cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
G322(P) The development of a paediatric short stay unit

Aims There has been pioneering reshaping of our hospital’s ambulatory paediatric services over the last year. In line with the RCPCH report ‘Short Stay Paediatric Assessment Units’, published in 2009, a paediatric short stay unit (PSSU) opened in July 2014, for children needing admission for less than 48 h. It is a consultant delivered service, which aims to meet and exceed the RCPCH ‘Facing the Future’ standards of care. Methods Activity data for the first 5 months has been analysed and the impact upon other paediatric services assessed. Patient experience has also been evaluated. Results To date, 466 patients have been admitted to PSSU with a median length of stay of 18 h. Elsewhere in the trust, there have been fewer general paediatric bed days (1233) since PSSU opening, compared to 1548 for the same period last year. Since PSSU opening, only 1 patient has been ‘treated and transferred’ to another hospital from PED due to lack of capacity, compared to 10 for the same period last year. Patient satisfaction questionnaires have reported that 76% of families would recommend PSSU to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment. The comments from patients and their families about PSSU have been overwhelmingly positive (Figure 1). Conclusion PSSU has been phenomenally successful in streamlining the patient journey for children requiring hospital admission for less than 48 h. There have been significant secondary gains elsewhere, with reduced numbers of patients needing transfer to other hospitals from PED due to lack of capacity, and increased numbers of inpatient beds for speciality patients. The model of a paediatric short stay unit is here to stay; as was highlighted by ‘Facing the Future’ publication, acute paediatric care should be delivered in a specialised setting, fronted by senior staff who truly believe in the service. This PSSU is one example of this, as a successful expansion of our ambulatory paediatrics service.
Suitability of Corn Insect Pests for Development and Survival of Chrysoperla carnea and Chrysopa oculata (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Immature development of the common green lacewing, Chrysoperla (= Chrysopa ) carnea Stephens, requires 20.5, 21.6, and 24.9 d at 27°C, with a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D), when fed Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (European corn borer) eggs, Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel (black cutworm) eggs, and A. ipsilon neonates, respectively. Twenty-six to 40% of the individuals died when reared on eggs, 65% died when reared on A. ipsilon neonates, and all died when fed O. nubilalis neonates. Mortality of Chrysoperla carnea larvae on O. nubilalis neonates was due to entanglement in the silk produced by these larvae. An average of 377 ± 7 O. nubilalis eggs, 641 ± 43 A. ipsilon eggs, and 2,056 ± 148 A. ipsilon neonates were preyed upon by Chrysoperla carnea during larval development. Chrysoperla carnea and Chrysopa oculata Say first instars were unable to survive on stalk borer, Papaipema nebris (Guenee), eggs. More than 80% of Chrylsopa oculata larvae, reared on corn leaf aphids, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), as first and second instars and then switched to P. nebris eggs died as third instars, whereas only 30% of similarly reared Chrysoperla carnea third instars died. The most suitable prey, resulting in the fastest development with highest survival, for Chrysoperla carnea were O. nubilalis and A. ipsilon eggs; R. maidis was most favorable for Chrysopa oculata .
Growth of Large Hematin Crystals in Biomimetic Solutions

Hematin crystallization is an essential component of the physiology of malaria parasites. Several antimalarial drugs are believed to inhibit crystallization and expose the parasites to toxic soluble hematin. Hence, understanding the mechanisms of hematin crystal growth and inhibition is crucial for the design of new drugs. A major obstacle to microscopic, spectroscopic, and crystallographic studies of hematin crystallization has been the unavailability of large hematin crystals grown under conditions representative of the parasite anatomy. We have developed a biomimetic method to reproducibly grow large hematin crystals reaching 50 μm in length. We imitate the digestive vacuole of Plasmodium falciparum and employ a two-phase solution of octanol and citric buffer. The nucleation of seeds is enhanced at the interface between the aqueous and organic phases, where an ordered layer of octanol molecules is known to serve as substrate for nucleation. The seeds are transferred to hematin-saturated octanol in cont...
Electrochemical Model of Sour Corrosion of Mild Steel: Validation at High H2S Partial Pressures

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) corrosion of mild steel is a serious concern in the oil and gas industry. However, H2S corrosion mechanisms, specifically at high partial pressures of H2S, have not been extensively studied; this is primarily a result of experimental difficulties and associated safety issues. The study reported herein was conducted under well-controlled conditions at H2S partial pressure of 0.096 MPa, pH values of 3.0 and 4.0, 30°C, and with rotating cylinder speed of 1,000 rpm. Short-term exposures lasting between 1.0 h and 1.5 h were used to avoid formation of any protective iron sulfide layers. The experimental results were compared with a recent mechanistic model of sour corrosion developed by Zheng, et al. (2014). The validity of the model at higher partial pressures of H2S was challenged as it was uncertain if the mechanisms identified at lower partial pressures of H2S were still valid. The comparison with the experimental results obtained in the present study indicated a good agreement betwee...
Rapidly Progressive Paraneoplastic Brain Stem Encephalitis With Anti-Hu Antibodies and an Occult Small Cell Carcinoma: An Autopsy Case Report

We report the case of a 67-year-old male who died of complications from paraneoplastic brain stem encephalitis secondary to an occult small cell carcinoma with high anti-Hu antibody titers. The decedent, whose medical history included 50 years of smoking, presented to the emergency department with 3-4 …
Federalism in Nigeria: A critique

The paper looks at federalism as a political system and how it is being practisedin Nigeria. Using the descriptive method of data gathering, the paper reveals that there are contradictions in its practice in Nigeria. What obtains here is a disguised unitary system. There are many differences between the US and Nigeria in the practice of federalism. It is recommended that since some states are not economically viable, full autonomy be granted to the six regions as federating units as well as derecognizing local governments in the constitution.
Development of the Second Generation NRC Acoustic Spectrum Control System for High Intensity Noise Testing

NRC conducts high-intensity noise testing using a reverberant chamber that measures 6.9 x 9.75 x 8m. This is the only facility in Canada capable of vibroacoustic testing of full-size spacecraft and large spacecraft components at high sound pressure levels (SPL) to ensure that they withstand exposure to the intense acoustic environment during launch. Within this chamber, testing at SPLs of greater than 150dB with accurate spectrum shaping is routinely performed. From 1984 until 1993, the target acoustic spectrum for test articles was achieved through the real-time manual adjustment of 1/3-octave spectrum shapers. Over time, with ever tighter target tolerances, the ability of human operators to achieve the target spectrum over the duration of tests became severely challenged. In response, NRC developed an in-house closed-loop system for spectrum control. The key components of the first generation controller are a B&K-2131 spectrum analyzer, a Norsonic-731 noise-shaper, and a PC executing the control algorithm. Data flow between the analyzer, computer and shaper was achieved using the IEEE-488 interface. The system worked extremely well, providing accurate and reliable performance, and was used in the testing of major satellites (RADARSAT-1 and -2, and CASSIOPE amongst others). In order to eliminate the risk due to obsolescence, ageing hardware and reliance on an unsupported operating system and development environment, a plan was developed to migrate the control algorithm to a current hardware and software. After a review of available hardware and software, the National Instruments PXI platform and Labview-RT development system was chosen. A control system that provided the baseline functionality of the First Generation controller with additional features and performance was developed and benchmarked against the original system as well as two commercial acoustic control systems. A more detailed discussion of the system, along with information on its performance will be provided in the full paper.
BARDA?s role in advancing medical countermeasure development

J Vaccines Vaccin ISSN: 2157-7560 JVV, an open access journal Vaccines-2012 August 20-22, 2012 B mission is to develop and procure medical countermeasures (vaccines, drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools) that address the public health and medical consequences of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) accidents, incidents and attacks, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases. BARDA has developed a comprehensive approach towards developing medical countermeasures that are safe and effective, yet provide the US government with maximum cost savings and flexibility in the event of an emergency. BARDA published its 5-year Strategic Plan in 2011. An update will be provided on: 1) existing and needed products in the pipeline, 2) establishment of “core” services to assist product developers, 3) public-private partnerships, and the 4) establishment of Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing infrastructure that will be used to respond to pandemic influenza and CBRN threats.
Adaptive Memory: Temporal, Semantic, and Rating-Based Clustering Following Survival Processing

Abstract Processing items for their survival relevance often produces a robust memory advantage. The current experiments assessed possible proximate mechanisms responsible for this advantage by assessing output strategies during free recall. Previous research has shown that item clustering during recall can provide diagnostic information about the structure of representations in episodic memory, particularly the encoding of temporal, semantic, and source information. Following survival processing and moving or pleasantness controls, measures of temporal and semantic clustering were generated. A robust recall advantage was found for survival processing, but no evidence for temporal clustering was detected. Above-chance levels of semantic clustering were obtained, but there were no differences between the survival and control conditions. An additional clustering measure based on scenario-based relevance ratings also failed to explain recall differences, as did absolute and relative measures of remembered temporal position. Our results indicate that neither enhanced temporal coding nor increased semantic processing among the items on the study list can easily explain the oft-replicated survival processing advantage. Our results also suggest that the ubiquitous temporal clustering patterns seen in free recall studies may be a product, in part, of using intentional learning and multiple study trials.
Women in late life: Critical perspectives on gender and age, by Martha Holstein

In her new book, Women in late life: Critical perspectives on gender and age, author Martha Holstein has given educators, gerontologists, health professionals, and care-givers a beautifully written...
Assessing residents' operative skills for external ventricular drain placement and shunt surgery in pediatric neurosurgery

OBJECTIVE The authors previously demonstrated the use of a validated Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) tool for evaluating residents' operative skills in pediatric neurosurgery. However, no benchmarks have been established for specific pediatric procedures despite an increased need for meaningful assessments that can either allow for early intervention for underperforming trainees or allow for proficient residents to progress to conducting operations independently with more passive supervision. This validated methodology and tool for assessment of operative skills for common pediatric neurosurgical procedures—external ventricular drain (EVD) placement and shunt surgery— was applied to establish its procedure-based feasibility and reliability, and to document the effect of repetition on achieving surgical skill proficiency in pediatric EVD placement and shunt surgery. METHODS A procedure-based technical skills assessment for EVD placements and shunt surgeries in pediatric neurosur...
Comparison of Two Surface Cooling Devices for Temperature Management in a Neurocritical Care Unit.

Fever increases mortality and morbidity and length of stay in neurocritically ill patients. Various methods are used in the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU) to control fever. Two such methods involve the Arctic Sun hydrogel wraps and the Gaymar cooling wraps. The purpose of our study was to compare these two methods in neurocritical care patients who had temperature >37.5°C for more than three consecutive hours and that was refractory to standard treatments. Data of patients requiring cooling wraps for treatment of hyperthermia at an NSICU at an academic, tertiary referral center were retrospectively reviewed. The average temperature before cooling was 38.5°C ± 0.38°C and 38.4°C ± 0.99°C for the Gaymar and Arctic Sun groups, respectively (p = 0.89). The Gaymar group took on average 16 ± 21.9 hours to reach goal temperature, whereas the Arctic Sun group took 2.22 ± 1.39 hours (p = 0.08). The average time outside of the target temperature was 57.0 ± 58.0 hours in the Gaymar group compared with 13.7 ...
Intermetallic composites toughened with ductile reinforcements

Abstract This chapter presents a review of intermetallic-matrix composites that are toughened by ductile-phase reinforcements. The principles of ductile-phase toughening are first elucidated, followed by a highlight of the processing methods for fabricating these intermetallic composites via in situ and ex situ routes. Micromechanical modeling of various toughening mechanisms including crack trapping, blunting, and bridging in particulate, fibrous, or laminate composites are then presented. A summary of the fracture properties and their relationships to the underlying composite microstructure and toughening mechanisms is presented for ductile-phase-toughened WC, TiAl x , and Nb-based, Mo-based, and NiAl-based composites. Applications and future trends of the ductile-phase-toughened composites are discussed. Additional sources of information are also provided with appropriate references.
Modified Levator Muscle Resection Using Putterman Muller's Muscle-Conjunctival Resection-Ptosis Clamp

Background The traditional technique for levator muscle resection includes a time-consuming dissection procedure that causes tissue trauma and swelling. The Putterman ptosis clamp has been popularly used in recent years for conjunctival mullerectomy. In this paper, we describe a modified surgical technique for ptosis treatment using the Putterman ptosis clamp. The modified technique improves the surgical results of levator muscle resection. Objectives We performed a retrospective case-series study to determine the outcomes and complications associated with the use of the Putterman ptosis clamp in levator muscle resection. Methods Adults aged ≥18 years with moderate-to-severe ptosis underwent the modified technique for levator muscle resection. We first performed dissection to expose the aponeurosis and tarsus. Then, we placed the Putterman ptosis clamp to measure redundant aponeurotic and septal tissues and to perform the resection. Following the adjustment of the eyelid fissure, we refixed the levator muscle to the tarsus with 4-0 vicryl stitches. Results Seventeen patients (34 eyes) were included in the study. Of the 34 eyes, 31 (91.2%) experienced the complete resolution of ptosis after the surgery. One patient (2 eyes, 5.9%) had mild bilateral dermatochalasis and received revision surgery 6 months postoperative. One patient (1 eye, 2.9%) lost the crease of the left eye and received revision surgeries 2 and 6 months after the first surgery. No residual ptosis or severe adverse events were noted in the patients. Conclusions Modified levator muscle resection using the Putterman ptosis clamp is an effective procedure for ptosis treatment. Level of Evidence 4
The Effect of Surfactants on the Sorption Partition Coefficients of Naphthalene on Aquifer Soils

The efficiency of removing organic contaminants from groundwater aquifers by the pump and treat process 1s adversely affected by the retardation of the contaminant's mobility due to adsorption onto aquifer material. The use of surfactants 1n conjunction with the pump and treat process has the potential for improving contaminant mobility by solubilizing the adsorbed contaminant. An experimental program was conducted to screen various types of commercially available nonionic and anionic surfactants for solubilizing adsorbed naphthalene from one type of aquifer soil. Two additional types of aquifer soils were obtained, and the surfactant mixture, Tween 20 and Aerosol AY-65, selected during the screening process was used at various concentrations for equilibrium desorption studies to quantify surfactant effects on naphthalene desorption. Equilibrium desorption studies showed that a 0.125 percent surfactant solution decreased the partition coefficient 65 percent compared with water alone for one soil type, while greater surfactant concentrations resulted 1n less effective mobilization. However, the same surfactant mixture markedly increased the partition coefficient when used with another soil type, and had negligible effects for the third soil type. It was shown that the clay mineralogy significantly influenced the effect of the surfactant solution.
Development and in vivo evaluation of a novel lyophilized formulation for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock

Hemorrhagic shock, caused by trauma, is a leading cause of preventable death. A combination treatment of d-β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and melatonin (MLT), in dimethyl sulfoxide - water, increased survival. A freeze-dried BHB-MLT formulation, with a short reconstitution time, has been developed. This intravenous formulation, prepared with an aqueous vehicle, completely eliminated dimethyl sulfoxide, thereby avoiding the potential problems associated with this solvent. The poor aqueous solubility of MLT necessitated the use of polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP) as a complexing agent. Thus the prelyophilization solution contained BHB (2 M), MLT (21.5 mM) and PVP (40 mM). Using a combination of low-temperature X-ray diffractometry and thermal analysis, the lyophilization process parameters were optimized. Infra-red spectra revealed hydrogen bonding interaction between PVP and MLT, while BHB crystallized as BHB.0.25 H2O in the final lyophile. The formulation improved survival in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock. Based on the increase in rate of survival and longer survival time compared to untreated animals, we conclude that this formulation can serve as a promising first line of treatment for hemorrhagic shock.
Contribution of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are metabolic diseases, which are characterized by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance along with alterations in glycerophospholipid-, sphningolipid-, and cholesterol-derived lipid mediators. These conditions are accompanied by induction of oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation along with marked changes in neural membrane signaling Type 2 diabetes and MetS are major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Diet and lifestyle play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes, MetS, and AD. Long-term consumption of western diet induces insulin resistance, whereas diet containing n-3 fatty acids and low in simple sugars suppresses insulin resistance. Accumulation of glycerophospholipid-, sphningolipid-, and cholesterol-derived lipid mediators in the brain may contribute to insulin resistance and neurodegeneration in brains of AD patients.
One-year follow-up of the prospective registry of patients using the wearable defibrillator (WEARIT-II Registry).

Background The WEARIT-II Registry demonstrated efficacy and safety of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) for at-risk cardiac patients. However, 1-year outcomes in this population have not been reported. Methods The WEARIT-II Registry enrolled 2,000 U.S. patients prescribed the WCD. One-year mortality data from start of WCD use were prospectively collected for 1,846 patients (93%). Outcome data were analyzed by disease etiology and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation following WCD use. Results During 12 months of follow-up, 73 patients died (4%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed differences in all-cause mortality from WCD prescription between patients with ischemic versus nonischemic cardiomyopathy versus congenital/inherited heart disease (4% vs 3% vs 7%, P = 0.013). Patients with ventricular arrhythmia events during WCD use had a higher 1-year mortality (10% vs 3%, P = 0.042). Renal disease, increasing age, prior syncope, and nonbeta-blocker use predicted mortality. One-year mortality was similar in patients who did versus did not receive an ICD following WCD use in ischemic (3% vs 4%, P = 0.470) and nonischemic cardiomyopathy (3% vs 3%, P = 0.892). Patients with congenital/inherited heart disease with no implanted ICD had a trend toward a higher rate of mortality than those who received an ICD (8% vs 3%, P = 0.082). Multivariate models confirmed these findings. Conclusion One-year follow-up from the WEARIT-II Registry shows an overall good survival in patients prescribed the WCD. Short-term use of WCD allows appropriate risk stratification for decision on an ICD implantation in at-risk ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients. Congenital/inherited heart disease patients had a higher risk of 1-year mortality even without an implanted ICD post-WCD.
Operative Release of Ankylosis of the Elbow Due to Heterotopic Ossification: Surgical Technique

Background Although uncommon, complete ankylosis of the elbow secondary to heterotopic ossification results in severe disability. The results of surgical management remain unclear. Methods A single surgeon used a consistent operative technique to treat complete osseous ankylosis of the elbow in eleven limbs in seven patients after severe burns and in nine elbows in eight patients after trauma. The elbows in the burn cohort were more often ankylosed in extension (average, 47 degrees of flexion) compared with those in the trauma cohort (66 degrees of flexion), and they had more skin problems (three elbows required a free microvascular muscle transfer for coverage) and associated problems of the shoulder, wrist, and hand. Results Four patients in the burn cohort and three patients in the trauma cohort failed to regain at least 80 degrees of ulnohumeral motion. After a repeat release in three burn patients and three trauma patients, and at an average follow-up of forty months, the average arc of ulnohumeral motion was 81 degrees in the burn cohort and 94 degrees in the trauma cohort. Six of the eleven limbs in the burn cohort and five of the nine in the trauma cohort had a good result. The average score according to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow assessment form was 72 points for the burn cohort and 76 points for the trauma cohort. Conclusions Osseous ankylosis of the elbow is a severely disabling problem, and attempts to regain mobility are both worthwhile and safe. The results are comparable when the ankylosis is caused by burns or trauma despite the greater complexity of osseous ankylosis in the burned arm. Patients and surgeons should be aware of the small risk of recurrent heterotopic ossification and the moderate risk of pain or recurrent contracture after operative release.
Nitric oxide inhibition of cAMP synthesis in parotid acini: Regulation of Type 5/6 adenylyl cyclase

Abstract The nitric oxide (NO) donor, GEA 3162, inhibited isoproterenol-induced cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in mouse parotid acini; SIN-1 mimicked these effects. Inhibition of stimulated cAMP accumulation was independent of phosphodiesterase activity. GEA 3162 also inhibited forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. Removal of extracellular Ca 2+ , addition of La 3+ , or the calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor, calmidazolium, did not prevent the NO-mediated response, and addition of the soluble guanylyl inhibitor, ODQ, did not reverse GEA 3162-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation. GEA 3162 also inhibited adenylyl cyclase in vitro independently of Ca 2+ /CaM. Further studies revealed that the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), reduced significantly thapsigargin-induced Ca 2+ release and capacitative Ca 2+ entry and reversed thapsigargin inhibition of the AC Type 5/6 isoform (AC5/6). Data suggest that NO produced endogenously has dual effects on cAMP accumulation in mouse parotid acini, an inhibitory effect on AC activity and a modulatory effect on capacitative Ca 2+ entry resulting in AC5/6 inhibition.
Using Quality Improvement Methods to Implement an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Supported Individualized Home Pain Management Plan for Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States, affecting approximately 1 in 400-500 African-American infants each year[1]. The genetic mutation that causes SCD results in the production of an abnormal hemoglobin molecule (HbS) in the red blood cells (RBC). Under low oxygen conditions, the HbS polymerizes and causes the RBCs to elongate into a sickle form (crescent shape) and decreases the life span of the RBC. Additionally, RBCs with HbS are more “sticky”, adhering to vessel walls and limiting blood flow and oxygen delivery to many tissues and organs in the body. The resultant tissue ischemia causes progressive organ injury as well as episodes of pain (vaso-occlusive crisis). Problem/Issue SCD pain episodes are quite unpredictable and recurrent and are the hallmark of this disease. They account for the majority of Emergency Department (ED) visits as well as hospitalizations. High quality outpatient care can reduce acute care and ED visits and decrease hospitalization rates in patients with SCD [2]. Additionally, ensuring that patients have a home pain management plan and understand how to assess and reassess their pain may improve health outcomes for the patient[3]. Data from our own population of children with SCD indicate that 40-50% of ED visits in 2011 were for uncomplicated pain episodes (no concomitant medical issues such as fever, increased respiratory rate, wheezing, worsening pallor). If these pain episodes had been effectively managed at home, the ED visits might have been avoided. Intention/Objectives In an effort to reduce these potentially preventable ED visits and subsequent hospitalizations, the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) assembled a quality improvement (QI) team to partner with patients and their families to develop an individualized home pain management plan (HPMP) that incorporated both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain management strategies. We also sought to identify and remove barriers to the successful use of an HPMP, such as not having enough analgesics at home or not allowing enough time for analgesics to work before presenting to the ED. We ensured that medications were refilled. Finally, we documented the plan in a standard location and format in the electronic medical record (EMR) making it available to all CCHMC heath care providers. Ultimately, we hoped that this intervention would improve the management of pain at home and reduce the need for ED visits for uncomplicated pain and any resulting hospitalizations. This paper describes the development, refinement and testing of an individualized HPMP protocol and related outcomes.
How safe is rucaparib in ovarian cancer

Introduction: Rucaparib is increasingly being utilized for women with recurrent ovarian cancer both as treatment and maintenance therapy. Poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors like rucaparib...
Ex vivo measurement of biaxial strain distribution in articular cartilage with optical coherence tomography (Conference Presentation)

Introduction: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging modality which can be used to acquire detailed elastograms of biological tissue. In this investigation, we demonstrate the use of OCT to generate µm-scale strain maps of articular cartilage (AC) under compressive and shear deformations. AC is a dense connective tissue which provides a low-friction surface in synovial joints. The specific alignment of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans (which contribute primarily to shear and compressive stiffness, respectively) give rise to depth-dependent mechanical properties. Methods: Six 6mm diameter samples of articular cartilage were harvested from a calf femur. A custom-designed biaxial loading apparatus applied compressive and shear displacements. Three-dimensional images of the tissue were obtained using a spectral-domain OCT system as the sample was loaded at constant rate of displacement. Both speckle-tracking and phase-shift methods were used to generate strain maps from these images. Results: Under both shear and compressive loading, clear differences in local strain distribution were observed between the superficial, transitional, and radial zones of the cartilage. In shear, the superficial/transitional zones are stiffest while in compression these regions are more compliant than the radial zone. These distributions correspond with existing literature and the known orientation of collagen in the AC. Conclusion: It is feasible to rapidly acquire strain maps in AC using OCT. This technique may be extended to high-throughput screening to nondestructively determine the functionality and failure modes of engineered AC as compared to native tissue.
Efficient smoothed particle radiation hydrodynamics I: Thermal radiative transfer

Abstract This work presents efficient solution techniques for radiative transfer in the smoothed particle hydrodynamics discretization. Two choices that impact efficiency are how the material and radiation energy are coupled, which determines the number of iterations needed to converge the emission source, and how the radiation diffusion equation is solved, which must be done in each iteration. The coupled material and radiation energy equations are solved using an inexact Newton iteration scheme based on nonlinear elimination, which reduces the number of Newton iterations needed to converge within each time step. During each Newton iteration, the radiation diffusion equation is solved using Krylov iterative methods with a multigrid preconditioner, which abstracts and optimizes much of the communication when running in parallel. The code is verified for an infinite medium problem, a one-dimensional Marshak wave, and a two and three-dimensional manufactured problem, and exhibits first-order convergence in time and second-order convergence in space. For these problems, the number of iterations needed to converge the inexact Newton scheme and the diffusion equation is independent of the number of spatial points and the number of processors.
Environmental Allergies and Pollen Food Syndrome (PFS)

The occurrence of pollen food syndrome (PFS) is increasing in the pediatric population. Investigators in Europe, Australia, and Mexico have documented the prevalence of PFS as high as 10–24% and related the increase to the rise in seasonal allergic rhinitis worldwide. Tree pollen allergy patients, especially birch pollen allergic patients, are the most likely to develop PFS. Patients experience PFS when eating fresh fruits, raw vegetables, nuts, and spices. Symptoms begin when fresh fruit contacts the oral mucosa producing itching, tingling, and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat. The symptoms usually resolve quickly with swallowing. PFS is a class 2 food allergy caused by cross-reacting antibodies that have developed via the respiratory tract in response to pollen allergens, in contrast to class 1 food allergy, where antigen sensitization to milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanut, or tree nuts occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. It is important to distinguish between the clinical symptoms of PFS and food allergy because PFS is limited to the oral mucosa and infrequently causes systemic symptoms leading to anaphylaxis. Standard skin testing with commercial as well as IgE immunoassay testing for foods responsible for PFS is sometimes unhelpful, and clinical history is very important in interpreting results. It is hoped that component-resolved diagnostics (CRD), as an alternative to or in combination with traditional testing, can help identify the significant molecular antigens associated with clinical symptoms and lead to improved diagnosis and effective immunotherapy.
Insider Interest, Not Industry Influence: The Practice of Federal Reserve Bank Presidential Appointments

Conceived as a counterweight to public administration of monetary policy, the quasi-private Federal Reserve Banks now seem an institutional anomaly. The role that private interests play in Reserve Bank governance has prompted criticism that their anomalous structure renders the Reserve Banks unduly insulated and prone to financial industry influence. Yet a survey of the practical effect of the Reserve Banks’ unusual governance structure demonstrates not a privileging of private industry interests, but instead a pattern of elevating Federal Reserve System insiders, with potential involvement from publicly appointed Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. As a result, this Note argues that conventional fears of the consequences of Reserve Bank governance are largely unrealized. This pattern of elevating Federal Reserve System insiders, however, raises alternate concerns of institutional homogeneity. This Note thus advocates for transparency reforms aimed at mitigating these concerns—reforms that address not a problem of industry influence in Reserve Bank governance, but one of Federal Reserve System insularity.
ALS-linked mutations impair UBQLN2 stress-induced biomolecular condensate assembly in cells

Mutations in Ubiquilin-2 (UBQLN2), a ubiquitin-binding shuttle protein involved in several protein quality control processes, can lead to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We previously found that wild-type UBQLN2 forms dynamic, membraneless biomolecular condensates upon cellular stress, and undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation in vitro. However, the impact of ALS-linked mutations on UBQLN2 condensate formation in cells is unknown. Here, we employ live-cell imaging with photokinetic analysis to investigate how five patient-derived ALS-linked mutations in UBQLN2 impact stress-induced UBQLN2 condensate assembly and condensate material properties. Both wild-type and mutant UBQLN2 condensates are generally cytoplasmic and liquid-like. However, cells transfected with mutant UBQLN2 contain fewer stress-induced UBQLN2 condensates than those with wild-type UBQLN2. Most strikingly, ectopically expressed P506T UBQLN2 forms the lowest number of stress-induced condensates of all UBQLN2 mutants, and these condensates are significantly smaller than those of wild-type UBQLN2. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis of UBQLN2 condensates revealed higher immobile fractions for UBQLN2 mutants, especially P506T. P497S and P497H mutations differentially impact condensate properties, demonstrating that the effects of ALS-linked mutations are both position- and amino acid-dependent. Collectively, our data show that disease mutations hinder assembly and alter viscoelastic properties of stress-induced UBQLN2 condensates, potentially leading to aggregates commonly observed in ALS.
Radiometric performance of Landsat 8 Collection 2 products

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) archive of Earth images acquired by Landsat 1-8 sensors is organized in collections of consistently calibrated, geolocated, and processed data products. Such an organization ensures consistent quality of the archived data within a collection over time and across all instruments within the Landsat mission. In December 2020, the USGS completed reprocessing of the archived Landsat data and released a new collection, Collection 2, which introduced surface reflectance and surface temperature Level-2 products, implemented improved ground control and elevation datasets, and brought several geometric and radiometric calibration enhancements. Radiometric enhancements include absolute and relative gain updates for both imaging sensors, Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), aboard Landsat 8 and a change in calculation of bias for OLI. In this paper we present the analysis of Collection 2 Landsat 8 products demonstrating stability over the mission lifetime, the improvement in OLI signal to noise ratio and along-track striping performance resulting from enhanced bias correction, as well as reduction of cross-track striping in TIRS data as a result of relative gain updates. In addition, we discuss effects of two safehold events that Landsat 8 experienced in November 2020 on the radiometric calibration of both sensors and product performance.
Utilization of Process Improvement Methodologies to Optimize Simulation Operations.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Lean and Six Sigma methodologies provide tools for process evaluation and improvement. Baseline operational metrics of the simulation process at a high-volume academic center were defined and recommendations for an optimized future state were developed. The purpose of the current project is to report results of pilot studies conducted under the optimized future state. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients were prospectively tracked from arrival through simulation completion to determine operational metrics associated with pilot studies. The simulation schedule was adjusted to include three patients in two-hour time blocks rather than one patient every hour to reduce dependence on upstream activities, including patient arrival, consent, and IV placement. One person was assigned to facilitate patient transfer through pre-simulation processes. Patients were brought to the simulation suite upon completion of upstream processes to reduce transition time. Start-to-end and start-to-start cycle times were defined as the total patient time in the simulation suite and the time between consecutive patients entering the simulation suite, including pre-simulation processes, respectively. Transition time was defined as non-value-added time between patients when the suite was not operational. Utilization was calculated by dividing machine uptime, defined as the time a patient is on the simulation table, by total time monitored. Baseline operational metrics were determined during a prior study. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab v19.2. Of note, for the purpose of utilization and start-to-start cycle time comparisons, baseline metrics did not include downtime associated with lunch. RESULTS Results of baseline and pilot metrics are based on 19 patients tracked in February 2020 and 17 patients tracked in October and November 2020, respectively. Start-to-end cycle times were similar in both baseline and pilot studies at 31 ± 15 and 30 ± 11 minutes, P = 0.833. Start-to-start cycle times were reduced during pilot studies from 57 ± 26 to 40 ± 12 minutes, P = 0.041, primarily driven by improvements in transition time, which was reduced from 27 ± 28 to 7 ± 5 minutes, P = 0.016. As a result, machine utilization was improved from 52.8 ± 3.4 to 73.7 ± 2.9%, P = 0.0004. CONCLUSION Initial analysis of baseline metrics noted significant delay associated with pre-simulation processes with recommendation to de-couple operations where possible. The combination of an adjusted arrival schedule and addition of a person to facilitate patient movement resulted in significant improvements in transition time and utilization. During the pilot study, the optimized process was able to complete three patients in a two-hour block with no difficulty noted and the person responsible for patient movement had time available for additional responsibilities. Next steps include extended pilot studies with plans for utilizing off-line immobilization set-up to reduce start-to-end cycle times.
Transcallosal interforniceal approach to pineal region tumors in 150 children.

Object Pediatric pineal region tumors are very difficult to cure surgically. The authors used the transcallosal interforniceal approach in patients with these lesions. Methods One hundred fifty children, 98 boys and 52 girls, with pineal region tumors underwent tumor resection via the transcallosal interforniceal approach in the pediatric neurosurgery ward of TianTan Hospital. The patients ranged in age from 1 to 15 years. Fifty-eight patients had mature teratomas; 57, immature teratomas; 14, astrocytomas; 3, glioblastomas; 4, pineoblastomas; 2, pineocytomas; 4, choriocarcinomas; 4, cavernous hemangiomas; 2, germ cell tumors; and 2, epidermoid cysts. Results One hundred twenty-nine tumors were totally removed, 15 were subtotally removed, and 6 were partly removed. There were no deaths and no subsequent instances of disconnection syndrome. Short-term memory deficits appeared in 94 patients but resolved within 6 months in most; only a few patients retained persistent deficits. There were 2 patients with mut...
Injection-induced turbulence in stagnation-point boundary layers

A theory is developed for the stagnation point boundary layer with injection under the hypothesis that turbulence is produced at the wall by injection. From the existing experimental heat transfer rate data obtained in wind tunnels, the wall mixing length is deduced to be a product of a time constant and an injection velocity. The theory reproduces the observed increase in heat transfer rates at high injection rates. For graphite and carbon-carbon composite, the time constant is determined to be 0.0002 sec from the existing ablation data taken in an arc-jet tunnel and a balistic range.
The trouble with the Congo : local violence and the failure of international peacebuilding

Filmed lecture with Assistant Professor Severine Autesserre in the NAI - FOI Lecture Series on African Security 2011. 2 November 2011 at Sida, Stockholm. 50 min.
Microbial Growth Modification by Compressed Gases and Hydrostatic Pressure

Studies of the growth-modifying actions for Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Tetrahymena thermophila of helium, nitrogen, argon, krypton, xenon, and nitrous oxide led to the conclusion that there are two definable classes of gases. Class 1 gases, including He, N2, and Ar, are not growth inhibitors; in fact, they can reverse the growth inhibitory action of hydrostatic pressures. Class 2 gases, including Kr, Xe, and N2O, are potent growth inhibitors at low pressures. For example, at 24°C, 50% growth-inhibitory pressures of N2O were found to be ca. 1.7 MPa for E. coli, 1.0 MPa for S. cerevisiae, and 0.5 MPa for T. thermophila. Class 1 gases could act as potentiators for growth inhibition by N2O, O2, Kr, or Xe. Hydrostatic pressure alone is known to reverse N2O inhibition of growth, but we found that it did not greatly alter oxygen toxicity. Therefore, potentiation by class 1 gases appeared to be a gas effect rather than a pressure effect. The temperature profile for growth inhibition of S. cerevisiae by N2O revealed an optimal temperature for cell resistance of ca. 24°C, with lower resistance at higher and lower temperatures. Overall, it appeared that microbial growth modification by hyperbaric gases could not be related to their narcotic actions but reflected definably different physiological actions.
Spectra and structure op organogermanes: XVIII. Microwave spectrum of trimethylchlorogermane

Abstract The rotational spectra of four Ge and two Cl isotopic species of trimethylchlorogermane have been investigated in the region 18.0–40.0 GHz. The ground state rotational constants. B o , were found to be 1993.11, 1991.34, 1989.61, 1987.92, 1942.42, 1940.51 and 1938.62 MHz for the (CH 3 ) 3 70 Ge 35 Cl, (CH 3 ) 3 72 Ge 35 Cl, (CH 3 ) 3 74 Ge 35 Cl, (CH 3 ) 3 76 Ge 35 Cl, (CH 3 ) 3 70 Ge 37 Cl, (CH 3 ) 3 72 Ge 37 Cl and (CH 3 ) 3 74 Ge 37 Cl molecules, respectively. The utilization of Kraitchman's equations leads to an r s value of the GeCl distance of 2.170 ± 0.001 A. With this value of the GeCl bond length and an assumed structure for the methyl group, the restraint equations gave the following two structural parameters: r GeC = 1.940 A and ∠ CGeCl = 105.9°. A least-squares fit obtained by an iterative adjustment of the three heavy-atom structural parameters to the seven ground state rotational constants gave identical results within the experimental uncertainty. The centrifugal distortion constant, D j , was found to have a value of 5.6 ±1.0 × 10 −4 MHz. The determined structural parameters are compared with the corresponding ones for similar molecules and the longer Ge—Cl distance as compared with that in the H 3 GeCl molecule is consistent with the electron donating ability of the methyl groups.
Activation of Leptin's Signaling Cascade Results in the Endocytosis of Mu Opioid Receptors

Activation of mu opioid receptors (MOR) has been correlated with increased food intake. Obese animals show an increase in MOR receptor density in the hypothalamus. The possibility exist that change...
Temperature impacts on the water year 2014 drought in California

©2015. American Geophysical Union. California is experiencing one of the worst droughts on record. We use a hydrological model and risk assessment framework to understand the influence of temperature on the water year (WY) 2014 drought in California and examine the probability that this drought would have been less severe if temperatures resembled the historical climatology. Our results indicate that temperature played an important role in exacerbating the WY 2014 drought severity. We found that if WY 2014 temperatures resembled the 1916-2012 climatology, there would have been at least an 86% chance that winter snow water equivalent and spring-summer soil moisture and runoff deficits would have been less severe than the observed conditions. We also report that the temperature forecast skill in California for the important seasons of winter and spring is negligible, beyond a lead time of 1month, which we postulate might hinder skillful drought prediction in California.
EAP's Response to Personal Stress and Productivity: Implications for Occupational Social Work

Ethical and practice issues regarding the beneficiary of social work services in the workplace have been raised in the literature. However, no empirical studies could be found that specifically address these issues. This study's findings indicate that although personal stress and employee productivity are related, employee assistance program interventions improve employee productivity without reducing employee stress. Challenges and implications for occupational social work are discussed in light of the profession's person-in-environment configuration.