cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validity of using a work habits scale for the daily evaluation of nurse anesthetists' clinical performance while controlling for the leniencies of the rating anesthesiologists

Abstract Study objective Anesthesiologists can provide psychometrically reliable daily evaluations of certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) work habits for purposes of the mandatory ongoing professional practice evaluation (OPPE). Our goal was to evaluate the validity of assessing CRNA work habits. Design Observational study. Setting Large teaching hospital. Measurements N=77 anesthesiologists evaluated work habits of N=67 CRNAs. The non-technical attribute of work habits was measured on a 6-item scale (e.g., 1="Only assumed responsibility when forced to, and failed to follow through consistently" versus 5="Consistently identified tasks and completed them efficiently and thoroughly"). One year of scores were used to assess validity. Each daily evaluation could also be accompanied by a written comment. Content analysis of comments was performed using two years of data. Statistical analyses were performed using mixed effects logistic regression, treating each anesthesiologist as a fixed effect to compensate for the leniency of their ratings. Main results The N=77 anesthesiologists' response rate was 97.3%, obtained at a mean 2.93days after the request. The internal consistency of the scale was large: Cronbach's alpha 0.952. Controlling the false discovery rate at 5.0%, among the 67 CRNAs, 8 were significantly below average (each P≤0.0048) and 6 were above average (each P≤0.0018). During the 6months after CRNAs knew that their work habits scores would be used for OPPE, there were significant increases in the scores compared with the preceding 6months (odds ratio 1.93, P Conclusions Reporting OPPE metrics are mandatory for the maintenance of clinical privileges of anesthesia practitioners in the USA. Basing such peer review on work habits can be quantitative, psychometrically reliable, and valid.
Model Water Transfer Mechanisms as a Drought Preparation System

This article evaluates the suitability of two supply-side drought management tools, Emergency Water Banks and Strategic Water Reserves for multi-year severe drought periods. The limited sample-size related to the implementation of either makes direct comparison impossible, but through case studies some cursory evaluation as to their efficacy and their limitations is possible. These short-term tools take different approaches to increase the amount of water available for reallocation during drought. While neither are stand-alone solutions, and may not be suitable for continual use, both hold potential to provide short-term relief during periods of severe shortage. Both however, carry drawbacks that can undermine their efficacy, or preclude adequate support for their implementation.
Eshelby’s Technique for Analyzing Inhomogeneities in Geomechanics

This chapter describes Eshelby’s technique for determining the stress and strain in regions in an infinite elastic body that undergo a change of size or shape. The technique is also extended to determine the stress and strain in regions of different elastic properties than the surroundings due to loading in the farfield. The chapter also discusses the relation of this technique to singular solutions in elasticity and different integral forms for the solutions. Example applications of the technique include determining the effective stress in a narrow fault zone, the stress and strain in a fluid reservoir and subsidence due to fluid mass injection or withdrawal. The approach of Eshelby is also used as a basis for a brief description of representations of deformation due to slip and seismic source theory.
USE OF ALCOHOL SEPTAL ABLATION TO TREAT IATROGENIC LEFT VENTRICULAR OUTFLOW TRACT OBSTRUCTION DURING TRANSCATHETER MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is a life-threatening complication of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), caused by septal displacement of the mitral valve leaflet. Laceration of the anterior mitral valve leaflet to prevent outflow tract obstruction (LAMPOON) is an
Exopolysaccharide Productions from Extremophiles: The Chemical Structures and Their Bioactivities

This chapter will discuss some remarkable examples of extremophilic bacteria, isolated from different ecosystems, which produce exopolysaccharides (EPSs). The chapter will also cover the properties of EPSs produced by extremophiles and their possible commercial applications ranging from pharmaceutical to food processing, detoxification and bioremediation. This chapter will also cover the techniques that are used to purify, analyse and structurally characterise the bacterial EPSs; the state of the art in the field of bacterial EPSs research, with mention to the main examples of well-studied and commercially exploited EPSs; an overview of the main EPSs’ producing extremophiles that have been isolated from both aquatic and terrestrial environments; the description of the main biosynthetic routes leading to the EPSs production in archaeal and bacterial extremophiles, with reference to the enzymes involved and to the genetic manipulations for biosynthesis’s tailoring; the analysis of the most interesting biological properties of extremophiles’ EPSs (that can act as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and antiviral agents) and of their biotechnological applications in drug delivery systems; and the compendium of the most used techniques to perform the purification, the analysis of chemical composition, the identification of glycoside linkage position and substitution pattern, the determination of the molecular-weight distribution and the structural analysis of EPSs.
Psychological and Social Impact of Being a Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivor

Advances in imaging and neurosurgical technologies, as well as the development of targeted radiation therapy using three-dimensional imaging and more potent chemotherapies, have led to a steady rise in pediatric neuro-oncology survival rates since the 1970s. Consequently, pediatric oncologists, nurses, psychologists and researchers have increasingly focused on issues concerning the health-related quality of life (QoL) of brain tumor patients, both during and after treatment. This increased focus on patient QoL has led to the understanding that QoL is related to both the physical and emotional status of the patient, as well as the perceived effect both of these domains have on the patient’s life. The emotional effects of cancer upon a patient vary depending on the diagnosis, the location of the tumor and the treatment type, and on the patient’s family dynamics and preexisting psychological conditions. The vast majority of studies to date indicate that survivors of pediatric cancer are generally at no greater risk for long-term emotional sequelae than one would expect to see in a healthy population. It is important to note, however, that these studies often do not include brain tumor patients, mainly because of the physical effects that brain tumors and their treatments have on the central nervous system (CNS) and the apparent difficulty in separating organic and psychological causes of discrepancies in patient QoL. Of those studies that do include brain tumor patients, approximately half conclude that these patients are at no greater risk than the healthy controls, whereas the other half find that they are at greater risk. For example, according to Patenaude and Kupst, survivors of pediatric brain tumors, as opposed to survivors of other forms of pediatric malignancy, were at greater risk for long-term psychosocial sequelae, echoing
Chlamydial Infections in Small Ruminants

Chlamydophila abortus (formerly Chlamydia psittaci) is one of the most important causes of reproductive failure in sheep and goats, especially in intensively managed flocks. The disease is usually manifested as abortion in the last 2 to 3 weeks of gestation, regardless of when the animal was infected. Ewes that abort are resistant to future reproductive failure due to C. abortus, but they become inapparent carriers and persistently shed the organism from their reproductive tracts during estrus. Chlamydophila pecorum is the other member of the genus that affects small ruminants, and it is recognized as a primary cause of keratoconjunctivitis in sheep and goats and of polyarthritis in sheep.
Using Environmental Simulation to Test the Validity of Code Requirements

Environmental simulation is a means of matching the design of specific environmental features to human performance capabilities. When researchers systematically model realistic environments that people can move through and manipulate, subjects can comprehend both the level of effort required to use specific environmental features as well as the impact of size and proportions. Moreover, simulations permit observers to assess problems encountered with use and to identify limitations of the design directly, rather than having to rely on subjective evaluations of the user (Steinfeld, 1988). As a consequence, full-scale simulation affords the ability to evaluate the usability and safety of one or more environmental features under controlled conditions that are not available in the real world. This is particularly useful in evaluating the performance and safety impacts of alternative environmental variables (Stokols, 1993).
Pre-Extraction De-Oiling of Citrus Fruit by Roller Technology

Two seasons of testing have been done with pre-extraction abrasive roller technology to reduce the amount of peel oil in orange juice. The first season was done with a pilot scale unit (20 Tons / Hour). The following season a commercial scale unit (80 Tons / Hour) was tested in the field. Use of the equipment has allowed the processor to use high yield components at equal or better juice quality than standard extraction components. Additional advantages are seen in oil quality and VOC reduction.Paper published with permission.Compilation Copyright © 2018 ASME
Book review: Abduetive Inference Models for Diagnostic Problem Solving by Y. Peng and J. Reggia (Springer Verlag New York 1990)

In the spring of 1990, the American Association for Artificial Intelligence sponsored a symposium on abductive inference, bringing together several dozen researchers (O'Rorke 1990). The term "abduction" as a form of inference originated with C.S. Peirce in the 1890s, and was introduced in artificial intelligence by Pople (1973). In recent years, it has found increasing use by researchers working on a diverse set of topics, particularly medical diagnosis, scientific discovery, and natural language understanding. But what is abductive inference?
Structure of amyloid β 25–35 in lipid environment and cholesterol-dependent membrane pore formation

The amyloid β (Aβ) peptide and its shorter variants, including a highly cytotoxic Aβ25–35 peptide, exert their neurotoxic effect during Alzheimer’s disease by various mechanisms, including cellular membrane permeabilization. The intrinsic polymorphism of Aβ has prevented the identification of the molecular basis of Aβ pore formation by direct structural methods, and computational studies have led to highly divergent pore models. Here, we have employed a set of biophysical techniques to directly monitor Ca2+-transporting Aβ25–35 pores in lipid membranes, to quantitatively characterize pore formation, and to identify the key structural features of the pore. Moreover, the effect of membrane cholesterol on pore formation and the structure of Aβ25–35 has been elucidated. The data suggest that the membrane-embedded peptide forms 6- or 8-stranded β-barrel like structures. The 8-stranded barrels may conduct Ca2+ ions through an inner cavity, whereas the tightly packed 6-stranded barrels need to assemble into supramolecular structures to form a central pore. Cholesterol affects Aβ25–35 pore formation by a dual mechanism, i.e., by direct interaction with the peptide and by affecting membrane structure. Collectively, our data illuminate the molecular basis of Aβ membrane pore formation, which should advance both basic and clinical research on Alzheimer’s disease and membrane-associated pathologies in general.
Spectral contrast optical coherence tomography angiography (Conference Presentation)

A new method is presented, called Spectral Contrast Optical Coherence Tomography, which utilizes the visible spectrum of blood instead of doppler or speckle contrast to locate blood vessels. This is seen as a significant improvement for OCT angiography, since sample motion no longer affects vessel contrast, repetitive scanning is not required, and non-flowing blood can be imaged. A visible Optical Coherence Tomography system from 500-700 nm was used and the differential spectral intensity of two short time Fourier Transform Kaiser sampling windows centered at 557 nm and 620 nm provided contrast revealing blood vessel location. This approach allows for single-scan endogenous contrast angiography all the way down to the capillary level. We demonstrate the method by imaging the vasculature of human oral mucosa and the lymphatics and vasculature of freshly sacrificed mouse tissue.
PROPERTIES OF AN ISOLATED REPLICATIVE ORIGIN COMPLEX FROM THE CHROMOSOME OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

ABSTRACT A complex of the replicative origin region of the Escherichia coli chromosome and certain pro-teins can be obtained by cell fractionation. The DNA found in this complex is highly enriched for a 26 Mdal region of the chromosome that spans the origin. Certain properties of this complex reside in a 5.9 Mdal restriction fragment which is known to contain the origin. These properties include binding to nitrocellulose filters and to outer membrane. From saturation studies we estimate that the membrane of one cell equivalent contains 0.6–5 binding sites for origin DNA.
New Subgenotyping and Consensus Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Assays for Hepatitis A Outbreak Surveillance.

ABSTRACT Laboratory surveillance plays an important role in the detection and control of hepatitis A outbreaks and requires the application of rapid and accurate molecular diagnostic tools for hepatitis A virus (HAV) RNA detection, subgenotype identification, and sequence-based genotyping. We describe the development and validation of a triplex real-time, reverse transcription-PCR (triplex rRT-PCR) assay for the identification and discrimination of HAV subgenotypes IA, IB, and IIIA and a singleplex rRT-PCR assay designed to detect all HAV genotypes infecting humans. Overall, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the new assays were >97% for serum and plasma specimens collected during unrelated outbreaks of HAV in California and Michigan compared to a nested RT-PCR genotyping assay and the ISO 15216-1 rRT-PCR method for HAV detection. The new assays will permit the rapid detection of HAV RNA and discrimination among subgenotypes IA, IB, and IIIA in serum and plasma specimens, which will strengthen public health surveillance efforts for HAV outbreak detection and response.
Personalized Health Monitoring using Predictive Analytics

Disease identification and diagnosis of ailments are at the forefront of machine learning research in healthcare. Today, the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of recreation time and increasing urbanization results in decreased physical activity and thereby leading to a rise in health problems. A lot of wearables available today can provide important cues to people; however, these devices are not able to perform advanced predictions from the collected data about a disease condition. In this paper, we propose a real-time analytics approach on sensor data to monitor the vital signs of a person, e.g., heart rate, and notify the user if there is a risk of cardiovascular disease. A machine learning model is developed to perform predictions based on the captured physiological parameters. The outcome is a personalized healthcare service, which can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy, healthcare quality, and patients' quality of life.
Gynecologic primitive neuroectodermal tumors are characterized by MIC-2 expression and the absence of common EWS-ETS translocations

2711 Objectives: Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) uncommonly arise in gynecologic primary sites and represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Further understanding of the immunophenotype and genomic translocations of gynecologic PNETs may facilitate accurate tumor diagnosis. Methods: Six gynecologic PNET cases were identified through our institution, four uterine, one cervical, and one arising in the round ligament. Immunohistochemical staining was done for MIC-2, vimentin, S-100, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, desmin, and PGP 9.5. For analysis of EWS-ETS translocations characteristic of PNETs, RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens. cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification were performed with standard methods, using PCR primers detecting approximately 85% of EWS-FLI1 and EWS-ERG fusion transcripts. Results: MIC-2 was expressed in all cases. Five cases had membranous MIC-2 staining and expressed neuron-specific enolase. One uterine case had punctate, cytoplasmic MIC-2 staining and failed to express neuron-specific enolase. All cases were negative for synaptophysin and chromogranin A. Variable staining was observed for the remaining proteins. For translocation analysis, RNA extraction was successful from five of six specimens, yet RT-PCR failed to demonstrate the presence of common EWS-FLI1 and EWS-ERG translocations. Conclusions: The tumors diagnosed at our institution as gynecologic PNETs uniformly expressed MIC-2. However, the absence of commonly reported translocations in the tumors analyzed suggests that gynecologic PNETs may harbor novel EWS-ETS translocations. Alternatively, given the lack of genetic findings consistent with the diagnosis of PNET, perhaps a broader diagnostic spectrum should be entertained in evaluating the MIC-2-positive gynecologic small blue cell tumor.
Adolescents' and Parents' Genomic Testing Decisions: Associations With Age, Race, and Sex.

Abstract Purpose Adolescents will increasingly be involved in decisions about the return of genomic results. We examined adolescents' and parents' decisions about learning actual genomic research results for the adolescent and whether choices were associated with participants' demographic factors. Methods Adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years and a parent (dyads) were recruited through flyers, social media, employee emails, and clinic visits at a pediatric hospital. Dyads used a decision tool to independently choose the categories of conditions they wanted to learn about the adolescent. They then came together to discuss their independent decisions and make final joint decisions. Conditions were categorized by preventability, treatability, adult-onset conditions, and carrier status. Participants could make granular choices by including or excluding conditions in each category. Categorical choices were collapsed into the “aggregate choice” to learn all or not all results. Results Study visits were completed by 163 dyads. Adolescents were less likely than their parents to independently choose to learn all results (64.4% vs. 76.1%; p = .0056). Parents were less likely to independently choose to learn all results for their daughters than their sons (odds ratio = .41, 95% confidence interval .18–.96; p = .032). Black adolescents were less likely to independently choose to learn all results than white adolescents (odds ratio = .22; 95% confidence interval .08–.55; p = .0015). After making joint decisions, 70.6% of dyads chose to learn all results. Conclusions Adolescents independently wanted to learn less genomic information than their parents. Although adolescents cannot legally make genomic testing decisions without parental permission, adolescents' should be engaged in decisions about the return of genomic results.
Using Association Rule Mining Algorithm to Improve the Order of Content Delivery in CS1 Course

This work in progress research paper discusses importance of appropriate order of content delivery in an introductory programming course (CS1). A majority of students face problems when programming concepts are introduced to them in disorderly fashion, reducing their retention. It has been observed that the instructors use their intrinsic judgement to order course contents without considering effective student learning outcome. This traditional approach of teaching a course in an unstructured way leads to high failure and dropout rate in CS1 course. In this study, an association rule mining (ARM) based approach is being used to understand the order of information that students should be exposed to in CS1 courses. Our proposed approach follows an empirical research methodology and generates strong ARM rules. These rules can assist instructors to structure CS1 topics and reflect on required prerequisites for problematic topics to improve students’ learning. Our initial results and observations yielded promising and logical inferences and uncovered few anomalies with traditional pedagogy during course offering.
Third time's the charm: COVID-19 testing issues.

To the Editor,In this journal, false negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test results were recently reported [1]. The report comprised of 22 patients with pulmonary CT imaging showing ground glass opacificati...
SET Results of the Intersil ISL7202xSEH CAN Transceivers in a Two Node Bus System

We report the results of SET testing of a two-node Intersil CAN Bus system. Based on those results, CREME96 provided an estimated system error rate in a geosynchronous orbit and a typical low earth orbit.
Toward Broader Anarchist Geographies

This intervention tries to broaden the theoretical works considered under the framework of anarchist geographies. Currently, scholarship in anarchist geography draws from a limited body of writing for theoretical and practical insights, primarily (but not exclusively) from anarchists who were also geographers. However, people who have self-identified as anarchists, including those from cognate disciplines and those who are not part of academia, have dealt with several concepts of significant interest to geographers. I highlight some of these interventions as a means for suggesting a broader conceptualization of anarchist geography by considering the ways in which various anarchists have grappled with key concepts within geography, mainly focused on the nation and state. Specifically, I argue that further engagement with anarchist scholarship both from within academia and from outside academia’s walls offers a means for understanding the operations of power at play from, within, and beyond the state in human relations.
A Real-World Test Distribution System With Appliance-Level Load Data for Demand Response and Transactive Energy Studies

Research on demand response and transactive energy systems often require granular, appliance-level demand data. However, there is no existing test system with such appliance-level data with proper temporospatial diversity in a realistic distribution system. This paper develops a 240-node real distribution test system with appliance-level demand data for responsive loads. The residential appliance-level demand data are derived from smart meters connected to 1,120 homes in a real distribution system from Iowa State, hereafter called Midwest 240-Node test distribution system. A queueing load model was used to derive the appliance-level data from the smart meter data. The Midwest 240-Node test distribution system provides granular appliance-level information for all homes in the distribution system (i.e., individual appliances that constitute the home load), and the aggregate of all customer load emulates the actual smart meter data. The performance of the Midwest 240-Node test distribution system is evaluated by comparing the aggregated appliance-level demand with the actual measured smart meter data from the utility. The one-year appliance data has a mean absolute percentage error of 2.58% compared to the measured smart meter data. The test system is modeled in OpenDSS and GridLAB-D and is openly available to researchers to enable demand response and transactive energy studies with active end-users.
WFMH: An Agenda for the 1980’s

Now into its fourth decade this Federation has had its ups and downs in growth rate and effectiveness during the past 33 years. However, our goals and ideals have been remarkably consistent. It is to these, and to ways of implementing them in the 1980’s, that I now address myself.
B’ Rabby as a 'True-True Bahamian': Rabbyism as Bahamian Ethos and Worldview in the Bahamas’ Folk Tradition and the Works of Strachan and Glinton-Meicholas

'B’ Rabby is more than just the cunning protagonist taking advantage of B’ Boukee in one tale after the other. He is also, I contend, a figure that we meet again and again in our history books, our folk songs, our poems, our novels, and our plays. The pirates, smugglers, and bootleggers of yesteryear are today’s successful businessmen and political leaders. In short, the characters from our past and present who we admire and celebrate all seem to have something in common with these mythical creatures. Similarly, contemporary novelists like Ian Strachan and satirists like Patricia Glinton-Meicholas represent the Bahamas as a nation peopled with B’ Boukee and B’ Rabby figures and depict Bahamian society as one dominated by what I call Rabbyism. It is my intention to undertake a careful read of Strachan’s God’s Angry Babies and Glinton-Meicholas’ The 99¢ Breakfast in an effort to demonstrate just what I mean by that charge. Before doing that, however, it makes sense to explore the folk values and ideas that come out of the Bahamas’ folk tradition.
Effect of Rhizobium Sp. Inoculation on N 2 -Fixing and Photosynthetic Activities of Two Cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Genotypes

Time course of symbiotic N2-fixing and photosynthetic activities during vegetative growth from 30 d after plantation until pod set was measured in the CB5 and 7964 cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] genotypes of contrasting senescence traits. At emergence, seedlings were inoculated with a "non-cowpea miscellany" Rhizobium strain generally used to inoculate Cicer arietinum. Maximum N2-fixing activity occurred in inoculated CB5 and 7964 plants about 54 and 68 d after plantation, respectively. A similar temporal shift of maximum was found for net photosynthetic rate (P N), confirming a good coordination between the two processes. A higher P N was found from the first measurements in inoculated plants of both genotypes as compared with uninoculated plants. Apparently, the maximum activity of both N2-fixation and P N was timed to occur at a particular stage of plant ontogeny correlating the high N supply with the high N demand by the plant. Rhizobium inoculation did not significantly affect partitioning coefficients of biomass to various plant organs but extended leaf longevity by about 10 d in the CB5 genotype, retarding thus the monocarpic senescence.
BRIEF REPORT: How Well Do Clinic-Based Blood Pressure Measurements Agree with the Mercury Standard?

BACKGROUND: Obtaining accurate blood pressure (BP) readings is a challenge faced by health professionals. Clinical trials implement strict protocols, whereas clinical practices and studies that assess quality of care utilize a less rigorous protocol for BP measurement.
Vesicular transport of histamine in stimulated human basophils

Human basophils participating in experimentally produced contact allergy display progressive secretion of electron-dense secretory granule contents and retention of cytoplasmic granule containers in the absence of entire granule extrusion, a process termed piecemeal degranulation (PMD) and postulated to be effected by vesicular transport (Dvorak HF, Dvorak AM: Clin Hematol 4:651, 1975). Proof of this hypothesis was sought using models of human basophil-stimulated secretion, partially purified human peripheral blood basophils, and a morphometric analysis of the fraction of total cellular cytoplasmic vesicles loaded with histamine, a major proinflammatory mediator present in basophil secretory granules. The subcellular localization of histamine was accomplished using a new ultrastructural enzyme-affinity-gold method based on the affinity of diamine oxidase for its substrate, histamine (Dvorak et al: J Histochem Cytochem 41:787, 1993). Two models were selected for a kinetic analysis of stimulated vesicle transport of histamine based on known biochemical and ultrastructural characteristics (MacGlashan et al: J Immunol 136:2231, 1986; Warner et al: J Leukoc Biol 45:558, 1989; Dvorak et al: Am J Pathol 141:1309, 1992; Dvorak et al: Lab Invest 64:234, 1991). These models were selected to include the rapid release reaction stimulated by the bacterial peptide, FMLP, and the slow release reaction stimulated by the phorbol diester tumor promoter, TPA. The results of this study showed that the fraction of histamine-loaded cytoplasmic vesicles (%VG/TV/micron2) in TPA-stimulated basophils significantly exceeded the fraction in unstimulated cells, a process that persisted for 45 minutes after TPA stimulation and was associated with extensive PMD and no morphologic evidence of recovery. Similarly, the fraction of histamine- loaded cytoplasmic vesicles after FMLP stimulation significantly exceeded the fraction in unstimulated cells, a process that persisted for 10 minutes after FMLP stimulation and was associated with the morphologic continuum of PMD-->anaphylactic degranulation (characterized by extrusion of granules)-->recovery, a process largely complete in the 10-minute samples. These studies establish for the first time that an important proinflammatory mediator, histamine, traffic from secretory granules to the extracellular milieu in small cytoplasmic vesicles in stimulated human basophils. The association of this process with the ultrastructural release reaction defined as PMD produced primarily by TPA and in part by FMLP establishes vesicular transport as the mechanism for effecting this type of regulated secretion. Vesicular transport of histamine was also significant in the more complex stimulated secretory and recovery model produced by exposure of human basophils to the bacterial peptide FMLP.
Two-fiber optical shared protection ring with bi-directional 4/spl times/4 optical switch fabrics

A two-fiber optical shared protection ring has been demonstrated with a protection time under 7 ms, and a revert to normal time of under 2 ms. The number of 4/spl times/4 optical switch fabrics required to perform the protection switching has been reduced from two per optical channel to one. This reduction in number of optical switches is enabled by the inclusion of interleavers to separate and combine the two wavelengths of the duplex optical channel. The switches then operated in a bi-directional fashion, allowing the add and drop of an optical channel to propagate the same optical path through the switch. This leads to cost savings if eight interleavers or bandsplitters cost less than the 4/spl times/4 optical switch fabric technology being used.
Cytotoxicity of mononuclear cells for autologous colonic epithelial cells in colonic diseases

Abstract Macrophage-depleted isolates of mononuclear cells from the colonic mucosas of 25 patients with chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn's colitis were cytotoxic for autologous colonic epithelial cells, as were mononuclear cells from their peripheral blood. This was markedly reduced by trypsinizing the mononuclear cells and was restored by a 1-h exposure of the trypsinized cells to 25% vol/vol heat-inactivated autologous plasma. Trypsinization of the target cells had no effect on cytotoxicity. Mononuclear cells that adhered to plates coated with heat-aggregated immunoglobulin G contained the effectors. It was suggested that this phenomenon was a form of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in which the effector cells rather than the targets were "armed" by antibody. Cytotoxicity for autologous colonic epithelial cells was also shown by colonic mononuclear cells but not by mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood in a group of 40 patients with colorectal tumors, and by 1 of 4 patients with diverticulitis. This cytotoxicity was markedly reduced by trypsinizing the colonic mononuclear cells but was not restored by exposing the trypsinized cells to autologous plasma. Colonic mononuclear cells that adhered to plates coated with heat-aggregated immunoglobulin G contained the effectors. It seems likely that this cytotoxicity was spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Determination of mass diffusion coefficients in Norway spruce using an anisotropic, concentration-dependent model

The measurement of diffusion coefficients in an orthotropic medium under conditions of concentration dependence is fraught with experimental complications. The author is developing an alternative measurement procedure, based on an inverse problem formulation. This paper discusses an evaluation of the computational program intended to process experimental measurements. Orthotropy and concentration dependence in the medium are incorporated in the model by the use of a Finite Elements, nested inside a non-linear optimization algorithm. An evaluation of results of test cases would indicate that the proposed methodology is viable.
Predictors of negative attitudes toward mental health services: a general population study in Japan

Background and Objectives: As the impact of psychiatric disorders increases in Japan, finding a method of predicting attitudes towards mental health services has become increasingly important. Aims: This study examined the factors that influence negative attitude toward mental health services among a general population in Japan. Methods: Data from a survey asking 2,023 Japanese adults about desire to receive counseling, perceived level of knowledge about counseling, desire to live in the same neighborhood in the future, choice of persons to talk to about psychiatric problems, and demographic information were analyzed. Results: Women reported greater desire to receive psychiatric treatment than men did and were more often willing to consult with friends and family about mental health issues. Older individuals showed more negative attitudes than those in younger age groups. Those who anticipated staying in the same neighborhood also reported being less likely to have desire to seek treatment. Conclusions: Fear of stigma is one of the explanations of the negative attitudes toward psychiatric treatment. Given that age, gender, and perceived knowledge of treatment predicted the negative attitudes toward seeking mental health services, community intervention programs should be developed to target such populations, educate individuals, and ameliorate stigma about such treatment. Received: 22 March 2010 Revised: 21 October 2010 Accepted: 22 December 2010 102 NIWAKO YAMAWAKI ET AL.
A comparison of high-resolution specific conductance-based end-member mixing analysis and a graphical method for baseflow separation of four streams in hydrologically challenging agricultural watersheds

Quantifying the relative contributions of different sources of water to a stream hydrograph is important for understanding the hydrology and water quality dynamics of a given watershed. To compare the performance of two methods of hydrograph separation, a graphical program [baseflow index (BFI)] and an end-member mixing analysis that used high-resolution specific conductance measurements (SC-EMMA) were used to estimate daily and average long-term slowflow additions of water to four small, primarily agricultural streams with different dominant sources of water (natural groundwater, overland flow, subsurface drain outflow, and groundwater from irrigation). Because the result of hydrograph separation by SC-EMMA is strongly related to the choice of slowflow and fastflow end-member values, a sensitivity analysis was conducted based on the various approaches reported in the literature to inform the selection of end-members. There were substantial discrepancies among the BFI and SC-EMMA, and neither method produced reasonable results for all four streams. Streams that had a small difference in the SC of slowflow compared with fastflow or did not have a monotonic relationship between streamflow and stream SC posed a challenge to the SC-EMMA method. The utility of the graphical BFI program was limited in the stream that had only gradual changes in streamflow. The results of this comparison suggest that the two methods may be quantifying different sources of water. Even though both methods are easy to apply, they should be applied with consideration of the streamflow and/or SC characteristics of a stream, especially where anthropogenic water sources (irrigation and subsurface drainage) are present. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decoupling emergence and reduction in physics

An effective theory in physics is one that is supposed to apply only at a given length (or energy) scale; the framework of effective field theory (EFT) describes a `tower' of theories each applying at different length scales, where each `level' up is a shorter-scale theory. Owing to subtlety regarding the use and necessity of EFTs, a conception of emergence defined in terms of reduction is irrelevant. I present a case for decoupling emergence and reduction in the philosophy of physics. This paper develops a positive conception of emergence, based on the novelty and autonomy of the `levels', by considering physical examples, involving critical phenomena, the renormalisation group, and symmetry breaking. This positive conception of emergence is related to underdetermination and universality, but, I argue, is preferable to other accounts of emergence in physics that rely on universality.
Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Structural Elucidation of Glycopeptides from a Hydroxyproline-rich Plant Cell Wall Glycoprotein Indicate That Contiguous Hydroxyproline Residues Are the Major Sites of Hydroxyproline O-Arabinosylation

Hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) occur in the extracellular matrix of land plants and green algae. HRGPs contain from 2 to 95% of their dry weight as carbohydrate, predominantly as oligoarabinosides and/or as heteropolysaccharides which are O-linked to the hydroxyproline residues. A glycosylation code that determines the presence or absence and extent of arabinosylation at each hydroxyproline residue is likely, as each HRGP has a unique arabinosylation profile. Previously we noted a positive correlation between the contiguity of hydroxyproline residues and the extent of HRGP O-arabinosylation (Kieliszewski, M., deZacks, R., Leykam, J. F., and Lamport, D. T. A.(1992) Plant Physiol. 98, 919-926); most arabinosylated hydroxyproline residues and the longer arabinofuranoside chains occur in HRGPs where Hyp residues occur as blocks of tetrahydroxyproline, while those with little or no contiguous Hyp exhibit very little Hyp arabinosylation. In order to test this Hyp contiguity hypothesis, we have for the first time determined the arabinosylation site specifics of an HRGP, namely the proline and hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (PHRGP) isolated from Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Pronase digests of PHRGP yielded a major peptide and three glycopeptides whose structures were determined directly from the unfractionated, underivatized Pronase digest by tandem mass spectrometry using collisionally induced dissociation. We corroborated the peptide and glycopeptide structures by Edman degradation, neutral sugar analyses, hydroxyproline arabinoside profiles, and further mass spectrometric analyses after purification of the major peptide and glycopeptides by a combination of hydrophilic interaction and reverse phase column chromatography. Consistent with the Hyp contiguity hypothesis, the structural analyses indicate that while the sequence Ile-Pro-Pro-Hyp is never arabinosylated and Lys-Pro-Hyp-Val-Hyp is only occasionally monoarabinosylated at Hyp-5, the peptide containing contiguous Hyp, Lys-Pro-Hyp-Hyp-Val, is always arabinosylated at Hyp-3, mainly by a triarabinoside. We also obtained precise molecular masses for both intact and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride-deglycosylated PHRGPs (73.113 and 53.834 kDa) via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, representing the first HRGP to be analyzed by this method.
Fabrication method for elastomer spatial light modulators for short wavelength maskless lithography

In this paper we present a process for fabricating elastomer spatial light modulator (SLM) that can be scaled to meet the requirements of extreme ultraviolet (EUV- 13 nm wavelength) maskless lithography. The feasibility of the proposed process was tested in a series of release and injection experiments, which showed that the elastomers are successfully injected by the capillary forces and the surface quality is not adversely affected by the introduction of a soft elastomer in the structure. We fabricated an elastomer SLM with an array of four by four micromirrors and demonstrated localized and sinusoidal responses. Analysis of the experimental results showed that patterning of the reflective multilayer, as well as its supporting nitride shell and electrode, is required for SLMs with pixel sizes of 1 by 1 μm or less.
Mechanism of enzymatic degradation of beta-sheet crystals

The anti-parallel beta pleated sheet is a fundamental secondary structure in proteins and a major component in silk fibers generated by silkworms and spiders, with a key role to stabilize these proteins via physical cross-links. Importantly, these beta-sheets are fully degradable and nontoxic structures in biology, in contrast for example to beta-amyloid structures formed in disease states. Thus, insight into mechanism of enzymatic degradation would be instructive as a route to elucidating differences among these stable yet different structural features in biological systems. We report on the mechanism of enzymatic degradation of anti-parallel beta pleated sheets with Bombyx mori silk structures, leading to fibrils and subsequently to nanofilaments (2 nm thickness and 160 nm length). These nanofilaments play a role as nucleators of the crystalline regions, an important feature of the system that can be exploited to design silk-based biomaterials with predictable biodegradability and mechanical properties. The potential toxicity of degradation products from these proteolytic enzymes was also assessed in vitro and no cell toxicity found in vitro for the protease found in vivo in the human body. The degradation mechanism of beta-sheet silk crystals provides additional insight into the significant differences in biological impact between the anti-parallel beta-sheet silk biomaterials reported in this work vs. amyloid structures in disease states, adding to prior descriptions of chemical and structural differences that are more extensively documented.
Extraction of vibronic information from tangled spectra

Abstract A new method of calculating the zero-order density function directly from the absorption spectrum has been found and applied to the origin region of naphthalene's second singlet state. Results are in good agreement with the trial-and-error method of Langhoff and Robinson.
Local anesthesia with intravenous sedation for surgical repair of selected open globe injuries.

PURPOSE: To report factors associated with the use of local anesthesia with intravenous sedation (local anesthesia/sedation) rather than general anesthesia for surgery for open globe injuries in adult reparable eyes. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative case series. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed of all patients with open globe injuries repaired at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between 1995 and 1999. “Adult reparable eyes” (eyes in patients ≥18 years of age, not treated with primary enucleation or evisceration, followed up ≥2 months) were included. RESULTS: In all, 220 eyes of 218 patients met inclusion criteria. General anesthesia was employed in 80 of 200 (36%) and local anesthesia/sedation in 140 of 220 (64%). Patients who had local anesthesia/sedation were significantly more likely to have an intraocular foreign body (31% vs 14%; P = .010, chi-square test), better presenting visual acuity (1.8 logMAR [logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution] units vs 2.5 logMAR units; P < .001, t test), more anterior wound location (75% corneal/limbal vs 65%; P = .003, chi-square), shorter wound length (6.3mm vs 10.8mm; P < .001, t test), and dehiscence of previous surgical wound (26% vs 12%; P = .021, chi-square) and were significantly less likely to have an afferent pupillary defect (22% vs 51%; P < .001, chi-square). There was no anesthesia-related complication in either group. The local anesthesia/sedation group had a shorter mean operating time than did the general anesthesia group (78 minutes vs 117 minutes; P < .001, t test). The general anesthesia group had a longer mean follow-up than the local anesthesia/sedation group (20.2 months vs 13.9 months, respectively; P = .002, t test). Change in visual acuity between the presenting and final examinations was similar for open globe injuries repaired with general anesthesia compared with local anesthesia/sedation (0.94 vs 0.72 logMAR units of visual acuity, respectively; P = .16, t test). CONCLUSIONS: Local anesthesia/sedation is a reasonable alternative to general anesthesia for selected patients with open globe injuries.
The metaphor as a counseling tool in group work

Abstract The use of metaphors within groups is advocated as a means for facilitating intrapersonal and interpersonal development. Guidelines for and benefits of using metaphors are explained.
NEW AND RARE CHRYSOPHYTES FROM WYOMING AND COLORADO LAKES

Colorado and Wyoming lakes with high pH values generally ranging from 8 to 10 are dominated by phytoplankton belonging to the chrysophytes, diatoms and cryptomonads. Our studies on phytoplankton diversity in Dowdy, South Delaney Buttes and Cowdrey Lakes in Colorado and Diamond and Twin Buttes Lakes in Wyoming have yielded several isolates of rare or new chrysophytes. These isolates were examined with light microscopy, SEM, TEM, and novel information regarding their structure is presented. Proposed new species belong to the genera Saccochrysis, Prymnesium and Chrysochromulina. Chrysophytes that were examined for the first time include Monochrysis aphanaster, Uroglenopsis, and a mixotrophic species of Ochromonas, which ingests small diatoms. Probable new species are the following: Saccochrysis sp. nov. differs in chloroplast structure, cell shape and cell number/colony, and absence of a posterior vacuole; Prymnesium sp. nov. is the first freshwater form examined with EM and differs in scale morphology; and Chrysochromulina sp. nov. is similar to Chrysochromulina parva but lacks scales. The ultrastructure of M. aphanaster is unique and appears to be a member of the Chrysophyceae. It has two flagella, one of which is emergent, while the other is hidden within an invagination of the cytoplasm. Diacronema and Sarcinochrysis spp. from these lakes also were isolated and reinvestigated, and some unique cellular features will be discussed.
Mechanistic and Adsorption Studies of Relevance to Photocatalysts on Titanium Grafted Mesoporous Silicalites

Ti-SBA-15 and Ti-MCM-41 were synthesized and evaluated as possible photocatalysts for the reduction of CO2, and for the photo-Kolbe decomposition of acetic acid. UV-Raman was used to study the adsorption of carbon dioxide, water, formic acid, and acetic acid over Ti-MCM-41 by monitoring the UV enhanced resonance peak of the totally symmetric stretching band of the grafted Ti species at 1,085 cm−1. Acetic and formic acid dissociate on Ti-SBA-15 and Ti-MCM-41 to form acetate and formate, respectively. The conjugate bases subsequently interact strongly with Ti sites. Water interacts with the Ti sites, while no change in the amplitude of the 1,085 cm−1 band is observed in the presence of CO2. Photocatalysis experiments indicate that these mesoporous silicalites are active in the photo-Kolbe decomposition of acetic acid. CO2 is formed by reaction of a hole with the acetate carboxylate groups. The methyl radical co-products react with a surface proton and an electron to form methane. No products resulting from the dimerization of methyl radicals are observed, presumably because of the highly dispersed active sites.