cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute fatty liver in the second trimester.

Abstract Background: Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a rare, potentially fatal disease that occurs in the late third trimester or early postpartum period. The case of a woman with acute fatty liver in the second trimester is presented. Case: A 35-year-old woman, gravida 5, para 4, presented at 22 weeks’ gestation with nausea, vomiting, malaise, weight loss, and moderately elevated liver transaminase levels. The differential diagnoses included viral gastroenteritis and cholelithiasis. During the next 12 days, her transaminase levels increased, jaundice developed, her sensorium changed, and coagulopathy appeared. After the patient was transferred to a tertiary care hospital, acute fatty liver of pregnancy was diagnosed. The woman rapidly improved after delivery. Conclusion: Although acute fatty liver of pregnancy usually occurs in the late third trimester or early postpartum period, it can occur in the second trimester.
A Drosophila homolog of the yeast origin recognition complex

Genes from Drosophila melanogaster have been identified that encode proteins homologous to Orc2p and Orc5p of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae origin recognition complex (ORC). The abundance of the Drosophila Orc2p homolog DmORC2 is developmentally regulated and is greatest during the earliest stages of embryogenesis, concomitant with the highest rate of DNA replication. Fractionation of embryo nuclear extracts revealed that DmORC2 is found in a tightly associated complex with five additional polypeptides, much like the yeast ORC. These studies will enable direct testing of the initiator-based model of replication in a metazoan.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of a child with Alice in Wonderland syndrome during an episode of micropsia.

Background Alice in Wonderland syndrome is a perceptual disorder involving brief, transient episodes of visual distortions (metamorphopsia) and can occur in conjunction with certain viral infections. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine visual processing in a 12-year-old boy with viral-onset Alice in Wonderland syndrome during an episode of micropsia (reduction in the perceived size of a form). Methods Functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted in response to a passive viewing task (reversing checkerboard) and an active viewing task (line-length decisions in the context of the Ponzo illusion). Results In both tasks, the child with Alice in Wonderland syndrome showed reduced activation in primary and extrastriate visual cortical regions but increased activation in parietal lobe cortical regions as compared with a matched control participant. Conclusions The active experience of micropsia in viral-onset Alice in Wonderland syndrome reflects aberrant activity in primary and extrastriate visual cortical regions as well as parietal cortices. The disparate patterns of activity in these regions are discussed in detail.
Do Spur-Throated Grasshoppers, Melanoplus spp. (Orthoptera: Acrididae), Exert Top-Down Control on Smooth Cordgrass Spartina alterniflora in Northern New England?

Recently, strong top-down (consumer) control of cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) has been demonstrated. Here, we manipulated the densities of cordgrass consumers, acridid grasshoppers (Melanoplus bivittatus and Melanoplus femurrubrum), to examine their impact on cordgrass in the Plum Island Estuary (PIE), MA, USA. After 1 month, there was no detectable effect of grasshopper density on S. alterniflora biomass and grasshoppers at the highest densities (34 individuals per square meter) consumed only ~14% of the standing stock biomass. However, significant impacts of grasshopper density on grazing damage were seen. For example, plant damage and scarring length increased by 160% and 6,156%, respectively, at the highest grasshopper densities relative to exclusion (zero grasshoppers) densities. Plant height was significantly reduced with increasing grasshopper densities, although this may be a function of leaf tip removal instead of reduced plant growth. No other strong consumers of cordgrass (e.g., Littoraria irrorata, Prokelisia marginata) were observed in PIE and we suggest that consumer regulation of cordgrass is weak in this system.
Military Primacy Doesn't Pay (Nearly As Much As You Think)

��� The 2008 anancial crisis dramatically worsened the ascal future of the United States. In the arst ave years of the Great Recession, the debt-to-gross domestic product ratio of the United States more than doubled, and multiple bond-ratings agencies downgraded U.S. federal government debt. The inevitable debate in Washington is where and how much to cut federal spending. The national security budget is a natural target for ascal conservatives. Their logic is clear-cut: defense and war expenditures are not the primary culprits for the parlous ascal state of the United States, but they acted as accessories. For the 2013 ascal year, the U.S. federal government has budgeted more than $685 billion in defense expenditures. 1 Tacking on budgeting for intelligence and nuclear forces raises that agure to more than $725 billion. With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan winding down and al-Qaida’s top leadership decimated, the security threats to the United States have also declined. 2 At the same time, the country possesses an unparalleled lead in defense assets and expenditures. Given its unchallenged military supremacy, targeting cuts toward defense spending after a decade of dramatic budgetary increases is a natural ambition. A future of limited defense budgets has nevertheless triggered anxiety from some quarters of the U.S. national security community. Advocates for a large military argue that the world is safer and more prosperous today precisely because of the United States’ outsized security capacities and deep engagement with the rest of the world. Ostensibly, by acting as a guarantor of the peace in hotspots such as the Middle East and Paciac Rim, the United States keeps the international system humming along—which in turn yields signiacant bene
The Views of Teachers on Assessment: A Comparison of Lower and Upper Elementary Teachers

Abstract This study compared the views and reported practices of lower-grade teachers (kindergarten, 1st, 2nd) and upper-grade teachers (3rd, 4th, 5th) regarding the assessment of children. Teachers (N = 172 lower elementary, N = 126 upper elementary) were surveyed regarding the use and the amount of trust placed in standardized and classroom assessment measures, the factors that influenced their assessment choices, and their beliefs about the role of parents in the assessment process. Teachers in both groups valued and used a variety of assessment measures (e.g., observations, portfolios, written work), but did not value or use scores from mandated standardized tests. Differences among grade levels on the uses of some measures (e.g., checklists, rating scales, paper-and-pencil tests) were observed. Teachers from both groups believed that parents should be involved in the assessment process. The results of this study suggest that many of the classroom assessment practices promoted by the education reform ...
Serum steroid concentrations and development of reproductive organs during puberty in male bonnethead sharks, Sphyrna tiburo

Puberty is a critical, hormone-mediated event during which an animal acquires the ability to breed and propagate. Despite the importance of this stage in animal reproduction, little is known regarding the physiological factors that regulate and/or accompany puberty in several vertebrate groups including elasmobranchs. To address the need for such information, the present study investigated morphological and hormonal changes that occur during puberty in male bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo). Serial changes in development of claspers, paired copulatory organs in male elasmobranchs, and serum steroid concentrations during puberty were evaluated in captive-held male S. tiburo. Captive-animal studies were supplemented by observations on gonadal development, gonaduct morphology, and serum steroid concentrations in feral, peripubertal male S. tiburo. Changes in size and histological architecture of testes and gonaducts of peripubertal sharks mirrored the seasonal progression of events that occur in these structures in mature males. Claspers grew in length continuously during puberty, but sharks did not reach functional maturity until a short period before mating activity commences in the mature population. Clasper growth appeared to be strictly regulated in S. tiburo, perhaps to ensure growth of these organs to sizes deemed critical for reproductive success. Serum concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, and 17β-estradiol increased in both captive and feral sharks during pubertal development, and may be associated with development of the gonads and gonaducts. Differences in hormone profiles of captive and feral sharks were observed at certain periods during puberty, but their origin remains unclear.
Creep Relaxation Procedure for Achieving Uniform Clamp Load Distribution in Gasketed Bolted Joints Using Simultaneous Tightening

In this paper, a mathematical procedure is developed for achieving a uniform distribution of target steady-state clamp load level in a gasketed bolted flange model, using a mass-production version of a computer-controlled simultaneous multi-spindle tightening system. Closed form solutions are developed for the required initial clamp load distribution to achieve the target clamp load using a single cycle tightening, or the number of tightening cycles required to achieve the target uniform clamp load. The effect of the gasket thickness is investigated. An experimental procedure and test set-up are used to validate the proposed gasket model. Results show reasonable correlation between the analytical model and the experimental validation data.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Distribution of data and unique material resources made with NIH funding

The research community, particularly in academic and public sector institutions, recognises that scientists have an obligation to publish the results of their research and otherwise make available data or unique materials that are necessary for others to replicate or advance their research. Over the past 15 years, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed policies to make such obligations a requirement for recipients of NIH funding. The view of the NIH and a number of other institutions is that the public is best served as the ultimate beneficiary of public research funding when barriers are reduced for sharing unique research resources. At the same time, recipients of funding have an obligation to facilitate the commercialisation of new technologies by transferring such technologies to the private sector, sometimes on an exclusive commercial basis. These various policies are meant to provide a framework in which publicly funded research institutions may strike an appropriate balance between these goals and obligations. In practice, this balance most often is realised. However, when that is not possible, the public sector has an obligation to place public benefit above its own or its corporate partners' financial gain.
Metabolic Response to Severe Surgical Illness: Overview

Severe surgical illness results in metabolic responses that mobilize substrate (amino acids and fatty acids) from body stores to support vital organs, enhance resistance to infection, and ensure wound healing. Central to this process is the redistribution of body protein, which moves from skeletal muscle to support the central viscera. If unsupported, this protein-wasting state could result in prolonged convalescence, diminished immunity, and poor wound healing. Present evidence suggests that the central nervous system plays a major role in regulating this protein catabolic response. Infusing exceedingly small quantities of the proinflammatory cytokines into the brain can mimic injury responses, and central cytokine blockade may be one therapeutic approach to attenuating these responses safely in the future. Additional evidence also demonstrates that the function of the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary is dampened during the later stages of severe surgical illness, and the possibility of hormonal replacement therapy needs to be explored.
Trends in neonatal mortality resulting from respiratory diseases in the United States, 1985-1991

Trends in neonatal mortality resulting from respiratory diseases in the United States, 1985-1991
Cortical evoked potentials and appetite drive.

A NUMBER of investigators have observed the attenuation of evoked potentials during attention and conditioning1–4.
A mechanism for the ease of slip in UO2+x

Abstract The microstructure of plastically deformed hyperstoichiometric uranium dioxide crystals has been reexamined by transmission electron microscopy. Although the U 4 O 9 phase is present with its usual superlattice structure, dislocations which thread interfaces between it and the adjacent UO 2 phase exhibit uniform contrast, (i.e., no separation into superdislocations is resolved). Dislocations lying totally within the UO 2 phase are decorated by “shadows” of gray contrast, which can be removed by heating in the microscope atmosphere. These have been identified as “atmospheres” of U 4 O 9 . A geometrical argument, based on the coordinates of anion interstitials published by Willis, is used to explain how these “atmospheres” might account for the observed incidence of extensive cross-slip in plastically deforming UO 2+ x .
Persistence of predator-prey systems in an uncertain environment

The time derivatives of prey and predator populations are assumed to satisfy a set of inequalities, instead of a precise differential equation, reflecting an uncertain environmental and/or lack of knowledge by the modeler. A system of differential equations is found whose solution gives the boundary of a persistent set, which is positive flow invariant for any system satisfying the inequalities. Conditions are given for the persistent set to be bounded away from both axes, which show that resonance effects cannot drive either predator or prey to extinction if that does not happen for an autonomous system satisfying the inequalities. In general predator-prey systems are more persistent when there is strong asymptotic stability, when there is correlation between prey and predator dynamics, when the effect of perturbations is density dependent, and are more persistent under perturbations of the prey than of the predator.
Ureteral injury after anterior lumbar interbody fusion. A case report

Study design This case report presents a patient with ureter injury after anterior spinal fusion and its management. Objectives To present possible causes, symptoms, diagnostic approach, and management of this rare complication. Summary of background data The reported complications of anterior surgical approaches to the lumber spine have been predominantly vascular or neurologic. The susceptibility of the ureter to injury is emphasized by the description of an as-yet-unreported case of ureter laceration after anterior lumbar fusion. Methods Ureter injury was diagnosed using computed axial tomography, ultrasonography-guided aspiration, and chemical analysis of the aspirate after anterior spinal fusion. Results Early diagnosis of this injury prompted a ureter stent placement and prevented additional deterioration of renal function and infection. Conclusions The ureter is prone to injury if not identified and protected when sharp and pointed instruments are used for retraction. Abdominal mass, low-grade fever, and leukocytosis should prompt use of computed tomography or ultrasonography-guided aspiration.
Scatterer correlation effects on photon transport in dense random media.

Optically disordered systems where the number of scatterers per cubic wave length exceeds unity typically exhibit mean-free-path lengths for photon transport longer than those predicted by the cross section given by Mie theory in the independent-scatterer approximation. The effects of spatial correlation among scatterers on photon transport are investigated in dense colloidal latex suspensions. Transport mean-free-path lengths obtained from time-resolved transmission of picosecond laser pulses, from suspensions successively diluted over two decades of scatterer density, are compared to conventional extinction lengths. Correlations introduced into the Mie formalism via a static structure factor based on a hard-core radial distribution function show good agreement with the experimental results.
Nutrient enrichment and soil conditions drive productivity in the large-statured invasive grass Arundo donax

Introduction of the large-statured, invasive grass Arundo donax has negatively affected riparian ecosystems in Mediterranean-type climates and tropical regions worldwide. Control programs in large watersheds have been largely ineffective in reducing populations because of Arundo's ability to recolonize after flooding and human induced changes to resource availability that facilitates growth. In a greenhouse study, we evaluated the relative effects of nitrogen, soil type, soil moisture, and light availability on Arundo growth. All treatments significantly influenced plant growth, but nitrogen addition and soils with organic materials had the strongest positive effect on above- and belowground biomass production. Ratios of above- to belowground growth were relatively stable across soil types and moisture levels, but allocation to belowground structures was significantly increased by nitrogen addition and full sunlight. Our results imply that control and management programs should address the human-altered nutrient and soil conditions associated with agricultural and urban watersheds that may facilitate dispersal, establishment, and growth of Arundo and other invasive plants.
"Red herrings," adolescents, and testicular tumors.

Testicular tumors, although rare in the general population, comprise the most common class of solid tumors in males aged 15–34 years. Although commonly appearing as a painless scrotal mass, one-third of testicular tumor cases are accompanied by pain or other atypical symptoms that may confound diagnosis, particularly if the clinician is misdirected by other issues. In this case report of an adolescent male with embryonal cell carcinoma of the right testis, a premorbid history of psychological problems, and immature, complaining behavior led to an improper assessment of the significant clues in the patient's oral history and a delay in diagnosis.
The effect of 5‐fluorouracil and adriamycin on heterotransplantation of noble rat prostatic tumors in congenitally athymic (nude) mice

The Nb rat prostatic adenocarcinoma is a well-characterized, hormonally induced family of tumors that are all readily transplantable into congenitally athymic (nude) mice. Because of this versatile heterotransplantation model, multiple replicate copies of individual tumors can be studied “in rodent.” We have extended this by studying the chemotherapeutic response of such tumors and believe that this provides a useful avenue for evaluation of cytotoxic agents. Indeed, this combination of both animal model systems may provide a useful experimental tool to evaluate tumor growth, histopathologic changes and responsiveness to appropriate therapy. We report herein that two Nb rat prostatic carcinomas (2 Pr-129-D-11A and Pr-90) and their responsiveness to Adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil are objective by studying both growth rates and tumor histology. Cancer 44:424-430, 1979.
Hydrocarbon synthesis from COH2 on supported iron: Effect of particle size and interstitials

Abstract Rates of hydrocarbon synthesis (HS) from COH2 (syngas) were measured for Fe supported on MgO ( Fe MgO ) while Mossbauer effect spectroscopy (MES) was used for monitoring the structure of the metal. Three effects were observed as particle size d of H2 prereduced Fe changed between 1 and 17 nm. First, the site-time yield of CH4 synthesis (STYCH4, the number of CH4 molecules produced per CO-titrated site per second) increased by over an order of magnitude. Second, under conditions used ( 525K, H 2 CO = 3 , atmospheric pressure), large Fe particles produced a lower fraction of C+2 in the hydrocarbon product (C+2 selectivity) and showed a greater tendency for deactivation and loss of C+2 selectivity than small particles. Third, as reaction in syngas proceeded, the dominant phase shifted from x-carbide to e′-carbide as d decreased, and further decrease of d produced a decrease in the rate of e′-carbide formation. The three trends for HS were the same qualitatively and similar quantitatively when the catalysts were converted to e-nitride before reaction, instead of being used directly after reduction in H2. However, MES showed that the e-nitride structure persisted even after 20 h in reacting syngas although measurements of CH4 evolved during reduction of used samples indicated that the surface of all catalysts was thoroughly carbided. Thus, for HS, particle size was more important than interstitials in determining activity and selectivity of supported Fe.
The theoretical response of sedimentary layers to ambient seismic noise

For over thirty years, attempts have been made to gain information about sediment amplification during earthquakes from observations of ambient seismic noise. While the results of several feasibility studies have been encouraging, theoretical support for the technique is scant. We present a model for the response of sedimentary layers to ambient seismic noise. The noise sources are modeled as a random distribution (in time and space) of point forces located on the Earth's free surface. This model is applied to a site where observed noise spectral ratios, relative to a rock site, have previously been shown to reveal the fundamental resonant frequency of a soft clay layer. Approximating the sediment site as a single layer over a half-space, the horizontal noise spectrum predicted by our model reveals the fundamental resonance and first harmonic of the layer. We also examine an estimate of site response proposed by Nakamura (1989), which is formed by dividing the horizontal-component noise spectrum by that of the vertical component. Nakamura's estimate applied to both observed and predicted noise-spectra was also successful in identifying the fundamental resonance, with a slight (<10%) shift toward lower frequencies. Future work is needed to determine the generality of our results, and to elucidate the influence of the simplifying assumptions.
Evidence for right hemisphere phonology in a backward masking task.

Abstract The extent to which orthographic and phonological processes are available during the initial moments of word recognition within each hemisphere is under specified, particularly for the right hemisphere. Few studies have investigated whether each hemisphere uses orthography and phonology under constraints that restrict the viewing time of words and reduce overt phonological demands. The current study used backward masking in the divided visual field paradigm to explore hemisphere differences in the availability of orthographic and phonological word recognition processes. A 20 ms and 60 ms SOA were used to track the time course of how these processes develop during pre-lexical moments of word recognition. Nonword masks varied in similarity to the target words such that there were four types: orthographically and phonologically similar, orthographically but not phonologically similar, phonologically but not orthographically similar and unrelated. The results showed the left hemisphere has access to both orthography and phonology early in the word recognition process. With more time to process the stimulus, the left hemisphere is able to use phonology which benefits word recognition to a larger extent than orthography. The right hemisphere also demonstrates access to both orthography and phonology in the initial moments of word recognition, however, orthographic similarity improves word recognition to a greater extent than phonological similarity.
Conditioned suppression of a licking response in rats with hippocampal lesions.

Rats with dorsal hippocampal lesions and sham-operated controls were trained for 14 days to lick for one of two sucrose solutions (4% or 32%). They were then given four CER training trials to a 4800-Hz tone, and tested for conditioned suppression of licking. Rats with hippocampal lesions licking for the 32% solution showed significantly less suppression than all other groups. It was suggested that behavioral deficits found in animals with hippocampal lesions may be partly due to the differences in the motivational levels of the organism.
Psychological impact of long illness and death of achild on the family circle

I N THE practice of comprehensive medicine, the care of the total patient is stressed. In pediatrics, this concept must be expanded to include the total family circle. Such an approach to practical medical problems and practices in the treatment of children with lymphoma and leukemia would include the recognition and consideration of the psychological impact of the disease and the death of the patient on the family. Members of the pediatric staff at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital are alert to these psychological implications, and attempt to cope with them with the same thoroughness accorded problems of physical comfort of the patient. The interest of the staff does not stop with the last final sentences in the medical record: "The patient expired quietly. Autopsy was performed." What of the lasting impact of this long period of " l iving with dea th" upon the family? What is the process of rehabilitation of family living patterns disrupted by long separation and death? These questions have been asked of a small population of parents of children who have died of cancer after prolonged
High affinity RNase S-peptide variants obtained by phage display have a novel "hot-spot" of binding energy.

Using phage display mutagenesis, high affinity variants of RNase S-peptide were produced that bind to RNase S-protein over 100-fold more tightly than the wild type S-peptide. The S-peptide: S-protein interface was further characterized using “biased” phage display libraries, where each targeted residue was constrained to be either polar or nonpolar. The use of these tailored libraries placed constraints on the type of interactions present during affinity maturation process and allowed more amino acids to be randomized simultaneously. These results, in conjunction with kinetic association and dissociation constants determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), highlight the role of a single mutation (A5W) in increasing S-peptide binding affinity. High affinity S-peptide variants were only identified when tryptophan was present in the phage display library at position 5, suggesting that this residue is a “hot-spot” of binding energy in the high affinity variants. Analysis of SPR data in the presence of den...
Organic solute permeability in erythrocytes of the little skate, Raja erinacea

Neutral, organic molecules with seven or less major atoms permeate erythrocytes of the little skate (Raja erinacea.) Hypotonicity (80%) increased permeation up to 10-fold. Under both isotonic and hypotonic conditions solute influx occurred with the same size limitation, indicating that the number of permeation sites, but not their size, increases with hypotonicity. The maximum average diameter of these neutral molecules that penetrate the cell membrane is about 5.6 to 6.2 A. This is similar to that found previously for amino acid permeation, but unlike amino acids, the entry of most of the organic, neutral molecules into skate erythrocytes is not affected by Band 3 inhibitors. These results suggest that the neutral molecules tested may enter the erythrocytes via the same channel as amino acids, but do not interact with the sites blocked by Band 3 inhibitors, or through a separate channel of similar size which is also volume activated. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Absolutely continuous measures for systems of orthogonal polynomials with unbounded recurrence coefficients

This paper considers systems of orthogonal polynomials which satisfy a three-term recurrence relation in which the recursion coefficients are unbounded. Conditions are imposed on the coefficient sequences to establish that the corresponding measure of orthogonality is absolutely continuous.
An Iterative Algorithm and Low Complexity Hardware Architecture for Fast Acquisition of Long PN Codes in UWB Systems

Rapidly acquiring the code phase of the spreading sequence in an ultra-wideband system is a very difficult problem. In this paper, we present a new iterative algorithm and its hardware architecture in detail. Our algorithm is based on running iterative message passing algorithms on a standard graphical model augmented with multiple redundant models. Simulation results show that our new algorithm operates at lower signal to noise ratio than earlier works using iterative message passing algorithms. We also demonstrate an efficient hardware architecture for implementing the new algorithm. Specifically, the redundant models can be combined together so that substantial memory usage can be reduced. Our prototype achieves the cost-speed product unachievable by traditional approaches.
Selectivity of fomesafen based systems for preemergence weed control in cucurbit crops

Abstract Experiments at two sites during two years evaluated the selectivity of preemergence fomesafen in cucurbit crops of winter and summer squash, zucchini, cantaloupe, cucumber, and pumpkin. Cucumbers were the most sensitive of the cucurbit crops to fomesafen and produced little or no fruit in two out of three experiments when applied at 0.28 kg ai ha −1 . Fomesafen also reduced cantaloupe yield. Visual damage was noted on the other crops tested, but crop yield was not impacted by fomesafen at 0.28–0.35 kg ai ha −1 . With the exception of cucumbers, injury caused by fomesafen to cucurbit crops was transitory even when fomesafen-treated soil splashed onto the leaves of emerging cucurbits during a powerful thunderstorm at one of the test sites. Control of redroot pigweed ( Amaranthus retroflexus ), Powell amaranth ( Amaranthus powellii ) and other Amaranthus spp., lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album ), hairy nightshade ( Solanum physafolium ), common purslane ( Portulaca oleraceae ), and velvetleaf ( Abutilon theophrastii ) ranged from 92 to 100% with fomesafen applied at 0.28 kg ai ha −1 . The excellent efficacy on these difficult to control weed species suggests that lower rates of fomesafen may be appropriate and improve crop tolerance, particularly if fomesafen is tankmix-applied with other preemergence herbicides such as s-metolachlor or dimethenamid-p. Weed control with these combinations was excellent for all weed species in these experiments.
Critical percolation on the torus

We compute the various crossing probabilities defined by R. Langlands, P. Pouliot, and Y. Saint-Aubin for the critical percolation on the torus.
Sparse matrix-vector multiply on the Texas Instruments C6678 Digital Signal Processor

The Texas Instruments (TI) C6678 “Shannon” is TI's most recently-released Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Although its original purpose was voice and video encoding and decoding, it may have the potential to become a practical coprocessor for scientific computing. In this paper, we evaluate the C6678 in terms of its programming methodology, performance, and power efficiency. As a case study, we implemented a sparse matrix vector multiply (SpMV) kernel and used it to perform a comparative study against the NVIDIA Kepler GK104 and GK106 Graphical Processor Units. On the DSP, we take advantage of many of the C6678's features, including its VLIW and SIMD instruction set architecture, program-controlled scratchpad memory, and direct memory access (DMA) controller. We found that the DSP is unable to outperform the GPUs in raw performance but can achieve roughly equal power efficiency in Gflops/Watt. This is more impressive when considering that the DSP is manufactured in a 45 nm process while the GPUs are manufactured in a 28 nm process. We believe that subsequent DSPs, when manufactured in a modern fabrication process, may be more competitive with GPUs in power efficiency. We also found that, for this kernel, the DSP is able to achieve higher utilization of both its peak memory bandwidth and its functional units as compared with the GPUs. In this paper we describe our kernel and the programming techniques required to optimize its performance.
Modeling Dynamic Multiscale Social Processes in Agent-Based Models

Identity-related issues play central roles in many current events, including those involving factional politics, sectarianism, and tribal conflicts. Two popular models from the computational-social-science (CSS) literature - the threat anticipation program and SharedID models - incorporate notions of identity (individual and collective) and processes of identity formation. A multiscale conceptual framework that extends some ideas presented in these models and draws other capabilities from the broader CSS literature is useful in modeling the formation of political identities. The dynamic, multiscale processes that constitute and transform social identities can be mapped to expressive structures of the framework.
High gain free electron lasers driven by flat electron beam

A variational solution of the fundamental eigenmode is presented for high gain free electron lasers driven by flat electron beam having unequal emittances, betatron focusings and beam sizes in two transverse planes.
Prophylactic antibiotics reduce morbidity due to septicemia during intensive treatment for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND. The aim of this study was to determine whether antibiotic prophylaxis during periods of neutropenia reduced streptococcal (S. viridans) sepsis and overall bacterial sepsis. METHODS. The authors reviewed outcomes of 78 evaluable patients who were consecutively treated for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from October 2002 through January 2007. Several successive prophylactic antibiotic regimens were used. All patients received antifungal prophylaxis with oral voriconazole. RESULTS. Oral cephalosporins did not significantly reduce the odds of bacterial sepsis (P = .81) or streptococcal (S. viridans) sepsis (P = .90) relative to no prophylaxis. Intravenous (iv) cefepime completely prevented streptococcal (S. viridans) sepsis and reduced the odds of bacterial sepsis 91% (P < .0001) relative to no prophylaxis, but resistant gram-negative bacteria emerged in 2 patients. Vancomycin with oral ciprofloxacin or a cephalosporin reduced the odds of bacterial sepsis by 93% (P < .0001) and streptococcal (S. viridans) sepsis by 99% (P < .0001). The fungal infection rate did not differ significantly between patients who did and did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis (1.0 per 1000 patient-days for both groups). The observed reduction in average hospital days per chemotherapy course for patients given vancomycin regimens or cefepime was 5.7 (P < .0001) and 4.1 (P = .0039) days, respectively. No reduction was observed with oral cephalosporins (P = .10). Furthermore, vancomycin regimens or cefepime were associated with a 20% reduction in healthcare charges (P = .0015) relative to using no antibiotics. One patient, who was on oral cefuroxime alone, died of septicemia. CONCLUSIONS. Prophylaxis with intravenous cefepime or a vancomycin regimen, and voriconazole, reduced morbidity in children with AML, and resulted indramatic decreases in the incidence of septicemia and hospitalization days. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Ontologies and Decision Support for Failure Mitigation in Intelligent Water Distribution Networks

One of the greatest benefits offered by cyber-physical systems is the potential for automated decision support, which can increase the intelligence and efficacy of environmental management. Agent-based modeling can facilitate the application of cyber infrastructure to environmental decision support, by abstracting physically-distributed and communication and control into the operation of one or more agents. Ontologies can capture the semantics of the operation of both physical and cyber components of an environmental management system, respectively, while reflecting interactions between the two. As such, they can serve as a basis for automated reasoning by agents for intelligent decision support. In this paper, we illustrate and validate the use of ontologies in decision support for an intelligent water distribution network. The focus of the decision support is on identification and mitigation of failure, the aim is dependable distribution of potable water.
Role of the BCR complex in B cell development, activation, and leukemic transformation.

A primary focus of signal transduction in B cells, from the pre-B cell to the mature B cell, is the B cell receptor complex. Here we describe work demonstrating the importance of signaling via the pre-B cell receptor complex (pre-BCR) to the pre-B cell transition, the central checkpoint in B-cell development. We have shown tht pre-BCR complex components Igα and Igβ are critical to allowing the pre-B cell to move through thistransition, but may not be required for allelic exclusion. Pre-BCR expression also directly affects the response of leukemic cells to steroid treatment, suggesting that signals initiated by the pre-BCR complex may present therapeutic targetsin acute leukemia. Additionally, interleukin-7 may also modulate the response of leukemic cells arising from early B-cell stages to treatment. This observation has lead directly to proposals to test drugs which may antagonize early B-cell growth signals, such as rapamycin, in acute lymphoid leukemia.
Can the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index be used to evaluate different hip joints in the same patient

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index was originally designed for disease-specific evaluation of patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis (1988), but has not been validated for evaluation of more than one joint at the same time in the same patient. Thirty-three patients with bilateral total hip arthroplasties answered a questionnaire containing both the WOMAC osteoarthritis index and the Harris hip score (HHS) (1969), a joint-specific health status measure that was designed to include evaluation of bilateral hip arthroplasty. Differences in scores between hips were highly correlated for HSS and WOMAC total score (P = .0001), HHS pain and WOMAC pain subscores (P = .0001), and HHS function and WOMAC physical function subscores (P = .0001). WOMAC stiffness and HHS range of motion were not significantly correlated (P = .1308). In 23 patients (70%), both scores graded the hips with the same comparative outcome. When comparative outcomes were different, the average difference was less than 3 points (of 100 possible points). These results demonstrate that patients with bilateral hip arthroplasty can apply the WOMAC osteoarthritis index questions to individual hips at the same time as effectively as the joint-specific HHS questions.
Massive verapamil ingestion: A report of two cases and a review of the literature

This report describes two patients who were victims of massive verapamil ingestion and then reviews the available literature. Because verapamil blocks the slow calcium channels of the heart and blood vessels, the use of calcium as a treatment would be logical. In the two cases reported here, calcium was only transiently effective in maintaining cardiac output and blood pressure. Several other agents were then used and most were ineffective. This is similar to experience reported in the literature that suggests that no single agent is capable of reversing verapamil's negative inotropic, dromotropic, chronotropic, and vascular smooth muscle effects.
The human mandible: lever or link?

The mammalian mandible, and in particular the human mandible, is generally thought to function as a lever during biting. This notion, however, has not gone unchallenged. Various workers have suggested that the mandible does not function as a lever, and they base this proposition on essentially two assertions: (1) the resultant of the forces produced by the masticatory muscles always passes through the bite point; (2) the condylar neck and/or the temporomandibular joint is unsuited to withstand reaction forces during biting. A review of the electromyographic data and of the properties of the tissues of the temporomandibular joint do not support the non-lever hypothesis of mandibular function. In addition, an analysis of the strength of the condylar neck demonstrates that this structure is strong enough to withstand the expected reaction force during lever action. Ordinarily the human mandible and the forces that act upon it are analyzed solely in the lateral projection. Moments are then usually analyzed about the mandibular condyle; however, some workers have advocated taking moments about other points, e.g., the instantaneous center of rotation. Obviously it makes no difference as to what point is chosen since the moments about any point during equilibrium conditions are equal to zero. It is also useful to analyze the forces acting on the mandible in the frontal projection, particularly during unilateral biting. The electromyographic data suggest that during powerful unilateral molar biting the resultant adductor muscle force is passing between the bite point and the balancing (non-biting side) condyle. Therefore, in order for this system to be in equilibrium there must be a reaction force acting on the balancing condyle. This suggests that reaction forces are larger on the balancing side than on the working side, and possibly explains why individuals with a painful temporomandibular joint usually prefer to bite on the side of the diseased joint.
Propensity Score–Matched Analysis of Comprehensive Local Therapy for Oligometastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer That Did Not Progress After Front-Line Chemotherapy

Purpose To retrospectively analyze factors influencing survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer presenting with ≤3 synchronous metastatic lesions. Methods and Materials We identified 90 patients presenting between 1998 and 2012 with non-small cell lung cancer and ≤3 metastatic lesions who had received at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy followed by surgery or radiation therapy before disease progression. The median number of chemotherapy cycles before comprehensive local therapy (CLT) (including concurrent chemoradiation as first-line therapy) was 6. Factors potentially affecting overall (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated with Cox proportional hazards regression. Propensity score matching was used to assess the efficacy of CLT. Results Median follow-up time was 46.6 months. Benefits in OS (27.1 vs 13.1 months) and PFS (11.3 months vs 8.0 months) were found with CLT, and the differences were statistically significant when propensity score matching was used ( P ≤ .01). On adjusted analysis, CLT had a statistically significant benefit in terms of OS (hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.70; P ≤ .01) but not PFS ( P =.10). In an adjusted subgroup analysis of patients receiving CLT, favorable performance status (hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.84; P =.01) was found to predict improved OS. Conclusions Comprehensive local therapy was associated with improved OS in an adjusted analysis and seemed to favorably influence OS and PFS when factors such as N status, number of metastatic lesions, and disease sites were controlled for with propensity score–matched analysis. Patients with favorable performance status had improved outcomes with CLT. Ultimately, prospective, randomized trials are needed to provide definitive evidence as to the optimal treatment approach for this patient population.
Relationships between Monthly Precipitation and SST Variations in the Tropical Pacific Region

Abstract The relationships between the patterns of monthly sea surface temperature (SST) variations and those of precipitation in the tropical Pacific Ocean region are examined. The rainfall data utilized are derived from satellite observations of outgoing longwave radiation. A composite empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the SST and precipitation indicates a dominant mode of variation linking SST variations in the eastern equatorial region with those of MNWI about 30° westward. One-point correlation analyses show that this general relationship is present for all points in the eastern and central ocean, but that no significant SST-rainfall correlations are evident for SST points wen of about the dateline. The one-point correlation analyses also suggest that during time periods outside of El Nin's, the rainfall response to SST changes is largely confined to the areas of climatological precipitation maxima, suggesting only a minor alteration in the large-scale circulation. On the other hand, du...
The Reduction of Stigma in Schools: A New Professional Development Model for Empowering Educators to Support LGBTQ Students

This article describes the rationale and design of The Reduction of Stigma in Schools—an innovative professional development program that aims to empower educators to create supportive learning environments for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) students. Part of a larger evaluation study, the authors illustrate how the core design components are visible in participants’ experiences with the program itself and with working to create supportive environments for their students. Key design elements, such as the educator-to-educator program delivery, research based workshop content, and basing the program in a university school of education, were reported by participants to increase the perceived relevance of LGBTQ issues for their professional practice. The article concludes with reflection on those design elements which are effective, plans for expanding the model, and recommendations for actions educators can take to support LGBTQ youth.
A theoretical foundation for the PLS algorithm

Partial least squares (PLS) modeling is an algorithm for relating one or more dependent variables to two or more independent variables. As a regression procedure it apparently evolved from the method of principal components regression (PCR) using the NIPALS algorithm, which is similar to the power method for determining the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of a matrix. This paper presents a theoretical explanation of the PLS algorithm using singular value decomposition and the power method. The relation of PLS to PCR is demonstrated, and PLS is shown to be one of a continuum of possible solutions of a similar type. These other solutions may give better prediction than either PLS or PCR under appropriate conditions.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: An ergonomics approach to its prevention

Abstract This paper provides a background about carpal tunnel structure and carpal tunnel syndrome. The common risk factors associated with the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are identified. Ergonomic-based prevention methods to minimize the risk of this malady are presented.