cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Upper Extremity Vascular Injury in Contemporary Combat.

Abstract Objectives The incidence of wartime upper extremity vascular injury (UEVI) has been stable for the past century. The objective of this study is to provide a contemporary review of wartime UEVI, including epidemiologic characterization and description of early limb loss. Methods The Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DoDTR) was queried to identify U.S. service members who sustained a battle-related UEVI in Afghanistan between January 2009 and December 2015. Anatomic distribution of injury, mechanism of injury (MOI), associated injuries, early management, and early limb loss were analyzed. Results Analysis identified 247 casualties who sustained 308 UEVI. The most common injury was to the vessels distal to the brachial bifurcation (63.3%, n=195), followed by the brachial vessels (27.3%, n=84) and the axillary vessels (9.4%, n=29). The predominant MOIs were penetrating explosive fragments (74.1%, n=183) and gunshot wounds (25.9%, n=64). Associated fractures were identified in 151 (61.1%) casualties, and nerve injuries in 133 (53.8%). Angiography was performed in 91 (36.8%) casualties, and endovascular treatment was performed 10 (4%) times. Temporary vascular shunts were placed in 39 (15.8%) casualties. Data on surgical management was available for 171 injuries, and included repair (48%, n=82) and ligation (52%, n=89). The early limb loss rate was 12.1% (n=30). For all casualties sustaining early limb loss, the MOI was penetrating fragments from an explosion, the average injury severity score (ISS) was 32.3 and the mortality was 6.7% (n=2). In those without amputation, the ISS and mortality were lower at 20 and 4.6% (n=10), respectively. Overall mortality was 4.9% (n=12). Conclusions The early limb loss rate was increased compared to initial descriptions from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Amputations are associated with a higher ISS. Improved data capture and fidelity, or differing MOIs, may account for this trend. Proficiency with open and endovascular therapy remains a critical focus for combat casualty care.
Comparative Sacral Morphology in Spondylolisthesis Patients

Abstract Study Design Retrospective comparative case series. Objectives Evaluation of sacral morphology in spondylolisthesis patients compared with asymptomatic controls. Summary of Background Data Patients with spondylolisthesis are known to differ from asymptomatic controls in sagittal plane anatomy, but few studies examine the coronal and axial plane differences in these cohorts. Methods This is a retrospective evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine in 29 spondylolisthesis patients and an asymptomatic cohort (n = 154). Measurements of the linear distance and angular position of L5 and sacrum were performed in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis quantified these associations. High- and low-grade spondylolisthesis patients were compared with two-sample t-tests. All p-values are two-sided and considered significant when p Results Axial measurements showed the distance of the right to left anterior ala and the L5 body width did not differ between the cohorts. Sacroiliac (SI) joint angles in the spondylolisthesis cohort were closer to the true sagittal plane than in the controls 109° versus 121° (p Conclusions The SI joints in patients with spondylolisthesis were orientated closer to the sagittal plane than in the controls. An awareness of this positioning may be important in surgical implant insertion as well as rehabilitation of hip extensor weakness. The main anatomical differences found in this study were in the sagittal plane. Sacral end plate abnormalities were well visualized and consistent with radiographic findings in the literature. Level of Evidence Level III, diagnostic.
Postoperative Unilateral Internal Cerebral Vein Thrombosis with Venous Watershed Infarcts: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background Cerebral venous complications related to neurosurgical interventions are only rarely reported in the literature. Internal cerebral veins (ICVs) are vulnerable to injury during neurosurgical approaches to the pineal and thalamic regions. The occurrence of unilateral postoperative ICV thrombosis in children is extremely rare, with only 2 such cases reported thus far. Case Description A 15-year-old child presented to the emergency department with headache, persistent vomiting, and pronounced lethargy for 3 days. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed and showed a large solid-cystic mass at the pineal region, resulting in upstream hydrocephalus. Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin was elevated, and a diagnosis of germ cell tumor was made. Patient was started on neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with partial response on repeat imaging after 3 courses of chemotherapy. Decision was made to proceed with surgical resection of the residual tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain performed on postoperative day 1 showed multiple foci of restricted diffusion in the right cerebral deep white matter, giving rise to a “string of pearls” appearance. There is also absence of enhancement of the right ICV, suspicious for deep cerebral venous thrombosis. This was confirmed on subsequent computed tomography venogram. Conclusions Our reported case adds to the limited literature on postoperative ICV thrombosis in children and describes a unique imaging phenotype of venous watershed infarcts. Neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists should be aware of this unique imaging phenotype and have a high index of suspicion for deep cerebral venous thrombosis, especially in patients with prior neurosurgical intervention in the pineal or thalamic regions.
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: systematic review and meta-analysis of propensity score-matched cohort studies.

Introduction In this systematic review and meta-analysis of propensity score-matched cohort studies, we quantitatively summarize whether venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) used as extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), compared with conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR), is associated with improved rates of 30-day and long-term favorable neurological outcomes and survival in patients resuscitated from in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar for eligible studies on January 14, 2019. All searches were limited to studies published between January 2000 and January 2019. Two investigators independently evaluated the quality (or certainty) of evidence according to GRADE guidelines. Pooled results are presented as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Six cohort studies using propensity score-matched analysis were included, totaling 1108 matched patients. Pooled analyses showed that ECPR was likely associated with improved 30-day and long-term favorable neurological outcome in adults compared to CCPR for in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (RR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.29-3.16; I2 = 20%, P = 0.002; very low-quality evidence) and (RR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.64-5.01; I2 = 0%, P = 0.0002; moderate-quality evidence), respectively. When we analyzed in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest separately, ECPR was likely associated with improved 30-day favorable neurological outcome compared to CCPR for in-hospital cardiac arrest (RR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.24-3.81; I2 = 9%, P = 0.006; very low-quality evidence), but not for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (RR = 2.61, 95% CI = 0.56-12.20; I2 = 59%, P = 0.22; very low-quality evidence). ECPR was also likely associated with improved long-term favorable neurological outcome compared to CCPR for in-hospital cardiac arrest (RR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.33-4.71; I2 = 0%, P = 0.005; moderate-quality evidence) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (RR = 4.64, 95% CI = 1.41-15.25; I2 = 0%, P = 0.01; moderate-quality evidence). Conclusions Our analysis suggests that VA-ECMO used as ECPR may improve long-term favorable neurological outcomes and survival when compared to the best standard of care in a selected patient population. Therefore, it is imperative for well-designed randomized clinical trials to obtain a higher level of scientific evidence to ensure optimal outcomes for cardiac arrest patients.
Treatment of opioid use disorder during COVID-19: Experiences of clinicians transitioning to telemedicine.

Abstract Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed care delivery for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD); however, little is known about the experiences of front-line clinicians in the transition to telemedicine. This study described how, in the context of the early stages of the pandemic, clinicians used telemedicine for OUD in conjunction with in-person care, barriers encountered, and implications for quality of care. Methods In April 2020, we conducted semistructured interviews with clinicians waivered to prescribe buprenorphine. We used maximum variation sampling. We used standard qualitative analysis techniques, consisting of both inductive and deductive approaches, to identify and characterize themes. Results Eighteen clinicians representing 10 states participated. Nearly all interview participants were doing some telemedicine, and more than half were only doing telemedicine visits. Most participants reported changing their typical clinical care patterns to help patients remain at home and minimize exposure to COVID-19. Changes included waiving urine toxicology screening, sending patients home with a larger supply of OUD medications, and requiring fewer visits. Although several participants were serving new patients via telemedicine during the early weeks of the pandemic, others were not. Some clinicians identified positive impacts of telemedicine on the quality of their patient interactions, including increased access for patients. Others noted negative impacts including less structure and accountability, less information to inform clinical decision-making, challenges in establishing a connection, technological challenges, and shorter visits. Conclusions In the context of the pandemic, buprenorphine prescribers quickly transitioned to providing telemedicine visits in high volume; nonetheless, there are still many unknowns, including the quality and safety of widespread use of telemedicine for OUD treatment.
Conducting an Inventory with Shared Print in Mind

A physical inventory of the open stacks collection at Indiana University was conducted to determine the rate of error in the corresponding bibliographic records. The inventory was started to addres...
Power transfers, military uncertainty, and war:

In many contexts, patrons wish to simultaneously increase a protege’s military power while reducing the probability of war between that protege and its enemy. Are these goals compatible? I show tha...
Rethinking Wood: Future Dimensions of Timber Assembly

Wood is seemingly an answer to the systemic challenges of scarce material resources, dearth of construction labor, increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, and escalating development costs. Scientists wo...
A new anthracological sequence from Niğde-Kınık Höyük (Turkey): woodland vegetation and arboriculture in southern Cappadocia from the Late Bronze Age to the Ottoman Period

This article presents a new anthracological sequence from the archeological site of Nigde-Kinik Hoyuk, in southern Cappadocia (Turkey), spanning from the Late Bronze Age to the Ottoman Period, which provides important insights into the vegetation history of Cappadocia and its change through time. The local woody vegetation was composed of deciduous oaks, with an important contribution, especially in the earlier periods, of riparian trees (Salicaceae). Conifers played a minor role but indicate the possible presence of cedar and fir stands in the site’s vicinity. Starting in the mid-1st millennium BCE, wood charcoal data shows a well-defined and coherent anthracological phase characterized by abundant evidence of arboreal crops, especially grapevine. This evidence is here connected to the Beysehir Occupation Phase phenomenon, and its economic and historic implications are discussed.
An APP ectodomain mutation outside of the Aβ domain promotes Aβ production in vitro and deposition in vivo

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD)-linked mutations in the APP gene occur either within the Aβ-coding region or immediately proximal and are located in exons 16 and 17, which encode Aβ peptides. We have identified an extremely rare, partially penetrant, single nucleotide variant (SNV), rs145081708, in APP that corresponds to a Ser198Pro substitution in exon 5. We now report that in stably transfected cells, expression of APP harboring the S198P mutation (APPS198P) leads to elevated production of Aβ peptides by an unconventional mechanism in which the folding and exit of APPS198P from the endoplasmic reticulum is accelerated. More importantly, coexpression of APP S198P and the FAD-linked PS1ΔE9 variant in the brains of male and female transgenic mice leads to elevated steady-state Aβ peptide levels and acceleration of Aβ deposition compared with age- and gender-matched mice expressing APP and PS1ΔE9. This is the first AD-linked mutation in APP present outside of exons 16 and 17 that enhances Aβ production and deposition.
Synonymous variants that disrupt messenger RNA structure are significantly constrained in the human population.

Background The role of synonymous single-nucleotide variants in human health and disease is poorly understood, yet evidence suggests that this class of "silent" genetic variation plays multiple regulatory roles in both transcription and translation. One mechanism by which synonymous codons direct and modulate the translational process is through alteration of the elaborate structure formed by single-stranded mRNA molecules. While tools to computationally predict the effect of non-synonymous variants on protein structure are plentiful, analogous tools to systematically assess how synonymous variants might disrupt mRNA structure are lacking. Results We developed novel software using a parallel processing framework for large-scale generation of secondary RNA structures and folding statistics for the transcriptome of any species. Focusing our analysis on the human transcriptome, we calculated 5 billion RNA-folding statistics for 469 million single-nucleotide variants in 45,800 transcripts. By considering the impact of all possible synonymous variants globally, we discover that synonymous variants predicted to disrupt mRNA structure have significantly lower rates of incidence in the human population. Conclusions These findings support the hypothesis that synonymous variants may play a role in genetic disorders due to their effects on mRNA structure. To evaluate the potential pathogenic impact of synonymous variants, we provide RNA stability, edge distance, and diversity metrics for every nucleotide in the human transcriptome and introduce a "Structural Predictivity Index" (SPI) to quantify structural constraint operating on any synonymous variant. Because no single RNA-folding metric can capture the diversity of mechanisms by which a variant could alter secondary mRNA structure, we generated a SUmmarized RNA Folding (SURF) metric to provide a single measurement to predict the impact of secondary structure altering variants in human genetic studies.
Sensor network design for smart manufacturing – Application on precision machining

Abstract Energy consumption in a manufacturing facility comprises direct energy used in the manufacturing operations and indirect energy consumed by activities to maintain proper equipment conditions (e.g., heating and cooling). Reducing the energy consumption in a manufacturing facility requires sensors to monitor the energy usage patterns (“energy profiles”) and a concomitant data analytics process for correlating them with the activities being performed. This work explores the design and integration of optimal sensor networks for measuring and identifying the context of energy usage in manufacturing processes. This information is useful in production planning and scheduling to optimize energy usage and reduce energy cost. We explore a system-level representation of precision machining for optimal sensor locations and types that allow the monitoring of energy consumption. This is accomplished through maximization of a measure of the information matrix, subject to constraints on the cost of sensors. First, a system-level model is presented for predicting energy consumption in precision machining. A formulation is then presented for the selection of sensors and the operating mode for maintenance tests in manufacturing. The sensor network design is cast as a mixed-integer non-linear program that selects possible sensors based on their contribution to information gain with respect to energy consumption and their impact on equipment cost. For this purpose, we explore the sensitivity of the machining process with respect to admissible inputs at different system fault scenarios.
Prevalence and predictors of peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy: Outcomes from the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivorship (ROCS) cohort.

12069Background: Increased life expectancy for cancer survivors following advances in treatment has led to a greater likelihood of developing long-term complications. Among them is chemotherapy-ind...
Integration and feasibility of symptom burden assessment and early palliative care into an adolescent and young adult leukemia clinic.

10052Background: Patients (pts) diagnosed with hematologic malignancies during adolescence & young adulthood (AYA) are a uniquely challenging population who are understood to have robust supportive...
Inhibiting adenine synthesis attenuates glioblastoma cell stemness and temozolomide resistance

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain cancer exhibiting high levels of drug resistance, a feature partially imparted by tumor cell stemness. Recent work shows that homozygous MTAP deletion, a genetic alteration occurring in about half of all GBMs, promotes stemness in GBM cells. Exploiting MTAP loss-conferred deficiency in adenine salvage, we demonstrate that transient adenine blockade via treatment with L-Alanosine (ALA), an inhibitor of de novo adenine synthesis, attenuates stemness of MTAP-deficient GBM cells. This ALA-induced reduction in stemness is accompanied by compromised mitochondrial function, highlighted by diminished spare respiratory capacity. Direct pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial respiration recapitulates the effect of ALA on GBM cell stemness, suggesting ALA targets stemness partially via affecting mitochondrial function. Finally, in agreement with diminished stemness and compromised mitochondrial function, we show that ALA sensitizes GBM cells to temozolomide (TMZ) in vitro and in an orthotopic GBM model. Collectively, these results identify critical roles of adenine supply in maintaining mitochondrial function and stemness of GBM cells, highlight a critical role of mitochondrial function in sustaining GBM stemness, and implicate adenine synthesis inhibition as a complementary approach for treating MTAP-deleted GBMs.
Foreign economic policy in the European Parliament and economic interdependence with foreign powers

What is the role of economic interdependence with foreign powers when legislators vote on foreign policies? Foreign aid and trade are among the European Union’s most important foreign policy instru...
Metal oxide nanofiber for air remediation via filtration, catalysis, and photocatalysis

Abstract In this chapter, formation, environmental concerns, and remediation of air pollutions, including particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants, are introduced. Owing to the characteristic differences between PM and gaseous pollutants, the capture mechanisms may differ. Capture of PM is well described by conventional capture mechanism, while gaseous pollutants are captured mainly by physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. The characterization for both filters is also addressed. Metal oxide nanofibers (NFs) have already been proved to be one the most effective and promising solution for air remediation. Fibrous metal oxide has several advantages, such as high surface area, stronger mechanic strength, chemical stability, thermal stability, and photocatalytic ability. The examples of metal oxide NFs for air remediation in form of filter, catalyst, catalyst support, and photocatalyst are discussed.
Making the box transparent: system call performance as a first-class result

For operating system intensive applications, the ability of designers to understand system call performance behavior is essential to achieving high performance. Conventional performance tools, such as monitoring tools and profilers, collect and present their information off-line or via out-of-band channels. We believe that making this information first-class and exposing it to applications via in-band channels on a per-call basis presents opportunities for performance analysis and tuning not available via other mechanisms. Furthermore, our approach provides direct feedback to applications on time spent in the kernel, resource contention, and time spent blocked, allowing them to immediately observe how their actions affect kernel behavior. Not only does this approach provide greater transparency into the workings of the kernel, but it also allows applications to control how performance information is collected, filtered, and correlated with application-level events. To demonstrate the power of this approach, we show that our implementation, DeBox, obtains precise information about OS behavior at low cost, and that it can be used in debugging and tuning application performance on complex workloads. In particular, we focus on the industry-standard SpecWeb99 benchmark running on the Flash Web Server. Using DeBox, we are able to diagnose a series of problematic interactions between the server and the OS. Addressing these issues as well as other optimization opportunities generates an overall factor of four improvement in our SpecWeb99 score, throughput gains on other benchmarks, and latency reductions ranging from a factor of 4 to 47.
Isocitrate lyase from Neurospora crassa: I. Purification, kinetic mechanism, and interaction with inhibitors

Abstract After establishing conditions which stabilize isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1) in cell-free preparations of Neurospora crassa , this enzyme was purified to homogeneity. The kinetic properties of the enzyme were studied in an effort to learn about the regulation of the enzyme in vivo, the mechanism of action and the properties of the active site. The enzyme was found to be inhibited by its products succinate and glyoxylate, and by phosphoenolpyruvate, fumarate, malate and fructose 1,6-bis-phosphate. The studies on the inhibition of the forward reaction by the enzyme products, glyoxylate and succinate, and studies of the kinetics of the back reaction showed that the enzyme functioned in a uni—bi reaction mechanism with succinate leaving before glyoxylate in the cleavage reaction. The inhibitions of the enzyme by maleate and the substrate analog homoisocitrate were examined, and the results shed light on the structure of the active site. In further studies, isocitrate lyase from both N. crassa and Pseudomonas indigofera was found to be competitively inhibited by the inorganic anions SO 4 2− , HPO 4 2− , Cl − and NO 3 − . The results obtained suggest that the isocitrate lyases from N. crassa and P. indigofera may have a common evolutionary background.
PUTTING PEOPLE BACK INTO PLACE-BASED PUBLIC POLICIES

There are several policies of the Obama administration that foreground places as important realms that shape the lives and life courses of those within them. This commentary seeks to answer the que...
Role assignment via physical mobile interaction techniques in mobile multi-user applications for children

The development of engaging user interfaces that support collaboration is a great challenge - in particular if users are children. We consider mobile phones as appropriate devices for multi-user interactions with a system because novel forms of physical mobile interaction techniques with smart objects yield lots of benefits, such as being intuitive and playful to use, but also addressing children's needs for curiosity. In this paper, we introduce our approach to multi-user game-like scenarios within an ambient intelligence context which are controlled via different mobile phones and their supported interaction techniques. By providing children with multiple mobile phones we structure interactions in multi-user settings and prevent undesirable situations, such as dominant users or off-topic actions. Children get access to various physical mobile interaction techniques for interactions with smart objects which are all required to fulfill one common goal. In this way, social interaction arises in a natural manner. In order to motivate and evaluate our approach, we developed two ambient intelligence applications called The World Explorer and The Escape. Results of a user study showed that children liked working in a group and that physical mobile interaction techniques are a promising approach to increase engagement and foster social interactions but also to prevent chaotic situations by balancing the distribution of activities in multi-user settings.
The preparation of an ultrastable mesoporous Cr(III)-MOF via reductive labilization

Kinetic labilization of the Fe(III)–O coordination bond in a mesoporous metal–organic framework, PCN-333-Fe(III), is realized by the reduction of Fe(III) by Cr(II). The Fe(II)–Cr(II) metathesis is thus completely achieved followed by this reductive labilization process that generates PCN-333-Cr(III). The kinetic inertness of Cr(III) provides PCN-333-Cr(III) with enhanced chemical stability as well as a broader range of applications compared to those of PCN-333-Fe(III). For instance, alkylamine incorporated PCN-333-Cr(III) demonstrated significant carbon dioxide uptake while PCN-333-Fe(III) lost its crystallinity after alkylamine treatment.
Response of Clostridium perfringens Spores and Vegetative Cells to Temperature Variation

The vegetative cells and spores of four strains of Clostridium perfringens were examined to determine the effect of lowered and elevated temperatures. Spores were produced by following the method of Ellner, and vegetative cells were obtained from thioglycolate cultures. After exposure to freezing or refrigeration temperatures (-17.7 and 7.1 C, respectively), only small numbers of the vegetative cells were recovered. After similar treatment, 16 to 58% of the spores were recovered. Essentially no vegetative cells and few spores survived holding at 80 C for 10 min. Although all strains were isolated from food, only one strain of the four studied had its origin in a food-poisoning outbreak, and it had been carried on laboratory media for approximately 10 years.
Can Biomechanically Determined Stress be Perceived

Back and overexertion injuries are a costly and debilitating problem in industry. It has been suggested that the best protective action in the prevention of back injuries is to rely on a person's p...
Ethanol-induced neuronal apoptosis in vivo requires BAX in the developing mouse brain.

A single episode of ethanol intoxication triggers widespread apoptotic neurodegeneration in the infant rat or mouse brain. The cell death process occurs over a 6–16 h period following ethanol administration, is accompanied by a robust display of caspase-3 enzyme activation, and meets ultrastructural criteria for apoptosis. Two apoptotic pathways (intrinsic and extrinsic) have been described, either of which may culminate in the activation of caspase-3. The intrinsic pathway is regulated by Bax and Bcl-XL and involves Bax-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and release of cytochrome c as antecedent events leading to caspase-3 activation. Activation of caspase-8 is a key event preceding caspase-3 activation in the extrinsic pathway. In the present study, following ethanol administration to infant mice, we found no change in activated caspase-8, which suggests that the extrinsic pathway is not involved in ethanol-induced apoptosis. We also found that ethanol triggers robust caspase-3 activation and apoptotic neurodegeneration in C57BL/6 wildtype mice, but induces neither phenomenon in homozygous Bax-deficient mice. Therefore, it appears that ethanol-induced neuroapoptosis is an intrinsic pathway-mediated phenomenon involving Bax-induced disruption of mitochondrial membranes and cytochrome c release as early events leading to caspase-3 activation.
Size-Related, First Winter Mortality of Freshwater Fishes

Abstract To determine if first winter mortality were greater for small than for large freshwater fish, we conducted eight experiments in lakes and hatchery ponds during which fish were measured in late fall and early spring. Overwinter increase in mean length of the bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, in one lake and largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, in another could have been caused by higher mortality of smaller fish. Size-related mortality was not detected in six other populations–two of bluegill and one each of largemouth bass, green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus, fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, and white crappie, Pomoxis annularis. Available evidence indicates that size-related mortality is probably not a common phenomenon for bluegill and largemouth bass, but it may be important for walleye, Stizostedion vitreum, and sander, Stizostedion lucioperca.
Application of a form perturbation technique to elastic problems

Perturbation of the lateral surface of circular cylindrical bars subjected to torsion is analysed in two cases: i) The bar remains uniform but the cross-section becomes elliptical; ii) The cross-section remains circular but its diameter varies along the axis of the bar in a prescribed manner. In the latter case a sinoidal, wave-like, variation of the meridian of the lateral surface is specialized to a linear variation resulting in a conical form of the bar. In both cases the results agree closely with the standard solutions of the theory of torsion of cylindrical bars with an arbitrary cross-section and of bars with an axial symmetry, respectively.
A Trans-Spanning Diphosphine Ligand Based on a m-Terphenyl Scaffold and Its Palladium and Nickel Complexes

The new diphosphine ligand 2,6-bis(2-((diphenylphosphino)methyl)phenyl)benzene (1) has been prepared for potential use as a terdentate pincer-type ligand. Upon examination of the coordination chemistry with representative palladium and nickel centers, however, it was discovered that it acts as a bidentate trans-spanning ligand upon coordination to form trans-[(1)PdCl2] (2) and trans-[(1)NiCl2] (3). Attempts to promote CH activation of the central benzene ring and produce a terdentate pincer binding mode for 1 were unsuccessful. Reaction of 2 and [Li(OEt2)][B(C6F5)4] led to formation of the dicationic bis(chloro)-bridged dimer [(1)2{Pd2(μ2-Cl)2}][B(C6F5)4]2 (4), in which two ligands 1 have rearranged to span across the dichlorodipalladium core. The structures of air- and moisture-stable 2−4 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography.
Some preliminary attempts at computer-assisted style analysis in music

I have chosen a low-keyed title for this paper because the results achieved so far are minor indeed. Let me compensate for that at once (I hope not overcompensate) by blowing our horn to this extent: as far as I have been able to ascertain, these results, minor as they are, are of a nature that has not been achieved in any other use of the computer for style analysis in music. Our project is the analysis of the style of Josquin Desprez. (I say our project because it is a joint project of Professor Lewis Lockwood's and mine, and one in which until the last few months he has been able to be much more active than I.) The first step toward being able to use the computer as a tool in this analysis was, of course, the devising of a computer-acceptable languagethat is, a code-for representing musical notation. That code, called IML (for Intermediary Musical Language), was devised in 1963 by A.M. Jones of the Princeton University Computer Center and Hubert S. Howe, Jr., then an undergraduate at Princeton, now on the Music Department faculty at Queens College. It was based upon, and constituted a revision of, work along the same lines as that originally done by Michael Kassler, then a graduate student at Princeton, and now a scientist in government service. Indeed our whole system is based on Mr. Kassler's ideas. It is described in the article "IML-MIR: A Data-Processing System for the Analysis of Music" by Tobias Robison in Harald Heckmann's 1967 anthology of articles on Electronic Data-Processing in Musicology,l with which many of you are doubtless familiar. The next step consisted in writing a conversion program or compiler for reading the keypunched cards and converting the information they contained to patterns on magnetic tape. From this tape, then, the information will be available for retrieval when, in turn, Music Information Retrieval programs (MIR) are applied to it. All this workdevising the input language, IM L, writing the program which converts the IML information to records on tape, and writing and compiling the battery of information retrieval routines and programs needed--has been done, of course, by computer programmers, not by musicologists. Specifically, it was done in its earlier stages by undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Music at Princeton
Electrode shaping to establish a uniform electric field along high voltage resistors

Abstract An electrode design is developed for the purpose of obtaining a constant potential gradient along the surface of a cylinder. Such a design is important in a high voltage low current resistance in order that the voltage drop per unit of resistance be constant. It is found that the dimensions of such a resistor and its associated electrodes can be reduced considerably by the proper electrode design.
Cloning and characterization of a new soluble murine J-domain protein that stimulates BiP, Hsc70 and DnaK ATPase activity with different efficiencies

Hsp70s perform many functions in the cell through their ATPase activity that is stimulated by a genuine partner that contains a highly conserved so called J-domain. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a new J-domain protein named MmDjC7. The complete cDNA encodes a putative soluble 22 kDa protein that contains a conserved J-domain, but lacks the G/F- and C-rich regions found in the bacterial Escherichia coli DnaJ. Northern analysis revealed that mmDjC7 mRNA (0.9 kb) is most abundant in the heart and liver tissues. Recombinant hexahistidine tagged MmDjC7 (25 kDa) was efficiently expressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneity. MmDjC7 stimulates the ATPase activity of murine BiP, Hsc70 and E. coli DnaK, albeit with very different molar ratios that vary from 1:2 (for BiP/MmDjC7) to 1:10 (for DnaK/MmDjC7). MmDjC7 thus appears to be a new J-domain protein that can possibly interact with more than one Hsp70.
VIP Enhances Acetylcholine-Activated Potassium Current via a cAMP/PKA Transduction Pathway

Background: Recent studies have indicated that various components of cardiac nerve network may play important role in atrial fibrillation (AF). Vagal stimulation shortens atrial effective refractory period, predominantly via the activation of the acetylcholine-activated potassium channel (IKACh) that shortens action potential duration and increases the vulnerability to AF. Vasoactive intestine polypeptide (VIP), a neural polypeptide co-released with acetylcholine (ACh) largely from intrinsic cardiac neurons during vagal stimulation, was shown to contribute to the vulnerability to AF. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of VIP on IKACh in the presence of ACh in rat atrial myocytes.Methods: The effects of VIP on IKACh in isolated adult rat atrial myocytes were investigated with voltage patch-clamp recording techniques. IKACh were recorded as an inwardly rectifying current activated by muscarinic agonist carbachol (CCH, 1μM). Furthermore, the post-synaptic signal pathway was investigated with Rp-cAMP (10 μM), a competitive antagonist of cyclic AMP (cAMP), H-89 (0.1μM), PKA inhibitor, and forskolin (0.1μM), an activator of adenylyl cyclase.Results: VIP (1μM) potentiates IKACh at a holding potential of −115 mV (VIP: −19.34 ± 5.22 pA/pF, n=12, vs. baseline: −15.85 ± 2.66 pA/pF, n=14, p<0.05). The enhancement of IKACh by VIP could be mitigated by Rp-cAMP (VIP plus Rp-cAMP: −8.24 ± 1.44 pA/pF n= 6; p<0.05 vs. baseline), and could be inhibited by H-89 (VIP plus H-89: −13.41 ± 2.95 pA/pF n=6; p=0.59 vs. baseline). Furthermore, these enhancements could be mimicked by an activator of adenylyl cyclase, forskolin (−27.35 ± 4.82pA/pF n= 5; p<0.01 vs. baseline).Conclusion: VIP enhanced IKACh in atrial myocytes which might contribute to vagal-induced APD shortening and is likely mediated by a cAMP-PKA dependent pathway.
Evidence-Based Medicine Practice by Hospitalists and Community Pediatricians: In Reply

We thank Dr Inoue for the thoughtful comments on our article. We agree that the mechanisms driving hospitalists and pediatricians to follow evidence-based guidelines need to be explored further. Dr Inoue was concerned that our statement, “Hospitalists both specialize in inpatient pediatrics and attend a greater number of inpatients per year, and this study suggests that this expertise leads to greater adherence to evidence-based therapies,” was …
Extractable organic components and nutrients in wastewater from dairy lagoons influence the growth and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7.

The influence of nutrients in wastewater from dairy lagoons on the survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was monitored. Initially, the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in wastewater from which the competing native organisms had been removed by filter sterilization or autoclaving was compared with that in wastewater from which competing organisms had not been removed. Numbers of E. coli O157:H7 or E. coli ONT (O-nontypeable):H32 cells declined rapidly in filter-sterilized water and exhibited a slower decline in nonsterile water, while the organisms proliferated in autoclaved water. Subsequently, the growth of E. coli O157:H7 strains was monitored in 300 μl of Luria-Bertani (LB) broth supplemented with incremental proportions of filter-sterilized wastewater. E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli ONT:H32 strains failed to grow in filter-sterilized wastewater, and their growth was reduced incrementally with wastewater supplementation of LB broth. Consequently, the influence of organic extracts of wastewater on the growth of E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli ONT:H32 in reduced-strength LB was monitored, followed by scale-up tests in wastewater. Acidic and basic extracts inhibited growth of both strains, while the neutral aqueous extract improved growth. However, a scale-up with a threefold increase in the acidic components supplementing the wastewater did not result in any additional decline in numbers of E. coli O157:H7 cells. When protected inside a 300-kDa dialysis tube and exposed to diffusible components, E. coli O157:H7 survived longer, with a decimal reduction time of 18.1 days, compared to 3.5 days when inoculated directly into wastewater. Although wastewater can potentially provide nutrients to naturally occurring human pathogens, the chemical components, protozoa, and coliphages in wastewater can inhibit the growth of freshly introduced pathogens from manure.
Quantum reactive scattering using the S-matrix Kohn variational method

This paper intends to give a short review on the recent progress and application of the S-matrix Kohn variational method to quantum reactive scattering in gas phase. The basic formalisms of the S-matrix Kohn method are reviewed and several numerical techniques that improve the efficiency of the Kohn method are described in the review. These include the body-fixed representation, quasi-adiabatic basis contraction method, and the use of distorted waves in numerical application. The efficacy of these numerical techniques are illustrated by numerical results obtained by using the latest version of the S-matrix Kohn variational method for three-dimensional F+H2 and F+D2 reactions.
SU-E-T-386: Does the Couch Need to Be Included for Accurate IMRT Planning?

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of using couch structures in IMRT planningMethods: Three TG‐119 IMRT plans (HeadN four of the ten prostate cases included pelvic lymph node involvement. The film analysis (using in‐house software) required >95% points to pass a gamma criterion of 3%,3mm. Results: For the TG‐119 plans 99.1%±2.7% and 94.6%±19.9% of the points met the gamma 3%,3mm with and without the couch model respectively; the major contribution for the lower value (94.6%) was from the H&N plan for which only 85% of the points passed. Gamma results for clinical cases were: H&N (99.7%±0.9% and 97.4±7.9%), Prostate 6MV: (99.6%±1.8% and 94.7%±12.7%), Prostate 18MV results with and without the couch were nearly identical (99.8%±0.9% vs. 99.7%±1.1%, respectively). We also found the largest differences for posterior oblique beams traversing the couch rails: For 6MV prostate, there was no relative difference for beams striking the phantom only, 0.7% when treating entering through the couch, and 4.5% for beams traversing the rails. Conclusion: Including the couch structures is important for lower energies (6MV), especially for oblique beams traversing the couch rails. However, adjusting rail positions during delivery should improve agreement for algorithms which do not account for the couch.
Wave-vector orientation of a charge-density wave in potassium

A criterion for the preferred direction of the wave vector $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$ of a charge-density wave (CDW) is obtained by means of a simple theory. Screening of the electric field caused by the CDW is provided by a sinusoidal distortion of the positive-ion lattice. The optimum $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$ direction is that which minimizes the elastic energy of distortion. For potassium the $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$ direction is found to be tilted about 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} away from a [110] direction. The exact value of the tilt depends on the magnitude of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}$.
High-Resolution Genotyping by Amplicon Melting Analysis Using LCGreen

Background: High-resolution amplicon melting analysis was recently introduced as a closed-tube method for genotyping and mutation scanning (Gundry et al. Clin Chem 2003;49:396–406). The technique required a fluorescently labeled primer and was limited to the detection of mutations residing in the melting domain of the labeled primer. Our aim was to develop a closed-tube system for genotyping and mutation scanning that did not require labeled oligonucleotides. Methods: We studied polymorphisms in the hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene (T102C), β-globin (hemoglobins S and C) gene, and cystic fibrosis (F508del, F508C, I507del) gene. PCR was performed in the presence of the double-stranded DNA dye LCGreen, and high-resolution amplicon melting curves were obtained. After fluorescence normalization, temperature adjustment, and/or difference analysis, sequence alterations were distinguished by curve shape and/or position. Heterozygous DNA was identified by the low-temperature melting of heteroduplexes not observed with other dyes commonly used in real-time PCR. Results: The six common β-globin genotypes (AA, AS, AC, SS, CC, and SC) were all distinguished in a 110-bp amplicon. The HTR2A single-nucleotide polymorphism was genotyped in a 544-bp fragment that split into two melting domains. Because melting curve acquisition required only 1–2 min, amplification and analysis were achieved in 10–20 min with rapid cycling conditions. Conclusions: High-resolution melting analysis of PCR products amplified in the presence of LCGreen can identify both heterozygous and homozygous sequence variants. The technique requires only the usual unlabeled primers and a generic double-stranded DNA dye added before PCR for amplicon genotyping, and is a promising method for mutation screening.
Physical fitness and academic performance in middle school students

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical fitness is linked to academic success in middle school students. Methods: The FITNESSGRAM test battery assessed students (n = 838) in the five components of health-related fitness. The Illinois Standardized Achievement Test (ISAT) was used to assess academic achievement in reading and math. Results: The largest correlations were seen for aerobic fitness and muscular endurance (ranging from 0.12 to 0.27, all p < 0.05). Boys in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) for aerobic fitness or muscular endurance were 2.5–3 times more likely to pass their math or reading exams. Girls in the HFZ for aerobic fitness were approximately 2–4 times as likely to meet or exceed reading and math test standards. Conclusions: Aerobic capacity and muscular endurance seem to positively affect academic achievement in middle school students.
Free Barotropic Rossby Wave Dynamics of the Wintertime Low-Frequency Flow

Abstract In recent years much attention has been given to Rossby wave propagation and dispersion on representative zonally and meridionally varying background flows in the atmosphere. Particular emphasis has been placed on the 300-mb flow as shaping the structure and evolution of extratropical low-frequency eddies. In this paper an attempt is made to check this hypothesis against the observed evolution of low-pass filtered 300-mb streamfunction anomalies during the eight northern winters of 1985–93. The filter passes periods greater than 10 days. The focus is on explaining the observed evolution of these low-pass anomalies over ∼10 days. This evolution is expected to be nonmodal, that is, a mix of several evolving normal modes rather than a single mode. Two questions are asked: 1) given an initial anomaly, to what extent can one explain the observed subsequent evolution with an unforced barotropic vorticity equation linearized about the climatological 300-mb flow, and 2) in instances of anomaly growth, to...
Transient radiation response of jfets and misfets at cryogenic temperatures

This paper provides experimental and analytical data on the transient radiation response and d.c. electrical characteristics of JFETs and MISFETs at cryogenic temperatures. Experimental measurements were performed on commercially available silicon devices over the temperature range 4.2°K to 300°K. A 2 Mev Flash X-ray Facility was used for the photocurrent measurements. The theoretical effort provides a compilation of silicon properties at cryogenic temperatures and scopes out the first-order temperature dependence of JFETs and MISFETs. It was observed that (a) the MISFET functioned well at channel temperatures down to 4.2°K, (b) the JFET would not conduct current at channel temperatures below 50°K (though it could be held on by self-heating at case temperatures down to 4.2°K), (c) the photocurrents of each device enhanced by a factor of 2 or more at temperatures below 40°K. The results are in general agreement with first-order theory, but many problems must be resolved to achieve adequate modeling and understanding of relevant phenomena.
Situational cues and correlation between CS and US as determinants of the conditioned emotional response

Administering unsignaled USs during daily CER training sessions interfered with CER conditioning, as has frequently been reported. This effect was reduced, however, when additional daily sessions were administered during which Ss were simply exposed to the experimental environment in the absence of the CS and US. The results indicate that S’s treatment with respect to “situational” cues is important in the determination of CS-US contingency effects, and are in agreement with recent formulations of Wagner (in press, a) and Rescorla (in press) which emphasize that the degree of conditioning to a CS depends upon the associative strength of the constellation of cues in which the CS is imbedded during training.