cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conceiving an application ontology to model patient human papillomavirus vaccine counseling for dialogue management.

In the United States and parts of the world, the human papillomavirus vaccine uptake is below the prescribed coverage rate for the population. Some research have noted that dialogue that communicates the risks and benefits, as well as patient concerns, can improve the uptake levels. In this paper, we introduce an application ontology for health information dialogue called Patient Health Information Dialogue Ontology for patient-level human papillomavirus vaccine counseling and potentially for any health-related counseling. The ontology’s class level hierarchy is segmented into 4 basic levels - Discussion, Goal, Utterance, and Speech Task. The ontology also defines core low-level utterance interaction for communicating human papillomavirus health information. We discuss the design of the ontology and the execution of the utterance interaction. With an ontology that represents patient-centric dialogue to communicate health information, we have an application-driven model that formalizes the structure for the communication of health information, and a reusable scaffold that can be integrated for software agents. Our next step will to be develop the software engine that will utilize the ontology and automate the dialogue interaction of a software agent.
Anger attacks are associated with persistently elevated irritability in MDD: findings from the EMBARC study.

Background This report tests the association of self-reported symptoms of irritability with overt behavior of anger attacks (uncharacteristic sudden bouts of anger that are disproportionate to situation and associated with autonomic activation). Methods Participants of the Establishing Moderators and Biosignatures of Antidepressant Response in Clinical Care study who completed Massachusetts General Hospital Anger Attacks questionnaire were included (n = 293). At each visit, the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the 16-item Concise Associated Symptom Tracking scale were used to measure depression, anxiety, and irritability. In those with anger attacks present v. those without anger attacks, separate t tests and mixed model analyses compared afore-mentioned symptoms at baseline and changes with treatment respectively. As anger attacks may occur without aggressive behaviors, analyses were repeated based only on the presence of aggressive behaviors. Results At baseline, those with anger attacks (n = 109) v. those without anger attacks (n = 184) had similar levels of depression but higher levels of irritability [effect size (d) = 0.80] and anxiety (d = 0.32). With acute-phase treatment, participants with anger attacks experienced a greater reduction in irritability (p < 0.001) but not in depression (p = 0.813) or anxiety (p = 0.771) as compared to those without anger attacks. Yet, irritability levels at week-8 were higher in those with anger attacks (d = 0.32) than those without anger attacks. Similar results were found in participants with aggressive behaviors. Conclusions The presence of anger attacks in outpatients with major depressive disorder may identify a sub-group of patients with persistently elevated irritability.
SAPHENOUS VENOUS GRAFT ANEURYSM: A CASE OF A SYMPTOMATIC RAMUS GRAFT GOING BAD

Saphenous Vein Graft Aneurysm (SVGA) is a rare phenomenon with an underestimated incidence because many cases remain clinically silent. A 63-year-old man with a history of 3 vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) presented with chest pain. EKG was unremarkable and Troponin I was mildly
Antioxidant Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Prevent Programmed Metabolic Disease in Mice

An adverse maternal in utero and lactation environment can program offspring for increased risk for metabolic disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, attenuates programmed susceptibility to obesity and insulin resistance in offspring of mothers on a high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy. CD1 female mice were acutely fed a standard breeding chow or HFD. NAC was added to the drinking water (1 g/kg) of the treatment cohorts from embryonic day 0.5 until the end of lactation. NAC treatment normalized HFD-induced maternal weight gain and oxidative stress, improved the maternal lipidome, and prevented maternal leptin resistance. These favorable changes in the in utero environment normalized postnatal growth, decreased white adipose tissue (WAT) and hepatic fat, improved glucose and insulin tolerance and antioxidant capacity, reduced leptin and insulin, and increased adiponectin in HFD offspring. The lifelong metabolic improvements in the offspring were accompanied by reductions in proinflammatory gene expression in liver and WAT and increased thermogenic gene expression in brown adipose tissue. These results, for the first time, provide a mechanistic rationale for how NAC can prevent the onset of metabolic disease in the offspring of mothers who consume a typical Western HFD.
The Second Bible of Charles the Bald: Patronage and Intellectual Community at St. Amand

Abstract : among the manuscripts produced for Charles the Bald, King of West Francia (843-77) and Holy Roman Emperor (875-77), the so-called Second Bible (Paris, BnF, MS Lat. 2) holds a special place. Illuminated in the scriptorium of the abbey of St. Amand between 870 and 873, the Bible—unlike all the other manuscripts presented to the king during this period—contains no human figures or royal portraits. It exhibits instead large initials patterned with geometric and zoomorphic designs. In addition, the volume opens with a long poem dedicated to Charles the Bald and written by Hucbald (ca. 840–930), master of the monastery school at St. Amand. Although Carolingian scholarship has investigated the manuscript’s ornament, the relationship between Hucbald’s poetry and the book’s decorative program has never been systematically examined. By analyzing both the use of script as image and Hucbald’s poem, this article sheds light on the Bible’s intended purpose and message. Moreover, the article contributes to a more precise understanding of Charles the Bald’s role as patron of St. Amand. It argues that the Bible not only represents the increasingly close relationship between the abbey and the crown, but also functions as a special vehicle that carries the abbey’s pleas straight to the king’s heart.
Synthesis, structural characterization, and electronic structure of the novel Zintl phase Ba2ZnP2.

The novel Zintl phase dibarium zinc diphosphide (Ba2ZnP2) was synthesized for the first time. This was accom­plished using the Pb flux technique, which allowed for the growth of crystals of adequate size for structural determination via single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The Ba2ZnP2 com­pound was determined to crystallize in a body-centered ortho­rhom­bic space group, Ibam (No. 72). Formally, this crystallographic arrangement belongs to the K2SiP2 structure type. Therefore, the structure can be best described as infinite [ZnP2]4− polyanionic chains with divalent Ba2+ cations located between the chains. All valence electrons are partitioned, which conforms to the Zintl–Klemm concept and suggests that Ba2ZnP2 is a valence-precise com­position. The electronic band structure of this new com­pound, com­puted with the aid of the TB–LMTO–ASA code, shows that Ba2ZnP2 is an intrinsic semiconductor with a band gap of ca 0.6 eV.
Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes: Characteristics, Localization, and Dissemination

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are broad-spectrum bactericidal agents that have predictable pharmacokinetics and are used mainly in the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative aerobic bacilli and some gram positives. Aminoglycoside antibiotics are commonly administered by intramuscular injection but also intravenously in cases of severe infections. The aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes are adenylyltransferases (ANTs), phosphotransferases (APHs), also known as kinases, and acetyltransferases (AACs). The three-dimensional structures of two aminoglycoside O-phosphotransferases, APH(3p)-IIIa, from grampositive cocci, and APH(3p)-IIa, from Enterobacteriaceae, have been determined. ANTs catalyze the transfer of an AMP group from the substrate ATP to a hydroxyl group in the aminoglycoside molecule. Acetyltransferases (AACs) belong to the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily of proteins, which spans all kingdoms of life and comprises several unrelated kinds of enzymes with a wide variety of functions. The presence of genes coding for aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes within many of these elements permitted them to disseminate at the molecular as well as at the cellular level, contributing to the rise of multiresistant bacteria. Protein kinase inhibitors that disable aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes by targeting the ATP-binding site are showing very promising prospects for their use in combination with aminoglycosides. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated inhibition of expression of genes coding for aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes shows promise for development as another alternative against resistance.
Surgical Anatomy of the Hepatobiliary System

Hepatobiliary disease affects many people worldwide. From primary hepatocellular carcinoma, to cholangiocarcinoma, an essential part of management is surgical. A strong knowledge of surgical anatomy is an essential part of managing these patients.
Retaining Opportunities, Completing Key Projects with Remote Student Employees During COVID-19

As the field of higher education began furloughs and layoffs to alleviate COVID-19 budget concerns, cultural heritage workers were directed to clearly demonstrate how their work contributes to inst...
Surgical Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia Induced by Brainstem Infarct: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background Although cases of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) induced by brainstem infarct have been reported, the neurosurgical literature lacks a comprehensive review for this subpopulation of patients. We present the first systematic review of the literature to discuss pathology, surgical management, and future directions for therapeutic innovation in this population. Methods Our systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Resulting articles were screened for those that presented cases of TN associated with brainstem infarct. Results A review of the literature identified 18 case reports of 21 patients with TN induced by brainstem infarct: 14 pontine infarcts and 7 medullary infarcts. Although many cases of ischemic brainstem lesions are caused by acute stroke, cerebral small vessel disease also plays a role in certain cases, and the relationship between these chronic lesions and TN is more likely to be overlooked. Furthermore, we found that reports of self-resolving TN pain after brainstem infarct is disproportionately biased, as most case reports published their data within the first few months after initial presentation. Reports with follow-up periods >13 months reported eventual pain recurrence that necessitated surgical intervention. Microvascular decompression was not sufficient to treat TN pain associated with concurrent neurovascular compression and brainstem infarct. Conclusions Brainstem infarcts affecting the trigeminal pathway represent an understudied pathologic cause of TN. Although the neurosurgical literature lacks a clear picture of the most efficacious interventions in this population, we are optimistic that this review will encourage further investigation into the best treatment for these patients.
Stacking fault energy in concentrated alloys

We revisit the meaning of stacking fault energy (SFE) and the assumptions of equilibrium dissociation of lattice dislocations in concentrated alloys. SFE is a unique value in pure metals. However, in alloys beyond the dilute limit, SFE has a distribution of values depending on the local atomic environment. Conventionally, the equilibrium distance between partial dislocations is determined by a balance between the repulsive elastic interaction between the partial dislocations and a unique value for SFE. This assumption is used to determine SFE from experimental measurements of dislocation splitting distances in metals and alloys, often contradicting computational predictions. We use atomistic simulations in a model NiCo alloy to study the dislocation dissociation process in a range of compositions with positive, zero, and negative average SFE and surprisingly observe a stable, finite splitting distance in all cases at low temperatures. We then compute the decorrelation stress and examine the balance of forces on the partial dislocations, considering the local effects on SFE, and observe that even the upper bound of SFE distribution alone cannot satisfy the force balance in some cases. Furthermore, we show that in concentrated solid solutions, the resisting force caused by interaction of dislocations with the local solute environment becomes a major force acting on partial dislocations. Here, we show that the presence of a high solute/dislocation interaction, which is not easy to measure and neglected in experimental measurements of SFE, renders the experimental values of SFE unreliable. The stacking fault energy is connected to the response of crystals to deformation. Here the authors report a computational study in a model NiCo system to demonstrate the key importance of the dislocation/solute interaction for the accurate assessment of stacking fault energy in alloys beyond dilute limit.
Dynamic System Identification for a Nonlinear Vehicle Model Using $q$ -Markov Cover under Different Operational Conditions

System identification plays a vital role in the control strategy development of dynamical systems. As system dynamics get complex and nonlinear, it is becoming even harder to perform conventional system identification using a physics-based approach, especially when the system dynamics change with time. Several data-driven strategies came to the rescue in such scenarios. Various methodologies are available to efficiently identify the system model and perform the control design on it. This work tries to address the scenario when the dynamics of the system modify with time, where a modified $q$ -Markov COVariance Equivalence Realization ( $q$ -Markov COVER) algorithm is used to perform the data-driven dynamic system identification. Various factors can cause the system dynamics to modify, such as system wear and aging, change in operational conditions, etc. For this work, a nonlinear vehicle model, operating under different road conditions: dry and wet pavement, is used to demonstrate the proposed approach. The proposed iterative $q$ -Markov COVER algorithm is able to quickly adapt to the identified linear model when the operational condition of the nonlinear vehicle model changes. Two different scenarios are created and studied: road condition changing from dry to wet to check the algorithm's efficacy and road condition from dry to wet to dry to validate if the algorithm could recover to the original identified system. From the simulation results, it can be observed that the algorithm efficiently identifies the associated linear dynamic model based on the data set from both scenarios. The proposed algorithm is generic, computationally inexpensive, and could be easily implemented for any general system.
A Genome-Phenome Association study in native microbiomes identifies a mechanism for cytosine modification in DNA and RNA.

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing is a powerful approach to study microbiomes in an unbiased manner and of increasing relevance for identifying novel enzymatic functions. However, the potential of metagenomics to relate from microbiome composition to function has thus far been underutilized. Here, we introduce the Metagenomics Genome-Phenome Association (MetaGPA) study framework, which allows linking genetic information in metagenomes with a dedicated functional phenotype. We applied MetaGPA to identify enzymes associated with cytosine modifications in environmental samples. From the 2365 genes that met our significance criteria, we confirm known pathways for cytosine modifications and proposed novel cytosine-modifying mechanisms. Specifically, we characterized and identified a novel nucleic acid modifying enzyme, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine carbamoyltransferase, that catalyzes the formation of a previously unknown cytosine modification, 5-carbamoyloxymethylcytosine, in DNA and RNA. Our work introduces MetaGPA as a novel and versatile tool for advancing functional metagenomics.
Colchicine for acute gout.

Low-quality evidence shows that low-dose colchicine (up to 1.8 mg over one hour) is an effective therapy for acute gout.
JUST WAR THEORY, HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION, AND THE NEED FOR A DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION

The primary purpose of government is to secure public goods that cannot be achieved by free markets. The Coordination Principle tells us to consolidate sovereign power in a single institution to overcome collective action problems that otherwise prevent secure provision of the relevant public goods. There are several public goods that require such coordination at the global level, chief among them being basic human rights. The claim that human rights require global coordination is supported in three main steps. First, I consider Pogge's and Habermas's analyses as alternatives to Hobbesian conceptions of justice. Second, I consider the core conventions of international law, which are in tension with the primacy of state sovereignty in the UN system. Third, I argue that the just war tradition does not limit just causes for war to self-defense; it supports saving innocent third parties from crimes against humanity as a just reason for war. While classical authors focused less on this issue, the point is especially clear in twentieth-century just war theories, such as those offered by the American Catholic bishops, Jean Elshtain, Brian Orend, and Michael Walzer. Against Walzer, I argue that we add intractable military tyranny to the list of horrors meriting intervention if other ad bellum conditions are met. But these results require us to reexamine the “just authority” of first resort to govern such interventions. The Coordination Principle implies that we should create a transnational federation with consolidated powers in place of a treaty organization requiring near-unanimity. But to be legitimate, such a global institution must also be directly answerable to the citizens of its member states. While the UN Security Council is inadequate on both counts, a federation of democracies with a directly elected executive and legislature could meet both conditions.
Deriving Efficient Graph Algorithms

Two case studies are presented that demonstrate the systematic derivation of efficient algorithms from simple combinatorial definitions. These case studies contribute to an exploration of evolutionary approaches to the explanation, proof, adaptation, and possibly the design of complex algorithms.
A modelling study of the role of marine protected areas in metapopulation genetic connectivity in Delaware Bay oysters

Management decisions concerning location and extent of marine protected areas (MPAs) both for exploited and unexploited resources rely on understanding how populations are interconnected. The potential effects of MPA location and external fishing pressure on genetic connectivity of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations in Delaware Bay were examined. An individual-based metapopulation model that includes post-settlement population dynamics, larval dispersal, and genetic structure was used to simulate four oyster populations for two periods (1970s and 2000s) with distinct population and environmental conditions. Sensitivity analysis examined the influence of larval dispersal, and simulations included combinations of MPA location (which population was protected) and three fishing mortality rates for non-MPA populations: low (4%), medium (8%) and high (30%); no fishing was allowed in the MPAs. Results showed (i) salinity-driven changes in larval dispersal led to relatively small, population-specific connectivity changes, (ii) MPAs can enhance the frequency of genotypes originating within protected populations in unprotected populations when fishing rates are high (30%), and (iii) demographic shifts can impose temporal variability on the influence of MPAs on connectivity. These results suggest that genetic consequences of siting MPAs must be considered in terms of present population and environmental conditions, as well as allowing for changes in population and genetic connectivity that may shift fundamentally over time. Simulation results indicate that siting protected areas for oyster restoration in low salinity (<12ppt) regions may interact with development of disease resistance in the metapopulation by altering genotype transfer from protected to unprotected downestuary populations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of pregnancy on gastric motility in vivo and in vitro in the guinea pig.

Abstract Experiments were designed to examine the effects of pregnancy on gastric emptying and on the in vitro contractile response of gastric smooth muscle to cholinergic stimulation. Gastric emptying of a radio-labeled liquid marker ( 51 Cr in saline) was determined at regular intervals (5, 15, 30, and 60 min) in nonpregnant and pregnant (third trimester) guinea pigs. Gastric emptying after 30 min also was determined for animals 1 and 4 days postpartum. The in vitro contractile responses of muscle strips from the fundus, corpus, and antrum of nonpregnant and pregnant animals after stimulation with acetylcholine were analyzed with respect to the maximal force developed and the pD 2 value (negative logarithm of the dose that gives a one-half maximal response). The results can be summarized as follows. (a) Pregnancy was characterized by an increase in the amount of marker retained within the stomach at each time point. For nonpregnant animals the time to one-half emptying was ~10 min; in pregnant animals this was prolonged to 30 min. (b) Gastric emptying was reduced in animals 1-day postpartum but returned to normal by 4 days after delivery. (c) In contrast, pregnancy had no effect on the maximal contractile response to acetylcholine of muscle strips from the orad and caudad stomach or on their respective pD 2 values. The results suggest that pregnancy is associated with decreased gastric emptying of liquids in the guinea pig, but that the delay cannot be attributed to alterations in the maximal force-generating capacity of gastric smooth muscle.
The Right to Sexual Orientation Privacy: Strengthening Protection for Minors Who Are 'Outed' in Schools

This Article examines a unique question in constitutional law and privacy rights – namely, what rights minor students have to control who can and cannot be informed of their sexual orientation. Through an examination of case law and social science data, the Article proposes that students should hold greater power over information regarding their sexual orientation, and hold responsible school officials who “out” students to a family member, parent, or guardian without the student’s consent.
Lab activities requiring minimal resources for courses in computer networking

Computer networking is an area that recently has experienced a dramatic increase in interest. This has been fueled by the widespread use of the Internet along with wireless and mobile computing devices. The importance of networking has been confirmed by the recent ACM/IEEE computer science program guidelines in which a recommendation is made that all programs include networking topics. This goal can be met by having a separate networking course, or by integrating networking topics into existing courses. As with many computer science areas, having meaningful projects greatly enhances the students' learning experience. However, having a dedicated lab for these projects is a commodity that many departments cannot afford. Therefore, this paper presents lab activities that teach basic concepts in networking but that do not require special resources. In addition, the projects are designed to use collaborative and discovery learning techniques.
Different roles for two enhancer domains in the organ- and age-specific pattern of polyomavirus replication in the mouse.

Viral replication in mice infected with murine polyomavirus strains with novel enhancer rearrangements was analyzed by direct in situ hybridization of whole mouse sections and by hybridization of nucleic acids extracted from a specific set of organs. The enhancer rearrangements included a deletion of the B domain as well as duplications within the A domain. Comparisons between enhancer variants demonstrate that the B domain plays an important role in replication in most organs, in particular in the kidney, at the neonatal stage (days 0 to 7 postbirth). In contrast, the B domain is not required in those organs which can sustain replication in the adult, i.e. mammary gland, skin, and bone (class I organs [J. J. Wirth, A. Amalfitano, R. Gross, M. B. A. Oldstone, and M. M. Fluck, J. Virol. 66:3278-3286, 1992]). Altogether, the results suggest that the B and A domains mediate very different functions in infection of mice, controlling the acute and persistent phases of infection, respectively. A model of mouse infection based on the crucial role of differentially expressed host transcription factors is presented.
CTH17-6: A Broadcasting Relay for Orthogonal Multiuser Channels

This paper introduces broadcasting relay nodes for orthogonal multiuser channels. The underlying idea is that a single relay node is shared by multiple source-destination pairs. In this scheme, the relay node receives the messages of multiple independent sources, and broadcasts a single superimposed signal to multiple destinations. Compared to dedicated relay scenarios, large gains in capacity region and outage capacity is possible with the shared relay scenario. We consider the special case of two pairs, and examine discrete memoryless channels and Gaussian channels assuming degradedness for the relay channels and physically degradedness for the broadcast channel. Upper bounds on capacity are obtained and shown to be achievable. The analysis is also extended to Rayleigh fading channels, where outage regions are investigated.
Generating, evaluating and visualizing construction schedules with CAD tools

Abstract Collaborative AEC technologies centering around component-based CAD models support architectural and structural perspectives. The construction perspective is often neglected because an important dimension for construction–time–is missing. Construction planners are forced to abstract CAD model building components into schedule models representing time. 4D-CAD (3D-CAD+time) removes this abstraction by linking a 3D building model and schedule model through associative relationships. Adding time to 3D-CAD models extends the use of CAD tools from the design phase to the construction phase. Although commercial 4D tools exist that allow planners to build 4D models and create graphic simulations of the construction process, these tools lack features to support analysis of these models, easy generation and manipulation of such models, and realistic visualizations of the construction process. This paper discusses these shortcomings, highlights requirements for CAD tools to support construction planning tasks, and describes our efforts to develop 4D tools that generate 4D+x models that more realistically represent the construction process.
Fluid Therapy in Mature Cattle

Fluid therapy is practical and beneficial when properly administered to cattle. Mature cattle are more frequently alkalotic than acidotic, so nonalkalizing solutions are usually indicated. Exceptions include cattle with choke, carbohydrate engorgement, diabetes mellitus, and, occasionally, renal disease, diarrhea, and fatty liver/ketosis. Most dehydrated cattle need supplemental potassium and calcium as well as sodium, chloride, and water. Intravenous administration is indicated in patients with obstructive gastrointestinal disease and those with severe dehydration. Oral or intraruminal administration is less expensive and often very effective.
Effect of realistic focal conditions on the strong-field ionization of helium

The results from classical three-dimensional simulations of the double ionization of helium in an intense laser field are presented for realistic nonparaxial focal conditions. The existence of an out-of-phase electric field component in the laser propagation direction produces an effective longitudinal ellipticity, resulting in a reduction in the double-ion yields as a function of position in the laser focus. It is found that under conditions of tight focusing, the effective focal volume for nonsequential double ionization is significantly reduced.
Iatrogenic effects of photoprotection recommendations on skin cancer development, vitamin D levels, and general health

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an established carcinogen that causes skin cancers and other cutaneous photodamage. Vitamin D is produced in the skin after UV exposure and may also be obtained from dietary and supplemental sources. The effect of recommendations for UV protection, as well as for very large vitamin D supplements, and possible adverse effects of both are explored. Current evidence supports the conclusion that protection from UV radiation reduces the incidence of skin cancers and photodamage, but generally does not compromise vitamin D status or lead to iatrogenic disease. Conversely, risks of maintaining very high vitamin D levels have not been adequately studied. Vitamin D obtained from diet and supplements is functionally identical to that produced after UV exposure, and is a more reliable and quantifiable source of the vitamin.
Terahertz sensitivity to DNA hybridization: Poly nucleotide and Solvent Dynamics

The terahertz dielectric response decreases with DNA hybridization and the temperature dependence goes from a single Arrhenius dependence to a double Arrhenius dependence, indicating sensitivity to both solvent interaction and molecular structure dynamics.
Cults and Christianity among the Enga and Ipili

In this article, I examine the continuities between early-contact cult activities and present day Christianity among the western Enga and eastern Ipili of highlands Papua New Guinea. Christians today see the cults as early attempts to ‘open the road’ for the coming of whites and missionization. Cult leaders are currently understood as prophets who had received messages from God and were sent out to herald the coming new era of social change. The ritual killing of a young man in the 1940s by cult leaders is conceptualized as the local version of the crucifixion of Jesus. The data herein illustrate the creative means by which Ipili and Enga in this region have indigenized Christianity and located their own regional histories and practices in the broader scope of world history.
Treatment with the Reliance® urinary control insert : One-year experience

The 1-year experience of 63 women using an intraurethral insert for the management of stress or mild mixed urinary incontinence is presented, emphasizing safety and efficacy. Objective criteria, including standardized pad weight tests and patient diaries, were employed to evaluate the device's effectiveness. At study outset, 82% of the patients were completely dry with the device in situ, with an additional 16% of patients significantly improved. At 12 months, 79% of the patients were completely dry, and 16% were significantly improved. This result is consistent with the significant improvement (P < 0.0001) in the number of urinary incontinence episodes reported in patient diaries. Women reported that the device significantly improved their ability to stay dry over a number of routine and physically demanding daily activities. The device was increasingly easy to use and more comfortable over time (P < 0.0001). The latter finding was confirmed by a decline in patient reports of "sensation of device presenc...
Effect of obliteration on crater-count chronologies for Martian surfaces

[1] The density of impact craters calibrated against lunar data is currently the only quantitative measure of surface age for terrestrial planetary surfaces. Unlike the Moon, however, Mars has been weathered and eroded, obliterating some small (<10 km diameter) craters, a phenomenon addressed in the Mariner/Viking days of Mars exploration but commonly overlooked in recent studies. We present a quantitative model that extends this earlier work to assess the effect of erosion and infilling on surface ages inferred from crater-frequency distributions. Our work affirms that small-cratersizedistributionscanbeinterpretedquantitatively in terms of effects of erosion and crater infilling at rates comparable to those reported for Mars. A reanalysis of prior studies indicates that low to moderate long-term rates of erosion and crater infilling can mask an ancient age and result in small-crater populations similar to those offered as evidence for young and geologically significant surface activity. Citation: Smith, M. R., A. R. Gillespie, and D. R. Montgomery (2008), Effect of obliteration on crater-count chronologies for Martian surfaces, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L10202, doi:10.1029/2008GL033538.
Limited Utility of Name-Based Tuberculosis Contact Investigations among Persons Using Illicit Drugs: Results of an Outbreak Investigation

Persons named by a patient with tuberculosis (TB) are the focus of traditional TB contact investigations. However, patients who use illicit drugs are often reluctant to name contacts. Between January 2004 and May 2005, 18 isoniazid-resistant TB cases with matching Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes (spoligotypes) were reported in Miami; most patients frequented crack houses and did not name potentially infected contacts. We reviewed medical records and reinterviewed patients about contacts and locations frequented to describe transmission patterns and make recommendations to control TB in this population. Observed contacts were not named but were encountered at the same crack houses as the patients. Contacts were evaluated for latent TB infection with a tuberculosis skin test (TST). All 18 patients had pulmonary TB. Twelve (67%) reported crack use and 14 (78%) any illicit drug use. Of the 187 contacts evaluated, 91 (49%) were named, 16 (8%) attended a church reported by a patient, 61 (33%) used a dialysis center reported by a patient, and 19 (10%) were observed contacts at local crack houses. Compared to named contacts, observed contacts were eight times as likely to have positive TST results (relative risk = 7.8; 95% confidence interval = 3.8–16.1). Dialysis center and church contacts had no elevated risk of a positive TST result. Testing observed contacts may provide a higher yield than traditional name-based contact investigations for tuberculosis patients who use illicit drugs or frequent venues characterized by illicit drug use.
The peak effect and the clustering of dissolved oxygen in superconducting Nb

Abstract One cause of the J c peak effect in superconducting Nb may be the presence of clusters of dissolved oxygen. The peak effect in other cases may be attributed to other types of microstructural heterogeneities of the same size.
Gender differences in agricultural productivity: the case of Tanzania

The article examines gender differences in agricultural productivity using panel data for Tanzania. At the national level, there is weak evidence of mean differences in productivity between male and female plots, but conditional on manager characteristics, plot characteristics, inputs, and crop choice, plots managed solely by a woman are consistently found less productive than all other plots. An Oaxaca-Blinder-type decomposition reveals that important factors explaining the gender differential are plot area and family labor. Women are able to obtain higher yields on smaller plots farmed with less male labor and more female labor and thus cover the gender gap in productivity at the aggregate level, but there are still significant unobservable factors which contribute to widening the gap.
Program Participants' Positive Perceptions Psychological Conflict of Interest in Social Program Evaluation

A common dilemma of evaluation researchers, that outcome findings do not confirm program adninistrators' and recipients' perceptions of benefits occurring, is related to a general proposition that participants will have positive perceptions of program effects, regardless of behavioral changes toward program goals. This phenomenon is shown to occur widely, and to be predictable from both behavioral and cognitive social psy chological theory, but has not been previously recognized explicitly. Implications are drawn for the policy planning process and for the methodology of program evaluation.
Comparing Cognitive Representations of Test Developers and Students on a Mathematics Test With Bloom's Taxonomy

Abstract An examination was conducted to determine whether the Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: Cognitive Domain (Bloom, Englehart, Furst, Hill, & Krathwohl, 1956) provided an accurate model to guide item writers for anticipating the cognitive processes used by students on a large-scale achievement test in mathematics. Thirty Grade 7 students were asked to think aloud as they solved problems on a mathematics achievement test. Students' cognitive processes were classified with a coding system based on Bloom's taxonomy. The overall match between the responses expected by the item writers and the responses observed from the students was 53.7%. The match score between the expected and the observed responses differed for the high and low mathematics achievers and also differed across the 2 content areas measured on the test. Agreements between the expected and the observed responses were further assessed by comparing log-linear models. The most parsimonious model contained an achievement group, cognitive le...
A Thin-Layer Chromatographic-Calorimetric Method for Determining Naringin in Grapefruit

SUMMARY An analytical method for determining naringin in grapefruit is presented. The procedure involves preparing the sample by filtration, evaporation, and coagulation followed by centrifugation. The naringin is then separated from its tasteless isomer by thin-layer chromatography, and the naringin is recovered from the chromatoplate. A modified Davis test is employed for calorimetric analysis.
Gossypol analysis in cottonseed oil by HPLC

Gossypol in cottonseed oil was selectively separated by the extraction of cottonseed oil with a hexane and N,N dimethyl formamide:water (2∶1, v/v) solvent mixture. After filtration, the extract was injected into the HPLC with the elution time less than 15 min. The spectrophotometric method showed 2 to 5 times higher values of gossypol content in different types of glanded cottonseed oil than did the HPLC method. This is probably due to the gossypol derivatives and coloring interferences reacting with p-anisidine to develop color and increasing the absorbance reading, whereas gossypol was separated and detected in the HPLC method.
Spatial cytokine distribution following traumatic injury.

Temporal changes in cytokine concentrations following traumatic injuries have been extensively studied. Less is known regarding spatial differences in cytokine concentrations following traumatic injury. The primary aim of this study was to determine the spatial relationship between cytokines and the zone of injury (ZOI). Muscle and vessel tissues obtained from rats subjected to an open femoral fracture were analyzed to determine if spatial cytokine gradients exist that could potentially be used as biomarkers of the ZOI. Samples were collected at 4 time points following fracture from 3 distinct locations: at the fracture site, 1-cm away from the fracture, and from the opposite leg. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1s, IL-2, GM-CSF, TNF-α, and MIP-1α were quantified in each sample. Temporally and spatially regulated variations in cytokine concentrations were found. IL-6 showed the most promise as a ZOI biomarker with statistically different spatial concentrations that were inversely proportional to the distance from the fracture in both tissues. IL-1s and IL-2 also showed spatial differences in concentration in both tissues, while GM-CSF, MIP-1α, and TNF-α showed spatial differences in vessel samples. These results demonstrate that spatial cytokine gradients exist following traumatic injury, representing potential biomarkers that may be used to define the ZOI.
The Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Middle-Aged and Older Men and Women

Studies of gender differences in the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiovascular risk factors have produced mixed findings. The purpose of this research was to examine whether the association between SES and cardiovascular risk factors differed between older men and women. Using data on physical measures and biomarkers from the 2006 Health and Retirement Study (N = 2,502 men; N = 3,474 women), linear regression models were used to estimate the association between SES and seven cardiovascular risk factors. Interactions between gender and SES were tested. For all seven risks assessed, we observed significant associations of selected SES factors to cardiovascular risk for men and/or women. In all of these cases, lower SES was associated with higher cardiovascular risk. However, for six of the factors, we also observed gender differences in the association between SES and cardiovascular risk, such that lower SES was associated with higher cardiovascular risk for women but not for men. Th...
Dissolution of petroleum-derived products in water

Abstract A series of controlled experiments were performed to determine the quantitative magnitude and the physical nature involved in the transfer of organic materials from an oil film into an aqueous solution. Various lubricating and fuel oils and gasolines were used to study such a transfer over a period of 42 days. It was discovered that substantial quantities of organic matter can be introduced into an aqueous solution as a result of contact between the oil film and the water. After an initial stable period of 4–24 days, the acceleration of oil to water transfer takes place. The increase in the rate of oil film dissolution is probably associated with chemical changes in the composition of the oil film, most likely induced by oxidation, leading to the formation of oxidated water soluble material. The significance of results of this study is examined in terms of practical requirements for design of bilge and ballast wastewater treatment equipment. It appears that such wastewaters could contain substantial quantities of dissolved organic matter. In addition to undissolved oil, as a result of prolonged contact between oil and water. It is suggested that designers of wastewater treatment equipment to be used on-board ships and oil tankers, should consider the removal of dissolved, as well as undissolved, petroleum derived organic matter.
Dynamics of a tightly coupled mechanism for flagellar rotation. Bacterial motility, chemiosmotic coupling, protonmotive force

The bacterial flagellar motor is a molecular engine that couples the flow of protons across the cytoplasmic membrane to rotation of the flagellar filament. We analyze the steady-state behavior of an explicit mechanical model in which a fixed number of protons carries the filament through one revolution. Predictions of this model are compared with experimentally determined relationships between protonmotive force, proton flux, torque, and speed. All such tightly coupled mechanisms produce the same torque when the motor is stalled but vary greatly in their behavior at high speed. The speed at zero load predicted by our model is limited by the rates of association and dissociation of protons at binding sites on the rotor and by the mobility of force generators containing transmembrane channels that interact with these sites. Our analysis suggests that more could be learned about the motor if it were driven by an externally applied torque backwards (at negative speed) or forwards at speeds greater than the zero-load speed.
Determining 3-D motion parameters of a rigid body: a vector-geometrical approach (abstract only)

A vector-geometrical approach is given for the determination of 3-D motion parameters of a rigid body from point correspondences over 2 time sequential images. The resulting algorithms are similar to existing methods. However, the geometrical interpretations provide much valuable insight into the nature of the problem and the uniqueness question.
A Bayesian group sequential design for a multiple arm randomized clinical trial

Group sequential designs for randomized clinical trials allow analyses of accruing data. Most group sequential designs in the literature concern the comparison of two treatments and maintain an overall prespecified type I error. As the number of treatments increases, however, so does the probability of falsely rejecting the null hypothesis. Bayesian statisticians concern themselves with the observed data and abide by the likelihood principle. As long as previous analyses do not change the likelihood, these analyses do not change Bayesian inference. In this paper, we discuss a group sequential design for a proposed randomized clinical trial comparing four treatment regimens. Bayesian ideas underlie the design and posterior probability calculations determine the criteria for stopping accrual to one or more of the treatments. We use computer simulation to estimate the frequentist properties of the design, information of interest to many of our collaborators. We show that relatively simple posterior probability calculations, along with simulations to calculate power under alternative hypotheses, can produce appealing designs for randomized clinical trials.
Selective removal of albumin from plasma by affinity chromatography

Abstract The removal of albumin from human plasma or serum can be easily accomplished by passage through a column of sepharose-blue dextran conjugate, without significant binding of any other proteins. The albumin-free plasma should be useful as a starting material for the isolation of many plasma proteins by classical procedures.
Retarded Skeletal Maturation in Weaver Syndrome

. A male infant with primordial overgrowth and morphological characteristics of Weaver syndrome is presented. Unexpectedly his osseous maturation was retarded.
A new approach in modelling groundwater pollution under uncertainty

Abstract This article presents a new methodology to model the time and space evolution of a contaminant in a system of aquifers when certain components of the model, such as the geohydrologic information, the boundary conditions, the magnitude and variability of the sources or physical parameters are uncertain and defined in stochastic terms. The method is based on applications of modern mathematics to the solution of the resulting stochastic transport equations. This procedure exhibits considerable advantages over the existing stochastic modelling techniques. In particular, the semigroup solutions are not restricted to small variances in the stochastic elements (perturbation techniques), unsteady dynamic conditions are specifically considered, time and space randomness may be considered in the sources, the boundary conditions or the parameters, and the methodology reflects a well-posed functional-analytic theory. Several basic example problems are presented in order to illustrate the application of the methodology to the modelling of complex spatially and temporally distributed sources of interest in engineering hydrology today. Further potential applications of the method are very promising.
On the design and use of forecasting experiments in teaching macroeconomics

This article explores the use of PC econometric forecasting experiments in teaching intermediate macroeconomics. Emphasis is placed on the methodological and pedagogical aspects of these experiments. Each experiment is designed to help students better understand difficult and challenging aspects of standard macroeconomics. It is hoped that these experiments will stimulate new thinking on how computer applications can help instructors to better teach abstract and analytical subject matter not only in economics but in all disciplines.