cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Rare Case of a High-Grade Thymic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Cardiac Tamponade.

Thymic tumors (for example, thymomas, thymic carcinomas, and thymic neuroendocrine tumors) are rare tumors. Thymic carcinomas are aggressive thymic epithelial neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Cardiac tamponade as a presenting complaint of malignant thymic carcinoma is rare. A 64-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with complaints of progressive exertional dyspnea and chest discomfort. On physical examination, she had diminished breath sounds at the left lung base. The chest x-ray showed a mediastinal widening, significant cardiomegaly, and pleural effusion. CT scan of the chest revealed a dominant mediastinal mass, left-sided pleural effusion, and pericardial effusion. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed 3 cm circumferential pericardial effusion, with evidence of cardiac tamponade. An emergent pericardiocentesis and thoracentesis were done. A core needle biopsy of the mediastinal mass revealed a high-grade non-keratinizing squamous cell thymic carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry staining was positive for pan-cytokeratin, high molecular weight cytokeratin, CK 5/6, E-cadherin, p63, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and BerEp4. The patient had repeated hospital admissions due to recurrent malignant pericardial effusion and left pleural effusion. The patient was planned for radiation and chemotherapy with oncology. In our review of literature, the primary squamous cell thymic carcinoma presenting initially as a cardiac tamponade was found to be a rare event. Early diagnosis and treatment are of utmost importance given the aggressive clinical course culminating in to poor outcome.
E-021 Effect of early sanguinate® infusion on cerebral blood flow to the ischemic core in experimental middle cerebral artery occlusion

Purpose Sanguinate (Prolong Pharmaceuticals, South Plainfield, NJ) is an investigational bio-pharmaceutical blood substitute that facilitates the transfer of oxygen to oxygen-deprived cells and tissues using a bovine PEGylated carboxyhemoglobin-based oxygen carrier designed to release oxygen in hypoxic tissue. Through its vasodilatory effects at the pial arteriolar level, its ability to deliver oxygen to severely hypoxic tissues, oncotic effect and anti-inflammatory effects, Sanguinate shows promise in slowing the progression of ischemic insult in acute stroke. We hypothesize that Sanguinate improves cerebral blood flow to the ischemic core in the early stages of MCA occlusion (MCAO). Methods Using an IACUC approved protocol, eight mongrel canines (20–30 kg) underwent angiographically-guided endovascular permanent MCA occlusion. Four subjects received Sanguinate (8 mL/kg) starting 30 minutes following MCA occlusion and four subjects received a similar volume of normal saline (controls). Physiologic parameters pH, PaO2, PaCO2, glucose, hematocrit, mean arterial blood pressure, ETCO2, temperature and glucose were monitored and kept within physiologic limits. Anesthetics were chosen to minimize cerebrovascular effects. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was assessed using neutron-activated microspheres (Biopal, Inc, Worcester, MA, USA) at three time points: 1) prior to MCAO, 2) 30 minutes following MCAO and 3) 30 minutes following Sanguinate/saline infusion. Pial collateral recruitment was scored and measured by arterial arrival time 30 minutes post MCAO (immediately prior to Sanguinate/saline infusion) and 30 minutes post Sanguinate/saline infusion. Diffusion-weighted MRI (3T Achieva, Philips Healthcare, Best, Netherlands) was used to assess infarct volume 2 hours following MCAO. CBF values, infarct volumes and arterial arrival time in the control and treatment groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance assuming equal variances with significance defined at the 5% level. Results Mean infarct volumes two hours following MCAO for control and Sanguinate treated subjects were 2122 mm3 and 2440 mm3 (p=0.8173), respectively. Relative to pre-treatment post-MCAO CBF, CBF measured 30 minutes following Sanguinate infusion increased by a mean of 25.2% whereas in controls CBF increased by a mean of 1.44% following saline infusion (p=0.0270; figure 1). Pre-treatment pial collateral recruitment between treatment and control groups were nearly identical. Arterial arrival time following treatment decreased by a mean of 0.49 seconds in the treatment group and increased by a mean of 0.12 seconds in the control group (p=0.0081). Conclusion Preliminary results indicate that Sanguinate administered in the early acute phase of ischemic stroke improves CBF to the core infarct zone in experimental MCAO immediately following its administration. Disclosures G. Christoforidis: 1; C; NIH grant. N. Saadat: None. M. Niekrasz: None. S. Roth: 1; C; NIH grant. T. Carroll: 1; C; NIH grant.
Structure and charge transport of amorphous Cu-doped Ta 2 O 5 : An ab initio study

In this paper, we present ab initio computer models of Cu-doped amorphous ${\mathrm{Ta}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{5}$, a promising candidate for conducting bridge random access memory memory devices, and study the structural, electronic, charge transport, and vibrational properties based on plane-wave density-functional methods. We offer an atomistic picture of the process of phase segregation/separation between Cu and ${\mathrm{Ta}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{5}$ subnetworks. Electronic calculations show that the models are conducting with extended Kohn-Sham orbitals around the Fermi level. In addition to that, we also characterize the electronic transport using the Kubo-Greenwood formula modified suitably to calculate the space-projected conductivity (SPC) [K. Prasai, K. N. Subedi, K. Ferris, P. Biswas, and D. A. Drabold, Phys. Stat. Solidi Rapid Res. Lett. 12, 1800238 (2018)]. Our SPC calculations show that Cu clusters and undercoordinated Ta adjoining the Cu are the conduction-active parts of the network. We also report information about the dependence of the electrical conductivity on the connectivity of the Cu submatrix. Vibrational calculations for one of the models has been undertaken with an emphasis on localization and animation of representative modes.
Standardizing Sign-out With I-PASS Handoff in Family Medicine Residency.

Introduction Handoff miscommunications are a leading cause of medical errors. A structured handoff is an effective communication tool. We introduced the I-PASS Handoff Bundle for resident sign-out in the inpatient setting. We aimed to reduce preventable adverse events and unexpected floor calls while also improving residents' confidence and preparedness to care for patients overnight. Methods We conducted an observational study at a single-site family medicine residency between April 2019 and March 2020. Residents received trainings in the I-PASS standardized handoff through didactic lectures and on-the-job sessions in September and November 2019. We evaluated the effectiveness of the I-PASS Handoff Bundle by comparing pre- and postimplementation data including number of medical errors and unexpected floor calls, along with residents' reported levels of preparedness and confidence to care for patients overnight. Results Prior to the I-PASS intervention, more than half of resident surveys included at least one unexpected floor call whereas postintervention about one-third of resident surveys included unexpected floor calls (P<.05). However, the intervention did not significantly affect residents' confidence level in caring for patients overnight and residents' rating of the usefulness of anticipatory guidance for managing night floor calls. We did not identify any medical errors related to communication issues at patient handoff within the family medicine service. Conclusion I-PASS intervention significantly reduced unexpected floor calls. However, the intervention did not improve residents' reported confidence and preparedness to care for patients overnight.
Elbow Overuse Injuries in Pediatric Female Gymnastic Athletes: Comparative Findings and Outcomes in Radial Head Stress Fractures and Capitellar Osteochondritis Dissecans.

BACKGROUND Radial head stress fractures (RHSFs) and capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (COCD) are rare but may be seen in gymnasts. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic characteristics and the outcomes of RHSF and COCD in pediatric and adolescent gymnastic athletes. METHODS Classical gymnasts and competitive tumblers ≤18 years of age presenting with RHSF or COCD over a 5-year period were reviewed. Radiographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and patient-reported outcomes were compared. RESULTS Fifty-eight elbows (39 with COCD and 19 with RHSF) were studied; the mean patient age was 11.6 years. Gymnastic athletes with RHSF competed at a higher level; of the athletes who competed at level ≥7, the rate was 95% of elbows in the RHSF group and 67% of elbows in the COCD group. The RHSF group presented more acutely with more valgus stress pain than those with COCD (p < 0.01) and demonstrated increased mean valgus angulation (and standard deviation) of the radial neck-shaft angle (13° ± 3.8° for the RHSF group and 9.3° ± 2.8° for the COCD group; p < 0.01) and decreased mean proximal radial epiphyseal height (3.7 ± 0.6 mm for the RHSF group and 4.2 ± 1.5 mm for the COCD group; p < 0.01). At a minimum of 2 years (range, 2.0 to 6.3 years), the RHSF group reported fewer symptoms; the QuickDASH (abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire) score was 1.75 ± 3.84 points for the RHSF group and 7.45 ± 7.54 points for the COCD group (p < 0.01). Those at a high level (≥7) were more likely to return to gymnastics independent of pathology, with the RHSF group reporting higher final activity levels with the mean Hospital for Special Surgery Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS) score at 26.0 ± 7.5 points compared with the COCD group at 23.6 ± 5.7 points (p < 0.05). Of the 9 patients with bilateral COCD, only 3 (33%) returned to gymnastics. CONCLUSIONS RHSF with features similar to the more familiar COCD lesion may present in gymnastic athletes. Those with RHSF may present more acutely with a high competitive level and may have a better prognosis for return to competitive gymnastics than those with COCD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Metabolic Syndrome Trajectories and Objective Physical Performance in Mid-To-Early Late Life: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).

BACKGROUND Little is known about how adverse, midlife metabolic profiles impact future physical functioning. We hypothesized that a higher number of midlife metabolic syndrome (MetS) components are associated with poorer physical performance in early old age for multi-ethnic women. METHODS MetS status from 1996-2011 (8 visits) and objective physical performance in 2015/2016 (short physical performance battery (SPPB; 0-12), 40-foot walk (m/s), 4-meter gait speed (m/s), chair stands (sec), stair climb (sec)) were assessed in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN; n=1722; age 65.4±2.7 years; 26.9% African American, 10.1% Chinese, 9.8% Japanese, 5.5% Hispanic). Poisson latent class growth modeling identified MetS component trajectory groups: none (23.9%), 1=low-MetS (28.7%), 2=mid-MetS (30.9%), and >3=high-MetS (16.5%). Adjusted linear regression related MetS groups to physical performance outcomes. RESULTS High-MetS versus none had higher BMI, pain, financial strain, and lower physical activity and self-reported health (p<0.0001). Compared to White, African American and Hispanic women were more likely to be in the high-MetS groups and had worse physical functioning along with Chinese women (SPPB, chair stand, stair climb, and gait speed - not Hispanic). After adjustments, high-MetS versus none demonstrated significantly worse 40-ft walk (β:-0.08; 95% CI:-0.13, -0.03), gait speed (β:-0.09; 95% CI:-0.15, -0.02), SPPB (β:-0.79; 95% CI: -1.15, -0.44), and chair stands (β:0.69; 95% CI: 0.09, 1.28), but no difference in stair climb. CONCLUSIONS Midlife MetS groups were related to poor physical performance in early old age multi-ethnic women. Midlife management of metabolic function may improve physical performance later in life.
The Effect of Social and Stress-Related Factors on Alcohol Use Among College Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this article is to study how Covid-19 stress-related factors and changes in social engagement during the pandemic contributed to changes in alcohol use among first-year college students. Methods We used data on 439 first-year students (ages 18–20) at a large public university in North Carolina both before (October 2019 to February 2020) and after (June/July 2020) the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. We evaluated changes in prevalence and days of alcohol use and binge drinking. We estimated the associations between Covid-19 stressors/stress (work reductions, health, distanced learning difficulties, perceived stress) and social engagement (perceived social support from friends, social isolation, and social distancing) after controlling for students’ pre-pandemic alcohol use, social engagement, and demographic characteristics. Results We found that the prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking in the past 30 days decreased from 54.2% to 46.0% and 35.5% to 24.6%, respectively; days of use did not change significantly. The decreases were primarily associated with reductions in social engagement. Among Covid-19 stressors/stress, only challenges with distance learning were associated with higher alcohol use among those who were already drinking prior to the pandemic. Drinking increased more among those who endorsed using substances to cope, while drinking was not associated with resilient coping. Conclusions Unless new drinking habits are formed during the pandemic, decreases in alcohol use among college students are unlikely to be sustained as social distancing measures are removed. Colleges may want to target interventions to students who have responded to stress with increased alcohol use, partly by addressing difficulties with distance learning.
How Could a Copycat Ever be Creative

Can there be any doubt that to call someone a ‘copycat’ is a taunt? Surely, copycats do nothing more than mechanical mimicry. Surely, a copycat could never be creative. After all, how could merely doing the same thing as someone else ever be original?
The Afterlife of the Roman City: Architecture and Ceremony in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages

This book offers a new and surprising perspective on the evolution of cities across the Roman Empire in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages (third to ninth centuries AD). It suggests that the tenacious persistence of leading cities across most of the Roman world is due, far more than previously thought, to the persistent inclination of kings, emperors, caliphs, bishops, and their leading subordinates to manifest the glory of their offices on an urban stage, before crowds of city dwellers. Long after the dissolution of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, these communal leaders continued to maintain and embellish monumental architectural corridors established in late antiquity, the narrow but grandiose urban itineraries, essentially processional ways, in which their parades and solemn public appearances consistently unfolded. Hendrik W. Dey's approach selectively integrates urban topography with the actors who unceasingly strove to animate it for many centuries.
Split Gaussia Luciferase for Imaging Ligand–Receptor Binding

Ligand binding to cell surface receptors activates signaling pathways in normal and pathologic conditions, and internalized ligand-receptor complexes may continue to signal from endosomes. Accessibility of cell surface receptors and the central function of ligand-receptor binding in signal transduction make ligand binding a prime target for therapeutic agents. We describe a Gaussia luciferase complementation method for imaging ligand-receptor binding in cell-based assays and living mice. While we illustrate this imaging method for chemokine ligand CXCL12 and its receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7, this imaging strategy can be generalized to a large number of ligand-receptor interactions.
Lipid Biomarkers of Adherence to Low Fat Diets

The need to lower fat intake in the U.S. has been emphasized in at least fifteen major national dietary recommendations issued since the 1970’s. These include the first Senate Select Committees Dietary Goals in 1977, the Surgeon General’s reports in 1979 and 1988, which laid the groundwork for the concept that changes in food intake could make a significant impact on chronic diseases, the USDA updated guidelines in 1990, and the National Academy of Sciences recommendations, as well as guidelines from the American Cancer Society and the American Institute for Cancer Research1–6. Although the latest periodic study of the U. S. diet, HANES III (National Health and Nutrition Examination Study, 1988–91), shows a downward trend toward an average fat intake of 34%, this still falls short of the recommended 30% or less energy from fat7.
Motivational factors for bringing in and demanding contents from knowledge management systems

This article refers to the fact that employees often cannot be motivated to use knowledge management (KM) systems. With respect to psychological studies and theories, it will be explained that employees behave 'normal' considering the given circumstances. By identifying the factors that determine behaviour in the case of implementing KM systems, propositions can be derived, how to increase employees' motivation for bringing in and demanding contents from KM systems.
Purification and Some Physicochemical Properties of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin E

Abstract Enterotoxin E produced by Staphylococcus aureus strain FRI (Food Research Institute)-326 was purified by cation exchange chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose, gel filtration through superfine Sephadex G-75, and gel filtration in 6 m urea with superfine Sephadex G-75. The purified toxin appears to be nearly homogeneous by paper, starch gel, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and double gel diffusion tests. It is a simple, colorless, antigenic protein. Its molecular weight was determined to be 29,600 ± 500 by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, molecular sieve chromatography on Sephadex G-100, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its toxicity and reaction with its specific antibody are destroyed by extreme acidic (pH 2) and basic (pH 12) conditions. Urea-treated enterotoxin E retains its toxic activity and reaction with its specific antibody after removal of the denaturing agent. The enterotoxin consists of 259 amino acid residues and contains no free sulfhydryl groups. End group analysis showed serine to be the NH2-terminal amino acid and threonine to be the COOH-terminal amino acid.
INTEGRINS IN THE OPTIC NERVE HEAD: POTENTIAL ROLES IN GLAUCOMATOUS OPTIC NEUROPATHY (AN AMERICAN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY THESIS)

PURPOSE To demonstrate that specific distributions of integrin-based focal mechanoreceptors exist in primate optic nerve heads, suitable for translating stress and strain into the cellular responses of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. METHODS Normal human (N = 20) and rhesus monkey (N = 14) optic nerve heads and 32 glaucomatous optic nerve heads were processed for immunohistochemistry to determine the structural distribution of integrin subunits alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, alpha6, alphav, beta1, beta2, beta3, and beta4. Labeling patterns in glaucoma specimens were compared with those of normal eyes. RESULTS In all specimens, cells within collagenous laminar beams and sclera failed to label with any integrin antibodies. In normal eyes, alpha2, alpha3, alpha6, beta1, and beta4 antibodies localized to astrocytes along the margins of laminar beams and within glial columns. alpha3, alpha5, alpha6, alphav, beta1, and beta4 labeled vascular endothelial cells. In severely damaged glaucoma specimens, cells anterior to the compressed lamina cribrosa displayed persistent label for alpha2, alpha3, beta1, and beta4, whereas label for alpha4 increased and alpha6 was decreased. CONCLUSIONS Integrins alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha6beta1, and alpha6beta4 may provide attachment for astrocytes to basement membranes via laminin, providing opportunities to sense changes in stress and strain within and anterior to the lamina cribrosa. Vascular endothelial cell stress may be mediated by integrins alpha3beta1, alpha6beta1, and alpha6beta4, along with alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta1. In advanced damage, reduced alpha6 label and variable label for betabeta 4 anterior to the lamina cribrosa suggests astrocyte migration. Increased label for alpha4 subunits suggests activation of microglia.
Observations of the Cooling of the Interstellar Gas

Cooling of the gas of the dense interstellar clouds takes place primarily at submillimeter wavelengths. At about 1mm cooling is due to the many rotational lines of heavy moleules, but at shorter wavelengths light molecules (hydrides) become the dominant species, with some assistance from the fine structure transitions of atomic carbon. Photodissociation regions at the surfaces of molecular clouds are cooled by fine structure transitions of atoms and atomic ions. A presentation is given of some aspects of the observed emission due to heavy molecules, light molecules, atoms and ions.
The physician's role in sports medicine: Serving the athlete, school, and team

Increased interest in and opportunities for participation in recreation and sports have brought sports medicine into physicians' offices as another phase of health care. At one time considered to be limited to treatment and rehabilitation of injuries, sports medicine today includes many other medical aspects of sports. A preparticipation health appraisal is mandatory before entry into strenuous activity programs. Annual physical appraisals are not necessary, however, when continuing health supervision and periodic reviews of illness and injury are used to reveal needs for prompt medical attention. Cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal capabilities must be included in the health examinations of athletes. School health personnel are important components of a scholastic sports medicine program because of their availability, their interest in all athletes, and the usefulness of their cumulative health records. Many physicians are sufficiently interested and qualified in sports medicine to serve as team physicians and be advisors on the health aspects of school or community youth sports programs.
Competitive binding assays for biotin-binding proteins.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the competitive binding assays for biotin-binding proteins. Radioligand binding assays of egg white avidin and egg yolk biotin-binding protein (BBP) are complicated by the presence of indeterminate amounts of biotin in samples. In each case, the exceptionally tight binding of biotin and its slow rate of dissociation mask occupied binding sites from exchange with added radiolabeled biotin. Heat-accelerated exchange to isotopic equilibrium between free and bound biotin at several sample concentrations followed by separation and measurement of protein-bound radioactivity enables the quantitation of total biotin-binding sites and the proportion of those sites occupied by endogenous biotin. A hyperbolic equation that describes the binding of radiolabeled biotin as a function of sample volume (V) at equilibrium can be transformed into the linear equation. Linearly transformed equations such as the Lineweaver–Burk equation for enzyme assays, it is convenient to apply linear regression analysis to the data to obtain values for the slopes and intercepts. However, this is statistically inappropriate because of the unequal weighting of data in double-reciprocal plots.
Communication: Classical threshold law for ion-neutral-neutral three-body recombination

A very recently method for classical trajectory calculations for three-body collision [Perez-Rios et al., J. Chem. Phys. 140, 044307 (2014)] has been applied to describe ion-neutral-neutral ternary processes for low energy collisions: 0.1 mK–10 mK. As a result, a threshold law for the three-body recombination cross section is obtained and corroborated numerically. The derived threshold law predicts the formation of weakly bound dimers, with binding energies comparable to the collision energy of the collisional partners. In this low energy range, this analysis predicts that molecular ions should dominate over molecular neutrals as the most products formed.
Exploring the Potential of the iPad and Xbox Kinect for Cognitive Science Research

Many studies have validated consumer-facing hardware platforms as efficient, cost-effective, and accessible data collection instruments. However, there are few reports that have assessed the reliability of these platforms as assessment tools compared with traditional data collection platforms. Here we evaluated performance on a spatial attention paradigm obtained by our standard in-lab data collection platform, the personal computer (PC), and compared performance with that of two widely adopted, consumer technology devices: the Apple (Cupertino, CA) iPad(®) 2 and Microsoft (Redmond, WA) Xbox(®) Kinect(®). The task assessed spatial attention, a fundamental ability that we use to navigate the complex sensory input we face daily in order to effectively engage in goal-directed activities. Participants were presented with a central spatial cue indicating where on the screen a stimulus would appear. We manipulated spatial cueing such that, on a given trial, the cue presented one of four levels of information indicating the upcoming target location. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that as information of the cued spatial area decreased (i.e., larger area of possible target location) there would be a parametric decrease in performance, as revealed by slower response times and lower accuracies. Identical paradigm parameters were used for each of the three platforms, and testing was performed in a single session with a counterbalanced design. We found that performance on the Kinect and iPad showed a stronger parametric effect across the cued-information levels than that on the PC. Our results suggest that not only can the Kinect and iPad be reliably used as assessment tools to yield research-quality behavioral data, but that these platforms exploit mechanics that could be useful in building more interactive, and therefore effective, cognitive assessment and training designs. We include a discussion on the possible contributing factors to the differential effects between platforms, as well as potential confounds of the study.
Widely tunable large area SBRs for ultra-short pulse generation

Fabrication and characterization of ultra-broadband high index contrast III/V-Al x O y Saturable Bragg Reflectors as mesas as well as inverted mesa structures for ultra-short pulse generation is presented along with a physical model of the oxidation process.
Restoration and plant species diversity of an Eastern prairie

A restoration project was initiated in 2007 to convert a forested section of Crowders Mountain State Park in North Carolina to a prairie ecosystem using primarily local seed material. All vascular species were identified during 4 growing seasons (2008–2011) and species richness, diversity, evenness, and guild structure were assessed. Prairie quality and community structure of the restored site were compared with 2 remnant prairie sites. Seventy-nine species were documented in the restored prairie with 66 (83%) of those being species associated with other Carolina prairie communities. Big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii Vitman [Poaceae]) and velvet witch grass ( Dichanthelium scoparium (Lamarck) Gould [Poaceae]) had the highest cover values, while blackberry ( Rubus argutus Link [Rosaceae]) and velvet witch grass had the highest frequency for the restored prairie. Species richness, diversity, and evenness were higher or not significantly different for the restored prairie compared with the 2 remnant sites. The woody, C3 grasses, and legume guilds for the restored prairie also had species richness levels that were higher or not significantly different from the remnant sites. In addition, percent cover for the woody, C3 grasses, and legume guilds for the restored prairie were higher or not significantly different from the remnant sites. The results of this study indicate that the restoration of a Piedmont prairie at Crowders Mountain State Park has been successful in its early establishment period.
Conceptual and Methodological Issues in Evaluating Emergent Programs.

Abstract This paper identifies and discusses conceptual and methodological issues related to five attributes of emergent programs that frequently apply across the spectrum of human services: undefined client populations, inadequate causal evidence relating inputs to outcomes, shifting objectives, identification of criteria for standardizing treatments, and temporal constraints on program development. A case study of the American Red Cross nutrition program is used to illuminate the evaluation problems associated with these issues to mitigate them. Strategies found to be useful in the evaluation of emergent programs include the examination of the relationship among observed client characteristics and needs, external reviews of objectives, identification of client preconditions that support or inhibit performance, examination of normal treatment variation, and a multi-stage process.
Complications of open trigger finger release.

Purpose Open release of A1 pulleys for trigger finger has been thought of as a relatively benign procedure with a low complication rate. Few studies have examined the rate of complications in trigger finger release. The objective of this study was to retrospectively review the complications documented for a cohort of patients who received open trigger finger releases. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of 43 patients who had had 78 open trigger finger releases by a single surgeon. Any postoperative complications that were documented were recorded. Complications were then divided into major and minor. Major complications required further surgery or resulted in significant limitations of activities of daily living; minor complications hindered recovery, responded to treatment (if applicable), and either resolved or had little impact on function. Results Two major complications were noted: a synovial fistula that required excision, and proximal interphalangeal joint arthrofibrosis that required cast application for pain relief. The major complication rate was 3% per trigger release (2/78). Twenty-seven minor complications in 22 digits were documented for these cases, including decreased range of motion, scar tenderness, pain, and wound erythema. The minor complication rate was 28% (22/78). The overall, combined complication rate for these primary interventions was 31% (24/78). Conclusions Open trigger finger release is thought to be a low-risk procedure by most practitioners. In this study, we found that major complications do occur infrequently; however, the rate of minor complications was surprisingly high and related mostly to wound complications or loss of finger range of motion. The surgeon performing open trigger finger releases should inform the patient of the likelihood of having these minor complications. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Persistent hantavirus infections: characteristics and mechanisms

Hantaviruses include serious human pathogens that are maintained in nature in persistently infected rodents and that can also persistently infect cultured mammalian cells, causing little or no cytopathology. The mechanisms of hantavirus persistence are only beginning to be explored. Recent data point to subtle changes in the viral genome that might result in the differential regulation of replication and lead to persistence.
Thomas Jefferson and Slavery: An Analysis of His Racist Thinking as Revealed by His Writings and Political Behavior

Thomas Jefferson's most enduring legacy is the American Creed, the belief expressed in the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence that declares "all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights." These sentiments have been the vision in the struggle to create an egalitarian, multiracial society in the United States. However, the author of this passage believed fervently that all persons of African descent should not be permitted to reside in the new republic unless they were enslaved. Throughout his life, Jefferson maintained that if freed, the former slaves must be colonized outside of North America to Africa or the Caribbean Islands. He based this imperative on his belief that the Blacks "are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind" (Jefferson, 1787/1954, p. 143).1 I will develop my analysis of Jefferson's racist thinking based primarily on his writings, and substantiate it with a summary of his political behavior with respect to slavery and freed slaves. "Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science by rendering them my supreme delight," he wrote in 1809 (Lipscomb & Bergh, 1905, Vol. XII, pp. 258-260),2 but a review of Jefferson's major published work, Notes on the State of Virginia (1787/1954), indicates that Jefferson was not rational and scientific when he
Adsorption and decomposition of trimethylamine on Pt(111): formation of dimethylaminocarbyne (CN(CH3)2)

Abstract Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used to study the adsorption and decomposition of trimethylamine ((CH3)3N) on the Pt(1 1 1) surface. Trimethylamine (TMA) adsorbs molecularly at 85 K and is stable up to 250 K. Based on previous studies showing that methylaminocarbyne (CNHCH3) and aminocarbyne (CNH2) form from the partial dehydrogenation of dimethylamine and methylamine, respectively, dimethylaminocarbyne, CN(CH3)2 is expected from the analogous reaction of trimethylamine. Spectral changes that occur when adsorbed TMA is heated to 350 K, including the appearance of a CN stretch at 1507 cm−1, are attributed to formation of CN(CH3)2. Spectral assignments are supported by shifts observed following initial adsorption of the TMA isotopomers (CH3)3 15N and (CD3)3N and by density functional theory calculations based on a Pt2CN(CH3)2 model. The results provide further evidence that aminocarbyne species are common intermediates in the surface chemistry of molecules containing CN bonds.
Hydrolyses of intermediate acetoxonium ions derived from D-glucose

Abstract The effects of solution acidity and structural differences on the relative proportions of 1-OH and 2-OH forms produced by hydrolysis were determined for tetra-O-acetyl-β- D -glucopyranosyl chloride (1a), 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4,6-O-ethylidene-β- D -glucopyranosyl chloride (2a), and hepta-O-acetyl-β-maltosyl chloride (3a), tri-O-acetyl-1,2-O-(ethoxyethylidene)-α- D -glucopyranose (1b) and hexa-O-acetyl-1,2-O-(methoxyethylidene)-α-maltose (3b). Formation of a 2-OH derivative was promoted in strongly acidic solutions; however, the extent to which a given reactant formed a 2-OH product also was determined by structural features at sites remote from the reaction center. Control of solution acidity led to yields of the 2-OH form varying from 10 to 75% in series 1, from 51 to 95% in series 2, and from 9 to 40% in series 3. To demonstrate the usefulness of such product mixtures in syntheses of 2-O-substituted derivatives. 2-methyl ethers were prepared from 1,3-di-O-acetyl-4,6-O-ethylidene-α- D -glucose and 1,3,6,2/t',3/t',4′,6′-hepta-O-acetyl-α-maltose. N.m.r. spectral data were obtained.
Web-Assisted Instruction in Upper Division Communication Studies Curriculum: A Theoretical and Quantitative Analysis

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the incorporation of technologies into two upper division Communication Studies courses at Texas Tech University.Design/methodology/approach – The article discusses the methodological and pedagogical rationale used to select the appropriate technologies and to effectively incorporate them into the classroom. An early semester survey and then a post‐semester survey were administered. The survey results and implications are reported and discussed.Findings – There are more technologies available to teachers today than in the past. Therefore, the decision to use these technologies will continue to be intricate, but instructors must make the decision based on a fundamentally sound rationale in order to succeed and attain the course goals.Originality/value – The paper offers both qualitative and quantitative observations and suggestions for instructional technology in the traditional classroom.
Physicochemical Variables Affecting the Rheology and Microstructure of Rennet Casein Gels

The rheology and microstructure of a rennet casein system were studied in the pH range from 5.8 to 12.0 during cooling from 80 to 5 degrees C at four cooling rates: 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, and 0.025 degrees C/min. A dramatic increase in storage modulus with pH was observed during cooling at a fixed cooling rate. Continuous networks were formed for gels at pH 7.2 and above, while a discontinuous network was observed for gels below pH 6.5. The monotonic increase in storage modulus with pH could be correlated to the number of net (negative) charges and the strength of the hydrophobic interactions. At a higher pH, the protein micelles were larger due to weaker hydrophobic interactions and stronger repulsive electrostatic interactions resulting from more charges. When these protein micelles aggregated into flocs during cooling, the flocs had similar sizes at different pH values but a smaller fractal dimension at a higher pH. Consequently, for systems of the same protein and salt concentrations, more flocs were present in the gels at a higher pH, which subsequently generated more cross-links and a higher storage modulus. The pH also determined how the cooling rate affected the gel properties. At pH 5.8 and 6.5, the gels were firmest at the fastest cooling schedule, and the cooling rate did not show a trend in affecting the gel strength at the other three rates. On the other hand, a slower cooling rate generated a firmer gel at pH 7.2 and 12.0. The analysis of casein interactions suggests that the cooling rate affected the casein floc size only when repulsive interactions enabled a slow flocculation (at higher pH values) comparable with temperature change rates during cooling. For rennet casein gels of pH within the range of processed cheese products (pH 5.8 and 6.5), particle or cluster rearrangements created more uniform networks for gels cooled at slower schedules and weakened the structure.
“Things Was Different in the South”: The industrialization of pulpwood harvesting systems in the Southeastern United States 1945–1995

Abstract By contrast with Eastern Canada, it took a long time for mechanized systems to transform woods work in the American Southeast. The Southeast experienced a more episodic, delayed and less complex transformation of woods work, one marked by ‘making do”, incremental innovations, simpler systems, a reliance on the adaptation of ideas and machines developed elsewhere, and the tendency for a single harvesting system to dominate use over long periods of time. We argue the social, economic and environmental conditions of the Southeast after 1945 facilitated a laissez-faire attitude to pre-industrial harvesting methods by pulp and paper mill owners. The most important of these conditions was that alternative employment for rural African-Americans was slow to develop, leaving a large source of cheap, available labour for woods work. Pulp mill owners were able to outsource the provision of wood to small contractors through a network of local intermediaries called “wood dealers”. The wood supply system created by pulp mill owners placed the costs of innovation into the hands of the poorly capitalized harvesting contractors. This wood supply system delivered mill owners wood at very low prices, but it effectively inhibited steady and thoroughgoing innovation for many years.
Steady-state LPE growth of GaAs

Abstract The steady-state mode of LPE growth has been developed for growth of thick, uniformly doped layers. In this paper, results obtained from a study of the nonuniform growth problem are presented. A vertical epitaxy system was employed which utilizes cylindrical symmetry to achieve good thermal uniformity. The affect of temperature gradients, growth temperature, and substrate location relative to the solution have been related to the observed growth rate. When substrates were located on top of the solution, convection, rather than constitutional supercooling, thermal nonuniformity, or diffusion, was identified as the main contributor to nonuniform epilayer thickness. Growth rates two orders of magnitude faster than those predicted by diffusion theory were observed. When substrates were located beneath the solution, diffusion-limited growth was obtained. Thickness variations were dominated by edge effects.
Stress-management program: Intervention in nursing student performance anxiety

This study measured the effect of an individualized stress-management program on nursing students who identified anxiety as interfering with academic performance in the nursing program. The quasi-experimental longitudinal study used a pretest, posttest, and follow-up test, control group design. Data were analyzed using t tests and analysis of variance (ANOVAS). In a 6-week counseling program students identified personal stress reactions and adapted coping strategies related to nutrition, exercise, progressive relaxation, cognitive control, time management, and testing skills to personal use. The program was effective in significantly increasing self-esteem and decreasing depression and anxiety. Grades improved sufficiently for student retention.
The dopamine transporter: Importance in Parkinson's disease

The dopamine transporter (DAT) may be the single most important determinant of extracellular dopamine concentrations. The importance of DAT in Parkinson's disease (PD) in which DAT may be reduced by 50 to 70% is unclear. We have examined the effects of methylphenidate (MPD), an inhibitor of DAT, administered alone or with levodopa, on parkinsonism measured with tapping and walking speeds, dyskinesia, subjective effects, and vital signs. MPD in oral doses of up to 0.4 mg/kg was well tolerated. Administered alone, MPD produced no objective improvement of parkinsonism. MPD, 0.4 mg/kg orally, coadministered with 2-hour levodopa infusions at 0.5 or 1.0mg/kg/hr increased the percentage of patients responding to the 0.5mg/kg/hr dose and prolonged the response to levodopa infusions as measured by tapping and walking speeds. Dyskinesia was prolonged in proportion to the increase in antiparkinson actions but severity was not increased. MPD decreased the hypotensive response to levodopa. In conclusion, MPD appeared to have no effect given alone but potentiated the effects of levodopa, particularly doses at threshold for clinical effects. These observations indicate that the residual DAT is functional in PD and is a potential target for symptomatic therapy of PD.
Temperature dependence of self-broadened halfwidths of CO2

The temperature dependence of self-broadened halfwidths of CO2 was studied in the temperature range 165-300 K for the band at 4978/cm. Assuming a power-law of the form gamma(T) = delta(T0)(T0/T)-exp n, the exponent has been determined for J = 6-32. An average value of n = 0.745 + or - 7 percent has been found.
NF-κB protein expression associates with 18F-FDG PET tumor uptake in non-small cell lung cancer: A radiogenomics validation study to understand tumor metabolism

Introduction We previously demonstrated that NF-κB may be associated with 18F-FDG PET uptake and patient prognosis using radiogenomics in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To validate these results, we assessed NF-κB protein expression in an extended cohort of NSCLC patients.
Assembly of a nucleoprotein complex required for DNA packaging by bacteriophage lambda.

A critical step in the assembly of bacteriophage λ is the excision of a single genome from a concatemeric DNA precursor and insertion of genomic DNA into an empty viral capsid. DNA packaging is mediated by the λ proteins gpNu1 and gpA, which form an enzyme complex known as terminase. Initiation of the packaging process requires assembly of the terminase subunits onto cos, the λ DNA packaging sequence, and nicking of the duplex, thus forming the 12-base-pair “sticky” ends of the mature genome. We have utilized gel-retardation techniques to examine the interaction of gpNu1, gpA, and terminase holoenzyme with DNA. Our data demonstrate that gpNu1 interacts specifically with cos-containing DNA, forming three gel-retarded complexes. Similarly, the larger gpA subunit binds to DNA, forming two complexes; however, this subunit forms similar complexes with DNA substrates of random sequence. All of the nucleoprotein complexes examined are disrupted by elevated concentrations of NaCl and we suggest that altered DNA b...
Cough in spinal cord injured patients : comparison of three methods to produce cough

Pulmonary complications are the major causes of morbidity and mortality for persons with cervical spinal cord injury. Diminished ability to cough constitutes a major contribution to the high incidence of pulmonary morbidity in this population. This article reports preliminary results for a new technique for providing assisted cough in this population. In this study, efficacy of cough (as measured by peak expiratory flow rate) was measured under three conditions: volitionally with no assistance, with manual assist of a therapist, and with electrical stimulation of abdominal muscles. Coughs produced by electrical stimulation were approximately as effective as manually assisted coughs. The results suggest this technique is worthy of more detailed study and may be a potentially effective new modality for assisting spinal cord injured persons to clear their airways.