cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Physician Experience, Specialty Training, and Self-referral on Inappropriate Diagnostic Imaging

Although previous research has demonstrated high rates of inappropriate diagnostic imaging, the potential influence of several physician-level characteristics is not well established. To examine the influence of three types of physician characteristics on inappropriate imaging: experience, specialty training, and self-referral. A retrospective analysis of over 70,000 MRI claims submitted for commercially insured individuals. Physician characteristics were identified through a combination of administrative records and primary data collection. Multi-level modeling was used to assess relationships between physician characteristics and inappropriate MRIs. Massachusetts Commercially insured individuals who received an MRI between 2010 and 2013 for one of three conditions: low back pain, knee pain, and shoulder pain. Guidelines from the American College of Radiology were used to classify MRI referrals as appropriate/inappropriate. Experience was measured from the date of medical school graduation. Specialty training comprised three principal groups: general internal medicine, family medicine, and orthopedics. Two forms of self-referral were examined: (a) the same physician who ordered the procedure also performed it, and (b) the physicians who ordered and performed the procedure were members of the same group practice and the procedure was performed outside the hospital setting. Approximately 23% of claims were classified as inappropriate. Physicians with 10 or less years of experience had significantly higher odds of ordering inappropriate MRIs. Primary care physicians were almost twice as likely to order an inappropriate MRI as orthopedists. Self-referral was not associated with higher rates of inappropriate MRIs. Classification of MRIs was conducted with claims data. Not all self-referred MRIs could be detected. Inappropriate imaging continues to be a driver of wasteful health care spending. Both physician experience and specialty training were highly associated with inappropriate imaging.
Abstract TP392: Life in the F.A.S.T. Lane: Improving Stroke Patient and Family Education by Using F.A.S.T

Background and Purpose: Quality educational programs for stroke awareness promote early medical attention which lead to improved recovery and clinical outcomes. The implementation of an evidence-ba...
Efficient hybrid Bayesian optimization algorithm with adaptive expected improvement acquisition function

Computational efficiency in simulation-based optimization algorithms is essential when the system objective functions are expensive to evaluate and computational resources are limited. This article...
The concept of a system of comfortable public spaces in the city of Kursk

The article deals with the problem of the improvement of public spaces in large cities on the example of Kursk. The author suggests using the existing infrastructure of the city to create a comfortable environment and increase its recreational opportunities for local residents and tourists. The study is aimed at creating a system of comfortable public spaces using the ecological, historical and cultural resources of the city, where the parks and squares of Kursk play a key role. The practical use of this concept contributes to the improvement of the city’s image and the development of a comfortable urban environment.
Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis Secondary to Adenocarcinoma of the Breast: A Cadaveric Case Report.

A rare complication of metastatic breast cancer, leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) was discovered during routine cadaveric dissection of a 57-year-old Caucasian female who died from breast cancer metastasis to the brain. This pathology develops in only 5% of patients with metastatic breast cancer and presents with a number of neurological deficits. Progressive neurologic dysfunction is fatal, with a median survival of 10 to 15 weeks. In this case study, we examine the gross and microscopic features of LC and document the infiltration of metastatic cells into the brain parenchyma along the Virchow-Robin spaces.
NRG Oncology NRG-GI007 trial-in-progress: Phase I study of OBP-301 (Telomelysin) and definitive chemoradiation (CRT) for patients with locally advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma who are not candidates for surgery.

TPS262Background: Definitive CRT is a standard-of-care for patients with medically inoperable esophageal cancer (EC, NEJM 326:1593). The NRG/RTOG 0436 study of cisplatin/paclitaxel and RT (+/- cetu...
Can Links to Source Financial Information Mitigate the Effect of Distorted Graphs

This study investigates whether using hyperlinks that connect summarized financial graphs with detailed financial statement information reduces the effect of graphical distortions on nonprofessional investors’ perceptions of firm performance. Using 385 participants from Amazon Mechanical Turk (M-Turk), we find that while distorted graphs do bias nonprofessional investors’ perceptions of firm performance, the provision and use of hyperlinks to the underlying source information eliminate those effects (i.e., de-bias). Using the dual-process theory of cognitive processing (Kahneman and Frederick 2002; Evans 2006, 2008), we find that hyperlinks enhance the overriding effect of System 2 processing (i.e., analytical processing) on System 1 processing (i.e., intuitive processing) and indirectly reduce the decision-biasing effect of distorted graphs on nonprofessional investors’ perceptions. The study contributes to standard setting as well as financial reporting practice by providing empirical evidence that the SEC’s policy guidance on implementing hyperlinks has benefits to nonprofessional investors. Second, it contributes to both the literature on distorted graphs and hyperlinks by suggesting hyperlinking to source data mitigates the effects of graphical distortions.
Pembrolizumab in the first-line treatment of advanced head and neck cancer.

INTRODUCTION Recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with dismal prognosis and has limited therapeutic options. PD-1/PD-L1 axis blockade was initially shown to improve outcomes in platinum-refractory HNSCC. More recently, pembrolizumab monotherapy or pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy resulted in better overall survival than platinum, 5-fluorouracil, and cetuximab (EXTREME regimen) as first-line therapy for R/M HNSCC, establishing a new standard-of-care therapy for this disease. AREAS COVERED We review pembrolizumab in the first-line treatment of R/M HNSCC and summarize the impact of PD-L1 expression, tumor and symptom burden, and patient's performance status on treatment decisions. Future perspectives are summarized. EXPERT OPINION The standard-of-care first-line therapy for R/M HNSCC is pembrolizumab monotherapy for patients with a PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS)≥1 or pembrolizumab combined with platinum and 5-fluorouracil for patients with any PD-L1 status. Addition of chemotherapy to pembrolizumab increases the response rate but also toxicity and is preferred for patients with good performance status and significant tumor and symptom burden. For patients with a PD-L1 CPS <1, the EXTREME regimen should be considered. New strategies combining pembrolizumab with targeted therapies and immune checkpoints inhibitors are being explored to synergize or overcome resistance to anti-PD-1.
Malo-lactic fermentation.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biochemistry and metabolism of bacteria causing malo-lactic fermentation, and also the application of this knowledge to control malo-lactic fermentation. Malo-lactic fermentation is necessary not only to deacidify some wines and to stabilize others, but also to improve some wines apparently by addition of certain products of metabolism, which make the flavor more complex. Natural malo-lactic fermentation can be encouraged by use of low levels of sulfur dioxide (less than 50 mg./liter), delay in addition of acidifying or fining agents, and storage at warmer temperatures. Aeration can stimulate malo-lactic fermentation. Malo-lactic fermentation is most likely to occur under conditions, which also favor wine spoilage. It is nearly impossible to obtain malo-lactic fermentation in wines with very high acidity -approaching pH 3.0. In regions producing these wines, it is often legal to increase the pH by addition of chemicals, by amelioration with water, or by ion exchange. Further, deacidification can then be made by malo-lactic fermentation. Increase in pH can also be obtained by blending the wine with another wine, which has undergone malo-lactic fermentation and has less acidity. The pH of the blended wine may then allow further malo-lactic fermentation.
Measuring bluff erosion part 2: pairing aerial photographs and terrestrial laser scanning to create a watershed scale sediment budget

Effectively managing and reducing high suspended sediment loads in rivers requires an understanding of the magnitude of major sediment sources as well as erosion and transport processes that deliver excess fine sediments to the channel network. The focus of this research is to determine the magnitude of erosion from tall bluffs, a primary sediment source in the 2880 km2 Le Sueur watershed, Minnesota, USA. We coupled analyses of seven decades of aerial photographs with four years of repeat terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to determine erosion rates on bluffs. Together, these datasets provide decadal-scale retreat rates throughout the entire watershed and high-resolution geomorphic change detection on a subset of bluffs to both constrain erosion rates and document how environmental conditions affect bluff retreat. Erosion rates from aerial photographs and TLS were extrapolated from 243 and 15 measured bluffs, respectively, to all 480 bluffs in the Le Sueur watershed using multiple techniques to obtain estimates of sediment loading from these features at the watershed-scale. Despite different spatial and temporal measurement scales, the aerial photograph and TLS estimates yielded similar results for bluff retreat rate and total mass of sediment derived from bluffs, with bluffs in the Le Sueur watershed yielding 135 000 ± 39 000 Mg/yr of fine sediment. Comparing this value to the average annual total suspended solids (TSS) load determined from gauging from 2000 to 2010, we determined that bluffs comprise 57 ± 16% of the total TSS load, making bluffs the single most abundant fine sediment source in the basin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Messenger RNA 3′-end Formation and the Regulation of Gene Expression

Posttranscriptional control is important in the overall regulation of gene expression in plants. Such control may be manifested through numerous mechanisms such as RNA turnover, transport and/or sequestration, and differential translation. Many of these processes involve, in some manner, the 3′-untranslated region (or UTR) and polyadenylation signal of the gene. It follows that the nature of the 3′-UTR, and choice of polyadenylation site in genes with multiple sites, may play a role in the expression of a gene, with important physiological consequences. Consequently, the processes involved in alternative and regulated RNA polyadenylation, as well as generating 3′-UTR and 3′-end heterogeneity, are of considerable importance in terms of defining the expression profile of the plant genome.
United States House Elections Post-Citizens United: The Influence of Unbridled Spending

After the Citizens United decision in 2010 allowed corporations and unions to spend freely in elections, much media attention was given to the influence of unlimited and undisclosed donations during the 2010 midterm elections. This research attempts to determine the impact of increased outside spending by super PACs and other groups post-Citizens United by comparing United States House races in 2006 and 2010. The analysis controls for other factors that influence election outcomes in order to determine the influence of outside spending, confirming that outside money did have a small measurable effect in both elections when spent to support challengers. This study reveals the difficulties of compiling precise data on outside spending in elections, especially for spending that is not express advocacy. Additionally, the findings demonstrate that challengers see a greater measurable effect of outside expenditures, a finding consistent with previous research. This article is available in Res Publica Journal of Undergraduate Research: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol17/iss1/8
Evolutionary genetics of self-incompatibility in the Solanaceae

The self-incompatibility (S) gene in flowering plants has long been appreciated as an example of extreme allelic polymorphism maintained by frequency-dependent selection. Recent studies of population samples of S-allele sequences obtained by RT-PCR from five species of Solanaceae now reveal a picture of conspicuous inter-specific variation in both S-allele number and age. Explanations for this variation are examined with reference to current theory. We propose that changes in species’ effective population size, particularly those associated with the evolution of different life histories, best account for interspecific differences in both the number and average age of S alleles.
The Stability of Insulin in Crystalline and Amorphous Solids: Observation of Greater Stability for the Amorphous Form

Purpose. Generalizations based upon behavior of small molecules have established that a crystalline solid is generally much more stable toward chemical degradation than is the amorphous solid. This study examines the validity of this generalization for proteins using biosynthetic human insulin as the model protein.
COINTEGRATION VERSUS TRADITIONAL ECONOMETRIC TECHNIQUES IN APPLIED ECONOMICS

Rather than supplying another survey of cointegration techniques [Muscatelli and Hum, 1992], this paper highlights some of the well-known problems with cointegration analysis in order to provide some perspective on the usefulness of cointegration techniques in applied economics. To better gauge the relative effectiveness of cointegration techniques, the paper compares them to traditional econometric time-series techniques of the autoregressive distributed lag type (ADL) as summarized, for example, by Hendry et al. [1984]. The comparison is based on a number of simple, easy-to-replicate Monte Carlo experiments with a widely used regression pack
Melting a high 3He/4He source in a heterogeneous mantle

Parameterized models of mantle flow and melting are used to examine two problems in ocean-island and mid-ocean ridge basalt (OIB, MORB) geochemistry: (1) the causes of variations in He, Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes with one another and with age of the surrounding seafloor and (2) the origin of geochemical distinctions between OIB and MORB. We assume the mantle is a mixture of different isotopic components that have different solidus temperatures and are expressed in magmas to varying degrees depending on mantle temperature, lithospheric thickness, and shallow mantle flow. Isotopic variations along the Hawaiian hot spot chain support the possibility that lithospheric thickness controls magma composition primarily by limiting the melting of the most refractory, depleted mantle (DM) component. For Hawaii and a collection of other hot spots, calculations of melt extraction trajectories reproduce the strong correlations often seen among Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes together with the more variable and weaker correlations involving 3He/4He. The latter are predicted to be a direct consequence of only one mantle component with high 3He/4He. We show that both OIB and MORB can arise out of the same heterogeneous mantle layer if three conditions are met: the high-3He/4He source begins melting deeper than DM, DM is ≥85% of the mantle, and the concentration of He in the high-3He/4He source is comparable to that in DM.
Detection of carcinogen-induced stimulation of cytochrome P-448-associated enzymes by 14CO2 breath analysis studies using dimethylaminoazobenzene

Abstract Rats pretreated with three agents known to stimulate cytochrome P-448-associated enzymes, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), and Aroclor 1254 were studied with a 14 CO 2 breath analysis technique after administration of [ 14 C-dimethyl]aminoazobenzene (DMAB). The half-life of breath 14 CO 2 after [ 14 C]DMAB administration was significantly decreased in the TCDD-, 3MC-, and Aroclor 1254-treated rats compared with controls. In vitro studies indicated that DMAB n-demethylase was increased by these three agents. Phenobarbital, an inducer of cytochrome P-450-associated enzymes, had no effect on 14 CO 2 half-life or on DMAB n-demethylase. Studies with [ 14 C]aminopyrine, a cytochrome P-450 substrate, showed that TCDD and 3MC had no effect on 14 CO 2 half-life or aminopyrine n-demethylase; Aroclor 1254 and phenobarbital decreased 14 CO 2 half-life and stimulated aminopyrine n-demethylase. The data suggest that a [ 14 C]DMAB breath analysis technique may be useful for in vivo studies of inducers of cytochrome P-448.
Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiovascular Function and Pulmonary Vascular Resistance

Echocardiograms were performed for 82 preterm infants comprising 22 normal infants, 29 with mild respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and 31 with severe RDS. Left ventricular systolic time intervals were measured from aortic valve echograms and right ventricular systolic time intervals from pulmonic valve echograms. Left ventricular performance seemed to be altered early in postnatal adaptation of preterm infants, but played no demonstrable role in the outcome of RDS. The right ventricular preejection period/right ventricular ejection time (RPEP/RVET) ratio was prolonged in 17 out of 31 patients with severe RDS, consistent with increased pulmonary vascular resistance or right ventricular dysfunction. Prolonged RPEP/RVET identified a subgroup with increased mortality and morbidity.
Wavelets and image compression

The notion of wavelet transforms and their application to image compression are discussed. It is noted that, at higher compression ratios, the performance of the Haar transform based algorithm is visually superior to that of the JPEG DCT-based one. The edges are as clearly defined as for the DCT-based algorithm and the blockiness is significantly less severe than for the latter method. The implementation of this transform and its inversion can be accomplished in integer arithmetic, which makes it desirable for many applications requiring real-time performance. >
Non-invasive serial casting to treat idiopathic toe walking in an 18-month old child.

Background Idiopathic toe walking is characterized by persistent toe walking in the absence of clinically diagnosed neuromuscular disease. Treatment options in children diagnosed with idiopathic toe walking include: observation, physical therapy, serial casting, or Achilles tendon (heel cord) lengthening surgery. Objective In this case report, we present a non-invasive serial casting protocol to treat severe and persistent toe walking in an 18-month old child, diagnosed as an idiopathic toe walker following neurological examination. Methods A series of below knee casts was used to provide a consistent stretch to the plantar flexor muscles. Upon removal of each set of casts, passive range of motion at the ankles was measured with a goniometer. Results Four sets of casts, each lasting approximately one week, increased passive ankle dorsiflexion to 10° of neutral and established a heel-toe walking gait. Improvements in ankle range of motion and gait were maintained upon repeated examinations at 3, 7, and 12 months post-casting. Conclusions These results demonstrate that non-invasive procedures, such as serial casting, can be successful in very young children diagnosed as idiopathic toe walkers. Early identification and intervention for this diagnosis may eliminate the need for invasive surgeries and associated risks in this population.
Current Trends in Adult Degree Programs: How Public Universities Respond to the Needs of Adult Learners.

Although many adult students turn to online degree programs due to their flexibility and convenience, a majority of prospective adult learners prefer to take classes on traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. This chapter examines how public research universities create pathways to degree attainment and boost degree completion rates among adult students.
One health, one literature: Weaving together veterinary and medical research.

Translating veterinary research to humans will require a “one literature” approach to break through species barriers in how we organize, retrieve, cite, and publish in biomedicine.
Management of Recurrent Hepatitis C in Orthotopic Liver Transplant Recipients

End-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma from chronic hepatitis C are the most common indications for orthotopic liver transplantation and the incidence of both are projected to increase over the next decade. Recurrent hepatitis C virus infection of the allograft is associated with an accelerated progression to cirrhosis, graft loss, and death. This article presents an overview of the natural history of hepatitis C virus recurrence in liver transplant recipients and guidance on optimal management strategies.
Adaptations of the Names Test: Easy‐to‐Use Phonics Assessments

In 1990, Cunningham developed a Names Test as a quick and easy screening tool for teachers to obtain information about a student's decoding skills. In 1994, Duffelmeyer, Kruse, Merkley, and Fyfe added 10 names to the original Names Test and developed a comprehensive scoring matrix to increase diagnostic information from the test, based on error patterns. The purposes of the present study were twofold: To administer the augmented Names Test to a sample of students and then reorder the first and last names by difficulty level To create a downward extension of the Names Test that would be more appropriate for use with first- and second-grade students, as well as with struggling readers
New tool improves forecasts of coronal mass ejections

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—explosions of plasma from the Sun that propagate outward in the solar wind—can, if they reach Earth's environment, cause geomagnetic storms and adversely affect satellites, GPS, and other technology. A recently developed analysis tool, currently in operational use at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), helps predict whether a CME will affect Earth's environment and, if so, when the CME will arrive at Earth. The new technique significantly improves real-time estimates of the CME's size, speed, and direction of travel, parameters that are then used as inputs into a comprehensive numerical model of the heliosphere running operationally at the National Weather Service.
Reforming the health insurance market for small businesses.

FACED with possible extinction, the private health insurance industry has emerged as a vocal advocate of reforming the way it does business. Since January 1990, the Health Insurance Association of ...
Integral Peace & Power: A Foucauldian Perspective

This paper analyzes five “paradigms” used for conceptualizing and operationalizing peace in terms of a “practicality test” that represents a set of assumptions concerning the exercise of power. It is argued that theories belonging to three of the five paradigms do not pass the practicality test in a way that leads to them being effectively marginalized from the mainstream of academic study and institutional activity. Adopting a Foucauldian perspective based on his distinction between “negative” and “productive power,” and his idea that the pervasive and nebulous nature of “power networks” requires an incremental and non-systematic approach to long-term social and political change, this paper argues that key assumptions underscoring the “practicality test” need to be revised. This is to effectively make the “practicality test” redundant thereby allowing the hitherto marginalized paradigm of “integral peace,” and to a lesser extent environmental and feminist paradigms, to be reconsidered as a “practical” strategy for establishing global peace.
Disappearance of Tritiated Thymidine and Tritiated Water from the Anterior Chamber of the Rabbit Eye

TRITIUM-LABELLED thymidine (3Hth), a DNA precursor, has been widely used for examining cells which have recently received stimulation for reduplication. The 3Hth, which can be localized at the cellular level by means of autoradiography, is reputedly incorporated almost exclusively by cells which are undergoing chromosome duplication in preparation for cell division1.
Multimode quantum state tomography using unbalanced array detection

We measure the joint Q-function of a multi-spatial-mode field using a charge-coupled device array detector in an unbalanced heterodyne configuration. The intensity pattern formed by interference between a weak signal field and a strong local oscillator is resolved using Fourier analysis and used to reconstruct quadrature amplitude statistics for 22 spatial modes simultaneously. The local oscillator and signal propagate at an angle of 12 mrad thus shifting the classical noise to modes that do not overlap with the signal. In this configuration, balanced detection is not necessary.
Nonanalytic corrections to the specific heat and susceptibility of a two-dimensional Fermi liquid without Galilean invariance

We consider the leading nonanalytic temperature dependence of the specific heat and temperature and momentum dependence of the spin susceptibility for two-dimensional fermionic systems with noncircular Fermi surfaces. We demonstrate the crucial role played by Fermi surface curvature. For a Fermi surface with inflection points, we demonstrate that thermal corrections to the uniform susceptibility in $D=2$ change from ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}\ensuremath{\propto}T$ to ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{2∕3}$ for generic inflection points and to ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{s}\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{1∕2}$ for special inflection points along symmetry directions. Errors in previous work are corrected. An application of the results to ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}\mathrm{Ru}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ is given.
Why structured water causes sharp absorption by DNA at microwave frequencies.

Aqueous solutions of oligopolymer DNA have been observed by G.S. Edwards, C.C. Davis, M.L. Swicord and J.D. Saffer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 1284(1984) to show structured absorption of microwave energy...
Besicovitch-Danzer-type characterization of a circle

We investigate a Besicovitch-Danzer-type characterization of a circle in a class of compact sets whose boundary divides the plane into several components.
Ultrastructure of encapsulated nerve endings in rat gingiva

The ultrastructure of a specialized encapsulated nerve ending located in the papillary layer of rat gingiva is described. The axon in the corpuscular ending possesses microvesicles and microtubules, and is surrounded by laminar cells (with basement membrane) and capsular cells (modified fibroblasts, no basement membrane).
Corporate capital structure and taxes in the Korean manufacturing sector

The Korean securities market is one of the fastest growing emerging capital markets in the world. It is also remarkable for its reliance on debt financing. The bond market accounts for 91.5 percent of the total fund raising activity, while the stock market accounts for only 8.5 percent. The emphasis on debt financing represents one of the major issues related to corporate financial poIicy in Korea. Factors suclt as persistently high international interest rates, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, international competition and indications of a slowdown in the world trade have led to increased pressure on the liquidity of many growth-oriented Korean firms, especially in the manufacturing sector. Demand for capital to finance rapid expansion needs has forced the leveraged firms to prefer short-term bank borrowing. The excessive use of short-term leverage and the need for improvements in capital structure of firms in Korea has led both researchers and policy makers to insist on reforms in the existing tax legislation. This study examines capita1 structure trends in Korean manufacturing firms with respect to taxes, inflation and interest rates. One aspect of this study is to extend IvEller’s (241 framework into the Korean tax and financial en~ronment, where there are several types of taxes that have implications on the corporate capital structure decisions. Another aspect of this study is the explicit consideration of the dual interest rates associated with corporate debt structures: one, the reguIated rate applied on special loans from the government agency banks; and the other, market interest rate applied to corporate bonds determined by market forces. The study also provides insight into some of the fundamental aspects of corporate capital structure for United States investors considering investment opportunities in the Korean manufacturing sector.
Influence of Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment on Numbers of Bacteria Associated with Processed Turkey

Abstract Commercially processed turkeys were chilled in rocker chillers containing chlorine dioxide as a bactericide, and microbial reduction on the finished birds was compared with that on birds chilled using the existing in-plant chlorination program. Water samples from the final chiller exit indicated a reduction in total and coliform counts when using chlorine dioxide. When contact times of 20–72 hours were used the chlorine dioxide treatment was most effective in reducing total and coliform counts of surface skin samples. However, holding times of 6 hours showed no difference in bacterial numbers between the two treatments. Intramuscular breast and thigh muscle samples contained low numbers of pathogens. Total and coliform counts were very low with no detection of salmonella in any samples.
Stationary variational expressions for radiated and scattered acoustic power and related quantities

The construction of stationary expressions for quantities of physical interest such as radiated power and target strength is discussed broadly for acoustic problems involving radiation or scattering from finite objects of arbitrary shape. The Kirchhoff-Helmholtz integral corollaries of the wave equation, which express acoustic pressure at either interior or exterior points in terms of pressure and its normal derivative over any closed surface, yield for both interior and exterior problems two mathematically dissimilar but related functional relations between surface field quantities. One of these is the better known surface Helmholtz integral equation; the other is a differential-integral relation which involves the tangential derivatives of pressure on the surface. The four linear operators involved in these functional relations are studied and it is found that two are self-adjoint, while the other two are an adjoint pair. A general technique for constructing variational expressions recently developed by Gerjuoy et al. [28] is adapted to acoustic radiation and scattering problems with the functional relations taken as the primary governing relations. Included examples are stationary expressions for the radiated power when either the normal velocity or the pressure are specified on the surface (the other quantity being unknown) and the target strength for scattering from a rigid object. The adjoint relations allow simple physical interpretations for the Lagrange multipliers that arise in the theory, such that the guesses for good trial functions can take advantage of existing physical insight. It is demonstrated with a specific example (transversely vibrating disk) that the resulting estimate for radiated power is substantially more accurate than that of the trial function for surface pressure which was inserted into the stationary expression.
Sugar uptake and translocation in the castor bean seedling : III. An autoradiographic study of the absorption pathway.

Radioactive sucrose entering the cotyledons of germinating castor bean seedlings has been partly localised with the aid of microautoradiography. Complete penetration of these organs was achieved in twenty minutes from 0.1M aqueous sucrose. Radioactive material was found to occur predominantly in the vicinity of cell walls and in intercellular spaces. It is suggested that this region offers a diffusion pathway by which solutes can gain access to the vascular system from an external source.
PARTICLE CODE SIMULATIONS WITH INJECTED PARTICLES

As problems we are interested in become more complex, we often find our simulations stretching the limits of available computer resources. For example, an interesting problem is simulation of dissipation processes in sub-critical collisionless shocks. To simulate this system our simulation box must contain the shock and its upstream and downstream regions over the entire length of a run. If the shock moves with any appreciable speed the box must then be considerably larger than the shock thickness making it hard to resolve the shock front itself with a reasonable number of grid points.
Detection of Predominant Antiparallel Strand Registry in the Membrane-Associated HIV Fusion Peptide

The HIV gp41 protein plays a significant role in the fusion of viral and host cell membranes. The ∼16 N-terminal residues of gp41 form the apolar fusion peptide (HFP) that insert into the host cell membrane and play a critical role in fusion. A 30-residue peptide containing the HFP sequence was synthesized and was shown to induce fusion between vesicles. For HFP associated with membranes with physiological cholesterol content, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) measurements demonstrated a fully extended β strand conformation for the first 16-residues of HFP and that the HFPs were aggregated into a β sheet. In the present study, SSNMR was applied to probe for the relative population of parallel in-register strands and antiparallel strands in the β sheet region. Samples were prepared with a mixture of two HFPs, one of which contained a single 13CO backbone label and one of which contained two sequential 15N backbone labels. SSNMR measurements of 13CO-15N distances with different labeled HFPs showed that 50-60% of the strands in the β sheet were antiparallel and 5-15% were parallel. These data provide a clear structural model for the membrane-associated HFP.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Characterization of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Populations in Virginia: Social form Genotyping and Pathogen/Parasitoid Detection

ABSTRACT Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, workers were sampled from 26 colonies in Virginia during the 2007–2008 time period. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to determine colony social form (monogyny or polygyny) by genotyping ants at the Gp9 locus. Twenty of the colonies (76.9%) were found to be polygyne. Multiplex PCR was also used to detect the presence of several organisms currently being used as biological control agents for fire ants in the U.S., including the microsporidian parasite Kneallhazia solenopsae and Pseudacteon spp. parasitioid decapitating phorid flies in the sampled colonies. Kneallhazia solenopsae was detected in 11 of 26 colonies (42%). In addition, Pseudacteon spp. flies were detected in 2 (7.7%) colonies. The sampled colonies were examined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for the presence of Solenopsis invicta viruses -1 and -2. Results indicated that 5 colonies were infected with SINV-1 (19%) and none were infected with SINV-2. This study is th...
Neutron Scattering Cross Section as a Function of Energy

The study of scattering of neutrons of energy range from 0.02 to 80 volts from Fe, Ni, and Pb has been completed by measuring the activation of Ag, Rh, and CH${\mathrm{I}}_{3}$ detectors. The scattering of $C$ neutrons was determined indirectly by two methods, and the results agreed closely. The scattering cross section for Ni fell off slowly with neutron velocity, that for Pb increased slightly, while that for Fe remained constant over the range from 0.02 to 80 volts. The directional distribution of neutrons emerging from the top of a paraffin cylinder containing a Ra-Be neutron source was investigated by placing detectors at various distances above the top of the paraffin. The results agreed well with those calculated for a cosine distribution law.
Least-squares finite element for second order boundary value problem with optimal rates of convergence

Abstract During the past twenty years, engineers and mathematicians have successfully developed the mixed methods and the hybrid methods to solve problems (1.1), (1.2) and (1.3) numerically, such as [1–6]. The discrete inf-sup or its equivalent condition for the subspaces of the approximate functions of u and p has been applied for. It ensures the numerical results converge to the real world solution steadily. In this paper, we try to put an extra equation which is the compatibility condition of this system. We then apply the least-squares method to the so-called enriched system. Analysis shows that this method achieves the optimal rate of convergence in the H1and L2 norms without using the above condition. Numerical examples are still available.
Chemokines in tuberculosis: The good, the bad and the ugly

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ) infects about one-third of the world's population, with a majority of infected individuals exhibiting latent asymptomatic infection, while 5–10% of infected individuals progress to active pulmonary disease. Research in the past two decades has elucidated critical host immune mechanisms that mediate Mtb control. Among these, chemokines have been associated with numerous key processes that lead to Mtb containment, from recruitment of myeloid cells into the lung to activation of adaptive immunity, formation of protective granulomas and vaccine recall responses. However, imbalances in several key chemokine mediators can alter the delicate balance of cytokines and cellular responses that promote mycobacterial containment, instead precipitating terminal tissue destruction and spread of Mtb infection. In this review, we will describe recent insights in the involvement of chemokines in host responses to Mtb infection and Mtb containment (the good), chemokines contributing to inflammation during TB (the bad), and the role of chemokines in driving cavitation and lung pathology (the ugly).
Analysis of sulfides in whole rock matrices by elemental analyzer–continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Abstract Potential matrix effects in the sulfur isotopic analysis of whole rocks by elemental analyzer–continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA–CFIRMS) have been investigated by measuring mixtures of a well-calibrated laboratory sulfide reference mineral and common rock-forming minerals. Mixtures of sulfide and quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, kaolinite, olivine, magnetite, ilmenite, garnet, halite, fluorite, calcite, and graphite show consistent S yields and δ34S values generally within ±0.2‰ of the measured pure sulfide value. However, erratic results are obtained for mixtures of reference sulfide and pyroxene, amphibole, or biotite. These minerals may suppress sample peaks, cause extreme peak tailing, and prohibit isotope ratio measurements. Pure sulfide minerals introduced after the mixtures also showed suppressed sample peaks, suggesting SO2 adsorption on mineral and residual ash surfaces. Removal of the residual ash resulted in normal measurements for reference sulfide minerals. Whole rocks with S concentrations in excess of ∼100 ppm can be successfully analyzed using EA–CFIRMS provided that measurements are carefully monitored for evidence of SO2 retention during and after combustion.
Attitude changes in alcoholics following hospitalization.

Attitudes of 20 male and 5 female alcoholic patients toward treatment and treatment personnel were measured by the Semantic Differential at hospitalization and again at discharge. Attitudes toward nursing personnel tended to be less positive following hospitalization while attitudes toward self became more positive. The results are discussed in terms of treatment and its effectiveness.
A decentralized multi-robot system for intruder detection in security defense

In security defense tasks, multiple robots need work cooperatively to detect offensive intrusion to protect some sensitive areas. In this paper, we propose a distributed algorithm for a multi-robot system with some static sensors. The system concept is that static sensors sense intrusions and act as a cueing sensor to an ensemble of robots. These robots in turn engage the potential intruder, performing surveillance and/or neutralization of the intrusion. To minimize the intruder missing rate and average response time, a STAGS (Shame-level Task Allocation and Gap-based Self-deployment) method is proposed, which is a decentralized method without a central control unit. To further improve the system adaptability under dynamic environments, a multi-objective optimization (MOO) method is proposed to adjust the system parameters of STAGS. Extensive simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm in a dynamic intruder detection task.
The FungusBeauveria bassiana(Balsamo) Vuillemin in a Corn Ecosystem: Its Effect on the Insect PredatorColeomegilla maculataDe Geer

Abstract Isolate ARSEF 3113, of the fungusBeauveria bassiana(Balsamo) Vuillemin, has potential as a control agent in an integrated pest management program in corn for the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis(Hubner), but its impact on beneficial insects must also be considered. This isolate ARSEF 3113 was tested in the field and laboratory for its compatibility with the coccinellid,Coleomegilla maculataDe Geer. Fourth instars ofC. maculatawere exposed by direct contact with a granular formulation ofB. bassianacontaining 1.1 × 108conidia per gram. No mortality ofC. maculatawas observed, nor was the fungus isolated from any of the exposed coccinellids.Coleomegilla maculatapopulations and indigenousB. bassianaon corn plants and in the soil also were monitored in field plots under three tillage systems. Results suggested a spatial and temporal specificity forB. bassiana.WhenC. maculatadensity was highest,B. bassianawas not isolated from corn plant tissues (leaf collar). We concluded that isolate ARSEF 3113 is compatible withC. maculatain managingO. nubilalisin an Iowa corn ecosystem.
Toward perception-based navigation using EgoSphere

A method for perception-based egocentric navigation of mobile robots is described. Each robot has a local short-term memory structure called the Sensory EgoSphere (SES), which is indexed by azimuth, elevation, and time. Directional sensory processing modules write information on the SES at the location corresponding to the source direction. Each robot has a partial map of its operational area that it has received a priori. The map is populated with landmarks and is not necessarily metrically accurate. Each robot is given a goal location and a route plan. The route plan is a set of via-points that are not used directly. Instead, a robot uses each point to construct a Landmark EgoSphere (LES) a circular projection of the landmarks from the map onto an EgoSphere centered at the via-point. Under normal circumstances, the LES will be mostly unaffected by slight variations in the via-point location. Thus, the route plan is transformed into a set of via-regions each described by an LES. A robot navigates by comparing the next LES in its route plan to the current contents of its SES. It heads toward the indicated landmarks until its SES matches the LES sufficiently to indicate that the robot is near the suggested via-point. The proposed method is particularly useful for enabling the exchange of robust route informa-tion between robots under low data rate communications constraints. An example of such an exchange is given.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Systemically Infused Integrative Model for Conceptualizing Couples' Problems: The Four-Session Evaluation

Northwestern UniversityCouple therapy is one of the most commonly practiced forms of therapy, yet cliniciansreceive very little systemic training on how to conceptualize couples. This problem isparticularly salient given that the complexity of any case increases exponentially withthe addition of each person in the therapy room. Couple therapists are faced with aninordinate amount of information that they have to organize and understand. Thisarticle describes a four-session couple evaluation, which is nested in the IntegrativeProblem Centered Metaframeworks (IPCM) model. That is, the four-session modeluses a 21st-century integrative, common factors framework that combines clinicalinterview data with empirical data in conceptualizing couples problems. After adescription of the models, a clinical case study will be presented for illustrativepurposes. An appendix of sample questions is also provided.Keywords:
A fiber bridging model for fatigue delamination in composite materials

A fiber bridging model has been created to examine the effects of bridging on Mode I delamination fatigue fracture in a carbon fiber polymer–matrix composite. The model uses a cohesive zone law that is derived from quasi-static R-curves to determine the bridging energy applied in the bridged region. Timoshenko beam theory and an iterative self-consistent scheme are used to calculate the bridging tractions and displacements. After applying the bridging model to crack propagation data the scatter in the data was significantly reduced and clear trends were observed as a function of temperature that were not apparent previously. This indicated that the model appropriately accounted for the bridging in the experiments. Scanning electron microscopy crack opening displacement measurements were performed to validate the model’s predictions. The measurements showed that the predictions were close to the actual bridging levels in the specimen.
Risk for recurrence in depression

Abstract Depression is a highly recurrent disorder with significant personal and public health consequences. Prevention of recurrence would be extremely desirable, and thus researchers have begun to identify risk factors that are specific to recurrence, which may be different from risk factors for first onset of depression. Methodological issues in this area of research are briefly reviewed (e.g., the various definitions of “recurrence” and “depression”), followed by a review of studies on specific risk factors, including demographic variables (gender, socio-economic status, and marital status), clinical variables (age at first onset, number of prior episodes, severity of first/index episode, and comorbid psychopathology), family history of psychopathology, and psychosocial and psychological variables (level of psychosocial functioning, cognitions, personality, social support, and stressful life events). In addition, scar theories are evaluated for their potential to explain how these variables and recurrent depression are linked. Our review suggests that recurrent depression reflects an underlying vulnerability that is largely genetic in nature and that may predispose those high in the vulnerability not only to recurrent depressive episodes, but also to the significant psychosocial risk factors that often accompany recurrent depression.