cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An exploratory study assessing relations of demographic characteristics with police recruits' attitudes toward abuse of children and abusive parents.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess the relationships of demographic characteristics with attitudes toward abusive parents and abused children in a convenience sample of 183 police recruits. Police academy training staff invited recruits to complete a questionnaire which contained three vignettes and a 36-item questionnaire that depicted child neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and demographic information. Analysis of responses showed that African Americans and Latinos reported more negative attitudes of anger, disgust, sadness, and discomfort toward an abusive parent than the Euro-American group. Women reported more negative attitudes toward an abused child and also more positive attitudes of sympathy and caring toward an abused child. Results partially support previous research suggesting demographic characteristics influence report of attitudes toward abusive parents and abused children. These findings about the influence of demographic characteristics on positive and negative emotional reactions toward abusive parents and abused children add to the literature. Language: en
Synthesis of Cationic Dumbbell-shaped Fullerene Nanostructures as Potential Photodynamic Sensitizers

A design of novel hydrophilic tetracationic dumbbell-shaped [60]fullerene nanostructures was made by balancing the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity characteristics of the fullerene adduct for their potential application as photodynamic sensitizers in the PDT treatment. A sequential protection-deprotection reaction pathway was applied for the functional differentiation between primary and secondary amine moieties of pentaethylene hexamine. Synthesis of the target molecule involves two key steps of unsymmetrical esterification and amidation of malonic acid and subsequent fullerenation. The synthetic strategy was accomplished using mild reaction conditions in the intermediate molecule preparation and led a moderate overall product yield.
Deep Space 1 encounter with Comet 19P/Borrelly: Ion composition measurements by the PEPE mass spectrometer

[1] We report in situ ion mass spectrometer measurements from the coma of Comet 19P/Borrelly, obtained during the flyby of the Deep Space 1 spacecraft on 22 September 2001. Cometary ions were detected at distances from ∼5.5 × 105 km to 2200 km from the nucleus of the comet. The predominant heavy ions observed during the seven minute interval about closest approach to Borrelly included OH+ (at 57% of the total water-group ion density), H2O+ (at 29%), O+ (at 13%), CH3+ (at 5%), and CH2+ (at 4%). Of particular note is the small amount of H3O+ (<9%), as this was the most abundant molecular ion observed at closest approach to Comet Halley. This difference is due to the difference in water production rates between the two comets.
Work-Family Facilitation and Conflict, Working Fathers and Mothers, Work-Family Stressors and Support:

Work-family research frequently focuses on the conflict experienced by working mothers. Using data from the National Study of the Changing Workforce (N = 1,314), this study also examined work-family facilitation and working fathers. Ecological systems, family stress, family resilience, and sex role theories were used to organize the data and create hypotheses. Work-to-family facilitation was positively related to job satisfaction and life satisfaction, and negatively related to individual stress. Family-to-work facilitation was positively related to marital satisfaction, family satisfaction, and life satisfaction, and negatively related to organizational commitment. Working fathers reported long work hours (49 hours/week), major involvement in household responsibilities (46 hours/week), and a work culture less supportive of their family life than working mothers reported. However, working fathers reported less work-family conflict, less individual stress, and greater family satisfaction, marital satisfact...
Architecture support for disciplined approximate programming

Disciplined approximate programming lets programmers declare which parts of a program can be computed approximately and consequently at a lower energy cost. The compiler proves statically that all approximate computation is properly isolated from precise computation. The hardware is then free to selectively apply approximate storage and approximate computation with no need to perform dynamic correctness checks.In this paper, we propose an efficient mapping of disciplined approximate programming onto hardware. We describe an ISA extension that provides approximate operations and storage, which give the hardware freedom to save energy at the cost of accuracy. We then propose Truffle, a microarchitecture design that efficiently supports the ISA extensions. The basis of our design is dual-voltage operation, with a high voltage for precise operations and a low voltage for approximate operations. The key aspect of the microarchitecture is its dependence on the instruction stream to determine when to use the low voltage. We evaluate the power savings potential of in-order and out-of-order Truffle configurations and explore the resulting quality of service degradation. We evaluate several applications and demonstrate energy savings up to 43%.
Eigenvalues of partitioned hermitian matrices

Let C = (Aij)1≤i, j≤t be a hermitian matrix in partitioned form; here Aij, is an ni × nj. block. The purpose of this paper is to obtain inequalities linking the eigenvalues of C to those of the main diagonal blocks A11, …, Att of C.These inequalities include, as special cases, inequalities due to N. Aronszajn and A. Hoffman.
Management of Non-catheter-associated Complicated Urinary Tract Infection

This article presents an overview of non-catheter-associated complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) from a urologic point of view. Discussion includes the evaluation and workup a complicated UTI through history, physical examination, laboratory analysis, and radiographic studies. Specific types of complicated UTI, such as urinary obstruction and renal abscess, are reviewed.
Miosis following intravenous and oral alfentanil as a noninvasive probe for hepatic and first‐pass CYP3A activity

Purpose Systemic clearance of IV alfentanil (ALF) is an in vivo probe for hepatic CYP3A, miosis is a surrogate for plasma ALF, & IV ALF miosis is a suitable noninvasive probe for hepatic CYP3A. This study determined whether oral ALF & miosis could probe first-pass CYP3A activity. Midazolam (MDZ) was also used to measure CYP3A. Methods Volunteers (10) were studied in a randomized 9-way crossover, after 5d rifampin (liver & gut CYP3A induction), troleandomycin (TAO, liver & gut CYP3A inhibition), grapefruit juice (GFJ, selective gut CYP3A inhibition), or nothing (control). They received MDZ 1mg IV then (1 hr later) ALF 15 ig/kg IV; at another visit 3 mg oral MDZ then (1 hr) oral ALF (23 or 60 ig/kg). Blood (MDZ & ALF by LCMS) & dark-adapted pupil diameters were measured & analyzed (noncompartmental). Results Bioavailability (F), hepatic extraction (EH) & GI availability (FGI) were 0.26, 0.55 & 0.60 for MDZ and 0.42, 0.29 & 0.62 for ALF. After rifampin, TAO & GFJ, ALF F was 0.02, 1 & 0.67; EH was 0.71, 0.04 & 0.26. FGI was 0.07, 1 & 0.92. There were excellent correlations between IV ALF & MDZ systemic clearance (r2=0.92), oral ALF & MDZ CL/F (r2=0.97), and dose-adjusted AUCs for miosis & plasma ALF. Conclusions Systemic & oral CL of IV & oral ALF are excellent in vivo probes for hepatic & first-pass CYP3A activity & interactions. Miosis was an acceptable surrogate for plasma ALF. ALF miosis may be a suitable noninvasive in vivo probe for hepatic & first-pass CYP3A. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P81–P81; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.309
The Moral Arc as a Pretzel: Social Justice in the Trenches

This article explores how social justice has been defined in social work practice and contests the claim of some in our profession that direct practice and social welfare programs are incompatible with social justice, drawing on Foucault’s work on the inextricable link between power and knowledge. This article proposes that social justice “in the trenches” needs further theorizing. Literature supporting a view that direct practice is congruent with a social justice perspective is reviewed. Theory of recognition is introduced as a possible overarching theory to ground direct practice within a social justice framework.
Impact of body mass index on outcomes following critical care.

Study objectives: To determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes in critically ill patients. Design: Retrospective analysis of a large multi-institutional ICU database. Measurements: The influence of BMI classification (underweight, 40 kg/m 2 ) on hospital survival, functional status at hospital discharge, and ICU/hospital length of stay (LOS) was analyzed via multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, gender, type of hospital admission, and severity score (ie, simplified acute physiologic score [SAPS] II and mortality prediction model [MPM] at time zero). Univariate analysis also was performed according to the quartile of the severity score. All comparisons were to the normal BMI group. Results: Of 63,646 patient datasets, 41,011 were complete for height, weight, and at least one of the two severity scores. We found increased mortality in underweight patients (odds ratio [OR] of death: SAPS group, 1.19; MPM group, 1.26) but not in overweight, obese, or severely obese patients. ICU and hospital LOS were increased in both the severely obese (OR of discharge: ICU, 0.81 and 0.84, respectively; hospital, 0.83 and 0.87, respectively) and underweight groups (OR of discharge: ICU, 0.96 and 0.94, respectively; hospital, 0.91 and 0.90, respectively). Only in the SAPS group did the obese group have increased ICU LOS (OR, 0.96) and hospital LOS (OR, 0.96). Functional status at discharge was impaired in underweight patients (OR of disability: ICU, 1.11; hospital, 1.19). Overweight patients had decreased discharge disability (OR of disability: SAPS, 0.93; MPM, 0.94), while the results in the obese group were discordant between the two severity score groups (SAPS, not significant; MPM, 0.91; p < 0.05 for all ORs). Conclusions: Low BMI, but not high BMI, is associated with increased mortality and worsened hospital discharge functional status. LOS is increased in severely obese patients and, to a lesser extent, in underweight patients. Patients in the overweight and obese BMI groups may have improved mortality and discharge functional status. (CHEST 2003; 123:1202–1207)
An Analytic Derivation of Blackjack Win Rates

We study the win rate for the game of blackjack and derive a stochastic model for the advantage i.e., expected win process. Assuming proportional betting, we derive an explicit formula that estimates the win rate as a function of the number of decks used and the proportion of cards dealt before reshuffling. We derive a relationship between the "aggressiveness" of betting and risk. Risk is measured as the probability of wealth dropping below a specified level before it exceeds a higher, specified level.
Lung Reduction Operation and Resection of Pulmonary Nodules in Patients With Severe Emphysema

Abstract Background . Severe pulmonary dysfunction has been considered a relative contraindication to surgical resection in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules. We report our initial experience with the combined use of lung volume reduction operation and tumor resection in this patient population. Methods and Patients . Between January 1995 and July 1996, 14 patients underwent combined lung volume reduction operation and pulmonary nodule resection. Ten (71%) patients were oxygen dependent, 5 (36%) had a room air partial pressure of carbon dioxide ≥45, and 5 (36%) were steroid dependent preoperatively. Mean preoperative pulmonary function tests included a forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 680 ± 98 mL (24% ± 5% predicted), forced vital capacity of 54% ± 5% predicted, and a forced expiratory volume in 1 second to vital capacity ratio of 37% ± 2% predicted. Results . Sixteen lesions were resected in the 14 patients and included 9 non-small cell carcinomas. There was one postoperative death. All other patients are alive and well through a mean follow-up of 22.6 ± 2.3 months (12 to 35 months). At 6-month follow-up improvements were noted in dyspnea index, forced expiratory volume in 1 second forced vital capacity, and 6-minute walk distance. Mediastinal recurrence at 12-month follow-up developed in 1 patient with two separate bronchioalveolar carcinomas. Conclusions . Simultaneous lung volume reduction operation and tumor resection should be considered in patients with emphysema with marginal reserve in the hope of maximizing postoperative lung function.
Examination of the Blood Brain Barrier Integrity in a Mouse Model of the Neurodegenerative Canavan's Disease

The blood brain barrier (BBB) refers to the complex anatomical barrier in the brain composed of endothelial cells, astroglia, pericytes, perivascular macrophages and basal lamina. Its selectivity controls the entry of substances into the Central Nervous System (CNS) [1]. BBB disruption affects neurodegeneration [2] and in some cases can be harnessed to deliver intravenous therapeutics to the CNS. Canavan’s disease (CD) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by lack of aspartoacylase that causes extensive demyelination.
Deletion of Mtgr1 sensitizes the colonic epithelium to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis.

Background & Aims: The disruption of homeostasis between proliferation and apoptosis in the colonic epithelium contributes to the pathogenesis of human ulcerative colitis. Mice lacking the transcriptional corepressor myeloid translocation gene related-1 (Mtgr1) display impaired secretory cell lineage development in the small intestine and an increase in proliferation in the crypts of both the small and large intestines. Despite the increase in proliferating cells, the colons of Mtgr1-null mice have a normal cell lineage distribution and normal architecture. To uncover colonic phenotypes in Mtgr1−/− mice, we stressed the colonic epithelium with low-molecular-weight dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), which is a well-studied model of murine ulcerative colitis. Methods: Mtgr1-null mice were given 3% DSS in their drinking water for 4 days and the colons examined at various times thereafter for ulceration and for changes in proliferation and apoptosis. Results: Treatment with DSS resulted in severe colitis in Mtgr1−/− mice, at least partially due to increased epithelial apoptosis rates. Transplantation of wild-type and Mtgr1-null bone marrow into irradiated wild-type mice demonstrated that the severe DSS-induced ulceration seen in Mtgr1-null mice was due to a colonic, rather than a hematologic, defect. Importantly, the epithelium of DSS-treated Mtgr1-null mice failed to completely regenerate, showing changes consistent with chronic colitis, even 10 weeks after a single DSS treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Mtgr1 has an important role in crypt survival and regeneration after colonic epithelial ulceration.
Experiments in concurrent stochastic simulation: the EcliPSe paradigm

Abstract This paper presents results on the performance of a novel and flexible concurrent simulation environment known as EcliPSe . The paradigm we advocate is based on the premise that replication based simulations, either nondistributed or minimally distributed, yield excellent speedups. The approach used makes concurrent simulation easily accessible to researchers because its use does not require knowledge of parallel programming. The experiments we report include Monte Carlo type simulations (e.g., estimating integrals, order-statistics), Markov-chain simulations (hitting-times, distributed algorithms), and discrete-event simulation (e.g., tail probabilities in queues, FDDI token ring performance, and simulations of high performance software testing techniques on SIMD machines).
Estimating software effort hours for major defense acquisition programs

Software Cost Estimation (SCE) uses labor hours or effort required to conceptualize, develop, integrate, test, field, or maintain program components. Department of Defense (DoD) SCE can use initial software data parameters to project effort hours for large, software-intensive programs for contractors reporting the top levels of process maturity, assuming these levels produce acceptable quality. Statistical analysis using ordinary least squares (OLS) proved initial parameters, such as estimated hours, initial peak staff, or estimated software size, could accurately predict actual effort hours. DoD cost estimating relationship (CER) equations differed by process maturity levels and differed for application area subsets by process maturity level. Grouping by application area subsets or adding Earned Value Management System's metrics (such as Schedule Performance Index and Cost Performance Index) did not consistently improve CER accuracy for the top two process maturity levels.
Convexities move because they contain matter

Figure-ground assignment to a contour is a fundamental stage in visual processing. The current paper introduces a novel, highly general dynamic cue to figure-ground assignment: "Convex Motion." Across six experiments, subjects showed a strong preference to assign figure and ground to a dynamically deforming contour such that the moving contour segment was convex rather than concave. Experiments 1 and 2 established the preference across two different kinds of deformational motion. Additional experiments determined that this preference was not due to fixation (Experiment 3) or attentional mechanisms (Experiment 4). Experiment 5 found a similar, but reduced bias for rigid-as opposed to deformational-motion, and Experiment 6 demonstrated that the phenomenon depends on the global motion of the effected contour. An explanation of this phenomenon is presented on the basis of typical natural deformational motion, which tends to involve convex contour projections that contain regions consisting of physical "matter," as opposed to concave contour indentations that contain empty space. These results highlight the fundamental relationship between figure and ground, perceived shape, and the inferred physical properties of an object.
A unified additive model approach for evaluating inefficiency and congestion with associated measures in DEA

Abstract This paper develops a necessary and sufficient condition for the presence of (input) congestion. Relationships between the two congestion methods presently available are discussed. The equivalence between Fare et al. [12] , [13] and Brockett et al. [2] hold only when the law of variable proportions is applicable. It is shown that the work of Brockett et al. [2] improves upon the work of Fare et al. [12] , [13] in that it not only (1) detects congestion but also (2) determines the amount of congestion and, simultaneously, (3) identifies factors responsible for congestion and distinguishes congestion amounts from other components of inefficiency. These amounts are all obtainable from non-zero slacks in a slightly altered version of the additive model — which we here further extend and modify to obtain additional details. We also generate a new measure of congestion to provide the basis for a new unified approach to this and other topics in data envelopment analysis (DEA).
Measurement of Nitric Oxide Formation within a Multi-Fueled Turbine Combustor

Factors affecting the nitric oxide (NO) emission level of a regenerative turbine combustor are reviewed. Differences attributable to fuel type are discussed. Temperature and composition measurements obtained with a water-cooled choked sampling probe are presented for a turbine combustor operating on two different fuels: #2 diesel oil and methanol. Methods of averaging the discrete data are developed. Temperature is computed from measurement of the choked sample flow rate. Methanol displays lower NO emission because of decreased high temperature residence duration, lower flame temperature and diminished oxygen and nitrogen availability. It is found that the combustion and NO formation zones occupy a small portion of the regenerative combustor while the CO oxidation zone occupies roughly half of the combustor under investigation. Nitric oxide never reaches equilibrium values, whereas carbon monoxide exceeds equilibrium values throughout most of the combustor.
SERCA2-controlled Ca²+-dependent keratinocyte adhesion and differentiation is mediated via the sphingolipid pathway: a therapeutic target for Darier's disease.

Darier's disease (DD), caused by mutations in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ ATPase ATP2A2 (SERCA2b), is a skin disease that exhibits impaired epidermal cell-to-cell adhesion and altered differentiation. Although previous studies have shown that keratinocyte Ca2+ sequestration and fluxes are controlled by sphingolipid signaling, the role of this signaling pathway in DD previously has not been investigated. We show here that sphingosine levels increase and sphingosine kinase (SPHK1) expression decreases after inactivating SERCA2b with the specific SERCA2 inhibitors thapsigargin (TG) or small interfering RNA to SERCA2b. Conversely, inhibiting sphingosine lyase rescues the defects in keratinocyte differentiation, E-cadherin localization, desmoplakin (DP) translocation, and ER Ca2+ sequestration seen in TG-treated keratinocytes. Here, we report early evidence that the keratinocyte sphingolipid and Ca2+ signaling pathways intersect in ATP2A2-controlled ER Ca2+ sequestration, E-cadherin and DP localization, and Ca2+-controlled differentiation, and thus may be important mediators in DD.
p19Arf is required for the cellular response to chronic DNA damage

The p53 tumor suppressor is a stress sensor, driving cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage or oncogenic signals. p53 activation by oncogenic signals relies on the p19(Arf) tumor suppressor, while p53 activation downstream of acute DNA damage is reported to be p19(Arf)-independent. Accordingly, p19(Arf)-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) arrest in response to acute DNA damage. However, p19(Arf) is required for replicative senescence, a condition associated with an activated DNA damage response, as p19(Arf)-/- MEFs do not senesce after serial passage. A possible explanation for these seemingly disparate roles for p19(Arf) is that acute and chronic DNA damage responses are mechanistically distinct. Replicative senescence may result from chronic, low-dose DNA damage responses in which p19(Arf) has a specific role. We therefore examined the role of p19(Arf) in cellular responses to chronic, low-dose DNA-damaging agent treatment by maintaining MEFs in low oxygen and administering 0.5 G y γ-irradiation daily or 150 μM hydroxyurea, a replication stress inducer. In contrast to their response to acute DNA damage, p19(Arf)-/- MEFs exposed to chronic DNA damage do not senesce, revealing a selective role for p19(Arf) in senescence upon low-level, chronic DNA damage. We show further that p53 pathway activation in p19(Arf)-/- MEFs exposed to chronic DNA damage is attenuated relative to wild-type MEFs, suggesting a role for p19(Arf) in fine-tuning p53 activity. However, combined Nutlin3a and chronic DNA-damaging agent treatment is insufficient to promote senescence in p19(Arf)-/- MEFs, suggesting that the role of p19(Arf) in the chronic DNA damage response may be partially p53-independent. These data suggest the importance of p19(Arf) for the cellular response to the low-level DNA damage incurred in culture or upon oncogene expression, providing new insight into how p19(Arf) serves as a tumor suppressor. Moreover, our study helps reconcile reports suggesting crucial roles for both p19(Arf) and DNA damage-signaling pathways in tumor suppression.
The environmental stress response: a common yeast response to diverse environmental stresses

Unicellular organisms require specific internal conditions for optimal growth and function, however sudden changes in the external environment can perturb the internal milieu, disrupting normal processes. Therefore, cells must maintain their internal system despite fluctuations in the external surroundings. One mechanism that yeast cells use to protect the internal system from the effects of environmental variation is to initiate a common gene expression program that generally protects the cell during stressful times. This program, referred to as the environmental stress response, includes ∼900 genes whose expression is stereotypically altered when yeast cells are shifted to stressful environments. The coordinated expression changes of these genes is a common feature of the responses to many different environments, however the regulation of these expression changes is gene-specific and condition-specific, indicating that initiation of the program is precisely controlled in response to each new environment. This review will focus on recent developments in defining and characterizing the genes that participate in the environmental stress response and the regulatory mechanisms that the cell utilizes to orchestrate this program.
Muscarinic cholinergic receptor density following small intestinal transplantation in rats

After small intestinal transplantation, intestinal isografts can organize migrating myoelectric complexes, and we have shown that migrating myoelectric complex frequency in the fasted state was reduced compared with controls after transplantation of the distal 50% of small intestine. We hypothesized that changes in motor activity after transplantation were related to alteration of cholinergic nerve activity or receptor density. With use of standard microsurgical techniques, the distal 50% of small intestine was orthotopically transplanted in a Lewis-to-Lewis donor-recipient combination. Resection controls were prepared by resecting the proximal 50% of small intestine, and sham controls were prepared by performing a sham laparotomy. Two months after surgery, small intestine was harvested. Choline acetyltransferase activity among the three groups was similar, suggesting that intrinsic cholinergic nerves remained intact. There was a strong trend toward decreased acetylcholinesterase activity [analysis of variance (ANOVA), P = 0.16] after transplantation, consistent with loss of extrinsic vagal nerve fibers. There were no differences in histochemical distribution of acetylcholinesterase among these groups. Muscarinic receptor density, as determined by binding to [N-methyl-3H]scopolamine, was decreased after transplantation (ANOVA, P = 0.02). There was a trend toward decreased receptor density in animals with resected small intestine. Surgical interruption of intrinsic nerve pathways rather than ischemia or extrinsic denervation might be the mechanism for diminished receptor density after transplantation, and reduced small bowel motor activity may be related to decreased density of muscarinic cholinergic receptors.
Force differentiation in human subjects

Force of response was differentiated in four human Ss using a quantitative visual feedback procedure. Variations in the force required produced systematic changes in rate of response and in the precision with which the response was made.
Characterization of Glycoprotein-Mediated Entry of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging hemorrhagic fever with a high case fatality rate caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV). Effective vaccines and specific therapies for SFTS are urgently sought, and investigation into virus-host cell interactions is expected to contribute to the development of antiviral strategies. In this study, we have developed a pseudotype vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) bearing the unmodified Gn/Gc glycoproteins (GPs) of SFTSV (SFTSVpv). We have analyzed the host cell entry of this pseudotype virus and native SFTSV. Both SFTSVpv and SFTSV exhibited high infectivity in various mammalian cell lines. The use of lysosomotropic agents indicated that virus entry occurred via pH-dependent endocytosis. SFTSVpv and SFTSV infectivity was neutralized by serial dilutions of convalescent-phase patient sera. Entry of SFTSVpv and growth of SFTSV were increased in Raji cells expressing not only the C-type lectin dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) but also DC-SIGN-related (DC-SIGNR) and liver and lymph node sinusoidal endothelial cell C-type lectin (LSECtin). 25-Hydroxycholesterol (25HC), a soluble oxysterol metabolite, inhibited the cell entry of SFTSVpv and the membrane fusion of SFTSV. These results indicate that pH-dependent endocytosis of SFTSVpv and SFTSV is enhanced by attachment to certain C-type lectins. SFTSVpv is an appropriate model for the investigation of SFTSV-GP-mediated cell entry and virus neutralization at lower biosafety levels. Furthermore, 25HC may represent a potential antiviral agent against SFTS. IMPORTANCE SFTSV is a recently discovered bunyavirus associated with SFTS, a viral hemorrhagic fever with a high case fatality rate endemic to China, South Korea, and Japan. Because little is known about the characteristics of the envelope protein and entry mechanisms of SFTSV, further studies will be required for the development of a vaccine or effective therapies. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of SFTSV cell entry using SFTSVpv and the native virus. SFTSV can grow in nonsusceptible cell lines in the presence of certain C-type lectins. Moreover, 25HC, an oxysterol metabolite, may represent a potential therapeutic inhibitor of SFTSV infection.
Total Hip Replacement in the Middle-Aged Patient: Contemporary Cementing for Fixation of the Femoral Component

Important advances have been made in the preparation and use of cement and the design of femoral components. Additionally, we have a greater understanding of the biologic basis of osteolysis, previously considered a manifestation of 'cement disease.' The results now emerging as an outcome of modern cementing techniques and component designs represent a major step forward and raise serious doubts about the justification for cementless fixation of the femoral component, given the present state of the art.
An adaptive low-dimensional control to compensate for actuator redundancy and FES-induced muscle fatigue in a hybrid neuroprosthesis

Abstract To restore walking and standing function in persons with paraplegia, a hybrid walking neuroprosthesis that combines a powered exoskeleton and functional electrical stimulation (FES) can be more advantageous than sole FES or powered exoskeleton technologies. However, the hybrid actuation structure introduces certain control challenges: actuator redundancy, cascaded muscle activation dynamics, FES-induced muscle fatigue, and unmeasurable states. In this paper, a human motor control inspired control scheme is combined with a dynamic surface control method to overcome these challenges. The new controller has an adaptive muscle synergy-based feedforward component which requires a fewer number of control signals to actuate multiple effectors in a hybrid neuroprosthesis. In addition, the feedforward component has an inverse fatigue signal to counteract the effects of the muscle fatigue. A dynamic surface control (DSC) method is used to deal with the cascaded actuation dynamics without the need for acceleration signals. The DSC structure was modified with a delay compensation term to deal with the electromechanical delays due to FES. A model based estimator is used to estimate the unmeasurable fatigue and actuator activation signals. The development of the controller and a Lyapunov stability analysis, which yielded semi-global uniformly ultimately boundedness, are presented in the paper. Computer simulations were performed to test the new controller on a 2 degrees of freedom fixed hip model after which preliminary experiments were conducted on one able-bodied male subject in the fixed hip configuration.
Atypical spindle cell neoplasm of the nasal sidewall

Abstract “Spindle cell neoplasm” is a descriptive term and the differential diagnosis includes tumors that vary in morphology and immunohistochemistry. We present a ten-year-old female patient with a recurrent spindle cell neoplasm of the nasal sidewall that lacked the clinical and histological characteristics of well-known diagnostic entities. The patient underwent resection and paramedian forehead flap reconstruction. Decisions regarding reconstructive technique, timing, and surveillance were challenging given her age, the anatomic location, and infiltrative nature of the lesion. In this report, we review the uncommon spindle cell neoplasms of the head and neck and present a treatment plan to assist other clinicians.
Multidisciplinary Team Management of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The purposes of the current review are to (1) define multidisciplinary care and a proposed composition for a multidisciplinary team and (2) summarize process and outcome measures associated with multidisciplinary care for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There has been a shift from multidisciplinary tumor boards to multidisciplinary clinics, which facilitates greater provider discussion and interaction over patients’ treatment course. Although most studies examining the effect of multidisciplinary care for the management of a newly diagnosed patient with HCC rely on surrogate measures of quality cancer care, recent studies have demonstrated significant improvement of stage-stratified survival. HCC is a complex and heterogeneous disease due to the concomitant presence of underlying liver disease and cancer. Given the variety of available treatment options and data showing improved outcomes, it should be considered best practice for HCC patients to be managed by a multidisciplinary team.
Acute changes in endothelial function with cisplatin among germ cell tumor (GCT) patients (Pts).

9587 Background: We hypothesized that the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in GCT pts following cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBCT) may be due to endothelial damage. Methods: In this pilot study, men age ≥18 with GCT, no prior chemotherapy (CT) or radiation, and no history of CVD were enrolled to the CT group (CG) if CBCT was planned and to the surgery group (SG) if only surgical management (orchiectomy +/- RPLND) was planned. Endo-PAT2000, a noninvasive method of quantifying endothelial function, was used to measure the peripheral arterial tonometry reactive hyperemia index (PAT-RHI). Lower values correlate with endothelial dysfunction. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) were quantified by immunomagnetic capture as a secondary endpoint. Covariates included hypertension, smoking status, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and fasting lipids, glucose, HbA1C, and testosterone. Measurements were obtained at time points T1-T5 for CG pts and T1, T2 and T5 for SG pts (Table). Nonparametric tests were used t...
Intrinsic Stochasticity in Controlled Structures

Abstract Chaos as a failure of descrete power spectrum of controlled parameters in non-linear structures follows from a special type of instability. This instability is characterized by the absence of an alternative equilibrium state. The criteria for such a chaotic instability with applications to distributed parameter systems are considered. The theory is illustrated by the analysis of bending oscillations of a rotating rod
Rapid diagnosis of new and relapse tuberculosis by quantification of a circulating antigen in HIV-infected adults in the Greater Houston metropolitan area.

HIV-associated immune defects inhibit tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, promote development of extrapulmonary TB and paucibacillary pulmonary TB cases with atypical radiographic features, and increase TB relapse rates. We therefore assessed the diagnostic performance of a novel assay that directly quantitates serum levels of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) virulence factor 10-kDa culture filtrate protein (CFP-10) to overcome limitations associated with detecting Mtb bacilli in sputum or tissue biopsies. This study analyzed HIV-positive adults enrolled in a large, population-based TB screening and surveillance project, the Houston Tuberculosis Initiative, between October 1995 and September 2004, and assigned case designations using standardized criteria. Serum samples were trypsin-digested and immunoprecipitated for an Mtb-specific peptide of CFP-10 that was quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for rapid and sensitive TB diagnosis. Among the 1053 enrolled patients, 110 met all inclusion criteria; they included 60 tuberculosis cases (12 culture-negative TB), including 9 relapse TB cases, and 50 non-TB controls, including 15 cases with history of TB. Serum CFP-10 levels diagnosed 89.6% (77.3–96.5) and 66.7% (34.9–90.1) of culture-positive and culture-negative TB cases, respectively, and exhibited 88% (75.7–95.5) diagnostic specificity in all non-TB controls. Serum antigen detection and culture, respectively, identified 85% (73.4–92.9) and 80.0% (67.3–88.8) of all 60 TB cases. Quantitation of the Mtb virulence factor CFP-10 in serum samples of HIV-infected subjects diagnosed active TB cases with high sensitivity and specificity and detected cases missed by the gold standard of Mtb culture. These results suggest that serum CFP-10 quantitation holds great promise for the rapid diagnosis of suspected TB cases in patients who are HIV-infected.
Graphene-Insulator-Semiconductor Junction for Hybrid Photodetection Modalities.

A sensitive optical detector is presented based on a deeply depleted graphene-insulator-semiconducting (D2GIS) junction, which offers the possibility of simultaneously leveraging the advantages of both charge integration and localized amplification. Direct read-out and built-in amplification are accomplished via photogating of a graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) by carriers generated within a deeply depleted low-doped silicon substrate. Analogous to a depleted metal-oxide-semiconducting junction, photo-generated charge collects in the potential well that forms at the semiconductor/insulator interface and induces charges of opposite polarity within the graphene film modifying its conductivity. This device enables simultaneous photo-induced charge integration with continuous “on detector” readout through use of graphene. The resulting devices exhibit responsivities as high as 2,500 A/W (25,000 S/W) for visible wavelengths and a dynamic range of 30 dB. As both the graphene and device principles are transferrable to arbitrary semiconductor absorbers, D2GIS devices offer a high-performance paradigm for imaging across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Staphyloccocus aureus-associated infarctive purpura haemorrhagica, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and myocarditis in a Quarter Horse mare

Summary A 7-year-old Quarter Horse mare was presented for severe left hindlimb oedema and nonweightbearing lameness that was progressive over approximately 48 h. The mare subsequently developed marked and worsening oedema, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA), myositis and myocarditis. The marked oedema, degree of pain and severity of myositis were consistent with infarctive purpura haemorrhagica. Fine needle aspiration of affected tissue resulted in positive bacterial culture of Staphylococcus aureus. Purpura haemorrhagica and associated complications are typically associated with Streptococcal sp. infection or exposure, and have not been previously reported in association with Staphylococcus aureus in the horse. The mare responded favourably to long-term, high-dose corticosteroid therapy, antimicrobials and supportive care.
How Sensors, Devices, and Biomarkers Can Transform Precision Medicine: Perspectives From a Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Abstract Purpose The ability of sophisticated sensors and medical devices to monitor critical biomarkers has the potential to greatly advance precision medicine initiatives. A stakeholder event was organized to develop working models for the evolution of the field. Methods A workshop devoted to the subject matter was held at the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute involving clinicians, device developers, regulators, engineers, and scientists. Findings Several areas for collaborative development were identified and interested teams offered resources for development of research programs. Implications The diversity of relevant stakeholders presents a major opportunity and challenge in translational research. It is evident that the CTSI national network can take a leadership role in the rapidly advancing and potentially transformative field of digital biomarkers.
Advances in Optoelectronics

Important progress has been made in ultrafast optoelectronics where sources, modulators, and transducers have demonstrated response well in the picosecond and subpicosecond regime. In addition, some recent works have demonstrated the important role that ultrafast optoelectronics could play in electronics. We review and discuss some of the latest accomplishments made in this fast evolving field.
Composition Dependence of the Glass-Transition Temperature and Molar Volume in Sodium Thiosilicophosphate Glasses: A Structural Interpretation Using a Real Solution Model.

The glass-transition temperature, Tg, and molar volume, V, are two physical properties known to exhibit the mixed glass former effect (MGFE), a nonlinear nonadditive increase or decrease from a linear ideal mixing behavior, in ternary glass systems, where the two glass forming species are varied, whereas the glass modifier content remains constant across the system. In the next of our continuing studies of the MGFE in ternary glasses, the Tg and molar volumes of two ternary glass forming series, 0.5Na2S + 0.5[ xSiS2 + (1 - x)PS5/2], the 0.50 NSP series, and 0.67Na2S + 0.33[ xSiS2 + (1 - x)PS5/2], the 0.67 NSP series, have been determined across the full glass forming range in both series, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. The 0.50 NSP glasses were found to have a strongly negative MGFE in the Tg and a weaker MGFE in the molar volume. The 0.67 NSP series of glasses exhibited weak negative and strong positive MGFEs in the Tg and molar volumes, respectively. Using the short-range order (SRO) structure model for each glass series that was previously developed, the number of bridging sulfurs (BS) and nonbridging sulfurs (NBS) was determined and analyzed for each of these two series of glasses. A clear linear correlation was observed between the Tg and both the fraction of BSs, BS/(BS + NBS), and the number of BS per glass former, BS/GF in both series. The molar volumes of both series of glasses were analyzed using both ideal and real solution models of mixing. The molar volumes of the glasses were best fit to the molar volumes of all of the individual molar volumes of the various SRO units. In the ideal solution model, the molar volumes of the SRO units were only fit to molar volumes of the end member glasses, x = 0 and 1. In the real solution model, the molar volumes were best fit to the full composition dependence of the molar volume of all of the glasses. In both cases, the same molar volumes for the SRO units were used to fit both sets of molar volumes of both glass series. It was found that the best-fit molar volumes of both the P and Si SRO units were essentially the same at the same number of NBS/GF. In this study, therefore, it was observed that the MGFE in the Tg of the glass was linearly correlated with the number of BS per glass former, BS/GF, whereas the MGFE in the molar volumes of the glasses was correlated with the number of NBS per glass former, NBS/GF.
A New Vision for Preventing Pressure Ulcers: Wearable Wireless Devices Could Help Solve a Common-and Serious-Problem

With an aging population, the incidence and prevalence of wound problems is on the rise. Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers) are painful, take months to heal, and, for many patients, never do, leading to other health problems. The condition has become so acute that treating bedsores is now a significant burden on the healthcare system. An estimated 2.5 million pressure ulcers are treated in U.S. hospitals each year, adding US$11 billion annually to health care costs.
The accuracy of computer-based diagnostic tools for the identification of concurrent genetic disorders

The increasing use of next-generation sequencing, especially clinical exome sequencing, has revealed that individuals having two coexisting genetic conditions are not uncommon occurrences. This pilot study evaluates the efficacy of two methodologically distinct computational differential diagnosis generating tools-FindZebra and SimulConsult-in identifying multiple genetic conditions in a single patient. Clinical query terms were generated for each of 15 monogenic disorders that were effective in resulting in the top 10 list of differential diagnoses for each of the 15 monogenic conditions when entered into these bioinformatics tools. Then, the terms of over 125 pairings of these conditions were entered using each tool and the resulting list of diagnoses evaluated to determine how often both diagnoses of a pair were represented in that list. Neither tool was successful in identifying both members of a pair of conditions in greater than 40% of test cases. Disorder detection sensitivity was not homogeneous within a tool, with each tool favoring the identification of a subset of genetic conditions. In view of recent exome sequencing data showing an unexpectedly high prevalence of coexistent monogenic conditions, the results from this pilot study highlight a need for the development of computational tools designed to effectively generate differential diagnoses with consideration of the possibility of coexisting conditions.
Assessing Clinical Relevance of Uremic Toxins.

Standard hemodialysis works. Indeed, this procedure maintains life in hundreds of thousands of people with little or no kidney function. Moreover, severe symptoms of uremia—coma, seizures, acidosis, hyperkalemia, and pulmonary edema—are readily reversed by dialysis. However, it is also now
Practical Considerations When Using Commercial Robotic Arms for Antenna Metrology

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has been using commercial robotic arms to characterize antenna gain and radiation patterns. The transition from custom antenna hardware to commercial robotics has opened up new capabilities but has also highlighted some issues that need to be addressed to ensure full confidence when using these systems.
Welche Norm hätten Sie denn gern

Seitdem chrom(VI)-freie Beschichtungen aufgrund der gesundheitsgefahrdenden Eigenschaften von Chrom(VI) von der EU fur die Automobil- und Elektronikindustrie vorgeschrieben wurden, wird uber den Nachweis dieser Schichten debattiert. Mittlerweile gibt es verschiedene Analysenmethoden, die als Standardmethoden zur Bestimmung von Chrom(VI) in Korrosionsschutzbeschichtungen eingesetzt werden. In den Normen der beiden beteiligten Branchen werden unterschiedliche Sichtweisen deutlich.