cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound Detection of Patellar Fracture and Evaluation of the Knee Extensor Mechanism in the Emergency Department

Traumatic injuries to the knee are common in emergency medicine. Bedside ultrasound (US) has benefits in the rapid initial detection of injuries to the patella. In addition, US can also quickly detect injuries to the entire knee extensor mechanism, including the quadriceps tendon and inferior patellar ligament, which may be difficult to diagnose with plain radiographs. While magnetic resonance imaging remains the gold standard for diagnostic evaluation of the knee extensor mechanism, this can be difficult to obtain from the emergency department. Clinicians caring for patients with orthopedic injuries of the knee would benefit from incorporating bedside musculoskeletal US into their clinical skills set.
Psychophysical and Electrophysiological Determinants of Motion Detection

Displacement thresholds for moving line targets were measured for man and for retinal ganglion cells of cat and monkey. Several studies are summarized and should be of interest for perimetry. A luminous line was stationary at one site and moved at constant velocity to a test site where it again remained stationary. The optimal stimulus parameters for kinetic perimetry were considered to be the range of target luminance, line length and duration of motion which produced minimum and consistent thresholds. For durations of motion below 0.5 seconds, displacement thresholds remained constant for both foveal and peripheral (18 °) vision. Increases in stimulus luminance and line length produced a successive reduction in displacement thresholds in peripheral vision, whereas foveal displacement thresholds were essentially unaffected by these variables. Displacement thresholds were as small or smaller than acuity measures throughout the central 40° of visual field.
Common Elements in Therapy and Healing Across Cultures

This chapter begins with a discussion of issues involved in making cross-cultural generalizations about therapy (e.g., etics and emics; cultural differences in conceptualizing and dealing with unacceptable behavior). It then discusses six themes that bring some order to the myriad of practices around the world. These are as follows: the effects of industrialization and globalization; implications for clinical practice stemming from social structure, economics, and power; cultural factors in defining problem behavior and solutions; the interactional perspective originating in systems theory; the effects of expectancy and placebo on producing and changing problem behavior; and the cross-cultural applicability of principles of learning and cognition.
Akt and SHP-1 are DC-intrinsic checkpoints for tumor immunity

BM-derived DC (BMDC) are powerful antigen-presenting cells. When loaded with immune complexes (IC), consisting of tumor antigens bound to antitumor antibody, BMDC induce powerful antitumor immunity in mice. However, attempts to employ this strategy clinically with either tumor-associated DC (TADC) or monocyte-derived DC (MoDC) have been disappointing. To investigate the basis for this phenomenon, we compared the response of BMDC, TADC, and MoDC to tumor IgG-IC. Our findings revealed, in both mice and humans, that upon exposure to IgG-IC, BMDC internalized the IC, increased costimulatory molecule expression, and stimulated autologous T cells. In contrast, TADC and, surprisingly, MoDC remained inert upon contact with IC due to dysfunctional signaling following engagement of Fcγ receptors. Such dysfunction is associated with elevated levels of the Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) and phosphatases regulating Akt activation. Indeed, concomitant inhibition of both SHP-1 and phosphatases that regulate Akt activation conferred upon TADC and MoDC the capacity to take up and process IC and induce antitumor immunity in vivo. This work identifies the molecular checkpoints that govern activation of MoDC and TADC and their capacity to elicit T cell immunity.
Acute Cardiac Tamponade in a 58-Year-Old Male with Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis.

Abstract Pericarditis in conjunction with nephritis is an uncommon clinical scenario with a broad differential diagnosis. We present the case of a 58-year-old male who developed nephritis and pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology. In the following, we discuss the differential diagnosis for concomitant nephritis and pericarditis and discuss the work-up performed on our patient. We also review the epidemiology of postinfectious glomerulonephritis in adults and describe previous cases of Streptococcus pyogenes pericarditis in the literature.
Lessons learned from a comparison study of charcoal stoves for Haiti

Biomass is the predominant cooking fuel in Haiti, where it creates burdens on both the environment and the Haitian people. Following the 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, the need for fuel-efficient cookstoves was acute. Although several organizations were quite interested in dissemination of fuel-efficient stoves in the relief effort, there was little knowledge about the performance and usability of the proposed stoves. To help fill the knowledge gap, stove researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory evaluated and compared the performance of several cookstoves intended for dissemination in Haiti. This paper discusses the decisions made throughout the course of that work, from project identification and approach through the dissemination of results. It identifies the challenges faced and how they were addressed, while briefly presenting the data from stove performance evaluated using Water Boiling and Controlled Cooking Tests. It also highlights the importance and benefits of evaluating technologies such as cookstoves prior to dissemination, even in urgent disaster relief situations.
Recent Technology Development for the Biosynthesis of Human Milk Oligosaccharide.

Background Human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) is a third most abundant component in breast milk. HMOs are molecules naturally tailored to the need of an infant. They protect infants from diseases, foster healthy gastrointestinal systems, reinforce fledgling immune function, and promote early brain development. Supplement HMOs to infant formula, which lack this critical element, would substantially improve the function of formula. Overwhelming evidence also indicate that HMOs can be used for the treatment of arthritis and related autoimmune disease, and inhibition of bacteria adhesion or as potential prebiotics. The prospect of using HMO in these applications has stimulated worldwide interest in developing synthesis technology for these valuable products. Methods As the quantities extracted from human milk are limited, and chemical synthesis methods are time-consuming, costly, and complex, biotechnological approach, involving either enzyme catalysis or metabolically engineered bacteria is preferred. In this review, we highlight the most recent advances in the synthesis technologies, as disclosed in patents and patent applications, and analyze these technologies against those reported in literatures. Conclusion Significant progress has been made over the past decade, especially in whole-cell biocatalysis for smaller HMOs. Significant challenges remain for larger and more complex HMOs.
Long term mortality in critically ill burn survivors

Abstract Introduction Little is known about long term survival risk factors in critically ill burn patients who survive hospitalization. We hypothesized that patients with major burns who survive hospitalization would have favorable long term outcomes. Methods We performed a two center observational cohort study in 365 critically ill adult burn patients who survived to hospital discharge. The exposure of interest was major burn defined a priori as >20% total body surface area burned [TBSA]. The modified Baux score was determined by age + %TBSA+ 17(inhalational injury). The primary outcome was all-cause 5 year mortality based on the US Social Security Administration Death Master File. Adjusted associations were estimated through fitting of multivariable logistic regression models. Our final model included adjustment for inhalational injury, presence of 3rd degree burn, gender and the acute organ failure score, a validated ICU risk-prediction score derived from age, ethnicity, surgery vs. medical patient type, comorbidity, sepsis and acute organ failure covariates. Time-to-event analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard regression. Results Of the cohort patients studied, 76% were male, 29% were non white, 14% were over 65, 32% had TBSA >20%, and 45% had inhalational injury. The mean age was 45, 92% had 2nd degree burns, 60% had 3rd degree burns, 21% received vasopressors, and 26% had sepsis. The mean TBSA was 20.1%. The mean modified Baux score was 72.8. Post hospital discharge 5 year mortality rate was 9.0%. The 30 day hospital readmission rate was 4%. Patients with major burns were significantly younger (41 vs. 47 years) had a significantly higher modified Baux score (89 vs. 62), and had significantly higher comorbidity, acute organ failure, inhalational injury and sepsis (all P 2 P = 0.67). Cox proportional hazard multivariable regression modeling, adjusting for inhalational injury, presence of 3rd degree burn, gender and the acute organ failure score, showed that major burn was predictive of lower mortality following hospital admission [HR = 0.34 (95% CI 0.15–0.76; P = 0.009)]. The modified Baux score was not predictive for mortality following hospital discharge [OR 5 year post-discharge mortality = 1.00 (95%CI 0.99–1.02; P = 0.74); HR for post-discharge mortality = 1.00 (95% CI 0.99–1.02; P = 0.55)]. Conclusions Critically ill patients with major burns who survive to hospital discharge have decreased 5 year mortality compared to those with less severe burns. ICU Burn unit patients who survive to hospital discharge are younger with less comorbidities. The observed relationship is likely due to the relatively higher physiological reserve present in those who survive a Burn ICU course which may provide for a survival advantage during recovery after major burn.
An Active Neck Brace Controlled by a Joystick to Assist Head Motion

Dropped head syndrome is often seen in patients with neurological disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Static collars are often prescribed to these patients to support their head. These collars support the head in one position but do not allow motion to the head. In this letter, we present a novel active neck brace to address this issue and provide assistance to the patients to improve their neck range of motion. This brace has three degrees-of-freedom and allows improved range of motion to the head and neck. We have developed a joystick interface for this brace to allow the user to carry out their intended head rotation with assistance of the brace. In order to assess the feasibility of the use of this brace, we present a study that recruited eight healthy subjects. We simultaneously recorded the motion of the head, electromyography of the neck muscles, and force/torque applied through the brace to the head. The results show that the brace provides support to the head and subjects activate their muscles less when assisted by the brace using the joystick.
Recombinant Viruses as Vectors for Mucosal Immunity

Vaccines represent one of the most effective ways to control the spread of infectious diseases. The design of new vaccines that are effective against complex infectious agents presents several formidable challenges. Viral, bacterial and parasitic agents, which cause diseases of the respiratory, intestinal, and genital tract, enter through and can sometimes infect mucosal surfaces. Thus, a vaccine designed to protect against infection would need to stimulate both systemic and mucosal immune responses. Development of new vaccines designed to stimulate both humoral and mucosal immunity faces several hurdles. To stimulate mucosal immunity, the antigens need to be delivered to immunoreactive sites, such as the small intestine, nasal tissue, genital tract or rectum, where discrete lymphoid follicles are found (McGhee et al. 1992; Mestecky 1988; Ogra et al. 1973). Antigen stimulation at these mucosal sites results in the generation of large numbers of plasma-cell precursors, which have the capacity to migrate to distinct mucosal sites. This results in the appearance of antibodies in the corresponding secretions (Mestecky et al. 1987). The delivery of antigens to mucosal sites must overcome many difficulties. For example, the low pH environment of the stomach, as well as the presence of proteolytic enzymes in the stomach and intestines, precludes the oral administration of many antigens (Mestecky 1988). In many instances, mucosal surfaces also have physical as well as biochemical barriers which make the administration of these vaccines difficult.
Reduction of coupling between flush-mounted antennas

This paper discusses some numerical aspects of the coupling study between two flush-mounted antennas. It is shown that a bed of nails embedded between flush-mounted quad-ridge horns separated by 20 cm (4λ 6 ghz) edge-to-edge greatly reduces coupling by about 17 dB at lower frequency end, where the electrical distance between antennas is the shortest. The considered antenna system operates from 6–19 GHz and has |S 11 | < −10 dB, and coupling < −60 dB. The numerical modelling is carried out using MoM and FEM solvers. The computed results are in good agreement with measurements.
Mechanics and Thermal Models for Machining

Predicting forces and temperatures are two of the most common reasons for modeling machining processes. Both of these quantities are needed for practical reasons related to planning a machining operation. Forces exerted by the cutting edge on the workpiece can cause deflections that lead to geometric errors and difficulty meeting tolerance specifications. Reaction forces of the workpiece on the cutting edges can, if large enough, cause catastrophic failure of the cutting edge. The product of the force and velocity vector are used to predict power requirements for sizing a new machine tool or for predicting the production rates possible with an existing machine tool. Temperature predictions are used to estimate how the process of machining or grinding affects a cutting edge’s useful life or how elevated temperatures can change the mechanical properties of the workpiece. Both of these considerations are important for economical operation of the process or the safety and performance of the machined product.
Scaling of phloem hydraulic resistance in stems and leaves of the understory angiosperm shrub Illicium parviflorum.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Recent studies in canopy-dominant trees revealed axial scaling of phloem structure. However, whether this pattern is found in woody plants of the understory, the environment of most angiosperms from the ANA grade (Amborellales-Nymphaeales-Austrobaileyales), is unknown. METHODS We used seedlings and adult plants of the understory tropical shrub Illicium parviflorum, a member of the lineage Austrobaileyales, to explore the anatomy and physiology of the phloem in their aerial parts, including changes through ontogeny. KEY RESULTS Adult plants maintain a similar proportion of phloem tissue across stem diameters, but larger conduit dimensions and number cause the hydraulic resistance of the phloem to decrease toward the base of the plant. Small sieve plate pores resulted in an overall higher sieve tube hydraulic resistance than has been reported in other woody angiosperms. Sieve elements increase in size from minor to major leaf veins, but were shorter and narrower in petioles. The low carbon assimilation rates of seedlings and mature plants contrasted with a 3-fold higher phloem sap velocity in seedlings, suggesting that phloem transport velocity is modulated through ontogeny. CONCLUSIONS The overall architecture of the phloem tissue in this understory angiosperm shrub scales in a manner consistent with taller trees that make up the forest canopy. Thus, the evolution of larger sieve plate pores in canopy-dominant trees may have played a key role in allowing woody angiosperms to extend beyond their understory origins.
Adaptive Comparative Judgment for Polytechnic Transformation: Assessment across the Curriculum

The authors are investigating potential applications of adaptive comparative judgment (ACJ) across numerous environments and learning scenarios within the Purdue Polytechnic Institute as part of Purdue’s efforts to transform the undergraduate learning experience. Six courses or program areas were selected for the study, involving a wide variation in subjects, subject matter, and assessment artifacts. The authors anticipate that positive results from these pilot studies will encourage broader and deeper applications of ACJ in the Purdue Polytechnic, across Purdue University, and in other academic institutions. Results from these scenarios will be disseminated in future conferences and scholarly journals.
3-Dimensional Printed Models May Be a Useful Tool When Planning Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Purpose To determine whether using 3-dimensional (3D)-printed models in addition to computed tomography (CT) scans to evaluate the primary femoral and tibial tunnels before revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction leads to better agreement with the surgical approach than CT alone. Methods Fifteen patients who underwent revision ACL reconstruction were retrospectively identified. The mean age was 24.3 years, and 73% were female. Using only CT images, 3 board-certified orthopaedists and 5 sports medicine orthopaedic fellows evaluated whether the existing tibial and femoral tunnels were acceptable for the revision surgery. Subsequently, 3D-printed models were made available in addition to the CT scan, and the same questions were asked. Results For the attending orthopaedic physicians, adding the 3D-printed models did not have a significant impact on the tibial or femoral tunnel agreement compared with the surgical approach. With the fellow physicians, however, using the 3D-printed models with tibial tunnel evaluation led to a higher agreement rate (76%) compared with CT images alone (63%) (P = .050). Furthermore, with the fellow physicians, there was a higher overall agreement when evaluating both the tibial and femoral tunnels with the addition of 3D-printed models (74%) compared with CT alone (65%) (P = .049). Conclusion Our hypothesis that using 3D-printed models leads to better agreement with the surgical approach was unsupported based on the response of the board-certified orthopaedists. Based on the fellow response, it stands to reason that 3D-printed models may be a useful tool in understanding spatial orientation when planning for revision ACL surgery. Level of Evidence IV, retrospective case series.
Prevention of ASD

When talking about prevention, there are two issues: preventing ASD from developing in a child who has not yet shown symptoms and preventing having children with ASD.
Obtaining and Maintaining Referrals from Other Physicians

A discussion of medical marketing often begins with the three As of marketing: availability, affaability, and affordability. Since all physicns think of themselves as availble, as likeablek, and as offering appropriately priced services, how do you differentiate youself from the competition? Using fancy sationery, a having a practice logo, or having a slick Web site will not do the trick. The mainstay of any successful practice is the patients you already have and the ability to attract new patients which includes referrals from other physicians. Maintaining positive relationships with both patients and colleagues is key to a successful healthcare practice. Specifically, establishing and preserving connections with physicians is essential to creating a strong referral network and a steady supply of patients. This chapter will discuss methods twenty-six ideas and techniques to enhance referrals from your colleagues.
Neural evidence for categorical biases in working memory for location and orientation

Previous research demonstrated that visual working memory exhibits biases with respect to the categorical structure of the stimulus space. However, a majority of those studies used behavioral measures of working memory, and it is not clear whether the working memory representations per se are influenced by the categorical structure or whether the biases arise in decision or response processes during the report. Here, I applied a multivariate decoding technique to EEG data collected during working memory tasks to determine whether neural activity associated with the working memory representation is categorically biased prior to the report. I found that the decoding of spatial working memory was biased away from the nearest cardinal location, consistent with the biases observed in the behavioral responses. In a follow-up experiment which was designed to prevent the use of a response preparation strategy, I found that the decoding still exhibited categorical biases. Together, these results provide neural evidence that working memory representations themselves are categorically biased, imposing important constraints on the computational models of working memory representations.
Endocrine prevention of breast cancer.

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy among women worldwide and is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and national health care expenditure. Unfortunately, with few exceptions like alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical activity, most BC risk factors are unmodifiable. Antiestrogen endocrine therapy, commonly known as BC chemoprevention, is an effective method of BC prevention. In multiple randomized trials, two selective estrogen receptor modulators — tamoxifen and raloxifene, and two aromatase inhibitors — exemestane and anastrozole have reduced BC incidence by 50%–65% in high-risk women. An estimated 15% of the US women between 35 and 79 years of age may qualify as high risk for BC, yet a small percentage of these women will ever have a formal BC risk assessment or a discussion of endocrine prevention options. The etiology of underutilization of endocrine prevention of BC is multifactorial — infrequent use of BC risk assessment tools in the primary care settings, insufficient knowledge of BC risk assessment tools and antiestrogen agents among primary care providers, concerns of side effects, inadequate time for counseling during primary care visit, and lack of predictive biomarkers may play significant roles. Many small studies incorporating risk assessment tools and decision-making aids showed minimal success in enhancing endocrine prevention. One critical factor for underutilization of endocrine prevention is low uptake of endocrine prevention by high-risk women even when appropriately recommended. Furthermore, adherence to BC endocrine prevention is unsatisfactorily low. Despite the current infrequent usage, endocrine prevention has the potential to reduce the public health burden of BC significantly. Innovative approaches like finding new agents, alternative dosing and schedule of currently available agents, transdermal medication delivery, increased public and professional awareness, and policymakers' commitments may bring the desired changes.
Modeling the saturation of detergent association in mixed liposome systems.

Abstract Cells tune the lipid types present in their membranes to adjust for thermal and chemical stability, as well as to promote association and dissociation of small molecules and bound proteins. Understanding the influence of lipid type on molecule association would open doors for targeted cell therapies, in particular when molecular association is observed in the presence of competing membranes. For this reason, we modeled and experimentally observed the association of a small molecule with two membrane types present by measuring the association of the detergent Triton X-100 with two types of liposomes, egg phosphatidylcholine (ePC) liposomes and egg phosphatidic acid (ePA) liposomes, at varying ratios. We called this mixed liposomes, as each liposome population was formed from a different lipid type. Absorbance spectrometry was used to observe the stages of detergent association with mixed liposomes and to determine the detergent concentration at which the liposomes were fully saturated. A saturation model was also derived that predicts the detergent associated with each liposome type when the lipid bilayers are fully saturated with detergent. The techinical input parameters for the model are the detergent to lipid ratio and the relative absorbance intensity for each of the pure liposome species at saturation. With that, the association of detergent with any mixture of those liposome types at saturation can be determined.
Immersed boundary simulations of cell-cell interactions in whole blood

We present a new method for the geometric reconstruction of elastic surfaces simulated by the immersed boundary method with the goal of simulating the motion and interactions of cells in whole blood. Our method uses parameter-free radial basis functions for high-order meshless parametric reconstruction of point clouds and the elastic force computations required by the immersed boundary method. This numerical framework allows us to consider the effect of endothelial geometry and red blood cell motion on the motion of platelets. We find red blood cells to be crucial for understanding the motion of platelets, to the point that the geometry of the vessel wall has a negligible effect in the presence of RBCs. We describe certain interactions that force the platelets to remain near the endothelium for extended periods, including a novel platelet motion that can be seen only in 3-dimensional simulations that we term "unicycling." We also observe red blood cell-mediated interactions between platelets and the endothelium for which the platelet has reduced speed. We suggest that these behaviors serve as mechanisms that allow platelets to better maintain vascular integrity.
Regional specificity and clinical correlates of cortical GABA alterations in posttraumatic stress disorder

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism is implicated in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may be altered in prefrontal-limbic brain regions involved in arousal regulation. This study used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to test the hypothesis that PTSD and trauma-exposed non-PTSD comparison (TENC) adults have significantly different GABA than healthy comparison (HC) subjects in two brain areas implicated in arousal (medial prefrontal cortex, insula) but not in a control brain area (posterior temporal cortex). We also examined whether GABA alterations correlated with hyperarousal and dissociation symptoms. One hundred and fourteen participants (39 PTSD, 34 TENC, 41 HC) underwent 3T MRS of the medial prefrontal, right insular, and right posterior temporal cortices, and the GABA plus macromolecule signal (GABA+) was normalized to creatine (Cr). The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale measured hyperarousal symptoms, including sleep disruption. The Dissociative Experiences Scale assessed dissociation symptoms. PTSD and TENC participants had significantly lower mPFC GABA+/Cr than HC participants, and this deficit was significantly correlated with greater dissociation. Compared with HC, PTSD patients but not TENC had significantly lower insula GABA+/Cr. Total hyperarousal symptoms and sleep disruption were not significantly associated with GABA+/Cr alterations in either region. Our findings point to lower GABA in cortical areas implicated in arousal regulation in PTSD and suggest that GABA alterations are associated with symptoms of trauma-related psychopathology but not always a biomarker of diagnosis. These findings also add to evidence that dissociation has distinct neural correlates within PTSD, including high excitability of medial prefrontal cortex.
Resuscitation artifacts during electroencephalography

ABSTRACT.Resuscitation artifacts during EEG have rarely been reported. We describe the artifact produced in the EEG by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of four patients. In these patients, manual chest compression produced movement artifact that resembled periodic sharp waves or slow wave complexes (or both). Often this artifact was reflected in just a few electrodes, depending on the position of the patient's head at the time CPR was performed. For three patients, CPR was unsuccessful and the EEG showed complete absence of cerebral activity. The other patient recovered, and the EEG returned to baseline.
An Accretion-induced X-Ray Flare in Sagittarius A*

The recent detection of a 3 hr X-ray flare from Sgr A* by Chandra provides very strong evidence for a compact emitting region near this supermassive black hole at the Galactic center. The millimeter/submillimeter spectrum and linear polarimetric properties of Sgr A* and its quiescent state X-ray flux density are consistent with a model in which low angular momentum gas captured at large radii circularizes to form a hot magnetized Keplerian flow within tens of Schwarzschild radii of the black hole's event horizon. In the quiescent state of Sgr A*, the X-ray emission appears to be produced by self-Comptonization of the millimeter/submillimeter synchrotron photons emitted in this region. In this Letter we show that the prominent X-ray flare seen in Sgr A* may be due to a sudden enhancement of accretion through the circularized flow. Depending on whether the associated response of the anomalous viscosity is to increase or decrease in tandem with this additional injection of mass, the X-ray photons during the outburst may be produced via either thermal bremsstrahlung (if the viscosity decreases) or synchrotron self-Comptonization (SSC; if the viscosity increases). However, the latter predicts a softer X-ray spectrum than was seen by Chandra, so it appears that a bremsstrahlung origin for the X-ray outburst is favored. A strong correlation is expected between the millimeter/submillimeter and X-ray fluxes when the flare X-rays are produced by SSC, while the correlated variability is strongest between the submillimeter/far-IR and X-rays when bremsstrahlung emission is dominant during the flare. In addition, we show that future coordinated multiwavelength observations planned for the 2002 and 2003 cycles may be able to distinguish between the accretion and jet scenarios.
Can nanotechnology deliver the promised benefits without negatively impacting soil microbial life

Nanotechnology exploits the enhanced reactivity of materials at the atomic scale to improve various applications for humankind. In agriculture, potential nanotechnology applications include crop protection and fertilization. However, such benefits could come with risks for the environment: non-target plants, plant-beneficial soil microbes and other life forms could be impacted if nanoparticles (nanomaterials) contaminate the environment. This review evaluates the impact of the major metallic nanoparticles (Ag, ZnO, CuO, CeO2 , TiO2 , and FeO-based nanoparticles) on soil microbes involved in agricultural processes. The current literature indicate that in addition to population and organismal-scale effects on microbes, other subtle impacts of nanoparticles are seen in the nitrogen cycle, soil enzyme activities, and processes involved in iron metabolism, phytohormone, and antibiotic production. These effects are negative or positive, the outcome being dependent on specific nanoparticles. Collectively, published results suggest that nanotechnology portends considerable, many negative, implications for soil microbes and, thus, agricultural processes that are microbially driven. Nonetheless, the potential of plant and soil microbial processes to mitigate the bioreactivity of nanoparticles also are observed. Whereas the roots of most terrestrial plants are associated with microbes, studies of nanoparticle interactions with plants and microbes are generally conducted separately. The few studies in actual microbe-plant systems found effects of nanoparticles on the functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen fixation, as well as on the production of microbial siderophores in the plant rhizosphere. It is suggested that a better understanding of the agro-ecological ramifications of nanoparticles would require more in-depth interactive studies in combined plant-microbe-nanoparticle systems.
A Posteriori Soundness for Non-deterministic Abstract Interpretations

An abstract interpretation's resource-allocation policy (e.g. , one heap summary node per allocation site) largely determines both its speed and precision. Historically, context has driven allocation policies, and as a result, these policies are said to determine the "context-sensitivity" of the analysis. This work gives analysis designers newfound freedom to manipulate speed and precision by severing the link between allocation policy and context-sensitivity: abstract allocation policies may be unhinged not only from context, but also from even a predefined correspondence with a concrete allocation policy. We do so by proving that abstract allocation policies can be made non-deterministic without sacrificing correctness; this non-determinism permits precision-guided allocation policies previously assumed to be unsafe. To prove correctness, we introduce the notion of a posteriori soundness for an analysis. A proof of a posteriori soundness differs from a standard proof of soundness in that the abstraction maps used in an a posteriori proof cannot be constructed until after an analysis has been run. Delaying construction allows them to be built so as to justify the decisions made by non-determinism. The crux of the a posteriori soundness theorem is to demonstrate that a justifying abstraction map can always be constructed.
Admissible and singular translates of stable processes

Abstract : Translates of symmetric stable and other p sub th order processes are considered. An upper bound for the set of admissible translates of a general p sub th order process is presented, which is a partial analog of the reproducing kernel Hilbert space of a second order process. For invertible stable processes a dichotomy is established, i.e. each translate is either admissible or singular, and the admissible translates are characterized. As a consequence, most continuous time moving averages and all harmonizable processes with nonatomic spectral measure have no admissible translate; and the admissible translates of a general harmonizable process are characterized. The translates of a mixed autoregressive moving averages stable sequence are shown to coincide with those of the Gaussian case.
Agricultural reforms in Lithuania: implications for rural women, farmers and municipalities

v GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Problem Statement 1 Theoretical Background 2 Methods 5 Limitations of Study 7 Explanation of Dissertation Format 8 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 10 AREA OF STUDY: THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA 12 Historical Background 12 Geography 12 Characteristics of the Agricultural Sector 13 Present Economic and Agricultural Situation 14 Population Characteristics and Ethnicity 17 PAPER 1. NEW REALITIES FACING LITHUANIAN FARMERS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS 20
Frequency metrology via quantum interference in two-photon excitation

Quantum interference in atomic two-photon excitation is exploited for optical demodulation, with phase-sensitive detection at /spl plusmn/12 THz having been achieved. By utilizing the atoms as ultrafast nonlinear mixing elements, a new technique for the comparison of essentially arbitrary frequencies over the range 200-2000 nm is presented.
Basic Principles of Population Genetics

In this chapter we briefly review some elementary results from population genetics discussed in more detail in the references [2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13]. Various genetic definitions are recalled merely to provide a context for this and more advanced mathematical theory. Readers with a limited knowledge of modern genetics are urged to learn molecular genetics by formal course work or informal self-study. Appendix A summarizes a few of the major currents in molecular genetics. In Chapter 15, we resume our study of population genetics from a stochastic perspective by exploiting the machinery of diffusion processes.
D-amino acid oxidase. IV. Inactivation by maleimides.

Abstract A series of N-alkylmaleimides was shown to effectively inhibit d-amino acid oxidase at pH 7.0 and 7.5. Apparent second order rate constants for maleimide inactivation of the enzyme increased with increasing chain length of the alkyl substituents of the maleimide derivatives. It is suggested that this chain length effect is due to an enhanced binding of the longer chain compounds through nonpolar interactions with the enzyme. N-Phenylmaleimide and N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)maleimide were used to label d-amino acid oxidase. Product studies indicated that the maleimides were reacting only with cysteine residues of the enzyme. Peptide mapping was used to show that d-amino acid oxidase is composed of identical subunits having a molecular weight of 50,000. Product studies and spectrophotometric studies indicated that 3 moles of maleimide were bound per 50,000 g of protein. d-Amino acid oxidase was shown to be saturated with high concentrations of the N-alkylmaleimides, thus indicating the binding of the maleimides to the enzyme before the rate-limiting inactivation step. FAD and adenine derivatives were very effective in protecting the enzyme against inactivation by N-ethylmaleimide. Prior inactivation of the enzyme by N-ethylmaleimide prevented the binding of FAD to the enzyme. These results indicated that there is at least one reactive sulfhydryl group made less accessible by the binding of adenine derivatives at the FAD-binding site of d-amino acid oxidase.
A laser scanning radar based autonomous lateral vehicle following control scheme for automated highways

This paper describes the development of an autonomous vehicle following control scheme using a laser scanning radar sensor (LIDAR) for automated highway applications. The LIDAR sensor measures the ego-vehicle's relative position with respect to its preceding vehicle, and the newly developed control scheme uses the LIDAR measurements to control the ego-vehicle to follow the lead vehicle. This research is conducted as part of the efforts on fault management of automated highway systems by California PATH. The new control scheme can be used as a back-up system for the current PATH magnetometer-based road following control scheme in case of magnetometer failure. This paper describes the LIDAR sensor, discusses key issues in the system design, and provides experimental results.
Controlling the Game: Political Sponsors and Bureaus

Much of the economic research on public sector bureau behavior has been motivated by Niskanen's (1971, 1975) representation of the bureau-sponsor interaction as a bilateral monopoly with the bureau enjoying the upper hand as a result of its ability to enforce all-or-nothing offers. Niskanen argued that the bureaus would exploit their monopoly power by demanding a budget that would just exhaust the surplus of the sponsor.' In the early literature, the sponsor was generally treated as a passive player although there were exceptions (see Miller and Hettich for examples). Economists have recently come to recognize that politicians have both the means and the incentive to reduce bureaucratic excesses. Explicitly incorporating the sponsor's role alters Niskanen's original predictions. Chan and Mestelman, following Miller, analyze the bureau-sponsor interaction as a
Designing collaborative learning in large introductory courses

Introductory courses present a challenge because the students have varying degrees of prior knowledge, the majority of the students do not intend to fake additional courses in the domain and they usually have large enrollment. A typical example is Computer Science I. Studio format is ideal if faculty resources are available. However, sixteen sections quickly tax even large departments. The paper describes how we used diversity of background as a strength and how interactivity was introduced in large (200+ student) sessions using one faculty member and a number of graduate teaching assistants.
Performance monitoring in a time-sharing system

A software measurement facility which is part of a general purpose time-sharing system is described. The Data Collection Facility (DCF) has been implemented in the Michigan Terminal System (MTS) for the System/360 model 67. It exists for the purpose of monitoring operating system and user program behavior and performance. The overall structure of MTS is outlined in order to explain the implementation of the DCF. Events in the system are identified and recorded from within the supervisor, and dumped to magnetic tape by an auxiliary program for off-line processing. Events in user programs which are unrelated to system actions are recorded with a supervisor call. The time of occurrence of each event is accurately recorded, and data items are further identified by job and type. The overhead associated with data collection and its interference with normal jobs is carefully analyzed, and both are shown to be minimal. Several examples are given of information obtained with the facility and of applications in which it has been useful. Some general guidelines are offered for the construction of future monitoring programs.
Rings with infinitely many indecomposable periodic Gorenstein modules

where A, is an n by n matrix such that ker A, = im A,. Since the R-dual of this sequence is also exact, ~34~ turns out to be a Gorenstcin module. Finally, &I = Un 1M, is also indecomposable and periodic with period 1. In each case indecomposability is proved by showing that the endomorphism ring of the module is local. (This is rather involved.) The nice feature is the simplicity of the matrix A,, . With the exception of the main diagonal and the diagonal just above it, all entries are 0. On the main diagonal x alternates with -x, while on the other diagonal every entry is y. Both x and y lie in the center and in the Jacobson radical of R. We assume further that arm(x) = xR (i.e., 0 + XR -+ R -+z xR + 0 is exact), y* = 0, and my =/ 0. There are no other conditions on R. The last condition, g :I 0, is crucial, since replacing y by 0 would yield a diagonal matrix for A, , whose image, :14n , would be the direct sum of n copies of the ideal xR. I wish to thank David Eiscnbud, hluarice Auslander, and Victor Miller for helpful discussions.
Classical model of laser-stimulated surface processes: Energy-absorption profiles via the Langevin equation

Abstract : A classical model system, consisting of a diatomic molecule chemisorbed on a solid surface and subjected to infrared laser radiation, is presented. A set of coupled equations of motion characterized by the many-body effects of the surface atoms is reduced to the Langevin equations of a two-body problem in transformed coordinates. The surface-induced damping factor and frequency red-shift of the pumped mode are introduced by using a Wigner-Weisskopf-type approximation. The asymmetric forms of the power absorption and the quantized cross section due to the nonlinear effects of the anharmonicity are shown. The energy absorption profiles (energy absorbed vs time), which are universal for any ranges of laser intensity (i.e., as the intensity changes the profile remains the same provided the time scale is changed appropriately), are plotted for different sets of the damping factor and the detuning. It is found that much longer time scales (microsecond) are required for low-power excitations than for the high-power cases. The advantages and difficulties of the normal-mode method and the numerical method are discussed, and a new set of coupled equations in the rotating frame are developed.
Blind Dosage Comparisons and Other Studies in a Large Methadone Program

(1971). Blind Dosage Comparisons and Other Studies in a Large Methadone Program. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs: Vol. 4, The Contemporary Heroin Scene, Part II: Treatment Perspectives, pp. 177-181.
World Bank Reform Should Start at the Top

Philips, who trained as an economist and worked in the private sector before entering the world of development, spent 14 years working for the World Bank with a focus on Tanzania, Mozambique, Belarus, and Armenia (viii). His main task in this volume is to recount and assess the reforms that Wolfensohn undertook as Bank president and then to offer an explanation for why the reforms were not as successful as they might have been and a proposal for how to reform World Bank governance in the name of overall operating efficiency. He draws heavily on the business management literature to describe both the corporate reorganization fads that held sway over Wolfensohn and also the ways in which designing a more effective board of directors would lead to improved operations (and, one hopes, improved development effectiveness) . The book opens with a standard account of the Bank's history and then a chapter on the challenges posed to the Bank by NGOs and US Congressional committees. Then Phillips switches his focus to the Strategic Compact, Wolfensohn's attempt to reengineer the organization in the name of moving resources to operations, turning the Bank into a "knowledge bank" able to provide development expertise even more than just funding, improving the use of information technology in Bank operations, decentralizing operations to the borrower countries from Washington, and increasing pro-poor and participatory project lending. Phillips does a much better job of listing these goals in the concluding chapter than he does when he first discusses the Strategic Compact. The core contribution of the book is Phillips' extended assessment of the success of these reforms. The picture that he paints is not a pretty one. Despite the Strategic Compact's goal of adjusting staffing "smoothly, equitably and cost effectively," Phillips describes a frantic process wherein, "[f]rom mid-1997 to mid-2002, more than 4,500 people left and more than 3,800 new people joined the Bank" (p. 114). While allegedly trying to make lending more pro-poor, the World Bank decreased lending flows to the two sectors that Phillips thinks are most pro-poor - agriculture and rural development - while expanding operations in a host of institution-building areas that lack an immediate link to poverty alleviation (pp. 137-140). In Chapter 11, Phillips provides a powerful critique of the World Bank's project rating systems. He lays out how project approval ratings jumped upward in
Intramural calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor

The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is a rare lesion of the jaws. It accounts for about 1% of all odontogenic tumors. The CEOT occurs primarily in the molar-premolar region of the mandible, and 52% of cases are associated with an unerupted tooth. This report describes an unusual case in a 37-year-old woman. The tumor arose in the molar area of the right mandible, appeared radiographically as a radiolucent lesion, and was thought to be a dentigerous cyst in association with an impacted first molar. The lesion was enucleated. Microscopic examination showed it to be a dental sac, within which were the 3 elements of a typical CEOT: squamoid cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm, the homogeneous eosinophilic substance, and calcium salt deposits in the form of Liesegang rings.