cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RNAPosers: Machine Learning Classifiers For RNA-Ligand Poses

ABSTRACT Determining the 3-dimensional (3D) structures of ribonucleic acid (RNA)-small molecule complexes is critical to understanding molecular recognition in RNA. Computer docking can, in principle, be used to predict the 3D structure of RNA-small molecule complexes. Unfortunately, retrospective analysis has shown that the scoring functions that are typically used to rank poses tend to misclassify non-native poses as native, and vice versa. This misclassification of non-native poses severely limits the utility of computer docking in the context pose prediction, as well as in virtual screening. Here, we use machine learning to train a set of pose classifiers that estimate the relative “nativeness” of a set of RNA-ligand poses. At the heart of our approach is the use of a pose “fingerprint” that is a composite of a set of atomic fingerprints, which individually encode the local “RNA environment” around ligand atoms. We found that by ranking poses based on the classification scores from our machine learning classifiers, we were able to recover native-like poses better than when we ranked poses based on their docking scores. With a leave-one-out training and testing approach, we found that one of our classifiers could recover poses that were within 2.5 A of the native poses in ∼80% of the 88 cases we examined, and similarly, on a separate validation set, we could recover such poses in ∼70% of the cases. Our set of classifiers, which we refer to as RNAPosers, should find utility as a tool to aid in RNA-ligand pose prediction and so we make RNAPosers open to the academic community via https://github.com/atfrank/RNAPosers.
Walkable city rules: 101 steps to making better places, by Jeff Speck

Jeff Speck’s Walkable City Rules presents a pragmatic and detail-oriented yet well-written implementation guide to creating pedestrian-friendly urban environments. The book builds upon his highly s...
Multi-Access Edge Computation Offloading Using Massive MIMO

We present a comprehensive Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) system model with massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) access points, each with an integrated edge computing server to allow multiple users to simultaneously offload computationally intensive tasks. We formulate the problem of energy-efficient partial computation offloading under a round trip latency constraint including data offloading time, computation time, and downloading time. A novel and efficient algorithm is designed to minimize a weighted sum of the energy consumed at both the users and the MEC server under a maximum latency constraint, using a combination of power control, partial data offloading, and frequency scaling at both the user and server ends. Numerical results verify how an optimal balance between data offloaded and computed locally is necessary to meet the latency requirement, while minimizing the energy consumption for both wireless transmission and computation. These results also show that with massive MIMO, the times spent for data offloading, computation, and downloading are comparable and grow almost linearly with the amount of data to be computed.
Responsible Gambling: A Scoping Review

Gambling markets have drastically expanded over the past 35 years. Pacing this expansion has been the articulation of a governance framework that largely places responsibility for regulating gambling-related harms upon individuals. This framework, often defined with reference to the concept of responsible gambling (RG), has faced significant criticism, emphasizing public health and consumer protection issues. To study both the articulation and critique of the concept of responsible gambling, we conducted a ‘scoping review’ of the literature (Arksey & O’Malley 2005). Literature was identified through searches on academic databases using a combination of search terms. Articles were independently reviewed by two researchers. Findings indicate 142 publications with a primary focus on responsible gambling, with a high volume of publications coming from the disciplinary backgrounds of the first authors representing the fields of psychology, business, and psychiatric medicine. Further, publication key themes address topics such as responsible gambling tools and interventions, corporate social responsibility and accountability, responsible gambling concepts and descriptions, and to a lesser extent, critiques of responsible gambling. The scoping review of the literature related to responsible gambling suggests the need to foster research conditions to invite more critical and interdisciplinary scholarship in an effort to improve public health and consumer protection.
The Effects of the Early Start Denver Model for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis examined the effects of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) for young children with autism on developmental outcome measures. The 12 included studies reported results from 640 children with autism across 44 unique effect sizes. The aggregated effect size, calculated using a robust variance estimation meta-analysis, was 0.357 (p = 0.024), which is a moderate effect size with a statistically significant overall weighted averaged that favored participants who received the ESDM compared to children in control groups, with moderate heterogeneity across studies. This result was largely driven by improvements in cognition (g = 0.412) and language (g = 0.408). There were no significant effects observed for measures of autism symptomology, adaptive behavior, social communication, or restrictive and repetitive behaviors.
Food Insecurity Is Associated with Increased Risk of Obesity in US College Students.

Background Food insecurity affects millions of Americans and college students are especially vulnerable. Little is known about the relation of food insecurity with weight status and dietary intake during this critical phase of emerging adulthood. Objectives We aimed to examine the sex-specific associations of food insecurity with obesity and dietary intake among college students. The study also explored these associations by meal plan (MP) enrollment. Methods This cross-sectional study included 683 second-year students at 8 universities in the United States. Food security status and dietary intake were assessed using the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and the Dietary Screener Questionnaire, respectively. On-site anthropometrics were measured by researchers. Results The prevalence of food insecurity at the universities ranged from 19.0% to 34.1% with a mean of 25.4% for the entire sample. Compared with high food security, marginal food security and food insecurity were associated with 3.16 (95% CI: 1.55, 6.46) and 5.13 (95% CI: 2.63, 10.00) times increased odds of obesity, respectively, exhibiting a dose-response relation. Food insecurity remained a significant predictor of obesity among both sexes after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Food-insecure (FI) students had a significantly lower intake of fruits and vegetables and higher intake of added sugars than food-secure (FS) students. Obesity rate and added sugars consumption were higher among FI students with MPs than among FI students lacking MPs and FS students regardless of MP status. Among students with MPs, FS students had a higher intake of fruits and vegetables than FI students. Conclusions Food insecurity was associated with obesity and poor dietary intake among both sexes. Although MP subsidies may be a reasoned approach to combat food insecurity, it should be coupled with efforts to assist students in making healthy food choices.Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02941497.
The FDA and the Importance of Trust.

The FDA and the Importance of Trust Under enormous pressure to help patients with Covid-19, clinicians rely on the transparency of the scientific process and on the careful judgment of regulators w...
Augmented reality for enhanced visual inspection through knowledge-based deep learning:

A two-stage knowledge-based deep learning algorithm is presented for enabling automated damage detection in real-time using the augmented reality smart glasses. The first stage of the algorithm ent...
Design of PBL Teaching Method Based on OBE Mode

In view of the deficiency of the traditional education mode of passive acceptance of students in college classrooms, this paper introduces OBE teaching concept and PBL teaching method. On the basis of understanding the current and future professional development needs, the teaching design is conducive to the cultivation of students' ability. Through the determination of training goals, the teaching goals is set and the PBL discussion based on practical engineering problems is introduced. The new teaching method can not only cover the teaching knowledge points, but also mobilize the enthusiasm and creativity of students, which is conducive to the cultivation of students' cooperative ability and innovation ability, and achieve better teaching results.
Thermal decarboxylation for the generation of hierarchical porosity in isostructural metal–organic frameworks containing open metal sites

The effect of metal-cluster redox identity on the thermal decarboxylation of a series of isostructural metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with tetracarboxylate-based ligands and trinuclear μ3-oxo clusters was investigated. The PCN-250 series of MOFs can consist of various metal combinations (Fe3, Fe/Ni, Fe/Mn, Fe/Co, Fe/Zn, Al3, In3, and Sc3). The Fe-based system can undergo a thermally induced reductive decarboxylation, producing a mixed valence cluster with decarboxylated ligand fragments subsequently eliminated to form uniform mesopores. We have extended the analysis to alternative monometallic and bimetallic PCN-250 systems to observe the cluster's effect on the decarboxylation process. Our results suggest that the propensity to undergo decarboxylation is directly related to the cluster redox accessibility, with poorly reducible metals, such as Al, In, and Sc, unable to thermally reduce at the readily accessible temperatures of the Fe-containing system. In contrast, the mixed-metal variants are all reducible. We report improvements in gas adsorption behavior, significantly the uniform increase in the heat of adsorption going from the microporous to hierarchically induced decarboxylated samples. This, along with Fe oxidation state changes from 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy, suggests that reduction occurs at the clusters and is essential for mesopore formation. These results provide insight into the thermal behavior of redox-active MOFs and suggest a potential future avenue for generating mesoporosity using controlled cluster redox chemistry.
Boyle, Robert 1627–1691

Robert Boyle was born on January 25, 1627, in Lismore Castle in Ireland, his father being the first Earl of Cork, his mother Catharine Fenton, the daughter of a secretary of state in Ireland. He was educated at home and when he was eight years old and after the death of his mother, he went to Eton College and then spent extended stays in France, Italy, and Switzerland.
A Policy Analysis of the Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Related to Access to Primary Care for Older Adults

The diagnosis of mental illness is becoming more prevalent in the United States. With the increased identification, it is imperative that health care professionals are astute in identifying mental health conditions and behaviors associated with those conditions. The most common use of pro re nata (PRN) or “as needed” psychoactive medications in the inpatient psychiatric setting is for the reduction of behaviors associated with anxiety, agitation, and aggression. The administration of PRN medication rests solely on the nursing staff and their ability to use autonomous clinical decision-making to distinguish between different behaviors associated with those conditions prior to the administration of PRN medication. For the past 30 years, research has recognized the lack of national standards, assessment criteria, and ethical practices when administrating PRN medications in the acute inpatient setting. The purpose of this study was to identify nurses’ knowledge of signs and symptoms of anxiety or agitation in the acute care setting. The model used to guide this research is the Synergy Model of Patient Care. The design for this research study was a descriptive design using a case study approach. This study was conducted at a nonprofit, general medical-surgical community hospital in Rhode Island specializing in rehabilitation and psychiatric services. The target sample consisted of all registered nurses working on three study units. Two case studies, each portraying a patient experiencing symptoms or behaviors of anxiety and agitation were used to measure nurses’ knowledge of signs and symptoms of anxiety and agitation. A total of 17 RNs (N=17) participated in this research project. This research implied that there were gaps in clinical knowledge and variations in practice when nurses were asked to recognize symptoms of anxiety or behaviors associated with agitation. Acknowledgements This author would like to thank Patricia Calvert for being her first reader, Cynthia Padula for being her second reader and the reason she went back to seek higher education and Barbara Forloney for being her third reader and the inspiration behind this research project. You all have given me so much of your time, support and dedication – I will forever be grateful. To Karen Schaefer and Cynthia Ruggiero... We started out on this journey together and I can’t imagine getting through it without you. I would also like to thank my family for their endless support. To my children Courtney, Crista, Cayla, and Craig... you will forever be my greatest achievement. To my husband Craigyou are my rock! You have always been my best supporter for doing something more for myself. I love you all! Table of
New horizons for shipbuilding process improvement

The announcement of NAVSEA's Lean Six Sigma initiative has ushered in a new era in the ways that naval combatants are designed, built, and operated. As the Navy's budgetary constraints increase in the coming years, the challenges they face in the 21st century will grow. New levels of process performance are mandated. This paper first highlights the opportunities that the Lean Six Sigma roadmap brings to shipbuilding process improvement and then details the efforts to adopt Lean Six Sigma and align it with the continuous improvement initiative at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. Aspects of management strategy, design for Six Sigma, and replicating process improvements as part of integrating Lean Six Sigma with Knowledge Management are discussed.
Chapter 9. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of Organotin Compounds

Publisher Summary The combined use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with mass spectrometric (MS) detection has greatly enhanced the methods available for the specific analysis of environment samples containing organotin compounds. The use of chromatographic separation and MS detection has provided the specificity needed for tin compounds. The speciation of organotin compounds is important because of the greater toxic effects of tributyltin compared to inorganic tin and other organic forms of the metal. Recent analytic methods for determining organotins have taken the advantage of techniques that enable the speciation of these compounds. Most of the methods in the past 10 years have used some form of gas chromatography (GC) for separating the various organotin species. HPLC offers several advantages over GC separation. With HPLC methods, there is no need for the derivatization of the organotins. Cation-exchange chromatography and ion-pair chromatography have been widely used for tin speciation with inductively coupled plasma–MS (ICP–MS) detection. The ICP source is an argon plasma operated at atmospheric pressure and powered by inductive coupling to a radio frequency electromagnetic field.
Oxidation of deoxyhemerythrin to semi-methemerythrin by nitrite.

Abstract In anaerobic phosphate buffer, pH 6.3-7.5, deoxyhemerythrin is oxidized to semi-methemerythrin (semi-met) by excess sodium nitrite. This oxidation is quantitative as judged by EPR spectroscopy. Further oxidation to methemerythrin is not detected. The absorbance changes of hemerythrin during the oxidation are biphasic. The rate of the faster first phase is linearly dependent on [H+] and [NO2-] suggesting that the oxidant is nitrous acid rather than nitrite. During the slower second phase, the characteristic EPR spectrum of semi-methemerythrin appears. The first phase can be interpreted by a scheme in which nitrous acid transforms deoxyhemerythrin (FeIIFeII) to the semi-met nitrosyl adduct (FeIIFeIIINO) and hydroxide. Independent experiments confirm that the combination of semi-met plus NO produces an EPR-silent adduct. The rates of the absorbance changes for the second phase are nearly independent of nitrite concentration and pH in the range 6.3-7.5. This slower phase involves the transformation of the EPR-silent intermediate to the semi-met nitrite adduct (FeIIFeIIINO2-) and is consistent with rate-limiting dissociation of nitric oxide followed by rapid attachment of nitrite. Nitrite appears to be a unique oxidant of deoxyhemerythrin in that when employed in excess, the final, stable product is semi-met- rather than methemerythrin. The lack of reactivity of ethyl nitrite with deoxyhemerythrin suggests that HONO oxidizes deoxyhemerythrin via an "inner-sphere" process in contrast to oxidants such as Fe(CN)6(3-). A proposed generalization is that excesses of "inner-sphere" oxidants convert deoxy to (semi-met)R, which is stabilized with respect to (semi-met)R, which is stabilized with respect to (semi-met)0 and met because the oxidant and/or a product of the oxidant can bind to the iron site.
PMU placement considering data uncertainty and redundancy

The increasing adoption of Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs, also known as synchrophasors) in the recent acceleration of smart grid technology has posed many interesting questions. One of the main problems that has been explored in many angles has been the PMU placement challenge: On which nodes of a system should the synchrophasors be installed to maximize observability and reliability and reduce costs? Because they are a relatively new addition to the grid, there does not exist much data to establish the reliability values of these components. This is where fuzzy probability theory comes in to introduce a method of dealing with this data uncertainty. This paper aims to build upon an effective PMU placement solution and merge it with fuzzy models for the reliability of the PMUs to explore how the placement decisions are affected. Additionally it will be seen how redundant placements of PMUs on certain critical nodes can improve the system observable reliability compared to isolated placements.
Energy Gap Induced by Friedel Oscillations Manifested as Transport Asymmetry at Monolayer-Bilayer Graphene Boundaries

Friedel oscillation refers to the quantum interference phenomena where electrons in a solid form standing waves on the solid's surface as a result of scattering by defects. A combined theoretical and experimental work shows that Friedel oscillation can open an energy gap in graphene.
Acylation of exogenous glycosylsphingosines by intact neuroblastoma (NCB-20) cells

Acylation of exogenously added galactosylsphingosine was demonstrated in intact NCB-20 neuroblastoma cells, a cell line that normally does not synthesize galactosylceramide. Labeling of cells with [3H]palmitic acid for 6 h in the presence of 100 microM exogenous galactosylsphingosine (GalSph) resulted in a more than 3-fold increase in the incorporation of label into the ceramide monohexoside fraction relative to controls. This increase, which was almost entirely due to the incorporation of labeled nonhydroxy fatty acid into galactosylceramide, was linear over a concentration range of 1-100 microM galactosylsphingosine and for the first 5 h after the addition of galactosylsphingosine. Similarly, the addition of 100 microM glucosylsphingosine resulted in a 3-fold increase of label incorporated into glucosylceramide. Incubation of cells with 100 microM GalSph and labeled fatty acids of various chain lengths revealed that the acylation of GalSph was specific for medium chain (C16-C18) nonhydroxy fatty acids, suggesting that this was an enzyme-mediated reaction. The enzymatic nature of GalSph acylation was further demonstrated when cells were incubated for 72 h with 15 microM [3H]galactosylsphingosine labeled in the galactose moiety. [3H]Galactosylceramide containing only medium chain non-hydroxy fatty acids accumulated linearly with time reaching a maximum at 48 h and was observed to be further metabolized to ceramide dihexoside. This acylation reaction may be potentially important for the removal of glycosylsphingosines in the cell.
Ancient Scientific Basis of the “Great Serpent” from Historical Evidence

Zoological data and a growing mythology contributed to ancient Western knowledge about large serpents. Yet little modern attention has been paid to the sources, transmission, and receipt in the early Middle Ages of the ancients' information concerning "dragons" and "sea serpents." Real animals--primarily pythons and whales--lie behind the ancient stories. Other animals, conflations of different animals, simple misunderstandings, and willful exaggerations are found to account for the fanciful embellishments, but primitive myths played no significant role in this process during classical times. The expedition of Alexander the Great into India (327-325 B.C.) and the Bagradas River incident in North Africa (256 B.C.) had enormous repercussions on the development of serpent lore. Credible evidence is found for the presence of ancient populations of pythons living along the North African coast west of Egypt and along the coast of the Arabian Sea between the Indus River and the Strait of Hormuz--places where they no longer exist today. The maximum sizes of ancient pythons may have been greater than those of today's specimens.
Remodeling a model: An elaborated hierarchy of types of learning 1

Abstract A revision of Merrill's revision of Gagne's hierarchy is proposed, based upon experience in training, teachers and instructional designers to use the taxonomy as an analytical tool to develop relevant instruction and precise evaluation. The three‐dimensional model emphasizes the interaction of Affective, Psychomotor, and Cognitive domains. The category Verbal Repertoire is added to emphasize the role of memory in high‐level attainment and to integrate recent developments in mathemagenic research and the measurement of comprehension. The crucial distinctions between Memory and Complex Cognitive types of learning are maintained.
Zinc deficiency reduces leptin gene expression and leptin secretion in rat adipocytes.

The present study was conducted to measure ob mRNA abundance in the zinc-deficient (ZD) rats and the secretion of leptin from adipose tissue obtained from ZD, zinc-adequate (ZA), and pair-fed (PF) rats. It was found that ob mRNA abundance was greatest (P < 0.05) in adipose tissue obtained from ZA and PF rats. Ob mRNA abundance was similar in PF and ZD rats. To study leptin secretion from adipose tissue in a cell culture model, a method was developed to use excised epididymal adipose tissue from ZD, ZA, and PF rats. Tissue was incubated in Opti-modified Eagle's medium (MEM) cell culture medium in which concentrations of zinc and insulin were manipulated. It was observed that leptin secretion was higher (P < 0.05) in adipose tissue obtained from ZA than ZD and PF rats. Secretion of leptin was higher in adipose tissue of PF than ZD rats (P < 0.05). Surprisingly, media zinc content in this ex vivo model tended to suppress secretion of leptin. This suppression seems to be zinc specific and might be caused by t...
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Adult Psychiatric Disorders: A Comprehensive Overview

Essential fatty acids are critical for normal development and function of the brain and central nervous system (CNS). Long-chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3), are crucial to membrane synthesis, structure and fluidity, proper gene expression, and neuronal development. In examining the connection between inflammatory states, physical health, and mental health, it has become apparent that there is an intimate link between chronic inflammation and psychiatric disorders. Because of the moderate benefits found with ω-3 supplementation in other pro-inflammatory states, ω-3 supplementation has since been investigated as a possible alternative or complimentary therapy in psychiatric disorders. We present an overview of the biochemistry and physiology of PUFA followed by a review of the existing clinical literature on the efficacy of ω-3 supplementation in major mental illnesses. The literature on PUFA in mental illnesses is highly heterogeneous and wide-ranging, encompassing many different experimental designs and methods. We have focused on the randomized clinical trials designed to demonstrate efficacy of ω-3 supplementation in recognized psychiatric disorders.
THE VAGAL NERVE AND THE INTESTINAL PHASE OF GASTRIC SECRETION.

Summary In Heidenhain pouch dogs with "selective vagotomy," total gastrectomy (aside from the pouch), and esophagoduodenostomy, the output of acid from the pouch was increased after total abdominal vagal denervation as compared to when abdominal vagal innervation was intact.
Persistent high levels of IgM antiphospholipid antibodies in a patient with recurrent pregnancy losses and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective Recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) and unexplained infertility (UI) are often associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA). We report one case with RPL, UI, and persistent IgM APA without B-cell isotype switch. Method of study (i) A case report of a woman with RPL and UI who eventually developed rheumatoid arthritis and B-cell phenotype study of the case and controls by flow cytometric analysis; (ii) a retrospective cohort study of 1067 subjects with APA test. Results A 44-year-old woman with a history of RPL and UI was revealed to have high levels of APA, primarily of IgM isotype: IgM autoantibodies were specific to cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol. The monitoring of the patient's serological characteristics for 28 months did not reveal the development of IgG APA. B-cell phenotype analysis revealed decreased switched and double negative memory B cells and increased non-switched memory B cells in comparison with normal controls and reported ranges. A retrospective analysis of APA test revealed that total five patients (5/1067, 0.47%) with similar persistent IgM-only pattern were detected. Conclusion Persistent IgM APA without isotype switch may be a rare variant form of APA manifestation, which is associated with dysregulated B-cell subsets.
Delineation of two encephalitogenic myelin basic protein epitopes for DA rats

Abstract We studied synthetic peptides that correspond to two regions of the guinea pig myelin basic protein (MBP) molecule which elicit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in DA rats. Using truncated peptides, we determined that two encephalitogenic epitopes reside within MBP63–81, a major determinant defined by MBP residues, 63–76, and a minor encephalitogenic epitope defined by residues, 66–81. Experiments with alanine-substituted analogs of MBP63–76 revealed that the HYGSLP sequence is critical for encephalitogenicity. The core epitope within a second encephalitogenic region, MBP101–120, was defined by residues, 106–119. Studies with analogs of this sequence indicated that residues, Leu 111, Phe 114 and Trp 116 are important for T-cell responsiveness.
Concanavalin A is mitogenic for resident peritoneal macrophages

Con A, a known T-cell mitogen, is also mitogenic for resident peritoneal macrophages. The stimulated cells morphologically resemble macrophages and are actively phagocytic. The concentration of con A (30 micrograms/ml) required to stimulate 3H-TdR incorporation is ten times that required for T-cell activation. Con A must be present throughout the entire culture period to produce the maximum effect, and con A-depleted supernatant fluids from con A-stimulated cells cannot replace the con A requirement. Stimulation of 3H-TdR incorporation occurs after a 48-hour lag period and is maximal on the fifth to seventh day of culture. At the peak of the response, 20-30% of the macrophages can be stimulated to incorporate 3H-TdR, but little or no increase in the total number of cells present in the culture occurs. This and pulse-chase experiments indicate that only a single cycle of replication occurs in the stimulated cells. Con A-responsive peritoneal macrophages appear to be a distinct subpopulation and might play a different role in the interaction with T cells and B cells in the immune response than the con A-non-responsive cells.
Feast and famine: Social perspectives on food and health

Analyse de 2 ouvrages consacres au rapport entre la sante, l'alimentation et les sciences sociales : les AA. sont d'une part C. A. Bryant, A. Courtney, B. A. Markesbery et K. M. DeWalt, et d'autre part de A. G. Hill. Le premier traite de l'adaptation humaine, de l'impact des revolutions socioeconomiques sur les pratiques alimentaires, de la nourriture mondiale et de la situation nutritionnelle, compare 5 strategies de subsistance, montre les changements et decrit les programmes d'aide. Le deuxieme, s'attachant aux Tamasheq, Fulani et Bambara, presente et compare les situations demographiques (mortalite et fertilite) et nutritionnelles.
Injuries from falls in the pediatric population: An analysis of 729 cases

Abstract Background/Purpose: Falls are classified as low or high level for triage purposes. Because triage criteria dictate less urgency for low-level falls, this classification scheme has important implications for pediatric emergency care. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted of 729 (393 low-level and 336 high-level) pediatric patients treated for fall-related trauma (1992 through 1998). Falls were classified as low ( Results: The overall mortality rate was 1.6% (2.4% for high-level falls compared with 1.0% for low-level falls). All 4 patients who died of a low-level fall had an abnormal head computed tomography (CT) scan and intracranial hypertension. Half of deaths from high-level falls were attributable to intracranial injuries, and half were caused by severe extracranial injuries. Common extracranial injuries were upper extremity fracture (6.2%), lower extremity fracture (5.6%), pulmonary contusion (1.8%), pneumothorax (1.1%), liver laceration (1.1%), bowel injury (1.0%), and splenic injury (2.1%). Orthopedic and thoracic injuries resulted more commonly from high-level falls, whereas abdominal injuries were as likely to occur after a low-level fall. Conclusions: Intracranial injury accounts for the majority of deaths from falls. Children suffering low-level falls were at similar risk for intracranial and abdominal injuries compared with those who fell from greater heights. Pediatric trauma triage criteria should account for these findings. J Pediatr Surg 36:1528-1534. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Detail-Preserving Contrast Reduction for Still Cameras

This paper describes a detail-preserving contrast reduction technique for images with excessive illumination variation. In an attempt to preserve detail, an image is first separated into its illumination and reflectance components, by a partial differential equation. The illumination component is then scaled to globally reduce contrast. This enhances the perception of detail in the dark areas but at the expense of losing detail in the bright areas. The proposed approach minimizes this loss of detail using a novel recombination strategy. Additionally, the present algorithm preserves colors, avoids halo artifacts, and can be embedded into existing still-camera pipelines.
Migration of implanted free radioactive seeds for adenocarcinoma of the prostate using a Mick applicator.

Abstract Purpose This study investigates the rate of free seed migration and associated seed-related sequelae after using a radioimmunoguided Mick applicator technique to place radioactive seeds within the prostate. Methods and materials Between December 1998 and September 2002, 120 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer underwent interstitial transperineal prostate brachytherapy with free 125 I or 103 Pd seeds positioned using a radioimmunoguided Mick applicator technique. Orthogonal pelvic and chest radiographs were obtained postimplant (Day 0) and at a second follow-up visit to determine the rate of radioactive seed embolization. Results On the day of implant (Day 0), 7 (6%) of the 120 men demonstrated single pulmonary seed emboli; none of these seeds migrated subsequently. During follow-up, 87 (72.5%) men had a total of 249 (2.0%) out of 12,524 seeds implanted migrate. Sixty-eight (0.55%) of the implanted seeds migrated to the lungs, an incidence common among brachytherapy techniques utilizing free or vicryl-laden radioactive seeds. No clinical symptoms or adverse sequelae from seed emboli have been reported. Conclusions The rate of seed emboli to the pulmonary vessels or to other tissue localities resulting from a radioimmunoguided Mick applicator technique does not appear to be markedly different from the reported rate seen with other free seed techniques.
A Note on ‘An Approximate Solution to Deterministic Kanban Systems’: A Commentary and Further Insights

In a recent paper, Vemuganti, Batta, and Zhu (1996) stated that the linear programming model suggested by Moeeni and Chang (1990) could result in infeasibility. They also suggested an alternative mathematical formulation for determining the number of kanbans. The intention of this article is twofold. First, we maintain that the finding of Vemuganti et al., while valid, is based on a misplaced emphasis on the purpose of the Moeeni and Chang article. Second, we demonstrate that the Vemuganti et al. formulation is a special case of a more general model proposed by Bitran and Chang (1987).
Dispelling the myth: appropriate use of poly-L-lactic acid and clinical considerations.

Objectives Injectable poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA; Sculptra®) is widely used throughout Europe and the USA to restore volume in depressed areas of the face by stimulating neocollagenesis. Injectable PLLA was previously marketed as New-Fill™, which was often injected incorrectly and at too high a concentration, resulting in some physicians losing confidence in this product. Today, Sculptra® is still regarded with a degree of scepticism by some physicians, due to direct or indirect experience with New-Fill. Sculptra®, both in formulation and use, is vastly superior to New-Fill and clinical experience with this product dispels the myths associated with the earlier types of injectable PLLA. Results PLLA is a very safe, biodegradable compound that has been used in a wide range of medical devices for the last 30 years. In injectable form a good safety profile has been proven; however, when the device is overconcentrated, localized overstimulation of the fibroblasts can result in the formation of small lumps (subcutaneous papules), which are non-pathological but nevertheless palpable by the patient. Physicians must also be trained in the injection of this device, as incorrect injection technique can cause device-related adverse events. Conclusion New product guidelines have ensured that problems with PLLA concentration have been countered, and tried and tested injection techniques have been shown to ameliorate device-related adverse events, both of which are dispelling the myths associated with modern injectable PLLA.
ANTIBODY FORMATION AGAINST TREPONEMA PALLIDUM—AGGLUTINATION

It has been shown by our experiments that the serum of rabbits treated with emulsions of Treponema pallidum contains agglutinating substances. Normal rabbit serum also possesses agglutinating power for this organism, but, as in the case of normal bacterial agglutinins, to an extent very much inferior to that possessed by the sera of immunized animals. Normal human sera will agglutinate similar pallidum emulsions, as will the sera of certain syphilitic patients with positive Wassermann reactions. Whether or not there is a quantitative difference of diagnostic value between the sera of normal human beings and those of syphilitics remains to be seen. The sera of rabbits immunized with strain A agglutinate Noguchi's strain 9 in dilutions as high as 1 to 500. We regard as the most important result of these experiments the demonstration of definite antibodies in the circulation of animals treated with dead emulsions of Treponema pallidum. Since it is our belief that the agglutinating effect is due to an antibody essentially the same as that which produces bactericidal, precipitating, and opsonic effects, i. e., that there is probably one type of antibody only, we believe that the demonstration of agglutinins establishes the fact that in syphilis as in bacterial diseases the host responds by the formation of antibodies or sensitizers specific for the treponema. Spirocheticidal experiments with these sera, both in vitro and in vivo, are in progress.
FPA technology advancements at Rockwell Scientific

Progress of selected FPA (Focal Plane Array) technology development at Rockwell Scientific Company is reviewed: very large format monolithic visible CMOS, hybrid silicon pin visible CMOS, ultra high frame rate (360ns interframe time) burst mode camera, substrate removed HgCdTe infrared detectors for continuous visible through infrared spectral sensitivity, astronomical focal plane arrays, mosaic (16 megapixel) infrared FPAs, JWST, and the SIDECAR ASIC readout interface chip.
Celebrating Excellence: A Lesson from the 2011 Oscars

A connection is made between the 2011 Oscar awards given by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and student success in chemistry.
CYLINDRICAL BENDING OF HYBRID LAMINATES UNDER THERMO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL LOADING

Exact analytical solutions are given for stationary two-dimensional temperature, stress, and displacement distributions in hybrid laminates containing isotropic and/or orthotropic layers. The similarity that exists between the thermoelastic and piezoelastic formulations is exploited in establishing solutions for cylindrical bending of piezother-moelastic laminates exposed to combined thermo-electro-mechanical loads. Results are compared with those based upon classical and high-order bending theories.
Increase in motoneurons in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus of prepubertally castrated male Mongolian gerbils following delayed treatment with testosterone.

Sexual dimorphism in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) of the Mongolian gerbil is achieved by two periods of postnatal increase, one in the first month after birth and one at puberty. The pubertal increase in motoneuron number is of particular interest because it occurs in a nearly adult animal. The purpose of this research was threefold. The first was to determine the response of the SNB in prepubertally castrated male gerbils receiving delayed hormone replacement as adults. Testosterone propionate (TP) treatment resulted in numbers of SNB motoneurons comparable to those seen in intact males, whereas androgen metabolites were less effective. The second purpose was to determine the latency of motoneurons to appear in response to TP. New SNB motoneurons appeared within 2 days of delayed TP replacement in prepubertally castrated males, and 16 days of treatment did not further increase SNB motoneuron numbers. The response of the motoneurons to TP appeared more rapid than the response of the bulbocavernosus (BC) muscle, scent gland, and seminal vesicles. The third purpose was to determine whether the new cells were connected to a target muscle. After 16 days of TP treatment, more motoneurons were labeled in the SNB following injection of a retrograde tract tracer into the BC muscle compared with the number seen in control animals. Thus, new motoneurons appeared in the SNB of prepubertally castrated male Mongolian gerbils within 2 days of the start of delayed TP treatment and were connected to a target within 16 days of TP treatment. J. Comp. Neurol. 473:485–495, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sputtering of thin films by 100 keV Ar+ ions

Abstract The sputtering yield can be determined for thin films on a much thicker substrate by sputtering the film material completely. Optical emission intensities for spectral lines from the thin film and substrate elements can be measured as a function of the incident ion fluence. Thin Cu, Ni and Mn films of 17 μg/cm2, 22 μg/cm2 and 28 μg/cm2 on thick Al substrates have been sputtered by 100 keV Ar+ ions with current densities of less than 2 μA/cm2. The Cu I, Ni I, Mn I and Al I optical lines were used to determine the sputtering yields.
Assessing surrogacy of data sources for institutional comparisons

Can administrative claims data, Z, serve as a surrogate for better clinical data, X, when assessing institutional performance? We consider an analysis of I hospitals, each of which involves an adjusted outcome. In the i th hospital, we denote the true association between the outcome and the risk factors using one data source by θ i (X), the true association between the outcome and the risk factors using the other data source by γ i (Z), and assume we have estimates of each available. Within hospital i, the estimated association parameters are jointly normally distributed such that conditional on γ i (Z), a simple linear relationship exists between θ i (X) and γ i (Z). Methods are illustrated using mortality rates for 181,032 elderly US heart attack patients treated at 4322 hospitals. We find a strong linear relationship between the hospital standardized mortality rates adjusted by risk factors found in administrative claims data and rates adjusted by risk factors found in medical charts (posterior mean [95% interval] for slope: 0.997 [0.965,1.028]). However, the absolute and relative differences between the two sets of rates increase as hospital volume increases. For typically-sized standard deviations of claims-based rates, there is reasonable certainty of quality problems when the hospital’s claims-based rate is 0.72 times or smaller than the national mean or 1.45 times or greater than the national mean. Fewer hospitals are classified as either low-mortality or high-mortality hospitals when using claims-based estimates compared to chart-based estimates.
Making vaccine refusal less of a free ride.

Herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases is a public good because it is both non-excludable (meaning that there is no way to exclude people from using it) and non-rivalrous (meaning that one person's use does not limit or restrict others' use). Like other public goods, such as lighthouses, street lights and national defense, herd immunity is vulnerable to the “free rider” problem. We discuss four conventional responses to the free rider problem (participation mandates, exclusion, incentives, and social norms) and highlight how a public good perspective can inform the design of interventions to increase vaccine acceptance.
Process and Policy: Resource-Bounded NonDemonstrative Reasoning

This paper investigates the appropriateness of formal dialectics as a basis for nonmonotonic reasoning and defeasible reasoning that takes computational limits seriously. Rules that can come into conflict should be regarded as policies, which are inputs to deliberative processes. Dialectical protocols are appropriate for such deliberations when resources are bounded and search is serial. AI, it is claimed here, is now perfectly positioned to correct many misconceptions about reasoning that have resulted from mathematical logic's enormous success in this century: among them, (1) that all reasons are demonstrative, (2) that rational belief is constrained, not constructed, and (3) that process and disputation are not essential to reasoning. AI mainly provides new impetus to formalize the alternative (but older) conception of reasoning, and AI provides mechanisms with which to create compelling formalism that describes the control of processes. The technical contributions here are: the partial justification of dialectic based on controlling search; the observation that nonmonotonic reasoning can be subsumed under certain kinds of dialectics; the portrayal of inference in knowledge bases as policy reasoning; the review of logics of dialogue and proposed extensions; and the preformal and initial formal discussion of aspects and variations of dialectical systems with nondemonstrative reasons.
Sexual Isolation in Pandorina morum

SYNOPSIS. The morphology of the vegetative phase and the sexual process in Pandorina morum have been studied in detail under controlled laboratory conditions. A number of strains from various areas of the United States, all essentially indistinguishable on morphological grounds, were analyzed for sexual compatibility. Forty-seven heterothallic clones were found to represent 15 separate pairs of mating types, or a minimum of 15 syngens (sensu Sonneborn, 1957). Two clones proved to be homothallic. Nine additional clones, which were not observed to mate with any strain, can be classified only after further collecting. The separate heterothallic pairs of mating types are sexually isolated by factors acting at the stage of gamete production; incompatible mating types produce no gametes when they are mixed together. The geographical distribution of the sets of mating types is very incompletely defined as yet, but they are not strictly endemic forms. Thirty heterothallic strains, representing each of the 15 sexually isolated sets of mating types of Pandorina morum, have been deposited with the Culture Collection of Algae maintained at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.A.
Suppression of Implanted MDA-MB 231 Human Breast Cancer Growth in Nude Mice by Dietary Walnut

Walnuts contain components that may slow cancer growth including omega 3 fatty acids, phytosterols, polyphenols, carotenoids, and melatonin. A pilot study was performed to determine whether consumption of walnuts could affect growth of MDA-MB 231 human breast cancers implanted into nude mice. Tumor cells were injected into nude mice that were consuming an AIN-76A diet slightly modified to contain 10% corn oil. After the tumors reached 3 to 5 mm diameter, the diet of one group of mice was changed to include ground walnuts, equivalent to 56 g (2 oz) per day in humans. The tumor growth rate from Day 10, when tumor sizes began to diverge, until the end of the study of the group that consumed walnuts (2.9 +/- 1.1 mm(3)/day; mean +/- standard error of the mean) was significantly less (P > 0.05, t-test of the growth rates) than that of the group that did not consume walnuts (14.6 +/- 1.3 mm(3)/day). The eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid fractions of the livers of the group that consumed walnuts were significantly higher than that of the group that did not consume walnuts. Tumor cell proliferation was decreased, but apoptosis was not altered due to walnut consumption. Further work is merited to investigate applications to cancer in humans.