cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retrospective Assessment of Initial Stroke Severity With the Canadian Neurological Scale

Background and Purpose The severity of the initial neurological deficit is a critical determinant of outcome after acute stroke. Retrospective outcome studies are generally limited by a lack of quantitative data relating to this initial stroke severity. We evaluated the validity and reliability of measuring initial stroke severity retrospectively with the Canadian Neurological Scale (CNS). Methods The CNS was used to prospectively score the initial neurological deficit in a series of patients with acute ischemic stroke (n=24). An algorithm was devised for applying the CNS retrospectively on the basis of information in the patient’s hospital discharge summary. Those dictating the discharge summaries were not aware of the study, and the retrospective scoring was performed without reference to other scores. The level of agreement between the prospective and retrospective scores (validity) and both intraobserver and interobserver reliability for the retrospective scores were determined. Results Agreement was high between retrospective and prospective scores ( r =.84, R 2=.71, P 0.81 for level of consciousness and orientation) to substantial (κw=0.68 for speech) and moderate (κw=0.41 to 0.60 for facial weakness, proximal arm, distal arm, proximal leg, and distal leg strength). Using the retrospective algorithm, there was almost perfect intraobserver and interobserver reliability for each of the individual CNS items (κw=0.81 to 1.00). Conclusions These data show that retrospective scoring of initial stroke severity using an algorithm based on the CNS is valid and can be reliably performed using information available in hospital discharge summaries.
Does “Sneaky Fox” Facilitate Learning? Examining the Effects of Seductive Details in Physical Education

While seductive details are enjoyable, they are unimportant content or activities intentionally inserted to make class fun and interesting. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of seductive details on students' learning of net games in physical education. Participants were 240 middle school students. A videotaped lesson example named “outfox your opponent” was used as the stimulus, and a 2 x 3 (condition x grade) factorial analysis was designed. The results showed that seductive details directly interrupted students' recall of important learning content and transferring problem solving in learning net games. It is suggested that the function of seductive details on learning should be reconsidered when designing effective motivational strategies in physical education.
Hashing vectors for tabu search

Tabu search as proposed by Glover [3,4] has proven to be a very effective metaheuristic for hard problems. In this paper we propose that hash functions be used to record the solutions encountered during recent iterations of the search in a long list. Hash values of potential solutions can be compared to the values on the list for the purpose of avoiding cycling. This frees the algorithm designer of the need to consider cycling when creating tabu restrictions based on move attributes. We suggest specific functions that result in very good performance.
Glycosaminoglycans in experimental amyloidosis.

SummaryAcid mucopolysaccharides were studied in casein-induced amyloidosis in mice. The MPS were isolated and quantitated from four organs, spleen, liver, kidney, and heart. Heparan sulfate largely accounted for the increased content of MPS in all the tissues involved in amyloidosis, with changes quite similar to secondary amyloidosis in man. Experimental amyloidosis in mice is a reproducible model that is very useful in studying metabolic and pathogenetic aspects of a form of human amyloidosis.
Mutant allele frequencies in domestic cat populations in the Netherlands

Surveys of gene frequencies in domestic cat (Felis catus) populations were carried out in four cities in the Netherlands. The principal variants recorded included seven mutant alleles affecting coat colour and hair length. Significant differences in frequencies were found between cities at some of the loci considered. The results of these surveys help to clarify certain trends in the distribution of mutant alleles in cat populations across Europe. Some insight is offered into the importance of trade routes in determining these patterns of distribution. In addition, comparisons between owned pets and unwanted cats indicate that human preferences have little effect on mutant allele frequencies.
Meta-Level Reasoning For Scene Analysis

Extending the recent successes demonstrated by artificial intelligence expert system technology to the broader domain of scene analysis necessitates a consequent broadening of the concepts and techniques used in current systems. Simple, single mechanisms must give way to multiple lines of reasoning and multiple levels of description. Meta-level reasoning, which is a recursive application of the basic expert system paradigm, is a promising approach to the problem of coping with the complexity inherent in highly variable, dynamic environments. This paper describes research directed towards incorporating meta-level reasoning into context-based scene analysis systems. A multi-layered expert system architecture is outlined that is aimed at providing high-level strategies and dynamic planning capability to the basic image understanding process.
ON ROBUST PROCEDURES

Abstract This paper discusses a procedure for finding robust estimators of the location parameter of symmetric unimodal distributions. The estimators are based on robust rank tests and the methods used are applicable to other one parameter problems. To every density function there corresponds an asymptotically most powerful rank test (a.m.p.r.t.). For a set , of density functions the maximin rank test, R, maximizes the minimum limiting Pitman's efficiency of R relative to the a.m.p.r.t. for each member of . This maximin test, R, can be used to construct estimators according to the proposal of Hodges and Lehman; it generates another estimator T in the following manner. If the test based on R is the a.m.p.r.t. for samples from a density function g(x − θ), then the estimator T will be the best linear unbiased estimate (b.l.u.e.) of the location parameter for samples from g(x). Unfortunately, the estimator T is not necessarily consistent for all members of . A class of rank tests which generate linear combina...
SYSTEM RELIABILITY MODELS FOR BRIDGES

Abstract There is a need for efficient bridge evaluation procedures. A considerable number of existing bridges in the United States require repair and/or replacement. Accurate estimate of the current strength and the remaining life time is essential for optimum distribution of the available limited resources. The major parameters which determine the structural performance are random variables. Statistical models of load and resistance can be derived from the test data, observations and analysis. For bridge members the reliability can be calculated using this available data, observations and analysis. considerable discrepancy between the reliability level of individual members and the overall bridge reliability. Due to load sharing and redundancies, the actual load-carrying capacity often exceeds the theoretical value. System reliability methods allow us to reveal an actual safety reserve in the structure. This paper summarizes the practical bridge reliability models. Using a special sampling technique, the reliability is evaluated for typical girder bridges.
Properties of the hypercharge sector of the standard model on the lattice

Abstract Using a hopping parameter expansion, we demonstrate the decoupling of fermion doubler modes in the hypercharge U(1)Y lattice gauge theory. We also show analytically that it is possible to tune the bare Yukawa coupling to a value such that the fundamental physical fermion amf=0 (as is necessary in order to obtain a finite physical mass mf in the continuum limit), and we calculate this value. The appropriate special case of these results is compared with numerical simulations of the frozen-gauge limit of the U(1)Y theory, and good agreement is found. The role of the Yukawa coupling in a chiral lattice gauge theory is contrasted with that in a nonchiral Yukawa model.
A simple atmospheric model of relevance to El Nino

A linear, equatorial, beta-plane atmosphere model with heating parameterized in terms of SST anomalies is developed and used to simulate surface wind anomalies in the equatorial Pacific during El Nino. The model results show some similarity to observations with respect to movement of the major convergence zones, and equatorial wind anomaly patterns in the central and western Pacific. There is considerable discrepancy between the model results and observations in much of the eastern Pacific, especially in the South Pacific high and southeast trades regions. The results suggest that some additional mechanisms may be responsible for these apparently sizeable and spatially coherent fluctuations, but that a direct link between wind anomalies and SST anomalies may indeed exist in much of the equatorial Pacific.
USArray observations of quasi-Love surface wave scattering: Orienting anisotropy in the Cascadia plate boundary

[1] Quasi-Love (QL) surface wave anomalies are observed along multiple great circle paths crossing the Pacific and through the mid-ocean ridge and subduction zone associated with the Juan de Fuca plate. The long-period QL waves observed on the USArray component of EarthScope arrive immediately after the fundamental Love wave arrival, suggesting that the QL waves were generated close to USArray and near the plate boundary. The dense USArray network allows the analysis of the azimuthal dependence of the QL surface wave scattering to determine the horizontal anisotropic axes of symmetry in Earth's upper mantle. We focus on the location, 42.5°N and 127.5°W just offshore of the southern Oregon coastline near the Gorda Ridge, and we analyze the QL scattering along 14 different great circle paths crossing through this location. We low-pass filter the data to suppress overtones and crustal effects. QL amplitude and polarity constrains an anisotropic axis of symmetry that correlates well with the hot spot referenced Juan de Fuca plate motion and regional shear wave splitting. QL observations at multiple periods (50, 75, 100, 150, and 200 s) suggest a maximum Love-to-Rayleigh scattering at 100 s period, which is consistent with anisotropic lateral gradients in the asthenosphere beneath the Juan de Fuca and Gorda plates. Our observations do not follow the predictions of slab rollback and suggest the entrainment of asthenosphere with the overriding Juan de Fuca and Gorda plates.
Molecular analysis of Ku redox regulation

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) can occur in response to ionizing radiation (IR), radiomimetic agents and from endogenous DNA-damaging reactive oxygen metabolites. Unrepaired or improperly repaired DSBs are potentially the most lethal form of DNA damage and can result in chromosomal translocations and contribute to the development of cancer. The principal mechanism for the repair of DSBs in humans is non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). Ku is a key member of the NHEJ pathway and plays an important role in the recognition step when it binds to free DNA termini. Ku then stimulates the assembly and activation of other NHEJ components. DNA binding of Ku is regulated by redox conditions and evidence from our laboratory has demonstrated that Ku undergoes structural changes when oxidized that results in a reduction in DNA binding activity. The C-terminal domain and cysteine 493 of Ku80 were investigated for their contribution to redox regulation of Ku. We effectively removed the C-terminal domain of Ku80 generating a truncation mutant and co-expressed this variant with wild type Ku70 in an insect cell system to create a Ku70/80ΔC heterodimer. We also generated two single amino acid variants of Cys493, replacing this amino acid with either an alanine (C493A) or a serine (C493S), and over-expressed the variant proteins in SF9 insect cells in complex with wild type Ku70. Neither the truncation nor the amino acid substitutions alters protein expression or stability as determined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. We show that the C493 mutations do not alter the ability of Ku to bind duplex DNA in vitro under reduced conditions while truncation of the Ku80 C-terminus slightly reduced DNA binding affinity. Diamide oxidation of cysteines was shown to inhibit DNA binding similarly for both the wild-type and all variant proteins. Interestingly, differential DNA binding activity following re-reduction was observed for the Ku70/80ΔC truncation mutant. Together, these results suggest that the C-terminal domain and C493 of Ku80 play at most a minor role in the redox regulation of Ku, and that other cysteines are likely involved, either alone or in conjunction with these regions of Ku80.
Choice of the perfectly matched layer boundary condition for iterative solvers of the frequency-domain Maxwell's equations

We show that the performance of iterative solvers of the frequency-domain Maxwell's equations is greatly affected by the kind of the perfectly matched layer (PML) used. In particular, we demonstrate that using the stretchedcoordinate PML (SC-PML) results in significantly faster convergence speed as compared with using the uniaxial PML (UPML). Such a difference in convergence behavior is explained by an analysis of the condition number of the coefficient matrices. Additionally, we develop a diagonal preconditioning scheme that significantly improves solver performance when UPML is used.
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor/GAPDH complex augments Ca2+ release via locally derived NADH

NADH regulates the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum by modulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R), accounting for the augmented calcium release of hypoxic cells. We report selective binding of IP3R to GAPDH, whose activity leads to the local generation of NADH to regulate intracellular calcium signaling. This interaction requires cysteines 992 and 995 of IP3R and C150 of GAPDH. Addition of native GAPDH and NAD+ to WT IP3R stimulates calcium release, whereas no stimulation occurs with C992S/995S IP3R that cannot bind GAPDH. Thus, the IP3R/GAPDH interaction likely enables cellular energy dynamics to impact calcium signaling.
Extensive lipoma of the foot

Although lipomas are the most common benign soft-tissue tumors found in the body, they are not commonly found in the foot. This case study concerns an unusually large lipoma on the plantar lateral aspect of the foot that was successfully excised without any sign of recurrence.
Performance Analysis of Diversity-Embedded Space-Time Block Codes

Diversity-embedded space-time block coding (DE- STBC) introduced in [1] is a class of non-orthogonal STBC which can provide multiple diversity orders and transmission rates for the information symbols. This is achieved by transmitting the information symbols in layers each characterized by a diversity-rate tuple according to its QoS requirement. This paper derives a closed-form performance bound for DE-STBC over flat fading channels using outage probability analysis. Furthermore, the effective coding gain and system throughput are analyzed and optimized based on the derived outage expressions.
Cerebellar Ataxia and Occult Neuroblastoma Without Opsoclonus

A case is reported where cerebellar signs in the absence of opsoclonus were associated with occult neuroblastoma. Analysis of the method of diagnosis in previously reported cases reveals the high yield from thorough physical examination supplemented by careful examination of roentgenograms of the chest and abdomen; this combination is recommended whenever unexplained or atypical cerebellar signs are present in a young child.
Computer Generation of General Size Linear Transform Libraries

The development of high-performance libraries has become extraordinarily difficult due to multiple processor cores, vector instruction sets, and deep memory hierarchies. Often, the library has to be reimplemented and reoptimized, when a new platform is released. In this paper we show how to automatically generate general input-size libraries for the domain of linear transforms. The input to our generator is a formal specification of the transform and the recursive algorithms the library should use; the output is a library that supports general input size, is vectorized and multithreaded, provides an adaptation mechanism for the memory hierarchy, and has excellent performance, comparable to or better than the best human-written libraries. Further, we show that our library generator enables various customizations; one example is the generation of Java libraries.
‘Blogs of war’ Weblogs as news

This article examines current events weblogs or blogs that were particularly active during the second US war with Iraq, in the spring of 2003. Analysis suggests that these blogs are a new genre of journalism that emphasizes personalization, audience participation in content creation and story forms that are fragmented and interdependent with other websites. These characteristics suggest a shift away from traditional journalism’s modern approach toward a new form of journalism infused with postmodern sensibilities.
Drop and Energy Characteristics of a Rotating Spray-Plate Sprinkler

A laboratory investigation was conducted to measure wetted radii and drop sizes and to estimate the energy characteristics of a rotating spray-plate sprinkler. Maximum wetted radii were positively related to increasing sprinkler elevation above an irrigated surface and increasing nozzle pressure. Nozzle diameter had a minimal effect on drop size, but nozzle pressure had a significant inverse influence. Energy parameters were calculated for sprinkler operational scenarios. Average kinetic energies over sprinkler-wetted areas were inversely related to nozzle pressure and the square of nozzle pressure. Rapidly and slowly rotating spray plate sprinklers had similar time-averaged specific power distributions. However, the rapidly rotating sprinklers had continuous rotational distribution patterns in space with relatively low peak specific power values that corresponded to natural rainfall intensities of about 20 mm/h. Slowly rotating sprinklers had discontinuous spatial distribution patterns with very high peak values that corresponded to natural rainfall intensities of about 200 mm/h.
Sex pheromone discrimination by male aphids of a biotype of Schizaphis graminum

The ability of male aphids of two different biotypes (C & E) of the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), to distinguish ovipara-produced sex pheromone of their own biotype from that of the other biotype was examined using an arena olfactometer. Biotype E males showed a strong preference for biotype E oviparae; the preference of biotype C males for biotype C oviparae was less marked. These behavioral findings indicate a potential biochemical reproductive isolating mechanism for these biotypes. Zusammenfassung Unterscheidung der weiblichen Geschlechtspheromone zweier Biotypen der Aphide Schizaphis graminum durch die Mannchen Die Reaktion der Mannchen von zwei Biotypen (C & E) der Aphide Schizaphis graminum auf die Geschlechtspheromone der Oviparen ihres eigenen und des anderen Biotyps wurde mit Hilfe einer Olfaktometer-Arena untersucht. Biotyp E Mannchen zeigten eine starke Praferenz fur Biotyp E Ovipare, wahrend die Praferenz von Biotyp C Mannchen fur Biotyp C Ovipare weniger stark ausgepragt war. Diese Resultate deuten auf einen moglichen verhaltensbiologischen Isolationsmechanismus der beiden Biotypen dieser Blattlausart in der Natur hin.
Bending waves on inviscid columnar vortices

Etude des ondes de flexion et des modes de perturbation conduisant aux deformations de la ligne des centres d'un tourbillon infiniment long dans un ecoulement irrotationnel illimite
ON THE INCOMPLETENESS OF THE WEIL-PETERSSON METRIC ALONG DEGENERATIONS OF CALABI-YAU MANIFOLDS

The classical Weil-Petersson metric on the Teichmuller space of compact Riemann surfaces is a Kahler metric, which is complete only in the case of elliptic curves [Wo]. It has a natural generalization to the deformation spaces of higher dimansional polarized Kahler-Einstein manifolds. It is still Kahler, and in the case of abelian varieties and K3 surfaces, the Weil-Petersson metric turns out to coincide with the Bergman metric of the Hermitian symmetric period domain, hence is in fact “complete” Kahler-Einstein [Sc]. The completeness is an important property for differential geometric reason. Motivated by the above examples, one may naively think that the completeness of the Weil-Petersson metric still holds true for general Calabi-Yau manifolds (compact Kahler manifolds with trivial canonical bundle). However, explicit calculation done by physicists (eg. Candelas et al. [Ca] for some special nodal degenerations of Calabi-Yau 3-folds) indicated that this may not always be the case. The notion of completeness depends on the precise definition the “moduli space”. However, through our analysis, it would become clear that the Weil-Petersson metric is in general incomplete if one sticks
Anomalous conductance quantization in carbon nanotubes.

Conductance measurements of carbon nanotubes containing gated local depletion regions exhibit plateaus as a function of gate voltage, spaced by approximately $1{e}^{2}/h$, the quantum of conductance for a single (nondegenerate) mode. Plateau structure is investigated as a function of bias voltage, temperature, and magnetic field. We speculate on the origin of this surprising quantization, which appears to lack band and spin degeneracy.
Feature Fusion Hierarchies for gender classification

We present a hierarchical feature fusion model for image classification that is constructed by an evolutionary learning algorithm. The model has the ability to combine local patches whose location, width and height are automatically determined during learning. The representational framework takes the form of a two-level hierarchy which combines feature fusion and decision fusion into a unified model. The structure of the hierarchy itself is constructed automatically during learning to produce optimal local feature combinations. A comparative evaluation of different classifiers is provided on a challenging gender classification image database. It demonstrates the effectiveness of these Feature Fusion Hierarchies (FFH).
Predicting Developmental Timing for Immature Canada Thistle Stem-Mining Weevils, Hadroplontus litura (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Predictions of phenological development for insect biological control agents may facilitate post-release monitoring efforts by allowing land managers to optimize the timing of monitoring activities. A logistic thermal time model was tested to predict phenology of immature stem-mining weevils, Hadroplontus litura F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a biological control agent for Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense L. (Asterales: Asteraceae). Weevil eggs and larvae were collected weekly from Canada thistle stems in eastern North Dakota from May through July during 2010 and 2011. Head capsule widths of sampled larvae were measured at the widest point and plotted on a frequency histogram to establish ranges of head capsule widths associated with each instar. We found head capsule width ranges for first-, second-, and third-instar H. litura larvae were 165-324 µm, 346-490 µm, and 506-736 µm, respectively. Logistic regression models were developed to estimate the proportions of H. litura eggs, first-, and second-instar larvae in the weevil population as a function of thermal time. Model estimates of median development time for eggs, first instars, and second instars ranged from 219 ± 23 degree-days (DD) to 255 ± 27 DD, 556 ± 77 DD to 595 ± 81 DD, and 595 ± 109 DD to 653 ± 108 DD, respectively. Based on model validation statistics, model estimates for development timing were the most accurate for eggs and first instars and somewhat less accurate for second instars. These model predictions will help biological control practitioners obtain more accurate estimates of weevil population densities during post-release monitoring.
External validation of the modified Glasgow prognostic score for renal cancer.

Purpose: The modified Glasgow prognostic Score (mGPS) incorporates C-reactive protein and albumin as a clinically useful marker of tumor behavior. The ability of the mGPS to predict metastasis in localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unknown in an external validation cohort. Patients and Methods: Patients with clinically localized clear cell RCC were followed for 1 year post-operatively. Metastases were identified radiologically. Patients were categorized by mGPS score as low-risk (mGPS = 0 points), intermediate-risk (mGPS = 1 point) and high-risk (mGPS = 2 points). Univariate, Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses examined Recurrence -free survival (RFS) across patient and disease characteristics. Results: Of the 129 patients in this study, 23.3% developed metastases. Of low, intermediate and high risk patients, 10.1%, 38.9% and 89.9% recurred during the study. After accounting for various patient and tumor characteristics in multivariate analysis including stage and grade, only mGPS was significantly associated with RFS. Compared with low-risk patients, intermediate- and high-risk patients experienced a 4-fold (hazard ratios [HR]: 4.035, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.312-12.415, P = 0.015) and 7-fold (HR: 7.012, 95% CI: 2.126-23.123 P Conclusions: mGPS is a robust predictor of metastasis following potentially curative nephrectomy for localized RCC. Clinicians may consider mGPS as an adjunct to identify high-risk patients for possible enrollment into clinical trials or for patient counseling
Behavioral modeling of an ATM switch using SpecCharts

ATM networking promises to usher in a new era in network technology by providing an integrated network that can be used to transmit voice, video, image, interactive data and bulk data at very high speeds. An ATM switch enables the routing of data packets through the ATM network. In this paper, we describe the development of a behavioral model for an ATM switch using SpecCharts. The SpecCharts language, developed at the University of California, Irvine, is based on the conceptual model of a system as a Program State Machine, and is defined as an extension of VHDL. SpecCharts was found to be very well suited suited for expressing the functionality of the system, as it provides support for behavioral hierarchy, state transitions and exception handling, features not supported by VHDL. The SpecCharts model was translated automatically to VHDL. A behavioral VHDL model was created for an ATM traffic source. A testbench was developed that incorporates the generated ATM switch VHDL model and the traffic source model. The switch description was verified by simulation using the Vantage VHDL simulator.
Evaluating Destination Advertising

Park, Nicolau, and Fesenmaier proposed the Destination Advertising Response (DAR) model as a means to more effectively evaluate destination advertising campaigns by incorporating the key decisions or components (i.e., facets) that comprise a trip. While this model appears to be an attractive alternative to traditional destination advertising evaluation, little research has been conducted to examine its validity. The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential usefulness of the DAR framework based upon current understanding of the travel decision-making process and industry practice. Additionally, the framework is evaluated based on a series of empirical analyses that consider the impact of destination advertising on the destination decision as well as on several trip-related decisions. The implications of this model for destination advertising are substantial in that it provides a much richer foundation for the development of destination marketing strategies.
Of Mancessions and Hecoveries: Race, Gender, and the Political Construction of Economic Crises and Recoveries

Through a discussion of the 2008 mortgage crisis and its similarities to the Great Depression of the 1930's and the Great Recession of 2007–09, I argue that the very notions of economic “crisis” and “recovery” are politically and ideologically constructed, and that conditions of vulnerability, often simply taken for granted as part of the normal social landscape when they affect marginalized populations, become regarded as crises when they affect dominant groups. Each of these crises, I argue, reveals different facets of the ways in which the power, normativity, and privilege of those perceived to be affected by economic hard times serve (1) to construct some economic troubles as “normal” and others as “crises;' (2) to prevent economic problems related to structural inequalities from being treated as crises by dominant political actors and institutions; and (3) to shape ideas about the ostensible solutions and ends to economic crises. By calling attention to these features of economic “crisis,” I aim to demonstrate the relevance of scholarship on race, class, gender, and intersectionality to the understanding of fundamental questions of contemporary political economy not often viewed from this perspective.
Inverse free electron laser accelerator for advanced light sources

We discuss the inverse free electron laser (IFEL) scheme as a compact high gradient accelerator solution for driving advanced light sources such as a soft x-ray free electron laser amplifier or an inverse Compton scattering based gamma-ray source. In particular, we present a series of new developments aimed at improving the design of future IFEL accelerators. These include a new procedure to optimize the choice of the undulator tapering, a new concept for prebunching which greatly improves the fraction of trapped particles and the final energy spread, and a self-consistent study of beam loading effects which leads to an energy-efficient high laser-to-beam power conversion.
Inactivation of avirulent Yersinia pestis in beef bologna by gamma irradiation.

Yersinia pestis, a psychrotrophic pathogen capable of growth at refrigeration temperatures, can cause pharyngeal and gastrointestinal plague in humans that consume contaminated foods. Because Y. pestis is listed as a select agent for food safety and defense, evaluation of food safety intervention technologies for inactivation of this pathogen is needed. Ionizing (gamma) radiation is a safe and effective intervention technology that can inactivate pathogens in raw and processed meats, produce, and seafood. In this study, we investigated the effect of temperature on the ability of ionizing radiation to inactivate avirulent Y. pestis in beef bologna. The mean (±standard error of the mean) radiation D10-values (the radiation dose needed to inactivate 1 log unit or 90% of the population of a microorganism) for avirulent Y. pestis suspended in beef bologna samples were 0.20 (±0.01), 0.22 (±0.01), 0.25 (±0.02), 0.31 (±0.01), 0.35 (±0.01), and 0.37 (±0.01) kGy at temperatures of 5, 0, −5, −10, −15, and −20°C, res...
Radiation Stability of Cations in Ionic Liquids. 3. Guanidinium Cations

Due to their superb structural versatility, guanidinium cations find increasing use as constituent ions in room temperature ionic liquids (ILs). This versatility allows fine-tuning of hydrophobicity, which is an important concern for the use of ILs as diluents for metal ion separations. However, the presence of six C-N bonds in such cations poses a question, whether the guanidinium based ILs can be considered as diluents for nuclear separations, given that the radiation emitted by the decaying radionuclides can break these relatively weak bonds over the use cycle of the solvent. As nothing is presently known about the radiolytic stability of the guanidinium cations, we addressed this question using 2-dialkylamino-1,3-dimethylimidazolidine based cations (R = Et, Pr, and Bu) as a representative model for the entire class of such cations, and assessed their stability in 2.5 MeV electron beam radiolysis. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry have been used to establish chemical mechanisms for radiation damage in guanidinium cations. Our conclusion is that radiation stability of these cations is not significantly different from that of more familiar aliphatic and aromatic IL cations. In fact, these cations yield exceptionally stable radicals, and fragmentation occurs only in their radiolytically generated excited states. The predominant chemical pathway for the cation decomposition is the elimination of their aliphatic arms, with radiolytic yields of 0.65 to 1.06 to 1.46 per 100 eV from R = Et to R = Bu, respectively. The total loss of the parent cation was estimated as 2.62, 1.65, and 1.98 species per 100 eV. While this attrition is not negligible, it is comparable to other organic cations that have fewer fissile C-N bonds. Many of the products are either modified guanidinium ions or protonated bases that are not expected to interfere with radionuclide separations.
A Chain of Cyclic Groups

(1959). A Chain of Cyclic Groups. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 66, No. 5, pp. 384-386.
PSYCHOLOGIC TEST RESPONSES AND METHYLPHENIDATE

Janowsky, El-Yousef and Davis (1973a) have previously described the immediate activation or worsening of pre-existing psychotic symptoms in actively psychotic schizophrenics by a small (0.5 mg/kg) dose of methylphenidate. This phenomena differs from the predominantly paranoid psychosis occurring in normals, as well as psychotics, which follows chronic high dose amphetamine administration (Griffith, Cavanaugh, Held and Oates, 1972). Methylphenidate-induced psychosis activation does not occur in patients receiving placebo injections, in remitted schizophrenic patients, or in nor-mals (Janowsky et al., 1973a). Also, intravenous methylphenidate has been found by Janowsky and Davis (1974) to be about 1.5 times as effective as d-amphetamine and 3 times as effective as 1-amphetamine in activating psychotic symptoms. Due to these interrelationships, and methylphenidate’s specific biochemical effects on brain dopamine in rats (Ferris, Tang, and Maxwell, 1972; Snyder, Taylor, Coyle and Meyerhoff, 1970; Yaryura-Tobias, Diamond and Merlis, 1970; Angrist, Sathananthan and Gershon, 1973; Scheel-Kruger, 1971), Janowsky et al. (1973a; 1974) have implied a dopaminergic etiology to the phenomena of psychostimulant-induced psychosis activation in schizophrenics.
The gastrointestinal tract in Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome is recognized as one of the most common predisposing conditions for a group of serious gastrointestinal (GI) anomalies. Tracheo-esophageal fistula, duodenal obstruction with or without pyloric stenosis, annular pancreas, imperforate anus and Hirschsprung's disease are the most prevalent lesions. Understanding of the morphogenetic mechanisms responsible for this range of abnormalities is far from clear, as none of the lesions is specific to the trisomic state and the underlying defects (i.e., failure of foregut canalization, failure of neural crest cell migration into the myenteric and submucosal plexuses or malformation of the anterior abdominal wall, etc) are encountered in unaffected infants. Segregation analysis of inheritance patterns points to multi-factorial traits and random genetic action provide appropriate models (to a certain extent) for describing the observations. Furthermore, intestinal anomalies can be found in many other genetic disorders, with recent evidence suggesting the presence of GI developmental regulatory genes on chromosome 13q. A possible common pathway to the observed anomalies might be enhanced epithelial adhesiveness, as demonstrated in vitro experiments with fibroblasts. Molecular genetic techniques applied to the smallest human autosome could provide the needed insight into the ultimate mechanisms determining morphogenesis. The development of a murine model is a promising tool for the successful approach to these extraordinarily complex questions.
Regulation of Protein Turnover

The dynamic nature of cellular proteins was demonstrated over 40 years ago (Schoenheimer et al., 1939). But it was not until 1967–1972 that the measurement of protein turnover in vivo received systematic attention, notably by Wa-terlow’s group (Waterlow and Stephen, 1967; Picou and Taylor-Roberts, 1969; Garlick, 1969; Garlick and Marshall, 1972). It is now generally accepted that cellular proteins are always subject to continual degradation even when protein is neither gained nor lost from the body.
Improving on Perceptron Training

When positive and negative input patterns are linearly separable, use of the perceptron training procedure guarantees convergence on the correct output. Theoretically this is sufficient, but in practice convergence may be quite slow. In this chapter, the basic time complexity of perceptron training is considered, and three techniques are developed which can significantly improve performance. These are variable associability, adaptive origin placement, and short-term weight modification. Each addresses a different limiting aspect of perceptron training.
Leader as performer; leader as human: A discursive and retrospective construction of crisis leadership

The study of crisis in higher education remains an important area of research for scholars and a relevant area of interest for higher education leaders who must anticipate and effectively address t...
Detection, Analysis and Reconstruction of Sub-Noise Wideband Signals

Randomly occurring signals are often masked by noise in astronomy, biology and chemistry. While their detection poses fundamental challenge, recent advances in photonics processing have allowed for analysis and full reconstruction of wideband sub-noise information channel. Article not available.
Amplified Expression Profiling of Platelet Transcriptome Reveals Global Activation of Arginine Metabolic Pathways in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

In sickle cell disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury and intravascular hemolysis produce endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathy characterized by reduced nitric oxide (NO) and arginine bioavailability. Recent functional studies of platelets in patients with sickle cell disease reveal a basally activated state, suggesting that pathological platelet activation may contribute to sickle cell disease vasculopathy. Studies were therefore undertaken to globally examine transcriptional signaling pathways in platelets that may be dysregulated in sickle cell disease. We demonstrate and validate here the feasibility of comparative platelet transcriptome studies on clinical samples from single donors, by the application of RNA amplification followed by microarray-based analysis of 54,000 probe sets. Data mining for platelet specific or abundant genes identified 118 genes that showed more than a 100-fold increase in transcript expression level compared to all other cells in the database. Most of these genes were clearly annotated as platelet-specific and 84% of these transcripts overlapped with the platelet abundant genes identified in previous gene expression studies. On comparing the platelet gene expression profiles in 18 patients with sickle cell disease in steady state to 12 African American controls, at a 3-fold cut-off and 5% false discovery rate, we identified >100 differentially expressed genes, including multiple genes involved in arginine/NO metabolism and redox homeostasis. Further functional characterization of these pathways using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, real time PCR, arginase enzymatic assay, and polyamine quantification revealed arginase II-mediated catabolism and diversion of arginine from NO signaling and polyamine synthesis to proline formation. These studies suggest a potential pathogenic role for platelet arginase and ornithine decarboxylase antizyme and provide a novel framework for the study of disease-specific platelet biology.
The effects of dyad reading and text difficulty on third-graders’ reading achievement

ABSTRACTThis study replicated, with modifications, previous research of dyad reading using texts at various levels of difficulty (Morgan, 1997). The current project measured the effects of using above–grade-level texts on reading achievement and sought to determine the influences of dyad reading on both lead and assisted readers. Results indicate that weaker readers, using texts at two, three, and four grade levels above their instructional levels with the assistance of lead readers, outscored both proficient and less proficient students in the control group across multiple measures of reading achievement. However, the gains made by assisted readers were not significantly different relative to the various text levels. When all assessments were considered, assisted readers reading texts two grade levels above their instructional levels showed the most robust gains in oral reading fluency and comprehension. Lead readers also benefited from dyad reading and continued their respective reading developmental tr...
Decreasing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia

Source Citation Pugin J, Auckenthaler R, Lew DP, Suter PM. Oropharyngeal decontamination decreases incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clini...
Self-Assembly of 3D DNA Crystals Containing a Torsionally Stressed Component

There is an increasing appreciation for structural diversity of DNA that is of interest to both DNA nanotechnology and basic biology. Here, we have explored how DNA responds to torsional stress by building on a previously reported two-turn DNA tensegrity triangle and demonstrating that we could introduce an extra nucleotide pair (np) into the original sequence without affecting assembly and crystallization. The extra np imposes a significant torsional stress, which is accommodated by global changes throughout the B-DNA duplex and the DNA lattice. The work reveals a near-atomic structure of naked DNA under a torsional stress of approximately 14%, and thus provides an example of DNA distortions that occur without a requirement for either an external energy source or the free energy available from protein or drug binding.
Impact of duplicate CT scan rate after implementation of transfer image repository system at a level 1 trauma center

The regionalization of trauma in the USA results in frequent transfers of patients from a primary hospital ED to a higher level trauma facility. While many hospitals have a Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) which captures digital radiological images, these are often not available to the receiving institution resulting in duplicate imaging. The state of Arkansas instituted a trauma image repository (TIR) in July 2013. We examined whether implementation of this repository would impact CT scan duplication in the trauma system. This was a retrospective analysis of trauma patients transferred from outlying hospitals in Arkansas and Missouri to a single level 1 trauma hospital in Missouri between July 2012 and June 2015. We compared the duplicate CT rate for patients transferred from Arkansas and Missouri hospitals before and after the repository was implemented for Arkansas. Prior to implementation (July 2012–June 2013) of Arkansas TIR, duplicate CT rates were similar for patients transferred from Arkansas (11.5% ± 2.8) or Missouri (16.3% ± 7.5). Following implementation (July 2013–June 2014), the duplicate CT rate for patients transferred from Arkansas was significantly lower (Arkansas = 10.1% vs. Missouri 16.2%; CI 95%, p = 0.02), and significance continued (Arkansas = 9.0% vs. Missouri = 17.8%; CI 95%, p = 0.02) during follow-up (July 2014–June 2015). Fewer patients received duplicated scans within the Arkansas as compared with the Missouri-based trauma referral systems regardless of Injury Severity Scores (ISS). Our findings suggest that TIR adoption coupled with PACS improved transferability of radiographic studies and could improve patient care while reducing costs in trauma transfers.
Femminicidio and the emergence of a ‘community of sense’ in contemporary Italy

In this article, I offer a reading of the ‘creation’ of femminicidio and of its role in the emergence of a new women’s question in Italy. I concentrate on three central steps in the legitimation of the word and the worlds femminicidio: Unione delle Donne Italiane (UDI)’s political use of the term in 2006, UDI’s Staffetta in 2008/2009, and the birth of the movement Se Non Ora Quando in 2011. By following Ranciere’s understanding of politics as a ‘reconfiguration of the sensible’, I argue that the emergence of femminicidio fostered the emergence of a ‘community of sense’ of women as a new political subject. This community did not gather mainly around ideas of who a woman is or should be, nor did it arise from a common acknowledgement of the nature of ‘violence’. Rather, it was structured around shared feelings and affects, triggered by women’s sense of being actual or potential objects of violence.
On the tenth value distance of the photon field along the maze of high-energy linear accelerator vaults

There is a wide range in the reported photon tenth value distance (TVD) in the maze of high-energy linear accelerator vaults. In order to gain insight into the appropriate use of the TVD value during door design, we performed measurements of the photon dose in the maze of four vaults. In addition, our study represents the first to describe a scenario where an inner borated polyethylene (BPE) door for neutron shielding is installed in the maze downstream to Point A, the point on the maze centerline that is just visible from the isocenter. The measurements were made along the maze centerline at 1 m above the floor. In all cases, the accelerator operated at a nominal energy of 15 MV. Of the four vaults, three were equipped with an inner BPE door at a distance of 1.0-2.1 m downstream to Point A. The door was made of 10.16 cm (4″) BPE sandwiched between two 0.635 cm (1/4″) steel face plates. The photon dose in the maze without a BPE door decreases exponentially with a characteristic TVD of 6 m beyond a distance of 2.5 m from Point A. The presence of a BPE door in an identical vault not only reduces the photon intensity in the maze by about an order of magnitude, but also softens the energy spectrum with a shortened TVD of 4.7 m, significantly lessening the shielding burden at the outer maze entrance. In contrast to the common use of Point A as the reference point to specify distance, the photon dose in the maze with a BPE door located downstream to Point A can be satisfactorily described as exponential functions of the distance measured from the door, which shows good consistency among the three vaults of different room parameters.
Adult Children of Deaf Parents: A Psychosocial Perspective

Normal hearing adult children of deaf parents were surveyed by mail to assess their life contentment, self-esteem, relationships with parents, and life experiences. Scale scores varied greatly, but...
PARM: p ower supply noise a ware r esource m anagement for NoC based multicore systems in the dark silicon era

Reliability is a major concern in chip multi-processors (CMPs) due to shrinking technology and low operating voltages. Today’s processors designed at sub-10nm technology nodes have high device densities and fast switching frequencies that cause fluctuations in supply voltage (V dd ) and ground networks, which can adversely affect the execution of applications running on them. In this paper, we propose a novel runtime framework to reduce the power supply noise (PSN) in cores and routers at runtime. Experimental results for 7nm FinFET process nodes show that our framework not only achieves up to 4.5× reduction in PSN, and up to 34.3% improvement in application performance, but also manages to map up to 38% more applications when the CMP is oversubscribed, compared to the state-of-the-art.