cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Missed Opportunities to Decrease Radiation Exposure in Children with Renal Trauma

Purpose: Efforts have been made to reduce use of computerized tomography in children with blunt abdominal injury. Computerized tomography may be overused in pediatric patients with renal trauma.Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all renal trauma patients younger than 18 years old treated at 2 urban trauma centers from 2002 to 2016. We collected demographic and clinical characteristics, renal trauma grades, urological interventions, and timing and use of computerized tomography and renal ultrasound.Results: During the study period 145 patients presented with blunt renal trauma. During hospitalization 46 patients (32%) underwent repeat computerized tomography. About 20% of repeat computerized tomograms were performed less than 48 hours after the first scan. After controlling for center, isolated injury (yes/no), stent placement, age and surgical interventions (yes/no) patients who underwent delayed imaging on their first scan had decreased odds of undergoing a second compute...
State-Level Design: The Coordinated Care Model

Abstract Oregon’s means to achieving the “triple aim” was to fundamentally change how health care is delivered and Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) were created as the vehicle to make that happen. This chapter describes the theory behind CCOs and details the five critical elements upon which they were founded: local accountability, a global budget, flexibility in the use of services and health care dollars, coordinated care, and metrics. In addition, it outlines the progress to date and concludes with a discussion of lessons learned.
Connecting Life With Devices.

![Figure][1] Medical costs continue to climb exponentially, and 3 of every 4 dollars in the health care budget are now spent on the care of patients with chronic diseases. Concurrent with this is the growing demand for value and a heightened attention to providing patient-centric care.
The Perceived Value of Informal, Peer Critique in the Instructional Design Studio

The purpose of this study is to investigate how instructional design students perceive the informal, peer critique as an influence in their studio education. Our participants were students enrolled in beginning and advanced studio courses in the department of Instructional Psychology and Technology at Brigham Young University. Groups of 2–3 beginning students were assigned a reviewer from the advanced course, who then led critiques over two face-to-face class sessions with their assigned groups. Students perceived the critique experience to be helpful, although beginning students perceived greater value than did the advanced (possibly due to the time advanced students took to build confidence in the beginners). Students also reported ways in which the critique experience could have been improved, with the most common suggestions being to hold critique sessions more frequently and for longer periods of time. We conclude by discussing the role of informal, peer critiques in the instructional design studio, including how they could complement other forms of feedback that students receive. We also discuss how our findings could contribute towards future research into the value of critique in the instructional design studio environment.
Violent Crime and Mental Health

Violent crime has become one of the most significant concerns among people today (Kilpatrick, Seymour, & Boyle, 1991), and rates of violent crime have risen substantially in America as well as in other countries around the world (Reiss & Roth, 1993; Rosenberg & Fenley, 1991). Many Americans have been victims of violent crime sometime during their lives, and many other Americans, who have not yet been victimized, fear becoming violent crime victims in the future (Kilpatrick et al., 1991). This fear of crime among Americans is not unfounded. In 1990, more than 23,000 people in the United States were homicide victims (Reiss & Roth, 1993), and over 6 million violent crimes were disclosed to interviewers from the National Crime Victimization Survey (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1990). As a consequence, violent crime and fear of violent crime have become important antecedents of fear and anxiety in America. Moreover, violent crime is a predominant contributing factor to the development of mental health problems, most commonly, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Breslau, Davis, Andreski, & Peterson, 1991; Kilpatrick et al., 1989; Resnick, Kilpatrick, Dansky, Saunders, & Best, 1993).
Multidrug resistance of non-adherent cancer cells

Metastases are the cause of 90% of human cancer deaths. Cancer in _situ_ can usually be effectively removed by surgery. Once cancer cells disseminate from the original site and start to circulate in blood, lymph, or other body fluids, the disease becomes almost incurable. Here we show that cancer cells in a non-adherent, 3-dimentional growth pattern are highly drug resistant compared to their adherent counterparts that grow in monolayer, attaching to the wall of tissue culture plates. The non-adherent cancer cells retain the adhering potential and can attach to an appropriate surface to reacquire adherent phenotype. Once the non-adherent cancer cells become attached, they regain drug response, similar to the original adherent cells. A significant increase in the expression of CD133, CD44, Nanog, survivin, and thymidylate synthase was observed in the non-adherent cancer cells compared to their adherent counterparts, which may underlie the mechanisms of multidrug resistance of the cells. Since the non-adherent cancer cells cultured in vitro resemble the circulating metastatic cells in vivo in that both cells exhibit suspended non-adherent phenotype, possess re-attaching potential, and are highly drug resistant, we suggest that circulating metastatic cells can attach to an appropriate surface to gain adherent phenotype and subsequently acquire drug sensitivity. We propose that devices coated with cell attachment materials or small particles of extracellular matrix and collagen that mimic the structural framework of real human tissues to which cells can attach and grow may be able to stabilize the circulating metastatic cells. Once the metastatic cells undergo attachment and become adherent, they gain drug sensitivity and can be killed by anticancer drugs that are either administered to the blood or conjugated to the devices.
RXTE Observation of Cygnus X-1 In Its High State

We present the results from the RXTE observations of Cygnus X-1 in its high state. In the energy range of 2-200 keV, the observed X-ray spectrum can be described by a model consisting of a soft blackbody component and a broken power-law with a high energy cutoff. The low energy spectrum (below about 11 keV) varies significantly from observation to observation while the high energy portion changes little. The X-ray flux varies on all timescales down to milliseconds. The power density spectrum (PDS) can be characterized by excess red noise (``1/f'') at low frequencies and a white noise component that extends to 1-3 Hz before being cut off. At higher frequencies, the PDS becomes power-law again, with a slope of roughly -2 (i.e., ``1/f^2''). Broad peaks in the range of 3-9 Hz are present, and might be due to quasi-periodic oscillations. The PDS shows interesting spectral dependence: the 1/f component becomes more prominent when the low-energy spectrum becomes softer. The difference in the observed spectral and timing properties between the low and high states is qualitatively consistent with a simple ``fluctuating corona'' model.
Genetic Counseling for Confined Placental Mosaicism: A Case Report

New technologies can lead to unforeseen discoveries which in turn can lead to diagnostic and counseling dilemmas. A case which involved confined placental mosaicism for trisomy 16 is presented to illustrate such a situation. While interpreting data and explaining a newly described phenomenon created uncertainties for the genetic counseling team, the patient and her husband were primarily dealing with grief surrounding the loss of a wanted pregnancy. It is important to recognize that the counseling issues may be different for the professionals and the families. Genetic counselors must be cognizant of their own reactions and those of their clients and be prepared to use all of their counseling skills to address these varying needs.
Water repellency of hierarchically structured legs of water-walking striders and fire ants

Some insects have the ability to walk on the surface of water due to their hierarchical leg structure and wax coating. In this study, resistance forces of water strider and fire ant legs to submers...
The Uniform in the Closet: Mädchen in Uniform in Nazi Germany

This article highlights the significance of Madchen in Uniform’s (1931) reception in Nazi Germany for feminist, queer, and German film studies. Contrary to popular belief, the Nazi Propaganda Minis...
Securing Wireless Communication via Hardware-Based Packet Obfuscation

Obfuscation of the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) physical layer is described in this paper as a means to enhance the security of wireless communication. The standardization of the communication channel between two trusted parties results in a variety of security threats, including vulnerabilities in WPA/WPA2 protocols that allow for the extraction of the software layer encryption key. Obfuscating the physical layer of the OFDM pipeline provides an additional layer of security in the event that the software layer key is compromised and allows for rolling updates of the physical layer key without altering the software layer key. The interleaver stage of the OFDM pipeline is redesigned to utilize a physical layer key, which is termed Phy-Leave. The Phy-Leave interleaver is evaluated through both MATLAB simulation and hardware prototyping on the Software Defined Communication (SDC) testbed using a Virtex6 FPGA. The implemented rolling physical layer key policy and Phy-Leave system resulted in a less than 1% increase in the area of a Virtex6 FPGA, demonstrating physical layer obfuscation as a means to increase the security of wireless communication without a significant cost in hardware.
Factors Influencing Comfort of OT Practitioners in Addressing Puberty in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Date Presented 04/04/19 The understanding of the OT practitioner's role addressing puberty in adolescents with ASD is limited. This study explored predictors of comfort for practitioners through a descriptive survey. Through the survey, challenges, interventions, and comfort with puberty were identified. The data revealed correlations between education and experience influencing comfort. The results guide practitioners in addressing puberty in adolescents with ASD. Primary Author and Speaker: Sydney Larson Additional Authors and Speakers: Kelsey Hemberger, Sarah Nielsen Contributing Authors: Marilyn Klug
Experimental study of inertia-based passive flexibility of a heaving and pitching airfoil operating in the energy harvesting regime

The effects of passive, inertia-induced surface flexibility at the leading and trailing edges of an oscillating airfoil energy harvester are investigated experimentally at reduced frequencies of k = fc/U∞ = 0.10, 0.14, and 0.18. Wind tunnel experiments are conducted using phase-resolved, two-component particle image velocimetry to understand the underlying flow physics, as well as to obtain force and pitching moment estimates using the vortex-impulse theory. Results are obtained for leading and trailing edge flexibility separately. It is shown that both forms of flexibility may alter the leading edge vortex inception and detachment time scales, as well as the growth rate of the circulation. In addition, surface flexibility may also trigger the generation of secondary vortical structures and suppress the formation of trailing edge vortices. The total energy harvesting efficiency is decomposed into contributions of heaving and pitching motions. Relative to the rigid airfoil, the flexible leading and trailing edge segments are shown to increase the energy harvesting efficiency by approximately 17% and 25%, respectively. However, both the flexible leading and trailing edge airfoils operate most efficiently at k = 0.18, whereas the peak efficiency of the rigid airfoil occurs at k = 0.14. It is shown that the flexible leading and trailing edge airfoils enhance the heaving contribution to the total efficiency at k = 0.18 and the negative contribution of the pitching motion at high reduced frequencies can be alleviated by using a flexible trailing edge.
Review Essay: Once More on Religion and Magic: Daniel Dubuisson's Religion and Magic in Western Culture

Daniel Dubuisson, Religion and Magic in Western Culture. Leiden: Brill, 2016. viii + 201 pp. Cloth, ebook $134, €101. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004317567
Positive Lymph Nodes in Adrenocortical Carcinoma: What Does It Mean?

The role of lymphadenectomy in adrenocortical carcinoma resection is controversial. Therefore, we conducted a population-based study to assess the association between positive lymph nodes (LN) and survival. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results set of cancer registries were utilized. The associations between positive lymph nodes and tumor size, grade and laterality were assessed. Cancer specific survival (CSS) trends and factors affecting survival were analyzed. A total of 2170 adult patients were identified; 60% underwent resection. Among those resected, LN were examined in 23% and were positive in 25% of patients with LN examined. Patients with positive LN tended to have smaller tumors compared to those with negative LN (12 ± 5 vs 15 ± 11 cm, p = 0.02). The rate of positive LN was higher in right ACC, p = 0.03. Median overall CSS was 21 months, with significant differences between resection (42 months) and no resection (4 months), p < 0.01. Median CSS did not change over time when comparing ACC patients who underwent surgery before 2000, 2000–2009, and 2010–2016. On multivariable analysis including resection group, advanced age, grades III and IV, regional and distant stage, in addition to positive LN were associated with worse survival, p < 0.05. Lymphadenectomy is infrequently performed during ACC resection, and when performed, regional LN involvement tends to be associated with worse survival. Neoplasm size and grade were not associated with LN involvement and therefore, do not inform lymphadenectomy need. Further studies are needed to assess the indications for, and value of lymphadenectomy in ACC.
Improving nursing students' confidence in caring for persons with dementia.

Abstract Background Nursing students need experiences providing patient centered care for persons with dementia. Methods Students were provided with a voluntary opportunity to complete an online educational module that focused on caring for persons with dementia. Dementia knowledge was measured with the Alzheimer Dementia and Knowledge Scale and confidence was assessed with the Sense of Competence in Dementia Care Staff Scale. Results Data suggested that students developed an increased confidence in caring for persons with dementia after the education. Key to person centered care, students demonstrated an increased ability to sustain person hood and build relationships. Conclusions The growing complexity and needs of persons with dementia in various practice settings requires a nursing workforce able to apply clinical reasoning and provide person centered care. Further studies are needed exploring the effects of online educational opportunities on learning outcomes and clinical reasoning to build confidence in caring for persons with dementia.
Multiorgan Transplantation Challenges

Renal disease often crosses the boundaries of traditional medical specialties, and reduced renal function is a common consequence of diseases of the heart, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Multiorgan transplant is a lifesaving procedure for children with multiorgan failure, yet in practice it can be challenging due to lack of clarity about the most appropriate timing and perioperative management strategies. The role of simultaneous versus sequential heart-kidney or liver-kidney transplant remains hotly debated, and governing organizations continue to work to create allocation policies that appropriately balance the needs of all stakeholders. Additionally, a child’s small size may complicate the placement of multiple allografts at one time, and the allografts often have competing needs for hydration and immunosuppression. In this chapter, we have collected and summarized the published literature on the allocation, incidence, indications, perioperative management, and outcomes of pediatric multiorgan transplants.
Terugkijken om vooruit te komen

Alleen als je open en kritisch naar jezelf durft te kijken, kun je je ontwikkelen tot een goede professional. Reflectie vormt daarvoor de basis. Dit hoofdstuk ontrafelt wat reflectie is en geeft je inzicht in de verschillende vormen van en voorwaarden voor reflectie. Reflectie is een cyclisch proces dat begint bij een ervaring, die je vervolgens ‘tegen het licht houdt’, om te kunnen zien wat voor jou de essentie is. Op basis van deze analyse kun je bewuster een vergelijkbare situatie ingaan. Intervisie - reflectie met een groep studiegenoten of collega’s - biedt de kans te leren van elkaars ervaringen en zo meer zelfinzicht te krijgen. Voorwaarde is geheimhouding en veiligheid, niet be- of veroordeeld worden en de keuze van een intervisiemethode op maat. Schriftelijke reflectie is bedoeld voor jezelf, maar geeft de docent ook inzicht in hoe jij reflecteert en in wat je leert. Belangrijk is hierbij dat je begeleiding krijgt en dat je privacy is geborgd.
The risk of death from prostate cancer in men with Gleason score 3+4 prostate cancer treated using brachytherapy with or without a short course of androgen deprivation therapy.

Abstract Objective We evaluated whether intermediate-risk factors, in addition to age, were associated with risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) among men with Gleason 3+4 prostate cancer. Materials and methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of 1,920 men with Gleason 3+4 adenocarcinoma of the prostate who received brachytherapy (BT) or BT and a median of 4 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Separate multivariable Fine and Gray competing risks regression models among men treated with BT or BT and ADT were used to assess whether percentage of positive biopsies (PPB), cT2b-T2c stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of 10.1-20.0 ng/ml, and age >70 years (median) were associated with risk of PCSM after adjustment for comorbidity. Results After median follow-up of 7.8 years, 284 men (14.8%) had died (31 from prostate cancer). For BT alone, increasing PPB, PSA of 10.1–20.0 vs. 4.0–10.0 ng/mL, and age >70 vs. ≤70 were significantly associated with increased risk of PCSM (adjusted hazard ratio 1.015, 95% confidence interval 1.000–1.031, P = 0.048; 5.55, 2.01-15.29, P Conclusion Among men with Gleason score 3+4 prostate cancer treated with BT, the risk of PCSM was elevated in those with PSA of 10.1–20.0 ng/mL and possibly age >70 years, despite the addition of ADT. Should these findings be validated in future studies, then advanced imaging and targeted biopsy of suspicious areas should be investigated in an effort to personalize treatment and minimize the risk of PCSM in these men.
Closing Summary and Outlook

Despite advances in early diagnosis and primary treatment of breast cancer with surgery, radiation therapy, or both modalities, more than one-third of newly diagnosed patients will develop recurrent or systemic disease and ultimately die of it. All of these patients are potential candidates for some form of systemic adjuvant therapy, which involves the use of cytotoxic drugs and/or endocrine therapy after definitive local treatment. The third International Conference on Adjuvant Therapy of Primary Breast Cancer in St. Gallen, Switzerland, brought together experts from all over the world to present their most recent data, which are collected in this volume, and to discuss the remaining challenges that confront both clinicians and basic scientists.
Hermann Staudinger and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 1953

A Prehistory of Polymer Science ended with Hermann Staudinger well ensconced at Freiburg and basking in the success of the Faraday Discussion on Polymerization [1]. But better days were not ahead. Most of his best collaborators were either going or gone. The conditions in Germany were not going to get better and all scientists were expected to serve the German war machine. Staudinger’s reward for his “service” in the War was that his Institute was badly damaged. After a huge effort to rebuild his Institute, he retired in 1951.
Plasma Amyloid-β as a Function of Age, Level of Intellectual Disability, and Presence of Dementia in Down Syndrome

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). While plasma amyloid-β (Aβ) is known to be elevated in DS, its relationship to cognitive functioning is unknown. To assess this relationship, samples from two groups of subjects were used. In the first group, nondemented adults with DS were compared to: 1) a group of young and old individuals without DS and 2) to a group of patients with AD. Compared to these controls, there were significantly higher levels of plasma Aβ in nondemented adults with DS while AD patients showed lower levels of plasma Aβ. A larger second group included demented and nondemented adults with DS, in order to test the hypothesis that plasma Aβ may vary as a function of dementia and Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype. Plasma Aβ levels alone did not dissociate DS adults with and without dementia. However, in demented adults with DS, ApoE4 was associated with higher Aβ40 but not Aβ42. After controlling for level of intellectual disability (mild, moderate, severe) and the presence or absence of dementia, there was an improved prediction of neuropsychological scores by plasma Aβ. In summary, plasma Aβ can help predict cognitive function in adults with DS independently of the presence or absence of dementia.
Expert Witnesses: Selection and Investigation of Credentials

This article addresses the selection of an expert witness, the investigation of expert credentials, and the factors to be considered in assessing the weight an expert's opinion is likely to be given by a jury. Keywords: expert witness; qualifications; credentials; testimony
Altered resting state functional connectivity in young survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background Chemotherapy treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been associated with long-term cognitive impairments in some patients. However, the neurobiologic mechanisms underlying these impairments, particularly in young survivors, are not well understood. This study aimed to examine intrinsic functional brain connectivity in pediatric ALL and its relationship with cognitive status. Procedure We obtained resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and cognitive testing data from 15 ALL survivors age 8–15 years and 14 matched healthy children. The ALL group had a history of intrathecal chemotherapy treatment but were off-therapy for at least 6 months at the time of enrollment. We used seed-based analyses to compare intrinsic functional brain network connectivity between the groups. We also explored correlations between connectivity and cognitive performance, demographic, medical, and treatment variables. Results We demonstrated significantly reduced connectivity between bilateral hippocampus, left inferior occipital, left lingual gyrus, bilateral calcarine sulcus, and right amygdala in the ALL group compared to controls. The ALL group also showed regions of functional hyperconnectivity including right lingual gyrus, precuneus, bilateral superior occipital lobe, and right inferior occipital lobe. Functional hypoconnectivity was associated with reduced cognitive function as well as younger age at diagnosis in the ALL group. Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate that intrinsic functional brain connectivity is disrupted in pediatric ALL following chemotherapy treatment. These results help explain cognitive dysfunction even when objective test performance is seemingly normal. Children diagnosed at a younger age may show increased vulnerability to altered functional brain connectivity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1295–1299. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geometric Conditions for Subspace-Sparse Recovery

Given a dictionary Π and a signal ξ = Πx generated by a few linearly independent columns of Π, classical sparse recovery theory deals with the problem of uniquely recovering the sparse representation x of ξ. In this work, we consider the more general case where ξ lies in a low-dimensional subspace spanned by a few columns of Π, which are possibly linearly dependent. In this case, x may not unique, and the goal is to recover any subset of the columns of Π that spans the subspace containing ξ. We call such a representation x subspace-sparse. We study conditions under which existing pursuit methods recover a subspace-sparse representation. Such conditions reveal important geometric insights and have implications for the theory of classical sparse recovery as well as subspace clustering.
A human factors contribution to countering insider threats: Practical prospects from a novel approach to warning and avoiding

Any organisation is susceptible to a breach of security from outside: hacking, product contamination, theft of intellectual property and so on. Although all of these are risks to an organisation and can be highly deleterious to its financial health and reputation, the threat posed by a malevolent insider can be even more challenging. Although there has been a large quantity of academic articles and industry surveys produced on the theme of Insider Threats, the majority of this published work is descriptive or details the effects of insiders’ actions. This article provides initial thoughts around some practical and pragmatic steps to beginto gain clarity on the challenge of insider threat and how organisations may draw on novel approaches to increasing early warning, response and mitigation against Insider Threats. The article also discusses the importance of security culture and risk communication.
Multifactorial Inheritance of Common White Markings in the Arabian Horse

The results of a previous study were compatible with the hypothesis that common white facial markings in the Arabian horse have a multifactorial mode of inheritance. I expanded that study to (1) include the legs and therefore obtain insight into the heritability of common white markings in all peripheral regions (face and legs) of the Arabian horse and (2) investigate the influence of sex and the genotypes that produce the bay and chestnut phenotypes on the variation in common white markings. Both studies were based on computerized data obtained from the Arabian Horse Registry of America, Inc. Each leg of a horse was scored from 0 to 5 depending on the amount of whiteness present, and the four leg scores were added to obtain the total leg score for each horse. The facial region was divided into five areas, and each horse was given a score from 0 to 5 according to the number of areas with whiteness. Sire families were analyzed in which each sire family consisted of a sire, his foals, and the dams of those foals. There was a correlation between white facial scores and white leg scores, suggesting that both types of white markings are influenced by the same genetic mechanism. Sire-foal and dam-foal regression analyses were compatible with the hypothesis that common white leg markings also show multifactorial inheritance. Although the results support the model that additively acting genes (polygenes) influence the presence and extent of common white markings, the results also show that males are slightly more marked than are females and that chestnut horses are more heavily marked than are bay horses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Optimizing speed and accuracy of menu selection: a comparison of walking and pull-down menus

This paper reports three experiments that investigated factors which affect movement time and accuracy of menu selection with a mouse. The experiments primarily focused on the movements required to select from walking menus. The results suggest that width of the path that the cursor must travel can be an important variable in explaining speed and accuracy of motor movement in a walking menu. The studies also investigated the effects of impermeable borders and the size of menu items on movement time. The results show that borders and changing the size of menu items can improve the speed and accuracy of selection time. A final study found that when borders are used on a pull-down bar menu, the time required to access a second-level menu is less than that required by a walking menu, even though the walking menu pops up at the pointer location and the bar menu is located 15 cm away from the initial pointer position.
Structure-dependent induction of CYP2B by polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

The dose-response induction of hepatic microsomal pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) activity by phenobarbital (PB) and several polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures and congeners was determined in the immature female Sprague-Dawley rat. At a dose of 75 mg/kg/day of PB for 3 days, the microsomal PROD activity was 2154 pmol/min/mg protein. Aroclors 1260, 1254, 1242, and 1016 did not induce maximal PROD activity at doses up to 500 mg/kg, and only Aroclor 1016 induced > a half-maximal response at the 500 mg/kg dose. The relative potencies of eighteen different PCB congeners were also determined, and the structures of these compounds differed with respect to the degree of chlorination (tri- to octochloro) and substitution patterns. The relative potencies of these compounds were estimated by comparing their induced activities at the high dose (150 or 100 mg/kg) with that of PB. The most potent inducers were 2,3,3′,4′,5,6-hexaCB and 2,2′,3,4′,5,5′,6-heptaCB; at a dose of 150 mg/kg, the PROD activity induced by 2,2′,3,4′,5,5′,6-heptaCB was comparable to that observed for PB. 2,3,3′,4′,5,6-HexaCB was the most potent inducer, and hepatic PROD activity in rats treated with 150 mg/kg was 4202 pmol/min/mg; this value was higher than that observed for PB at a dose of 75 mg/kg. A second group of congeners including 2,2′,3,4,4′,5,5′-heptaCB, 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexaCB, 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-oc-taCB, 2,2′,4,4′-tetraCB, 2,2′,4,5,5′-pentaCB, 2,2′,3,4,4′,5′,6-heptaCB, 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentaCB and 2,2′,3,3′,4′,5,5′,6-octaCB induced PROD activity ⩾ 1090 pmol/min/mg at the 150 mg/kg dose, and this value was > 50% of the maximal response observed for PB. The remaining compounds, namely 2,4,4′-triCB, 2,2′,3,4′-tetraCB, 2,2′,5,5′-tetraCB, 2,3′,4,4′,5-pentaCB, 2,3,3′,4,4′-pentaCB, 2,2′,4,4′,5,6′-hexaCB, 2,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-heptaCB and 2,2′,3,-3′,4,4,5-heptaCB were all relatively weak inducers of hepatic microsomal PROD activity (< 450 pmol/min/mg). In parallel experiments, western blot analysis of immunoreactive CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 proteins showed that PB, the PCB mixtures, and congeners induced both proteins. Previous studies have identified a cis-acting DNA element that plays a role in regulating CYP2B1/B2 gene expression and binds nuclear trans-acting factor(s) induced by PB. The results of gel electrophoretic mobility shift assays with nuclear extracts showed that both PB and 2,2′,3,4′,5,5′,6-heptaCB induce formation of a common retarded band using a 32P-labeled oligonucleotide corresponding to the cis-acting DNA promoter sequence. Both PB and PCBs appear to induce CYP2B1/B2 via a common mechanism. Although the results of this study do not define structure-induction (CYP2B1/B2) relationships for PCBs, two compounds, namely 2,3,3′,4′,5,6-hexaCB and 2,2′,3,4′,5,5′,6-heptaCB, were identified as highly potent inducers.
An optimization strategy for wide stiffened plates subject to interaction of local and overall buckling

Abstract A strategy for minimum weight design of axially compressed stiffened panels is presented. It is first noted that the ‘naive’ criterion of simultaneous buckling in the local and overall modes, is not applicable in view of the severe imperfection-sensitivity of such designs. Imperfections are admitted and the required maximum capacity is viewed as the limit point of the nonlinear structure. The interaction of local and overall buckling—the central feature of the behavior of the panels—is accounted for by a well tested analytical model which incorporates amplitude modulation and the influence of secondary local mode(s). The optimization technique employed is based on Powell's algorithm (VMCON). A systematic approach has been developed for the selection of the trial section. This is based on appropriately ‘beefing up’ and separating the critical stresses of a preliminary section obtained using the ‘naive’ criterion. A reduced model is developed by utilizing the patterns of overall deformation and amplitude modulation obtained from the nonlinear analysis of the trial section. A potential energy expression is developed in terms of the geometric parameters and four degrees of freedom. The algorithm was found to be extremely efficient from the points of view of both computational ease and accuracy. It is found that the configuration of the optimum panel with blade-type stiffeners lies in a transition from ‘thin’ to ‘stocky’ stiffener range. The weight of the optimized panel is sensitivie to initial imperfections and can vary over a range of 20% due to moderate level of imperfections commonly assumed in the analyses. The weight of optimal panels with given values of the aspect ratios vary over a wide range and the careful selection of the width of the panel holds the key for successful optimal design.
How to Support Military Colon and Rectal Surgery

I believe that military colorectal surgery is a national treasure. Our country is at war, and a major burden of the current conflict has fallen to our military members and their families. As described in the article on military practice in this issue of Clinics, military surgery is under siege and needs to be protected and supported. To become an advocate and promoter of military colorectal surgery, consider the following: Try to find ways to showcase our military members. Rather than just sitting in the audience at our national or regional meetings, they deserve the podium. We need an affirmative action program for our military members. There ought to be a portion of the program of each American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) meeting for presentations by the military. There ought to be more members from the military on committees. Although many of the military members are early in their career, they should be offered the opportunity to serve as officers for ASCRS and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery as soon as possible. Perhaps a Military Liaison Committee could be formed or an annual military dinner could be a part of ASCRS. Again, I emphasize that many leaders of our specialty have served in the military but were never fully allowed to lead until they left the military. We ought to allow these sorts of leaders to bloom while yet in uniform. Military members continue to be an invisible force in ASCRS, one that deserves to be tapped and encouraged. If you teach in a colorectal fellowship program, try to recruit a member of the military as a fellow. If offered, please accept the opportunity to serve as a consultant. In this role you can elevate the level of knowledge and expertise of military physicians by teaching them better practices, new techniques, and so forth. In a very real way, you will be serving your specialty and your military. When you see our military members at meetings, please thank them personally for their contributions and the sacrifices of their families. Our military surgeons are representing our specialty while serving our country. They have earned and deserve our thanks and support.
Spectral radiative properties of tungsten thin films in the infrared

Abstract Tungsten is an important material for energy harvesting applications due to its high chemical and thermal stability; however, the difficulty in obtaining single-crystal films leads to a large variation in the optical properties. The present work focuses on the radiative and optical properties of thin tungsten films at wavelengths from 1 to 20 μm (wavenumbers from 10,000 to 500 cm −1 ), considering microstructural variations. Four films of a nominal thickness of 70 nm were deposited on silicon substrates using DC magnetron sputtering, and the effect of pre- and post-deposition treatments was investigated. Several analytical instruments were used to characterize the crystalline phases and microstructures, including X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The transmittance and reflectance of the film–substrate composites were measured at room temperature using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. The dielectric function of each sample was obtained by fitting the measured radiative properties using the Drude–Lorentz dispersion model. The difference in the radiative properties between samples was analyzed and related to the crystalline phases and density.
Modeling wind-blown desert dust in the southwestern United States for public health warning: A case study

A model for simulating desert dust cycle was adapted and applied for a dust storm case in the southwest United States (US). This is an initial test of the model's capability as part of a future public health early warning system. The modeled meteorological fields, which drive a dust storm, were evaluated against surface and upper-air measurement data. The modeled dust fields were compared with satellite images, in situ surface PM2.5 and PM10 data, and visibility data in the areas affected by the dust event. The model predicted meteorological fields reasonably well. The modeled surface and upper-air field patterns were in agreement with the measured ones. The vertical profiles of wind, temperature, and humidity followed closely with the observed profiles. Statistical analyses of modeled and observed meteorological variables at surface sites showed fairly good model performance. The modeled dust spatial distributions were comparable with the satellite-observed dust clouds and the reduced visibility patterns. Most encouragingly, the model-predicted and observed PM2.5 peak hours matched reasonably well. The model produced better PM2.5 peak hours than PM10 peak hours. The temporal varying trends of daily and hourly PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at most of the measurement sites were similar to those observed. Discrepancies between the values of the modeled and the measured surface PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations differed with time and location. Sometimes the modeled and measured concentrations can have one order of magnitude differences. These revealed there were possible deficiencies in the simulation of the dust production strength and location, and the representation of dust particle size in the modeling. Better land surface data and size representation of the dust production are expected to further improve model performance.
An updated set of parton distribution parametrizations

Abstract A new parametrization of parton distributions is presented which is designed to update the older Duke-Owens Set 1 parametrization. The distributions result from fits which are based on new data from deep-inelastic lepton-nucleon scattering, dilepton production, and direct photon plus jet production. Some slight modifications have been made to the form of the parametrizations in order to extend the range of validity in both x and Q 2 . The results are presented in a format which will allow an easy upgrade for routines based on the old parametrizations.
Atomic-Scale Imaging in Real and Energy Space Developed in Ultrafast Electron Microscopy

In this contribution, we report the development of ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM) with atomic-scale real-, energy-, and Fourier-space resolutions. This second-generation UEM provides images, diffraction patterns, and electron energy spectra, and here we demonstrate its potential with applications for nanostructured materials and organometallic crystals. We clearly resolve the separation between atoms in the direct images and the Bragg spots/Debye−Scherrer rings in diffraction and obtain the electronic structure and elemental energies in the electron energy loss spectra (EELS) and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM).
Post-translational modifications of chloroperoxidase from Caldariomyces fumago

The secreted form of the halogenating glycoenzyme, chloroperoxidase, is processed from a precursor containing a 21-residue-long, moderately hydrophobic signal sequence, at an atypical Gln-Glu peptide bond. Following cleavage, the N-terminal glutamic acid readily cyclizes into pyroglutamic acid. Chloroperoxidase contains two high-mannose N-glycosylation sites, identified as Asn12 and Asn213. Other modifications include deamidation of residues Asn13, Asn198, and Gln183 into the corresponding acids. Finally, structural arguments suggest that Cys87 may be the axial heme ligand in the active site of chloroperoxidase.
Integrated system for potentiometric stripping determinations

Abstract An automatic system for potentiometric stripping was designed and tested for the determination of lead(II) and cadmium(II) in the 10 −3 –10 −6 M range. It consists of solid-state integrated circuitry containing a chemically-sensitive field-effect transistor (CHEMFET) and a transistor control switch. Flow of solutions, application of potentials during the electrode preparation, plating and stripping periods and data acquisition are controlled by a cheap microprocessor. It is shown that 200-μl samples in the concentration range mentioned above can be dealt with in less than 2.5 min with relative standard deviations below 10%. The detection limit of the system is at present restricted by the slow sampling rate of the microprocessor used. The upper value of the usable concentration range is limited by the maximum practical concentration of the oxidant.
Comparison of laser-induced fluorescence and scattering in pool-fire diffusion flames☆

Abstract Measurements of fluorescence and scattering in small-scale, 0 (10 cm diameter), buoyant diffusion flames indicate that absorption of visible laser radiation by gaseous molecules or radicals is negligible compared to absorption and scattering by carbon particulates, Previous experiments determined soot volume fractions and particulate-size distributions in similar polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate flames by attributing visible laser extinction measurements entirely to carbon particles. Those results are, therefore, not affected by the error in neglecting gas-species absorption. The fluorescence spectra presented here are similar to diffusion flame results in the literature.
The coming age of computer graphics and the evolution of language

Sometime in the coming years -- whether through ubiquitous projection, AR glasses, smart contact lenses, retinal implants or some technology as yet unknown -- we will live in an eccescopic world, where everything we see around us will be augmented by computer graphics, including our own appearance. In a sense, we are just now starting to enter the Age of Computer Graphics.As children are born into this brave new world, what will their experience be? Face to face communication, both in-person and over great distances, will become visually enhanced, and any tangible object can become an interface to digital information [1]. Hand gestures will be able to produce visual artifacts.After these things come to pass, how will future generations of children evolve natural language itself [2]? How might they think and speak differently about the world around them? What will life in such a world be like for those who are native born to it?We will present some possibilities, and some suggestions for empirical ways to explore those possibilities now -- without needing to wait for those smart contact lenses
What is a chemical property

Despite the currently perceived urgent need among contemporary philosophers of chemistry for adjudicating between two rival metaphysical conceptual frameworks—is chemistry primarily a science of substances or processes?—this essay argues that neither provides us with what we need in our attempts to explain and comprehend chemical operations and phenomena. First, I show the concept of a chemical property can survive the abandoning of the metaphysical framework of substance. While this abandonment means that we will need to give up essential properties, contingent properties can give us all the stability we need to account for chemical continuity as well as change. I then go on to show that this attention to clusters of contingent properties does not force us into the arms of an alternative process metaphysical framework either. Finally, I sketch a view I call particularism with respect to chemical properties on analogy with moral particularism. I conclude by sketching some of the implications for the field of philosophy of chemistry of my proposal that we abandon our interest in the metaphysical question of what chemistry is primarily about in favor of a broadly scientific particularism with respect to kinds and properties.
Image segmentation with scatter-partitioning RBF networks: a feasibility study

Scatter-partitioning Radian Basis Function (RBF) networks increase their number of degrees of freedom with the complexity of an input-output mapping to be estimated on the basis of a supervised training data set. Among scatter-partitioning RBF networks found in the literature, a Gaussian RBF model, termed supervised growing neural gas (SGNG), is selected due to its superior expressive power. SGNG employs a one-stage error-driven learning strategy and is capable of generating and removing both hidden units and synaptic connections. A slightly modified SGNG version is tested as a function estimator when the training surfaces to be fitted is an image, i.e., a 2D signal whose size is finite. The relationship between the generation, by the learning system, of disjointed maps of hidden units and the presence, in the image, of pictorially homogenous subsets is investigated. Unfortunately, the examined SGNG version performs poorly both as function estimator and image segmenter. This may be due to a intrinsic inadequacy of the one-stage error-driven learning strategy to adjust structural parameters and output weights simultaneously but consistently. As a possible remedy, in the framework of RBF networks the combination of a two-stage error-driven learning strategy with synapse generation and removal criteria should be further investigated.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.