cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation Therapy for Malignant Gliomas: Current Options

The role for adjuvant radiation therapy following surgical resection in the treatment of malignant gliomas is currently guided by the tumor histology and, increasingly, by the molecular genetic features. The standard of care for patients with glioblastoma is adjuvant radiation therapy with concomitant and subsequent temozolomide. For patients who are elderly and/or have a poor performance status, single modality approaches with radiation, including shorter-course regimens or temozolomide alone are reasonable. Anaplastic astrocytomas are treated similarly to glioblastoma with adjuvant chemoradiation. The role for radiation therapy for patients with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas is under active investigation given the chemosensitivity of these tumors. The optimal adjuvant therapy for low-grade gliomas is individualized and often dependent on a patient’s risk factors.
The landscape of olive groves as a driver of the rural economy

This study evaluates how landscape changes made in order to improve the visual quality of olive groves may trigger first and second-order effects (FOEs and SOEs) on the rural economy. The choice experiment method is combined with the probability of visiting to estimate the marginal increase in recreational demand derived from the combination of three landscape elements: green cover, stone walls and woodland islets. The results suggest that the improvement of the aesthetic value of landscape (mainly through green covers and stone walls) creates a real, positive asset (due to its FOEs and SOEs) for the local economies in rural areas. The promotion of the recreational value of these areas to attract more visitors and so bring in more income could be a profitable policy, which could be implemented by hybridizing the current Agri-environmental scheme with a Payment for Ecosystem Services approach.
Site-specific detection of protein secondary structure using 2D IR dihedral indexing: a proposed assembly mechanism of oligomeric hIAPP

Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) aggregates into fibrils through oligomers that have been postulated to contain α-helices as well as β-sheets. We employ a site-specific isotope labeling strategy that is capable of detecting changes in dihedral angles when used in conjunction with 2D IR spectroscopy. The method is analogous to the chemical shift index used in NMR spectroscopy for assigning protein secondary structure. We introduce isotope labels at two neighbouring residues, which results in an increased intensity and positive frequency shift if those residues are α-helical versus a negative frequency shift in β-sheets and turns. The 2D IR dihedral index approach is demonstrated for hIAPP in micelles for which the polypeptide structure is known, using pairs of 13C18O isotope labels L12A13 and L16V17, along with single labeled control experiments. Applying the approach to aggregation experiments performed in buffer, we show that about 27–38% of hIAPP peptides adopt an α-helix secondary structure in the monomeric state at L12A13, prior to aggregation, but not at L16V17 residues. At L16V17, the kinetics are described solely by the monomer and fiber conformations, but at L12A13 the kinetics exhibit a third state that is created by an oligomeric intermediate. Control experiments performed with a single isotope label at A13 exhibit two-state kinetics, indicating that a previously unknown change in dihedral angle occurs at L12A13 as hIAPP transitions from the intermediate to fiber structures. We propose a mechanism for aggregation, in which helices seed oligomer formation via structures analogous to leucine rich repeat proteins.
Non-Equilibrium Behavior, Hysteresis and Condensate Quakes in the Pinned Charge Density Wave

An experimental investigation of the thermal hysteresis in the pinned charge-density-wave (CDW) in TaS3 shows that the R vs. T features are independent of the thermal velocity \( \dot{T} \) and acceleration \( \ddot{T} \). The relaxation observed when T is held fixed is either suppressed or dominated by charges induced by a changing T. A technique analogous to ac demagnetisation is used to prepare a state which is observed to be free of relaxation for 8 hours. The disequilibration of the pinned CDW by slight ΔT is then demonstrated. We propose that thermal changes induce stress on the CDW condensate. Release of the stress usually proceeds by spontaneous condensate quakes which occur throughout the length of the sample. Brief discussions of the repinned state, Preisach dynamics and the nature of the quakes are given.
UTILITY OF INFERIOR LEAD Q-WAVES IN PREDICTING VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

ECG differentiation of wide complex tachycardia (WCT) into Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and Supraventricular Tachycardia with Aberrancy (SVT-A) poses challenges. Many criteria have been published of which the Q waves in inferior leads are relatively less studied. 181 consecutive cases of wide
Pediatric Vascular Composite Allograft Transplantation: Medical Considerations

This report summarizes recent medical findings in the case of an allogenic bilateral hand-forearm allotransplantation in a previously immunocompromised child and discusses the implications for expanding vascular composite allotransplantation to non-immunocompromised pediatric candidates. A pediatric recipient of bilateral hand-forearm allotransplantation now over 2 years post-transplant has shown functional recovery that surpassed pre-transplant function, with evidence of somatosensory cortical reorganization. However, the child who was previously immunocompromised has required augmented immunosuppression and rehabilitation demands have been substantial. Pediatric vascular composite allotransplantation is surgically feasible, and short-term outcomes in the first case reveal the potential for functional benefits that exceed the pre-transplant state. Robust immunosuppression and its inherent risks must be clearly discussed with potential pediatric candidates and their families. Additionally, advanced planning for psychological and social support throughout the prolonged rehabilitation period is essential to optimize therapeutic engagement and academic learning.
Effects on muscle activities according to the type of bodyblade exercise in quadruped position.

[Purpose] Most studies on bodyblade exercise have examined changes in muscle activities in the trunk and shoulders according to the hand position or direction while in a standing position. The present study compared and examined the changes in muscle activities around the shoulders and trunk according to different bodyblade lifting methods during stabilization exercise in a quadruped position. [Subjects and Methods] The present study was conducted on 20 healthy males. The following exercise four types were performed with the bodyblade held by flexing the dominant arm at 180° in a quadruped position. The muscle activity and the ratio of muscle activity were measured. [Results] The SA and IO, EO muscles showed significant differences. Moreover, the SA/UT activity ratio showed significant differences according to the type of exercise. The Tukey’s post hoc test results were as follows: for the SA muscle, exercise types 4, 2 were more effective than types 1, 3: and for the IO muscle, types 1, 2 were more effective than types 3, 4. [Conclusion] The present study showed that type 2 scapular stabilization exercise (crossed leg lifting with the hand raised above the head on a vertical plane) showed selective and positive effects on trunk muscle strengthening and stabilization. In future, additional studies are required to design effective exercise programs for pain management and improvement of muscle activities in patients with complaints of shoulder pain due to scapular winging.
Video Self-Modeling and Cooperative Classroom Behavior in Children with Learning and Behavior Problems: Training and Generalization Effects:

This study investigated the effects of an instructional package incorporating videotaped self-assessment, self-modeling, discrimination training, and behavioral rehearsal on the cooperative classro...
Models of metal catalysts: beyond single crystals

Because solid catalysts are typically complex in structure and composition, researchers have often used structurally simple models in attempts to identify catalytic sites and understand reaction mechanisms. Among models of metal catalysts, single crystals are the prototypes, but, because they cannot represent support effects or the smallest metal clusters and cannot easily be used in long-term catalyst testing, they are complemented by other types of model catalysts, including metal particles on well-defined planar supports and nearly molecular clusters of a few metal atoms each on metal oxide and zeolite supports. This account is a comparison of the various types of model metal catalysts and a summary of the advantages and limitations of each. Examples of rhodium and of platinum catalysts are given to illustrate the catalyst types and connections between them. More data are needed as a basis for comparisons of the performance of the various model catalysts.
The Impact Testing of Various Alloys at Low Temperatures

In recent years there has been an increasing demand for materials suitable for fabrication of equipment utilized at cryogenic temperatures. In order for the designer to properly choose such materials, it has been found necessary to acquire reasonably accurate data on mechanical properties at low temperatures. One of the most important properties with which the designer is concerned, is the notch toughness or the impact strength of notched specimens. It has been found that the face centered cubic type of metals are tough at the very low temperatures when subjected to an impact type of loading. Perhaps the most important of these metals are copper, aluminum, and nickel. It is expected that the alloys of these elements are also tough at cryogenic temperatures. This paper presents results of the testing from 296° to 24°K of notched impact specimens of copper, aluminum, and Haynes (nickel) alloys. The majority of these alloys exhibited only a moderate change in toughness with a large change in temperature but a few were found to be brittle at the low temperatures.
Bio-agent free electrochemical detection of Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is an important chemical used in various industries including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and agriculture. It is a key phytohormone responsible for initiating and regulating defense mechanisms against biotic as well as environmental stress in plants. It is a major component of Aspirin, a common anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic drug whose overusage and mis-dosage can lead to various health problems in humans. In this work, a novel electro-reduced graphene oxide modified screen printed carbon electrode electrochemical sensor has been presented for the detection of salicylic acid based on its electro-oxidation. The proposed device offers an inexpensive, sensitive, selective, quick responding, rapid and easy to fabricate sensor to salicylic acid measurement with excellent performance. The proposed sensor is capable of measuring concentrations from 2 to 512 µM with a maximum sensitivity of 600 µA/mM/cm2 with high (piece-wise) linearity, and was used to determine salicylic acid level in fresh orange juice with 99% accuracy.
Implications of Obesity on Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Postoperative Complications: An Analysis of the NSQIP Database.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of body mass index on postoperative adverse events in adult patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingDatabase of...
"He's under oath": Privacy and Confidentiality Views Among People Who Inject Drugs Enrolled in a Study of Social Networks and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C Virus Risk.

Despite the promise of social network research, this method raises important ethical questions regarding privacy and confidentiality. Although researchers and bioethicists have considered research ...
Evaluation of Thoracotomy versus Median Sternotomy Approach in Third-Generation Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare short term results of patients undergoing a third generation (HVAD™or HeartMate™ 3) Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation through either minimally-invasive, thoracotomy approach or standard median sternotomy. Methods We prospectively collected data on all patients at our institution that received an LVAD from September 2008 to February 2020. Surgical approach was decided by the implanting surgeon. We used 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching to compare the sternotomy versus thoracotomy groups. A logistic regression model based on 19 explanatory variables was used to estimate the propensity score. Overall survival post-implantation was summarized using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared using the log-rank test. Results A total of 272 patients were included, of whom 194 had sternotomy and 78 had either left thoracotomy and hemi-sternotomy or bilateral thoracotomies. Using PS matching, 128 (64/64) patients were selected. Demographics and operative characteristics were well balanced between groups. Overall, there was a trend towards better survival in thoracotomy group (33.1% vs 66.4%, p=0.06) at 5 years, but higher stroke rate (11% in sternotomy group vs 21% in thoracotomy group, p = 0.035). Following PS-matching, however, there was no difference in early or late mortality (Graph 1) but there was a higher rate of pump exchange in the thoracotomy group (2% vs 9%, p = 0.052). There was no difference in perioperative stroke rates (sternotomy 6% vs thoracotomy 9%), extubation time (2.5 days vs 2.5 days), right ventricular failure (13% vs 14%), renal failure (8% vs 5%) or hospital readmissions (81% vs 88%). Conclusion Minimally invasive LVAD implantation is feasible and safe in the current LVAD era. In a PS matched analysis, patients in the minimally invasive group displayed lower overall mortality, but without reaching statistical significance. Adverse events were similar in both groups.
The Administration of Psychiatric Justice

As noted in Chapter 1, my students and I, during the 1970–71 academic year, conducted a case study of the administration of therapeutic justice in Arizona. Since at the time of the study that justice system was very much under the control of physicians and psychiatrists, the study was in essence one of “psychiatric justice,” and will be refered to as such. The year-long effort required extensive field work, which involved observing many commitment hearings in Phoenix (the state capitol, the state’s largest city, and the county seat of Maricopa County) and Tucson (the state’s second largest city and county seat of Pima County), examining court files, visiting the Arizona State Hospital and various county hospitals, and conducting interviews with physicians, lawyers, and judges in every Arizona county.
Die Anfänge in Westeuropa

Der fortgeschrittenste Teil des Romischen Imperiums sowohl in okonomischer als auch in kultureller Hinsicht ist stets der Osten gewesen. Der westliche Teil hat sich niemals auf eine Bewasserungswirtschaft gestutzt; seine Landwirtschaft wurde extensiv betrieben, wodurch das Studium der Astronomie keine Anregung erfuhr. Tatsachlich kam der Westen auf seine Art mit einem Minimum an Astronomie, etwas praktischer Arithmetik und einiger Meskunde fur Handel und Feldmessung sehr gut zurecht; aber der Anstos, diese Wissenschaften weiterzuentwickeln, kam aus dem Osten. Als sich Osten undWesten politisch voneinander getrennt hatten, horte dieser fordernde Einflus fast ganz auf. Die statische Kultur des westlichen Romischen Imperiums dauerte mit wenigen Unterbrechungen oder Veranderungen viele Jahrhunderte hindurch an; die durch das Mittelmeer bedingte Einheit der antiken Kultur blieb ebenfalls unverandert und wurde nicht einmal durch die Eroberungen der Barbaren besonders stark in Mitleidenschaft gezogen.
Treatment for Children with Selective Mutism: An Integrative Behavioral Approach

Chapter 1 Introductory Information for Therapists Chapter 2 Pre-Treatment Assessment and Psychoeducation (Parent Only Session) Chapter 3 Session 1: Introduction to Treatment and Rapport Building Chapter 4 Session 2: Rapport Building, Reward System, Feelings Chart Chapter 5 Session 3: Class Chart, Talking Ladder, Exposure Practice Chapter 6 Sessions 4-9: Intermediate Exposure Sessions Chapter 7 Session 10: Treatment Midpoint Sessions Chapter 8 Sessions 11-14: Intermediate Exposure Sessions Chapter 9 Session 15: Continued Exposure and Introduction of Transfer of Control Chapter 10 Sessions 16-17: Continued Exposure with Additional Focus on Transfer of Control Chapter 11 Sessions 18-19: Continued Exposure and Transfer of Control / Review of Progress Chapter 12 Session 20: Relapse Prevention and Graduation Chapter 13 Additional Treatment Considerations Appendix A: Suggested Exposure Exercises Appendix B: Pre-Treatment Materials Appendix C: Treatment Forms References About the Author
Discovering Semantic Inconsistencies to Improve Action Rules Mining

A new class of rules, called action rules, show what actions should be taken to improve the profitability of customers. Action rules introduced in [3] and investigated further in [7] assume that attributes in a database are divided into two groups: stable and flexible. These reflect the ability of a business user to influence and control their change for a given consumer. In this paper, we introduce a new classification of attributes partitioning them into stable, semi-stable, and flexible. Values of stable attributes can not be changed for a given consumer (for instance maiden name is an example of such an attribute). So, stable attributes have only one interpretation. If values of an attribute change in a deterministic way as a function of time (for instance values of the attribute age) we call them semi-stable. All remaining attributes are called flexible. Clearly, in the process of action rule extraction, stable attributes are highly undesirable. What about semistable attributes? Although, they seem to be quite similar to stable attributes, the difference between them is quite essential. Semi-stable attribute may have many different interpretations but among them only one interpretation is natural and it is called standard. All its other interpretations are called non-standard. In a nonstandard interpretation, a semi-stable attribute can be classified as flexible (business user may control its change). In a single database we may easily fail to identify attributes which have non-standard interpretation. Query answering system based on distributed knowledge mining, introduced in [4,5], will be used in this paper as a tool to identify which semi-stable attributes have non-standard interpretation so they can be classified as flexible. This way, by decreasing the number of stable attributes in a database we may discover action rules which would not be discovered otherwise.
Poesía y filosofía: la lectura social de Baudelaire en Walter Benjamin

Baudelaire como poeta de la destruccion de la vida moderna y de la abstraccion social de la economia capitalista es lo que pretende ver este articulo a traves de la lectura alegorica que Benjamin hizo del poeta frances hace ya mas de 70 anos. La recuperacion de Baudelaire de la alegoria que habia estado olvidada por mas de 100 anos viene exigida por condiciones objetivas: la abstraccion de la vida social y la perdida de un sentido unificante.
Secretion of lactic acid by peritoneal macrophages during extracellular phagocytosis. The possible role of local hyperacidity in inflammatory demyelination.

Abstract Culture of thioglycollate-elicited rat peritoneal macrophages in the presence of derivatized, non-ingestible, bovine CNS material results in a release of the lysosomal marker enzyme β-glucuronidase that is both dose- and time-dependent. Concomitant with enzyme secretion, lactic acid is secreted in a manner that is also dose- and time-dependent. The secretion of lactic acid represents an increased dependence on anaerobic glycolysis by the aerobic phagocyte cultures and is paralleled by an increase in cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase. When unbuffered media are used, the secretion of lactic acid is accompanied by a drop in the pH of the culture medium. Culture of the cells in the presence of the pyruvate dehydrogenase stimulator, dichloroacetate, inhibits the formation of lactic acid and the resulting drop in pH. Suspensions of multilamellar myelin undergo turbidity changes and aggregation in acidic media. Initial rates of turbidity changes follow a titration curve with an apparent p K a of 6.0. Because of the sensitivity of the myelin lamellae to an acidic microenvironment, it is suggested that a local hyperlactemia, with the resulting decrease in interstitial pH, may be a major pathological process in cell-mediated inflammatory demyelination. Antihyperlactemics, such as dichloroacetate, may therefore provide a new therapeutic approach to minimizing myelin degeneration in multiple sclerosis and in other CNS disorders characterized by inflammatory demyelination.
Three hundred cases of extensive conization of the cervix

Abstract 1. 1. Conization of the endocervix by means of a special electrode to be used with a cutting current, originated by Mortimer Hyams in 1927, marks a distinct advance in the treatment of chronic cervicitis. 2. 2. Extension of conization to include cases of extensive chronic cervicitis was effected through the use of a special electrode devised in 1932 by the senior author (R. J. C.), and 80 patients thus treated were reported by him in 1935. The durability of this electrode was greatly increased by T. K. Brown in 1934, by substitution in materials used. 3. 3. Conization of this extensive type should preferably be done in the postmenstrual period so as to allow three weeks for healing before the onset of the following period. 4. 4. The use of the Sturmdorf suture anteriorly and posteriorly and laterally if necessary, has allowed us to use conization in the more extensive cases of chronic cervicitis where the Sturmdorf operation was formerly the one of choice. It is better to suture any bleeders after conization rather than coagulate them. 5. 5. Strictures should not occur in conization cases if deep coagulation is avoided. A small rubber tube should be left in the canal for seven days in the more extensive cases. 6. 6. Postoperative bleeding in conization can practically be eliminated by the proper selection of time for operation and the use of sutures when indicated. 7. 7. There have been no difficulties encountered in the delivery of patients who had had previous extensive conization.
Optimal and robust design of integrated control and diagnostic modules

The problem of designing an integrated control and diagnostic module is considered. The four degree of freedom controller is recast into a general framework wherein results from optimal and robust control theory can be easily implemented. For the case of an /spl Hscr//sub 2/ objective, it is shown that the optimal control-diagnostic module involves constructing an optimal controller, closing the loop with this controller, and then designing an optimal diagnostic module for the closed loop. When uncertain plants are involved, this two-step method does not lead to reasonable diagnostics, and the control and diagnostic modules must be synthesized simultaneously. An example shows how this design can be accomplished with available methods.
Improving the Background Knowledge of Non-traditional Students

Three intervention methods to assist non-traditional college students in evaluating and improving their chemical and mathematical backgrounds were developed and implemented over three successive years. The goal was to improve students' self-confidence and success in the course. The first method was a one-day optional symposium featuring a variety of tutorial sessions. In the second, a pre-test helped students determine potential deficits in requisite knowledge, and topical workshops were made available outside of class time. The third method used the same assessment pre-test combined with instructional videos on selected topics drawn from the pre-test. The three approaches were compared in a formative sense with respect to 1) student identification of areas of potential weakness, 2) accessibility of each method to the non-traditional student population. The success of the third method at improving student course performance was also examined.
Properties of the 3' to 5' exonuclease associated with porcine liver DNA polymerase gamma. Substrate specificity, product analysis, inhibition, and kinetics of terminal excision.

Porcine liver DNA polymerase gamma was shown previously to copurify with an associated 3' to 5' exonuclease activity (Kunkel, T. A., and Mosbaugh, D. W. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 988-995). The 3' to 5' exonuclease has now been characterized, and like the DNA polymerase activity, it has an absolute requirement for a divalent metal cation (Mg2+ or Mn2+), a relatively high NaCl and KCl optimum (150-200 mM), and an alkaline pH optimum between 7 and 10. The exonuclease has a 7.5-fold preference for single-stranded over double-stranded DNA, but it cannot excise 3'-terminal dideoxy-NMP residues from either substrate. Excision of 3'-terminally mismatched nucleotides was preferred approximately 5-fold over matched 3' termini, and the hydrolysis product from both was a deoxyribonucleoside 5'-monophosphate. The kinetics of 3'-terminal excision were measured at a single site on M13mp2 DNA for each of the 16 possible matched and mismatched primer.template combinations. As defined by the substrate specificity constant (Vmax/Km), each of the 12 mismatched substrates was preferred over the four matched substrates (A.T, T.A, C.G, G.C). Furthermore, the exonuclease could efficiently excise internally mismatched nucleotides up to 4 residues from the 3' end. DNA polymerase gamma was not found to possess detectable DNA primase, endonuclease, 5' to 3' exonuclease, RNase, or RNase H activities. The DNA polymerase and exonuclease activities exhibited dissimilar rates of heat inactivation and sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide. After nondenaturing activity gel electrophoresis, the DNA polymerase and 3' to 5' exonuclease activities were partially resolved and detected in situ as separate species. A similar analysis on a denaturing activity gel identified catalytic polypeptides with molecular weights of 127,000, 60,000, and 32,000 which possessed only DNA polymerase gamma activity. Collectively, these results suggest that the polymerase and exonuclease activities reside in separate polypeptides, which could be derived from separate gene products or from proteolysis of a single gene product.
An algorithm for computation of state variable feedback gain

In this paper an algorithm for computing the state variable feedback gain is presented. The proposed algorithm is developed in the context of a generalized state feedback controller design method that exhibits a computationally attractive scheme. An example is also given to illustrate the application of proposed algorithm.
The Psychology of Terrorism

Preface to 2nd Edition Introduction 1: Psychological Warfare 2: Understanding Terrorism 3: Terrorist Minds? 4: Involvement 5: Engagement 6: Disengagement 7: Towards a Science of Terrorist Behaviour Select Bibliography
13 Knowledge Translation Shift

Health care providers have demonstrated difficulty in adopting the latest information into their clinical practice patterns. This gap in “Knowledge Translation” (KT) is currently under broad discussion within the medical community and was the focus of SAEM's Consensus Conference in 2007. In an effort to bridge this gap, we implemented a novel “KT shift” for our PGY-2 residents. PGY-2 emergency medicine (EM) residents are required to work a nine hour KT shift during their scheduled EM rotation at one of two large urban training emergency departments (EDs). This shift has reduced patient responsibilities to allow for the development of clinical queries that are answered by searching for the best evidence to be applied to patient care. This process is summarized on a “KT Shift Log” that records the PICO question, databases searched, and level of evidence found to answer clinical questions. KT shift log sheets and search strategies are reviewed by EM faculty with expertise in evidence-based medicine and KT principles. We believe that the implementation of a KT shift will improve residents’ ability to obtain high quality evidence to answer real-time clinical questions. This may serve as an important measure in closing the knowledge to practice gap.
ADF/Cofilin Regulates Actomyosin Assembly through Competitive Inhibition of Myosin II Binding to F-Actin

The contractile actin cortex is important for diverse fundamental cell processes, but little is known about how the assembly of F-actin and myosin II motors is regulated. We report that depletion of actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin proteins in human cells causes increased contractile cortical actomyosin assembly. Remarkably, our data reveal that the major cellular defects resulting from ADF/cofilin depletion, including cortical F-actin accumulation, were largely due to excessive myosin II activity. We identify that ADF/cofilins from unicellular organisms to humans share a conserved activity to inhibit myosin II binding to F-actin, indicating a mechanistic rationale for our cellular results. Our study establishes an essential requirement for ADF/cofilin proteins in the control of normal cortical contractility and in processes such as mitotic karyokinesis. We propose that ADF/cofilin proteins are necessary for controlling actomyosin assembly and intracellular contractile force generation, a function of equal physiological importance to their established roles in mediating F-actin turnover.
Correlation functions for homogeneous, isotropic random classical electromagnetic radiation and the electromagnetic fields of a fluctuating classical electric dipole.

The two-point field correlation functions for homogeneous and isotropic random (Gaussian) classical electromagnetic radiation are shown to be related to the electromagnetic fields of a fluctuating electric dipole. The relationships derived between these two quantities are useful in calculations involving classical electric dipole oscillators bathed in classical electromagnetic radiation. Using these relationships, the van der Waals force is evaluated for a harmonic dipole oscillator that is a member of an arbitrary configuration of N oscillators, all of which are bathed in thermal plus zero-point classical electromagnetic radiation. Also, the expectation value of the Poynting vector is shown to be unchanged from its null value when a classical harmonic dipole oscillator is included within a classical electromagnetic isotropic and homogeneous random radiation field. A sketch is given as to how these calculations may be carried over to the case of a system of harmonic dipole oscillators uniformly accelerating through classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation. What enables these calculations to be extended to the situation of acceleration through zero-point radiation is a recent finding that the two-point field correlation functions, evaluated along trajectories described by uniform acceleration through classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation, are related to the electromagnetic fields of a uniformly accelerating electric dipole.
A Comparison of GlideScope Video Laryngoscopy Versus Direct Laryngoscopy Intubation in the Emergency Department

Objectives: The first-attempt success rate of intubation was compared using GlideScope video laryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy in an emergency department (ED). Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted of adult patients undergoing intubation in the ED of a Level 1 trauma center with an emergency medicine residency program. Patients were consecutively enrolled between August 2006 and February 2008. Data collected included indication for intubation, patient characteristics, device used, initial oxygen saturation, and resident postgraduate year. The primary outcome measure was success with first attempt. Secondary outcome measures included time to successful intubation, intubation failure, and lowest oxygen saturation levels. An attempt was defined as the introduction of the laryngoscope into the mouth. Failure was defined as an esophageal intubation, changing to a different device or physician, or inability to place the endotracheal tube after three attempts. Results: A total of 280 patients were enrolled, of whom video laryngoscopy was used for the initial intubation attempt in 63 (22%) and direct laryngoscopy was used in 217 (78%). Reasons for intubation included altered mental status (64%), respiratory distress (47%), facial trauma (9%), and immobilization for imaging (9%). Overall, 233 (83%) intubations were successful on the first attempt, 26 (9%) failures occurred, and one patient received a cricothyrotomy. The first-attempt success rate was 51 of 63 (81%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 70% to 89%) for video laryngoscopy versus 182 of 217 (84%, 95% CI = 79% to 88%) for direct laryngoscopy (p = 0.59). Median time to successful intubation was 42 seconds (range, 13 to 350 seconds) for video laryngoscopy versus 30 seconds (range, 11 to 600 seconds) for direct laryngoscopy (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Rates of successful intubation on first attempt were not significantly different between video and direct laryngoscopy. However, intubation using video laryngoscopy required significantly more time to complete.
Effect of stimulus length on nasalance scores.

Abstract Objective: Nasalance measures were compared for speech stimuli of four different lengths. Design: The standard for comparison was a 44-syllable passage. The 44-syllable passage was compared to a 17-syllable passage, a 6-syllable sentence, and a 2-syllable word. All stimuli were devoid of nasal consonants and were composed only of low pressure consonants and vowels. Setting: Academic and clinical craniofacial center. Subjects: The subjects were 20 children at risk for velopharyngeal dysfunction and 5 children without history of communication disorder. Main outcome measure(s): The main outcome measures were the nasalance scores associated with speech samples of different lengths. Results: The results showed that comparable measures of nasalance can be obtained using stimuli as short as a six-syllable sentence. Both the 17-syllable and the 6-syllable stimulus achieved high criterion validity, indicating that stimuli of that length could be substituted for the longer 44-syllable passage. The two-syll...
First derivative of ventricular pressure recorded by means of conventional cardiac catheters

A method for recording dp/dt by using a standard catheter system was developed after pressure pulses had been analysed in terms of their Fourier series. A comparison between the recorded dp/dt and a reference system was then made. It was concluded that practical and useful representation of the form and reasonably accurate determination of the magnitude of peak dp/dt are possible with such a system.
Numerical modelling of cavities on axisymmetric bodies at zero and non-zero angle of attack

The flow about submerged, fully cavitating axisymmetric bodies at both zero and non-zero angle of attach is considered in this paper. A cavity closure model that relates the point of detachment, the angle that the separating streamline makes with the body and the cavity length is described. The direct boundary element method is used to solve the potential flow problem and to determine the cavity shape. A momentum integral boundary layer solver is included in the formulation so that shear stresses can be incorporated into the drag calculations. The numerical predictions based on the proposed closure model are compared with water tunnel measurements and photographs.
In vitro synthesis of an infectious mutant RNA with a normal RNA replicase.

When purified Qβ-RNA replicase is presented alternately with two genetically different Qβ-RNA molecules, the RNA synthesized is identical to the initiating template. The results establish that the RNA is the instructive agent in the replicative process and hence that it satisfies the operational definition of a self-duplicating entity. The data also eliminate alternative explanations which do not involve self-propagation of the input RNA. An opportunity is now provided for studying the genetics and evolution of a self-duplicating nucleic acid molecule under conditions permitting detailed control of environmental parameters and chemical components.
Discovering shakers from evolving entities via cascading graph inference

In an interconnected and dynamic world, the evolution of one entity may cause a series of significant value changes for some others. For example, the currency inflation of Thailand caused the currency slump of other Asian countries, which eventually led to the financial crisis of 1997. We call such high impact entities shakers. To discover shakers, we first introduce the concept of a cascading graph to capture the causality relationships among evolving entities over some period of time, and then infer shakers from the graph. In a cascading graph, nodes represent entities and weighted links represent the causality effects. In order to find hidden shakers in such a graph, two scoring functions are proposed, each of which estimates how much the target entity can affect the values of some others. The idea is to artificially inject a significant change on the target entity, and estimate its direct and indirect influence on the others, by following an inference rule under the Markovian assumption. Both scoring functions are proven to be only dependent on the structure of a cascading graph and can be calculated in polynomial time. Experiments included three datasets in social sciences. Without directly applicable previous methods, we modified three graphical models as baselines. The two proposed scoring functions can effectively capture those high impact entities. For example, in the experiment to discover stock market shakers, the proposed models outperform the three baselines by as much as 50% in accuracy with the ground truth obtained from Yahoo!~Finance.
Purification and immunological characterization of neuraminidase produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Abstract Previous workers have suggested that Streptococcus pneumoniae, the pneumococcus, produces multiple forms of the enzyme neuraminidase. By serial chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephacryl S-200, Amicon Red-A gel and hydroxylapatite we have purified to electrophoretic homogeneity a pneumococcal neuraminidase with an apparent molecular weight of 86000 (as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Mouse antiserum raised against the purified material reacted with a single species with molecular weight 107000 (107K form) in crude pneumococcal cell lysate. During the purification procedure this species was progressively degraded to the molecular weight 86000 (86K) form whilst retaining enzyme activity. Degradation of neuraminidase was inhibited by phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride (PMSF) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Purification of the enzyme in the presence of these protease inhibitors permitted the isolation of the 107K species substantially undegraded and > 98% pure. Our findings on the degradation of neuraminidase during its purification account for previous reports of multiple neuraminidase isoenzymes in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Management practice and disability: an embodied perspective

In organizational research, disability is most often treated as a hindrance for performance. One of the barriers to the employment of disabled people is the perceived extra costs related to adaptation of the physical work environment and reduced efficiency. This paper argues for a view on disability as a productive resource within organizations. More specifically, the paper explores how disability informs and affects management practices. In order to accomplish this aim, three in-depth interviews with disabled managers in three different Swedish companies have been conducted. The findings show that the lived experiences of disability impregnate management practices in many various ways, leading to: Creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills; Diversity promotion; Positive energy, humbleness and a holistic view on employees; Focus on well-being in the workplace, and Increased delegation skills and establishment of an empowering culture.
Student perceptions of helpfulness in classroom speech criticism

An exploratory investigation was conducted which indicated that students perceive certain types of criticism to be significantly more helpful than other types. The findings also indicated that perceptions of helpfulness are related to student levels of speech anxiety and student and instructor sex differences. These results provide implications for the refinement of instructor critique behavior.
Use of the in Vivo Hollow Fiber Assay in Natural Products Anticancer Drug Discovery

The in vivo hollow fiber assay was developed at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to help bridge the gap between in vitro cell-based assays and human tumor models propagated in immunodeficient mice. The goal was to develop an intermediate assay that could help predict which compounds found active in the 60-cell line panel would be active in a subsequent xenograft system. This was necessary due to the high cost of the traditional xenograft assay in terms of number of animals required, time for assay completion, and financial commitment necessary. To address this problem, investigators of the NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program designed a method of propagating human cancer cells in inert hollow fibers with pores small enough to retain the cancer cells but large enough to permit entry of potential chemotherapeutic drugs, including large proteins and other important substances. Fibers containing proliferating cancer cells are transplanted into the peritoneum or under the skin, the host mice are treated with a test agent, and the fibers are subsequently retrieved for analysis of viable cell mass. The assay has been successful in helping investigators from around the world, including our own research group, prioritize compounds active in vitro for further testing in the traditional xenograft system.
PAH- and PCB-induced alterations of protein tyrosine kinase and cytokine gene transcription in harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) PBMC

Mechanisms underlying in vitro immunomodulatory effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in harbor seal peripheral leukocytes, via real-time PCR. We examined the relative genetic expression of the protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) Fyn and Itk, which play a critical role in T cell activation, and IL-2, a cytokine of central importance in initiating adaptive immune responses. IL-1, the macrophage-derived pro-inflammatory cytokine of innate immunity, was also included as a measure of macrophage function. Harbor seal PBMC were exposed to the prototypic immunotoxic PAH benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-169), a model immunotoxic PCB, or DMSO (vehicle control). Exposure of Con A-stimulated harbor seal PBMC to both BaP and CB-169 produced significantly altered expression in all four targets relative to vehicle controls. The PTKs Fyn and Itk were both up-regulated following exposure to BaP and CB-169. In contrast, transcripts for IL-2 and IL-1 were decreased relative to controls by both treatments. Our findings are consistent with those of previous researchers working with human and rodent systems and support a hypothesis of contaminant-altered lymphocyte function mediated (at least in part) by disruption of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and cytokine production.
Wetland Sediment Phosphorus Flux in Response to Proposed Hydrologic Reconnection and Warming

Wetland restoration on former agricultural land may result in net phosphorus (P) release, instead of retention. We studied two flooded celery fields, one dredged and one undredged, which are designated for wetland restoration, to assess the effects of hydrologic reconnection between the ponds and an adjacent creek on P sediment-water exchange. We also examined the influence of climate warming on P dynamics by conducting the sediment-water exchange experiments at ambient and plus 2 °C temperature conditions. Lab-based sediment core incubations revealed that total phosphorus (TP) release was significantly larger when undredged pond sediment was flooded with water from the creek (~40–60 mg m−2 d−1), simulating hydrologic reconnection, than when undredged pond sediment was flooded with water from the same pond (~6–20 mg m−2 d−1), simulating the current condition. P release from dredged pond sediment was not significantly influenced by flooding with creek water, although the sediments still released P (~2.2–4.7 mg TP m−2 d−1). Raising temperatures 2 °C did not significantly influence P release rate from either pond sediment, irrespective of water source. Our results indicate that wetland restoration for water quality improvement must take into account prior land use to avoid an undesirable degradation of water quality.
Pluripotent stem cells and gene therapy

Human pluripotent stem cells represent an accessible cell source for novel cell-based clinical research and therapies. With the realization of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), it is possible to produce almost any desired cell type from any patient's cells. Current developments in gene modification methods have opened the possibility for creating genetically corrected human iPSCs for certain genetic diseases that could be used later in autologous transplantation. Promising preclinical studies have demonstrated correction of disease-causing mutations in a number of hematological, neuronal, and muscular disorders. This review aims to summarize these recent advances with a focus on iPSC generation techniques, as well as gene modification methods. We will then further discuss some of the main obstacles remaining to be overcome before successful application of human pluripotent stem cell-based therapy arrives in the clinic and what the future of stem cell research may look like.
Laryngeal airway resistance in children with cleft palate and adequate velopharyngeal function.

Abstract Laryngeal airway resistance during vowel production was determined for 10 children without cleft palate and 14 children with cleft palate and adequate velopharyngeal function. The children with cleft palate were further grouped according to either complete or incomplete velopharyngeal closure. All children performed a syllable repetition task with nostrils occluded at self-determined effort and a targeted effort typical of adult speech. Results indicated that all children exhibited significantly greater laryngeal resistance at self-determined effort. No significant differences occurred among the groups of children at either effort level. Some children with incomplete velopharyngeal closure, however, tended to exhibit relatively increased laryngeal resistance at the targeted effort level when their nostrils were unoccluded. Implications for a regulation-control model of speech production and clinical assessment are discussed.