cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
History matching of surfactant-polymer flooding using polynomial chaos expansion

Abstract This paper proposes a robust framework for history matching which employs a sequential execution of sensitivity analysis, proxy modeling and inverse optimization to determine the optimized parameter space of model parameters. A mechanistic surfactant-polymer (SP) flood model is considered for history matching with an ultimate goal of accurately calibrating models that describe physical subprocesses of surfactant flooding, polymer flooding and displacement process. The employed model calibration algorithm starts with Sobol sensitivity analysis which reduces the large uncertain space of model parameters to determine the most important stochastic variables. The resulting low-dimensional parameter space is then represented via appropriate orthonormal basis of polynomial chaos expansion (PCE-proxy). An inverse optimization problem is then posed that minimizes the miss-fit between PCE-proxy response and experimental observations by employing a Genetic Algorithm. Finally, the epistemic uncertainty in PCE-proxy is quantified by combining it with a Gaussian regression process called Kriging. We use this framework to calibrate the SP flood model by history matching a single coreflood experiment for quantities of interest such as pressure drop profile and cumulative oil recovery curve. We then show that the calibrated model is successfully able to predict all our quantities of interest for two other coreflood experiments without any ad-hoc tuning of parameters. The proposed proxy-accelerated inverse optimization framework shows significant promise for model calibration or to improve the quality of history matched results.
Do Gender Quotas Really Reduce Bias? Evidence from a Policy Experiment in Southern Africa

A well-documented policy experiment reserving seats for women village leaders in India suggests quotas decrease citizens’ gender stereotypes and increase career aspirations and educational attainment for young women and girls. But do these results generalize to cases outside of India? And how long must quotas be in place to observe the positive effects of women’s leadership? I present data from a similar policy experiment in the southern African nation of Lesotho to test whether citizens express less gender bias after 6-years of exposure to quota-elected women village representatives. Relying on surveys and data from in-field Implicit Association Tests, I find no evidence that the quota reduced average measures of citizen gender bias, although I do find weak evidence that the quota caused young women in particular to exhibit more gender-egalitarian attitudes, both explicit and implicit.
Metasurface-based compact light engine for AR headsets

Despite the great advances, potentials of augmented reality to fundamentally transform the way people use computers is partially hindered by the size and weight of the AR headsets. In waveguide-based devices, the light engine constitutes a significant portion of the total volume and weight. Dielectric metasurfaces have in recent years been used to demonstrate various high performance optical elements like blazed gratings and wide field of view lenses with small thicknesses, high efficiencies, and little stray light. Here, we report our work on the design of a compact light engine based on multi-metasurface optics with wide fields of view, integrated with three monochrome μ-LED displays for red, green, and blue. The metasurfaces image the μ-LEDs on the prism or grating couplers. This design avoids an important shortcoming of μ-LEDs and metasurface lenses, i.e., each work well for a single wavelength. As an example, we present a design for 532 nm, with over 3000 resolved angular points in an 8-mm-diameter field of view, and a total volume less than 0.65 cc (<2 cc for the three wavelengths). Limited by the total internal reflection region inside a waveguide with a 1.78 refractive index, the light engine can produce an image with over 1500x1500 points over a field of view slightly larger than 85°x85° in air. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first proposal and demonstration of such a system and therefore opens the path towards exploring the potentials of the metasurface diffractive optics technology for compact AR headsets with enhanced optical capabilities.
Are Microneutralization and Hemagglutination Inhibition Assays Comparable? Serological Results from Influenza Experimentally Infected Mallard Ducks

The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay is commonly used to assess the humoral immune response against influenza A viruses (IAV). However, the microneutralization (MN) assay has been reported to have higher sensitivity when testing sera from humans and other species. Our objective was to determine the agreement between MN and HI assays and compare the proportion of positive samples detected by both methods in sera of mallards primary infected with the A/mallard/MN/Sg-000169/ 2007 (H3N8) virus and subsequently inoculated with homosubtypic or heterosubtypic IAV. Overall, we found poor to fair agreement (prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa [PABAK], 0.03-0.35) between MN and HI assays in serum samples collected 2 weeks after H3N8 inoculation; the observed agreement increased to moderate or substantial in samples collected 4 to 5 weeks postinoculation (WPI) (PABAK, 0.52-0.75). The MN assay detected a higher proportion of positive samples compared with HI assays in serum samples collected 2 WPI (P = 0.01). This difference was not observed in samples collected 4 WPI. Also, a boosting effect in MN and HI titers was observed when birds were subsequently inoculated with IAV within the same H3 clade. This effect was not observed when birds were challenged with viruses that belong to a different HA clade. In summary, the agreement between assays varies depending on the postinfection sample collection time point and the similarity between the antigens used for the assays. Additionally, subsequent exposure of ducks to homosubtypic or heterosubtypic strains might affect the observed agreement.
The Case of Missing Immunofixation Bands

A 46-year-old man with history of recurrent sinus infections, granulomatous interstitial lung disease, and intermittent abdominal pain and diarrhea presents for care at a head and neck surgery clinic. Serum electrophoresis and immunofixation were performed. Fig. 1. Serum electrophoresis (ELP) and immunofixation. 1. What syndrome(s) are compatible with this immunofixation pattern? 2. What additional lab testing would confirm the immunofixation findings? …
Patient and Rheumatologist Perspectives Regarding Challenges to Achieving Optimal Disease Control in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To identify and prioritize patient- and rheumatologist-perceived barriers to achieving disease control. METHODS Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rheumatologists from the Corrona registry were invited by e-mail to participate in nominal groups. Two separate lists of barriers were created, 1 from RA patient-only nominal groups and the other from rheumatologist-only nominal groups, and barriers were sorted into themes. Next, using an online survey, a random sample of RA patients from the Corrona registry were asked to rank their top 3 barriers to achieving disease control. RESULTS Four nominal groups totaling 37 RA patients identified patient barriers to achieving control of RA activity that were classified into 17 themes. Three nominal groups totaling 25 rheumatologists identified barriers that were classified into 11 themes. The financial aspects of RA care ranked first for both types of nominal groups, while medication risk aversion ranked second among the perceived barriers of the physician nominal group and third among those of the RA patient nominal group. Among the 450 RA patients surveyed, 77% considered RA a top health priority, and 51% reported being aware of the treat-to-target strategy for RA care; the 3 most important patient-perceived challenges to achieving disease control were RA prognosis uncertainty, medication risk aversion, and the financial/administrative burden associated with RA care. CONCLUSION There are common, potentially modifiable, patient- and rheumatologist-reported barriers to achieving RA disease control, including perceived medication risk aversion, suboptimal treatment adherence, and suboptimal patient-physician communication regarding the benefits of tight control of disease activity in RA. Addressing these obstacles may improve adherence to goal-directed RA care.
Predicting Math Success in an Online Tutoring System Using Language Data and Click-Stream Variables: A Longitudinal Analysis

Previous studies have demonstrated strong links between students' linguistic knowledge, their affective language patterns and their success in math. Other studies have shown that demographic and click-stream variables in online learning environments are important predictors of math success. This study builds on this research in two ways. First, it combines linguistics and click-stream variables along with demographic information to increase prediction rates for math success. Second, it examines how random variance, as found in repeated participant data, can explain math success beyond linguistic, demographic, and click-stream variables. The findings indicate that linguistic, demographic, and click-stream factors explained about 14% of the variance in math scores. These variables mixed with random factors explained about 44% of the variance.
Standing colossus: Newton and the French

Shank in this book aims to recount an infant stage in the growth of what he calls ‘Newtonian mechanics.’ He does so in three parts, adding up to eleven chapters. Part I sets the stage, with French ...
A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Electronic Prescribing Incidents Reported by Community Pharmacists

Background Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) technology was introduced as an alternative to handwritten prescriptions allowing health care professionals to send prescriptions directly to pharmacies. While the technology has many advantages, such as improving pharmacy workflow and reducing medication errors, some limitations have been realized. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the frequency, type, and contributing factors of e-prescribing quality-related incidents reported to two national error-reporting databases in the United States. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of voluntarily reports of e-prescribing quality-related incidents. A quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted of incidents reported between 2011 and 2015 to the Pharmacy Quality Commitment (PQC) and the Pharmacy Provider e-prescribing Experience Reporting Portal (PEER) databases. For the qualitative analysis, events were combined from the PQC and PEER portal and a 10% random sample of events were analyzed. Results A total of 589 events were reported to the PEER Portal. Of these, problems with patient directions were the most frequent incident type (n = 210) of which 10% (n = 21) reached the patient. Quantity selection (n = 158) and drug selection (n = 96) were the next most frequently reported events, 20% of which reached the patient. The PQC system received 550 reports. The most frequent event type reported to this system was incorrect directions (23.3%, n = 128) followed by incorrect prescriber (17%), incorrect drug (15%), and incorrect strength (12%). The most common theme in the qualitative analysis was a perceived increased likelihood of patient receiving incorrect drug therapy due to e-prescribing. Another theme identified included confusion and frustration of pharmacy personnel as result of e-prescription quality-related events. Conclusion The use of qualitative and quantitative incident data revealed that patient directions and quantity selection were the most common quality issues with e-prescribing. In turn, this may increase the likelihood of patients receiving incorrect drug therapy.
Analysis of Thirty-Day Readmission after Infrainguinal Bypass.

Background The Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) conducted a pilot study evaluating the feasibility of 30-day data collection in patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass (INFRA) which was subsequently expanded to include a limited number of additional sites within the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI). The purpose of our study was to use these data to evaluate the incidence of 30-day readmission after infrainguinal bypass. A secondary goal of the study was to perform a critical appraisal of the data elements and definitions in the 30-day dataset. Methods All infrainguinal bypass procedures performed during the pilot study period (7/2008 and 4/2016) were identified and merged with a dataset containing the 30-day data. Incidence and types of readmission were assessed. The primary endpoint was 30-day readmission, defined as any hospital readmission within 30 days of index operation; unplanned 30-day readmission was the secondary endpoint. Covariates tested for association with the primary and secondary endpoints included patient demographics, comorbidities, procedural, and postoperative characteristics. Variables significant on univariate screen (P Results Of 9,847 infrainguinal bypass patients, 5,842 (59%) patients were identified with 30-day data, and 907 (16%) were readmitted within 30 days. Of readmissions, 675 (85%) were unplanned. Potentially modifiable independent determinants of any 30-day readmission included 30-day surgical site infection (SSI) (odds ratio [OR]: 10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.2–12, P Conclusions This study demonstrates the interest in, and value of, 30-day data collection in VSGNE/VQI and documents the frequency of readmission after infrainguinal bypass. Readmission within 30 days is strongly associated with SSI, stressing the importance of efforts to decrease this complication. Given that many other predictors are unmodifiable, 30-day readmission is only appropriate as a quality metric if it is risk adjusted using large, real-world datasets such as VQI. Lessons learned from this analysis can be used to select optimal 30-day data elements.
Event-related brain potentials reveal differences in emotional processing in alexithymia

ABSTRACTThe inability to recognise and describe emotions in the self is known as Alexithymia. In the present study we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine the locus of processing emotion...
Social Policy and Sexual Assault

Social policy designed to prevent and address sexual assault in the United States has developed slowly and in the context of many competing political interests. This chapter explores three central federal policies to address sexual assault: the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Clery Act, and Title IX. In addition, this chapter considers the very limited policy attempts to specifically address the disproportionate impact of sexual assault on vulnerable populations. Finally, this chapter’s content raises questions for readers about who benefits from current sexual assault policies and what can be done to prioritize the needs of victim-survivors in policymaking efforts.
Cross-band infrared laser absorption of carbon monoxide for thermometry and species sensing in high-pressure rocket flows

A novel cross-band laser absorption spectroscopy technique has been developed for quantitative measurements of gas temperature and carbon monoxide (CO) in high-pressure, high-temperature rocket combustion flows. The strategy enables a broad range of sensor operability by simultaneously probing rovibrational transitions in both the fundamental and first overtone bands of CO near $$4.98\,\upmu \hbox {m}$$ and $$2.32\,\upmu \hbox {m}$$, respectively, which sustain large differences in temperature dependence despite collisional broadening. Scanned-wavelength modulation spectroscopy methods are integrated for noise rejection in the harsh rocket operating environment. Initial experiments using the cross-band thermometry technique have been conducted on a single-element-injector rocket combustor with RP-2/GOx and $${\hbox {CH}_4}/\hbox {GOx}$$ propellant combinations at pressures up to 75 bar. Measurements of the first overtone bandhead ($$2.32\,\upmu \hbox {m}$$) maintained adequate signal-to-noise at even higher pressures (up to 105 bar), although deviating significantly from spectral simulations. To account for collisional effects at high gas densities, empirical models for line mixing, developed via shock tube studies, were employed to enable quantitative interpretation of measured signals for temperature and CO mole fraction in the rocket combustor.
Effect of added surfactant on convective assembly of monosized microspheres

Convective deposition has become one of the common techniques for obtaining a colloidal assembly with a desired number of layers/thickness. Many applications in photonics and semiconductor industries demand only a single layer of colloids placed in a reproducible manner. In the convective deposition, a deposition velocity is typically inversely correlated with a number of layers. Obtaining a uniform monolayer reproducibly thus requires maintaining precise conditions such as the pH, volume fraction, ionic strength of the suspension, temperature, and humidity. Maintaining ideal conditions is one of the limiting factors for the scale-up of convective deposition. Likewise, the surface chemistry must also be reproducible. In the following study, we have demonstrated the effect of the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant on convective deposition. We show that added SDS alters the flow patterns inside the thin film through Marangoni-driven surface stress, which then alters the time for the assembly. The added surfactant can permit more reliable conditions for monolayer coatings. This study using controlled amounts of the surfactant may give a broader understanding of variability of results found in the literature.
Comparison of correction factor for both dynamic total thermal insulation and evaporative resistance between ISO 7933 and ISO 9920.

Thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of clothing are the physical parameters to quantify heat transfer and evaporative dissipation from the human body to the environment, respectively. Wind and body movement decrease thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of clothing, which is represented as correction factors for dynamic total thermal insulation (CFi) and evaporative resistance (CFe), respectively. Then, CFi and CFe are parts of the key parameters to predict heat strain of workers by computer simulation. The objective of this study was to elucidate the difference of CFi and CFe between ISO 7933 and ISO 9920 and compare the difference of predicted rectal temperature, water loss, and exposure time limit calculated by using each correction factor. CFi of ISO 7933 (CFi7933) and ISO 9920 (CFi9920), and CFe of ISO 7933 (CFe7933) and two kinds of CFe of ISO 9920 (CFe9920a, CFe9920b) were compared in terms of relative air velocity, walking speed for three kinds of thermal insulation of clothing. Next, two modified predicted heat strain (PHS) models were developed: modified PHS integrated with CFi9920 and CFe9920a (PHSmA) and modified PHS integrated with CFi9920 and CFe9920b (PHSmB). We calculated the rectal temperature, water loss, and exposure time limit by PHS, PHSmA, and PHSmB and compared the results. CFi7933 and CFi9920 were almost similar in terms of Var and walking speed, while CFe9920a and CFe9920b were larger than CFe7933 when Var was more than 1.0 m·s−1. Intrinsic clothing insulation (Icl) diminished the effects of Var on CFi7933, CFi9920, CFe7933, and CFe9920b. However, CFe9920a was not influenced by Icl. The predicted rectal temperature and water loss difference were larger between PHS and PHSmA as CFe difference got larger. The duration time when limit of rectal temperature of 38 °C was reached (DlimTre38) calculated by PHS was significantly longer than PHSmA, PHSmB at higher Var. Precise correction factors for evaporative resistance are required to predict rectal temperature, water loss, and work-time limits.
Model evaluations of multipactor suppression in rectangular waveguides through grooved surfaces and static magnetic field

Mitigation of multipactor in waveguides is of importance, and strategies have included the addition of external fields, materials engineering, or surface modifications. Here, geometry modifications of rectangular waveguide surfaces and the application of an axial magnetic field are investigated for suppressing multipactor growth. A Monte Carlo approach has been used to simulate electron dynamics. The empirical secondary electrons yield is modeled based on a modified Vaughan approach. The electric fields driving electron transport were derived from separate electromagnetic calculations to adequately include field perturbations due to the presence of surface patterns in the rectangular waveguide structure. Combinations of grooves and a DC magnetic field are shown to effectively mitigate multipactor growth at field strengths up to ∼105 V/m. Finding optimal combinations for an arbitrary field and operating frequency requires further work.
Incidental Exposure and News Engagement: Testing Temporal Order and the Role of Political Interest

In the contemporary media environment, and particularly on social media platforms, people are embedded in multiple, intersecting flows of political information generated by a wide range of curating...
The Impact of Culture on Hispanic Entrepreneurs: Mediating Innovation, Challenge, and Success

In the modern economic environment, demographic shifts in US population resulting from changing immigration, changing economic policies and environments, and growing socioeconomic disparity, scholarly research examining the business behavior of specific groups and the impact of behavior on the broader marketplace is valuable and necessary. Hispanic entrepreneurs, when compared to both minority and non-minority business-owners, started and flourished in successful business ownership at a greater growth rate than any other group (Davila, Mora, & Zeitlin, 2014). Since the beginning of the 21st century, Hispanic entrepreneurs have become a measurable economic force. The cultural experience of the Hispanic entrepreneur is important to examine to understand the phenomenon of this growth. Rooted in both cultural and entrepreneurial theory, this research study identified the key cultural factors that influenced 20 Texas Latino entrepreneurial leaders and examined the impact of their cultural experience on their motivations, challenges, and successes as related to the pursuit of enterprise creation.
Modulating phytohormone supplementation can efficiently increase biomass and lipid production in Spirulina (Arthrospira)

Spirulina is one of the most popular microalgae. Thus, it is essential to improve their biomass and macromolecule production. The adequacy of phytohormone supplementation was shown to be efficient in increasing biomass and lipid concentrations in other microalgae cultivation. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the influence of sampling frequency on the production of biomass and biomolecules of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 supplemented with trans-zeatin (tZ) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The microalga was cultivated with tZ and IAA at concentrations 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg L−1, and the sampling frequency was tested daily and every 10 days. Treatments with a lower sampling frequency (every 10 days) and supplementation of 0.01 mg L−1 IAA enhanced the biomass accumulation by 50% (3.2 g L−1) and the lipid content by 58% (26.8%) than that of the experiment without phytohormone and daily sample removal (2.1 g L−1 and 16.9%, respectively). Therefore, we developed a new strategy to improve microalgal production by supplementing phytohormones. The investigation presents a cultivation system that is efficient and easy to implement in industries because it does not require alterations in the operational aspects of the cultivation.
Neurological Complications of Pulmonary Embolism: a Literature Review

The present review discusses in-depth about neurological complications following acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). Intracranial hemorrhage, acute ischemic cerebrovascular events, and VTE in brain tumors are described as central nervous system (CNS) complications of PE, while peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain are reported as peripheral nervous system (PNS) sequelae of PE. Syncope and seizure are illustrated as atypical neurological presentations of PE. Mounting evidence suggests higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with neurological diseases, but data on reverse, i.e., neurological sequelae following VTE, is underexplored. The present review is an attempt to explore some of the latter issues categorized into CNS, PNS, and atypical complications following VTE.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Neck: An Unlikely Stroke Mimic

Abstract Background Stroke mimics are noncerebrovascular conditions that present with classical stroke symptoms. They account for up to 30% of stroke presentations in the emergency department (ED). Emergency physicians are faced with a diagnostic dilemma—rapid treatment of stroke, a leading cause or mortality and morbidity in the United States, or ruling out the ever-growing list of conditions that mimic strokes. Case Report An 87-year-old man with a 60-year smoking history, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and extensive cardiovascular disease history presented to the ED with a chief symptom of new onset right-arm weakness. Computed tomography (CT) excluded hemorrhage and lesions, and additional CT angiography imaging revealed a large mass compressing the right subclavian artery. Given the initial workup, mass effect on the right brachial plexus better explained the patient's symptoms. Two weeks later, a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed masses on the pubic ramus, iliac bone, and several vertebral bodies. Biopsy of the rib mass revealed squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was diagnosed with bone metastasis of unknown origin and started on radiation therapy. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Even in fast-paced settings, clinicians must maintain a high level of suspicion for stroke mimics. This case illustrates the vital importance of neuroimaging in the diagnosis of stroke mimics and discusses clinical characteristics and patient risk factors that increase the likelihood of a stroke mimic diagnosis, serving as a tool for physicians facing this diagnostic dilemma.
Two-parameter taxicab trigonometric functions

In this paper, we review some of the fundamental properties of the l1, or taxicab, metric on ℝ2. We define and give explicit formulas for two-parameter sine and cosine functions for this metric space. We also determine the maximum of these functions, which is greater than 1.
Erythrocyte membrane proteins: Their study using aqueous pyridine solutions

1. 1. A new method for the study of membrane proteins is described. It involves the use of aqueous pyridine which permits the separation of proteins of human erythrocyte membrane into two fractions: one water soluble and lipid free the other a water-insoluble lipoprotein. Both fractions show multiple bands on gel electrophoresis and the band patterns of the two fractions and the intact membrane are similar. They suggest a close relationship of the proteins of the two fractions in spite of differences in lipid affinity. The sialoglycoprotein, containing the virus receptor activity, is present uniquely in the water-soluble fraction and its isolation is described. 2. 2. The water-soluble proteins show a strong tendency for association. Such aggregation is promoted by certain salts. Aggregates of various sizes are still present in 33% aqueous pyridine and they can be resolved and visualised by gel electrophoresis in 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate as outlined by Shapiroet al.22 into about twenty protein bands of a wide range of molecular weights. Certain proteins of the water-soluble fraction are not present as components of these aggregates. They include a sialoglycoprotein and three other proteins which can be visualized as distinct bands on polyacrylamide gels.
CPCs as Treatment for Chronic Total Coronary Artery Occlusions

To the Editor: The recent observation by Erbs et al1 that an intracoronary infusion of blood-derived progenitor cells (CPCs) improves LV function after recanalization of a chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO) may represent a new application of cellular therapy for ischemic heart disease. Twenty-six patients underwent PET and SPECT imaging to determine myocardial hibernation 8 days after successful recanalization of their CTO and then received CPCs (69 million; n=13) …
Tumbling, stretching and cross-stream migration of polymers in rectilinear shear flow from dissipative particle dynamics simulations

Abstract Solutions of flexible polymer chains with harmonic bonds undergoing rectilinear flow in slit pores are investigated via dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. We found that when DPD with low Schmidt number ( Sc ∼ 1 ) is used, the polymer chains tend to migrate across the streamlines towards the walls. However, a cross-stream migration towards the centerline is observed when DPD with relatively high values of Schmidt number ( Sc ∼ 10 ) is used. The effect of chain length and Weissenberg number, defined as Wi = Γ τ rel , where Γ and τ rel are the shear rate and polymer longest relaxation time, respectively, are investigated. The polymer chains exhibit a large number of orientational and extensional fluctuations, with the distributions of both latitude and azimuthal angles exhibiting power-law decays in agreement with experiments, theory and previous simulations. The polymer chains exhibit tumbling kinetics characterized by an exponential distribution of tumbling times. The characteristic time scale is proportional to the longest relaxation time of the polymer chains at equilibrium. The power spectral density of the extension, while monotonically decaying for large chain length or large Weissenberg number, exhibits a shallow peak for short chains, implying that shear flow induces nearly repetitive tumbling of the polymer chains. The time scale corresponding to the peak of the extension power spectral density is also proportional to the longest chain relaxation time.
Sensitivity to orthographic structure in educable mentally retarded children

Abstract Thirty educable mentally retarded (EMR) children were presented an item selection task to assess their sensitivity to orthographic structure in printed English words. Analyses of performance indicated that EMR children do acquire implicit knowledge of orthographic rules and that this ability is related to the development of reading skills.
Fluid shear and spin‐echo images

Because clinical studies have indicated that shear in fluids may be one of the major causes of magnetic resonance image artifacts, we imaged an apparatus that would separate the effects of shear from the plethora of other motion artifacts. The apparatus contained fluid between two concentric cylinders. To produce shear, we turned the outer cylinder. To produce motion without shear, we turned both cylinders as one. Shear rates near 200 s-1 (similar to those in large arteries) can cause pixel intensities either to increase 40% or decrease to background levels. Increases can occur when the velocities are nearly parallel to the phase-encoding gradient. Decreases can occur when velocities are in the direction of the frequency gradient. The decreases are similar to those predicted from phase dispersion within a "voxel" so long as the voxel's phase warp does not exceed 2 pi.
Niacin sensitivity and the arachidonic acid pathway in schizophrenia

Objective Schizophrenia is associated with a blunted flush response to niacin. Since niacin-induced skin flushing is mediated by vasodilators derived from arachidonic acid (AA), we tested whether the blunted flush response to niacin is a marker of AA deficiency.
Time dependent studies of the aurora—II. Spectroscopic morphology

Abstract The temporal morphology of auroral spectral emission features is investigated. For a given energy distribution of bombarding electrons but a time varying flux magnitude, the emission rates of various auroral radiations exhibit a nonlinear time response due to the variety of reactions that contribute to excitation. Absolute intensities and intensity ratios of various spectroscopic features, therefore, can vary solely with atmospheric interaction effects, indicating the importance of considering the time history of a precipitation event when attempting to infer the characteristics of auroral electrons from optical measurements.
Potential role of eNOS in the therapeutic control of myocardial oxygen consumption by ACE inhibitors and amlodipine.

Objectives: Our aim was to investigate the potential therapeutic role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the modulation of cardiac O2 consumption induced by the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramiprilat and amlodipine. Methods: Three different groups of mice were used; wild type, wild type in the presence of N -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10−4 mol/l) or genetically altered mice lacking the eNOS gene (eNOS −/−). Myocardial O2 consumption was measured using a Clark-type O2 electrode in an air-tight stirred bath. Concentration–response curves to ramiprilat (RAM), amlodipine (AMLO), diltiazem (DIL), carbachol (CCL), substance P (SP) and S -nitroso- N -acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) were performed. The rate of decrease in O2 concentration was expressed as a percentage of the baseline. Results: Baseline O2 consumption was not different between the three groups of mice. In tissues from wild type mice, RAM (10−5 mol/l), AMLO (10−5 mol/l), DIL (10−4 mol/l), CCL (10−4 mol/l), SP (10−7 mol/l) and SNAP (10−4 mol/l) reduced myocardial O2 consumption by −32±4, −27±10, −20±6, −25±2, −22±4 and −42±4%, respectively. The responses to RAM, AMLO, CCL and SP were absent in tissues taken from eNOS −/− mice (−7.1±4.3, −5.0±6.0, −5.2±5.1 and −0.4±0.2%, respectively). In addition, l-NAME significantly ( P <0.05) inhibited the reduction in O2 consumption induced by RAM (−9.8±4.4%), AMLO (−1.0±6.0%), CCL (−8.8±3.7%) and SP (−6.6±4.9%) in cardiac tissues from wild type mice. In contrast, NO-independent responses to the calcium channel antagonist, DIL, and responses to the NO donor, SNAP, were not affected in cardiac tissues taken from eNOS −/− (DIL: −20±4%; SNAP: −46±6%) or l-NAME-treated (DIL: −17±2%; SNAP: −33±5%) mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that endogenous endothelial NO synthase derived NO serves an important role in the regulation of myocardial O2 consumption. This action may contribute to the therapeutic action of ACE inhibitors and amlodipine.
Soluble CD30 levels as a diagnostic marker for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome following human lung transplantation.

Abstract The long term survival of human lung allograft is hampered by the occurrence of chronic rejection, Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS). This end-stage disease is normally diagnosed clinically by using the pulmonary function tests. This results in delay of BOS diagnosis and consequently prevents early intervention. It is generally accepted that alloimmunity plays an important role in chronic rejection of the allograft. In this study we analyzed serial serum samples from BOS+ and BOS− patients for sCD30 levels to determine the role of sCD30 to predict the onset of BOS. In contrast to BOS negative patients and normal subjects, 6 out of 9 BOS+ patients (p
Measuring Faculty Participation in Asynchronous Discussion Forums

Abstract As the number of online courses has increased, so too has the need for faculty development. In this article, the authors address the issue of instructor presence in online discussions. After developing and validating a taxonomy of types of instructor postings, they surveyed experienced online instructors and school administrators and developed a set of expectations with respect to the type and number of feedback messages that learners could expect during a course. Finally, they analyzed how well four graduate online business courses met the set of expectations. The results of this comparison provide a powerful tool for stimulating discussion in a faculty development course regarding the role of the instructor in online discussions.
Pattern selection with O(3) symmetry

Abstract For each irreducible representation of SO(3) and O(3) we determine, up to conjugacy, all isotropy subgroups and identify, in particular, the maximal isotropy subgroups. Each isotropy subgroup corresponds to a possible planform for the spherical Benard problem. Using an equivariant branching lemma of Cicogna [1] we prove, for each of these representations, the existence of solutions corresponding to a number of different planforms, thus extending substantially the work of Busse [2, 3] and Sattinger [4]. We also give a useful criterion for showing when solutions obtained by the equivariant branching lemma must be unstable.
Whole-body electrolyte-free water clearance: derivation and clinical utility in analyzing the pathogenesis of the dysnatremias.

The total exchangeable sodium (Nae), total exchangeable potassium (Ke), and total body water (TBW) are the major determinants of the plasma water sodium concentration ([Na+]pw). The relationship between [Na+]pw and Nae, Ke, and TBW was empirically determined by Edelman et al., where: [Na+]pw = 1.11(Nae + Ke)/TBW − 25.6 (Eq. 1). According to Eq. 1, changes in the mass balance of Na+, K+, and H2O will therefore result in changes in the [Na+]pw. Historically, in evaluating the pathogenesis of the dysnatremias, free water clearance (FWC) and electrolyte-free water clearance (EFWC) have been used to evaluate the pathophysiology of the dysnatremias. However, such analyses are only valid when there is no concomitant input and non-renal output of Na+, K+, and H2O. Since the classic FWC and EFWC formulas fail to account for the input and non-renal output of Na+, K+, and H2O, these formulas cannot be used to evaluate the pathogenesis of the dysnatremias or to predict the directional change in the [Na+]pw. In this article, we have addressed this limitation by deriving a new formula, termed whole-body electrolyte-free water clearance (WB-EFWC), which calculates whole-body electrolyte-free water clearance for a given mass balance of Na+, K+, and H2O, rather than simply the urinary component (FWC, EFWC formulas). Unlike previous formulas, which consider only the renal component of electrolyte-free water clearance, WB-EFWC accounts for all sources of input and output of Na+, K+, and H2O, and will therefore be helpful in conceptually understanding the basis for changes in the [Na+]pw in patients with the dysnatremias.
Evaluation of port-wine stain treatment outcomes using multispectral imaging

Port-wine Stain (PWS) is a vascular malformation characterized by ectasia of superficial dermal capillaries. The flash-lamp pumped pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment has been the mainstay of PWS for the last decade. Despite the success of the PDL in significantly fading the PWS, the overall cure rate is less than 10%. The precise efficacy of an individual PDL treatment is hard to evaluate and the treatment outcome is measured by visual observation of clinical fading. A hand-held multi-spectral imaging system was developed to image PWS before and after PDL treatment. In an NIH-funded pilot study multi-spectral camera was used to image PWS in children (2- 17 years). Oxygen saturation (S) and blood content (B) of PWS before and after the treatment was determined by analysis of the reflectance spectra. The outcome of the treatment was evaluated during follow up visits of the patients. One of the major causes of failure of laser therapy of port-wine stains (PWS) is reperfusion of the lesion after laser treatment. Oxygen saturation and blood content maps of PWS before and after treatment can predict regions of reperfusion and subsequent failure of the treatment. The ability to measure reperfusion and to predict lesions or areas susceptible to reperfusion, will help in selection of patients/lesions for laser treatment and help to optimize laser dosimetry for maximum effect. The current studies also should provide a basis for monitoring of future alternative therapies or enhancers of laser treatment in resistant cases.
Evaluation of lupus anticoagulants: Antiphospholipid antibodies, endothelium associated immunoglobulin, endothelial prostacyclin secretion, and antigenic protein S levels

Plasma samples from nineteen patients with well characterized lupus anticoagulants (LA) were evaluated using a series of test systems. An ELISA was used to determine if the plasmas contained antiphospholipid antibodies (APA); fifteen of nineteen LA plasmas contained APA, with five exhibiting IgG only, two exhibiting IgM, and eight plasmas containing both IgG and IgM. Anti-phosphatidyl serine (PS) was the predominant IgG specificity and all IgM APA-containing plasmas reacted with phosphatidyl inositol (PI). An ELISA was developed to determine if LA plasmas contained immunoglobulin which would associate with cultured human umbilical cord vein-derived endothelial cells (HUV); ten of nineteen plasmas contained endothelium associated immunoglobulin (EAI). There was significant concordance between the occurrence of EAI and IgM anti-PI. The occurrence of EAI or APA, either singly or in combination, did not correlate with a past history of thrombosis. Patient plasmas were incubated with HUV and examined for effects on HUV prostacyclin (PGI2) secretion; six plasmas significantly stimulated PGI2 secretion and one plasma was inhibitory. Finally, plasma levels of free and total antigenic protein S were determined by EID. Five plasmas contained significantly reduced levels of free antigenic protein S, and total antigenic protein S was reduced in ten plasmas. Patient histories were examined for evidence of thrombotic episodes; six patients had a history of either arterial or venous thrombosis, with five of these six patients having drug-induced LA. Thus, unlike previous studies, drug-induced LA were associated with thrombosis.
Ranked solutions to a class of combinatorial optimizations—with applications in mass spectrometry based peptide sequencing and a variant of directed paths in random media

Abstract Typical combinatorial optimizations are NP-hard; however, for a particular class of cost functions the corresponding combinatorial optimizations can be solved in polynomial time using the transfer matrix technique or, equivalently, the dynamic programming approach. This suggests a way to efficiently find approximate solutions—find a transformation that makes the cost function as similar as possible to that of the solvable class. After keeping many high-ranking solutions using the approximate cost function, one may then re-assess these solutions with the full cost function to find the best approximate solution. Under this approach, it is important to be able to assess the quality of the solutions obtained, e.g., by finding the true ranking of the k th best approximate solution when all possible solutions are considered exhaustively. To tackle this statistical issue, we provide a systematic method starting with a scaling function generated from the finite number of high-ranking solutions followed by a convergent iterative mapping. This method, useful in a variant of the directed paths in random media problem proposed here, can also provide a statistical significance assessment for one of the most important proteomic tasks—peptide sequencing using tandem mass spectrometry data. For directed paths in random media, the scaling function depends on the particular realization of randomness; in the mass spectrometry case, the scaling function is spectrum-specific.
The Ecology of the Salt-Marsh Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) in a Diked Salt Marsh

The salt-marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) was a fugitive species in this diked marsh. These mice were able to use more open and saltier pickleweed (Salicornia virginica) when numbers of meadow mice (Microtus californicus) were high and they moved into deeper and less salty pickleweed as the population of meadow mice declined. In this first extensive study of a diked marsh, salt-marsh harvest mice were shown to swim and run across larger open areas than they had been thought to cross previously. The salt-marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) endemic to the marshes of San Francisco Bay (Fisler, 1965), has become endangered primarily because of destruction and modification of its habitat. Approximately 80% of the historic tidal marshes have been destroyed and most of those that remain support few to no mice because of backfilling, subsidence, or vegetation changes (Shellhammer, 1982). Approximately 30% of the historic tidal marshes of San Francisco Bay remain as diked marshes. Eighty percent of the diked marshes are located in Suisun Bay, the northeasterly component of the San Francisco Bay system. The habitat is primarily managed for waterfowl use; mouse populations are small and separated by large areas of inappropriate habitat. Approximately 13 km2 of diked marshes remain in the South San Francisco Bay and constitute potential refuges for the more endangered of the two harvest mouse subspecies, R. r. raviventris, within a ring of large cities and extensive bayland development. Little, however, is known of the biology of the mouse in diked marshes subject to great changes in moisture and salinity throughout the year. Some are flooded periodically by rain waters or by bay water after breaks in outboard levees. Most surface water evaporates each summer. This study was conducted to ascertain mouse numbers, distribution, and interactions with other species during the summer when moisture is low and salinities are high; the microhabitat requirements of these mice in diked marshes; and how barriers such as sloughs and open areas affect movements of the mice.
Functional and Numerical Responses of Kit Foxes to a Short-Term Decline in Mammalian Prey

Diet and abundance of San Joaquin kit foxes ( Vulpes macrotis mutica ) were monitored over 45 months (1989–1992) at a semi-arid site in southcentral California. From 1990 to early 1991, the mammalian prey of these endangered foxes declined markedly to densities 2–5 × lower than at peak. During late 1991 and 1992, however, the populations of at least three species of mammalian prey irrupted. Regardless of these fluctuations, foxes maintained consistent preferences among small mammals, and did not shift their diets to other prey when mammalian prey was scarce. Although we did not detect a clear functional response, foxes did respond numerically because their abundance decreased after the decline in mammalian prey. This decline in abundance was due to proportionately fewer females successfully rearing young and high coyote-induced mortality, rather than foxes abandoning their territories. Because kit foxes continue to prey on their staple species during times of prey scarcity, declines in rates of consumption could exert a strong influence on the population dynamics of this endangered fox. We suggest that population dynamics of kit foxes may be similar to those of obligate predators due to their apparent unwillingness or inability to switch to abundant, alternate prey during declines in density of their preferred prey.