cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conversion of left atrial volume to diameter for automated estimation of sudden cardiac death risk in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background A subset of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is at high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Practice guidelines endorse use of a risk calculator, which requires entry of left atrial (LA) diameter. However, American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines recommend the use of LA volume index (LAVI) for routine quantification of LA size. The aims of this study were to (a) develop a model to estimate LA diameter from LAVI and (b) evaluate whether substitution of measured LA diameter by estimated LA diameter derived from LAVI reclassifies HCM-SCD risk. Methods The study cohort was comprised of 500 randomly selected HCM patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). LA diameter and LAVI were measured offline using digital clips from TTE. Linear regression models were developed to estimate LA diameter from LAVI. A European Society of Cardiology endorsed equation estimated SCD risk, which was measured using LA diameter and estimated LA diameter derived from LAVI. Results The mean LAVI was 48.5 ± 18.8 mL/m2 . The derived LA diameter was 45.1 mm (SD: 5.5 mm), similar to the measured LA diameter (45.1 mm, SD: 7.1 mm). Median SCD risk at 5 years estimated by measured LA diameter was 2.22% (interquartile range (IQR): 1.39, 3.56), while median risk calculated by estimated LA diameter was 2.18% (IQR: 1.44, 3.52). 476/500 (95%) patients maintained the same risk classification regardless of whether the measured or estimated LA diameter was used. Conclusions Substitution of measured LA diameter by estimated LA diameter in the HCM-SCD calculator did not reclassify risk.
A Spitzer MIPS Study of 2.5-2.0 M ☉ Stars in Scorpius-Centaurus

We have obtained Spitzer Space Telescope Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS) 24 {mu}m and 70 {mu}m observations of 215 nearby, Hipparcos B- and A-type common proper-motion single and binary systems in the nearest OB association, Scorpius-Centaurus. Combining our MIPS observations with those of other ScoCen stars in the literature, we estimate 24 {mu}m B+A-type disk fractions of 17/67 (25{sup +6}{sub -5}%), 36/131 (27{sup +4}{sub -4}%), and 23/95 (24{sup +5}{sub -4}%) for Upper Scorpius ({approx}11 Myr), Upper Centaurus Lupus ({approx}15 Myr), and Lower Centaurus Crux ({approx}17 Myr), respectively, somewhat smaller disk fractions than previously obtained for F- and G-type members. We confirm previous IRAS excess detections and present new discoveries of 51 protoplanetary and debris disk systems, with fractional infrared luminosities ranging from L{sub IR}/L{sub *} = 10{sup -6} to 10{sup -2} and grain temperatures ranging from T{sub gr} = 40 to 300 K. In addition, we confirm that the 24 {mu}m and 70 {mu}m excesses (or fractional infrared luminosities) around B+A-type stars are smaller than those measured toward F+G-type stars and hypothesize that the observed disk property dependence on stellar mass may be the result of a higher stellar companion fraction around B- and A-type stars at 10-200 AU.more » Finally, we note that the majority of the ScoCen 24 {mu}m excess sources also possess 12 {mu}m excess, indicating that Earth-like planets may be forming via collisions in the terrestrial planet zone at {approx}10-100 Myr.« less
Helping the Casualties of Creative Destruction: Corporate Takeovers and the Politics of Worker Dislocation

This Article’s thesis is that society’s responses to takeover dislocation have been misguided. For a variety of reasons, society has sought to ease takeover dislocation by discouraging takeovers, a process which has only served to protect corporate executives (by entrenching them in power) and not the lower-level employees who need protection most. The Article contends that takeover-related dislocation is no different from other forms of dislocation. It suggests that if policymakers are truly concerned about such dislocation, they should focus less on regulating takeovers and more on addressing issues of worker dislocation directly, such as by giving workers more power to influence the allocation of corporate resources or by affording workers more benefits and assistance during periods of dislocation.
Quality of Life in Physical, Social, and Cognitive Domains Improves With Endovascular Therapy in the DEFUSE 3 Trial.

Background and Purpose: The DEFUSE 3 (Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke 3) randomized clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy of endovascular therapy in treatin...
Continuous Delivery Sounds Great, but Will It Work Here?: It’s not magic, it just requires continuous, daily improvement at all levels.

Continuous delivery is a set of principles, patterns, and practices designed to make deployments predictable, routine affairs that can be performed on demand at any time. This article introduces continuous delivery, presents both common objections and actual obstacles to implementing it, and describes how to overcome them using real-life examples. Continuous delivery is not magic. It’s about continuous, daily improvement at all levels of the organization.
Navigating the New Normal: The Coronavirus Pandemic Sheds Light on the Need to Restructure Special Education Law

Students in special education face a higher chance of regression or failure to show progress when without services. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic, and the U.S. declared a national emergency. As a result, schools across the nation abruptly shut down. When schools decided to resume via online instruction, many of the services typically found in special education were not included. This Comment analyzes the challenges and inadequacies that students in special education are facing while maneuvering from an in-person to a remote-learning environment due to the pandemic. The author analyzed the effects of the pandemic by looking at stories from families across the nation with school-age children. Research shows that all students are struggling; however, students in special education are being disproportionately affected in comparison to their peers who participate in general education or standard curriculum. The pandemic has proven that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), the United States special education law that exists to ensure that students with disabilities across the nation are provided with free appropriate public education, may not be as adaptable as needed during such an unprecedented time when online education is the only option. Throughout the pandemic, general-education students are able to continue receiving an adequate education. The U.S. Department of Education must take necessary steps to ensure that students in special education are not left further behind their general-education peers due to lack of preparation for a global pandemic. The author urges a return to normalcy and continuity of education and services for students as described in their Individualized Education Programs. To effectively navigate a global pandemic, the author recommends increased collaboration between parents, teachers, and school administrators as well as further development of IDEA.
Impaired Mitochondrial Function in iPSC-Retinal Pigment Epithelium with the Complement Factor H Polymorphism for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly, is characterized by loss of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). While the disease mechanism remains unclear, prior studies have linked AMD with RPE mitochondrial defects and genetic polymorphisms in the complement pathway. This study used RPE generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-RPE), which were derived from human donors with or without AMD and genotyped for the complement factor H (CFH) AMD high-risk allele (rs1061170, Y402H) to investigate whether donor disease state or genotype had a detrimental effect on mitochondrial function and inflammation. Results show that cells derived from donors with AMD display decreased mitochondrial function under conditions of stress and elevated expression of inflammatory markers compared to iPSC-RPE from individuals without AMD. A more pronounced reduction in mitochondrial function and increased inflammatory markers was observed in CFH high-risk cells, irrespective of disease state. These results provide evidence for a previously unrecognized link between CFH and mitochondrial function that could contribute to RPE loss in AMD patients harboring the CFH high-risk genotype.
Comparing Bayesian Posterior Passing with Meta-analysis

Brand, von der Post, Ounsley, and Morgan (2019) introduced Bayesian posterior passing as an alternative to traditional meta-analyses. In this commentary I relate their procedure to traditional meta-analysis, showing that posterior passing is equivalent to fixed effects meta-analysis. To overcome the limitations of simple posterior passing, I introduce improved posterior passing methods to account for heterogeneity and publication bias. Additionally, practical limitations of posterior passing and the role that it can play in future research are discussed.
Modeling the impact of delaying transcatheter aortic valve replacement for the treatment of aortic stenosis in the era of COVID-19.

Objective: The aim of this study was to model the short term and 2-year overall survival for intermediate- and low-risk patients with severe symptomatic AS undergoing timely or delayed transcatheter aortic valve replacement during the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic. Methods: We developed a decision analysis model to evaluate two treatment strategies for both low-risk and intermediate-risk patients with aortic stenosis during the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic. Results: Prompt transcatheter aortic valve replacement resulted in improved 2-year overall survival when compared to delayed intervention for intermediate-risk patients (0.81 versus 0.67) and low-risk patients (0.95 vs 0.85), due to the risk of death or the need for urgent/emergent transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the waiting period. However, if the probability of acquiring the 2019 novel coronavirus is greater than 55% (intermediate risk patients) or 47% (low risk patients), delayed transcatheter aortic valve replacement is favorable to prompt intervention (0.66 vs 0.67, intermediate risk; 0.84 vs 0.85, low risk). Conclusions and Relevance: Prompt transcatheter aortic valve replacement for both intermediate-risk and low-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis results in improved 2-year survival when local healthcare system resources are not significantly constrained by the 2019 novel coronavirus.
GRASP55 restricts early-stage autophagy and regulates spatial organization of the early secretory network.

There is great interest in understanding the cellular mechanisms controlling autophagy, a tightly regulated catabolic and stress-response pathway. Prior work has uncovered links between autophagy and the Golgi reassembly stacking protein of 55 kDa (GRASP55), but their precise interrelationship remains unclear. Intriguingly, both autophagy and GRASP55 have been functionally and spatially linked to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)---Golgi interface, broaching this compartment as a site where GRASP55 and autophagy may intersect. Here, we uncover that loss of GRASP55 enhances LC3 puncta formation, indicating that GRASP55 restricts autophagosome formation. Additionally, using proximity-dependent biotinylation, we identify a GRASP55 proximal interactome highly associated with the ER-Golgi interface. Both nutrient starvation and loss of GRASP55 are associated with coalescence of early secretory pathway markers. In light of these findings, we propose that GRASP55 regulates spatial organization of the ER-Golgi interface, which suppresses early autophagosome formation.
Difference sets in $\mathbb{R}^d$

Let $d \geq 2$ be a natural number. We show that $$|A-A| \geq \left(2d-2 + \frac{1}{d-1}\right)|A|-(2d^2-4d+3)$$ for any sufficiently large finite subset $A$ of $\mathbb{R}^d$ that is not contained in a translate of a hyperplane. By a construction of Stanchescu, this is best possible and thus resolves an old question first raised by Uhrin.
Photothermal Effect in Organized Media: Principles and Applications

Photothermal phenomena, including the thermal lens, photothermal deflection and photothermal refraction 1-19, are based on the temperature rise that is produced in an illuminated sample by nonradiative relaxation of the energy absorbed from a laser 1-19. In the thermal lens effect, the radially symmetric, Gaussian intensity distribution (TEM00) of the laser beam generated heat which is strongest at the center of the beam because that is where the beam intensity is strongest. Consequently, a lens-like optical element is formed in the sample owing to the temperature gradient between the center of the beam and the bulk material. Under continuous illumination, the thermal lens reaches a steady-state strength which is given as the reciprocal of the focal length: $$ \frac{1}{{f\left(\infty\right)}} = \frac{{1.205 PA \left({dn/dT} \right)}}{{\pi k {\omega ^2}}} $$ (1)
Homotopy and the Fundamental Group

topology is the study of topological spaces and continuous functions between them. A standard problem is the classification of such spaces and functions up to homeomorphism. A weaker equivalence relation, based on continuous deformation, leads to another classification problem. This latter classification problem is of fundamental importance in algebraic topology, since it is the one where the tools available seem to be most successful.
News from the Dance Section

(1938). News from the Dance Section. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 9, No. 10, pp. 635-636.
Electricity markets - the Latin American case. The Colombian case

The purpose of this paper is to present the main issues characterizing the present situation of Colombian electricity sector, regarding the risk responsibility of supply.
On routing with QOS constraints in ATM networks

Multimedia applications require guaranteed QOS, which will be provided by multimedia networks, such as ATM, by resource reservation. The complexity of routing and allocating resources for ATM applications vary according with applications end-to-end constraints, and essentially range from P to NP complete problems (Wang et al (1995)). In this paper, we expand the class of known P type, constrained routing problems, by including two applications of significance in ATM, namely loss sensitive ABR traffic, and delay sensitive VBR traffic. For such routing problems, we present a O (N 4) polynomial time algorithm, prove its correctness, and illustrate its effectiveness with simulation experiments.
Chapter 33. Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics

Publisher Summary The pharmacological activity, efficacy, and toxicity of an administered medicament may be profoundly affected by the physico-chemical properties of the drug and the drug dosage form. Also, solutions of the drug (the emulsion and the soft elastic capsule) give superior absorption characteristics as measured by drug plasma levels than the solid drug forms (the suspension and the hard capsule). It would appear that indoxole represents another case where dissolution rate and/or drug availability is the rate determining process in the overall absorptive process. Thus parameters such as solubility, particle size, diffusional characteristics, availability, and rate of dissolution of the drug have been the areas emphasized in most biopharmaceutical studies. This chapter discusses the effect of these parameters on drug absorption. Basic investigations and developments in both pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics area continued with increasing vigor. Although the bulk of published works still originates from academic institutions, an increasing proportion appears to be contributed by industrial organizations. The chapter summarizes recent general developments in these fields. Recently, the base induced degradation of 9-methylisoalloxazine under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions is studied. The initial product formed appears to be a carbinol amine. Researchers have continued their investigation of anaerobic hydrolytic degradations of ascorbic acid with a study on the effect of metallic ions on the overall rate. Although the reaction appears to be accelerated by doubly and triply charged species, the effect was small.
Voting Rights for Whom? Examining the Effects of the Voting Rights Act on Latino Political Incorporation

This study applies insights from principal-agent models to examine whether and how the language assistance provisions of the Voting Rights Act, Sections 203 and 4(f)(4), affect Latino representation. Using panel data from 1984–2012, we estimate two-stage models that consider the likelihood and extent of Latino board representation for a sample of 1,661 school districts. In addition, we examine how policy design as well as federal oversight and enforcement shape implementation and compliance with the language assistance provisions. Our findings not only provide the first systemic evidence that the language assistance provisions have a direct effect on Latino representation, but also link the efficacy of the language assistance provisions to the duration and consistency of coverage and the presence of federal elections observers. Overall, our study underscores the continued need for federal government involvement in protecting the voting rights of underrepresented groups, in this case, language minority citizens.
The effects of barriers to entry on monopolistic intermediary online services: The case of a digital library

Abstract Online intermediaries (OIs) are becoming increasingly important market institutions. They have low marginal costs and display the indirect network effect, which suggests that the benefit of an intermediary to sellers (buyers) increases with the number of buyers (sellers) connected to that intermediary. OIs may be further characterized by the levels of barriers to entry they face and the direct network effect, i.e., the benefit to a seller decreases with the number of sellers connected to the intermediary. This paper models a digital library where creators sell their works to information users. It is found that a monopolistic digital library with the above characteristics over-serves its creators, which leads them to over-invest in creation, and over-supply information products to consumers. Furthermore, the over-investment is more severe when the barriers to entry in the digital library sector are lower. A counter-intuitive policy implication is that removing barriers to entry in monopolistic markets with the above characteristics does not improve, but rather worsens, social welfare.
Manualized cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in childhood: A preliminary single case study☆

Abstract Using a within-subject multiple baseline design plus global ratings across treatment weeks, the authors conducted a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of manualized cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy in an eight-year-old girl with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Eleven weeks of treatment produced complete resolution in OCD symptoms; treatment gains were maintained at six-month follow-up. Symptom reduction within each baseline was specific to the exposure and/or response prevention targets for that baseline; generalization across baselines appeared late in treatment.
Some Observations on the Interlaminar Strength of Composite Laminates

Definition of the influence of interlaminar stresses on the failure characteristics of composite laminates may require the development of novel experimental characterization procedures. The so-called free edge problem in laminate elasticity offers a cnovenient mechanism to accomplish this purpose because of the high interlaminar stresses in the neighbourhood of a free boundary. The detailed design of a laminate specimen which can exhibit catastrophic delamination induced by interlaminar tension is presented, along with a preliminary failure hypothesis to characterize this mode of rupture and the associated experimental demonstration of the phenomena.
Treatment of intracranial glioma with in situ interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene transfer.

Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) are potent immunostimulatory cytokines with demonstrated tumoricidal effects in a variety of cancers. With the aim of investigating their ability to generate antitumor immune responses in malignant brain tumors, we describe the use of in situ adenoviral-mediated IFNγ and TNFα gene transfer in glioma-bearing rodents. Survival was prolonged in mice treated with AdmIFNγ or AdTNFα compared to AdLacZ- and saline-inoculated controls, and AdmIFNγ- or AdTNFα-treated animals revealed significantly smaller tumors. These effects were accompanied by significant up-regulation of tumor MHC-I expression in AdmIFNγ-inoculated animals, and of MHC-II in AdTNFα-treated tumors. Significantly enhanced intratumoral infiltration with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was visible in animals treated with AdmIFNγ, AdTNFα, or a combination of AdmIFNγ and AdTNFα. In addition, AdTNFα therapy down-regulated the expression of endothelial Fas ligand, a cell membrane protein implicated as a contributor to immune privilege in cancer. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of local IFNγ and TNFα gene transfer as a treatment strategy for glioma and illustrate possible physiological pathways responsible for the therapeutic benefit observed.
The role of oral contrast administration immediately prior to the computed tomographic evaluation of the blunt trauma victim.

Abstract Background: It is unclear whether the administration of oral contrast followed by immediate computerised tomographic (CT) scanning presents a significant risk of aspiration and whether it is useful in the diagnosis of hollow viscus injury. Objective: Determine the number of intestinal perforations diagnosed by oral contrast enhanced CT scans for blunt trauma and identify those who developed aspiration pneumonitis causally related to oral contrast administration. Methods: We analysed a database of consecutive blunt trauma admissions over a 2-year period. The majority received oral contrast immediately prior to CT scanning. We determined the number of intestinal perforations identified by abdominal CT confirmed at laparatomy and the number of cases of aspiration pneumonia. Results: Nine (1%) of the 1173 CT scans identified enteric perforations. Oral contrast enhanced CT scans demonstrated pneumoperitoneum (3), extraluminal contrast extravasation (2), and the presence of free fluid with small bowel wall thickening (8). In this same cohort, eight (0.7%) cases of aspiration pneumonia were diagnosed within 48 h of admission in patients with a mean GCS of 4.25; only one (0.1%) was temporally related to oral contrast administration. In a prospective study, none of the 65 consecutive patients who received oral contrast had witnessed aspiration. Conclusions: Oral contrast administration given immediately prior to CT scanning does not increase the risk of clinically significant aspiration and assists in the detection of enteric perforation.
Establishing the Quantitative Thinking Program at Macalester

In November 2005, the faculty of Macalester College voted to institute a graduation requirement in Quantitative Thinking (QT) that is truly interdisciplinary. It currently draws on courses from thirteen departments including Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Theater, Mathematics, Environmental Science, and Geology. This article describes the process that led to the creation of this program. It explains how we were able to get broad buy-in at the beginning and the long process of trial and error—informed by formative assessment—that was needed to refine the initial vision and shape it into a viable program that would be accepted by most of our faculty. The article concludes with a description of the program as it now exists, a discussion of our ongoing assessment of the program and its effectiveness, and a discussion of the lessons we learned in the process.
Effect of radial growth rate variation on resonant tunneling diode current-voltage characteristics

The uniformity of electronic device characteristics is dependent on the uniformity of the epitaxial material. Uniformity is particularly important for resonant tunneling diodes where small changes in well or barrier thickness can have profound effects on the diode current-voltage characteristics. The variability of these characteristics due to growth rate nonuniformity for epitaxial structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy has been documented and the magnitude of the thickness variations analyzed using photoluminescence and a theoretical model. An increase of 17 meV was observed in the quantum well ground state, corresponding to a 15% thinning of the well from the center to the edge of the substrate.
Evaluation of the Use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Airfield HMA Pavements

This paper summarizes the literature review as well as the documented use and performance of airfield pavements that used reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in hot-mix asphalt (HMA). A review of in-service airfield pavements with RAP-containing HMA mixes was conducted as part of this study. Two civilian airports and one military airport were identified as currently using RAP in the HMA surface course. The three airports are Logan International Airport (BOS), Griffin-Spalding County Airport (6A2), and Oceana Naval Air Station (NTU). Furthermore, the impact of RAP on the performance life of HMA airfield pavements on a large hub, small hub, and general aviation was evaluated using actual airport traffic mixes. The performance life analysis used the characteristics and mechanical properties of HMA mixes in the linear elastic airfield pavement design software (LEDFAA1.3) to compare the estimated performance life of HMA pavements with and without RAP materials. The documented research effort has recently been conducted as part of the Airfield Asphalt Pavement Technology Program, Project 05-06.
Perceived situational effects on price sensitivity

Abstract In this article, the multidimensionality of price as perceived by members of a consumer panel is examined. Respondents are first classified as price-sensitive or non-price-sensitive with respect to a durable and a nondurable product. Several dimensions of price are then described within the framework of brand purchase decision situations, and consumer evaluations of the importance of each situational dimension are measured. Dimensions perceived as important by price-sensitive persons are different from those considered important by non-price-sensitive consumers. Variations exist in the importance of price dimensions based on type of product.
Photonics-based radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation

Photonic generation of arbitrary radio-frequency arbitrary waveforms is reviewed, with an emphasis on ultrabroadband signal generation. Recent progress towards increased time aperture and time-bandwidth product and applications to wireless transmission are discussed.
New Insights into the Strain Coupling to Surface Chemistry, Electronic Structure, and Reactivity of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Effects of strain on the surface cation chemistry and the electronic structure are important to understand and control for attaining fast oxygen reduction kinetics on transition-metal oxides. Here we demonstrate and mechanistically interpret the strain coupling to Sr segregation, oxygen vacancy formation, and electronic structure on the surface of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSM) thin films as a model system. Our experimental results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy are discussed in light of our first principles-based simulations. A stronger Sr enrichment tendency and a more facile oxygen vacancy formation prevail for the tensile-strained LSM surface. At 500 °C in 10−3 mbar oxygen, both LSM film surfaces exhibit a metallic-like tunneling conductance, with a higher density of electronic states near the Fermi level on the tensile-strained LSM surface, contrary to the behavior at room temperature. Our findings illustrate the potential role and mechanism of lattice strain in tunin...
Ribonucleoprotein SS-B/La belongs to a protein family with consensus sequences for RNA-binding.

Abstract Autoantibodies from systemic rheumatic disorders have become useful reagents in molecular biology. SS-B/La, a major target of autoantibodies in lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, has been identified as a 46 kDa protein component of a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle implicated in the maturation of RNA polymerase III transcripts. This report describes the complete sequences of human and bovine SS-B/La and the identification of RNA-binding protein consensus sequences RNP1 and RNP2 in the N-terminal region previously shown to be complexed with RNA in UV-crosslinking experiments. Segments of about 95 residues from the RNA-binding domain of SS-B/La and from 29 RNA-binding domains of several other proteins are analysed with respect to the frequency of amino acids and their hydrophobicity at each position. The data suggest that SS-B/La belongs to a large family of RNA-binding proteins which includes heterogeneous nuclear RNPs, nucleolin, mRNA polyadenylate binding protein, and small nuclear RNPs.
Techniques for percutaneous renal biopsies

The technique of renal biopsy includes the preparation of the patient, the localization of the kidneys, the biopsy itself and the postbiopsy care of the patient. A review of the literature and a survey of pediatric nephrologists practicing in the New York metropolitan area and in Philadelphia was used to determine what those techniques were. In preparation for biopsy, bleeding disorders are excluded and corrected if present. In units that localize the kidney by anatomical landmarks, a sonogram is performed at some earlier time to determine that the patient has two kidneys in the usual location. After sedation, patients are placed in the prone position, with a bolster under the abdomen. Sonography is the most commonly used localization method. This is followed by probing to confirm localization and depth. The Tru-Cut needle and the Franklin Vim Silverman needles are the two most commonly used. All nephrologists in the New York area then have the specimen examined to ensure adequacy of sampling. Postbiopsy care includes observation of vital signs, bed rest overnight and some limitation of activity for 2 days to 2 weeks subsequently. In the biopsy of renal allografts, palpation achieves adequate localization. The technique is otherwise the same as for the biopsy of native kidneys.
The stability of open queueing networks

Abstract The stability of open Jackson networks is established where service times are i.i.d. general distribution, exogeneous interarrival times are i.i.d. general distribution, and the routing is Markovian. The service time distributions are only required to have finite first moment. The system is modeled (at arrival epochs) as a general state space Markov chain. Explicit regeneration points are found (even in the case when the system never empties) and the chain is shown to be Harris ergodic if standard rate conditions are enforced, that is, if at each node, the long run average amount of work per unit time that arrives exogenously destined for that node is strictly less than one. In addition, we prove that if the system is modeled in continuous time then convergence to a steady-state occurs in total variation if the interarrival time distribution is spread-out. Extensions of the results to multi-server nodes, non-Markovian routing and Markov modulated arrivals are given.
Mineralogy-based brittleness prediction from surface seismic data: Application to the Barnett Shale

AbstractDifferentiating brittle and ductile rocks from surface seismic data is the key to efficient well location and completion. Brittleness average estimates based only on elastic parameters are easy to use but require empirical calibration. In contrast, brittleness index (BI) estimates are based on mineralogy laboratory measurements and, indeed, cannot be directly measured from surface seismic data. These two measures correlate reasonably well in the quartz-rich Barnett Shale, but they provide conflicting estimates of brittleness in the calcite-rich Viola, Forestburg, Upper Barnett, and Marble Falls limestone formations. Specifically, the BI accurately predicts limestone formations that form fracture barriers to be ductile, whereas the brittleness average does not. We used elemental capture spectroscopy and elastic logs measured in the same cored well to design a 2D λρ–μρ to brittleness template. We computed λρ and μρ volumes through prestack seismic inversion and calibrate the results with the λρ–μρ t...
Economic efficiency and equity in water quality control: Effluent taxes and information requirements

Abstract Water quality standards for any river system can be achieved under numerous management programs or assignment patterns for waste treatment responsibility. This study examines three effluent charge (tax) programs along with a management program based on equal percentage treatment. Each program is developed within the general framework of a water quality management model and is designed to minimize the total real resource cost of waste treatment subject to program constraints (information availability) and water quality standards. An assessment of the relative efficiency and equity of these programs is made within a water quality management simulation of the Patuxent River in Maryland.
High affinity binding of the Translin/Trax complex to RNA does not require the presence of Y or H elements

Abstract Translin and its partner protein, Trax, are components of an RNA binding complex that has been implicated in suppressing translation of several mRNAs by binding to Y and H cis elements contained in these transcripts. However, it is unclear which features of these elements are critical for conferring high affinity binding to the Translin/Trax complex, information that might be useful in identifying other candidate transcripts targeted by this complex. To help clarify this issue, we have assessed the effect of truncating or mutating a segment of the 3′UTR of the protamine-2 transcript which contains both Y and H elements and binds to this complex with high affinity. Our results indicate that high affinity binding to this segment is preserved following extensive mutation of the Y and H elements as long as clusters of G residues are retained. Thus, our findings indicate that the Translin/Trax complex recognizes clusters of G residues rather than RNA sequences that closely match the primary sequence of the Y and H elements. This revised view of the cis elements recognized by the Translin/Trax complex may be useful in future studies aimed at identifying endogenous RNA species targeted by this complex.
The surgeon and acts of civilian terrorism: radiation exposure and injury.

R A t o c c f i t p t e i w t t u e adiation terrorism can be defined as use of radioactive aterials to create real or perceived injury to civilian opulations. Use of radioactive materials could be a psyhosocial event, where small amounts of radioactive maerials, liquids, or gases could be disseminated in a public etting. Such dissemination might occur by using a raiation dispersal device to contaminate a public place, ontaminate the water supply, or aerosolize radioactive apor or liquids. Although the dose of radioactivity and isk of injury would be small, the social panic and chaos ould be substantial. Radioactive materials could also be included in a conentional explosive device, or “dirty bomb.” Alternaively, conventional explosives could target a nuclear ower plant or nuclear waste storage facility. Radioactive aterial would be dispersed by the conventional exploion in the smoke plume. The effects would be potential xposure of casualties of a conventional explosion to adioactivity, radioactive contamination of open wounds, xposure of rescue personnel to radioactive material, and irborne radioactive debris and particles that would be arried some distance away from the explosion site. Raiation exposure of casualties and rescue personnel ould be considerable. Airborne radioactive particulate aterial would not likely be sufficient to cause acute downwind” radiation injury, but the psychosocial conequences of a radioactive plume passing across a major rban area would be great. Longterm carcinogenesis in he downwind population is possible. Radioactive maerial is readily available from nuclear waste processors, uclear power plant materials, medical research or radioherapy units, and industrial sources of radioactive ma-
The class kernel-models in DEVS-scheme: a hypercube architecture example

DEVS-Scheme is a realization of DEVS (Discrete Event System Specification) formalism in a LISP-based, object-oriented environment, which supports hierarchical, modular specification of discrete event models. We describe the taxonomical organization of classes in DEVS-Scheme in which the hypercube-models class is described in detail. As an example, we illustrate specification of a hypercube model of a computer architecture. DEVS-Scheme represents a significant step toward implementing system-theoretic based formalisms and operations.
The selective adsorption of rabbit-muscle glycogen phosphorylase by potato starch. A two-step procedure for isolation of the enzyme in pure form.

Abstract It has been found that potato starch selectively and tightly adsorbs muscle glycogen phosphorylase from a water extract of this tissue. The enzyme can be subsequently be readily and quantitatively eluted with a dilute solution of glycogen. Based upon this observation a simple procedure has been developed for the isolation of this enzyme in pure state. The significance of these observations are discussed.
Relation of Obesity to Recurrence Rate and Burden of Atrial Fibrillation

Obesity is associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the effect of obesity on AF recurrence or burden has not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between AF recurrence, AF burden, and body mass index (BMI). A limited-access data set from the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-Up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) trial provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute was used. Statistical analysis was done with a generalized linear mixed model. In 2,518 patients who had BMIs recorded, higher BMI was associated with a higher number of cardioversions (odds ratio [OR] 1.017, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.005 to 1.029 for a BMI increase of 1 kg/m 2 ; OR 1.088, 95% CI 1.024 to 1.155 for a BMI increase of 5 kg/m 2 ; OR 1.183, 95% CI 1.049 to 1.334 for a BMI increase of 10 kg/m 2 ; p=0.006 for each). Increased BMI was also associated with a higher likelihood of being in AF on follow-up (OR 1.020, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.038 per 1 kg/m 2 increased BMI, p=0.0283; OR 1.104, 95% CI 1.011 to 1.205 per 5 kg/m 2 increased BMI, p=0.0283; OR 1.218, 95% CI 1.021 to 1.452 per 10 kg/m 2 increased BMI, p=0.0283). In a multivariate analysis, left atrial size but not BMI was an independent predictor of AF recurrence and AF burden. Because left atrial size was correlated with BMI, the effect of BMI on AF can be likely explained by greater left atrial size in subjects with higher BMIs. In conclusion, obesity is associated with a higher incidence of recurrence of AF and greater AF burden.
Recent Advances in Developmental and Risk Factor Research on Eating Disorders

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (i.e., DSM-5) currently recognizes three primary eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. The origins of eating disorders are complex and remain poorly understood. However, emerging research highlights a dimensional approach to understanding the multifactorial etiology of eating disorders as a means to inform assessment, prevention, and treatment efforts. Guided by research published since 2011, this review summarizes recent findings elucidating risk factors for the development of eating disorders across the lifespan in three primary domains: (1) genetic/biological, (2) psychological, and (3) socio-environmental. Prospective empirical research in clinical samples with full-syndrome eating disorders is emphasized with added support from cross-sectional studies, where relevant. The developmental stages of puberty and the transition from adolescence to young adulthood are discussed as crucial periods for the identification and prevention of eating disorders. The importance of continuing to elucidate the mechanisms underlying gene by environmental interactions in eating disorder risk is also discussed. Finally, controversial topics in the field of eating disorder research and the clinical implications of this research are summarized.
Brain symbols and computationalist explanation

Computationalist theories of mind require brain symbols, that is, neural events that represent kinds or instances of kinds. Standard models of computation require multiple inscriptions of symbols with the same representational content. The satisfaction of two conditions makes it easy to see how this requirement is met in computers, but we have no reason to think that these conditions are satisfied in the brain. Thus, if we wish to give computationalist explanations of human cognition, without committing ourselvesa priori to a strong and unsupported claim in neuroscience, we must first either explain how we can provide multiple brain symbols with the same content, or explain how we can abandon standard models of computation. It is argued that both of these alternatives require us to explain the execution of complex tasks that have a cognition-like structure. Circularity or regress are thus threatened, unless noncomputationalist principles can provide the required explanations. But in the latter case, we do not know that noncomputationalist principles might not bear most of the weight of explaining cognition. Four possible types of computationalist theory are discussed; none appears to provide a promising solution to the problem. Thus, despite known difficulties in noncomputationalist investigations, we have every reason to pursue the search for noncomputationalist principles in cognitive theory.
Overhead rules may change soon

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed a major change in the way administrative overhead costs are charged to federal research grants. In the February 12 Federal Register, OMB proposed that charges for the administrative portion of overhead costs be limited to 26% of the direct cost of the research, dropping to a 20% limit next year. The revisions would be made in a document called OMB Circular A-21, which specifies the way in which universities must account for federal research grant money. The proposed change is seen by many university administrators as adding insult to the injury to research funding that they say is caused by Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, the new law that calls for the federal budget deficit to shrink to zero by 1991 (Eos, January 28, 1986, p. 41).
Serine at Phosphorylation Site Regulates the Mechanical and Structural Behavior of Fascin

The mechanical behavior of fascin was examined using steered molecular dynamics. Constant velocity pulling was performed on the β-chain molecule of human wild type fascin and the mutants arising from a single amino acid substitution. Residue 39 was substituted because it is crucial to fascin binding of actin in filopodia formation. Based on empirical observations, duration of the simulation was chosen to be 430 ps. Velocity of pulling was 0.5 A/ps. In each simulation force acting on the molecule, total extension of the molecule, and evolution of the secondary structure were monitored. Different unfolding of residues 8–48 during the first 215 ps is observed in the trajectories for the different molecules. Ramachandran plots were used for additional analysis of the behavior of a penta-peptide region centered on residue 39. The resulting observations show that mutation of residue 39 causes a change in the mechanical behavior of the protein: The mutant with alanine in position 39 more closely resembles that of the wild type molecule in stability, while the mutant with glutamic acid in this position is more unstable. This supports the hypothesis that the mechanical behavior of the protein upon phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of residue 39 (forms simulated by the glutamic acid and alanine mutants respectively) is responsible for the regulation of binding cycles between fascin and actin and therefore crucial to cell sensing and movement.
The pressurized hollow sphere problem in finite elastostatics for a class of compressible materials

Abstract This investigation is concerned with the problem of a hollow sphere subjected to uniform internal and external pressure within the equilibrium theory of finite elasticity. The sphere is composed of homogeneous, isotropic, compressible materials of special type, namely harmonic materials. Explicit closed-form solutions for the deformation and stress fields are obtained. The true stress distribution, expressed as a function of the undeformed coordinates, is shown to be essentially independent of material properties. The two cases of internal pressure only, and external pressure only, are examined in detail. In the former case, there is a critical value of the applied pressure at which the maximum hoop stress in the sphere, occurring at the inner surface, becomes unbounded. Results appropriate for thin shells are also obtained. For the case of external pressure only, a critical value of the applied pressure exists for which the cavity closes. The maximum hoop stress does not always occur at the cavity wall. For nearly solid spheres, or equivalently, for a cavity in an unbounded medium, explicit results are provided for the corresponding stress concentration factor. For sufficiently small values of applied pressures, all the foregoing results coincide with those of classical linear isotropic elastostatics.
A language for generating tomographic images of mathematical phantoms.

A computer language is presented that can be used to generate image files, as if the images are created with a CT or a MR scanner. The language defines objects in the “scanner’s” coordinate system, as sets of quadratic inequalities. Each of these objects, e.g., an ellipsoid or a half-plane or a cylinder, has its own density. Objects can be superimposed and collections of objects are allowed to translate and rotate. The language allows for a concise way of describing complex objects with precisely defined geometries and densities. An implementation of the language can be used for testing, developing, and analyzing diagnostic software,treatment planning systems, etc. A software module that is based on the language can be made available. The utility of the module for acceptance testing of radiation therapytreatment planning systems is described.
Tourettism in Multiple Sclerosis: A case report

The term Tourettism refers to Tourette Syndrome (TS)-like symptoms which appear secondary to a variety of both acquired and congenital neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders or following an exposure to several drugs. The association between Tourettism and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is very rare. Only two cases of patients affected by MS who also showed a simple phonic tic and complex vocal tics respectively have been reported. The case here described reports of a 30 year-old woman affected by secondary-progressive MS who developed, 7 years after the onset of the disease, TS-like symptoms which were responsive to quetiapine. At that time her brain MRI, when compared with the previous scan, showed an increased lesion burden and an increased atrophy in the regions around Sylvian fissures. Considering recent findings on TS, the increased atrophy in these strategic brain regions could be responsible for the tics onset in our patient. At the same time, the diffuse involvement of the white matter and the progressive brain atrophy which we observed could have impaired the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits consistently implicated in the pathogenesis of TS. In conclusion, we can hypothesize that in our case Tourettism and MS could be considered causal related more than coincidentally associated.