cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“For opacity”: Queerness and Latinidad in Justin Torres’ We the Animals

This article examines the investments of Justin Torres’s debut novel, We the Animals (2012), with Latinidad, queerness and masculinity under the framework of opacity proposed by Edouard Glissant. I argue that Torres’s novel employs opacity—the refusal to be legible to the gaze of a dominant Other—as a way of grappling with the tensions between Latinx and queer identities and textualizing the relationship between queerness and other forms of structural marginalization. I read the novel’s aesthetic strategies in relation to opacity and the institutionalization of creative writing and consider the politics of the novel within a genealogy of US Puerto Rican coming-of-age novels and their relationship to the literary market. Finally, I read the relationships among masculinity, queerness and Latinidad the novel presents and illustrate how it ultimately presents a blueprint for Latinx queer liberation.
Advances in understanding the evolution of fungal genome architecture

Diversity within the fungal kingdom is evident from the wide range of morphologies fungi display as well as the various ecological roles and industrial purposes they serve. Technological advances, particularly in long-read sequencing, coupled with the increasing efficiency and decreasing costs across sequencing platforms have enabled robust characterization of fungal genomes. These sequencing efforts continue to reveal the rampant diversity in fungi at the genome level. Here, we discuss studies that have furthered our understanding of fungal genetic diversity and genomic evolution. These studies revealed the presence of both small-scale and large-scale genomic changes. In fungi, research has recently focused on many small-scale changes, such as how hypermutation and allelic transmission impact genome evolution as well as how and why a few specific genomic regions are more susceptible to rapid evolution than others. High-throughput sequencing of a diverse set of fungal genomes has also illuminated the frequency, mechanisms, and impacts of large-scale changes, which include chromosome structural variation and changes in chromosome number, such as aneuploidy, polyploidy, and the presence of supernumerary chromosomes. The studies discussed herein have provided great insight into how the architecture of the fungal genome varies within species and across the kingdom and how modern fungi may have evolved from the last common fungal ancestor and might also pave the way for understanding how genomic diversity has evolved in all domains of life.
Telehealth Adoption Across Neurosurgical Subspecialties at a Single Academic Institution During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed health care, forcing providers to adopt and implement telehealth technology to provide continuous care for their patients. Amid this rapid transition from in-person to remote visits, differences in telehealth utilization have arisen among neurosurgical subspecialties. In this study, we analyze the impact of telehealth on neurosurgical healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic at our institution and highlight differences in telehealth utilization across different neurosurgical subspecialties. Methods To quantify differences in telehealth utilization, we analyzed all outpatient neurosurgery visits at a single academic institution. Internal surveys were administered to neurosurgeons and to patients to determine both physician and patient satisfaction with telehealth visits. Patient Likelihood-to-Recommend Press-Ganey scores were also evaluated. Results There was a decrease in outpatient visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in all neurosurgical subspecialties. Telehealth adoption was higher in spine, tumor, and interventional pain than in functional, peripheral nerve, or vascular neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons agreed that telehealth was an efficient (92%) and effective (85%) methodology; however, they noted it was more difficult to evaluate and bond with patients. The majority of patients were satisfied with their video visits and would recommend video visits over in-person visits. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, neurosurgical subspecialties varied in adoption of telehealth, which may be due to the specific nature of each subspecialty and their necessity to perform in-person evaluations. Telehealth visits will likely continue after the pandemic as they can improve clinical efficiency; overall, both patients and physicians are satisfied with health care delivery over video.
Sensitivity analysis of in-pile critical heat flux experiments in TREAT for characterization of RIA power-transient effects

Abstract A reactivity-initiated accident (RIA) is one type of postulated design basis accident (DBA) that can cause a departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) event in pressurized-water reactors (PWRs). A DNB occurrence and its consequences depend on the thermophysical properties of the fuel components and coolant, characteristics of the transient energy insertion into the fuel rod, and the onset of the critical heat flux (CHF) phenomenon. To leverage the restart of the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility, an effort is currently underway to better understand the cladding-to-coolant heat transfer mechanisms and the CHF phenomenon under fast-transient irradiation conditions. This paper characterizes the impact of power transients on the thermal-hydraulic behavior of a TREAT Facility reactor heater rodlet CHF experiment to provide the priority of parameters that need to be investigated for an improved CHF model. Sobol sensitivity analysis methods and the Reactor Excursion and Leak Analysis Program (RELAP5-3D) code were used to identify key input parameters on the uncertainty in the prediction of peak outer- and inner-surface temperatures of the heater tube, as well as the time of the DNB event. A series of sensitivity analyses revealed the total energy deposition on the tube and the transient effects of power pulse had large impacts on the maximum temperatures. The CHF multiplier had the largest impact on the time occurrence of CHF. The overall results show the energy deposition rate in the tube is the most influencing factor to the manifestation of CHF and the resulting thermal-hydraulic behaviors of the tube. The multiplier for the CHF, which is interpreted as the predicted CHF value, has the largest Sobol indices for the time of the CHF in all cases, since it directly determines the occurrence of CHF. It is inferred that the uncertainties in the thermal-hydraulic behaviors of fuels increase with respect to the key parameters as the power pulse becomes broader, and an accurate estimation of the energy deposition rate is required to reduce the uncertainty in the evaluation of the integrity of fuel if the CHF is expected to occur near the peak power. The outputs are expected to provide rigorous interpretation of ongoing in-pile CHF experiments in the TREAT Facility reactor regarding thermal-hydraulic behavior of the fuel system aiming for a new transient in-pile CHF model.
Protein oligomer modeling guided by predicted interchain contacts in CASP14.

For CASP14, we developed deep learning-based methods for predicting homo-oligomeric and hetero-oligomeric contacts and used them for oligomer modeling. To build structure models, we developed an oligomer structure generation method that utilizes predicted interchain contacts to guide iterative restrained minimization from random backbone structures. We supplemented this gradient-based fold-and-dock method with template-based and ab initio docking approaches using deep learning-based subunit predictions on 29 assembly targets. These methods produced oligomer models with summed Z-scores 5.5 units higher than the next best group, with the fold-and-dock method having the best relative performance. Over the eight targets for which this method was used, the best of the five submitted models had average oligomer TM-score of 0.71 (average oligomer TM-score of the next best group: 0.64), and explicit modeling of inter-subunit interactions improved modeling of six out of 40 individual domains (ΔGDT-TS > 2.0).
Meaningful boundaries create boundary conditions for control.

Recent research demonstrated that control states learned via experience in inducer locations were retrieved in novel, unbiased (i.e., diagnostic) locations positioned nearby. Such transfer has been observed even in the presence of a visual boundary (a line) separating inducer and diagnostic locations. One aim of the present study was to assess whether a meaningful boundary might disrupt retrieval of control states in diagnostic locations. Supporting this possibility, in Experiment 1 learned control states did not transfer from inducer locations superimposed on a university’s quad to diagnostic locations superimposed on buildings outside the quad. Similarly, in Experiment 2 transfer was not observed for diagnostic locations positioned on a track outside of the field where inducer locations were positioned; however, transfer was also not observed for diagnostic locations on the field (inside the boundary). The latter finding helped motivate Experiments 3a and 3b, which tackled the second aim by examining whether a meaningful boundary might attenuate learning of control states for inducer locations within the boundary. Consistent with this hypothesis, a CSPC effect was observed only when a meaningful boundary was not present. Taken together, the findings provide evidence that meaningful boundaries influence how conflict experiences are organized during a task thereby impacting learning and transfer of context-specific control states.
The impact of pre-existing blood pressure control in patients with acute aortic dissections.

OBJECTIVES Arterial hypertension (HTN) is considered a seminal risk factor for aortic dissection (AD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether pre-existing blood pressure (BP) control lessens the extent of dissection and has a favorable impact on outcome of patients with acute AD. METHODS Consecutive acute AD patients who had at least two BPs recorded within the 12 months preceding the AD were retrospectively analyzed. The two most recent BPs were averaged and defined per published guidelines as normal (BP≤ 130/80), Stage I HTN (BP >130/80 and 140/90). The number of hypertensive medications (MEDs) was also used as a surrogate marker of HTN severity. Patients with known genetic causes of AD were excluded. RESULTS 89 subjects (55% men, 45% women; mean age, 64±14 years) with acute AD (58% Stanford type A and 42% Stanford type B) were included. Two most recent BPs were recorded a mean of 5±3 and 3±2.7 months before the AD, respectively. Twenty-nine (33%) subjects had normal BP, including nine subjects with no history of HTN and on no MEDs. Sixty (67%) subjects had elevated BP, including 21 (35%) with Stage I HTN and 39 (65%) with Stage 2 HTN. Compared to subjects with normal BP, subjects with Stage 1 and Stage 2 HTN were younger (70±13 years vs 62±1 year, p = 0.01), but there were no differences in other demographics, risk factors, comorbidities, or history of drug use. There were no group differences in the distal extent of the dissections, complications requiring thoracic endograft repair, mean length of hospital stay, final discharge status, or 30-day mortality. Compared to the number of MEDs before AD, all three groups had a higher mean number of MEDs to achieve normal BP at discharge that persisted at a mean follow-up of 18±15 months. CONCLUSIONS These data show that approximately one-third of patients with acute AD had well controlled or no antecedent history of HTN. The degree of pre-existing HTN control had no bearing on the type or extent of AD, length of stay, or early outcome. Regardless of the state of HTN control before AD, the consistent and sustained increase in the severity of HTN after AD suggests that the dissection process has a profound and lasting effect on BP regulation. Further studies are indicated to elucidate the pathologic mechanisms involved in AD.
Comparison of subgroups of breast cancer patients on pain and co-occurring symptoms following chemotherapy

Purpose The purposes of this study, in a sample of women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy (CTX), were to identify subgroups of women with distinct experiences with the symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms and evaluate differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, differences in psychological symptoms, and differences in pain characteristics among these subgroups.
Example: One Sever

In this chapter we will do the computations discussed in Chapter 6. This is a small system comparable to examples in [2].
Electron Microscopy of Sarcomas

The ability of the pathologist to classify malignant neoplasms has improved dramatically in the past two decades with the expanded application of immunocytochemical staining procedures and electron microscopy to the study of tumors. The roles of these techniques in the evaluation of neoplasms that can not be classified by conventional light microscopy is in part determined by the general category into which a particular tumor falls. Most bone sarcomas can be identified without difficulty from their radiologic appearance and histopathology as seen in paraffin sections. Many soft tissue sarcomas are in contrast difficult to classify by light microscopy alone. The significance to the clinician and his patient of precision in the subclassification of a soft tissue sarcoma is somewhat limited at the present time because there are not many clear-cut differences in behavior among the various subtypes.
Construction and validation of a high fidelity simulator for a planar range sensor

We study the problem of building a sensor model for the purpose of simulation. Our work is motivated by the potential impact of realistic simulators on the development cycle of software for real robots. The case is made for building models from approximate state information, relieving the burden of ground truth. Unlike calibration, where the goal is to identify and remove error from a signal, our aim to reproduce the signal in its entirety, including its error properties. Instead of physically modeling sensor behavior, a data-driven approach is taken. The implementation of our approach to simulate a simple but noisy laser rangefinder is described. Finally, approaches to validate the simulator are discussed. We compare not only raw sensor predictions, but also overall performance of algorithms on simulated versus real data.
Substrate-binding properties of firefly luciferase. II. ATP-binding site.

Abstract Kinetically the MgATP complex was shown to be the substrate in the light reaction catalyzed by the firefly luciferase. Kinetic as well as inhibition studies showed that uncomplexed ATP is also bound to the luciferase, and is a competitive inhibitor with respect to MgATP. Similar studies for Mg 2+ indicated that it is not bound to the luciferase by itself. Equilibrium dialysis showed that 1 mole of MgATP and 2 moles of ATP are bound per 100,000 molecular weight of luciferase. Kinetic inhibition studies with ATP analogs showed that the 6-amino group of adenine is important for the binding of bases and nucleosides at the MgATP site. Energetically, adenine and negative charges on phosphate groups contribute 57% and 43%, respectively, toward binding (total binding energy = 4.8 kcal). dATP can also serve as a substrate in the formation of adenylate of both luciferin and dehydroluciferin. It is a poor substrate, having maximal velocity of light reaction only 5% that of ATP and equilibrium constant of dehydroluciferyladenylate formation five times smaller than that with ATP. Many divalent metal ions can replace Mg 2+ in the light reaction. Mn 2+ and Mg 2+ are the two most effective metal ions. Complexing of divalent metal ions larger than Mg 2+ with the adenine ring seems to interfere with the binding of such complexes to luciferase.
Current fluctuations from small regions of adsorbate covered field emitters: A method for determining diffusion coefficients on single crystal planes

A novel method is presented for determining surface diffusion coefficients of adsorbates on single crystal planes of field emitters in terms of the time correlation function of current fluctuations. The method is based on the fact that current fluctuations are related to adsorbate density fluctuations, whose time correlation is governed by relaxation times simply related to diffusion coefficients. A general formalism is presented, some idealized cases are worked out analytically, and the case of a circular aperture is treated in detail numerically. Switching between different adsorption states, in addition to but not affected by diffusion, is also included. The forms of the correlation function are shown to be complicated, with a 1t tail at large t, and cannot be represented by simple exponential decay.
Adverse Gastrointestinal Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs:

There are a substantial number of adverse reactions attributable to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy, particularly of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The stomach is most commonl...
Minimal Rev-response element for type 1 human immunodeficiency virus.

Abstract Rev protein regulates nuclear export of viral mRNAs that contain a 240-base RNA sequence termed the Rev-response element (RRE). We demonstrate that an 88-base truncated RRE encompassing a known Rev binding site can mediate Rev responsiveness in vivo. Two tandem copies of this mutant function as efficiently as the full-length RRE.
Roles of Phosphorylation of the Nucleocapsid Protein of Mumps Virus in Regulating Viral RNA Transcription and Replication

ABSTRACT Mumps virus (MuV) is a paramyxovirus with a negative-sense nonsegmented RNA genome. The viral RNA genome is encapsidated by the nucleocapsid protein (NP) to form the ribonucleoprotein (RNP), which serves as a template for transcription and replication. In this study, we investigated the roles of phosphorylation sites of NP in MuV RNA synthesis. Using radioactive labeling, we first demonstrated that NP was phosphorylated in MuV-infected cells. Using both liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and in silico modeling, we identified nine putative phosphorylated residues within NP. We mutated these nine residues to alanine. Mutation of the serine residue at position 439 to alanine (S439A) was found to reduce the phosphorylation of NP in transfected cells by over 90%. The effects of these mutations on the MuV minigenome system were examined. The S439A mutant was found to have higher activity, four mutants had lower activity, and four mutants had similar activity compared to wild-type NP. MuV containing the S439A mutation had 90% reduced phosphorylation of NP and enhanced viral RNA synthesis and viral protein expression at early time points after infection, indicating that S439 is the major phosphorylation site of NP and its phosphorylation plays an important role in downregulating viral RNA synthesis. IMPORTANCE Mumps virus (MuV), a paramyxovirus, is an important human pathogen that is reemerging in human populations. Nucleocapsid protein (NP) of MuV is essential for viral RNA synthesis. We have identified the major phosphorylation site of NP. We have found that phosphorylation of NP plays a critical role in regulating viral RNA synthesis. The work will lead to a better understanding of viral RNA synthesis and possible novel targets for antiviral drug development.
Preliminary Findings on Personalized Grading Plans for Middle School Students with Learning Disabilities

Research on the grades of students with disabilities included in general education classes has revealed a number of problems, including a preponderance of low grades and lack of a cohesive process by which general and special educators collaborate to develop grading criteria and determine a report card grade. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a collaborative model for making grading adaptations. Parents, students, general educators, and special educators collaborated to develop and implement personalized grading plans (PGPs) for four middle school students. Results indicate that all participants perceived the process to be more fair and effective than those used previously for making adaptations. Implications for grading practices and integration into the individualized education program (IEP) process are discussed.
Channel width and length dependent flicker noise characterization for n-MOSFETs

Gate channel width and length dependent flicker noise analysis and modeling for sub-micron n-channel MOSFETs have been presented. It was found that the flicker noise in the saturation region increased with channel width, contrary to existing theory. Drain current noise density measurements were performed with two different CMOS processes for analysis using our automated 1/f noise measurement system. Since model parameters in the model are all geometry dependent, only one size of device is needed for the extractions.
A study of nonfatal accidents in children under supervision in child health stations of New York City Department of Health (1952-1959).

Accidents are the leading cause of death and disability in young children. Data are presented on 5,000 nonfatal accidents in which 4,791 children under supervision in New York City child health stations were involved. Based on a health examination by the physician, a physician-parent conference, and/or nurse-parent conference, it is our impression that these children are not in the main dissimilar in growth and development and intelligence from the group not involved in accidents. Age and sex are important factors in the occurrence of nonfatal accidents. The highest frequency was at ages 12 to 17 months. A statistically significant preponderance in male children was also noted. No conclusions are drawn as to color; the high incidence in the nonwhite and Puerto Rican population is not a racial characteristic, but a reflection of overcrowding and substandard housing. Of all accidents 56.6% were of a serious nature. The frequency of home accidents is very high in the first 2 years of life. Type of accident varies with age. Falls and burns were the two leading causes of accidents. The head was frequently involved in falls and the upper extremity in burns. The relationship of congenital malformations and behavior disorders to accidents could not be determined in this study. The majority of the reported accidents were judged preventable. Accordingly, education is assumed to be crucial in accident prevention, with the physician playing a dominant role. However, it is to be emphasized that accident prevention requires a team approach from all facets of the community. Further systematic and intensive research is needed about many phases of accidental occurrences and particularly about the human facets, including the cultural and social as pects. While much still remains unknown, a great body of knowledge has already been accumulated, and much more could be accomplished now if current existing knowledge were much more widely applied. It is strongly recommended that accident prevention become part of the physician9s daily practice, and that it be included as an integral part of well-child supervision. Any program of accident prevention must be predicated on two essentials: 1) Get the facts; 2) Act quickly on the facts obtained.
Swabbing Surgical Sites Does Not Improve the Detection of Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in High-Risk Surgical Patients

Abstract Background: A major risk factor for the development of surgical site infections is Staphylococcus aureus carriage. Compared with non-carriers, S. aureus carriers have up to a 14-fold greater risk for post-surgical infections. Pre-operative screening for S. aureus carriage is controversial. Yet, targeted screening in high-risk patients or from clinically relevant sites may be beneficial. We aimed to determine whether S. aureus detection in high-risk surgical patients would be increased by culturing surgical sites, in addition to the nares, vs. nares-only culturing. Methods: Adults undergoing pre-operative evaluations in orthopedic and neurosurgical clinics were eligible for participation. For each subject, specimens were collected from the anterior nares and from the proposed surgical site. Samples were inoculated onto methicillin-resistant S. aureus–selective chromogenic agar plates and blood agar plates. Results: Of 150 subjects, 80 (53.3%) were women and 70 (46.7%) men. The mean age was 61 year...
Incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in youth in the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2001-2010.

Objective To report the annual incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among youth and to describe characteristics of youth diagnosed with diabetes in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Research Design and Methods: All residents ≤19 years of age diagnosed with diabetes between January 2001 and December 2010 were identified from review of medical records of all hospitals and confirmed by physician query. Results A total of 82 eligible patients were identified and the registry ascertainment was estimated to be 98.7% complete. The overall age-adjusted annual incidence rates (per 100 000) of type 1 and type 2 diabetes for the study period were 15.3 (95% CI: 11.3–20.1) and 9.6 (95% CI: 6.8–13.5), respectively. The incidence of type 1 diabetes increased significantly over the study period, with an epidemic-like threefold increase occurring from 2005 (8.7/100 000) to 2006 (26.4/100 000; p = 0.05). The incidence of type 1 diabetes was highest in the 10–19 age group in girls (25.6/100 000), but no age difference was seen in boys, resulting from the lack of a pubertal peak in non-Hispanic Black boys. The incidence of type 2 diabetes rose significantly between 2001 (5.3/100 000) and 2010 (12.5/100 000; p = 0.03). Conclusions The incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in youth is increasing in the USVI, similar to global patterns. Further studies are needed to explore the missing pubertal rise in type 1 diabetes incidence in non-Hispanic Black boys and factors associated with the epidemic-like increases observed over the decade.
Using an intervention framework to value salient ecosystem services in a stated preference experiment

To estimate the value of an improvement in the provision of an ecosystem service, analysts often use an intervention framework in a stated preference experiment. An intervention framework is defined by (i) an intervention, such as a publicly-funded program, and (ii) the intervention effect — the difference in the provision of the ecosystem service with and without the intervention. The contention of this paper is that if the purpose of an experiment is to estimate the value of the intervention effect, rather than the intervention itself, consideration needs to be given to the saliency of the service to the respondent population, because for salient services respondents often have prior beliefs about the intervention effect, and if these prior beliefs are different on average than implicitly assumed or explicitly presented in the choice experiment, the estimate of the value of the improvement will be biased. We emphasize that in some cases a structural model can be used to identify the value of the intervention effect, whereas for others, only the value of the intervention can be identified. We illustrate the issue using two case studies concerning ecosystem service provision on freshwater lakes, prevention of aquatic species invasions, and fish habitat enhancement.
On Differential Savings Propensities in Two-Class Growth Models

IThe Modigliani-Brumberg hypothesis about life-cycle saving and consumption behaviour [6] has proved to be extremely fruitful during the 17 years that have elapsed since it was first expressed. We shall use it here to explore the properties of the savings-income ratios in growing economies where there are two classes of people, labelled workers and capitalists. The difference in the savings propensities of these two groups lies at the heart of Kaldor's macro-economic theory of distribution [4], which was later elaborated by Pasinetti [7]. It was then taken up by writers working with neo-classical growth models, primarily Meade [5] and Modigliani-Samuelson [8].3 A closely-related topic, the relation between the savings-income ratio and the rate of growth of the economy, has been subjected to an exhaustive investigation by Farrell very recently [3]. Our purpose in this note is to show that under very general conditions one can demonstrate that the savings-income ratio of workers will be less than that of capitalists in growing economies. Thus a crucial assumption in the growth models mentioned above is actually a simple consequence of behaviour patterns that are consistent with steady-state growth. The assumptions and the principal conclusion are set out in Section II. In Section III we discuss briefly its application to steady-state growth models.
The contribution of agricultural and urban activities to inorganic carbon fluxes within temperate watersheds

Abstract The lateral transport of bicarbonate as dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) to the oceans is an integral component of the global carbon budget and can represent the sequestration of CO 2 from the atmosphere. Recently studies have implicated land use change, in particular agricultural development, as an accelerator of bicarbonate export. However, due to the co-variation of land use, bedrock and surficial geologies, and the relationship between bicarbonate export and climate, the impact of anthropogenic activities on DIC export remains an important research question. In order to examine the land use controls on DIC export from small temperate watersheds we sampled 19 streams draining catchments of varying land uses with similar bedrock and surficial geologies. In addition to an agricultural effect, there was a strong correlation between the percent of watershed in urban development and DIC concentrations and DIC yields. Urban watersheds exported 7.8 times more DIC than their nearby forested counterparts and 2.0 times more DIC than nearby agricultural catchments. Isotopic data suggest that excess DIC export from altered systems results from increased chemical weathering, enhanced CO 2 production within urban green spaces, and as a result of organic matter loading from septic systems and leaky sewer lines. Furthermore, we found that nitrogen additions (e.g. fertilizers and manure) are aiding in the dissolution of lime, increasing the total export of DIC from agricultural watersheds. Calculated anthropogenic loading rates ranged from 0.43 to 0.86 mol C m − 2 yr − 1 . These loading rates suggest that a significant portion of global DIC export might be attributable to human activities, although the impacts on CO 2 sequestration are difficult to determine.
Visual Diagnosis: 8-Year-Old Boy With Recurrent Rash

1. Melissa Cossey, MD* 2. Allison Hsu, MD† 3. Luis Seguias, MD† 1. *UT Southwestern Medical Center, Austin, TX. 2. †University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. A previously healthy, 8-year-old, Hispanic boy presents to the emergency department with a recurrent rash on his right posterior thigh. The patient’s mother says that the involved area always becomes “infected” whenever the patient develops a fever, with this being the third and most severe episode. His mother reports that the rash was first noticed 2 years ago when the family was still living in Mexico. At that time, it appeared to be an insect bite that was associated with redness and itching, and his mother empirically applied a topical antibiotic to the lesion. Within a week, the bite resolved, but the patient was left with a small, darkly discolored area in its place. One year ago, the patient had an episode of fever associated with diarrhea. Simultaneously, the lesion on the patient’s right posterior thigh again became red and itchy, so his mother applied a topical antibiotic to the area. After resolution of that acute illness, the redness improved, but he was left with an even larger dark discoloration at the site. The current episode began 5 days ago with fever, mild runny nose, headache, and sore throat. The following day, the area on his right posterior thigh again developed redness and itching and started to blister. His mother brought him to the emergency department on the third day of illness, where he was diagnosed as having cellulitis and prescribed oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. His mother now reports resolution of his fever, sore throat, and headache but continued worsening of the rash despite the …
Physical Properties of 6R-TaS2

Abstract We have characterized powders of 6R-TaS 2 by means of (ac and de) susceptibility, resistivity, and differential scanning calorimetry. Three phase transitions are observed below 350 K: a superconducting transition with its onset at 2.3 K and transitions (at 80 and 325 K) which involve increases in resistivity and decreases in susceptibility upon cooling. We suggest that the upper two transitions are charge-density-wave transitions; this identification is supported by the strong pressure dependence of the superconducting transition, dT c / dP = 0.18 K/kbar.
Sewing closed string amplitudes

Abstract We give a prescription for combining the Polyakov amplitudes for two string world-sheets with boundary by functionally integrating over boundary values of the embedding and ghost fields. The relationship between the moduli of the sewn surface and its components is investigated, and implications for string field theory are discussed.
The Development of an Undergraduate Distance Learning Engineering Degree for Industry ‐ A University/Industry Collaboration

This paper documents the pioneering effort associated with the development of a Corporate Engineering Degree Program (CEDP) made available to industry personnel who desire to receive a traditional bachelor's degree via distance learning. This program, a model of a close university/industry collaboration, provides a broad vision for industry needs and makes a quality education available to adult learners. The paper explains the motivation in implementing the program, profiles students, faculty, and industry personnel, examines the challenges in implementing the program, and details accomplishments and continuing developments that have resulted since the program's inception in 1988. The paper also describes the dynamic processes of faculty enrichment and curricular development that resulted during the planning, implementation, and evolvement of the program, all of which have also had an impact on the traditional, on-campus program and students at the University of North Dakota.
A Bayesian hierarchical gene model on latent genotypes for genome-wide association studies

The primary goal of genome-wide association studies is to determine which genetic markers are associated with genetic traits, most commonly human diseases. As a result of the "large p, small n" nature of genome-wide association study data sets, and especially because of the collinearity due to linkage disequilibrium, multivariate regression results in an ill-posed problem. To overcome these obstacles, we propose preprocessing single-nucleotide polymorphisms to adjust for linkage disequilibrium, and a novel Bayesian statistical model that exploits a hierarchical structure between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and genes. We obtain posterior samples using a hybrid Metropolis-within-Gibbs sampler, and further conduct inference on single-nucleotide polymorphism and gene associations using centroid estimation. Finally, we illustrate the proposed model and estimation procedure and discuss results obtained on the data provided for the Genetic Analysis Workshop 18.
Use of auxiliary data in semi-parametric spatial regression with nonignorable missing responses

We propose a method for reducing the error of the prediction of a quantity of interest when the outcome has missing values that are suspected to be nonignorable and the data are correlated in space. We develop a maximum likelihood approach for the parameter estimation of semi-parametric regressions in a mixed model framework. We apply the proposed method to phytoplankton data collected at fixed stations in the Chesapeake Bay, for which chlorophyll data coming from remote sensing are available. A simulation study is also performed. The availability of a variable correlated to the response allows us to achieve a substantial reduction of the prediction error of the expected value of the smoother, without having to specify a nonignorable model.
A single vaccination with protein-microspheres elicits a strong CD8 T-cell-mediated immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen Mtb8.4

Efficient protein-based vaccine delivery systems are needed to achieve a persistent memory immune response capable of detecting and eliminating intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). We have developed a novel protein-microsphere formulation using the recently discovered TB antigen Mtb8.4. Immunization of mice with a single dose of this Mtb8.4-microsphere formulation resulted in both humoral and cellular responses against Mtb8.4. The Mtb8.4-specific CD8 T-cell responses following a single administration of Mtb8.4-microspheres exceeded that elicited by protein plus adjuvant following multiple immunizations. These results demonstrate the efficacy of a single dose protein-microsphere vaccine for the induction of strong cell-mediated and humoral immune responses against M. tuberculosis antigens.
Distinguishing Anisotropy and Flexibility of the Pentasaccharide LNF-1 in Solution by Carbon-13 NMR Relaxation and Hydrodynamic Modeling

Carbon-13 spin−lattice (T1) and spin−spin (T2) relaxation times and 1H−13C NOEs have been measured at four magnetic field strengths (7.0, 9.4, 11.7, and 14.1 T) for a 30 °C D2O solution of lacto-N-fucopentaose-1, a pentasaccharide from human milk. There are significant differences between the residues, with the largest T1, T2, and NOE values for carbons with axial C−H bonds of the 4-substituted glucose unit (E) at the reducing end. The data were fit using model free formalism, first with overall rotation assumed to be isotropic and then with rotational anisotropy taken into account. Somewhat improved fits were obtained with the latter, which yielded an anisotropy D||/D⊥ = 1.35−1.5. The generalized order parameters, S2, for ring carbons of residues A−D were similar in the two models, and approximately equal to 0.7, though significant differences in both order parameters and internal relaxation times were obtained for residue E. As supported by Langevin dynamics simulations, the experimentally derived S2 fo...
Inhibition of protein synthesis by glutathione disulfide in the presence of glutathione

Abstract As little as 5 × 10−5 M glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in the presence of 80 × 10−5 M glutathione (GSH) in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate caused a profound inhibition of initiation of protein synthesis. A potential physiological regulatory role for GSSG in protein synthesis is thus revealed.
Phantomless patient-specific TomoTherapy QA via delivery performance monitoring and a secondary Monte Carlo dose calculation.

Purpose: To describe the validation and implementation of a novel quality assurance (QA) system for TomoTherapy using a Monte Carlo (MC)-based secondary dose calculation and CT detector-based multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf opening time measurement QA verification. This system is capable of detecting plan transfer and delivery errors and evaluating the dosimetric impact of those errors. Methods: The authors’ QA process, MCLogQA, utilizes an independent pretreatment MC secondary dose calculation and postdelivery TomoTherapy exit detector-based MLC sinogram comparison and log file examination to confirm accurate dose calculation, accurate dose delivery, and to verify machine performance. MC radiation transport simulations are performed to estimate patient dose utilizing prestored treatment machine-specific phase-space information, the patient’s planning CT, and MLC sinogram data. Sinogram data are generated from both the treatment planning system (MC_TPS) and from beam delivery log files (MC_Log). TomoTherapy treatment planning dose (D TPS) is compared with D MC_TPS and D MC_Log via dose–volume metrics and mean region of interest dose statistics. For validation, in-phantom ionization chamber dose measurements (D IC) for ten sample patient plans are compared with the computed values. Results: Dose comparisons to in-phantom ion chamber measurements validate the capability of the MCLogQA method to detect delivery errors. D MC_Log agreed with D IC within 1%, while D TPS values varied by 2%–5% compared to D IC. The authors demonstrated that TomoTherapy treatments can be vulnerable to MLC deviations and interfraction output variations during treatment delivery. Interfractional Linac output variations for each patient were approximately 2% and average output was 1%–1.5% below the gold standard. While average MLC leaf opening time error from patient to patient varied from −0.6% to 1.6%, the MLC leaf errors varied little between fractions for the same patient plan, excluding one patient. Conclusions: MCLogQA is a new TomoTherapy QA process that validates the planned dose before delivery and analyzes the delivered dose using the treatment exit detector and log file data. The MCLogQA procedure is an effective and efficient alternative to traditional phantom-based TomoTherapy plan-specific QA because it allows for comprehensive 3D dose verification, accounts for tissue heterogeneity, uses patient CT density tables, reduces total QA time, and provides for a comprehensive QA methodology for each treatment fraction.
Tenckhoff Catheter Obstruction Resulting From Invasion by Curvulafia Lunata in the Absence of Peritonitis

A 60-year-old black woman on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) presented with Tenckhoff catheter malfunction. She exhibited no signs or symptoms of acute peritonitis. Darkly pigmented plaques were adherent to the inner wall of the catheter and exchange tubing focally throughout its length. Similar material was adherent to the protein coagulum in the dialysis bag. The Tenckhoff catheter and tubing were removed, and hemodialysis was initiated. Cultures of the catheter and the dialysate protein coagulum grew the saprophytic soil fungus, Curvularia lunata. Histologic examination of the catheter and tubing demonstrated penetration of each by hyphae. Catheter removal alone was sufficient to eradicate the fungus since recurrence of colonization or peritonitis has not occurred following the resumption of CAPD. Peritonitis produced by opportunistic pathogens especially fungi is increasingly common. Although Curvularia species have been implicated in pulmonary and cerebral mycetomas, allergic bronchoalveolar disease, and keratitis, they have not been reported previously to cause peritonitis or catheter malfunction in CAPD patients. Fungal invasion of CAPD catheters can produce mechanical obstruction even in the absence of peritonitis. Such colonization does not preclude resumption of chronic peritoneal dialysis at a later date.
High-Energy Atmospheric Reentry Test Aerothermodynamic Analysis

This paper presents an assessment of the aerothermodynamic environment around an 8.3 meter High Energy Atmospheric Reentry Test (HEART) vehicle. This study generated twelve nose shape configurations and compared their responses at the peak heating trajectory point against the baseline nose shape. The heat flux sensitivity to the angle of attack variations are also discussed. The possibility of a two-piece Thermal Protection System (TPS) design at the nose is also considered, as are the surface catalytic affects of the aeroheating environment of such configuration. Based on these analyses, an optimum nose shape is proposed to minimize the surface heating. A recommendation is also made for a two-piece TPS design, for which the surface catalytic uncertainty associated with the jump in heating at the nose-IAD juncture is reduced by a minimum of 93%. In this paper, the aeroshell is assumed to be rigid and the inflatable fluid interaction effect is left for future investigations
Covalency, Spin Densities, and Neutron Magnetic Scattering

Effects of covalent spin densities on the neutron magnetic scattering are described using results of UHF‐MO‐SCF calculations for the (MnF6)4− cluster and for a model three‐atom system (Sc2+–F−–Sc2+) in a linear configuration. Full variational freedom was given to all the electrons and all multicenter integrals were included. From the computed spin densities magnetic form factors were calculated including nonspherical terms and core polarization effects. Both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic states of the three‐atom system were studied in order to investigate possible differences in covalent behavior and the contribution of covalency to measurements of zero‐point spin deviation.
Large-scale matrix computations in control

This paper gives a brief overview of some of the recent Krylov subspace techniques for large-scale matrix computations and their applications to the solutions of large-scale control problems. The research in this area is still in its infancy, but is quite active. For a comprehensive account of results in this area, see Datta (1999).
New directions and research needs in system reliability research

Abstract Structure system reliability has evolved considerably in recent years. Various theoretical studies have modelled stochastic time-varying systems for both fatigue and ultimate limit states. Implementation has been slow becayse of the relative emphasis on reliability oriented code member design checks. The paper surveys available system reliability methods as well as outlines for future work. Needs have arisen to include system aids in evaluating and comparing design concepts as well as providing on-line optimal strategies for allocating inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation expenditures.
The Technical Substrates of Unconscious Memory: Rereading Derrida's Freud in the Age of Teletechnology:

In a rereading of Jacques Derrida's writings on Freud, I trace the connections between his treatment of differance and his treatment of technology and unconscious memory. I focus on the challenge which Derrida's writings pose for a certain idea of history, including the history of technological development, and I locate that challenge in Derrida's deconstruction of the opposition of nature and technology, the human and the machine, the virtual and the real, the living and the inert. In proposing that these opposed elements are better thought of as deferrals of each other and that, therefore, neither of the opposed elements can be ontologically privileged, Derrida's writings offer a shift in ontological perspective befitting the age of teletechnology. In all this, Derrida's writings show that Freud's treatment of unconscious memory is still relevant, even while Derrida's writings offer a thought of unconscious memory that goes beyond Freud's, that is to say, goes beyond thought of the unconscious when it i...
Incidence of caries lesions among patients treated with comprehensive orthodontics

Introduction Dental caries, specifically decalcified white-spot lesions (WSL), is a well-known side-effect of orthodontic treatment. The incidence of labial incipient caries lesions and its relationship with various patient and treatment variables was investigated in patients treated with comprehensive orthodontics. Methods Randomly selected orthodontic patient records (n = 350) were examined to determine incipient caries lesion development. Labial surfaces on pretreatment and posttreatment photographs were scored with a standardized scoring system. Independent variables were collected by chart abstraction. Results The incidence of patients who developed at least 1 new WSL during treatment was 72.9%, and this incidence was 2.3% for cavitated lesions. Treatment duration was significantly associated with new WSL development (P = 0.03). Development of WSL and cavitated lesions increased (both, P Conclusions The incidence of WSL in patients treated with comprehensive orthodontics was significantly high, and the preventive therapy provided appeared to be ineffective. This widespread problem is alarming and warrants significant attention from both patients and providers that should result in greatly increased emphasis on effective caries prevention.