cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coal-fired power plant regulatory rollback in the United States: Implications for local and regional public health

Abstract President Trump wants to promote coal and weaken Clean Air Act regulations that affect coal-fired power plants. We analyze which US regions have benefited from air quality improvements realized since adoption of two Clean Air Act power plant rules, the transport and mercury rules, which have been targeted by lobbyists and national officials. For 20 coal states, we create a pre-regulatory emissions scenario for the current (2016) fleet of power plants. Using the US Environmental Protection Agency's CO-Benefits Risk Assessment screening model, we estimate the differences between the impacts of pre-regulatory emissions and current emissions on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and on public health. We compare those impacts with voting patterns in the 2016 presidential election and with demographic data. Among the air quality and public health gains of the current situation relative to the pre-regulatory scenario are that: annual average PM2.5 concentrations are lower by 1–5 μg/m3; 17,176–39,291 premature mortalities are avoided for each year of lower emissions; coal mining counties and White, rural counties experience some of the best improvements in air quality; and, in several states, Trump counties benefit more than Clinton counties. We suggest refining these results with atmospheric dispersion models.
Interprofessional Intervention to Improve Geriatric Consultation Timing on an Acute Medical Service.

Objectives To determine whether an interprofessional intervention would improve the use and timing of a geriatric consultation on a hospitalist service. Design Difference‐in‐differences (DID), which measures the difference in improvement over time between intervention and control team patients attributable to the intervention. Setting 1,000‐bed U.S. academic medical center. Participants Individuals aged 60 and older admitted to a general medicine hospitalist service (N=7,038; n = 718 on intervention teams, n = 686 historical controls, n = 5,634 on control teams (concurrent and historic). Intervention On 2 of 11 hospitalist teams, a geriatrician attended multidisciplinary discharge rounds twice weekly and advised on the benefits of a geriatric consultation for individuals aged 60 and older. Measurements Primary outcome was percentage of hospitalizations resulting in a geriatric consultation. Secondary outcome was days to geriatric consultation. Both outcomes were controlled for age, sex, comorbidity, mean daily intensity of inpatient care utilization, and admission in the prior 30 days. In the primary analysis, length of stay was controlled. Results Intervention participants were more likely to have a geriatric consultation (DID = 2.35% absolute percentage points, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59–4.39%) and to have a consultation sooner (DID = 3.61 fewer days, 95% CI = −1 to −7). Conclusion An interprofessional intervention that focused on hospitalist ordering practices increased use of appropriate geriatric consultation and decreased time to consultation. This model of interprofessional effort is effective. Future adaptations are needed to target scarce geriatric resources without increasing overall use. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2372–2376, 2018.
The Mitral Valve 16 Months After Operative Insertion of the Alfieri Stitch

We describe considerable fibrous thickening of the mitral leaflets 16 months after insertion of an Alfieri stitch in a previously anatomically normal but functionally regurgitant mitral valve. Whether this type of mitral thickening will occur after percutaneous insertion of the mitral clip for pure mitral regurgitation remains to be determined.
Membrane-Permeant, Environment-Sensitive Dyes Generate Biosensors within Living Cells

Dyes with environment-sensitive fluorescence have proven useful to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of protein activity in living cells. When attached to proteins, their fluorescence can reflect protein conformational changes, post-translational modifications, or protein interactions. However, the utility of such dye–protein conjugates has been limited because it is difficult to load them into cells. They usually must be introduced using techniques that perturb cell physiology, limit throughput, or generate fluorescent vesicles (e.g., electroporation, microinjection, or membrane transduction peptides). Here we circumvent these problems by modifying a proven, environment-sensitive biosensor fluorophore so that it can pass through cell membranes without staining intracellular compartments and can be attached to proteins within living cells using unnatural amino acid (UAA) mutagenesis. Reactive groups were incorporated for attachment to UAAs or small molecules (mero166, azide; mero167, alkyne; mero76, carbo...
Adequacy of empiric gram-negative coverage for septic patients at an academic medical center

Background Gram-negative organisms (GNOs) have increasing resistance rates to levofloxacin at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCUHS), where levofloxacin is the most common agent added to provide double coverage of gram-negative infections. The goal of this study was to determine the adequacy of empiric gram-negative coverage for septic patients at our institution. Methods A retrospective review of patients admitted to VCUHS, from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014, with a diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock and documented infection, was performed to determine the adequacy of various empiric antibiotic combinations. Results Of 219 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 56% of patients received monotherapy and 21% of patients received combination therapy (2 antibiotics) covering GNOs. GNOs (84%) were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam. When used in combination with cefepime and meropenem, levofloxacin did not increase coverage. However, levofloxacin provided an 8% increase in coverage and gentamicin provided an additional 13% increase in coverage, respectively, when used in combination with piperacillin-tazobactam. Conclusions Among septic patients at VCUHS, gentamicin provided increased gram-negative coverage when compared with levofloxacin. Although susceptibility to piperacillin-tazobactam alone was relatively low, the combination of piperacillin-tazobactam and gentamicin provided nearly equivalent coverage to meropenem and gentamicin.
Variation in the Assessment of Immune-Related Adverse Event Occurrence, Grade, and Timing in Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Importance Toxic effects of conventional chemotherapy and molecularly targeted cancer therapies are generally well defined and occur at predictable points. By contrast, owing to their heterogeneous manifestations, unpredictable timing, and clinical overlap with other conditions, immune-related adverse events (irAE) may be more difficult to diagnose and characterize. Objective To determine concordance of algorithm-driven medical record review by medical oncologists for the characterization of 8 irAE in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional study of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors at a National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer center from November 30, 2015, to March 7, 2018. A sample size of 52 patients provided 80% power to distinguish substantial agreement (κ = 0.85) from poor agreement (κ = 0.5) based on the Cohen κ. Main Outcomes and Measures Interrater agreement of 2 observers in the occurrence and grade of irAE. Results Of 52 patients (32 [61.5%] male; mean [SD] age, 69 [9] years) analyzed, 42 (80.8%) had non–small cell lung cancer and all received anti–programmed cell death 1 or anti–programmed cell death ligand 1 antibodies, with 3 patients (5.8%) receiving combinations with anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 antibodies. A median (interquartile range) of 82 (47-180) documents were reviewed per case. There was limited or poor interrater agreement on irAE occurrence (Cohen κ, 0.37-0.64), with the exception of hypothyroidism (κ = 0.8). Weighted κ similarly showed limited or poor agreement for irAE grade (κ = 0.31-0.75). Differences in assessed time of onset ranged from 5 to 188 days. As a control for data availability and access, observers had a high degree of agreement for the exact start date (98%) and end date (96%) of immunotherapy administration, suggesting that information interpretation rather than identification largely accounted for assessment differences. In multivariable analysis, therapy duration (adjusted odds ratio, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.34-17.17;P = .02) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (adjusted odds ratio, 4.09; 95% CI, 1.10-15.18;P = .03) were significantly associated with discordant irAE assessment. Conclusions and Relevance These findings underscore critical challenges in assessing the occurrence, type, timing, and severity of irAE. Apart from hypothyroidism (a condition that has a discrete diagnostic laboratory test and few other likely etiologies during immunotherapy treatment), interobserver agreement was poor. Given the importance of accurate and timely assessment of toxic effects for clinical trials and real-world disease management, efforts to improve irAE diagnosis and characterization are needed.
The effect of severe dietary protein restriction on skeletal muscle fiber number, area and composition in weanling rats.

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of severe dietary protein restriction on soleus (S) and tibialis anterior (TA) fiber number and S muscle fiber area, composition and length. The S and TA muscles were removed from one leg of 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats at 21 d of age. Six of these animals were placed on a 1% protein diet until 42 d of age, while six served as age-matched controls. Muscle fiber number was determined by the nitric acid digestion method for S muscles and the mean fiber dry-weight estimation method for the TA muscles. Mean fiber numbers for the S muscles were 2,655 -+ 42 and 2,669 -+ 71 for the treatment group at 21 and 42 d of age, respectively, and 15,989 -+ 899 and 16,067 -+ 695 at 21 and 42 d of age, respectively, for the TA muscle. For the age-matched control group, fiber numbers for the S muscle were 2,928 -+ 78 and 2,949 -+ 76 at 21 and 42 d, respectively, and 17,964 -+ 281 and 18,445 + 296 at 21 and 42 d, respectively, for the TA muscle. The S muscle fiber area, composition and length were studied using 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Six animals were placed on the 1% protein diet from 21 to 42 d of age, while six animals served as age-matched controls. The S muscle fiber area was 33.1 and 51.5% smaller for type I and type II fibers, respectively, for animals fed the 1% protein diet. The S fiber length was 27.9% less in animals fed the 1% protein. Type I fiber composition was not different between the two groups. The results of this study indicate that severe dietary protein restriction results in a decreased rate of muscle growth that is a result of a decreased growth rate of the
Evaluation of the Presence of Methane in Złoczew Lignite: Comparison with Other Lignite Deposits in Poland

Catastrophic cases of methane explosion during exploratory drilling within the Belchatow ortholignite deposit have led to testing for methane in other Polish ortholignite mining areas, as well as in the Zloczew deposit, where it is planned to begin mining operations. Initial tests have shown Zloczew lignite to have the highest methane content among the Polish deposits so far studied, comparable with lignite from the Belchatow deposit, with a methane capacity in excess of 2.5 dcm3/kg at a pressure of 10 bar. Based on the computed values of the Langmuir constant, a determination was made of the quantity of methane that can be desorbed from a pressure of 10 bar to 1 bar, as well as the residual methane content. For all of the tested samples, the residual methane content is between 30 and 50% of the sorption capacity at a pressure of 10 bar. The thermal sorption equations were used to compute values of the limiting isosteric heat of adsorption. Higher values of the heat of adsorption at zero surface capacity may indicate the presence of a small quantity of micro-pores. In the case of the samples with the highest sorption capacity, the limiting isosteric heats of adsorption are low, indicating a low proportion of micro-pores in the lignite. This was confirmed by tests of nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. The proportion of micro-pores in the studied lignites is 2–3%, while the dominant pore fraction is the meso-pores, which in lignite from the Zloczew and Belchatow deposits account for 50–66% of total pores. It is concluded that the significant adsorption of methane in the ortholignite occurs chiefly in meso-pores because of compression of the gas under increased orogenic pressure. A link is made between the higher methane-bearing capacity of the ortholignite deposits and the degree of gelification of the huminite components, based on simple statistical correlations between the methane sorption capacity and the content of humic gelified maceral. The results concerning methane sorption in lignite from the Zloczew deposit have enabled a preliminary classification of the methane-bearing capacity of Polish ortholignite deposits, which may also be of significance for similar deposits in other countries.
Piloting a model-to-data approach to enable predictive analytics in health care through patient mortality prediction.

OBJECTIVE The development of predictive models for clinical application requires the availability of electronic health record (EHR) data, which is complicated by patient privacy concerns. We showcase the "Model to Data" (MTD) approach as a new mechanism to make private clinical data available for the development of predictive models. Under this framework, we eliminate researchers' direct interaction with patient data by delivering containerized models to the EHR data. MATERIALS AND METHODS We operationalize the MTD framework using the Synapse collaboration platform and an on-premises secure computing environment at the University of Washington hosting EHR data. Containerized mortality prediction models developed by a model developer, were delivered to the University of Washington via Synapse, where the models were trained and evaluated. Model performance metrics were returned to the model developer. RESULTS The model developer was able to develop 3 mortality prediction models under the MTD framework using simple demographic features (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.693), demographics and 5 common chronic diseases (AUROC, 0.861), and the 1000 most common features from the EHR's condition/procedure/drug domains (AUROC, 0.921). DISCUSSION We demonstrate the feasibility of the MTD framework to facilitate the development of predictive models on private EHR data, enabled by common data models and containerization software. We identify challenges that both the model developer and the health system information technology group encountered and propose future efforts to improve implementation. CONCLUSIONS The MTD framework lowers the barrier of access to EHR data and can accelerate the development and evaluation of clinical prediction models.
Radiology Reporting in the Era of Patient-Centered Care: How Can We Improve Readability?

Radiology reports are consumed not only by referring physicians and healthcare providers, but also by patients. We assessed report readability in our enterprise and implemented a two-part quality improvement intervention with the goal of improving report accessibility. A total of 491,813 radiology reports from ten hospitals within the enterprise from May to October, 2018 were collected. We excluded echocardiograms, rehabilitation reports, administrator reports, and reports with negative scores leaving 461,219 reports and report impressions for analysis. A grade level (GL) was calculated for each report and impression by averaging four readability metrics. Next, we conducted a readability workshop and distributed weekly emails with readability GLs over a period of 6 months to each attending radiologist at our primary institution. Following this intervention, we utilized the same exclusion criteria and analyzed 473,612 reports from May to October, 2019. The mean GL for all reports and report impressions was above 13 at every hospital in the enterprise. Following our intervention, a statistically significant drop in GL for reports and impressions was demonstrated at all locations, but a larger and significant improvement was observed in impressions at our primary site. Radiology reports across the enterprise are written at an advanced reading level making them difficult for patients and their families to understand. We observed a significantly larger drop in GL for impressions at our primary site than at all other sites following our intervention. Radiologists at our home institution improved their report readability after becoming more aware of their writing practices.
Heterovalent semiconductor structures and devices grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Heterovalent structures consisting of group II-VI/group III-V compound semiconductors offer attractive properties, such as a very broad range of bandgaps, large conduction band offsets, high electron and hole mobilities, and quantum-material properties such as electric-field-induced topological insulator states. These properties and characteristics are highly desirable for many electronic and optoelectronic devices as well as potential condensed-matter quantum-physics applications. Here, we provide an overview of our recent studies of the MBE growth and characterization of zincblende II-VI/III-V heterostructures as well as several novel device applications based on different sets of these materials. By combining materials with small lattice mismatch, such as ZnTe/GaSb (Δa/a ∼ 0.13%), CdTe/InSb (Δa/a ∼ 0.05%), and ZnSe/GaAs (Δa/a ∼ 0.26%), epitaxial films of excellent crystallinity were grown once the growth conditions had been optimized. Cross-sectional observations using conventional and atomic-resolution electron microscopy revealed coherent interfaces and close to defect-free heterostructures. Measurements across CdTe/InSb interfaces indicated a limited amount (∼1.5 nm) of chemical intermixing. Results for ZnTe/GaSb distributed Bragg reflectors, CdTe/MgxCd1−xTe double heterostructures, and CdTe/InSb two-color photodetectors are briefly presented, and the growth of a rock salt/zincblende PbTe/CdTe/InSb heterostructure is also described.
Explant culture of human peripheral lung.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the explant culture of human peripheral lung. Fragments of fetal or adult lung have been cultured from human or animal species and on various substrates such as membrane filters on stainless steel grids, lens paper. Prior to culture, the lung specimens consist of typical alveolar structures lined with epithelial cells. The alveoli in specimens from some patients are nearly filled with macrophages, whereas in other cases they contain only a small number of macrophages. Connective tissue composed of fibroblast cells, collagen, and elastin often surrounds the alveolar structures. Terminal bronchiolar cells and endothelial cells are also observed. The alveoli of fresh tissue contained type-1 epithelial cells with extended cytoplasm and type-2 epithelial cells. Gaseous exchange occurs across the cytoplasm of the type-1 cells. Type-2 cells contained intracytoplasmic lamellar inclusion bodies that corresponded to the darkly stained inclusions observed in the cytoplasm of these cells with light microscopy. The alveolar walls remained intact in the peripheral portions of the explants for relatively long periods of time.
Dyadic associations between cancer-related stress and fruit and vegetable consumption among colorectal cancer patients and their family caregivers

This study examined how stress from cancer affects fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) in cancer patients and their family caregivers during the year fol- lowing diagnosis. Colorectal cancer patients and their caregivers (92 dyads) completed questionnaires at two (T1), six (T2), and 12 months post-diagnosis (T3). Indi- viduals reported perceived cancer-related stress (CRS) at T1 and days of adequate FVC at T1 through T3. Both patients and caregivers reported inadequate FVC during the first year post-diagnosis. Latent growth modeling with actor-partner interdependence modeling revealed that, at T1, one's own greater CRS was associated with one's partner having fewer concurrent days of adequate FVC (ps = .01). Patients' greater CRS predicted their own more pronounced rebound pattern in FVC (p = .01); both patients' and caregivers' CRS marginally predicted their partners' change in FVC (p = .09). Findings suggest that perceived stress from cancer hinders FVC around the diagnosis, but motivates positive dietary changes by the end of the first year.
Liquid Crystal Photorefractive Optics: Dynamic and Storage Holographic Grating Formation, Wave Mixing, and Beam/Image Processing

Publisher Summary Liquid crystals are widely used in electro-optic devices because of their large broadband birefringence, dielectric anisotropy, and easy susceptibility to dc or low-frequency electric fields. This chapter presents the basic mechanisms of photoinduced space-charge field formation, director axis reorientation, and refractive index changes in fullerene C 60 - and dye-doped nematic liquid crystals films. These effects consist of transient and persistent components and can be modulated by the application of small ac and/or dc fields. Experimental observations of dynamic and high-resolution storage holographic grating formation, two beam coupling with gain of nearly 3000 cm –1 , optical limiting action at nanowatt continuous-wave (cw) laser power, and incoherent–coherent image conversion at microwatt/cm 2 light intensity level are discussed as well as some quantitative analyses of the underlying mechanisms. The chapter also reviews the basic mechanisms of space-charge field formation, director axis reorientation, refractive index change, and experimental observations of several interesting dynamic and storage wave mixing effects.
Internal structure in pineal cysts on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging: not a sign of malignancy

Object In this paper, the authors' goal was to determine whether benign pineal cysts have smooth walls or internal structure on high-resolution MR imaging and to evaluate their imaging characteristics on FLAIR images. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the MR imaging findings in 60 consecutive patients who were reported to have pineal cysts over a 19-month period. Patients were identified retrospectively using a word search of radiology reports. Of these 60 patients, 24 with stable follow-up imaging or pathological proof of a pineal cyst were included in this study. In all cases, axial or sagittal FLAIR images were available, and in 10 of 24 patients the authors obtained sagittal images using fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA). For those cases in which FIESTA studies were obtained, the authors classified the cysts into 1 of 4 categories based on their appearance. Eighteen of 24 cases were performed with intravenous contrast. Results Of the 24 cases, 21 had signal intensity ...
Evolutionary Frameworks for Language Change: The Price Equation Approach

Models and concepts from biology have informed the study of language change for several centuries. In this article, I take a comparative look across the disciplines of historical linguistics and evolutionary biology and ask if an evolutionary perspective on language change drawing on Darwin's theory of adaptation through natural selection can contribute in a substantive way to theorizing within the study of language change. This article discusses a framework for language change that borrows concepts from evolutionary theory, the framework presented in Mufwene (2008). Building on Jager (2008), I suggest that George Price's “General Theory of Selection” provides a useful and precise framework in which to mathematically represent evolutionary frameworks for language change such as Mufwene's. In the final part of the paper, I propose that the Price equation approach to the levels of selection debate in biology can provide insight into the ways in which different levels of linguistic information interact during language change.
The Effect of Structure-disrupting Ions on the Activity of Myosin and Other Enzymes

Abstract Neutral salts in high concentrations (0.3 to 3.0 m) inhibit the activity of myosin nucleoside triphosphatase, trypsin, lactate dehydrogenase, estradiol-17β dehydrogenase, and fumarase in an order of increasing effectiveness for anions: CH3COO- l Cl- l NO3- l Br- l I- l SCN- l ClO4-, and in an order of increasing effectiveness for cations: (CH3)4N+ l Cs+ l K+ l Na+ l Li+. These orders, which are maintained in all of the salt concentrations tested, and with the widely different enzymes employed, are also the orders in which these anions and cations disrupt the organized structure of diverse macromolecules as established by physical methods. Furthermore, the anions listed above disrupt the structure of myosin with a similar order of effectiveness. Because of the parallelism between general structure-disrupting effectiveness and activity-inhibiting effectiveness, it is considered that the various ions inhibit activity by disrupting structure. Given such a conclusion, it follows that the salt sensitivity of structurally different forms of the same enzyme should differ. This is the case when native and p-chloromercuribenzoate-modified myosin are compared. The adenosine triphosphatase activity of native and p-chloromercuribenzoate-modified myosin are similar when assays are carried out in the absence of salts. The p-chloromercuribenzoate-modified form, being less sensitive to salt inhibition, thus appears to be "activated" when assayed in 0.6 m KCl (or similar concentrations of the several salts studied) and compared with native myosin in 0.6 m KCl. These observations provide additional evidence that the α and β forms of myosin correspond to different conformations despite the fact that optical rotatory dispersion cannot clearly indicate a difference in structure. They further suggest that salt sensitivity as evaluated by the activity parameter can be used as an extremely sensitive if only semiquantitative method for the evaluation of conformational change.
Albuterol Delivery From a Metered-Dose Inhaler With Spacer Is Reduced Following Short-Duration Manual Ventilation in a Neonatal Ventilator-Lung Model

INTRODUCTION: Albuterol aerosol is commonly administered to mechanically ventilated neonates via metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with spacer. The spacer increases the dead space in the ventilation circuit, and some institutions limit the amount of time the spacer remains in line, to minimize carbon dioxide retention and the risk of hypercarbia. However, minimizing the amount of time the spacer remains in line might also limit albuterol delivery to the patient. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether limiting the amount of time the spacer is left in line after MDI actuation significantly reduces albuterol delivery. METHODS: We conducted a bench study with a neonatal ventilator-lung model that included a Bird VIP ventilator, in a time-cycled, pressure-limited, continuous-flow mode, with settings to simulate a 1-kg infant with moderate lung disease: peak inspiratory pressure 25 cm H2O, positive end-expiratory pressure 4 cm H2O, respiratory rate 30 breaths/min, inspiratory time 0.35 s, tidal volume approximately 7 mL. The circuit was attached to a 3.0-mm inner-diameter endotracheal tube and a neonatal test lung. We tested 5 methods of MDI albuterol administration. The first 3 methods used a spacer attached to the ETT and either 5, 15, or 30 manual breaths (flow 6 L/min, respiratory rate 30 breaths/min, peak inspiratory pressure 25 cm H2O) were delivered after each MDI actuation (2 actuations). The final 2 methods used an in-line spacer (placed between the circuit Y-piece and the endotracheal tube) with the spacer kept in line for 30 or 60 s after each actuation (2 actuations). A breathing filter was placed between the ETT and test lung to trap the aerosolized albuterol. RESULTS: Mean SD albuterol delivery was 2.3 0.5%, 3.6 1.8%, and 5.1 1.3% after 5, 15, and 30 manual breaths, respectively (p < 0.05 for 30 breaths vs 5 and 15 breaths). Albuterol delivery was 3.7 1.3% when the spacer was left in line for 30 s, versus 3.7 0.6% when it was left in line for 60 s. CONCLUSIONS: Limiting the time that the spacer was left in line after each MDI actuation significantly reduced albuterol delivery in
Leukocyte migration inhibition in halothane-induced hepatitis

Abstract A cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of halothane-induced hepatitis. Previous reports have demonstrated that in vitro parameters of cell-mediated immunity may be useful tools in the diagnosis of this disease. During the past 5 years, 11 patients have presented with suspected halothane hepatitis. Five patients subsequently were biopsy-proven halothane hepatitis, 4 patients had the clinical manifestations consistent with the disease, and 2 patients were subsequently shown not to have halothane hepatitis. Halothane-induced leukocyte migration inhibition was demonstrated in 6 of 9 patients with halothane hepatitis. One patient without halothane hepatitis did show a positive test. We conclude that migration inhibition may be a help in the diagnosis of halothane-induced hepatitis.
The pilot interface with cockpit automation and advanced avionics systems

A flight test program was conducted with a sophisticated, integrated avionics system to study pilot workload and the pilot interface with high levels of avionics capability. The study indicates that advanced systems can provide improved information to the pilot and additional functional capability. The study also indicates that additional research is needed to develop the knowledge base required to design pilot interfaces with such systems. The combination of the pilot interface and the high level of system capability used in this study led to pilot blunders associated with navigation data management, autopilot management, and maintaining awareness of system status. A functional relationship is suggested between level of avionics system sophistication and the required state-of-the-art in pilot/avionics interface design. Suggested guidelines for the design of the pilot/avionics interface for advanced avionics systems are given.
Curing chemistry of phenylethynyl‐terminated imide oligomers: Synthesis of 13C‐labeled oligomers and solid‐state NMR studies

4-(Phenylethynyl-α,β-13C)phthalic anhydride (PEPA) and 13C-labeled phenylethynyl-terminated imide (PETI) oligomers were synthesized, and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to determine the structure of cured oligomers. Solid-state 13C NMR spectra were collected before and after thermal curing. Using solid-state 13C NMR difference spectroscopy, several cure products were identified. The observed 13C NMR resonances were assigned to four different classes of cure products: aromatics, products from backbone addition (substituted stilbenes and tetraphenylethanes), polyenes, and cyclobutadiene cyclodimers. The effects of postcuring and oligomer chain length on the structure of the cured resins were examined. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3486–3497, 2000
Vascular testing in female sexual dysfunction

Increasing attention is being focused on women’s sexual health. Female sexual arousal disorder accounts for approximately 20% of all female sexual dysfunction and is believed to have vascular etiology in many cases. The field of female genital vascular testing is three decades old, but as of yet no single investigation has established itself as the premier test. This review summarizes our current knowledge of investigations available for the assessment of vaginal and clitoral hemodynamics, including genital thermography, photoplethysmography, clitoral ultrasound, and magnetic resonance angiography.
Immunology Based Multi-Robot Collaboration for Countermine Operations

Past studies have shown that mechanisms employed by biological systems can motivate development of algorithms for coordination of distributed systems. In this study, an immune system based collaboration is established between heterogeneous robots to perform countermine operations. Heterogeneity of the robots is defined based on their capabilities to detect and/or mark location of mines, and diffuse them. Concepts related to an immune system like clonal expansion, primary and secondary response, immune memory and antigen specificity are exploited in this study. The developed methodology is validated by simulation studies using MATLAB.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Microstructure and mechanical properties of microcellular injection molded polyamide-6 nanocomposites

The microstructure and mechanical properties of microcellular injection molded polyamide-6 (PA6) nanocomposites were studied. Cell wall structure and smoothness were determined by the size of the crystalline structure, which, in turn, were based on the material system and molding conditions. The correlation between cell density and cell size of the materials studied followed an exponential relationship. Supercritical fluid (SCF) facilitated the intercalation and exfoliation of nanoclays in the microcellular injection molding process. The orientation of nanoclays near the surface of microcells and between microcells was examined and a preferential orientation around the microcells was observed. Nanoclays in the microcellular injection molding process promoted the γ-form and suppressed the α-form crystalline structure of PA6. Both nanoclays and SCF lowered the crystallinity of the parts. Microcells improved the normalized toughness of the nanocomposites. Both microcells and nanoclay had a significant influence on the mechanical properties of parts depending on the molding conditions.
Growth rates with an exhaustible resource and home goods

Abstract The growth path of an exhaustible resource exporting economy is examined. Previous work has shown that the size of the non-resource sector of such an economy may shrink to zero over time. This paper shows that this result hinges on the exclusion of the non-traded sector of the economy. With both traded and non-traded sectors included, the domestic interest rate may fluctuate more widely than the world interest rate, despite the results of previous work. Finally, the paper questions a ‘Dutch disease’ literature result: even when the industrial sector is more resource intensive than the service sector, it is possible for a faster growing resource price to have a ‘pro-industrialization’ effect.
THE EFFECT OF HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION ON SWELLING OF CELLS

1. The effect of HCl, NaOH, CO(2), and NH(3) on the volume of unfertilized Arbacia eggs was tested over a wide range of pH values. 2. No swelling occurred, except in HCl solutions, and there not until after injury or death had occurred. 3. Whereas the volume of erythrocytes and of proteins such as gelatin is known to be dependent on the pH of the solution, such a relation does not exist in the case of living and uninjured cells, at least of the type tested.
The origin of harmonic tremor at Old Faithful geyser

Volcanic tremor, the seismic signal which is often associated with eruptions, is among the least understood phenomena in seismology. Large variations in the physical properties of volcanic rocks and fluids along with the complex geological structure make it difficult to obtain reliable source models. Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone National Park, was chosen as a laboratory for studying fluid-flow-induced seismicity. The geyser's cyclic behavior on an hourly time scale, and its accessibility, make it suitable for a detailed study of seismic behavior between eruptions simultaneously with underwater pressure measurements inside the geyser. We observe that sharp pressure pulses inside the water-column attributed to steam bubble collapse are followed by distinct seismic events, with a sharp onset and a harmonic horizontal motion whose frequency varies spatially but not temporally. A superposition of these events creates the appearance of continuous harmonic tremor. Since the pressure in the water column exhibits no sign of resonance, the harmonic motion must be caused by elastic waves reverberating in the solid medium. A near-surface soft layer is demonstrated to be a possible elastic model. The harmonic tremor observed at Old faithful seems analogous to some examples of shallow volcanic tremor.
A prospective study of pain and analgesic use in outpatient endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Summary: A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the postoperative pain and analgesic profiles of a group of 50 patients undergoing outpatient anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to compare their profiles with those of a group of 50 patients undergoing outpatient non-ACL arthroscopic surgery. All patients received preoperative and postoperative ketorolac, intraincisional/intraarticular bupivacaine, intraoperative ketorolac, and propofol anesthetic. The percentage of patients receiving supplemental analgesia in the recovery room was 49% (average, 2.2 mg intravenous morphine sulfate) for the ACL group and 31% (average, 1.2 mg intravenous morphine sulfate) in the non-ACL group. Narcotic use and pain scores peaked in both groups on postoperative days 1 and 2. The ACL group used significantly more narcotic and had higher pain scores in the first week after surgery than did the non-ACL group. However, there were no subsequent admissions, readmissions, or emergency room visits for pain. All were satisfied with the outpatient nature of this surgery. Patients tolerate outpatient endoscopic ACL reconstruction with moderate pain and narcotic use. Outpatient endoscopic ACL reconstruction can be performed safely, effectively, and with considerable cost savings. Key Words: ACL reconstruction—Pain—Analgesia—Outpatient— Endoscopic—Cost-containment.
A Rotating Scatter Mask for Inexpensive Gamma-Ray Imaging in Orphan Source Search: Simulation Results

The Rotating Scatter Mask (RSM) system is an inexpensive retrofit that provides imaging capabilities to scintillating detectors. Unlike traditional collimator systems that primarily absorb photons in order to form an image, this system primarily scatters the photons. Over a single rotation, there is a unique, smooth response curve for each defined source position. Testing was conducted using MCNPX simulations. Image reconstruction was performed using a chi-squared reconstruction technique. A simulated 100 uCi, Cs-137 source at 10 meters was detected after a single, 50-second rotation when a uniform terrestrial background was present. A Cs-137 extended source was also tested. The RSM field-of-view is 360 degrees azimuthally as well as 54 degrees above and 54 degrees below the horizontal plane. Since the RSM is built from polyethylene, the overall cost and weight of the system is low. The system was designed to search for lost or stolen radioactive material, also known as the orphan source problem.
Artificial light as an aid in potato breeding

The application of artificial lights to potato plants in the greenhouse stimulated vine growth and blossoming to a remarkable degree. There was a high correlation between the naturally fertilized seed-setting record of the seedlings in the field at Presque Isle, and the extent of blossoming in the greenhouse under the lights. There was little difference in the effects of the 1000 watt and 500 watt lights. Smaller lights than these might produce the desired results.
Stress and aversive behavior in non-human primates: A retrospective bibliography (1914–1974) indexed by type of primate, aversive event, and topical area

A retrospective bibliography (1914–1974) of stress and aversive behavior in non-human primates is presented. Each of 582 citations is indexed for type of primate(s) studied, kind of aversive event(s), and topical area(s). The aversive events include air (pressurized and wind), alien species (human, human staring, and snake), aversive drugs, crowding, darkness, electrical stimulation of the brain, gravitational forces, hitting, isolation, looming, noise, nonreward (frustration), pinching, pricking, radiation, restraint, sandpaper, sensory deprivation, shock (electric), slapping, social defeat (induced experimentally), strobe light, tastes (foul), temperature extremes, threat of social separation, time-out from positive reinforcement, unavoidable aversive events, unpredictable stimulus changes, vertical chamber confinement, visual cliff, and water (rain). Index terms include traditional and specific topics such as fear, punishment, and complex schedules of negative reinforcement, topics subdivided within the areas of social behavior, ontogeny, perceptual processes, and psychopathology, and topics of special interest including space research, field research, research subjects, research instrumentation, shaping and training techniques, selected drugs (e.g., morphine), and cardiovascular or gastrointestinal correlates of stress. References whose primary interest were physiology or the study of drug effects were not included. In no case was a citation included if there was no recording of behavior.
Rotational diffusion microrheology.

Examining the rotational diffusion of a microparticle suspended in a soft material opens up exciting new opportunities for locally probing the frequency-dependent linear viscoelastic shear modulus, ${G}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$. We study the one-dimensional rotational diffusion of a wax microdisk in an aqueous polymer entanglement network using light streak tracking. By measuring the disk's time-dependent mean square angular displacement, $⟨\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\theta}}^{2}(t)⟩$, we predict the polymer solution's ${G}^{*}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ using a rotational generalized Stokes-Einstein relation. The good agreement of the predicted modulus with mechanical measurements confirms this new microrheological approach.
Evidence for consumer regulation of biofilm-nutrient interactions among hardwater streams (Pennsylvania, USA)

Experimental studies evaluating the simultaneous effects of consumers, nutrients, and other biotic/abiotic factors on intact, natural food webs are rare, particularly among ecosystems of varying trophic conditions. We conducted a series of in situ studies that used nutrient-diffusing substrata with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in a full factorial design in three temperate, limestone streams in Pennsylvania across a trophic gradient (mesotrophic, eutrophic, and hypereutrophic streams). We assessed differences in algal and macroinvertebrate biomass, taxonomic composition, and functional groups relative to amended nutrients across the trophic gradient; as such, these results facilitated predictions about regulators of food web structure. All factors varied significantly among the streams (e.g., algal biomass P = 0.005, macroinvertebrate biomass P < 0.001, algal diversity P = 0.006, macroinvertebrate diversity P < 0.001, algal group P < 0.001, macroinvertebrate guilds P < 0.001); the streams, however, did not exhibit simple responses to nutrient amendment. Algal and macroinvertebrate biomass and diversity responded greatest in the mesotrophic stream while grazing seemed to be a strong factor preventing algal nutrient response in the eutrophic and hypereutrophic streams. Brillouin’s Evenness Index was most influenced by nutrient amendment (nutrient effect on algae and macroinvertebrates P = 0.021). As such, we concluded that biomass and diversity were mediated by complexity within intermediate trophic levels.
Influence of aliphatic amines on the interaction of human C′1 with EAC′4☆

Abstract The activity of human C′1 fixed to EAC′4 cells (EAC′1hu4) was decreased by treatment with alkylamines. The ability of butanediamine to reduce the C′1 was substantially greater than the corresponding monoamine. The ammonium ion by itself, i.e. lacking an alkyl radical, was without effect on EAC′1hu4). In comparing several alkyldiamines with the amino groups present on the first and last carbons, it was found that those compounds with three to eight carbons were essentially equally effective, but that the two carbon compound had only about one-half the C′1-reducing ability. This lesser activity of ethylenediamine compared to the longer compounds was due to a difference in pK's. The pH at which the experiments were normally run (7·3) allowed the longer compounds such as butanediamine, but not ethylenediamine, to be fully protonated. When the experiments were carried out at a pH sufficiently low (6·0) to allow full protonation of ethylenediamine as well as butanediamine, the two compounds were equally active.
Synthesis of fluorinated NAD as a soluble coenzyme for enzymatic chemistry in fluorous solvents and carbon dioxide

The synthesis of the coenzyme nicatinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) with an covalently attached fluorinated polymer is reported. The fluorinated NAD (FNAD) was rendered soluble in both fluorous solvents and liquid carbon dioxide due to the attachment of a perfluoropolyether. The enzyme horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) was active in catalyzing oxidation/reduction reactions using FNAD as a soluble coenzyme in a fluorous solvent, methoxynonafluorobutane (HFE), and liquid carbon dioxide. In both solvents, the activity of HLADH using FNAD was greater than the same molar amount of unmodified (insoluble) NAD, indicating that a soluble coenzyme results in more efficient reactions.
The changes in Purkinje cell simple spike activity following spontaneous climbing fiber inputs

The purpose of these experiments was to systematically examine the characteristics of the excitability change occurring after the inactivation period evoked by the climbing fiber input to Purkinje cells. Ninety-eight Purkinje cells were isolated extracellularly in unanesthetized decerebrate cats. Simple spikes and complex spikes were discriminated separately. Post-stimulus time histograms were constructed from 100 consecutive trials triggered by the occurrence of spontaneous complex spikes. Seventeen Purkinje cells exhibited a reduction of simple spike discharge rate following the inactivation period. However, 14 cells showed no change in simple spike activity, and in 67 cells the discharge rate increased. These changes in excitability following a spontaneous complex spike were independent of the tonic simple spike activity of the Purkinje cell. Single traces of spike train data from Purkinje cells showed that the change in discharge rate was variable, some complex spikes being followed by an increase and others by a decrease in activity. The basis for these observations and the differences between these data and those from studies in which the climbing fiber input was evoked by electrical olivary stimulation are discussed.