cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimize Cost of Data Transfers Using Bandwidth Reservation on FPVB Paths of Dynamic HPNs

Extremely large amounts of data are being generated from various scientific domains because of the wide use of the large-scale applications. After generation, the big datasets usually need to be transferred geographically for collaborative data storage and analysis purposes. After efforts, reserving bandwidth along dedicated links of the high-performance networks (HPNs) has emerged as an efficient way for such extremely large amounts of data transfer. In this paper, we focus on the trade-off between cost and the most common performance parameter, i.e., earliest completion time, of data transfers using bandwidth reservation on fixed paths with variable bandwidth of the dedicated HPNs. We consider the scheduling of two types of bandwidth reservation requests regarding such trade-off: (i) to achieve the minimum data transfer cost given the data transfer deadline, and (ii) to achieve the earliest data transfer completion time given the maximum data transfer cost. We propose two optimal algorithms to optimize the scheduling of individual BRRs of these two types. Extensive simulations are then conducted to compare the overall scheduling performance of the proposed algorithms with two existing algorithms from the perspective of different performance metrics, and the simulation results verify the superior performance of the proposed algorithms.
Bayesian optimization of neural networks for the inverse design of all-dielectric metasurfaces

The next generation of multi-functional optical materials will customize electric field responses via a careful arrangement of micro- and nano- scale scatterers to achieve targeted optical performance otherwise unattainable in traditional bulk media. Macroscopically, such designed materials collectively respond to radiation based on the geometric shape, distribution, and inherent material properties of these sub-wavelength structures. The core challenge is in prescribing a configuration which results in a desired property. It becomes immediately clear these metamaterial systems pose significant challenges because of the near-infinite design space one needs to consider. Recently, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been used to successfully approach this intractable problem. In the specific context of designing an all-dielectric metasurface reflector, we showed that joining two properly trained ANNs can both emulate Maxwell equations as well as inversely correlate reflection and transmission spectra.1 Though highly accurate ANNs were trained, the ANNs employed were never optimized in terms of architecture (e.g. number of layers, number of nodes, shape of the network) or hyperparameters (e.g. batch sizes, activation functions, loss functions). In this manuscript, we apply Bayesian optimization with Gaussian processes to first optimize the architecture and then the hyperparameters of the spectra predicting networks described in Ref. 1. The goal is not only to improve upon the previously implemented ANNs but to analyze the effect of different ANN architectures and convergence settings on overall spectra predictive performance.
The Developmental Intestinal Regulator ELT-2 Controls p38-Dependent Immune Responses in Adult C. elegans

GATA transcription factors play critical roles in cellular differentiation and development. However, their roles in mature tissues are less understood. In C. elegans larvae, the transcription factor ELT-2 regulates terminal differentiation of the intestine. It is also expressed in the adult intestine, where it was suggested to maintain intestinal structure and function, and where it was additionally shown to contribute to infection resistance. To study the function of elt-2 in adults we characterized elt-2-dependent gene expression following its knock-down specifically in adults. Microarray analysis identified two ELT-2-regulated gene subsets: one, enriched for hydrolytic enzymes, pointed at regulation of constitutive digestive functions as a dominant role of adult elt-2; the second was enriched for immune genes that are induced in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Focusing on the latter, we used genetic analyses coupled to survival assays and quantitative RT-PCR to interrogate the mechanism(s) through which elt-2 contributes to immunity. We show that elt-2 controls p38-dependent gene induction, cooperating with two p38-activated transcription factors, ATF-7 and SKN-1. This demonstrates a mechanism through which the constitutively nuclear elt-2 can impact induced responses, and play a dominant role in C. elegans immunity.
Embryonic Expression of NrasG 12 D Leads to Embryonic Lethality and Cardiac Defects.

Ras proteins control a complex intracellular signaling network. Gain-of-function mutations in RAS genes lead to RASopathy disorders in humans, including Noonan syndrome (NS). NS is the second most common syndromic cause of congenital heart disease. Although conditional expression of the NrasG12D/ + mutation in adult hematopoietic system is leukemogenic, its effects on embryonic development remain unclear. Here, we report that pan-embryonic expression of endogenous NrasG12D/ + by Mox2-Cre in mice caused embryonic lethality from embryonic day (E) 15.5 and developmental defects predominantly in the heart. At E13.5, NrasG12D/ + ; Mox2Cre/ + embryos displayed a moderate expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells without a significant impact on erythroid differentiation in the fetal liver. Importantly, the mutant embryos exhibited cardiac malformations resembling human congenital cardiac defects seen in NS patients, including ventricular septal defects, double outlet right ventricle, the hypertrabeculation/thin myocardium, and pulmonary valve stenosis. The mutant heart showed dysregulation of ERK, BMP, and Wnt pathways, crucial signaling pathways for cardiac development. Endothelial/endocardial-specific expression of NrasG12D/ + caused the cardiac morphological defects and embryonic lethality as observed in NrasG12D/ + ; Mox2Cre/ + mutants, but myocardial-specific expression of NrasG12D/ + did not. Thus, oncogenic NrasG12D mutation may not be compatible with embryonic survival.
A Database for Cognitive Workload Classification Using Electrocardiogram and Respiration Signal

Cognitive workload is a critical factor in determining the level of attentional effort exerted by users. Understanding and classifying cognitive workload is challenging as individuals exert varying levels of mental effort to meet the task's underlying demands. Twenty-six participants (12M, 14F, Mean = 22.68 ± 5.10) were exposed to two different tasks designed to induce low and high cognitive workloads. Subjective and objective measures were collected to create a novel, validated multimodal dataset for cognitive workload classification. Participants’ perceived workload was collected using the NASA-TLX. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Respiration (RR) data were collected to extract the Heart Rate Variability and Respiration Rate Variability features. Four machine learning algorithms were utilized to classify cognitive workload levels where AdaBoost classifier achieved the highest Leave-One-Subject-Out Cross-Validation accuracy, and F1-Score of 80.2%, 80.3% respectively. This is the first publicly available dataset with ECG, RR and subjective responses for cognitive workload classification.
The Elements of Hittite

Introduction Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Lesson 8 Lesson 9 Lesson 10 Appendix 1. Paradigms Appendix 2. Sources of exercise material Appendix 3. Index of syntax and phonological phenomena Appendix 4. Cuneiform sign list Appendix 5. Glossary.
Young children’s disambiguation across the senses

Abstract When asked to find the referent of a novel label, young children usually select a novel object rather than an object that has a known label. However, children did not show this so-called disambiguation effect in a situation that required cross-modal generalization of the known label (Scofield et al., 2009). In three experiments, children learned a label for an object that they could see, but not touch, then examined two objects that they could touch, but not see. One of these tactile objects was novel, whereas the other was an exemplar of the just-trained label. On the critical trials, children were asked to decide which object was the referent of a novel label. Neither 3- nor 4-year-olds favored the novel object unless they were first asked to choose the one that was the referent of the just-trained label (both age groups) or choose the one that was the same as the visual training object (4-year-olds only). Children’s tendency to disambiguate across the senses was associated with how accurately they judged their own knowledge of object labels. These findings are consistent with the claim that the cross-modal disambiguation effect can be undermined by children’s reactions to discovering the cross-modal match and by their failure to retrieve the known label for this matching object when considering whether a novel label applies to it.
Abstract T P409: Experimental Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Results in Decreased Pericyte Coverage and Increased Blood Brain Barrier Permeability in the Corpus Callosum

Murine chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) results in white matter (WM) injury and behavioral deficits. Underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Pericytes influence blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and cerebral blood flow. Under hypoxic conditions, perictyes detach from perivascular locations increasing blood vessel permeability and secondary neuronal injury. This study aims to characterize the time course of BBB dysfunction and pericyte coverage following murine experimental CCH. White matter injury and behavioral deficits have been reported consistently on post-operative day 30 in this model. C57BL/6J mice underwent either CCH (n=12) or sham operation (n=9). BBB permeability in the corpus callosum (CC) was characterized on post-procedure days 1, 3, 7, and 30 using Evans blue (EB) extravasation and IgG staining. Pericyte coverage (CD 13/CD31 ratio) in the paramedian region of the corpus callosum was calculated on post-procedure days 1, 3, 7, and 30. The CCH cohort demonstrated increased EB extravasation...
Regulation of plasticity of glutamate synapses by endocannabinoids and the cyclic-AMP/protein kinase A pathway in midbrain dopamine neurons

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are lipid signalling molecules which play a key role in the regulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity in the central nervous system. Previous studies have reported that eCBs are released ‘on demand’ in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a brain region critical for reward learning. However, their role in modulating the long-term plasticity of glutamate synapses of VTA dopamine (DA) neurons remains unknown. In the present study, we showed that low frequency afferent stimulation paired with moderate postsynaptic depolarization elicited an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-independent long-term depression (LTD) at glutamate synapses of VTA DA neurons. This form of LTD was caused by a decrease in the probability of glutamate release. Examination of the mechanisms underlying this form of LTD revealed that it was mediated by retrograde eCB signalling. In addition, we found that inhibition of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol biosynthesis blocked LTD induction, suggesting that 2-arachidonoyl glycerol is the most likely retrograde eCB messenger mediating LTD. The eCB-LTD induced at glutamate synapses of VTA DA neurons also required the inhibition of the presynaptic cAMP/PKA pathway. Taken together, these results reveal a critical role of eCBs in controlling the long-term plasticity of glutamate synapses in VTA DA neurons.
Analyzing the Decay of Stable RNAs in E. coli

Stable RNA, mainly comprised of rRNA and tRNA, accounts for the majority of cellular RNA. Although normally stable under favorable growth conditions in the laboratory, these RNA species undergo extensive degradation responding to many environmental changes and stress conditions. Multiple ribonucleases and other enzymes may be involved in the decay of stable RNA. The onset and rate of degradation are probably determined by the status of the RNA as well as the availability of the degrading activities. The elucidation of pathways for stable RNA decay has been benefited by many biochemical and genetic approaches. These include purification of the enzymes and characterization of their substrate specificity in vitro, and studies of stable RNA decay by inactivating and overexpressing the degradation activities in vivo. Furthermore, RNA degradation intermediates have been characterized in detail, such as determining the sizes, the sequences, the 5'- and 3'-termini, etc. In this work, we describe the methods that are most commonly used in the study of the degradation and processing of stable RNA in E. coli. Most of them should be also useful in studies of other RNA species or RNA from other organisms.
Neuroimmune mechanisms of depression

Current diagnosis of depression is based solely on behavioral symptomatology. The available US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for depression have come from serendipitous discovery and are ineffective in nearly 30-50% of patients, which is thought to reflect a lack of specificity in targeting underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Recent evidence has identified depression-related disruptions in a neuroimmune axis that interfaces the immune system and CNS to control behavior. This Review examines the evidence in patients and in animal models of depression that demonstrates how the peripheral immune system acts on the brain to alter an individual's response to stress, ultimately contributing to their vulnerability to mood disorders.
Pediatric hydrocephalus: systematic literature review and evidence-based guidelines. Part 7: Antibiotic-impregnated shunt systems versus conventional shunts in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Object The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to answer the following question: Are antibiotic-impregnated shunts (AISs) superior to standard shunts (SSs) at reducing the risk of shunt infection in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus? Methods Both the US National Library of Medicine PubMed/MEDLINE database and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried using MeSH headings and key words relevant to AIS use in children. Abstracts were reviewed, after which studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. An evidentiary table was assembled summarizing the studies and the quality of their evidence (Classes I–III). A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model to calculate a cumulative estimate of treatment effect using risk ratio (RR). Heterogeneity was assessed using the chi-square and I2 statistics. Based on the quality of the literature and the result of the meta-analysis, a recommendation was rendered (Level I, II, or III). Results Six studies, all ...
Raytheon ferroelectric thin film development consortium

Raytheon Company has formed a joint industry-government-university research and development consortium to exploit the recent rapid advancements in ferroelectric thin-film ceramic technology for nonvolatile digital integrated circuit memory application. The ferroelectric thin-film consortium is a comparative study of materials composition and deposition techniques. To achieve a uniform comparison across the various deposition techniques, Raytheon prepares all sample substrates and distributes them to the member laboratories for film deposition of their choice. The samples are then returned to Raytheon for physical characterization (scanning electron microscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, Auger, etc.) and electrical characterization (breakdown voltage, switching voltage, stored charge, fatigue, etc.) of capacitors formed by the deposition of top electrodes sputtered on the films. The author describes the structure and operation of the consortium, as well as the participants and their respective deposition expertise, and briefly reports on technical progress to date. >
Age-parity-nuptiality-specific stable population model

The age-parity-nuptiality models so far developed by demographers had one or more restrictions on marital status or on the occurrence of births in different marital states. This paper presents a method of constructing a life table incorporating marital status and parity and develops the age-parity-nuptiality-specific stable population model recognizing all types of marital status and births to women in any marital status. A method of projecting age-parity-nuptiality-specific distribution of population has also been presented. The proposed model is applied to the United States female population for the year 1970. (summary in FRE) (EXCERPT)
Robotic mitral valve surgery—current status and future directions

Robotic mitral valve surgery is the most common robotic cardiac procedure performed today. Benefits include smaller, less invasive incisions resulting in less pain, shorter length of hospital stay, improved cosmesis, quicker return to preoperative level of functional activity, and decreased blood transfusion requirements. The history and evolution of robotic mitral valve surgery is detailed in this article. Our institution has performed over 800 robotic mitral valve surgeries, and our technique and outcomes are described. Outcomes and operative times are similar to that for sternotomy and minimally invasive approaches to mitral valve surgery. The benefits and limitations of robotic mitral valve surgery are compared with conventional approaches, and future directions are also discussed.
A second species of Cotopaxia (Umbelliferae/ Apiaceae), from Colombia

Cotopaxia whitei (Umbelliferae/ Apiaceae) , a new species from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Dpto. Magdalena, Colombia, is here described and illustrated. The other known species of Cotopaxia, C. asplundii, is found only in the mountains of Ecuador.
Reactive bone formation after surgery for lateral epicondylitis.

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a syndrome characterized by tenderness adjacent to the lateral epicondyle and pain with related disability. The literature suggests that repetitive stress or overuse is the primary cause.11 Lateral epicondylitis occurs more frequently in less experienced athletes, possibly related to improper technique or poorly fitting equipment.7 We describe the first report of reactive bone formation of the lateral epicondyle, which developed after debridement of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) was performed. This led to continued pain with wrist extension until surgical removal.
Longleaf pine: A sustainable approach for increasing terrestrial carbon in the southern United States

Natural communities dominated by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) once covered an estimated two thirds of the forested area in the southeastern United States. Today, less than 1.2 million ha remain. However, over the past 10–15 years, public land managers have begun to restore many longleaf pine forests. More recently incentive programs have prompted reforestation and afforestation programs on nonindustrial private lands. These activities have been facilitated by improved longleaf regeneration technology and by expanded educational and outreach efforts. In the South, there is also a growing trend towards longer rotations due to changes in wood/fiber markets and prices. These trends suggest a new strategy to increase terrestrial carbon storage in the southeastern United States in a way that provides many simultaneous ecological and economic benefits. For example, longleaf pine is a long-lived species with a low mortality rate. Among the southern pine species, it has a high specific gravity and can tolerate a very wide variety of habitats. Longleaf pine is better able to sustain growth at older ages (over 150 years) and is tolerant to fire and many insects and diseases. Recent research also indicates that longleaf pine managed for longer rotations outperforms other commercial southern pine species on most sites and might better adapt to future climate scenarios with higher temperatures and higher atmospheric CO2 levels. Moreover, the higher-value, longer-lasting wood products derived from longleaf pine forests will continue to store carbon over long time periods.
Effect of prophylactic amoxicillin on endodontic flare-up in asymptomatic, necrotic teeth.

The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to determine the effect of prophylactic amoxicillin on the occurrence of endodontic flare-up in asymptomatic, necrotic teeth. Seventy patients participated and had a clinical diagnosis of an asymptomatic, necrotic tooth with associated periapical radiolucency. One hour before endodontic treatment, patients randomly received either 3 g of amoxicillin or 3 g of a placebo control in a double-blind manner. After endodontic treatment, each patient received: ibuprofen; acetaminophen with codeine (30 mg); and a 51/2-day diary to record pain, swelling, percussion pain, and number and type of pain medication taken. The results demonstrated 10% of the 70 patients had a flare-up characterized by moderate-to-severe postoperative pain or swelling that began ∼30 h after endodontic treatment and persisted for an average of 74 h. Of the seven patients who had flare-ups, 4 were in the amoxicillin group and 3 were not. Prophylactic amoxicillin did not significantly (p = 0.80) influence the endodontic flare-up. We concluded that a prophylactic dose of amoxicillin before endodontic treatment of asymptomatic, necrotic teeth had no effect on the endodontic flare-up.
Deformation mechanisms in a precipitation-strengthened ferritic superalloy revealed by in situ neutron diffraction studies at elevated temperatures

Abstract The ferritic superalloy Fe–10Ni–6.5Al–10Cr–3.4Mo strengthened by ordered (Ni,Fe)Al B2-type precipitates is a candidate material for ultra-supercritical steam turbine applications above 923 K. Despite earlier success in improving its room-temperature ductility, the creep resistance of this material at high temperatures needs to be further improved, which requires a fundamental understanding of the high-temperature deformation mechanisms at the scales of individual phases and grains. In situ neutron diffraction has been utilized to investigate the lattice strain evolution and the microscopic load-sharing mechanisms during tensile deformation of this ferritic superalloy at elevated temperatures. Finite-element simulations based on the crystal plasticity theory are employed and compared with the experimental results, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Based on these interphase and intergranular load-partitioning studies, it is found that the deformation mechanisms change from dislocation slip to those related to dislocation climb, diffusional flow and possibly grain boundary sliding, below and above 873 K, respectively. Insights into microstructural design for enhancing creep resistance are also discussed.
Quantitative PCR technique for detecting lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in vivo

Quantitative PCR (QPCR, or real time PCR (rtPCR)) has emerged as a powerful virologic technique for measuring viral replication and viral loads in humans and animal models. We have developed a QPCR assay to accurately quantify lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in infected mice. We first validated this assay using plasmid DNA and LCMV viral stocks. We then demonstrated that the LCMV QPCR assay can detect LCMV in serum and tissues of chronically infected mice (LCMV-clone 13), with greater sensitivity than conventional plaque assay. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the QPCR assay can detect LCMV in tissues of CD40L(-/-) mice during a low grade chronic infection with LCMV Armstrong. Finally, we improved the assay further such that it was approximate 1000-fold more sensitive than plaque assay for detection of the presence of LCMV in tissue.
Cutting costs in response to predatory threat by Geoffroy's marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi)

Ideally, prey should respond to their predators efficiently, without over- or underreacting to the threat. This may be particularly important for small-bodied species for whom metabolic demands are high and predatory risk is great. In the current study, two family groups of Callithrix geoffroyi living outside in a rural setting at the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, San Diego Wild Animal Park, were observed before, during, and after ten presentations of a great horned owl model. The owl was mounted on a post on a nearby hillside, simulating a situation in which a real but nonimminent threat is posed. As controls, a model of a crow and a cloth bag were also presented, each for ten trials. During the 10 min presentations of the owl, rates of play and foraging decreased, and rates of locomotion and vigilant looking increased from baseline rates. Data on occupation of the best viewing area suggest that the marmosets shared the job of monitoring a potential threat. After the owl was removed, behavior quickly returned to baseline rates, with the exception of looking at the place where the owl had been, and play. Neither the bag nor the crow generated significant differences from the baseline condition that preceded it. Marmosets may reduce the costs of antipredator behavior by appropriately assessing the degree of risk and by quickly resuming important activities once a potential threat has passed. Am. J. Primatol. 46:187–196, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Some aspects of nitrogen metabolism in strain L cell cultures.

Abstract Dietary proteins are expended in cell culture; about ten times as much protein is expended as is utilized in the biosynthesis of new protein. The cells utilize only a small fraction of the dietary amino acids in the production of new protein. The cells (Strain L, clone 929) make some glutamine biosynthetically, but not enough to meet their requirements. The glutamine is incorporated into new cell protein, and glutamine nitrogen into nucleic acid. The free nucleotides, the RNA, and the DNA appear to be synthesized independently of each other. The adenine nucleotide nitrogen, as well as the guanine nucleotide nitrogen of both RNA and DNA, respectively, are synthesized from the amide glutamine nitrogen to supply the three and nine nitrogen atoms. It appears that an additional glutamic amide nitrogen atom is incorporated into the guanine moiety, as has been demonstrated in other systems [2].
Approximate reasoning applied to unsupervised database mining

A computational approach is shown for unsupervised, reactive, database mining. This approach is dependent on soft computing techniques. Database mining seeks to discover noteworthy, unrecognized associations between database items. A novel approach is suggested for unsupervised search controlled by dissonance reduction. Both crisp and noncrisp data are subject to discovery. Another aspect of uncertainty is the metric that controls discovery. Issues involve: coherence measures, granularization, user intelligible results, unsupervised recognition of interesting results, and concept equivalent formation.
Increased prevalence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in children and adolescents with sickle-cell disease

anemia. Blood 2010;115:5300–5311. 10. Thornburg CD, Calatroni A, Telen M, Kemper AR. Adherence to hydroxyurea therapy in children with sickle cell anemia. J Pediatr 2010;156:415–419. 11. Sichle Cell Disease Guidelines-Hydroxyurea Chapter. http://rover.nhlbi.nih. gov/guidelines/scd/about.htm. Accessed November 21, 2011. 12. de Montalembert M, Brousse V, Elie C, et al. Long-term hydroxyurea treatment in children with sickle cell disease: Tolerance and clinical outcomes. Haematologica 2006;91:125–128. 13. Zimmerman SA, Schultz WH, Davis JS, et al. Sustained long-term hematologic efficacy of hydroxyurea at maximum tolerated dose in children with sickle cell disease. Blood 2004;103:2039–2045. 14. Burgess SW SP, Morawska A, Devadason SG. Assessing adherence and factors associated with adherence in young children with asthma. Respirology 2008;13:559–563. 15. Jentzsch NS, Camargos PA, Colosimo EA, Bousquet J. Monitoring adherence to beclomethasone in asthmatic children and adolescents through four different methods. Allergy 2009;64:1458–1462. 16. Thornburg CD, Calatroni A, Telen M, Kemper AR. Adherence to hydroxyurea therapy in children with sickle cell anemia. J Pediatr 2010;156:415– 419. 17. Osterberg L, Blaschke T. Adherence to medication. N Engl J Med 2005;353: 487–497. 18. Franklin VL, Waller A, Pagliari C, Greene SA. A randomized controlled trial of Sweet Talk, a text-messaging system to support young people with diabetes. Diabet Med 2006;23:1332–1338. 19. Lee SJ, Joffe S, Kim HT, et al. Physicians’ attitudes about quality-of-life issues in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Blood 2004;104:2194– 2200. 20. Wong EC, Perez-Albuerne E, Moscow JA, Luban NL. Transfusion management strategies: A survey of practicing pediatric hematology/oncology specialists. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2005;44:119–127. 21. Streiff MB, Smith B, Spivak JL. The diagnosis and management of polycythemia vera in the era since the Polycythemia Vera Study Group: A survey of American Society of Hematology members’ practice patterns. Blood 2002;99: 1144–1149.
Clinical expertise and the assessment of child sexual abuse

OBJECTIVE: Mental health specialists (N = 48) were surveyed as to (1) their estimates of the likelihood that a 3-year-old child had been sexually molested (as alleged by her mother in the context of a child custody dispute) by her father, and (2) their recommendations, given their estimates, as to child visitation/custody. METHOD: Specialists heard a detailed presentation of the court-appointed clinician's findings in this case, which included parent interviews and videotaped child-parent interaction sequences. RESULTS: The array of estimated likelihoods was extreme despite that all the clinicians heard the same case. Recommendations to the court strongly tended toward restriction of child-father contact, even when estimates of the likelihood of abuse were low. CONCLUSIONS: Courts should be highly cautious in relying on clinical experts in child custody cases entailing allegations of child sexual abuse. Practitioners should be candid with courts concerning the absence of diagnostic precision in such cases. Language: en
Hepatitis A virus infection: progress made, more work to be done

virus da hepatite A (VHA) tem uma distribuicao glo-bal, sendo a causa mais comum de hepatite viral em todo o mundo. Aproximadamente 1,4 milhao de novas infeccoes sao diagnosticadas a cada ano, mas se considera que a verdadeira incidencia seja muito mais elevada devido a subnotificacao. A America do Sul e considerada uma area endemica, com alta prevalencia de soropositividade, especialmente na populacao jovem. Nivel socioeconomico baixo, superpovoamento, saneamen-to deficiente e tratamento de agua inadequado sao fatores geralmente associados a uma maior incidencia e a infeccao infantil assintomatica em paises em desenvolvimento. Portanto, as taxas de notificacao de doencas nessas areas sao baixas e os surtos da doenca sao raros, ja que a maioria dos adultos esta imune. Em paises com economia de transicao e em algumas regioes de paises industrializados, onde as condicoes de saneamento variam, as criancas podem nao se infectar na primeira infância. Es-sas condicoes privilegiadas podem conduzir a uma hepatite mais evidente clinicamente, ja que as infeccoes ocorrem em faixas etarias mais altas e com maior tendencia a apresentar sintomas. Com isso, as taxas da doenca serao mais altas. Uma grande populacao de adolescentes e adultos susceti-veis aumenta a probabilidade de surtos. Essa mudanca na epidemiologia da infeccao pelo VHA tem sido percebida em varios paises
Hospitalization rates in nursing home residents with dementia. A pilot study of the impact of a special care unit.

Although Special Care Units (SCUs) have recently gained attention as appropriate places for caring for institutionalized patients with dementia, few studies have evaluated their effectiveness. This pilot study focused primarily on one aspect of patient care, the possible prevention of acute hospitalization. Because transfer from nursing home to the acute hospital can be a traumatic experience for patients with dementia, important services that SCUs might provide include those preventive strategies aimed at reducing the need for transfer to the acute hospital. Medical record abstraction revealed that over one year, the rate of acute hospitalization was 21% among 47 patients with dementia in SCUs, compared with 14% among 36 patients with dementia and 14% among 22 patients with no listed diagnosis of dementia residing in non-SCU settings within the same facility. Thus, no statistically significant difference in hospitalization rates was found, although the trend was for increased hospitalization for SCU patients. There was a trend toward deterioration in functional status among SCU patients following first hospitalization (P < .10). Since the majority of these patients were hospitalized for hip fractures, this finding was not unexpected. There was a trend toward cognitive decline after hospitalization among patients with dementia who were not residing in an SCU (P < .10). In order to investigate whether acute hospitalizations among SCU patients were preventable, an expert panel was convened to review each episode of illness leading to acute hospitalization. Of the 15 hospitalizations, none were judged “preventable,” four were believed to be “possibly preventable,” and 11 were considered to have been “not preventable.” While SCUs may be an attractive alternative to traditional nursing home placement for patients with dementia, this pilot study suggests that they are probably not effective in reducing the need for acute hospitalization.
Increasing patient involvement in choosing treatment for early breast cancer.

Background. This investigation examined factors affecting patient involvement in consultations to decide local treatment for early breast cancer and the effectiveness of two methods of preconsultation education aimed at increasing patient participation in these discussions. Methods. Sixty patients with Stage I or II breast cancer (1) were pretested on their knowledge about breast cancer treatment and optimism for the future, (2) were randomly assigned to one of two methods for preconsultation education: interactive multimedia program or brochure, (3) completed knowledge and optimism measures, (4) consulted with a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and general surgeon, and (5) completed self-report measures assessing their involvement in the consultations and control over decision-making. The consultations were audiorecorded and analyzed to identify behavioral indicators of patient involvement (question-asking, opinion-giving, and expressing concern) and physician utterances encouraging patient participation. Results. College-educated patients younger than 65 years of age were more active participants in these consultations than were older, less educated patients. In addition, patients showed more involvement when they interacted with physicians who encouraged and facilitated patient participation. The method of education did not affect patient involvement although patients tended to learn more about breast cancer treatment after using the multimedia program than after reading the brochure. Conclusions. Although patients vary in their expressiveness, physicians may be able to increase patient participation in deciding treatment by using patient-centered behavior. Also, preconsultation education appears to be an effective clinical strategy for helping patients gain an accurate understanding of their treatment options before meeting with physicians. Cancer 1995;76:2275–85.
Urinary glycosaminoglycans versus creatinine excretion: A used and abused parameter

Abstract The measurement of glycosaminoglycans on a single, sporadic urine specimen is not reliable, whether expressed as mg/ml urine or mg/g creatinine, because of variation in their excretion at different times of a given day. The ratio mg urinary glycosaminoglycans/g creatinine is fairly constant in the same subject only when calculated from the analysis of a complete 24-h urine specimen.
Task grammar and attitude

This paper investigates the ability of perceivers to form impressions of tasks as part of the process of forming a task attitude. This ability is described as being partly given by a syntactic grammar that specifies both the primitive elements of tasks and the rules that structure these elements to form meaningful task impressions. The proposed grammar is shown to generate representations of task structure that can be mapped readily onto task attitudes. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of task grammar for research on task attitudes.
Effect of patella thickness on patella strain following total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract Patellar complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have begun to emerge as a major cause of failure. In an effort to understand some of the mechanical factors that might contribute to patellar component failure, a biomechanical study was performed. Quadriceps force and anterior patellar strain were measured during dynamic flexion in 10 fresh, paired human cadaver knee joints. First, tests were performed in the intact knee, followed by either posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retention or sacrifice of TKA without patellar resurfacing. Tests were then performed following patellar resurfacing with an overly thick, optimum and thin, bony patella. Patellar strain increased in each specimen (with flexion angles of up to 80°), was most pronounced as the bony patella became thinner, was closest to the intact knee when the patella was not resurfaced, and was unaffected by PCL retention or sacrifice. Patellar osteotomy, resulting in a bony patellar thickness of less than 15 mm, resulted in significantly increased strain. TKA systems should include instrumentation that allows precise restoration of overall patellar thickness while maintaining a bony patellar thickness of at least 15 mm.
Learning to Rank for Information Retrieval and Natural Language Processing

Learning to rank refers to machine learning techniques for training the model in a ranking task. Learning to rank is useful for many applications in information retrieval, natural language processing, and data mining. Intensive studies have been conducted on the problem recently and significant progress has been made. This lecture gives an introduction to the area including the fundamental problems, existing approaches, theories, applications, and future work. The author begins by showing that various ranking problems in information retrieval and natural language processing can be formalized as two basic ranking tasks, namely ranking creation (or simply ranking) and ranking aggregation. In ranking creation, given a request, one wants to generate a ranking list of offerings based on the features derived from the request and the offerings. In ranking aggregation, given a request, as well as a number of ranking lists of offerings, one wants to generate a new ranking list of the offerings. Ranking creation (or ranking) is the major problem in learning to rank. It is usually formalized as a supervised learning task. The author gives detailed explanations on learning for ranking creation and ranking aggregation, including training and testing, evaluation, feature creation, and major approaches. Many methods have been proposed for ranking creation. The methods can be categorized as the pointwise, pairwise, and listwise approaches according to the loss functions they employ. They can also be categorized according to the techniques they employ, such as the SVM based, Boosting SVM, Neural Network based approaches. The author also introduces some popular learning to rank methods in details. These include PRank, OC SVM, Ranking SVM, IR SVM, GBRank, RankNet, LambdaRank, ListNet & ListMLE, AdaRank, SVM MAP, SoftRank, Borda Count, Markov Chain, and CRanking. The author explains several example applications of learning to rank including web search, collaborative filtering, definition search, keyphrase extraction, query dependent summarization, and re-ranking in machine translation. A formulation of learning for ranking creation is given in the statistical learning framework. Ongoing and future research directions for learning to rank are also discussed. Table of Contents: Introduction / Learning for Ranking Creation / Learning for Ranking Aggregation / Methods of Learning to Rank / Applications of Learning to Rank / Theory of Learning to Rank / Ongoing and Future Work
APPLICATIONS OF A HIGH-ENERGY COULOMB WAVE FUNCTION

The well-known approximate Coulomb wave function, which is essentially the asymptotic form of the exact wave function, is shown to be valid in the computation of certain high-energy, small-angle processes. In an explicit calculation of the atomic photoelectric effect, the result of Hall is obtained in a somewhat more convenient form. Approximations to this result are discussed and the limiting case $\frac{Z{e}^{2}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}c}=1$ is evaluated. For bremsstrahlung and pair production, it is found that the wave function is not completely adequate, although still useful. The Coulomb scattering cross section may also be computed if sufficient care is exercised.
ESR and pulse radiolysis investigation of the radiolysis of sodium vinyl sulfonate

Abstract The kinetics of a number of radical reactions involving sodium vinyl sulfonate (SVS) have been studied by pulse radiolysis methods. The initial rate of polymerization of SVS was determined directly by observing the decay of the ESR signal of HOCH2ĊHSO3− in its reaction with SVS monomer. A rate constant of 7 × 104 M−1 s−1 was found. The same value was found here for acrylate. Reactions of SVS with the primary radicals produced by radiolysis of water were studied by optical absorption methods. Both OH and O− add to the double bond with rate constants of (3.5 ± 0.5) × 109 and (3.4 ± 0.5) × 108 M−1 s−1, respectively. The hydrated electron adds to the double bond with a rate constant of (2.2 ± 0.2) × 109 M−1 s−1. The electron adduct protonates on carbon to yield CH3ĊHSO3−, the same radical as produced by H atom addition. Steady-state ESR experiments confirm the production of ĊHSO3− from e1aq−. ESR spectra of the radical adducts XCH2ĊHSO3− with X = H, OH, CO−2, SO−3 and SO−4 were obtained in steady-state radiolysis experiments and the magnetic parameters determined.
The Structure and Dynamics of Microparticles at Pickering Emulsion Interfaces

We have employed a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) to study the structure and dynamics of microparticles at Pickering emulsion interfaces. The microparticles can have rich morphology at the emulsion interfaces, ranging from an aggregated structure to colloidal lattices, with a possibility of involving heterogeneous particles. With a specific interest in colloidal lattices, we find that although the enhanced electrostatic repulsion explains the formation of colloidal lattices by sulfate-treated polystyrene (S-PS) particles, it fails to interpret the unsuccessfulness of assembling lattices containing single-species carboxylate-treated polystyrene (C-PS) particles. A small percentage of C-PS particles in the colloidal mixture does not disturb the formation of lattices made of S-PS particles. The LSCM also provides a meaningful way to probe dynamic information. The diffusion of single particles at the emulsion interfaces depends strongly on the oil phase viscosity, particle size, and particle wettability. A highly curved emulsion interface slows the motion of microparticles at oil-water interfaces but the interface curvature effect decreases with increasing oil phase viscosity. Although the confocal microscope was originally used as an imaging tool, we find that the thermodynamic equilibrium of colloidal lattices can be disturbed and even destroyed when increasing the output laser intensity.
The Ross-Konno procedure in children: outcomes, autograft and allograft function, and reoperations.

Background The Ross aortic valve replacement with a modified Konno-type enlargement Ross-Konno procedure of the aortic annulus and subannular region allows an autograft aortic valve replacement for children with significant annular and subannular hypoplasia. The potential for growth and the proven durability of the autograft make the Ross-Konno procedure an ideal aortic valve replacement for this subgroup with multilevel left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We reviewed our institutional midterm experience to assess autograft and homograft hemodynamics, and management after a Ross-Konno procedure. Methods Between 1995 and 2005, 14 consecutive children (mean age, 6.4 ± 5.9 years; range, 1 month to 17 years) underwent the Ross-Konno procedure. All children had severe to critical aortic stenosis or multilevel left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Results There was 1 early and 1 late death with a mean follow-up of 5.7 ± 3.6 years. Actuarial survival at 10 years was 86%. Three patients underwent right ventricular outflow tract reoperation for conduit replacement for homograft dysfunction and one patient required redo aortic root replacement with a mechanical valves for progressive aortic insufficiency. Freedom from right ventricular outflow tract and autograft reoperation at 10 years is 77% and 92%, respectively. Aortic annular dilation was not observed in all patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified no risk factors for autograft or homograft valve-related reoperation. Conclusions The Ross-Konno procedure is an excellent technique to treat complex multilevel left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in children with significant annular and subannular hypoplasia. The autograft demonstrated durability without development of aortic stenosis or progressive dilation and a low incidence of developing progressive aortic insufficiency. Enlargement of the aortic annulus appear to parallel somatic growth in most instances.
Evolution of learning in three aplysiid species: differences in heterosynaptic plasticity contrast with conservation in serotonergic pathways.

We investigated the neurobiological basis of variation in sensitization between three aplysiid species: Aplysia californica, Phyllaplysia taylori and Dolabrifera dolabrifera. We tested two different forms of sensitization induced by a noxious tail shock: local sensitization, expressed near the site of shock, and general sensitization, tested at remote sites. Aplysia showed both local and general sensitization, whereas Phyllaplysia demonstrated only local sensitization, and Dolabrifera lacked both forms of learning. We then investigated a neurobiological correlate of sensitization, heterosynaptic modulation of sensory neuron excitability by tail-nerve stimulation. We found (1) an increase in sensory neuron (SN) excitability after both ipsilateral and contralateral nerve stimulation in Aplysia, (2) a smaller and shorter-lasting increase in Phyllaplysia, and (3) no effect in Dolabrifera. Because sensitization in Aplysia is strongly correlated with serotonergic (5-HT) neuromodulation, we hypothesized that the observed interspecific variation in sensitization and SN neuromodulation might be correlated with variation in the anatomy and/or functional response of the serotonergic system. However, using immunohistochemistry, we found that all three species showed a similar pattern of 5-HT innervation. Furthermore, they also showed comparable 5-HT release evoked by tail-nerve shock, as measured with chronoamperometry. These observations indicate that interspecific variation in learning is correlated with differences in SN heterosynaptic plasticity within a backgound of evolutionary conservation in the 5-HT neuromodulatory pathway. We thus hypothesize that evolutionary changes in learning phenotype do not involve modifications of the 5-HT pathway per se, but rather, changes in the response of SNs to the activation of this or other neuromodulatory pathways upon noxious stimulation.