cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The NLRC4 Inflammasome.

15 years ago, the fundamental biology of an inflammatory signaling complex eventually dubbed “the inflammasome” began to unravel in chronologic parallel with the discovery that many inflammatory diseases were associated with its hyperactivity. Though the genetic origins of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF, caused my mutations in MEFV) were discovered first, it would take nearly two decades before the mechanistic connections to a Pyrin inflammasome were made1. In the interim, the intensive study of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and the diseases associated with its hyperactivation, have largely dictated the paradigm of inflammasome composition and function. Despite impressive gains, focusing on NLRP3 left gaps in our understanding of inflammasome biology. Foremost among these gaps were how inflammasomes become activated and the connections between inflammasome structure and function. Fortunately, work in another inflammasome inducer, NLRC4, grew to fill those gaps. The current understanding of the NLRC4 inflammasome is perhaps the most comprehensive illustration of the inflammasome paradigm: trigger (e.g. cytosolic flagellin), sensor (NAIP), nucleator (NLRC4), adaptor (ASC), and effector (CASP1). Detailed work has also identified observations that challenge this paradigm. Simultaneously, the features unique to each inflammasome offer a lesson in contrast, providing perspectives on inflammasome activation, regulation, and function. In this review, we endeavor to highlight recent breakthroughs related to NLRC4 inflammasome structure and activation, important in vivo work in infection and systemic inflammation, and the characterization of a spectrum of human NLRC4-associated autoinflammatory diseases.
Electron-electron correlation in two-photon double ionization of He-like ions

Electron correlation plays a crucial role in quantum many-body physics ranging from molecular bonding and strong-field--induced multielectron ionization, to superconducting in materials. Understanding the dynamic electron correlation in the photoionization of relatively simple quantum three-body systems, such as He and He-like ions, is an important step toward manipulating complex systems through photoinduced processes. Here we have performed ab initio investigations of two-photon double ionization (TPDI) of He and He-like ions $(\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{i}}^{+},\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{e}}^{2+}$, and ${\mathrm{C}}^{4+})$ exposed to intense attosecond x-ray pulses. Results from such fully correlated quantum calculations show weaker and weaker electron correlation effects in TPDI spectra as the ionic charge increases, which is opposite to the intuition that the absolute increase of correlation in the ground state should lead to more equal energy sharing in photoionization. These findings indicate that the final-state electron-electron correlation ultimately determines the energy sharing of the two ionized electrons in TPDI.
Using Search Engine Data as a Tool to Predict Syphilis.

Background:Researchers have suggested that social media and online search data might be used to monitor and predict syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. Because people at risk for syphilis might seek sexual health and risk-related information on the internet, we investigated association
Approaches for System-Level Fault Tolerance in Distributed Real-Time Computer Systems

The purpose of this paper is to summarize major issues in providing the capabilities for tolerance of both hardware faults and software faults in real-time computer systems (DCS’s). The paper starts with several guidelines considered to be highly useful in searching for effective system-level fault tolerance schemes. Some promising schemes are then reviewed.
A COMPETING RISKS MODEL OF SUPREME COURT VACANCIES, 1789-1992

We hypothesize that Supreme Court justices will consider the likely ideological disposition of their successor in their decision to retire or remain on the Court. Furthermore, because a justice's decision to remain on the Court places him or her “at risk” of dying in office, it is necessary to consider a model of both voluntary and involuntary vacancies. Our study examines three broad classes of factors influential to Supreme Court vacancies: personal considerations, institutional context, and political influences. We assess the factors that affect the probability of a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court due to mortality and retirement at the individual level from 1789 to 1992, using a competing risk duration model and incorporating time-varying covariates. We find significant differences in the hazards of vacancy due to these two causes, and a number of factors are shown to influence the probability of a vacancy, including a general propensity to retire near the beginning of presidents' second terms. However, we find little evidence of the influence of political factors in either retirement-or death-related vacancies, suggesting that justices who retire do not generally do so for expressly political reasons and those who die in office rarely do so as a result of “holding out” for a like-minded replacement.
Gradient Shift is Sensitive to the Width of the Generalization Test Range

Generalization gradients are sensitive to the manner in which participants are trained and tested. Discrimination training causes the generalization gradient to shift away from a stimulus paired with reinforcement (S+) in a direction opposite a stimulus paired with nonreinforcement (S-). In some cases, this leads to participants responding more frequently to a novel stimulus than S+ (a so-called peak shift). The present research examined how generalization gradients vary as a function of the range of stimuli used to test for generalization. In Experiment 1, college students were trained and tested with lines of varying lengths. Participants were assigned to either a control condition (S+ only) or to a discrimination training condition, and the generalization test was relatively narrow, intermediate, or wide. Discrimination training produced a peak shift when the test range was narrow, but not when it was wide. Also, a wide test range increased stimulus generalization. Experiment 2 used a similar method, but the stimuli were images of a woman that were digitally modified to create variations in her waist-to-hip ratio. This experiment confirmed that an increase in the width of the test range is accompanied by an increase in stimulus generalization. An increase in the test range did not eliminate peak shift in group-averaged data, however, the manner in which peak shift was expressed was found to differ for the narrow and wide test range conditions in the generalization gradients obtained from individual participants.
The Volatility of Weak Ties: Co-evolution of Selection and Influence in Social Networks

In this work we look at opinion formation and the effects of two phenomena both of which promote consensus between agents connected by ties: influence, agents changing their opinions to match their neighbors; and selection, agents re-wiring to connect to new agents when the existing neighbor has a different opinion. In our agent-based model, we assume that only weak ties can be rewired and strong ties do not change. The network structure as well as the opinion landscape thus co-evolve with two important parameters: the probability of influence versus selection; and the fraction of strong ties versus weak ties. Using empirical and theoretical methodologies we discovered that on a two-dimensional spatial network: \beginitemize \item With no/low selection the presence of weak ties enables fast consensus. This conforms with the classical theory that weak ties are helpful for quickly mixing and spreading information, and strong ties alone act much more slowly. \item With high selection, too many weak ties inhibit any consensus at all---the graph partitions. The weak ties reinforce the differing opinions rather than mixing them. However, sufficiently many strong ties promote convergence, though at a slower pace. \enditemize We additionally test the aforementioned results using a real network. Our study relates two theoretical ideas: the strength of weak ties---that weak ties are useful for spreading information; and the idea of echo chambers or filter bubbles, that people are typically bombarded by the opinions of like-minded individuals. The difference is in how (much) selection operates.
Role Incongruity or Expectation Disconfirmation? The Role of Gender in Performance Evaluations

Assessments of performance are a core feature of public management. Yet, a growing body of research suggests that performance evaluations are oftentimes shaped by factors unrelated to performance. ...
Prevalence of coal-burning-fluorosis by factor analysis in Guizhou Province

Objective To investigate the epidemic situation of coal-burning-fluorosis,and to explore key areas for implementing prevention and control measures in Guizhou Province.Methods Survey data of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-10,anti-fluoride knowledge and health-related behaviors of target students and their families before implementing the comprehensive disease control measures in 2010,were analyzed and evaluated using the method of factor analysis in 23 diseased districts.Results ①The three main factors (F) related to the endemic of coal-burning-fluorosis were economic factor (F 1),knowledge factor (F2) and behavior factor (F3):F1 included the detection rate of 8 to 12 years old children's dental fluorosis,iron stove ownership,corn correct drying rate and chili correct drying rate; F2 included stove correct utilization rate,students awareness and head of the household awareness; F3 included corn food washing rate before cooking and chili food washing rate.②In the economic factor score arrangement,the first three were Zunyi,Xiuwen and Qingzhen.In the F2 score arrangement,the first three were Zunyi,Xishui and Xixiu.In the F3 score arrangement,the first three was Liuzhi,Bijie and Xixiu.③After comprehensive score,Zunyi,Qingzhen,Xishui,Xixiu,Puding and Liuzhi Counties were found to be relatively stronger in control of the epidemic of coal-burning-fluorosis; Xiuwen,Renhuai,Guanling and so on 13 counties were found to be relatively moderate,and Tongzi,Hezhang,Shuicheng and Nayong Counties were found to be relatively weak.Conclusions ①The endemic of coal-burning-fluorosis is related with many factors,and the indexes we selected in this study have a strong correlation and sensitivity,which may be used in evaluating the prevention effect of control measures to coal-buming-fluorosis.②The endemic of coal-burning-fluorosis in Guizhou Province is quite different,and key prevention and control measures can be applied according to a comprehensive factor analysis. Key words: Fluorosis ; Prevalent; Factor analysis ; Comprehensive evaluation
Conversational AI: An Overview of Methodologies, Applications & Future Scope

Conversational AI is a sub-domain of Artificial Intelligence that deals with speech-based or text-based AI agents that have the capability to simulate and automate conversations and verbal interactions. Conversational AI Agents like chatbots and voice assistants have proliferated due to two main developments. On one hand the methods required to develop highly accurate AI models i.e. Machine Learning, Deep Learning have seen a tremendous amount of advancement due to the increasing research interest in these fields accompanied by the progress in achieving higher computing power with the help of complex hardware architectures like GPUs and TPUs. Secondly, due to the Natural Language interface and the nature of their design, conversational agents have been seen as a natural fit in a wide array of applications like healthcare, customer care, ecommerce and education. This rise in the practical implementation and their demand has in turn made Conversational AI a ripe area for innovation and novel research. Newer and more complex models for the individual core components of a Conversational AI architecture are being introduced at a never before seen rate. This study is intended to shed light on such latest research in Conversational AI architecture development and also to highlight the improvements that these novel innovations have achieved over their traditional counterparts. This paper also provides a comprehensive account of some of the research opportunities in the Conversational AI domain and thus setting up the stage for future research and innovation in this field.
‘That’s My Job’: Black Teachers’ Perspectives on Helping Black Students Navigate White Supremacy

This paper presents the findings of a research study that sought to understand the perspectives of exemplary Black teachers utilizing emancipatory pedagogies to help Black students navigate systems...
SUMO1 Deficiency Exacerbates Neurological and Cardiac Dysfunction after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Aged Mice

Small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 (SUMO1) reduces cardiac hypertrophy and induces neuroprotective effects. Previous studies have found that intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) provokes cardiac deficit in the absence of primary cardiac diseases in mice. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that SUMO1 deficiency leads to worse brain and heart dysfunction after ICH and SUMO1 plays a key role in regulating brain-heart interaction after ICH in aged mice. Aged (18–20 months) female SUMO1 null (SUMO1−/−) mice and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group): (1) WT-sham group, (2) SUMO1−/−-sham group, (3) WT-ICH group, and (4) SUMO1−/−-ICH group. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography. Neurological and cognitive functional tests were performed. Mice were sacrificed at 10 days after ICH for histological and immunohistochemically staining. Compared with WT-sham mice, WT-ICH mice exhibited (1) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased SUMO1 expression in heart tissue, (2) evident neurological and cognitive dysfunction as well as brain white matter deficits, (3) significantly increased cardiac dysfunction, and (4) inflammatory factor expression in the heart and brain. Compared with WT-ICH mice, SUMO1−/−-ICH mice exhibited significantly increased: (1) brain hemorrhage volume, worse neurological and cognitive deficits, and increased white matter deficits; (2) cardiac dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis; (3) inflammatory response both in heart and brain tissue. Aged SUMO1-deficient female mice subjected to ICH not only exhibit increased neurological and cognitive functional deficit but also significantly increased cardiac dysfunction and inflammatory cell infiltration into the heart and brain. These data suggest that SUMO1 plays an important role in brain-heart interaction.
Evaluating transgender youth and parent interest and preferences regarding support groups

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study is to explore transgender teens’ and their parents’ interest in and preferences regarding support groups in an effort to optimally serve the entire ...
Recognizing and refuting the myth of tongue swallowing during a seizure

Abstract Objective There is a harmful myth that persists in modern culture that one should place objects into a seizing person’s mouth to prevent “swallowing the tongue.” Despite expert guidelines against this, the idea remains alive in popular media and public belief. We aimed to investigate the myth’s origins and discredit it. Methods A medical and popular literature review was conducted for the allusions to “swallowing one’s tongue” and practice recommendations for and against placing objects into a seizing person’s mouth. Current prevalence of these beliefs and relevant anatomy and physiology were summarised. Results The first English language allusions to placing objects in a patient’s mouth occurred in the mid-19th century, and the first allusions to swallowing one’s tongue during a seizure occurred in the late 19th century. By the mid-20th century, it was clear that some were recommending against the practice of placing objects in a patient’s mouth to prevent harm. Relatively recent popular literature and film continue to portray incorrect seizure first aid through at least 2013. There is ample modern literature confirming the anatomical impossibility of swallowing one’s tongue and confirming the potential harm of putting objects in a patient’s mouth. Conclusion One cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure. Foreign objects should not be placed into a seizing person’s mouth. We must continue to disseminate these ideas to our patients and colleagues. As neurologists, we have an obligation to champion safe practices for our patients, especially when popular media and culture continue to propagate dangerous ones.
Tailoring Effective Behavior Management Strategies for Speech-Language Pathologists

Purpose Many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) experience challenging behaviors during service delivery and also report minimal training in effective behavior management strategies. The purpose of this tutorial is to present low-effort behavior management strategies that SLPs can adopt, adapt, and implement. Method After providing an overall rationale for effective behavior management strategies, we present two evidence-based behavior management strategies aimed at improving positive behavior and engagement. We provide descriptions, steps, and applied examples for implementing visual activity schedules and behavior-specific praise. We include three implementation scenarios and resources for SLPs to access specifically tailored to speech-language pathology practice. Conclusions Visual activity schedules and behavior-specific praise are two flexible behavior management strategies that can be collaboratively created by SLPs and educators and implemented during a variety of instructional arrangements during speech and language therapy. Implementing evidence-based behavior management strategies may improve students' engagement and achievement in speech and language-focused outcomes.
Observation of [VCu1–Ini2+VCu1–] Defect Triplets in Cu-Deficient CuInS2

Copper indium disulfide (CuInS2) is a semiconductor with a direct energy band gap of 1.53 eV—an optimal value for highly efficient thin-film solar cells. But it has reached only ∼11% power conversi...
q-Stirling numbers

We show the classical q-Stirling numbers of the second kind can be expressed compactly as a pair of statistics on a subset of restricted growth words. The resulting expressions are polynomials in q and 1 + q . We extend this enumerative result via a decomposition of a new poset ( n , k ) which we call the Stirling poset of the second kind. Its rank generating function is the q-Stirling number S q n , k . The Stirling poset of the second kind supports an algebraic complex and a basis for integer homology is determined. A parallel enumerative, poset theoretic and homological study for the q-Stirling numbers of the first kind is done. Letting t = 1 + q we give a bijective argument showing the ( q , t ) -Stirling numbers of the first and second kinds are orthogonal.
Rab8 attenuates Wnt signaling and is required for mesenchymal differentiation into adipocytes.

Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocyte requires coordination of external stimuli and depends upon the functionality of the primary cilium. The Rab8 small GTPases are regulators of intracellular transport of membrane-bound structural and signaling cargo. However, the physiological contribution of the intrinsic trafficking network controlled by Rab8 to mesenchymal tissue differentiation has not been fully defined in vivo and in primary tissue cultures. Here, we show that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking Rab8 have severely impaired adipocyte differentiation in vivo and ex vivo. Immunofluorescent localization and biochemical analyses of Rab8a-deficient, Rab8b-deficient, and Rab8a and Rab8b double-deficient MEFs revealed that Rab8 controls the Lrp6 vesicular compartment, clearance of basal signalosome, traffic of frizzled two receptor, and thereby a proper attenuation of Wnt signaling in differentiating MEFs. Upon induction of adipogenesis program, Rab8a- and Rab8b-deficient MEFs exhibited severely defective lipid-droplet formation and abnormal cilia morphology, despite overall intact cilia growth and ciliary cargo transport. Our results suggest that intracellular Rab8 traffic regulates induction of adipogenesis via proper positioning of Wnt receptors for signaling control in mesenchymal cells.
Composición de la microbiota aloctona y autóctona en cuerpos de agua con distinto grado de contaminación en playas de Viña del Mar

Se seleccionaron tres playas de Vina del Mar con diferente grado de contaminacion determinada de acuerdo a indicadores microbiologicos: coliformes totales y coliformes fecales. Se estudia en ellas la composicion de la microbiota aut6ctona y aloctona, realizando recuentos, aislamientos e identificacion de ambos grupos de bacterias. Los resultados permiten apreciar los cambios en las poblaciones bacterianas de acuerdo a los niveles de contaminacion.
Physician experience with pediatric inpatient care in Washington State.

Objective. To determine the frequency with which pediatricians and family physicians in Washington State serve as attending physicians for pediatric inpatients. Design. Retrospective review of statewide hospital discharge data. Subjects. Attending physicians for all patients younger than 18 years of age with nonsurgical diagnoses discharged from civilian hospitals in Washington State during 1989 and 1990. Results. Using medical rosters, the self-identified specialty of the attending physician was determined for 93% (n = 181 581) of discharges. Pediatricians and family physicians were listed as attending for 61% and 28%, respectively, of all eligible patients. Statewide, 97% (n = 555) of all pediatricians and 86% (n = 939) of all family physicians served as attending physicians for at least one inpatient, including healthy newborns, during the 2-year study period. The median annual number of discharges per physician was 78 for pediatricians and 14.5 for family physicians. Excluding healthy newborns, the median annual number of discharges was 25 for pediatricians and 3 for family physicians. Five percent of the physician attending group provided inpatient care for 50% of all children hospitalized with diagnoses other than healthy newborn; 50% of attending physicians cared for 95% of the patients. In rural hospitals, where family physicians served as attending physicians for 44% of pediatric inpatients, children were 3.3 times more likely to receive their care from family physicians than those hospitalized in urban centers. Conclusions. Most pediatricians and family physicians serve as inpatient attending physicians for hospitalized children only infrequently. These findings question whether the emphasis on inpatient care in many pediatric and family medicine training programs remains an appropriate goal.
Febrile status epilepticus.

As part of a study of status epilepticus in children (Maytal J, Shinnar S, Moshe SL, Alvarez LA. Pediatrics. 1989; 83:323-331); 44 children with febrile convulsions lasting more than 30 minutes were followed for a mean of 28 months (range 4 to 72). Thirty children were followed prospectively. Children with prior afebrile seizures or evidence of acute central nervous system infection were excluded. Nine (20%) children had prior neurological deficits. The duration of the febrile seizure was 0.5 to 1 hour in 41 cases (85%), 1 to 2 hours in 5 (10%), and greater than 2 hours in 2 children (5%). No child died or developed new neurological deficits following the seizures. The risk of recurrent seizures was increased, but only in the group with prior neurological abnormality. Six (66%) of these children had subsequent febrile seizures compared with 12 (34%) of the normal children (P = .08). Three (33%) had recurrent febrile status epilepticus compared with only 1 (3%) normal child (P = .023). The 2 children in the prospective arm of the study with recurrent febrile status epilepticus were both neurologically abnormal (P = .035). All 3 of the children who subsequently had afebrile seizures (2 prospective) were neurologically abnormal (P = .006 overall, P = .035 for prospective only). It is concluded that the occurrence of febrile status epilepticus in a neurologically impaired child is a risk factor for subsequent febrile as well as afebrile seizures. The occurrence of febrile status epilepticus in an otherwise normal child does not significantly increase the risk for subsequent febrile (brief or prolonged) or afebrile seizures in the first few years following the episode.
A New Electromagnetic Propagation Tool for Well Logging

The use of electromagnetic (EM) energy to evaluate rock formations and, in particular, to determine the water saturation, as well as to infer the oil and gas saturations within pores, has recently received much attention. The dielectric properties of rocks measured by these tools at microwave frequencies are strongly dependent on the water satura
Changes in HIV-related behaviors among heterosexual alcoholics following addiction treatment.

In order to measure changes in HIV-related behaviors among heterosexual alcoholics following treatment, we conducted a prospective cohort study of 700 self-identified alcoholics recruited from five public alcohol treatment centers, all of which included HIV risk-reduction counseling. Respondents underwent an HIV antibody test and interviewer-administered questionnaire at entry to alcohol treatment and after a mean of 13 months later. Compared to baseline, at follow-up there was an overall 26% reduction in having sex with an injection-drug-using partner (23% versus 32%, P < .001) and a 58% reduction in the use of injection drugs (15% versus 37%, P < .001), along with smaller improvements in other behaviors. Respondents also showed a 77% improvement in consistent condom use with multiple sexual partners (35% versus 20%, P < .01) and a 23% improvement in partner screening (71% versus 57%, P < .001). Respondents who remained abstinent showed substantially greater improvement than those who continued to drink.
Carcinogenicity assessment and the role of structure activity relationship (SAR) analysis under TSCA section 5

(1987). Carcinogenicity assessment and the role of structure activity relationship (SAR) analysis under TSCA section 5. Environmental Carcinogenesis Reviews: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 29-71.
Measurement of weak ir absorption with a tunable laser: the hydrogen S 2 (1) line strength

A tunable laser light source has been used to obtain the intensity of the S2(1) hydrogen quadrupole line at ∼8604.2 cm−1. The result (0.0140 ± 0.0007 cm−1/km-amagat) is in excellent agreement with a previous determination as well as with ab initio calculations.
Wind Tunnel Investigation of Low-Speed Buffeting of the Pioneer Venus Probes

A wind-tunnel investigation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of possible modifications to the Pioneer Venus probes to reduce buffeting due to aerodynamic force fluctuations. The tests were conducted at Reynolds numbers of 2 x 10 to 9 x 10 based on pressure sphere diameter. Force fluctuations were found to be strongly dependent on Reynolds number, decreasing by a factor of 3 in the range tested. A screen ring at the forced separation point was highly effective in reducing the force and pressure fluctuations by up to a factor of 4. No evidence was found for a discrete Strouhal number of regular fluctuations from vortex shedding.
Defect engineering via surfaces for metal-oxide electronics

Recent advances are presented relating to methods for engineering the behavior of point defects in oxide semiconductors like rutile TiO 2 and ZnO. Self-diffusion experiments, supported by continuum computations, show that surfaces exert profound effects on defects within the bulk through two distinct mechanisms involving surface chemical bond exchange and electrostatics. Such effects are especially pronounced in confined geometries such as thin films, small particles and nanowires with high surface/volume ratios.
Understanding expert systems success and failure

Abstract Many expert systems implementations are unsuccessful: the system falls into disuse or is not used to the extent originally envisioned. This paper reports on a study on the factors that lead to successful (or conversely less successful) expert system implementation. Six cases, drawn from three high-technology companies, were investigated: three very successful, three less so. Following analysis of the cases, propositions were developed regarding various success factors and their interrelation. We found that top management support and immediate manager acceptance are important, and that demonstrable business benefits and problem urgency affect management support. At the user level, perception of management support, degree of organizational change, organizational support, and users' personal stake in the system affect operational use. We relate our findings to what is known about implementation in Management Science and Information Systems, concluding that successful expert systems implementation exhibits properties found in both.
Impacts of Regulatory Change on Financial Markets for Agriculture: Discussion

mentioned in Barry's paper are having an impact on rural credit markets. The first is the introduction of financial futures markets, which should allow for some reduction in the anticipated growth in interest rate risks. The second is the emergence of a service provided by financial intermediaries wherein small banks' certificates of deposit are packaged to offer in the national money markets (I1lingworth). This service will reinforce the other trends that Barry suggests will more fully integrate rural financial markets with the national economy. The third is that nonmember banks gained access to the Federal Reserve System's discount window with the enactment of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980. Such access may provide a source of credit to some nonmember rural banks that they have not had in the past. Finally, the rapid growth of money market mutual funds has decreased the flow of funds in rural credit markets over the last two years (Gramley). But in the future, as new equilibriums are established and alternatives evolve for rural banks to tap national money markets, this problem likely will decline in importance. Impacts on the Farm Sector
Approaches to text mining for clinical medical records

Clinical medical records contain a wealth of information, largely in free-text form. Means to extract structured information from free-text records is an important research endeavor. In this paper, we describe a MEDical Information Extraction (MedIE) system that extracts and mines a variety of patient information with breast complaints from free-text clinical records. MedIE is a part of medical text mining project being conducted in Drexel University. Three approaches are proposed to solve different IE tasks and very good performance (precision and recall) was achieved. A graph-based approach which uses the parsing result of link-grammar parser was invented for relation extraction; high accuracy was achieved. A simple but efficient ontology-based approach was adopted to extract medical terms of interest. Finally, an NLP-based feature extraction method coupled with an ID3-based decision tree was used to perform text classification.
Fluid phase stability and equations of state

Abstract Many textbook explanations of fluid-phase stability and phase splitting are based on the assumption that the Gibbs energy of the mixture is a smooth, continuous function of composition that exhibits inflection points and a maximum. The true function, rather, is composed of branches which may not have inflection points and which typically meet at a cusp. Examples of these curves are shown and explained.
Some Biological Effects of Selected Light Regimes on Trichogramma semifumatum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Effects of 3 light regimes on length of life, fecundity, and the possibility of inheritance of eclosion rhythms were studied in 2 races of Trichogramma semifumatum (Perkins), one from the Mesilla Valley, New Mexico, and another from Bishop, California. The light regimes were 10L (light) :14D (dark), 14L:10D and constant light. At 30°C and 80% relative humidity, length of life appeared to increase with the length of the light period. Adult females of the Mesilla Valley race parasitized more eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) in increasing light periods. Emergence of the adult wasps was synchronized by light cycles. The parental photoperiod did not determine the emergence pattern of the progeny.
Examination of Two Sources of Error in the Estimation of Net Internal Migration

Abstract * Revision of a paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, Charlottesville, Virginia, May 8, 1954. Two sources of errors in the estimation of net internal migration are examined. First, errors arising from the use of a single set of survival rates in all 48 states are examined by estimating net migration in ten states using both a national life table and state life tables. It is estimated that the median error arising from this source is about 14 per cent of the estimate of net migration. The second source of error examined is underenumeration of the population. The “built in” correction factor of Census survival rates is demonstrated algebraically, and one approach is made to estimating the magnitude of errors from this source when the assumptions are not justified. It is estimated that about one-third of the estimates of net migration are in error by 25 per cent or more due to the effects of underenumeration. These two estimates of error are quite rough and ...
Economic aspects of a utility computing service

We present a case study of business and systems modelling for a Utility Computing service. Our analysis is concerned mainly with service pricing, resource flexing, and costs related to preventive security measures. We explain the conceptual and mathematical basis of our modelling approach, describing the details of a particular (discrete event, executable) model of a Utility Computing service, and show how the information obtained from such a model can aid business and design decisions.
Frontal-striatal control of behavioral inhibition in the rat.

Summary The direct application of crystalline dopamine, d -amphetamine or scopolamine in microgram quantities to the ventral anterior region of the corpus striatum (VAS) of rats increased their responding for food on a modified DRL-30 sec schedule of reinforcement. Similar applications of norepinephrine were less effective than dopamine, while the anticholinesterase eserine depressed responding. Electrolytic lesions of the ventrolateral, but not the dorsomedial, prefrontal cortex of rats also increased their response rates. These results were interpreted as being consistent with the idea of a dopamine-acetylcholine antagonism in the VAS whose net output modulates behavioral inhibition. This striatal mechanism may be influenced by the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex.
Glass fibers in industrial applications

In the past thirty years, glass fibers have progressed from the realm of decorative curiosities to a basic commercial product with many decorative and industrial applications. Their thermal endurance, dimensional stability, resistance to environmental effects, high strength, and low cost have resulted in a variety of uses such as reinforced plastics, high temperature filter media, thermal insulation, distillation media, paper reinforcement, etc. Recent developments in fiber surface treatments, glass composition, fiber diameters, and product forms have contributed greatly to an ever-increasing pace of new product developments. This paper will consider the properties of some of our newer glasses, fiber sizes, and chemical treatments. Physical properties and application of the concepts involved in glass and organic fiber combinations will be discussed, as will the recent work which has led to the use of glass fibers in rubber reinforcements, the first application of glass fibers to a dynamic use.
Investment, population growth and GNP as determinants of US immigration.

Northern countries typically attract migrants from poorer countries because of the formers high wage rates and demand for labor. In particular the US receives large numbers of legal migrants from almost every country and region of the world. This paper explores the determinants of permanent emigration to the US during 1989-93 using data drawn from the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Annual Tapes for the period. The analysis is restricted to only legal migration from 150 countries and specifically investigates whether emigration to the US during 1989-93 can be accounted for by demographic and economic conditions in sending countries or by levels of US investment in sending countries. No support is found for claims that rapid population growth and US investment fuel US immigration; emigration is comparatively far lower from countries experiencing rapid population growth and not significantly correlated with US investment while the US typically invests the most in the more developed countries which send relatively few migrants to the US. Geographic proximity is the most important correlate of migration followed by the population size of sending countries which is negatively related to emigration. Some evidence was found that emigration will decrease as countries develop. Who a country decides to admit and how many people are admitted depend mainly upon public policy and very little upon the economic and demographic conditions of sending countries.
Scattering of Polarized Laser Light by Water Droplet, Mixed-Phase and Ice Crystal Clouds. Part I: Angular Scattering Patterns

Abstract Laboratory studies of the angular scattering and depolarizing behavior of water, ice and mixed-phase clouds are described in Parts I and II of this report. In Part I, we present the theoretical background and experimental apparatus for determining the angular scattering pattern in the laboratory. The experimental results obtained with vertically and horizontally polarized laser light (0.6328 μm) are given in the form of normalized scattering phase functions to facilitate their comparison to theoretical predictions. Close agreement between Mie theory and experiment is found for water clouds when the measured cloud droplet size distribution is input into the computations. For ice crystal clouds containing small (<50 μm), randomly oriented particles, the agreement with theory using either the spherical or long cylinder shape approximation is less noteworthy due to the presence of more intense side-scattering and the absence of cloudbows in the experimental ice data. The scattering behavior of mixed-...
The anisotropy of the macroscopic equations for ferrofluids and a comparison with experimental results on ultrasound

Abstract We derive linear macroscopic equations for ferrofluids, in the case of macroscopic anisotropy due to chain formation induced by a strong external magnetic field. Aside from nematodynamics, we propose an additional nonhydrodynamic mode, vibrations of the chains, to explain the observed anisotropy in the ultrasound velocity.
Silicon Material Phenomena In VLSI Circuit Processing

The VLSI era will require increased Active Electronic Gate (AEG) density and reduced IC leakage current. The fabrication of circuits to achieve these ends, however, is often accompanied by process-induced defects which degrade the desired circuit characteristics. This brief review will highlight the influence of several point, line and surface defects on the fabrication and electrical characteristics of devices/IC's. Several examples of bulk defect gettering and lithographic processes resulting in unique device/IC configurations to reduce these deleterious effects will then be described.
Molecular diagnostic testing for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG): Detection rate for single gene testing and next generation sequencing panel testing

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are comprised of over 60 disorders with the majority of defects residing within the N-glycosylation pathway. Approximately 20% of patients do not survive beyond five years of age due to widespread organ dysfunction. A diagnosis of CDG is based on abnormal glycosylation of transferrin but this method cannot identify the specific gene defect. For many individuals diagnosed with CDG the gene defect remains unknown. To improve the molecular diagnosis of CDG we developed molecular testing for 25 CDG genes including single gene testing and next generation sequencing (NGS) panel testing. From March 2010 through November 2012, a total of 94 samples were referred for single gene testing and 68 samples were referred for NGS panel testing. Disease causing mutations were identified in 24 patients resulting in a molecular diagnosis rate of 14.8%. Coverage of the 24 CDG genes using panel testing and whole exome sequencing (WES) was compared and it was determined that many exons of these genes were not adequately covered using a WES approach and a panel approach may be the preferred first option for CDG patients. A collaborative effort between physicians, researchers and diagnostic laboratories will be very important as NGS testing using panels and exome becomes more widespread. This technology will ultimately improve the molecular diagnosis of patients with CDG in hard to solve cases.
Crossing Over: Musical Perceptions Within Black Adolescent Culture

> “. . . So a product of Rhythm and Blues and Motown, of Los Angeles, glitter and his own childlike innocence sold 9 million records. Off the Wall was a masterpiece and it was a natural crossover. Yet, with a subtlety few noticed at the time, top-forty radio, CBS and Michael Jackson himself began
Toxicological barriers to providing better drugs.

The unmet needs of the sick demand that toxicologic requirements do not stifle the rational search for new and better remedies. A number of conceptual problems hamper the rational use of toxicological testing. These include: a misplaced confidence in the value of animal testing, a failure to make sophisticated risk-benefit analyses, the proliferation of new tests of uncertain validity, and improperly executed retrospective case control studies. Regulatory barriers include the ever increasing bureaucratic demand for toxicological testing, the unseemly willingness of regulatory agencies to yield to hysterical or cynical consumer group pressures, the unreasonable demand for “superiority” of new products before the granting of registration, and the temptation to institute expensive but untested post-marketing surveillance schemes. Economic obstacles to new drug development have become formidable, and new demands for toxicologic studies in animals and humans are adding to these problems. Finally, some examples of unwise regulatory decisions involving saccharin, spray adhesives, Depo-Provera, and a new anti-metabolite are given.
Single species island biogeography and Montana mule deer

The theory of island biogeography supplemented with dynamic concepts from other areas of biology can be applied to a single species. Data series from mule deer Odocoileus hemonius hemonius populations inhabiting diverse mountain as well as prairie habitats were compared. The fawn-doe ratios obtained at 6 months of age were inversely correlated (r = −0·97; p < 0·01) with ‘island’ size as indicated by the percentage of cover. Populations inhabiting small islands of cover in the prairie consistently had higher winter fawn-doe ratios than those of the relatively secure mountain habitats. Cover fragmentation and low security level of the prairi populations relates to a high annual turnover rate compared with that of the mountain populations. The impact of cover fragmentation is consistent with this interpretation of theory which pictures reproduction as annual recolonisation. This approach may be useful in predicting hunting and ecological impact effects.
An in situ accelerator-based diagnostic for plasma-material interactions science on magnetic fusion devices.

This paper presents a novel particle accelerator-based diagnostic that nondestructively measures the evolution of material surface compositions inside magnetic fusion devices. The diagnostic's purpose is to contribute to an integrated understanding of plasma-material interactions in magnetic fusion, which is severely hindered by a dearth of in situ material surface diagnosis. The diagnostic aims to remotely generate isotopic concentration maps on a plasma shot-to-shot timescale that cover a large fraction of the plasma-facing surface inside of a magnetic fusion device without the need for vacuum breaks or physical access to the material surfaces. Our instrument uses a compact (∼1 m), high-current (∼1 milliamp) radio-frequency quadrupole accelerator to inject 0.9 MeV deuterons into the Alcator C-Mod tokamak at MIT. We control the tokamak magnetic fields – in between plasma shots – to steer the deuterons to material surfaces where the deuterons cause high-Q nuclear reactions with low-Z isotopes ∼5 μm into the material. The induced neutrons and gamma rays are measured with scintillation detectors; energy spectra analysis provides quantitative reconstruction of surface compositions. An overview of the diagnostic technique, known as accelerator-based in situ materials surveillance (AIMS), and the first AIMS diagnostic on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak is given. Experimental validation is shown to demonstrate that an optimized deuteron beam is injected into the tokamak, that low-Z isotopes such as deuterium and boron can be quantified on the material surfaces, and that magnetic steering provides access to different measurement locations. The first AIMS analysis, which measures the relative change in deuterium at a single surface location at the end of the Alcator C-Mod FY2012 plasma campaign, is also presented.
Prevention of recurrent postpartum depression: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Women who have suffered one episode of postpartum-onset major depression (PPMD) comprise a high-risk group for subsequent episodes. We conducted a double-blind, randomized clinical trial to test the efficacy of nortriptyline in the prevention of recurrent PPMD. Method: Nondepressed women who had at least one past episode of PPMD (Research Diagnostic Criteria) were recruited during pregnancy. Subjects were randomly assigned to nortriptyline or placebo. Treatment began immediately postpartum. Each subject was assessed for 20 sequential weeks with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Research Diagnostic Criteria for recurrence of major depression. Results: No difference was found in the rate of recurrence in women treated with nortriptyline compared with those treated with placebo. Of 26 subjects who took nortriptyline preventively, 6 (0.23, 95% exact confidence interval [Cl] = 0.09 to 0.44) suffered recurrences. Of 25 subjects who took placebo, 6 (0.24, 95% exact CI = 0.09 to 0.45) suffered recurrence (Fisher exact p = 1.00). ). Conclusion: Nortriptyline did not confer additional preventive efficacy beyond that of placebo. The rate of recurrence of PPMD (one fourth of women) was unacceptably high.
Applications of gene targeting technology to mental retardation and developmental disability research

The human and mouse genome projects elucidated the sequence and position map of innumerous genes expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), advancing our ability to manipulate these sequences and create models to investigate regulation of gene expression and function. In this article, we reviewed gene targeting methodologies with emphasis on applications to CNS development and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Health Trajectories Among Older Movers

Objective: To examine health trajectories among older migrants by reason for move. Method: Data from the 1992 to 2006 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) are used to model trajectories of self-rated ...