cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decompose kV projection using neural network for improved motion tracking in paraspinal SBRT.

PURPOSE On-treatment kV images have been used in tracking patient motion. One challenge of markerless motion tracking in paraspinal SBRT is the reduced contrast when the X-ray beam needs to pass through a large portion of the patient's body, for example, from the lateral direction. Besides, due to the spine's overlapping with the surrounding moving organs in the X-ray images, auto-registration could lead to potential errors. This work aims to automatically extract the spine component from the conventional 2D X-ray images, to achieve more robust and more accurate motion management. METHODS A ResNet generative adversarial network (ResNetGAN) consisting of one generator and one discriminator was developed to learn the mapping between 2D kV image and the reference spine digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR). A tailored multi-channel multi-domain loss function was used to improve the quality of the decomposed spine image. The trained model took a 2D kV image as input and learned to generate the spine component of the X-ray image. The training dataset included 1347 2D kV thoracic and lumbar region X-ray images from 20 randomly selected patients, and the corresponding matched reference spine DRR. Another 226 2D kV images from the remaining four patients were used for evaluation. The resulted decomposed spine images and the original X-ray images were registered to the reference spine DRRs, to compare the spine tracking accuracy. RESULTS The decomposed spine image had the mean peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of 60.08 and 0.99, respectively, indicating the model retained and enhanced the spine structure information in the original 2D X-ray image. The decomposed spine image matching with the reference spine DRR had submillimeter accuracy (in mm) with a mean error of 0.13, 0.12, and a maximum of 0.58, 0.49 in the x - and y -directions (in the imager coordinates), respectively. The accuracy improvement is robust in all lateral and anteroposterior X-ray beam angles. CONCLUSION We developed a deep learning-based approach to remove soft tissues in the kV image, leading to more accurate spine tracking in paraspinal SBRT.
Dynamic coherence analysis of resting fMRI data to jointly capture state-based phase, frequency, and time-domain information ☆

Many approaches for estimating functional connectivity among brain regions or networks in fMRI have been considered in the literature. More recently, studies have shown that connectivity which is usually estimated by calculating correlation between time series or by estimating coherence as a function of frequency has a dynamic nature, during both task and resting conditions. Sliding-window methods have been commonly used to study these dynamic properties although other approaches such as instantaneous phase synchronization have also been used for similar purposes. Some studies have also suggested that spectral analysis can be used to separate the distinct contributions of motion, respiration and neurophysiological activity from the observed correlation. Several recent studies have merged analysis of coherence with study of temporal dynamics of functional connectivity though these have mostly been limited to a few selected brain regions and frequency bands. Here we propose a novel data-driven framework to estimate time-varying patterns of whole-brain functional network connectivity of resting state fMRI combined with the different frequencies and phase lags at which these patterns are observed. We show that this analysis identifies both broad-band cluster centroids that summarize connectivity patterns observed in many frequency bands, as well as clusters consisting only of functional network connectivity (FNC) from a narrow range of frequencies along with associated phase profiles. The value of this approach is demonstrated by its ability to reveal significant group differences in males versus females regarding occupancy rates of cluster that would not be separable without considering the frequencies and phase lags. The method we introduce provides a novel and informative framework for analyzing time-varying and frequency specific connectivity which can be broadly applied to the study of the healthy and diseased human brain.
Urgenze addominali in età pediatrica

La famosa frase che asserisce che i bambini non sono degli adulti piccoli e particolarmente valida nel caso delle urgenze addominali pediatriche, non soltanto per le differenze fisiologiche e metaboliche, ma anche per la diversita del quadro clinico, della presentazione e del trattamento. Questo capitolo e dedicato alle urgenze addominali chirurgiche nei bambini. Le urgenze neonatali sono escluse, dato che e improbabile che dobbiate trattarle, a meno che non siate dei chirurghi pediatrici specializzati.
Enhancing performance in interpolating resistor string DACs

Several techniques for enhancing the performance of interpolating resistor string digital-to-analog converters (DAC) are discussed. These techniques will enhance both static and dynamic performance. The resulting circuit structures compensate for the inaccuracies inherent in the coupling of the interpolator to the coarse resistor string by isolating or eliminating the voltage drop across the coarse tap selection switch.
Self-optimization of large scale wildfire simulations

The development of efficient parallel algorithms for large scale wildfire simulations is a challenging research problem because the factors that determine wildfire behavior are complex. These factors make static parallel algorithms inefficient, especially when large number of processors is used because we cannot predict accurately the propagation of the fire and its computational requirements at runtime. In this paper, we propose an Autonomic Runtime Manager (ARM) to dynamically exploit the physics properties of the fire simulation and use them as the basis of our self-optimization algorithm. At each step of the wildfire simulation, the ARM decomposes the computational domain into several natural regions (e.g., burning, unburned, burned) where each region has the same temporal and special characteristics. The number of burning, unburned and burned cells determines the current state of the fire simulation and can then be used to accurately predict the computational power required for each region. By regularly monitoring and analyzing the state of the simulation, and using that to drive the runtime optimization, we can achieve significant performance gains because we can efficiently balance the computational load on each processor. Our experimental results show that the performance of the fire simulation has been improved by 45% when compared with a static portioning algorithm.
Perceptually guided rendering of textured point-based models

In this paper, we present a textured point-based rendering scheme that takes into account the masking properties of the human visual system. In our system high quality textures are mapped to point-based models. Given one texture, an importance map is first computed using the visual masking tool included in the JPEG2000 standard. This importance map indicates the masking potential of the texture. During runtime, point-based models are simplified and rendered based on this computed importance. In our point simplification method, called Simplification by Random Numbers (SRN), each point in the model is pre-assigned a random value. During rendering, the preassigned value is compared with the preferred local point density (derived from importance) to determine whether this point will be rendered. Our method can achieve coherent simplification for point models.
Particle Acceleration by Magnetic Reconnection

This is a review of theoretical models for particle acceleration by DC electric fields in reconnecting current sheets during solar flares. Particular emphasis is placed on models for collisionless acceleration in a large-scale reconnecting current sheet with a nonzero magnetic field and a highly super-Dreicer electric field of order a few hundred V m—1. Theoretical arguments and observational evidence for such electric fields are also discussed. An approximate analytical approach is employed to identify the effects of the electric and magnetic fields on particle orbits. The magnetic field structure in the sheet is shown to determine both the electron to proton ratio for the accelerated particles and their typical energies and spectra. Formulae for the particle energy gains and acceleration times are presented. Recent numerical calculations of particle orbits are described, stressing the use of exact MHD solutions for the magnetic fields and plasma flows in the sheet. The analytical and numerical results form the basis for electric field acceleration models in solar flares. In particular, physical conditions can be identified that lead to either electron acceleration to gamma-ray energies of a few tens of MeV in electron-rich flares or the generation of protons with energies up to several GeV in large gradual events.
Immunological characterization of plant polyadenylate-binding proteins

Abstract We have raised antibodies against purified 70 kDa pea cytoplasmic polyadenylate-binding protein (PABP). These antibodies recognize both the 70 kDa PABP and a nuclear, 45 kDa PABP. They do not inhibit RNA binding by the purified 70 kDa PABP and do not recognize monocot or yeast PABPs, suggesting that they recognize epitopes distinct from the RNA-binding domains in these proteins. Using these antibodies, we have studied the expression of PABPs in pea during develpment and in different tissues. We find that both the cytoplasmic and nuclear PABPs are present in all tissues, and at all stages of development examined. However, the relative proportion of these two proteins is different in different tissues, with the cytoplasmic protein predominating in leaves and the nuclear protein in roots. Our antibodies also recognize two groups of proteins that appear during discrete stages of development in pea. One of these, apparent in old tissues, may be breakdown products of the cytoplasmic or nuclear PABPs. The other, which occurs only in cotyledons, cannot be assigned a function at this time.
The Luminosity of Mercury Vapor Distilled from the Arc in Vacuo.

Afterglow of Mercury Vapor from an Arc in Vacuum.\char22{}(1) The effect of an electric field on the spectrum was studied. It was found that charged grids decreased the luminosity without changing the color; but when, under certain conditions, the luminosity was increased, there was a change in the relative intensity of the lines. (2) The velocity of the vapor was measured by a stroboscopic method. The luminosity was decreased intermittently at a known frequency and the resulting "puffs" as they moved along the tube, were observed stroboscopically. From this velocity and the rate of distillation, the density of the vapor was computed. (3) Decay of luminosity along the tube was observed. (4) Theoretical discussion of these results leads to the conclusion that recombination of the positive and negative ions produced by the discharge, is the most probable cause of the afterglow.
Keeping an Eye on the Keeper: Prison Corruption and Its Control:

Corrupt practices within the criminal justice system undermine and neutralize the administration of justice as well as destroy public confidence in the system. Corruption serves to negate the goals and processes of corrections and breeds disrespect for the process and the aims of justice. The purposes of punishment are also undermined.
Effects of certain anti-tumour chemicals on a tumorous Nicotiana hybrid.

THE F1 hybrid of N. glauca Grah. and N. langsdorffii Weinm. is well known for its spontaneous tumour-producing ability. Certain potential animal-tumour inhibitors appeared to stimulate the growth of this plant tumour when applied in an amount below the level of inhibiting dosage. Results from chemical investigations on several classes of organic constituents in newly formed tumours from control and treated plants also showed effects of such positive stimulation.
IMMIGRATION POLICY, BORDER SECURITY, AND MIGRANT DEATHS: AN IMPACT EVALUATION OF LIFE‐SAVING EFFORTS UNDER THE BORDER SAFETY INITIATIVE*

Research Summary: Subsequent to U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) efforts to control illegal immigration throughout the 1990s, concern arose over an apparent increase in deaths of illegal migrants as they began to undertake more treacherous routes to enter the United States from Mexico. In response, the Border Safety Initiative (BSI) was created to increase safety along the southwest border. Using multiple data sources, including the USBP BSI Incident Tracking System, this study evaluated the impact of life-saving efforts performed under the BSI program. Results indicate that there has been no overall reduction in the rate of migrant deaths since BSI has been in operation. However, an evaluation of BORSTAR search and rescue teams and the 2003 Lateral Repatriation Program (LRP), which returned apprehended migrants from Tucson sector to less hazardous places along the border, were found to be effective in preventing migrant deaths. Policy Implications: Critics of U.S. immigration policy claim that the only way reductions in migrant deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border can be achieved is through liberalization of immigration policy and relaxing of border security. Yet, for more than a decade, U.S. policy makers have increased restrictions on immigration and have tightened security at the borders. Considering this, alternative means must be deployed in order to save migrant lives in the near term rather than waiting for a reversal of immigration policy. This study suggests that proactive life-saving measures implemented through a harm-reduction strategy can have some impact on saving migrant lives.
A linear programming approach for multivariable feedback control with inequality constraints

A linear programming (LP) approach is developed for control problems which contain inequality constraints on state and control variables. A suboptimal feedback control policy results since the LP calculations are repeated at each sampling instant. Simulation results illustrate that the on-line computational requirements are modest and that the new LP approach compares favorably with alternate approaches.
Musical Community on the Internet: An On-line Ethnography

Throughout much of its relatively short history, the Internet has been the focus of considerable speculation and theoretical discussion from a field now widely known as cultural studies. What ties a great deal of this scholarship together is a common understanding of the Internet as a site for the production of "cultural texts" and an approach that explores, as Rosemary Coombe puts it, "the relationship between the word and the world" (Coombe 1998:17). It is hardly surprising, then, that much of the critical commentary on the Internet comes out of English departments and communications or media studies programs because, after all, the Internet is indeed largely textual in nature, being made up of email, discussion groups, message services, websites, images, and other forms that lend themselves to symbolic analysis. Yet what troubles me about a great deal of this literature is that it tends to be concerned almost solely with social effects (real or imagined) rather than the various apparatuses (technological as well as social and political) and the people who are actively involved in using the Internet on a daily basis. I find an imbalance between the tendency to theorize the Internet at a general level and not enough close-to-the-ground ethnographic study of the new social spaces the Internet makes possible. Mizuko Ito, an anthropologist who has conducted on-line fieldwork, suggests that many of these studies erase the real world technological and social underpinnings of Internet phenomena: "Much of the social commentary around virtual worlds implicitly reinscribes a split between information (virtuality) and materials (reality), describing ways in which on-line spaces provide a space of 'pure' information that is both amputated from, and inconsequential for, real world physicality" (Ito 1997:88). Furthermore, it is too easy to forget that like the products of mass media, the "cultural texts" produced by the Internet are themselves public representational forms, a part of what might be called "public culture." The danger of a purely textual approach is that it perpetuates "the fantasy that one can understand the workings of public cultural representations solely by interpreting/deconstructing [such] representations" (Ortner 1999: 55-56).
Comparative histopathology in BALB/c mice infected with virulent and attenuated strains of Brucella abortus.

The course of infection in BALB/c mice of virulent Brucella abortus strain 2308 (S-2308) and attenuated strain 19 (S-19) varies markedly. Whereas S-19 is eliminated at an exponential rate beginning at 2 weeks post infection (p.i.), strain 2308 assumes a steady state or plateau during the first 6 weeks p.i. and thereafter is eliminated very slowly over a period exceeding 6 months. Here we compared the initiation and maintenance of inflammatory reactions in spleens and livers of mice infected with either of the two strains of B. abortus for the first 6 weeks p.i. Histological changes in the liver were similar in response to either strain and were characterized by the development of small granulomas and an influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and monocytes. Tissue reactions in the spleen were similar at weeks 1 and 2 p.i. At 3 weeks p.i. and thereafter, focal granulomatous responses in S-2308-infected mice exceeded those in mice infected with S-19. Numbers of nonspecific esterase (NSE) positive mononuclear leukocytes in S-19-infected spleens had increased by 3 weeks p.i. and remained elevated. No comparable increase in NSE positive cells occurred in mice infected with S-2308, and numbers were significantly lower. At 4 weeks p.i. the influx of mature neutrophils and the intensity of extramedullary hematopoiesis were significantly greater in S-19-infected spleens. A profound depletion of periarteriolar lymphoid tissue was noted in both infections for the first 3 weeks p.i. However, repopulation of lymphoid sheaths in S-19-infected spleens became significantly greater by 4 weeks p.i. and continued to increase at significantly higher levels during the next 2 weeks. This study demonstrates quantitative differences in splenic inflammatory responses which are temporally related to the more rapid elimination of S-19. Based upon the lower susceptibility of strain 2308 to the protective effects of immune serum it is hypothesized that the different patterns of infection and inflammation displayed by the 2 strains may related to the differential capacities of antibody opsonized S-19 and S-2308 to survive in activated macrophages.
Jamming attacks in 802.11g — A cognitive radio based approach

Wireless networks are susceptible to jamming attacks, which can severely reduce the network throughput. In this paper, we study the behavior and the performance of 802.11g networks under a hybrid jamming attack of configuring a cognitive radio as a jammer. With characteristics such as fast channel switching, quick response time and software reconfigurability, cognitive radios can be used not only to improve the spectrum sharing management, but also to act as an effective jammer. We use a single cognitive radio to simultaneously jam three networks in an energy efficient manner and also to deny any channel change protocol by the targeted network to avoid jamming. We attack the ‘g’ band OFDM channels directly using the fast channel switching capability of the cognitive radio. The jammer sequentially senses traffic on each of the networks without being part of any network. We present the results of the jamming attacks at the MAC and physical layers. We show how the cognitive radio can dynamically adjust its attack to the traffic on each network. We evaluated the performance of three networks individually and together under intelligent and reactive jamming.
Pancoast Syndrome Due to Metastatic Carcinoma from the Uterine Cervix

Symptoms of the Pancoast syndrome appeared in a 45-year-old woman 18 months after apparently successful treatment of stage III carcinoma of the cervix uteri. This is believed to be the first report of the presentation of metastatic carcinoma of the cervix as a thoracic inlet tumor.
DMAC After Dark: Toward a Theory of Distributed Invention

Abstract This essay outlines the concept of “distributed invention” (DI), an idea stemming from our experiences at the Digital Media and Composition Institute (DMAC) when we roomed together and worked on projects “after dark” late into the night. Specifically, we argue that proximal composing, or composing near another person, helps facilitate distributed invention, which we define as a process involving two or more people engaging in idea-generating activities together and where, through negotiation, ideas become mutually appropriated. We describe how DI developed during DMAC and we outline the principles of DI. We also explain how we applied DI to our teaching, our department, and our institution after returning home. We conclude with recommendations for how teachers can implement DI principles into their classrooms. Our findings are significant for understanding possibilities of invention, feedback, and collaboration in print and digital composing environments and in structuring student learning.
Effects of cerebellar lesions on tonic seizures, tremor and lifespan in myelin-deficient rats

Abstract In common with other dysmyelinating mutants, the myelin-deficient rat displays an action tremor and tonic seizures culminating in the death of the animals at ∼ 23−26 days. We find that deep lesions of the cerebellar vermis alleviate the manifestations of the myelin deficiency significantly. Such lesions introduced at 20 days or later eliminate both tremor and seizures for periods up to 10 days. Lifespan is prolonged to nearly 30 days, on average, and to 35 days in some cases. Shallow lesions of the vermis or lateral lobe lesions have relatively little effect. Based on these observations we suggest that the cerebellum ccontributes not only to the action tremor but also to the tonic seizures characteristic of central myelin deficiency. Spontaneous activity originating in myelin-deficient fiber tracts may be carried to the cerebellum and processed there to produce a highly amplified and/or synchronized output to broad areas of the neuraxis. Deep lesions of the vermis presumably interfere with cerebellar output and compromise the cerebellar contribution to the seizures. Tonic seizures and other ‘paroxysmal attacks’ also occur commonly in human demyelinating diseases including multiple sclerosis [11]. Manipulation of cerebellar output offers a potential approach to the control of such spontaneous activity.
Community integration of people with traumatic brain injury: introduction1

Abstract Gordon WA. Community integration of people with traumatic brain injury: introduction. 2004;85(4 Suppl 2):S1–2. This introduction discusses the philosophy of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Community Integration of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. This approach places the perspective, values, and preferences of the person with a disability at the center of our work. Seven of the 9 articles in the supplement are based on the research of the RRTC. The articles address the following: methods of implementing a research program within a Participatory Action Research framework, insider-outsider power relationships within measurement, a review of quality of life research on individuals with TBI, 2 articles summarizing research on depression, an evaluation of a method for identifying TBI in schoolchildren, a study of aging in people with TBI, an evaluation of an innovative community-based vocational rehabilitation program, and a description of findings from the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Registry and Follow-Up System.
Loupe-assisted vs microsurgical technique for modified one-layer vasovasostomy: is the microsurgery really better?

OBJECTIVES To compare the outcome of loupe-assisted, modified one-layer vasovasostomy (MOLV) and conventional microsurgical MOLV for vasectomy reversal. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analysed data for 74 patients who had a MOLV between 1993 and 2003; 42 had the standard microsurgical (x10-16) MOLV (group 1, mean age 40.5 years, SD 6.3, range 30-58) and 32 a loupe-assisted (x 3) MOLV (group 2, mean age 41.3 years, SD 6, range 28-64). With general anaesthesia, each operation was performed as an outpatient procedure or with hospitalization for one night after surgery. The patients' characteristics, patency rate, paternity rate, and operative duration were compared. RESULTS The mean (SD, range) duration of obstruction was 8.1 (5.0, 0.33-25) years in group 1 and 9.2 (4.8, 0.33-27) years in group 2. The postoperative patency and pregnancy rates were 91% and 43% for group 1 and 89% and 39% for group 2. There were no complications during or after surgery in either group, but the surgery was significantly faster for group 2. CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference in the patency and paternity rates between loupe-assisted and microsurgical MOLV. The surgery was significantly faster with the loupe-assisted method. Because of the shorter operation duration and less expensive instruments required that should reduce the cost, the loupe-assisted MOLV should be considered as the best choice for simple vasectomy reversal.
MEASUREMENT OF SELF-DISCLOSURE : SELF-REPORT, RATINGS OF PEERS AND SUPERVISORS

The data reported here represent an attempt to determine the validity of a modified version of the Jourard Self-disclosure Questionnaire (Jourard, 1969) as it was used in an unpublished study. Ten counseling psychology trainees completed the Jourard scale and rank ordered each other on both disclosure in counseling and disclosure in personal situations. Ss were then ordered on the basis of the sum of ranks for each condition. A supervisor also rank ordered the 1 0 Ss on these two dimensions. And, Ss were ordered on the basis of their Jourard scores. Spearman rank-difference coefficients ( rho ) were computed among these five measures (Table 1 ) .
On predicting the future states of awareness for recognition of unrecallable items

Two experiments were conducted that examined people’s predictive accuracy for their future states of awareness. In both experiments, participants learned word pairs and were tested with a cued recall test. When recall failed, predictive judgments were obtained. In Experiment 1, feeling of knowing judgments predicted not only future recognition but also the state of awareness asremembered orknown that was associated with that recognition. In Experiment 2, predictive remember-know judgments were found to be accurately diagnostic of future states of awareness as well. One conclusion to be drawn from these data is that recollective details are among the partial knowledge that is retrieved in the absence of successful cued recall. General implications for theories of feeling of knowing are discussed.
Enhancement of Electronics Cooling in the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

The Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter was first introduced in 1969 and has undergone several retrofits to the present OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (KW) model. The KW has become heavily loaded with electronics for communications, weapons and sensors to enhance its overmatch capability against the enemy. However, the ability to cool the heating load of these systems is being stretched thin, especially in current hot operational environments. As a result, electrical component failure has resulted in reduced operational availability and extended maintenance periods. This paper presents a theoretical study performed by cadets and faculty at the U.S. Military Academy, in support of a request by Army PEO Aviation to explore alternatives. The thermal and flow characteristics of the current KW electronics bays are analyzed to identify weaknesses and potentials for quick retrofits. Several novel solutions are proposed and assessed, including redirection and enhancement of the flow, as well as cooling of the intake air or direct cooling of the electronics through mechanical, thermoelectric, evaporative and heat pipe methods.
Mechanisms in bradykinin stimulated arachidonate release and synthesis of prostaglandin and platelet activating factor

Regulatory mechanisms in bradykinin (BK) activated release of arachidonate (ARA) and synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) and platelet activating factor (PAF) were studied in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC). A role for GTP binding protein (G-protein) in the binding of BK to the cells was determined. Guanosine 5-O- (thiotriphosphate), (GTPτS), lowered the binding affinity for BK and increased the Kd for the binding from 0.45 to 1.99 nM. The Bmax remained unaltered at 2.25 × 10-11 mole. Exposure of the cells to aluminium fluoride also reduced the affinity for BK. Bradykinin-induced release of ARA proved pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive, with a maximum sensitivity at 10 ug/ml PTX. GTPτS at 100 μM increased the release of arachidonate. The effect of GTPτS and BK was additive at suboptimal doses of BK up to 0.5 nM but never exceeded the levels of maximal BK stimulation at 50 nM. PTX also inhibited the release of ARA induced by the calcium ionophore, A23187. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or more commonly known as tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) itself had little effect on release by the intact cells. However, at 100 nM it augmented the BK activated release. This was downregulated by overnight exposure to TPA and correlated with down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity. The down-regulation only affected the augmentation of ARA release by TPA but not the original BK activated release. TPA displayed a similar, but more potent amplification of PAF synthesis in response to both BK or the calcium ionophore A23187. These results taken together point to the participation of G-protein in the binding of BK to BPAEC and its activation of ARA release. Possibly two types of G-protein are involved, one associated with the receptor, the other activated by Ca2+ and perhaps associated with phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Our results further suggest that a separate route of activation, probably also PLA2 related, takes place through a PKC catalysed phosphorylation.
Border Boss: Manuel B. Bravo and Zapata County

On January 1, 1937, Manuel B. Bravo was sworn in as county judge of Zapata County, a post he would hold for twenty years. In Border Boss: Manuel B. Bravo and Zapata County, J. Gilberto Quezada delineates Bravo's political career in the Democratic Party and examines his role in some of the important issues of his day, especially Falcon Dam. During Bravo's years in office, he worked and corresponded with many Texas and national politicians, including James Allred, Lloyd Bentsen, Kika de la Garza, Ralph Yarborough, and, most prominently, Lyndon Johnson. The association between Bravo and Johnson began with the special Senate election of 1941 and is reflected in the more than fifty letters between the two in Bravo's personal papers. In Johnson's 1948 Senate runoff against Coke Stevenson, voting irregularities were alleged in Zapata County when the election returns from Precinct No. 3 were reported missing. Quezada analyzes the Bravo papers for any evidence that Bravo and Johnson had arranged the disappearance and offers possible alternative explanations. From the 1930s to the 1950s Zapata County was one of six South Texas counties where the Tejano majority dominated local politics and held most public offices. Bravo became known as one of the "Mexican bosses" of South Texas, but Quezada draws a more nuanced picture of bossism than has been presented previously, analyzing the role of influential leading families but looking as well at the degree of economic integration into the state and nation as factors in how bossism developed. Those interested in Mexican-American studies and politics and bossism in South Texas will appreciate the window onto South Texas politics and Tejano culture this biography gives.
The Shape and Surface Texture of Loess Particles: Discussion

Very fine particles (< 2 microns) adhering to larger particles have been observed by scanning electron microscopy. Such fines, adhering to loess particles, were interpreted by Smalley and Cabrera (1970) as comminution debris, produced in the process of loess-material formation by glacial grinding. This is in contrast to some published information on the nature and composition of glacially produced material, and the subject remains open to debate. No positive proof was given by Smalley and Cabrera (1970) that the loess material depicted by them was glacially produced. Although these authors may be correct in their interpretation, other additional hypotheses on the origin of loess material cannot as yet be rejected. While there is an obvious connection between glaciation and many loess occurrences, the ultimate origin of much of the loess material has still to be demonstrated.
Effects of Nickel on the Oxide/Metal Interface Morphology and Oxidation Rate During High-Temperature Oxidation of Fe–Cu–Ni Alloys

Steel produced in an electric arc furnace (EAF) contains a high amount of Cu that causes a surface-cracking phenomenon called surface hot shortness. Ni reduces the risk for surface hot shortness, and this work focuses on investigating the following two phenomena caused by Ni during oxidation at 1150 °C for Fe–Cu–Ni alloys: (1) the decrease in oxidation rate and (2) the formation of a wavy liquid-Cu/oxide and of liquid-Cu/γ-iron (γFe) interfaces, which promote Cu occlusion into the scale. Thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques were applied. A numerical model also was developed to explain the experimental results. High Ni contents cause higher liquid-Cu/γFe interface nickel concentrations and more potential for an interface breakdown. The decrease in oxidation rate by adding nickel can be explained qualitatively by the decrease in Fe cation transport through the wustite layer.
Interaction between delta opioid receptors and benzodiazepines in CO2-induced respiratory responses in mice

The false-suffocation hypothesis of panic disorder (Klein, 1993) suggested δ-opioid receptors as a possible source of the respiratory dysfunction manifested in panic attacks occurring in panic disorder (Preter and Klein, 2008). This study sought to determine if a lack of δ-opioid receptors in a mouse model affects respiratory response to elevated CO₂, and whether the response is modulated by benzodiazepines, which are widely used to treat panic disorder. In a whole-body plethysmograph, respiratory responses to 5% CO₂ were compared between δ-opioid receptor knockout mice and wild-type mice after saline, diazepam (1mg/kg), and alprazolam (0.3mg/kg) injections. The results show that lack of δ-opioid receptors does not affect normal response to elevated CO₂, but does prevent benzodiazepines from modulating that response. Thus, in the presence of benzodiazepine agonists, respiratory responses to elevated CO₂ were enhanced in δ-opioid receptor knockout mice compared to wild-type mice. This suggests an interplay between benzodiazepine receptors and δ-opioid receptors in regulating the respiratory effects of elevated CO₂, which might be related to CO₂ induced panic.
Wheat Gluten Plasticized with Its Own Hydrolysate

Proteins can be made into polymer materials through plasticization. Here, wheat gluten is plasticized with its own tryptic hydrolysate. Wheat gluten hydrolysate largely consists of small molecular weight peptides as measured by size exclusion chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Elastic modulus decreases 3.8 times at hydrolyzed wheat gluten contents of 0.2–0.4 mass fraction. Differential scanning calorimetry shows a 100 °C reduction of the glass transition temperature from 0.0 to 0.5 mass fraction hydrolyzed wheat gluten content. Compared to glycerol, hydrolyzed wheat gluten is not as efficient a plasticizer. However, hydrolyzed wheat gluten has a similar effect on the protein structure as glycerol as measured with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature is found to strongly correlate with the state of glutamine and proline in the protein and FTIR results can be used to predict the glass transition temperature at a given plasticization level.
Impact of mentor guidance in surgical career selection

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to survey graduates of a university general surgical residency training program to determine factors that influenced their selection of a specialty field. Methods: A 39-item questionnaire was mailed to 86 graduates of a university general surgery program who matriculated from 1975 to 1989. The impact of lifestyle, technology, clinical opportunity, and mentor guidance in the residents' selection of a specialty field and eventual clinical practice was assessed. Results were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test with significance determined at P less than .05. Results: The response rate was 65% (56 of 86). Eighty percent of respondents identified the most important aspect influencing their choice of specialty was interest in that field; additional factors included perception of prestige, presence of clinical opportunity, mentor influence, and family priorities. Sixty-six percent of respondents chose the same career as their mentor, attributing this to the mentor's skill (n = 36, 68%), achievements (n = 35, 66%), and verbal recommendations about their specialty field (n = 24, 45%), p Conclusions: Surgical residents use many criteria in selecting a field of specialty with mentor guidance an important component. Knowledge of these influential areas should help training programs offer appropriate career guidance. J Pediatr Surg 36:1802-1804. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
fMRI activation patterns in an analytic reasoning task: consistency with EEG source localization

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used to model brain activation patterns associated with various perceptual and cognitive processes as reflected by the hemodynamic (BOLD) response. While many sensory and motor tasks are associated with relatively simple activation patterns in localized regions, higher-order cognitive tasks may produce activity in many different brain areas involving complex neural circuitry. We applied a recently proposed probabilistic independent component analysis technique (PICA) to determine the true dimensionality of the fMRI data and used EEG localization to identify the common activated patterns (mapped as Brodmann areas) associated with a complex cognitive task like analytic reasoning. Our preliminary study suggests that a hybrid GLM/PICA analysis may reveal additional regions of activation (beyond simple GLM) that are consistent with electroencephalography (EEG) source localization patterns.
Attitudes of hospital leaders toward publicly reported measures of health care quality

Importance Public reporting of quality is considered a key strategy for stimulating improvement efforts at US hospitals; however, little is known about the attitudes of hospital leaders toward existing quality measures. Objectives To describe US hospital leaders’ attitudes toward hospital quality measures found on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Hospital Compare website, assess use of these measures for quality improvement, and examine the association between leaders’ attitudes and hospital quality performance. Design, Setting, and Participants We mailed a 21-item questionnaire from January 1 through September 31, 2012, to senior hospital leaders from a stratified random sample of 630 US hospitals, including equal numbers with better-than-expected, as-expected, and worse-than-expected performance on mortality and readmission measures. Main Outcomes and Measures We assessed levels of agreement with statements concerning quality measures, examined use of measures for improvement activities, and analyzed the association between leaders’ attitudes and hospital performance. Results Of 630 hospitals surveyed, 380 (60.3%) responded. For each of the mortality, readmission, process, and patient experience measures, more than 70% of hospitals agreed with the statement that “public reporting stimulates quality improvement activity at my institution”; agreement for measures of cost and volume was 65.2% and 53.3%, respectively. A similar pattern was observed for the statement that “our hospital is able to influence performance on this measure”; agreement for processes of care and patient experience measures was 96.4% and 94.2%, respectively. A total of 89.7% of hospitals agreed that the hospital’s reputation was influenced by patient experience measures; agreement was 77.4% for mortality, 69.9% for readmission, 76.3% for process measures, 66.1% for cost measures, and 54.0% for volume measures. A total of 87.1% of hospitals reported incorporating performance on publicly reported measures into their hospital’s annual goals, whereas 90.2% reported regularly reviewing the results with the hospital’s board of trustees and 94.3% with senior clinical and administrative leaders. When compared with chief executive officers and chief medical officers, respondents who identified themselves as chief quality officers or vice presidents of quality were less likely to agree that public reporting stimulates quality improvement and that measured differences are large enough to differentiate among hospitals. Conclusions and Relevance Hospital leaders indicated that the measures reported on the Hospital Compare website exert strong influence over local planning and improvement efforts. However, they expressed concerns about the clinical meaningfulness, unintended consequences, and methods of public reporting.
Observation of Trimuon Production by Neutrinos.

Two high-energy neutrino events with three muons in the final state are presented. Some examples of possible origins are also discussed.
An experimental study of fledging success in American Coots (Fulica americana): Effects of brood size, food availability, and hatching asynchrony

ABSTRACT. Brood size and hatching patterns in birds are widely believed to represent adaptations to food availability during the brood-rearing period. Experimental manipulations of brood size and hatching patterns have been widely employed to determine whether parents can raise larger or more synchronous broods, but concurrent manipulations of food abundance to test the supposed causal mechanism have been rare. I studied survival to fledging of 1,060 American Coot (Fulica americana) chicks from 99 broods for which brood size, hatching asynchrony, and food availability had been experimentally manipulated via inter-nest transfers of newly hatched young and provisioning of supplemental food. Survival of color-marked young was measured until 45 days posthatch using Cormack-Jolly-Seber mark—resighting models. Survival of offspring from unsupplemented broods declined linearly with experimental increases in brood size, and this decline was large enough to ameliorate any benefits to parents from larger broods. Ho...
A method for the easy storage of discriminant polynomials

One of the purposes of feature extraction is to save on the memory required to store the descriptions of the patterns learned. It is, however, the opinion of this author that a far more important function of feature extraction is to attach statistical significance to the patterns learned and to change the measured variables for future experiments in the same pattern recognition environment.
Miscibility studies of polyimide/poly(ether imide) molecular composites

A new group of miscible mixtures (molecular composites) has been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric relaxation and dynamic mechanical techniques. Three kinds of rigid aromatic polyimides (PI) and a commercial-grade poly(ether imide) (PEI) were mixed by dissolving them in m-cresol and subsequently coagulating in methanol. The mixtures show a single glass transition temperature (Tg) in all compositions in which the Tg increases with increasing PI content. These Tg values are reproducible in repeated heating cycles, suggesting the true miscibility of the blends. This miscibility may be attributed to the similarity of imide structure between the rigid PI and PEI matrix. The bulk PI/PEI indeed shows improved modulus and tensile strength as compared to the pure PEI matrix.
Contractive speech coding

An elegant coding scheme is described that results in more than 120:1 compression ratio of the speech signal. Linear contractive and affine transformations are applied to the difference between the FFTs of two consecutive speech frames. A set of rules that represent this difference are deduced and transmitted or stored. These rules are used to reconstruct this difference and ultimately the speech signal itself. The reconstructed speech is superior in quality to LPC speech. Also this scheme is well suited for the hypermedia coding and data compression problem.
Exploring Children's Literature With Authentic Representations of Disability

AbstractGiven the power of children's literature to communicate authentic representations of disability and the potential of humor for nurturing social acceptance, teachers should know how to discuss this literature in the inclusive classroom. The authors analyze authentic children's literature with elements of humor and provide strategies in support of such critical conversations.
PHASE I STUDY OF VANDETANIB WITH RADIOTHERAPY AND TEMOZOLOMIDE FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED GLIOBLASTOMA

Purpose Increasing evidence has suggested that angiogenesis inhibition might potentiate the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). In addition, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition might be of therapeutic benefit, because the epidermal growth factor receptor is upregulated in GBM and contributes to radiation resistance. We conducted a Phase I study of vandetanib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and epidermal growth factor receptor, in patients with newly diagnosed GBM combined with RT and temozolomide (TMZ). Methods and Materials A total of 13 GBM patients were treated with vandetanib, radiotherapy, and concurrent and adjuvant TMZ, using a standard “3 + 3” dose escalation. The maximal tolerated dose was defined as the dose with Results Of the 13 patients, 6 were treated with vandetanib at a dose of 200mg daily. Of the 6 patients, 3 developed dose-limiting toxicities within the first 12 weeks, including gastrointestinal hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia in 1 patient, neutropenia in 1 patient, and diverticulitis with gastrointestinal perforation in 1 patient. The other 7 patients were treated with 100 mg daily, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed, establishing this dose as the maximal tolerated dose combined with TMZ and RT. Conclusion Vandetanib can be safely combined with RT and TMZ in GBM patients. A Phase II study in which patients are randomized to vandetanib 100 mg daily with RT and TMZ or RT and TMZ alone is underway.