cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of chemical protective equipment on team process performance in small unit rescue operations

In the event of a nuclear, biological, or chemical terrorist attack against civilians, both military and civilian emergency response teams must be able to respond and operate efficiently while wearing protective equipment. Chemical protective equipment protects the user by providing a barrier between the individual and hazardous environment. Unfortunately, the same equipment that is designed to support the user can potentially cause heat stress, reduced task efficiency, and reduced range-of-motion. Targeted Acceptable Responses to Generated Events of Tasks (TARGETS), an event-based team performance measurement methodology was used to investigate the effects of Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) on the behavioral processes underlying team performance during simulated rescue tasks. In addition, this study determined which team processes were related to team performance outcomes. Results of six primary analyses indicated that team process performance was not degraded by MOPP 4 on any rescue task and that the team processes critical for successful task performance are task-dependent. This article discusses the implications of these results with respect to the study design and the limitations of using an event-based team performance measurement methodology.
Generalized pearson distributions and nonlinear programing

A generalization of the Pearson curves is obtained as the solution to the differential equation which best fits a histogram in the mean square and satisfies certain statistical constraints, e.g., the mean and variance may be prescribed. Φ is the theoretical distribution defined on the intervel is a rational function with numerator and denomenator orders of mand n, respevtively. The values of the coefficients in are obtained from a Powell minimization of the mean-square value plus sum-of-squares constraints. Excellent fits are obtained effciently which, furthermore, are capable of providing an analytical representation of an infinite tail. An accurate initial approximation of for starting the Powell minimization is obtained from a symbol manipulation code in PL/1—Formac and based on the visual decomposition of a histogram into sums of normal curves.
The Anatomic Relationship of the Esophageal Lead to the Left Atrium

This study was undertaken to establish the “in vivo” anatomic relationship of the esophageal catheter to the left atrium. Fourteen patients, seven of whom had enlarged left atria, were included in the study. During cardiac calheterization, a bipolar recording catheter was placed in ihe esophagus; left atrial cineangiograms were then obtained in the posterior-anterior (PA), left anterior oblique (LAO), and lateral views. The distance of the esophageal catheter, in each of four commonly used positions, to the interatrial septum-right atrium was measured in the PA and LAO cineangiograms. The distance from the same catheter positions to the posterior left atrial wall was measured from the lateral view. In all positions and regardless of left atrial size, the catheter clearly lay behind the left atrium and was closer (0 the left atrial wall than any other cardiac structure, including the interatrial septum. Bipolar electrograms were recorded from the four commonly used esophageal locations; afrial wave amplitude and other parameters of the electrogram deflection did not vary significantly in ihe different lead positions. We conclude that esophageal electrograms reflect left atrial activity by virtue of the recording electrode's clear proximity to this structure. The amplitude and configuration of the atriai wave itself is generally not useful in determining the position of the esophageal lead.
Effects of 2-­‐dimensional and 3-­‐ dimensional media exposure training in a tank recognition task

This investigation explores the differences between two types of military vehicle training: a current training method (2-dimensional, military-issued cards) and a novel method using 3-dimensional 1:35 scale models. Participant performance was tested in 3 areas: an identification task (can you name this vehicle?), a recognition task (have you seen this vehicle before?) and a friend/foe differentiation task. All three tasks were tested in both two dimensions (Training cards) and three dimensions (1:35 models). The performance results of the tasks support the integration of 3D training.
11.1.1 Using Natural Value-Centric Time Scales for Conceptualizing System Timelines through Epoch-Era Analysis

A traditional approach to system design is to optimize the system with regard to a set of system objectives, as defined in a given context. This approach falls short when designing systems that are capable of delivering sustained value to stakeholders in the face of a rapidly changing world. In order to achieve this value robustness, systems should be designed using natural value-centric time scales, as defined by their contexts, for conceptualizing system timelines. EpochEraAnalysis is an approach that provides for visualization and a structured way to think about the temporal system value environment. This paper discusses Epoch-Era Analysis as central to a tradespace exploration process for system design comparison and selection, invoking passive or active value robustness design strategies. The analysis can also serve as a socio-technical bridge, integrating the tradespace exploration activities of architects and engineers, which may be traditionally independent efforts in contemporary engineering programs.
Immune complex nephritis in rats induced by long-term oral exposure to cadmium.

Abstract Oral administration of 100 and 200 ppm of cadmium in drinking water induced a diffuse membranous glomerulo-nephritis in rats after 30 weeks of exposure. Light microscopical, immunofluorescence and electron microscopic studies showed that the immunocomplex formed induced glomerular nephritis. The pathological changes were more pronouced in the rats treated with the lower doses of cadmium.
Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in patient outcomes after craniotomy for tumor in adult patients in the United States, 1988-2004

OBJECTIVE: Racial disparities in American health care outcomes are well documented. We investigated racial disparities in hospital mortality and adverse discharge disposition after brain tumor craniotomies performed in the United States from 1988 to 2004. We explored potential explanations for the disparities. METHODS: The data source was the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. We used multivariate ordinal logistic regression corrected for clustering by hospital and adjusted for age, sex, primary payer for care, income in postal code of residence, geographic region, admission type and source, medical comorbidity, treatment year, hospital case volume, and disease-specific factors. Random-effects pooling was also used. RESULTS: A total of 99 665 craniotomies were studied. Hospital mortality and adverse discharge disposition (any discharge other than directly home) were more likely in black patients than others for all tumor types. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for blacks were: hospital craniotomy mortality (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.32-2.03; P < .001), and adverse discharge disposition (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.31-1.56; P < .001). Medicaid patients had higher mortality, while private-pay patients had lower mortality. Hospital annual case volume was lower for black and Hispanic patients and for those with Medicaid as the primary payer in pooled analyses, whereas patients with private insurance received care at higher-volume hospitals. Black patients generally presented with higher disease severity, including more emergency or urgent admissions (OR,1.71; 95% CI, 1.54-1.89; P < .001); more hemiparesis and hemiplegia for primary tumors, meningiomas, and metastases (P < .04 for all); and more hydrocephalus for acoustic neuromas (P= .1). CONCLUSION: Black patients died more often or had an adverse discharge disposition after tumor craniotomies in the United States in the period studied (1988-2004). Blacks had more severe disease at presentation and were treated at lower-volume hospitals for surgery. Other socially defined patient groups also showed disparities in access and outcomes of care.
The development of in situ photon-in/photon-out soft X-ray spectroscopy on beamline 7.0.1 at the ALS

Abstract This is a mini-review about the development of various cells built over the years for in situ electronic structure study of gas molecules, molecular liquids, gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces. In the study of gas molecules, the role of the parity selection rule in the case of homonuclear diatomic molecules (N 2 and O 2 ) is revealed and illustrated by the resonant X-ray emission spectra, while the occurrence of forbidden transitions in CO 2 is explained in terms of dynamical symmetry breaking due to vibronic coupling. X-ray emission spectroscopy has been used to elucidate the molecular structure of liquid water, liquid methanol, methanol–water mixtures, as well as cation–water solutions, and to reveal the influence of the intermolecular interaction on the local electronic structure of water molecules. The in situ soft X-ray spectroscopy experimental studies of electrochemical reactions were also performed under ambient conditions.
A balancing strategy

Abstract Suppose x 1 , x 2 ,…, is a sequence of vectors in R k , ‖ X n ‖⩽1, where ‖( x 1 ,…, x k )‖ = max j | x j |. An algorithm is given for choosing a corresponding sequence e 1 , e 2 ,…, of numbers, e n = ±1, so that ‖ e 1 x 1 + … + e n x n ‖ remains small.
Comparison of Hydroacoustic and Net Estimates of Fish Guidance Efficiency of an Extended Submersible Bar Screen at John Day Dam

Abstract We compared results of the hydroacoustic and netting methods of estimating guided and unguided fish passage and evaluated fish-guidance efficiency (FGE) of an extended submersible bar screen at John Day Dam on the Columbia River. Hydroacoustic counts of guided fish were significantly correlated with concurrent gatewell catches (r2 = 0.73; N = 39), as were hydroacoustic counts of unguided fish with fyke-net catches (r2 = 0.71; N = 39). However, hydroacoustic sampling significantly underestimated both guided and unguided fish passage relative to netting estimates. We could not explain the underestimates by modeling hydroacoustic detectability, and the distribution of fish passage across the intake width was not skewed away from transducer sampling volumes. Hydroacoustics provided relatively unbiased estimates of fish guidance efficiency (guided/(guided + unguided)) because of compensating errors in the numerator and denominator. The best correlation between net and hydroacoustic estimates of effici...
Old Enzymes, New Tricks: Sirtuins Are NAD+-Dependent De-acylases

Seven mammalian sirtuins are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+-dependent deacetylases and are important modulators of energy metabolism and stress resistance. Two new studies by Du et al. (2011) and Peng et al. (2011) identify a new enzymatic activity for SIRT5, expanding the cellular repertoire of posttranslational modifications targeted by the sirtuins.
Adsorptive stripping measurements of chromium and uranium at iridium-based mercury electrodes

Iridium-based mercury electrodes are shown to be very suitable for adsorptive stripping measurements of chromium and uranium in the presence of the DTPA and propyl gallate complexing agents. The well-adhered mercury hemispherical electrode offers remarkable durability to withstand various manipulations expected under field deployment and the “pure” mercury surface essential for efficient adsorptive accumulation of the corresponding metal chelates. An electrochemical “cleaning” step ensures complete removal of the adsorbed metal chelate at the end of each run. The same hemispherical surface is thus used over a prolonged period of over five weeks, performing hundreds of runs with RSDs lower than 10%. Detection limits of 0.4 μg/L uranium and 0.5 μg/L chromium are obtained following a 10 min adsorptive accumulation. The electrode responds rapidly to the “switching” between solutions of low and high concentrations of chromium or uranium. Proper choice of the constant current used for stripping potentiometric m...
Synthesis and secretion of juvenile hormone binding protein by fat body from the cockroach Leucophaea maderae: Protein a immunoassay

Fat body maintained in vitro from adult female Leucophaea maderae synthesizes and secretes at least two peptides (275 and 220 kDa by SDS-PAGE) that can be photoaffinity labelled with the juvenile hormone analog 10-[10,11-3H]epoxyfarnesyl diazoacetate ([3H]EFDA). To determine if the synthesis of these peptides by the fat body is a stage-dependent phenomenon, a protein A immunoassay (PAA assay) for quantifying rates of [3H]leucine incorporation into these peptides was set up and its specificity of binding monitored. To produce antibodies specific for these peptides, hybridoma technology was utilized. Hemolymph juvenile hormone-binding protein (JHBP) was semi-purified on sucrose gradients and used to immunize BALB/c mice. After the mice displayed a relatively high immunotiter to a JHBP solution, their spleens were used for the production of IgG-secreting hybridomas. Successful fusions were initially screened by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], while the specificity of the secreted antibody was determined by using migration patterns of IgG-linked JHBPs on sucrose gradients and reactivity on Western blots. Fixed staphylococci were used as a solid phase adsorbent for isolating [3H]leucine-labelled antigen-antibody complexes. Identification of the isolated IgG-complexed [3H]leucine-peptides by SDS-PAGE fluorography demonstrated the specificity of the staphylococcal protein A immunoassay. Using this immunoassay we have measured rates of synthesis and secretion of [3H]leucine-JHBPs from fat body maintained in vitro and have found their synthesis to be stage-dependent. Fat bodies from early virgin females were least active, while fat bodies from mated females were most active. Injections of JH III into decapitated virgin females stimulated the synthesis of the JHBPs, while mineral oil injections had no effect.
Some molecular and functional changes in high molecular weight kininogen induced by plasmin and trypsin

When purified human HMW-kininogen was digested by plasmin, its specific antigenic properties were initially enhanced and then gradually destroyed, but its clot-promoting activity (Fitzgerald factor activity) was only slightly decreased. When endogenous serum plasminogen was activated by streptokinase, similar alterations in specific HMW-kininogen antigens and Fitzgerald factor activity occurred. In contrast, trypsin induced increased antigenic properties initially, but readily destroyed the Fitzgerald factor activity and less readily destroyed the specific HMW-kininogen antigenic properties in purified HMW-kininogen and in normal human serum. When normal serum was treated with streptokinase, the antigenic properties shared by HMW and LMW-kininogens were in Sephadex G-200 fractions of lower molecular weight than in the case of untreated serum, but the elution volumes of specific HMW-kininogen antigens and Fitzgerald factor activity were not significantly altered. When prekallikrein-deficient serum was subjected to the same G-200 gel filtration process, there was a broad overlap in the elution volumes of antigens shared by both HMW and LMW-kininogens with specific HMW-kininogen antigenic and coagulant properties, which remained after streptokinase treatment of the serum. Depsite the disparate rates of destruction of the antigenic and clot-promoting portion of HMW-kininogen by proteases these properties did not separate from one another during ion exchange chromatography.
The Articulation of Work Through Interaction

This paper offers a set of related concepts for analyzing the interactional mechanics of how work is carried out in organizations, and for analyzing the structural/organizational conditions that bear upon work performance. Our analytic discussion centers around four main concepts: (a) articulation, (b) arrangements, (c) the process of working things out, and (d) stance. These concepts directly connect interaction to work and explain why work performance often bogs down and breaks down.
Postischemic Infusion of 17-β-Estradiol Protects Myocardial Function and Viability

Background Females demonstrate improved cardiac recovery after ischemia/reperfusion injury compared with males. Attenuation of myocardial dysfunction with preischemic estradiol suggests that estrogen may be an important mediator of this cardioprotection. However, it remains unclear whether post-injury estradiol may have clinical potential in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. We hypothesize that postischemic administration of 17β-estradiol will decrease myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and improve left ventricular cardiac function. Materials and methods Adult male Sprague Dawley rat hearts ( n = 20) (Harlan, Indianapolis, IN) were isolated, perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution via Langendorff model, and subjected to 15 min of equilibration, 25 min of warm ischemia, and 40 min reperfusion. Experimental hearts received postischemic 17β-estradiol infusion, 1 n m ( n = 4), 10 n m ( n = 4), 25 n m ( n = 4), or 50 n m ( n = 4), throughout reperfusion. Control hearts ( n = 4) were infused with perfusate vehicle. Results Postischemic recovery of left ventricular developed pressure was significantly greater with 1 n m (51.6% ± 7.4%) and 10 n m estradiol (47.7% ± 8.6%) than with vehicle (37.8% ± 9.7%) at end reperfusion. There was also greater recovery of the end diastolic pressure with 1 n m (47.8 ± 4.0 mmHg) and 10 n m estradiol (54.0 ± 4.0) compared with vehicle (75.3 ± 7.5). Further, 1 n m and 10 n m estrogen preserved coronary flow after ischemia and decreased coronary effluent lactated dehydrogenase compared with controls. Estrogen at 25 n m and 50 n m did not provide additional benefit in terms of functional recovery. Estrogen at all concentrations increased extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase phosphorylation. Conclusions Postischemic infusion of 17β-estradiol protects myocardial function and viability. The attractive potential for the clinical application of postischemic estrogen therapy warrants further study to elucidate the mechanistic pathways and differences between males and females.
Stiffness matrix of parabolic beam element

Abstract The stiffness coefficient matrix is derived for a parabolic beam element of constant section. Effects of flexural, axial and shear deformation are taken into account. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the application of the parabolic beam element.
Structural changes in proteins adsorbed on polymer surfaces

The adsorption and desorption of plasma proteins—albumin, γ-globulin, and fibrinogen—on copolypeptide and silicone surfaces have been studied. The process is characterized by three stages; an initial brief period where adsorption is reversible; a second phase where the adsorbed proteins undergo a slow conformation change based on the period of adsorption and where protein is essentially irreversibly adsorbed; in the final stage, denatured material is slowly desorbed. In the second stage the process is essentially irreversible, desorption being very slow; the third stage is essentially irreversible, adsorption of denatured material being improbable. The adsorption process may be represented by a two-state Oreskes/Singer plot, there being an apparent surface phase change at 50–60% surface coverage. Albumin and fibrinogen molecules are adsorbed side-on; γ-globulin is adsorbed in an end-on configuration. Surface denaturation seems to be driven by a need to increase hydrophobic bonding with the surface and adsorption is heavily entropic in nature. In the desorbed material, albumin and fibrinogen sustain a marked decrease in α-helical content; γ-globulin loses most of its β-sheet structure.
On extensions of positive definite integral Fredholm operators

The main result of this paper states that a positive definite Fredholm integral operator acting on L2([0,1]) can be modified on a Lebesque measurable set \(\mit\Delta \) in [0,1]2 such that the resulting operator is positive definite and its resolvent kernel is zero on \(\mit\Delta \). This answers a question raised in [3]. The proof is based on extension results for positive definite operator matrices and their connection to generalized determinants.
Temporal properties of memory for speech in preschool children

The ability of four-year-old children to remember syllables was investigated, both to determine the temporal properties of memory for speech in subjects who do not use sophisticated retention strategies, and to determine what speech memory is available in the late preschool period. In Experiments 1 and 2, children were to remember pairs of nonsense syllables for 5, 10, 15, or 20 sec filled with a silent, manual task. In both experiments there was an apparent decay of one type of speech memory across 10-15 sec. In Experiment 2, strong interference was obtained when there was a final speech suffix item. An additional phase of this experiment verified that children cannot rehearse during the postlist period. However, in Experiments 3 and 4, suffix effects were not obtained with adult subjects in similar tasks. The results suggest that memory for speech persists for at least 10 sec even in preschool children, but that adults, unlike preschool children, engage in an additional type of speech coding that increases the resistance of memory to speech interference.
"Living Well in Later Life": An Overview of the National Service Framework for Older People In England

The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People is a set of standards produced by the Department of Health in England in 2001 to overhaul the health and social service delivery systems over a 10-year period aimed at optimizing the care received by older adults. The NSF arose from broader social and health care reforms that likewise sought the establishment of performance assessment, augmented consumer sovereignty, and greater coherence across health and social services. The United States shares with England similar problems with care for its older adults, strategies for improvement, and obstacles to successful implementation of change.
Measures of Chronic Conditions and Diseases Associated With Aging in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

Objectives. This paper presents a description of the methods used in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to detect the presence of chronic conditions and diseases associated with aging. It also discusses the validity and distribution of these measures. Methods. Markers associated with common chronic diseases and conditions of aging were collected from 3,005 community-dwelling older adults living in the United States, aged 57 ‐ 85 years, during 2006. Dried blood spots, physical function tests, anthropometric measurements, self-reported history, and self-rated assessments were used to detect the presence of chronic conditions associated with aging or of risk factors associated with the development of chronic diseases. Results. The distribution of each measure, disaggregated by age group and gender, is presented. Conclusions. This paper describes the methodology used as well as the distribution of each of these measures. In addition, we discuss how the measures used in the study relate to specifi c chronic diseases and conditions associated with aging and how these measures might be used in social science analyses.
Identification and characterization of the herpes simplex virus type 1 protein encoded by the UL37 open reading frame

The UL37 open reading frame of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) DNA genome is located between map units 0.527 and 0.552. We have identified and characterized the UL37 protein product in HSV-1-infected cells. The presence of the UL37 protein was detected by using a polyclonal rabbit antiserum directed against an in vitro-translated product derived from an in vitro-transcribed UL37 mRNA. The UL37 open reading frame encodes for a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 120 kDa in HSV-1-infected cells; the protein's mass was assigned on the basis of its migration in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The UL37 protein is not present at detectable levels in purified HSV-1 virions, suggesting that it is not a structural protein. Analysis of time course experiments and experiments using DNA synthesis inhibitors demonstrated that the UL37 protein is expressed prior to the onset of viral DNA synthesis, reaching maximum levels late in infection, classifying it as a gamma 1 gene. Elution of HSV-1-infected cell proteins from single-stranded DNA agarose columns by using a linear KCl gradient demonstrated that the UL37 protein elutes from this matrix at a salt concentration similar to that observed for ICP8, the major HSV-1 DNA-binding protein. In addition, computer-assisted analysis revealed a potential ATP-binding domain in the predicted UL37 amino acid sequence. On the basis of the kinetics of appearance and DNA-binding properties, we hypothesize that UL37 represents a newly recognized HSV-1 DNA-binding protein that may be involved in late events in viral replication.
Framework for Development of an Improved Unbound Aggregate Base Rutting Model for Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design

This paper presents findings from an ongoing research study at the University of Illinois that aims to develop and calibrate improved models for unbound aggregate rutting through laboratory characterization of aggregate materials used for unbound base and subbase applications in the state of North Carolina. Extensive triaxial laboratory testing was performed to establish a robust link between the number of load applications, stress levels, shear stress and sheer strength ratios, and permanent deformation responses. A framework was established for considering the strong correlation that commonly exists between permanent deformation and shear strength characteristics, as opposed to resilient modulus properties, in the laboratory characterization of the permanent deformation behavior of various types of aggregate materials. Trends of permanent strain accumulations from repeated load triaxial tests were adequately captured in a new rutting model whose development took into account the shear stresses applied a...
Diversity Is in the Eye of the Beholder How Concern for the In-Group Affects Perceptions of Racial Diversity

The reported studies suggest that concern for the in-group motivates Asian Americans and African Americans to define diversity specifically, that is, as entailing both minorities' numerical and hierarchical representation, while motivating White Americans to define diversity broadly, that is, as entailing either minorities' high numerical and/or hierarchical representation in an organization. Studies 2-4 directly assess if a concern for the in-group affects conceptions of diversity by measuring Black and White participants' racial identity centrality, an individual difference measure of the extent to which individuals define themselves according to race. These studies suggest that the tendency to conceive diversity in ways protective of the in-group is especially pronounced among individuals who identify strongly with their racial in-group.
A novel, highly effective preconditioner for solving the finite element-boundary integral matrix equation of 3-D scattering

We present an efficient finite element-boundary integral (FE-BI) solution. Instead of replacing the FE-BI system with the FE-ABC system and improving the solution through iteration, we use the finite element-absorbing boundary condition (FE-ABC) matrix as a preconditioner and then seek the solution using a Krylov subspace based method. Both mathematical analysis and numerical results are presented to show the high effectiveness of the preconditioner and the fast convergence of the iterative solution.
The ultrastructure of the normal human thymus. A study of 36 cases

Electron microscopy of the normal human thymus demonstrates a supporting framework of epithelial-reticular cells with long branching cytoplasmic processes joined by desmosomes. In the interstices of the epithelial-reticular cell processes lie lymphocytes, macrophages, and rare myoid cells. Both small and large lymphocytes are evident. No desmosomes are observed between the lymphocytes and the epithelial-reticular cells. Macrophages are most numerous in the cortex where they often contain phagocytized nuclear debris. The possible functional significance of the above-described fine structural features is discussed.
On Newton's method for Riccati equation solution

The purpose of this note is to point out that the assumptions of two theorems of Kleinman concerning Newton's method for the Riccati equation can be weakened.
Geometric computation of the numerical radius of a matrix

We use methods of geometric computing combined with hermitean matrix eigenvalue/eigenvector evaluations to find the numerical radius w(A) of a real or complex square matrix A simply, quickly, and accurately. The numerical radius w(A) is defined as the maximal distance of points in the field of values \(F(A) = \{ x^* A x \mid \|x\|_2 = 1 \}\) from zero in ℂ. Its value is an indicator of the transient behavior of the discrete dynamical system fk + 1 = Afk. We describe and test a MATLAB code for solving this optimization problem that can have multiple and even infinitely many solutions with maximal distance.
Protecting the World From Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure: Where Do We Stand and Where Do We Go From Here?

Secondhand smoke (SHS), the tobacco smoke generated by active smokers, remains a widespread health hazard worldwide (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006). Stimulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), countries and subnational entities are implementing smoke-free legislations to protect populations from the health effects of SHS exposure. In this article, we sought to summarize research efforts that have contributed to the advancement of smoke-free environments and those that are needed to ensure complete prevention and control of SHS exposure worldwide (World Health Organization, 2011).
Cultural Competencies in Emergency Medicine: Caring for Muslim-American Patients from the Middle East

Abstract Background Cultural competency is crucial to the delivery of optimal medical care. In Emergency Medicine, overcoming cultural barriers is even more important because patients might use the Emergency Department (ED) as their first choice for health care. At least 2.2 million Muslims from Middle Eastern background live in the United States. Objective We wanted to create a succinct guideline for Emergency care providers to overcome cultural barriers in delivering care for this unique population. Method A compensative search on medical and health databases was performed and all the articles related to providing healthcare for Muslim-Americans were reviewed. Result The important cultural factors that impact Emergency care delivery to this population include norms of modesty; gender role; the concept of God's will and its role in health, family structure, prohibition of premarital and extramarital sex; Islamic rituals of praying and fasting; Islamic dietary codes; and rules related to religious cleanliness. Conclusions The Muslim-American community is a fast-growing, under-studied population. Cultural awareness is essential for optimal delivery of health care to this minority. We have created a succinct guideline that can be used by Emergency Care providers to overcome cultural barriers. However, it is important to consider the heterogeneity and diversity of this population and to use this guideline on an individual basis.
Regulation of a dpp target gene in the Drosophila embryo

In Drosophila, two TGF-beta growth factors, dpp and screw, function synergistically to subdivide the dorsal ectoderm into two embryonic tissues, the amnioserosa and dorsal epidermis. Previous studies have shown that peak dpp activity is required for the localized expression of zerknullt (zen), which encodes a homeodomain transcription factor. We present evidence that zen directly activates the amnioserosa-specific expression of a downstream target gene, Race (Related to angiotensin converting enzyme). A 533 bp enhancer from the Race promoter region is shown to mediate selective expression in the amnioserosa, as well as the anterior and posterior midgut rudiments. This enhancer contains three zen protein binding sites, and mutations in these sites virtually abolish the expression of an otherwise normal Race-lacZ fusion gene in the amnioserosa, but not in the gut. Genetic epistasis experiments suggest that zen is not the sole activator of Race, although a hyperactivated form of zen (a zen-VP16 fusion protein) can partially complement reduced levels of dpp activity. These results suggest that dpp regulates multiple transcription factors, which function synergistically to specify the amnioserosa.
tmRNA in Caulobacter crescentus is cell cycle regulated by temporally controlled transcription and RNA degradation.

SsrA, or tmRNA, is a small RNA found in all bacteria that intervenes in selected translation reactions to target the nascent polypeptide for rapid proteolysis. We have found that the abundance of SsrA RNA in Caulobacter crescentus is regulated with respect to the cell cycle. SsrA RNA abundance increases in late G1 phase, peaks during the G1-S transition, and declines in early S phase, in keeping with the reported role for SsrA in the timing of DNA replication initiation. Cell cycle regulation of SsrA RNA is accomplished by a combination of temporally controlled transcription and regulated RNA degradation. Transcription from the ssrA promoter peaks late in G1, just before the peak in SsrA RNA abundance. SsrA RNA is stable in G1-phase cells and late S-phase cells but is degraded with a half-life of 4 to 5 min at the onset of S phase. This degradation is surprising, since SsrA RNA is both highly structured and highly abundant. This is the first observation of a structural RNA that is cell cycle regulated.
An Apology for the Apologetic Function of 1 Thessalonians 2.1-12

Modem interpreters have too quickly abandoned the long-held view that Paul in 1 Thess. 2.1-12 is in some real sense defending himself. Despite the widespread claims of recent exegetes that this passage functions only as implicit parenesis in which Paul presents himself as a model for the Thessalonians to imitate, evidence from the thanksgiving section (1.2-10), the apostolic parousia (2.17-3.10), the anti thetical statements of 2.1-12, and the repeated appeals in this passage to the Thes salonians' first-hand knowledge about Paul's original ministry in their city strongly suggest that the primary function of 2.1-12 is defensive or apologetic. This apologetic function can be more fully appreciated in the light of a reconstruction of the passage's historical context.
Valuing Urban Lakeview Amenities Using Implicit and Contingent Markets

Amenities influence individual location decisions and affect overall social well being. This comparative study focuses on the potential complementarity of implicit and contingent market approaches ...
ACRIDINE MUTAGENS AND DNA STRUCTURE.

A number of independent critical structural parameters, which have been determined by studies on sedimentation, low angle X-ray scattering, flow dichroism, flow-polarized fluorescence, and chemical reactivity, provide the evidence for intercalation of the acridines between two otherwise sequential base pairs, and require the rejection of various alternative hypotheses. The binding requires a local untwisting and extension of the double helix, which is found to be compatible with the normal structural and bonding parameters. The expectation of a substantial alteration in the chemical reactivity of intercalated molecules because of their inaccessibility to electrophilic attack has been verified by reaction rate studies. Study of the relation between viscosity enhancement in dilute DNA solutions and intercalation has been extended using very low shear viscometry. The results agree with the earlier measurements in that the enhancement is observed with the binding of intercalatable cations, while others yield a slight diminution. A pronounced stabilization of the double helix is found, corresponding to a substantially raised thermal transition temperature. Intercalation into polyribonucleotide complexes formed between poly A and poly U renders the double helix substantially more stable than the triple. While intercalation seems to be prerequisite for mutagenicity of the insertion-deletion type, the acridine structure is not essential, nor are all intercalating molecules mutagenic.
Relationship between corneal radius of curvature and age in rabbits.

SUMMARY Corneal radii of curvature were measured in a litter of four Dutch rabbits over an interval of time that was long enough to provide information on the relationship between corneal radius and age. The period of maximum corneal growth rate was found to end at the age of about 150 days. of this preliminary study suggest that, for a given strain of rabbit, corneal growth information may permit approximate standardization of corneal curvatures and other eye dimensions among rabbits used in various types of eye research.
On link layer denial of service in data wireless LANs: Research Articles

In this paper, we investigate the resiliency to jamming of data protocols, such as IP, over WLAN. We show that, on existing WLAN, an adversary can successfully jam data packets at a very low energy cost. Such attacks allow a set of adversary nodes disseminated over an area to prevent communication, partition an ad hoc network or force packets to be routed over adversary chosen paths. The ratio of the jamming pulses duration to the transmission duration can be as low as 10-4. We investigate and analyze the performance of combining a cryptographic interleaver with various coding schemes to improve the robustness of wireless LANs for IP packets transmission [1]. A concatenated code that is simple to decode and can maintain a low frame error rate (FER) under a jamming effort ratio of 15p. We argue that LDPC codes will be very suitable to prevent this type of jamming. We investigate the theoretical limits by analyzing the performance derived from upper bounds on binary error-control codes. We also propose an efficient anti-jamming technique for IEEE802.11b based on Reed–Solomon codes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infections and Inflammatory Lesions of the Adolescent Spine

Infectious diseases in the adolescent are most often localized in major joints of the extremities. However, the spine occasionally is involved in suppurative osteomyelitis which can either be acute, chronic, or focal (Brodie’s abscess). The spine can also be the site of nonsuppurative osteomyelitis in the form of tuberculosis, brucellosis, and different types of fungal infections of bone. Perhaps the most disturbing form of vertebral inflammation is that involving the disc space in the adolescent. Disc space infections are a relatively uncommon disease in the child, but always present a diagnostic challenge. Many reports of intervertebral disc infection in children emphasize the relatively benign nature of the condition and in most instances the problem resolves spontaneously but involves difficult diagnostic procedures and major decisions regarding treatment. The etiology of disc space infections is generally considered to be an infectious agent, most frequently hemolytic (Staphylococcus aureus). In adults this organism is present in approximately 70% of patients. In children, however, it is difficult to demonstrate the organism and very few disc space infections ever culture a specific bacterium, even after needle and open biopsy of the involved intervertebral disc.
Ge Segregation and Surface Roughening During Si Growth on Ge(001)2×l by Gas-Source Molecular Beam Epitaxy from Si2H6

Surface morphological and compositional evolution during the initial stages of Si growth on Ge(001)2×1 by cyclic gas-source molecular-beam epitaxy (GSMBE) from Si2H6 has been investigated using in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). At 550 r.C, single-step-height island growth was observed for nominal Si deposition thicknesses tsi up to ≃ 1.5 ML. The islands were essentially pure Ge which segregated to the surface as H was desorbed. At higher tsi, the Ge coverage decreased, the surface roughened, and two-dimensional multi-layer island growth was observed for tSi up to ≃ 8 ML above which three-dimensional island growth was obtained. For thick layers (tSi ≥ 75 ML), no Ge was detected at the surface.
Effect of Dynamic Pressure on Direct Shear Stress Sensor Design

A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based capacitive floating element shear stress sensor, developed for time-resolved turbulence measurement, is studied for its response to unsteady pressure forcing. The floating element structure incorporates interdigitated comb fingers forming differential capacitors, which provide electrical output proportional to the floating element deflection. An equivalent circuit model is provided under simultaneous pressure and shear loading. A design strategy to mitigate pressure sensitivity while enhancing shear stress sensitivity is provided. The significance of the design methodology is experimentally illustrated via comparison of combined shear and pressure response of the sensor with its pressure response. Results indicate a significant effect of pressure on combined sensor response despite 64 dB of pressure rejection.
Modeling Multi-Crystalline Silicon Growth in Directional Solidification Systems

The key to achieving high solar cell efficiency is to increase average grain size in silicon multicrystals and reduce dislocation density. The grain size and dislocation distributions in a silicon multicrystal are strongly influenced by the design of the solidification furnace and the operating conditions during solidification. This paper discusses a reported mathematical model that quantifies the temperature field in the furnace, silicon melt flow distribution, and the shape of the melt/solid interface, which influences the grain size and dislocations distributions. The global model described here takes into account all modes of heat transfer coupled with turbulent melt and inert gas flows, and can be used to manipulate the growth conditions to produce silicon multicrystals of higher qualities. The numerical approach discussed in this paper can be used to evaluate changes in equipment design and process conditions to increase the solidification rate with acceptable compromise in the multicrystal quality.
Desmosomal junctions are necessary for adult sinus node function.

Aims Current mechanisms driving cardiac pacemaker function have focused on ion channel and gap junction channel function, which are essential for action potential generation and propagation between pacemaker cells. However, pacemaker cells also harbour desmosomes that structurally anchor pacemaker cells to each other in tissue, but their role in pacemaker function remains unknown. Methods and results To determine the role of desmosomes in pacemaker function, we generated a novel mouse model harbouring cardiac conduction-specific ablation (csKO) of the central desmosomal protein, desmoplakin (DSP) using the Hcn4-Cre-ERT2 mouse line. Hcn4-Cre targets cells of the adult mouse sinoatrial node (SAN) and can ablate DSP expression in the adult DSP csKO SAN resulting in specific loss of desmosomal proteins and structures. Dysregulation of DSP via loss-of-function (adult DSP csKO mice) and mutation (clinical case of a patient harbouring a pathogenic DSP variant) in mice and man, respectively, revealed that desmosomal dysregulation is associated with a primary phenotype of increased sinus pauses/dysfunction in the absence of cardiomyopathy. Underlying defects in beat-to-beat regulation were also observed in DSP csKO mice in vivo and intact atria ex vivo . DSP csKO SAN exhibited migrating lead pacemaker sites associated with connexin 45 loss. In vitro studies exploiting ventricular cardiomyocytes that harbour DSP loss and concurrent early connexin loss phenocopied the loss of beat-to-beat regulation observed in DSP csKO mice and atria, extending the importance of DSP-associated mechanisms in driving beat-to-beat regulation of working cardiomyocytes. Conclusion We provide evidence of a mechanism that implicates an essential role for desmosomes in cardiac pacemaker function, which has broad implications in better understanding mechanisms underlying beat-to-beat regulation as well as sinus node disease and dysfunction.
Comparison of Two Risk Assessment Methods in Natural Gas Shallow Freezing Unit Assessment

Two Quantitative Assessment methods,Dow Chemical Company Fire Explosion Index Method and Chemical Plant Risk Degrees method are compared from the view of both element and Assessment procedure in this paper.And these two methods are used to evaluate natural gas shallow freezing unit,result are given after assessment.The risk sequencing is consistent with each other according to the results.The result of comparison is discussed,and it can provide evidence for comparison between different current assessment methods.
Study on GC Determination of Volatile Phenols in Industrial Waste Water

Phenols were determined by gas chromatograph(GC) in industrial waste water at the range of pH 4—5 with bromine,which used ascorbic acid as the reducing agent in derivation,and mixed solvent extraction.The phenols included phenol,o-cresol,m-cresol,the four phenol cresol,dihydric phenol and trihydric phenol.The recovery rate was in the range of 86.0%—98.1%,and the values of RSD were in the range of 4.5%—7.3%.
The perceptual foundation of linguistic context.

Context plays a ubiquitous role in language processing. For the most part, work in language processing investigates the effects of context without investigating questions about what determines a context. For example, interpretation of any referential expression must take into account the notion of a referential domain. Here we investigate the influence of perceptual cues in establishing a referential domain, or linguistic context. We demonstrate that people use perceptual cues to establish a linguistic context; the influence of perceptual cues is gradient with respect to cue magnitude; and the contribution of a perceptual cue in constructing a linguistic context is not an effect of attention or salience. We provide these results as a first step toward developing a formal model for the establishment of linguistic context.
The effect of alcohol abuse and dependence and school experiences on depression: a national study of adolescents

The study purpose was to examine the effect alcohol abuse/dependence and school experiences have on depression among a nationwide sample of adolescents. A secondary analysis of the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted. The results of the final multivariable logistic regression model revealed that adolescents who reported having past-year alcohol abuse/dependence and negative school experiences were at increased odds for reporting past-year depression. This study adds to the existing literature by revealing the association of alcohol dependence/abuse, negative school experiences, and adolescent depression above and beyond demographic covariates. Recommendations for future studies are included.
Replacement of Thymidine by a Modified Base in the Escherichia coli Genome.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomic DNA is comprised of the four building blocks A, G, C, and T. We have begun to explore the consequences of replacing a large fraction or all of a nucleoside in genomic DNA with a modified nucleoside. As a first step we have investigated the possibility of replacement of T by 2′-deoxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)uridine (5hmU) in the genomic DNA of Escherichia coli. Metabolic engineering with phage genes followed by random mutagenesis enabled us to achieve approximately 75% replacement of T by 5hmU in the E. coli genome and in plasmids.