cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CAR T-cell Therapy for Secondary CNS DLBCL.

Abstract Management of secondary central nervous system involvement (SCNSL) in relapsed or refractory aggressive B-cell lymphomas remains an area of unmet medical need. We report a single center retrospective analysis of seven adult patients with SCNSL who underwent CAR-T therapy for their refractory disease and describe safety of whole brain radiation as a bridging therapy. Six patients (85.7%) achieved a complete response at D+28, while 1 patient had progressive disease. The median progression free survival was 83 days (28 - 219) and a median overall survival was 129 days (32 - 219). Three patients died due to disease progression. Of the 5 patients who received WBRT as bridging therapy, 3 had no ICANS, while 2 had grade 1 and 3, respectively. No grade 4 ICANS was reported in this subset of patients. We conclude that SCNSL should not preclude someone for CAR-T as a treatment option due to concerns of ICANS and bridging with WBRT is not associated with increased ICANS.
Which Is the ‘Jew / That Shakespeare Drew’? Shylock’s Afterlife in Mere Reading and Maverick Stagings

If, at first, Shylock’s Jewishness in The Merchant of Venice seems to brand him as a villain, his character is more nuanced and unsettling than any cultural stereotype. Shylock cannot simply be con...
Infrasonic wind noise under a deciduous tree canopy.

In a recent paper, the infrasonic wind noise measured at the floor of a pine forest was predicted from the measured wind velocity spectrum and profile within and above the trees [Raspet and Webster, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 137, 651–659 (2015)]. This research studies the measured and predicted wind noise under a deciduous forest with and without leaves. A calculation of the turbulence–shear interaction pressures above the canopy predicts the low frequency peak in the wind noise spectrum. The calculated turbulence–turbulence interaction pressure due to the turbulence field near the ground predicts the measured wind noise spectrum in the higher frequency region. The low frequency peak displays little dependence on whether the trees have leaves or not. The high frequency contribution with leaves is approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the contribution without leaves. Wind noise levels with leaves are very similar to the wind noise levels in the pine forest. The calculated turbulence–shear contribution from the wind within the canopy is shown to be negligible in comparison to the turbulence–turbulence contribution in both cases. In addition, the effect of taller forests and smaller roughness lengths than those of the test forest on the turbulence–shear interaction is simulated based on measured meteorological parameters.
Interfaces to PATH 3.0: Design, Implementation and Usage

Several new interfaces have recently been developed requiring PATH to solve a mixed complementarity problem. To overcome the necessity of maintaining a different version of PATH for each interface, the code was reorganized using object-oriented design techniques. At the same time, robustness issues were considered and enhancements made to the algorithm. In this paper, we document the external interfaces to the PATH code and describe some of the new utilities using PATH. We then discuss the enhancements made and compare the results obtained from PATH 2.9 to the new version.
Q-PCR based bioburden assessment of drinking water throughout treatment and delivery to the International Space Station

Previous studies indicated evidence of opportunistic pathogens samples obtained during missions to the International Space Station (ISS). This study utilized TaqMan quantitative PCR to determine specific gene abundance in potable and non-potable ISS waters. Probe and primer sets specific to the small subunit rRNA genes were used to elucidate overall bacterial rRNA gene numbers. while those specific for Burkholderia cepacia and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were optimized and used to probe for the presence of these two opportunistic pathogens. This research builds upon previous microbial diversity studies of ISS water and demonstrates the utility of Q-PCR tool to examine water quality.
Inversion of spin-stabilized spacecraft by mass translation - Some practical aspects

Spin stabilized spacecraft inversion by mass translation with momentum vector fixed in inertial space, calculating control mass dynamics
Critical Race Theory in the US Sociology of Immigration

This article reviews the recent literature that has incorporated critical race theory to study migration. It includes a survey of the uses, approaches, and contributions of critical race theory in the field of migration. Immigration studies have historically ⁄traditionally focused on demographic aspects of population movements, leaving virtually outside of its analysis social processes at the core of migration, like the social construction of race and citizenship. This disconnect is troubling in the current context of globalization, where specific migrant populations have become target of specific forms of violence on the basis of their racialization. Workplace raids, midnight searches, city ordinances, and changes in social services legislation, to name a few, are consistently used against specific groups to perpetuate their oppression and subordination, becoming in a sense new forms of state sponsored violence. This article begins by outlining major CRT concepts and frameworks used in legal scholarship on immigration. Next, we identify emerging themes generated by this approach by highlighting research questions and operationalization of the CRT framework. Thirdly, we highlight areas of distinction to mainstream sociology in US scholarship.
A polynomial algorithm for recognizing small cutwidth in hypergraphs

The Min Cut Linear Arrangment ( Min Cut ) problem for hypergraphs was previously considered by Cahoon and Sahni [CS], where it was called the Board Permutation problem (BP). They gave O(n) and O(n3) algorithms for determining cutwidth 1 and 2, respectively, and cited the open problem: Is there is an algorithm that determines in O(nck) time if a hypergraph has cutwidth k? We describe an O(nm) algorithm, with m=k2+3K+3, which determines if a hypergraph has cutwidth k. The Min Cut or BP problem, where one wishes to minimize "backplane area" in automating circuit design, is the subject of several recent papers [CS2], [Y], [W], [L], [S], [GCT], [C], [GS].
Female fetal cells in maternal blood: use of DNA polymorphisms to prove origin.

The nucleated erythrocyte (NRBC) is one of the target fetal cell types for noninvasive genetic diagnosis using maternal peripheral blood. However, it is now known that pregnancy can stimulate the production of maternal NRBCs. When isolating female γ-positive NRBCs, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis may show two X chromosome signals per nucleus, and therefore it cannot be conclusively determined whether the isolated cells are fetal or maternal in origin. The purpose of this study was to develop a means of verifying that a female cell is fetal on the basis of polymorphic short tandem repeat markers. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from women who had just undergone termination of pregnancy. Nucleated candidate fetal cells were isolated by flow-sorting using antibody to the γ-chain of fetal hemoglobin and Hoechst 33342. FISH analysis was performed using X and Y chromosome specific probes. Female γ-positive cells and leukocytes were micromanipulated separately and subjected to fluorescent polymerase chain reaction amplification of chromosome 21 and/or 18 STR markers (D21S11, D21S1411, D21S1412, and D18S535). In all ten cases analyzed, the γ-positive female candidate fetal cells were determined to be fetal in origin by the presence of shared and nonshared DNA polymorphisms when compared with maternal leukocytes. These results show that genetic analysis can be performed on all fetal NRBCs, including female fetal cells that cannot be distinguished from maternal cells based on FISH analysis alone
Effects of Interfacial Organic Layers on Nucleation, Growth, and Morphological Evolution in Atomic Layer Thin Film Deposition

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of titanium nitride, TiN, from the reaction of Ti[N(CH3)2]4 and NH3 on silicon dioxide, and silicon dioxide modified by interfacial organic layers with different structures (straight-chain vs branched) and functional terminations (−OH, −NH2, and −CH3), has been investigated employing molecular beam techniques, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). We find that the interfacial organic layers have a profound effect on subsequent growth of TiN via ALD. For organic layers possessing unreactive end groups (−CH3), the initial rate of growth (thickness deposited per cycle) is strongly attenuated, and growth on these surfaces is 3-D and severely islanded, emanating from defects in the adlayer. Roughness builds quickest on the organic layers that are the thickest. For organic layers that possess reactive end groups (−NH2 and −OH), growth is also attenuated, but less so, and the degree of attenuation is es...
Investigation of energy weighting using an energy discriminating photon counting detector for breast CT

Purpose: Breast CT is an emerging imaging technique that can portray the breast in 3D and improve visualization of important diagnostic features. Early clinical studies have suggested that breast CT has sufficient spatial and contrast resolution for accurate detection of masses and microcalcifications in the breast, reducing structural overlap that is often a limiting factor in reading mammographic images. For a number of reasons, image quality in breast CT may be improved by use of an energy resolving photon counting detector. In this study, the authors investigate the improvements in image quality obtained when using energy weighting with an energy resolving photon counting detector as compared to that with a conventional energy integrating detector. Methods: Using computer simulation, realistic CT images of multiple breast phantoms were generated. The simulation modeled a prototype breast CT system using an amorphous silicon (a-Si), CsI based energy integrating detector with different x-ray spectra, and a hypothetical, ideal CZT based photon counting detector with capability of energy discrimination. Three biological signals of interest were modeled as spherical lesions and inserted into breast phantoms; hydroxyapatite (HA) to represent microcalcification, infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC), and iodine enhanced infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IIDC). Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of these three lesions was measured from the CT reconstructions. In addition, a psychophysical study was conducted to evaluate observer performance in detecting microcalcifications embedded into a realistic anthropomorphic breast phantom. Results: In the energy range tested, improvements in SNR with a photon counting detector using energy weighting was higher (than the energy integrating detector method) by 30%–63% and 4%–34%, for HA and IDC lesions and 12%–30% (with Al filtration) and 32%–38% (with Ce filtration) for the IIDC lesion, respectively. The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for detection of microcalcifications was higher by greater than 19% (for the different energy weighting methods tested) as compared to the AUC obtained with an energy integrating detector. Conclusions: This study showed that breast CT with a CZT photon counting detector using energy weighting can provide improvements in pixel SNR, and detectability of microcalcifications as compared to that with a conventional energy integrating detector. Since a number of degrading physical factors were not modeled into the photon counting detector, this improvement should be considered as an upper bound on achievable performance.
Combined Cycle Steam Turbine Inlet Flow Passing Capability: Impact on Plant Operation, Turbine Design, and Test Result Accuracy

The publication of ASME Performance Test Code 6.2-2004 provided the industry with a Code document dedicated to calculating the performance of a steam turbine in a combined cycle power plant. Power output at specified steam flows and conditions was chosen as the Code’s primary performance parameter. That choice was based on the operating and cycle characteristics of a combined cycle plant operating, where the steam turbine is part of the bottoming cycle operating in a sliding pressure mode that follows ambient conditions and the gas turbine operating profile. This steam turbine generator output, corrected to reference heat consumption, is called Output Performance and is a measurement of steam turbine efficiency. Accompanying this new Code was a new correction methodology that focused on correcting the steam turbine generator output to the reference heat consumption of the cycle. In the development of the overall correction methodology, the corrections associated with high-pressure (HP) steam inlet conditions were given careful attention. The committee developing the Code and methodology concluded that three correction formulations were required to accurately and fairly correct back to the reference heat input of the high-pressure turbine inlet, and to account for changes in the as-built flow capacity versus the design flow capacity. The new correction formulations chosen were: • HP Steam Flow; • HP Steam Temperature; • HP Turbine Flow Capacity. Applying these three corrections on a sliding pressure steam turbine ensures that the output performance is corrected to the true reference high pressure steam heat input to the cycle. If any of these three corrections is excluded the calculated output performance will not be a true representation of the steam turbine efficiency.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Auditor underreporting of time and moral reasoning: An experimental lab study*

Abstract. This paper introduces the theory of moral reasoning as a valid determinant of the underreporting of audit time. In an experimental lab design for a sample of 88 auditors from a national public accounting firm, actual underreporting on an audit task was observed. Findings show that underreporting is systematically related to the auditor's level of moral reasoning as measured by the Defining Issues Test (DIT). Here those with relatively low DIT scores were shown to underreport most severely. Results also show that although an unattainable time budget affects behavior, peer pressure has the most significant impact on underreporting. The present study makes three important contributions to the auditing and psychology literature. First, it establishes the significance of peer pressure as an antecedent to underreporting. Second, it shows that an auditor's moral reasoning explains actual underreporting behavior under conditions of work-related pressure. Third, it reveals marked underreporting under simulated audit conditions.
THE MINNESOTA TESTS OF CREATIVE THINKING

(1965). THE MINNESOTA TESTS OF CREATIVE THINKING. Educational Research: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 3-14.
Influenza-related hospitalization of adults associated with low census tract socioeconomic status and female sex in New Haven County, Connecticut, 2007-2011.

Objectives To help guide universal influenza vaccination efforts in the United States, it is important to know which demographic groups are currently at highest risk of costly complications of influenza infection. Few studies have examined the relationship between hospitalization with influenza and either socioeconomic status (SES) or sex. We examined associations between census tract-level SES and sex and incidence of influenza-related hospitalizations among adults. Design Descriptive analysis of data collected by active population-based surveillance for persons >18 years old hospitalized with laboratory confirmed influenza during the 2007–2008 through 2010–2011 influenza seasons. Case residential addresses were geocoded and linked to data from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey to obtain census-tract level (neighborhood) SES measures. Census-tract level SES variables included measures of poverty, education, crowding, primary language, and median income. Four levels were created for each. Setting New Haven, County, Connecticut. Sample Entire New Haven County population >18 years old. Main Outcome Measures Age-adjusted incidence of influenza hospitalizations and relative risk by sex and by each of five SES measures. Results Crude and age-adjusted incidence progressively increased with decreasing neighborhood SES for each measure both overall and for each influenza season. Female incidence was higher than male for each age group, and female age-adjusted incidence was higher for each SES level and influenza season. Conclusions Female sex and lower neighborhood SES were independently and consistently associated with higher incidence of hospitalization of adults with influenza. If this is more broadly the case, these findings have implications for future influenza vaccination efforts. Analysis using census tract SES measures can provide additional perspective on health disparities.
Preliminary study of frontal lobe 1H MR spectroscopy in childhood-onset schizophrenia.

Cerebral 1H MR spectra were recorded in 13 children and adolescents with schizophrenia and 12 healthy children and adolescents. Stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) sequence was used to localize an 8-ml voxel bilaterally in the frontal gray matter. The frontal gray matter metabolite ratios for NAA/Cr, Ch/Cr, Glx/Cr, and mI/Cr in schizophrenic children and adolescents were 1.08 +/- .28, .64 +/- .23, 1.09 +/- .30, and .60 +/- .24, respectively. In comparison, these ratios were 1.59 +/- .35, .74 +/- .27, 1.23 +/- .36, and .58 +/- .29 in healthy children and adolescents. Decrease in the frontal lobe NAA/Cr of schizophrenic children and adolescents was statistically significant (P < .001). In contrast, the MR spectra localized bilaterally in the occipital gray matter (8 ml) showed no significant changes between the patients and the controls. In the occipital gray matter, the metabolite ratios were 1.21 +/- .26,.52 +/- .08, 1.00 +/- .11, and.55 +/- .12 inpatients versus 1.30 +/- .23, .45 +/- .10, 1.15 +/- .20, and .48 +/- .19 in controls. Our preliminary finding of reduced NAA/Cr ratio in the frontal gray matter is consistent with the neurodevelopmental models emphasizing dysfunction of frontal lobe areas in patients with schizophrenia.
Building Design Strategies and Their Contribution to Energy Performance for LEED Certification

Abstract Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a national set of standards put forth by the U. S. Green Building Council in 1994 that was intended to inspire building designers to plan greener, more sustainable buildings. LEED offers up to ten points for improved energy optimization performance. It should be noted that achieving these ten points is time consuming, complex, and expensive. This research is a case study that details the process of using a computer simulation study as a building energy optimizing tool in order to achieve these optional points. Determination is made as to how many LEED points can be obtained when basic strategies such as window performance and day-lighting are integrated into one energy optimized building design. The results show that well-established energy conservation methods achieve as few as two or three LEED energy points, thereby possibly offering a disincentive for designers to attempt this difficult challenge. These fundamental efforts to achieve ene...
Women's work and infant care in the Philippines.

Abstract Using data from a survey of 3000 Filipino infants and mothers, we analyze the implications of having more than one preschooler on several work outcomes, as well as the effect of availability of substitute care givers. The work outcomes of interest are those thought to be least compatible with infant care: work outside the home, wage work remunerated on a time basis, and long working hours. Our findings suggest that having multiple preschoolers only makes a difference for mothers whose household income is below the median: it increases their likelihood of working outside the home. Grandmothers and paid helpers consistently increase the likelihood of the various work outcomes and increase hours worked. Our findings suggest that urban residence, an indicator of work opportunity structure, increase the likelihood of wage-time work and is associated with longer working hours.
X-Ray Particle Tracking Velocimetry in Fluidized Beds

Fluidized beds are commonly found in the chemical and energy processing industries because of their low pressure drop, uniform temperature distribution, and high heat transfer rates. For example, in biomass gasification, biomass particles are injected into a heated bubbling bed of inert material (typically refractory sand) that volatilizes to form a flammable gas. However, the movement of the biomass particle through the bubbling bed is difficult to quantify because the systems are opaque. This paper describes X-ray particle tracking velocimetry (XPTV) applied to fluidized beds, where X-ray flow visualization is used to track the location of a single fabricated tracer particle as a function of time in a fluidized bed to study the bed/particle hydrodynamics. Using stereoscopic X-ray imaging, the 3D position of the tracer particle as a function of time is determined, from which tracer particle velocity can be calculated. Details and challenges of the XPTV process are also summarized.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Higher infused CD34+ cell dose and overall survival in patients undergoing in vivo T-cell depleted, but not t-cell repleted, allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Understanding the effect of cellular graft composition on allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) outcomes is an area of great interest. The objective of the study was to analyze the correlation between transplant-related outcomes and administered CD34 +, CD3 +, CD4 + and CD8 + cell doses in patients who had undergone peripheral blood, AHCT and received either in vivo T-cell depleted or T-cell replete allografts. DESIGN AND SETTING Comparison of consecutive patients who underwent peripheral blood AHCT in our institution between January 2003 and December 2009. PATIENTS AND METHODS The cohort of 149 patients was divided into two groups; non T-cell depleted (NTCD) (n = 54) and T-cell depleted (TCD) (n = 95). Study endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), engraftment kinetics (neutrophil and platelet recovery), incidence of acute graft versus host disease (acute GVHD), chronic GVHD, non relapse mortality (NRM) and disease relapse. RESULTS Multivariate analysis showed that higher infused CD34 + cell dose improved OS (relative risk 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-0.98, P = .04), PFS (relative risk 0.59, 95% CI 0.35-1.00, P = .05) and NRM (relative risk 0.49, 95% CI 0.24-0.99, P = .048) in the TCD group. By multivariate analysis, there was no difference in engraftment, grades II-IV acute GVHD, extensive chronic GVHD and relapse in the two groups relative to the infused cell doses. There was a trend towards improved OS (relative risk 0.54, 95% CI 0.29-1.01, P = .05) with higher CD3 + cell dose in the TCD group. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that higher CD34 + cell dose imparts survival benefit only to in vivo TCD peripheral blood AHCT recipients.
Multidimensional data visualization

Historically, data visualization has been limited primarily to two dimensions (e.g., histograms or scatter plots). Available software packages (e.g., Data Desk 6.1, MatLab 6.1, SAS-JMP 4.04, SPSS 10.0) are capable of producing three-dimensional scatter plots with (varying degrees of) user interactivity. We constructed our own data visualization application with the Visualization Toolkit (Schroeder, Martin, & Lorensen, 1998) and Tcl/Tk to display multivariate data through the application of glyphs (Ware, 2000). A glyph is a visual object onto which many data parameters may be mapped, each with a different visual attribute (e.g., size or color). We used our Multi-Dimensional Data Viewer to explore data from several psycholinguistic experiments. The graphical interface provides flexibility when users dynamically explore the multidimensional image rendered from raw experimental data. We highlight advantages of multidimensional data visualization and consider some potential limitations.
A model for service life of polyethylene pipe exhibiting ductile–brittle transition in failure mode†

This article proposes a model for predicting failure time of stressed polyethylene pipe materials that exhibit a failure mode transition from brittle to ductile as stress is increased. The model is based on data obtained using the constant tensile load (CTL) test and takes into account stress-versus-failure-time behavior in both brittle and ductile regimes, as well as in the transition regime. The model permits quantification of the ductile–brittle transition behavior not only from the standpoint of the location of the transition but also its breadth. It is illustrated that knowledge of these two separate parameters opens new avenues for understanding the molecular basis of the transition process. This research was conducted under the sponsorship of the Gas Research Institute.
Vibration analysis in simply supported cable using weighted optical fiber sensors

This paper discusses a first step in the use of weighted optical fiber sensors to selectively determine the mode shape amplitudes of different vibration modes in a simply supported cable. A weighted fiber sensor has a sensitivity function that varies along the length of the fiber. To date, such weighted sensitivity fibers have been fabricated by either writing spatially chirped refractive index gratings in two-mode elliptical-core fiber or by geometrically tapering single mode or two-mode elliptical core fiber. The output signal from the fiber sensor system is proportional to the weighted integral of strain along the length of the fiber, and subsequent analysis indicates that this yields a measure of only one selected mode.
Periodic relative motion near a keplerian elliptic orbit with nonlinear differential gravity

This paper presents a perturbation approach for determining relative motion initial conditions for periodic motion in the vicinity of a Keplerian elliptic orbit of arbitrary eccentricity, as well as an analytical solution for the relative orbit that accounts for quadratic nonlinearities in the differential gravitational acceleration. The analytical solution is obtained in the phase space of the rotating coordinate system, centered at the reference satellite, and is developed in terms of a small parameter relating relative orbit size, and semimajor axis and eccentricity of the reference orbit. The results derived are applicable for arbitrary epoch of the reference satellite. Relative orbits generated using the methodology of this paper remain bounded over much longer periods in comparison to the results obtained using other approximations found in the literature, because the semimajor axes of the satellites are shown to be matched to the second order in the small parameter. The derived expressions thus serve as excellent guesses for initiating a numerical procedure for matching the semimajor axes of the two satellites. Several examples support the claims in this paper.
Cost analysis of sofosbuvir/ribavirin versus sofosbuvir/simeprevir for genotype 1 hepatitis C virus in interferon-ineligible/intolerant individuals.

Newly approved direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have increased rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) to unprecedented levels, curing more than 90% of infections in many subgroups without the need for interferon (1). However, individuals with genotype 1 infection remain more difficult to treat, and both clinical guidelines and Food and Drug Administration approvals call for continued use of interferon alongside direct-acting antivirals sofosbuvir or simeprevir for this group (2–4). In some populations, up to 56% of those with CHC are ineligible to receive interferon-based treatment due to medical or psychological comorbidities, substance abuse, or prior treatment failure (5, 6). For these people, there are currently two interferon-free treatment options available in some regions: sofosbuvir plus ribavirin (SOF/RBV) for 24 weeks, which yields SVR rates between 52% and 84% at a cost of approximately US$169,000 (7–12), and sofosbuvir plus simeprevir (SOF/SMV) for 12 weeks, with SVR rates ranging from 89–100% at a cost of $150,000 (13, 14). Although treatment with SOF/SMV is more effective, less costly, and of shorter duration compared to SOF/RBV, it has not yet been specifically approved for clinical use by the US Food and Drug Administration, resulting in debate among both physicians and payers about whether it should be prescribed and reimbursed. This analysis compares the long-term cost-effectiveness of these two treatment strategies.
Smoothing with positivity-preserving Padé schemes for parabolic problems with nonsmooth data

We introduce a new class of higher order numerical schemes for parabolic partial differential equations that are more robust than the well-known Rannacher schemes. The new family of algorithms utilizes diagonal Pade schemes combined with positivity-preserving Pade schemes instead of first subdiagonal Pade schemes. We utilize a partial fraction decomposition to address problems with accuracy and computational efficiency in solving the higher order methods and to implement the algorithms in parallel. Optimal order convergence for nonsmooth data is proved for the case of a self-adjoint operator in Hilbert space as well as in Banach space for the general case. Numerical experiments support the theorems, including examples in pricing options with nonsmooth payoff in financial mathematics. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2005
Examining the Association Between Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Probable Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Within a Sample of African Americans

This study examined the associations between emotion dysregulation and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 180 African American undergraduates enrolled in a historically black college in the southern United States. Trauma-exposed participants with probable PTSD reported significantly higher levels of overall emotion dysregulation and the specific dimensions of lack of emotional acceptance, difficulties engaging in goal-directed behavior when upset, difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors when distressed, and limited access to effective emotion regulation strategies than participants without Criterion A traumatic exposure and those with Criterion A traumatic exposure but no PTSD (controlling for age and negative affect). Furthermore, results indicated that participants with Criterion A traumatic exposure but no PTSD were significantly less likely to report difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors when distressed and limited access to effective emotion regulation strategies than participants without Criterion A traumatic exposure (controlling for age and negative affect). These findings extend extant research on the role of emotion dysregulation in PTSD, thus providing support for the relevance of emotion dysregulation to PTSD among African American adults in particular.
The influence of NKOR, sex, and task on visual pattern discrimination

College students learned two visual discriminations, one designed to be easier for males, and one designed to be neutral in difficulty for the sexes. One group learned in the typical “be correct” situation, with knowledge-of-resuits (KOR) on each trial. The other group learned to “be consistent” with no KOR (NKOR). KOR was not helpful, and results suggested that it may be detrimental when the task is difficult and consists primarily of perceptual differentiation.
High precision linewidth measurement of laser-cooled atoms: Resolution of the Na 3p 2P3/2 lifetime discrepancy.

We report resolution of the 1% discrepancy between theory and experiment for the lifetime of the first excited state of Na. Determining the atomic lifetime by a novel method, we have measured the natural linewidth of the $3{}^{2}{S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3{}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ transition with $l0.25%$ accuracy through precision spectroscopy on an optically prepared sample of ultracold, two-level atoms. The resulting $3{}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ lifetime of 16.237(35) ns disagrees with previous time-domain measurements but is in good agreement with recent calculations and a new fast beam result.
Biochemical characterization of Thermotoga maritima endoglucanase Cel74 with and without a carbohydrate binding module (CBM)

The genome of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima (Tm) encodes at least eight glycoside hydrolases with putative signal peptides; the biochemical characteristics of seven of these have been reported previously. The eighth, Tm Cel74, is encoded by an open reading frame of 2124 bp corresponding to a polypeptide of 79 kDa with a signal peptide at the amino-terminus. The gene (lacking the signal peptide) encoding Tm Cel74 was expressed as a 77 kDa monomeric polypeptide in Escherichia coli and found to be optimally active at pH 6, 90°C, with a melting temperature of approximately 105°C. The cel74 gene was previously found to be induced during T. maritima growth on a variety of polysaccharides, including barley glucan, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), glucomannan, galactomannan and starch. However, while Tm Cel74 was most active towards barley glucan and to a lesser extent CMC, glucomannan and tamarind (xyloglucan), no activity was detected on other glycans, including galactomannan, laminarin and starch. Also, Tm Cel74 did not contain a carbohydrate binding module (CBM), versions of which have been identified in the amino acid sequences of other family 74 enzymes. As such, a CBM associated with a chitinase in another hyperthermophile, Pyrococcus furiosus, was used to create a fusion protein that was active on crystalline cellulose; Tm Cel74 lacked activity on this substrate. Based on the cleavage pattern determined for Tm Cel74 on glucan-based substrates, this enzyme likely initiates recruitment of carbohydrate carbon and energy sources by creating oligosaccharides that are transported into the cell for further processing.
Effects of disordered hemispherical micropatterns on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation.

Surfaces which have physical patterns in the scale of bacteria cells have been shown to influence the microorganism's adhesion and biofilm formation characteristics. Layer-by-layer self-assembly was utilized to create disordered hemispherical patterns on poly(dimethylsiloxane) with a feature size of 0.5 μm, 1.0 μm and 2.0 μm. The effects of pattern size on the retention and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis were examined as a function of culture time. The 1.0 μm pattern significantly reduced biofilm surface coverage by ∼30% after 5 h of culture in comparison to that on an unpatterned surface while the effect of the 0.5 and 2.0 μm patterns was negligible. On the 1.0 μm surface, bacteria initially adhered on the unpatterned areas of the disordered surface and subsequently developed into biofilms by spreading across the unpatterned areas while avoiding those covered by the pattern. The results suggest that the size of surface patterns is an important factor in altering bacteria adhesion and biofilm formation characteristics.
Simultaneous assessment of flow and BOLD signals in resting-state functional connectivity maps

We have recently demonstrated using functional magnetic resonance imaging the presence of synchronous low-frequency fluctuations of signal intensities from the resting human brain that have a high degree of temporal correlation (p < 0.0001) both within and across the sensorimotor cortex. A statistically significant overlap between the resting-state functional connectivity map and the task-activation map due to bilateral finger tapping was obtained. Similar results have been obtained in the auditory and visual cortex. Because the pulse sequence used for collecting data was sensitive to blood flow and blood oxygenation, these low-frequency fluctuations of signal intensity may have arisen from variations of both. The objective of this study was simultaneously to determine the contribution of the blood oxygenation level signal and the flow signal to physiological fluctuations in the resting brain using the flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery pulse sequence. In all subjects, the functional connectivity maps obtained from BOLD had a greater coincidence with task-activation maps than the corresponding functional connectivity maps obtained from blood-flow signals at the same level of statistical significance. Results of this study suggest that while variations in blood flow might contribute to functional connectivity maps, BOLD signals play a dominant role in the mechanism that gives rise to functional connectivity in the resting human brain.
Ecological characterization of Steinernema scarabaei, a scarab-adapted entomopathogenic nematode from New Jersey

This study describes the basic ecological characteristics of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema scarabaei (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) that was originally isolated from epizootics in scarab populations in New Jersey turfgrass areas. Under laboratory conditions, S. scarabaei infected a limited range of insect species and appeared best adapted to scarab larvae as hosts. It uses a widely ranging foraging strategy with a low attachment rate to mobile hosts on the soil surface but with excellent infection of sedentary host placed at >or=2 cm soil depth. It has a wide thermal activity range with optimum infectivity from 17.5 to 25 degrees C. Because of its foraging strategy and adaptation to scarab larvae as hosts, S. scarabaei has outstanding potential for the control of scarab pests.
An in vitro analysis of central venous drug delivery by continuous infusion: the effect of manifold design and port selection.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheters are used extensively in anesthesia and critical care. Multiport manifolds allow for simultaneous administration of multiple medication infusions into a common central venous catheter lumen. The structures of such manifolds vary considerably. In this study, we quantitatively compared, in a laboratory model of continuous drug infusion, the drug delivery dynamics of a traditional stopcock manifold and a microinfusion manifold constructed to minimize dead volume. METHODS: A syringe pump infused a saline carrier solution at a low flow rate frequently used in an intensive care unit (10 mL/h) through a multiport manifold connected to the 16-gauge lumen of a standard 16-cm triple-lumen catheter. The model drug methylene blue (3 mL/h) joined the carrier flow at the first, second, or fourth stopcock of a traditional manifold or 1 of 2 positions in a microinfusion manifold, a new device designed to minimize dead volume. Effluent samples were collected every minute for quantitative spectrophotometric analysis of delivery onset and offset. RESULTS: Onset and offset times differed significantly among individual ports of the traditional 4-stopcock manifold. There was also a significant difference between the 2 ports of the microinfusion manifold, but this was less pronounced. Both ports of the microinfusion manifold yielded delivery dynamics that were similar to the most downstream port of the 4-stopcock manifold. There was good correlation between dynamic data and dead volume for each of the manifolds. CONCLUSIONS: Using a traditional stopcock manifold, port selection significantly affects drug delivery dynamics for continuous infusions. The findings provide quantitative support for the concept that the most critical infusion should join the system at the manifold port closest to the patient. Port selection was less important for the microinfusion manifold and dynamics were faster compared with the second and fourth ports of the stopcock manifold. The smaller dead volumes of the microinfusion manifold minimize unwanted delays in drug delivery onset and offset allowing more precise control over drug delivery by continuous infusion.
Assessing and conquering burnout

Our paper examines the widely known Phenomenon called burnout. It is known that burnout is prevalent among those who work in customer service, particularly those that have direct contact with their customers. The computer lab operations at large universities are prime candidates for this phenomenon. Both controlled and uncontrolled stressors are often the culprits attacking customer service personnel causing them to experience burnout. Leadership styles, promotional opportunities, and time off, are all potentially key elements effecting burnout.There are three main elements of burnout measurement:Emotional exhaustion Depersonalization Personal accomplishment.Burnout results in lost productivity, turnover in personnel, and other negatives. In student computing laboratories, direct contact with student customers and constant changes in technology also contribute to burnout. When burnout is recognized, it is too late to make the changes to prevent it, but it is never too late to eliminate it. At the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) early assessment, identification, and implementation of policies and changes in environment has reduced the potentiality of burnout. Organizational communication and the knowledge of burnouts causes and effects are invaluable tools that your college or university can use in its prevention. Once you have assessed and identified potential burnout you must then implement those changes to reduce stressors and maintain open communications with personnel to identify and meet their needs.
Does percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty accelerate atherosclerotic lesions

Recent reports have suggested that angioplasty may cause or accelerate coronary arterial stenoses secondary to traumatic injury. Ninety-four coronary angiograms performed in a 1 yr period were reviewed in patients who had successful coronary angioplasty 6 to 30 mo (mean 10.7) prior to restudy. Restenosis was found in 43 of 140 dilated lesions (31%) and in 41 of 94 patients (44%). Thirty-three (35%) patients had new or progressive lesions outside the angioplasty site. New or progressive lesions occurred with similar frequency in the arteries that did not have angioplasty (23/155 = 15%) as in the arteries that did (13/127 = 10%; chi-square n.s.). In the arteries which underwent angioplasty, new or progressive lesions occurred as commonly proximal to the PTCA site (7/14, 50%) as distal (6/13, 46%). New or progressive lesions occurred in 29% of patients with concomitant restenosis, and 40% of those without restenosis (chi-square n.s.). No clinical, angiographic, or procedural factors distinguished patients with new and progressive lesions in target vessels from those without these lesions in target vessels. Patients with progressive lesions anywhere in the coronary tree were more likely to have had a shorter duration of anginal symptoms before angioplasty and a family history of coronary disease when compared with patients without progressive atherosclerosis. In conclusion, new and progressive lesions outside the angioplasty site occur after the procedure but appear unrelated to the restenosis process or traumatic injury by angioplasty instrumentation.
Sciatic Nerve Stimulation Does Not Increase Endogenous Adenosine Production in Sensory-Motor Cortex

Adenosine participates in the coupling of cerebral blood flow to oxygen consumption in the brain during such stimuli as hypoxia, ischemia, and seizures. It has been suggested that it also participates in the regulation of cerebral blood flow during somatosensory stimulation, a condition during which cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption appear to be uncoupled. Interstitial adenosine was estimated by the microdialysis technique and cerebral blood flow was measured by hydrogen clearance in the hindlimb sensory-motor cortex during sciatic nerve stimulation. Cerebral blood flow increased from 102 to 188 ml min-1 100 g-1 (p less than 0.001) in the cortex contralateral to the stimulated leg without an associated increase in interstitial adenosine (baseline 0.624 microM, stimulation 0.583 microM). Infusion of the adenosine antagonist 8-sulfophenyltheophylline failed to block an increase in cerebral blood flow during central sciatic nerve stimulation, but decreased basal cerebral blood flow (69 ml min-1 100 g-1). These results suggest that adenosine does not mediate changes in cerebral blood flow during somatosensory stimulation, but may participate in the regulation of cerebral blood flow in the basal state.
Solvatochromic sensor array for the identification of common organic solvents

A cross-reactive colorimetric sensor array composed of solvatochromic dyes in semi-liquid matrices was used to successfully discriminate among eleven common solvents. The multidimensional array response is attributed to both chemical (i.e., analyte–dye interactions) and physical (i.e., spot blooming and refractive index alteration) changes in the sensor spot.
ABILITY FACTORS AS A FUNCTION OF ADVANTAGED AND DISADVANTAGED GROUPS

Preliminary factor analyses of predictor tests in advantaged and disadvantaged groups is recommended as a way of forming a priori expectations concerning validities of the predictors to guide both use and research. Factor analyses of Project Talent ability measures are reported for groups defined by top and bottom quartile placement in intelligence and socio-economic status. There are no important differences in results associated with differences in socio-economic status, but there are fairly numerous differences in loadings for individual measures in groups defined by level of intelligence. Most of these differences can be explained by the characteristics of the scales of measurement. For a small number of measures, however, there is evidence for differences in loadings as a function of the intellectual level of the subjects per se. These latter measures would be expected to have differential validities for similarly selected intelligence groups, but not for socio-economic groups. There is a good deal of experience which indicates that tests of intellectual functions, either broad intelligence or narrower aptitude tests, are frequently misused. The misuse is attributable to the user and interpreter, however, and not to the test per se. It is impossible to infer native capacity from a test score for any child, white or black, advantaged or disadvantaged, but it is possible to make other useful inferences from test scores without regard to skin color or state of deprivation. When one is interested in predicting performance on a particular criterion measure for selected groups, the appropriate statistical test is to compare the regressions in those groups to that for the group on which the test was standardized. The regression comparison includes comparisons of standard errors of estimate, of slopes of the regression lines, and of intercepts of those lines. When two regressions cannot be distinguished from each other, knowledge of group membership does not increase accuracy of prediction. Furthermore, when regressions can only be distinguished from each other when Ns are very large, knowledge of group membership does not add sufficiently to the accuracy of prediction to require its use. Comparison of regressions is expensive and time consuming, but it is essential if tests are to be used efficiently and fairly. Regression differences can confidently be expected across groups, however, if the initial factor analyses of scores in the two groups indicate factorial dissimilarity. Comparability of factors and factor loadings in the groups is not a necessary condition for near identity of slopes of regression lines in the mathematical sense, but the probability that factor loadings of a given criterion would exactly compensate for differences in predictor loadings is very small. If the predictors are to be used for several criteria, the probability that factor loadings for every cri