cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operative classification of thromboembolic disease determines outcome after pulmonary endarterectomy

Abstract Objective: We sought to determine whether type and location of thromboembolic disease in the pulmonary vascular tree predicts the hemodynamic result and clinical outcome in patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy. Methods: From 1998 to 2000, 202 patients with pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular resistance ranging from 194 to 2950 dynes-s-cm −5 underwent pulmonary endarterectomy. Preoperative and postoperative tricuspid valve function, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance were determined by means of transthoracic echocardiography and measurements with a Swan-Ganz catheter (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif), respectively. Patients underwent intraoperative classification of thromboembolism as follows: type 1 (76 patients), fresh thrombus in the main-lobar pulmonary arteries; type 2 (81 patients), intimal thickening and fibrosis proximal to the segmental arteries; type 3 (38 patients), disease within distal segmental arteries only; and type 4 (7 patients), distal arteriolar vasculopathy without visible thromboembolic disease. Results: Overall perioperative mortality was 4.5% (9/202 patients). By means of univariate analysis, patients with type 3 or 4 disease (distal pulmonary vasculopathy) had more residual postoperative tricuspid regurgitation ( P P P Conclusion: The degree of improvement in pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid regurgitation after pulmonary endarterectomy is determined by the type and location of pulmonary thromboembolic disease. Classification of thromboembolism is useful for predicting patient outcome after pulmonary endarterectomy. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;124:1203-11
Feasibility and validity were demonstrated of an online case–control study using the prototype of recent-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective To test the feasibility and validity of the online case–control study design through the empirical deployment of a prototype study of recent-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Visionary Futures: Guided Cognitive Imagery in Teaching and Learning About the Future

Guided cognitive imagery is described as an appropriate technology of choice for intuition-based exploring, learning, and teaching about alternative futures—especially suitable for futures involvin...
New Frontiers: The Evolution of William G. Tight From Geomorphologist to University President

William George Tight (1865-1910) contributed to our knowledge of U.S. Midwestern drainage patterns and the impact of glaciation on fluvial systems, including the Teays River (Pleistocene; now buried under glacial sediment in West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois). In 1901 he accepted the Presidency of the University of New Mexico (UNM). Subsequently, most of his attention was devoted to academic administration, although he managed some investigation of the geology and botany of the New Mexico Territory. He had many successes but ran afoul of political situations that led to his dismissal by the UNM Board of Regents in 1909.Although elements of Tight's geomorphic work in Ohio were published and his administrative endeavors in New Mexico were well covered by campus newspapers, serious gaps in our knowledge of William Tight exist because a campus fire in 1910 destroyed most of his papers and correspondence. Thus, a full account of his life exemplifies the biographer's task, literal in this case, of sift...
Learning Science and the Science of Learning

(1988). Learning Science and the Science of Learning. Studies in Science Education: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 77-101.
Bidirectional transmission of single flux quanta

Abstract The superconductor Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) directed branch-off proposed in the paper significantly reduces the area of remote on-chip connections utilizing “request/acknowledgment”-type protocols, and the power dissipation of such connections.
Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Female Graduate Student in the US and the UK

We build on Diana Leonard's work on gender and graduate education by qualitatively investigating the perceived advantages and disadvantages of being a female graduate student in the USA and the UK. We interviewed six female students (ages 22–30) pursuing master's degrees in psychology or social sciences in the USA and the UK. Students from both countries reported the advantages and disadvantages of being a woman in their graduate programmes. Advantages included being the majority in their fields and receiving more lenient treatment from faculty. Disadvantages included being viewed in terms of stereotypical gender roles and receiving unwanted sexual attention. Participants also discussed strategies for managing their gender as they pursued their graduate education. We consider these findings in light of Leonard's work on gender and graduate education and from an ambivalent sexism framework.
Electrosurgery: A Review

This article presents a review of hemostasis and electrosurgery. The principles of electrosurgery, including the effect on tissue, vessels, and wound healing, are presented, as are the advantages and disadvantages of its use.
Human Ingestions of Veterinary Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors

Background: Deracoxib and firocoxib are cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors approved for veterinary use, but not for use in humans. Information on the outcome of human ingestions of these drugs is not readily available. Objective: To describe human ingestions of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors reported to poison centers. Methods: All human ingestions of deracoxib and firocoxib reported to Texas poison centers during 2003-2009 were identified, and the distribution of ingestions by demographic and clinical factors was determined. Final medical outcome was determined by poison center staff, based on adverse clinical effects that are observed or expected. Results: Of 72 total ingestions, 56.9% involved deracoxib and 43.1% involved firocoxib. One tablet or less was ingested in 87.7% of cases in which the number of tablets was known. The patients were 62.5% female, 51.4% aged 0-5 years, 6.9% aged 6-19 years, and 41.7% aged 20 years or more. The patient was managed on site in 94.4% of the cases. The distribution of cases by final medical outcome was 44.4% no effect, 18.1% not followed but judged nontoxic, 34.7% not followed but minimal effects possible, and 2.8% effects probably not related to the ingestion. Conclusions: Human ingestions of deracoxib and firocoxib reported to Texas poison centers were relatively uncommon. Such ingestions usually involved 1 tablet or less. Cases followed to known outcome did not result in serious outcomes and were frequently managed on site.
Sources of fine sediment stored in agricultural lowland streams, Midwest, USA

Abstract Agricultural activities can accelerate the offsite transport of productive soil from fields leading to stream water quality degradation. Identification of the nature and relative contribution of different sources to fine-grained sediment (e.g., silts, clays) in streams is important to effectively focus agricultural best management practices in watersheds. Sediment fingerprinting techniques through the use of geochemical tracers are commonly used to differentiate relative contribution from various sources. Research was conducted in lowland streams in the Pleasant Valley watershed in South Central Wisconsin (USA) to identify provenance of fine-grained sediment deposits and evaluate the impact of land use on relative contributions from the following potential sources: cropland, pasture, woodland, and eroding stream banks. Results show that both agriculture (croplands and pastures) and eroding stream banks are primary sources to fine sediment deposits on the stream bed with contributions ranging from 19 to 100% and 0 to 81%, respectively. The increase in area under agricultural land use within a subwatershed results in greater contribution from agriculture (R2 = 0.846, p = 0.0034). Relative contributions from eroding stream banks increased with increasing area under grasslands and woodlands within a subwatershed (R2 = 0.814, p = 0.0055). Subwatersheds with greater mass of fine sediment deposited on the stream bed per unit area should be prioritized for best management practices. The conservation practices should be targeted to stream banks or croplands depending on the dominant source of fine sediment within a subwatershed. Site specific changes in relative contributions from different sources to fine-grained sediment in this watershed highlights the complexities involved in sediment transport dynamics. The nested sampling sites helped determine that sediment dynamics at the subwatershed scale need to be considered for application of targeted conservation techniques.
Anomalous tilt of Isidis Planitia, Mars

[1] We examine several models to account for the contrast between the global northern tilt of Mars and the southwest slope of Isidis Planitia and the putative Deuteronilus shoreline surrounding Isidis Planitia. We found the most probable cause for both the tilt of Isidis Planitia and the Deuteronilus shoreline at this location to be a peripheral bulge created by a load in Utopia basin. Using a flexural model it was found that a 12km load resulting in a 6 km deflection in Utopia basin could create a peripheral bulge that in distance and magnitude resembles the topographic profile from Isidis Planitia northeastward into Utopia basin.
THE ANALYSIS OF LINEAR FERROELECTRO-MAGNETIC CONTINUA AND THEIR COUPLINGS

ABSTRACT The governing equations for a ferroelectro-magnetic material are presented along with a proof of solution uniqueness. The equations for the general coupling coefficients (i.e. electro-magnetic, electro-mechanical, and magneto-mechanical) are provided. An analytical solution for a two-dimensional (plane-stress), transversely isotropic is presented. An effective coupling coefficient for determining the ability of a ferroelectro-magnetic material to convert and store input energies between different states is described.
Effect of form of reagent on particle sizes of precipitates

Abstract The particle size of an ionic precipitate is much smaller when one of the reactants is introduced as a solid rather than as a solution The effect is enhanced as the particle size of the solid reagent is decreased. The presence of a freshly dissolved inert electrolyte also influences the particle size of a precipitate The affects are not attributable merely to the degree of supersaturation but rather to the provision by the freshly dissolved material of sites upon which nucleation can be induced.
The performance of high-strength flowable concrete made with binary, ternary, or quaternary binder in hot climate

Abstract This paper investigates the performance of high-strength flowable concrete (HSFC) made with binary, ternary, or quaternary binder and with up to 70% of Portland cement replaced by supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Materials used as partial replacement of cement include class C and class F fly-ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and silica fume. A total of 16 concrete mixtures were prepared and tested. Two sets of concrete samples were prepared from each mixture. One set was cured under normal curing conditions (i.e. in a conventional curing room until the day of testing or in the curing room for the first 7 days and air cured for the remaining of the study) and the second set was cured in the curing room for the first 7 days and then exposed to a temperature of 46 °C (115 °F) in the oven on a 12-h based cycles until testing. Results showed that HSFC made with high volume of SCMs and exposed to hot climate condition performs similar, in some cases superior, to that of a similar concrete cured under normal condition.
A latent class analysis of cancer risk behaviors among U.S. college students.

Objective The purpose of this study is to understand how cancer risk behaviors cluster in U.S. college students and vary by race and ethnicity.
Sex and depression in the National Comorbidity Survey I: Lifetime prevalence, chronicity and recurrence

Basic epidemiologic prevalence data are presented on sex differences in DSM-III-R major depressive episodes (MDE). The data come from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS), the first survey in the U.S. to administer a structured psychiatric interview to a nationally representative sample of the general population. Consistent with previous research, women are approximately 1.7 times as likely as men to report a lifetime history of MDE. Age of onset analysis shows that this sex difference begins in early adolescence and persists through the mid-50s. Women also have a much higher rate of 12-month depression than men. However, women with a history of depression do not differ from men with a history of depression in either the probability of being chronically depressed in the past year or in the probability of having an acute recurrence in the past year. This means that the higher prevalence of 12-month depression among women than men is largely due to women having a higher risk of first onset. The implications of these results for future research are discussed in a closing section of the paper.
Effect of neonatal thymectomy and antithymocytic serum on susceptibility of rats to mycobacterium leprae infection.

SummaryNeonatal thymectomy and neonatal thymectomy plus ATS resulted in a marked increase in susceptibility of both Buffalo and Lewis rats to infection with M. leprae. In Buffalo rats, increase in susceptibility was limited to footpad infection. In Lewis rats, this was extended to include testis infection where the organisms in thymectomized—ATS-treated rats were found to be still in the logarithmic phase of growth 15 months after inoculation.
Statins of different brain penetrability differentially affect CSF PLTP activity.

Background/Aims: Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and apolipoprotein E (apoE) are key proteins involved in lipoprotein metabolism in the peripheral circulation and in the brain. Several epidemiological studies suggested that use of 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) reduces risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the effects of statins of differing blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrability on brain-derived molecules in cognitively normal individuals are largely unknown. Methods: To assess the effect of statins on these indices as a function of BBB penetration, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma PLTP activity and apoE concentration were measured in cognitively intact, modestly hypercholesterolemic adults randomly allocated to treatment with either pravastatin, which does not penetrate BBB (80 mg/day, n = 13), or simvastatin, which penetrates BBB (40 mg/day, n = 10). Results: Simvastatin significantly increased CSF PLTP activity (p = 0.005). In contrast, pravastatin had no such effect. In the pravastatin-treated group, CSF apoE concentration decreased significantly (p = 0.026), while the simvastatin-treated group showed a tendency towards lower CSF apoE levels, with CSF apoE concentration lowered in 8 of 10 subjects. Conclusion: Our data indicate that statins differentially affect two key lipid transfer proteins in the brain, and that effect on PLTP activity depends on statin BBB penetrability.
Identification of a minimal domain of 5 S ribosomal RNA sufficient for high affinity interactions with the RNA-specific zinc fingers of transcription factor IIIA.

Abstract Transcription factor IIIA of Xenopus laevis serves a dual function during oogenesis and early development: this zinc finger protein binds to the internal promoter element of the 5 S ribosomal RNA genes and acts as a positive transcription factor; additionally, the protein functions in 5 S RNA storage. The central four zinc fingers (zf4–7) of the nine-finger protein have been shown to bind 5 S rRNA with comparable or higher affinity than the full-length protein. The role of finger seven in binding affinity has been examined by deletion analysis. A zf4–6 protein binds 5 S RNA with about a sevenfold reduction in binding affinity, compared to zf4–7. The effect of non-specific competitor DNA on binding affinities of the zinc finger peptides was examined and found to have a significant effect on the measured affinities of these peptides for full-length and truncated versions of 5 S RNA. The interaction of zf4–6 with full-length 5 S RNA was far more sensitive to non-specific competitor concentration than was the zf4–7:5 S RNA interaction, suggesting that finger seven contributes to both affinity and specificity in this protein:RNA interaction. In order to map zinc finger binding sites on the 5 S RNA molecule, we generated truncated versions of the RNA and tested these molecules for their binding affinities with zf4–7 and zf4–6. Previous studies showed that a 75 nucleotide long RNA, comprising loop A, helix II, helix V, region E and helix IV, bound zf4–7 with high affinity. Selection and amplification binding assays (selex) have now been used to generate smaller high-affinity binding RNAs. We find that a 55 nucleotide long RNA, comprising loop A, helix V, region E and helix IV, but lacking helix II, retains high affinity for zf4–6. These data are consistent with the proposal that fingers 4–6 bind this central core of 5 S RNA and that finger seven binds the helix II region.
On the concept of spontaneously broken gauge symmetry in condensed matter physics

We discuss the concept of spontaneous breaking of gauge symmetry in super-conductors and superfluids and, in particular, the circumstances under which the absolute phase of a superfluid can be physically meaningful and experimentally relevant. We argue that the study of this question pushes us toward the frontiers of what we understand about the quantum measurement process, and underline the need for a new theoretical framework that keeps pace with modern technological capabilities.
Brain imaging studies: New insights into puzzling symptoms in anorexia nervosa.

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) have many puzzling symptoms. For example, restricted eating but an obsessive interest in food, anxiety and harm avoidance, relentless exercise, denial of illness, and resistance to treatment. In addition, little in life is rewarding, aside from the pursuit of weight loss. New brain imaging studies in AN, using fMRI and PET, are making substantial progress on understanding mechanisms that may contribute to altered reward, anxiety, and appetite modulation. For example, fMRI studies show that individuals with AN have altered response to the taste of sugar or water in insula and related regions thought to modulate higher-order appetitive function. In addition, they have altered reward processing in ventral striatum/dopamine pathways. Moreover, PET studies show increased binding of dopamine D2/D3 receptors in these regions, supporting a disturbance of “reward”-related function. In contrast, fMRI studies show that there is exaggerated activation of caudate and related cortical regions which may constitute an attempt at ‘strategic’ (as opposed to hedonic) means of responding to stimuli, and/or exaggerated anxiety, perhaps reflecting oversensitivity to uncertainty. In summary, individuals with AN may have a bias in information processing, with less ability to attend to the here and now, but increased traffic in neurocircuits concerned with planning and consequences. This knowledge is important to clinicians because it provides new insights into the reason for the puzzling symptoms in AN, which in turn improves the ability to understand and empathize with the struggles inherent in this disorder.
Dihydrogen and Methane Elimination from Adducts Formed by the Interaction of Carbenium and Silylium Cations with Nucleophiles

Stationary points for reactions R'R' 'HX(+) + YH --> [R'R' 'X-Y](+) + H(2) (I) and R'(CH(3))HX(+) + YH -->[R'HX-Y](+) + CH(4) (II) (R', R' ' = CH(3), H; X = C, Si; Y = CH(3)O, (CH(3))(2)N, and C(6)H(5)) are located and optimized by the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ method. A similar mechanism was found to be operative for both types of reactions with X = C and X = Si. Formation of the intermediate (adduct) results in the transfer of electron density from the electron-rich bases to the X atoms and in the growth of a positive charge on a hydrogen atom attached to Y. This mobile proton may shift from Y to X, and the relative energies of transition states for elimination reactions (Delta) depend on the ability of the X atom to retain this proton. Therefore, Deltagrows on going from Si to C and with increasing numbers of methyl substituents. For X = C, the Deltavalue for both reactions correlates well with the population of the valence orbitals of X in a wide range from -44 kcal/mol (methyl cation/benzene) to 31 kcal/mol (isopropyl cation/methanol). For X = Si this range is more narrow (from -19 to -5.0 kcal/mol), but all Delta values are negative with the exclusion of silylium ion/benzene systems, adducts of which are pi- rather than sigma-complexes. The energy minima for product complexes for H(2) elimination are very shallow, and several are dissociative. However, complexes with methane which exhibit bonding between X and the methane hydrogen are substantially stronger, especially for systems with X = Si. The latter association energy may reach 8 kcal/mol (Si...H distance is 2 A).
Learning decision trees from decision rules: a method and initial results from a comparative study

A standard approach to determining decision trees is to learn them from examples. A disadvantage of this approach is that once a decision tree is learned, it is difficult to modify it to suit different decision making situations. Such problems arise, for example, when an attribute assigned to some node cannot be measured, or there is a significant change in the costs of measuring attributes or in the frequency distribution of events from different decision classes. An attractive approach to resolving this problem is to learn and store knowledge in the form of decision rules, and to generate from them, whenever needed, a decision tree that is most suitable in a given situation. An additional advantage of such an approach is that it facilitates buildingcompact decision trees, which can be much simpler than the logically equivalent conventional decision trees (by compact trees are meant decision trees that may contain branches assigned aset of values, and nodes assignedderived attributes, i.e., attributes that are logical or mathematical functions of the original ones). The paper describes an efficient method, AQDT-1, that takes decision rules generated by an AQ-type learning system (AQ15 or AQ17), and builds from them a decision tree optimizing a given optimality criterion. The method can work in two modes: thestandard mode, which produces conventional decision trees, andcompact mode, which produces compact decision trees. The preliminary experiments with AQDT-1 have shown that the decision trees generated by it from decision rules (conventional and compact) have outperformed those generated from examples by the well-known C4.5 program both in terms of their simplicity and their predictive accuracy.
A Multi-Pronged Approach for Uncovering Allosteric Networks in Caspases

Caspases, the cysteine proteases that initiate and control apoptotic cell death, are subject to allosteric regulation by a variety of modulators. Due to their role in cell death, caspases are of interest as drug targets for diseases ranging from cancer to neurodegeneration. The most significant hurdle to their therapeutic use appears to be related to the overlapping active-site specificities for small molecule inhibitors, which do not fully reflect their true in vivo specificities for protein substrates. Due to this complication, allosteric inhibition of individual caspases or particular caspase sub-functions is of great interest. Fortunately, caspases are extremely amenable to allosteric regulation, in large part due to their remarkably plastic substrate-binding grooves, which can be modulated by a number of distinct allosteric mechanisms. Our current work is to develop a global map of the allosteric networks across the family. We have discovered allosteric sites in caspase-6 and -9 that are natively regulated by zinc and elucidated the molecular mechanism of inhibition crystallographically. We have identified other allosteric sites, unique to caspase-3, -6, -7, -8 or -9 respectively, which are controlled by phosphorylation. The allosteric networks including these sites utilize distal control of the substrate-binding groove. Based on our understanding of these mechanisms of inhibition, we have engineered an allosterically handcuffed version of caspase-7 that can be unlocked by the intracellular reduction potential. Finally, using specially-designed nanoparticles we have delivered caspases and induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Together these findings move us closer to a full understanding of the allosteric networks controlling caspase function and therapeutically relevant allosteric control of caspases.
Intercomparison of Bulk Microphysics Schemes in Model Simulations of Polar Lows

Abstract Four spiraliform polar lows, two over the Sea of Japan and two over the Nordic Seas, were simulated with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Five mixed-phase bulk microphysics schemes (BMS) provided with WRF were run respectively in order to compare their performance in polar low simulations. The observed cloud-top temperatures (CTTs) were compared with the model simulations. Precipitation rates estimated by the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) and gauge-calibrated surface radar precipitation estimates around Japan were also used for validation. Although definitive validation is not possible with the available data, results from the WRF Single-Moment 6-class (WSM6) scheme appear to reproduce the cloud and precipitation processes most realistically. The model produced precipitation intensities comparable to validation products over the Sea of Japan. However, in the Nordic Seas cases, all five schemes produced significantly more precipitation ...
Regular representations and Huang-Lepowsky tensor functors for vertex operator algebras

Abstract This is the second paper in a series devoted to studies of regular representations for vertex operator algebras. In this paper, given a module W for a vertex operator algebra V, we construct, from the dual space W ∗ , a family of canonical (weak) V⊗V-modules called D Q(z) (W) parameterized by a nonzero complex number z. We prove that for V-modules W, W1, and W2, a Q(z)-intertwining map of type W′ W 1 W 2 in the sense of Huang and Lepowsky exactly amounts to a V⊗V-homomorphism from W1⊗W2 to D Q(z) (W) and that a Q(z)-tensor product of V-modules W1 and W2 in the sense of Huang and Lepowsky amounts to a universal from W1⊗W2 to the functor F Q(z) , where F Q(z) is a functor from the category of V-modules to the category of weak V⊗V-modules defined by F Q(z) (W)= D Q(z) (W′) for a V-module W. Furthermore, Huang–Lepowsky's P(z)- and Q(z)-tensor functors for the category of V-modules are extended to functors TP(z) and TQ(z) from the category of V⊗V-modules to the category of V-modules. It is proved that functors F P(z) and F Q(z) are right adjoints of TP(z) and TQ(z), respectively.
Some effects of Ca2+, Mg2+ , and Mn2+ on the ultrastructure, light-scattering properties, and malic enzyme activity of adrenal cortex mitochondria.

Abstract The ultrastructure and 90 ° light-scattering capacity of adrenal cortex mitochondria have been examined under conditions which lead to an activation of malic enzyme activity in these mitochondria. After isolation, the mitochondria display an aggregate ultrastructure which does not resemble the vesicular (orthodox) form normally seen in vivo . Under conditions of malic enzyme activation (presence of malate, NADP + , Mg 2+ and 1 m m Ca 2+ ), the ultrastructure reverts to a vesicular form as seen in vivo . Of these required components, only Ca 2+ affects the ultrastructure. The ultrastructural transformation from the aggregate to the orthodox form is always accompanied by a decrease in the 90 ° light-scattering capacity. When produced by Ca 2+ , transformation requires energy-dependent Ca 2+ uptake if an oxidizable substrate is present. In the absence of substrate, the transformation occurs as an apparent energy-independent effect. Mn 2+ can substitute for Ca 2+ only in the presence of substrate. In de-energized mitochondria, Mn 2+ prevents the effects of Ca 2+ . The activation of malic enzyme is always preceded by a decrease in light scattering and transformation to the orthodox ultrastructure; however, the presence of the orthodox form is not a sufficient condition since subsequent chelation of free Ca 2+ fails to reverse either the decrease in light scattering or ultrastructural transformation but does reverse the enzyme activation. In addition, levels of Mn 2+ which effectively depress light-scattering capacity and produce the orthodox form, fail to activate malic enzyme significantly. The data are discussed as they relate to Ca 2+ -induced damage in mitochondria.
Mechanical vibration induced electro-spinning of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF)

Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is a piezoelectric polymer with a low-cost, high flexibility and biocompatibility that is suitable for various energy conversion applications between the electrical and mechanical forms of energy. One of the novel techniques to create PVDF fibers is electro-spinning. In the present work, the above technique has been applied to develop electro-spun thin-film based on PVDF with the use of high electric field and a high-frequency mechanical vibratory motion as an electro-spinning setup. The high-frequency vibratory motion is used to create effective fluid viscous forces to achieve a localized fluid spreading and thinning behavior of extremely thin polymer fiber solution.
Effects of human activity on the foraging behavior of sanderlings Calidris alba

Urbanization and coastal development has dramatically reduced the beach habitat available for foraging shorebirds worldwide. This study tested the general hypothesis that recreational use of shorebird foraging areas adversely affects the foraging behavior of sanderlings Calidris alba. Observations conducted on two central California beaches from January through May and September through December of 1999 showed that number and activity of people significantly reduced the amount of time sanderlings spent foraging. Although the sample size was low, the most significant negative factor was the presence of free running dogs on the beach. The experimentally determined minimal approach distance did not vary significantly with the type of human activities tested. Based on these results, policy recommendations for minimizing the impact of human beach activities on foraging shorebirds include: (1) people maintain a minimum distance of 30 m from areas where shorebirds concentrate and (2) strict enforcement of leash laws.
A note on the temperature-dependent hot-wire calibration method of Cimbala and Park

In an earlier note Cimbala and Park (1990) presented a method for calibrating constant temperature hot wires in incompressible gas flow which accounts for ambient temperature changes. Their method involves the retention of the temperature dependence in a form of King's Law. However, in practice the method proves difficult to implement due to a numerical difficulty in finding a best fit to the assumed functional form. This note presents a modified version of the method of Cimbala and Park which does not seem to have the numerical difficulty, as well as some further comments on the method.
‘Fast‐track’ protocols in colorectal surgery

SUMMARY A greater appreciation of newer concepts in healthcare process management, improved understanding of postoperative physiology, and economic pressures have combined to produce safe reductions of hospital stays after major gastrointestinal surgery. Preoperative and postoperative education is a key component of successful fast-track care pathways. Effective treatment of pain, nausea and vomiting, ileus, and fatigue combined with minimization of mechanical factors all decrease stress-induced organ dysfunction. An important factor leading to enhanced recovery is early ambulation, which maintains muscle strength, limits disruption of orthostatic reflexes, and plays a role in reducing ileus and pulmonary complications. A growing body of evidence supports the contention that laparoscopic colectomy may allow optimization of fast-track care of the colectomy patients. Epidural anesthesia/analgesia appears to be an important component of the perioperative care plan in many fast-track programs. Evaluation of an enhanced care plan called the ‘Controlled Rehabilitation and Early Ambulation and Diet’ showed that patients who were suitable for the program at the time of surgery stayed in hospital for 4.3 ± 1.6 days postoperatively. The presence of a defunctioning loop ileostomy, or a history of previous abdominal surgery did not affect time to discharge. Time to discharge from hospital was significantly delayed in patients who showed poor compliance with the protocol. The process of care was effective in patients undergoing colonic, rectal and reoperative surgery, not just the ‘optimal’ colectomy patient.
Practice of surgery with Project Vietnam, 1966

A report on the experiences of a surgeon in Vietnam tells both of the medical effort directed toward our fighting forces and of the medical aid being given to the civilian population of Vietnam.
Monte Carlo simulation of the scattered radiation distribution in diagnostic radiology

Monte Carlo techniques were employed to evaluate the point spread function (PSF) of scattered radiation in diagnostic radiology. The Monte Carlo procedure is described and shown to compare well with Monte Carlo scatter analysis of other authors. The intensity and distribution of the PSF are described independently. The effects of object thickness, air gap, and beam spectra are examined. An analytic derivation of the scatter PSF is presented in a companion article, and the Monte Carlo results discussed herein are used for comparison.
A comparison between the fundamental and third harmonic interactions in X-ray free-electron lasers

Abstract Free-electron lasers are under study as 4th generation light sources for 1.5 A X-rays. However, the interaction is extremely sensitive to the beam quality, and it is useful to consider alternate schemes. The scheme discussed here is to generate 4.5 A X-rays using the fundamental interaction and rely on nonlinear 3rd harmonic generation to reach 1.5 A. The specific example discussed corresponds to the Linac Coherent Light Source proposed at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
Risk of an asthma exacerbation after bariatric surgery in adults

Background Research on nonsurgical weight loss interventions has failed to demonstrate consistent efficacy on asthma control, although these interventions resulted in only modest weight reductions. Objective We sought to test the hypothesis that bariatric surgery is associated with a rapid and sustained decrease in risk of asthma exacerbation. Methods We performed a self-controlled case series study of 2261 obese patients with asthma aged 18 to 54 years who underwent bariatric surgery using the population-based emergency department (ED) and inpatient sample in 3 states (California, Florida, and Nebraska). The primary outcome was an ED visit or hospitalization for asthma exacerbation from 2005 through 2011. We used conditional logistic regression to compare each patient's risk of the outcome event during sequential 12-month periods using presurgery months 13 to 24 as the reference period. Results During the reference period, 22.0% (95% CI, 20.3% to 23.7%) of patients had an ED visit or hospitalization for asthma exacerbation. In the subsequent 12-month presurgery period, the risk did not materially change (21.7%; 95% CI, 20.0% to 23.4%), with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.85-1.13) compared with the reference period. By contrast, significantly fewer ED visits or hospitalizations for asthma exacerbation occurred within 12 months after bariatric surgery (10.9%; 95% CI, 9.6% to 12.2%), corresponding to an OR of 0.42 (95% CI, 0.35-0.50). Similarly, in the subsequent period of 13 to 24 months after bariatric surgery, the risk remained significantly lower (10.9%; 95% CI, 9.6% to 12.2%), corresponding to an OR of 0.42 (95% CI, 0.35-0.50). Conclusion In obese patients the risk of an ED visit or hospitalization for asthma exacerbation decreased by half after bariatric surgery. This reduction suggests the effectiveness of significant weight loss on asthma morbidity.
Maintaining data integrity in microarray data management

Gene expression microarrays are a relatively new technology, dating back just a few years, yet they have already become a very widely used tool in biology, and have evolved to a wide range of applications well beyond their original design intent. However, while the use of microarrays has expanded, and the issues of performance optimization have been intensively studied, the fundamental issue of data integrity management has largely been ignored. Now that performance has improved so greatly, the shortcomings of data integrity control methods constitute a greater percent of the stumbling blocks for investigators. Microarray data are cumbersome, and the rule up to this point has mostly been one of hands-on transformations, leading to human errors which often have dramatic consequences. We show in this review that the time lost on such mistakes is enormous and dramatically affects results; therefore, mistakes should be mitigated in any way possible. We outline the scope of the data integrity issue, to survey some of the most common and dangerous data transformations, and their shortcomings. To illustrate, we review some case studies. We then look at the work done by the research community on this issue (which admittedly is meager up to this point). Some data integrity issues are always going to be difficult, while others will become easier-one of our goals is to expedite the use of integrity control methods. Finally, we present some preliminary guidelines and some specific approaches that we believe should be the focus of future research.
Control of Legionella in hospitals

Abstract Legionellas are present in water distribution systems and cooling towers of many hospitals. No firm data are available regarding the need for prophylactic disinfection of these contaminated systems. Disinfection of water systems and cooling towers is an accepted and effective means of ending nosocomial Legionnaires' disease, but it should be performed in conjunction with good epidemiological and microbiological studies to pinpoint environmental reservoirs and disseminators. Chlorination, pasteurization, or both, are the only means of disinfection found to be effective in disease outbreaks. Prospective surveillance of immunocompromised patients with pneumonia is probably the most effective means to determine if a hospital is a source of Legionnaires' disease and, therefore, requires further investigations and disinfection.
Adventures with a Reconfigurable Research Platform

The computer industry is at a cross-roads. The problems associated with scaling uniprocessor performance has forced all major computer manufactures to turn to multi-and many-core architectures. This sea change in processor design has created many opportunities for field programmable logic. In the RAMP project, we are developing an affordable and versatile multiprocessor emulation platform being built as a large collaborative effort. RAMP hardware, from processors to caches to networks, is implemented in FPGAs for flexibility, accuracy, visibility, cost and performance. It is designed to be composable, where different components can be quickly written, assembled and run. By using hardware rather than simulation, RAMP will be fast enough to run real codes and be useful to software. By using conventional instruction set architectures and providing peripheral support required by operating systems, RAMP will run full, unmodified software stacks. RAMP's intended audience includes anyone designing and using multiprocessor systems, including architecture researchers, software developers, and end users. In this talk, I will describe the background and current state of the RAMP development and related projects using our FPGA platform, the Berkeley emulation engine (BEE).
Levamisole residues in chicken tissues and eggs

Levamisole is currently being used to treat capillaria infection in chickens even though there is no published withdrawal information available for levamisole in chickens. Tissue residue withdrawal of levamisole in chickens was studied in 32 healthy broiler breeder chickens at the age of 32 wk (peak of egg production). Levamisole residues in chicken tissues, eggs, and plasma were determined by HPLC with ultraviolet (UV) detection at 225 nm. The highest level of residue and longest withdrawal after oral administration of 40 mg/kg levamisole to chickens was in the liver. On d 3 the level of levamisole were undetectable in the plasma. On d 9, levamisole residue in eggs was 0.096 microg/g and on d 18 it was 0.06 microg/g or less in all the analyzed chicken tissues. Those levels were lower than the recommended maximum residue limit (MRL). The withdrawal time for levamisole in chickens was longer than for other species tested, which is due in part to a larger dose of levamisole being recommended for chickens. In conclusion from this research, 9 d are needed for levamisole in eggs to be less than the MRL, and 18 d of withdrawal are needed before medicated birds are slaughtered if their tissues are to be safe for human consumption.
Research methods: Managing primary study quality in meta‐analyses

Meta-analyses synthesize multiple primary studies and identify patterns of relationships. Differences in primary study methodological quality must be addressed for meta-analysis to produce meaningful results. No single standard exists for addressing these quality variations. Quality measurement scales are fraught with development and application problems. Several strategies have been proposed to address quality. Researchers can set minimum levels for inclusion or require that certain quality attributes be present. An inclusive method is to weight effect sizes by quality scores. This allows the inclusion of diverse studies but relies on questionable quality measures. By considering quality an empirical question, meta-analysts can examine associations between quality and effect sizes and thus preserve the purpose of meta-analysis to systematically examine data. Researchers increasingly are combining strategies to overcome the limitations of using a single approach. Future work to develop valid measures of primary study quality dimensions will improve the ability of meta-analysis to inform research and nursing practice.
Minimum ideal triangulations of hyperbolic 3-manifolds

Let ?(n) be the minimum number of ideal hyperbolic tetrahedra necessary to construct a finite volumen-cusped hyperbolic 3-manifold, orientable or not. Let ?or(n) be the corresponding number when we restrict ourselves to orientable manifolds. The correct values of ?(n) and ?or(n) and the corresponding manifolds are given forn=1,2,3,4 and 5. We then show that 2n?1≤?(n)≤?or(n)≤4n?4 forn?5 and that ?or(n)?2n for alln.
Edward p. Buchanan.

I want to thank my colleague Dr. Edward Buchanan for guest editing the current issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery on the topic of craniofacial surgery, as well as the authors for their contributions. Dr. Buchanan is currently an assistant professor of surgery in the Plastic Surgery Division of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He specializes in pediatric plastic surgery and craniofacial surgery. He obtained his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2004 and completed his plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center in 2010. Immediately following his residency, Dr. Buchanan completed a craniofacial/pediatric plastic surgery fellowship at Seattle Children's Hospital. His primary practice is at the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where his primary practice focus is cleft lip and palate, craniofacial anomalies, and pediatric plastic surgery. His clinical research focuses on outcomes analysis. Although early in his career, Dr. Buchanan is meeting the challenges of a skillful surgeon and excellent teacher.
The Free Energy Landscape of Pseudorotation in 3′–5′ and 2′–5′ Linked Nucleic Acids

The five-membered furanose ring is a central component of the chemical structure of biological nucleic acids. The conformations of the furanose ring can be analytically described using the concept of pseudorotation, and for RNA and DNA they are dominated by the C2'-endo and C3'-endo conformers. While the free energy difference between these two conformers can be inferred from NMR measurements, a free energy landscape of the complete pseudorotation cycle of nucleic acids in solution has remained elusive. Here, we describe a new free energy calculation method for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the two pseudorotation parameters directly as the collective variables. To validate our approach, we calculated the free energy surface of ribose pseudorotation in guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine. The calculated free energy landscape reveals not only the relative stability of the different pseudorotation conformers, but also the main transition path between the stable conformations. Applying this method to a standard A-form RNA duplex uncovered the expected minimum at the C3'-endo state. However, at a 2'-5' linkage, the minimum shifts to the C2'-endo conformation. The free energy of the C3'-endo conformation is 3 kcal/mol higher due to a weaker hydrogen bond and a reduced base stacking interaction. Unrestrained MD simulations suggest that the conversion from C3'-endo to C2'-endo and vice versa is on the nanosecond and microsecond time scale, respectively. These calculations suggest that 2'-5' linkages may enable folded RNAs to sample a wider spectrum of their pseudorotation conformations.
Impairment of Digoxin Clearance by Coadministration of Quinidine

Seven healthy volunteers received a single 1.0-mg dose of intravenous digoxin in a drug-free control trial and again during concurrent therapy with therapeutic doses of quinidine. Digoxin kinetics were determined from multiple serum digoxin concentrations measured during 72 hours after dosage. Compared to the control state, quinidine coadministration reduced mean digoxin volume of distribution (15.1 vs. 12.4 l./kg), prolonged its elimination half-life (47.7 vs. 75.7 hours), and significantly reduced total clearance (6.06 vs. 2.18 ml/min.kg). Both renal and extrarenal digoxin clearances were impaired by quinidine. In nine cardiac patients receiving long-term digoxin therapy (0.25 mg twice daily), quinidine coadministration elevated mean morning digoxin levels from 1.37 to 2.0 ng/ml (P less than 0.001) and evening levels from 1.44 to 1.97 ng/ml (N.S.). If digoxin concentrations at the site of action are increased by quinidine, the interaction is likely to be of clinical importance in many patients.
Oxidation state of the atmosphere and crust of Venus from pioneer Venus results

Recent spacecraft observations of Venus permit a detailed model of sulfur chemistry in the atmosphere-lithosphere system. Pioneer Venus experiments confirm that, as predicted, COS and H2S are dominant over SO2 in the lower atmosphere, and that the equilibrium concentrations of S2 and S3 are significant. Many criteria serve to bracket the oxidation state of the crust: it is nearly certain that the S2(2-)/SO4(2-) buffer regulates the oxygen fugacity, and that FeO is at least as abundant as F2O3 in crustal silicates. A highly oxidized crust (as, for example, would result from O2 absorption complementary to escape of vast amounts of H2) is incompatible with the gas-phase sulfur chemistry. If the Pioneer Venus mass spectrometer estimates of the abundance of sulfur gases are correct, earth-like models for the bulk composition of Venus are seriously in error, and a far lower FeO content is required for Venus.