cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of multisystemic therapy on caregivers of serious juvenile offenders: A 20-year follow-up to a randomized clinical trial.

Objective Caregivers of serious juvenile offenders often hold favorable attitudes about criminality and frequently have histories of involvement in antisocial behaviors themselves. In the present study, the authors examined the long-term criminal and noncriminal outcomes for caregivers of serious juvenile offenders who had participated two decades earlier in a randomized clinical trial of multisystemic therapy (MST; Borduin et al., 1995). Method Participants were 276 caregivers of serious juvenile offenders who were originally randomized to MST or individual therapy (IT). Criminal and civil suit data for caregivers were obtained during a 20.7-year follow-up when caregivers were on average 61.5 years old. Results Caregivers in the MST condition had 94% fewer felonies and 70% fewer misdemeanors than did caregivers in the IT condition. In addition, caregivers in the IT condition were sentenced to 92% more days of incarceration and had 50% more family-related civil suits. Moreover, the favorable long-term effects of MST on caregiver criminality and civil suits were mediated by improved family relations during treatment. Conclusion The present study represents the only follow-up to date of caregivers in an MST clinical trial and demonstrates the broader clinical benefits of a family-based treatment for serious juvenile offenders. Implications of the findings for policymakers and researchers are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
A One-Gun Shadow-Mask Color Kinescope

A direct-view shadow-mask three-color kinescope employing a single electron gun is described. Color selection in this tube is accomplished by controlling the direction of approach of a single electron beam to a direction-of-approach sensitive color screen. For sequential presentation the beam is shared in time sequence between the three primary colors. For simultaneous presentation the beam is shared continuously among the three primary colors. The new problems presented by the one-gun shadow-mask color kinescope arise from the special requirements placed on the electron optical system, from the need for deflecting the beam into different color positions, and in the case of sequential presentation, from the necessity for blanking-off the beam as it is switched from one color position to the next. Practical solutions to these and other problems are presented.
Enabling NVM-based deep learning acceleration using nonuniform data quantization: work-in-progress

Apart from employing a co-processor (e.g., GPU) for neural network (NN) computation, utilizing the unique characteristics of nonvolatile memories (NVM), including RRAM, phase change memory (PCM), and STT-MRAM, to accelerate NN algorithms has been extensively studied. In such approaches, input data and synaptic weights are represented using word line voltages and cell resistance, with the resulting bit line current indicating the calculation result. However, the limited number of resistance levels in a NVM cell largely reduces the algorithm data precision, thus significantly lowering the model inference accuracy. Motivated by the observation that the conventional, uniformly generated data quantization points are not equally important to the model, we propose a nonuniform data quantization scheme to better represent the model in NVM cells and minimize the inference accuracy loss. Our experimental results show that the proposed scheme can achieve highly accurate deep learning model inference using as low as only 4 bits for synaptic weight representation. This effectively enables a NVM with few cell resistance levels (e.g., STT-MRAM) to perform NN calculation, and also results in additional benefits in performance, energy, and memory storage.
The upper temperature limit of Cyanidium caldarium.

Field observations of the natural habitats, the temperature maximum for 14CO2 incorporation of natural populations, and the temperature maximum for the growth of cultures of Cyanidium caldarium indicate that the upper temperature limit for C. caldarium is 55–60°C. These results are not compatible with the description of C. caldarium as an extreme thermophile.
Quantitative modeling of interconnections associated with sustainable food, energy and water (FEW) systems

Abstract The increasing costs of energy and water, fossil fuel depletion, and food shortages caused by climate change challenge long-term sustainability of food, energy, and water (FEW) systems. In working toward sustainable development, a fundamental question for deciding on whether and how to invest in FEW systems is “how sustainable FEW systems are?”. In order to measure sustainability across the FEW systems, an integrated sustainability index (SI) is developed. The SI is comprised of three components; food, energy, and water. These components each consist of different sub-components (e.g. transportation fuel for energy component) that make up integrated FEW systems. The sustainability of an FEW system can be calculated using the integrated FEW SI, but a more thought provoking question is to understand how each sub-component affects overall sustainability of the system. This cannot be achieved without formulating the interconnections associated with FEW components. This study formulates interconnections associated with FEW components. In an effort to increase the degree to which the results would generalize to FEW systems with different scales, the calculations of the study are performed for a sustainable FEW system that can consistently yield food for a family of four (two adults and two children) and supply its own water and energy needs from sustainable sources. Also, the sustainability is measured for two systems located in two different climates; one is relatively cloudy and humid and the other is sunny and arid. The results show that the highest sustainability improvement in both climates is associated with irrigation sub-component. Not only a sustainable water supply for irrigation sub-component improves the sustainability of water component, it also improves food sustainability and consequently energy sustainability. This finding can be explained by the fact that the irrigation sub-component is a resource supplier for grain sub-component, and that is a resource supplier for transportation fuel sub-component.
Weed responses to fallow management in Pacific Northwest dryland cropping systems.

A two-year rotation of summer fallow (SF)/winter wheat (WW) is the most common cropping system in low precipitation areas of the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW). In SF, multiple tillage operations are used to manage weeds and maximize soil water storage and potential WW yield. Reduced tillage fallow (RTF) is an alternative to SF that leaves >30% of the previous crop’s residue on the surface. A four-year (2014–18) field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of SF and RTF on weed species density, cover and composition in dryland WW; determine if changes in these weed infestation attributes have any influence on crop density and yield; and evaluate economic costs of each type of fallow management. The experimental design was randomized complete block with four replications where each phase of SF/WW and RTF/WW rotations was present every year. Individual plots of WW were divided into a weedy sub-plot with no weed control, general area with chemical weed control, and weed-free sub-plot where weeds were manually removed. Infestations of annual grass and other weeds in weedy sub-plots increased throughout the study. Grass weed cover, consisting mainly of downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.), and total weed cover were significantly lower in WW following RTF than following SF in all years except 2018. Densities of grass and total weeds were similar in both fallow managements indicating that weed plants were larger in WW following SF than following RTF due to earlier or faster emergence. Grass cover differences were not found in general areas likely because of a reduced seedbank. When weeds were present, mean yield of WW was higher following RTF than SF indicating that weeds were less competitive in RTF. Reduced tillage fallow could improve weed management in fallow/WW cropping systems of the PNW compared to SF/WW, particularly if the most problematic species are grasses.
VSOM: Efficient, Stochastic Self-organizing Map Training

Here we introduce VSOM, an efficient implementation of stochastic training for self-organizing maps. We derive VSOM from the standard stochastic training algorithm as published by Kohonen by replacing all iterative constructs in the algorithm with vector and matrix operations. Our novel implementation based on these vector and matrix operations provides substantial performance increases over Kohonen’s iterative algorithm as well as batchSOM, currently the fastest implementation of Self-organizing maps (SOM) training without resorting to multi-processing. The quality of the maps produced by VSOM matches the quality of the maps produced by the original iterative algorithm and outperforms the quality of the maps produced by batchSOM. In its current incarnation VSOM is single threaded and therefore well suited as a replacement for iterative stochastic training of self-organizing maps in R since R does not support multi-threading well.
Television and Magazine Alcohol Advertising: Exposure and Trends by Sex and Age

Objective:The purpose of this study was to document exposure to alcohol advertising by sex, age, and the level and type of alcohol people consume.Method:We use unique marketing survey data that lin...
Brucellosis in an adult female from Fate Bell Rock Shelter, Lower Pecos, Texas (4000-1300 BP).

Abstract Objective This project is a case study discussing the differential diagnosis of multiple osteolytic vertebral lesions typical of brucellosis from an adult female from Fate Bell Rock Shelter in the Lower Pecos, Texas (4000–1300 BP). Materials One middle to late adult female with exceptional preservation of the vertebrae. Methods All skeletal remains were observed with low power magnification and the vertebrae were examined in greater detail using computed tomography (CT). Results Pathological conditions involving multiple osteolytic vertebral lesions such as tuberculosis, echinococcosis, and neoplastic conditions were reviewed but brucellosis is the most likely diagnosis based on the pattern and distribution of characteristic lesions. Conclusions Aside from this study, only one other case of brucellosis has been recognized in prehistoric North American hunter-gatherer skeletal remains. Significance This individual represents the first case of brucellosis in a hunter-gatherer from prehistoric North America diagnosed using both macroscopic skeletal analysis and computed tomography (CT). Limitations Poor preservation of vertebrae make cross comparison of remains and differential diagnosis difficult. Suggestions for further research Further review and paleopathological research is needed regarding Coxiella burnetti (Q-fever) infection as a possible contributing factor to osteolytic lesions.
Novel Fundamental Building Blocks and Site Dependent Isomorphism in the First Actinide Borophosphates.

The first actinide borophosphates (VI), (VII), and (IX) are characterized by single crystal XRD, IR, and UV/VIS/NIR spectroscopy.
State Repression in Post-Disaster Societies

A natural hazard is a physical event but a disaster is a social and political phenomenon. Natural hazards are, for the most part, unavoidable and apolitical. However, they carry with them serious political, economic, and social consequences. Disasters also have adverse consequences on human rights standards. An understanding of the relationship between disasters and human rights outcomes requires knowledge of how disasters increase grievance and frustration, and impact the probability of contentious political behavior. To date, there has been little empirical or theoretical research on the specific circumstances under which disasters impact antigovernment political behavior, and even less is known of the causal chain between a natural disaster, protest activity, and human rights violations. In this book, Clair Apodaca maps a comprehensive causal model of the complex interactions between disasters and human rights violations. She claims that pre-existing inequalities and societal grievances turn a natural hazard into a disaster. A grievance-based theory of protests suggests that the underlying structural causes are social and economic group disparities, political exclusion, along with population pressures. To turn these all too common conditions into active political behavior requires a triggering event. When a damage–loss is the primary consequence of a disaster, the government and international community can compensate victims by providing rebuilding and reconstruction aid. However, when the disaster results in high numbers of fatalities, the government and international community cannot adequately compensate survivors for their losses. Grievances cannot be easily or effectively eliminated, and survivors and their supporters mobilize for change even if they are likely to face state repression. Clair Apodaca offers a unique contribution to our understanding of human rights violations. She effectively shows that there is a causal process between hazard events, protest activities, and government repression, a finding that is key to scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers working in this field.
Roles and regulation of histone methylation in animal development

Histone methylation can occur at various sites in histone proteins, primarily on lysine and arginine residues, and it can be governed by multiple positive and negative regulators, even at a single site, to either activate or repress transcription. It is now apparent that histone methylation is critical for almost all stages of development, and its proper regulation is essential for ensuring the coordinated expression of gene networks that govern pluripotency, body patterning and differentiation along appropriate lineages and organogenesis. Notably, developmental histone methylation is highly dynamic. Early embryonic systems display unique histone methylation patterns, prominently including the presence of bivalent (both gene-activating and gene-repressive) marks at lineage-specific genes that resolve to monovalent marks during differentiation, which ensures that appropriate genes are expressed in each tissue type. Studies of the effects of methylation on embryonic stem cell pluripotency and differentiation have helped to elucidate the developmental roles of histone methylation. It has been revealed that methylation and demethylation of both activating and repressive marks are essential for establishing embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages, for ensuring gene dosage compensation via genomic imprinting and for establishing body patterning via HOX gene regulation. Not surprisingly, aberrant methylation during embryogenesis can lead to defects in body patterning and in the development of specific organs. Human genetic disorders arising from mutations in histone methylation regulators have revealed their important roles in the developing skeletal and nervous systems, and they highlight the overlapping and unique roles of different patterns of methylation in ensuring proper development.
Computing linear transforms with unreliable components

We consider the problem of computing a binary linear transform when all circuit components are unreliable. We propose a novel “ENCODED” technique that uses LDPC (low-density parity-check) codes and embedded noisy decoders to keep the error probability of the computation below a small constant independent of the size of the linear transform, even when all logic gates in the computation are prone to probabilistic errors. Unlike existing works on applying coding to computing with unreliable components, the “ENCODED” technique explicitly considers the errors that happen during both the encoding and the decoding phases. Further, we show that ENCODED requires fewer operations (in order sense) than repetition techniques.
PlacentaNet: Automatic Morphological Characterization of Placenta Photos with Deep Learning

Analysis of the placenta is extremely useful for evaluating health risks of the mother and baby after delivery. In this paper, we tackle the problem of automatic morphological characterization of placentas, including the tasks of placenta image segmentation, umbilical cord insertion point localization, and maternal/fetal side classification. We curated an existing dataset consisting of around 1,000 placenta images taken at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, together with their pixel-level segmentation map. We propose a novel pipeline, PlacentaNet, which consists of three encoder-decoder convolutional neural networks with a shared encoder, to address these morphological characterization tasks by employing a transfer learning training strategy. We evaluated its effectiveness using the curated dataset as well as the pathology reports in the medical record. The system produced accurate morphological characterization, which enabled subsequent feature analysis of placentas. In particular, we show promising results for detection of retained placenta (i.e., incomplete placenta) and umbilical cord insertion type categorization, both of which may possess clinical impact.
Repression of Inappropriate Gene Expression in the Vertebrate Embryonic Ectoderm

During vertebrate embryogenesis, precise regulation of gene expression is crucial for proper cell fate determination. Much of what we know about vertebrate development has been gleaned from experiments performed on embryos of the amphibian Xenopus laevis; this review will focus primarily on studies of this model organism. An early critical step during vertebrate development is the formation of the three primary germ layers-ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm-which emerge during the process of gastrulation. While much attention has been focused on the induction of mesoderm and endoderm, it has become clear that differentiation of the ectoderm involves more than the simple absence of inductive cues; rather, it additionally requires the inhibition of mesendoderm-promoting genes. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the various inhibitors of inappropriate gene expression in the presumptive ectoderm.
Why Delay? Early Enteral Nutrition in Pediatric Burn Patients Improves Outcomes.

Introduction Children who sustain moderate to large surface area burns present in a hypermetabolic state with increased caloric and protein requirements. A policy was implemented at our institution in 2017 to initiate enteral nutrition (EN) in pediatric burn patients within four hours of admission. We hypothesize that early EN (initiated within 4 hours of admission) is more beneficial than late EN (initiated ≥ 4 hours from admission) for pediatric burn patients and is associated with decreased rates of pneumonia, increased calorie and protein intake, fewer feeding complications, a shorter Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and a reduced hospital LOS. Methods Children who sustained a total body surface area (TBSA) burn injury ≥ 10% between 2011 and 2018 were identified in a prospectively maintained burn registry at Children's Hospital Colorado. Patients were stratified into two groups for comparison: early EN and late EN. Results We identified 132 pediatric burn patients who met inclusion criteria, and most (60%) were male. Approximately half (48%) of the study patients were in the early EN group. The early EN group had lower rates of underfeeding during the first week (p=0.014) and shorter ICU LOS (p=0.025). Conclusions Achieving and sustaining adequate nutrition in pediatric burn patients with moderate to large surface area burn injuries is critical to recovery. Early EN in pediatric burn patients is associated with decreased underfeeding and reduced ICU LOS. We recommend protocols to institute feeding for patients with burns ≥ 10% TBSA within four hours of admission at all pediatric burn centers.
Are We There Yet? An Emerging Research Agenda for College Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

There is a distinct need for a research agenda that drives research, practice, and policy for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This paper provides a brief summary ...
Complete genomes derived by directly sequencing freshwater bloom populations emphasize the significance of the genus level ADA clade within the Nostocales.

Abstract The genome sequences of 16 Nostocales cyanobacteria have been determined. Most of them are complete or near-complete genome sequences derived by long-read metagenome sequencing of recent harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater lakes without the potential bias of culture isolation. The genomes are all members of the recently recognized ADA clade (Driscoll et al., Harmful Algae, 77:93, 2018), which we argue represents a genus. We identify 10 putative species-level branches within the clade, on the basis of 91-gene phylogenomic and average nucleotide identity analyses. The assembled genomes each correspond to a single morphotype in the original sample, but distinct genomes from different HABs in some cases correspond to similar morphotypes. We present data indicating that the ADA clade is a highly significant component of current cyanobacterial HABs, including members assigned to the prevalent Dolichospermum and Aphanizomenon genera, as well as Cuspidothrix and Anabaena. In general, currently used genus and species names within the ADA clade are not monophyletic. We infer that the morphological characters routinely used in taxonomic assignments are not reliable for discriminating species within the ADA clade. Taxonomic revisions will be needed to create a genus with a single name (we recommend Anabaena) and to adopt species names that do not depend on morphological traits that lack sufficient discrimination and specificity, while recognizing the utility of some easily observable and distinct morphologies.
Influenza vaccination in the United States, 2005-2007.

Background: This study presents current patterns of influenza vaccination among adults in the United States according to selected demographic factors, chronic diseases, and pregnancy status. Material/Methods: Analyses are based on cross-sectional survey data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2005, 2006, and 2007. Results: The percentage vaccinated with the flu shot significantly increased over the three study years (26%, 32%, and 37%, respectively). The percentage vaccinated using the flu spray remained near one. Levels of influenza vaccination significantly differed among racial/ethnic groups. Among men, the percentage vaccinated with the flu shot was 32% for whites, 27% for blacks, and 21% for Hispanics. Corresponding percentages for women were 37, 26, and 22. Flu vaccination also significantly increased with age, education, income, healthcare coverage, and presence of chronic disease. A higher percentage of pregnant women in the age range 18-44 were vaccinated than non-pregnant women (24% vs. 20% with the flu shot; 0.7% vs. 1.0% with the flu spray). Conclusions: Influenza vaccination levels among adults remain lower than the Healthy People 2010 influenza vaccination objectives.
Hastelloy-X for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor applications

Hastelloy-X is a potential structural material for use in gas-cooled reactor systems. In this application, data are necessary on the mechanical properties of base metal and weldments under realistic service conditions. The test environment studied was helium that contained small amounts of H/sub 2/, CH/sub 4/, and CO. This environment was found to be carburizing, with the kinetics of this process becoming rapid above 800/sup 0/C. Suitable weldments of Hastelloy-X were prepared by several processes; those weldments generally had the same properties as base metal except for lower fracture strains under some conditions. Some samples were aged for up to 20 000 h in the test gas and tested, and some creep tests on as-received material exceeded 40 000 h. The predominant effects of aging were the significant reduction in the fracture strains at ambient temperature and the lower strains for samples aged in high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) helium than for those aged in inert gas. Under some conditions, aging also resulted in increased yield and ultimate tensile strength. Creep tests failed to show the effects of environment, aging, or welding on the creep strength of Hastelloy-X; however, the fracture strains for weldments were generally lower than they were formore » base metal. Prior aging in inert gas for 20 000 h at 538 and 871/sup 0/C reduced the fatigue life slightly, but no difference was observed in the fatigue properties of samples aged in air and HTGR helium environments.« less
Information literacy programs: Successful paradigms for stimulating and promoting faculty interest and involvement

Summary With the rapid advances in information technology, the proliferation of information resources and formats, and the increasing complexities of access and evaluation, libraries recognize the necessity for a dynamic information literacy program that will address the needs of all categories of users. University faculty constitute one group of users to which the systemic college library increasingly endeavors to extend and market its services and programs, including its information literacy training workshops. A consideration of this library/classroom faculty relationship in the context of the adult education literature, as well as successful models that have been employed in this effort, provide insight on ways in which the library can successfully accomplish its information literacy training objectives among this group.
Antigen binding to receptors on immunocompetent cells: I. Simple models and interpretation of experiments

Abstract We have developed simple mathematical models for treating the kinetics of binding of multivalent antigen to immune cell receptors when the binding may be in competition with nonspecific binding of antigen to cell surfaces and with the binding of hapten to the receptors. All three kinds of binding are treated as reversible bimolecular reactions. In general, the resulting equations must be solved numerically. When, however, the antigen and hapten concentrations are large compared to receptor concentrations, approximate algebraic solutions are found. It is shown that the most important effect of the hapten-receptor binding and of the nonspecific antigen binding is to slow down the antigen-receptor association; this may be viewed as a decrease in the antigen-receptor association rate constant. We have applied these models to analyze experiments of Davie and Paul on the binding of antigen to receptors on immunocompetent cells. Many difficulties have been found to arise from nonspecific binding. In particular, the association rate constant and equilibrium constant will appear reduced by nonspecific binding and the association rate constant will appear anomalously temperature dependent. We interpret hapten inhibition of antigen binding as a nonequilibrium effect in which hapten reduces the rate of antigen-cell association. In this way the concentration of hapten required to give 50% inhibition of antigen binding is found to decrease, as observed, with time after immunization. If equilibrium were to be achieved we predict that the required concentrations of hapten would be found to increase with time.
Litigation and Regulation

We ask whether regulation can usefully supplement litigation in a model of optimal social control of harmful externalities. In our model, firms choose activity levels in addition to precautions. In contrast to the usual analysis, we assume that social returns to activity are higher than private returns before taking harmful externalities into account. We also assume that both courts and regulators make errors in assessing whether it is efficient for a given firm to take precautions. We show that regulation can, in some circumstances, improve resource allocation. Regulatory preemption of litigation may be efficient when social returns to activity exceed the expected harm that could result from a firm taking too few precautions. The optimal structure of law enforcement is influenced by the divergence between private and social returns to activity as well as the competence of regulators and courts.
Regional energy rebound effect: The impact of economy-wide and sector level energy efficiency improvement in Georgia, USA

Abstract Rebound effect is defined as the lost part of ceteris paribus energy savings from improvements on energy efficiency. In this paper, we investigate economy-wide energy rebound effects by developing a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for Georgia, USA. The model adopts a highly disaggregated sector profile and highlights the substitution possibilities between different energy sources in the production structure. These two features allow us to better characterize the change in energy use in face of an efficiency shock, and to explore in detail how a sector-level shock propagates throughout the economic structure to generate aggregate impacts. We find that with economy-wide energy efficiency improvement on the production side, economy-wide rebound is moderate. Energy price levels fall very slightly, yet sectors respond to these changing prices quite differently in terms of local production and demand. Energy efficiency improvements in particular sectors (epicenters) induce quite different economy-wide impacts. In general, we expect large rebound if the epicenter sector is an energy production sector, a direct upstream/downstream sector of energy production sectors, a transportation sector or a sector with high production elasticity. Our analysis offers valuable insights for policy makers aiming to achieve energy conservation through increasing energy efficiency.
Deaths of pediatric patients: relevance to their medical home, an urban primary care clinic.

Background. The Institute of Medicine’s report When Children Die emphasizes the importance of the medical home in end-of-life care, but no research has been conducted from this perspective. Identifying types and locations of patient deaths from the perspective of the medical home is important for developing the needed psychosocial support and addressing the longitudinal needs of bereaved families and staff members. Objectives. The objectives of this study were to quantify and to characterize the deaths of pediatric patients who received their primary care from an urban, hospital-based, resident continuity clinic, to determine the mechanisms of communication about these deaths, and to compare the characteristics of deaths that were sudden, unexpected, or anticipated. Methods. Patient deaths were identified through a pediatric department-wide tracking system for institutional deaths and a clinic-initiated tracking system for deaths that occurred outside the institution. Patient medical records were reviewed for patient demographic characteristics, preexisting medical conditions, setting and cause of death, and whether an autopsy was performed. Results. Thirty-six patient deaths were identified between July 1, 1998, and June 31, 2002, within a clinic population of 7000 patients (average annual mortality rate: 0.13%). Seventeen patient deaths (48%) were identified through the institutional tracking system, and 19 (52%) were identified through the clinic-initiated tracking system for deaths that occurred outside the institution. Only 1 anticipated death occurred in the patient9s home. Sixty-six percent of patients had underlying medical conditions, with neuromuscular diseases being the most common (28%). The causes of death differed from national data in the Institute of Medicine report and included specific organ failure (58%), probable sudden infant death syndrome (16%), accidental trauma (6%), intentional trauma (6%), and unspecified causes (14%). Twelve deaths (33%) were classified as sudden, 16 (44%) as unexpected, and 8 (22%) as anticipated. Autopsy was performed for 69% of the patients. Conclusions. The wide diversity of patient ages and types and causes of deaths suggests that medical home sites need end-of-life services that are flexible enough to meet the individual needs of bereaved families and staff members. The greater relative mortality rate and higher proportion of patients with underlying medical conditions, compared with national data, suggest a greater burden of disease in this continuity setting. Medical home sites should consider tracking systems to identify patients who have died. Future research needs to identify the barriers to patients dying at home and to study the impact of patient deaths on medical home staff members.
What proportion of household dust is derived from outdoor soil

Abstract This report estimated the amount of outdoor soil in indoor dust in the Calabrese et al. (1989) children soil ingestion study via the use of statistical modelling. The estimate used data on outdoor soil and indoor dust in the homes of 60 children with eight tracer elements (Al, Ba, Mn, Si, Ti, V, Y, and Zr). The model estimated that 31.3% of indoor dust had an origin of outdoor soil. Based on a previous report (Stanek and Calabrese, 1992) on differential soil from dust ingestion in the Calabrese et al. (1989) study and the data of the present analysis, the median outdoor soil ingestion of the Calabrese et al. (1989) study should be revised downward by 35%. For the three most reliable tracers, the median soil ingestion estimates would be reduced from 29 to 19 mg/d for Al, 55 to 36 mg/d for Ti, and 16 to 10 mg/d for, Zr.
Three Decadal Inputs of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Four Major Coastal Rivers to the Summer Hypoxic Zone of the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Nutrient enrichment is considered one of the most important causes for summer hypoxic conditions in the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) off the Louisiana coast. While many studies on nutrient inputs from the large Mississippi-Atchafalaya River System have been conducted, little is known about nutrient inputs from other coastal rivers in Louisiana. In this study, we utilized long-term (1980–2009) records on river discharge and nutrient concentrations of four major Louisiana coastal rivers—the Sabine, Calcasieu, Mermentau, and Vermilion—to estimate daily, monthly, and annual inflows of nitrate and nitrite nitrogen (NO3 + NO2), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus (TP) into the NGOM. The three-decade-long nutrient inflows from these rivers were analyzed for their seasonal fluctuations, interannual variabilities, and decadal trends. Fluxes of NO3 + NO2, TKN, and TP for these river basins were estimated to assess land use effects on riverine nutrients. Our study found that the four coastal rivers discharged each year a considerably large amount of NO3 + NO2 (total of 1755 t), TKN (12,208 t), and TP (1833 t) into the NGOM, with a peak input of nitrogen during the spring. The Mermentau and Vermilion Rivers, which drain intensive agriculture areas, had significantly higher NO3 + NO2, TKN, and TP concentrations when compared with the Sabine and Calcasieu Rivers, which drain forest-pasture-dominated lands. The fluxes of NO3 + NO2, TKN, and TP from the Mermentau River Basin (156 kg km−2 year−1 NO3 + NO2, 942 kg km−2 year−1 TKN, and 206 kg km−2 year−1 TP) and the Vermilion River Basin (374, 1078, and 360) were much higher than those combined from the Sabine and Calcasieu River Basins (66, 710, and 62). These findings fill a major knowledge gap concerning the quantity and characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus transport from coastal watersheds to North America’s largest hypoxic zone.
Efficacy of Germination Stimulants of Sclerotia of Sclerotium cepivorum for Management of White Rot of Garlic

The ability of soil-applied garlic powder and diallyl disulfide to stimulate germination of sclerotia of Sclerotium cepivorum, the cause of white rot of onion and garlic, was evaluated in four field trials. Because sclerotia germinate in response to exudation of specific volatile sulfides and thiols from allium roots, sulfides applied to the ground in the absence of an allium crop cause death of the sclerotia after they germinate and exhaust nutrient reserves. In this study, garlic powder and a synthetic garlic oil, diallyl disulfide, were incorporated into the soil in commercial fields naturally infested with S. cepivorum. Methyl bromide was included as a chemical control. Within 3 months after treatment, over 90% of the sclerotia died in the plots treated with the germinationstimulants, which was similar to the reduction of viable sclerotia achieved with an application of methyl bromide. The degree of sclerotial mortality in plots treated with garlic powder at 112 kg/ha or more was almost equal to that achieved by diallyl disulfide at 0.5 ml/m2 or methyl bromide at 448 kg/ha. Despite the efficacy of the stimulants and methyl bromide to reduce populations of sclerotia, the pathogen caused substantial root rot and yield losses in subsequent garlic crops planted about a year after soil treatment. However, germination stimulants have utility because the reduction of the vast majority of sclerotia in a field reduces the risk of spread of the pathogen to neighboring fields.
Carcinoid and chylous ascites: an unusual association.

Chylous ascites caused by carcinoid tumors is extremely rare. While carcinoid tumors usually have an indolent course, their association with chylous ascites is a harbinger of a poor outcome.
Crystalline cowpea mosaic virus.

Abstract Crystals of Cowpea mosaic virus displaying a high degree of order have been grown in two different forms. Hexagonal crystals, space group P6122 or P6522 with a = 450 A and c = 1038 A containing six virus particles per cell, have been grown in sodium citrate buffer at pH 4.9. Each particle has four nearest neighbors at 284 A. Cubic crystals, with space group I23 and a = 308 A , containing two particles per cell were grown from ammonium sulfate at pH 4.9. In the cubic crystals, the tetrahedral subgroup of the icosahedral particle symmetry is expressed as part of the crystal lattice, with each particle occupying tetrahedral crystallographic positions. Contacts of 268 A occur between particles in contact along threefold icosahedral symmetry axes.
Phosphate metabolism in the culture form of Trypanosoma cruzi.

SYNOPSIS. The uptake, distribution and turnover of phosphorus have been studied for the culture form of Trypanosona cruzi. Following exchange reactions, phosphorus was accumulated at an approximate rate of 1.9 μg/108 trypanosomes/hour in Krebs-Ringerphosphate. Of 3.8 mg P/g trypanosomes (wet weight), 60% occurred in acid-soluble, 13% in phospholipid, 22% in nucleic acid, and 5% in phosphoprotein fractions. Acid-soluble and phosphoprotein fractions incorporated P32 more rapidly than phospholipid and nucleic acid fractions, the phosphoprotein fraction having the highest specific activity by 8 hours of incubation.
Mechanical and Chemical Stimulation of Bone-Marrow Stem Cells in a Three-Dimensional Fibrin Matrix: Preliminary Results

The primary goal of tissue engineering is to develop a biological, mechanically-robust, and anti-thrombogenic vascular graft to replace diseased or damaged tissue and organs [1]. For example, researchers have incorporated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) into extracellular matrix to provide a living, functional conduits with the intended purpose of replacing SMC-containing tubes, such as the blood vessel, urethra, esophagus, intestine, etc. Although the preferred source is autologous cells to avoid immunological rejection, adult SMCs are difficult to obtain and expand. An alternative source of autologous cells could be bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSCs), which differentiate toward mesenchymal and hematopoietic lineages [2].Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Jointly-owned objects for collaboration: operating-system support and protection model

Abstract As real-time collaboration becomes more frequent, it is common for a group of users to create and own an object jointly. The use of multiuser tools makes the existence of jointly-owned objects a necessity: a participant who joins a multiuser tool written by others knows that the user agent executed in his name will not allow unauthorized access to other objects if the multiuser tool is jointly owned by all participants. In this article, we discuss the requirements and issues behind jointly-owned objects. By generalizing these requirements, we have implemented a conditionally jointly-owned object. The conditions take the form of a quorum or a list of users who have the rights to access an object or to change its protection state. We sketch a design of conditionally jointly-owned objects, and apply the same concepts to subjects. Authority- and quorum-based objects are investigated as examples of conditionally jointly-owned objects. We show that conditionally jointly-owned objects can also be used to resolve conflicts that may arise among joint owners. We generalize Graham and Denning's protection model to incorporate these jointly-owned entities. Operating-system support for conditionally jointly-owned objects is specified at the system-call level. Examples are provided to demonstrate the usefulness of conditionally jointly-owned objects.
An Architecture for Coexistence with Multiple Users in Frequency Hopping Cognitive Radio Networks

The radio frequency (RF) spectrum is a limited resource. Spectrum allotment disputes stem from this scarcity as many radio devices are confined to a fixed frequency. One alternative is to incorporate reconfigurability within a cognitive radio platform, thereby enabling the radio to adapt to dynamic RF spectrum environments. In this way, the radio is able to actively observe the RF spectrum, orient itself to the current RF environment, decide on a mode of operation, and act accordingly, thereby sharing the spectrum and operating in more a flexible manner. This research presents a novel architecture for the purpose of adapting radio operation to the current RF spectrum environment. Specifically, this research makes three contributions: (1) a framework for testing and evaluating clustering algorithms in the context of cognitive radio networks, (2) a new RF spectrum map merging technique for adaptive waveform selection, with initial integration testing on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and (3) a novel cognitive radio network emulation framework for testing and evaluating totally-ordered multicast as a means for inter-node communication.
Electrosurgical energy in combination with a transseptal needle: A novel method for the creation of an atrial communication in hypoplastic left heart syndrome with intact atrial septum

Neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and intact atrial septum (IAS) usually present with severe acidosis and hypoxemia that necessitate immediate intervention to create an atrial septal defect (ASD). Transcatheter creation of an ASD in these patients requires transseptal puncture of a thickened atrial septum in the setting of a very small left atrium. We report on a novel method of perforating the atrial septum using radio-frequency energy in combination with a transseptal needle to facilitate transseptal puncture and subsequent stent placement in a very thick atrial septum of a newborn with HLHS/IAS and a small left atrium. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Echocardiography and Cardiac Transplantation: A Literature Review and Practical Approach

This article reviews the utility of noninvasive echocardiography in the detection of early cardiac transplant rejection before and after the use of cyclosporine. It addresses the use of Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography in the routine cardiac evaluation of the heart-transplant patient, including the use of two-dimensional echocardiography in guiding the endomyocardial biopsy procedure.
A 39-year-old Woman With Nausea, Vomiting, and Abdominal Pain During Flu Season

June 2004 30:3 A 39-year-old woman presents to triage complaining of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The triage nurse recalls that it is flu season and several patients have presented today with similar complaints. She asks, ‘‘When did the symptoms start?’’ The patient explains that it began early this morning. The triage nurse asks ‘‘Show me where the pain is,’’ and the patient describes the right upper quadrant. The triage nurse asks, ‘‘Does the pain go anywhere?’’ No. ‘‘What type of pain is it?’’ asks the triage nurse, trying to get an accurate assessment so she can make a placement and acuity decision. The patient explains that it is dull and aching. The triage nurse is suspicious that this may not be the flu. Other patients have described cramping pain lower in the abdomen. As the triage nurse describes the pain scale, the patient explains, ‘‘Oh, I know about the pain scale. I have a history of migraines. My pain is about a 7 out of 10.’’ ‘‘How many times have you vomited and what color is it?’’ The patient replies that she has only vomited once and that it was mostly undigested food. ‘‘No blood,’’ she offers. ‘‘I have a history of gastritis, but this is different.’’ The triage nurse begins to worry. This is not a nonurgent patient she decides, based on the pain level and the previous history. Perhaps the patient has an ulcer, but that pain is usually more burning. She needs more information. She applies the blood pressure cuff to the patient’s arm as she asks if the patient has any allergies. ‘‘Yes, I am allergic to Tylenol and amoxicillin. ‘‘Do you take any medications?’’ ‘‘Well,’’ the patient begins, ‘‘I was here yesterday with a headache and some chest pain. They gave me an antibiotic for bronchitis.’’ The triage nurse notes the information and finds her blood pressure to be
Materials & methods: a Macintosh hypercard stack for laboratory protocols.

Materials & Methods is a Macintosh Hypercard stack in which laboratory protocols are consolidated in a single, conveniently accessed and maintained file. Materials & Methods consists of a series of «cards», each of which contains the text of a single protocol contained within a scrolling text field
Arthroscopic meniscectomy: A follow-up report:

Eighty patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy were interviewed and examined 12 to 24 months postoperatively. Twenty-seven (34%) of the patients rated their knees as normal, and 46 (58%) of the patients rated their knees as improved. Seventy-nine percent of the patients were pain free at the time of followup. Patients with poor results were likely to have significant degenerative disease or instability. Sixty-five percent of the patients returned to their original sport. Factors limiting patients' return to sports after meniscectomy included instability, patellofemoral disease, and degenerative arthritis.
The Male Breadwinner/Female Homemaker Model and Perceived Marital Stability: A Comparison of Chinese Wives in the United States and Urban China

From in-depth interviews with Chinese immigrant wives in the United States and the Chinese couples in urban China in 2004, researcher found a surprising result in terms of their interpretations of the impact of the male-breadwinner ideal upon perceived marital stability. Over half of the sampled Chinese immigrant wives in the United States reported that they became stay-at-home mothers after their immigration, and most believed that becoming a stay-at-home mother had stabilized their marriage. The traditionally defined gender role for women was actually not as much condemned by the Chinese immigrant wives as it would be if they were in China. When asked whether or not the Chinese urban wives would like to follow the male-breadwinner ideal, a common response was “No way!” Among urban Chinese couples, wives as well as husbands strongly believed that the male-breadwinner ideal would destabilize rather than stabilize their marriage. In this paper, researcher has put forth a hypothesis that the existing familial, economic, and cultural conditions in the United States and urban China play a role in shaping the Chinese couples’ perceptions of the traditional family model and their decision to either adapt or reject it in association with their perceived marital stability.