cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
US Filipino Adults’ Patterns of CAM Use and Medical Pluralism: Secondary Analysis of 2012 National Health Interview Survey

The cultural health beliefs of the Filipino population and colonial history of medicine in the Philippines could mean high use of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) and increased engagement in medical pluralism (i.e., combined use of conventional medicine and CAM) among the U.S. Filipino population, the fourth largest immigrant group in the United States. However, there is limited research regarding U.S. Filipinos' health behaviors related to CAM use and medical pluralism engagement. The purpose of this study was to explore patterns of CAM use and medical pluralism practices of Filipino adults living in the United States. Data from Filipino adult respondents of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey adult CAM supplement were analyzed to determine most common CAM used, most common conditions for which CAM was used as a treatment, reasons for using CAM for treatment of health conditions, and sources of recommendations for CAM as a treatment in this population. Dietary supplements were the most common CAM used by Filipino adults living in the United States. A small number of U.S. Filipino adults reported using CAM to treat pain-related and cardiovascular conditions, with the most common source of recommendations coming from friends and family members. Most common reasons for using CAM for treatment of health condition were: CAM is natural; CAM had a holistic approach, and CAM could be taken/practiced independently. Based on the findings of the study, Filipino adults living in the United States engage in a pluralistic approach to health by using CAM for treatment of health conditions. Analysis of the 2012 NHIS adult CAM supplement provided an overview of Filipino adults' patterns of CAM use and medical pluralism; however, future research is still needed to explain such health behavior patterns.
Castleman disease in pediatrics: Insights on presentation, treatment, and outcomes from a two-site retrospective cohort study.

Background Castleman disease (CD) is an uncommon lymphoproliferative disorder that is rare in pediatric populations; the literature describing this population is sparse. We sought to describe pediatric CD, including unicentric CD (UCD) and human herpes virus-8 (HHV8)-negative multicentric CD (MCD), in a multi-institutional cohort. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 24 patients, aged 0 to 26 years at diagnosis, who were diagnosed with CD between January 1, 2005, and May 16, 2017, at two tertiary children's hospitals. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Results Most patients (75%, 18/24) presented with UCD. All patients with MCD were HHV8-negative. The most common histopathologic variant was hyaline vascular (75%, 18/24). Plasma cell variant occurred in 33% (2/6 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 4-78%]) of patients with HHV8-negative MCD and 17% (3/18 [95% CI, 4-41%]) of patients with UCD. Systemic symptoms were present in 4 of 6 of patients with HHV8-negative MCD and 8 of 18 of patients with UCD. Anemia and laboratory inflammation occurred in both UCD and MCD patients, with nonsignificantly higher rates of anemia and elevated C-reactive protein in MCD patients. All but two UCD patients underwent gross total resection as definitive therapy. Among HHV8-negative MCD patients, a combination of resection, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy was used. No UCD patients and three of six HHV8-negative MCD patients experienced disease progression/relapse prior to lasting remission. There were no deaths. Conclusion Pediatric patients with CD most commonly have unicentric, hyaline vascular variant disease. Pediatric patients with both UCD and MCD commonly have systemic inflammation and, despite risk of progression/relapse in MCD patients, ultimately have excellent survival.
Animate Characters

The world of everyday interactions is filled with characters, real or fictitious, and human knowledge of how to make these interactions satisfying and productive relies upon an understanding of character. As agents become more intelligent and more ubiquitous, we may naturally ask how we can endow them with life and personality to make them easier and more gratifying to use. This paper offers a broad definition of “animate character,” and examines the technical and artistic issues involved both in the creation and the evaluation of such systems. We provide example interactions with several character types. The paper concludes with an annotated bibliographic survey of work done in this area.
An Intelligent Prediction System for Oil Spill Movement

The goal of the research reported here is to build an intelligent system for the prediction of oil slick movement to facilitate the emergency management in case of a marine oil spill. In this paper, three main aspects of this system are discussed. First, an overview of the system architecture presents the major components of the system and the interconnection between them. Then the methods for acquiring diverse types of knowledge and for fusing them into a functional system is described. Finally, issues related to the implementation of this system are discussed.
On the Ramsey–Turán number with small s-independence number

Abstract Let s be an integer, f = f ( n ) a function, and H a graph. Define the Ramsey–Turan number RT s ( n , H , f ) as the maximum number of edges in an H-free graph G of order n with α s ( G ) f , where α s ( G ) is the maximum number of vertices in a K s -free induced subgraph of G. The Ramsey–Turan number attracted a considerable amount of attention and has been mainly studied for f not too much smaller than n. In this paper we consider RT s ( n , K t , n δ ) for fixed δ 1 . We show that for an arbitrarily small e > 0 and 1 / 2 δ 1 , RT s ( n , K s + 1 , n δ ) = Ω ( n 1 + δ − e ) for all sufficiently large s. This is nearly optimal, since a trivial upper bound yields RT s ( n , K s + 1 , n δ ) = O ( n 1 + δ ) . Furthermore, the range of δ is as large as possible. We also consider more general cases and find bounds on RT s ( n , K s + r , n δ ) for fixed r ≥ 2 . Finally, we discuss a phase transition of RT s ( n , K 2 s + 1 , f ) extending some recent result of Balogh, Hu and Simonovits.
The association between the treatment-induced hypertension (Htn) and response to neoadjuvant sunitinib in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

e15095 Background: Prior studies have shown that development of htn, which is an on-target side effect of VEGF inhibition, is a potential biomarker for response to sunitinib in patients with metast...
Daytime Cloudless Sky Radiance Quantification with Ground-Based Aerosol and Meteorological Observations in the Shortwave Infrared

AbstractDaytime spectral sky radiance, or sky brightness, is deceptively complex to predict accurately. The Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) first-principles atmospheric...
An Inter-reporter Analysis of Mandated Child Maltreatment Reporting in the USA

Mandatory reporting requires certain professionals, who have contact with children in their work, to report to child protective services when they have a reasonable suspicion that maltreatment has occurred. Despite these laws, there is a lack of consistency in reporting by mandated reporters. The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the reporting data of five mandated reporting groups across the USA. Data from the 2010 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) were utilized for the analysis of reporting practices of mandated reporters. Results indicated some unique differences among specific mandated reporters as a function of how and when they interact with children.
FINITE Q-OSCILLATOR REPRESENTATION OF 2-D STRING THEORY

We present a simple physical representation for states of two-dimensional string theory. In order to incorporate a fundamental cutoff of the order 1/gst we use a picture consisting of q oscillators at the first quantized level. In this framework we also find a representation for the (singular) negatively dressed states representing nontrivial string backgrounds.
Characterizing Pharmacogenetic Testing Among Children's Hospitals.

Although pharmacogenetic testing is becoming increasingly common across medical subspecialties, a broad range of utilization and implementation exists across pediatric centers. Large pediatric institutions that routinely use pharmacogenetics in their patient care have published their practices and experiences; however, minimal data exist regarding the full spectrum of pharmacogenetic implementation among children’s hospitals. The primary objective of this nationwide survey was to characterize the availability, concerns, and barriers to pharmacogenetic testing in children’s hospitals in the Children’s Hospital Association. Initial responses identifying a contact person were received from 18 institutions. Of those 18 institutions, 14 responses (11 complete and 3 partial) to a more detailed survey regarding pharmacogenetic practices were received. The majority of respondents were from urban institutions (72%) and held a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (67%). Among all respondents, the three primary barriers to implementing pharmacogenetic testing identified were test reimbursement, test cost, and money. Conversely, the three least concerning barriers were potential for genetic discrimination, sharing results with family members, and availability of tests in certified laboratories. Low‐use sites rated several barriers significantly higher than the high‐use sites, including knowledge of pharmacogenetics (P = 0.03), pharmacogenetic interpretations (P = 0.04), and pharmacogenetic‐based changes to therapy (P = 0.03). In spite of decreasing costs of pharmacogenetic testing, financial barriers are one of the main barriers perceived by pediatric institutions attempting clinical implementation. Low‐use sites may also benefit from education/outreach in order to reduce perceived barriers to implementation.
Using 3-Dimensional Motion Analysis to Optimize Treatment Planning for a Patient With Dropfoot: Case Report.

OBJECTIVE This study demonstrated the use of computerized motion analysis to assist in evidence-based clinical decision-making. CASE DESCRIPTION A 15-year-old girl who had right hemiparesis after a stroke was referred for 3-dimensional computerized motion analysis to determine the effect of 3 devices intended to control her dropfoot and to assist in developing a treatment plan. Four conditions were tested and compared: barefoot, lateral support ankle brace, functional electrical stimulation (FES) device, and dropfoot cuff. RESULTS Kinematics showed the right ankle had significant dropfoot during swing phase (32.7 degrees of plantarflexion at terminal swing) in barefoot. The lateral support ankle brace, FES device, and dropfoot cuff reduced terminal swing plantarflexion to 27.2 degrees, 17.6 degrees, and 15.3 degrees, respectively, though ankle kinematics remained abnormal because of inadequate dorsiflexion. Improvements in gait variable score with FES (-8.2 degrees) or dropfoot cuff (-8.7 degrees) were significantly more than that with the lateral support brace (-2.2 degrees), and the difference in gait variable score between FES and dropfoot cuff was insignificant. Compared with the barefoot condition, the lateral support brace condition did not show a clinically significant difference in gait profile score; however, the gait profile scores of both FES and dropfoot cuff conditions showed clinically significant improvement (-1.7 degrees and -2.1 degrees, respectively). CONCLUSION Objective data delineated subtle changes among 3 devices and led to the recommendation to discontinue the lateral support ankle brace, continue using her night ankle-foot orthosis and FES device, with the dropfoot cuff as a backup when she feels leg fatigue or skin irritation, and consider serial casting or surgical calf lengthening. IMPACT Computerized motion analysis provides quantitative evaluation of subtle differences in the effect of braces with different designs, which are hard for the human eye to discern. The objective data inform and validate treatment decision-making. The recommendations were made as a result of evidence-based practice.
Anesthetic Management during Surgery for Left Ventricular Aneurysm

Left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) are a somewhat infrequent condition that most often occur as the result of an acute myocardial infarction but also have other acquired and congenital etiologies. Preparing to care for these patients starts with a detailed preanesthetic evaluation that is not dissimilar to the evaluation required prior to other open cardiac procedures. However, there are unique points of focus including some specific imaging modalities. Additionally, the anesthetic management during the repair is similar to many other cardiac procedures requiring a bloodless field but with specialized hemodynamic considerations. This requires tailoring induction, monitoring and maintenance to both the pathophysiology of LVA and the patient’s unique comorbidities. While the average cardiac anesthesiologist should have a firm grasp of the involved monitoring and pharmacology, it is beneficial to review these concepts within the context of these factors. Furthermore, there are specific complications and pitfalls that require an understanding of both the procedure and disease process along with significant vigilance to successfully care for patients undergoing the SAVER/CABG procedure.
Structuring an Endowment-Allocated Student Managed Fund Course

This study documents the creation, structure, and performance of a Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) carved out of a Jesuit Liberal Arts University’s endowment funds. With more Universities looking to incorporate SMIFs into their curriculum, or to provide an experiential learning opportunity to their students, this paper details what we have learned from our experience with the Sellinger Applied Portfolio fund. This paper will be helpful to those looking to start a SMIF, and details the risks involved with the same. To mitigate these risks, we offer a structure that has worked for us, and details on the oversight process followed by the University. This fund is a part of the University endowment, so Universities that are looking to follow this path will find our paper helpful. We also describe in detail how to set this up as a for-credit class, and part of the curriculum. The choice of financial datasets to aid in research, challenges faced by the students, and faculty are also documented. A properly structured SMIF is a boon to a University and can maximize the student experience, while also keeping faculty, the administration, trustees, and alumni engaged. The intent of this paper is to serve as a guide and help move the process along.
"Shared Decision-Making" in Athletes With Known Cardiac Disease: Interpretation and Implementation in the Real World.

OBJECTIVE Recommendations for addressing sporting eligibility and disqualification in athletes with heart disease have traditionally used a paternalistic approach with cardiologists making a binary "yes-no" decision. This paradigm has recently evolved to a shared decision-making model recognizing and respecting the autonomy of the athlete while instituting safeguards to mitigate risk where possible. How well this paradigm is understood or has been integrated into the athletic trainer (AT) community is unknown. DESIGN Athletic trainers from the Ohio High School Athletic Association were surveyed. RESULTS Of 107 ATs who responded, we found that the majority had not heard of the term "shared decision-making" in the context of sporting participation [62.6%, confidence interval (CI) 0.53-0.72 vs 37.4%, CI 0.28-0.47]. Furthermore, we found large discrepancies as to how ATs would interpret and implement recommendations from cardiologists. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the need to educate and improve communication between AT, sports medicine physicians, and sports cardiologists if shared decision-making strategies are to become widely implemented.
Retrospective analysis of complications related to endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography in patients with cirrhosis vs patients without cirrhosis.

Background There is minimal objective data regarding adverse events related to endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in patients with cirrhosis compared to those without cirrhosis and even fewer data comparing complications among cirrhosis patients based on severity of cirrhosis. Aim To determine if patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk of adverse events related to ERCP: mainly pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, cholangitis, and mortality; And to see if higher Child-Pugh (CP) score and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score are associated with higher post-ERCP complications. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 692 patients who underwent ERCP and analyzed the impact of cirrhosis etiology, gender, type of sedation used during procedure, interventions performed, and co-morbidities on the rate of complications in cirrhosis patients as compared to non-cirrhosis patients. Results Overall complications were higher in those with cirrhosis as compared to those without cirrhosis (P = 0.015 at significance level of 0.05). CP class, especially CP class C, was shown to be associated with a significantly higher rate of ERCP complications as compared to CP class A and CP class B (P = 0.010 at significance level of 0.05). Conclusion The results of our study reaffirm that liver cirrhosis has an impact on the occurrence of complications during ERCP. Our study shows that CP class seems to be more reliable as compared to MELD score in predicting complications of ERCP in cirrhosis patients.
Quantitative evaluation of thixotropy-governed microfabric evolution in soft clays

Abstract Thixotropy-governed temporal microfabric evolution, in a naturally occurring illitic marine clay and a manufactured kaolinitic clay at their respective liquid limits, was probed quantitatively by both one-dimensional X-ray diffraction (1DXRD) and 2DXRD via orientation index (OI) and texture index (TI) respectively. Results showed that the two fabric indexes, OI and TI, continuously evolved nonmonotonically but consistently during the thixotropic hardening periods of up to 125 days. Due to the initial remolding-induced large-strain shearing, both clays started with a fabric consisting of highly parallel-oriented clay particles. With increasing time, the OI varied from 23.1 to 36.6 and from 3.8 to 4.5, while their TI ranged from1.004 to 1.008 and 1.010 to 1.029 for the kaolinitic and illitic clays, respectively. Moreover, the same trend of changes between the OI and TI for both clays indicated that the two XRD-based techniques are applicable to characterizing the temporal microfabric changes in soft clays undergoing thixotropic hardening. The fabric evolution may result from various microscale particle rearrangements, likely including clay particle reorientation, aggregation, and flocculation, which in turn are controlled by interparticle forces. The two XRD-based techniques are also discussed in terms of their advantages and can expectedly shed light on similar studies of time-dependent behavior of soft clays.
When multiple streams make a river: analyzing collaborative policymaking institutions using the multiple streams framework

Although the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) is frequently used to explain agenda setting and decision making across a variety of policy domains, it has been criticized for failing to contribute to theoretically rigorous and empirically falsifiable policy scholarship. This study argues that by explicitly attending to the institutional context in which a policy process occurs—a previously under-articulated aspect of the MSF—scholars can better develop and test theory about the framework’s components under delimited conditions. This approach is demonstrated through the development and analysis of a case study of transnational policymaking in the Colorado River Delta. By attending to how key MSF variables interact with features of the process’s collaborative institutional context, this study identifies case-specific drivers of policy change and develops broader theory about the mechanisms by which these factors may influence policymaking in similar institutional settings.
A comprehensive review on the loss of wellbore integrity due to cement failure and available remedial methods

Abstract With the recent abrupt fluctuations in oil pricing and the need of complying with environmental and social requirements, nowadays it is an urgent call for the oil and gas industry to produce the hydrocarbon without any loss as well as in a safe manner. Cements are placed in the annular space of casing to provide zonal isolation in between wellbore and surface during the operational life cycle of the well or even after the abandonment. But this is not what happens most of the time. Cement degrades or loses its integrity through debonding either from the casing or formation and generates cracks or fractures due to varied reasons throughout the life of the well. Multiple causes contribute to the loss of wellbore integrity – either by physical, mechanical, or chemical processes. These failures lead to sustained casing pressure (SCP) and contamination of surrounding environment. To combat this issue or to restore the well integrity, multiple remedial actions have also been either implemented in the industry or proposed based on experimental research to prevent the damage or to seal the leakage in the cement sheath. This paper will provide an extensive review of the underlying reasons of cement failure and the available remedial actions to minimize the loss of well integrity issue. These information are not only useful to know about the different corrective options available for us to implement in industry but also it will provide us a knowledge base regarding how we can enhance the performance of the exiting systems to battle the cement integrity problem more efficiently.
Differences in Lifetime Earning Potential Between Pediatric and Adult Physicians.

OBJECTIVES Compare lifetime earning potential between academic pediatric and adult medicine generalists and subspecialists. Evaluate the effect of decreasing the length of training for pediatric subspecialties whose length of training is longer than that for the adult medicine counterpart. METHODS Using compensation and debt data from national physician surveys for 2019–2020, we estimated and compared the lifetime earning potential for academic pediatric and adult physicians. RESULTS Lifetime earning potential was higher for adult physicians than for pediatric physicians across all comparable areas of both general and subspecialty academic practice. The lifetime earning potentials for adult physicians averaged 25% more, or $1.2 million higher, than those of the corresponding pediatric physicians. These differences predominantly were not attributable to unequal training length: when we modeled a shortened length of training for pediatric subspecialists, lifetime earning potential for adult subspecialists still averaged 19% more than that for pediatric subspecialists. For both pediatric and adult medicine, the primarily inpatient, procedure-oriented subspecialties had higher lifetime earning potential than the outpatient, less procedure-oriented subspecialties. CONCLUSIONS Wide differences in lifetime earning potential between pediatric and adult physicians reflected lower compensation in pediatrics, rather than any differences in training length. Inpatient-based, more procedure-oriented subspecialties had higher lifetime earning potential than outpatient-based, less procedure-oriented subspecialties. Interventions that improve the lifetime earning potential of general pediatrics and the pediatric subspecialties, as well as the less procedure-oriented subspecialties across both pediatric and adult medicine, have the potential to impact both clinical practice and access to care.
Actions of a Dopaminergic and β2-Adrenergic Agonist on O2 Extraction by Canine Skeletal Muscle

In order for a tissue to extract O2 from a diminished supply as efficiently as possible, blood flow must be directed within the tissue proportionately to regional O2 demand. This is accomplished by a balance of vasoconstrictor and vasodilator forces. If O2 supply is lowered in the whole body, vasoconstrictor tone is increased by increased activity of sensors such as baroreceptors or peripheral chemoreceptors. At the local tissue level, metabolic signals proportional to the imbalance between O2 supply and demand cause local dilatation to direct more blood flow to those areas and protect them from hypoxic injury. According to this scheme, any intervention that overrides either regulatory factor should be reflected in a diminished ability of the local tissue to extract O2 under hypoxic conditions.
Particle Swarm Optimization for the Minimization of Power Losses in Distribution Networks

This research utilizes particle swarm optimization (PSO) to minimize the total active power losses in an IEEE 6-bus transmission system. The complexity of the problem lies in integrating Newton-Raphson load flow algorithm, which is used in computing power losses, with PSO algorithm, which is used to minimize these losses. The considered PSO control variables are: the reactive power output of generators, the tap ratios of transformers, and the reactive power output of shunt compensators. PSO was chosen as optimization method due to its popularity as a successful algorithm in solving non-smooth global optimization problems. The proposed PSO algorithm gave very satisfactory simulation results. Power losses were reduced by 13.9% for an initial set of PSO parameters. These parameters were thereafter varied in order to improve PSO performance by further minimizing the power losses. Effectively, we were able to obtain a set of parameters that resulted in a 19.31% reduction in power losses. These successful simulation results confirm the effectiveness of PSO in minimizing distribution networks power losses.
Neural Networks for System Identification

Recent advances in the software and hardware technologies of neural networks have motivated new studies in architecture and applications of these networks. Neural networks have potentially powerful characteristics which can be utilized in the development of our research goal, namely, a true autonomous machine. Machine learning is a major step in this development. This paper presents the results of our recent study on neural-network-based machine learning. Two approaches for learning and identification of dynamical systems are presented. A Hopfield network is used in a new identification structure for learning of time varying and time invariant systems. This time domain approach results in system parameters in terms of activation levels of the network neurons. The second technique, which is in frequency domain, utilizes a set of orthogonal basis functions and Fourier analysis network to construct a dynamic system in terms of its Fourier coefficients. Mathematical formulations of each technique and simulation results of the networks are presented.
On the Kinematics of GRB980425 and its association with SN1998bw

In this paper I put forward a model in which GRB980425 is both associated with SN1998bw and is also a standard canonical (long; ~seconds) gamma-ray burst. Herein it is argued that if gamma-ray bursts are relativistic jets with the fastest moving material at the core, then the range of observed jet inclinations to the line-of-sight produces a range in the observed properties of GRBs, i.e. the lag-luminosity relationship. In particular, if the jet inclination is high enough, the observed emitter will move slowly enough to render relativistic beaming ineffective, thus distinguishing the jet from apparent isotropic emission. Thus we expect a break in the lag-luminosity relationship. I propose that GRB980425 defines that break. The position of this break gives important physical parameters such as the Lorentz factor (\gamma_max ~ 1000), the jet opening angle (~1 degree), and thus the beaming fraction (~10^-4). Estimates of burst rates are consistent with observation. If correct, this model is evidence in favor of the collapsar mode as the progenitor of cosmological, long gamma-ray bursts.
When Relationships Depicted Diagrammatically Conflict With Prior Knowledge: An Investigation of Students’ Interpretations of Evolutionary Trees

Science is an important domain for investigating students’ responses to information that contradicts their prior knowledge. In previous studies of this topic, this information was communicated verbally. The present research used diagrams, specifically trees (cladograms) depicting evolutionary relationships among taxa. Effects of college students’ and 10th graders’ prior knowledge on their ability to reason from information depicted in cladograms was evaluated in two ways: (1) By keeping the hierarchical branching structure constant while manipulating whether the taxa-targeted common misconceptions about biological classification or were unfamiliar; and (2) by keeping the targeted misconception constant while manipulating the strength of the evidence countermanding that misconception. Students demonstrated more sophisticated reasoning when (1) the taxa were unfamiliar, so they had to rely on the diagrammatic information presented rather than their incorrect prior knowledge, and (2) stronger evidence contradicting their incorrect prior knowledge was presented. Students’ challenges to correctly interpreting evolutionary trees included lower level of schooling and greater strength of the misconception. College, but not high school, students showed some ability to transfer their better reasoning with cladograms depicting relationships among unfamiliar taxa to cladograms depicting taxon relationships that contradicted their everyday conceptions. Implications for improving biology education and overcoming misconceptions are discussed.
Identifying Information Systems Security Requirements for Different Organizational Forms: A transactions cost approach

Organizations find it imperative to implement measures geared towards protecting the information assets. The research problem is to identify information systems security requirements for various organizational forms. Management theorists have argued that organizations represent stable patterns of transactions between individuals. In the realm of transaction cost economics, the flow of information between transacting parties represents an organizations information system. Therefore adequate security of the information resources of a firm helps in lowering the transaction costs thereby ensuring efficiency in firms’ business operations. The argument of the research paper is that we need to move beyond technical measures and implement governance, as well as, normative measures of information systems security so as to transactions cost economize.
Electrical measurements during magnet construction

Throughout the construction phase of the cold mass for SSC magnets, electrical tests are made to determine that no faults in the coil structure have developed. These tests include ones designed to measure turn-to-turn voltage hold-off, hypot tests to ground, coil resistance, and instrumentation checks. These various tests will be described and the test parameters that are used will be covered.
A Z-Score Based Multi-level Spatial Clustering Algorithm for the Detection of Disease Outbreaks

In this paper, we propose a Z-Score Based Multi-level Spatial Clustering (ZMSC) algorithm for the early detection of emerging disease outbreaks. Using semi-synthetic data for algorithm evaluation, we compared ZMSC with the Wavelet Anomaly Detector [1], a temporal algorithm, and two spatial clustering algorithms: Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic [2] and Bayesian spatial scan statistic [3]. ROC curve analysis shows that ZMSC has better discriminatory ability than the three compared algorithms. ZMSC demonstrated significant computational efficiency--1000x times faster than both spatial algorithms. Finally, ZMSC had the highest cluster positive predictive values of all the algorithms. However, ZMSC showed a 0.5-1 day average delay in detection when the false alarm rate was lower than one false alarm for every five days. We conclude that the ZMSC algorithm improves current methods of spatial cluster detection by offering better discriminatory ability, faster performance and more exact cluster identification.
Modal Behavior of Buried Heterostructure Vertical Cavity Semiconductor Lasers

Mode control of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL) is important for many applications ranging from optical interconnects to optical communications. Recently we have reported a novel buried heterostructure (BH) VCSEL lasing in a stable fundamental transverse mode [1] with the use of a passive antiguide region inside of the cavity. In the presence of a guiding boundary along the laser cavity, an analysis of mode structure cannot be based on an integral equation approach [2], but it is necessary to implement round-trip beam-propagation method. This paper is devoted to a detailed analysis of mode structure and modal losses of cavities with different antiguide and guiding regions.
A reactive metabolite of furan, cis-2-butene-1,4-dial, is mutagenic in the Ames assay.

Furan is classified as a nongenotoxic hepatocarcinogen. It is thought to be activated to a toxic metabolite, cis-2-butene-1,4-dial, which is acutely toxic to liver cells. The resulting cytotoxicity is followed by compensatory cell proliferation, increasing the likelihood of tumor production. We examined the genotoxic activity of cis-2-butene-1,4-dial in several strains of Salmonella typhimurium commonly used in the Ames assay. This reactive compound tested positive in TA104, a strain that is sensitive to aldehydes. Mutagenic activity was concentration-dependent (1000 ± 180 revertants/μmol). Incubation of cis-2-butene-1,4-dial with glutathione prior to addition of bacteria inhibited both the acute toxic and genotoxic activity of this compound. No evidence of mutagenic activity was seen at nontoxic concentrations in TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cis-2-butene-1,4-dial reacts with DNA to form mutagenic adducts. Our data suggest that cis-2-butene-1,4-dial ma...
Calcitization of Edwards Group Dolomites in the Balcones Fault Zone Aquifer, South-Central Texas

A high-storage cavernous aquifer has developed in the Cretaceous Edwards Limestone within the Miocene Balcones fault zone. The trend of the fault system, and that of its contained aquifer, cuts across the depositional facies of the Edwards Limestone. Measured sections in the Edwards Limestone west of the fault zone and in a core east of the down-dip boundary (“bad-water line”) of the main aquifer contain significantly higher percentages of dolomite than do similar depositional facies within the fault zone aquifer. It appears that the large amount of high Ca/Mg-ratio ground water, which has passed through the artesian aquifer in the Edwards Group, has calcitized many of the dolomite beds.
Notes on Some Digger Wasps that Prey upon Leafhoppers

In my recent book on the ethology of the sand wasps Evans 1966) I discussed numerous species that prey upon leafhoppers (Cicadellidae). To make my treatment of these species as complete as possible, I submitted examples of prey to the Insect Identification and Parasite Introduction Research Branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Identifications of some of the specimens submitted in 1962 have just been received (February 1968) and it seems desirable to add a few supplementary notes to my book. Most of the species of wasps involved are not host specific, but this fact in itself is of interest in light of the fact that certain sand wasps are evidently highly host specific (e.g., the species of Argogorytes). Also, information of this nature is of interest to persons concerned with the natural control of leafhoppers and related insects.
Estimation of power sensitivity in sequential circuits with power macromodeling application

We propose a novel technique based on Markov chains to accurately estimate power sensitivities to primary inputs in CMOS sequential circuits. The power sensitivity defines the change in average power dissipation due to changes in the input signal specification. Such sensitivities are estimated as by-products of the average power estimation, leading to an efficient implementation. A key application of power sensitivities is to construct a power surface in the specification space so that power dissipation under any distribution of primary inputs can easily be obtained, thereby providing an effective power macromodel for high level power estimation. We demonstrate that such a power surface can be approximated by only a limited number of representative points. This will dramatically reduce the CPU and memory requirements. Results on a large number of benchmark circuits have verified the feasibility and accuracy of this technique.
The Effect of Dietary Fat on Aflatoxicosis in Turkeys

Abstract Graded concentrations of aflatoxin incorporated into the feed of turkey-poults resulted in a decreased growth rate, an enlarged spleen and pancreas, and a smaller liver and bursa of Fabricius. Analysis of the liver showed that the lipid content increased significantly. The effect of 1.0 p.p.m. aflatoxin on the growth rate was the same in diets containing 2, 6, or 18% fat. However, the 18% fat diet ameliorated the lethal effect of the aflatoxin and restored the relative bursal weight to a normal value. Aflatoxin at 1.0 p.p.m. depressed the serum total lipid and phospholipid at all concentrations of dietary fat, but the values on the 18 % fat diet were significantly nearer the normal values. These data suggested that aflatoxin has two separate effects on turkeys, that of growth inhibition and interference with lipid metabolism.
Perturbative and non-perturbative aspects of optical filamentation in bulk dielectric media.

The field of optical filament formation from initial ultrashort laser pulses in bulk dielectric media has now reached a high state of maturity, and has been studied in all three phases of matter, including long distance propagation in air, also termed light string propagation, water, and glass. From the earliest studies of light string propagation in air it was observed that conical emission, namely colored light emission off-axis from the filament, was a byproduct that accompanied the filamentation process.Since then several other byproducts accompanying optical filamentation have been studied, namely, white light or supercontinuum (SC) generation, third-harmonic (TH) generation, and X- and O-waves. Our goal in this paper is to review the theory and simulation of the byproducts accompanying optical filamentation, and to show that a unified approach is possible. Employing the angularly resolved spectrum, or K - Ω spectrum, a notion that has been used to great effect in the area of nonlinear conical waves, we demonstrate that a unified approach to the byproducts accompanying optical filamentation can be achieved using the twin notions of the Effective Three-Wave-Mixing (ETWM) picture of wave-mixing in the presence of filaments, which determines the locus of phase-matched wave generation in the angularly resolved spectrum, and the first-Born approximation to determine the profile of the angularly resolved spectrum. We summarize results of previous works and show that unlike the essentially non-perturbative core of the filament, several byproducts of filamentation can be treated as perturbative effects that have negligible feed-back effects on the filament itself. This should be of great utility for future studies of optimization of the yield of a given byproduct.
Transitions, transversions, and the molecular evolutionary clock.

Nucleotide substitutions in the form of transitions (purine-purine or pyrimidine-pyrimidine interchanges) and transversions (purine-pyrimidine interchanges) occur during evolution and may be complied by aligning the sequences of homologous genes. Referring to the genetic code tables, silent transitions take place in third positions of codons in family boxes and two-codon sets. Silent transversions in third positions occur only in family boxes, except for A⇋C transversions between AGR and CGR arginine codons (R=A or G). Comparisons of several protein genes have been made, and various subclasses of transitional and transversional nucleotide substitutions have been compiled. Considerable variations occur among the relative proportions of transitions and transversions. Such variations could possibly be caused by mutator genes, favoring either transitions or, conversely, transversions, during DNA replication. At earlier stages of evolutionary divergence, transitions are usually more frequent, but there are exceptions. No indication was found that transversions usually originate from multiple substitutions in transitions.
Acclimation of Intertidal Crabs

Synopsis. Intertidal crabs are subjected to marked fluctuations in environmental fac? tors. Temperature and salinity influence the distribution of organisms both on a latitudinal basis and along a subtidal to terrestrial gradient. These factors are operative on all stages of the life history. Resistance-adaptations. Adult fiddler crabs (genus Uca) from the temperate zone are more resistant to low temperature than tropical species. Also, the tolerance to low temperature of crabs from the temperate zone is greatly influenced by thermal acclimation, i.e., cold-acclimated crabs are more resistant than warm-acclimated animals. In contrast, tropical species have limited adaptive ability. At elevated tem? peratures no consistent difference in the lethal limits of crabs from tropical and temperate zones is observed. In contrast with the adults, larvae of tropical species are cold-resistant. However, the larvae of all species tested are more sensitive to reduced salinities than are the adults. Capacity-adaptations. Subtidal species of crabs tend to have a lower level of respira? tory performance, as measured by various indices, than crabs from the intertidal zone. The metabolic response of fiddler crabs from the temperate zone is more labile at low temperature than in species from the tropical zone. At elevated temperature the reverse response is observed. On an interspecific basis, differences in the metabolictemperature patterns of acclimation of latitudinally separated populations of U. pugilator are observed when based on the hypothetical schemes of Bullock, Precht, and Prosser.
Thioglycol polymers. II. Phosphorus pentoxide‐catalyzed autocondensation of thiodiglycol and 2,2′‐dihydroxydiethyl disulfide

The study of the autocondensation of thiodiglycol initiated in Part I has been extended under conditions likely to give water-insoluble polymers of higher molecular weight. The catalytic power of 27 compounds was first determined, and the rates of polymer production were assessed for reaction in the presence of those eleven compounds thus found to be most effective. On the basis of mean molecular weight (3300), solubility in benzene, yield, and appearance of the product, phosphorus pentoxide was chosen for more exhaustive tests. Heating thiodiglycol with P2O5 (2.0%) for 12 hr. at 140°/760 mm., followed by heating for increasing periods at 150°/40 mm., yielded products ranging from a viscous liquid (M.W. 2500; ηsp 0.067) to a rubbery dark-brown wax (M.W. 6500; ηsp 1.061). The solubility in benzene, chloroform, and dichlorodiethyl ether decreased with increasing molecular weight. The catalyst tended to become exhausted: this was found to be due to chemical combination. 2,2′-Dihydroxydiethyl disulfide was successfully autocondensed under similar conditions to give an elastic, insoluble polymer with some tendency to cold flow, presumably built up from C2H4OC2H4S2 units.
Construction and operation of thin parallel plate proportional counters

Abstract A proportional counter of parallel plate geometry with uniform gain, to within 10%, and 100% efficiency over a large area has been developed for the detection of densely ionizing particles. The unit used has a gas gain of 500 for electron collection and several thousand for ion collection. The electron pulse risetime is 30 ns for an argon-methane mixture (P-10) or methane counter gas at 150 mm Hg pressure with time jitter for the zero crossing of a double delay-line-shaped pulse of less than 3 ns. The ion pulse rise time is about 5 μsec. The area is 50 cm 2 and the effective thickness about 4 mg/cm 2 , for a detector consisting of 3 nickel foils, each 1μm thick and two 0.163″ gaps containing the counter gas. These detectors have been used successfully in measuring proton polarizations. For proton energies above 10 MeV or below 20 keV, the signal-to-noise ratio starts to limit their usefulness in fast-resolving time networks, but for more densely ionizing radiation they give good signal-to-noise ratios: e.g., about 100 to 1 for 5-MeV α particles, using ∼60 ns clipping time. For longer clipping times, the signal-to-noise ratio increases rapidly.
Discussion of "Stability of Cellular Cofferdams Against Vertical Shear"

THE AUTHOR INVESTIGATED 3 APPROACHES TO THE VERTICAL SHEAR PROBLEM AFTER FINDING TERZAGHI'S ORIGINAL APPROACH AND KRYNINES MODIFICATION OF IT NOT REALISTIC. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE MOST REASONABLE APPROACH IS ESSENTIALLY TERZAGHIS ORIGINAL APPROACH BUT WITH THE NORMAL STRESSES ON THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL PLANES EQUAL TO EACH OTHER. THE DISCUSSER AGREES WITH THESE CONCLUSIONS, BUT GIVES EVIDENCE THAT DESTROYS THE MAIN JUSTIFICATION FOR THE VERTICAL SHEAR FAILURE APPROACH. THEREFORE, THE DISCUSSER AGREES WITH THE AUTHORS STATEMENT THAT ANOTHER METHOD, PREFERABLY BRINCH HANSEN METHOD, SHOULD REPLACE THE VERTICAL SHEAR METHOD. HANSEN'S METHOD CAN BE EASILY PROGRAMMED FOR A COMPUTER.
Plasma transforming growth factor-β1 level before radiotherapy correlates with long term outcome of patients with lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND Plasma transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) levels are increased in many malignancies at the time of diagnosis, including all forms of lung carcinoma. Therefore, the potential use of TGFβ1 as a plasma marker to predict the long term outcome of lung carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) was evaluated. METHODS Plasma samples for 59 newly diagnosed lung carcinoma patients were assayed for TGFβ1 before RT (pre RT), at the end of RT (end RT), and during follow-up after RT. TGFβ1 was extracted from plasma using an acid-ethanol method. An enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay was used to quantify the plasma TGFβ1 levels. The normal value for this assay is ≤7.5 ng/mL. Disease status at last follow-up was without knowledge of TGFβ1 levels. Comparisons within groups and between groups were estimated using analysis of variance and the Student t test for unpaired data, respectively. RESULTS The 59 patients were divided into 2 groups according to their disease status at last follow-up: those with no evidence of disease (NED) (n = 13) and those with disease (WD) (n = 46). The median follow up was 26.8 months and 12.4 months, respectively, for the NED and WD groups. No significant differences were found in the clinical characteristics between the two groups. The plasma TGFβ1 level before RT was significantly higher in the WD group (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] = 12.5 ± 1.7 ng/mL; median = 8.6 ng/mL) compared with the NED group (mean ± SEM = 6.0 ± 1.0 ng/mL; median = 6.0 ng/mL) (P = 0.037). At the time of last follow-up, WD patients had a significantly higher plasma TGFβ1 level (mean ± SEM = 11.6 ± 1.3 ng/mL; median = 9.6 ng/mL) compared with NED patients (mean ± SEM = 3.7 ± 0.5 ng/mL; median = 3.6 ng/mL) (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that plasma TGFβ1 may be a useful tumor marker in patients with lung carcinoma. Cancer 1999;86:1712–9. © 1999 American Cancer Society.