cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factores relacionados con la aplicación de medidas de bioseguridad en el enfermero de centro quirúrgico en un Hospital Peruano

Objetivo: Determinar los factores relacionados con la aplicacion de medidas de bioseguridad por el profesional de enfermeria del Servicio de Centro Quirurgico (SCQ) de un Hospital Nacional. Material y metodo: El estudio fue de enfoque cuantitativo, nivel descriptivo, diseno no experimental de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo conformada por 30 enfermeros que laboran en el Servicio de Centro Quirurgico un Hospital Nacional Peruano. La tecnica utilizada fue la encuesta y el instrumento un cuestionario estructurado de autoria propia confiable y valido. Resultados: El 56.7% de enfermeros presentan factores desfavorables y 43.3% presentan factores favorables a la aplicacion de las medidas de bioseguridad. Con respecto a los factores personales, 66.7% son desfavorables y 33.3% favorables; y con respecto a los factores institucionales, 53.3% presentan factores favorables y 46.7% presentan factores desfavorables. Conclusiones: Los factores desfavorables relacionados con la aplicacion de las medidas de bioseguridad por los enfermeros son las caracteristicas individuales tales como edad adulta joven, ausencia de especializaciones y la falta de formacion en bioseguridad; y los factores favorables, presentes en minoria, son las condiciones del servicio como contar con oficina de epidemiologia, supervision permanente durante la aplicacion de medidas de bioseguridad y disponer de ambientes exentos de riesgos.
Spatially resolved ultrasound diagnostics of Li-ion battery electrodes

The importance of reliable battery diagnostic systems has grown substantially in recent years as a result of the use of high power Li-ion battery packs in an increasingly diverse range of applications. Here, spatially resolved ultrasound acoustic measurements are used to analyse the condition of Li-ion electrodes. Ultrasonic measurements are performed on a commercial mobile phone battery over the full operating voltage window with the lithiation and delithiation of electrodes observed at 36 locations on the surface of the cell. X-ray computed tomography was performed on the cell to ascertain the internal architecture and features that enabled the architecture of the battery to be correlated with the acoustic signature. Analyses of the acoustic signals obtained suggest that the anode and cathode layers can be identified by examining the change in attenuation associated with the charging process. It is also seen that expansions of the electrode layers are inhibited by the presence of the anode current collecting tab in the battery which leads to spatial inhomogeneities in the expansion of the electrode layer examined within the cell.
Glioblastoma Treatment with Temozolomide and Bevacizumab and Overall Survival in a Rural Tertiary Healthcare Practice

Background. The efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy for treating newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM), a primary brain tumor with short survival, was demonstrated in a clinical trial in 2005, and since then, the standard-of-care for newly diagnosed GBM has been maximal safe surgery followed by 60 Gray of radiation with concomitant and adjuvant TMZ (standard radiotherapy and TMZ). In 2009, clinical trials also reported on the efficacy of bevacizumab for treating recurrent GBM. We performed a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the impact of treatment regimens on overall survival for patients with GBM at a rural tertiary healthcare practice. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 307 consecutive, newly diagnosed GBM patients at one institution between 1995 and 2012 and assessed treatment patterns. We also compared overall survival according to the treatment received. Results. Only 0.6% (1/163) of patients diagnosed before 2005 received standard radiotherapy and TMZ versus 36.1% (52/144) of patients diagnosed since 2005 (P < 0.0001). For patients who received standard radiotherapy and TMZ, the median overall survival was 17.0 months versus 7.0 months for patients who received 60 Gray of radiation but no chemotherapy (P = 0.0000078). The median overall survival was 15.4 months in the 19 patients treated with bevacizumab monotherapy at first GBM recurrence versus 6.8 months in the 32 patients with no treatment at first GBM recurrence (P = 0.00015), but patients who received bevacizumab were younger and more likely to have had a surgical resection and 60 Gray of radiation at diagnosis. Conclusions. TMZ and bevacizumab therapies were rapidly adopted in a rural tertiary healthcare setting, and patients who received these treatments had increased overall survival. However, advantageous prognostic factors in patients who received bevacizumab at recurrence may have influenced the extent of the increase in overall survival attributed to this treatment.
The Circle-Fit Method Helps Make Reliable Cortical Thickness Measurements Regardless of Humeral Length.

Background:Although proximal humerus strength/quality can be assessed using cortical thickness measurements (eg, cortical index), there is no agreement where to make them. Tingart and coworkers use...
Temporal and spatial detection of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus putative effector transcripts during interaction with Huanglongbing-susceptible, −tolerant, and -resistant citrus hosts

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is a bacterial disease with high economic significance. The associated agent Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus is a fastidious, phloem-limited, intracellular bacterium that is transmitted by an insect vector the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). The genome of Ca. L. asiaticus contains protein secretion machinery that suggests host cell modulation capacity of this bacterium. A total of 28 candidate effectors, an important class of secreted proteins, were predicted from the Ca. L. asiaticus genome. Sequence specific primers were designed for reverse transcription (RT) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), and expression was validated for 20 of the effector candidates in infected citrus with multiple genetic background. Using detached leaf inoculation, the mRNA of effectors was detected from 6 h to 7 days post ACP exposure. It was observed that higher bacterial titers were associated with a larger number of effectors showing amplification across all samples. The effectors’ expression were compared in citrus hosts with various levels of HLB tolerance, including susceptible Duncan grapefruit and Washington navel orange, tolerant citron and Cleopatra mandarin, and resistant Pomeroy trifoliate and Carrizo citrange. Across all genotypes relatively high expression was observed for CLIBASIA_03695, CLIBASIA_00460, CLIBASIA_00420, CLIBASIA_04580, CLIBASIA_05320, CLIBASIA_04425, CLIBASIA_00525 and CLIBASIA_05315 in either a host-specific or -nonspecific manners. The two genotypes in each HLB-response group also show effector-expression profiles that seem to be different. In a companion study, the expression of effectors was compared between leaves and roots of own-rooted citrus that had been Ca. L. asiaticus-infected for more than a year. Results indicated relatively high expression of CLIBASIA_03875, CLIBASIA_04800 and CLIBASIA_05640 in all leaf and some root tissues of citron, Duncan and Cleopatra. This temporal and spatial expression analysis of Ca. L. asiaticus effectors identified candidates possibly critical for early bacterial colonization, host tolerance suppression and long-term survival which are all worthy of further investigation.
Surgical Site Infection as a Risk Factor for Long-Term Instrumentation Failure in Patients with Spinal Deformity: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a complication of spine deformity surgery. Although fusion/instrumentation failure in the setting of SSI has been reported, few studies have investigated the relationship between these entities. We examine the relationship between early SSI and fusion/instrumentation failure after instrumented fusion in patients with thoracolumbar scoliosis. Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained case series for patients undergoing spine surgery between January 1, 2006, and October 3, 2017. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years and surgery performed for correction of thoracolumbar scoliosis. Data collected included various demographic, clinical, and operative variables. Results 532 patients met inclusion criteria, with 20 (4%) experiencing SSI. Diabetes mellitus was the only demographic risk factor for increased SSI (P = 0.026). Number of fused levels, blood volume loss, and operative time were similar between groups. Fusion/instrumentation failure occurred in 68 (13%) patients, 10 of whom (15%) had SSI, whereas of the 464 patients with no fusion/instrumentation failure, only 10 (2%) had SSI (P Conclusions Early SSI significantly increases the risk of fusion/instrumentation failure in patients with thoracolumbar scoliotic deformity, and it significantly shortens the time to failure. Patients with early SSI have a significantly higher likelihood of requiring revision surgery and after a significantly shorter time interval.
Leveraging Shared Control to Empower People with Tetraplegia to Participate in Extreme Sports

Outdoor recreation improves quality of life for individuals with tetraplegia, however providing safe opportunities to engage in these sports has many challenges. We describe the iterative design and field evaluation of Tetra-Ski, a novel power-assisted ski chair. Users control Tetra-Ski with a joystick or Sip-and-Puff controller either independently or collaboratively with a tethered skier through our novel shared-control scheme. We also developed a training simulator to help prepare users prior to their skiing experience. A field study with eight participants and interviews with three trainers who used Tetra-Ski showed that Tetra-Ski is usable, enjoyable, and that the experience has a positive psychosocial effect on users. Furthermore, the shared-control scheme developed for Tetra-Ski proved crucial for supporting the unique abilities of different users, suggesting that a shared-control approach could enable broader access to less-dependent forms of outdoor recreation in the future.
Coverage Analysis of Random UAV Networks Using Percolation Theory

A key requirement of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicular (UAV) Network (UN) is maintaining and ensuring network coverage. However, the network architecture of the UN can be intricate, thus, it is challenging to maintain and ensure the network coverage. In this paper, we have derived the critical node density of coverage of the UNs using the percolation theory considering both homogenous and heterogenous wireless nodes. At first, the theoretical findings have been verified with the extensive simulation considering static nodes. Next, the theoretical findings have been verified with the simulation considering mobile nodes. In order to do so, we adopted the comprehensive mobility model (i.e., CMM) for UNs, where the mobility of the UAV node is presented as a Gauss-Markov process comprising of three key parameters - the speed, angular velocity, and pitch angle. Finally, by analyzing the theoretical analysis and simulation results, it has been affirmed that the proposed model can be used to estimate the critical node density to ensure the desired network coverage of UNs.
If you build it and they come, will they stay? Maturation of constructed fish spawning reefs in the St. Clair-Detroit River System

Abstract Constructed rock reefs have been used to remediate spawning habitat for Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) and other lithophilic spawning fishes in the St. Clair-Detroit River System, North America. Early projects used a cross-channel design and species-specific metrics (e.g., proximity to historical spawning locations) to guide reef placement. However, the Middle Channel Reefs and portions of other early projects were compromised by fine sediment accumulation. Therefore, geomorphological criteria were considered in siting reefs constructed after 2013 to avoid sediment sources and improve the likelihood of successful reef function. To evaluate the effectiveness of the revised placement process, we quantified physical maturation of constructed reefs using annual side-scan and down-looking sonar surveys beginning in 2014 and underwater video surveys beginning in 2015. Reef areas and hardness were measured from sonar surveys and underwater video was used to quantify surficial sediment composition. Size and hardness of reefs developed using geomorphological criteria decreased with time, but at rates slower than what was observed at the Middle Channel Reefs. Sediment composition of the reefs remained similar through 2017 and prevalence of reef rock was high, except at Hart's Light Reef, where dreissenid mussel shells composed 32% of the surficial substrate by age three. However, accumulation of fine sediments was documented at all reefs in 2018. Despite using geomorphic criteria to identify areas most suitable for reef construction, reef sediment composition has changed, and future reef restoration projects could benefit by incorporating methods for maintenance, in addition to using geomorphic criteria, to identify restoration sites.
Chapter 6 – Stress, Contextual Change, and Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the Hans Selye's concept of stress that is viewed as fundamentally denoting contextual change that demands a response. Selye regarded the stress response as relatively nonspecific. He documented a number of physiological and tissue changes that occur with stress. Selye noted three phases in the stress response. There was an initial alarm reaction, a mobilization of the body's defenses. This phase had two components—an initial shock-reaction phase, from the offensive stimulation, soon followed by a systemic counter–shock-reaction phase. Human mobility has been regarded as a source of stress. However, it is not simply a matter of leaving behind familiar surroundings that are part of the nonliving world or social context. The nonliving environment encompasses features such as solar radiation, weather, altitude, chemical composition of the earth, and availability of water. The individual is an aspect of his or her own context. When one focuses on any particular bodily function or system, all else that transpires within the organism, including the psychological, provides the context for the function or system that is being examined.
Propulsion Test Handbook: MSFC and SSC

This Handbook was prepared to provide Propulsion Test Personnel a central source of fundamental reference material. The Testing Process, which is a three-part process of pre-test activities, testing, and post-test activities, involves a collaborative effort from the mechanical, electrical, safety, and environmental disciplines in the test environment. Pre-test activities, testing, and post-test activities processes will vary, per test requirements; however, the content of this Handbook should cover basic procedures and standards that are shared across Centers.
Atomic structure of the Campylobacter jejuni flagellar filament reveals how ε Proteobacteria escaped Toll-like receptor 5 surveillance

Vertebrates, from zebra fish to humans, have an innate immune recognition of many bacterial flagellins. This involves a conserved eight-amino acid epitope in flagellin recognized by the Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). Several important human pathogens, such as Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni, have escaped TLR5 activation by mutations in this epitope. When such mutations were introduced into Salmonella flagellin, motility was abolished. It was previously argued, using very low-resolution cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM), that C. jejuni accommodated these mutations by forming filaments with 7 protofilaments, rather than the 11 found in other bacteria. We have now determined the atomic structure of the C. jejuni G508A flagellar filament from a 3.5-A-resolution cryo-EM reconstruction, and show that it has 11 protofilaments. The residues in the C. jejuni TLR5 epitope have reduced contacts with the adjacent subunit compared to other bacterial flagellar filament structures. The weakening of the subunit-subunit interface introduced by the mutations in the TLR5 epitope is compensated for by extensive interactions between the outer domains of the flagellin subunits. In other bacteria, these outer domains can be nearly absent or removed without affecting motility. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the stabilization of these outer domain interactions through glycosylation of key residues. These results explain the essential role of glycosylation in C. jejuni motility, and show how the outer domains have evolved to play a role not previously found in other bacteria.
Dissociative chemisorption of methyl fluoride and its implications for atomic layer etching of silicon nitride

Abstract Atomic layer etching (ALE) of silicon nitride with sequential exposure to hydrofluorocarbons and low energy ion bombardment has been demonstrated. The ALE mechanism is generally thought to consist of surface modification via hydrofluorocarbon chemisorption followed by removal of the chemically modified surface layer by ion bombardment, but the underlying details are not fully understood. Using first-principles calculations, we have examined a possible pathway for dissociative chemisorption of CH3F and assessed its potential role in Si3N4 ALE. According to our results, the initial sticking probability tends to be very low (
Hypercapnic Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) syndromes reflect complex pathophysiological interactions between upper airway obstruction, chemoreflex control of breathing, sleep arousability and fragmentation, and factors altering gas exchange (hypoxia and hypercapnia). In most healthy individuals, compensation (balanced CO2 loading and unloading) for acute hypercarbia occurs with recovery supra-tidal volume breaths that follows the apnea or hypopnea. Sleep hypoventilation manifests when there is a failure of CO2 compensation and, over time, can result in chronic hypercapnia during wakefulness. Failure of CO2 compensation can be induced by sedating medications that suppress respiratory drive and may also be seen in a variety of pathologies related to the lungs (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], interstitial lung disease [ILD]), thoracic cage (kyphosis, obesity), and respiratory muscles (neuromuscular disease [NMD]) which can coexist with OSA. Therefore, hypercapnic OSA encompasses a variety of phenotypes: OSA with sleep stage-specific hypoventilation (i.e., rapid eye movement sleep [REM] hypoventilation), obesity hypoventilation (OHS)/OSA, pulmonary overlap syndromes (most notably COPD/OSA overlap), OSA with NMD, and OSA with medication effects (sedatives and/or opioids). We describe here a new and unique pattern of SDB, hypercapnic periodic breathing, exhibiting features of obstruction, hypercapnia, and a respiratory rhythm typical of hypocapnic periodic breathing. These patients are extraordinarily difficult to treat, as several therapeutic principles are mutually antagonist. Typically, multi-modal therapy is required-positive airway pressure, CO2 stabilization, acetazolamide, and supplemental oxygen.
Criterion of Chemical Reaction Equilibria, Standard States, and Equilibrium Constants for Gas-Phase Chemical Reactions

The material presented in this lecture is adapted from Chapter 16 in T&M. First, we will derive the criterion of chemical reaction equilibria, which establishes a relation between the chemical potentials of every component i (1, 2, …, n) participating in chemical reaction r (1, 2, …, m). Second, expressing the chemical potentials in terms of fugacities, and using these expressions in the criterion of chemical reaction equilibria, we will derive an expression for the equilibrium constant associated with chemical reaction r, expressed in terms of the product of the ratios of the fugacities of component i in the actual mixture and in a suitably chosen reference state, both at the same temperature, raised to the power of the stoichiometric number associated with component i in chemical reaction r. Third, we will define the standard molar Gibbs free energy of reaction r and show that the equilibrium constant associated with chemical reaction r can be expressed as the exponential of minus the standard molar Gibbs free energy of reaction r divided by RT. Fourth, we will focus on a single chemical reaction (m = 1), and discuss the selection of reference states to model gas-phase, liquid-phase, and solid-phase chemical reactions, where the last two are collectively referred to as condensed-phase chemical reactions. In particular, we will discuss the selection of the reference state pressure, including its effect on the equilibrium constant. Fifth, for a gas-phase chemical reaction, we will decompose the fugacity of component i into a product of the fugacity coefficient of component i in the gas mixture, the mixture pressure, and the mole fraction of component i in the gas mixture. Using this fugacity decomposition, we will show that the equilibrium constant can be expressed as a product of contributions from the fugacity coefficients, the gas mixture mole fractions, and the pressure. Finally, we will consider the limit of an ideal gas mixture, including deriving an expression for the equilibrium constant.
Unmet Need for Equipment to Help With Bathing and Toileting Among Older US Adults.

Importance Home modification through seemingly mundane equipment, such as grab bars and shower seats, mitigates injury, dependence, and reduced quality of life in older adults coping with increasing disability. However, whether these interventions are underused in the US is unclear. Objective To estimate how many older adults who need equipment to help with bathing and toileting do not have it, describe factors associated with not having equipment, and describe how many who did not initially have equipment acquired equipment over time. Design This observational cohort study of participants 65 years or older used secondary data from the 2015 to 2019 waves of the US National Health and Aging Trends Study. Participants included community-dwelling older adults who would unequivocally benefit from equipment, defined as those with poor physical performance or substantial difficulty bathing, toileting, transferring, or walking. Respondents were representative of the US population 65 years and older. Data were collected from May 2015 to October 2019 and analyzed from August 1, 2019, to February 24, 2021. Exposures Population characteristics (eg, age, sex, income, health conditions, and physical performance), environmental factors (eg, home ownership and living arrangement), and health behaviors (eg, prior knee and/or hip surgery). Main Outcomes and Measures Prevalence of any unmet need for equipment, defined as either needing bathing equipment (bath grab bars and shower seat) but having none or needing toileting equipment (toilet grab bars and raised toilet seat) but having none and the cumulative incidence of equipment acquisition during 4 years of follow-up. Results A total of 2614 participants representing 12 million US individuals would benefit from equipment. The mean (SD) age was 80.5 (8.2) years, and 1619 individuals (62%) were women. Of these, an estimated 5 million individuals (42%; 95% CI, 39%-44%) had an unmet need. After adjustment for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, unmet need was associated with younger age (49% if aged 65-74 years, 37% if aged 75-84 years, and 29% if aged ≥85 years; P < .001), having fewer health conditions (55% if none vs 39% if ≥3; P = .002), non-White race/ethnicity (40% if White vs 51% if Black, 54% if Hispanic, and 55% if other; P < .001), no recent hospitalization (46% vs 37% if hospitalized; P = .001), and no prior knee and/or hip fracture or surgery (46% vs 35% if prior fracture or surgery; P < .001). After 4 years of follow-up, 35% of those with bathing equipment needs and 52% of those with toileting equipment needs never received equipment. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study suggests that in the US, 42% of older adults with impairments that would make bathing or toileting difficult lack equipment to assist. This situation is a missed opportunity to help 5 million individuals live independently and safely.
The association of Lewy bodies with limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic changes and their role in cognition and Alzheimer's dementia in older persons

Lewy bodies (LBs) and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC) are common in older persons and associated with cognitive impairment. However, little is known about the relationship between LBs and LATE-NC and their combined roles in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s dementia in community-dwelling participants. The study included 1670 community-based participants (mean age-at-death, 89.5 years (SD = 6.65); 69% females) who underwent annual assessments of cognition to create summary measures of global cognition and cognitive domains and evaluation for Alzheimer’s dementia. Systematic neuropathologic evaluations were performed to assess LBs, LATE-NC, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. We excluded cases with pathologically confirmed frontotemporal lobar degeneration in this study. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used, adjusted for demographics and AD pathology. LBs were present in 428 (25.6%) decedents (29 nigra-predominant, 165 limbic-type, and 234 neocortical-type) while 865 (51.7%) decedents exhibited LATE-NC (307 stage 1, 167 stage 2, and 391 stage 3). LBs combined with LATE-NC were common (15% of all participants) and in those with Alzheimer’s dementia (25%). Neocortical-type, but not nigral-predominant or limbic-type LBs increased the odds of stage 2/3 LATE-NC (odds ratio = 1.70; 95% confidence interval = 1.26–2.30). The association between neocortical-type LBs and stage 2/3 LATE-NC was stronger in those under 90 years of age and in women. In analyses of cognition and Alzheimer’s dementia, LATE-NC and neocortical-type LBs, separately, were related to lower global cognition, five specific cognitive domains, and an increased odds of Alzheimer’s dementia, above and beyond the AD pathology. Limbic-type LBs were related to lower global cognition, and the domains of episodic, working, and semantic memory, and increased odds of Alzheimer’s dementia. Furthermore, there was no interaction between limbic/neocortical-type LBs and LATE-NC on cognitive function, cognitive domains, or Alzheimer’s dementia. These findings suggest that neocortical-type LBs are associated with LATE-NC, specifically in the younger old and in women. Limbic/neocortical-type LBs and LATE-NC have separate and additive effects on cognitive function and odds of Alzheimer’s dementia.
THE EFFECTS OF bFGF TREATMENT IN THE AGED BRAIN FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

x Chapter 1 – Introduction and Background 1 Epidemiology and Pathology of TBI 3 Experimental TBI 6 Neurogenesis in the mature CNS 7 Hippocampal neurogenesis is enhanced following TBI 8 The function of hippocampal neurogenesis 9 TBI and the aging brain 19 bFGF as a potential treatment for TBI 22 Chapter 2 – Materials and Methods 35 Subjects 35 Surgical preparation and procedure 35
The Effect of Vitamin E on Rabbit Neutrophil Activation

Chemoattractants such as N-formylmethionyl leucyl phenylalanine (FMLP) cause neutropenia in vivo. The sequestered neutrophils may block the microvasculature and contribute to respiratory distress. Neutrophils from humans receiving 1600 units vitamin E per day have reduced oxidative activity. To test whether vitamin E attenuates the responses of neutrophils to FMLP in vivo we gave rabbits four daily intramuscular injections of 100 mg vitamin E. Serum levels of the vitamin were 2.34 +/- 0.15 mg% compared to 0.19 +/- 0.04 mg% in control rabbits receiving placebo injections. On the fifth day testing was done before and after injecting FMLP. Variables monitored were the absolute granulocyte count (AGC), systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures (MBP), heart rate, PO2, PCO2, pH and respiratory rate. When 0.5 microgram FMLP was injected intravenously the AGC decreased (at 2.5 min the percentage change was -89.7 +/- 8.0 with vitamin E and -97.0 +/- 2.7 without vitamin E; P = 0.2). MBP decreased also (% change, -29.0 +/- 13.0 with vitamin E and -36.3 +/- 16.0, without vitamin E). By 15 min recovery was seen (AGC % change, -26.0 +/- 17 with vitamin E and -78.7 +/- 10.5, without vitamin E; P = 0.01; MBP % change, -9.3 +/- 3.8 with vitamin E and -52.3 +/- 10.1 without vitamin E). Chromatographic analysis of serum extracts revealed increases in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha after stimulation. Studies with [3h]thymidine-labelled neutrophils showed that the sequestered cells return to the circulation. Vitamin E might facilitate this return by altering the adherence of neutrophils to endothelium. This possibility was tested by measuring the adherence to cultivated rabbit aorta endothelial monolayers of FMLP-stimulated neutrophils from vitamin E-treated rabbits. The percentage of neutrophils adhering was 32.5 +/- 3.5 with vitamin E and 60.0 +/- 7.1, without vitamin E. Thus vitamin E promotes the return of neutrophils to the circulation after chemotactic challenge and may do so by reducing their adherence to endothelium.
Movement-related modulation of vibrotactile detection thresholds in the human orofacial system

By virtue of the direct coupling between circumoral skin and the underlying orofacial musculature, mechanosensation associated with precise orofacial force control may contribute significantly to processes associated with perception, proprioception, and sensorimotor control in this region. The purpose of this study was to assess lower lip (LL) vibratory detection thresholds of adult subjects during the simultaneous performance of a visually guided and continuous lip motor control task. Vibrotactile inputs were delivered to the right LL vermilion at test frequencies of 5, 10, 50, 150, 250, and 300 Hz. The psychophysical detection task was performed simultaneously with the three force control conditions: a null-force baseline condition, an active force control task performed with the right index finger, and an active force control task performed with the lip musculature. For the active tasks, subjects were instructed to use their analog force signal (lip or finger) to continuously perform a visually guided precision force task by tracking a 2 Hz sinusoidally moving target calibrated to a peak-to-peak force load of 0.2 N. Both the analog force signal and the target-tracking signal were displayed in real-time on an oscilloscope. Results showed a statistically significant elevation of LL vibrotactile detection thresholds for test frequencies below 50 Hz during the simultaneous performance of the lip force control task. Disassociating the site of motor control from the location of sensory stimulation (active control task) was effective in normalizing the elevations in LL vibrotactile thresholds, thus demonstrating that the threshold elevation during the lip force task was not solely an artifact of the added attentional load resulting from combining a perceptual task with a motor control requirement. These findings are discussed in relation to published reports of movement-related sensory gating in limb systems and the possible significance that this phenomenon may have for perception and proprioception in the orofacial system.
Velocity Measurements of Laser-Driven Flyers Backed by High Impedance Windows

Because of possible applications to inertial confinement fusion, the response of free-standing foils to laser intensity levels of 103–106 GW/cm2 has been well characterized as discussed in Ref. 1 and references therein. Our interest is in characterizing the response of free-standing and backed foils at much lower intensities, i.e., in the region of 1–20 GW/cm2, and using these flyers to initiate insensitive secondary high explosives.
THERMALIZATION AND DIFFUSION PARAMETERS OF NEUTRONS IN ZIRCONIUM HYDRIDE

The pulsed-source method is used to measure the thermal neutron diffusion parameters of Zircaloy-2 hydride, whose approximate composition is ZrH/ sub 1.7/. The asymptotic decay constant (zeroth energy eigenvalue) is measured for the buckling range 0.03 < B/sup 2/ < 0.39 cm/sup -2/ and is fitted by a polynomral containing terms to Bsup 8/. The first energy eigenvalue is measured over the range 0.05 < B/sup 2/ < 0.39 cm/sup 2/ and is used to estimate the thermalization time constant. In additron, the thermalization time constant is also determined from time-dependent transmission measurements wrth l/v absorbers. (auth)
Dioxin and immune regulation: Emerging role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the generation of regulatory T cells

The immune toxicity of the ubiquitous environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), commonly referred to as dioxin, has been studied for over 35 years but only recently has the profound immune suppression induced by TCDD exposure been linked to induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The effects of TCDD are mediated through its binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated transcription factor. The subsequent AHR-dependent effects on immune responses are determined by the cell types involved, their activation status, and the type of antigenic stimulus. Collectively, studies indicate that TCDD inhibits CD4+ T cell differentiation into T helper (Th)1, Th2, and Th17 effector cells, while inducing Foxp3-negative and/or preserving Foxp3+ Tregs. Although it is not yet clear how activation of AHR by TCDD induces Tregs, there is a potential therapeutic role for alternative AHR ligands in the treatment of immune-mediated disorders.
HfO2 and ZrO2–Based Microchemical Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (ISFET) Sensors: Simulation & Experiment

Microchemical ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) sensors were designed, simulated, fabricated, and electrically characterized using SiO2, ZrO2 and HfO2 deposited by different methods as ion-sensitive gate dielectric materials. The SiO2 films showed a non-linear pH response with a low pH sensitivity (~10 mV/pH) around the SiO2 point of zero charge (pzc) of 3.5 ± 0.5 and a higher pH sensitivity (~25 mV/pH) above the pzc. The ZrO2 and HfO2 films both showed linear and almost ideal (Nernstian) pH sensitivities (~55 mV/pH) over a wide pH range. The pzcs of ZrO2 and HfO2 were determined to be 6.7 ± 0.5 and 5.5 ± 0.5 respectively. The theoretically predicted C-V responses obtained by numerically solving electroneutrality and potential continuity equations for the electrolyte oxide semiconductor (EOS) device qualitatively matched the experimental trends. This analysis offers an effective and alternative approach of determining the point of zero charge of metal oxide dielectrics.
Superacidic Activation of Quinoline and Isoquinoline; Their Reactions with Cyclohexane and Benzene1

Quinoline (1) and isoquinoline (2), upon activation by strong acids, lead to intermediate N,C-diprotonated dications, which are involved in reactions with weak nucleophiles. Thus, 1 and 2 undergo selective ionic hydrogenation with cyclohexane in CF3SO3H−SbF5, HBr−AlBr3−CH2Br2, or HCl−AlCl3−CH2Cl2 acid systems to give their 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro derivatives. They also readily condense with benzene in the presence of HBr−AlBr3 or HCl−AlCl3 to provide 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,7-diphenylquinoline (10) and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-6,8-diphenylisoquinoline (12), respectively.
The mechanics of surficial failure in soil slopes

It is not safe to employ the classical infinite slope failure analysis procedure in which the Coulomb failure criterion is used, because a very large portion of the factor of safety is assigned to the effective cohesion which is not present in the soil. Part of the problem arises from the normal stresses used in the drained direct shear tests, which are high relative to the normal stresses prevailing in surficial failures. The real effective strength envelope is curved, and it is proposed to model it by a power function whose parameter values may be determined from the usual shear tests performed at the normal stress magnitudes usually employed. Based on the factor of safety calculations from the curved failure envelope and observations from field rainfall infiltration experiments, the mechanics of surficial failure of slopes is explained.
The Local Recovery Process after a Major Natural Disaster

Abstract An organizing framework of the long‐term recovery process was developed, after studying first hand how 14 U.S. communities recovered from a major disaster. The framework depicts the dynamic processes that contribute to an efficient local recovery, including the three key elements identified and the inter‐relationships among them. The three key elements are personal leadership, ability to act, and knowledge of what to do. Although only one of the disaster events investigated during the four‐year study period was a major damaging earthquake, the framework developed appears to be useful for understanding the aftermath of many types of natural disasters. Information about an effective recovery process should be factored into earthquake hazard mitigation and preparedness efforts because sooner or later, whether we are ready or not, we will be recovering from a major earthquake.
Conference maketh a ready man Or, twenty-five years in the better joints

The author rehearses, with much pleasure, the origins, physical circumstances, personalities, exhibits and papers of the Joint and National Computer Conferences, from December 1951 to the present meeting.
Wall Politics: Zionist and Palestinian Strategies in Jerusalem, 1928

Benedetto Croce noted that all history has "the character of 'contemporary history,' because, however remote in time events there recounted may seem to be, the history in reality refers to present needs and present situations wherein those events vibrate."' Exactly 50 years ago, late in September 1928, an "incident" occurred at the Western Wall of the Holy Sanctuary in Jerusalem which set in motion a sequence of violent events that clearly "vibrate," as Croce put it, in political situations and judgments today. The Western or "Wailing" Wall controversy, which became a public issue in 1928, triggered the intercommunal violence that in 1929 claimed 800 casualties2 and marked the shift of the political process in Palestine into the irreconcilably violent phase which continues today. Recent discussions of the "present needs" of a Middle East peace settlement offer little to dispute Croce's observation. Those which reject the possibility and/or acceptability of a democratic, secular state in all of Palestine often refer back to the intercommunal violence of the Mandate era
Estimates of oscillatory integrals

$a_j,b_j\ge 1, j=\!1,2,$ we prove that the operator $Kf(x)=\break \int_{{\mathbb R}_+^2}\!k(x,y)f(y)dy$ maps $L^p({{\mathbb R}_+^2})$ into itself for $p=1+\frac{1}{r},$ where $r=\frac{a_1}{b_1}=\frac{a_2}{b_2},$ and k(x,y)=ϕ(x,y) eig(x,y), ϕ(x,y) satisfies (5), (e.g. ϕ(x,y)=|x–y| i τ ,τ real) and the phase g(x,y)=x a ⋅ y b +Φ**(x a ,y b ). We obtain L p estimates for operators with more general phases than in [5] and for these operators we require that b1 b2>1, and $b_1\mbox{ or }b_2=1$ and a l ≥ b l ≥ 1, which remained open from [4]. Keywords Oscillatory integrals, L p mappings Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) Primary 42B20, Secondary 46B70, 47G10
A high-throughput pipeline for the design of real-time PCR signatures.

Background Pathogen diagnostic assays based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology provide high sensitivity and specificity. However, the design of these diagnostic assays is computationally intensive, requiring high-throughput methods to identify unique PCR signatures in the presence of an ever increasing availability of sequenced genomes.
Myocardial infarction following regional anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy

From 1969 through 1982, 185 carotid endarterectomies were performed under regional anaesthesia on 153 patients. Of these patients, 38 (25 per cent) had suffered a previous myocardial infarction, 63 (41 per cent) had documented coronary artery disease, and 115 (75 per cent) had hypertension. Anaesthesia was provided by a superficial cervical plexus block. Monitoring consisted of measurement of direct arterial pressure and continuous display of the electrocardiogram. Oxygen was administered by nasal cannula throughout the procedure. Mean arterial pressure was elevated when necessary by infusion of phenylephrine. No patient in this study suffered an acute myocardial infarction. The only cardiac complications consisted of eight episodes of non-life-threatening dysrhythmias, We conclude that regional anaesthesia for carotid endarterectomy is associated with a low risk of perioperative myocardial infarction.
Decision making framework for solar photovoltaic power conditioning unit topologies using Six Sigma

The fast pace of technology and business innovation in the renewable energy sector can make it difficult to thoroughly evaluate competing technologies, often because incontrovertible data is lacking or obscured by speculation, hype, and vaporware claims. Thus an impartial and comprehensive tool is needed to analyze qualitative and subjective parameters. This paper proposes the use of Six Sigma as a quantitative method to evaluate and analyze the heart of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems - the power conditioning unit. Six Sigma tools such as Fishbone Diagram, Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Priority Matrix are applied to chalk out the boundaries of different power conditioning unit configurations and inverter topologies for both small scale (including residential) and utility scale energy conversion.
Predation by inland silversides on an exotic cladoceran, Daphnia lumholtzi, in Lake Texoma, U.S.A.

In the early 1990s, Lake Texoma was invaded by Daphnia lumholtzi, a large, spiny, exotic cladoceran. From April 1994 to April 1995 D. lumholtzi was most abundant in the lake in mid-summer, after native zooplankton declined in early June. Inland silversides Menidia beryllina selectively preyed on D. lumholtzi but appeared to prefer the large native zooplankton when they were present. Daphnia lumholtzi was an important prey item for silversides during summer when large native zooplankton was scarce. The invasion of D. lumholtzi into Lake Texoma may benefit some zooplanktivorous fishes by increasing foraging opportunities during a time of low prey availability.
Cytology of 2n pollen formation in diploid crested wheatgrass, Agropyron cristatum

Hybrids between induced tetraploids of diploid crested wheatgrass, Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (2n = 2x = 14), and tetraploid crested wheatgrass, A. desertorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult. (2n = 4x = 28), have provided improved germplasm with unique agronomic traits. Introgression from diploids to tetraploids would be simplified if diploids that produce 2n gametes (gametes with the sporophytic chromosome number) could be identified. This study was initiated to determine if 2n pollen is produced in diploid crested wheatgrass and to determine the cytological mechanisms of 2n pollen formation. Pollen diameters were investigated by measuring 60 pollen grains from each of 600 diploid and 100 tetraploid genotypes. Pollen diameters averaged 37.9 μm (SE = 0.17) and 41.1 μm (SE = 0.33) for diploid and tetraploid genotypes, respectively, with a range of 35.3 to 41.3 μm among the diploids, and 39.7 to 46.8 μm among the tetraploids. Approximately 16% of the diploid genotypes produced some pollen grains with twice the mean volume of n pollen. Cytological analyses of 17 individuals that produced variable-sized pollen indicated that 2n pollen was produced via restitution at the second meiotic division. Meiotic abnormalities that could give rise to 2n microspores include i) arrest at metaphase II, ii) lack of sister chromatid movement in anaphase II, iii) movement of all or most sister chromatids to a single pole in anaphase II, and iv) abnormal cytokinesis after telophase II. The formation of 2n pollen in diploid crested wheatgrass should facilitate efficient transfer of germplasm from diploids to tetraploids within the genus Agropyon.
Endogenous opioids as substrates for ethanol intake in the neonatal rat: The impact of prenatal ethanol exposure on the opioid family in the early postnatal period.

Background Despite considerable knowledge that prenatal ethanol exposure can lead to devastating effects on the developing fetus, alcohol consumption by pregnant women remains strikingly prevalent. Both clinical and basic research has suggested that, in addition to possible physical, behavioral, and cognitive deficits, gestational exposure to alcohol may lead to an increased risk for the development of later alcohol-related use and abuse disorders. The current work sought to characterize alterations in endogenous opioid signaling peptides and gene expression produced by ethanol exposure during the last days of gestation.
The classification of sunspot groups

The 3-component McIntosh classification of sunspots was introduced in 1966, adopted for interchange and publication of data in 1969, and has been used increasingly in recent years. The McIntosh classification uses a modified Zurich evolutionary sequence as its first component, class, where two of the Zurich classes are omitted and more quantitative definitions are used. It then adds descriptions of the largest spot (second component) and the degree of spottedness in the group interior (third component) to define 60 distinct types of sunspot groups. Definitions of the McIntosh classification system and their rationale are presented herein. Correlations with solar flares excel those with the earlier Zurich classification, prompting the use of the McIntosh classification in an expert system (Theo) for predicting X-ray solar flares.
Early sonographic diagnosis of intrapericardial teratoma.

An intrapericardial teratoma associated with a large pleural effusion and elevated aortic outflow velocity was diagnosed at 23.6 weeks' gestation. Less than 4 weeks earlier, an obstetric scan, including a four-chamber heart view, had been normal. In less than a week following diagnosis, fetal hydrops and bradycardia developed. ‘Heroic’ pericardiocentesis was declined by the patient, and the fetus died. This case demonstrates the potential for rapid growth in pericardial teratomas, and illustrates the possibility of anticipating fetal compromise from tumor mass effect, when intracardiac Doppler studies are abnormal. Implications for management of these rare tumors, and specifically for the hypothetical role of fetal surgery, are discussed. Copyright © 1994 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Linacs for Radiation Therapy, 1978: Physical Characteristics, Miarketing Parameters and the "Ideal Accelerator"

In recent years the linear accelerator has become a very popular generator of photons and electrons for use in conventional radiation therapy treatment. This presentation is an overview of linacs presently available to the medical community, their physical characteristics including electron andc photon energies and collimating system, as well as marketing information such as geographic aistribution and cost. Several characteristics of therapy beams neea to be considerea in a aetermination of which linac to purchase or to use for a particular type of treatment. I will discuss beam symmetry, flatness, sharpness and tissue penetration characteristics. Ana I will attempt to describe what I feel are the essential features of an iaeal medical radiotherapy linac.