cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Projected Increases in Hurricane Damage in the United States: The Role of Climate Change and Coastal Development

Abstract The combined forces of climate change and coastal development are anticipated to increase hurricane damage around the globe. Estimating the magnitude of those increases is challenging due to substantial uncertainties about the amount by which climate change will alter the formation of hurricanes and increase sea levels in various locations; and the fact that future increases in property exposure are uncertain, reflecting local, regional and national trends as well as unforeseen circumstances. This paper assesses the potential increase in wind and storm surge damage caused by hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. between now and 2075 using a framework that addresses those challenges. We find that, in combination, climate change and coastal development will cause hurricane damage to increase faster than the U.S. economy is expected to grow. In addition, we find that the number of people facing substantial expected damage will, on average, increase more than eight-fold over the next 60 years. Understanding the concentration of damage may be particularly important in countries that lack policies or programs to provide federal support to hard-hit localities.
Transforming the Emergency Department Observation Unit: A Look Into the Future

Many institutions have developed outpatient observation units as an alternative to short-stay inpatient admissions. In this article, we highlight evidence to support the efficacy of EDOU care for chest pain and identify areas in which additional research is needed. Evidence-based protocols and collaborative approaches to care have potential to achieve similar clinical and improved economic outcomes compared with hospital admission. The potential for the EDOU to provide the right care for the right patient at the right time is only beginning to be realized, with significant advances in health care delivery anticipated in the near future.
Socio-Cultural Cognitive Mapping

We introduce Socio-cultural Cognitive Mapping (SCM), a method to characterize populations based on shared attributes, placing these actors on a spatial representation. We introduce the technique, taking the reader through an overview of the algorithm. We conclude with an example use-case of the Hatfield-McCoy feud. In the Hatfield-McCoy case, the SCM process clearly delineates members of the opposing clans as well as gender.
Multivariate Curve Resolution for Signal Isolation from Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetric Data.

The use of multivariate analysis techniques, such as principal component analysis-inverse least squares (PCA-ILS), has be-come standard for signal isolation from in vivo fast-scan cyclic voltammetric (FSCV) data due to their superior noise re-moval and interferent detection capabilities. However, the requirement of collecting separate training data for PCA-ILS model construction increases experimental complexity and, as such, has been the source of recent controversy. Here, we explore an alternative method, multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares (MCR-ALS), to circumvent this issue while retaining the advantages of multivariate analysis. As compared to PCA-ILS, which relies on explicit user definition of component number and profiles, MCR-ALS relies on the unique temporal signatures of individual chemical components for analyte profile determination. However, due to increased model freedom, proper deployment of MCR-ALS requires careful consideration of the model parameters and the impositi...
Transplantation for Alcohol-related Liver Disease: Is It Fair?

Aims Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is the second leading cause of liver transplantation performed in the USA and Europe. We aimed to provide a narrative review of the major ethical issues governing transplantation for ALD. Methods We performed a narrative review of the ethical concepts in organ allocation for ALD, including alcoholic hepatitis. Results Ethical concerns regarding organ allocation for ALD involve issues of urgency, utility and justice. Post-transplant outcomes for ALD patients are good and ethical considerations limiting organs solely because of alcohol etiology do not bear scrutiny. Conclusion ALD will continue to be a major cause for liver failure. The main criteria for transplant in ALD should be the patient's risk of return to harmful drinking, alongside standard assessments of physical and psychosocial fitness for transplant.
How can you help prevent a recurrence of diverticulitis

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: A high-fiber diet may help; available evidence does not support other interventions. A high-fiber diet is often prescribed after recovery from acute diverticulitis, based on extrapolation from epidemiologic data showing an association between low-fiber diets and diverticulosis. No direct evidence establishes a role for fiber in preventing recurrent diverticulitis, however. No evidence supports the common advice to avoid nuts and seeds to prevent diverticulitis. Eating nuts, corn, and popcorn does not increase the risk; in fact, nuts and popcorn may have a protective effect. There is not enough evidence to recommend the anti-inflammatory drug mesalamine or a polybacterial lysate for immunostimulation. Retrospective data do not support routine prophylactic colectomy after 1 or 2 episodes of acute diverticulitis.
Transient influence of blood meal and natural environment on blacklegged tick bacterial communities.

Abstract Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) spend the majority of their life cycle off host, typically in woodland habitat, but require a blood meal at each of three life stages (larva, nymph, adult) to reach maturity and reproduce. Blood feeding usually lasts for several days each time and as blood is imbibed, a range of known pathogens from the host may also be acquired. Using next generation sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons, we examined the influence of host blood meal on the internal bacterial community within nymphal blacklegged ticks across host-seeking, feeding, blood meal digestion, and after molting into the adult stage. Results demonstrate bacterial community structuring across host and ticks with 287 taxa found exclusively in ticks, suggesting the field environment plays a significant role in shaping the internal tick microbiome. A decrease in bacterial diversity was noted from unfed nymphs through feeding/digestion and after molting into adults, suggesting that bacterial species are lost during the corresponding physiological changes. The similarity in biochemical pathways across the different tick categories suggests that the loss of bacterial taxa does not mirror a large change in microbial function. Ticks likely lose bacterial taxa after feeding, but continual exposure to bacteria from the field environment counters this loss.
6 – Multimedia Systems: Content-Based Indexing and Retrieval

This chapter focuses on two major issues pertaining to multimedia systems: (1) storage and encoding standards for image and video data and (2) content-based indexing and retrieval of multimedia data. First, the chapter briefly outlines theoretical foundations of image and video compression and then explores some widely used compression and encoding standards for multimedia. Content-based indexing and retrieval of multimedia is an emerging research area that has received wide attention from the research community over the past decade. It also explains fundamental issues related to the representation of multimedia data and discusses salient indexing and retrieval approaches. This chapter surveys the domain of content-based indexing and retrieval for image and video data in depth. Issues, such as low-level feature-based modeling, dimensionality reduction, and relevance feedback, are discussed.
High-coverage testing of softwarized networks

Network operators face a challenge of ensuring correctness as networks grow more complex, in terms of scale and increasingly in terms of diversity of software components. Network-wide verification approaches can spot errors, but assume a simplified abstraction of the functionality of individual network devices, which may deviate from the real implementation. In this paper, we propose a technique for high-coverage testing of end-to-end network correctness using the real software that is deployed in these networks. Our design is effectively a hybrid, using an explicit-state model checker to explore all network-wide execution paths and event orderings, but executing real software as subroutines for each device. We show that this approach can detect correctness issues that would be missed both by existing verification and testing approaches, and a prototype implementation suggests the technique can scale to larger networks with reasonable performance.
Platelet-Rich Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin Can Induce Apical Closure More Frequently Than Blood-Clot Revascularization for the Regeneration of Immature Permanent Teeth: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Efficacy.

The purpose of this review was to compare the clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), vs. blood clot revascularization (BCR) for the regeneration of immature permanent teeth. A survey of the literature identified 222 cases of immature permanent teeth which had been given PRP, PRF or BCR regeneration treatment with at least a year-long follow-up in 12 different articles. A meta-analysis of the 222 immature permanent teeth after 1 year, were compared to assess the ability of PRP, PRF, and BCR to accomplish apical closure, a periapical lesion healing response, root lengthening, and dentinal wall thickening. The mean success rate for apical closure or reduction after 1 year was: PRP (85.1%) PRF (85.2%), and BCR (58.8%). The mean success rate for root lengthening after 1 year was: BCR (64.1%), PRP (64.2%), and PRF (74.1%). The periapical lesion healing response was 88.9% for BCR, 100% for PRP, and 100% for PRF. Dentinal wall thickening was 100% for BCR, 100% for PRP, and 100% for PRF. Apical closure occurred more frequently following PRP and PRF than with BCR (Fischer test, P 0.05). In conclusion, the fractured or decayed immature permanent teeth of children and young adults aged 6 years to 28 which have a restorable crown, but thin dentinal walls may be regenerated by using a revascularization procedure which draws blood and stem cells into a disinfected root canal space. Although BCR is most common revascularization method, apical closure may occur more frequently if PRF and PRP are used instead of BCR for the regeneration of immature permanent teeth. The proper use of regenerative procedures can be very successful at the disinfection of bacteria from the periapical region of immature permanent teeth, which helps to heal localized lesions, and avoid the need for complex apical surgery, in addition to regenerating tissues to strengthen the structure of immature teeth, to help prevent tooth fracture and tooth loss.
Systemic Blockade of the CB1 Receptor Augments Hippocampal Gene Expression Involved in Synaptic Plasticity but Perturbs Hippocampus-Dependent Learning Task.

Abstract Chronic and acute agonism as well as acute antagonism of CB1 receptors reveal modulation of learning and memory during stable performance of a delayed-nonmatch-to-sample (DNMS) memory task...
Mortality Salience and Age Effects on Charitable Donations

Research suggests that people are typically more generous in later life. Terror management theory offers one explanation for this pattern. The theory suggests that humans’ innate desire to survive ...
Nutation Aids Heterogeneous Substrate Exploration in a Robophysical Root

For exploration of unknown terrestrial environments, it is typically assumed that robots possess sophisticated controllers which can sense important aspects of the terrain (gaps, obstacles, slippery surfaces). However, robust sensing of such conditions is not yet possible in harsh environmental conditions. Biological systems, including plant roots and snakes, are impressive in their ability to use diverse growth and movement strategies to penetrate and explore heterogeneous terrain. Such systems avoid becoming trapped, despite lacking full terrain state information. We are particularly interested in how circumnutation - an endogenous circular pattern exhibited by the tip of a growing root - facilitates penetration and exploration. To discover principles by which robots can gain root-like capabilities, we constructed a planar, pneumatically driven soft-bodied robot, which grows from the tip like a plant root and can bend in 2D space by oscillating the inflation pressure of series pneumatic artificial muscles (sPAMs) arranged on its two sides. We demonstrate that 2D tip oscillation improves the robotic roots ability to penetrate a heterogeneous environment, tested in a lattice of rigid cylinders distributed evenly on a square board. Systematic variation of initial robot positions revealed that the non-oscillating tip strategy led to an increased probability of becoming pinned to obstacles (and preventing growth), while the oscillating tip penetrated the lattice significantly further. The results show that without closed loop control, oscillatory movements of a leading surface of a growing structure enable robust navigation in a heterogeneous environment; closed loop control strategies layered on top of such passive mechanisms could lead to novel strategies for exploratory and search-and-rescue robotics.
Osteoporosis Epidemiology Among Adults With Cerebral Palsy: Findings From Private and Public Administrative Claims Data.

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased risk for the early development of osteoporosis; however, little is known about the epidemiology of osteoporosis for adults with CP, which is vital to inform clinical practice for osteoporosis prevention, treatment, and management. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine sex-stratified prevalence of osteoporosis among adults with CP, as compared with adults without CP. Data from 2016 were extracted from Optum Clinformatics Data Mart (private insurance administrative claims data) and a random 20% sample from the fee-for-service Medicare (public insurance administrative claims data). Diagnostic codes were used to identify CP and osteoporosis diagnoses. Sex-stratified prevalence of osteoporosis was compared between adults with and without CP for the following age groups: 18 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, and >70 years of age. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis was 4.8% for adults without CP (n = 8.7 million), 8.4% for privately insured adults with CP (n = 7,348), and 14.3% for publicly insured adults with CP (n = 21,907). Women and men with CP had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis compared with women and men without CP for all age groups. Finally, publicly insured women and men with CP had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis compared with privately insured women and men with CP for all age groups, except for the similar prevalence among the 18- to 30-year age group. These findings suggest that osteoporosis is more prevalent among adults with CP compared with adults without CP. Study findings highlight the need for earlier screening and preventive medical services for osteoporosis management among adults with CP. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Observed land surface feedbacks on the Australian monsoon system

The current study investigates the observed land surface feedbacks on the Australian monsoon system by applying a multivariate statistical method, Stepwise Generalized Equilibrium Feedback Assessment (SGEFA), to a spectrum of observational, remote sensing, and reanalysis datasets. In particular, the influence of Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) on the Australian monsoon system is accounted for in the assessment of land surface feedbacks. The approach reveals the quantitative impacts and relative contribution of key individual oceanic, vegetation, and soil moisture forcings, along with the MJO, on the Australian monsoon’s observed sub-seasonal to interannual variability. During both the flanks and core of the Australian summer monsoon season, terrestrial and oceanic drivers impose comparable contributions, both exceeding MJO’s contribution, to the regional climate variability. Vegetation and soil moisture generally exert opposing feedbacks on the monsoon system, thereby weakening the net impact of terrestrial drivers. Vegetation feedbacks peak in the mid- to post-monsoon period, with positive anomalies in leaf area index generating a modified atmospheric circulation pattern that reduces moisture advection and rainfall across northern Australia. Soil moisture feedbacks are most pronounced during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons, with positive soil moisture anomalies favoring more rainfall through enhanced moisture recycling and modified atmospheric circulation. The current observational evidence of a negative vegetation-rainfall feedback across northern Australia and its underlying dynamical feedback mechanism deviates from most previous modeling studies that concluded a positive vegetation-rainfall feedback via a moisture recycling mechanism.
UNEXPECTED HYPERPARATHYROIDISM IN A PATIENT WITH ACRODYSOSTOSIS.

ABSTRACT Objective Acrodysostosis is a rare skeletal dysplasia with one gene mutation associated with pseudohypoparathyroidism. We describe a 15-year-old male patient with genetic acrodysostosis who presented with hyperparathyroidism. Methods Laboratory testing, including genetic testing for acrodysostosis and biochemical evaluation for hypercalcemia, were obtained. For evaluation of the source of hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid imaging including technetium (99mTc) sestamibi (MIBI) scan, ultrasound, and 4-dimensional computed tomography scans were performed. Results The initial calcium level of 11.7 mg/dL (reference range is 8.4 to 10.2 mg/dL), phosphorus of 2.6 mg/dL (reference range is 2.9 to 5.0 mg/dL), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) of 177 pg/mL (reference range is 15 to 65 pg/mL) were suspicious for hyperparathyroidism. Magnesium, albumin, creatinine, and PTH-related peptide levels were normal. His calcium/creatinine ratio was 0.15, calcium/creatinine clearance ratio was 0.008, and the fractional excretion of phosphorus was 34%. Our patient had no symptoms other than long-standing bone pain. Thyroid ultrasound then MIBI scan did not show a parathyroid adenoma or parathyroid gland hyperplasia. Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemic syndrome was entertained, but without a family history and documented normal calcium levels throughout childhood, it was considered unlikely. On subsequent testing, his calcium and PTH levels increased. Subsequent imaging including repeat thyroid ultrasound, MIBI scan, and computed tomography did not find a definitive cause. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 genetic testing was negative. Without an adenoma seen to remove surgically, we performed a trial of cinacalcet with successful reduction in PTH and normalization of his calcium and phosphorus levels. Conclusion Pseudohypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia are well reported in acrodysostosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hypercalcemia caused by hyperparathyroidism in a patient with acrodysostosis. Abbreviations cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate FHH familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia GPCR G-protein-coupled receptor MIBI technetium (99mTc) sestamibi PTH parathyroid hormone TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone
A Comparison of Functional and Structural Partitioning

Incorporating functional partitioning into a synthesis methodology leads to several important advantages. In functional partitioning, we first partition a functional specification into smaller sub-specifications and then synthesize structure for each, in contrast to the current approach of first synthesizing structure for the entire specification and then partitioning that structure. One advantage is that of greatly improved partitioning among a given set of packages with size and I/O constraints, such as FPGA's or ASIC blocks, resulting in better performance and far fewer required packages. A second advantage is that of greatly reduced synthesis runtimes. We present results of experiments demonstrating these important advantages, leading to the conclusion that further research focus on functional partitioning can lead to improved quality and practicality of synthesis environments.
Advanced Low-Flammable Electrolytes for Stable Operation of High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Despite being an effective flame retardant, trimethyl phosphate (TMPa ) is generally considered as an unqualified solvent for fabricating electrolytes used in graphite (Gr)-based lithium-ion batteries as it readily leads to Gr exfoliation and cell failure. In this work, by adopting the unique solvation structure of localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE) to TMPa and tuning the composition of the solvation sheaths via electrolyte additives, excellent electrochemical performance can be achieved with TMPa -based electrolytes in Gr∥LiNi0.8 Mn0.1 Co0.1 O2 cells. After 500 charge/discharge cycles within the voltage range of 2.5-4.4 V, the batteries containing the TMPa -based LHCE with a proper additive can achieve a capacity retention of 85.4 %, being significantly higher than cells using a LiPF6 -organocarbonates baseline electrolyte (75.2 %). Meanwhile, due to the flame retarding effect of TMPa , TMPa -based LHCEs exhibit significantly reduced flammability compared with the conventional LiPF6 -organocarbonates electrolyte.
Comparing Regional Sustainability and Transportation Sustainability at the Metropolitan Level in the U.S. using Artificial Neural Network Clustering Techniques

Regional sustainability and transportation sustainability have been intensely discussed and analyzed in recent decades. Though the use of indicators has been adopted in those models, debates contin...
Lethal Means Counseling for Suicidal Adults in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study

Author(s): Siry, Bonnie J.; Knoepke, Christopher E.; Ernestus, Stephanie M.; Matlock, Daniel D.; Betz, Marian E. | Abstract: Introduction:nLethal means counseling (to reduce access to firearms or other suicide methods) is a recommended critical yet challenging component of care of suicidal patients. Questions remain about communication strategies for those in acute crisis.Method:nThis qualitative study was an analysis of semi-structured interviews with English-speaking, community-dwelling adults with a history of lived-experience of suicidal ideation or attempts in themselves or a family member. We used a mixed inductive and deductive approach to identify descriptive themes related to communication and decision-making.Results:nAmong 27 participants, 14 (52%) had personal and 23 (85%) had family experience with suicide ideation or attempts. Emergent themes fell into two domains: (1) communication in a state of high emotionality; and (2) specific challenges in communication: initiating, maintaining engagement, considering context.Conclusion:nEngaging suicidal individuals in lethal means counseling may be more effective when messaging and approaches consider their emotional state and communication challenges.
The Constitutional Irrelevance of Art

In Masterpiece Cakeshop, the baker’s lead argument to the Supreme Court was that his cakes were artworks, so anti-discrimination laws could not apply. Across the country, vendors who refuse to provide services for same-sex weddings continue making similar arguments on behalf of their floral arrangements, videos, calligraphy, and graphic design, and the Supreme Court will again be asked to consider their claims. But arguments like these — what we might call “artistic exemption claims,” akin to the religious exemptions so much more widely discussed — are actually made throughout the law, not just in public accommodations cases like Masterpiece Cakeshop. In areas ranging from tax and tort, employment and contracting discrimination, to trademark, land use, and criminal law, litigants argue that otherwise generally applicable laws simply do not apply to artists or their artworks. This Article collects these artistic exemption claims together for the first time in order to examine what determines their occasional success—and to ask when and whether they should succeed. The surprising answer is that claims of the form “x is protected because it is art” should never succeed. The category “art” is constitutionally irrelevant. Contrary to widespread assertion among scholars and advocates, a work’s status as art has never done any work in the Supreme Court’s First Amendment case law. Instead, the Supreme Court emphasizes individual mediums of expression — categories like paintings and protest marches, books and billboards. Compared to the category “art,” these mediums of expression are better defined, easier to administer, and more relevant to that which the law most likely and legitimately wants to regulate. Yet they have gotten far less attention from scholars and lower courts than they deserve. Understanding the constitutional irrelevance of art — and the constitutional importance of mediums — casts new light on some of the most prominent recent and looming artistic exemption claims at the Supreme Court: not just those made in same-sex wedding cases like Masterpiece Cakeshop and its kin, but also those made in challenges to race discrimination in television, and in criminal threat prosecutions brought against rappers. Asking whether a cake, a TV show, or a rap song is art uselessly distracts from the difficult issues actually at stake in important cases like those, and in First Amendment doctrine more broadly.
On the down-sampling of diffusion MRI data along the angular dimension.

Abstract Background It has been established that the diffusion gradient directions in diffusion MRI should be uniformly distributed in 3D spherical space, so that orientation-dependent diffusion properties (e.g., fractional anisotropy or FA) can be properly quantified. Sometimes the acquired data need to be down-sampled along the angular dimension before computing diffusion properties (e.g., to exclude data points corrupted by motion artifact; to harmonize data obtained with different protocols). It is important to quantitatively assess the impact of data down-sampling on measurement of diffusion properties. Materials and methods Here we report 1) a numerical procedure for down-sampling diffusion MRI (e.g., for data harmonization), and 2) a spatial uniformity index of diffusion directions, aiming to predict the quality of the chosen down-sampling schemes (e.g., from data harmonization; or rejection of motion corrupted data points). We quantitatively evaluated human diffusion MRI data, which were down-sampled from 64 or 60 diffusion gradient directions to 30 directions, in terms of their 1) FA value accuracy (using fully-sampled data as the ground truth), 2) FA fitting residuals, and 3) spatial uniformity indices. Results Our experimental data show that the proposed spatial uniformity index is correlated with errors in FA obtained from down-sampled diffusion MRI data. The FA fitting residuals that are typically used to assess diffusion MRI quality are not correlated with either FA errors or spatial uniformity index. Conclusions These results suggest that the spatial uniformity index could be more valuable in assessing quality of down-sampled diffusion MRI data, as compared with FA fitting residual measures. We expect that our implemented software procedure should prove valuable for 1) guiding data harmonization for multi-site diffusion MRI studies, and 2) assessing the impact of rejecting motion corrupted data points on the accuracy of diffusion measures.
Reading Gestures: Body Schema Disorder and Schizophrenia in Franz Kafka’s Prose

This chapter demonstrates how the bodies in the works of Franz Kafka serve as sites for the overlay of modernist poetics and early twentieth-century research into schizophrenia and body schema disorder. These conditions provide a lens for reading gestures in Kafka’s characters, human and nonhuman, whose bodies can be mapped and made predictable through their failing sensory-motor processes, even if the latter are inflected by the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Florence Nightingale's long COVID

One surprising side effect of the global pandemic in the English-speaking world is the amount of publicity now given to bodily suffering for which no clear biomedical framework yet exists.1 The sud...
Looking at a culture specific model of HIV intervention: The instance of the Buladi campaign in West Bengal, India

Synopsis Over the years there have been some media initiatives in India to generate HIV/AIDS based awareness, both at the national and regional levels. Yet very little research has gone into the media based portrayals of these initiatives. Through a detailed sociological discourse analysis of two major English dailies published in east India, this paper looks at media's portrayal of a media generated social artifact—the Buladi campaign in West Bengal. In the process this research seeks to answer the following research questions: 1. How the print media's articulation of the campaign was gendered, how was it portrayed as such? 2. What are the social implications of the campaign beyond media portrayals? Two characteristics set the prospect of the current project as exclusive from literature on the subject—first, this study examines media based commentaries on yet another media generated artifact in India (a comparatively unexplored scholastic terrain). Second, this study focuses on a unique female centric HIV awareness campaign. Findings suggest that gendered implications of the Buladi campaign from the media reports are not obvious. Yes the campaign is gendered and yet the gendered interpretations are intrinsic. In particular, the campaign dispelled some social norms while to an extent it conformed to others. Irrespective, the campaign absorbed denizens of Bengal whether yielding or unyielding, to talk about a much averted social topic. The price of such media deliberations include adhering to some existing social ideas rather than forcefully injecting imported ideas (including those from the west for instance), which the social space might not be ready to receive/work with.
Thermal cracking of triacylglycerols: Molecular beam studies

Abstract Molecular beam methods have been employed to study the evolving product chemistry in the un-catalyzed low temperature (∼280–380 °C) thermal cracking of triacylglycerols (TGs). The principal model TG studied was triolein, with additional experiments carried out on oleic acid and the model TG tristearin. A flow of He carrier gas entrained heated vapor from the samples, with sample temperatures gradually raised. The ensuing gas expansions were skimmed to form molecular beams. Soft ionization of neutral species in the beam was effected by laser pulses, followed by time of flight mass spectrometry. Depending on the frequency of the photoionization pulses, it was possible to monitor all or nearly all of the neutral pyrolysis species present or instead to monitor selectively only the aromatic species. Trends in the growth and diminution of product peaks could be understood and characterized better using multivariate analysis. In the model TGs considered, it was observed that thermolysis of the TG ester bonds was followed by additional chemistry involving the detached fatty acid fragments. The presence of a double bond in the fatty acid side chain was found to facilitate fragmentation pathways that were initially prevalent. For both triolein and tristearin, a similar evolution of aromatic products was observed. As evidenced by 266 nm photoionization mass spectra, that selectively show aromatic products, the initial aromatic products appeared to be mainly phenyl derivatives of high mass (>200 amu). These products could have derived from intramolecular cyclizations of detached fatty acid species that led to aromatic ring formation.
Laser-induced forward transfer of carbon and chromium films in gases of one atmosphere pressure

Summary form only given. The "Laser-Induced Forward Transfer" (LIFT) technique utilizes pulsed laser irradiation to transfer a thin-film material from an "emitting" surface to a "collecting" surface. Here, we show for the first time that LIFT can produce patterned spots of desired thicknesses, and we also compare ambient gas of air versus helium at one atmosphere pressure. We utilize a focussed pulsed laser beam of high repetition rate to produce localized transfer from the emitting film to the collecting surface with high spatial resolution. The adjustment of the spot thickness is achieved by translating the emitting film after each laser pulse while keeping the irradiation spot and the collecting surface stationary.
Llewellyn, Karl Nickerson (1893–1962)

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 13, pp. 8999–9001, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
On Blind Timing Acquisition and Channel Estimation for Wideband Multiuser DS-CDMA Systems

The problems of blind timing acquisition and channel estimation for DS-CDMA signals in multipath fading channels are investigated. Using only the spreading code of the desired user, methods based on QR decompositions are proposed. These methods perform comparably or even better than subspace based methods with an order lower complexity. Furthermore, the methods exhibit significantly more robustness to channel order mismatch. Based on the acquired timing information, channel estimation algorithms are also developed which are competitive with the previously proposed subspace based channel estimation algorithms. In addition, a channel order estimation algorithm is proposed for the scenario where the order is unknown. Performance of the proposed algorithms is evaluated through simulation and comparison to asymptotic Cramer-Rao bounds.
Identification of a 27-kDa protein with the properties of type II iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase in dibutyryl cyclic AMP-stimulated glial cells.

Abstract Type II iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (5'D-II) catalyzes the intracellular conversion of thyroxine (T4) to 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), producing greater than 90% of the bioactive thyroid hormone in the cerebral cortex. In cultured glial cells, expression of this enzyme is cAMP dependent. Exploiting the cAMP-dependent nature of this enzyme in these cells and utilizing N-bromoacetyl-L-3'- or 5'-[125I]thyroxine (BrAc[125I]T4) to affinity label cellular proteins, a 27-kDa protein with the properties of this enzyme was identified. Intact cells labeled with BrAc[125I]T4 showed three prominent radiolabeled bands of proteins of Mr 55,000, 27,000, and 18,000 (p55, p27, p18, respectively) which incorporated approximately 80% of the affinity label. All three affinity-labeled proteins were membrane associated. One protein (p27) increased 5-6-fold after treating the cells for 16 h with dibutyryl cAMP; maximal specific incorporation of affinity label into the stimulated p27 was approximately 2 pmol/mg of cell protein in intact cells. Alterations in the steady-state levels of 5'D-II resulted in parallel changes in the quantity of p27. In cell sonicates, the rate of enzyme inactivation by BrAcT4 equaled the rate of affinity label incorporation into stimulated p27, whereas p55 and p18 showed little or no specific dibutyryl cAMP-stimulated labeling. Enzyme substrates T4 and 3,3'5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) specifically blocked p27 labeling, whereas T3 and the competitive 5'D-II inhibitor EMD 21388 (a synthetic flavonoid) were much less effective. Iopanoate, an inhibitor of all deiodinase isozymes, was ineffective in blocking p27 labeling. Inhibition kinetics revealed that iopanoate was a noncompetitive inhibitor of dibutyryl cAMP-stimulated glial cell 5'D-II, suggesting that it interacts at a site distant from the substrate-binding site. These data identify a cAMP-inducible membrane-associated protein (p27) that has many of the properties of 5'D-II.
Reliability analysis for a spar-supported floating offshore wind turbine:

The reliability analysis of a spar-supported floating offshore 5-MW wind turbine is the subject of this study. Environmental data from a selected site are employed in the numerical studies. Using t...
Cyclic MUSIC algorithms for signal-selective direction estimation

Signal-selective direction-finding algorithms that overcome many of the limitations of existing techniques are presented. The algorithms automatically classify signals as desired or undesired on the basis of their known spectral correlation properties and estimate only the desired signals' directions of arrival. The signal-selective nature of the techniques eliminates the need for knowledge of the characteristics of the noise or interference in the environment and makes it possible to resolve a number of desired signals not exceeding the number of sensors in the presence of arbitrary noise and a virtually unlimited number of unknown interferers. For example, the interferers can exhibit an arbitrarily high degree of correlation among themselves and can arrive from directions arbitrarily close to those of the desired signals. >
Evaluation of the family history collection process and the accuracy of cancer reporting among a series of women with endometrial cancer.

Family history data are critical in the study of hereditary cancer syndromes and the identification of cancer modifier genes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the process for collecting and verifying reported cancer family histories and identify reporting inaccuracies among a series of women with endometrial cancer. Experimental Design: Detailed family histories were obtained from 80 women enrolled in a research study. Medical records were collected to verify cancer reporting. Results: Participants reported 289 cancers among themselves and 2925 first-, second-, and third-degree relatives. There was a significant relationship between the number of telephone contacts made with each participant and the fraction of records retrieved from hospitals (χ 2 = 23.68, d.f. = 7, P = 0.001). Medical records were retrieved for 102 of 289 (35%) reported cancers and 10 additional cancers, not initially reported by participants. Medical records were more likely to be retrieved if the relative with cancer was living, closely related to the study participant, and the cancer type was known. The success in retrieving medical records declined with increasing record age (χ 2 = 35.07, d.f. = 5, P P = 0.02). Two participants, who did not accurately report their cancer family history, had an increase in their family-based risk assessment after medical record collection. Conclusions: Additional studies to improve record collection efficiency and identify cancer reporting accuracy are needed among general research populations.
Anti-TNF agents for Behçet's disease: analysis of published data on 369 patients.

Objective Off-label use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents for Behcet's disease (BD) is increasing. We evaluated published data on their efficacy and safety for patients with unmet medical needs due to severe disease manifestations, including ocular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system involvement. Methods Peer-reviewed articles on anti-TNF agents for BD appearing in Medline/PubMed through March 2010 were identified using the appropriate indexing terms. Results We found 88, 12, and 13 primary articles from 20 countries on infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab, reporting on 325, 37, and 28 patients, respectively. All patients were inadequately controlled with, or intolerant to, other immunosuppressive regimens, including interferon; 20 patients received more than 1 anti-TNF agent. In the only randomized placebo-controlled trial, 4-week administration of etanercept was effective in suppressing most of the mucocutaneous manifestations. In 16 open prospective studies evaluating the effect of repetitive infliximab injections (174 patients in total, men:women = 3:1, median follow-up = 16.2 months), sustained organ-specific, clinical responses were evident in 90%, 89%, 100%, and 91% of patients with resistant mucocutaneous, ocular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system involvement, respectively. Combination of infliximab with azathioprine and/or cyclosporine-A appeared superior to monotherapy for sustained ocular remission. However, due to the fact that necessary data were lacking, formal estimation of anti-TNF treatment effect on the disease activity indexes for different organ involvement was not possible. Conclusions Although more controlled data are needed, there is enough published experience to suggest that TNF blockade represents an important therapeutic advancement for patients with severe and resistant, or intolerant, to standard immunosuppressive regimens BD.
Round and Round We Go: The Origins of Standardized Testing in the United States

Critics and advocates of testing often agreed that testing had not only raised academic standards but also produced real if not life-threatening anxieties among teachers and children while making b...
MED, COMP , multilayered and NEIN: an overview of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia

This overview covers the group of disorders that presents radiographically as multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED). The disorders include "classic MED" (Ribbing and Fairbank types): MED that is caused by mutations in the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), type IX collagen, and matrilin 3 genes (MATN3); and MED with multilayered patella, brachydactyly, and clubbed feet resultant from mutations in gene defect diastrophic dysplasia (DTDST). The recently identified gene/molecular abnormalities in these disorders have made more exact identification possible in many cases, although clinical testing is not always available. However, there are specific radiographic findings that allow the accurate diagnosis to be made, thus potentially guiding which molecular defect(s) should be investigated. The modes of inheritance of these distinct MED conditions are not identical. When a specific diagnosis is made, proper genetic counseling as well as prognostication, management issues and complications can be delineated to the patient and family. This review will include the mechanics of diagnostic and molecular triage for these disorders.
Clinical Reasoning: A 68-year-old man with a first presentation of status epilepticus

A 64-year-old man with transfusion-dependent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypothyroidism, blindness from treated syphilitic chorioretinitis, and no prior seizure history presented in generalized status epilepticus. His daily home medication regimen included prednisone 20 mg (chronic therapy for MDS), diltiazem 120 mg, digoxin 250 μg, tiotropium 80 μg, and levothyroxine 112 μg. On admission he was febrile to 39.9°C and in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate. Initial hematologic profile showed 11,910 leukocytes/mm3 (12% immature forms, 46% neutrophils, 32% lymphocytes), hematocrit of 30.8%, and platelet count of 215,000/mm3, with an otherwise normal serum chemistry.
Activity-based interaction: designing with child life specialists in a children's hospital

Child Life Specialists (CLS's) are medical professionals who use activities to educate, comfort, entertain and distract children in hospitals. Adapting to a shifting cast of children, context and mediating activities requires CLS's to be experts at a kind of articulation work. This expertise means CLS's are well equipped to help technologists introduce child-facing interventions to the hospital. We conducted participatory design activities with 9 CLS's to develop two mobile systems to explore how CLS-child interactions are shaped by activities. We observed 18 child-CLS pairs using these systems in a hospital setting. By analyzing these encounters, we describe a continuum for classifying activities as either Co-Present or Collaborative. We then introduce a framework, Activity-Based Interaction, to describe structural components of activities that impact their position on this continuum. These concepts suggest new approaches to designing mediating technologies for adults and children.
Yields of tubulin paracrystals, vinblastine-crystals, induced in unfertilized and fertilized sea urchin eggs in the presence of D2O

The effect of D2O on the crystallization of polymerizable tubulin in sea urchin egg cytoplasm was investigated by estimating the yield of "vinblastine (VB)-crystals" by directly measuring the dimensions of the crys-tals produced and by protein assays of the crystal isolates.The yield of VB-crystals in mature unfertilized eggs was fairly constant; it neither increased nor decreased in the presence of D2O. On fertilization, the yield of crystals decreased markedly as compared with yields from unfertilized eggs; but, the yield was restored to the value for unfertilized eggs when an adequate concentration of D2O was present during incubation.These results are evidence that tubulin molecules in unfertilized sea urchin eggs are in the polymerizable state but become masked and partly unpolymeriz-able after fertilization and that D2O releases the masked state and converts unpolymerizable tubulin molecules into active and polymerizable state.
Substrate specificity of lignin peroxidase and a S168W variant of manganese peroxidase.

Lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese peroxidase (MnP) are structurally similar heme-containing enzymes secreted by white-rot fungi. Unlike MnP, which is only specific for Mn2+, LiP has broad substrate specificity, but it is not known if this versatility is due to multiple substrate-binding sites. We report here that a S168W variant of MnP from Phanerochaete chrysosporium not only retained full Mn2+ oxidase activity, but also, unlike native or recombinant MnP, oxidized a multitude of LiP substrates, including small molecule and polymeric substrates. The kinetics of oxidation of most nonpolymeric substrates by the MnP variant and LiP were similar. The stoichiometries for veratryl alcohol oxidation by these two enzymes were identical. Some readily oxidizable substrates, such as guaiacol and ferrocyanide, were oxidized by MnP S168W and LiP both specifically and nonspecifically while recombinant MnP oxidized these substrates only nonspecifically. The functional similarities between this MnP variant and LiP provide evidence for the broad substrate specificity of a single oxidation site near the surface tryptophan.
Pressure effects on self-diffusion in silicon.

The effects of hydrostatic pressure on the energetics of self-diffusion in silicon are investigated via parameter-free total-energy calculations. The three microscopic mechanisms, vacancy, interstitial, and concerted exchange, which have very similar activation energies in Si, exhibit different pressure dependences. The results suggest that a set of experiments carried out at different pressures can unravel their relative contributions by a comparison to the present results. In addition, it is shown that in contrast to the (111) surface, the nearest neighbors of the Si vacancy relax inwards, rather than outwards.