cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emergency Ultrasound Literature and Adherence to Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Criteria.

Abstract Background Given the wide usage of emergency point-of-care ultrasound (EUS) among emergency physicians (EPs), rigorous study surrounding its accuracy is essential. The Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) criteria were established to ensure robust reporting methodology for diagnostic studies. Adherence to the STARD criteria among EUS diagnostic studies has yet to be reported. Objectives Our objective was to evaluate a body of EUS literature shortly after STARD publication for its baseline adherence to the STARD criteria. Methods EUS studies in 5 emergency medicine journals from 2005–2010 were evaluated for their adherence to the STARD criteria. Manuscripts were selected for inclusion if they reported original research and described the use of 1 of 10 diagnostic ultrasound modalities designated as “core emergency ultrasound applications” in the 2008 American College of Emergency Physicians Ultrasound Guidelines. Literature search identified 307 studies; of these, 45 met inclusion criteria for review. Results The median STARD score was 15 (interquartile range [IQR] 12–17), representing 60% of the 25 total STARD criteria. The median STARD score among articles that reported diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher than those that did not report accuracy (17 [IQR 15–19] vs. 11 [IQR 9–13], respectively; p 80% of the STARD criteria. Conclusions Significant opportunities exist to improve methodological reporting of EUS research. Increased adherence to the STARD criteria among diagnostic EUS studies will improve reporting and improve our ability to compare outcomes.
Learning to Play the Modeling Game

The chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities of initiating elementary school children into the practice of scientific modeling. Understanding modeling depends on conceiving science as a process of knowledge construction and critique and of pragmatic engagement with material and conditions that enable and mediate scientific ways of knowing. Our 25 years of research with children indicates the necessity of inviting students to invent models to address questions they care about, test their models in contexts that provide feedback about model fit and provoke model revision, and participate in a community engaged in building knowledge together. An accessible entree to modeling is through developing representational competence. As students begin to appreciate the purposes and trade-offs of various representational conventions, they also begin to address more sophisticated questions about model fit, including whether and how a particular model can be accepted as a valid representation of a target phenomenon.
Justice-involved males’ procedural justice perceptions of the police and courts: examining the spill-over effect

Prior research has demonstrated the importance of the process-based model for effective police-citizen encounters and court procedures. Despite considerable research into procedural justice, there ...
Grapevine viruses: a multitude of diverse species with simple but overall poorly adopted management solutions in the vineyard

Eighty-six viruses have been isolated to date from grapevines worldwide. Some of these viruses are associated with economically damaging diseases such as leaf mottling and deformation, vein clearing, leafroll, degeneration and red blotch. They belong to the families Betaflexiviridae, Caulimoviridae, Closteroviridae, Secoviridae and Geminiviridae, and are transmitted by diverse vectors such as mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae), an aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae), dagger nematodes (Nematoda: Longidoridae), a treehopper (Hemiptera: Membracidae) and eriophyid mites (Acari: Eriophyidae). Management of these viruses primarily relies on preventive measures to limit their presence in the propagation and planting material. In the vineyard, specific disease scenario-based strategies such as rogueing in combination with agrochemical applications to limit vector populations, if appropriate, and the removal of entire parcels and their replacement with clean planting material, including vector tolerant rootstocks, if opportune, are implemented to reduce their incidence, prevent their spread and mitigate their impact. These solutions are simple but their implementation is often suboptimal and their adoption is largely low. Some of the uncertainties that hinder their endorsement are captured here, and options to refine them and to enhance their adoption are discussed.
Spontaneous resolution of unilateral Behcet's associated neuroretinitis

Abstract Purpose Behcet's disease is an immune-mediated condition which can commonly have ocular involvement. We present a case of Behcet's associated neuroretinitis, which is a rare ocular manifestation of Behcet's disease. Observations The patient experienced significant improvement in her neuroretinitis without initiation of treatment. After 28 days of observation there was spontaneous resolution of exam findings and return of Snellen visual acuity to 20/20. Conclusionand Importance There are only two other cases reported in the literature of Behcet's associated neuroretinitis. Both cases report bilateral involvement with concomitant frosted branch angiitis. This is also the only reported case with spontaneous resolution of abnormal exam findings with return to 20/20 visual acuity. This case highlights the complexity of ocular involvement in Behcet's disease.
Data-Driven State Awareness for Fly-by-Feel Aerial Vehicles via Adaptive Time Series and Gaussian Process Regression Models.

This work presents the investigation and critical assessment, within the framework of Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems (DDDAS), of two probabilistic state awareness approaches for fly-by-feel aerial vehicles based on (i) stochastic adaptive time-dependent time series models and (ii) Bayesian learning via homoscedastic and heteroscedastic Gaussian process regression models (GPRMs). Stochastic time-dependent autoregressive (TAR) time series models with adaptive parameters are estimated via a recursive maximum likelihood (RML) scheme and used to represent the dynamic response of a self-sensing composite wing under varying flight states. Bayesian learning based on homoscedastic and heteroscedastic versions of GPRM is assessed via the ability to represent the nonlinear mapping between the flight state and the vibration signal energy of the wing. The experimental assessment is based on a prototype self-sensing UAV wing that is subjected to a series of wind tunnel experiments under multiple flight states.
A domain-level DNA strand displacement reaction enumerator allowing arbitrary non-pseudoknotted secondary structures

Information technologies enable programmers and engineers to design and synthesize systems of startling complexity that nonetheless behave as intended. This mastery of complexity is made possible b...
An image analysis-based workflow for 3D bioprinting of anatomically realistic retinal vascular patterns

Abstract There is an enduring need for vascularization of bioprinted constructs with vascular networks optimized for distribution of nutrient-containing fluids, both for in vitro applications and in vivo implantation. However, most of the efforts in this field were directed so far towards generation of simple linear channels, often lined with endothelial cells only, and thus lacking the anatomical details of real vascular networks. To start addressing this need, here we explored the possibility of using actual vascular patterns derived from human ocular fundus for instructing the 3D printing activity. In order to assign to these patterns the organ-specific topology, and eventually vessel branch-defined cellular composition, we describe the use of the branching analysis program VESGEN 2D for planning a workflow that links the primary vascular images with their 3D printing with bioinks. To this end, we show how to process flat vascular images and, for an even more realistic representation, how to retro-engineer concave retinal patterns from flat images and to print them in a supporting hydrogel. This work opens the possibility of bioprinting more anatomically realistic vascular networks, and thus to eventually improve the vascularization of living tissue-engineered constructs.
MEGnet: Automatic ICA-based artifact removal for MEG using spatiotemporal convolutional neural networks.

Abstract Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a functional neuroimaging tool that records the magnetic fields induced by neuronal activity; however, signal from non-neuronal sources can corrupt the data. Eye-blinks, saccades, and cardiac activity are three of the most common sources of non-neuronal artifacts. They can be measured by affixing eye proximal electrodes, as in electrooculography (EOG), and chest electrodes, as in electrocardiography (ECG), however this complicates imaging setup, decreases patient comfort, and can induce further artifacts from movement. This work proposes an EOG- and ECG-free approach to identify eye-blinks, saccades, and cardiac activity signals for automated artifact suppression. The contribution of this work is three-fold. First, using a data driven, multivariate decomposition approach based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA), a highly accurate artifact classifier is constructed as an amalgam of deep 1-D and 2-D Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to automate the identification and removal of ubiquitous whole brain artifacts including eye-blink, saccade, and cardiac artifacts. The specific architecture of this network is optimized through an unbiased, computer-based hyperparameter random search. Second, visualization methods are applied to the learned abstraction to reveal what features the model uses and to bolster user confidence in the model's training and potential for generalization. Finally, the model is trained and tested on both resting-state and task MEG data from 217 subjects, and achieves a new state-of-the-art in artifact detection accuracy of 98.95% including 96.74% sensitivity and 99.34% specificity on the held out test-set. This work automates MEG processing for both clinical and research use, adapts to the acquired acquisition time, and can obviate the need for EOG or ECG electrodes for artifact detection.
Backlash and International Human Rights Courts

Non-compliance with, and criticism of, the decisions of international human rights courts are commonplace. Backlash is more drastic, occurring when states seek to curtail a court’s authority by pruning its competences, withdrawing from its jurisdiction, or shutting it down altogether. Governments are more likely to engage in backlash when the court is seen as raising the domestic political costs of membership, which we label “regime costs.” Regime costs rise when a government perceives that an international court’s actions weaken its domestic hold on power by: (1) reducing public support for the government, (2) reducing support for the government within the governing coalition (the regime’s elite constituencies), or (3) empowering or emboldening regime opponents. This chapter examines backlash against three prominent international courts whose jurisdictions involve human rights: the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Association Between Brain Structural Network Efficiency at Term-Equivalent Age and Early Development of Cerebral Palsy in Very Preterm Infants

Abstract Very preterm infants (born at less than 32 weeks gestational age) are at high risk for serious motor impairments, including cerebral palsy (CP). The brain network changes that antecede the early development of CP in infants are not well characterized, and a better understanding may suggest new strategies for risk-stratification at term, which could lead to earlier access to therapies. Graph theoretical methods applied to diffusion MRI-derived brain connectomes may help quantify the organization and information transfer capacity of the preterm brain with greater nuance than overt structural or regional microstructural changes. Our aim was to shed light on the pathophysiology of early CP development, before the occurrence of early intervention therapies and other environmental confounders, to help identify the best early biomarkers of CP risk in VPT infants. In a cohort of 345 very preterm infants, we extracted cortical morphometrics and brain volumes from structural MRI and also applied graph theoretical methods to diffusion MRI connectomes, both acquired at term-equivalent age. Metrics from graph network analysis, especially global efficiency, strength values of the major sensorimotor tracts, and local efficiency of the motor nodes and novel non-motor regions were strongly inversely related to early CP diagnosis. These measures remained significantly associated with CP after correction for common risk factors of motor development, suggesting that metrics of brain network efficiency at term may be sensitive biomarkers for early CP detection. We demonstrate for the first time that in VPT infants, early CP diagnosis is anteceded by decreased brain network segregation in numerous nodes, including motor regions commonly-associated with CP and also novel regions that may partially explain the high rate of cognitive impairments concomitant with CP diagnosis. These advanced MRI biomarkers may help identify the highest risk infants by term-equivalent age, facilitating earlier interventions that are informed by early pathophysiological changes.
Drosophila basement membrane procollagen alpha 1(IV). II. Complete cDNA sequence, genomic structure, and general implications for supramolecular assemblies.

A Drosophila melanogaster gene for a basement membrane procollagen chain was recently identified from the sequence homology of the carboxyl (NC1) end of the polypeptide that it encodes with the corresponding domain of human and murine collagens IV (Blumberg, B., MacKrell, A. J., Olson, P. F., Kurkinen, M., Monson, J. M., Natzle, J. E., and Fessler, J. H. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 5947-5950). This gene is at chromosome location 25C. Here we report the complete 6-kilobase cDNA sequence coding for a chain of 1775 amino acids, as well as the genomic structure. The gene is composed of nine relatively large exons separated by eight relatively small introns. This organization is different from the multiple small exons separated by large introns reported for mouse and human type IV collagens (Kurkinen, M., Bernard, M. P., Barlow, D. P., and Chow, L. T. (1985) Nature 317, 177-179. Sakurai, Y., Sullivan, M., and Yamada, Y. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 6654-6657. Soininen, R., Tikka, L., Chow, L., Pihlajaniemi, T., Kurkinen, M., Prockop, D. J., Boyd, C. D., and Tryggvason, K. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 1568-1572). Drosophila and human alpha 1(IV) procollagen chains share not only polypeptide domains near their amino and carboxyl ends for making specialized, intermolecular junctional complexes, but also 11 of 21 sites of imperfections of the collagen triple helix. However, neither the number nor the nature of the amino acids in these imperfections appear to have been conserved. These imperfections of the helical sequence may be important for the supramolecular assembly of basement membrane collagen. The 9 cysteine residues of the Drosophila collagen thread domain are arranged as several variations of a motif found in vertebrate collagens IV only near their amino ends, in their "7 S" junctional domains. The relative positions of these cysteine residues provide numerous opportunities for disulfide bonding between molecules in both parallel and antiparallel arrays. There is a pseudorepeat of one-third of the thread length, and there are numerous possibilities for disulfide-linked microfibrils and networks. We propose that collagen microfibrils, stabilized by disulfide segment junctions, are a versatile ancestral form from which specialized collagen fibers and networks arose.
Press, Community, and Library: A Study of the Chinese-language Newspapers Published in North America

Often classified as ethnic press or immigrant press, hundreds of Chinese-language newspapers have been published in North America since 1850s. This paper presents the preliminary results of a comprehensive study of this unique genre of publication. After a brief introduction, this paper offers some general observations about the relationships between the Chinese community and its press. Then it proceeds to outline the historical development of the Chinese-language press in North America. A snapshot of the contemporary newspaper is also provided, with examples from two metropolitan areas: the New York City-New Jersey metropolitan area in the U.S. and the Greater Toronto Area in Canada. At the end of the paper, issues relevant to the library community are discussed.
Hidden Markov Model Cryptanalysis

We present HMM attacks, a new type of cryptanalysis based on modeling randomized side channel countermeasures as Hidden Markov Models (HMM’s). We also introduce Input Driven Hidden Markov Models (IDHMM’s), a generalization of HMM’s that provides a powerful and unified cryptanalytic framework for analyzing countermeasures whose operational behavior can be modeled by a probabilistic finite state machine. IDHMM’s generalize previous cryptanalyses of randomized side channel countermeasures, and they also often yield better results. We present efficient algorithms for key recovery using IDHMM’s. Our methods can take advantage of multiple traces of the side channel and are inherently robust to noisy measurements. Lastly, we apply IDHMM’s to analyze two randomized exponentiation algorithms proposed by Oswald and Aigner. We completely recover the secret key using as few as ten traces of the side channel.
Alternative Penetrometers to Measure the Near Surface Strength of Soft Seafloor Soils

Abstract : Develop an alternative penetrometer to accurately measure the undrained shear strength of near surface soft seafloor soils. Further the education of participating undergraduate students by active involvement in research and mentoring activities. In collaboration with the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC) in Port Hueneme, assess the feasibility of using full-flow penetrometer technology to meet Navy requirements. Design, build, and test a full-flow penetrometer that will accurately measure the near surface shear strength of soft seafloor soils.
Ablation of rabbit liver, stomach, and colon with a pulsed holmium laser.

A pulsed holmium laser (wavelength 2.1 jam, pulse duration 250 μs) was used to ablate rabbit liver, stomach, and colon in vivo. Microscopic examination of the tissues revealed zones of thermal damage extending 0.5–1.0 mm from ablation sites. In addition, ablation rates were measured using a mass loss technique and found to increase linearly with delivered radiant exposure. The threshold radiant exposure for ablation was calculated to be 50 J/cm 2 with a heat of ablation of 7000 J/cm 3 . Because the holmium laser produces less thermal necrosis than current endoscopic laser systems, such as the continuous-wave neodymium: YAG laser, and because the ablation rate can be precisely controlled, the holmium laser shows promise as an alternative method for endoscopic removal of tissue.
PRISM: platform for remote sensing using smartphones

To realize the potential of opportunistic and participatory sensing using mobile smartphones, a key challenge is ensuring the ease of developing and deploying such applications, without the need for the application writer to reinvent the wheel each time. To this end, we present a Platform for Remote Sensing using Smartphones (PRISM) that balances the interconnected goals of generality, security, and scalability. PRISM allows application writers to package their applications as executable binaries, which offers efficiency and also the flexibility of reusing existing code modules. PRISM then pushes the application out automatically to an appropriate set of phones based on a specified set of predicates. This push model enables timely and scalable application deployment while still ensuring a good degree of privacy. To safely execute untrusted applications on the smartphones, while allowing them controlled access to sensitive sensor data, we augment standard software sandboxing with several PRISM-specific elements like resource metering and forced amnesia.We present three applications built on our implementation of PRISM on Windows Mobile: citizen journalist, party thermometer, and road bump monitor. These applications vary in the set of sensors they use and in their mode of operation (depending on human input vs. automatic). We report on our experience from a small-scale deployment of these applications. We also present a large-scale simulation-based analysis of the scalability of PRISM's push model.
Long-term outcome after medical reversal of transtentorial herniation in patients with supratentorial mass lesions.

Objective:To determine the short- and long-term outcomes after successful reversal of transtentorial herniation by medical treatment. Although it has been recognized that aggressive medical management can reverse transtentorial herniation, it is believed that overall outcome in such patients is poor
Heat capacities and entropies of linear, aliphatic polyesters

The heat capacity in the melt of poly(trimethylene succinate), poly(trimethylene adipate) and poly(hexamethylene sebacate) from 310 to 400 K is measured. Based on these data and literature data an addition scheme is developed for linear, aliphatic polyesters that leads to the equation: C p (linear aliphatic polyesters) =N CH2 (13.7711+0.04871 T)+N COO (57.7678+0.04810 T) which represents the ATHAS-recommended melt heat capacities for all linear polyesters. Combining previously discussed solid heat capacities with the new liquid heat capacities, the various thermodynamic functions (enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs function) could be derived using the ATHAS computation scheme
The Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Mental Illness

Purpose: This article will summarize the current evidence on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on prevention and treatment of mental illness. Background: Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in many p...
When evaluators disagree: Perplexities and perspectives

It is often held that one function served by evaluation in the fields of education and social policy generally is to assist the administrator in the making of rational decisions. If, under these circumstances, several evaluators come to different conclusions about a research proposal or a pilot social program, on what basis can the administrator make his decision? He can hardly be expected to resolve any technical dispute between the experts who are his advisors.
Growth inhibition, drug load, and degradation studies of gelatin/methotrexate conjugates.

Abstract Macromolecular gelatin-methotrexate conjugates have potential therapeutic advantages over the free drug. Conjugates with MTX:gelatin molar ratios (MR) ranging from 1:1 to 27:1 were examined for cell growth inhibition, stability, degradation, and methotrexate (MTX) release. Conjugate growth inhibition was less than that of free MTX whose IC 50 value of 1.3 × 10 −8 M was about 10-fold less. Cell uptake of fluorescein labeled gelatin (145 kD) was observed by 24–30 h. Higher MR conjugates produced less growth inhibition, measurably greater stability at pH 7.4 based on MTX release, and had less gelatin degradation in the conjugate by the lysosomal enzyme Cathepsin B (Cat B) compared to low MR conjugates. Cat B conjugate degradation was greater at the in vitro lysosomal pH of 4.8 than the intra-tumor pH of 6.5. The presence of Cat B did not meaningfully affect MTX release, but less MTX was released at pH 4.8 than pH 6.5. The maximum MTX release was a relatively low 7% after 72 h at pH 6.5 for the low MR conjugate. Low molecular weight conjugate fragments were also produced and were also influenced by pH and MR. Reduced growth inhibition by high MR conjugates may be due to a hindered enzymatic degradation in the lysosomes. A strong peptide conjugate bond at lysosomal pH and a 24–30 h delayed gelatin uptake may contribute to reduced growth inhibition of the conjugate compared to free MTX. MTX release under these in vitro conditions occurs by aqueous hydrolysis, not by Cat B cleavage of the conjugate bond.
Zonal differences in ethanol-induced impairments in hepatic receptor binding

Abstract We have previously shown ethanol-induced defects in receptor-mediated endocytosis of asialoorosomucoid (ASOR), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin in isolated rat hepatocytes. The present study was undertaken to compare the binding of these three ligands in both Zone 1 (periportal [PP] region) and Zone 3 (perivenule [PV] region) of rat liver. Cells from the PV region of ethanol-fed animals bound significantly less EGF (40% decrease) than did cells from the same area in control rats. EGF binding was decreased to a lesser extent (15–25%) in PP cells from ethanol-fed animals compared to controls. When binding of ASOR was examined, ethanol feeding significantly impaired binding in both PP cells (30–35% decrease) and PV cells (50–55% decrease), again showing a greater ethanol-induced impairment in the PV region. Insulin binding in ethanol animals was decreased by 20–25% in both regions compared to controls. In addition, we found that ASOR receptor recycling was impaired to a greater extent in the PV than in the PP region of liver after ethanol feeding, indicating selective impairment of receptor function in the centrilobular region of the liver.
Impact of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation on Intermediate-Term Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score Progression

Abstract Purpose To assess the impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation on Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score temporal progression in patients with liver cirrhosis. Materials and methods In this single-institution retrospective study, 256 consecutive patients who underwent TIPS creation between 1999 and 2013 were identified for potential investigation. Inclusion criteria for analysis consisted of at least 6 months of post-TIPS clinical follow-up with available lab values at 1, 3, 6, and, if available, 12 months post-TIPS for MELD score calculation. Patients who were lost to follow-up or expired within 6 months, lacked sufficient lab follow-up, or underwent liver transplantation within 6 months of TIPS were excluded from the study cohort. Within-patient variance in MELD score was assessed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results Sixty-six patients met criteria for study inclusion. TIPS were created for variceal hemorrhage ( n = 26) or ascites, hydrothorax, or portal vein thrombosis ( n = 40). Hemodynamic success rate was 97% (64/66) and median portosystemic pressure gradient reduction was 13 mm Hg. Median baseline MELD score was 14 (range 7–26). Low MELD scores (≤10, n = 16) increased in sequential scores over 1-year follow-up (median increase +3.5), intermediate MELD scores (11–18, n = 34) showed general stability in successive scores over 1-year follow-up (median increase +1), and high MELD scores (≥19, n = 16) decreased in serial scores over 1-year follow-up (median decrease −4); these trends are compatible with published MELD progression tendencies in cirrhotic patients without TIPS. However, the MELD score changes were not statistically significant ( P = .172) on within-subject comparison. Conclusions Among patients with liver cirrhosis who recover from the procedure, TIPS creation does not alter the natural MELD score evolution during intermediate term follow-up, and as such does not significantly alter liver transplant candidacy.
A comparison of two patient classification instruments in an acute care hospital.

ObjectivePatient classification systems are alternately praised and vilified by staff nurses, nurse managers, and nurse executives. Most nurses agree that substantial resources are used to create or find, implement, manage, and maintain the systems, and that the predictive ability of the instruments
Alternative vibrational frame transformation for electron-molecule scattering

An energy-dependent vibrational frame transformation for electron-molecule scattering is reformulated to account for a class of nonadiabatic effects resulting when the electron time delay in the reaction zone is appreciable. The electron-molecule compound system is described by a special class of Born-Oppenheimer eigenstates, singled out by requiring their nuclear vibrational wave functions to coincide with those of the molecular target. Combined with the multichannel quantum defect theory, this treatment describes resonant and nonresonant electron-molecule scattering near threshold equally well, as well as molecular Rydberg spectra.
Reduced-complexity circuit for neural networks

The Letter demonstrates that a 10 bit reduced-complexity VLSI circuit can be used in place of a 32 bit floating-point processor to speed up some neural network applications, reducing circuit area and power consumption by 88% with a negligible increase in RMS error. Applications were executed on a radial basis function neurocomputer using the reduced-complexity circuit implemented with FPGA technology. One application produced better results than had been previously obtained for a NASA data set using either neural network or non-neural network approaches.
Development and effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, simulation-enhanced curriculum for responders to acts of terrorism

Introduction: Responding to acts of terrorism requires the effective use of public safety and medical response resources. Self-confidence is an important component of an effective response. This report describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a multidisciplinary, interactive, and simulation-enhanced course to prepare first responders, including public safety and medical response personnel, to acts of terrorism. Hypothesis: An effective simulation-enhanced curriculum for first responders can be developed to increase the confidence of course participants in responding to acts of terrorism. Methods: Key stakeholders from public safety and medical professions reviewed current curricula as well as distilled knowledge and skills needed to respond to chemical, biological, radiation, and explosive devices. The resultant two-day, 16-hour course combines didactic and interactive sessions that put learners in realistic simulations with performance-based assessments. This includes the use of skill-station exercises, tabletop simulation, triage exercises, and four 40-minute scenario simulations. An assessment tool was developed to measure participants' self-confidence before and after the course in performing six global objectives: 1) recognize a potential terrorist incident; 2 and 3) implement personal and public protective measures; 4) decontaminate the area and personnel; 5) provide emergency medical care; and 6) communicate within the incident management system. Results: One hundred nineteen learners participated in the seven courses offered from August 2003 through September 2003. During this period, 113 (95%) completed both the pre- and post-course self-assessments. More than 98% ( n = 111) showed an increase in their confidence after the course (pre = 27.97 ± 7.303 vs. post = 44.00 ± 5.084, p Conclusion: Didactic and performance sessions were successfully integrated into a two-day course for professionals likely to respond to terrorist acts. State-of-the-art training was integrated with objective assessment of all learners in four terrorism scenarios. Results from the self-assessment questions indicate that course participants are more confident in their abilities to respond to acts of terrorism as a result of their participation in this course. Ongoing research is correlating self-confidence with cognitive and psychomotor performance.
Disappearance of Bishop's Ring in Colorado

THE reddish ring about the sun first distinctly appeared here (at the base of Pike's Peak) on November 22, 1883. For several days before that date, a faint discoloration of the region about the sun had attracted my attention. This gradually grew more intense, and, on the day mentioned, became unmistakable. The subsequent history of Bishop's ring as seen at this place is, in brief, as follows:—
A rapid bioassay for chemicals that induce pro‐oxidant states

A new bioassay has been developed that allows rapid, sensitive detection of chemicals such as paraquat and adriamycin, which manifest their acute toxicity, mutagenicity or carcinogenicity by inducing a pro-oxidant state in vivo. Submitochondrial particles isolated from bovine myocardium are used to catalyze NADH-dependent enzymatic reduction of these chemicals to free radicals. The highly reactive species generated in this system reduce molecular dioxygen to the superoxide anion radical, which is detected spectrophotometrically using the adrenochrome reaction. The anticancer drug adriamycin, the herbicides paraquat and diquat, the analytical dye sulfonazo III, and the experimental carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide have been used to test the sensitivity of this new method. This assay can be used to screen fresh water samples for the presence of pollutants that can generate oxygen-centered free radicals in vivo, or to test newly synthesized chemicals for this activity, and may therefore be valuable for environmental monitoring and preliminary toxicity evaluation of industrial or pharmaceutical products.
Perfluoro-n-hexyl iodide as gain media for high power, continuous solar-pumped lasers

A comparative study of CW laser performance with n-C6F13I and n-C3F7I was performed using a 10-W solar-simulator-pumped laser system. The measured output power for n-C6F13I is near 10 W and is comparable to that of n-C3F7I. However, n-C6F13I has the advantages of easy purification and repeated use.
Theories on Immigrant Women's Health

Our purpose in this article is to review theories critically that have been used to explain immigrant women's health based on 4 case studies of Korean immigrant women's experiences in the United States and suggest directions for future development of theories on immigrant women's health. First, 3 existing theories on immigration and health (selective migration, negative effect of immigration, and acculturation) are concisely described. Then, the daily experiences of 4 low-income Korean immigrant women are described in a narrative mode, and the 3 existing theories are critiqued in terms of how they can explain the women's narratives. Finally, implications for future theory development on immigrant women's health experience are proposed based on the discussion.
Supersymmetric preon models with gauged colour-flavour symmetry

We have conducted a search for globally supersymmetric preon models with gauged colour-flavour symmetries. Theories with both two- and three-preon composites, and colour-flavour groups from E6 down to the standard model, are examined under the following conditions: asymptotically-free metacolour, anomaly-free gauged symmetries, and Pauli principle obeyed. It is found that there are no models with three or more supersymmetric families. If supersymmetry is broken, one model with four families emerges. The purely fermionic preon theories can also be considered as the light sector of a chiral supersymmetric theory, with supersymmetry breaking at the preon level.
Two-color laser desorption of nanostructured MgO thin films

Abstract Neutral magnesium atom emission from nanostructured MgO thin films is induced using two-color nanosecond laser excitation. We find that combined vis/UV excitation, for single-color pulse energies below the desorption threshold, induces neutral Mg-atom emission with hyperthermal kinetic energies in the range of 0.1–0.2 eV. The observed metal atom emission is consistent with a mechanism involving rapid electron transfer to three-coordinated Mg surface sites. The two-color Mg-atom signal is significant only for parallel laser polarizations and temporally overlapped laser pulses indicating that intermediate excited states are short-lived compared to the 5 ns laser pulse duration.
Friction and pinning of nitrogen films on lead substrates near the superconducting transition

We have used a quartz crystal microbalance to study the dynamical properties of thin films of solid nitrogen adsorbed on a lead substrate in the temperature range $4 \mathrm{K}lTl14 \mathrm{K}.$ Simple mechanical models relate the frequency shift and the Q of the microbalance to the friction at the ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}/\mathrm{Pb}$ interface. By varying either the magnetic field or the temperature, the Pb substrate could be prepared in the superconducting or normal state. Our experiments indicate that superconductivity has no effect on the behavior of the microbalance. Furthermore, experiments in which the ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ layer thickness was varied by in situ evaporation showed that solid nitrogen films are rigidly pinned on our low-temperature substrate for velocities below approximately 0.6 m/sec.
Vibrational deactivation of CO2(00°1) molecules by ONF, COF2 and O3

Abstract Measurements have been performed with the laser excited fluorescence method of the rates of vibrational deactivation of the upper CO2 laser level by ONF, COF2 and O3. In each case, rapid near-resonant V → V transfer deactivation mechanisms are indicated.
Competition by 4-chloronitrosobenzene for the active glycolaldehyde intermediate of transketolase

Abstract The incubation of 4-chloronitrosobenzene with yeast transketolase, Mg 2+ , and thiamime pyrophosphate in the presence of excess xylulose-5-phosphate resulted in the formation of N -(4-chlorophenyl)glycolhydroxamic acid. This enzyme-catalyzed C 2 transfer displayed a K m of 0.92 m M and a V max of 5.2 × 10 −2 μmol min −1 unit enzyme −1 . Conversion was inhibited by the normal acceptor sugar, ribose-5-phosphate, with a K i of 0.35 m M . Kinetic analysis showed inhibition was competitive in nature, reinforcing the proposed theory for similarity in catalytic formation of both the hydroxamic acid and sedoheptulose-7-phosphate. Most interesting about the conversion of this alternative substrate is that even at high concentrations of ribose-5-phosphate, a significant amount of the nitroso compound was converted to the hydroxamic acid, implying that 4-chloronitrosobenzene can successfully compete for active glycoaldehyde. Using the yeast enzyme as a model for transketolase in higher organisms, the adventitious conversion of such xenobiotics in vivo is proposed.
Out in the open: How team leaders can deal with sensitive issues

A wide range of sensitive issues can emerge in a team environment, and the range of causes can be equally wide. Such issues can threaten a team's viability and the quality of the final work product. Team leaders may need to intervene when such situations develop, and once they have decided to intervene, they need to know how best to do so.
Insights Into the Role of Deiodinases from Studies of Genetically Modified Animals

The deiodinases function at a pre-receptor level in tissues to modulate the concentrations, and thus the actions, of thyroid hormones. Although much has been learned in the last two decades about the biochemical properties and expression patterns of these enzymes, a complete understanding of their physiologic roles requires study of their actions in the intact animal. To date only a limited number of naturally occurring human or animal models exhibiting excessive or deficient deiodinase activity have been defined. In particular, no human genetic models of deiodinase deficiency have been identified. However, several transgenic animal models involving either loss-of function or gain-of-function of deiodinase activity have been devised and are currently being characterized. This review focuses on the progress being made in using these animal models to define the physiologic functions and significance of this important class of enzymes.
A phase II study of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and radiation with or without surgery for esophageal cancer.

Background: Cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has been a standard treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. However, cisplatin is associated with significant toxicity. We conducted a phase II clinical trial of concurrent paclitaxel, carboplatin, and radiation with or without surgery as an alternative to the standard cisplatin-based CRT for localized and metastatic esophageal cancer. Methods: Fifty patients with esophageal cancer were enrolled: 16 patients with stage II, eight patients with stage III, and 26 patients with stage IV disease. Two thirds (67%) of patients had adenocarcinoma and one third (33%) with squamous histology. Patients with resectable disease were treated with paclitaxel 30 mg/m 2 , twice weekly for 10 doses, carboplatin AUC (area under the curve) 1.5 weekly for five doses; and concurrent radiation, 1.8 Gy/day, for a total of 45 Gy, followed by esophagectomy. Without surgery, patients received an additional dose each of paclitaxel and carboplatin with concurrent radiation for a total of 50.4 Gy, followed by two consolidation cycles of paclitaxel (200 mg/m 2 ) and carboplatin (AUC 6). Results: During CRT, common stage III/IV toxicities included nausea/emesis (19%), esophagitis (9%), and neutropenia (4%). For consolidation chemotherapy, neutropenia (23%), neuropathy (8%) and nausea/emesis (4%) were the most common stage III/IV side effects. After CRT, 26% had a complete response, 17% had a partial response, and 41% had stable disease. Ninety-one percent of patients had clinical improvement of dysphagia. With a median follow-up of 32 months, the median survival was 12 months for patients with metastatic disease, 44 months for localized disease treated with esophagectomy, and >44 months for localized disease treated with definitive CRT. Conclusions: The regimen of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and radiation with or without surgery is well tolerated with promising efficacy for patients with esophageal cancer.
Image analysis for interfacial area and cocontinuity detection in polymer blends

Abstract A novel image processing method was developed to extract interfacial area concentration measurements from 2D micrographs of immiscible polymer blends. Although this method can be used for analyzing different types of 2D micrographs such as optical or transmission electron microscopy images, it was designed for analyzing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The method operates by detecting edges within the images and using standard image processing operations to selectively eliminate false edges. SEM images of polyethylene oxide/polystyrene (PEO/PS) blends were analyzed using this image processing method to measure the amount of interfacial area in the samples. Interfacial area per unit volume exhibits maxima for blend compositions at the boundary between droplet and cocontinuous morphologies. In addition to the detection of cocontinuity, the interfacial area measurements facilitated by this method may be used in future investigations of blend dynamics, including coalescence, drop deformation, and blend rheology studies. These measurements may also be used to quantify the effects of compatibilizers on blend morphology.
Middle to lower uterine segment embryo transfer improves implantation and pregnancy rates compared with fundal embryo transfer

Abstract Objective To assess differences in pregnancy and implantation rates as a function of the embryo placement. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting A tertiary care center. Subject(s) All fresh, nondonor IVF cycles performed in 2001. Intervention(s) Alteration in embryo transfer (ET) target location from the fundal region to the middle to lower uterine segment. Main outcome measure(s) Clinical pregnancy rate (sonographic sac evidence/number of transfer cycles), implantation rate (number of sacs/number of embryos transferred), patient age, peak E 2 , and fertilization rate. Result(s) A total of 393 fundal and 273 lower to middle uterine segment ETs were performed. The pregnancy (PR), implantation, and birth rates were significantly higher after a middle to lower uterine segment ET compared with fundal ET (39.6% vs. 31.2%; 21% vs. 14%; and 34.1% vs. 26.2%, respectively). Groups did not differ regarding patient age, basal FSH, peak E 2 , number of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, fertilization rate, embryo quality, or number of embryos transferred. Conclusion(s) Both PR and implantation rates are favorably affected by directing embryo placement to the lower to middle uterine segment. By some unknown mechanism, it appears that this endometrial location provides a more favorable region for embryo deposition.
Perforated appendicitis: an underappreciated mimic of intussusception on ultrasound.

We encountered multiple cases in which the US appearance of ruptured appendicitis mimicked intussusception, resulting in diagnostic and therapeutic delay and multiple additional imaging studies. To explore the clinical and imaging discriminatory features between the conditions. Initial US images in six children (age 16 months to 8 years; 4 boys, 2 girls) were reviewed independently and by consensus by three pediatric radiologists. These findings were compared and correlated with the original reports and subsequent US, fluoroscopic, and CT images and reports. All initial US studies demonstrated a multiple-ring-like appearance (target sign, most apparent on transverse views) with diagnostic consensus supportive of intussusception. In three cases, US findings were somewhat discrepant with clinical concerns. Subsequently, four of the six children had contrast enemas; two were thought to have partial or complete intussusception reduction. Three had a repeat US examination, with recognition of the correct diagnosis. None of the US examinations demonstrated definite intralesional lymph nodes or mesenteric fat, but central echogenicity caused by debris/appendicolith was misinterpreted as fat. All showed perilesional hyperechogenicity that, in retrospect, represented inflamed fat “walling off” of the perforated appendix. There were four CTs, all of which demonstrated a double-ring appearance that correlated with the US target appearance, with inner and outer rings representing the dilated appendix and walled-off appendiceal rupture, respectively. All six children had surgical confirmation of perforated appendicitis. Contained perforated appendicitis can produce US findings closely mimicking intussusception. Clinical correlation and careful multiplanar evaluation should allow for sonographic suspicion of perforated appendicitis, which can be confirmed on CT if necessary.
Methyl parathion residue removal from protective apparel fabric soiled with synthetic sebum or vegetable oil

Fabric used by pesticide handlers, mixers, and applicators may be soiled by body oils, and by oily soils associated with equipment operation. Oily soil may enhance contamination and/or may inhibit residue removal. This study was undertaken to determine whether the oily soils (synthetic sebum and vegetable oil) applied onto fabric specimens and then laundered prior to contamination, contributed to pesticide absorption and retention of 1.25% methyl parathion (MeP).
White House Proposes Modest Increases for Many Science Program Budgets

The proposed federal budget for fiscal year (FY) 2015, released by the White House on 4 March, would provide small increases for a number of science agencies, although some, including NASA, would see a dip in funding. Overall, the budget proposes $135.4 billion for federal research and development (R&D) activities, an increase of $1.7 billion (1.2%) over the FY 2014 enacted levels.