cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theorizing drama education: Non-arts pre-service teachers’ opinions on Winifred Ward, Dorothy Heathcote, and Augusto Boal

This qualitative study examines non-arts pre-service elementary teachers’ opinions on three luminary drama leaders (Winifred Ward, Dorothy Heathcote, and Augusto Boal), which were addressed...
Perchance to Think.

Perchance to Think In modern outpatient medicine, there’s no time to think. We race to cover the bare minimum, sprinting in subsistence-level intellectual mode because that’s all that’s sustainable...
Sailors and Rum, at Sea and Ashore

An examination of the regulation and culture of grog in Victorian maritime life, using a scenario drawn from a Sherlock Holmes story -- “The Adventure of Black Peter.”
Observing transient behavior during Hurricane Sandy through passively collected data

Abstract Transients, such as tourists or business travelers, often fly into large cities and subsequently have to rely on public transportation for movement within the city. It is difficult to observe transient behavior in the event of a disaster through traditional survey methods. Thus, transient behavior has not been understood as well as resident behavior, which presents a challenge to emergency management. This study used taxi trip records that are passively collected year-round in New York City (NYC) to observe transient behavior during Hurricane Sandy (2012). The linkage between transients and taxi trips was built upon the fact that many transients choose hotels as accommodation and depend on taxis during their travel in NYC. This study extracted and analyzed taxi trips originating from hotels shortly before and after the hurricane landfall, which cover transient outbound activities in a week. In the pre-landfall period, it was found that transients who evacuated out of Manhattan were more likely to leave hotels about 18–24 h before hurricane landfall; and those who stayed made more shopping trips within Manhattan. In the post-landfall period, transients were more likely to relocate on the second day after hurricane landfall; some transients headed to local airports once limited service was resumed. This is believed to be the first study to use passively collected data to observe transient travel behavior in the event of a hurricane as well as on normal days.
RNAdemocracy: an ensemble method for RNA secondary structure prediction using consensus scoring.

Abstract The identification of RNA secondary structure has been an important tool for the characterization of nucleic acids. Computational structure prediction has been an effective approach toward this end, but improvement of established methods is often slow and reliant on redundant methodology. Here we present a novel consensus scoring approach, created to incorporate inputs from an array of established methods with the goal of producing outputs that contain mutual structures from these programs. This method is implemented in RNAdemocracy, a python program capable of competing with existing methods. This ensemble approach was limited by commonalities in established methods like parameter sourcing, which may lead to agreement error, an unavoidable outcome due to the limit of available RNA structure datasets. The modular construction of RNAdemocracy allows for its easy upgrading and customization to suit user’s needs. RNAdemocracy, while capable of accurate predictions, is best suited to guide users to regions of the sequence space that exhibit agreement instead of a totally reliant predictor of structure. It is also capable of grading predictions for potential accuracy by providing a percentage of consensus between contributing methods in the final structure.
Asphaltene Adsorption on Functionalized Solids

Asphaltenes, heavy aromatic components of crude oil, are known to adsorb on surfaces and can lead to pipe clogging or hinder oil recovery. Because of their multicomponent structure, the details of ...
Commercial 4-dimensional echocardiography for murine heart volumetric evaluation after myocardial infarction

Traditional preclinical echocardiography (ECHO) modalities, including 1-dimensional motion-mode (M-Mode) and 2-dimensional long axis (2D-US), rely on geometric and temporal assumptions about the heart for volumetric measurements. Surgical animal models, such as the mouse coronary artery ligation (CAL) model of myocardial infarction, result in morphologic changes that do not fit these geometric assumptions. New ECHO technology, including 4-dimensional ultrasound (4D-US), improves on these traditional models. This paper aims to compare commercially available 4D-US to M-mode and 2D-US in a mouse model of CAL. 37 mice underwent CAL surgery, of which 32 survived to a 4 week post-operative time point. ECHO was completed at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks after CAL. M-mode, 2D-US, and 4D-US were taken at each time point and evaluated by two separate echocardiographers. At 4 weeks, a subset (n = 12) of mice underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to serve as a reference standard. End systolic volume (ESV), end diastolic volume (EDV), and ejection fraction (EF) were compared among imaging modalities. Hearts were also collected for histologic evaluation of scar size (n = 16) and compared to ECHO-derived wall motion severity index (WMSI) and global longitudinal strain as well as gadolinium-enhanced CMR to compare scar assessment modalities. 4D-US provides close agreement of ESV (Bias: -2.55%, LOA: − 61.55 to 66.66) and EF (US Bias: 11.23%, LOA − 43.10 to 102.8) 4 weeks after CAL when compared to CMR, outperforming 2D-US and M-mode estimations. 4D-US has lower inter-user variability as measured by intraclass correlation (ICC) in the evaluation of EDV (0.91) and ESV (0.93) when compared to other modalities. 4D-US also allows for rapid assessment of WMSI, which correlates strongly with infarct size by histology (r = 0.77). 4D-US outperforms M-Mode and 2D-US for volumetric analysis 4 weeks after CAL and has higher inter-user reliability. 4D-US allows for rapid calculation of WMSI, which correlates well with histologic scar size.
Principal Ideal Domains

The theory of modules over a principal ideal domain is closely related to the theory of vector spaces over a field and is almost identical to the theory of abelian groups, which are modules over the integers. The analogue of a finite-dimensional vector space is a finitely presented module over a principal ideal domain. A finitely presented module is given by matrix. In this section we prove some basic facts about matrices over a principal ideal domain.
Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on process measures of family caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an emerging evidenced-based practice based on a psychological flexibility model encompassing six processes, including acceptance, cognitive defusion, self-as-context, being present, values, and committed action. ACT aims to improve overall psychological flexibility and the six processes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of ACT on measures of purported processes among family caregivers. Four electronic databases were searched from the date of inception of each database to March 30, 2020. A total of 18 studies met the eligibility criteria, including 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 1 nonrandomized control group pretest-posttest design study, and 9 one group pretest-posttest design studies. A meta-analysis of 8 RCTs found a moderate effect of ACT on psychological flexibility among family caregivers at the immediate posttest and follow-up. A meta-analysis of 9 one group pretest-posttest design studies showed a large effect of ACT on psychological flexibility at the immediate posttest and follow-up. No significant effect was found in measures of cognitive fusion, valued living, and mindfulness except for a meta-analysis of 2 RCTs showing a small effect of ACT on cognitive fusion at follow-up. This review discusses synthesized findings, a gap in the literature, and suggestions for future studies.
The EM Perspective of Directional Mean Shift Algorithm

The directional mean shift (DMS) algorithm is a nonparametric method for pursuing local modes of densities defined by kernel density estimators on the unit hypersphere. In this paper, we show that any DMS iteration can be viewed as a generalized Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm; in particular, when the von Mises kernel is applied, it becomes an exact EM algorithm. Under the (generalized) EM framework, we provide a new proof for the ascending property of density estimates and demonstrate the global convergence of directional mean shift sequences. Finally, we give a new insight into the linear convergence of the DMS algorithm.
Conducting Pre-deployment Training in Honduras: The 240th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team Experience.

INTRODUCTION Since January 2002, pre-deployment training of forward resuscitative and surgical units has taken place at the U.S. Army Trauma Training Center (ATTC) in Miami, FL. In June 2019, the 240th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team (FRST) conducted the first pre-deployment Surgical Readiness Training Exercise (SURGRETE) in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to allow the team to rehearse in a resource-constrained environment more similar to that expected on deployment. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the pre-deployment training experiences of the 240th FRST during their SURGRETE in Honduras and ATTC rotation in Miami, FL. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive analysis of prospectively collected data was performed for surgical cases, trauma resuscitations, and nonsurgical procedures by the 240th FRST over a 2-week SURGRETE in Honduras and 2-week ATTC rotation in Miami, FL. Items accomplished within the Individual Critical Task Lists (ICTLs) of key clinical providers on the team (general surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, emergency medicine physician, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) were identified and compared to those accomplished at the ATTC. RESULTS During the SURGRETE in Honduras, 64 surgical cases, 1 trauma resuscitation, 2 Advanced Cardiac Life Support codes, and 213 nonsurgical procedures were performed collectively by the team. During ATTC rotation, the team performed a combined total of 10 surgical cases, 6 trauma resuscitations, and 56 nonsurgical procedures. For each key clinical provider, more of their assigned ICTLs were conducted during the Honduras SURGRETE than during ATTC rotation. The ATTC, however, offered more cases of acute life-threatening trauma. CONCLUSION Appropriately planned SURGRETEs can provide a concentrated case volume in a resource-constrained setting and challenge the team to consider definitive management algorithms. The cases performed may not necessarily reflect the type and acuity of operations performed in a deployed environment; however, they facilitate repetition of basic skills, team cohesion, and cross-training. The SURGRETE experience could be improved by locating a facility with a trauma-dominant patient population that allows increased autonomy of U.S. physicians.
Singular Integration by Interpolation (SIBI) for Integral Equations via Tensor Trains

An efficient approach for populating the near weakly-singular and near singular integral interactions in the Boundary Element Method (BEM) solution of the Electric (EFIE) and Magnetic Field Integral equation (MFIE) on flat triangular meshes is outlined. The singular integration problem is recast into a multidimensional interpolation problem, where the quadruple singular integral, corresponds to a six-dimensional function, which is interpolated by a set of pre-computed universal (frequency, materials independent) look-up tables. In a previous version of SIBI this interpolation was performed via multidimensional sparse grids. In this paper, a low-rank tensor, the Tensor Train (TT) decomposition is used. The proposed method is compared to singularity subtraction, as well as Sparse Grids SIBI. The proposed method offers improved accuracy and computational cost.
Acculturation and Self-rated Health Among Asian Immigrants: The Role of Gender and Age

Using the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), we examine the relationship between acculturation and poor-to-fair self-rated health (SRH) among Asian immigrants (N = 1639). Using latent class analysis, we construct a multidimensional measure of acculturation that considers dimensions of involvement in U.S. culture as well as attachment to Asian ethnic cultures and identify three classes of Asian immigrants: the assimilated, who most strongly adhere to U.S. culture; the integrated, who align with both U.S. and Asian ethnic cultures; and the separated, who are almost exclusively attached to Asian ethnic cultures. Logistic regression results revealed that among the pooled sample of Asian immigrant adults, the separated are significantly more likely to report poor-to-fair SRH than the assimilated. We then tested for gender and age differences in the acculturation–SRH relationship, and found that stratifying by gender yields noticeably different patterns. Among Asian immigrant women, the probability of reporting poor-to-fair SRH increases with age for the separated and the integrated, while it declines with age for the assimilated. Conversely, among Asian immigrant men, the probability of reporting poor-to-fair SRH increases most steeply with age for the assimilated, while it is shallower for the separated and the integrated. Future research should continue to develop a dynamic understanding of acculturation and examine its association with other health outcomes, including how these relationships differ across subsets of immigrant groups.
The Use of Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) for Low-visibility Takeoffs in Part 121 Operations:

Twelve Part 121 operations commercial-carrier crews completed low-visibility takeoffs at Memphis International Airport using an Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS). A 2x2x2x3 factorial design with...
Brief Report: HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Prescribing in an Urban Safety-Net Health System.

INTRODUCTION Safety-net health systems are key settings for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation, but little evidence is available about the frequency of PrEP prescribing in safety-net settings. We assessed PrEP prescribing among people with indications for PrEP at an urban safety-net health system that serves a county designated as an Ending the HIV Epidemic priority jurisdiction. METHODS We identified adults (aged 18 years or older) who engaged in primary care between January 2015 and December 2019 and had a documented indication for PrEP. PrEP indications included the presence of a behavioral or sexual risk factor of HIV acquisition or a positive bacterial sexually transmitted infection at the index visit. PrEP prescribing was defined as the proportion of patients with indications for PrEP who received a new prescription for PrEP. We estimated the cumulative incidence of PrEP prescription with corresponding 95% confidence limits (CL). RESULTS Our study population comprised 2957 individuals, of whom 58% was aged younger than 45 years, 56% was women, 67% was racial or ethnic minorities, and 60% was uninsured or provided care as part of a hospital-based managed care plan for individuals without insurance. We identified 41 individuals who were prescribed PrEP. The cumulative incidence of PrEP prescribing within 1 year of the first documented PrEP indication was 1.3% (95% CL: 0.91% to 1.7%). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest extremely low frequency of PrEP prescribing among people with indications for PrEP in an urban safety-net health system. Strategies are needed to improve PrEP implementation in high-priority populations and safety-net settings.
Apophatic Social Trinitarianism: Why I Continue to Espouse “a Kind of” Social Trinitarianism

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Professor Kilby has written a fine collection of essays which displays qualities of theologians I have long admired. I appreciate her surefooted and clear thinking as well as her lively pros...
Pilomatrixoma and its Imitators

Introduction: Pilomatrixomas are benign neoplasms derived from hair follicle matrix cells. They are among the most common soft tissue head and neck tumors of childhood. Pilomatrixomas are typically isolated, slow-growing, firm, nontender masses that are adherent to the epidermis but mobile in the subcutaneous plane. This clinical presentation is so characteristic that many experienced surgeons will excise suspected pilomatrixomas without prior imaging. We reviewed the results of this approach to determine whether physical examination alone differentiates pilomatrixomas from other similar soft tissue lesions of the pediatric head and neck. Methods: Computerized review of all pilomatrixomas over a 20-year period in a single academic pediatric otolaryngology practice. Results: 18 patients presented to our pediatric otolaryngology practice between 2001 and 2021 with historical and physical findings consistent with pilomatrixoma. Of the 18 patients, 7 were male and 11 were female. Ages ranged from 1.5 to 14 years, with a mean of 7.5 years. Most of the lesions (12) were located in the head and face, while the rest (6) were found in the neck. All patients were treated with complete surgical excision. Pathology confirmed pilomatrixoma in 15 patients. The remaining 3 children were found to have an epidermal inclusion cyst, a ruptured trichilemmal cyst, and a giant molluscum contagiosum lesion, respectively. One additional patient presented with a small lesion of the auricular helix that was thought to be a dermoid cyst, but proved to be a pilomatrixoma on histologic examination. Discussion: As pilomatrixomas are common and have a very characteristic presentation, surgical excision without prior diagnostic imaging will lead to correct treatment in the majority of cases. High resolution ultrasonography can help to confirm the diagnosis preoperatively, but is not definitive in large case series. Most of the cystic lesions that imitate pilomatrixoma will ultimately require surgical excision.
Injectable conductive gelatin methacrylate / oxidized dextran hydrogel encapsulating umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for myocardial infarction treatment

Abstract Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) transplantation has been proposed as a promising treatment modality for myocardial infarction (MI), but the low retention rate remains a considerable challenge. Injectable natural polymer hydrogels with conductivity ability are highly desirable as cell delivery vehicles to repair infarct myocardium and restore the cardiac function. In this work, we developed a hydrogel system based on gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and oxidized dextran (ODEX) as cell delivery vehicles for MI. And dopamine could be used as a reductant of graphene oxide (GO) to form reductive GO (rGO). By adjusting the amount of rGO, the conductivity of hydrogels with 0.5 mg/mL rGO concentration (≈10−4 S/cm) was similar to that of natural heart tissue. In vitro cell experiments showed that the prepared hydrogels had excellent biocompatibility and cell delivery ability of UCMSCs. More importantly, GelMA-O5/rGO hydrogel could promote UCMSCs growth and proliferation, improve the myocardial differentiation ability of UCMSCs, and up-regulate the expression of cTnI and Cx43. Further in vivo experiments demonstrated that GelMA-O5/rGO/UCMSCs Hydrogel could significantly improve the ejection fraction (EF) of rats and significantly reduce myocardial infarct area compared to PBS group, promote the survival of UCMSCs, enhance the expression level of cTnI and Cx43, and decrease the expression level of caspase-3. The findings of this study suggested that the injectable conductive GelMA-O5/rGO hydrogel encapsulating UCMSCs could improve damaged myocardial tissue and reconstruct myocardial function, which will be a promising therapeutic strategy for cardiac repair.
Adherence to diabetes guidelines for screening, physical activity and medication and onset of complications and death.

Abstract Aims Analyze relationships between adherence to guidelines for diabetes care – regular screening; physical activity; and medication – and diabetes complications and mortality. Methods Outcomes were onset of congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, renal failure, moderate complications of lower extremities, lower-limb amputation, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and mortality during follow-up. Participants were persons aged 65 + in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2003 Diabetes Study and had Medicare claims in follow-up period (2004–8). Results Adherence to screening recommendations decreased risks of developing CHF (odds ratio (OR) = 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72–0.96), stroke (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.68–0.94); renal failure (OR = 0. 82; 95% CI: 0.71–0.95); and death (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.74–0.99). Adherence to physical activity recommendation reduced risks of stroke (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.45–0.90), renal failure (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52–0.97), moderate lower-extremity complications (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.51–0.99), having a lower limb amputation (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.85), and death (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.41–0.77). Medication adherence was associated with lower risks of PDR (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13–0.93). Conclusions Adherence to screening, physical activity and medication guidelines was associated with lower risks of diabetes complications and death. Relative importance of adherence differed among outcome measures.
Preoperative Testing for Urethral Sling Surgery for Stress Urinary Incontinence: Overuse, Underuse and Cost Implications

Purpose We identify areas of overuse and underuse in the preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing mid urethral sling surgery. We also estimate the effect of overuse of preoperative testing on health care costs. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective review of women who underwent sling surgery with or without concomitant prolapse repair between 2012 and 2013. Physician orders for preoperative electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, basic metabolic panel, complete blood count, coagulation studies and urinalysis were classified as appropriate or inappropriate based on summary guidelines from the American Academy of Family Physicians. The additional costs of inappropriate tests were estimated using the 2014 Medicare clinical laboratory and physician fee schedules. Results A total of 101 women who underwent mid urethral sling surgery were identified and 346 preoperative tests were ordered. Overall 76% of coagulation profiles, 73% of complete blood counts, 47% of basic metabolic panels, 39% of chest x-rays and 21% of electrocardiograms ordered did not have an appropriate clinical indication. In addition, 6% of electrocardiograms, 22% of chest x-rays and 10% of urinalyses were not ordered despite an appropriate indication. The estimated charges of overused tests were $1,844.15 for the cohort, or $18 per patient. Conclusions Preoperative testing is overused as well as underused in patients undergoing sling surgery. The greatest variation occurred with the use of electrocardiograms, chest x-rays and urinalysis. Poor adherence to national guidelines leads to increased health care costs and warrants increased awareness in following evidence-based guidelines.
Optimal Shape Design Using Domain Transformations and Continuous Sensitivity Equation Methods

In this paper, we consider two approaches to solving an optimization based design problem where “shape” is the design parameter. Both methods use domain transformations to compute gradients. However, they differ in that the second method is based on solving a transformed optimization problem completely in the computational domain. We illustrate the methods using a simple 1D problem and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each approach.
The role of data networking in the management of BT‘s SDH network

This paper outlines the history behind the current realisation of the management data communications network for synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), explaining the various international standards inputs, supplier implementations and illustrating the architecture employed. Message addressing methods are discussed together with the protocols over which they are used. The dimensioning of this network is a key issue of ongoing discussion and impacts the provisioning rates and response times for SDH.
The 'fourth hurdle' of pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) has been recognized as a possible leader down the path of personalized medicine in the 21st century. While this field has been burgeoning, particularly after the completion of the sequencing of the human genome in 2001, the diffusion of this technology into clinical practice has been limited. Interest groups, including industry, payers, providers and patients, have a variety of concerns regarding the utilization of this technology. However, all groups have voiced concerns over possible economic impacts, with different concerns based on the perspective. In order to clear the proverbial ‘fourth hurdle’, the use of PGx will have to prove not only to possess clear clinical utility, but positive or neutral economic consequences. The role health services researchers can play in facilitating research not only in economics, but also in clinical effectiveness and epidemiology, is critical. Public and private entities have begun taking steps towards guidance for use of this technology and the facilitation of communication and research across entities. A larger, robust evidence base will hopefully allow interest groups to make clear assessments as to the overall impact and utility of PGx.
Minimizing biases associated with tracking analysis of submicron particles in heterogeneous biological fluids

Tracking the dynamic motion of individual nanoparticles or viruses offers quantitative insights into their real-time behavior and fate in different biological environments. Indeed, particle tracking is a powerful tool that has facilitated the development of drug carriers with enhanced penetration of mucus, brain tissues and other extracellular matrices. Nevertheless, heterogeneity is a hallmark of nanoparticle diffusion in such complex environments: identical particles can exhibit strongly hindered or unobstructed diffusion within microns of each other. The common practice in 2D particle tracking, namely analyzing all trackable particle traces with equal weighting, naturally biases towards rapidly diffusing sub-populations at shorter time scales. This in turn results in misrepresentation of particle behavior and a systematic underestimate of the time necessary for a population of nanoparticles to diffuse specific distances. We show here via both computational simulation and experimental data that this bias can be rigorously corrected by weighing the contribution by each particle trace on a ‘frame-by-frame’ basis. We believe this methodology presents an important step towards objective and accurate assessment of the heterogeneous transport behavior of submicron drug carriers and pathogens in biological environments.
Design and Application of an Interactive Simulation Language

An interactive simulation language has been developed. Trough applications such as the gravity problem described above, and several biological simulations such as a conditional reflex model and the system for the regulation of body-water volume, its flexibility has been demonstrated.
Atom-by-atom substitution of Mn in GaAs and visualization of their hole-mediated interactions

The addition of metals as 'dopants to semiconductors is used to adjust the electronic properties of transistors and diodes. A new study uses atomically precise substitution of individual dopants to measure their interactions on the nanometre scale. The discovery of ferromagnetism in manganese-doped gallium arsenide sparked interest in semiconductors based on electron spin, or spintronics. This study uses scanning tunnelling microscopy to visualize the GaAs electronic states involved in Mn–Mn interactions. A strong dependence of ferromagnetic interaction on crystal orientation is seen, a property that might be exploited by growing oriented structures with ferromagnetic transition temperatures beyond those of randomly doped samples. This could also lead to coupled quantum bits for memory or information processing. Cover graphic: Mn hole states visualized on a GaAs surface mediate magnetic interactions between spin states. The discovery of ferromagnetism in Mn-doped GaAs1 has ignited interest in the development of semiconductor technologies based on electron spin and has led to several proof-of-concept spintronic devices2,3,4. A major hurdle for realistic applications of Ga1-xMnxAs, or other dilute magnetic semiconductors, remains that their ferromagnetic transition temperature is below room temperature. Enhancing ferromagnetism in semiconductors requires us to understand the mechanisms for interaction between magnetic dopants, such as Mn, and identify the circumstances in which ferromagnetic interactions are maximized5. Here we describe an atom-by-atom substitution technique using a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and apply it to perform a controlled study at the atomic scale of the interactions between isolated Mn acceptors, which are mediated by holes in GaAs. High-resolution STM measurements are used to visualize the GaAs electronic states that participate in the Mn–Mn interaction and to quantify the interaction strengths as a function of relative position and orientation. Our experimental findings, which can be explained using tight-binding model calculations, reveal a strong dependence of ferromagnetic interaction on crystallographic orientation. This anisotropic interaction can potentially be exploited by growing oriented Ga1-xMnxAs structures to enhance the ferromagnetic transition temperature beyond that achieved in randomly doped samples.
The cardiac determination factor, Nkx2-5, is activated by mutual cofactors GATA-4 and Smad1/4 via a novel upstream enhancer.

The mammalian homologue of Drosophila tinman, Nkx2-5, plays an early role in regulating cardiac genes and morphogenesis. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family of signaling molecules, are involved in numerous developmental processes. BMP signaling is crucial in the regulation of Nkx2-5 expression and specification of the cardiac lineage. Constitutively active BMP type I receptor or the downstream pathway components and DNA-binding transcription factors, Smad1/4 directly activated Nkx2-5 gene transcription. We identified and characterized a novel upstream Nkx2-5 enhancer, composed of clustered repeats of Smad and GATA DNA binding sites. This composite Nkx2-5 enhancer was a direct target of BMP signaling via cooperative interactions between the downstream transducers Smad1/4 and GATA-4. In mammalian two hybrid assays, Smad factors recruited the hybrid gene GATA4-VP16 to strongly drive transcription of a reporter gene containing multimerized Smad binding sites These cofactors interacted through the second zinc finger and adjacent basic domain of GATA-4 and the N-terminal domain of Smads. Smad4 and GATA4 were also found to bind in vivo with the Nkx2-5 composite enhancer, as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of differentiated P19 cells. Finally, transgenic mice containing the Smad/GATA composite enhancer recapitulated early murine Nkx2-5 cardiac expression and deletion of this enhancer within a 10-kb transgene pBS-Nkx2-5 LacZ significantly reduced expression in the cardiac crescent. Thus, integration of GATA transcription factors with BMP signaling, through co-association with Smads factors, may initiate early Nkx2-5 expression; suggesting a vital role for the combination of these factors in the specification of cardiac progenitors.
Comparative performance of bio-derived/chemical additives in warm mix asphalt at low temperature

A corn based bio-derived warm mix asphalt (WMA) additive is in the development stages and has shown to successfully reduce the mixing and compaction temperatures by 30 °C. The WMA additive, isosorbide distillation bottoms (IDB), is a co-product from the conversion of sorbitol to isosorbide where sorbitol is derived by hydrogenating glucose from corn biomass. A detailed investigation of binder properties at variable IDB dosages showed improvement in low temperature binder grades when tested in the BBR at a 0.5 % dosage rate by weight of binder. This research investigates low temperature improvement in two types of binders by comparing IDB-modified binder with binder modified using two commercially available/bio-derived WMA additives from the forest products industry. Multiple stress creep recovery and BBR binder tests indicated that the degree of improvement in binder properties may be binder dependent but improvement was observed for all WMA additives. Low temperature mix performance was evaluated in the semi-circular bending (SCB) test. SCB tests showed additive types were a statistically significant factor in the fracture toughness properties but not for stiffness and fracture energy. IDB was successfully used at reduced mixing and compaction temperatures and does not negatively impact low temperature fracture properties of warm mix asphalt. Improvement of binder properties was observed for all WMA additives studied.
The ferromagnetism of ultrathin films; from two to three dimensions

Abstract We review the properties of ultrathin ferromagnetic films, with attention to simple physical arguments that outline their principal properties. A ferromagnetic monolayer clearly provides an illustration of two dimensional magnetism. It is argued that the crossover to three dimensional behavior occurs when only a few monolayers are present, both in the low temperature spin wave regime, and near the transition temperature. We discuss anisotropy and its role in inducing long range order in ultrathin films, and spin reorientation transitions.
Quantification of the fiber architecture and biaxial mechanical behavior of porcine intestinal submucosa.

Porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has been shown to serve as a remodelable tissue scaffold in a wide range of applications. Despite the large number of experimental studies, there is a lack of fundamental information on SIS anisotropic mechanical behavior and how this behavior changes postimplantation. As a first step in our study of remodeling biomaterials, we performed biaxial mechanical testing to quantify the anisotropic mechanical behavior and used small-angle light scattering (SALS) to quantify the gross fiber structure of fresh, unimplanted SIS. Structural results indicate that SIS displays primarily a single, continuous preferred fiber direction oriented parallel to the long axis of the intestine. Occasionally, two distinct fiber populations oriented at ∼±28° with respect to the longitudinal axis could be distinguished. Consistent with this structure, SIS exhibited a nonlinear, anisotropic mechanical response with higher stresses along the longitudinal axis. Further, the circumferential stress–strain response was strongly affected by the maximum longitudinal strain level, but the maximum circumferential strain level only weakly affected the longitudinal stress–strain response. This asymmetric mechanical coupling suggests strong mechanical interactions on a fiber level. SIS stress–strain response also was similar to glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium, attesting to the substantial strength of SIS in the fresh, untreated state. The results of this study will provide a basis for a future analysis of the structural and mechanical changes during the remodeling process. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 46, 1–10, 1999.
Study of the catalytic pyrolysis of carbohydrates through thermogravimetry

Abstract The influence of various acidic, basic and neutral catalysts on the pyrolysis of pure carbohydrates present in agricultural products was studied. Thermogravimetry was coupled with gas cnromatography and mass spectrometry to identify the products. Information was also obtained concerning the rate these compounds form as a function of time and temperature., This allows the Improvement of the present hypotheses of carbohydrate pyrolysis.
Magnetic trapping and photoacoustic detection of rare circulating tumor cells

The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the vasculature directly correlates with the likelihood of metastasis development. Their rarity, however, makes them difficult to detect. Recently, the potential of photoacoustic (PA) imaging for sensitive detection of nanoparticle-targeted diseased cells has been demonstrated. However, the strong blood background can easily mask the weak signal from targeted CTCs. The goal of this study is to utilize a multifunction nanoparticle composite molecularly targeted to CTCs, enabling magnetic trapping for rare cell accumulation with simultaneous PA imaging for detection. This technique greatly increases both the sensitivity and specificity of CTC detection. As an initial test, human prostate cancer cells, LNCaP, targeted with a nanocomposite combining a gold nanorod core with magnetic nanoparticles, circulated in a 1.6-mm tube at a maximum flow rate of 12 ml/min, mimicking CTCs in the human radial artery. Results show that cells can be magnetically trapped, accumulated, and detected at a concentration of only 7 cells/ml, within the typical range of CTCs in peripheral vessels for an active tumor. Future work will focus on improving the sensitivity to detect a single targeted CTC.
Predictive Engineering Formulations for Diver Heating

Predictive heat transfer equations have been developed to estimate the local supplementary heating necessary to support a resting diver. These formulations consider the diver's passive thermal protection in the form of a diving dress and the effects of his ambient environment upon the dress thermal resistance. The mathematical model performs a numerical analysis on discrete regions comprised of the skin, dry protective suit, breathing gas mixture and the surrounding fluid environment. The parametric properties associated with the heat transfer correlations were obtained from validated experimental heat flux and skin temperature data collected under specific environmental conditions. The supplementary heating required to maintain a diver is obtained by determining the heat flux that would be lost were he not heated and subtracting from this the normal heat flux expected from a resting euthermic subject. Applying this principle to each of the regions, it is possible to predict the supplementary heating necessary to compensate for an excessive flux.
Infection imaging with technetium-99m-labeled chemotactic peptide analogs.

The localization of occult sites of infection is frequently essential to the therapeutic management of critically ill patients. Current imaging procedures, including computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and conventional radiography, rely primarily on focal changes in tissue density or composition to define the lesion. Typically, these are relatively late changes in the inflammatory process. Radionuclide procedures which have been used to localize early inflammatory processes, require a minimum of 12 hours, and usually 24 to 48 hours, from the time of injection to imaging. Clearly, a method of rapidly localizing sites of acute inflammation would be helpful for patient management. Recently, we developed methods for preparing analogs of the leukocyte chemoat-tractant peptide, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (ForMLF), that can be radiolabeled for external imaging. In vitro, these compounds have bioactivity and neutrophil ForMLF receptor binding comparable with that of the native peptide. Studies in animals demonstrate that these agents bind to leucocytes in vivo, clear from the circulation rapidly, and localize at sites of Escherichia coli infection to an extent sufficient to yield external images early after injection. However, even at relatively low doses, the peptides elicit a profound but transient reduction in peripheral leukocyte levels. Despite this, if the peptides could be radiolabeled at very high specific activity, imaging might be possible with doses of peptide that do not reduce peripheral leukocyte levels. Recently, hydrazino nicotinamide-derivatized peptides were prepared and radiolabeled with technetium-99m at extremely high specific activity (>20,000 mCi/μmole). In a rabbit model of E coli infection, these peptides yielded excellent images of sites of infection at injected doses that are approximately 1,000-fold below the level that produces a significant reduction in peripheral leukocytes. In addition, studies of thermally injured infected animals indicate that peptide localization may be infection selective, with very low levels of accumulation at sites of sterile inflammation.
How many genomics targets can a portfolio afford

The pharmaceutical industry can look back at a history of successful innovations. Although genomics technologies have provided drug discovery pipelines with a plethora of new potential drug targets, solid target validation is crucial to avoiding high attrition rates. Biomarkers for patient stratification and approaches for personalized medicine will further help to reduce the risk associated with new targets. To achieve an overall risk balance, portfolios have to be supplemented with precedented targets, me-too approaches and line extensions of existing drugs. However, capitalizing on genomics investments and working on unprecedented targets is essential for a continuous stream of innovative drugs.
A Coincident-Current Magnetic Memory Cell for the Storage of Digital Information

A small, ring-shaped, ferromagnetic core with properly "rectangular" B-H characteristics may be operated so that its flux polarity reverses only when the correct combination of two or three magnetizing windings are coincidentally excited. Such cores may then be used as memory devices and assembled into a two-or three-dimensional memory system with storage-cell selection at the intersection of two or three space co-ordinates. Only a core which retains a large percentage of remanent flux of the proper polarity, in spite of repeated "nonselecting" disturbances, can be used as a coincident-current magnetic memory unit. Repetitive pulse-pattern testing designed to obtain quantitative data on the operation of such units, in the form of defined "information-retention ratios" and "signal ratios," indicates that only a few core materials are satisfactory.
Some techniques for compile-time analysis of user-computer interactions

Compile-time techniques for analyzing user-computer interactions and the relationships and dependencies among items of data that exist during the execution of interactive application programs are presented. These techniques are useful in constructing efficient compilers for languages in which such interactions and data item relationships and dependencies are described by nonprocedural statements. The practical value of using nonprocedural descriptions is that they ease the task of the application programmer.
An efficient implementation of LU decomposition in C

Abstract An implementation of the well-known LU decomposition method for solving systems of linear equations is presented. Operation counts typically stated for this method are derived from a theoretical analysis of the algorithm and ignore the practical aspects of the implementation. The overhead associated with assessing elements of the two-dimensional coefficient array are explored herein, and seen to be substantial. This overhead is incorporated into the analysis of LU decomposition and new operation counts are developed. By exploiting the addressing capabilities of C the cost of array access is significantly reduced, resulting in an efficient implementation. The techniques employed here can be applied to a wide variety of C programs which utilize multi-dimensional arrays.
Recording dowel pin position with plastic logs

Six readily available plastic materials were evaluated for use as a log for locating the ends of die dowel pins. Seven criteria were divided into two main categories of adherence qualities of the material and useability. Cost was the third category evaluated and compared. Color and availability were also considered. Forty-two sophomore dental students accomplished 84 evaluations. Plasticine and Weatherstrip Caulking Cord were found to meet all criteria best.
Developing student help desk consultants: a skill-based modular approach

Student Help Desk consultants are an essential resource in most college IT departments. Hiring and training these students presents special challenges: consultants need a set of skills that is both wide and deep, and supervisors may be unsure which skills to hire for and which to train for, how to provide training, and how to measure competency. At Duquesne University we have created a system for developing skilled consultants that is based on: how easy a skill is to teach; which mode of teaching best lends itself to a particular skill; and the need to accommodate different learning styles in the students.We first grouped the skills into five core competency areas: technical knowledge, troubleshooting and problem-solving, knowledge of our structure and procedure, customer service skills, and professional behavior. We then identified five modalities for acquiring these skills in our consultants, being:hire people with the skill;provide classroom training;train through apprenticeship;rely on independent learning; orprovide ongoing training..Different skill sets are emphasized within each modality, but most are addressed across several modalities so as to ensure mastery and accommodate different learning styles. For example, attitude and interpersonal skills are heavily weighted in the hiring criteria. Formal instruction in customer service skills is then provided in a classroom setting and application of these skills is emphasized in the apprenticeship phase of training. Finally, customer service skills may be further developed through independent learning and ongoing training.We use this approach to structure all phases of consultant development: candidate selection, training, evaluation, and ongoing support. This poster presentation provides an overview of the analysis and plan, together with a selection of the instruments (forms, tests, etc.) that we use in each phase.
In Vitro Studies with Cefaclor, a New Oral Cephalosporin

Abstract In vitro studies were performed to evaluate the activity of cefaclor in comparison with cephalexin against 180 clinical isolates. Broth dilution susceptibility tests showed cefaclor to be 4- to 16-fold more active than cephalexin against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and cephalothin-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae. Neither drug was highly active against cephalothin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Cefaclor zones with 30-μg disks were generally larger than cephalexin zones, 4 mm larger than cephalothin zones against Enterobacteriaceae, and 6 mm smaller than cephalothin zones against S. aureus. Quantitative kill curves indicated that killing by both cefaclor and cephalexin was slow and often incomplete over a 24-h period. Cefaclor-induced filamentation of gram-negative bacilli was not as extensive as that produced by cephalexin, and some spherule formation did occur. However, cefaclor was significantly more unstable in solution than cephalexin, with a half-life of less than 6 h at 37°C. Thus, results obtained in tests after prolonged incubation may not provide an accurate measure of cefaclor's activity.
STRESS DEPENDENCE OF TENSILE CREEP RATE IN CARBONS AND GRAPHITES.

DESPITE the importance of carbons and graphites for very high temperature structural applications, very little is understood about the mechanisms of deformation and failure in these materials1. In principle, the stress dependence of the creep rate offers a simple method to obtain information on which of several possible deformation mechanisms operate at high temperatures. Using the empirical relationship e = Aσn, where e is the creep rate, σ is the stress and A is a proportionality constant, the stress exponent n is expected to equal one for Nabarro–Herring diffusion mass-transport creep; a much larger value of n, typically between 4 and 5, is expected for an edge dislocation climb mechanism such as occurs in many metals.