cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Making Safety “Instrumental” Across the Facility—a Sterile Processing Journey to Standardize Pre-cleaning and Transport

Background An important part of safety and compliance when handling soiled instruments is a process that includes pre-cleaning, treatment/spraying of instruments to keep them moist during transport and safety transportation in a proper container or cart. Many areas of the hospital did not have equipment, supplies, or training to carry out this process safety, nor were there any data collection methods to track the compliance of this process in place. Methods The facility was divided into two areas, the Operating Room, and the clinical/procedural areas outside of the Operating Room due to resources, coverage, and process reasons. The Operating Room utilized a closed cart process for instrument transport and focused on pre-cleaning and spraying instruments. Areas outside of the OR focused on 3 areas—pre-cleaning, spraying and transport. Infection Prevention and Sterile Processing partnered to assess the needs of each area, provide education, collect data, and provide feedback to all areas during this project. Results The Operating Room Error rate began at 69.9% in January and decreased to 22% in August 2018 by August 2018 and below 1% by August 2019. The clinical/procedural areas outside of the OR began with an error rate of 80% in April and dropped down to 16%. By June 2019, the rate of compliance was being maintained above 90% and reached 100% in June. Conclusions Continual education is needed for areas that see a low frequency of this event. When conducting manual data collection, continued focus and reinforcement of the importance must be given to the team members to keep the observations being recorded accurately. Collaborating with SPD and Infection Prevention is key to the success of this project and moving forward with continued success in the future.
Determination of Segment Reporting Manipulations and Auditor Responses

We examine the auditors' sensitivity to manipulative financial reporting by investigating the relation between audit fees and segment-level manipulations. Segment reporting provides an interesting setting to examine auditor risk assessments because of the discretion afforded to management under existing regulations. Segment manipulations involves shifting earnings from one segment to another. It is not a violation of accounting standards per se, but violates the spirit of faithful representation by distorting the performance of a subset of the reporting unit at the expense of (or to the benefit) of another subset. Because disaggregated information is used by analysts and investors in bottom-up forecasting, these distortions can influence firm value even though they do not affect bottom-line net income. Our measure of classification smoothing measures cost shifting between core operating segments and non-core segments to proxy for segment manipulation. We find that audit fees, a widely used proxy for the auditors' risk assessment, have a positive association with segment-level manipulations. Subsequent analyses suggest that higher audit fees are also due to the additional effort exerted in the presence of segment-level manipulations. Further, auditors appear justified in charging higher fees to clients that engage in segment manipulations as we document evidence of a positive association between restatements and segment-level manipulations. Collectively, these results suggest that auditors are aware of the risk associated with companies that engage in segment-level manipulations and auditors respond appropriately by charging higher fees and doing additional work. Additional analysis indicates auditors take longer to complete the audit for companies engaging in segment manipulation, indicative of the auditor doing additional work and future restatements is positively associated with segment manipulations.
A Mobile/Web App for Long Distance Caregivers of Older Adults: Functional Requirements and Design Implications from a User Centered Design Process

Recent trends of population aging and globalization have required an increasing number of individuals to act as long distance caregivers (LDCs) to aging family members. Information technology solutions may ease the burden placed on LDCs by providing remote monitoring, easier access to information and enhanced communication. While some technology tools have been introduced, the information and technology needs of LDCs in particular are not well understood. Consequently, a needs assessment was performed by using video conferencing software to conduct semi-structured interviews with 10 LDCs. Interviews were enriched through the use of stimulus materials that included the demonstration of a prototype LDC health management web/mobile app. Responses were recorded, transcribed and then analyzed. Subjects indicated that information regarding medication regimens and adherence, calendaring, and cognitive health were most needed. Participants also described needs for video calling, activity data regarding sleep and physical exercise, asynchronous communication, photo sharing, journaling, access to online health resources, real-time monitoring, an overall summary of health, and feedback/suggestions to help them improve as caregivers. In addition, all respondents estimated their usage of a LDC health management website would be at least once per week, with half indicating a desire to access the website from a smartphone. These findings are being used to inform the design of a LDC health management website to promote the meaningful involvement of distant family members in the care of older adults.
Ancient biomolecules: Their origins, fossilization, and role in revealing the history of life

The discovery of traces of a blood meal in the abdomen of a 50-million-year-old mosquito reminds us of the insights that the chemistry of fossils can provide. Ancient DNA is the best known fossil molecule. It is less well known that new fossil targets and a growing database of ancient gene sequences are paralleled by discoveries on other classes of organic molecules. New analytical tools, such as the synchrotron, reveal traces of the original composition of arthropod cuticles that are more than 400 my old. Pigments such as melanin are readily fossilized, surviving virtually unaltered for ∼200 my. Other biomarkers provide evidence of microbial processes in ancient sediments, and have been used to reveal the presence of demosponges, for example, more than 635 mya, long before their spicules appear in the fossil record. Ancient biomolecules are a powerful complement to fossil remains in revealing the history of life.
Lesbian Intimate Partner Violence: Prevalence and Dynamics

Abstract Researchers have been investigating partner violence for more than 20 years, yet there is a discernible absence of research on interpersonal violence among lesbian couples. Three aspects of lesbian battering are reviewed here. First, the incidence rates and distinct forms that lesbian battering might assume are discussed. Next, the dynamics and correlates of lesbian abuse are highlighted. The concluding section focuses on suggestions for intervention.
Diversity dynamics of the Late Cenozoic rodent community from south‐western Kansas: the influence of historical processes on community structure

This study used the dense late Cenozoic rodent record of south-western Kansas to test for an equilibrium in species richness through millions of years, identify and clarify historical influences on species richness, determine the relative contribution of immigration, speciation and local extinction to species originations at the community level, and calculate background extinction rates to compare with modern species losses due to anthropogenic activities. The Meade Basin rodent community has been in equilibrium, with an average of about 17 species, for almost 5 million years. No speciation events were identified in the Meade Basin rodent record; although speciation ultimately contributes to the regional species pool, local speciation events contributed little to community structure. Extinctions and immigrations continued through the study period, with elevated bouts of turnover correlated with global cooling events and lowered sea level associated with the Beringian land bridge. Turnover was generated primarily by stochastic climatic agents at several temporal scales, possibly including rapid and devastating regional volcanic ashfalls. None of the extinction rates recorded in the Meade Basin system rivals extinction levels in modern species due to anthropogenic activities.
Support Group for International Students: A Counseling Center's Experience.

Abstract Statistics suggest a steady increase in the number of international students attending universities in the U.S. However, limited information is available to guide professionals in the delivery of effective mental health services to this diverse group. University counseling centers have repeatedly reported little to no success with international students accessing their services. This paper describes a successful effort to deliver support group counseling services to international students in a large public university. Important dimensions of group structure, elements crucial to successful group counseling for international students are addressed, and recommendations for future efforts are also included.
Fiscal deficits, current deficits and investment: a panel causality framework of 20 oecd countries

This paper assesses the presence of a causal relationship and the impact of budget deficits and investment spending on current account deficits using data for 20 OECD countries for the 1974-2008 period. The analysis adapts the Ganger causality technique to a panel data framework through the Arellano-Bond difference GMM estimator. The estimation finds the presence of a causal relationship between budget deficits and current account deficits as well as between investment and current account deficits. Growing budget deficits lead to higher current account deficits, especially in the short-term. This twin deficit effect is eroded in the medium term and appears to be small in the long-run. Increases in investment spending have a similar effect over time, causing the current account to worsen particularly in the short term.
Structure and transcription of the allantoate permease gene (DAL5) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract We determined the nucleotide sequence of the DAL5 gene, which encodes a component of the allantoate transport system. Translation of the sequence revealed that the DAL5 gene product is highly hydrophobic. It possesses an alternating motif of hydrophilic sequences that can potentially be folded into alpha-helices and hydrophobic sequences that can potentially be folded into beta-pleated sheets. These are expected characteristics of an integral membrane protein, which correlate well with DAL5 gene function. S1 protection fragments generated by DAL5 transcripts exhibited high heterogeneity over a 30-base-pair range. This pattern of fragments was not affected by growth conditions of the cells or the conditions of the assay.
A Unified View of Collisions and Spectra

The interaction of electrons in an atomic system has historically and traditionally been viewed as falling into two main categories, spectroscopy and collisions. Pedagogically as well, most textbooks in quantum mechanics make this division, devoting their initial discussion to bound state problems and turning in later chapters to scattering. This dichotomy is artificial. Over the past two decades, research in atomic physics has in fact shown the usefulness, even as a point of view, of giving up the division into two categories and seeing both kinds of processes as essentially related. Thereby, links are established between elastic and inelastic electron atom scattering on the one hand and processes involving radiation such as photo absorption and ionization on the other.
Effect of type of dietary fat and ethanol on antioxidant enzyme mRNA induction in rat liver.

We carried out a study to relate the effect of the type of dietary fat and ethanol on antioxidant enzyme mRNA levels in liver in the intragastric feeding rat model. Different types of dietary fat were administered [saturated fat (SE), corn oil (CE) and fish oil (FE)] with ethanol to induce varying severities of liver injury. Ethanol-fed rats were pair-fed with dextrose-fed controls that received isocaloric amounts of dextrose. All animals were killed at 1 month and the following studies were carried out: evaluation of severity of pathologic liver injury, mRNA quantitation for catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), microsomal conjugated dienes, and hydrogen peroxide. SE animals had no liver injury, FE animals had severe liver injury, and CE animals had moderate liver injury. Ethanol induced GPx mRNA in all dietary groups, with the highest levels seen in the FE group. The pattern of catalase mRNA induction was similar to that of GPx mRNA. In contrast, MnSOD mRNA was decreased compared to controls in animals that developed pathologic liver injury, i.e., CE and FE groups. A positive correlation was seen between conjugated diene levels and GPx mRNA (r = 0.88, P < 0.01) and catalase mRNA. The similar slopes for the relationship between conjugated dienes and catalase in the fish oil and non-fish oil groups indicate that the same degree of lipid peroxidation increases catalase mRNA to a greater degree in fish oil-fed rats. A positive correlation was also seen between catalase mRNA and H2O2 (r = 0.95, P < 0.001).
EHR adoption among doctors who treat the elderly.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption among Florida doctors who treat the elderly. This analysis contributes to the EHR adoption literature by determining if doctors who disproportionately treat the elderly differ from their counterparts with respect to the utilization of an important quality-enhancing health information technology application. Methods This study is based on a primary survey of a large, statewide sample of doctors practising in outpatient settings in Florida. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether doctors who treat a high volume of elderly (HVE) patients were different with respect to EHR adoption. Results Our analyses included responses from 1724 doctors. In multivariate analyses controlling for doctor age, training, computer sophistication, practice size and practice setting, HVE doctors were significantly less likely to adopt EHR. Specifically, compared with their counterparts, HVE doctors were observed to be 26.7% less likely to be utilizing an EHR system (OR = 0.733, 95% CI 0.547–0.982). We also found that doctor age is negatively related to EHR adoption, and practice size and doctor computer savvy-ness is positively associated. Conclusions Despite the fact that EHR adoption has improved in recent years, doctors in Florida who serve the elderly are less likely to adopt EHRs. As long as HVE doctors are adopting EHR systems at slower rates, the elderly patients treated by these doctors will be at a disadvantage with respect to potential benefits offered by this technology.
Another look at complete positivity in generalized quantum dynamics: Reply to Raggio and Primas

In this rejoinder to a critique by Raggio and Primas of our paper, “On Completely Positive Maps in Generalized Quantum Dynamics,” we acknowledge that, contrary to our original assertion, the Bloch equations are indeed completely positive. We then explain briefly why this modification of our analysis does not alter its main conclusions.
Vibrational spectra and assignments for trans-3,4-difluorocyclobutene

Abstract An investigation of the IR and Raman spectra of trans -3,4-difluorocyclobutene has yielded an assignment of all 24 vibrational fundamentals. These frequencies are in cm −1 : ( a ) 3106, 2977, 1559, 1354, 1193, 1175, 1143, 1038, 993, 931, 602, 309, 171; ( b ) 3088, 2976, 1332, 1298, 1201, 1065, 971, 844, 684, 426, 324. This assignment correlates well with the fundamentals of trans -3,4-dichlorocyclobutene. The frequency for the ring puckering mode at 171 cm −1 fits into an emerging pattern in which this lowest frequency mode in cyclobutenes appears to be largely independent of other skeletal modes and predictably dependent on the nature, extent and location of halogen substitution. The assignment of the configuration of trans -3,4-difluorocyclobutene, which is a new substance, is based on an analysis of the NMR spectra of this material and its cis isomer.
Effects of lipoproteins on plasma viscosity

Abstract Patients with hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia have been found to have mean plasma viscosities significantly higher than controls ( P P P 0.05). When isolated lipoprotein fractions were added to lipoprotein-free plasma in increasing concentration over a physiological range, a highly significant linear relationship between plasma viscosity and chylomicron concentrations (r = 0.98, P P
Islanded pedicled superior epigastric artery perforator flaps for bilateral breast augmentation with mastopexy after massive weight loss.

Summary Objective To present a surgical technique of recruiting tissue from the abdominal wall, based on the superior epigastric artery perforators, in order to provide autologous augmentation of the breasts with mastopexy in patients after massive weight loss. Case report A 39-year-old woman presented to the plastic surgery outpatient clinic with significant bilateral breast deformity following massive weight loss of 85.5 kg. She was dissatisfied with the appearance of her breasts and abdomen despite previous Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty. On examination, the patient had major ptosis with a deflated breast skin envelope and near-total absence of breast volume. She had insignificant brachial skin excess and limited excess of the lateral chest wall. There was a large element of residual skin redundancy in her upper abdomen. Surgical technique Bilaterally, islanded superior epigastric artery perforator flaps were harvested from the epigastric region. In addition, turnover flaps were raised from the lateral chest wall. Inferior pedicled mastopexy was performed and the flaps were secured to the anterior chest wall in order to augment the breasts. Conclusions The islanded pedicled superior epigastric artery perforator flap is a useful technique for utilising the upper epigastric abdominal excess to augment the breasts following previous massive weight loss, obviating the need for implants and therefore eliminating potential implant-related complications.
A High Luminous Efficiency V‐Shaped Electrode Structure with a High Xe Ratio Gas

The simulation results of the V-shaped sustain electrode structure, with high Xe ratio discharge gas, showed higher luminous efficiency and higher brightness than those of the conventional coplanar electrode structure. In the results of simulation, the discharge voltage of V-shaped sustain electrode structure was lower by 20 volt and the luminous efficiency is 2.1 times higher and the brightness is about 5 times larger than that of conventional coplanar electrode structure.
Hydrodynamic resistance and flow patterns in the gills of a tilapine fish.

SUMMARY The gills of teleost fishes are often discussed as an archetypal counter-current exchange system, capable of supporting the relatively high metabolic rates of some fishes despite the low oxygen solubility of water. Despite an appreciation for the physiology of exchange at the gills, many questions remain regarding the hydrodynamical basis of ventilation in teleost fishes. In this study, the hydrodynamic resistance and flow fields around the isolated gills of a tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus , were measured as a function of the applied pressure head. At ventilatory pressures typical of a fish at rest, the hydrodynamic resistance of the gills was nearly constant, the flow was laminar, shunting of water around the gills was essentially absent, and the distribution of water flow was relatively uniform. However, at the higher pressures typical of an active or stressed fish, some of these qualities were lost. In particular, at elevated pressures there was a decrease in the hydrodynamic resistance of the gills and substantial shunting of water around the gills. These effects suggest mechanical limits to maximum aerobic performance during activity or under adverse environmental conditions.
Viral infections in children with community-acquired pneumonia.

Viral pathogens are commonly isolated from children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Viruses like respiratory syncytial virus, human rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza viruses, and influenza may act as sole pathogens or may predispose to bacterial pneumonia by a variety of mechanisms. New, emerging, or reemerging viral pathogens occasionally cause outbreaks of severe respiratory tract infection in children. The 2009–2010 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic resulted in increased rates of influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths in children. Rapid viral diagnostic tests based on antigen detection or nucleic acid amplification are increasingly available for clinical use and confirm the importance of viral infection in children hospitalized with CAP. Recently published guidelines for the management of CAP in children note that positive viral test results can modify clinical decision making in children with suspected pneumonia by allowing antibacterial therapy to be withheld in the absence of clinical, laboratory, or radiographic findings that suggest bacterial coinfection.
A study of glow-discharge and permeation techniques for extraterrestrial oxygen beneficiation

Extraction of oxygen from Martian atmosphere and compression of lunar oxygen can utilize stabilized zirconia electrochemical pumps. Silver membranes can be used as electrodes to increase oxygen yield at relatively low temperatures. This study has investigated oxygen permeation through Ag 0.05Zr membranes with glow-discharge assisted disassociation. Data show that the overall process is controlled by bulk diffusion but the slow dissociative adsorption onto the surface limited the overall transport substantially. With glow-discharge assisted dissociation, an order of magnitude increase in oxygen throughput can be produced at relatively low temperatures (450-550C).
Quantitative Photochemical Decomposition of Drugs I: Design and Calibration of an Instrument

An instrument for facilitating photochemical decomposition studies has been designed, constructed, and calibrated. The instrument supplies light of narrow bandwidth, which can be varied with respect to wavelength and to some extent with respect to intensity; the instrument provides for monitoring, recording, and integration of the incident and exit beams to and from the reaction mixture; it provides for keeping the reaction mixture at a constant and predetermined temperature and for stirring the mixture. Stoppered reaction cells exclude air when desirable. Short and long term stability of the instrument appear to be good, and response to light of any one wavelength with respect to intensity is practically linear.
The epistemological import of morphological content

Morphological content (MC) is content that is implicit in the standing structure of the cognitive system. Henderson and Horgan claim that MC plays a distinctive epistemological role unrecognized by traditional epistemic theories. I consider the possibilities that MC plays this role either in central cognition or in peripheral modules. I argue that the peripheral MC does not play an interesting epistemological role and that the central MC is already recognized by traditional theories.
The active space of blue monkey and grey-cheeked mangabey vocalizations

The audible distance of 11 primate vocalizations uttered by blue monkeys, Cercopithecus mitis, and grey-cheeked mangabeys, Cercocebus albigena, and the human utterance ‘hey’ were determined experimentally. Calculations were based on measurements of (1) sound power of vocal signals (Brown: Bioacoustics, in press), (2) the attenuation rates of sound of different frequencies in East African forests (Waser & Brown: Am. J. Primatol., 1986, 10, 135–154), and (3) sensitivity of conspecific listeners to vocal signals presented in forest noise. Calculations were made of the active space, the area over which a call is audible, and the expected number of recipients of signals in nature. Masked thresholds for test vocalizations ranged from 21·1 dB for the mangabey ‘staccato bark’ call to 41·3 dB for the blue monkey ‘boom’ vocalization. The audible distance of the test signals ranged from 79 m for the blue monkey ‘chirp’ call to 1951 m for the mangabey ‘chorused grunt’ vocalization. Calls could be grouped into short- and long-range signals. The audible distance of primate long-range calls varied between 2·4 and nine times that of a typical yell given by human subjects. The active space of the test signals ranged from 1·4 to 1031·8 ha. The mean active space of monkey long-range calls (445·4 ha) was more than an order of magnitude greater than the loudest human yell. The average blue monkey long-range call was audible for 870 m, while the average mangabey long-range call was audible for 1800 m. The typical mangabey home range is four times that of the blue monkey, and in both species the average long-range call had an audible distance twice the diameter of the median home range of each species.
Hippo signaling impedes adult heart regeneration

Heart failure due to cardiomyocyte loss after ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States in large part because heart muscle regenerates poorly. The endogenous mechanisms preventing mammalian cardiomyocyte regeneration are poorly understood. Hippo signaling, an ancient organ size control pathway, is a kinase cascade that inhibits developing cardiomyocyte proliferation but it has not been studied postnatally or in fully mature adult cardiomyocytes. Here, we investigated Hippo signaling in adult cardiomyocyte renewal and regeneration. We found that unstressed Hippo-deficient adult mouse cardiomyocytes re-enter the cell cycle and undergo cytokinesis. Moreover, Hippo deficiency enhances cardiomyocyte regeneration with functional recovery after adult myocardial infarction as well as after postnatal day eight (P8) cardiac apex resection and P8 myocardial infarction. In damaged hearts, Hippo mutant cardiomyocytes also have elevated proliferation. Our findings reveal that Hippo signaling is an endogenous repressor of adult cardiomyocyte renewal and regeneration. Targeting the Hippo pathway in human disease might be beneficial for the treatment of heart disease.
Structure of an intertidal sandy-beach community in North Carolina

A series of 452 samples collected from November 1964 through February 1966 from a North Carolina sandy beach contained 27,219 invertebrates representing 41 species. The sandy-beach community, as composed of a homogeneous group of organisms, was identified through the use of an index of faunal affinity. Community structure is described in terms of abundance, frequency diversity, and feeding types. Six species,Neohaustorius schmitzi, Acanthohaustorius millsi, Donax variabilis, Scolelepis squamata, Exosphaeroma diminutum, andHaploscoloplos fragilis comprise 97% of the fauna by number. Niche differences among these species are discussed.
Effects of An Acute Increase in Atrial Pressure on Atrial Refractoriness in Humans

Contraction-excitation feedback has been studied extensively in mammalian ventricles. In contrast, little is known about contraction-excitation feedback in mammalian atria. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of acute alterations in atrial pressure, induced by varying the atrioventricular (AV) interval, on atrial refractoriness. Twenty patients without structural heart disease participated in the study. In each patient the atrial effective (ERP) and absolute refractory periods (ARP) were measured during AV pacing at a cycle length of 500 msec and an AV interval of 120 msec. Acute increases in atrial pressure were induced by pacing the atrium and ventricle simultaneously for the final two beats of the drive train. The ERP was defined as the longest extrastimulus coupling interval that failed to capture with an extrastimulus current strength of twice the stimulation threshold. The ARP was defined in a similar manner with an extrastimulus current strength of 10 mA. The ERP and ARP were determined using the incremental extrastimulus technique. A subset of patients had the pacing protocol performed during autonomic blockade. As the AV interval of the final two beats of the drive train was shortened from 120 msec to 0 msec, the peak right atrial pressure increased from 7 +/- 3 mmHg to 15 +/- 5 mmHg (P < 0.001). The increase in atrial pressure associated with simultaneous pacing of the atrium and ventricle resulted in shortening of the atrial ERP and ARP by 7.3 +/- 5.2 and 6.2 +/- 3.5 msec, respectively (P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained during autonomic blockade. these findings confirm the presence of contraction-excitation feedback in normal human atria.
A microbiologic study of human fissure plague

— The purpose of this investigation was to study colonization and sequencing of oral microorganisms in human tooth fissures. Five human subjects carried a total of 45 crowns of extracted, fully-impacted third molars which were held in place by means of an intraoral appliance. Each specimen was exposed to the oral environment for 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15 or 21 d, and prepared under anaerobic conditions for microbiologic analysis of the fissure content. At day 1 and throughout the time sequence studied, cocci (40–70%), Gram-positive rods (20–40%) and Gram-negative rods (5–9%) constituted the predominant flora. Filaments were scarce and were recovered only from plaque more than 15 d old. Approximately 74% of the recovered organisms were acidogenic. S. mutans was found in the fissures of all subjects, but not in all specimens carried by the subjects. The percentage of S. mutans varied largely within the fissures (0–88.9%). S. sanguis was found in amounts equal to S. mutans in all subjects. Lactobacilli were recovered only in a few fissures and then in small numbers. While veillonella was present in all the fissures examined, neisseria was detected in only two subjects.
A High-Performance MIMO-OFDM System with Walsh Block Coding

In this paper we present a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO)-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system that uses orthogonal Walsh sequences for block coding. Two configurations, space-time block coding (STBC) and the Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space-Time (V-BLAST) architecture, are considered for the proposed system. A least-squares channel estimation with the fast Fourier transform method is utilized in the system to replicate real-life scenarios. The idea of employing block coding based on orthogonal Walsh sequences is inspired by the IS-95 standard and is attempted for the first time in MIMO-OFDM systems. A simulation study is carried out by considering different antenna configurations, code sizes, and channel delays. Computer simulations show that the proposed system achieves a significant performance improvement compared to MIMO-OFDM systems that do not use the proposed block coding scheme. It is also shown that the new system is superior to some previous systems in computational complexity.
Forage yield and nutritive value of elephantgrass as affected by harvest frequency and genotype

Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is known throughout much of the wet tropics for its prolific growth and usage as a forage for ruminants. In a 3-yr study conducted on a well-drained, infertile soil (loamy, siliceous, hyperthermic, Grossarenic Paleudult) and under subtropical conditions near Gainesville, FL, the response of this forage to three harvest frequency regimes was measured. Genotypes evaluated were four tall elephantgrasses (PI 300086, Merkeron', N-43, and N-51), a dwarf elephantgrass (Mott), and a semi-dwarf Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. × P. purpureum Schum. hybrid (Selection 3) (...)
Role of Glu312 in Binding and Positioning of the Substrate for the Hydride Transfer Reaction in Choline Oxidase

Choline oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of choline to glycine betaine, a compatible solute that accumulates in pathogenic bacteria and plants so they can withstand osmotic and temperature stresses. The crystal structure of choline oxidase was determined and refined to a resolution of 1.86 A with data collected at 100 K using synchrotron X-ray radiation. The structure reveals a covalent linkage between His99 Ne2 and FAD C8M atoms, and a 123 A3 solvent-excluded cavity adjacent to the re face of the flavin. A hypothetical model for choline docked into the cavity suggests that several aromatic residues and Glu312 may orient the cationic substrate for efficient catalysis. The role of the negative charge on Glu312 was investigated by engineering variant enzymes in which Glu312 was replaced with alanine, glutamine, or aspartate. The Glu312Ala enzyme was inactive. The Glu312Gln enzyme exhibited a Kd value for choline at least 500 times larger than that of the wild-type enzyme. The Glu312Asp enzyme had a kcat/KO2 ...
Compound melanocytic nevi with granular cell changes

Two cases of compound melanocytic nevi with granular cell changes were studied. Histological examination revealed compound melanocytic nevi with a portion of the dermal component exhibiting a sheet like proliferation of nevoid cells with granular cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, both populations of cells stained positive for S-100 and Melan-A. However, HMB-45 was positive only for the nevus cells with granular cytoplasm. We believe this represents granular cytoplasmic changes of nevus cells and does not denote malignant transformation.
Delirium Severity in the Hospitalized Patient: Time to Pay Attention

In this issue, Inouye and colleagues describe and validate a new scale for measuring delirium severity based on the existing Confusion Assessment Method. The editorialists discuss the value of the ...
In what sense, if any, is “economics” distinct from “religion”; And why does it matter?

It matters whether “Economics” is distinct from “Religion” first, because the putative truths of Religion must be more secure than the provisional and fallible truths of Science; secondly, because the scientific claims of Economics would be undermined were they not independent of the religious beliefs of economists; and thirdly, because the contribution of each to public policy formation requires them to be distinct.
A 1V 18GHz Clock Generator in a 65nm PD-SOI Technology

Two PLLs were designed using current-steering interpolating ring oscillators. The regular-V, PLL demonstrates a 3.2times lock range and a maximum frequency of 24.6GHz with 1.28psrms jitter at 1V. The high-V, PLL exhibits a 3.5times lock range at 6% lower frequency. The 0.18mm2 PLLs consume 16mW of power from 1V and are fabricated in a PD-SOI 65nm technology
Time independent quantum theory of electron transfer collisions using a nonorthogonal basis and R‐matrix propagation

We briefly review the difficulties associated with the traditional adiabatic quantum treatment of low energy charge transfer collisions between atoms and suggest that the charge transfer problem can be most conveniently treated by using atomic‐centered basis functions and expressing the Hamiltonian simultaneously with respect to two separate atomic origins. As a result, we must solve the quantum nuclear equations of motion in a nonorthogonal basis. We demonstrate that this may be efficiently done by building the R‐matrix propagator in this basis. Flux is automatically conserved even though the R matrix is built up from a series of nonunitary transformations. A simple model problem designed to represent the radial coupling in the reaction Li++Na→Li+Na+ is solved to illustrate the technique.
Analyzing The Hazards Of Broadband Optical Sources

This explains the techniques used by the Laser Branch, Laser Microwave Division, US Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, to evaluate non-laser optical sources. The present hazard criteria and spectroradiometric data reduction techniques are presented. The methods of radiometric measurement are not included.
Xerotomography of peripheral lung lesions.

Xerotomography was compared to conventional tomography in 72 patients with peripheral lung lesions. The xerotomogram was superior to the conventional tomogram in 41 patients, and yielded no additional information in 31. Details of lesions were better displayed, especially the margins: cavitations, air bronchogram and bronchiectasis, and calcification. Differentiation between benign, inflammatory and malignant lesions was thus facilitated. The xerotomographic process improved the image detail of lesions due to the edge enhancement property and the greater recording latitude of contrast of the xeroradiographs. Xerotomography is recommended only in selected patients for a few tomographic cuts because of the high radiation dosage.
Impact of Short-Stay Legislation of Length of Stay, Cost of Care, and Rehospitalization for Infants Born Vaginally. † 1215

Legislation designed to permit longer post-partum hospitalization of mothers and infants has been enacted at state and national levels. This prospective study was designed to determine how legislation in the State of Ohio permitting 48h postpartum stay would affect duration of infant hospitalization, cost of care, and infant readmission rate. In 1996, 269 infants delivered vaginally were enrolled during 3 month periods before(N=121) and after (N=148) enactment of state legislation (Oct 1996). Eligibility for early infant discharge followed AAP guidelines and included an integrated plan for follow-up with a home nursing visit in 85% of infants discharged ≤48h as well as intensive breast feeding support. Duration of hospitalization and readmission to the ER or hospital were determined from the medical record as well as phone questionnaire. Cost of care was estimated by microcost analysis (CMIS). Duration of infant stay increased from 29±12 to 39±14 hrs pre- and post-legislation, respectively. Maternal and infant cost for vaginal delivery increased from $3593±880 to$4154±1076 (16% increase). Readmission rate to hospital or ER did not differ between the two groups (4.0% vs 5.4%, pre- and post-legislation, respectively). We speculate that implementation of AAP guidelines may have optimized the medical decision for early infant discharge. These preliminary observations suggest that, under such circumstances, legislative mandate may increase cost of hospitalization without altering infant outcome. Supported by the March of Dimes. Figure
An approach to secure wireless communications using randomized eigenvector-based jamming signals

In this paper, we propose a novel approach for providing secure wireless communications in transmit-receive diversity systems. In this approach, we precode the information-bearing signal with a uniquely generated randomized eigenvector-based jamming signal to impair the eavesdropper's received signal, while the main channel, the link between the transmitter and the desired receiver, remains unaffected. Unlike existing methods, our approach can be applied to any antenna array configuration, even when the receiver and eavesdropper utilize more antennas than the transmitter, with no benefits to the eavesdropper's information detection capability from employing more antenna elements. Moreover, our proposed approach can provide more degrees of freedom for the jamming signal, significantly increasing the provided level of security. Additionally, our scheme does not assume any knowledge about the eavesdropper or even the number of collaborating eavesdroppers. Our simulation results show a secrecy capacity increase of about 7 bits/s/Hz for a 4 x 4 antenna configuration under typical transmit power constraints, which results in significant improvement in security performance and enables physically secure wireless communications.
A population balance model for fish population dynamics

Abstract A population balance model of fish population dynamics for batch systems was developed. A growth rate expression was introduced and coupled with the population balance. Solutions of the model provide predictions of such fish size distribution characteristics as average size, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. A growth diffusivity mechanism was found to be inapplicable to systems where a terminal size is reached. A study of the two parameter growth rate expression was conducted, illustrating that conditions conducive to high growth rates also resulted in broadening of size distributions. The model was compared to data found in the literature to demonstrate its predictive capabilities.
No Role for Pepstatin-A-Sensitive Acidic Proteinases in Reovirus Infections of L or MDCK Cells

Abstract Strong evidence indicates that virions of mammalian reoviruses undergo proteolytic processing by acid-dependent cellular proteinases as an essential step in productive infection. Proteolytic processing takes the form of a series of cleavages of outer-capsid proteins ς3 and μ1/μ1C. Previous studies showed an effect of both NH 4 Cl and E-64 on these cleavages, indicating that one or more of the acid-dependent cysteine proteinases in mammalian cells (cathepsins B and L, for example) is required; however, these studies did not address whether acid-dependent aspartic proteinases in those cells (cathepsin D, for example) may also be required. To determine the role of aspartic proteinases in reovirus entry, studies with pepstatin A, a specific inhibitor of aspartic proteinases, were performed. The results showed that pepstatin A neither blocks nor slows reovirus infection of L or MDCK cells. Experiments using ribonuclease A and other proteins as cleavable substrates showed that cathepsin-D-like proteinases from these cells are inhibited within the tested range of pepstatin A concentrations both in vitro and within living cells. In other experiments, virion-bound ς3 protein was shown to be a poor substrate for cleavage by cathepsin D in vitro, consistent with the findings with inhibitors. In sum, the data indicate that cathepsin-D-like aspartic proteinases provide little or no activity toward proteolytic events required for infection of L or MDCK cells with reovirus virions.
Syngas and HDS catalysts derived from sulphido bimetallic clusters

The clusters, CP2′Mo2Fe2S2(CO)8 (MoFeS) and Cp2′Mo2CO2S3(CO)4 (MoCoS) (Cp′ = η-C5H4Me) have been supported on the refractory oxides, Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, and MgO, and subjected to temperature programmed decomposition (TPDE) under flowing H2. Typically, CO evolution commences near 100°C, followed by evolution of 1–2 Cp-ligands from 180 to 400°C along with small amounts of CO2, CH4, and H2S or Me2S. The resulting compositions are shown to be active catalysts for CO hydrogenation and hydrodesulphurization (HDS) of thiophene. Methane is the principal hydrocarbon product from CO hydrogenation except for MoFeS/MgO where high selectivity for C2 products was observed. The activity and selectivity of MoCoS/Al2O3 for thiophene HDS closely resembles those of conventionally prepared “cobalt molybdate” catalysts. The cluster derived catalysts have been characterized by Mossbauer and X-ray absorption (XANES) and EXAFS) spectroscopies. It is concluded that the clusters undergo oxidation by the surface upon loss of organic ligands. The results obtained to date show that sulphido bimetallic clusters are excellent precursors for the formation of uniform catalytic surfaces. The uniformity of the surface species facilitates physical characterization of the active site(s). Our results show that the supported clusters are transformed to surface oxo-ensembles which are active for CO hydrogenation and HDS of organic sulphur compounds.
Glucocorticoid-like actions of medroxyprogesterone acetate upon MtTW15 rat mammosomatotropic pituitary tumors.

We have shown recently that the MtTW15 experimental rat pituitary tumor responds to medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) by increasing GH production. In this study, using a single saturating dose assay and dextran-coated charcoal separation, the data indicate that the MtTW15 tumor contains cytosolic MPA binding sites. The concentration of sites (approximately 4 pmol/g tumor) was similar for tumors derived from male or female hosts but was significantly reduced in tumors from MPA- or estradiol-treated rats. The MPA binder sedimented to 4S on low salt sucrose density gradients and was of high affinity (Kd = 5.0 +/- 0.4 X 10(-9) M). However, binding specificity studies showed glucocorticoids to be better ligands than MPA. MtTw15 tumors were also analyzed for cytosolic progestin ([3H]R5020) and glucocorticoid ([3H]dexamethasone) binding sites. Only low levels of an estradiol-inducible progestin binder were found. In contrast, the concentration of glucocorticoid binding sites was similar to that observed for MPA, approximately 4 pmol/g tumor, as were the characteristics of the binding, i.e. 5.1 +/- 0.2S, Kd = 4.1 +/- 0.5 X 10(-9) M, and similar binding specificities. Both MPA and estradiol treatment of tumor-bearing rats decreased the concentration of both MPA and glucocorticoid binding sites. Furthermore, studies to determine if glucocorticoids would mimic the in vivo effect of MPA upon MtTW15 tumors, i.e. altered tumor hormone production, supported such a hypothesis. We conclude that the MtTW15 rat pituitary tumor contains a cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor and that MPA can interact with this receptor. The glucocorticoid receptor may be responsible for the MPA- and glucocorticoid-induced alterations in GH production.
Efficacy of the Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus of the Alfalfa Looper Against Cabbage Looper Larvae on Cabbage in Missouri

The efficacy of the nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of the alfalfa looper, Autographa Californica (Speyer), was tested against larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), on cabbage in Missouri. The viral and chemical insecticides were equally effective and provided crop protection that was significantly greater than no treatment. The NPV virus is an efficient control agent and is potentially useful for cabbage looper management programs.
Tear fluid content of electrochemically active components including water soluble antioxidants

PURPOSE. To describe the content of water-soluble antioxidants in tear fluid. METHODS. We collected tear fluid from healthy subjects, either into borosilicate glass tubing or by absorption onto Schirmer strips. High pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection provided data on several components in a single assay. The system was sufficiently sensitive to provide reliable values for components present in tear fluid collected at normal (basal) or stimulated rates of secretion. RESULTS. Tear fluid at basal secretion was found to contain four compounds often considered to function in biology as antioxidants. Ascorbic acid (AA) is found at 665 µM, tyrosine at 45 µM and glutathione (GSH) at 107 µM. Cysteine (48 µM) and uric acid (328 µM) are reported for the first time; the latter is somewhat controversial as a physiologically active antioxidant. One peak on the chromatogram was consistently present but has not been identified. During stimulation of flow by brief inhalation of ammonium hydroxid...
Proton irradiation effects on GaN-based high electron-mobility transistors with Si-doped Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/N and thick GaN cap Layers

1.8 MeV proton radiation-induced degradation in high electron mobility transistors with Si-doped Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/N and thick GaN cap layers is studied up to a fluence of 1/spl times/10/sup 15/ protons/cm/sup 2/. The thick GaN cap layer reduces sheet charge modulation induced by the surface states, as it electrostatically separates the active device layers from the surface, thereby enhancing the device performance. The devices exhibit good tolerance up to 10/sup 14/ protons/cm/sup 2/, with displacement damage being the primary degradation mechanism. Charged defect centers introduced by proton radiation in the active device layers degrade carrier mobility and sheet carrier density. Proton radiation alters the barrier height at the Schottky gate and increases the resistance of the thin film structure.