cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Occupational Solar Exposure at Summer Camp: The Failure to Protect from a Known Hazard

Summer camps are an $18 billion industry while providing over 14,000 individual programs in the United States in 2015. Camp counselors, like other outdoor workers, are at risk of occupational solar exposure. Occupational solar exposure increases an individual’s lifetime accumulation of solar radiation, leading to skin damage and higher rates of skin cancer. This study fills a gap in the research about the sun protection behaviors of camp counselors and their attitude towards protecting themselves and the campers in their care. Overall, counselors did not achieve experts’ recommendations for sun protection. The findings suggest that summer camps are not taking adequate steps to protect their staff from a known workplace hazard. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration appears to currently not be holding summer camps accountable. The findings have implications for hiring, training, and risk management practices for the summer camp industry. Subscribe to JOREL
Apparent life-threatening events and brief resolved unexplained events: management of children at a Swiss tertiary care center.

AIMS OF THE STUDY Apparent life threatening events (ALTEs) are highly stressful situations for the caregiver and commonly result in presentation of the child to an emergency department. As the events are usually brief and resolve in a short period of time, the entity is now called a brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE). Updated recommendations have been published in recent years on the management of BRUE, including a risk stratification to identify those at lower risk for subsequent events or severe underlying disorders. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of ALTE and BRUE at our hospital and detail clinical practice of management in this population in a tertiary care children's hospital in Switzerland. METHODS We retrospectively analysed all cases of children with an ALTE or BRUE admitted to the University Children's Hospital Basel between September 2009 and April 2018, identified using ICD-10GM coding. Electronic health records were used to extract data on diagnostic procedures, duration of admission and outcome. Infants with a lower-risk BRUE (defined as age >60 days and <1year, born at ≥32 weeks gestational age and postconceptional age ≥45 weeks, first BRUE episode with a duration of <1 minute and no cardiopulmonary resuscitation by trained medical provider required) were compared with those with a higher-risk BRUE/ALTE (not fulfilling all the criteria for lower-risk BRUE). RESULTS A total of 65 patients with a median age of 42 days (interquartile range 20-67) were identified, of whom 15% were classified as having a lower-risk BRUE. A blood sample was analysed in 97% of patients, cranial ultrasound was performed in 63%, an electrocardiogram in 78% and polysomnography in 26%. The results remained normal in almost all patients and none had a further event recorded during admission. In one patient only QTc prolongation was detected as a potential serious underlying disease. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that admission for more than 24 hours and extensive investigations for infants admitted for an ALTE/BRUE rarely led to identification of specific underlying causes. According to current recommendations, 15% of the admitted patients could be categorised as having a lower-risk BRUE and therefore hospital admissions and investigations can safely be reduced. We propose an adaptation of the current Swiss recommendations for ALTE/BRUE to optimise clinical management of children presenting with a BRUE.
A FOLLOW-UP SURVEY OF 1985-1996 GRADUATES OF THE AVIATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE

During 1997 and 1998, researchers conducted a follow-up study of graduates earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management (AVM) from the College of Applied Sciences and Arts (ASA) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). The purpose of the study was twofold: (a) to determine a demographic, educational, and occupational profile of the graduates and (b) to obtain an evaluation of the program in terms of the degree to which it helped graduates achieve their occupational and/or life goals. The follow-up study population was composed of students who graduated from the aviation management degree program between 1985 and 1996. A population of 2,663 graduates was identified. A mail-in survey instrument was used to gather data for the follow-up study. Three mailings were conducted, resulting in 806 usable returns and a 31% response rate. Key findings of the study were: (a) eighty-six percent indicated that the degree was an asset that assisted them in achieving their occupational and/or life goals, (b) ninety percent indicated that they would recommend the program to others, (c) fifty-nine percent reported that they are employed within the aviation industry, (d) sixty-eight percent reported earning annual salaries in excess of $35,000.00, and (e) sixty-three percent indicated that they were satisfied with their current levels of employment.
Abstract A100: Role of HER3 ligand-independent activation in EGFR resistance in pancreatic cancer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of HER3 ligand-independent activation in EGFR resistance in pancreatic cancer. The expression and activation status of EGFR and HER3 were determined in a panel of 13 human pancreatic cancer cell lines by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. To determine whether HER3 plays a central role in EGFR resistance, the effect of combination treatment with erlotinib and anti-HER3 on signaling pathways was examined in 2 pancreatic cancer cell lines. This was done using a novel anti-HER3 antibody (1A5) capable of inhibiting HER3 activation in a ligand-independent fashion, and a classic anti-HER3 antibody (3D4) primarily blocking ligand-induced HER3 activation. The MEK inhibitor trametinib was used to investigate EGFR and HER3 activation. Combination treatment studies in athymic nude mice bearing BxPC-3 xenografts involved anti-HER3, lapatinib, trametinib, and gemcitabine treatment. The majority of pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed high levels of total EGFR and HER3, and had variable levels of phospho-EGFR (Tyr1068) and phospho-HER3. Erlotinib treatment did not reduce the levels of phospho-EGFR. Although ligand-independent and ligand-dependent anti-HER3 antibodies did not alter the levels of phospho-EGFR, they did reduce the levels of phospho-AKT. Combination treatment with anti-HER3 antibodies and erlotinib or trametinib reduced the levels of phospho-EGFR and phospho-AKT. When MEK/ERK was inhibited by trametinib, both EGFR and HER3 were activated. Treatment of BxPC-3 xenografts with lapatinib, trametinib, anti-HER3, and gemcitabine produced the greatest inhibition of tumor growth as compared to any single agent or combinations of two or three agents. These results show that EGFR is expressed and highly activated in pancreatic cancer cell lines, but the cell lines are resistant to an EGFR inhibitor. They also suggest that ligand-independent activation of HER3 may lead to erlotinib resistance via the AKT pathway. These results reveal a novel mechanism by which HER3 is activated in a ligand-independent fashion via inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway. This is an important observation as it indicates that HER3 ligand-independent activation must be inhibited when the MEK/ERK pathway is targeted. Overall, these results indicate that HER3 ligand-independent activation is a key target for overcoming EGFR resistance in pancreatic cancer cells, and suggest a combination strategy of anti-HER3 antibodies with either erlotinib or trametinib for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: Donald J. Buchsbaum, Tong Zhou. Role of HER3 ligand-independent activation in EGFR resistance in pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Innovations in Research and Treatment; May 18-21, 2014; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(13 Suppl):Abstract nr A100.
DS-SS-CDMA uplink performance with imperfect power control and a base station antenna array

This paper concerns itself with the steady-state analysis of an idealized scenario involving multiple directional signal sources transmitting to a central base station (the uplink path). The multiple, independent signal sources reside in a single cell. The only fluctuation in the signal levels is due to lognormally-distributed power control error in the multiple transmitters. The central receiver consists of an array of isotropic sensors, minimum mean-squared error beamforming processors and a bank of conventional detectors. The performance measures are outage probability and effective bit energy to noise spectral density ratio. The goal is to find simple expressions which relate the outage-based capacity to the antenna array parameters and the degree of lognormally-distributed power control error. The analytical results are found to agree closely with those obtained form Monte Carlo simulations.
Some simple continuity properties of symplectic capacities

According to the Eliashberg-Gromov C 0-symplectic rigidity theorem (see [Gro2]), a smooth diffeomorphism which is C 0-approximable by smooth symplectomor-phisms must itself be symplectic. Motivated by this fact, recent developments in symplectic geometry have led to the concept of symplectic capacity, a «two-dimensional» invariant c for subsets of ℝ2n satisfying the following axioms: C1. (Monotonicity) If U ⊂ V, then c(U) ≤ c(V). C2. (Conformality) If f * ω = α · ω, then c(f(U)) = ∣α∣ · c(U) for all U ⊂ ℝ2n . C3. (Non-triviality) c(B 2n (1)) > 0 and c(Z 2n (1)) < ∞.
Ultrasound and fine needle aspiration assessment of the axilla in patients with operable invasive breast cancer

Axillary lymph node dissection has been standard practice for staging invasive breast cancer. As sentinel lymph node biopsy is being performed as an alternative less invasive procedure, identification of positive axillary nodes by ultrasound (US) needle biopsy is important in identifying involved axillae and thereby excluding patients from inappropriate sentinel node procedures.
Figures of Speech: The Emblematum Liber as a Handbook of Rhetorical Ornaments

The emblem did not exist as a genre when Alciato sent a collection of Latin epigrams to fellow humanist Conrad Peutinger under the title Emblematum liber ("Book of Emblems"). In recent decades scholars have advanced various theories as to what Alciato meant by this use of the term emblema, but none sufficiently accounts for the diverse range of subjects treated in the collection: not just works of fine art and figures from ancient history and literature, but such inconsequentialities as the nicknames students give to their professors. I argue that Alciato conceived emblema, by analogy to the adage, as a term for commonplace visual motifs. His project is best understood in relation to Erasmus' in the Adagiorum chiliades: a cultural storehouse making available the rhetorical practices of both the present day and antiquity.
Enhancing the Blockage of Spam over Internet Telephony (SPIT) Using Adaptive PMG Algorithm

Voice over IP (VoIP) is undoubtedly one of the most rapidly emerging technologies in today’s telecommunication industry. With its widespread acceptance, VoIP is all set to redefine the way world communicates. However, there is a huge potential threat from spammers who could take advantage of its wide spread acceptance and cost effectiveness of VoIP. Even though SPam over Internet Telephony (SPIT) is still considered as an emerging problem, it is gaining increased attention from several research communities, universities and industries. Various algorithms and techniques have been proposed to combat SPIT. In this paper we focus on the Progressive Multi Gray level (PMG) approach proposed by Shin et al [1]. We have analyzed the behavior of the PMG algorithm for various call patterns and proposed a way of fine tuning the performance of the PMG algorithm for better blockage of SPIT.
Searching for the advantages of virus sex.

Sex (genetic exchange) is a nearly universal phenomenon in biological populations. But this is surprising given the costs associated with sex. For example, sex tends to break apart co-adapted genes, and sex causes a female to inefficiently contribute only half the genes to her offspring. Why then did sex evolve? One famous model poses that sex evolved to combat Muller's ratchet, the mutational load that accrues when harmful mutations drift to high frequencies in populations of small size. In contrast, the Fisher-Muller Hypothesis predicts that sex evolved to promote genetic variation that speeds adaptation in novel environments. Sexual mechanisms occur in viruses, which feature high rates of deleterious mutation and frequent exposure to novel or changing environments. Thus, confirmation of one or both hypotheses would shed light on the selective advantages of virus sex. Experimental evolution has been used to test these ZFS25245ZFS25245classic models in the RNA bacteriophage φ6, a virus that experiences sex via reassortment of its chromosomal segments. Empirical data suggest that sex might have originated in φ6 to assist in purging deleterious mutations from the genome. However, results do not support the idea that sex evolved because it provides beneficial variation in novel environments. Rather, experiments show that too much sex can be bad for φ6; promiscuity allows selfish viruses to evolve and spread their inferior genes to subsequent generations. Here I discuss various explanations for the evolution of segmentation in RNA viruses, and the added cost of sex when large numbers of viruses co-infect the same cell.
Problems with mitigation translocation of herpetofauna.

Mitigation translocation of nuisance animals is a commonly used management practice aimed at resolution of human–animal conflict by removal and release of an individual animal. Long considered a reasonable undertaking, especially by the general public, it is now known that translocated subjects are negatively affected by the practice. Mitigation translocation is typically undertaken with individual adult organisms and has a much lower success rate than the more widely practiced conservation translocation of threatened and endangered species. Nonetheless, the public and many conservation practitioners believe that because population-level conservation translocations have been successful that mitigation translocation can be satisfactorily applied to a wide variety of human-wildlife conflict situations. We reviewed mitigation translocations of reptiles, including our own work with 3 long-lived species (Gila monsters [Heloderma suspectum], Sonoran desert tortoises [Gopherus morafkai], and western diamond-backed rattlesnakes [Crotalus atrox]). Overall, mitigation translocation had a low success rate when judged either by effects on individuals (in all studies reviewed they exhibited increased movement or increased mortality) or by the success of the resolution of the human–animal conflict (translocated individuals often returned to the capture site). Careful planning and identification of knowledge gaps are critical to increasing success rates in mitigation translocations in the face of increasing pressure to find solutions for species threatened by diverse anthropogenic factors, including climate change and exurban and energy development. Problemas con la Mitigacion por Traslocacion de Herpetofauna
Hemodynamic effects of a new type III phosphodiesterase inhibitor (CI-914) for congestive heart failure.

Abstract Hemodynamic response after intravenous and oral administration of a new phosphodiesterase inhibitor, CI-914, was studied in 13 patients with severe congestive heart failure. Comparable significant increases in cardiac index of 26% (p
Moving care forward: prehospital emergency cardiac systems.

In 1967, the modern era of prehospital emergency cardiac care began with Dr Frank Pantridge's publication of “A mobile intensive-care unit in the management of myocardial infarction.”1 Recognizing that myocardial infarction mortality could be reduced by interventions prior to hospital arrival, Dr Pantridge developed a specialized ambulance system in Belfast, Ireland to stabilize and transport patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction to the Royal Victoria Hospital. Within 3 years, Dr Pantridge's system was being replicated in the United States, first in Haywood County, NC and subsequently in Pittsburgh, Pa, Seattle, Wash, Miami, Fla, and Los Angeles, Calif. Dr Pantridge recognized the importance of collecting performance data and setting time standards, including a goal of 15 minutes from dispatch to patient arrival. His initial publication documented an improvement in the percentage of calls meeting this goal from 20% to 78%. Article see p 1464 Over 40 years later, prehospital emergency cardiac care has expanded in scope to provide rapid coronary artery reperfusion for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The essential elements include prehospital diagnosis and in-the-field catheterization laboratory activation. In the Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network (ACTION) registry, the 27% of patients with a prehospital ECG underwent faster coronary reperfusion (median time to primary percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]: 61 minutes versus 75 minutes, P <0.0001; fibrinolysis:19 minutes versus 29 minutes, P =0.003) and had a trend toward lower mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 0.80, 95% confidence interval: 0.63 to 1.01).2 When the prehospital ECG is used to activate catheterization laboratories, treatment times are remarkably fast. Rokos and colleagues highlighted 10 regional STEMI systems that combined paramedic diagnosis with hospital activation resulting in half of patients undergoing coronary intervention within 60 minutes of hospital arrival.3 Recognizing the importance of prehospital care, both US and European guidelines establish primary …
Contractility of Neonatal Cardiomyocytes is Altered with Different Densities of Laminin Covalently Attached to Microposts

Heart disease is the number one killer in the USA. The collective contractility of the muscle cells of the myocardium - cardiomyocytes - generates the necessary force for the function of a healthy beating heart. Laminin interacts in vivo with cardiomyocytes. Changes in the extracellular concentration and organization of laminin relate to different types of heart disease. Arrays of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microposts measure forces generated by adhesive mammalian cells and were here used to characterize the contractility of single neonatal cardiomyocytes. We used two types of organosilanes to bind laminin to the surface of PDMS microposts: 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. We acquired videos of contracting cardiomyocytes at two different days after cells started to beat and functionally characterized the contractility of single cells. More specifically, we calculated generated forces, beating rate, time of contractions and speeds of contraction and relaxation. These parameters varied in time as a function of organosilane surface stability and cardiomyocyte biological changes when cultured in vitro. Higher forces are generated by cardiomyocytes cultured on laminin covalently attached to PDMS microposts relative to laminin physisorbed to oxidized PDMS. We obtained higher laminin density with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, which correlated to higher generated forces. We also observed higher beating rate at the day 1 and a considerable decrease at day 2. Compared to 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, higher stability of laminin covalent attachment was observed with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The beating rate and speeds of contraction and relaxation increased and time of contractions decreased at day 2 for neonatal cardiomyocytes cultured on these PDMS micropost surfaces. Our results shed light on the potential of in vitro biomechanical systems to model extracellular disease conditions of heart pathologies. Future work will test the contractility of cardiomyocytes with mutations known to originate cardiomyopathies.
Exploring the relationship between positive and negative emotional avoidance and anxiety symptom severity: the moderating role of attentional control.

Background and objectives: Emotional avoidance has been found to be associated with higher levels of anxiety. However, no research to date has differentiated between the avoidance of positive and negative emotions in relation to anxiety. Additionally, no studies have examined the extent to which attentional control moderates the relation between the avoidance of emotions and anxiety. Thus, the purpose of this study was to (a) clarify relations between both positive and negative emotional avoidance and anxiety, and (b) examine attentional control as a moderator of the relations between both positive and negative emotional avoidance and anxiety. Methods: A community sample of adults (N ¼ 93) completed a series of questionnaires, as well as a laboratory-based measure of attentional control. Results: Greater avoidance of both positive and negative emotions was associated with higher levels of anxiety. Additionally, attentional control moderated the relationship between negative (but not positive) emotional avoidance and anxiety. Specifically, the avoidance of negative emotions was associated with higher levels of anxiety for those with lower attentional control. Limitations: Limitations include a cross-sectional design, use of self-report measures, and the examination of hypotheses within a non-clinical sample. Conclusion: Findings are consistent with a growing body of research demonstrating the moderating role of attentional control in the relation between risk factors and negative outcomes. Findings also suggest that empirically-based treatment approaches that contain attention-based components may be beneficial for emotionally avoidant individuals with poor attentional control abilities.
A Fast-Response Method for Determination of Atmospheric Isoprene Using Quadrupole Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

A fast-response detection system for measurement of atmospheric isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) is described which involves a tubular silicone membrane sampling system interfaced to a quadrupole ion trap. This method can be adapted to determination of a variety of atmospherically important alkenes that have short atmospheric lifetimes and, thus, for which high-frequency measurements are desirable. In this paper, we describe the development of a novel multimembrane air-sampling system in conjunction with selective chemical ionization and tandem mass spectrometry for the rapid quantitative determination of isoprene and other alkenes. In this method, we use vinyl methyl ether as an alkene-selective CI reagent, with which isoprene undergoes a [2 + 4] cycloaddition reaction, followed by loss of methanol, to generate an adduct ion at m/z 94 [M + 58 − 32]•+. This adduct ion undergoes loss of a methyl radical upon collision-induced dissociation. Quantitation is based on measurement of this fragment ion (m/z = 7...
On the preparation of molybdenum carbide-supported metal catalysts

Abstract Carbide-supported metal catalysts have been demonstrated to be highly active for a number of reactions including water gas shift and electrochemical hydrogen evolution. Their activity appears to be a consequence of intimate interactions between the metal and support. These interactions as well as the structures and compositions depend on the conditions used during preparation. The objective of research described in this paper was to define key aspects regarding the adsorption and reaction of metal precursor complexes with unpassivated, high surface area Mo2C powders during wet impregnation. The rate of metal deposition and the final state of the metal were functions of the nature of the precursor (i.e., counter ion), electrostatic interactions, and red–ox reactions with the Mo2C surface. The deposition rate decreased in the following order: H2PtCl6 ∼ Pd(NH3)4(NO3)2 ∼ CuCl2 ∼ Cu(NO3)2 > Co(NO3)2 ∼ Ni(NO3)2 ≫ CoCl2 ∼ NiCl2 ∼ FeCl2 ∼ Fe(NO3)3. The observed adsorption and red–ox behavior suggest that supporting metals onto native carbide surfaces could result in properties that are significantly different from those for metals supported on oxidized carbide surfaces.
Effect of Platelet Suppressant Treatment with Dipyridamole and Aspirin on Exercise Performance and Platelet Survival Time in Coronary Disease

Platelets may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD), and platelet reactivity may be activated by exercise. Fourteen men with CAD participated in a double-blind, crossover study of aspirin (ASA), dipyridamole (DPY), ASA-DPY, and placebo. The ASA therapy increased platelet survival time (autologous labelling with 51 Cr), but had no effect on either the duration of angina-limited treadmill exercise or the heart rate-systolic blood pressure product (×10 –2 ) at peak exercise. The combination DPY-ASA had a greater effect on platelet survival, but did not substantially increase the duration of exercise. Administration of DPY alone at a higher dosage increased the exercise duration and had a similar effect on platelet survival. At the time that control exercise was completed with the higher dosage of DPY, the rate-pressure product was decreased. The results suggest that DPY and ASA favorably alter the platelet survival in men with CAD, and that DPY, but not ASA, favorably alters exercise performance. Although ASA and ASA-DPY may alter platelet response to exercise, the effect is not shown in hemodynamic measurements during exercise. In higher dosages, DPY may be an effective coronary vasodilator for men with CAD.
Generalizations of a result of Christensen on renewal sequences and linear recurrences

Abstract This note extends some recent work of Christensen on simple closed form solutions for linear recurrences, employing connections with renewal sequences. We obtain results for linear recursive sequences defined via monotone coefficients, and provide a broader result in the third-order case. A related open question is posed.
Receptor-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase mu is expressed in specific vascular endothelial beds in vivo.

We investigated the localization of receptor-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase mu (RPTP mu) in tissues by immunofluorescence. RPTP mu immunoreactivity was found almost exclusively within vascular endothelial cells. RPTP mu was more abundant in the arterial tree than in the venous circulation. This pattern of expression was opposite to that of the von Willebrand factor and demonstrated a lack of difference in expression of VE-cadherin. RPTP mu was undetectable in the endocardium, In agreement with previous work on nonendothelial cell lines, RPTP mu was exclusively at the lateral aspects of endothelial cells in vivo and at cell-cell contacts as well as ex vivo in two- or three-dimensional endothelial cell cultures, and expression levels were upregulated by cell density. RPTP mu was detected in few other cells: bronchial and biliary epithelia and cardiocytes (intercalated discs). Our results identify RPTP mu as a new marker of endothelial cell heterogeneity and suggest a possible role in endothelial-specific functions, involving cell-cell contact. (C) 1999 Academic Press.
The stimulus properties of gamma-hydroxybutyrate.

Fourteen rats were trained to discriminate the effects of γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) (sodium salt, 200 mg/kg) and saline in a two-lever choice task using a fixed ratio 10 schedule of water reinforcement. Intermediate responding, i.e., responding not fully appropriate for either training condition was observed in tests following morphine, lysergic acid diethylamide, chlordiazepoxide, and the presumed GABA-mimetics muscimol, γ-butyrolactone, baclofen, and 3-aminopropane sulfonic acid. Naloxone blocked the intermediate results following morphine, but had no effect on GHB-induced stimulus control. The GABA antagonist bicuculline partially blocked GHB, but pizotyline, phentolamine, and butaclamol were without effect. It is concluded that the compound stimulus produced by GHB is most closely associated with GABAergic systems, but that minor opiate and serotonergic components are present as well.
Method for Determining the Solubilities of Hydrophobic Organics in Subcritical Water

A rapid and simple method has been developed to determine the solubility of organic compounds in water at temperatures from 25 to 250 °C and with enough pressure to maintain the liquid state (“subcritical” water). Water is heated and then passed through a cell containing excess test solute. The water, now saturated with solute, is blended with chloroform, cooled, and collected, and the chloroform fraction is analyzed by gas chromatography. Replicate determinations have typical reproducibilities, indicated by the relative standard deviation, of <5%. Solubilities at 25 °C determined by this method are in good agreement with published data. Increasing the temperature of water from 25 °C to near the normal melting point of the organic solute results in solubility enhancements ranging from 6-fold for naphthalene (at 65 vs 25 °C) to 130 000-fold for chlorothalonil (at 200 vs 25 °C).
Body sensor data processing using stream computing

Advances in sensor technologies have accelerated the instrumentation of medical institutions. Today, modern intensive care units use sophisticated patient monitoring systems able to produce massive amounts of physiological streaming data. While these monitoring systems aim at improving patient care and staff productivity, they have the potential of introducing a data explosion problem. We address this problem by developing an open infrastructure upon which healthcare analytics can be built, managed, and deployed to analyze in real time physiological streaming data and turn this data into meaningful information for medical professionals. This infrastructure incorporates feature extraction and data mining functionalities for the discovery of clinical rules capable of identifying medically significant events. The system is based on a state of the art stream computing middleware. This paper presents this infrastructure from a programming model perspective. An exemplar application for arrhythmia detection is also described to illustrate its capabilities.
The true meaning of IFSO.

The abbreviation, IFSO, stands for the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (and Metabolic Disorders) and is the name of an international community of clinicians committed to the treatment of extreme obesity and related metabolic disorders. Although the name seems appropriately descriptive, I have always suspected that IFSO meant very much more. This year’s amazing World Congress in New Delhi, India confirmed my belief. Over the years, I have attended many IFSO meetings, and in doing so, visited many interesting places around the world. Each venue offered up opportunities to learn about the many interesting and diverse cultures of the members of our organization. While I always looked forward to experiencing the rich scenery and the daily life of the local people, mostly, I couldn’t wait to see my many friends and colleagues from around the world. Only in an organization such as IFSO can a boy born in New York City from humble roots be blessed with knowing so many people around the world, many of whom are world leaders in their fields. This year’s meeting, held in New Delhi, India, was the most unique, and in a way, the most special. In addition to the scientifically strong program and rich social program, the Congress participants were blessed to have His Holiness, the Dalai Lama attend. This was a truly amazing and unforgettable experience. No matter what your religious beliefs are, the Dalai Lama’s message of peace and love touches all hearts. His Holiness came on the morning of the second day. He spoke without notes and from his heart for almost an hour. He spoke about the importance of tolerance and that all people are brothers and sisters to one another. He then greeted a long procession of attendees who had the opportunity to shake his hand and to speak with him individually. I was fortunate enough to be one of them. It has long been my observation that the tolerance and respect His Holiness spoke about was already a trait of IFSO. I have for many years noticed that IFSO members are comprised of peoples from all over the world. All religions, races and ethnic groups are represented. In IFSO, our members are respectful and even compassionate to one another. Members from regions of geopolitical conflicts and long-time hostilities shake hands, break bread together, and work together for the common goals of improving the lives of patients suffering from metabolic disease. True friendships exist for individuals who otherwise might have never met. Politics and prejudices do not enter into the mission or actions of the federation. The Dalai Lama reminded us that we are all the same and have shared interests and goals for life. I think IFSO already stood for that. Maybe our world leaders could learn a thing or two from IFSO.
Pattern Formation in Asymmetrical and Symmetrical Imaginal Discs of Drosophila melanogaster

The polar coordinate model for pattern regulation in epimorphic fields (French et al ., 1976) predicts that bilaterally symmetrical fields will show different kinds of regulative behavior depending on the direction of the cut. These predictions have been tested using the male genital disc of Drosophila melanogaster . First, a detailed fate map was established by examining the fate of disc fragments subjected to immediate metamorphosis in host larvae. Then the regulative abilities of various fragments were examined by culturing them for seven days in adult abdomens, before transfer to larvae for metamorphosis. When the disc was bisected by a vertical cut (parallel to the line of symmetry) then fragments smaller than half of the disc underwent duplication with some simultaneous regeneration, while fragments larger than half of the disc underwent regeneration. If the disc was bisected by a bilaterally symmetrical cut across the line of symmetry, wound healing resulted in the confrontation of cells from similar positions on the right and left sides of the fragment, and no regulation occurred. With the exception of regeneration occurring during duplication of small lateral fragments, these results are as predicted by the polar coordinate model.
Development of Combustion-Driven Thermoacoustic Engine

Miniature thermoacoustic engines driven by combustion and producing electricity are promising candidates for small-scale power devices. The elemental development of the system including a small thermoacoustic engine and a Swiss roll combustor is discussed in this work. A standing-wave thermoacoustic prime mover consists of a resonator with a stack of porous material inside where a temperature gradient is maintained. This engine generates acoustic power from heat. The sound energy can be converted in electricity by an electroacoustic transformer. The Swiss roll combustor utilizes the high energy density of hydrocarbon fuels in order to provide the necessary heat transfer required to generate acoustic power from the engine. Some results of this developmental study are presented.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Classifying modules over K-theory spectra

Abstract The category of modules over an S -algebra ( A ∞ or E ∞ ring spectrum) has many of the good properties of the category of spectra. When the homotopy groups of the S -algebra in question form a sufficiently nice ring, it is possible to see the deviation of the category of modules over an S -algebra from the corresponding algebraic module category. In particular, many algebraic modules are realized as homotopy groups of topological modules over S -algebras. Examples studied include real and complex K -theory, both connective and periodic. Further, Bousfield localization by a smashing spectrum is shown to yield a category of modules over the localized sphere. For periodic K -theory, these methods yield an algebraic criterion to determine when a local spectrum is a module over the K -theory S -algebra, real or complex.
New epoxy/episulfide resin system for electronic applications. I. Curing mechanism and properties

A new epoxy/episulfide is investigated using a dicyandiamide (DICY) curing agent system. The resin exhibits better adhesion to copper, a lower thermal expansion coefficient, a lower heat of reaction, and slightly higher water absorption as compared with the standard epoxy system. The dielectric constant of the epoxy/episulfide system is almost the same as that of the standard epoxy system. The properties are due to the reaction mechanism change caused by the addition of episulfide, which is studied using a monofunctional model compound system; the amino groups in DICY initially react much more easily with the episulfide than with the epoxy ring. The S− formed by this reaction reacts with the episulfide and the epoxy quickly. In the presence of copper, the episulfide and/or the S− also react with copper, forming a durable bond between the copper and matrix resin that retains strength even after water boiling. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1359–1370, 2001
Predictive factors from cold knife conization for residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in subsequent hysterectomy

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The optimal management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after cold knife conization remains controversial. Reliable predictors of residual dysplasia in the cervix after cold knife conization have not been consistently identified. This study was initiated to examine the accuracy of the traditional factors used to predict residual dysplasia in hysterectomy specimens after cold knife conization. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective 10-year chart review identified a cohort of 1272 patients who underwent cold knife conization, of whom 311 had a subsequent hysterectomy within 1 year of conization. Residual disease was defined as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cancer in the hysterectomy specimen. All cone specimens were completely submitted for pathologic examination, and the following factors were analyzed for their predictive value: degree of dysplasia, margin involvement, endocervical gland involvement, and status of the endocervical curettage. The predictive value of age, race, gravidity, parity, socioeconomic status, cigarette smoking, and marital status were also examined. The χ 2 test, t test, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Dysplasia or cancer was identified in 1066 (84%) of the 1272 patients who underwent cold knife conization. Of the 311 patients having a subsequent hysterectomy, 106 (34%) had residual disease in their hysterectomy specimen. By multivariate analysis only increasing age and degree of dysplasia were predictive of residual disease. The odds ratio of residual disease in the hysterectomy specimen for a 25-year-old woman was 2.7 (95% confidence interval 1.6 to 4.4) compared with a 40-year-old woman whose odds ratio was 4.9 (95% confidence interval 2.2 to 10.8). The presence of dysplasia in the cold knife conization specimen conferred an odds ratio of 12.1 (95% confidence interval 2.7 to 54.5) of identifying residual disease. Dysplasia involving the ectocervical margin, endocervical margin, and endocervical glands was not predictive of disease in the hysterectomy specimens. Endocervical curettage was not performed in 44% of the patients, preventing reliable statistical evaluation. Further analysis indicated that residual disease was found in 32% of the hysterectomy specimens with negative margins, in 31% with no endocervical gland involvement, and in 23% with a negative endocervical curettage sample. CONCLUSIONS: The presence or absence of dysplasia in the cold knife conization ectocervical margin, endocervical margin, and endocervical glands was not predictive of residual dysplasia in post-cold knife conization hysterectomy specimens. Increasing age and severity of disease in the cone specimen were the only factors that accurately predicted residual dysplasia. The traditional factors used to justify hysterectomy after cold knife conization may not be valid on the basis of these results.
The Relationship of the Rate of Intrauterine Growth of Low-Birth-Weight Infants to Later Growth.

The relationship of the rate of intrauterine growth of low-birth-weight infants (1,501 to 2,500 gm) to their postnatal growth up to 10 years of age was investigated. Each child was assigned to one of four gestation quartiles which have identical birth weight distributions but differ widely in their length of gestation. The mean heights and weights of the children in each of the four quartiles were compared with similar data of a control group of children who had birth weights above 2,500 gm. Only infants in the long gestation quartile failed to catch up in height and weight to the control group by the end of the 10-year period. The same results that were obtained for the total cohort were also found separately for white and black children and for boys and girls. The data relate to 488 single white and black low-birth-weight infants and 488 normal-birth-weight infants.
PDK-1/AKT pathway as a novel therapeutic target in rhabdomyosarcoma cells using OSU-03012 compound

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common paediatric soft-tissue sarcoma including two major subtypes, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS). Increasing evidence suggests that oncogenesis of RMS involves multistages of signalling protein dysregulation which may include prolonged activation of serine/threonine kinases such as phosphoinositide-dependant kinase-1 (PDK-1) and AKT. To date, whether PDK-1/AKT pathway is activated in RMS is unknown. This study was to examine phosphorylation status of AKT and to evaluate a novel small molecular inhibitor, OSU-03012 targeting PDK-1 in RMS. We examined phosphorylation levels of AKT using ARMS and ERMS tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry staining. Our results showed phospho-AKTThr308 level is elevated 42 and 35% in ARMS and ERMS, respectively. Phospho-AKTSer473 level is also increased 43% in ARMS and 55% in ERMS. Furthermore, we showed that OSU-03012 inhibits cell viability and induces apoptosis in ARMS and ERMS cell lines (RH30, SMS-CTR), which express elevated phospho-AKT levels. Normal cells are much less sensitive to OSU-03012 and in which no detectable apoptosis was observed. This study showed, for the first time, that PDK-1/AKT pathway is activated in RMS and may play an important role in survival of RMS. PDK-1/AKT pathway may be an attractive therapeutic target for cancer intervention in RMS using OSU-03012.
NMR studies of the interaction of a type II dihydrofolate reductase with pyridine nucleotides reveal unexpected phosphatase and reductase activity.

The interaction of type II R67 dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) with its cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) has been studied using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Doubly labeled [U-13C,15N]DHFR was obtained from Escherichia coli grown on a medium containing [U-13C]-d-glucose and 15NH4Cl, and the 16 disordered N-terminal amino acids were removed by treatment with chymotrypsin. Backbone and side chain NMR assignments were made using triple-resonance experiments. The degeneracy of the amide 1H and 15N shifts of the tetrameric DHFR was preserved upon addition of NADP+, consistent with kinetic averaging among equivalent binding sites. Analysis of the more titration-sensitive DHFR amide resonances as a function of added NADP+ gave a KD of 131 ± 50 μM, consistent with previous determinations using other methodology. We have found that the 1H spectrum of NADP+ in the presence of the R67 DHFR changes as a function of time. Comparison with standard samples and mass spectrometric analysis i...
A HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF CALLUS INITIATION FROM CARROT TAPROOT PHLOEM CULTIVATED IN VITRO

Cylinders of carrot taproot secondary phloem were cultured on one of four media: 1) 2% sucrose + 1% agar (SA); 2) Heller's basal medium (NA); 3) NA + 10-5 g/liter 2,4-D (H4); and 4) NA + H4 + 15% coconut milk (HW). Samples were taken from the cultured explants at 3-day intervals. A morphological study of the cultured explants revealed no differences between callus-initiating e-xplants (cultured on HW medium) and noncallus-initiating explants (cultured on SA, NA, and H4 media) within the first 3 days of culture. All explants exhibited a typical wound response. Cell division ceased in the NA and SA explants after the sixth day in culture. Extensive cell division occurred in the subsurface layer of dividing cells in the HW explants and resulted in the formation of callus by the ninth day in culture. Histochemical staining revealed that the activity of NAD diaphorase, succinic dehydrogenase, and cytochrome oxidase were closely correlated with the wound response and with callus initiation in the cultured explants. The activity of these enzymes was high in the layer of dividing cells of all explants after 3 days of culture, but with longer periods of culture the activity of these enzymes was closely correlated with the extent of cell division. Acid phosphatase activity was associated with the dividing cell layers of all explants, but comparatively little acid phosphatase activity was observed in the NA, SA, and H4 explants as compared to the 1W explants, and acid phosphatase was strongly correlated with callus initiation by the HW explants. Using the nitroso reaction, "catechol tannins" were found in the surface layers of the NA, SA, and H4 explants, while no nitroso-reactionpositive substances were detected in the HW explants during the period of callus initiation.
Selective pulmonary and systemic vasodilator effects of amrinone in children: New therapeutic implications

Abstract Objectives. The present study was performed to determine the systemic and pulmonary hemodynamic effects of amrinone in infants and children with a cardiac left to right shunt to determine if there is a beneficial effect on the pathophysiology of this condition. Background. Amrinone is a bipyridine derivative with inotropic and vasodilator effects that have not been systematically evaluated in the pediatric patient with increased pulmonary blood flow. Methods. Nineteen patients (aged 2 months to 8.3 years) with one or more left to right shunts were evaluated during cardiac catheterization with direct hemodynamic measurements made before and 10 min (peak effect) after administration of a bolus injection of amrinone, 3 mg/kg body weight. The Fick method was used to calculate pulmonary and systemic blood flow, and resistances were then calculated. Results. In group A, five patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure and resistance, amrinone significantly reduced mean pulmonary artery pressure by 19%, mean left atrial pressure by 39% and systemic vascular resistance by 17%. In group B, seven patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure >20 mm Hg) and normal pulmonary vascular resistance (total pulmonary resistance ≤3 Wood U-m2), amrinone significantly reduced the pulmonary artery pressure by 27%, systolic aortic pressure by 5%, mean aortic pressure by 12%, pulmonary arteriolar resistance by 36% and total pulmonary vascular resistance by 26%. In group C, seven patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure >20 mm Hg) and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (total pulmonary resistance >3 Wood U·m2), amrinone significantly reduced the pulmonary arteriolar resistance by 49%, total pulmonary resistance by 47% and pulmonary arteriolar/systemic vascular resistance ratio by 45% and increased the heart rate by 15%. Conclusions. In children with a cardiac left to right shunt, amrinone 1) appears to have selective vasodilator effects depending on the pulmonary artery pressure and resistance, 2) has a beneficial hemodynamic effect in children with normal pulmonary artery pressure and resistance, and 3) may have a role in the treatment of patients with pulmonary artery hypertension without causing systemic hypotension.