cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conflict and Candidate Selection: Game Framing Voter Choice

Political campaigns are often likened to a game typified by conflict. We consider whether using a conflict frame visually emphasizing the contested aspect of partisanship affects candidate support in the 2016 presidential election. Using a nationwide survey experiment (N = 975) that randomly assigns participants to different visual frames depicting politics as conflictual or process-based, we find that participants exposed to the conflict frame show significantly higher odds of supporting Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, while rejecting Hillary Clinton. The conflicting frame also increases self-reported participant anger, which decomposition analysis shows increases support for Trump and Sanders while decreasing it for Clinton (and that we offer as a preliminary finding). Avenues for future research are then considered.
Spatialised Practices in ILEs: Pedagogical Transformations and Learner Agency

Across Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, there is a systematic research and policy impetus for continuous schooling engagement with digital technologies, improvement agendas and the commensurate redesign of educational spaces (OECD in Innovative learning environments, Educational Research and Innovation. OECD Publishing, Paris, 2013). The current epoch marks a transformation between what has been termed the industrial society and the knowledge age. In this article, we consider implications of the shifting currents in globalised societies for school practitioners and how moves to Innovative Learning Environments (ILEs) (also called new generation learning environments (Imms et al. in Evaluating learning environments. Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, pp. 3–20, 2016) may require close attention if the potential of spatialised practice is to be realised. Innovative learning environments are new generation schooling contexts where space and objects influence and produce spatialised practice. Spatialised practice, in this context, is indicative of a re-examination of classroom relationality. Moreover, it is an embrace of the fluid and flexible redesign of learning spaces alongside ongoing evaluation and reconsideration of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment (Blackmore et al. in Innovative learning environments research study. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria, 2011b). Within ILEs, an engagement with spatialised practice can afford learner agency. Massey (For space. Sage Publications, London, 2005) makes three propositions about space that it is a product of interrelations, a sphere of coexisting heterogeneity and multiplicity, and always in process and under construction. Deploying Massey’s (For space. Sage Publications, London, 2005) three dimensions of space, we consider spatialised relations in schooling settings. Principal interview data are used to illustrate aspects of spatialised practice.
A right-of-way negotiation system using inter-vehicle communication on a road with a mix of autonomous and human-driven vehicles

The Japanese government aims to introduce completely autonomous vehicles by 2030. Autonomous vehicles are expected to reduce the number of accidents and traffic jams. However, incomplete exchange of yielding intention between human-driven vehicles and computer-controlled autonomous vehicles, which will run on same roads, may lead to accidents or traffic jams. This paper proposes a system that enables vehicles to accurately transmit their yielding intention to other vehicles via inter-vehicle communication, irrespective of whether the vehicles concerned are driven by a human or a computer. We have identified seven patterns of yielding situations between vehicles and developed a system that enables safe yielding in each pattern. We have implemented the proposed system in Raspberry Pi computers and mounted them on radio control cars in order to evaluate operations of the system. The computer on each car recognizes the road width, nearby vehicles and their types by analyzing images captured by the camera mounted on each car. The interface between the computer and the driver is implemented using a smartphone that is connected via Bluetooth to the Raspberry Pi computer on the car. We have conducted experiments to measure time needed to make a yielding decision in a variety of driving conditions and evaluated the accuracy of these decisions.
Angular biasing of the collision process in multigroup Monte Carlo calculations

An angular biasing technique is described that can be employed in multigroup Monte Carlo radiation transport calculations. This technique involves an alteration of the collision kernel of particle random walk. It can be easily implemented and can result in a substantial variance reduction. Implementation of this technique in the MORSE computer code is described. A deep-penetration test problem demonstrates the variance reduction.
Teaching NeuroImages: Spontaneous regression of AVM feeding pedicle pseudoaneurysms

A 34-year-old woman had sudden left-sided weakness shortly after delivery. Head CT showed a small hemorrhage (figure, A) secondary to an arteriovenous malformation (figure, B) with 2 small pseudoaneurysms (figure, C). Angiography 2 months later documented obliteration of one of the 2 pseudoaneurysms but growth of the other (figure, D). Embolization of the pedicle bearing the pseudoaneurysm was planned but delayed by 1 month because of patient hesitation to undergo the procedure. Repeat angiogram showed spontaneous resolution (figure, E). Feeding pedicle pseudoaneurysms are dynamic lesions probably secondary to dissection. As remodeling occurs, interval growth, spontaneous regression, or both can be observed.1
Remission in der Kinderrheumatologie

Durch Definition von Krankheitsaktivitat, Besserung und Verschlechterung und die Etablierung groser internationaler Forschungsverbunde gelang es, bei Patienten mit juveniler idiopathischer Arthritis (JIA) neue Medikamente wie die Biologika in kontrollierten Studien zu testen und ihre Wirksamkeit zu zeigen. Haufiger als fruher erreichten auch Kinder mit polyartikularer JIA einen Status ohne verbliebene Krankheitsaktivitat, weshalb die Notwendigkeit der Definition von Remission entstand. Am weitesten verbreitet sind die Wallace-Kriterien mit Definition von inaktiver Erkrankung und Remission unter und ohne antirheumatische Medikamente. Allerdings gibt es bisher keine Assoziation mit der Prognose. Bisher sind keine Biomarker oder bildgebenden Verfahren etabliert, die die klinischen Kriterien der Remission verbessern konnten. Zwar erreichen viele Patienten den Status der inaktiven Erkrankung, aber die wenigsten bleiben ohne einen erneuten Krankheitsschub, wenn die Medikation abgesetzt wird. Die Genexpression von Kindern in Remission ist zudem weiterhin pathologisch verandert. Das bestatigt, dass die JIA immer besser behandelbar, aber nicht heilbar ist.
Chapter 37 – Other Hamsters

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the taxonomy and genetics of different other hamsters, which have been used as important animals for biomedical research such as the Phodopus sungorus (Djungarian hamster), mesocricetus brandti (Turkish hamster), cricetulus migratorius (Armenian hamster), and the mesocricetus newtoni (Romanian hamster). Research programs that use these hamsters generally maintain their own breeding colonies, acquire these animals from other research laboratories with breeding colonies, or trap hamsters from their native habitat to establish intramural colonies. As interest in use of these hamsters in research increased, the sharing of hamsters between laboratories and use of common names to describe the species has caused confusion as to which species of hamster was actually used in the published research. Furthermore, the chapter studies the management, behaviors, and research utilities of each of the other hamsters. The most studied species, Phodopus sungorus, is called by many common names, including the hairy-footed hamster, Siberian hamster, and the Djungarian hamster.
The Use of Test Batteries in Clinical Neuropsychology

For purposes of studying the development of test batteries in neuropsychology, it is instructive to look at the progression of two dimensions through four eras in the evolution of brain function evaluation methodologies. The first dimension concerns the use of standardized versus unstandardized methods of assessment; while the second dimension involves qualitative versus quantitative techniques of evaluation.
Venous Thromboembolism in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading cause of preventable healthcare-related death after surgery. Although there is a large body of research on VTE in the general population as well as risk-assessment tools, evidence specific to the current practices in gynecologic surgery is more sparse. This review article seeks to discuss current literature on VTE in gynecologic surgery, with a focus on minimally invasive surgery. Evidence on risk factors for VTE in gynecologic surgery is evaluated as well as current recommendations use of thromboprophylaxis for prevention of VTE. Despite data showing that minimally invasive gynecologic surgery independently decreases risk of VTE compared with laparotomy, current clinical risk assessment tools and guidelines do not incorporate mode of surgery into recommendations for perioperative VTE prevention.
Robust Control Design of Heart Rate Response during Treadmill Exercise under Parametric Uncertainty

Rehabilitation (Rehab) exercise can benefit cardiac patients as it can promote the recovery and improve the heart wellness. However, heart failure (HF) patients can only take mild exercise, since excessive exercise may lead to fatal events. It is important to control the exercise intensity at a desired level to maximize exercise benefit. Heart Rate (HR) is an essential factor for measuring exercise intensity. Mathematical models of HR can be used to study exercise physiology. However, HR models involve model uncertainty, resulting from model calibration or variability in patients. It is important to quantify the effect of uncertainty on HR prediction for optimizing exercise intensity, such as treadmill speed. A probabilistic model-based control design is presented in this work to obtain an optimal treadmill speed for Rehab exercise in the presence of uncertainty. To obtain a computationally tractable formulation, the generalized polynomial chaos (gPC) theory is used to propagate uncertainty via a model to HR predictions, and predict slow-acting responses such as peripheral local metabolism that can be used to evaluate exercise outcome for individual patients. The speed control of treadmill is formulated as an optimization problem that can maximize the exercise outcome, while minimizing the slow-acting effects. The effectiveness of the proposed control design was experimentally verified with simulations, showing potentials in the exercise control of individual patients.
Ensiled Wet Storage Accelerates Pretreatment for Bioconversion of Corn Stover

Organic acids produced during ensiled wet storage are beneficial during the storage process, both for biomass preservation, and to aid in mild in-situ pretreatment. However, there is concern these acids could later have negative impacts on downstream processes, especially microbial fermentation. Organic acids can inhibit microbial metabolism or growth, which in turn could affect biofuel productivity or yield. This study investigated the interaction of organic acids produced during ensiled storage with subsequent pretreatment of the resulting corn stover silage, as well as the potential for interference with downstream ethanol fermentation. Interaction with pretreatment was observed by measuring xylan and glucan removal and the formation of inhibitors. The results indicated that organic acids generally do not impede downstream processes and in fact can be beneficial. The levels of organic acids produced during 220 days of storage jar tests at 23°C or 37°C, and their transformation during pretreatment, remained below inhibitory levels. Concentrations of individual acids did not exceed 6 g per liter of the pretreated volume, and < 5% on a dry matter basis. Whereas, unensiled corn stover required 15 min of 190°C pretreatment to optimize sugar release, ensiled corn stover could be treated equally effectively at a lower pretreatment duration of 10 min. Furthermore, the different organic acid profiles that accumulate at various storage moisture levels (35-65%) do not differ significantly in their impact on downstream ethanol fermentation. These results indicate biorefineries using ensiled corn stover feedstock at 35-65% moisture levels can expect as good or better biofuel yields as with unensiled stover, while reducing pretreatment costs.
Robust Astronomical Imaging in the Presence of Radio Frequency Interference

Radio astronomical observations are increasingly contaminated by radio frequency interference (RFI), rendering the development of effective RFI suppression techniques a pressing task. In practice, ...
Graph Theory and Critical Load-Based Distribution System Restoration using Optimal Microgrids Formation

Customer survivability and well-being can be enhanced, after a natural disaster, by efficiently restoring critical loads in a distribution system. Microgrids with distributed generation can improve resilience in case of power outages caused by natural events. This paper presents a graph theory-based distribution system restoration strategy using optimal microgrids formation. The restoration focuses on critical loads powered by distributed generation sources installed in radial distribution system. Specifically, a Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) search algorithm has been developed that maximizes the amount of critical load restored based on priority information, while satisfying the operational constraints of radial distribution systems. The proposed method has been tested on the modified IEEE 37 and 123-bus test systems. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
A Curriculum for Teaching Clients to Use Landmarks While Traveling

To use landmarks effectively when traveling, clients must not only understand the concept of landmarks but also be able to remain oriented to landmarks and learn to follow and give directions based...
Transformer-Based Predistortion Linearizer for High Linearity and High Modulation Efficiency in mm-Wave 5G CMOS Power Amplifiers

This paper presents a new predistortion linearization technique for high linearity and high modulation efficiency in millimeter-wave (mm-wave) CMOS power amplifiers (PA) for fifth-generation (5G) mobile communications. Our proposed linearizer adopts a transformer-based (i.e., inductive) self-compensated predistortion network at the input of the PA whose amplitude-modulation to phase-modulation (AM–PM) response is opposite compared with the AM–PM response of a CMOS PA, resulting in an AM–PM cancellation effect. This proposed inductive linearization method mitigates the large gain reduction problem in traditional capacitor-based linearization approaches while consuming no extra dc power or without introducing additional control circuitry. As a result, a significant improvement in power-efficiency and linearity is achieved with high-order complex modulation signals. To validate the proposed linearization method, a PA prototype in 65-nm CMOS technology was fabricated and tested, and it exhibited $\vert $ AM–PM $\vert $ distortion at $P_{\mathrm {o,1\, dB}}$ over 4 GHz of bandwidth (27–31 GHz). At 28 GHz, the measured saturated $P_{\mathrm {o}}$ and peak power-added-efficiency (PAE) was 15.6 dBm and 41%, respectively, while achieving a 6-dB $P_{\mathrm {o}}$ back-off PAE of 25%. To assess PA’s large-signal performance for 5G communications, the prototype was measured with the 64-quadratic-amplitude modulation (QAM) signal at 2-Gb/s data rates at 28 and 30 GHz, and the PA achieves modulated-PAE of 18.2%/17.6% and average- $P_{\mathrm {o}}$ of 9.8 dBm/10 dBm, respectively, while maintaining $2\times $ improvement in comparison with the recently reported 28-GHz linear CMOS PAs. Also, the PA occupies a compact active-area of 0.24 mm2.
Crystal structures of human HSP90α-complexed with dihydroxyphenylpyrazoles

Abstract A series of dihydroxyphenylpyrazole compounds were identified as a unique class of reversible Hsp90 inhibitors. The crystal structures for two of the identified compounds complexed with the N-terminal ATP binding domain of human Hsp90α were determined. The dihydroxyphenyl ring of the compounds fits deeply into the adenine binding pocket with the C2 hydroxyl group forming a direct hydrogen bond with the side chain of Asp93. The pyrazole ring forms hydrogen bonds to the backbone carbonyl of Gly97, the hydroxyl group of Thr184 and to a water molecule, which is present in all of the published HSP90 structures. One of the identified compounds (G3130) demonstrated cellular activities (in Her-2 degradation and activation of Hsp70 promoter) consistent with the inhibition of cellular Hsp90 functions.
Sleep duration and body mass: direction of the associations from adolescence to young adulthood

Research suggests that sleep duration and obesity are related, but the direction of this association remains uncertain. We applied autoregressive cross-lag models to evaluate the directionality of the relationship between sleep duration and BMI from adolescence through emerging and young adulthood, life stages where the risk for developing obesity are particularly high. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examined sex-stratified associations between sleep duration and BMI in this cohort from adolescence (ages 12–18, year 1996), to emerging adulthood (ages 18–24, 2001–2002), to young adulthood (ages 24–32, 2008), controlling for key confounders. For both males and females, higher BMI during an earlier developmental stage was associated with shorter sleep duration in the subsequent stage (both Bs = −0.02, ps < 0.01). However, sleep duration at an earlier developmental stage was not associated with BMI at the subsequent stage. Findings suggest that researchers should be cautious when interpreting cross-sectional relationships between sleep and BMI, as higher BMI may precede shorter sleep during adolescence to young adulthood. Researchers may also wish to account for potential bi-directional associations when modeling sleep and BMI using longitudinal data.
Incidence of Infectious Complications Following Cochlear Implantation in Children and Adults.

This cohort study uses data from state health care databases to determine the incidence and timing of infectious complications following cochlear implant surgery among patients in 5 US states between 2006 and 2016.
A miniaturized XRF instrument for in situ planetary exploration: The Active X-Ray Spectrometer (AXRS)

Abstract The Active X-Ray Spectrometer (AXRS) was developed at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) to be utilized in landed planetary exploration spacecraft seeking to better understand bulk rock geochemistry of lithophile materials. The AXRS sensor head has a mass of 360 ​g, fits within an envelope of 11 ​× ​6 ​× ​5 ​cm3, and consumes
Harmonic Micro-Doppler Detection Using Passive RF Tags and Pulsed Microwave Harmonic Radar

A pulsed radar system and harmonic tag design for the detection of harmonic micro-Doppler signatures in cluttered environments is presented. While radio-frequency identification research has focused heavily on detection, this work uniquely focuses on measuring the tag motion based on harmonic frequency shifts. The tag retransmits the incident signal at a harmonic frequency, enabling the harmonic radar receiver to detect the frequency shift without the presence of clutter, which is confined to the fundamental frequency band. A new harmonic tag based on a wire dipole, diode, and wire-based reactive components is presented, which operates at 2.51 and 5.02 GHz frequencies. A pulsed harmonic radar is offered that is able to achieve measurements at greater distance than continuous-wave systems. We present time-frequency responses of the tag movement at a distance of 1 m to demonstrate the ability to detect object motion based on the frequency shift of the harmonic micro-Doppler response.
Exact solutions to the four Goldstone modes around a dark soliton of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

This paper is concerned with the linearization around a dark soliton solution of the nonlinear Schr?dinger equation. Crucially, we present analytic expressions for the four linearly independent zero eigenvalue solutions (also known as Goldstone modes) to the linearized problem. These solutions are then used to construct a Green matrix which gives the first-order spatial response due to some perturbation. Finally, we apply this Green matrix to find the correction to the dark-soliton wavefunction of a Bose?Einstein condensate in the presence of fluctuations.
Agent-User Concordance and Satisfaction with a Virtual Hospital Discharge Nurse

User attitudes towards a hospital virtual nurse agent are described, as evaluated in a randomized clinical trial involving 764 hospital patients. Patients talked to the agent for an average of 29 minutes while in their hospital beds, receiving their customized hospital discharge instructions from the agent and a printed booklet. Patients reported very high levels of satisfaction with and trust in the nurse agent, preferred receiving their discharge instructions from the agent over their human doctors and nurses, and found the system very easy to use. Perceived similarity to the agent was a significant determiner of liking, trust, desire to continue, and working alliance, although perceived similarity was unrelated to racial concordance between patients and the agent.
Sulfamate-tethered aza-Wacker approach towards analogs of Bactobolin A

Here, we describe an approach towards analogs of the potent antibiotic Bactobolin A. Sulfamate-tethered aza-Wacker cyclization reactions furnish key synthons, which we envision can be elaborated into analogs of Bactobolin A. Docking studies show that the C4 epimer of Bactobolin A and the C4/C6 diastereomer interact with different residues of the 23S rRNA (bacterial ribosome 50S subunit) than the natural product, suggesting that these molecules could be valuable tool compounds for fundamental studies of the bacterial translational machinery.
Nuclear Imaging: Infection and Inflammation

1205 Aim: Nuclear Imaging: Infection and Inflammation (Educational exhibit track, correlative imaging) Objectives: To illustrate the value of hybrid SPECT/CT and correlative-imaging addressing common diagnostic dilemmas in nuclear medicine in infection and inflammatory imaging. Methods: We review our institutional clinical database including 300 nuclear medicine cases where infection and inflammation imaging was performed and illustrate the impact of hybrid SPECT/CT imaging and other correlative imaging modalities such as CT and MRI for improving diagnosis. Results: Hybrid and multi-modality correlative-imaging can improve diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for conditions and anatomical locations that have been traditionally difficult. As shown in illustrative case studies, SPECT/CT and correlation with additional cross-sectional imaging can significantly alter post-test probabilities for diagnoses that will change management, such as normal variants simulating as disease, osteomyelitis versus cellulitis, clarifying difficult-to-detect locations, degenerative versus inflammatory conditions. Illustrative case studies will include planar nuclear medicine imaging with 99mTc - MDP bone scan including three phase study, 111In-WBC scan, 99mTc-Sulphur colloid,67Ga and corresponding SPECT/CT images and correlative images with CT and MRI. Conclusions: Clinician education with a focus on hybrid and correlative-imaging can improve patient care by emphasizing the awareness and availability of various modalities for imaging infection and inflammation.
Monotonic Solutions of Second Order Nonlinear Difference Equations

Classification, boundedness, and existence of solutions of a second order nonlinear difference equation are investigated. First, it is proved that all solutions are eventually monotone. Then, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the boundedness of all solutions are established. Finally, the existence of different types of monotonic solutions are presented. The obtained results have extended and improved some existing ones.
Dog intestinal mucosa contains two vitamin D-stimulated calcium binding proteins

Abstract Dog intestinal mucosa has been found to contain more than one vitamin D-responsive calcium-binding protein (CaBP). Duodenal and upper jejunal mucosa contains a protein that has a mol wt of 19,000 and a K d of 1.2 μM, and that increases in activity over twofold after administration of 1,25 (OH) 2 vitamin D 3 . This protein could not be demonstrated in ileal tissue. In ileal mucosa all the calcium binding activity resides in fractions that elute from Sephadex G200 with a mol wt of about 57,000. Calcium-binding activity was demonstrated in gel electrophoresis corresponding to a protein with an R f of about 0.5, unlike the small CaBP, which has an R f of 1.0. The calcium-binding activity from the ileum was demonstrated to coincide with a protein band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and to be destroyed by pronase. This large CaBP responded to 1,25 (OH) 2 vitamin D 3 by increasing activity by about 50%, and was inhibited similarly to the small protein by Sr, Ba, and Mg. Neither fresh tissue homogenates, nor explants cultured up to 20 hr showed any evidence of the small CaBP on disc gel acrylamide electrophoresis. The small CaBP could be demonstrated on gel electrophoresis only in tissue that was partially autolyzed or was treated with a 10% (milligrams per milligram) solution of trypsin. The small CaBP was relatively resistant to trypsin. It is suggested that the small CaBP may be derived at least in part from the large protein.
LIVER BIOPSY: COMPLICATIONS IN 1000 INPATIENTS AND OUTPATIENTS

We prospectively evaluated risk factors in 1000 consecutive patients who underwent liver biopsy: 829 outpatients and 171 inpatients. The two groups were similar except that the outpatient group had a higher percentage of patients with hepatitis-cirrhosis and a lower percentage with neoplasia when compared with the inpatient group (P less than 0.01). The inpatient group had more relative contraindications (P less than 0.01). Among the 1000 patients, none died and none required laparotomy. If moderate to severe pain or hypotension or both developed (5.9%), they first became manifest during a 3-hr period of observation after biopsy. Forty-four outpatients (5.3%) were hospitalized; 39 were dismissed within 36 hr and 5 within 4 days. Complications were more often experienced by those with relative contraindications (P less than 0.05) and increased number of passes (P less than 0.01). Inpatients with hepatitis-cirrhosis experienced more complications (P less than 0.05) than did patients with other diagnoses (12.8 versus 3.8%). Complications were not related to type of needle, site of entry, or experience of operator. Liver biopsy as an outpatient procedure is safe if facilities are available for 3 hr of observation and hospital support; 5% of patients will require immediate hospitalization.
A 650 MHz DDFS for stretch processing radar in 130nm BiCMOS process

A quadrature 650 MHz direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS) with linear phase and frequency modulation capabilities is realized in a 130 nm BiCMOS process. The DDFS supports stretch processing pulse compression for a single chip radar transceiver (RoC). The design features a partial dynamic rotation (PDR) Cordinate Rotation DIgital Computer (CORDIC) for the phase to sine and cosine mapping functions (SCMF), a 32 bit phase accumulator with a 0.23 Hz frequency resolution at native operating frequency, 32 bit linear frequency modulation (LFM), 14-bit linear phase modulation (LPM), additive dithering for randomization of phase truncation spurs, two inverse sinc functions for zero-order hold (ZOH) transfer function correction of the DAC, stretch processing radar control circuitry and two twelve bit CMOS current steering DACs.
Acetylcholine Becomes the Major Excitatory Neurotransmitter in the Hypothalamus In Vitro in the Absence of Glutamate Excitation

Glutamate and GABA are two major fast neurotransmitters (excitatory and inhibitory, respectively) in the CNS, including the hypothalamus. They play a key role in the control of excitation/inhibition balance and determine the activity and excitability of neurons in many neuronal circuits. Using neuronal cultures, whole-cell recording, Ca(2+) imaging, and Northern blots, we studied the compensatory regulation of neuronal activity during a prolonged decrease in glutamate excitation. We report here that after a chronic (6-17 d) blockade of ionotropic glutamate receptors, neurons in hypothalamic cultures revealed excitatory electrical and Ca(2+) synaptic activity, which was not elicited in the control cultures that were not subjected to glutamate blockade. This activity was suppressed with acetylcholine (ACh) receptor antagonists and was potentiated by eserine, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, suggesting its cholinergic nature. The upregulation of ACh receptors and the contribution of ACh to the control of the excitation/inhibition balance in cultures after a prolonged decrease in glutamate activity were also demonstrated. Enhanced ACh transmission was also found in chronically blocked cerebellar but not cortical cultures, suggesting the region-specific character of glutamate-ACh interactions in the brain. We believe that in the absence of glutamate excitation in the hypothalamus in vitro, ACh, a neurotransmitter normally exhibiting only weak activity in the hypothalamus, becomes the major excitatory neurotransmitter and supports the excitation/inhibition balance. The increase in excitatory ACh transmission during a decrease in glutamate excitation may represent a novel form of neuronal plasticity that regulates activity and excitability of neurons during the glutamate/GABA imbalance.
Cancer cell biology: Myc wins the competition

During Drosophila development, cells with elevated levels of the Myc oncoprotein grow faster than, and induce cell death in, nearby wild-type cells, suggesting how inappropriate Myc over-expression provides cells with a competitive advantage that can lead to cancer.
Laser-absorption sensing of gas composition of products from coal gasification

A prototype in-situ laser-absorption sensor for the real-time composition measurement (CO, CH4, H2O and CO2) of synthesis gas products of coal gasification (called here syngas) was designed, tested in the laboratory, and demonstrated during field-measurement campaigns in a pilot-scale entrained flow gasifier at the University of Utah and in an engineering-scale, fluidized-bed transport gasifier at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC). The prototype design and operation were improved by the lessons learned from each field test. Laser-absorption measurements are problematic in syngas flows because efficient gasifiers operate at elevated pressures (10-50 atm) where absorption transitions are collision broadened and absorption transitions that are isolated at 1 atm become blended into complex features, and because syngas product streams can contain significant particulate, producing significant non-absorption scattering losses of the transmission of laser light. Thus, the prototype sensor used a new wavelength-scanned, wavelength-modulation spectroscopy strategy with 2f-detection and 1f-normalization (WMS-2f/1f) that can provide sensitive absorption measurements of species with spectra blended by collision broadening even in the presence of large non-absorption laser transmission losses (e.g., particulate scattering, beam steering, etc.). The design of the sensor for detection of CO, CH4, H2O and CO2 was optimized for the specific application of syngas monitoring at the output of large-scale gasifiers. Sensor strategies, results and lessons learned from these field measurement campaigns are discussed.
Optical coherence tomography findings in autoimmune retinopathy.

Purpose To report optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of patients with autoimmune retinopathy. Design Consecutive case series. Method Eight patients who presented with unexplained loss of central vision, visual field defects, and/or photopsia were diagnosed with autoimmune retinopathy based on clinical features, electroretinogram (ERG) findings, and serum antiretinal antibody analysis. All patients underwent OCT testing of the macula and nerve fiber layer (NFL). Results Outer retinal abnormalities and/or decreased macular thickness on OCT were seen in all patients. Macular OCT showed reduced central macular and foveal thicknesses in 6 patients (mean thickness 143 ± 30 μm and 131 ± 29 μm respectively). In all but 1 patient, loss of the photoreceptor layer or disruption of the photoreceptor outer and inner segment junction was noted. Three patients showed only mild to moderate focal NFL loss. Conclusions Retinal atrophy and reduced macular thickness on OCT are predominant features in patients with autoimmune retinopathy. OCT provides objective measures of retinal damage and may offer clues toward understanding the mechanism of visual dysfunction and the diagnosis of autoimmune retinopathy.
Distributed demand side management among foresighted decision makers in power networks

We consider a power network with an independent system operator (ISO), and geographically distributed aggregators who have energy storage and purchase energy from the ISO to serve its customers. All the entities in the system are foresighted: each aggregator minimizes its own long-term payments for energy purchase and operational costs of energy storage by deciding how much energy to buy from the ISO, and the ISO minimizes the long-term total cost of the network (i.e. energy generation costs and aggregators' costs) by dispatching energy generation among the generators. The decision making of the foresighted entities is complicated because 1) the information required to make optimal decisions is decentralized among the entities, and 2) the coupling (through the prices) among the aggregators is complicated. We propose a design framework in which the ISO provides each aggregator with a conjectured future price, and each aggregator distributively minimizes its own long-term cost based on its conjectured price as well as its local information. The proposed framework can achieve the social optimum despite the decentralized information and complex coupling among the entities. Simulation results demonstrate significant reduction in the total cost by the proposed foresighted demand side management (DSM), compared to the optimal myopic DSM (up to 60% reduction), and the foresighted DSM based on the Lyapunov optimization framework (up to 30% reduction).
A Trial of electronic surveillance feedback for quality improvement at Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) hospitals.

Background Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) risk is directly related to duration of indwelling urinary catheters (IUCs), rising beyond 2 days of catheterization. Methods We conducted a cluster randomized study in nonintensive care units of Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) hospitals. Electronic surveillance data were used in an audit and feedback intervention for frontline nurses to reduce IUC duration. Multivariable methods were used to identify the difference in average IUC duration and proportion of patients with IUC duration Results A total of 24 units at 19 NICHE hospitals reported 13,499 adult patients with IUCs over 18 months. Early and delayed intervention groups had important baseline differences in IUC utilization. Use of evidence-based CAUTI prevention measures increased during study participation. In multivariable analysis, the average IUC duration and proportion of patients with IUC duration Conclusion The impact of the audit and feedback intervention was not significant despite the uptake of evidence-based CAUTI prevention practices.
Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Efficient Photorefractive Polymer Composites with Long Phase Stability

We have synthesized the chromophores 4-[(4‘-nitrophenyl)azo]-1,3-bis[(3‘‘- or 4‘‘-vinylbenzyl)oxy]benzene (NPADVBB) and 4-[(4‘-nitrophenyl)azo]-1,3-bis(benzyloxy)benzene (NPADB). New polymer composites based on the photoconductor poly(9-vinylcarbazole), the plasticizer 9-ethylcarbazole, NPADVBB, and the sensitizers 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone and (2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenylidene)malonitrile were prepared. Ellipsometric measurements and degenerate four-wave mixing experiments were performed at 633 and 830 nm. The composites showed excellent phase stability, and nearly complete diffraction was observed at 633 nm. The two-beam coupling gain was limited by the small phase shift between the interference pattern and the index grating.
On the Somigliana stress identity in elasticity

The paper presents and analytical investigation of the properties of the integral terms in the Somigliana stress identity which are associated with a perceived hypersingular nature of the integral equations in three dimensional elasticity. The nature of the integral equations is, in fact, found to be non-hypersingular, thereby permitting direct evaluation of the jump terms in the stress identity for a solution point taken, in the limit, to the surface of the body. The continuity requirements on the boundary conditions are found to be more liberal than previously reported. A weakly-singular form of the Somigliana identity is found that is easily used for BEM implementations that use Gaussian integrations. Demonstration of the boundary form of the Somigliana stress identity is given for a three dimensional elasticity problem.
DISK ACCRETION AND THE STELLAR BIRTHLINE

We present a simplified analysis of some effects of disk accretion on the early evolution of fully convective, low-mass pre-main-sequence stars. Our analysis builds on the previous seminal work of Stahler, but it differs in that the accretion of material occurs over a small area of the stellar surface, such as through a disk or magnetospheric accretion column, so that most of the stellar photosphere is free to radiate to space. This boundary condition is similar to the limiting case considered by Palla & Stahler for intermediate-mass stars. We argue that for a wide variety of disk mass accretion rates, material will be added to the star with relatively small amounts of thermal energy. Protostellar evolution calculated assuming this "low-temperature" limit of accretion generally follows the results of Stahler because of the thermostatic nature of deuterium fusion, which prevents protostars from contracting below a "birthline" in the H-R diagram. Our calculated protostellar radii tend to fall below Stahler's at higher masses; the additional energy loss from the stellar photosphere in the case of disk accretion tends to make the protostar contract. The low-temperature disk accretion evolutionary tracks never fall below the deuterium-fusion birthline until the internal deuterium is depleted, but protostellar tracks can lie above the birthline in the H-R diagram if the initial radius of the protostellar core is large enough or if rapid disk accretion (such as might occur during FU Ori outbursts) adds significant amounts of thermal energy to the star. These possibilities cannot be ruled out by either theoretical arguments or observational constraints at present, so that individual protostars might evolve along a multiplicity of birthlines with a modest range of luminosity at a given mass. Our results indicate that there are large uncertainties in assigning ages for the youngest stars from H-R diagram positions, given the uncertainty in birthline positions. Our calculations also suggest that the relatively low disk accretion rates characteristic of T Tauri stars below the birthline cause low-mass stars to contract only slightly faster than normal Hayashi track evolution, so that ages for older pre-main-sequence stars estimated from H-R diagram positions are relatively secure.
The Cross-Linguistic Transfer of Early Literacy Skills: The Role of Initial L1 and L2 Skills and Language of Instruction

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of initial first and second language proficiencies as well as the language of instruction that a student receives on the relationship be...
The ruff figural fluency test: A normative study with adults

Tests of verbal production, or fluency, have proved to be reliable and sensitive indices of brain dysfunction in a variety of clinical populations. Also, numerous studies suggest that disturbed verbal fluency can be linked to specific brain lesions. Less is known, however, about figural fluency performance in normal or in clinical groups. Although Jones‐Gotman and Milner (1977) tested an experimental figural, or design, fluency test in a circumscribed group of brain‐impaired patients, their test lacked psychometric sophistication. Presented herein is a new figural fluency test in a sample of 358 normal adults. The test proved to be reliable, and the data support that the performance depended not on sex, but on age and education. Moreover, figural fluency did not correlate with measures of motor speed or verbal fluency; modest correlations, however, were present with Performance IQ. Finally, the potential for neuropsychological applications of this new test are discussed.
Health Change in Patients Using Alternative Medical Systems In Cuenca, Ecuador

Many people are skeptical of the efficacy of what has become known as “alternative medicine,” such as acupuncture and homeopathy. The therapeutic effects of alternative medicine have not been conclusively documented, particularly from patients' subjective viewpoints. This paper investigates patients' perceptions of health change following the use of alternative medicine in Cuenca, Ecuador. Present and past patients of two alternative medical doctors, an acupuncturist and a homeopath, were interviewed to assess current symptoms, symptom severity rating, and satisfaction with the treatment program. Patients were reinterviewed for follow-up, and interviews with Cuenca community members were undertaken to gather information on the extent of the use of alternative medicine. Results were promising and showed that a substantial proportion of patients reported health improvements following alternative medical use. Overall, positive health changes are perceived and reported by individuals who chose to use alternative medicine.
Effects of Glass Frit Oxides on Crystallization and Zircon Pigment Dissolution in Whiteware Coatings

In experimental whiteware coatings comprised of zircon pigment and multi-oxide silicate glass frits that incorporated ZrO2, the quantity, size, and morphology of zircon that precipitated during “fast-firing” were mainly dependent upon the ZnO, SrO, and Al2O3:alkali levels. In these frits, little or no zircon pigment dissolution occurred, and zircon crystallization was nearly complete by 1000°C. Microstructures of the coatings were consistent over a range of peak firing temperatures from 1000° to 1100°C. Fritted ZnO in these coatings stimulated zircon crystallization and produced high opacity. Replacing ZnO with SrO in the same frits prevented zircon from precipitating and resulted in transparent coatings. In frits without ZrO2, significant zircon pigment dissolution and crystallization of calcium-based silicates occurred during firing. In these unstable coatings, crystallization and dissolution increased from 1000° to 1100°C and produced a range of microstructures. Raising the Al2O3:alkali ratio caused frits with ZrO2 to precipitate more zircon, and frits without ZrO2 to form less of the calcium-based silicates and dissolve less pigment.
Atomic Layer Deposition of Tungsten Nitride Films Using Sequential Surface Reactions

Tungsten nitride films were deposited with atomic layer control using sequential surface reactions. The tungsten nitride film growth was accomplished by separating the binary reaction 2WF 6 + NH 3 → W 2 N + 3HF + 9/2F 2 into two half-reactions. Successive application of the WF 6 and NH 3 half-reactions in an ABAB... sequence produced tungsten nitride deposition at substrate temperatures between 600 and 800 K. Transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy monitored the coverage of WF* x and NH y * surface species on high surface area particles during the WF 6 and NH 3 half-reactions. The FTIR spectroscopic results demonstrated that the WF 6 and NH 3 half-reactions were complete and self-limiting at temperatures ≥600 K. In situ spectroscopic ellipsometry monitored the film growth on Si(100) substrates as temperature and reactant exposure. A tungsten nitride deposition rate of 2.55 A/AB cycle was measured at 600-800 K for WF 6 and NH 3 reactant exposures ≥3000 L and 10,000 L, respectively, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth-profiling experiments determined that the films had a W 2 N stoichiometry with low C and O impurity concentrations. X-ray diffraction investigations revealed that the tungsten nitride films were microcrystalline. Atomic force microscopy measurements of the deposited films observed remarkably flat surfaces indicating smooth film growth. These smooth tungsten nitride films deposited with atomic layer control should be useful as diffusion barriers for Cu on contact and via holes.
Concurrent HIV/AIDS diagnosis increases the risk of short-term HIV-related death among persons newly diagnosed with AIDS, 2002-2005.

Despite the overall effectiveness and availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), 1500 HIV-related deaths still occur annually in New York City. In considering ways to further reduce deaths, we assessed the contribution of concurrent HIV/AIDS diagnosis to HIV-related mortality in New York City among persons newly diagnosed with AIDS. We used Cox regression to conduct a retrospective cohort analysis of HIV-related mortality among 15,211 residents age 13+ reported with AIDS to the population-based HIV/AIDS registry between January 2002 and June 2005. Concurrent HIV/AIDS diagnosis was defined as a diagnosis of AIDS occurring within 1 month of initial diagnosis of HIV. HIV-related mortality was 20.2% among persons diagnosed concurrently and 12.2% among those diagnosed nonconcurrently (p < 0.0001). Concurrent HIV/AIDS was associated with more than twice the risk of HIV-related death within the 4 months after diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.94–2.65) but no inc...
Use of step gradients on different polymeric substrates in the separation of anions by macrocycle-based ion chromatography

Abstract Macrocycle-based ion-exchange columns have been used in our laboratory for the separation of anions. Column anion capacity is determined by the degree to which column macrocycles are bound with mobile phase cations. Capacity gradient separations have previously been performed by gradually changing the eluent cation from one with a high affinity for the macrocycle to one with a lower affinity over the course of the separation. In this work, we demonstrate that gradient separations can also be performed in step rather than linear fashion by switching eluent cations at the start of the separation and allowing the more strongly bound cation to slowly bleed from the column, reducing the column capacity during the separation. The column capacity is reduced at a rate determined by the rate of loss of the first cation from the column. Two different substrates were used as the basis for the macrocycle-based columns, Dionex MPIC and unsulfonated AS10 resins. The MPIC-based column showed retention characteristics similar to those that we have previously described with ramp gradients, while the AS10-based systems showed improved column efficiencies. Separations achieved with step gradients on these two substrates are comparable to linear gradients achieved with the same chemical systems, eliminating the need for pumps with gradient capabilities. Fourteen anions of widely varying character were separated on the AS10-based D222 column using a step gradient from NaOH to LiOH in just over 10 min.