cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatal Plasmodium falciparum, Clostridium perfringens, and Candida spp. Coinfections in a Traveler to Haiti

Malaria is one of the most common causes of febrile illness in travelers. Coinfections with bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens may not be suspected unless a patient fails to respond to malaria treatment. Using novel immunohistochemical and molecular techniques, Plasmodium falciparum, Clostridium perfringens, and Candida spp. coinfections were confirmed in a German traveler to Haiti. Plasmodium falciparum-induced ischemia may have increased this patient's susceptibility to C. perfringens and disseminated candidiasis leading to his death. When a patient presents with P. falciparum and shock and is unresponsive to malaria treatment, secondary infections should be suspected to initiate appropriate treatment.
Current treatments for CIDP

This article reviews the efficacy and tolerability of currently available therapies, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), corticosteroids, and plasma exchange (PE), for treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Data show that current therapies are effective in approximately two-thirds of patients. However, they fail to provide a durable clinical response. Furthermore, current treatments have several limitations that make them problematic for long-term therapy. IVIg dosing is required approximately every 2 to 8 weeks in most patients to maintain improvement. It is expensive, time-consuming to administer, and availability can be a problem. Furthermore, IVIg is a blood product that is associated with rare thromboembolic events. Corticosteroids have poor safety and tolerability profiles, and PE is invasive, time-consuming, expensive, and can be performed only at specialized centers. An alternative to single-agent therapy with current treatments is the use of combination therapy. Combination therapy may increase the duration of response, provide increased efficacy or independent efficacy in unresponsive patients, and reduce the need for standard therapies. Research is needed to find agents suitable for single and combination therapy in CIDP.
Structure of the human RD gene: A highly conserved gene in the class III region of the major histocompatibility complex

ABSTRACT We cloned and determined the DNA sequence of a novel gene (termed RD or D6S45) situated in the class III region of the human major histocompatibility complex (HLA) between the Bf and C4A c...
The Maternal Immune Response in Coccidioidomycosis: Is Pregnancy a Risk Factor for Serious Infection?

Seven subjects with prior coccidioidal disease and three with active Coccidioides immitis infection during their first trimester were studied during pregnancy and postpartum to determine their general and antigen-specific cell-mediated immune status. All ten were white and carried their pregnancies to term without incident. Decreases in total lymphocytes and T-helper and T-suppressor subsets were noted during the third trimester, presumably secondary to an increase in plasma volume. Lymphocyte responses to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed were mildly decreased late in pregnancy, with significant intrasubject and inter subject variation. Responses to tetanus antigen were consistently and significantly lower as pregnancy progressed, rising above first trimester levels by 12 weeks postpartum. A similar pattern of response was noted with spherulin antigen for the seven subjects with previously demonstrated coccidioidal immunity. The three subjects with active coccidioidomycosis either failed to mount a significant spherulin immune response or demonstrated an early response that fell as pregnancy progressed. This antigen-specific immune suppression continued for up to 16 months postpartum despite the fact that there was no clinical evidence of coccidioidal activity beyond the first trimester. Thus, while all three completed pregnancy without complication, the data suggest that significantly increased maternal risk may be present when active coccidioidomycosis and pregnancy occur together. This risk may be greatest among darker-skinned individuals who become infected during the latter half of pregnancy. (Chest 1991; 100:709-15)
Thermal Conductivities of Bismuth Single Crystals as Influenced by a Magnetic Field

The thermal and electrical conductivities of two specimens of Bi single crystals were determined as a function of temperature and orientation of magnetic field relative to their crystallographic axes. These effects were observed at temperatures ranging from -170\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C to -50\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The first specimen was mounted with its trigonal axis $P\ensuremath{\perp}$ to $H$ and \ensuremath{\parallel} to heat or current flow. The second specimen was mounted with $P\ensuremath{\perp}$ to heat or current flow and $P\ensuremath{\perp}$ or \ensuremath{\parallel} to $H$. In this specimen it was also known that the heat or current flow was \ensuremath{\perp} to the traces in the (111) plane formed by the intersection of the (111) and the ($11\overline{1}$) planes. A magnetic field of 7800 gauss was used and the crystallographic orientation was determined by means of variations in electrical resistance as the field was rotated about the specimen. For the first specimen, $P\ensuremath{\parallel}$ to heat and current flow, the decrease in thermal and electrical conductivity with the field perpendicular to any one of the binary axes was greater than when the field was parallel to any one of them. For the second specimen, $P\ensuremath{\perp}$ to heat and current flow, the decrease in thermal conductivity with $H\ensuremath{\perp}P$ was greater than the corresponding decrease with $H\ensuremath{\parallel}P$, whereas the decrease in electrical conductivity for these two positions were less and greater, respectively.
Sand Erosion in Multiphase Flow for Low-Liquid Loading and Annular Conditions

Low-liquid loading (LLL) and annular gas-liquid flow patterns are commonly encountered in gas transportation pipelines. They may also occur in other off-shore production facilities such as gas/condensate production systems. Experience gained from production of hydrocarbons has shown that severe degradation of production equipment will occur due to sand entrained in gas-dominant multiphase flows.Sand erosion in multiphase flows is a complex phenomenon since several factors influence the particle impact velocity with the wall. In order to give a more comprehensive understanding of the particle erosion process in this particular scenario and to improve the current semi-mechanistic models, erosion and sand distribution measurements were conducted on 76.2 mm (3 inch) and 101.6 mm (4 inch) diameter pipes in a large scale multiphase flow loop with varying gas (air) and liquid (water) velocities generating low-liquid loading and annular conditions. Particle sizes used in the experiments were 150 and 300 microns with the latter being sharper than the former. Erosion measurements were made at sixteen different locations on a 76.2 mm (3 inch) standard elbow using ultrasonic technology, whereas Electrical Resistance (ER) probes were used for the measurements in a 101.6 mm (4 inch) diameter pipe. The experiments were primarily performed in the upward vertical orientation but a few measurements were performed in the horizontal orientation. Results suggest that the erosion is an order of magnitude higher when the pipe is oriented vertically compared to horizontal orientation. Also, the location of maximum erosion is identified for these flow patterns and it is not dependent on the pipe inclination.© 2012 ASME
Science, technology and society revisited: what is happening to anthropology and ethnography?

Anthropologists and ethnographers have been important contributors to the field of computer-supported cooperative work, with many insights and attendant innovations derived from this partnership. More recently, the discipline of anthropology has taken a critical turn, one of the consequences being doubts regarding anthropology's relationship with science (as in "...the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities.") A shift in stance from one that sought the classical position of the empirical scientist and/or the humanistic interpreter ("verstehen") to another that is more deliberately and self-consciously critical has potential implications for the position of technology in ethnographic field studies, both as a human tool and as a subject of inquiry. The evolution of the social sciences increasingly will be influenced by the availability of and access to massive amounts of digital information, and new types of technology for its collection and analysis. How anthropology and ethnography engage with this new world of digital information remains an open question. Regardless, they will face competitive challenges in the marketplace. The shifting currents that surround changes we are witnessing in anthropology and ethnography will be placed in a historical and social context, and implications for their future prospects will be explored.
Labels affect both liking and preference: the better the stimuli, the bigger the preference

When hedonic contrast causes stimuli to become less good, it also reduces subjects' preferences between them (hedonic condensation). Here we investigated whether the reduction in preference is a by-product of hedonic contrast or can occur as a result of other manipulations that increase the negativity of the stimuli. Subjects smelled and rated their degrees of preference for each of two sets of paired cheese samples (some subjects were told that they were smelling cheeses, and the others, body odor samples). They then smelled each of the four samples, labeled as before, one at a time, and rated their intensity and liking for each sample. We found no effect of label on the intensity ratings, but subjects who were told that the samples were body odor liked them less and showed less of a preference between paired samples. Thus, increasing the negativity of pairs of stimuli reduces subjects' preference between them, even in the absence of hedonic contrast. More-negative stimuli might be attended to less than more-positive stimuli, resulting in less hedonic discrimination of hedonically negative than of positive stimuli.
Sagebrush carrying out hydraulic lift enhances surface soil nitrogen cycling and nitrogen uptake into inflorescences

Plant roots serve as conduits for water flow not only from soil to leaves but also from wetter to drier soil. This hydraulic redistribution through root systems occurs in soils worldwide and can enhance stomatal opening, transpiration, and plant carbon gain. For decades, upward hydraulic lift (HL) of deep water through roots into dry, litter-rich, surface soil also has been hypothesized to enhance nutrient availability to plants by stimulating microbially controlled nutrient cycling. This link has not been demonstrated in the field. Working in sagebrush-steppe, where water and nitrogen limit plant growth and reproduction and where HL occurs naturally during summer drought, we slightly augmented deep soil water availability to 14 HL+ treatment plants throughout the summer growing season. The HL+ sagebrush lifted greater amounts of water than control plants and had slightly less negative predawn and midday leaf water potentials. Soil respiration was also augmented under HL+ plants. At summer’s end, application of a gas-based 15N isotopic labeling technique revealed increased rates of nitrogen cycling in surface soil layers around HL+ plants and increased uptake of nitrogen into HL+ plants’ inflorescences as sagebrush set seed. These treatment effects persisted even though unexpected monsoon rainstorms arrived during assays and increased surface soil moisture around all plants. Simulation models from ecosystem to global scales have just begun to include effects of hydraulic redistribution on water and surface energy fluxes. Results from this field study indicate that plants carrying out HL can also substantially enhance decomposition and nitrogen cycling in surface soils.
Indole-3-acetic acid and ball gall development on Solidago altissima

Summary • Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations are reported in ball galls, stem tissue, and in the gall-forming larvae of the tephritid fly Eurosta solidaginis, to gain insight into the mechanism of ball gall formation on the goldenrod, Solidago altissima. • IAA was identified and quantified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, with [13C6]-IAA as an internal standard. • Concentrations of IAA were higher in gall tissues than in stem tissues on a weight per stem length basis, but not on a weight per weight basis. First instar larvae of E. solidaginis contained IAA at 9 µg g−1 f. wt or 1.21 ng per larva, a concentration 33-times higher than in control stem tissues. Gall development was unaffected by the early removal of the apical bud and leaves from galls, and lateral bud release was inhibited by galls in terminal positions in the absence of the apical bud, indicating that ball galls act as sources of auxin. • The presence of an E. solidaginis larva results in higher amounts of IAA in a given length of stem than are found in its absence. E. solidaginis larvae may act as point sources of IAA in developing ball galls.
What Are the Implications of the Surgical Learning Curve

In place of this crude categorical approach, Thompson and colleagues graph outcomes on the y-axis against experience on the x-axis, fitting a curve appropriately. They draw the intuitively plausible conclusion that although a surgeon is eventually able to master a new surgical approach, robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, it takes a good number of cases before results equal those of the prior open technique. The conclusion that low-volume or latecareer surgeons should not switch approaches appears entirely sound. What the study illustrates, yet again, is that surgical outcomes vary widely, in this case, across a single surgeon’s cases. This raises three critical issues. First, why is there variation? What is the surgeon doing differently for the 400th case compared with the 10th or the 50th? It seems remarkable that we continue to spend billions of research dollars looking at cancer cells under the microscope but virtually nothing looking at the surgeon’s scalpel. Yet the differences between and within a surgeon’s cases exceed any effect sizes we might reasonably expect from a novel drug. If we were able to identify specific aspects of radical prostatectomy technique associated with better outcome, we could speed up the learning curve and help poorly performing surgeons. Indeed, there is evidence from bariatric surgery that surgeons are able to distinguish better from poorer technique on video review and that these evaluations correlate with surgical outcomes [3]. Second, if results of surgery can vary, then some surgeons will be below average. But for surgeons to know that they are below average and take appropriate remedial action, they would have to carefully monitor and risk adjust their outcomes and then compare them with outcomes of peers. This is very difficult to do and therefore is not widely done. It seems reasonable to suppose that the public would be shocked to know that although every salesperson knows his or her sales numbers and every factory closely monitors product quality, few surgeons know whether their outcomes are good or bad. More surgeons need to join quality assurance collaborations such as the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative [4] or AMPLIO [5].
Using Qualitative Data Analysis Software in Teaching About Group Work Practice

Abstract Courses on social group work have traditionally relied on in-class role plays to teach group work skills. The most common technological aid in such courses has been analog videotape. In recent years new technologies have emerged that allow the instructor to customize and tailor didactic experiences to individual classes and individual learners. This article discusses the use of technologies such as digital video combined with computer aided qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS). Two examples illustrate the use of Atlas.ti, a popular CAQDAS program, for advancing group work education. The use of data analysis software in group work courses gives students concrete examples and experiences in using research in group work practice. While this article discusses the use of such technologies in teaching group work, the approach could be adapted for use in other direct practice courses and in direct practice settings.
Comparison of breder traps and seines used to sample Marsh Nekton

Effective sampling of marsh nekton is difficult due to the organisms’ use of the marsh-edge and/or marsh surface during high tide. Quantitative sampling approaches currently used are expensive, require permanent structures, and can require a considerable number of personnel for implementation. Our purpose was to assess the use of Breder traps (T) as a sampling method capable of documenting relative abundance of nekton. We sampled marsh habitats (within 1 m of marsh grass) in five bayous using seines at high (HS) and low (LS) tide and compared them with rank abundance and similarity data. Seining (n=3/tidal stage) was conducted adjacent to each set of traps (n=4) which were retrieved at low tide. Four transient (Engraulidae, 34.7%; Penaeidae, 12.4%; Portunidae, 6.8%; and Sciaenidae, 1.2%) and four resident families (Palaemonidae, 28.1% Fundulidae, 9.2%; Atherinidae, 3.2%; and Gobiidae, 1.1%) met our requirements (≥1% of all nekton captured) for analysis and accounted for 96.6% of the total nekton captured. High seine and LS collections were most similar (Jaccard's index, 0.58), followed by T and LS (0.46) and HS and T (0.37). Transient families were captured in greatest numbers and higher rank with seines (LS>HS>T) while two resident families (Palaemonidae and Fundulidae) dominated T collections (T>LS>HS). Our data suggests that Breder traps adequately sample resident nekton which use the marsh surface and should be considered in future studies which require only CPUE estimates of abundance.
A Cogeneration Case Study Using the Interactive Energy Balance Program

ABSTRACT Cogeneration is a highly effective means of increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy costs by utilizing the heat that would normally be wasted and use some or all of it for the thermal requirements of a facility. This effective utilization of heat generated during electricity production allows for an increase of fuel efficiency from 35% to almost 85%. Cogeneration not only reduces energy costs and increases energy efficiency, but is also beneficial to the environment by reducing the amount of pollutants that are emitted into the atmosphere. In a previous work we presented and described the new Interactive Energy Balance (IEB) software. The package offers an easy way to account for energy bills, working equipment and their energy operating characteristics. Among the equipment considered are: lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration compressors, air compressors, motors, and others. The electric energy consumed by all pieces of equipment is balanced against the energy bills (last 12 months)...
A level-set algorithm for tracking discontinuities in hyperbolic conservation laws

Abstract A level-set algorithm for tracking discontinuities in hyperbolic conservation laws is presented. The algorithm uses a simple finite difference approach, analogous to the method of lines scheme presented in C.-W. Shu and S. Osher (1988, J. Comput. Phys. 77 , 439). The zero of a level-set function is used to specify the location of the discontinuity. Since a level-set function is used to describe the front location, no extra data structures are needed to keep track of the location of the discontinuity. Also, two solution states are used at all computational nodes, one corresponding to the “real” state, and one corresponding to a “ghost node” state, analogous to the “Ghost Fluid Method” of R. P. Fedkiw et al. (1999, J. Comput. phys. 154 , 459). High-order pointwise convergence is demonstrated for linear and nonlinear conservation laws, even at discontinuities and in multiple dimensions. The solutions are compared to standard high-order shock-capturing schemes. This paper focuses on scalar conservation laws. An example is given for shock tracking in the one-dimensional Euler equations. Level-set tracking for systems of conservation laws in multidimensions will be presented in future work.
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT ESCALATION: AN ATTRIBUTION‐BASED MODEL

Traditionally, conflict theory and research has focused almost exclusively on verbal behavior to understand strategic processes. Research on various nonverbal cues in conflict interaction is limited to investigations of narrowly defined variable sets and/or atheoretic descriptions of nonverbal behaviors, with little attention to the underlying reasons for the behavioral choices made by disputants. This paper proposes an attribution‐based model of conflict escalation as a consequence of non‐verbal status displays. The lack of research on the role of nonverbal communication in conflict escalation and the limitations of current models of nonverbal immediacy exchange are cited as a justification for the proposed model. Implications of the model are summarized in the form of several propositions.
Insensitivity of the electrocardiogram in apical myocardial infarction

The ability of the standard ECG to identify myocardial infarction (MI) involving primarily the left ventricular (LV) apex is controversial. Therefore, the ECGs of 62 consecutive patients with acute infarction and isolated akinesia or dyskinesia of the LV apex on gated blood pool scintigraphy performed at rest 9 +/- 4 days after MI, were reviewed. The following distribution of Q waves was found: none, 26%; inferior leads only, 23%; anterior leads only, 32%; inferior + 1 or more V leads, 13%; lead I and/or aVL + 1 or more V leads, 6%. Only 12 patients (19%) demonstrated one of the "combination" Q-wave patterns thought to indicate apical infarction. Although the 20 patients with a history of MI did not differ in age or ejection fraction from those with a first MI, the combination of inferior and anterior Q waves was present in 6 of them (30%), vs only 2 of the remaining 42 patients (5%) (p less than 0.02). The 24 patients with apical dyskinesia had a lower ejection fraction (36 +/- 14 vs 48 +/- 12, p less than 0.001), a lower prevalence of isolated inferior Q waves (8 vs 32%, p less than 0.05) and a greater prevalence of isolated anterior Q waves (46 vs 24%, p = 0.09) than those with akinesia. Thus, in patients with recent MI localized to the LV apex on radionuclide ventriculography, pathologic Q waves are commonly confined to the anterior or inferior leads or absent altogether. The insensitivity of the various proposed criteria for the electrocardiographic diagnosis of apical MI emphasizes the value of imaging techniques in detecting this common clinical entity.
Accurate Computation of Electric Field Enhancement Factors for Metallic Nanoparticles Using the Discrete Dipole Approximation.

We model the response of nanoscale Ag prolate spheroids to an external uniform static electric field using simulations based on the discrete dipole approximation, in which the spheroid is represented as a collection of polarizable subunits. We compare the results of simulations that employ subunit polarizabilities derived from the Clausius–Mossotti relation with those of simulations that employ polarizabilities that include a local environmental correction for subunits near the spheroid’s surface [Rahmani et al. Opt Lett 27: 2118 (2002)]. The simulations that employ corrected polarizabilities give predictions in very good agreement with exact results obtained by solving Laplace’s equation. In contrast, simulations that employ uncorrected Clausius–Mossotti polarizabilities substantially underestimate the extent of the electric field “hot spot” near the spheroid’s sharp tip, and give predictions for the field enhancement factor near the tip that are 30 to 50% too small.
Paraurethral fascial sling urethropexy and vaginal paravaginal defects cystopexy in the correction of urethrovesical prolapse

The authors sought to determine whether a vaginal paravaginal defects cystopexy combined with a paraurethral fascial sling urethropexy is an effective surgical procedure in restoring normal anatomic positioning of the anterior pelvic compartment in cases of genitourinary prolapse associated with overt or masked genuine urinary stress incontinence. In this observational study of 75 patients, each underwent repair of all defects of pelvic support accompanied by this combined procedure for anterior compartment restoration. Sixty-one patients (81%) complained primarily of protruding masses; 25 (33%) had had at least one prior attempt at cystocele repair. Follow-up ranging from 6 months to 3 years was obtained in 72 cases. Sixty-eight (94.4%) patients denied postoperative urinary incontinence. Symptoms of genital prolapse were relieved in all but one. The combined paraurethral fascial sling urethropexy and vaginal paravaginal defects cystopexy present a valuable approach in operative repair when multiple pelvic compartments are involved in prolapse.
Transcription Factor Foxo1 Represses T-bet-Mediated Effector Functions and Promotes Memory CD8+ T Cell Differentiation

The evolutionary conserved Foxo transcription factors are important regulators of quiescence and longevity. Although, Foxo1 is known to be important in regulating CD8(+) T cell trafficking and homeostasis, its role in functional differentiation of antigen-stimulated CD8(+) T cells is unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that inactivation of Foxo1 was essential for instructing T-bet transcription factor-mediated effector differentiation of CD8(+) T cells. The Foxo1 inactivation was dependent on mTORC1 kinase, given that blockade of mTORC1 abrogated mTORC2-mediated Akt (Ser473) kinase phosphorylation, resulting in Foxo1-dependent switch from T-bet to Eomesodermin transcription factor activation and increase in memory precursors. Silencing Foxo1 ablated interleukin-12- and rapamycin-enhanced CD8(+) T cell memory responses and restored T-bet-mediated effector functions. These results demonstrate an essential role of Foxo1 in actively repressing effector or terminal differentiation processes to promote memory CD8(+) T cell development and identify the functionally diverse mechanisms utilized by Foxo1 to promote quiescence and longevity.
The stop-and-go spinning technique in MAS experiments

Abstract High-resolution solid-state NMR experiments are described in which detection occurs under magic-angle spinning conditions, but other portions of the experimental sequence are carried out with the sample static. This is achieved by starting and stopping the spinner during the sequence. In a 2D FT experiment designed to provide a chemical-shift tensor pattern for each isotropic chemical-shift tensor average, the sample is static during the evolution period and the magnetization evolves according to the complete chemical-shift tensor during that period. In another experiment, I to S cross polarization is carried out under static-sample conditions, avoiding the well-known modulation patterns in the Hartmann-Hahn match condition for systems with weakly coupled I spins. Examples of the application of these techniques are presented and prospects for such techniques are discussed.
Free operant measurement of taste preferences in prosimian primates

The sucrose preferences of two prosimian primate species, slow loris and greater galago, were determined under aperiodic reinforcement of a free operant. Stimuli were solutions of the following concentrations: 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. Solutions of intermediate concentration were preferred, and thus the function relating barpresses to concentrations was nonmonotonic.
The Rh blood group system in review: a new face for the next decade.

h is the most well-recognized blood group system after ABO, probably because of the dramatic presentation of a fetus suffering hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) following maternal alloimmunization to the D antigen. Even individuals not associated with medicine have heard of the “Rh factor” and are aware that it has some importance in pregnancy. The earliest recorded description of the syndrome dates to the 1600s from a French midwife who attended the delivery of a set of twins, one of which was hydropic and the other was jaundiced and died of kernicterus. The agent responsible for the wide range of fetal symptoms, from mild jaundice to fetal demise, remained obscure until 1941. Levine and colleagues observed that the delivery of a stillborn fetus and the adverse reaction in the mother to a blood transfusion from the father were related and were the result of an immune reaction to a paternal antigen. Serologists’ relationship with the offending blood group system began when it was confused with a Rhesus monkey red blood cell (RBC) protein, now termed LW, and much argument and debate ensued over who should receive credit for its discovery. Becoming aware of the antigen, however, was only the beginning of the story. This blood group system would become notorious for its complexity, with numerous antigens and multiple nomenclatures defining it. Several seminal events characterized the history of the Rh system. One of the most important was the observation that ABO mismatch between a mother and the fetus had a partial protective effect against immunization R to D. This suggested the rationale for the development of Rh immune globulin (RhIG). Although immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies did not provide protection, immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-D was effective. By the early 1960s, a mere 20 years after the discovery of Rh incompatibility, an effective treatment was available. Despite their clinical importance, the extremely hydrophobic nature of the Rh proteins made biochemical studies difficult, and the proteins were not successfully isolated until the late 1980s. This led to the cloning of the genes in the 1990s and to major advances in our understanding of the Rh system. The molecular bases of most Rh antigens have been determined, and the RH gene structure explains why this system is so polymorphic. Specifically, the conventional Rh antigens are encoded by two genes, RHD and RHCE, but numerous gene conversion events between them create hybrid genes. The resulting novel hybrid proteins containing regions of RhD joined to RhCE, or the converse, generate the myriad of different Rh antigens. The goal of this review is to highlight the insights gained since the cloning of the genes, describe applications for RH molecular testing to clinical practice, introduce other members of the Rh family of proteins that are present in other tissues, and focus on the next piece of the Rh puzzle, that is, efforts to determine the structure and function of the Rh family of proteins.
Experimental critical care in ventilated rats: effect of hypercapnia on arterial oxygen-carrying capacity.

Abstract Purpose: We have previously demonstrated an increased arterial o2-carrying capacity in normal ventilated dogs subjected to both acute and prolonged exogenous hypercapnia. In the present study, we tested if arterial hypercapnia, during controlled ventilation, can increase 02-carrying capacity also in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty young male Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized (60 mg/kg pentobarbital), tracheostomized, intubated, and one femoral vein and artery were cannulated. Anesthesia and paralysis were maintained using 15 mg/kg/h pentobarbital intravenously, and 2 mg/kg/h vecuronium bromide. The fluid balance (5 mL/kg/h saline), normothermia, and minute volume were maintained. The mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were continuously monitored. Experiments included the following: (1) a control group, ventilated with normoxic air for 150 minutes (n = 5); (2) mild hypercapnia, a group of eight rats ventilated with normoxic air for 30 minutes and then ventilated with a mixture of normoxic air at 60 mm Hg C02 (8 kPa) for 1 hour; and (3) severe hypercapnia, a group of seven rats were treated exactly as in group II, except a 90 mm Hg (12 kPa) C02 during hypercapnia. Gas-exchange profile, arterial hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, arterial Hb-oxygen saturation (Hb-O2), and arterial O2 content were periodically determined during normocapnia and 1 hour of hypercapnia. Results: Exposures to mild and severe hypercapnia, in rats with maintained ventilation, significantly reduced the arterial O2 content by 20% and 33%, respectively, without significant changes in the arterial Hb concentration (−2%). Severe hypercapnia generated a significant reduction of −14% in the PaO2, but not in PaO2/Fi02 ratio. Conclusion: Rats subjected to controlled ventilation and permissive hypercapnia, unlike dogs and perhaps humans, show no augmentation of Hb concentration. Hypercapnia in rats also provokes much stronger Bohr effect than in dogs. Hypercapnia-induced Bohr effect in rats is accompanied with extreme desaturations of Hb-O2, and substantial reduction in the 02-carrying capacity. We speculate that the strong hypercapnia-induced Bohr effect in rats may prevent hypoxia at the tissue level. However, to maintain a stable oxygen-carrying capacity in rats used for pulmonary critical care studies with hypercapnia, we suggest to use hyperoxia, with or without a mild hypothermia.
Plasma and erythrocyte thiamin concentrations in geriatric outpatients.

The objective of this study was a) to determine the plasma and red cell thiamin levels in geriatric outpatients and b) to evaluate, using the rat model, the sensitivity of plasma thiamin concentration as an indicator of nutritional status for this vitamin.Thirty geriatric outpatients were evaluated for their plasma and erythrocyte thiamin levels.Plasma and red cell thiamin levels were determined by a microbiologic assay using kloeckera apiculata. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a thiamin deficient diet. Blood samples were obtained on specified days and the plasma and erythrocyte thiamin levels determined.Forty-three percent of the subjects studied had plasma thiamin levels below 2 SD of the mean of the younger-age group (20-60 yr) while 57% had a plasma thiamin below 10 ng/ml (the lower reference range of the younger age group). Twenty-seven percent were found to have red cell thiamin levels below 2 SD of the mean of the younger-age group, while 33% had red cell thiamin levels below 138 ng/ml (the lower refe...
Training: An Essential Aspect of Human Factors in Technology Transfer to Developing Countries

The creation and planning of a successful international training program is dependent upon the establishment and implementation of a systematic approach or process which integrates the educational goals, with the development needs for the country. This paper examines various planning processes, approaches, techniques and models of training systems and the critical elements necessary to design, develop and implement a cost-effective training system in developing countries. General alternatives and possible options for development and improvement of international training systems, which incorporate unique characteristics, socio-cultural factors and cultural mores are presented in six models.
Restriction of porcine parvovirus replication in nonpermissive cells.

Abstract Swine testicle (ST) cells and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells differ in their ability to support replication of porcine parvovirus (PPV). Viral replication events in ST cells, a permissive cell type, and MDCK cells, a nonpermissive cell type, were compared in an attempt to elucidate putative mechanisms of restrictive virus replication. Radiolabeled PPV bound to the cell surface of both cell types equally well and the binding was shown to be PPV specific, indicating that the restriction was not at the cell surface level. In contrast, profound differences in intracellular events in PPV replication were observed between these two cell types. Synthesis of viral DNA was limited in MDCK cells in that the percentage of cells with replicative-form DNA as determined by strand-specific probe in situ hybridization was approximately 100-fold lower in MDCK cells than in ST cells at the same multiplicity of infection. Northern (RNA) blot analysis, using oligonucleotide probes derived from both structural and nonstructural protein-coding regions of the PPV genome, revealed four PPV mRNA transcripts from infected ST cells. Comparatively, RNA species from the structural protein coding region were actively transcribed in MDCK cells, but synthesis of RNA species from the nonstructural protein coding region was negligible. Immunoprecipitation of viral polypeptides revealed the three characteristic structural polypeptides, VP1, VP2, and VP3, along with the nonstructural polypeptide, NS-1 from ST cells. In contrast, neither viral structural or nonstructural polypeptides nor progeny virions were produced from MDCK cells. The data suggest that mechanisms controlling permissiveness of cells to PPV infection are associated with the level of viral DNA replication, RNA transcription, and viral antigen expression but not absorption to the cell surface.
The algorithmic complexity of multichannel EEGs is sensitive to changes in behavior.

Symbolic measures of complexity provide a quantitative characterization of the sequential structure of symbol sequences. Promising results from the application of these methods to the analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) and event-related brain potential (ERP) activity have been reported. Symbolic measures used thus far have two limitations, however. First, because the value of complexity increases with the length of the message, it is difficult to compare signals of different epoch lengths. Second, these symbolic measures do not generalize easily to the multichannel case. We address these issues in studies in which both single and multichannel EEGs were analyzed using measures of signal complexity and algorithmic redundancy, the latter being defined as a sequence-sensitive generalization of Shannon’s redundancy. Using a binary partition of EEG activity about the median, redundancy was shown to be insensitive to the size of the data set while being sensitive to changes in the subject’s behavioral state (eyes open vs. eyes closed). The covariance complexity, calculated from the singular value spectrum of a multichannel signal, was also found to be sensitive to changes in behavioral state. Statistical separations between the eyes open and eyes closed conditions were found to decrease following removal of the 8- to 12-Hz content in the EEG, but still remained statistically significant. Use of symbolic measures in multivariate signal classification is described. Descriptors: EEG, Complexity theory, Algorithmic redundancy, Consciousness, Discriminant analysis
A New Approach for Stabilizing Labyrinth Seal Leakage

A parametric study of geometrical effects on labyrinth seal leakage resistance was conducted using a recently developed Navier-Stokes finite difference code. Previously unavailable design data in terms of an effective cavity friction factor was obtained. Also, a new leakage stability design approach was found, and the parametric study data was used accordingly in designing a seal with nonuniform cavities for the new high-pressure oxygen turbo-pump of the space shuttle main engine. The leakage resistance showed significantly greater stability over an extremely wide range of rotor axial position. Further, an enhanced basic understanding of the effect of sharp knife corners on cavity friction factor is obtained from contours of intense turbulence generation. The location of these contours shows that it is the sharp streamline curvature at high velocity slightly upstream of the vena contracta which provides the primary intense turbulent friction. This is a departure from the previous belief that the large tur...
Vocabulary Tricks: Effects of Instruction in Morphology and Context on Fifth-Grade Students’Ability to Derive and Infer Word Meanings:

This quasi-experimental study compared the effects of morphemic and contextual analysis instruction (MC) with the effects of textbook vocabulary instruction (TV) that was integrated into social studies textbook lessons. The participants were 157 students in eight fifth-grade classrooms. The results indicated that (a) TV students were more successful at learning textbook vocabulary; (b) MC students were more successful at inferring the meanings of novel affixed words; (c) MC students were more successful at inferring the meanings of morphologically and contextually decipherable words on a delayed test but not on an immediate test; and (d) the groups did not differ on a comprehension measure or a social studies learning measure. The results were interpreted as support for teaching specific vocabulary and morphemic analysis, with some evidence for the efficacy of teaching contextual analysis.
System-Level Black-Box Dc-to-Dc Converter Models

This paper presents the application of black-box terminal characterization models (BBTC) for the simulation and analysis of distributed power electronics systems composed by commercial power electronics converters and filter modules. The models are shown to effectively predict the transient and steady state response of interconnected distributed power systems. They are also used to predict the small-signal stability between source and load converters. All simulation results are validated with experimental data.
Educators’ Perspectives on Culturally Relevant Programs for Academic Success: The American Excellence Association

This study examines educators’ perspectives of the American Excellence Association (AEA). Using interviews with 16 educators (teachers, counselors, and principals) from 10 high schools, we explored...
A hybrid dielectric slab-beam waveguide for the sub-millimeter wave region

A hybrid dielectric-slab-beam waveguide is suggested which should be well suited as a transmission medium for the design of planar quasi-optical integrated circuits and devices operating in the millimeter- and sub-millimeter-wave regions. The guide consists of a grounded dielectric slab in which a sequence of equally spaced cylindrical lenses is fabricated. The center line of the slab guide is the axis of the lenses. The structure uses two distinct waveguiding principles in conjunction to guide electromagnetic waves. In the direction normal to the slab surface, the guided fields behave as surface waves of the slab guide; their energy is largely confined to the interior of the dielectric and they are guided by total reflection at the slab surface. In the lateral direction the waves behave as Gauss-Hermite-beam modes that are guided by the lenses, which periodically reconstitute their cross sectional phase distribution, resulting in a wave beam that is iterated with the lens spacing. The guided fields are in effect TE and TM modes. The analysis of the new guiding structure is analyzed, the mode spectrum is calculated, and the iteration loss due to the finite size of the lenses is estimated. >
The Bird’s Eye View of Community Colleges: A Behavioral Typology of First-Time Students Based on Cluster Analytic Classification

The development of a typology of community college students is a topic of long-standing and growing interest among educational researchers, policy-makers, administrators, and other stakeholders, but prior work on this topic has been limited in a number of important ways. In this paper, I develop a behavioral typology based on students’ course-taking and other enrollment patterns during a seven-year observation period. Drawing on data for a population of 165,921 first-time college students, I identify six clusters of behaviors: transfer, vocational, drop-in, noncredit, experimental, and exploratory. I describe each of these student types in terms of distinguishing course-taking and enrollment behaviors, representation in the first-time student cohort, predominant demographic characteristics, and self-reported academic goal. I test the predictive validity of the classification scheme with respect to long-term academic outcomes. I investigate the relationships between the primary classification scheme and several alternative classification schemes. Finally, I demonstrate the replicability of the classification scheme with an alternate cohort of students.
Approximate encoding for direct access and query processing over compressed bitmaps

Bitmap indices have been widely and successfully used in scientific and commercial databases. Compression techniques based on run-length encoding are used to improve the storage performance. However, these techniques introduce significant overheads in query processing even when only a few rows are queried. We propose a new bitmap encoding scheme based on multiple hashing, where the bitmap is kept in a compressed form, and can be directly accessed without decompression. Any subset of rows and/or columns can be retrieved efficiently by reconstructing and processing only the necessary subset of the bitmap. The proposed scheme provides approximate results with a trade-off between the amount of space and the accuracy. False misses are guaranteed not to occur, and the false positive rate can be estimated and controlled. We show that query execution is significantly faster than WAH-compressed bitmaps, which have been previously shown to achieve the fastest query response times. The proposed scheme achieves accurate results (90%-100%) and improves the speed of query processing from 1 to 3 orders of magnitude compared to WAH.
Job status and employees responses effects of demographic characteristics

Differences in attitudinal responses of part-time and full-time employees have been described in prior investigations which, however, generally did not control statistically for demographic variables. Some researchers contend that the results may be spurious. This paper reports differences between 74 part-time and 83 full-time retail department store employees' role perceptions, general job satisfaction, internal work motivation, organizational commitment, task perceptions, and self-rated performance. Differences, assessed while controlling for age, sex, job tenure, and education, suggest that job status is related to employees' variety, autonomy, task-identity, and self-rated performance when controls for demographic variables are appropriate.
Myocardial Fluid Balance in Acute Hypertension

Objectives: We hypothesized that (1) acute arterial hypertension increases myocardial microvascular fluid filtration and (2) the combination of acute arterial hypertension and coronary sinus pressure elevation may increase myocardial microvascular filtration sufficiently to estimate the osmotic reflection coefficient of the myocardial exchange vessels.Methods: In nine mechanically ventilated dogs we cannulated the prenodal major cardiac lymph trunk. With the use of central venous phenylephrine infusion, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was raised progressively to 120, 160, and 180 mm Hg. In five dogs we additionally raised coronary sinus pressure (CSP) to 20 and 40 mm Hg. At each manipulation of MAP and/or CSP, we measured indexes of myocardial lymphatic function and lymph-to-plasma concentration ratios for total protein (CL(TP)/CP(TP)) and albumin (CL(alb)/CP(alb)).Results: Myocardial lymph flow rate (QL; μL/min) increased exponentially (QL = 10.9 e0.014-(MAP)) and myocardial lymph driving pressure (PL; mm H...
Split inherent-capacitive load buffer

CMOS buffers consist of a series of tapered inverters with each inverter driving a larger inverter. We split the inherent capacitance of the driving inverter stage of a CMOS buffer into two components (C/sub x/ and C/sub z/), and show that the optimum taper factor is a function of C/sub x//C/sub z/ ratio. Overall buffer propagation delay and output transition time of the new buffer are smaller with a small increase in area and power dissipation.