cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reading, Loving, and Losing My Mother: A Collage of Partial Understanding

I’ve been estranged from my mother for 18 years. Reading was and is at the heart of the conflict. Can a (sacred) text be read more than one way? What is the relationship between reading and action, learning and living? These questions, central in my ongoing estrangement, also animate the field of literacy education. Written in collage (Elbow in Writ Edge 9:26–40, 1998), my experimental memoir of partial understanding searches for hope through questioning. What is at stake in my life? Her life? What might be done to ease the estrangement? How might our lives be different, and how can they not be? The collage is composed of autobiographical and pedagogical reflection and readings of selected literary texts that feature loss and a search for understanding, including Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home (2006) and Anne Michaels’ Fugitive Pieces (1996). These texts have become commonplace books that contain a rich archive of feeling, grief, possibility, and insight. My continued engagement with them as a teacher and reader point to the learning potential of rereading and of ongoing interpretation.
Systematic microsatellite repeat expansion cloning and validation

Approximately 3% of the human genome is composed of short tandem repeat (STR) DNA sequence known as microsatellites, which can be found in both coding and non-coding regions. When associated with genic regions, expansion of microsatellite repeats beyond a critical threshold causes dozens of neurological repeat expansion disorders. To better understand the molecular pathology of repeat expansion disorders, precise cloning of microsatellite repeat sequence and expansion size is highly valuable. Unfortunately, cloning repeat expansions is often challenging and presents a significant bottleneck to practical investigation. Here, we describe a clear method for seamless and systematic cloning of practically any microsatellite repeat expansion. We use cloning and expansion of GGGGCC repeats, which are the leading genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as an example. We employ a recursive directional ligation (RDL) technique to build multiple GGGGCC repeat-containing vectors. We describe methods to validate repeat expansion cloning, including diagnostic restriction digestion, PCR across the repeat, and next-generation long-read MinION nanopore sequencing. Validated cloning of microsatellite repeats beyond the critical expansion threshold can facilitate step-by-step characterization of disease mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level.
Rickettsia parkeri Sca2 promotes dissemination in an intradermal infection mouse model

Abstract Arthropod-borne pathogens cause severe human and animal diseases worldwide; however, current animal models are often inadequate in recapitulating key features of infection. Here, we report an intradermal infection model for Rickettsia parkeri, which causes eschar-associated spotted fever rickettsiosis in humans. We show that infection of mice lacking both interferon receptors (Ifnar−/−Ifngr−/−) with R. parkeri causes skin lesion formation similar to human eschars and disseminated disease with as few as 10 bacteria. Using this model, we found that the actin-based motility protein Sca2 is dispensable for R. parkeri survival in organs but is required for R. parkeri dissemination from the skin to peripheral tissues and for causing lethal disease. We also found that immunizing mice with sca2 and ompB mutant R. parkeri protects against subsequent rechallenge with wild-type bacteria. This study characterizes a mouse model that mimics aspects of human rickettsial disease and reveals a pathogenic role for the R. parkeri actin-based motility protein Sca2 in dissemination.
An overview of the non-canonical inflammasome

Inflammasomes are large cytosolic multiprotein complexes assembled in response to infection and cellular stress, and are crucial for the activation of inflammatory caspases and the subsequent processing and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. While caspase-1 is activated within the canonical inflammasome, the related caspase-4 (also known as caspase-11 in mice) and caspase-5 are activated within the non-canonical inflammasome upon sensing of cytosolic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. However, the consequences of canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation are similar. Caspase-1 promotes the processing and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 and the release of danger signals, as well as a lytic form of cell death called pyroptosis, whereas caspase-4, caspase-5 and caspase-11 directly promote pyroptosis through cleavage of the pore-forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD), and trigger a secondary activation of the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome for cytokine release. Since the presence of the non-canonical inflammasome activator LPS leads to endotoxemia and sepsis, non-canonical inflammasome activation and regulation has important clinical ramifications. Here we discuss the mechanism of non-canonical inflammasome activation, mechanisms regulating its activity and its contribution to health and disease.
Monolithic 3D Enabled Processing-in- SRAM Memory

This work will provide an overview of recent advances in enabling SRAM-based compute fabrics leveraging monolithic 3D (M3D). It will highlight that the fine grain connectivity enabled by M3D, enables to embed computations close to the memory cells significantly reducing the data transfer costs. The application level benefits to emerging workloads will also be presented.
Prognostic and Predictive Values of Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Non-Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Universal MMR/MSI testing is standard of care for all patients with newly diagnosed CRC based on multi-society guidelines in the United States. Such testing is intended to identify patients with Lynch Syndrome due to a germline mutation in an MMR gene, but also detects those with sporadic dMMR/MSI-high CRCs. The prognostic utility of MMR/MSI status in non-metastatic colorectal cancer has been studied extensively, yet more limited data are available for its predictive utility. Results have not been entirely consistent due to potential stage-related differences and limited numbers of dMMR/MSI-H patients included in the studies. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for the prognostic and predictive value of dMMR/MSI-H in non-metastatic CRC, and discuss the use of this biomarker for patient management and treatment decisions in clinical practice.
The Problem of Electric Vehicle Charging: State-of-the-Art and an Innovative Solution

This paper presents a comprehensive literature review with focus on the difficulties electric vehicles (EVs) face to charge the battery while on a trip, and proposes a solution without the need of an expensive change in infrastructure. The proposed method charges EVs while en route from another vehicle, which will be referred to as vehicle-to-vehicle recharging (VVR). The aim of this system is to bring an innovative way for EVs to charge their battery without getting off route on a highway. The electric vehicle can request such a service from a designated charger vehicle on demand and receive electric power wirelessly while en route. The vehicles that provide energy (charger vehicles) through wireless power transfer (WPT) only need to be semi-autonomous in order to engage/disengage during a trip. The state-of-the-art is divided into three subsections relevant to the proposed system and where most of the innovations to reduce the burden of charging EVs can be found: (1) infrastructure changes, (2) device level innovations, and (3) autonomous vehicles. The infrastructure changes highlight some of the proposed systems that aim to help EVs become a convenient solution to the public. Device level innovations covers some of the literature on technology that addresses EVs in terms of WPT. And finally, the autonomous vehicle subsection covers the importance of such technology in terms of safety and reliability, that could be implemented on the VVR system. Furthermore, modeling, analysis, and simulation is presented to validate the feasibility of the proposed system.
Strange Behavior in a Transgender Teenager.

1. Salvador R. Maffei, MD* 2. Andrea Dean, MD* 1. *Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX A 12-year-old transmale ( transgender male or transmale is the term used for a person who is assigned female at birth [and is, usually, XX genotype] but who identifies as male) presents to the emergency department (ED) from an inpatient psychiatric facility for evaluation of new gait abnormalities and decreased oral intake. He initially presented to the ED 2 weeks earlier with acute onset of confusion, agitation, and suicidal ideation in the setting of a recent disclosure of his gender identity to family and classmates without their acceptance. After medical evaluation for toxic ingestion and intracranial abnormality, he was referred for inpatient psychiatric evaluation and was admitted for 2 weeks. While hospitalized he was started on chlorpromazine, haloperidol, risperidone, and escitalopram. Over the next 2 weeks he developed slowing and stiffening of movements, with progressively impaired motor function and cognitive abilities. For the past 3 days he has demonstrated mutism, minimal oral intake, tongue thrusting, and refusal to walk. At times he would hit himself in the forehead repeatedly. Symptoms did not improve with benztropine, amantadine, and lorazepam use, so he was transferred back to the ED for further evaluation. On presentation he is alert but nonverbal and does not follow commands. He is afebrile, his heart rate is 129 beats/min, and his blood pressure is 136/83 mm Hg. He has dry mucous membranes. There is an ecchymosis on his forehead, consistent with described self-injurious behavior. Cranial nerves, strength, and coordination cannot be assessed, but global hypertonia and lower extremity clonus are elicited. Laboratory evaluation demonstrates a serum sodium level of 151 mEq/L (151 mmol/L) (reference range, 135–145 mEq/L [135–145 mmol/L]) …
Dental anxiety among Wisma Lincoln University College community

Dental anxiety is common among people of all ages, which results in delay and avoidance of dental visit and eventually deterioration of oral health. The aim of this study is to assess the dental anxiety level among the community in Wisma Lincoln University College. A cross-sectional study was carried out from April to December 2018. A total of 186 participants were included in this study. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was used to assess participants’ dental anxiety level. The prevalence of participants with severe anxiety level was 16.7% (n=31), with Indian female being the highest number (n=6, 20%). Participants felt most anxious if they were to receive a local anesthetic injection, with a mean score of 2.04 for male and 3.76 for female. With regards to the aspects of dental treatment that make participants anxious, 74.7% (n=139) of the participants would feel anxious about extraction, followed by pain arising from treatment (63.4%, n=118) and fear of injury caused by dental instrument (60.8%, n=113). In conclusion, 16.7% of the community in Wisma Lincoln University College were highly anxious, with Indian female being most anxious (20%).
Are robots the future? A case for robotic pyeloplasty as the gold standard treatment in ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Purpose of review Robotic pyeloplasty is still a relatively novel procedure. Clinically, early studies have shown high success rates, decreased complication rates, decreased length of hospital stay, and better cosmetic results. This goal of this article is to argue for the use of robotic pyeloplasty as the gold standard of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) treatment. Results of studies that have compared robotic pyeloplasty with other procedures currently used are reviewed. Recent findings Our study, a comprehensive review of published outcomes of robotic pyeloplasty and alternative therapies, consisted of 666 pediatric patients and 653 adult patients. Our review coincided with the previously established studies that robotic pyeloplasty shows equivalent surgical success rates as previous standard of care treatments. Open pyeloplasty has fallen out of favor as standard of care due to the increased length of hospital stay, increased adverse events, and the undesirable aesthetics. Summary The use of robotic pyeloplasty has shown to have clinical outcomes that are consistent with other intervention for UPJO, with a potential decrease in length of stay and morbidity. More work has to be done to develop ways to decrease cost of the robot to help establish it as the gold standard for UPJO treatment.
Culture and Psychiatric Theories

This chapter focuses on the various sociocultural factors, which influenced the development of psychiatric theories. Political ideologies can influence the formulation of psychiatric theories, which was evident in autocratic regimes in the USSR, China or Nazi Germany. To comply with the demands of the political administration and ideology of the USSR, the psychiatric diagnoses of antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders were removed from the official classification system of psychiatric diseases. In communist China, from the establishment of the regime to the end of the Cultural Revolution, psychoanalytic theories and practices were politically forbidden, the excuse for which was that psychoanalysis was the product of capitalism. By comparing and including clinical information and findings from cross-cultural investigations of populations of other ethnic groups in other cultural settings around the world, the existing knowledge and hypotheses have been revised, corrected, or expanded for scientific accuracy and proper application to humankind as a whole. Among the various contributions of culturally interested scholars are the socioculturally based, fundamental concepts that a person cannot be understood merely in terms of individual psychological aspects and that a society cannot be comprehended simply as an extension or multiplication of personal behavior. A person, in addition to his or her individual psychology, is constantly under the influence of society and culture, while a society or a culture functions as a uniqueentity of its own character and nature beyond the collective input of its members.
Growth of Malignant Gliomas In Vivo: High-Resolution Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can provide information noninvasively about tissue microstructure and microdynamics at the near-cellular level. In this Chapter, we review the use of high-resolution DTI to visualize the growth patterns of brain tumor xenografts in vivo in animals. The possible eventual clinical applications of the results to humans are also discussed.
Usefulness of the basal metabolic rate in pregnancy.

T HE basal metabolic rate in pregnancy has been the subject of considerable investigation since Magnus Levy’s first report in 1897. Interpretation and explanation of the findings, however, have been varied and remain controversial. Much of the work of the past was summarized by Javertl in 1940, with a graphic composite of the findings of Baer, Sandiford and Wheeler, Plass and Jioakam, Hughes, Hanna, and Colvin and Bartholomew in the form of a probable basal metabolic rate curve in normal pregnancy” (Fig. 1). During the first weeks of pregnancy, the metabolic rate is not remarkable. At approximately the twenty-second week, a very definite rise appears. This rise has been explained in at least three different ways, and no explanation is entirely satisfactory. Sandiford and Wheeler? believe that it is due to the increase of protoplasmic mass, the rise in BMR being proportional to the combined masses and surface areas of the mother and fetus. In other words, they believe that the rate of metabolism per unit of tissue is not increased. This view has been questioned, however, by Rowe and Boyd,3 who challenge the basis of Sandiford’s and Wheeler’s calculations; but Rowe and Boyd are them selves unable to explain the change in BMR. As further evidence against the explanation of Sandiford and Wheeler, Javert points out in his series of eighteen hyperthyroid patients that the BMR was essentially the same in the last two trimesters and in the postpartum period. This observation, he believes, is a.gainst the explanation of elevation of BMR on the basis of increased protoplasmic mass of mother and fetus. a second explanation is that the rise in the basal metabolic rate in the latter half of pregnancy is secondary to thyroid hyperplasia. In support of this explanation has been offered the palpable enlargement of the thyroid gland occurring in many pregnant patients (40 per cent according to Hanna4 and up to 80 per cent according to others). Another argument along this line has been suggested by Javert, who, reasoning from his cases of hyperthyroidism, explains the rise in BMR on the basis of thyroid hyperplasia. Since the enlargement of the gland occurs chronologically well in advance of the rise in BMR, this argument for hyperplasia as the explanation seems quite untenable. Furthermore, experimental work by Peters, which will be mentioned later, is definitely against increased thyroid activity as an explanation. A third explanation, unrelated to thyroid activity, is offered by Zunty (cited in DuBois5) who stated that the rise, in part at least, represented the additional work imposed by interference of the enlarging uterus with the mechanics of respiration.
Separation of various B-cell subpopulations from mouse spleen: II. Depletion of antigen-specific B cells by rosetting with glutaraldehyde-fixed, antigen-coupled red blood cells

Abstract Mouse spleen cells were depleted of antigen-specific B cells (ASC) by rosetting with glutaraldehyde-fixed RBC coupled with specific antigen. Removal of the rosetted cells by density gradient centrifugation resulted in the depletion of more than 99% of all the ASC. Depletion was shown by the failure of rosette-depleted, primed spleen cells to generate antigen-specific antibody-producing cells. Functional assays showed that neither macrophages or helper T cells were removed. In comparison to other procedures used to deplete of ASC, rosetting with antigen-coupled RBC has advantages in terms of recovery, simplicity of the procedure, and efficiency of ASC depletion.
Ends, Shapes, and Boundaries in Manifold Topology and Geometric Group Theory

This survey/expository article covers a variety of topics related to the “topology at infinity” of noncompact manifolds and complexes. In manifold topology and geometric group theory, the most important noncompact spaces are often contractible, so distinguishing one from another requires techniques beyond the standard tools of algebraic topology. One approach uses end invariants, such as the number of ends or the fundamental group at infinity. Another approach seeks nice compactifications, then analyzes the boundaries. A thread connecting the two approaches is shape theory. In these notes we provide a careful development of several topics: homotopy and homology properties and invariants for ends of spaces, proper maps and homotopy equivalences, tameness conditions, shapes of ends, and various types of \(\mathscr {Z}\)-compactifications and \(\mathscr {Z}\)-boundaries. Classical and current research from both manifold topology and geometric group theory provide the context. Along the way, several open problems are encountered. Our primary goal is a casual but coherent introduction that is accessible to graduate students and also of interest to active mathematicians whose research might benefit from knowledge of these topics.
Excited light isoscalar mesons from lattice QCD

I report a recent lattice QCD calculation of an excited spectrum of light isoscalar mesons, something that has up to now proved challenging for lattice QCD. With novel techniques we extract an extensive spectrum with high statistical precision, including spin-four states and, for the first time, light isoscalars with exotic quantum numbers. In addition, the hidden flavour content of these mesons is determined, providing a window on annihilation dynamics in QCD. I comment on future prospects including applications to the study of resonances.
Compassionate Conservatives? Evangelicals, Economic Conservatism, and National Identity

In the United States, white evangelicals are more economically conservative than other Americans. It is commonly assumed that white evangelicals oppose redistributive social policies because of their individualistic theology. Yet Canadian evangelicals are just as supportive of redistributive social policy as other Canadians, even though they share the same tools of conservative Protestant theology. To solve this puzzle, I use multi-sited ethnography to compare how two evangelical congregations in the United States and Canada talked about poverty and the role of government. In both countries, evangelicals made sense of their religious responsibilities to “the poor” by reference to national identity. Evangelicals used their theological tools differently in the United States and Canada because different visions of national solidarity served as cultural anchors for religious discourse about poverty. To understand the political and civic effects of religion, scholars need to consider the varied ways that religious groups imagine national community within religious practice.
Health care costs of formula-feeding in the first year of life.

Objective. To determine the excess cost of health care services for three illnesses in formula-fed infants in the first year of life, after adjusting for potential confounders. Methods. Frequency of health service utilization for three illnesses (lower respiratory tract illnesses, otitis media, and gastrointestinal illness) in the first year of life was assessed in relation to duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the Tucson Children9s Respiratory Study ( n = 944) and the Dundee Community Study (Scottish study, n = 644). Infants in both studies were healthy at birth and represented nonselected, population-based samples. Children were classified as never breastfed, partially breastfed, or exclusively breastfed, based on their feeding status during the first 3 months of life. Frequency of office visits and hospitalizations for the three illnesses was adjusted for maternal education and maternal smoking, using analysis of variance. Cost estimates, from the perspective of the health care provider/payer, were based on the direct medical costs during 1995 within a large managed care health care system. Results. In the first year of life, after adjusting for confounders, there were 2033 excess office visits, 212 excess days of hospitalization, and 609 excess prescriptions for these three illnesses per 1000 never-breastfed infants compared with 1000 infants exclusively breastfed for at least 3 months. These additional health care services cost the managed care health system between $331 and $475 per never-breastfed infant during the first year of life. Conclusions. In addition to having more illnesses, formula-fed infants cost the health care system money. Health care plans will likely realize substantial savings, as well as providing improved care, by supporting and promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
Expression of c-Fos protein in the spinal cord after brachial plexus injury: comparison of root avulsion and distal nerve transection

OBJECTIVE: Clinical reports indicate poor outcomes for avulsion injuries, compared with more peripheral nerve damage. These two different injuries may both affect gene expression in spinal neurons, and the changes in gene expression may be related to the types of injuries. METHODS: The brachial plexus of 48 adult male rats was lesioned by either root avulsion close to the spinal cord or distal nerve transection. The rats were quickly revived and remained awake until death at 30, 60, or 120 min after surgery. In rats with avulsive injuries, traumatic sites on the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord were microscopically detected. Immunocytochemical analysis of the c-fos product was performed for the two experimental groups and for sham-treated control animals at the same survival times. RESULTS: An increase in Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) in cells of the spinal cord, at levels C4-T1, was detected at 30 min after nerve transection or root avulsion. The number of FLI-positive cells continued to increase at 60 and 120 min after the nerve injury (P = 0.001). FLI-positive cells were compared at the C7 level, in laminae 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 to 10, after the two injuries and were found to be more abundant after the avulsive injury (P = 0.0001); furthermore, the number of FLI-positive cells increased with time (P = 0.001). In a comparison of all levels, both experimental groups demonstrated significantly greater numbers of FLI-positive cells than did controls, and the group with nerve root avulsion showed significantly (P = 0.0001) more FLI-positive cells than did the group with distal nerve transection. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that nerve root avulsion from the spinal cord leads to increased and prolonged expression of c-fos and, potentially, greatly increased transcription of new messages for recovery, survival, or cell death.
Correlation Between Radiation Dose to 18F-FDG-PET Defined Active Bone Marrow Subregions and Acute Hematologic Toxicity in Cervical Cancer Patients Treated With Chemoradiotherapy

Purpose To test the hypothesis that radiation dose to 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ( 18 F-FDG-PET)-defined active bone marrow (BM ACT ) subregions is correlated with hematologic toxicity in cervical cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. Methods and Materials The conditions of 26 women with cervical cancer who underwent 18 F-FDG-PET before treatment with concurrent cisplatin and intensity-modulated radiation therapy were analyzed. BM ACT was defined as the subregion of total bone marrow (BM TOT ) with a standardized uptake value (SUV) equal to or above the mean for that individual. Inactive bone marrow (BM INACT ) was defined as BM TOT − BM ACT . Generalized linear modeling was used to test the correlation between BM ACT and BM INACT dose–volume metrics and hematologic nadirs, particularly white blood cell count (WBC) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Results Increased BM ACT mean dose was significantly associated with decreased log(WBC) nadir (β = −0.04; 95% CI, −0.07to −0.01; p = 0.009), decreased log(ANC) nadir (β = −0.05; 95% CI, −0.08 to −0.02; p = 0.006), decreased hemoglobin nadir (β = −0.16; 95% CI, −0.27 to −0.05; p = 0.010), and decreased platelet nadir (β = −6.16; 95% CI, −9.37 to −2.96; p INACT mean dose and log(WBC) nadir (β = −0.01; 95% CI, −0.06 to 0.05; p = 0.84), log(ANC) nadir (β = −0.03; 95% CI, −0.10 to 0.04; p = 0.40), hemoglobin nadir (β = −0.09; 95% CI, −0.31 to 0.14; p = 0.452), or platelet nadir (β = −3.47; 95% CI, −10.44 to 3.50; p = 0.339). Conclusions Irradiation of BM subregions with higher 18 F-FDG-PET activity was associated with hematologic toxicity, supporting the hypothesis that reducing dose to BM ACT subregions could mitigate hematologic toxicity. Future investigation should seek to confirm these findings and to identify optimal SUV thresholds to define BM ACT .
Addressing Arrival Rate Uncertainty in Call Center Workforce Management

Workforce management is a critical component of call center operations. Since labor costs are a major component of the total cost of operation efficient staff scheduling is critical. But because of uncertainty in arrival rates, efficient scheduling is very difficult. While there are many models in the literature that address call center scheduling, the majority of these models ignore the issue of arrival rate uncertainty and focus only on the stochastic variability of interarrival times given a known arrival rate. In this paper I summarize my research into the issue of arrival rate uncertainty and its impact on scheduling. I review empirical data from outsourced call centers that demonstrates the level of uncertainty present in many applications, and propose scheduling and staffing models that consider arrival rate uncertainty.
Angular momentum conservation in plasmonics

A complete understanding of angular momentum in plasmonic phenomena is lacking in the optics literature. The role of angular momentum conservation in plasmonics in nano-scale metallic spheres and wires provides new ways to exploit plasmonic response.
Assessing & preventing medication interactions.

The use of multiple drugs to treat medical conditions has become a common practice that significantly increases the risk of drug interactions.This article describes three types of drug interactions by clarifying how these occurrences transpire within the body. Practical strategies for preventing drug interactions are provided.
Uses and issues of biomonitoring

In the last two decades, an explosion in information and literature on human biomonitoring data has occurred. Symposia, workshops, and workgroups have been formed to discuss all issues surrounding biomonitoring. One such workgroup, formed by the International Life Sciences Institute's Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI), developed a wheel which has biomonitoring at its hub; its spokes depict the uses of biomonitoring. As it rolls and picks up speed, the biomonitoring wheel will no doubt gain additional spokes. In this manuscript, we describe and give examples of these biomonitoring uses and some of their further applications as well as some of the issues surrounding biomonitoring. Special emphasis is placed on the uses and limitations of large-scale representative cross sectional studies such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in the United States. Priority setting, improved modeling methods for interpreting the biomonitoring data, and an increase in studies designed to associate health indicators and health risks to selected environmental chemicals are needed to increase the power of biomonitoring.
Effect of fatigue, workload, and environment on patient safety in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Introduction:Pediatric intensive care unit patient care occurs in an unpredictable, technology-rich environment that is dependent on highly skilled providers who need constant communication—all features providing the setting for potential error. This review examines basic principles of human error a
Perceptions of Appropriate Court-Ordered Sanctions for Situational Couple Violence Offenders: A Pilot Study

Over recent decades, social scientists have documented a fluctuation in community members’ perceptions of the appropriate social and legal responses to intimate partner violence. A lack of response to the social problem was followed by a punitive response during the 1980s and 1990s. A therapeutic response in the early 21st century followed. In this pilot study, which is a fully crossed factorial survey, we measured community members’ perceptions of appropriate responses to intimate partner violence, specifically situational couple violence. The analysis of 1,500 judgments showed that most respondents perceived community-based counseling as the appropriate sanction for situational couple violence that results in minor, physical injuries. Perceptions were influenced by victim and offender characteristics, and by the respondents’ characteristics.
The maturation of monoamine oxidase and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in regions of the mouse brain

Abstract Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) amount have been measured in 4 subdivisions of the mouse brain during various stages of postnatal maturation. Each region and each indoleamine pathway component (MAO and 5-HIAA) demonstrated an individual pattern of maturation. MAO increased rapidly from day 1 postpartum and reached adult-like specific activitity by 2 weeks postpartum except in the cerebellum where increase continued after week 6. 5-HIAA levels exceeded adult-like levels by day 3 postpartum, continued to rise during the first week and reached adult level by week 6. Comparison of these data to previously reported maturational patterns of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxytryptophan decar☐ylase (5-HTPD), measured upon a similar regional basis, indicate that the components of the indoleamine pathway in the brain do not mature in a harmonious way.
Survey of Poynting flux of whistler mode chorus in the outer zone

[1] We present a survey of whistler mode chorus emissions based on high-telemetry rate data of the Plasma Wave Instrument on board the Polar spacecraft. Using simultaneous measurements of full vectors of the electric field and the magnetic field we calculate the Poynting vectors of chorus, and we parameterize the observations by their L* coordinate. Our new analysis of the angle between the direction of the Poynting vector and the magnetic field line confirms previous results on propagation of the main chorus band away from the equator. Our systematic results also prove the existence of the magnetospherically reflected component of chorus found previously by case studies. We observe weak outer zone waves that propagate toward the equator. These waves can be attributed to a poleward reflected component of equatorial chorus or chorus generated in the dayside pockets of a low magnetic field strength. We analyze the probability distribution of the Poynting flux of chorus, and we find that it shows a “heavy tail” feature that can be modeled by a power law or lognormal model. This result has consequences for theories of chorus generation and for methods of statistical characterization of chorus intensities in the frame of radiation belt modeling. We find that the Poynting flux of dayside chorus increases with L* toward the outer zone at L* > 6. We estimate that approximately 1% of the Poynting flux of chorus in the outer zone could be sufficient to accelerate electrons in the outer Van Allen radiation belt on the timescale of days.
Interaction challenges in human-robot space exploration

In January 2004, NASA established a new, long-term exploration program to fulfill the President's Vision for U.S. Space Exploration. The primary goal of this program is to establish a sustained human presence in space, beginning with robotic missions to the Moon in 2008, followed by extended human expeditions to the Moon as early as 2015. In addition, the program places significant emphasis on the development of joint human-robot systems. A key difference from previous exploration efforts is that future space exploration activities must be sustainable over the long-term. Experience with the space station has shown that cost pressures will keep astronaut teams small. Consequently, care must be taken to extend the effectiveness of these astronauts well beyond their individual human capacity. Thus, in order to reduce human workload, costs, and fatigue-driven error and risk, intelligent robots will have to be an integral part of mission design.
Time transformations in the extended phase-space

Time transformations involving momenta in addition to the coordinates are studied from the points of view of stabilization and regularization of the equations of motion. The generalization of Sundman's transformation by using the potential function to transform the time is further generalized by using the Lagrangian function for the same purpose. The possibility of the stabilization of the equations of motion is investigated similarly to Stiefel's and Baumgarte's recent results but instead of a factorial, an additive control function is introduced in all equations of motion. The relation between the original and new independent variables is integrated by a modification of Ebert's theorem and it is shown that the new independent variable is Hamilton's principal function. Numerical examples illustrate the method and seem to indicate that the computation of close approach trajectories benefit especially by the transformations discussed. The Appendix offers an analytic treatment regarding the stabilization of the constant of energy.
Physical Chemistry of Biological Free Energy Transduction As Demonstrated by Elastic Protein-Based Polymers†

This article, on protein-based polymers comprised of repeating peptide sequences, reviews studies from the author's laboratory covering a period of more than two decades; it presents a general mechanism for protein folding and function and demonstrates the mechanism by designing model proteins capable of performing many of the energy conversions that sustain life and by designing diverse biomolecular machines and materials with promising applications for society. All polymers with the correct balance of apolar and polar moieties, including water soluble proteins and protein-based polymers, increase order by a hydrophobic folding and assembly transition as the temperature is raised above a critical onset temperature, designated as Tt. Instead of varying the temperature, however, innumerable variables lower the value of Tt from above to below the operating temperature to drive folding and function. Thus, this inverse temperature transition provides a fundamental mechanism whereby proteins fold and function ...
Constellation Major Technical Challenges of 2007

This paper discusses the identification and progress toward resolution of the two of the most significant technical challenges the Constellation Program faced during 2007. Constellation is NASA's program to implement the human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This paper is written from the perspective of the Program Systems Engineer, also known at the Chief Architect, who happens to be from the robotic community of NASA. This paper will briefly provide some background on the Constellation program and describe the Office of the Program Systems Engineer, created to lead major cross program technical issues and to lead the development of the program architecture to the moon and beyond. The paper will focus on two of the major technical challenges of the year. The first is understanding and establishing adequate performance and mass margin for the initial low earth orbit capability, targeted to support ISS, the second is the lunar capability to establish an outpost(s) on the moon including the core elements of the lunar transportation architecture. Other interesting challenges will also be discussed briefly including some parallels and differences between human and robotic cultural approaches to problem solving and systems engineering.
The decidual cell response in the golden hamster.

Decidual cell responses elicited by mechanical uterine trauma applied at two loci in one or both horns two full days after sterile mating were studied in 70 pseudoprgnant hamsters. The antimesometrial response was overt near the middle of the fourth 24-hour interval post coitus and the mesometrial response appeared one day later. The response was maximal during the seventh and eighth 24-hour intervals post coitus, necrosis commenced near the end of the eighth and total separation of the necrotic mass from the endometrium was complete one full day later. Glycogen appeared in the antimesometrial region before the mesometrial response was overt and later filled most of the cells of both regions. Sheathed arteries were prominent at the utero-mesometrial junction.
Naturally occurring prostate cancer antigen-specific T cell responses of a Th1 Phenotype can be detected in patients with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND Cytotoxic T cells (CTL) are considered one of the primary effector cell populations in antitumor immunity. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated the critical importance of helper T cells (Th), specifically interferon γ (IFNγ)-secreting Th1 cells, either by supporting an appropriate CTL environment or by recruiting other effector cells. We evaluated whether patients with prostate cancer have naturally occurring Th-cell responses specific for two prostate cancer-associated antigens, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and whether Th1-type responses to these antigens could be detected. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 80 patients with prostate cancer and 20 male controls without prostate disease. Th-cell responses were evaluated by measuring antigen-specific proliferation. IFNγ and IL-5 secretion in response to antigen stimulation was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS T cell proliferative responses specific for PSA and PAP could be detected in patients with prostate cancer. Six percent (5/80) of patients had T cell responses specific for PSA and 11% (9/80) for PAP. T cell responses specific for PSA were more prevalent in patients with metastatic disease (P = 0.02), whereas responses specific for PAP could be detected in patients irrespective of disease stage. IFNγ-producing Th cells, specific for both PSA and PAP, could be identified in patients with prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS Patients with prostate cancer can have detectable Th-cell responses specific for the prostate cancer-associated proteins PSA and PAP. The presence of antigen-specific Th1 immune responses in prostate cancer patients suggests that an immune environment capable of supporting antigen-specific CTL may exist in vivo. Prostate 47:222–229, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Importance of Thermophilic Bacteria in Biotechnology

(1985). The Importance of Thermophilic Bacteria in Biotechnology. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 39-108.
Context-Aware Job Scheduling for Cloud Computing Environments

The more instrumented society is demanding smarter services to help coordinate daily activities and exceptional situations. Applications become sophisticated and context-aware as the pervasiveness of technology increases. In order to cope with resource limitations of mobile-based environments, it is a common practice to delegate processing intensive components to a Cloud Computing infrastructure. In this scenario, executions of server-based jobs are still dependent on the local variations of the end-user context. We claim that there is a need for an advanced model for smarter services that combines techniques of context awareness and adaptive job scheduling. This model aims at rationalising the resource utilisation in a Cloud Computing environment, while leading to significant improvement of quality of service. In this paper, we introduce such a model and describe its performance benefits through a combination of social and service simulations. We analyse the results by demonstrating gains in performance, quality of service, reduction of wasted jobs, and improvement of overall end-user experience.
Neural correlates of frog calling. Masculinization by androgens.

Neural correlates of mating calling can be recorded from isolated brainstems of male, Northern leopard frogs after the circuits for this behavior have been triggered by electrical stimulation of the preoptic area. Correlates can be evoked reliably and by a stimulus of low amplitude. However, such correlates can be evoked only rarely from female brainstems, and then only by a much larger stimulus. The sensitivity to triggering in female brainstems can be masculinized by previous treatment of the intact frog with testosterone propionate or dihydrotestosterone, but not by estradiol benzoate. This suggests that the action of the androgens is direct and does not require aromatization to estrogens. Comparisons with other studies suggest that the androgen effect may be mainly on posterior parts of the calling circuits (i.e., call pattern generator or motoneurons), rather than on the preoptic area trigger of the generator.
Rational design of gold catalysts with enhanced thermal stability: post modification of Au/TiO2 by amorphous SiO2 decoration

Au/TiO2 is highly active for CO oxidation, but it often suffers from sintering in high-temperature environments. In this work, we report on a novel design of gold catalysts, in which pre-formed Au/TiO2 catalysts were post decorated by amorphous SiO2 to suppress the agglomeration of gold particles. Even after being aged in O2–He at 700 °C, the SiO2-decorated Au/TiO2 was still active for CO oxidation at ambient temperature.
Association of Egalitarian Attitudes with Income, Poverty, and Entitlement Program Utilization

This article examines the relationship between egalitarian gender attitudes and its effect on income, poverty, and social service utilization. In a sample of married fathers in the Fragile Families data (N = 717), we conducted regression analyses on these questions, five years after initial interviews. Our results indicate that egalitarian attitudes were positively associated with income and social service utilization and negatively associated with poverty. Implications of these findings are discussed, including possible explanations for these findings, their importance for social work practice, and recommendations for social policy.
Formation of Interstitials in Alkali Halides by Ionizing Radiation

Recent experimental evidence seems to indicate that interstitials in alkali halides are formed by ionizing radiation. The validity of the so-called Varley mechanism depends on several factors such as the lifetime of the positive halogen ion, lattice geometry, etc. These are evaluated and found favorable. (auth)
Outcome of Pediatric Intensive Care Patients Following Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 212

Pediatric carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning has received little attention in the literature. Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) outcome for patients admitted following CO poisoning is lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of PICU patients following CO poisoning. Methods: We reviewed the charts of PICU patients admitted with the diagnosis of CO poisoning from June 1990 to June 1997. Charts were reviewed for: age, sex, PRISM score, prehospital vital signs and interventions, carboxyhemoglobin level (COHb), initial pH, base excess, need for intubation, inotropic support, hyperbaric therapy and pediatric overall performance category(POPC).1 The POPC scale (1=good overall performance, 2=mild overall disability, 3=moderate overall disability, 4= severe overall disability, 5= coma or vegetative state, 6= brain death) has been shown to be both reliable and valid for assessing the outcome of patients requiring intensive care. Data was analyzed via chi-square, ANOVA or correlation. Results: Fifteen patients were identified with CO poisoning. The mean age was 49 months (range 5 days to 13 years), mean COHb was 28% (range 8 - 42%), mean PRISM score was 19 (range 3 - 44). There was one death secondary to cerebral herniation. Two children had surface burns with affected area less than 5%. Table
Multi-unit mapping of acoustic stimuli in gerbil inferior colliculus

Abstract Multi-unit peristimulus time (MU-PST) histograms were recorded in the gerbil inferior colliculus (IC) in response to tone burst stimuli. Histograms were collected every 100 μm as the recording electrode was advanced along the tonotopic axis of the central nucleus of the IC. Space/time maps of neural activity were constructed from these data. In most of our sample the pattern of response changed systematically as the stimulating frequency was increased in octave steps. At low frequencies ( 1 kHz) the pattern of response was more localized and showed no evidence of phase locking. The location of the maximum response to tones from 1 to 32 kHz moved ventrally along the tonotopic axis at an approximate rate of 230 μm/stimulus octave. The patterns of response were localized near stimulus threshold and spread over a larger region as level increased. This method of collecting and displaying multi-unit response maps provides an overview of ensemble activity that allows concurrent observation of spatial and temporal variations in activity patterns. The quantitative analysis of components of MU-PST Maps are consistent with trends illustrated with single-unit tuning and level functions. This perspective of IC activity suggests potential processing mechanisms that are congruent with single-unit reconstructions.