cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Didactic Versus Interactive Teaching Strategies for Category A Agents of Bioterrorism

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The mission of the educational branch of the Center for Biological Defense at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida is to promote homeland security through the training of professionals and the community. Assessment of participant evaluations after the first year of the program indicated a need for more interactive sessions. In response to these evaluations, two interactive educational formats were developed and added to the program. The objective of this analysis was to compare participant evaluations of didactic and interactive techniques used to teach information about the Category A Agents of Bioterrorism. METHODS: Bioreadiness programs administered between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005 were included in the analysis. Attendees at all programs, regardless of length, were administered evaluations upon course completion. Ratings of the didactic lecture on Category A Agents (CAA), Bioterrorism Scenarios (BS), and a BioAgent Jeopardy game (BAJ) were compared. Likert scales were used to measure satisfaction of each session component on a scale of 1-4, with the values 1 = poor, 2 = average, 3 = good and 4 = excellent respectively. Chi-square was used to compare the ratings of the techniques. RESULTS: A total of 1764 evaluation components of CAA, BS, and BAJ were included in the analysis.The percentage of respondents rated the following components with a 4 or excellent: CAA (71%), BAJ alone (61%), BS and BAJ combined (56%), and BS alone (54%). A chi square statistic was computed to compare the ratings of the different teaching methods. A chi-square value of 80.37 was obtained (p CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provided valuable information for educational program personnel on the satisfaction rating of the didactic and interactive teaching methods employed in the Bioreadiness training programs. It appears that didactic instruction is preferred to the two interactive methods combined or alone. However, the BioAgent Jeopardy game received the second highest proportion of excellent ratings. This program will be updated as new information emerges and evaluations will continue.
Innate sensing of chitin and chitosan

Chitin is the second most common polysaccharide found in nature. It is present in crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons, parasitic nematode eggs and gut linings, and in the cell wall of fungi. The deacetylated derivative of chitin, chitosan, is less common but is particularly evident in certain species of fungi, such as Cryptococcus, and the cyst wall of Entamoeba. How mammals sense and respond to these polymers is not well understood, and conflicting reports on their immunological activity have led to some controversy. Despite this, promising translational applications that exploit the unique properties of chitin and chitosan are being developed.
Energy differential cross sections for the triple photoionization of lithium

Energy differential cross sections from the triple photoionization of lithium are calculated using the non-perturbative time-dependent close-coupling method. Collision probabilities are found by projection of the time-evolved nine-dimensional coordinate space wavefunction onto a fully antisymmetric product of spatial and spin functions representing three outgoing Coulomb waves. We then derive a differential cross section that is a function of the energy sharing between all three ejected electrons moving in the Coulomb field of the nucleus; i.e. four-body Coulomb break-up. At an incident photon energy of 300 eV, the energy differential cross section for lithium is bowl shaped with magnitudes generally below 10−3 barns/(eV)2; certainly a challenge for future advanced light source experiments.
On the sensitivity of configure‐to‐order supply chains for personal computers after component market disruptions

This empirical study provides evidence linking supply chain strategy and company risk structure. An event study on the stock performance of four major personal computer (PC) producers is performed focusing on the 1999 earthquake in Taiwan and the computer memory price increases that ensued. It is shown that investors associate pull‐type supply chains for PCs with lower profitability after abrupt component price increases. A parallel analysis of push‐type producer stock returns does not show similar results. Furthermore, in‐depth analysis of Dell Computer reveals that after the catastrophe‐induced disruption, the onset of losses to this major pull‐type PC producer was very fast. Far from condemning pull‐type PC supply chains, earthquake‐induced disruptions, like the one researched, pose manageable risks.
Implementation of the single modulus complex ALU

Recently the complex residue number system, or RNS, has been a subject of intense study. One special embodiment of this theory is the single modulus complex RNS processor which suggests both implementation and performance advantages. In this paper these conjectures are tested in the context of a CMOS gate array design and are found to be valid. This work was supported under an ARO grant.
The convergence of conjugate gradient method with nonmonotone line search

Abstract The conjugate gradient method is a useful and powerful approach for solving large-scale minimization problems. Liu and Storey developed a conjugate gradient method, which has good numerical performance but no global convergence under traditional line searches such as Armijo line search, Wolfe line search, and Goldstein line search. In this paper we propose a new nonmonotone line search for Liu-Storey conjugate gradient method (LS in short). The new nonmonotone line search can guarantee the global convergence of LS method and has a good numerical performance. By estimating the Lipschitz constant of the derivative of objective functions in the new nonmonotone line search, we can find an adequate step size and substantially decrease the number of functional evaluations at each iteration. Numerical results show that the new approach is effective in practical computation.
UV assisted oxidation and nitridation of hafnia based thin films for alternate gate dielectric applications

Abstract The synergistic effects of NH 3 ambient and ultraviolet illumination on the dielectric properties of hafnia based gate dielectrics are reported in this paper. The films were processed at relatively low temperatures (∼400 °C) by pulsed laser ablation and UV oxidation technique. UV illumination and the NH 3 ambient created a thin and a denser interfacial layer (at the film–Si interface) comprised of Hf Si O N bonding. As a result of the interfacial layer modification, a leakage current density lower than 10 −4 A/cm 2 and a dielectric constant of ∼21.7 were extracted from the best samples processed in NH 3 and under UV illumination. The nitrogen doped HfO 2 also exhibited a thinner interfacial layer (∼12 A) in comparison to the films processed without NH 3 ambient.
On the site of cortisol inhibition of thymus ribonucleic acid synthesis

Abstract Cortisol, in doses shown to inhibit RNA synthesis by thymus aggregate enzyme, did not alter maximum template activity of chromatin isolated from thymus glands of steroid-treated rats when assayed in the presence of E . coli RNA polymerase. Cortisol was shown, however, to decrease the amount of endogenous thymic RNA polymerase activity extractable from purified nuclear preparations. The magnitude of this effect was similar to the decrease in [ 3 H]-UMP incorporation seen with intact nuclei or aggregate enzyme preparations when assayed without added bacterial RNA polymerase. When aggregate enzyme was obtained from cortisol-treated rats and assayed at low ionic strength (no NH 4 Cl added to assay system) in the presence of added E . coli RNA polymerase, the usual cortisol-induced inhibition of RNA synthesis disappeared; when this same preparation was assayed in the presence of 0.3 M NH 4 Cl, however, the inhibitory effect of cortisol was paradoxically converted to a stimulatory effect. Removal (by extraction) of endogenous RNA polymerase from control aggregate enzyme-like preparations was also shown to cause a stimulation in [ 3 H]-UMP incorporation when the resulting preparation was assayed in the presence of 0.3 M NH 4 C1 and added E . coli RNA polymerase. The paradoxical stimulation in [ 3 H]-UMP incorporation seen after cortisol treatment was therefore explained on the basis that the presence of less endogenous RNA polymerase might allow greater access of the more efficient E . coli RNA polymerase to the template. These results are compatible with the suggestion that cortisol may inhibit thymic RNA synthesis by decreasing the amount, availability or activity of thymic RNA polymerase rather than by an effect on template activity.
Outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias: When and how to treat?

In the 1970s, many studies demonstrated that premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were associated with up to a 3-fold increase in mortality in patients with prior myocardial infarction [1,2]. In subsequent decades, several large series also demonstrated that even in apparently healthy people, this association is still present [3]. When more detailed analysis focuses on specific characteristics of PVCs, the association becomes more nuanced. A study of exerciseinduced PVCs demonstrated that patients with RBBB or multiple-morphology PVCs had increased mortality, but patients with an LBBB morphology alone had unchanged mortality [4]. In this issue of Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, Lerman [5] reviews the current understanding of outflow tract (OT) arrhythmias. Much of this information has come from his own elegant work. As he notes in his review, OT PVCs have often been considered benign: as these idiopathic arrhythmias usually have a LBBB morphology, this may account for the more benign implications of LBBB PVCs. However, OT arrhythmias may cause significant morbidity. When patients present with OT arrhythmias, their symptoms, PVC burden, and left ventricular function should drive decisions about therapy. Patients may have palpitations from isolated ectopy or more sustained episodes. Fatigue or exercise intolerance may also occur due to relative bradycardia: premature ventricular “contractions” often result in very little actual contraction of the ventricle, and patients in bigeminy may have an effective pulse rate that is half the electrical heart rate. Sustained arrhythmias can result in presyncope or syncope. In this setting, the patient should be carefully evaluated for more malignant episodes. OT PVCs can rarely serve as triggers for polymorphic VT and VF, and PVC suppression can prevent recurrent episodes [6].
Pathogenesis and pharmacological strategies for mitigating secondary damage in acute spinal cord injury.

Objective Experimental models and clinical observations of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) support the concepts of primary and secondary injury, in which the initial mechanical insult is succeeded by a series of deleterious events that promote progressive tissue damage and ischemia. Whereas the primary injury is fated by the circumstances of the trauma, the outcome of the secondary injury may be amenable to therapeutic modulation. This article reviews the pathogenetic determinants of these two phases of injury and summarizes the pharmacological manipulations that may restore neurological function after SCI. Methods Experimental models of SCI and their inherent limitations in simulating human SCI are surveyed. The pathogenesis of primary and secondary injury, as well as the theoretical bases of neurological recovery, are examined in detail. The effects of glucocorticoids, lazeroids, gangliosides, opiate antagonists, calcium channel blockers, glutamate receptor antagonists, antioxidants, free radical scavengers, and other pharmacological agents in both animal models and human trials are summarized. Practical limitations to inducing neural regeneration are also addressed. Results The molecular events that mediate the pathogenesis of SCI are logical targets for pharmacological manipulation and include glutamate accumulation, aberrant calcium fluxes, free radical formation, lipid peroxidation, and generation of arachidonic acid metabolites. Enhancement of neural regeneration and plasticity comprise other possible strategies. Conclusion Pharmacological agents must be given within a narrow window of opportunity to be effective. Although many therapeutic agents show potential promise in animal models, only methylprednisolone has been shown in large, randomized, double-blinded human studies to enhance the functional recovery of neural elements after acute SCI. Future therapy is likely to involve various combinations of these agents.
The ATPase, RNA Unwinding, and RNA Binding Activities of Recombinant p68 RNA Helicase

p68 RNA helicase, a nuclear RNA helicase, was identified 2 decades ago. The protein plays very important roles in cell development and organ maturation. However, the biological functions and enzymology of p68 RNA helicase are not well characterized. We report the expression and purification of recombinant p68 RNA helicase in a bacterial system. The recombinant p68 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase. ATPase assays demonstrated that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is much more effective than single-stranded RNA in stimulating ATP hydrolysis by the recombinant protein. Consistently, RNA-binding assays showed that p68 RNA helicase binds single-stranded RNA weakly in an ATP-dependent manner. On the other hand, the recombinant protein has very high affinity for dsRNA. Binding of the protein to dsRNA is ATP-independent. The data indicate that p68 may directly target dsRNA as its natural substrate. Interestingly, the recombinant p68 RNA helicase unwinds dsRNA in both 3′ → 5′ and 5′ → 3′ directions. This is the second example of a Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD) box RNA helicase that unwinds RNA duplexes in a bi-directional manner.
Damage Compounded or Damage Lessened? Disparate Impact or the Compromises of Multiculturalism?

Life-sustaining therapies such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, defibrillation, and hemodialysis became widely available in the United States in the decades of the 60s and ...
Women in computer science: harnessing the power of web 2.0 to draw women to computer science fields

A poster outlining a seminar course targeting freshman women who are undeclared in a major or who are interested in Computer Science (CS). This course is envisioned to showcase to female students (and possibly male students) the broad scope of application in CS that is shaping their future. Taking into account the individual interests of the students, we will develop projects that merge computer science and technology with their interests. For this course we will utilize Web 2.0 technology as a complementary tool in the class since many of the students are already familiar with social networking and other aspects of the technology and will use these to build a CS portfolio.
Fibrin seal—An alternative to suture repair in experimental pulmonary surgery

Fibrin seal (FS) a biological tissue adhesive was evaluated as a sealant of lung parenchyma. New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits underwent a right upper lobe wedge resection. The defect was repaired with FS, suture (S), or a combination of S and FS (SFS). Five rabbits from each treatment group were sacrificed on postoperative Days 1, 3, and 14. The ventilatory pressure required to produce air leak was measured and the wet weight of normal vs hemorrhagic lung tissue determined. Although leak pressure was lowest in FS on Day 1 (P < 0.05), leak pressure was equal to S and SFS of Day 3 and highest on Day 14 (P < 0.01). FS-treated lungs had less hemorrhagic tissue than S and SFS (P < 0.0001). Microscopically S and SFS repairs had large areas of hemorrhagic necrosis while FS showed minimal changes. We conclude that FS is an effective sealant of lung parenchyma.
Enhancement of osteoblast adhesion to UV-photofunctionalized titanium via an electrostatic mechanism

The mechanism underlying the recently found photofunctionalization of titanium is unknown. We focused on how the initial interaction between the cells and photofunctionalized titanium is enhanced at a molecular-level and the role played by the electrostatic status of the titanium surfaces in the possible regulatory mechanism for determining their bioactivity. Rat bone marrow-derived osteoblasts were cultured on untreated and ultraviolet (UV)-treated titanium surfaces. UV treatment converted the titanium surfaces from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic. The number of osteoblasts attached to UV-treated titanium surfaces was substantially greater than that attached to untreated surfaces (5-fold and 2-fold after 3 and 24 h of incubation, respectively). Osteoblasts cultured for 3 and 24 h on these titanium surfaces were detached mechanically by vibrational force and enzymatically by trypsin treatment. Cell adhesion evaluated by the percentage of remaining cells after these detachments was substantially greater for cells on UV-treated titanium surfaces compared to untreated titanium surfaces (110-120% greater for cells incubated for 3 h and 50-60% greater for cells incubated for 24 h). Osteoblasts on UV-treated surfaces expressed more vinculin. UV-enhancing effect in cell adhesion was also demonstrated under a serum-free condition. UV-enhanced cell adhesion was abrogated when the UV-treated titanium surfaces were electrostatically neutralized by either removing the electric charge or masking with monovalent anions, while the surfaces maintained superhydrophilicity. In conclusion, the establishment of osteoblast adhesion is accelerated and augmented remarkably on UV-treated titanium surfaces, associated with upregulated expression of vinculin. This study has identified an electrostatic property of UV-treated titanium surfaces playing a regulatory role in determining their bioactivity, superseding the effect of the hydrophilic nature of these surfaces. A mechanism underlying the UV-induced conversion of titanium from bioinert to bioactive, in which direct cell-titanium interaction is exclusively enabled, is proposed.
The Evolution of Mitral Valve Surgery: 1902–2002

The evolution of the surgical therapy of mitral valve disease emanates from original statements by British cardiologists in 1902 and anecdotal individual surgical cases in 1923 and 1925. Considerable amounts of experimental investigation during these years and after World War II in 1948 finally resulted in the widespread use of closed mitral commissurotomy, a successful therapy for noncalcified mitral stenosis. The history of mitral valve surgery then rapidly progressed with a variety of prosthetic and bioprosthetic valve devices, ultimately, to a considerable number of successful valve repair operations with prosthetic ring annuloplasty. The authors conclude with a discussion of the current status of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, both by direct vision and robotic assistance. The entire evolution of thought and technique of mitral valve surgery is summarized in this paper from 1902-2002.
Rotating-frame nuclear overhauser enhancement spectroscopy of aqueous solutions with elimination of the water resonance by transverse relaxation

We report here that the water resonance can be completely and selectively eliminated from ROESY spectra by the WATR (water attenuation by transverse relaxation) method. Elimination of the water resonance by the WATR method is achieved by selectively decreasing the transverse relaxation time of the water protons by addition of a water proton exchange reagent, and then measuring the spectrum with a delay for transverse relaxation prior to acquisition of the free induction decay
Highlights in clinical autonomic neurosciences: novel insights about vasovagal syncope and postural tachycardia syndrome from autonomic testing.

The Benefit of Pacemaker Therapy in Patients with Presumed Neurally-Mediated Syncope and Documented Asystole is Greater when Tilt Test is Negative. An Analysis from the Third International Study on Syncope of Uncertain Etiology (ISSUE-3). Brignole M, Donateo P, Tomaino M, Massa R, Iori M, Beiras X, Moya A, Kus T, Deharo JC, Giuli S, Gentili A, Sutton R. (Lavagna, Italy) Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2014 Feb;7:10–16
Dynamics of a state variable frictional law in finite element analysis

This paper discusses a state- and rate-dependent frictional model and its implementation in large deformation finite elements. The model features a state variable to describe fading memory of slip history and a Perzyna viscoplastic regularization to quantify the frictional response to rapid slip changes. Some results in nonlinear dynamics for a simple spring mass frictional slider are very briefly presented as background for some frictional induced instabilities in finite elements that are discussed next. Comparison with available experimental data is performed and an overall good agreement is observed where a simple Coulomb law failed to predict reasonable results.
Finite volume treatment of dispersion-relation-preserving and optimized prefactored compact schemes for wave propagation

In developing suitable numerical techniques for computational aero-acoustics, the dispersion-relation-preserving (DRP) scheme by Tam and co-workers and the optimized prefactored compact (OPC) scheme by Ashcroft and Zhang have shown desirable properties of reducing both dissipative and dispersive errors. These schemes, originally based on the finite difference, attempt to optimize the coefficients for better resolution of short waves with respect to the computational grid while maintaining pre-determined formal orders of accuracy. In the present study, finite volume formulations of both schemes are presented to better handle the nonlinearity and complex geometry encountered in many engineering applications. Linear and nonlinear wave equations, with and without viscous dissipation, have been adopted as the test problems. Highlighting the principal characteristics of the schemes and utilizing linear and nonlinear wave equations with different wavelengths as the test cases, the performance of these approaches is documented. For the linear wave equation, there is no major difference between the DRP and OPC schemes. For the nonlinear wave equations, the finite volume version of both DRP and OPC schemes offers substantially better solutions in regions of high gradient or discontinuity.
Urine and plasma galactitol in patients with galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency galactosemia

Urinary excretion of galactitol was determined in 95 normals (N/N), 67 galactosemic (G/G), and 39 compound heterozygotes for the Duarte and galactosemia genotype (D/G). Galactitol excretion is age-dependent in both normal individuals and patients with classic galactosemia on lactose-restricted diets. In galactosemic patients who are homozygous for the Q188R mutation, urinary galactitol levels were fivefold to 10-fold higher than those of normal subjects of comparable age. All but a few patients with classic galactosemia with the Q188R mutation and another mutant G allele had urinary excretion comparable to the Q188R homozygous patients. African-American galactosemic patients with the S135L mutation of the galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) gene also excreted abnormal quantities of galactitol. Most subjects with a Duarte allele and a G allele excrete normal amounts of the sugar alcohol. There is a correlation between galactitol excretion and red blood cell (RBC) galactose-1-phosphate (gal-1-P). Plasma galactitol was also elevated in galactosemic patients (3.4 to 23.2 micromol/L; undetectable in normal individuals). In contrast to the decrease in urinary galactitol with age, plasma levels remain in a narrow concentration range with no significant difference with age. Urine and plasma galactitol distinguish galactosemic patients from normals. In addition, urinary galactitol excretion may be an important parameter for the assessment of steady-state galactose metabolism in galactosemia.
Statistical analysis of dark count rate in Geiger-mode APD FPAs

We present a temporal statistical analysis of the array-level dark count behavior of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) focal plane arrays that distinguishes between Poissonian intrinsic dark count rate and non-Poissonian crosstalk counts by considering “inter-arrival” times between successive counts from the entire array. For 32 x 32 format sensors with 100 μm pixel pitch, we show the reduction of crosstalk for smaller active area sizes within the pixel. We also compare the inter-arrival time behavior for arrays with narrow band (900 - 1100 nm) and broad band (900 - 1600 nm) spectral response. We then consider a similar analysis of larger format 128 x 32 arrays. As a complement to the temporal analysis, we describe the results of a spatial analysis of crosstalk events. Finally, we propose a simple model for the impact of crosstalk events on the Poissonian statistics of intrinsic dark counts that provides a qualitative explanation for the results of the inter-arrival time analysis for arrays with varying degrees of crosstalk.
Cupric Ion Location and Adsorbate Interactions in Cu(II) Exchanged Erionite-like SAPO-17 Molecular Sieve

Erionite-like silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve SAPO-17 has been synthesized using cyclohexylamine as the organic structure directing molecule. The location of Cu(II) ions exchanged into H-SAPO-17 and the interaction of Cu(II) ions with water, ammonia, methanol, and ethylene have been investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) and electron spin echo modulation (ESEM) techniques. Simulation parameters of the 31P ESEM spectrum suggest that the hydrated Cu(II) complex, CuII(H2O)6, is located in the erionite supercage. During dehydration some of the bare Cu(II) ions migrate into the smaller cancrinite cage. Room temperature adsorption of D2O on CuH-SAPO-17 after dehydration at 723 K and subsequent O2 treatment and evacuation at the same temperature (activation) forms a Cu−aquo complex with axially symmetric ESR parameters (g|| = 2.391 and A|| = 0.0142 cm-1). This complex is suggested to be CuII(D2O)3 based on 2D ESEM data. Adsorption of ND3 on activated CuH-SAPO-17 produces CuII(ND3)3 with axially sym...
ARF6-Mediated Endosome Recycling Reverses Lipid Accumulation Defects in Niemann-Pick Type C Disease

In human Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease, endosomal trafficking defects lead to an accumulation of free cholesterol and other lipids in late endosome/lysosome (LE/LY) compartments, a subsequent block in cholesterol esterification and significantly reduced cholesterol efflux out of the cell. Here we report that nucleotide cycling or cellular knockdown of the small GTP-binding protein, ARF6, markedly impacts cholesterol homeostasis. Unregulated ARF6 activation attenuates the NPC phenotype at least in part by decreasing cholesterol accumulation and restoring normal sphingolipid trafficking. These effects depend on ARF6-stimulated cholesterol efflux out of the endosomal recycling compartment, a major cell repository for free cholesterol. We also show that fibroblasts derived from different NPC patients displayed varying levels of ARF6 that is GTP-bound, which correlate with their response to sustained ARF6 activation. These studies support emerging evidence that early endocytic defects impact NPC disease and suggest that such heterogeneity in NPC disease could result in diverse responses to therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating the trafficking of lipids.
British Exploration in the Nineteenth Century: A Historiographical Survey

This article examines the historiography on nineteenth-century British exploration, tracing major themes in the scholarship on the subject. It credits the work of Edward Said, Mary Louise Pratt, and Paul Carter as the main inspiration for the resurgence of academic interest in the history and literature of travel and exploration, though it also indicates that there are important limitations to the approach they pioneered. The article then traces two key themes of recent work on exploration. The first theme concerns the institutional, social, and intellectual forces in Britain that inspired the exploration of other lands and oversaw its operations. The second theme concerns the cultural encounter between explorers and indigenous peoples, which ranged in its effects from the psychic to the political realm.
Disentangling Perceptions of Subtle Racist Speech: A Cultural Perspective

This investigation assesses E. Hall's 1976 communication context as one explanatory mechanism governing interethnic perceptions of subtle racist speech. Six hundred thirteen participants evaluated the perceived harm of direct and indirect racist slurs made by a White (European American) speaker to a non-White (Asian, African, or Hispanic American) target. A series of 2×2×2 (Message Explicitness: Direct vs. Indirect × Group Membership: In-Group vs. Out-Group × Racial Slurs: Roommate vs. Class Discussion) mixed-effects ANOVAs revealed that lower and higher context communication styles mediated the perception of racist speech harm. Asian Americans were more sensitive to the communication context, evaluating indirect racist speech as the most problematic; whereas European, African, and Hispanic Americans relied more on the actual message, rating direct racist statements most disturbing. Both theoretical and applied implications of the findings are discussed.
Selective alkylation and Suzuki coupling as an efficient strategy for introducing functional anchors to the ethylene-bis(indenyl) ligand

Abstract Chiral ansa -ethylene-bis(indenyl)-metal complexes, EBI–MX 2 , are useful pre-catalysts for a wide variety of reactions, including hydrogenations, hydrosilylations, and polymerization reactions. In order to immobilize these complexes onto heterogeneous supports, a new methodology was developed to introduce functional anchors to the ethylene-bis(indenyl) ligand, EBI. This was accomplished by selective alkylation of indene to form toluene-4-sulfonic acid 2-(3 H -inden-1-yl)-ethyl ester, which was then used to alkylate 6-bromoindene. The selective introduction of an aryl bromide then undergoes coupling reactions with aryl borates via the Suzuki coupling to efficiently introduce an alkenyl or alcohol, functional anchor in a simple four step synthesis.
Rat brain PCP receptors: Alterations in binding parameters following chronic administration of opiate agonists and antagonists

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a widely abused drug of the arylcyclohexylamine class which is capable of producing symptoms of acute psychosis in man. PCP interacts with a specific CNS receptor, for which a putative endogenous peptide ligand has been identified. We have investigated whether PCP receptor binding parameters are modulated by activity in central opiate pathways. We have found that chronic administration of both an opiate agonist (etonitazene) and an opiate antagonist (naloxone) are able to decrease the affinity of the PCP receptor for TCP, a thienyl derivative of PCP. Furthermore, naloxone, but not etonitazene, resulted in a significant increase in the Bmax of TCP binding to the PCP receptor. These results suggest that neural activity mediated by CNS opioids systems is capable of affecting the binding parameters of the PCP receptor.
Hypercalcemia decreases bile flow and increases biliary calcium in the prairie dog

Background. Biliary calcium is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of gallstones. Calcium salts are present in all pigment gallstones and are also present in the core of most, if not all, cholesterol gallstones. Methods. The effects of acute hypercalcemia on bile flow and biliary calcium secretion were examined in 22 prairie dogs during intravenous taurocholate infusion (0, 1.0, 2.25, and 4.5 μmol/kg/min). Results. Bile flow was linearly correlated with bile acid output in both control (y=7.62x+13.5, r=0.98) and hypercalcemic (y=7.00x+10.4, r=0.96) animals At lower bile acid outputs ( ++ μmol taurocholate, p Conclusions. Hypercalcemia decreases bile flow and increases biliary ionized calcium concentration in the prairie dog. These effects favor the precipitation of calcium salts in bile.
Establishing a national biological laboratory safety and security monitoring program.

The growing concern over the potential use of biological agents as weapons and the continuing work of the Biological Weapons Convention has promoted an interest in establishing national biological laboratory biosafety and biosecurity monitoring programs. The challenges and issues that should be considered by governments, or organizations, embarking on the creation of a biological laboratory biosafety and biosecurity monitoring program are discussed in this article. The discussion focuses on the following questions: Is there critical infrastructure support available? What should be the program focus? Who should be monitored? Who should do the monitoring? How extensive should the monitoring be? What standards and requirements should be used? What are the consequences if a laboratory does not meet the requirements or is not willing to comply? Would the program achieve the results intended? What are the program costs? The success of a monitoring program can depend on how the government, or organization, respo...
The early repolarization normal variant electrocardiogram: Correlates and consequences

Abstract Purpose We compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients with "early repolarization" electrocardiograms (ECGs) with those who had normal ECGs. Methods In 1983 to 1985, we collected photocopies of 2234 selected ECGs from 73,088 patients undergoing health examinations. Excluding 153 ECGs with missing data or that were judged to be abnormal, the remaining ECGs were reinterpreted in 2000 by cardiologists as showing early repolarization (n = 670), or being borderline (n = 330) or normal (n = 1081). Characteristics and outcomes of persons with early repolarization ECGs were compared with those who had normal ECGs using analysis of variance, logistic regression, or proportional hazards models. Information on exercise was available in 325 patients. Results Patients with early repolarization were more likely to be male (81% [n = 583] vs. 33% [n = 360]), P Conclusion Although especially prevalent in young, athletic, black men, early repolarization is not rare in other patients. The long-term prognosis of early repolarization is benign.
An Economic Evaluation of Alternative Management Systems for Commercial Fisheries

Abstract It has been widely accepted for a long time that demand conditions for the products of a common property commercial fishery resource can lead to biological overfishing of the resource. The consequences of biological overfishing are readily recognized as being undesirable from the viewpoint of both fish and mankind. In economic terms, biological overfishing can be described as a condition which requires more capital and labor to produce less fish than would be true if fishing effort were reduced to a point at which biological overfishing was eliminated. This implies the necessity of a management system. The critical question then is this: If exploitation of a common property resource is to be managed, what objective should be sought in the management program employed? Economic objectives require that the fishery operate on the highest possible revenue curve and lowest possible cost curve for the industry. This means that vessels and manpower must be used efficiently.
Tumor necrosis factor-α analyzed within individual macrophages by combined immunocytochemistry and computer-aided image analysis

Abstract Immunocytochemical staining procedures were combined with computer-aided image analysis to quantitate the relative intracellular production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) within individual macrophages. Optimal conditions for time and methods for the activation of TNF production, fixation of cells for optimal immunocytochemical staining, and image analysis methods were determined. Thioglycolate elicited peritoneal macrophages were readily activated to significantly increased levels of intracellular TNF, as early as 1 hr after activation with lypopolysaccharide (LPS) + interferon-γ; maximum intracellular TNF was evident after 2–3 hr. Both LPS and interferon-γ was necessary to increase intracellular TNF. Normal alveolar macrophages also readily produced increased intracellular TNF, but normal peritoneal and splenic macrophages were poorly activated to TNF production. Acid stripping of receptor bound TNF allowed discrimination between intracellular TNF/integral membrane TNF, and TNF-receptor-bound TNF. Results stress the importance of studying these TNF forms early after activation. Applications for TNF quantitation by these means are discussed.
Biological activities of mammalian and teleostean prolactins and growth hormones on mouse mammary gland and teleost urinary bladder.

Two in vitro bioassays are described for measuring the biological activities of prolactins and growth hormones, using the mouse mammary gland and the teleost (Gillichthys) urinary bladder. Prolactins of sheep, rat and pig, human growth hormone (hGH) and human placental lactogen (hPL) stimulated mammary casein synthesis. Bovine growth hormone was weakly active; rat growth hormone was inactive on the mammary gland, as was purified teleost (Tilapia) prolactin (tPRL). Mammalian prolactins, tPRL and hGH reduced Gillichthys urinary bladder water permeability, whereas nonhuman growth hormones and hPL were ineffective. The unequal activities in the mammary gland and in the fish bladder assays shown by hPL and tPRL suggest that hormonal interaction with teleost and mammalian target organs is specified by different structural features of the prolactin/growth hormone family of proteins.
Evaluating best practices for social model programs for adults with Alzheimer's disease in South Carolina.

ABSTRACT Our study has two objectives. First, we reviewed the literature, and identified best practices for social model day programs providing care for adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Second, in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with directors in all social model day programs (n = 21) dedicated to serving adults with AD in South Carolina to compare practices to those identified. Programs implemented many best practices, despite their rural location and small size. All programs assessed clients' activity preferences, and reassessed activity effectiveness regularly. Most programs provided volunteers and staff with AD-focused training. Many programs incorporated innovative programming such as intergenerational activities. Most programs were offered in a setting not designed for adult day services; thus many programs did not provide suggested environmental features such as extra lighting or walking paths. Most programs evaluated activities from care-givers' perspectives. All programs provided s...
Confocal microscopy and image processing techniques for online monitoring of engineered tissue

Evaluation of engineered tissue is often limited to endpoint analyses, such as characterizing histology, gene expression and solutes [1]. Most of these applied analysis approaches are based on immunochemistry procedures that require excision, fixation and sectioning of the tissue as well as cell membrane perforation and labeling of proteins [2]. These analyses are time-consuming, do not facilitate high throughput processing and do not allow for online monitoring of engineered tissue. Because of these limitations, there is a need for online, high throughput monitoring techniques to evaluate engineered tissue. In this work, we introduce an approach for microscopic imaging and online analysis of living engineered tissue. The approach is based on application of a non-toxic dye specific for the extracellular space and subsequent interrogation by in vivo confocal microcopy. We hypothesized that the approach will allow for online characterization of cell structure.© 2009 ASME
In vitro selection of resistance to vancomycin in bloodstream isolates of Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether vancomycin-resistant strains ofStaphylococcus haemolyticus could be selected regardless of the initial MIC of vancomycin. Twenty-one bloodstream isolates ofStaphylococcus haemolyticus were studied by broth and agar selection methods. The broth method selected strains for which MICs of vancomycin ranged from 4 to 32 µg/ml and MBCs from 16 to>128 µg/ml. The agar method selected strains for which MICs ranged from 8 to 32 µg/ml and MBCs from 8 to>128 µg/ml. For comparison, seven strains ofStaphylococcus epidermidis were evaluated by the agar selection method. Final MICs of vancomycin ranged from 8 to 16 µg/ml; MBCs ranged from 16 to 64 µg/ml. Clearly, in vitro exposure to vancomycin can select strains ofStaphylococcus haemolyticus andStaphylococcus epidermidis for which MIC values are beyond the susceptible breakpoint.
Information search as a function of conceptual and environmental complexity

Individuals operating at complex and at simple levels of conceptual structure played a tactical game for three ½-hr. periods. There was a negative relationship between information input and subsequent information search. Conceptually simple Ss, while generally requesting more information, wanted feedback about ongoing events; complex Ss requested information about new aspects of the game.
Beyond Boundary Spanning: Managing External Dependence in Product Development Teams

Abstract Data from 409 members of forty-five new product teams in five high technology companies indicate the existence of four sets of boundary management activities which can be labeled Ambassador, Task Coordinator, Scout, and Guard. These activities are related to the frequency, type, and destination of communications between team members and others. This article describes these activities and examines the impact of individual and environmental variables on the frequency in which individual team members engage in them.
Solubility of inert gases in PFC blood substitute, blood plasma, and mixtures.

Measurements are reported of the solubility of nonreactive gases, e.g., hydrogen and xenon, in the following liquids: (a) Oxypherol (FC-43 emulsion) blood substitute, (b) blood plasma, (c) mixtures of Oxypherol and blood plasma, and (d) perfluorotributylamine. Typical results for Ostwald solubility at 25°C for Xe gas in various liquids are 0.118 in H2O, 0.12 in blood plasma, and 1.51 in N(C4F9)3. Observed solubilities for the mixtures can be calculated from the relation: L(mixture) = L(emulsion)xv(emulsion) + L (plasma) xv (plasma), in which the v's are the volume fractions in the mixture. This linear relation implies that the gas dissolves independently in each liquid in the mixture. The effect of the emulsifier (Pluronic F-68, 2.6Z), on gas solubility in the mixture, is small. Results for the temperature dependence of Ostwald solubility, L(T), in the range 10–37°C are reported.
Facility for Exercising Dairy Cows

Abstract That dairy cows housed in confinement might benefit if they were exercised during the dry period prompted development of a facility for exercising dairy cows. Two models of the exerciser, which consist of a circular lane and a driving mechanism powered by a variable speed electric motor, are described. A speed of 3.5km per h provides a steady but comfortable pace for pregnant dairy cows and heifers. Many animals refused to go at speeds greater than 5.5km per h.
Intra-atrial tumor thrombi secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma responding to chemotherapy

Context : Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 1-2.5% of all cancer in America with extension to inferior vena cava and right atrium in 1-4% of the cases. Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma invading the right heart are considered poor candidates for surgery. In the past, such patients had dismal prognosis due to complications like pulmonary embolism and sudden death. Case Report : Our patient was admitted with worsening jaundice, abdominal pain and significant weight loss. Abdominal ultrasound, elevated alfa feto-protein levels and computerized tomography pointed to the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated two masses in the right atrium with the base of masses extending from inferior vena cava into right atrium. The patient was diagnosed to have stage IV heptaocellular carcinoma. This is associated with dismal prognosis. But after being started on sorafenib, the tumor regressed considerably and was barely discernable on echocardiography performed a month later. Conclusion : Though aggressive surgical resection is the best therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma, it may not always be possible and in such cases combination of different therapeutic approaches such as chemotherapeutic agents, radiotherapy and chemoembolization may improve survival.
Effect of Current Crowding on Microstructural Evolution at Rail-Armature Contacts in Railguns

During firing of a railgun, the armature typically undergoes melting at the rail-armature contact and deposits melt on the rail, thereby reducing rail life. This melting starts at the trailing edge of the armature, and can be attributed to current crowding and localized Joule heating. This paper reports on dual laboratory-scale armature tests, one with current and one without, and by microstructural analysis of the two armatures, demonstrates that localized Joule heating due to current crowding is the principal source of melting, with frictional heating playing a much smaller role. The paper reports on microstructural changes in the armature due to Joule heating, along with associated degradation of the rail surface. It evaluates the impact of skin effect in the rail and the electrical contact conductance at the rail-armature interface on current crowding at the points of entry and exit of the current into and from the armature. In general, reduction of current crowding decreases the peak temperature at the rail-armature interface. But while reducing interfacial contact conductance reduces current crowding, it enhances the peak temperature and causes more melting.
Psychosocial correlates of intention to receive an influenza vaccination among rural adolescents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently expanded annual influenza vaccination recommendations to include all children 6 months through 18 years of age. Adolescent attitudes toward influenza vaccination may play a key role in reaching this newly added age group. This study examined the association between attitudes toward influenza vaccination and intention to be vaccinated among rural adolescents. Data were collected from baseline surveys distributed to adolescents in September/October 2008, prior to the H1N1 influenza pandemic, in two counties participating in a school-based influenza vaccination intervention trial in rural Georgia (N 5 337). Survey items were based on constructs from the Health Belief Model and the Integrated Behavioral Model. Approximately one-third of participants (33.8%) intended to receive an influenza vaccination, 33.5% did not intend to be vaccinated and 28.8% were unsure. Controlling for background factors, intention to receive an influenza vaccination was associated with low perceived barriers [odds ratio (OR) 5 0.77, P < 0.001], injunctive norms (OR 5 1.23, P 5 0.002) and receipt of influenza vaccination in the past year (OR 5 6.21, P < 0.001). Findings suggest that perceived barriers and injunctive social norms may influence vaccination acceptance among rural adolescents. Future influenza vaccination efforts geared toward rural middle and high school students may benefit from addressing adolescent attitudes toward influenza vaccination.