) was conducted. Each voice was perceptually evaluated using the GRBAS scale by an experienced speech pathologist and acoustically analyzed using the MDVP scale. Statistical analysis using a multivariate regression model identified a significant correlation between the noise-related parameters of MDVP and the components of the GRBAS scale. Grade correlated with voice turbulence index (VTI), noise harmonic ratio (NHR), and soft phonation index (SPI). Roughness correlated with NHR only. Breathiness correlated with SPI only. Aesthenia also correlated with SPI only. Of the 19 acoustic variables measured by the MDVP system, only three noise parameters significantly correlated with the GRBAS perceptual voice analysis. Perhaps "noise" is the perceived acoustical quality of the dysphonic voice. A voice quantifying measure such as a "voice index score" could be proposed using the GRBAS scoring and the three clinically relevant MDVP values following further studies.
Effects of a Kentucky flood-control reservoir on macroinvertebrates in the tailwater

The effects of a flood-control reservoir on downstream macroinvertebrates were assessed by comparing the tailwater community with that of a natural stream. Samples were collected 1.6 and 21.1 km below Barren River Lake dam in 1979, 1980, and 1981 and in a reservoir tributary in 1980 and 1981. An indication of environmental stress in the macroinvertebrate community was observed at both tailwater stations, whereas macroinvertebrates in the natural tributary stream had the characteristics commonly associated with a ‘healthy’ community. Densities of macroinvertebrates in tailwaters were highest during periods of low-stable flows and lowest during fluctuating and high-stable flows. Changes in temperature cycles and water quality were also considered factors in reducing macroinvertebrate abundance in the tailwater. Dominant macroinvertebrate taxa in tailwaters were primarily small organisms with a high tolerance for dynamic living conditions. Of these, aquatic Diptera, Oligochaeta, Caenis, Cheumatopsyche, and Planariidae were most common. The effects of reservoir discharge were most evident near the dam, where macroinvertebrate densities were relatively high and taxonomic diversity was low. Downstream, the impact of the reservoir was moderated, but recovery was judged incomplete.
Improved Gaussian quadratures for boundary element integrals

Abstract It has been an important BEM research topic to perform the boundary element integrals, especially the singular integrals, accurately and efficiently. The efficiency of BEM technique depends greatly on the integration scheme adopted. By treating the fundamental solution as a weighting function, we can develop more accurate and efficient numerical quadratures. Based on this idea, an improved Gaussian-type numerical integration approach is proposed in this paper. As a demonstration, a quadrature formulation is developed in detail for the integrals with logarithmic singularity. The new quadrature is useful for integrals in the form ∫Γexk ln(1/x)f(x)dx, which appears frequently in 2-D BEM. Then the formulation is generalized from the normalized interval to an arbitrary interval and from straight line element to curved element. Numerical results of the quadrature abscissas and weights for the special case w(x) = xk ln 1/x are presented. The application of new quadrature is also discussed.
Can Distance Learning Be Used to Teach Automotive Management Skills

Today's automotive college students will shape the future of the automobile industry. The success of college-level automotive programs has long been dependent on the students' ability to participate in hands-on classroom based interactions. In this article, distance learning and how it can be used to teach automotive management skills, as well as why it is important for students to learn from places such as home or work, are discussed. Distance learning, an increasingly popular trend of content delivery, requires teachers to take on multiple roles. In addition to responding to individual students, facilitators moderate discussions and manage the flow of content through activities and assessments. To help understand how distance learning might be used to teach automotive management skills, and to provide an opportunity for automotive students to learn these vital skills in non-traditional settings, a sample distance education course for the automotive department at Farmingdale State College has been develo...