cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solitary oral epidermolytic acanthoma: Case report of a rarely diagnosed entity.

Epidermolytic acanthoma represents a rare localized form of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, which resembles warty lesions and shows a strong predilection for the genital skin of males. Here, we present an oral solitary epidermolytic acanthoma affecting a 71-year-old Caucasian man. Clinically, the lesion was white, well-circumscribed, and sessile, measuring 2 mm in diameter and located on the posterior mandibular buccal gingiva. Microscopically, pronounced hyperkeratosis and acanthosis, with formation of keratin crypts was observed. Lesional cells of the spinous and granular epithelial layers exhibited prominent intracellular vacuolar degeneration, as well as eosinophilic paranuclear and perinuclear condensations. Intracytoplasmic eosinophilic globules were also seen. No recurrences have been reported. Investigation for low- and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection failed to reveal positivity for HPV subtypes 6, 11, 16, and 18. Literature review revealed scarce reports of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis–like changes of the oral mucosa associated with malignant neoplasms and inflammatory processes. Epidermolytic acanthoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign epithelial papillomatous lesions of the oral cavity.
PEPTIDES | Endocannabinoids, Opioids and the Regulation of Hippocampal Inhibition

Endogenous regulators of inhibitory synaptic transmission strongly influence principal cell excitability. Deficits in such regulation could contribute to the development of epileptiform discharges in single cells as well as disturbed neuronal circuit activity. In this article we review the endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems in the hippocampus. We compare their roles in regulating inhibitory synaptic transmission, and discuss recent evidence that suggests that they may overlap and perhaps interact.
eLIFE: Social Network Based Digital Support for Individuals with ASD

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Level 1 require support with their activities of daily living. These individuals may have access to in-person learning programs to help develop social and independence skills such as interacting with peers and maintaining personal hygiene. However, in-class learning does not usually extend beyond the classroom. In this project, we explore a social network based digital support system that can bridge these gaps to extend and augment in-class learning.
Imaging Stress and Faulting Complexity Through Earthquake Waveform Similarity

While the rupture processes of nearby earthquakes are often highly similar, characterizing the differences can provide insight into the complexity of the stress field and fault network in which the earthquakes occur. Here we perform a comprehensive analysis of earthquake waveform similarity to characterize rupture processes in the vicinity of Ridgecrest, California. We quantify how similar each earthquake is to neighboring events through cross correlation of full waveforms. The July 2019 Ridgecrest mainshocks impose a step reduction in earthquake similarity, which suggests variability in the residual stress field and activated fault structures on length scales of hundreds of meters or less. Among these aftershocks, we observe coherent spatial variations of earthquake similarity along the mainshock rupture trace, and document antisimilar aftershock pairs with waveforms that are nearly identical but with reversed polarity. These observations provide new, high‐resolution constraints on stress transfer and faulting complexity throughout the Ridgecrest earthquake sequence.
On the anticipative nonlinear filtering problem and its stability

In this paper, we consider an anticipative nonlinear filtering problem, in which the observation noise is correlated with the past of the signal. This new signal-observation model has its applications in both finance models with insider trading and in engineering. We derive a new equation for the filter in this context, analyzing both the nonlinear and the linear cases. We also handle the case of a finite filter with Volterra type observation. The performance of our algorithm is presented through numerical experiments.
The Transition From Classroom to Zoom and How it Has Changed Education

In 2020, millions of students, educators, and academic faculty (and others in the world of government, business, etc. worldwide) became aware of greater emphasis for distance teaching and learning (DTL) and communication, especially given the demands being made due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More particularly, some innovative technologies have especially been designed to bring a new coherence to the integral intersection of the teaching and learning dimensions of education, especially when focused on student-centered teaching and learning. While there may have been a grace period for educators to adjust to this paradigm shift, the online educational resources and interactive platforms for teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have made more immediate applications possible, especially given the challenges of teaching during a pandemic. The availability of technology in all academic settings, particularly STEM, has enabled educators to implement a range of diverse pedagogical approaches to engage their students more effectively in STEM learning. However, some educators lack the pedagogical skills and/or strategies needed to effectively transition to virtual/teaching online STEM topics and/or classes. The purpose of this article is to highlight the effectiveness of DTL learning by utilizing interactive websites and effectively integrating them into STEM classrooms.
Do Coping Responses and Racial Identity Promote School Adjustment Among Black Youth? Applying an Equity-Elaborated Social–Emotional Learning Lens:

This study examines two equity-elaborated social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies among Black adolescents: coping responses to race-related stress at school (self-management) and racial id...
Appointment Wait Times for Specialty Care in Veterans Health Administration Facilities vs Community Medical Centers.

This cross-sectional study compares appointment wait times at Veterans Health Administration facilities and those at community medical centers accessed via the Veterans Choice Program.
Chronic illness in a Pakistani Labour Diaspora: by K. Qureshi, Durham, N.C.: Carolina academic press. ISBN 978-1-61163-832-5. Paperback, 298 pp. $44.00

Kaveri Qureshi’s account of Pakistani migrants and minorities living in the docklands of East London makes significant contributions and respectful challenges to core concepts in medical anthropolo...
Leading with the heart and/or the head? Experiences of women student leaders in top world forestry universities

Women have been historically underrepresented in the forest sector. Given a graying workforce, there is a significant opportunity to diversify the sector via a younger generation entering the indus...
Stop-loss strategies with serial correlation, regime switching, and transaction costs

Abstract Stop-loss strategies are commonly used by investors to reduce their holdings in risky assets if prices or total wealth breach certain pre-specified thresholds. We derive closed-form expressions for the impact of stop-loss strategies on asset returns that are serially correlated, regime switching, and subject to transaction costs. When applied to a large sample of individual U.S. stocks, we show that tight stop-loss strategies tend to underperform the buy-and-hold policy in a mean-variance framework due to excessive trading costs. Outperformance is possible for stocks with sufficiently high serial correlation in returns. Certain strategies succeed at reducing downside risk, but not substantially.
Communication With Adolescent Females About Reproductive Health Issues Related To Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Reproductive issues as related to congenital heart disease (CHD) such as recurrence risk in offspring, safety of hormonal birth control, and safety of pregnancy for mother and baby must be discussed in the clinic and at home. Providers can ensure correct information to assist the adolescent in making informed decisions about reproductive health and allow the parent to provide proper support and guidance to the adolescent. The level to which these conversations occur is unknown. Methods: A survey distributed to female adolescent/mother dyads assessed …
Keratin Biomaterials Improve Functional Recovery in a Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model.

Study design Laboratory study using a rat T9 contusion model of spinal cord injury (SCI). Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate which method of delivery of soluble keratin biomaterials would best support functional restoration through the macrophage polarization paradigm. Summary of background data SCI is a devastating neurologic event with complex pathophysiological mechanisms that currently has no cure. After injury, macrophages and resident microglia are key regulators of inflammation and tissue repair exhibiting phenotypic and functional plasticity. Keratin biomaterials have been demonstrated to influence macrophage polarization and promote the M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype that attenuates inflammatory responses. Methods Anesthetized female Lewis rats were subjected to moderate T9 contusion SCI and randomly divided into: no therapy (control group), an intrathecally injected keratin group, and a keratin-soaked sponge group (n = 11 in all groups). Functional recovery assessments were obtained at 3- and 6-weeks post-injury (WPI) using gait analysis performed with the DigiGait Imaging System treadmill and at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days post-injury by the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale. Histology and immunohistochemistry of serial spinal cord sections were performed to assess injury severity and treatment efficacy. Results Compared to control rats, applying keratin materials after injury improved functional recovery in certain gait parameters and overall trended toward significance in BBB scores; however, no significant differences were observed with tissue analysis between groups at 6 WPI. Conclusion Results suggest that keratin biomaterials support some locomotor functional recovery and may alter the acute inflammatory response by inducing macrophage polarization following SCI. This therapy warrants further investigation into treatment of SCI.Level of Evidence: N/A.
Emergence and evolution of big data science in HIV research: Bibliometric analysis of federally sponsored studies 2000-2019.

Abstract Background The rapid growth of inherently complex and heterogeneous data in HIV/AIDS research underscores the importance of Big Data Science. Recently, there have been increasing uptakes of Big Data techniques in basic, clinical, and public health fields of HIV/AIDS research. However, no studies have systematically elaborated on the evolving applications of Big Data in HIV/AIDS research. We sought to explore the emergence and evolution of Big Data Science in HIV/AIDS-related publications that were funded by the US federal agencies. Methods We identified HIV/AIDS and Big Data related publications that were funded by seven federal agencies from 2000 to 2019 by integrating data from National Institutes of Health (NIH) ExPORTER, MEDLINE, and MeSH. Building on bibliometrics and Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods, we constructed co-occurrence networks using bibliographic metadata (e.g., countries, institutes, MeSH terms, and keywords) of the retrieved publications. We then detected clusters among the networks as well as the temporal dynamics of clusters, followed by expert evaluation and clinical implications. Results We harnessed nearly 600 thousand publications related to HIV/AIDS, of which 19,528 publications relating to Big Data were included in bibliometric analysis. Results showed that (1) the number of Big Data publications has been increasing since 2000, (2) US institutes have been in close collaborations with China, Canada, and Germany, (3) some institutes (e.g., University of California system, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Harvard Medical School) are among the most productive institutes and started using Big Data in HIV/AIDS research early, (4) Big Data research was not active in public health disciplines until 2015, (5) research topics such as genomics, HIV comorbidities, population-based studies, Electronic Health Records (EHR), social media, precision medicine, and methodologies such as machine learning, Deep Learning, radiomics, and data mining emerge quickly in recent years. Conclusions We identified a rapid growth in the cross-disciplinary research of HIV/AIDS and Big Data over the past two decades. Our findings demonstrated patterns and trends of prevailing research topics and Big Data applications in HIV/AIDS research and suggested a number of fast-evolving areas of Big Data Science in HIV/AIDS research including secondary analysis of EHR, machine learning, Deep Learning, predictive analysis, and NLP.
Lattice Gauge Theories

Recent mathematical results concerning lattice gauge theories are surveyed. The distinction between color screening and color confinement is explained in terms of the center of the color gauge group, for heavy quarks. The role of the center in terms of non-abelian vortices and confinement is also discussed.
Trace-based semantics for probabilistic timed I/O automata

We describe the main features of the Probabilistic Timed I/O Automata (PTIOA)--a framework for modeling and analyzing discretely communicating probabilistic hybrid systems. A PTIOA can choose the post-state of a discrete transition either nondeterministically or according to (possibly continuous) probability distributions. The framework supports modeling of large systems as compositions of concurrently executing PTIOAs, which interact through shared transition labels. We develop a trace-based semantics for PTIOAs and show that PTIOAs are compositional with respect a new notion of external behavior.
X-ray crystallographic studies of mammalian carbonic anhydrase isozymes.

The year 1997 marked the 25th year of x-ray crystallographic studies of the mammalian carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes. These remarkable enzymes catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide (H2O + CO2 ⇔ HCO– 3 + H+) via a zinc-hydroxide mechanism (Coleman, 1986; Silverman and Lindskog, 1988; Christianson and Fierke, 1996). To date, five of the seven known isozymes have yielded x-ray crystal structures: three cytosolic isozymes, human CAI (Kannan et al., 1984), human CA II ( Liljas et al., 1972; Eriksson et al., 1988; Halansson, 19929, and bovine CA III (Eriksson and Liljas, 1993); a membrane-associated isozyme, human CA IV (Stams et al., 1996); and a mitochondrial isozyme, murine CA V (Boriack-Sjodin et al., 1995). X-ray crystallographic studies of cytosolic isozymes I, II, and III have been previously reviewed by Eriksson and Liljas (1991). In this review, we extend structural comparisons within the CA family to include the membrane-associated isozyme IV and the mitochondrial isozyme V. We note that to date, the structures of two mammalian CA isozymes remain undetermined: CA VI, a secretory protein found in saliva, and CA VII, a cytosolic isozyme found primarily in salivary glands.
Diabetes As a Disease of Civilization: The Impact of Culture Change on Indigenous Peoples

Diabetes As a Disease of Civilization: The Impact of Culture Change on Indigenous Peoples. Jennie R. Joe and Robert S. Young eds. New York: Mouton de Gruyter. Studies in the Social Sciences, 50. 1994 (cloth). viii + 527 pp.
Interpretations of Leśniewski's Ontology

Summary This article proposes to clarify the problem of interpreting Lesniewski's ontology. A distinction is made between two kinds of interpretation: substitutional and “natural”. Substitutional interpretation is shown to involve difficulties and limitations. A “natural” ontology, the major principles of which are presented here, is shown to be of considerable interest. Resume Cet article se propose ?eclairer le probleme de ľ interpretation de ľ ontologie de Leniewski. Deux types ? interpretation sont distingues: ľ interpretation substitutionnelle et ľ interpretation “naturelle”. Les difficultes et les limites que pose la premiere interpretation sont mises en evidence. Ľ expose des principes generaux ? une ontologie “naturelle” permet aľ auteur de montrer sa portee. Zusammenfassung In diesem Artikel soil das Problem der Interpretation von Leniewskis Ontologie erhellt werden. Es wird zwischen zwei Arten von Interpretationen, einer substitutionellen und einer “naturlichen”, unterschieden. Es wird gezeigt, dass die substitutionelle Interpretation Grenzen hat und Schwierigkeiten involviert. Eine naturliche Ontologie, deren wichtigsten Prinzipien hier dargelegt werden, ist von beachtlichem lnteresse.
The Interplay of Mood and Regulatory Focus in Influencing Altruistic Behavior

Using the context of print advertising, this research examines how the effects of mood on altruistic behavior vary as a function of whether a promotion or prevention focus is involved in messaging for child sponsorship. The findings reveal that when an ad message is framed in promotion focus, a happy mood fosters more favorable attitude toward child sponsorship and willingness to sponsor than a sad mood. In contrast, the effects of mood on attitude toward child sponsorship and willingness to sponsor are attenuated when an ad message is framed in prevention focus. Further, the results shed light on the process underlying the interactive impact of mood and regulatory focus by demonstrating the mediating role of perceived elaboration and goal commitment in advertising persuasion.
Transport research challenges in Latin America

► Latin America. ► Infrastructure Deficit. ► Research Themes. ► Transport Challenges. ► Regional Integration.
Transit-based smart parking: An evaluation of the San Francisco Bay area field test

This paper presents an evaluation of the first transit-based smart parking project in the US at the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District station in Oakland, California. The paper begins with a review of the smart parking literature; next the smart parking field test is described including its capital, operational, and maintenance costs; and finally the results of the participant survey analysis are presented. Some key user response results are: (1) most participants used the smart parking system 1–3 days a month for commute travel and (2) 37% of respondents had seen the changeable message signs with parking information, but only 32% of those used this information to decide whether to continue driving or take BART. Some key changes in participant travel behavior include: (1) increases in BART mode share, (2) reductions in drive alone modal share, (3) decreased average commute time, and (4) an overall reduction in total vehicle miles of travel.
Atrial natriuretic factor increases hematocrit and decreases plasma volume in nephrectomized rats.

Abstract To test the hypothesis that ANF increases the efflux of fluid from capillaries we determined the effect of synthetic (1–28) ANF on hematocrit (Hct) and plasma volume (PV) in 24 hr bilaterally nephrectomized rats. Results were compared with those obtained in bilaterally nephrectomized rats receiving saline alone (S) or an infusion of sodium nitroprusside (NP) to produce a similar blood pressure lowering effect as ANF. PV was determined by the volume of distribution of RISA 10 minutes after its i.v. administration. After control periods (C) rats were infused for 40 minutes with saline alone (group A, n=8), (1–28) ANF, 0.3 μg.min −1 /kg body wt (group B, n=9), 1.0 μg.min −1 /kg body wt (group C, n=8) and NP, 1.0 to 2.0 μg.min −1 /kg body wt (group D, n=8). Recovery periods (R) were performed 45 minutes after the experimental periods (E). During E periods, mean arterial blood pressure did not change in group A and fell significantly (p
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Promotes the Development of the Lymphatic Vasculature

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is highly expressed by lymphatic endothelial cells and has been shown to stimulate lymphangiogenesis in adult mice. However, the role VEGFR2 serves in the development of the lymphatic vascular system has not been defined. Here we use the Cre-lox system to show that the proper development of the lymphatic vasculature requires VEGFR2 expression by lymphatic endothelium. We show that Lyve-1wt/Cre;Vegfr2flox/flox mice possess significantly fewer dermal lymphatic vessels than Vegfr2flox/flox mice. Although Lyve-1wt/Cre;Vegfr2flox/flox mice exhibit lymphatic hypoplasia, the lymphatic network is functional and contains all of the key features of a normal lymphatic network (initial lymphatic vessels and valved collecting vessels surrounded by smooth muscle cells (SMCs)). We also show that Lyve-1Cre mice display robust Cre activity in macrophages and in blood vessels in the yolk sac, liver and lung. This activity dramatically impairs the development of blood vessels in these tissues in Lyve-1wt/Cre;Vegfr2flox/flox embryos, most of which die after embryonic day14.5. Lastly, we show that inactivation of Vegfr2 in the myeloid lineage does not affect the development of the lymphatic vasculature. Therefore, the abnormal lymphatic phenotype of Lyve-1wt/Cre;Vegfr2flox/flox mice is due to the deletion of Vegfr2 in the lymphatic vasculature not macrophages. Together, this work demonstrates that VEGFR2 directly promotes the expansion of the lymphatic network and further defines the molecular mechanisms controlling the development of the lymphatic vascular system.
Plasma dynamics of microwave excited microplasmas in a sub-millimeter cavity

Capacitively coupled microplasmas in dielectric cavities have a range of applications from VUV lighting sources for surface treatment to radical production. Due to the large surface-to-volume ratio of these devices, the wall mediated dynamics of plasma transport are important to the uniformity and confinement of the plasma. For example, there may be applications where a plume of ionized gas is desired from the microcavity - whereas other applications may require a confined plasma emitting only VUV photons
Studies on the anaerobic growth of a biotype of Chlorella vulgaris.

A description is given of an anaerobic biotype ofChlorella vulgaris, the general mode of growth of which appears to be similar to that of the non-sulfur photosynthetic bacteria, even though the photosynthetic pigments are those of a green alga. It only grows heterotrophically in the light in the presence as well as in the absence of O2. Photosynthetic O2 production is lacking.
Multi-channel mixed-signal noise source with applications to stochastic equalization

A multi-channel mixed-signal noise source with uniform amplitude distribution is presented. Cross-coupled, counter-propagating linear feedback shift registers are used to produce mutually independent binary distributed noises, which in turn generates mutually independent uniformly-distributed discrete-analog noises after digital-to-analog conversion. A stochastic comparator offset cancellation technique based on the proposed analog noise source is demonstrated. Applications include energy-efficient stochastic ADCs and high-density analog built-in self-test.
Stress-relieving techniques for cantilever beam tests in an ice cover

Abstract Cantilever beam tests carried out on a freshwater ice cover showed that introducing stress relief holes at the root of the beam increased flexural strength, as determined from simple beam theory, by 1 4 to 1 3 , compared to conventional cantilever beams. Finite element analysis confirmed the existence of stress concentrations at the edge of the beam, 1.5 times the centre stress for the case of a stress relief hole and 2 times in the case of a cantilever beam without stress relief holes. A correction factor of 1.08 has been determined for the flexural strength of cantilever beams with stress relief holes at the root; for those with no special root treatment, the correction factor is 1.35.
Age and hemispheric asymmetry in nonverbal tactual memory.

Abstract The left and the right hand recognition of 120 age-differentiated volunteers (20 to 84 yr) were tested separately in a recurrent tactual recognition task using four non-meaningful wire shapes as targets among a 24-item distractor series. Signal detection measures of tactual memory were found to be progressively lower with age. Young persons of age range 20–29 and 30–39 yr showed a right hemisphere superiority which was considerably reduced in old persons (60–69, and over 70). The results suggested that loss in asymmetry can be ascribed to an age decrement in the ability of the right hemisphere to process tactual memory to which the left hemisphere has access.
Representation, display, and manipulation of 3D digital scenes and their medical applications

The computer representation of a 3D digital (or voxel-based) scene is heavily influenced by the processing for which it is used. In medical imaging applications, the commonly used types of processing include data format transformation, segmentation of the regions of interest, display, and manipulation, and quantitative measurement of the objects contained in the scene. In this paper, with all these types of processing taken into account, we propose a new data structure called “quadtree-segment encoding” to represent a 3D digital binary scene. We also propose some associated algorithms for those types of processing, including: 1. An algorithm to generate quickly a distance-only shaded image of the 3D scene; 2. A new image space shading method, called “interence-driven shading”, which is computationally inexpensive and provides good image quality; 3. A simple image space anti-aliasing method; 4. An algorithm to make interactively some quantitative measurements, manipulate interactively the organs, and redisplay the organs after manipulation. 5. An algorithm which is simple conceptually and cheap computationally to compute ray-object intersections for displaying transparent objects and slicing the objects. If we take all the factors of data compactness, speed, image quality, and efficiency of display and manipulation into account, the object representation and associated algorithms seem superior to others proposed in the literature, particularly for medical applications.
State of the art in robotic hepatobiliary surgery.

Hepatobiliary (HB) surgery is a challenging surgical subspecialty that requires highly specialized training and an adequate level of experience in order to be performed safely. As a result, minimally invasive HB surgery has been met with slower acceptance as compared to other subspecialties, with many surgeons in the field still reluctant to adopt the approach. Recently development of the robotic platform has provided a tool that can overcome many of the limitations of conventional laparoscopic HB surgery. Augmented dexterity enabled by the endowristed movements, software filtration of the surgeon’s movements, and high-definition three-dimensional vision provided by the stereoscopic camera combine to allow steady and careful dissection of the liver hilum structures, as well as prompt and precise endosuturing in cases of intraoperative bleeding. These advantages have fostered many centers to widen the indications for minimally invasive HB and gastric surgery, with encouraging initial results. As one of the surgical groups that has performed the largest number of robot-assisted procedures worldwide, we provide a review of the state of the art in minimally invasive robot-assisted HB surgery.
In vitro actions of insulin-like growth factor-I on ovarian follicle maturation in white perch (Morone americana).

Abstract Previous studies of follicle maturation in temperate basses showed that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and -II can induce meiotic resumption, indicated by germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), and oocyte maturational competence (OMC), the ability to respond to the maturation-inducing hormone (MIH, 17,20β-21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 20β-S). The IGFs-induced GVBD but not OMC in striped bass follicles in vitro, but OMC and not GVBD in white bass follicles. Striped bass are group-synchronous single-clutch spawners whereas white bass and white perch are group-synchronous multiple-clutch spawners. In the present study, we found that IGFs-induced OMC in white perch. Although IGF-I weakly stimulated GVBD in follicles from some late stage fish, it is likely that IGF-I did not directly induce GVBD but instead induced OMC, enabling endogenous MIH to act. Bovine insulin was less potent than IGFs at inducing OMC, suggesting that the IGFs were acting through an IGF-I receptor. IGF-I increased testosterone and estradiol-17β production by ovarian fragments but decreased production of 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, a precursor to the MIH, which was below detection levels. As with the other Morone species, phosphatidylinositiol 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY 294002, and the translation inhibitor cyclohexamide, attenuated GVBD induced by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), 20β-S, and a combination of IGF-I and 20β-S. Only hCG-induced GVBD was attenuated by the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. The IGFs have shared and disparate actions on ovarian follicle maturation among Morone species that appear to be linked to reproductive strategy and exhibit similarities in mechanisms of action.
General curvilinear coordinate systems

The basic ideas of the construction and use of numerically-generated boundary-fitted coordinate systems for the numerical solution of partial differential equations are discussed. With such coordinate systems, all computation can be done on a fixed square grid in the rectangular transformed region regardless of the shape or movement of the physical boundaries. A number of different types of configurations for the transformed region and the basic transformation relations from a cartesian system to a general curvilinear system are given. The material of this paper is applicable to all types of coordinate system generation.
Can medical students identify a potentially serious acetaminophen dosing error in a simulated encounter? a case control study

In an effort to assess medical students’ abilities to identify a medication administration error in an outpatient setting, we designed and implemented a standardized patient simulation exercise which included a medication overdose. Fourth year medical students completed a standardized patient (SP) simulation of a parent bringing a toddler to an outpatient setting. In this case-control study, the majority of students had completed a patient safety curriculum about pediatric medication errors prior to their SP encounter. If asked about medications, the SP portraying a parent was trained to disclose that she was administering acetaminophen and to produce a package with dosing instructions on the label. The administered dose represented an overdose. Upon completion, students were asked to complete an encounter note. Three hundred forty students completed this simulation. Two hundred ninety-one students previously completed a formal patient safety curriculum while 49 had not. A total of two hundred thirty-four students (69%) ascertained that the parent had been administering acetaminophen to their child. Thirty-seven students (11%) determined that the dosage exceeded recommended dosages. There was no significant difference in the error detection rates of students who completed the patient safety curriculum and those who had not. Despite a formal patient safety curriculum concerning medication errors, 89% of medical students did not identify an overdose of a commonly used over the counter medication during a standardized patient simulation. Further educational interventions are needed for students to detect medication errors. Additionally, 31% of students did not ask about the administration of over the counter medications suggesting that students may not view such medications as equally important to prescription medications. Simulation may serve as a useful tool to assess students’ competency in identifying medication administration errors.
Forms and activity of high molecular weight adrenocorticotropin in guinea pig

Abstract High molecular weight forms of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and endorphin were identified in extracts of guinea pig anterior and intermediate/posterior pituitary. Extracts of anterior pituitary contained ACTH immunoactive material with apparent molecular weights of 36,000, 24,000 and 4,500 daltons. The highest molecular weight form of ACTH co-migrated with a peak of endorphin immunoactive material. No material the size of glycosylated ACTH(1–39) was detected. Separated forms of high molecular weight ACTH prepared from mouse tumor cell culture medium stimulated the same maximal production of steroid as ACTH(1–39) in the guinea pig adrenal cell bioassay. Pro-ACTH/endorphin and ACTH biosynthetic intermediate were two orders of magnitude less potent than synthetic human ACTH(1–39); glycosylated ACTH(1–39) was equipotent to ACTH(1–39) although no similar material was detected in guinea pig pituitary extracts. Isolated guinea pig adrenal cortical cells were incubated with the various separated forms of mouse tumor cell ACTH and products synthesized from ( 3 H)pregnenolone were analyzed by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The ratio of cortisol-related to corticosterone-related products was the same in response in glycosylated and nonglycosylated ACTH.
Cotton-tipped applicators used in surgery of the nose.

Background. A variety of uses have been described for cotton-tipped applicators. Objective. We describe an additional application in surgeries involving the nose. This technique uses 8-inch obstetrics-gynecology applicators with oversized cotton tips, unlike most articles, which report the use of 6-inch applicators with smaller cotton heads. The applicators function to stabilize and support the nasal structures and thus provide a steadier operating field. Conclusion. It can be used in procedures of the nose, including curettage, electrocautery, hemostasis, and Mohs and other surgical excisions. KEYVAN NOURI, MD, AND CHRISTOPHER J. BALLARD, HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS.
How to handle the threat of catastrophe

One major task CEOs face is to minimize risk and vulnerability to catastrophic events. Since 9/11, we know that simply having insurance—and conventional emergency planning—is not enough. And in addition to global terrorism, other catastrophes threaten—including cyber crime and new diseases like SARS. Traditional risk management strategies dealt with two types of danger: known and unknown risk. But now we also have a third kind: unknowable risk! So how should we handle catastrophic threats today? © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“A neural prosthesis for restoring lost cognitive function: Brain-implantable biomimetic micro-electronic models of hippocampal input-output activity”

Dr. Berger leads a multi-disciplinary collaboration with Dr. Sam Deadwyler (Wake Forest Univ.), Dr. John Granacki (USC), Dr. Vasilis Marmarelis (USC), and Dr. Greg Gerhardt (Univ. of Kentucky), that is developing a microchip-based neural prosthesis for the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for long-term memory. Damage to the hippocampus is frequently associated with epilepsy, stroke, and dementia (Alzheimer's disease), and is considered to underlie the memory deficits characteristic of these neurological conditions. The essential goals of this multi-laboratory effort include: (1) experimental study of hippocampal neuron and neural network function — how does the hippocampus encode information?, (2) formulation of biologically realistic models of neural system dynamics — can that encoding process be described mathematically to realize a predictive model of how the hippocampus responds to events that need to be remembered?, (3) microchip implementation of neural system models — can the mathematical model be realized as a set of electronic circuits to achieve parallel processing, rapid computational speed, and miniaturization?, and (4) creation of hybrid neuron-silicon interfaces — can structural and functional connections between electronic devices and neural tissue be achieved for long-term, bi-directional communication with the brain? By integrating solutions to these component problems, the team is realizing a microchip-based model of hippocampal nonlinear dynamics that can perform the same memory function as part of the hippocampus. Through bi-directional communication with other neural tissue that normally provides the inputs and outputs to/from a damaged hippocampal area, the biomimetic model could serve as a neural prosthesis. A proof-of-concept will be presented using rats that have been chronically implanted with stimulation/recording micro-electrodes throughout the dorso-ventral extent of the hippocampus. Rats first were trained to obtain a water reward using a delayed, non-match-to-sample task. Normal hippocampal functioning is required for successful delayed non-match-to-sample memory. Hippocampal memory and the behavioral function of the hippocampus is blocked pharmacologically (MK-801). Then, in the presence of the drug, hippocampal memory/behavioral function is restored by a multi-input, multi-output model of hippocampal nonlinear dynamics that interacts bi-directionally with the remaining hippocampus. The model is used to predict output of the hippocampus in the form of spatio-temporal patterns of neural activity in the CA1 region; electrical stimulation of CA1 cells is used to “drive” the output of hippocampus to the desired (predicted) state. These results show for the first time that it is possible to create “hybrid electro-biological” systems that display normal physiological properties, and thus, may be used as neural prostheses to restore damaged brain regions.
Fault Diagnosis in Discrete Event Systems Modeled by Partially Observed Petri Nets

In this paper, we study fault diagnosis in discrete event systems modeled by partially observed Petri nets, i.e., Petri nets equipped with sensors that allow observation of the number of tokens in some of the places and/or partial observation of the firing of some of the transitions. We assume that the Petri net model is accompanied by a (possibly implicit) description of the likelihood of each firing sequence. Faults are modeled as unobservable transitions and are divided into different types. Given an ordered sequence of observations from place and transition sensors, our goal is to calculate the belief (namely, the degree of confidence) regarding the occurrence of faults belonging to each type. To handle information from transition and place sensors in a unified manner, we transform a given partially observed Petri net into an equivalent (as far as state estimation and fault diagnosis is concerned) labeled Petri net (i.e., a Petri net with only transition sensors), and construct a translator that translates the sensing information from place and transition sensors into a sequence of labels in the equivalent labeled Petri net. Once this transformation is established, we focus on the computation of beliefs on faults in a given labeled Petri net and construct an online monitor that recursively produces these beliefs by tracking the existence of faulty transitions in execution paths that match the sequence of labels observed so far. Using the transformed labeled Petri net and the translated observation sequence, we can then compute the belief for each fault type in partially observed Petri nets in the same way as in labeled Petri nets.
A high frequency of Mamu‐A *01 in the rhesus macaque detected by polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers and direct sequencing

SIV infection of rhesus macaques is an excellent model for HIV infection of humans. Unfortunately, it is has been difficult to identify macaques expressing particular MHC class I alleles. Here we describe the use of PCR-SSP for Mamu-A *01 typing of rhesus macaques. The Mamu-A *01 allele was amplified from genomic DNA using Mamu-A *07-specific primers and positive PCR products were directly sequenced. Our technique identified 15 Mamu-A*01-positive animals of 68 tested. We validated our molecular analysis by showing that lymphocytes from 8 Mamu-A *01-positive animals expressed Mamu-A*01 as determined by immunoprecipitation and 1-D IEF. The technical simplicity and accuracy of this typing method should facilitate selection of Mamu-A *01-positive rhesus macaques for AIDS virus pathogenesis and vaccine studies.
Irregular applications: architectures & algorithms

Irregular applications are characterized by irregular data structures, control and communication patterns. Novel irregular high performance applications which deal with large data sets and require have recently appeared. Unfortunately, current high performance systems and software infrastructures executes irregular algorithms poorly. Only coordinated efforts by end user, area specialists and computer scientists that consider both the architecture and the software stack may be able to provide solutions to the challenges of modern irregular applications.
Electronic studies of the pyrrolidine molecule with aziridine ring

The pyrrolidine ring with an aziridine ring attached to it is studied, using ab-initio calculations with a STO-6G basis set. The aziridine ring hydrolysis energy is calculated, comparing the energy of the cis product's to the trans products' energy.
Ca2+ mobilization in bovine corneal endothelial cells by P2 purinergic receptors.

PURPOSE. To characterize Ca 2+ mobilization by P2 receptors in the bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCEC). METHODS. Changes in intracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] i) were measured by fluorescence imaging of cultured and fresh BCEC cells loaded with the Ca 2+ -sensitive dye Fura-PE3. Relative rates of Ca 2+ influx were measured employing Mn 2+ as a surrogate for Ca 2+. RESULTS. Exposure of cultured cells to uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP), 2-methyl-thio ATP (msATP) and ATP caused biphasic changes in [Ca 2+ ] i consisting of a peak followed by a plateau phase. Based on the peak responses to 100 µM agonist, the magnitude of UTP responses were similar to that of ATP but greater than that of msATP or ADP. UTP and msATP stimulated Mn 2+ influx following [Ca 2+ ] i peak similar to that observed in response to cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of ER Ca 2+ -ATPase. Under Ca 2+ -free conditions, peak responses were similar to those in the presence of external Ca 2+, but reduced when the cells were pre-exposed to CPA....
A moderated mediation model of e-mentoring

Abstract Based on a longitudinal sample of 1381, this study develops and tests a moderated mediation model of electronic mentoring (e-mentoring). Results show evidence that frequency of interaction between proteges and mentors mediates the relationships between program antecedents (the protege’s previous internet experience and initial motivation to participate) and program outcomes of general self-efficacy and task-efficacy. In addition, the protege’s general self-efficacy prior to starting the program was found to moderate the relationships between protege and mentor interaction frequency and program outcomes of task and general self-efficacy. Unexpectedly, having mentors in the past was not significantly related to program outcomes. Practical implications and future areas of research are identified and discussed.
Modeling old-age wealth with endogenous early-life outcomes: The case of Mexico

This paper contributes to the literature on the life course and aging by examining the association between early-life outcomes and late-life well being, using data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study. Empirical research in this area has been challenged by the potential endogeneity of the early-life outcomes of interest, an issue which most studies ignore or downplay. Our contribution takes two forms: (1) we examine in detail the potential importance of two key life-cycle outcomes, age at marriage (a measure of family formation) and years of educational attainment (a measure of human capital investment) for old-age wealth, and (2) we illustrate the empirical value of past context variables that could help model the association between early-life outcomes and late-life well being. Our illustrative approach, matching macro-level historical policy and census variables to individual records to use as instruments in modeling the endogeneity of early-life behaviors, yields a statistically identified two-stage model of old-age wealth with minimum bias. We use simulations to show that the results for the model of wealth in old age are meaningfully different when comparing the approach that accounts for endogeneity with an approach that assumes exogeneity of early-life outcomes. Furthermore, our results suggest that in the Mexican case, models which ignore the potential endogeneity of early-life outcomes are likely to under-estimate the effects of such variables on old-age wealth.
Probabilistic analysis of rock slope stability with first-order approximation

Abstract Based on the theory of probability, the probabilistic analysis of slope stability is conducted. Equations for the estimation of slope failure probability are first derived using direct integrations. However, the complexity of the integrations is formidable. In order to overcome the limitation of the direct integration, the first-order second-moment approximation of the slope failure probability is employed for more complex slope stability problems. The study indicates that the distributions of parameter values play a significant role in slope stability, which can not be disclosed by the conventional methods of stability analysis. Greater dispersiveness of the parameter values will lead to a different probability of failure, although the factor of safety estimated by conventional methods remains the same if the mean values of the parameters are unchanged. By taking consideration of the distributions of the parameters, the probability model can provide more reliable designs of rock slopes.
Critique of 1985 ACGIH Report on Particle Size-Selective Sampling in the Workplace

The criteria recently proposed by ACGIH for judging the acceptability of respirable and other dust fraction samplers are analyzed. Implications on the sampling of workplace aerosol are determined. With the consideration of both bias and imprecision, the overall accuracy limited by the criteria is estimated for the sampling of coal mine dust as characterized by various researchers. The accuracy limits thus found appear to be excessively broad. As an example with actual workplace dust distributions in the sampling of a single aerosol (mass median diameter=18.6 µm and geometric standard deviation=2.3) with respirable dust concentration near 2 mg/m3, two samplers acceptable according to the proposed criteria could be found giving respirable dust measurements equal to 0.71 mg/m3 and 4.3 mg/m3 (even after excluding 5% of the low and high measurements from each sampler, respectively). Large variation in samplers acceptable according to the criteria is found for many other distributions as well; this indicates th...