cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Future of Bioengineering for Head and Neck Reconstruction: The Customized Free Flap

The successful reconstruction of complex defects in the head and neck region may require significant expertise and experience on the part of the maxillofacial surgeon. In the majority of cases, restoration of both esthetics and function can be satisfactorily achieved by the use of autogenous non-vascularized grafts or vascularized free flaps. Stringent patient selection is critical to the success of these techniques and includes requirements such as treating target defects with adequate soft tissue volume, an intact donor site, and healthy individuals without significant wound healing impairment. In many cases, multiple surgical revisions may be needed to achieve the desired outcomes. With the increase in healthcare costs and number of patients with complex comorbidities, tissue engineering has provided a plethora of strategies for cases that may not be ideal for traditional surgical approaches. In this chapter, we present tissue engineering strategies that are both current in clinical practice and ongoing in research trials. These approaches range from the use of a prefabricated space maintainer to optimize the wound environment prior to the final reconstruction to the utilization of an in vivo bioreactor in generating autologous tissue biologically and geometrically tailored to the target defect. The appreciation of emerging bioengineering strategies will serve informed surgeons well in optimizing surgical planning for the reconstruction of complex maxillofacial defects.
Intensive Care Management of Meningitis and Encephalitis

Meningitis and encephalitis are emergent neurological conditions that are both challenging and highly diverse in their clinical manifestations and epidemiological features. Although both have similar features, encephalopathy is the hallmark that differentiates encephalitis from meningitis. Recently, there is an increasing recognition of noninfectious causes like autoimmune conditions. Despite its prompt identification and early administration of antimicrobial therapy, about 25% of patients require care in the neurointensive care unit. Various factors that are associated with admission to the intensive care unit include seizures, status epilepticus, altered mental status, and respiratory failure. Major neurological concerns that are encountered in these patients include elevated intracranial pressure, hydrocephalus, seizures including status epilepticus, and strokes. Besides prompt recognition and treatment of the offending agent, aggressive care of various neurological and systemic complications is required to achieve good functional outcome. Management of these complications frequently requires incorporation of an interdisciplinary team. Despite adopting an intensive approach, a significant morbidity and mortality are observed in these patients.
Down the Rabbit Hole: Researching the Golden Age of Children's Literature in the Baldwin

Article by Professor Rae X. Yan and her experience teaching the Golden Ageof Children’s Literature Course in 2018.
Forced, Not Voluntary, Aerobic Exercise Enhances Motor Recovery in Persons With Chronic Stroke:

Background. The recovery of motor function following stroke is largely dependent on motor learning-related neuroplasticity. It has been hypothesized that intensive aerobic exercise (AE) training as an antecedent to motor task practice may prime the central nervous system to optimize motor recovery poststroke. Objective. The objective of this study was to determine the differential effects of forced or voluntary AE combined with upper-extremity repetitive task practice (RTP) on the recovery of motor function in adults with stroke. Methods. A combined analysis of 2 preliminary randomized clinical trials was conducted in which participants (n = 40) were randomized into 1 of 3 groups: (1) forced exercise and RTP (FE+RTP), (2) voluntary exercise and RTP (VE+RTP), or (3) time-matched stroke-related education and RTP (Edu+RTP). Participants completed 24 training sessions over 8 weeks. Results. A significant interaction effect was found indicating that improvements in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) were greatest for the FE+RTP group (P = .001). All 3 groups improved significantly on the FMA by a mean of 11, 6, and 9 points for the FE+RTP, VE+RTP, and Edu+RTP groups, respectively. No evidence of a treatment-by-time interaction was observed for Wolf Motor Function Test outcomes; however, those in the FE+RTP group did exhibit significant improvement on the total, gross motor, and fine-motor performance times (P ≤ .01 for all observations). Conclusions. Results indicate that FE administered prior to RTP enhanced motor skill acquisition greater than VE or stroke-related education. AE, FE in particular, should be considered as an effective antecedent to enhance motor recovery poststroke.
The effects of online and blended experience on outcomes in a blended learning environment

Abstract Outcomes in a blended course in business and economic statistics are assessed within the context of students' previous experience with online and blended courses. Experience with class formats that rely heavily upon online materials may translate into improved outcomes in subsequent blended courses. We explore whether any significant gains accrue to students due to previous experience. When outcomes were analyzed using the full sample of students, no effects on outcomes from having previous experience versus having none were found. However, when the transfer status of students and ranges of grade point averages were considered, it was found that online and blended experience provided a positive marginal effect on outcomes for high-achieving transfer students. The effect was one-third to two-thirds of a letter grade depending on the amount of experience.
Metacarpal Bony Dimensions Related to Headless Compression Screw Sizes.

Introduction The purpose of this study is to determine the radiographic dimensions of the finger metacarpals and to compare these measurements with headless compression screws commonly used for fracture fixation. Materials and Methods We analyzed computed tomography (CT) scans of the index, long, ring, and small metacarpal bones and measured the metacarpal length, distance from the isthmus to the metacarpal head, and intramedullary diameter of the isthmus. Metacarpals with previous fractures or hardware were excluded. We compared these dimensions with the size of several commercially available headless screws used for intramedullary fixation. Results A total of 223 metacarpals from 57 patients were analyzed. The index metacarpal was the longest, averaging 67.6 mm in length. The mean distance from the most distal aspect of the metacarpal head to the isthmus was 40.3, 39.5, 34.4, and 31 mm for the index, long, ring, and small metacarpals, respectively. The narrowest diameter of the isthmus was a mean of 2.6, 2.7, 2.3, and 3 mm for the index, long, ring, and small metacarpals, respectively. Of 33 commercially available screws, only 27% percent reached the isthmus of the index metacarpal followed by 42, 48, and 58% in the long, ring, and small metacarpals, respectively. Conclusion The index and long metacarpals are at a particular risk of screw mismatch given their relatively long lengths and narrow isthmus diameters.
Implementation of a pilot medical student mentoring program for premedical students and its effects on premedical student attitudes.

As the medical school admissions process becomes increasingly competitive, there is an increased mental and emotional burden on undergraduate premedical students due to uncertainty about acceptance...
Time to leave: an analysis of travel times during the approach and landfall of Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma caused widespread evacuation activity across Florida and some of its neighboring states in September of 2017. The researchers gathered estimated travel times from the Google Distance Matrix API over about a month to identify and analyze evacuation periods on roads in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina during this time. Travel time data were mathematically adjusted to show more realistic estimations. Both sets of travel times were then graphed, with the assumption that elevated travel times prior to and during hurricane landfall were indicative of evacuation activity. The study generally corroborated the well-established daytime evacuation preference. However, not all evacuation periods followed the daytime travel preference, and at least one nighttime evacuation may have been caused by flooding. In another case, later elevated travel coincided with significant power loss. Finally, the Florida data suggest that most of the evacuation traffic departed before local jurisdictions’ recommended evacuation start times.
Time-Resolved Single-Cell Assay for Measuring Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species upon Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter.

Health risks associated with exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) are a major concern around the world. Adverse PM health effects have been proposed to be linked to oxidative stress through ...
Red Flags, Geography, Exam Scores, and Other Factors Used by Program Directors in Determining Which Applicants Are Offered an Interview for Anesthesiology Residency.

Objective The goal of this study was to measure the most important factors in candidate applications that anesthesiology program directors (PDs) use to decide who to invite for an interview, and how that might change once the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 is only reported as pass/fail. Design Based on a literature review, a comprehensive list of 27 factors used by PDs to select candidates for the interview was developed. An anonymous survey link was emailed to PDs of all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited Anesthesiology residencies. The survey asked PDs to rank order the top 10 factors they currently consider for making interview invitation, and then to repeat the rank ordering as if the USMLE Step 1 score was instead reported as pass/fail as will be done beginning in 2022. Results Forty-five of 159 (28%) PDs responded, with 82% disagreeing with changing the Step 1 score to pass/fail. 84% consider the Step 1 score (77% for Step 2) moderately or very important for selecting an applicant for an interview. The most frequently mentioned "red flags" were failure of a licensing exam, failure of a medical school course, gaps in education without explanation, and criminal history. 69% of PDs agreed that applicants coming from the medical school affiliated with their program would have an advantage over other applicants. Although, the three factors most commonly ranked in the top 10 in importance were the Step 1 score, followed by letters of recommendation, and then the Medical School Performance Evaluation, variability exists in how PDs ranked factors. For example, of the PDs that had Step 1 in the top 10, 27% had it ranked between the 6th and 10th most important. 9% of PDs did not have Step 1 score in the top 10. Core clinical clerkship grades were one of the top 5 factors by 49% of PDs, yet overall was the 6th most common top 10 factor as 36% of PDs did not have core clerkship grades at all in the top 10. Once Step 1 is reported only as pass/fail, PDs had letters of recommendation, Step 2, and the Medical School Performance Evaluation as the most frequently ranked factors in the top 10. 64% of the PDs supported restricting the number of programs a candidate can apply to, with the majority suggesting a limit of 15 to 20 programs per applicant. Conclusion Variability exists among anesthesiology PDs in the key criteria for offering an applicant an interview. Once Step 1 is reported as pass/fail, there will be an increased emphasis on Step 2 scores.
An Analysis of the Effects of Crash Factors and Precrash Actions on Side Impact Crashes at Unsignalized Intersections

Annually, side impact crashes contribute to a significant proportion of road fatalities. These crashes typically occur as a result of traffic violations at intersections. This study contributes to efforts in addressing side impact crashes at unsignalized intersections by performing a path analysis to unravel some behavioral trajectories through which these crashes occur. The study further investigated how these behavioral pathways influence the severity of the crashes. Crashes that occurred at unsignalized four-way intersections and T-junctions in Alabama were used for model estimations. Three precrash actions, failed to yield right-of-way at the stop sign, failed to yield right-of-way at a turn, and running stop sign, were considered. The model estimation results reveal that some of the crash factors were more associated with certain precrash factors but not others at either four-way intersections or T-junctions or both. It was observed that side impact crashes that occurred under daylight conditions at four-way intersections, for instance, were less likely to involve running a stop sign but more likely to involve failure to yield at the stop sign and failure to yield right-of-way at a turn, but under dark and unlit roadway conditions, the at-fault drivers were more likely to run a stop sign or fail to yield at a stop sign but less likely to be involved in failure to yield right-of-way at a turn. This approach to injury severity analysis uncovers complex underlying relationships between precrash actions, other contributing factors, and crash outcomes.
Reliability Assessment of Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems at Burst Limit State Under Active Corrosion

Civil infrastructures such as oil and gas transportation systems play a vital role in industrial and public energy distribution and consumption. A large number of existing oil and gas transportation pipelines in many cities in the USA are running at the end of their design life and are at risk. Failure in these systems can potentially cause adverse effects to the society, economy, and environment. Asset managers often need to prioritize the critical segments based on the risk of failure, available budget, and resources. In this paper, the fitness for service of oil and gas pipelines and network integrity are evaluated probabilistically using various burst pressure models to prioritize the riskiest segments to support asset management. The current state-of-the-art practice of burst failure models for pressurized metallic pipelines is compared using a physical probabilistic approach. Since metallic pipelines for oil and gas transportation are typically designed for a long lifespan and experience localized corrosion deterioration throughout their lifetime, a steady-state corrosion model was assumed for accounting for the effect of external corrosion deterioration on the burst pressure of pipelines. A Monte Carlo Simulation technique is utilized to generate the fragility curves of pipelines considering corrosion deterioration over time. Uncertainties involved in various parameters related to burst failure and fragility estimation are modelled based on the knowledge gained from past research. A comparative analysis is presented for various fragility models of pipelines. Also, system reliability was evaluated using a minimum cut sets approach. The proposed approach is illustrated for a simple hypothetical oil/gas transmission system. Outcomes of the study show a consistent trend of failure for various models over time. The results of the probabilistic models of burst failures are analyzed, and recommendations are provided to support asset management planning.
Commander in Chief Authority and the Original Intent of the Constitution

In the modern era, an imperial view of Presidential Command in Chief authority to use military force has taken hold. The imperial view holds that a President has nearly unlimited authority to use military force at any time and any place. The original intent of the Founding Fathers was far different. Command in Chief authority was modeled on George Washington's role as Command in Chief of the Continental Army. The Founders view that a President can only use military force upon a Declaration of War, national self-defense, or pursuant to a treaty obligation.
Data-centric Reliability Management in GPUs

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have become the default choice of acceleration in a wide range of application domains. To keep up with computational demands, the GPU memory system is constantly being innovated from both the cache and DRAM perspectives. Such innovations can adversely affect GPU reliability and in fact, can lead to an increase in the number of multi-bit faults. To address this problem, we systematically study a wide range of GPGPU applications and find that usually, only a small percentage of data needs protection to increase application resilience. This data is highly accessed and shared (constitutes hot memory), which implies that faults in this space can often lead to incorrect application output. An in-depth analysis of application code shows that information of such data can be passed on to the hardware to guide low-overhead detection/correction schemes. In this vein, we developed low-overhead partial data replication schemes that exploit latency tolerance in GPUs. Overall, this data-centric approach dramatically improves GPGPU application resilience, with a minimal additional average performance overhead of 1.2% for detection-only and 3.4% for detection-and-correction.
Predicting and Preventing Acute Care Re-Utilization by Patients with Diabetes.

Acute care re-utilization, i.e., hospital readmission and post-discharge Emergency Department (ED) use, is a significant driver of healthcare costs and a marker for healthcare quality. Diabetes is a major contributor to acute care re-utilization and associated costs. The goals of this paper are to (1) review the epidemiology of readmissions among patients with diabetes, (2) describe models that predict readmission risk, and (3) address various strategies for reducing the risk of acute care re-utilization. Hospital readmissions and ED visits by diabetes patients are common and costly. Major risk factors for readmission include sociodemographics, comorbidities, insulin use, hospital length of stay (LOS), and history of readmissions, most of which are non-modifiable. Several models for predicting the risk of readmission among diabetes patients have been developed, two of which have reasonable accuracy in external validation. In retrospective studies and mostly small randomized controlled trials (RCTs), interventions such as inpatient diabetes education, inpatient diabetes management services, transition of care support, and outpatient follow-up are generally associated with a reduction in the risk of acute care re-utilization. Data on readmission risk and readmission risk reduction interventions are limited or lacking among patients with diabetes hospitalized for COVID-19. The evidence supporting post-discharge follow-up by telephone is equivocal and also limited. Acute care re-utilization of patients with diabetes presents an important opportunity to improve healthcare quality and reduce costs. Currently available predictive models are useful for identifying higher risk patients but could be improved. Machine learning models, which are becoming more common, have the potential to generate more accurate acute care re-utilization risk predictions. Tools embedded in electronic health record systems are needed to translate readmission risk prediction models into clinical practice. Several risk reduction interventions hold promise but require testing in multi-site RCTs to prove their generalizability, scalability, and effectiveness.
Voices on the world stage: Processing the power of individual experience in recommendations for action

“Women Weave the Web” was the 2014 digital action campaign sponsored by World Pulse, “… the leading network using the power of digital media to connect women worldwide and bring them a global voice” (World Pulse 2014). In three ten-week phases, women were encouraged to submit entries using on-line journals about their experiences with digital access, digital literacy and digital empowerment. During the seven-month campaign, 590 journal entries from women in 71 countries were analyzed to make recommendations not only concerning digital inclusion, but also library development, internet affordability, internet rights, and technology related violence against women. Because women were responding to campaign prompts, they contributed to solutions within the on-line community, as well as informed the larger goals of the organization and its advocacy partners. A knowledge management framework was used alongside a social constructionist approach to analyze the entries. This approach emphasizes the construction of knowledge from the collective commentary by the community. Data visualization was used to address issues related to this large qualitative data set in a timely manner consistent with organizational goals. Recommendations produced through the data analysis highlight real solutions to global problems, while maintaining the integrity of individual experiences. Included in campaign advocacy packages, graphic summaries of recommendations, representative quotes and links to original entries present the information in layers that increase the utility of this powerful and unique knowledge collection. As qualitative material becomes more accessible online, organizations need trustworthy, timely methods that will allow them to utilize these rich data sets for knowledge creation that can inform organizational goals. Illustrations of the type of analysis used in the “Women Weave the Web” campaign can be important resources for building an analysis framework that meets the demands of big qualitative data.
Effect of a Realigning Brace on Tibiofemoral Contact Stress.

Objective To determine the degree to which focally elevated tibiofemoral joint contact stress is reduced by using a frontal plane realigning brace. Methods Fifteen volunteers (9 women) with unicompartmental tibiofemoral osteoarthritis underwent weight-bearing radiographic imaging at 15–20° and 5–10° of knee flexion with and without an UnloaderOne knee brace. Discrete element analysis was used to estimate compartment-specific contact stress distributions. Paired t-tests were used to assess the differences in mean contact stress and contact stress distributions, comparing the braced and unbraced conditions. Results The mean ± SD age was 56.1 ± 6.4 years and body mass index was 28.4 ± 4.5 kg/m2. Twelve of 15 participants were fit with braces set to unload the medial compartment. For the 15–20° condition, the mean contact stress in the compartment of interest did not significantly change (0.08 ± 0.35 MPa; P = 0.410). Also at 5–10° flexion, the mean contact stress in the compartment of interest did not significantly change with use of the brace (0.24 ± 0.45 MPa; P = 0.175). Conclusion This is the first study of the effects of a frontal plane realignment brace on in vivo articular contact stress in native human knees. Using the off-the-shelf brace tested, there were no changes in compartmental tibiofemoral contact stress distributions at either 15–20° or 5–10° of knee flexion, revealing no redistribution of contact stress away from the compartment of interest. These findings indicate that the brace that was studied was ineffective for redistributing tibiofemoral contact stress. Further research is necessary to determine whether double-upright or customized frontal plane braces are effective in redistributing compartmental articular contact stress.
The Best Explanation: A Defense of Scientific Realism

This paper offers a defense of scientific realism against one central anti-realist argument, the pessimistic meta-induction (PMI). More specifically, this paper initially considers and rejects an oft-stated version of the PMI, arguing that the historical sample size is insufficient to make any serious induction, optimistic or pessimistic, about the likelihood of current scientific theories being abandoned. After demonstrating the deficiency of the initially considered PMI, the paper takes into account a possible amendment to the PMI which could circumvent such sample-size worries, but then concludes that even this amended version of the PMI does not offer sufficient warrant for abandoning scientific realism. Before diving headlong into these arguments against the PMI, it will be helpful to review the general realist and antirealist positions that stake out the terms of the debate. Anjan Chakravarty offers a general characterization of scientific realism when he states that “scientific realism is a positive epistemic attitude towards the content of our best theories and models, recommending belief in both observable and unobservable aspects of the world described by the sciences” 1 (For the remainder of the paper I will refer to scientific realism and scientific anti-realism simply as realism and anti-realism. Any reference to other forms of realism or anti-realism will be explicitly noted). In connection, realism stakes predictable claims in historically fundamental philosophical debates. For instance, realists are overwhelmingly likely to reject idealism and embrace the existence of a mind-independent external world. But realism goes beyond a belief in the mundane ontic furniture of everyday life (e.g., trees, bees, bricks, cars) and beyond a rejection of radical skepticism. It also endorses belief in mature, successful scientific theories, whether they describe our mundane ontic furniture or whether they describe unobservables with which humanity has traditionally been unfamiliar (unobservables being those entities that cannot be perceived under favorable circumstances by a person with normal functioning sense organs). Though the realist position appears relatively straightforward, as it simply requires belief in the products of good science, there is significant room for variation among realists. Realists disagree about which theories are adequately mature and what constitutes a theory’s being approximately true. Additionally, the introduction of structural realism, the view that only the underlying mathematical structure of mature theories should be regarded as real (in contrast to realism which recommends belief in unobservable entities), has further complicated the debate. 2
How Automation Can Help Alleviate the Budget Crunch in Public Health Research

In an era of severe funding constraints for public health research, more efficient means of conducting research will be needed if scientific progress is to continue. At present major funders, such as the National Institutes of Health, do not provide specific instructions to grant authors or to reviewers regarding the cost efficiency of the research that they conduct. Doing so could potentially allow more research to be funded within current budgetary constraints and reduce waste. I describe how a blinded randomized trial was conducted for $275 000 by completely automating the consent and data collection processes. The study used the participants’ own computer equipment, relied on big data for outcomes, and outsourced some costly tasks, potentially saving $1 million in research costs.
STAT3: the “Achilles” heel for AML?

In this issue of Blood , in a series of elegant studies in a transplantable mouse model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Hossain et al[1][1] show that systemic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) blocking/TLR9 triggering can eradicate established AML through an immune-mediated
Kitchens: The Culture of Restaurant Work by Gary Alan Fine

(2010). Kitchens: The Culture of Restaurant Work by Gary Alan Fine. Food, Culture & Society: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 140-142.
What's so hot about recombination hotspots?

Recombination is a nearly ubituitous feature of genomes; where and when it occurs can provide insights about its evolution and can affect our ability to identify genes that cause disease.
The Internal Morality of the Corporation

Is good morality the natural outcome of profitable business practices? The thesis explored here is one version of the recent literature on corporate culture, typified by the bestselling In Search of Excellence — that the corporation that creates a strong culture, one that best serves the customer, the product, and the employee, must also be profitable. The thesis turns out to have an historical parallel in Plato's Republic (subtitled, I suppose, “In Search of Justice”). Parallel “virtues” can be worked out for state and corporation. In the end, profitability turns out not to be a necessary consequence of excellence, just as Plato's “Ideal” state turned out to be mortal.
Hypothermia Modulates Cytokine Responses After Neonatal Rat Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury and Reduces Brain Damage

While hypothermia (HT) is the standard-of-care for neonates with hypoxic ischemic injury (HII), the mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effect are poorly understood. We examined ischemic core/penumbra and cytokine/chemokine evolution in a 10-day-old rat pup model of HII. Pups were treated for 24 hr after HII with HT (32℃; n = 18) or normothermia (NT, 35℃; n = 15). Outcomes included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neurobehavioral testing, and brain cytokine/chemokine profiling (0, 24, 48, and 72 hr post-HII). Lesion volumes (24 hr) were reduced in HT pups (total 74%, p < .05; penumbra 68%, p < .05; core 85%, p = .19). Lesion volumes rebounded at 72 hr (48 hr post-HT) with no significant differences between NT and HT pups. HT reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) at all time points (p < .05); monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) trended toward being decreased in HT pups (p = .09). The stem cell signaling molecule, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) was not altered by HT. Our data demonstrate that HT reduces total and penumbral lesion volumes (at 24 and 48 hr), potentially by decreasing IL-1β without affecting SDF-1. Disassociation between the increasing trend in HII volumes from 48 to 72 hr post-HII when IL-1β levels remained low suggests that after rewarming, mechanisms unrelated to IL-1β expression are likely to contribute to this delayed increase in injury. Additional studies should be considered to determine what these mechanisms might be and also to explore whether extending the duration or degree of HT might ameliorate this delayed increase in injury.
Expeller soybean meal and corn by-products versus solvent soybean meal for lactating dairy cows fed alfalfa silage as sole forage.

Abstract Production responses obtained with supplemental protein from expeller soybean meal or corn by-products, relative to solvent soybean meal, were determined in three replicated 4 × 4 Latin square trials. Dietary forage (54 to 58% of DM) was solely alfalfa silage containing 30 to 55% DM and 21% CP (DM basis). Main concentrate ingredient was either ground shelled or high moisture corn; diets were fed as total mixed rations. In Trials 1 and 2, supplements were: control (0 CP), .6× (60% of the supplemental CP of the 1× treatment) solvent soybean meal, .6× expeller soybean meal, and 1× solvent soybean meal. In Trial 1 (DM intake = 24.4 kg/d), supplement had no effect on production but increased weight gain; expeller soybean meal increased production of milk and lactose relative to either amount of solvent meal. In Trial 2 (DM intake = 20.0 kg/d), supplement increased production of milk and milk components; milk production on .6× expeller soybean meal was greater than .6× solvent soybean meal. In Trial 3 (DM intake = 22.4 kg/d), distillers dried grains plus corn gluten meal replaced .6× solvent soybean meal; supplement increased production of milk, 3.5% FCM, protein, and fat with no difference among the three proteins. Across all three trials, response to supplemental protein appeared to decrease with increased DM intake. Results indicate that resistant protein from expeller soybean meal and corn by-products can replace greater amounts from solvent soybean meal, and suggest that, despite high dietary CP, absorbed protein supply may be inadequate when alfalfa silage is the sole forage.
Diagnosing invasive candidiasis: The clinicians' albatross

With advances in cancer chemotherapy, organ transplantation procedures, life support systems, and broader spectrum antibacterial antibiotics, the incidence of candidiasis continues to increase. As therapeutic and technologic advances in medical care proceed, it can be expected that the upward spiral of candidal in-" fections will continue. Although cognizant of the frequency and potential severity of candidal infections, clinicians remain hampered by the inability to make an early diagnosis of these infections. An early diagnosis is essential for the
Ivacaftor potentiation of multiple CFTR channels with gating mutations

Abstract Background The investigational CFTR potentiator ivacaftor (VX-770) increased CFTR channel activity and improved lung function in subjects with CF who have the G551D CFTR gating mutation. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine whether ivacaftor potentiates mutant CFTR with gating defects caused by other CFTR gating mutations. Methods The effects of ivacaftor on CFTR channel open probability and chloride transport were tested in electrophysiological studies using Fischer rat thyroid (FRT) cells expressing different CFTR gating mutations. Results Ivacaftor potentiated multiple mutant CFTR forms with defects in CFTR channel gating. These included the G551D, G178R, S549N, S549R, G551S, G970R, G1244E, S1251N, S1255P and G1349D CFTR gating mutations. Conclusion These in vitro data suggest that ivacaftor has a similar effect on all CFTR forms with gating defects and support investigation of the potential clinical benefit of ivacaftor in CF patients who have CFTR gating mutations beyond G551D.
The Development of Cutaneous and Oral Pigmentation in Labrador Retriever Fetuses (Canis Familiaris)

Microscopic features of melanoblasts and melanocytes were studied in skin and oral mucosa of Labrador retriever fetuses ( Canis familiaris ). Earliest melanoblasts were demonstrable only after treatment with ammoniacal silver nitrate (ASN) in the primordial dermis of the head, thorax, and the abdomen of 25 to 28mm fetuses. The melanoblasts were most numerous in the lower two-thirds of the primordial dermis in contact with or near blood vessels. The frequent contact or close association of melanoblasts with blood vessels suggests that the cells migrate along blood vessels in their journey from the neural crest to their destination in the epidermis. Dendritic dermal melanocytes first appear in the 58mm fetus. Earliest epidermal melanocytes were demonstrated in vertical sections and full thickness skin "spreads" of untreated, dopa-treated and ASN-treated tissue, Only scattered epidermal melanocytes were demonstrated in 25 to 28mm fetuses. Their numerical distribution in the various regions of the body appeared to conform to a dorsoventral gradient. Melanocytes were observed in primordial and differentiated hair follicles, eccerine sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.
Dispersive transfer of the parental DNA molecule to the progeny of phage ∅X-174

Abstract The fate of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule during its transfer from the parental to progeny phage was studied, employing phage ϕX-174, which presumably contains one single-stranded DNA molecule. The experimental methods for tracing the parental DNA molecule were based on separation of normal and 5-bromodeoxyuridine (5BU)-labeled viable phage by centrifugation in the CsCl gradient, and on increased sensitivity of 5BU-containing phage to ultraviolet light (UV). When bacteria grown on 5BU-free medium were infected with 5BU-containing (“heavy”) phage, no “heavy” phage was detected by CsCl-gradient centrifugation, even among the early phage progeny released by prematurely opened cells. Similarly, no UV-resistant 5BU-free phage could be found among early phage progeny released by 5BU-labeled bacteria infected with 5BU-free phage. The transfer of DNA from the parental to progeny phage amounts to approximately 50 %. This transfer could also be inferred from the difference between the slopes of the UV-survival curves for early and for late progeny phage. Whichever experimental approach was used, loss of the integrity of the DNA molecule during its transfer from parental to progeny phage was indicated. The results are best explained on the basis of a dispersive mode of DNA replication in phage фX-174. This mechanism would appear to be at variance with the conservative or semiconservative replication of protein-bound, double-stranded DNA observed in other organisms.
Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements of Ni(II) and Cu(II) binding to His, GlyGlyHis, HisGlyHis, and bovine serum albumin: a critical evaluation.

The binding of Ni(II) and Cu(II) to histidine, to the tripeptides GlyGlyHis and HisGlyHis, and to the protein bovine serum albumin has been studied by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to determine the experimental conditions and data analysis necessary to reproduce literature values for the binding constants and thermodynamic parameters. From analysis of the ITC data, we find that there are two major considerations for the use of this method to accurately quantify metal ion interaction with biological macromolecules. First, to determine true pH-independent binding constants, ITC data must be corrected for metal ion competition with protons by accounting for the experimental pH and pKa values of the metal-binding residues. Second, metal interaction with the buffer (stability and enthalpy of formation of metal−buffer complex(es)) must be included in the analysis of the ITC data to determine the binding constants and the change in enthalpy. While it may be possible to use a buffer that forms only weak,...
Identification of a 42K phosphoprotein of platelets modulated by collagen: The α-subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase

Platelets exposed to collagen sufficient to stimulate the release reaction show an increase in labeling of two intracellular proteins with molecular weights of 20,000 and 42,000. The 20,000 Mr protein has already been identified as the light chain of myosin whereas the identity of the 42,000 Mr protein had not been established. By use of biochemical and immunological techniques, the identify of the 42,000 Mr component of prelabeled platelets found in the 100,000g supernatant of freeze-thawed or sonicated cells appears to be one of the subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex which is translocated from the mitochondria to the 100,000g supernatant during the preparative procedure. Increased phosphorylation of the 42,000 Mr protein occurred after collagen stimulation and was accompanied by diminished pyruvate dehydrogenase activity.
Permeability of the Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cell to Water

The osmotic permeability coefficient for water has been measured for the Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cell. Measurements were made of the rate of cell shrinkage in hyperosmotic solutions of NaCI, a functionally impermeable solute. During the first 9 months of weekly serial transplantation the mean was 6.4 µ3/µ3/atm. ± 0.8 (S.E.). By the end of the 2nd year the permeability coefficient was much lower and averaged 1.6 ± 0.09. There were no significant differences in the volume of the tumor cells which could explain the discrepancy on the basis of a change in the volume to surface area ratio. Studies of the effect of temperature were done and Eyring's theory of absolute reaction rates was applied to the data. The apparent energy of activation was 9.6 kcal./mol and ΔS‡ was 39.1 entropy units. The thermodynamic data are twice as high as data reported by Wang for self-diffusion and viscous properties of water. Two alternate explanations have been advanced based on the pore hypothesis of membrane permeability. One explains the thermodynamic data from a change in the A'/Δx available for water movement; the other assumes A'/Δx constant and bases the results on the interaction of water dipoles with each other and the membrane.
Rural HIV-infected women's access to medical care: ongoing needs in California

HIV-infected women living in rural areas often have considerably less access to care than their urban and suburban counterparts. In much of the USA, little is known about HIV care among rural populations. This study elucidated barriers to care for rural women in California. Methods included retrospective structured interviews conducted with 64 women living in rural areas and receiving HIV care at 11 California healthcare facilities. Facilities were randomly sampled and all HIV-infected female patients seeking care at those facilities during a specified time period were eligible. The most commonly cited barriers to accessing care included physical health problems that prevented travel to care (32.8%), lack of transportation (31.2%), and lack of ability to navigate the healthcare system (25.0%). Being divorced/separated/widowed (compared to being either married or single) was associated with reporting physical health as a barrier to care (p=0.03); being unemployed (p=0.003) or having to travel 31-90 minutes (p=0.007, compared to less than 31 or greater than 90) were both associated with transportation as a barrier; and speaking English rather than Spanish was associated with reporting "difficulty navigating the system" (p=0.04). Twenty-nine women (45.3%) reported difficulty in traveling to appointments. Overall, 24 (37.5%) women missed an HIV medical appointment in the previous 12-month period, primarily due to their physical health and transportation limitations. Physical health and transportation problems were both the major barriers to accessing health services and the primary reasons for missing HIV care appointments among this population of HIV-infected women living in rural areas. Providing transportation programs and/or mobile clinics, as well as providing support for patients with physical limitations, may be essential to improving access to HIV care in rural areas.
Atlantic Hurricanes and Climate Change. Part II: Role of Thermodynamic Changes in Decreased Hurricane Frequency

AbstractA method of downscaling that isolates the effect of temperature and moisture changes on tropical cyclone (TC) activity was presented in Part I of this study. By applying thermodynamic modifications to analyzed initial and boundary conditions from past TC seasons, initial disturbances and the strength of synoptic-scale vertical wind shear are preserved in future simulations. This experimental design allows comparison of TC genesis events in the same synoptic setting, but in current and future thermodynamic environments. Simulations of both an active (September 2005) and inactive (September 2009) portion of past hurricane seasons are presented.An ensemble of high-resolution simulations projects reductions in ensemble-average TC counts between 18% and 24%, consistent with previous studies. Robust decreases in TC and hurricane counts are simulated with 18- and 6-km grid lengths, for both active and inactive periods. Physical processes responsible for reduced activity are examined through comparison of...
Frequency domain conditions for disturbance rejection

The solvability conditions for the problems of nulling the disturbance transfer function in a linear time-invariant multivariable system by: 1) linear state feedback and 2) linear state feedback and disturbance feedforward control are known in geometric terms. In this paper it is shown that alternative necessary conditions for solvability are that the order of each row of the open-loop control transfer function: 1) strictly dominates and 2) dominates the order of the corresponding row of open-loop disturbance transfer function. Moreover, it is shown that when there are at least as many control inputs as outputs, these necessary conditions for solvability are generically sufficient, and that in other cases both problems are generically unsolvable.
Periodic Excitation for Jet Vectoring and Enhanced Spreading

The effects of periodic excitation on the evolution of a turbulent jet were studied experimentally. A short, wide-angle diffuser was attached to the jet exit and excitation was introduced at the junction between the jet exit and the diffuser inlet. The introduction of high amplitude periodic excitation at the jet exit enhances the mixing and promotes attachment of the jet shear-layer to the diffuser wall. Vecotring is achieved by applying the excitation over a fraction of the circumference of the circular jet, enhancing its spreading rate on the excited side and its tendency to reattach to that side. Static deflection studies demonstrate that the presence of the wide-angle diffuser increases the effectiveness of the added periodic momentum due to a favorable interaction between the excitation, the jet shear-layer and the diffuser wall. This point was further demonstrated by the evolution of a wave packet that was excited in the jet shear-layer. Strong amplification of the wave packet was measured with a diffuser attached to the jet exit. The turbulent jet responds quickly (10-20 msec) to step changes in the level of the excitation input. The response scales with the jet exit velocity and is independent of the Reynolds number. Jet deflection angles were found to be highly sensitive to the relative direction between the excitation and the jet flow and less sensitive to the excitation frequency. The higher jet deflection angles were obtained for a diffuser length of about two diameters and for diffusers with half-angles greater than 15 degrees.
Long-distance parallel data link using WDM transmission with bit-skew compensation

This paper studies the advantages and disadvantages of using a parallel link based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) for long-distance data transmission through a single-mode fiber as an alternative to a high-speed serial link. A long-distance optical link operating near the 1.55 /spl mu/m or 0.85 /spl mu/m wavelength regions suffers the large group-delay dispersion of a standard fiber. On these wavelengths, the skew between bit-channels is the major problem for wordwide WDM transmission. We propose a method to compensate for bit skew greater than the bit time, and analyze its performance gain in terms of the increase in the maximum data throughput achievable. With bit-skew compensation, the wordwide parallel link achieves a maximum aggregate data rate that is greater than what a serial link can obtain for the same link length.
Perceived Societal Benefit of Selected Product Classes: A Test of a Product Differentiation Framework

Products can be differentiated in many ways. Some are more socially useful than others. The purpose of the present research was to test empirically the relative positioning of selected goods and services on a product differentiation framework which uses long-term societal welfare as the benchmark. Three different samples believed to hold divergent views regarding product differentiation strategies-consumerists, Federal Trade Commission staff members, and American Marketing Association practitioners-were studied via a mail survey. Results of the analyses provided general support for the relative ranking proposed by Murphy and Enis (1974-75), although several departures from prediction also were found. Implications are drawn for managers, policy makers, and researchers for expanding the use of the framework. These implications concerning the ecological and societal effects of marketing activities are particularly important for macromarketing research.