cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of dynamic ultrasound scanning in the diagnosis of equivocal ventral hernias with surgical comparison.

Objectives:This study aims to compare ultrasonography for ventral hernias with surgical findings and establish its accuracy in equivocal cases. Comparison is also made against groin hernia ultrasound scanning, which has a positive predictive value ranging from 71–100%.Methods:A retrospective review of all patients who underwent an ultrasound scan between June 2011 and June 2015 was performed. The word “hernia” in the referral information was the sole inclusioncriterion. Patients who were found to have a clinically evident ventral hernia, unrelated hernia in aseparate location or had a known hernia were excluded. Thus, only patients with a clinically suspected ventral hernia and equivocal clinical assessment were included. These patients were followed up for at least 12 months and subsequent operation notes, if any, were also analysed.Results:348 scans were included (F = 198, M = 150, F:M ratio = 1.32:1). The mean age was 53.4 years (range = 16–97 years). 101 scans were positive for hernias (29.0%), 190 we...
Exposure to Human-Associated Chemical Markers of Fecal Contamination and Self-Reported Illness among Swimmers at Recreational Beaches

Anthropogenic chemicals have been proposed as potential markers of human fecal contamination in recreational water. However, to date, there are no published studies describing their relationships with illness risks. Using a cohort of swimmers at seven U.S. beaches, we examined potential associations between the presence of chemical markers of human fecal pollution and self-reported gastrointestinal (GI) illness, diarrhea, and respiratory illness. Swimmers were surveyed about their beach activities, water exposure, and baseline symptoms on the day of their beach visit, and about any illness experienced 10–12 days later. Risk differences were estimated using model-based standardization and adjusted for the swimmer’s age, beach site, sand contact, rainfall, and water temperature. Sixty-two chemical markers were analyzed from daily water samples at freshwater and marine beaches. Of those, 20 were found consistently. With the possible exception of bisphenol A and cholesterol, no chemicals were consistently ass...
Connections and Crossroads: Using Memoirs to Teach About Race/Ethnicity in the United States

My entry into teaching courses on race and ethnicity in the United States was both exciting and often extremely difficult. As a fairly new academic I was energized at the thought of teaching about the complexities of racism through using an intersectional framework. In the first course I taught on race/ethnicity in the U.S. I was surprised to find that many students had difficulties with the material and often were openly resistant to some of theories and concepts we explored. When redesigning the course, I decided to use a historical framework as the foundation while using memoirs as a means to integrate in individual experiences which students could better relate to and to provide a common set of texts which students could reference when discussing course topics. Memoirs also illustrate the complexities of how racism works structurally not just individually and provide an accessible means to show students that racism doesn’t operate in a vacuum, that it is intrinsically linked to all other isms (classism, sexism, heterosexism, etc.) and statuses such as geographic location, nation status and issues related to physical and mental differences. This essay discusses the organization of the course, the various ways in which memoirs are used and how they are chosen.
When stroke runs in the family.

CADASIL—cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy—is due to a mutation in NOTCH3 .
Investigation of narrow bandgap interband cascade thermophotovoltaic cells

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells based on narrow bandgap interband cascade (IC) structures with discrete type-II (T2) InAs/GaSb superlattice (SL) absorbers are a relatively new type of device for converting radiant infrared photons into electricity. By taking advantage of the broken-gap alignment in a T2 heterostructure, these quantum-engineered IC TPV structures have great flexibility to tailor the bandgap and facilitate carrier transport through interband tunneling with multiple stages for high open-circuit voltage and collection efficiency. Here, we present an investigation of narrow-bandgap (~0.2 eV at 300 K) TPV devices with a varying number of cascade stages and different absorber thicknesses. By comparing the characteristics of five TPV structures with a single absorber or multiple discrete absorbers, it is clearly demonstrated that the device performance of a conventional single-absorber TPV cell is limited mainly by the small collection efficiency associated with a relatively short diffusion length. Furthermore, this work revealed that multi-stage IC TPV structures with thin individual absorbers can circumvent the diffusion length limitation and can achieve a collection efficiency approaching 100% for photo-generated carriers. It is shown that the open-circuit voltage approximately scales with the number of cascade stages, verifying the effectiveness of cascade action. Additionally, the open-circuit voltage, the output power and power conversion efficiency can be significantly increased in IC TPV devices compared to the conventional single-absorber TPV structure. These results have further validated the potential and advantages of narrow bandgap IC structures for TPV cells.
Scoring a Touchdown with Variable Pricing: Evidence from a Quasi-Experiment in the NFL Ticket Markets

Although variable pricing enables sports teams to respond to changing demand across games, reports point to somewhat limited implementation. In this paper, we study the implications of a switch to variable pricing on the primary and resale ticket markets using quasi-experimental data from the National Football League. Applying a difference-in-differences technique with propensity score weighting, we first show that the adoption of variable pricing increases primary market ticket sales by 1.59% per game. We then explore the mechanism behind this positive impact. We find that lower prices for the less attractive games are well received by customers, and customers do not have an unfavorable response to higher prices for the more attractive games. Our analysis of the customers' activities in the resale market shows that the minimum resale market prices increase for the more attractive games following the switch to variable pricing. This analysis provides evidence for the increase in the option value created by the resale market and explains the positive response to higher prices for the more attractive games. Finally, we investigate when variable pricing is likely to be the most effective. We find that variable pricing has greater success in team hometowns with lower income levels and higher income diversity, and creating more game tiers in variable pricing leads to higher sales.
Asynchronous Prediction of Human Gait Intention in a Pseudo Online Paradigm Using Wavelet Transform

Prediction of human voluntary gait intention is a very significant task to ensure direct cortical control of real-life assistive technologies for locomotion rehabilitation. Neurophysiological studies provide that human voluntary gait intention is represented by slow DC potentials and power shifts in specific frequency ranges of brain wave, which can be detected 1.5- 2 seconds before the actual onset. The goal of this study was to determine whether it is possible to reliably detect the intention of voluntary gait ‘starting’ and ‘stopping’ intention before it takes place. A computational algorithm was designed to implement asynchronous prediction of gait intention in an offline and pseudo-online environment using support vector machine. Six healthy subjects participated in the study and performed self- paced voluntary gait cycles. A combination of advanced wavelet transform algorithms resulted in 88.23± 1.59% accuracy, 85.42± 4.03% sensitivity and 90.24± 2.78% specificity for intention of start detection and 87.04± 1.72% accuracy, 82.69± 4.13% sensitivity and 89.59± 3.04% specificity for intention to stop walking in offline testing. Additionally, the wavelet transform methods accompanied with threshold regulation and majority voting algorithm resulted in a True Positive Rate of 85.5± 5.0% and 81.2± 3.3% for ‘start’ and ‘stop’ prediction with 6.8± 0.7 and 9.4± 1.0 False Positives per Minute respectively in pseudo online testing. The average detection latencies were −1002 ± 603 ms and −943 ± 603 ms, respectively, for ‘start’ and ‘stop’ prediction. The study provides promising outcomes in terms of TPR, FP/min, and detection latency, which suggests that human voluntary gait intention can be predicted before the onset of movement.
What Is New in Low Gradient Aortic Stenosis: Surgery, TAVR, or Medical Therapy?

A significant proportion of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) have discordance in severity by mean gradient/peak velocity and aortic valve area. Low gradient aortic stenosis (LG-AS) is defined when the aortic valve area is 50%, SVi 50%) can be evaluated during dobutamine stress echocardiography and helps predict perioperative prognosis. Patients with LG-AS have better survival with aortic valve replacement (AVR) compared to medical therapy, irrespective of presence or absence of flow reserve. Some recent studies suggest that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be superior to surgical AVR for patients with a lack of contractile flow reserve or those with paradoxical LG-AS, but further investigation is needed to clarify optimal treatment. The role of TAVR in patients with moderate AS and reduced EF is also under investigation.
Using think alouds and digital powerups to embed computational thinking concepts while in-service teachers reflect on a math solution design project

This practice paper provides a detailed scaffolded layout of how to embed computational thinking concepts into a project-based math methods course. Parallel to completing a project in which the in-...
Adolescent risk substance use behavior, posttraumatic stress, depression, and resilience: Innovative considerations for disaster recovery

Natural and technological disasters cause long-term psychological trauma and increase substance use in adults. It is unclear whether these problems also occur in children and whether trauma influences long-term psychological outcomes due to developmental stages at the time of trauma. One community of interest is located in southeastern Louisiana, where, as children, many locals were exposed to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010. We hypothesized individuals exposed to these disasters in early childhood would exhibit higher rates of anxiety, depression, and alcohol use as adolescents than the general population. To test this, we developed a questionnaire with a focus on severity of disaster exposure, indicators of psychological resilience, and current levels of anxiety, depression, and alcohol use. This survey was administered to over 1000 adolescents in local high schools throughout southeastern Louisiana. Structural equation modeling was performed to test correlations and moderation effects. We found disaster exposure was positively associated with trauma-like symptoms and substance use and psychological resilience was negatively related to these outcomes. These findings demonstrate childhood disaster exposure has the potential to cause chronic psychological distress and predispose individuals to substance use later in life. They also suggest resilience may be protective for disaster survivors. Future studies should expand these concepts to other age groups and types of disasters. Whether resilience-focused psychotherapy may be beneficial in these populations is also a relevant topic for exploration.
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Alternaria spp. Isolated from European Pears.

In a recent survey of post-harvest rot pathogens in European pear in Southern Oregon, Alternaria spp. were frequently isolated from orchard samples of pear flowers and fruits. Morphological differe...
Talking with Families: Interventions for Health Care Clinicians

The American Academy of Pediatrics is unequivocal in its recommendations regarding firearms and children: “The safest home for children and teens is one without guns” [1]. However, pediatric clinicians recognize that one-third of the children in the United States live in homes with guns, and in some states, over two-thirds of households own guns [2, 3]. Therefore, clinicians need to connect with families within the context of their beliefs around gun ownership. This will facilitate providing effective guidance that maximizes the safety of all children within their homes, whether the children are their own or visitors.
The Other Great Illusion: The Advancement of Separatism Through Economic Integration

Economic integration is widely argued to increase subnational demands for independence. Yet, increasingly high degrees of integration have not been associated with a commensurate explosion of separatist activity. Integration, I argue, should not promote separatism because states retain important political and economic powers even in the face of major integration, and because separatist movements intrinsically support strong states, albeit not the ones from which they are seeking independence. Empirically, I test this argument through the case of post-WWII European integration, a hard test of my argument, since the European Union (EU) is the most advanced economic integration scheme in the world today. The quantitative analysis supports this argument showing that EU integration is weakly associated with a minor increase in separatist party activity in only two countries, Belgium and the United Kingdom. Further qualitative analysis suggests that even in these two countries the increase in separatist activity is not due to integration.
Application of Sustainable Biosorbents from Hemp for Remediation Copper (II)-Containing Wastewater Treatment

Heavy-metal pollution in water is an ongoing concern throughout the world. The effective biosorption of these pollutants using sustainable hemp biomass offers an eco-friendly alternative to expensive, chemically synthesized ion exchange resin, while providing another revenue stream for hemp producers to efficiently utilize the entire crop. The adsorption of copper (II) on hemp biosorbents was investigated as the effects of initial pH of the solution, initial copper (II) concentration, dosage of hemp biosorbents in the solution, particle size of hemp biosorbents, contact time and temperature. According to adsorption kinetics, biosorption of copper (II) ions is pseudo second-order adsorption. The limited steps are intraparticle diffusion and equilibrium stage. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained from the Langmuir isotherm for copper (II) ions is 86.96 mg/g. In addition, the biosorption process is proven to be a spontaneous chemical exothermic process through adsorption isotherms and thermodynamics. This research demonstrates the feasibility of hemp stalks as sustainable renewable biosorbents for wastewater treatment based on lab-scale experiments.
Adiabatic Dynamical Control Physics of Dielectric Media

We summarize recent developments in the area of the coherent propagation of laser pulses through dielectric media. We will show that the principle of dynamical adiabaticity opens new avenues to control the non-perturbative . and resonant interaction between two laser pulses and a three-level medium. Examples include the formation of stable wave forms that can travel through optical dielectric media in a loss-free manner with arbitrary pulse shapes, novel possibilities to store optical information in dielectric media in the form of spatially dependent excitations and techniques to exploit this information to control laser pulse envelopes.
Critical Needs Model

Leaders have a responsibility to effectively create an environment that individuals can excel in, communicate with employees concerning positive and negative issues in a timely manner, and develop departments so that the expertise level is equalized. Leadership that directs both the theoretical and empirical course for a profitable result is desirable by most firms. New and innovative models are innately untested but necessary in a competitive environment.
Hall, G. Stanley (1844–1924)

G. Stanley Hall is honored as the founder and promoter of organized psychology as a science and profession. He founded the American Psychological Association in 1892, was its first president, and in 1887 founded the first psychological journal in America, the American Journal of Psychology. He also founded other journals: the Pedagogical Seminary (later the Journal of Genetic Psychology) in 1894, the Journal of Religious Psychology in 1904, and the Journal of Applied Psychology in 1917. Keywords: adolescence; child development; developmental psychology; education
Notes on the Dipole Coordinate System

A strong magnetic field can make it advantageous to work in a coordinate system aligned with dipolar field lines. This monograph collect the formulas for some of the most frequently used expressions and operations in dipole coordinates.
Factorized wave equations on homogeneous spaces of the Poincaré group

Relativistic quantum-mechanical wave equations are presented for spinor functions defined on the parameter manifold of homogeneous spaces of the Poincare group. These equations are linear in the momentum operators and may be iterated to define certain linear combinations of the Casimir invariants of the Poincare group. The additional variables, over and above those of the Minkowski manifold, are expected to be related to some internal structure which is effectively hidden in the free theory, but which may become observable when interactions are introduced. The minimal coupling to electromagnetism and to other external fields is presented.
Combinatorial Synthesis of Benzimidazolium Dyes and Its Diversity Directed Application toward GTP-Selective Fluorescent Chemosensors

Highly selective fluorescence turn-on GTP sensor, GTP Green, was discovered by a diversity directed sensor approach, combined by solid-phase combinatorial synthesis of a benzimidazolium library and high-throughput screening.
A simple and inexpensive procedure for preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of RNA

Abstract A method that is both simple and inexpensive is described for preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of low-molecular-weight RNA. The utility of the method is demonstrated by the preparative separation of 4S and 5S RNA.
Wilson thermodynamics at Nt = 8

We study QCD thermodynamics with Wilson quarks using eight time slices at 6/ g 2 = 5.3. Unlike the case of N t = 6 at smaller 6/ g 2 , no strong metastability is seen and the differences in thermodynamic variables between hot and cold lattices are consistent with quark-gluon plasma physics. Estimates of the temperature of the crossover are consistent with estimates using Kogut-Susskind quarks and with Wilson quarks at N t = 6.
Protein Identification of Blood Residues on Experimental Stone Tools

Abstract An experimental butchery of a goat was performed at the site of Olorgesailie, Kenya, utilizing tools made from local source rock. The presence of blood on the experimental tools was tested with a series of commercially available polyclonal antisera. Blood could be identified immunologically on the experimental tools, and laboratory exposure to UV irradiation effectively destroyed all immunoreactivity of the blood on the lithics. Verification of the source of the blood as goat was observed in the relative reactivity of these antisera through a small range of dilution of the rock extract. Albumin was identified as part of the protein fraction remaining on the tools; IgG was not preserved at nanogram levels of detection. These experiments illustrate the importance of (1) antiserum concentration, (2) antigen (tool extract) concentration and (3) environmental impacts such as sunlight in the interpretations of residues extracted from stone tools.
418 PERIPHERAL RESISTANCE TO THYROID HORMONE IN AN INFANT

Peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone is a rare syndrome characterized by elevated serum total and free T4 and T3 concentrations, an absence of clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism and abnormal TSH suppression. We studied a clinically euthyroid 6 month old infant, the youngest patient with this syndrome yet described, to determine the mechanism of thyroid hormone resistance. The degree of pituitary insensitivity to T3 was investigated by measuring serum T4 and TSH, and the TSH response to TRH infusion (100 μg) in response to increasing doses of T3. Four times the replacement dose of T3 (40 μg/day) was required to normalize the serum T4 and the response to TRH. With 80 μg/day T3 the TSH response to TRH was virtually abolished, as occurs in hyperthyroidism, but there were no clinical signs of thyroid hormone excess. Specific nuclear T3 binding was compared in cultured skin fibroblasts from the patient and a normal infant. Binding was normal at low concentrations of unlabelled T3, but at high concentrations there was evidence for a second low-affinity T3 receptor. While resistance to thyroid hormone has been demonstrated in this infant, the cellular mechanisms are unclear.
On the role of chiral catalysts in the alkenyl zirconocene/zinc addition to aldehydes: a study of ligand loading and asymmetric amplification.

Unusual nonlinear asymmetric amplification and chiral ligand loading effects were discovered for the use of catalytic quantities of chiral aminoalcohols in the in situ hydrozirconation-transmetalation-aldehyde addition processes. While the stereochemically most efficient aminothiol ligands demonstrated mechanistically conventional reaction parameters in excellent agreement with Kagan's ML(2) system, the asymmetric induction in the presence of a chiral aminoalcohol was found to vary greatly with loading and %ee of the ligand. Aminothiols remain the ligands of choice for the highly enantioselective formation of allylic alcohols and provide experimentally more predictable reaction variables. However, new, optimized conditions lead to a synthetically useful product %ee using the readily available and scalable aminoalcohol 2a.
z-form technique

The z-form technique is cited in several texts as a procedure for calculating a time series from the Laplace transform without factoring. Originally attributed to Boxer and Thaler [ibid., vol. 44, pp. 89-101, January 1965], it is cited by Thaler and Pastel [1962], J.E. Gibson [1963], and Horowitz [1963]. Horowitz bases his development on that of Wasow [1957]. Wasow's presentation is more exact and convicing than that of Boxer and Thaler. There are some minor differences but both the Wasow and the Boxer-Thaler approximations areessentially the same. It is concluded that while Wasow as well as Boxer and Thaler may be right when the coefficients are exact, the approximation is highly sensitive to small errors and cannot be relied on to yield useful results.
Effects of naltrexone on neural and subjective response to alcohol in treatment-seeking alcohol dependent patients

Background: Positively reinforcing properties of alcohol are in part mediated by activation of the ventral striatum (VS). Alcohol-induced release of endogenous opioids is thought to contribute to this response. Preclinical studies show that the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) can block this cascade, but its ability to do so in treatment-seeking alcoholics has not been examined. Our objective was to study the effects of NTX on alcohol-induced VS activation and on amygdala response to affective stimuli in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent inpatients. Methods: Sixty-three treatment-seeking alcoholics were randomized to receive NTX (50 mg) or placebo (PLC) daily. On Day 7, participants underwent an alcohol cue reactivity session, and craving was measured using the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale. On Day 9, participants received a saline infusion followed by an alcohol infusion and also viewed affective stimuli in a magnetic resonance scanner. Results: Irrespective of medication treatment condition, the alcohol infusion did not activate the VS in the alcohol-dependent patients. Unexpectedly, VS activation was greater in NTX treated patients than in the PLC group. NTX treated patients also reported increased craving in response to alcohol cue exposure, and increased subjective response to alcohol (“high” and “intoxicated”) compared to PLC subjects. No significant effects of alcohol infusion on brain response to affective stimuli were in the NTX or PLC groups. Conclusions: Unlike previous findings in social drinkers, a moderate level of intoxication did not activate the VS in treatment-seeking alcoholics. This is likely to reflect tolerance to the positively reinforcing properties of alcohol in this clinical population. Our findings may help explain the efficacy of
Highly-ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays up to 220 µm in length: use in water photoelectrolysis and dye-sensitized solar cells

The fabrication of highly-ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays up to 134 µm in length by anodization of Ti foil has recently been reported (Paulose et al 2006 J. Phys. Chem. B 110 16179). This work reports an extension of the fabrication technique to achieve TiO2 nanotube arrays up to 220 µm in length, with a length-to-outer diameter aspect ratio of ≈1400, as well as their initial application in dye-sensitized solar cells and hydrogen production by water photoelectrolysis. The highly-ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays are fabricated by potentiostatic anodization of Ti foil in fluoride ion containing baths in combination with non-aqueous organic polar electrolytes including N-methylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, formamide, or ethylene glycol. Depending upon the anodization voltage, the inner pore diameters of the resulting nanotube arrays range from 20 to 150 nm. As confirmed by glancing angle x-ray diffraction and HRTEM studies, the as-prepared nanotubes are amorphous but crystallize with annealing at elevated temperatures.
Pressure fluctuations in a diffusion pump using polyphenyl ether

Abstract Pressure fluctuations in a diffusion pump using polyphenyl ether are shown to be caused by backdiffusion of hydrogen, generated as a decomposition product in the pump. The effect may be suppressed through increasing mass flux in the pump jets by raising the heater power input.
Evolution of life history parameters in animals with indeterminate growth, particularly fish

Most evolutionary life history theory is developed in terms of the allocation of resources to the competing ends of growth, reproduction, and survivorship. In this paper we show that certain dimensionless numbers may be used to describe the relationship between growth, maturation, and adult mortality; our theory aims to predict these numbers and we are led to aggregate some basic features of life histories, rather than explicitly considering the allocation of a limited resource to different components of fitness. The phenomenology developed here has the convenient property that only parameters describing the shapes of two assumed trade-offs among life history traits appear in the solution of the resulting optimisation problem. Comparative inter- and intraspecific data on fish, lizard, snake and shrimp populations suggest that this approach may help explain some common patterns in the life histories of animals with indeterminate growth.
Risk factors for acquisition of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in an urban county hospital.

Background Better characterization of risk factors for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria is important for prevention, control, and treatment. This study aimed to identify risk factors for ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in a population of patients at an acute care urban teaching hospital. Methods A matched case-control study was performed. Cases comprised adults with ESBL E coli isolated from any source and matched with controls on year of hospitalization. One control group included patients with non-ESBL E coli , and a second control group consisted of patients with another resistant bacterium with well-characterized risk factors, Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Results There were 93 subjects in each group. Risk factors associated with ESBL cases compared with both control groups in a univariate model included sex, age, comorbidity, health care facility residence, recent hospitalization, and hemodialysis. In multivariate analysis, only Charlson comorbidity score remained significant between the cases and both control groups. Recent receipt of antibiotics was a risk factor for ESBL E coli versus non-ESBL E coli but not versus P aeruginosa . Conclusions Underlying comorbid illness appears to be a robust risk factor for acquisition of ESBL-producing E coli . Antibiotic use is a less clear risk factor and may be a surrogate for health care exposure in general.
Effect of varying initial drink volume on rehydration of horses

Body mass (BM), water intake (WI), and plasma osmolality (P(osm)) and electrolyte concentrations were measured in six 2-year-old Arabian horses provided either 4 l, 8 l, or an unlimited amount of water (UW) for drinking during the initial 5 min of recovery from 45-km of treadmill exercise. After weighing, horses were placed in a stall and further WI between 20 and 60 min of recovery was measured. During exercise, horses lost 3.3+/-0.3%, 3.2+/-0.1%, and 3.3+/-0.2% (P>.05) of BM and P(osm) increased by 7.2+/-0.5, 7.9+/-0.8, and 7.7+/-0.5 mOsm/kg (P>.05) for 4 l, 8 l, and UW, respectively. WI during the first 5 min of recovery was 4.0+/-0.0, 8.0+/-0.0, and 9.0+/-1.3 l and was accompanied by 2.4+/-0.4, 5.8+/-0.9, and 6.1+/-0.7 mOsm/kg decreases (P .05) for 4 l, 8 l, and UW, respectively. After 60 min of recovery, persisting BM loss was 1.3+/-0.5%, 1.1+/-0.2%, and 1.0+/-0.2% (P>.05) for 4 l, 8 l, and UW, respectively and P(osm) had returned to pre-exercise values for all treatments. In conclusion, limiting the volume of water initially provided to horses dehydrated by endurance exercise had no significant effect on total WI during the initial 60 min of recovery; however, persisting BM loss was observed with all treatments. Further, following exercise-induced dehydration, the primary stimulus of thirst was an increase in plasma tonicity rather than hypovolemia.
Line-of-sight injection into a tandem accelerator

Abstract A beamline has been designed to accommodate an AMS ion source at the 0° position, injecting in a straight line into the Livermore CAMS tandem accelerator [M.L. Roberts, J.R. Southon, J.C. Davis, I.D. Proctor and D.E. Nelson, Nucl. Instr. and Meth. B56/57 (1991) 882]. An AMS source at this position will allow simultaneous injection of isotopes, providing a testbed for injection techniques which may be used in a low cost RFQ accelerator for tritium AMS measurements. The use of a Wien filter in the beamline will also allow selection of individual isotopes, with the capability of rapid sequential injection of isotopes. The stable isotope current may be collected in a Faraday cup while the radioisotope is injected into the tandem, allowing continuous monitoring of ion source output for calibration purposes. This Wien filter and injection beamline should be adequate for biomedical measurements of 14 C as well as for tritium.
Thermomechanics-based nonlinear rate-dependent coupled damage-plasticity granular micromechanics model

Thermomechanics and granular micromechanics approaches are combined to derive constitutive equations for modeling rate-dependent granular materials with damage and plasticity. The derivation is motivated by the recognition that the effect of micro-scale mechanisms upon the macro-scale behavior is known to be significant for granular materials. A general thermomechanical framework applicable to rate-dependent granular materials with damage and plasticity is developed. Based upon this framework, an expression for macro-scale Cauchy stress tensor is obtained in terms of the micro-scale grain interaction forces and the relationship between micro- and macro-scale kinematics. In addition, a Clausius–Duhem type inequality applicable to inter-granular interaction is derived, which is used to establish micro-scale constitutive relations for particular type of inter-granular interactions. The expression for Cauchy stress tensor and the micro-scale constitutive relations is then combined under a mean field kinematic assumption to obtain evolution-type macro-scale constitutive equations. The advantage of the granular micromechanics approach is that the damage and plasticity are defined using simple 1d functions at micro-scale, and complicated plastic potentials, damage functions and rules for their evolution are not required. The resultant model is applied to investigate primary, secondary and tertiary creep, creep-recovery as well as rate-dependent response under uniaxial compressive loading. Model applicability is also demonstrated for asymmetric tensile-compressive response under creep-recovery loading. The model is used to evaluate the evolution of elastic energy, and viscous, plastic and damage dissipation at the macro- and micro-scale with respect to creep time and loading level. The results show the development of loading-induced anisotropy due to damage and plasticity in these materials.
PHOTOSENSITIZED FORMATION OF RNA‐PROTEIN CROSSLINKS IN AN INSECT EGG (SMITTZA SPEC., CHIRONOMIDAE, DIPTERA)*

—Upon irradiation of Smittia eggs with ultraviolet light (UV), the extractability of RNA with phenol decreased. The strongest decrease was observed after irradiation at 295 nm wavelength. After trypsin treatment, RNA could be recovered to the same degree as from unirradiated eggs. The extractability of RNA from irradiated eggs was not enhanced by formamide. dimethyl sulfoxide. high salt concentration or heat treatment. The results suggest that the UV-mediated formation of RNA-protein crosslinks in Smittia eggs involves the action of a photosensitizer.
Using an Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention with African American Parents

There has been a rise over the past several years in behavior problems among preschoolers. Young children who exhibit disruptive behavior are at increased risk of problematic outcomes later in life...
Physical Properties of Thin Metallic Films. III> The Effect of Temperature on the Change of Resistance of Bismuth Films in A Magnetic Field.

Ageing of sputtered bismuth films.---The films sputtered on glass between sputtered gold terminals, were sealed in glass tubes and kept in vacuo at 210-220\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} C. for a number of hours. As a result each film showed a gradual decrease of resistance amounting in all to about 40 per cent. Eventually the films became so thoroughly aged that temperature-resistance measurements in vacuo could be accurately reproduced over long periods.
A Bisection-Like Algorithm for Branch Switching at a Simple Branch Point

At a Simple Branch Point x 0 of a parameter-dependent nonlinear system, two distinct solutions branches S 1 and S 2 intersect. A popular method of branch switching from S 1 to S 2 at x 0 is to use an orthogonal vector to the tangent vector to S 1 at x 0 as an initial guess for the tangent vector to S 2 at x 0. We describe an improved version of this method using a bisection-like procedure, which is especially useful for large problems.
Performance evaluation of integrating detectors for near-infrared fluorescence molecular imaging

Although there has been a plethora of devices advanced for clinical translation, there has been no standards to compare and determine the optical device for fluorescence molecular imaging. In this work, we compare different CCD configurations using a solid phantom developed to mimic pM - fM concentrations of near-infrared fluorescent dyes in tissues. Our results show that intensified CCD systems (ICCDs) offer greater contrast at larger signal-tonoise ratios (SNRs) in comparison to their un-intensified CCD systems operated at clinically reasonable, sub-second acquisition times. Furthermore, we compared our investigational ICCD device to the commercial NOVADAQ SPY system, demonstrating different performance in both SNR and contrast.
Effects of Cadmium on Metallothionein-I and Metallothionein-II mRNA Expression in Rat Ventral, Lateral, and Dorsal Prostatic Lobes: Quantification by Competitive RT–PCR

Highly sensitive, sequence-specific competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocols were established for the detection and quantification of metallothionein (MT)-I and MT-II messages, in absolute values, in rat tissues. Detection limits for these protocols were in the range of 5 to 10 amol per microgram total RNA. Levels of MT-I and MT-II transcripts in the three major prostatic lobes, kidney, and testis were measured in untreated and cadmium (Cd)-treated rats. The dorsal prostate (DP), lateral prostate (LP), kidney, and testis expressed substantial levels of MT-I and MT-II mRNA while the ventral prostate (VP) had extremely low levels of the transcripts. Cd treatment induced higher levels of MT-I and/or MT-II mRNA expression in all tissues studied with the exception of LP. In the LP, Cd treatment caused reductions of MT-I and MT-II mRNA levels. The Cd-induced levels attained in the VP following Cd exposure were still markedly lower than those found in the kidney, testis, LP, and DP of untreated animals. These findings contradict previous claims that the MT genes in rat VP are unresponsive to Cd activation. The susceptibility of VP to Cd toxicity/carcinogenicity may therefore be explained by low levels of Cd-induced expression rather than lack of induction of MTs.
Straddling the Fence: ICU Nurses Advocating for Hospice Care

A key factor in nurses' experiencing moral distress is their feeling of powerlessness to initiate discussions about code status, EOL issues, or patients' preferences. Moreover, nurses encounter physicians who give patients and their families a false picture of recovery or, worse, block EOL discussions from occurring. Since its release in 1995, the landmark study of almost 10,000 patients in the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments (SUPPORT) reported a widespread gap with physicians' discussions in honest prognosis and EOL issues. Since the SUPPORT report, other studies have validated patients' and their families' preference for realistic discussions of disease trajectory and life expectancy. Unfortunately, the phenomenon of physicians failing to discuss bad news or terminal disease trajectory persists. Moreover, with a burgeoning geriatric population, coupled with advances in medical treatments, a growing segment of chronically ill patients are admitted to the ICU. With these communication shortcomings, it becomes an essential element of practice for the ICU nurse to initiate discussions about healthcare goals, preferences, and choices. The ICU nurse must be integral in fostering those discussions, particularly in cases where the family asks if hospice should be considered. Nurses have a long history of patient advocacy, with both the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses stating that nurses have a duty to educate and promote dialogue about patients' preferences, goals, and EOL issues. With these tenets in the forefront, the ICU nurse is an integral member of the healthcare team, working with patients and their families to distinguish between what can be done and what should be done. Too often, hospice is thought of as a last resort. Rather, it is a model of care that centers on the belief that each of us has the right to die pain free and with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so. Despite the high satisfaction reported by decedents of hospice enrollees, 35% of all hospice patients die within 7 days of enrollment owing to late referrals. An ICU stay presents the perfect opportunity to weave EOL care planning into the fabric of everyday patient care. Clearly, the ICU setting cares for the very sickest patients, and knowing what patients and families desire must take precedence in all treatment decisions. The ICU nurse should be proficient in communication skills, using evidence-based communication related to functional status, performance scales, disease trajectory, and prognosis. ICU nurses recognize that not every patient survives their ICU stay; yet, for those patients who will not survive, every ICU nurse wants their patient to experience a "good death." Hospice and the palliative care are important aspects of our care continuum and should not be ignored until the last days or hours of a patient's life. Recognizing eligibility for hospice and its alignment with patient EOL preferences can result in optimal EOL care.
Model Builder for Predictive Analytics & Fair Isaac's approach to KDD Cup 2003

Fair Isaac tackled the third task of KDD Cup 2003 using a predictive modeling approach that leveraged citation graphs, text mining, custom variable creation and linear regression. The core tools we used were embedded in our Model Builder for Predictive Analytics (MBPA) product that makes commercially available a broad set of previously proprietary methodologies used by Fair Isaac for predictive scoring systems such as credit risk and credit card fraud. This short paper reviews the KDD cup problem our approach, and the toolset. We analyze the predictive variables in the model, the main sources of prediction errors, and the steps that could be taken to alleviate such errors in future work.
Outpatient management of hemorrhoids

Abstract Hemorrhoids are a common anorectal condition characterized by bleeding, thrombosis, and prolapse. Initial treatment is usually focused on nonoperative interventions. Behavior modifications including sitz baths, regular exercise, consuming a low-fat diet, avoidance of excessive time on the toilet, and minimizing constipating medications may provide symptomatic relief. Oral fiber supplementation is safe and highly effective. A variety of nonsurgical ablative treatments exist, including rubber band ligation, injection sclerotherapy, and infrared photocoagulation; each of which offers unique advantages. Patients presenting with thrombosed external hemorrhoids and 48–72h of symptoms usually benefit from excision of the hemorrhoid. More invasive options aimed at ablation of hemorrhoids are reserved for patients with persistent symptoms or higher grade hemorrhoids.
Adult respiratory distress syndrome in pregnancy

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the causes of adult respiratory distress syndrome in pregnancy, the treatment required, and maternal and perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We examined a case series of 16 patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome initially treated in an obstetric intensive care unit. Criteria for the diagnosis were respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation and a lung injury score >2.5. RESULTS: The incidence of adult respiratory distress syndrome in pregnancy was 1 per 2893 deliveries, occurring primarily in the third trimester. The causes were infection (n = 8), preeclampsia/eclampsia (n = 4), hemorrhage (I = 2), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (n = 1), and smoke inhalation (n= 1). Most patients (69%) were delivered before or soon after admission to our hospital. Multiple organ failure developed in 12 patients (75%). Complications of mechanical ventilation occurred in 81% of cases. Other complications of intensive care unit support were endocarditis, superior vena cava thrombosis, line sepsis, and bacteremia. Maternal mortality was 44%; perinatal mortality was 20%. CONCLUSIONS: Adult respiratory distress syndrome in pregnancy is associated with a maternal mortality similar to that of studies in the nonpregnant patient. The main causes in pregnancy are hemorrhage, infection, and toxemia. All maternal deaths occurred in patients with multiorgan failure. ( Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;167:950–7.)
Mathematical formalism for probabilistic dynamical theories

Abstract Classical statistical mechanics is formulated in terms of the characteristic function associated with a probability distribution in phase-space. Quantum statistical mechanics is formulated in terms of the hypercharacteristic function associated with an ensemble of Schrodinger wave functions. It is shown here that both probabilistic dynamical theories appear as special cases in the broader framework of a generalized statistical mechanics.
Network organization of the human autophagy system

Autophagy, the process by which proteins and organelles are sequestered in autophagosomal vesicles and delivered to the lysosome/vacuole for degradation, provides a primary route for turnover of stable and defective cellular proteins. Defects in this system are linked with numerous human diseases. Although conserved protein kinase, lipid kinase and ubiquitin-like protein conjugation subnetworks controlling autophagosome formation and cargo recruitment have been defined, our understanding of the global organization of this system is limited. Here we report a proteomic analysis of the autophagy interaction network in human cells under conditions of ongoing (basal) autophagy, revealing a network of 751 interactions among 409 candidate interacting proteins with extensive connectivity among subnetworks. Many new autophagy interaction network components have roles in vesicle trafficking, protein or lipid phosphorylation and protein ubiquitination, and affect autophagosome number or flux when depleted by RNA interference. The six ATG8 orthologues in humans (MAP1LC3/GABARAP proteins) interact with a cohort of 67 proteins, with extensive binding partner overlap between family members, and frequent involvement of a conserved surface on ATG8 proteins known to interact with LC3-interacting regions in partner proteins. These studies provide a global view of the mammalian autophagy interaction landscape and a resource for mechanistic analysis of this critical protein homeostasis pathway.
Effects of γ-radiation on spectrophotometric determination of uranium as thiocyanate

Abstract The effects of γ-radiation on the spectrophotometric determination of uranium as the thiocyanate complex in water and acetone-water solutions have been studied. When tin(II) chloride is present, the absorbance of uranium thiocyanate in aqueous solution decreases with increasing radiation dose until the appcarance of radiolytic elemental sulfur causes an apparent increase. In the absence of tin(II) chloride, the turbidity caused by radiolytic sulfur causes an increase in absorbance over the whole dose range studied. In acetone-water solution, similar but much more severe effects occur. Observations of radiation effects of some of the individual reagents used in the spectrophotometric determinations are included, as well as indications of the errors caused by specific radiation doses.
Constrained deconvolution methods for NMR spectral enhancement

Amelioration du rapport signal sur bruit et de la resolution spectrale. On traite le signal et le bruit separement en utilisant une methode de deconvolution contrainte