cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scalable pooled CRISPR screens with single-cell chromatin accessibility profiling

Abstract Pooled CRISPR screens have been used to identify genes responsible for specific phenotypes and diseases, and, more recently, to connect genetic perturbations with multi-dimensional gene expression profiles. Here, we describe a method to link genome-wide chromatin accessibility to genetic perturbations in single cells. This scalable, cost-effective method combines pooled CRISPR perturbations with a single-cell combinatorial indexing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (CRISPR-sciATAC). Using a human and mouse species-mixing experiment, we show that CRISPR-sciATAC separates single cells with a low doublet rate. Then, in human myelogenous leukemia cells, we apply CRISPR-sciATAC to target 21 chromatin-related genes that are frequently mutated in cancer and 84 subunits and cofactors of chromatin remodeling complexes, generating chromatin accessibility data for ~30,000 single cells. Using this large-scale atlas, we correlate loss of specific chromatin remodelers with changes in accessibility — globally and at the binding sites of individual transcription factors. For example, we show that loss of the H3K27 methyltransferase EZH2 leads to increased accessibility at heterochromatic regions involved in embryonic development and triggers expression of multiple genes in the HOXA and HOXD clusters. At a subset of regulatory sites, we also analyze dynamic changes in nucleosome spacing upon loss of chromatin remodelers. CRISPR-sciATAC is a high-throughput, low-cost single-cell method that can be applied broadly to study the role of genetic perturbations on chromatin in normal and disease states.
T-Cells and Interferon Gamma Are Necessary for Survival Following Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Infection in Mice

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne febrile illness with wide geographic distribution. In humans, the disease follows infection by the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and begins as flu-like symptoms that can rapidly progress to hemorrhaging and death. Case fatality rates can be as high as 30%. An important gap in our understanding of CCHF are the host immune responses necessary to control the infection. A better understanding of these responses is needed to direct therapeutic strategies to limit the often-severe morbidity and mortality seen in humans. In this report, we have utilized a mouse model in which mice develop severe disease but ultimately recover. T-cells were robustly activated, differentiated to produce antiviral cytokines, and were critical for survival following CCHFV infection. We further identified a key role for interferon gamma (IFNγ) in survival following CCHFV infection. These results significantly improve our understanding of the host adaptive immune response to severe CCHFV infection.
Delay to Intervention for Complicated Diverticulitis is Associated with Higher Inpatient Mortality

Patients with diverticular disease complicated by abscess and/or perforation represent the most severely afflicted with the highest mortality and poorest outcomes. This study investigated patient and operative factors associated with poor outcomes from diverticulitis complicated by abscess or perforation. We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample to identify inpatient discharges for colonic diverticulitis in the United States from 1/1988 to 9/2015. We identified patients with perforation and/or intestinal abscess based on ICD-9 codes. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. During the study period, a total of 993,220 patients were discharged with diverticulitis from sampled U.S. hospitals. From this group, 10.7% had an abscess and 1.0% had a perforation associated with diverticular disease. Inpatient mortality of diverticulitis patients with a perforation was 5.4% compared to 1.5% in those without a perforation (p<0.001). Patients with a perforation who underwent surgery had an inpatient mortality of 6.3% vs. 3.0% mortality amongst patients with a perforation who did not undergo an operation (p<0.001). Patients with a perforation that underwent surgery had a 31% increased mortality risk for each day after admission that a procedure was delayed (OR 1.31, CI 1.05–1.78; p=0.03). Mortality risk was increased for patients with either abscess or perforation who underwent surgery if they were female, age ≥65, higher comorbidity, were admitted urgently, underwent peritoneal lavage, or had a post-procedural complication. Patients with perforated diverticular disease had substantial associated inpatient mortality compared to those with uncomplicated diverticulitis. This increased risk may be associated with performance of peritoneal lavage or because of a delay to procedural intervention.
Dynamic modeling to understand pressure response from oil production and CO2 injection in a depleted pinnacle reef reservoir: Manual calibration using simplified resolution of reservoir heterogeneity

Abstract The Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership has been investigating various reservoir characterization and modeling technologies as part of its commercial-scale implementation of carbon dioxide injection for geologic storage in multiple Silurian carbonate pinnacle reefs in northern Michigan, USA. This paper presents a discussion of the reservoir modeling study that was conducted for history-matching oil production and CO2 injection responses, forecasting CO2 plume migration and estimating associated storage to characterize the closed, depleted Dover-33 reef which has undergone extensive primary and secondary production. Dynamic modeling using equivalent simplified descriptions of reservoir heterogeneity were found to be numerically efficient and successfully explained the observed pressure buildup in the reef during the MRCSP CO2 injection phase. The validated history matched models are extremely useful for potential predictive modeling for considering operational optimization and evaluating subsequent production scenarios relevant to the reef.
Regulatory role of TIGAR on endothelial metabolism and angiogenesis

Endothelial glycolytic metabolism plays an important role in the process of angiogenesis. TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) is a significant mediator of cellular energy homeostasis. However, the role of TIGAR in endothelial metabolism, angiogenesis, and coronary flow reserve (CFR) has not been studied. The present study investigated whether knockout (KO) of TIGAR improves endothelial glycolytic function and angiogenesis. In vitro, aortic endothelial cells (ECs) from TIGAR KO mice exhibited increased expression of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase isoform-3 (PFKFB3) and increased glycolytic function. These were accompanied by increased mitochondrial basal/maximal respiration and ATP production. Furthermore, knockout of TIGAR in ECs enhanced endothelial proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Knockout of TIGAR also significantly increased aortic sprouting ex vivo. In vivo, knockout of TIGAR increased the expression of proangiogenic factor, angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in mouse hearts. Knockout of TIGAR also significantly increased coronary capillary density with enhanced CFR in these hearts. Furthermore, TIGAR KO mice subjected to pressure overload (PO), a common model to study angiogenesis and cardiac hypertrophy, exhibited elevated expression of Ang-1, VEGF, and PFKFB3 than that of the wild-type (WT) mice. WT mice subjected to PO exhibited a significant reduction of coronary capillary density and impaired CFR, but TIGAR KO mice did not. In addition, knockout of TIGAR blunted TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction seen in the WT mice. In conclusion, knockout of TIGAR improves endothelial angiogenetic capabilities by enhancing the endothelial glycolytic function, mitochondrial respiration, and proangiogenic signaling, which leads to increased coronary capillary density and vascular function and protects against chronic stress.
The Judicial Resolution of Legal Disputes in the Integration Movements of the Hemisphere

This article will give a brief overview of the origins of the different indigenous American integration movements and will explain the respective methods of resolving legal disputes which arise from time to time within the context of the different communities. Further, this article will contrast the different methods of solving legal disputes in American communities, with the primary vehicle for dispute resolution in the European Econorftic Community (EEC),1 namely, the Court of Justice. Later, some observations will be set forth which attempt to explain to some degree, the difference between the EEC and the American communities in this respect. Finally, discussion will be directed to models that have been suggested by several Latin American commentators regarding the creation of new means of settling legal disputes in the economic integration area.
Breast milk-A natural resource

Abstract As practitioners in obstetrics, we must always concern ourselves with supplying the best care for the mother and her newborn infant. Our concern for good health for both patients must extend beyond the delivery room and the early puerperium. Currently, a large proportion of our patients are electing to bottle-feed and we are losing a valuable natural resource—breast milk. It is important that the patient be educated in the advantages and techniques of breast-feeding and that all false rumors be dispelled.
Research on the Collaboration Service Mechanism for Pig Diseases Diagnosis Based on Semantic Web

Distributed knowledge resources for the pig diseases diagnosis have the characteristics of heterogeneous, autonomy and difficult to be shared among different systems. Based on the web-based ontology modeling language, a descriptive model to describe the heterogeneous knowledge resources of the pig diseases diagnosis and a formal model to express the decision services of pig diseases are proposed in this work. Based on the two models, a complex decision task can be automatically divided into many dependent simple decision fragments. The relationships between different fragments, the mapping relationships between each fragment which can be dynamically adjusted according the divided fragments and its distributed knowledge resources can be formally described. The models form a mechanism for cooperative decision for pig diseases diagnosis. The method is proposed by achieving the balanced decomposition of decision task and intelligent schedule of knowledge resources. The method is verified in a pig diseases collaborative diagnosis system. The result shows that the method is superior to the traditional intelligent decision-making method.
Parallel Algorithms in Molecular Biology

Scalable parallel computer architectures provide the computational performance needed for advanced computing problems in molecular biology. Many scientific challenges in molecular biology have associated with them a computational requirement that must be solved before scientific progress can be made. We have developed a number of parallel algorithms and techniques useful in determining biological structure and function. Two example applications are the alignment of multiple DNA and protein sequences using speculative computation and the calculation of the solvent accessible surface area of proteins used to predict the three-dimensional conformation of these molecules from their primary structure. Timing results demonstrate substantial performance improvements with parallel implementations compared with conventional sequential systems. As the developed methods allow molecular biologists to perform computational tasks that would not otherwise be possible, we continue to develop parallel algorithms useful to this important scientific field.
Repressed anger and patterns of cardiovascular, self-report and behavioral responses: effects of harassment.

Abstract We hypothesized that anger repressors would show discrepancies between self-reported anger and cardiovascular and behavioral responses only during harassment. Subjects (N=102) were assigned randomly to condition. In the nonharassment condition, subjects told stories about eight Thematic Apperception Test cards without any harassment. In the harassment condition, subjects told four stories without harassment, and then told four more stories with harassment. Words connoting aggressive behavior and angry/hostile affect were coded from story content. Subjects were classified into low anger expressor, anger repressor, high anger expressor, and defensive anger expressor categories based on median splits of the Anger-Out Subscale and Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Results showed that harassed anger repressors reported anger comparable to that of low anger expressors but less than high expressors, whereas their heart rate (HR) reactivity was comparable to high expressors, but greater than low anger expressors. Increases in anger words did not distinguish repressors from other groups. Repressed anger may represent a distinct anger management style characterized by a discrepancy between acknowledged anger and cardiovascular reactivity—effects that become fully manifest only during interpersonal provocation.
Evaluation of a Multigrid Scheme for the Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations

A fast multigrid solver for the steady, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is presented. The multigrid solver is based upon a factorizable discrete scheme for the velocity-pressure form of the Navier-Stokes equations. This scheme correctly distinguishes between the advection-diffusion and elliptic parts of the operator, allowing efficient smoothers to be constructed. To evaluate the multigrid algorithm, solutions are computed for flow over a flat plate, parabola, and a Karman-Trefftz airfoil. Both nonlifting and lifting airfoil flows are considered, with a Reynolds number range of 200 to 800. Convergence and accuracy of the algorithm are discussed. Using Gauss-Seidel line relaxation in alternating directions, multigrid convergence behavior approaching that of O(N) methods is achieved. The computational efficiency of the numerical scheme is compared with that of Runge-Kutta and implicit upwind based multigrid methods.
An Analysis of the Effects of Land Use and Land Cover on Flood Losses along the Gulf of Mexico Coast from 1999 to 2009

Major coastal flooding events over the last decade have led decision makers in the United States to favor structural engineering solutions as a means to protect vulnerable coastal communities from the adverse impacts of future storms. While a resistance-based approach to flood mitigation involving large-scale construction works may be a central component of a regional flood risk reduction strategy, it is equally important to consider the role of land use and land cover (LULC) patterns in protecting communities from floods. To date, little observational research has been conducted to quantify the effects of various LULC configurations on the amount of property damage occurring across coastal regions over time. In response, we statistically examine the impacts of LULC on observed flood damage across 2,692 watersheds bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, we analyze statistical linear regression models to isolate the influence of multiple LULC categories on over 372,000 insured flood losses claimed under the National Flood Insurance Program per year from 2001 to 2008. Results indicate that percent increase in palustrine wetlands is the equivalent to, on average, a $13,975 reduction in insured flood losses per year, per watershed. These and other results provide important insights to policy makers on how protecting specific types of LULC can help reduce adverse impacts to local communities.
Transplantation versus resection for patients with combined hepatocellular carcinoma–cholangiocarcinoma†‡

Background and Objectives Although transplantation has demonstrated survival benefit for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is limited data to support or refute transplantation for combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC–CC). We hypothesized that cHCC–CC patients had poorer overall survival (OS) than HCC patients after liver transplantation. Methods Patients with localized HCC and cHCC–CC treated with surgical resection or transplant were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database (1973–2007). Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine survival. Results We identified 3,378 (1,447 [43%] transplant, 1,931 [57%] resection) patients with HCC, and 54 (19 [35%] transplant, 35 [65%] resection) patients with cHCC–CC. Patients undergoing resection of HCC and cHCC–CC had similar 3-year OS (55% vs. 46%, P = 0.4). Three-year OS of patients undergoing transplant was significantly greater for HCC (78%) than for cHCC–CC (48%, P = 0.01). In adjusted models, patients transplanted for cHCC–CC had higher hazard of death compared to HCC patients (HR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2–5.1, P = 0.01). Conclusions Transplantation for localized cHCC–CC confers a survival benefit similar to liver resection for cHCC–CC, but inferior to transplantation for HCC. With survival data that mimics historic reports of transplant for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, this study questions the benefit of transplantation for patients with cHCC–CC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:608–612. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using Search Methods for Selecting and Combining Software Sensors to Improve Fault Detection in Autonomic Systems

Fault-detection approaches in autonomic systems typically rely on runtime software sensors to compute metrics for CPU utilization, memory usage, network throughput, and so on. One detection approach uses data collected by the runtime sensors to construct a convex-hull geometric object whose interior represents the normal execution of the monitored application. The approach detects faults by classifying the current application state as being either inside or outside of the convex hull. However, due to the computational complexity of creating a convex hull in multi-dimensional space, the convex-hull approach is limited to a few metrics. Therefore, not all sensors can be used to detect faults and so some must be dropped or combined with others. This paper compares the effectiveness of genetic-programming, genetic-algorithm, and random-search approaches in solving the problem of selecting sensors and combining them into metrics. These techniques are used to find 8 metrics that are derived from a set of 21 available sensors. The metrics are used to detect faults during the execution of a Java-based HTTP web server. The results of the search techniques are compared to two hand-crafted solutions specified by experts.
Characterization of probe and tissue factors that influence interpretation of quantitative microdialysis experiments for dopamine.

Two quantitative methods, the Lonnroth (no-net-flux) and variation of perfusion flow rate methods, were used to investigate the influence of the probe and tissue on dopamine microdialysis measurements. In vivo measurements were made in the nucleus accumbens of awake, freely moving rats on two consecutive days of dialysis. The results of the no-net-flux study showed that there was no statistically significant difference in extraction fraction at a perfusion flow rate of 2.0 microl/min between in vitro in a well-stirred solution and in vivo measured during 2 days of continuous dialysis. Also, varying the perfusate flow rate over the range 0.25-2.0 microl/min produced a variation in the extraction fraction that was the same in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that the extraction fraction for dopamine over the 2 days was dominated by the properties of the probe. The negligible influence of the tissue on dopamine extraction fraction was probably due to the high basal activity of the dopamine transporter in vivo. Therefore, the extraction fraction is unlikely to be sensitive to increases in dopamine uptake in the vicinity of the probe. The apparent extracellular dopamine concentration increased by 37% on the second day of dialysis while the calcium-dependence of basal dialysate dopamine levels declined by 20%. These findings are consistent with a decrease in physiological viability of the dopamine nerve terminals surrounding the probe during a long-term experiment.
Nanofiber Electrodes with Low Platinum Loading for High Power Hydrogen/Air PEM Fuel Cells

Membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEAs) were fabricated with electrospun nanofiber electrodes containing Johnson-Matthey (JM) HiSpec 4000 catalyst and a Nafion 212 membrane. MEA performance was evaluated in a hydrogen/air fuel cell, where power output was correlated with cathode Pt loading (0.029–0.107 mgPt/cm) and changes in fuel cell temperature (60◦C and 80◦C), pressure (up to 3.0 atm), and feed gas flow rates. In all experiments, the nanofiber anode had a fixed Pt loading of 0.10 mg/cm2. The mass activity (0.16 A/mgPt at 0.9 V) and electrochemical surface area (∼41 m2/g) of nanofiber cathodes were very high and more power was generated from nanofiber electrode MEAs than from a conventional MEA with decal electrodes. Thus, the maximum power density for H2/air fuel cell operation at 80◦C, 1 atm (ambient) pressure, 125 sccm H2, and 500 sccm air was 437 mW/cm2 for a nanofiber cathode at 0.065 mgPt/cm vs. 400 mW/cm2 for a decal MEA with cathode/anode Pt loadings of 0.104/0.40 mg/cm2. Similarly, an electrospun cathode with a Pt loading of 0.055 mg/cm2 produced a maximum power density of 906 mW/cm2 at 80◦C and 3 atm pressure with 2000 sccm fully humidified air and 500 sccm H2. © 2013 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.008308jes] All rights reserved.
Analysis of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Experiment on the Electhophoretic Separation of Fixed Red Blood Cells

Abstract The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) carried out in July, 1975 included an electrophoretic separation experiment of biological cells (MA-011). The nature of these experiments was to determ...
Circadian variation of serum glucose, C-peptide immunoreactivity and free insulin in normal and insulin-treated diabetic pregnant subjects

To examine differences among pregnant diabetic and nondiabetic subjects, serum glucose, and immunoreactivity of C-peptide, free and total insulin were measured at hourly intervals during a 24-h third trimester metabolic ward evaluation. Six normals, three mild, and four juvenile-onset type diabetics were studied. Diets were identical for all subjects. Mild diabetics differed from juvenile diabetics by having significant residual pancreatic B-cell function, as measured by C-peptide immunoreactivity. Short and intermediate acting insulins given once or twice daily to diabetics maintained serum glucose levels within the normal range throughout the 24 h. Despite wide variation in serum total insulin levels, peripheral free insulin concentrations in well-controlled diabetics fell within a relatively narrow range that was higher than in controls. Infants of the diabetic subjects were comparable to the offspring of the control women.
A Comparative Study of "All-Day,""Alternate-Day" and "Half-Day" Kindergarten Schedules: Effects on Achievement and Classroom Social Behaviors.

Abstract A study was conducted to compare the relative effects of three different kindergarten schedules on children's end-of-the-year achievement and prosocial classroom behaviors. Subjects included 82 children attending “all-day” kindergarten, 79 children attending “alternate-day” kindergarten, and 55 children attending “half-day” kindergarten. No significant differences were found among the three groups on a test of entry level development. At the end of the year, the children attending “all-day” kindergarten scored significantly higher than either of the other two groups on a test of achievement. Children attending “alternate-day” kindergarten were rated significantly lower by their teachers on negative social behavior factors than children in either of the other groups. Possible reasons for these differences and implications for kindergarten programming are discussed.
What's Race Got to Do with It? Press Coverage of the Latino Electorate in the Presidential 2008 Primary Season

This article presents a critical analysis of press coverage of Latinos and the presidential election during the Democratic Primary, from January through June 2008. The foundation of this article is a content analysis of 408 articles published in four newspapers about Latinos and the presidential election during the primary season. The four newspapers – The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and The Dallas Morning News – were selected because they are well respected as newspapers of record and because they represent diverse regions of the country (two from the northeast, two from the southwest). Each is a daily newspaper in a metropolitan area with a population ranging from twenty to forty-five percent Latino. The first section provides background and initial assumptions about a number of topics, including the diversity of the Latino population, the complexity of Latino racial identity and the media’s role in the reproduction of racial ideology. The second section of the article describes the methodology and data in more detail and also presents an overview of the major findings. The third section delves deeply into the prevalence in the press of the black-brown divide as a major theme in coverage of the Latino electorate and the 2008 presidential election. I describe its origins early in the primary season, debunk it based on contemporary and historical evidence and analyze why the media was drawn to it as racial common sense. In the conclusion, I offer some speculations about the future role of Latinos in American politics and changing racial dynamics in the United States.
A note on some limits of the algebraic specification method

If the algebraic method for the specification of abstract data types and programming languages is to be of general utility, it must be possible to define any data type along with the operations on it. An algebraic definition for a data type previously posed as being undefinable by that method is presented, and questions about the utility of the result are considered.
Electric field sensitive phase separation in metal-hydrogen systems

Abstract The steady-state distribution of absorbed hydrogen in a metal wire subject to an applied potential difference is examined using a mean-field interacting lattice gas model. Our analysis suggests that the electric field can lead to the formation of a distinct phase boundary, the location of which can be shifted by altering the applied potential difference. Illustrative computed results are given for the palladium-hydrogen system.
Naloxazone irreversibly inhibits the high affinity binding of [125I]D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin

Abstract Scatchard analyses of [125I]D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin binding in rat brain membranes are curvilinear, suggesting low and high affinity sites. Treating the membranes with naloxazone abolishes the high affinity binding with slight effect on low affinity binding. Displacement of [125I]-D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin binding by morphine in untreated membranes is biphasic. Displacement by morphine in naloxazone-treated tissue is monophasic, with no inhibition by low concentrations of morphine. Naloxazone treatment has little effect on displacements by unlabeled D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin. Binding in N4TG1 neuroblastoma cells, which demonstrates a linear Scatchard plot with single affinity constant similar to that of the low affinity binding in brain, is less sensitive to naloxazone's actions. Naloxazone treatment in vivo inhibits D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin analgesia.
Determining surface composition of mixed oxides with pH

Abstract In this study we have developed a 2-surface model with the EPHL (“Equilibrium pH at high oxide loading”) method for mixed and composite oxides. Oxide charging parameters, namely the protonation and deprotonation constants and the hydroxyl surface densities, can be established from measurements of the pure oxides and used in the 2-surface model to predict the point of zero charges (PZC) of mixed and composite oxides. The accuracy of these predictions has been demonstrated with diverse control samples of known surface composition (physical mixtures of silica and alumina of high and low surface area). The EPHL method has been extended to composite materials (bound catalysts) and can explain correlations of reactivity with catalyst surface composition. The “apparent surface coverage” (ASC) of a particular mixed or composite oxide sample may then be determined by comparing the PZC of the material to either the 2-surface model results, using parameters of the individual oxides, or a calibration curve of EPHL measurements of physical mixtures of the individual ingredients.
Calcium/calmodulin-regulated receptor-like kinase CRLK1 interacts with MEKK1 in plants

Recently we reported that CRLK1, a novel calcium/calmodulin-regulated receptor-like kinase plays an important role in regulating plant cold tolerance. Calcium/calmodulin binds to CRLK1 and upregulates its activity. Gene knockout and complementation studies revealed that CRLK1 is a positive regulator of plant response to chilling and freezing temperatures. Here we show that MEKK1, a member of MAP kinase kinase kinase family, interacts with CRLK1 both in vitro and in planta. The cold triggered MAP kinase activation in wild-type plants was abolished in crlk1 knockout mutants. Similarly, the cold induced expression levels of genes involved in MAP kinase signaling are also altered in crlk1 mutants. These results suggest that calcium/calmodulin-regulated CRLK1 modulates cold acclimation through MAP kinase cascade in plants.
IN-SITU SOFT X-RAY STUDIES OF CO OXIDATION ON THE PT(111) SURFACE

Abstract Temperature-programmed and isothermal carbon–K-edge fluorescence yield measurements have been used to characterize carbon monoxide oxidation on the Pt(1 1 1) surface in pressures of flowing oxygen ranging from 0.00002 to 0.02 Torr over the 200–600 K temperature range. Temperature programmed-fluorescence yield near edge spectroscopy (TP-FYNES) of the oxidation of pre-adsorbed CO coverages in O 2 pressures up to 0.02 Torr has been used to directly characterize surface reaction rates and to focus on the effects of temperature and oxygen flux during oxidation. For a saturated CO coverage, oxidation does not begin until significant CO desorption from the surface occurs. This finding is supported by the observation that the onset temperature for oxidation remains at 305 K for the CO saturated surface even for O 2 pressures up to 0.02 Torr. For large CO coverages below full saturation, the onset temperature for oxidation decreases with increasing oxygen pressure, indicating oxygen adsorption is not completely inhibited. After oxidation begins for large CO coverages, oxidation rapidly decreases the CO surface concentration, as the activation energy for CO oxidation is smaller than the activation energy for CO desorption. Isothermal oxidation experiments clearly show that the oxidation activation energies observed depend on both the CO coverage and the O 2 pressure. Oxidation activation energies are larger for small CO coverages, with a clear increase below 70% of a saturated CO coverage. For instance, at an oxygen pressure of 0.002 Torr, the activation energy for oxidation increases from 11.9 to 16.8 kcal/mol as the CO coverage decreases below 70% of a saturated coverage. In addition, oxidation activation energies decrease with increasing oxygen pressure. For example, as the oxygen pressure is increased from 0.002 to 0.02 Torr, the activation energy for oxidation of CO coverages below 70% of a saturated coverage is decreased from 16.8 to 12.3 kcal/mol. For the fully saturated CO coverage, the inhibition of oxygen adsorption completely suppresses oxidation below the CO desorption temperature. For large CO coverages below saturation where oxidation proceeds at a measurable rate, the order in oxygen is approximately zero (0.08), suggesting that oxidation is generally not limited by oxygen adsorption. Taken together, these findings clearly confirm that CO inhibition of O 2 adsorption is crucial for the saturated coverage of CO. For CO coverages below saturation, interactions within the adsorbed layer significantly alter both the activation energy and pre-factor for CO oxidation on the low-index Pt(1 1 1) surface.
Availability of Adolescent Health Services and Confidentiality in Primary Care Practices

Background. Little is known about availability of services and confidential care for adolescents in primary care practices or how availability among pediatric practices compares to that among other primary care practices. The objective of this study was to assess self-reported availability of services for medically emancipated conditions and confidential care in primary care practices to compare physician responses to those from office staff who answer appointment lines and to compare availability in pediatric practices to other primary care practice types. Methods. We conducted a telephone survey of randomly selected practices from the Washington DC metropolitan area in pediatrics (Peds) internal medicine (IM) and family medicine (FM). We asked staff who answer appointment lines about availability of services for medically emancipated conditions and confidential appointments for adolescents. Physicians received the same questions via a mail survey. Responses from office staff and physicians in the same practice were linked for comparison. Results. Of 434 practices contacted by telephone 372 (86%) responded. Of the 615 physicians surveyed from these 372 practices 264 (43%) from 170 practices responded to the mail survey. Peds practices were less likely than FM and IM practices to offer services for medically emancipated conditions and were less likely than FM practices to offer confidential services to adolescents. Office staff and physicians from FM and IM had higher agreement compared with Peds about availability of services for medically emancipated conditions. Agreement between office staff and physicians about provision of confidential appointments to adolescents was low among all practice types. However having a written office policy on adolescent confidentiality was significantly associated with agreement between office staff and physicians about availability of confidential services. Conclusions. Care for medically emancipated conditions and confidential services for adolescents are limited among primary care practices especially among pediatric practices. All primary care practice types had significant disagreement between office staff and physicians about availability of confidential services to adolescents. Adolescents who call appointment lines are likely to receive inaccurate information about confidentiality policies. Establishing written office policies on adolescent confidentiality may help to improve access to confidential care for adolescents. (authors)
Concussion in athletics: ongoing clinical and brain imaging research controversies

Concussion, the most common form of traumatic brain injury, proves to be increasingly complex and not mild in nature as its synonymous term mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) would imply. Despite the increasing occurrence and prevalence of mTBI there is no universally accepted definition and conventional brain imaging techniques lack the sensitivity to detect subtle changes it causes. Moreover, clinical management of sports induced mild traumatic brain injury has not changed much over the past decade. Advances in neuroimaging that include electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), resting-state functional connectivity, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) offer promise in aiding research into understanding the complexities and nuances of mTBI which may ultimately influence clinical management of the condition. In this paper the authors review the major findings from these advanced neuroimaging methods along with current controversy within this field of research. As mTBI is frequently associated with youth and sports injury this review focuses on sports‐related mTBI in the younger population.
Toward Compelling Customer Touchpoint Architecture

Every business enterprise touches and is touched by customers in different ways at different touchpoints – points of human, product, service, communication, spatial, and/or electronic interaction collectively constituting the interface between an enterprise and its customers. Like any good architect conceiving of and giving shape to a building or a space, a business enterprise must conceive, design, and implement the complete set of touchpoints and manage exchanges across these touchpoints with the central goal of a compelling customer experience at every touchpoint over the course of the entire customer relationship cycle.This paper addresses this central challenge in three stages. First, it makes the case for a holistic approach to the totality of customer touchpoints across all parts of the enterprise and all stages of the relationship cycle. Next, it offers a methodology for drawing up customer touchpoint blueprints. Finally, it suggests five critical requirements for compelling touchpoint architecture.
Iodoacetic acid, but not sodium iodate, creates an inducible swine model of photoreceptor damage

Abstract Our purpose was to find a method to create a large animal model of inducible photoreceptor damage. To this end, we tested in domestic swine the efficacy of two chemical toxins, known to create photoreceptor damage in other species: Iodoacetic Acid (IAA) and Sodium Iodate (NaIO3). Intravenous (IV) administration of NaIO3 up to 90 mg/kg had no effect on retinal function and 110 mg/kg was lethal. IV administration of IAA (5–20 mg/kg) produced concentration-dependent changes in visual function as measured by full-field and multi-focal electroretinograms (ffERG and mfERG), and 30 mg/kg IAA was lethal. The IAA-induced effects measured at two weeks were stable through eight weeks post-injection, the last time point investigated. IAA at 7.5, 10, and 12 mg/kg produce a concentration-dependent reduction in both ffERG b-wave and mfERG N1–P1 amplitudes compared to baseline at all post-injection times. Comparisons of dark- and light-adapted ffERG b-wave amplitudes show a more significant loss of rod relative to cone function. The fundus of swine treated with ≥10 mg/kg IAA was abnormal with thinner retinal vessels and pale optic discs, and we found no evidence of bone spicule formation. Histological evaluations show concentration-dependent outer retinal damage that correlates with functional changes. We conclude that NaIO3, is not an effective toxin in swine. In contrast, IAA can be used to create a rapidly inducible, selective, stable and concentration-dependent model of photoreceptor damage in swine retina. Because of these attributes this large animal model of controlled photoreceptor damage should be useful in the investigation of treatments to replace damaged photoreceptors.
Rapid selective ferrographic enumeration of bacteria

Abstract A low cost innovative enumeration technique that allows rapid monitoring of low bacterial concentrations is described in this paper. This technique utilizes immuno-magnetic separation methods in combination with ferrographic methods to deposit magnetic beads and attached bacteria in an exceedingly small area (0.011 cm 2 ) on a glass substratum. The bacteria are then enumerated under an epifluorescent microscope.
A surface modification strategy on silicon nitride for developing biosensors

A surface modification strategy for the use of giant magnetoresistive materials in the detection of protein-protein interactions is developed. This modification strategy is based on silanization of semiconductive materials. A native silicon nitride surface was treated with concentrated hydrofluoric acid to improve surface homogeneity. Nano-strip was used to oxidize silicon nitride to form a hydrophilic layer. Aminopropyltriethoxysilane was subsequently used to functionalize the treated surfaces to form amine groups, which were further activated with glutaraldehyde to introduce a layer of aldehyde groups. The effectiveness of this modification strategy was validated by chemiluminescence immunoassays of purified 6x His-HrpW of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and human transferrin. Signals with intensities related to concentrations of these two immobilized model proteins were observed. The modified surface was also validated by a more complex system: intercellular proteins secreted by DC3000. HrpW in these protein mixtures was successfully recognized by anti-HrpW antibodies when mixed proteins were immobilized onto activated surfaces. This surface modification strategy provides a platform onto which proteins can be directly immobilized for biosensor and protein array applications.
Efficacy of topoisomerase I inhibitors, topotecan and irinotecan, administered at low dose levels in protracted schedules to mice bearing xenografts of human tumors

The efficacy of protracted schedules of therapy of the topoisomerase I inhibitors 9-dimethylaminomethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (topotecan) and 7-ethyl-10-[4-(1-piperidino)-1-piperidino]-carbonyloxycamptothecin (irinotecan; CPT-11) were evaluated against a panel of 21 human tumor xenografts derived from adult and pediatric malignancies. Tumors included eight colon adenocarcinomas, representing an intrinsically chemorefractory malignancy, six lines derived from childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (three embryonal, three alveolar) representing a chemoresponsive histiotype, sublines of rhabdomyosarcomas selected in vivo for resistance to vincristine and melphalan, and three pediatric brain tmors. All tumors were grown at the subcutaneous site. Topotecan was administered by oral gavage 5 days per week for 12 consecutive weeks. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 1.5 mg/kg per dose. Irinotecan was given by i.v. administration daily for 5 days each week for 2 weeks [(d×5)2] (one cycle of therapy), repeated every 21 days. The MTD for three cycles was 10 mg/kg per dose. Treatment was started against advanced tumors. Topotecan caused a high frequency of objective regressions in one of eight colon tumor lines, whereas irinotecan caused complete regressions (CR) of all tumors in three colon lines and a high frequency of CRs in three additional lines. Both drugs demonstrated similar activity against rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts. Topotecan caused CR of all tumors in four of six lines, and irinotecan in five of six lines evaluated. Both agents retained full activity against tumors selected for primary resistance to vincristine, but only irinotecan retained activity against a tumor selected for primary resistance to melphalan. Both agents demonstrated good activity against brain tumor xenografts with irinotecan causing CR in two of three lines and topotecan inducing CR in one of three lines. Results indicate that low-dose protracted schedules of daily administration of these topoisomerase I inhibitors is either equi-effective or more efficacious than more intense shorter schedules of administration reported previously.
The use of CT findings to predict extent of tumor at primary surgery for ovarian cancer

Background High tumor dissemination (HTD) is a major risk factor for serious morbidity after primary ovarian cancer (OC) surgery, particularly in medically compromised patients. We performed a pilot study of whether CT findings could predict extent of disease and surgical complexity necessary in advanced OC.
The Beryllium Molecule

The interaction of a normal Be atom with one which has an electronic configuration $2s2p$ has been studied by means of the Heitler-London method. Of the eight possible molecular states, two are calculated to be stable, namely $^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}{A}^{N}$ and $^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}{A}^{N}$, and the $^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ state is the lower of the two. An attempt to obtain agreement with experiment in the case where a normal Li atom interacts with one in the $2p^{2}P$ state has not been successful, at least for the resulting $\ensuremath{\Pi}$ states.
Quinupristin-Dalfopristin Nonsusceptibility in Pneumococci from Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a risk factor for fatal pneumococcal infection. Nonsusceptibilty to quinupristin-dalfopristin (Q-D) was absent from 105 non-SCD-associated pneumococcal isolates but was present in 33/148 (22%) SCD-associated isolates. One-third of the isolates harbored a known resistance mechanism. Q-D is not optimal for use for the treatment of pneumococcal infection in SCD patients.
Synthesis of biotinylated retinoids for cross-linking and isolation of retinol binding proteins

Abstract The synthesis of (3R)-3-[Boc-Lys(biotinyl)-O]-11-cis-retinol bromoacetate and 3-[Boc-Lys(biotinyl)-O]-all trans-retinol chloroacetate is described. These biotinylated retinoids are instrumental in labeling the retinol binding proteins (RBPs) via a nucleophilic displacement of the haloacetate by a residue in the binding site of the protein. The covalently linked biotin will allow for a facile isolation and purification of the protein on a streptavidin column thus rendering the protein ready for a tryptic digest followed by mass spectrometric analysis. The 11-cis retinoid was synthesized via metal reduction of an alkyne intermediate generated from a Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reaction whereas the all-trans was synthesized via two consecutive HWE couplings.
The onset of condensation: Association reactions

Association reactions are important in a variety of astronomical regions for increasing molecular complexity and as a prelude to condensation. Theories are presented for the two mechanisms — three-body and radiative — by which association reactions occur in the gas phase. The theory for three-body association is in satisfactory agreement with a variety of laboratory studies. This agreement lends confidence to the idea that both theories can be utilized for association reactions of astrophysical importance.
The determination of fluconazole in rodent diet using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Fluconazole is a new drug effective orally [1] for the treatment of Candida albicans and dermatophyte fungal infections. The objective of the work to be described was to develop a high sensitivity, specific and accurate HPLC method for the quantification of fluconazole in rodent feed at levels down to 4 mg/kg. This report describes a drug-feed analysis method for samples containing fluconazole in the concentration range 4-1000 mg/kg feed. The two major problems to be overcome in the development of analytical procedures for drugs in animal feed are those of obtaining a final sample that is both sufficiently concentrated and sufficiently free from endogenous materials that the compound(s) of interest can be determined quantitatively. In the case of fluconazole, these problems are exacerbated by its very weak ultra-violet chromophore (h max in methanol: 261 nm, ~ = 710). In order to obtain sufficient sensitivity it was necessary to use end absorption at a much lower wavelength (210 nm) which, inevitably, increased the observed interferences from co-extracted feed components. Solid phase extraction cartridges are designed to aid extraction and concentration of samples. To gain maximum selectivity advantage, particularly when liquid chromatography is to be used as the final step in the analysis, it is important to use a different chromatographic mode for the extraction step. If a cyanopropyl bonded-phase is used, then this can provide further selectivity advantages since, depending on which solvents are employed, normal-phase absorption and partition mechanisms are available as well as reversed-phase mechanisms [2-4]. This versatility of the cyanopropyl cartridge was exploited for the selective extraction of fluconazole prior to reversed-phase HPLC and to simultaneously transfer the fluconazole from the hydrophobic extraction solvent to an essentially aqueous phase, compatible with reversed-phase chromatography.