cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hospital-acquired complications alter quality of life in adult burn survivors: Report from a burn model system.

Abstract Introduction Successful burn care should facilitate comprehensive, functional recovery after an injury. But we have a poor understanding of which risk factors influence long-term outcomes after burn injury. Studies have correlated hospital-acquired complications (HACs) with poor long-term outcomes in some populations. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HACs alter patient-reported quality of life in adult burn survivors. Methods We followed 496 adults with major burn injury longitudinally as part of a burn outcomes study (1993–2014). Study participants completed SF-12® Health Surveys providing mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summary scores at discharge, 12- and 24-months following injury. We reviewed inpatient medical records for complications during the acute care of a thermal injury. Complications were identified using discharge summary and chart ICD-9 codes. We used descriptive statistics to compare demographic and injury characteristics. Stepwise linear regression analyses determined the impact of significant variables on longitudinal MCS and PCS scores. Burn and graft total body surface area, age, and gender were included as predictor variables in univariate models and added to multivariate models when they were significant. Results Patients who suffered urinary tract infection, venousthromboembolism, pulmonary complications and renal failure during hospitalization for their burn injury reported decreased quality of life as indicated by lower SF-12® PCS scores at 12 and 24 months after injury. Conclusions We demonstrate that inpatient complications negatively impact long-term quality of life, especially physical functioning for patients with burn injuries. Our data confirm the need to consider the influence of hospital-acquired complications on patient-reported long-term outcomes and to support national efforts to reduce complications in burn patients.
Modeling Disorders of Movement

Human movement disorders can be modeled in flies, worms, zebrafish, mice, rats, nonhuman primates, and a variety of other vertebrate and invertebrate systems. However, human movement disorders are best studied in humans. Moreover, bioinformatics and computational tools can obviate the use of animal model systems. In general, model systems will rarely emulate all of the clinical, systems, molecular, and cellular features of the corresponding human disease. On the other hand, animal models can be used to address critical questions regarding the network and cellular pathobiology of human movement disorders that cannot be tackled by alternative means. In addition, unbiased study of model systems can beget novel insights into sensorimotor networks and cell biology with impact beyond the domain of movement disorders.
A review of radiation shielding needs and concepts for space voyages beyond Earth's magnetic influence

Abstract Long duration deep space missions including human-on-board missions are planned in the near future and the spacecrafts for these missions require proper radiation shielding architectures including size and material selection. Understanding the space radiation environment is the first step in being able to design shielding to protect humans and electronics. This paper presents a comprehensive review of radiation shielding needs and the proposed concepts to reduce the effects of radiation, in particular the Galactic Cosmic Rays. The space radiation environment, the radiation interactions with the shielding material, and the proposed shielding designs are critically reviewed.
Imagining the Biometric Future: Debates Over National Biometric Identification in Israel

From 2008 to 2017, the Israeli Ministry of Interior's attempts to create a national biometric identification system comprised of a digital database and ‘smart' national ID cards containing the inde...
Dual-Modality Instruction and Learning: A Case Study in CS1

In college-level introductory computer science courses, students traditionally learn to program using text-based languages which are common in industry and research. This approach means that learners must concurrently master both syntax and semantics. Blocks-based programming environments have become commonplace in introductory computing courses in K-12 schools and some colleges in part to simplify syntax challenges. However, there is evidence that students may face difficulty moving to text-based programming environments when starting with blocks-based environments. Bi-directional dual-modality programming environments provide multiple representations of programming language constructs (in both blocks and text) and allow students to transition between them freely. Prior work has shown that some students who use dual-modality environments to transition from blocks to text have more positive views of text programming compared to students who move directly from blocks to text languages, but it is not yet known if there is any impact on learning. To investigate the impact on learning, we conducted a study at a large public university across two semesters in a CS1 course (N=673). We found that students performed better on typical course exams when they were taught using dual-modality representations in lecture and were provided dual-modality tools. The results of our work support the conclusion that dual-modality instruction can help students learn computational concepts in early college computer science coursework.
Case 1: An 11-year-old Girl Presenting with Fine Motor Difficulties

1. Ramit Singla, MD*,† 2. Rajkumar Agarwal, MD*,† 1. *Division of Neurology, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 2. †Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI On “Match Day” this month, senior medical students in the United States will find out where they are going for residency training; they will prepare to move on. Meanwhile, as demonstrated by this month’s Index of Suspicion case reports, several different conditions can alter the muscles of our patients. Learning together, we can help our patients move forward successfully. Philip R. Fischer, MD Associate Editor, Index of Suspicion An 11-year-old girl presents to our clinic with main concerns for abnormalities in fine motor skills. She reports difficulty buttoning and unbuttoning her shirt, using door knobs, and operating the numeric combination lock. In addition, her mother reports that she is always clumsy and unable to maintain balance. The symptoms are present for a few years and seem to be slowly progressive. She also reports occasional early morning headaches for the past 2 months described as throbbing bifrontal pain, with photophobia and phonophobia, lasting less than 1 minute. Headaches occur once every 1 to 2 weeks and do not limit her daily activities. Findings from her family history, birth history, and medical history are normal. On physical examination her …
A spaceborne SAR-based procedure to support the detection of landslides

Abstract. The increasing availability of free-access satellite data represents a relevant opportunity for the analysis and assessment of natural hazards. The systematic acquisition of spaceborne imagery allows for monitoring areas prone to geohydrological disasters, providing relevant information for risk evaluation and management. In cases of major landslide events, for example, spaceborne radar data can provide an effective solution for the detection of slope failures, even in cases with persistent cloud cover. The information about the extension and location of the landslide-affected areas may support decision-making processes during emergency responses. In this paper, we present an automatic procedure based on Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, aimed at facilitating the detection of landslides over wide areas. Specifically, the procedure evaluates changes of radar backscattered signals associated with land cover modifications that may be also caused by mass movements. After a one-time calibration of some parameters, the processing chain is able to automatically execute the download and preprocessing of images, the detection of SAR amplitude changes, and the identification of areas potentially affected by landslides, which are then displayed in a georeferenced map. This map should help decision makers and emergency managers to organize field investigations. The process of automatization is implemented with specific scripts running on a GNU/Linux operating system and exploiting modules of open-source software. We tested the processing chain, in back analysis, on an area of about 3000 km 2 in central Papua New Guinea that was struck by a severe seismic sequence in February–March 2018. In the area, we simulated a periodic survey of about 7 months, from 12 November 2017 to 6 June 2018, downloading 36 Sentinel-1 images and performing 17 change detection analyses automatically. The procedure resulted in statistical and graphical evidence of widespread land cover changes that occurred just after the most severe seismic events. Most of the detected changes can be interpreted as mass movements triggered by the seismic shaking.
What Now? Health Challenges for 2021

In the article, the author discusses the challenges facing U S health professionals in 2021, particularly how to control and limit the cases of COVID-19 infections and deaths Other challenges include coronavirus vaccine distribution, convincing Americans to get vaccinated, and dealing with mental health issues due to COVID-19-related anxiety, depression, and grief Also cited is how political leaders like President Donald Trump eroded trust in scientific evidence
The roles of childhood circumstances and schooling on adult reading skills in low- and middle-income countries

The article investigates the roles of childhood circumstances (including parental socio-economic status, parental education, parental engagement, and sibling composition) and schooling on adult reading skills in low- and middle-income countries. Using regression models and data from surveys of urban labor-force participants in Armenia, Bolivia, Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, Kenya, Ukraine, and Vietnam, the study reaches several conclusions. First, childhood circumstances predict adult reading skills in all eight countries. Second, among the childhood circumstances variables, parental education is the most frequent predictor of adult reading skills. Third, schooling is at least as important as the childhood circumstances variables in explaining adult reading skills. Finally, an extra year of schooling is associated with larger gains in adult reading skills in the relatively lower income countries.
Connecting Families across Time Zones

Nowadays it has become increasingly common for family members to be distributed in different time zones. These time differences pose specific challenges for communication within the family and result in different communication practices to cope with them. This chapter discusses these challenges and practices based on a series of interviews with people who regularly communicate with immediate family members living in other time zones. We found that families rely on synchronous communication despite the time difference, implicitly coordinate their communication through soft routines, and show their sensitivity to time in various forms. These findings allow us to reflect on the meanings of time difference in connecting families, and design opportunities for improving the experience of such cross time zone family communication.
Malnutrition in the acutely ill patient: is it more than just protein and energy?

Malnutrition has traditionally been thought to involve deficiencies in protein and energy (macronutrients); however, we know that specific key nutrients, when deficient. can also lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Large studies performed with replacement of single nutrients, such as zinc, in malnourished populations in Africa and other developing countries has led to reductions in respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases. In this regard, It is being increasingly that acutely ill hospitalized patients may not only be malnourished from a macronutrient standpoint, but that such patients may also be deficient in a number of key functional pharmaconutrients. This new knowledge creates a new era in nutritional support, where nutritional therapy is presenting the surgical and critical care community with a “unique opportunity” to improve patient outcomes with a safe, relatively inexpensive and effective intervention. Our vision for the future of nutritional pharmacology in surgery and critical care is one where there will be initiation of early (< 24-48 hours post-surgery or ICU admission) nutrient delivery, preferentially via the enteral route. This should be supplemented by parenteral nutrition in “at risk” patients, when adequate energy cannot be provided enterally. Pharmaconutrients to target therapy to specific disease states in such should be administered as separate components, in a manner similar to that of administering an antibiotic or drug.
Multidimensional aspects of ultra high speed optical networking

Multidimensional approach in optical channel construction and parallelization in signal processing are the key factors in enabling high spectral efficiency of optical transmission links and the overall throughput increase in optical networks. Multidimensionality is mainly related to employment of advanced modulation and multiplexing schemes operating in combination with the advanced coding and detection techniques. In this paper we discuss the key multidimensional principles that can be used not only of the information capacity increase, but also as enablers of the elastic and dynamic networking.
State-conditioned rank-ordered filtering for removing impulse noise in images

A new framework for removing impulse noise from images is presented in which the nature of the filtering operation is conditioned on a state variable. As part of this state-based framework, several sliding-window algorithms are examined, each of which is applicable to fixed and random-valued impulse noise models. First, a simple two-state approach is described in which the current state is computed according to the output of a simple classifier that operates on the differences between the input pixel and the remaining rank-ordered pixels in the current window. Based on the value of the state variable, the algorithm switches between the output of an identity filter and an order-statistic (OS) filter. For a small additional cost in memory, this simple strategy is easily generalized into a multi-state approach using weighted combinations of the identity and OS filters in which the weighting coefficients can be optimized using image training data. Extensive simulations indicate that these methods perform significantly better in terms of noise suppression and detail preservation than a number of existing nonlinear techniques with as much as thirty percent impulse noise. Finally, the method is shown to be extremely robust with respect to the training data and the percentage of impulse noise.
A Variable-Order Adaptive Controller for a Flexible System

This paper presents an example in which a flexible mechanical system is controlled by a variable-order adaptive controller. This controller works much better than fixed-order adaptive controllers that have been applied to the system. In the variable-order algorithm the effective plant order is determined adaptively with a lattice filter, which is recursive in order as well as in time.
Cognitive significance, attitude ascriptions, and ways of believing propositions

Naive Russellianism entails that substitution of co-referring names in a sentence preserves the proposition expressed. Many philosophers have objected to Naive Russellianism for reasons having to do with cognitive significance and attitude ascriptions. This paper presents Naive Russellian replies to these objections; the replies appeal to different ways of believing a single proposition. This paper also criticizes Naive Russellian replies that either appeal to pragmatics or deny the existence of ways of believing.
Contraindications to Immunizations

1. Genevieve N. Parsons, MD 1. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine General Recommendations on Immunization . Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Atkinson WL, et al. MMWR CDC Surveill Summ. 2002;51(RR-2) :1– 35[OpenUrl][1] Recommendations for the Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections, Including the Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (Prevnar), Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine, and Antibiotic Prophylaxis . Committee on Infectious Diseases, AAP. Pediatrics. 2000;106 :362– 366[OpenUrl][2][Abstract/FREE Full Text][3] Immunization in Special Clinical Circumstances . In: Pickering LK, ed. 2000 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 26th ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2003:66– 98 Vaccine contraindications and precautions determine when to withhold immunizations. A vaccine should be withheld when a contraindication exists because the risk of a severe adverse event is high. A history of a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine or its component is a contraindication to the administration of any vaccine. Precautions are associated with a less-pronounced increase in risk of serious reactions or may be associated with decreased immunogenicity. … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DMMWR%2BCDC%2BSurveill%2BSumm%26rft.volume%253D51%2528RR-2%2529%26rft.spage%253D1%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPediatrics%26rft.stitle%253DPediatrics%26rft.issn%253D0031-4005%26rft.aulast%253DCommittee%2Bon%2BInfectious%2BDiseases%26rft.auinit1%253D%2B%26rft.volume%253D106%26rft.issue%253D2%26rft.spage%253D362%26rft.epage%253D366%26rft.atitle%253DPolicy%2BStatement%253A%2BRecommendations%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BPrevention%2Bof%2BPneumococcal%2BInfections%252C%2BIncluding%2Bthe%2BUse%2Bof%2BPneumococcal%2BConjugate%2BVaccine%2B%2528Prevnar%2529%252C%2BPneumococcal%2BPolysaccharide%2BVaccine%252C%2Band%2BAntibiotic%2BProphylaxis%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1542%252Fpeds.106.2.362%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F10920169%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [3]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=pediatrics&resid=106/2/362&atom=%2Fpedsinreview%2F25%2F11%2F404.atom
The effect of axillary compression on venous pressure in pregnancy

Abstract 1.1. The breast can cause venous hypertension, especially in obese and large-breasted women. 2.2. This venous hypertension is due to axillary compression by the breast and surrounding tissues. 3.3. An axillary compression syndrome is suggested as an explanation of upper extremity paresthesia in some pregnant patients. 4.4. The reported venous hypertension in obese individuals may be wholly or partially explained by axillary compression. 5.5. Recognition of axillary compression by the breast is important in the evaluation of the cardiac patient.
Tight glucose control in critically ill children – a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background It is unclear if tight glucose control (TGC) with intensive insulin therapy (IIT) can improve outcomes in critically ill children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to describe the benefits and risks of TGC with IIT in critically ill children and explore differences between published studies. Methods Prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TGC with IIT in critically ill children admitted to the ICU were identified through a search of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews as well as detailed citation review of relevant primary and review articles. RCTs of TGC with IIT in critically ill adults and preterm neonates were excluded. Data on study design and setting, sample size, incidence of hypoglycemia, incidence of acquired infection, and 30-day mortality were abstracted. Meta-analytic techniques were used for analysis of outcomes including 30-day mortality, acquired infection, and incidence of hypoglycemia. Results We identified four RCTs of TGC with IIT in critically ill children that included 3288 subjects. Overall, TGC with IIT did not result in a decrease in 30-day mortality [odds ratio (OR): 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55–1.15, p = 0.22]. TGC with IIT was associated with decrease in acquired infection (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59–0.99, p = 0.04). TGC with IIT was also associated with significant increase in hypoglycemia (OR: 6.14; 95% CI: 2.74–13.78, p < 0.001). Conclusions TGC with IIT does not result in decrease in 30-day mortality, but appears to reduce acquired infection in critically ill children. However, TGC with IIT is associated with higher incidence of hypoglycemia. Large multi-center studies of TGC with IIT using continuous glucose monitoring in critically ill children are needed to determine if this strategy can definitively improve clinical outcomes in this population without increasing hypoglycemia.
Love and Intimacy

The scientific study of love and intimacy as it exists in adult contexts is described. Drawing from diverse methodological and theoretical perspectives, we discuss the thrill and intense longing of passionate love, the enduring affection and calm associated with companionate love, and the sharing and understanding that gives rise to intimacy. Variations and similarities in love across cultures and gender are reviewed, as are implications for mental health and well-being.
Added Value From 576 Years of Tree-ring Records in the Prediction of the Great Salt Lake Level

Summary Predicting lake level fluctuations of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) in Utah – the largest terminal salt-water lake in the Western Hemisphere – is critical from many perspectives. The GSL integrates both climate and hydrological variations within the region and is particularly sensitive to low-frequency climate cycles. Since most hydroclimate variable records cover less than a century, forecasting the predominant yet under-represented decadal variability of the GSL level with such relatively short instrumental records poses a challenge. To overcome data limitations, this study assesses two options: (1) developing a model using the observational GSL elevation record of 137 years to predict itself; (2) incorporating the recently reconstructed GSL elevation that utilized 576 years worth of tree-ring records into the predictive model. It was found that the statistical models that combined the tree-ring reconstructed data with the observed data outperformed those that did not, in terms of reducing the root mean squared errors. Such predictive models can serve as a means toward practical water risk management.
Total body irradiation and acute graft-versus-host disease: The role of gastrointestinal damage and inflammatory cytokines

The influence of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) conditioning regimens on the incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has been suggested in clinical BMT. Using murine BMT models, we show here an increase in GVHD severity in several donor-recipient strain combinations after intensification of the conditioning regimen by increasing the total body irradiation (TBI) dose from 900 cGy to 1,300 cGy. Increased GVHD was mediated by systemic increases in tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Histologic analysis of gastrointestinal tracts showed synergistic damage by increased TBI and allogeneic donor cells that permitted increased translocation of lipopolysacharide (LPS) into the systemic circulation. In vitro, LPS triggered excess TNFα from macrophages primed by the GVH reaction. In addition, macrophages isolated within 4 hours of conditioning were primed in proportion to the TBI dose itself to secrete TNFα. Thus, the higher TBI dose increased macrophage priming and increased gut damage after allogeneic BMT, causing higher systemic levels of inflammatory cytokines and subsequent severe GVHD. These data highlight the importance of conditioning in GVHD pathophysiology and suggest that interventions to prevent LPS stimulation of primed macrophages may limit the severity of GVHD after intensive conditioning for allogeneic BMT.
Watson and me: a life at IBM

An edited and slightly augmented edition of an article written in 1944 by Walter Dickson Jones. Jones describes his career from 1912 until his retirement more than 40 years later. He began in Cleveland, Ohio, as a salesman for the Tabulating Machine Company. This merged with other companies to form the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR), which 10 years later changed its name to IBM. Jones was the European general manager from 1930 to early 1934 when IBM Europe was headquartered in Paris. He ended his career as chairman of the board of IBM Canada.
The role of coding in CDMA systems with multiuser detection

In a direct sequence code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a fixed bandwidth expansion could be allocated to either error correcting coding or modulation signal spreading. The role of coding in CDMA systems that employ multiuser detection is explored here. A comparison is made between the maximum throughputs (in bits/chip or bits/s/Hz) achievable using multiuser detection and single-user detection, for both "single-cell" and cellular systems. For the single-cell scenario, our results indicate that asynchronous multiuser detection systems employing long (random) spreading sequences and low rate coding, can provide considerable improvements in spectral efficiency over single-user detection systems. However, for cellular systems with universal frequency reuse, the improvement is spectral efficiency (per cell) offered by multiuser detection may not be as significant.
Non-Destructive Characterization Of Carrier Concentration And Thickness Uniformity For Semiconductors Using Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Non -destructive characterization of carrier concentration and thicknessuniformity for semiconductors using infrared reflectance spectroscopyD. K. Gaskill, J. Davis, R.S.Sillmon, and M. Sydor*Naval Research LaboratoryWashington, DC 20375-5000AbstractInfrared reflectance spectroscopy, in the range of 4000 to 250 cm -1, has been used tonon -destructively characterize the carrier concentration and thickness of n -type epitaxialGaN and AlxGa1_xAs and S -doped bulk InP. Measurements of carrier concentration andthickness uncertain to 2 -4% and 2 % are typical and relative differences of 2 and 1%respectively can be observed from different areas of the sample. This reflectance tool issensitive to carrier concentrations above about 1 x 1017cm -3 for the semiconducctorsstudied here and is estimated to be sensitive to concentrations in the low 1010cm -3 rangefor the heavier III -V's, e.g., GaSb and InSb. A by- product of these measurements has beenthe improvement of an organometallic vapor phase epitaxy system with minimal interruptionto the growth program because of the quick turn -around time of this technique.IntroductionCalibration and spot checking of semiconducting epitaxial growth systems are a neces-sity for the crystal grower. Some of the film properties that need to be examined are:composition, thickness, carrier concentration, interface quality, and the topographicalvariation of these properties in a sample. It is desirable to employ non -destructivecharacterization techniques, with fast turn- around time, in order to efficiently use thecrystal growers effort. The well established technique of infrared reflectancespectroscopy can meet these needs to varying extents, as recently demonstrated for GaAs byHolm et. all, SiC by Holm et. alt, and HgCdTe by Perkowitz.3This paper presents infrared reflection measurements of carrier concentration andthickness on epitaxial films of AlxGa1_xAs and GaN and on S -doped bulk InP. These simplemeasurements were taken in the 250 to 4000 cm -1 region at room temperature and weretypically performed in times less than an hour. The interpretation of the spectra wasstraight forward and variations in carrier concentration and thickness across the samplewere obvious at a glance. Relative differences in these quantities of about 2 and 1 %respectively can be measured.An introduction to the therory of infrared reflectance spectroscopy is presentedfollowed by the effects thin films have on the reflectance. Experimental equipment,procedures and sample composition is discussed followed by some illustrative examples ofthe theory. Predictions of the minimum doping level detectable by reflection spectroscopyfor other III -V semiconductors are included.TheoryThe Drude framework is the simplest model for understanding the infrared reflectancefor many semiconductors:4,5
Cancer Targets in the Ras Pathway

Ras proteins play a direct causal role in human cancer and in other diseases. Mutant H-Ras, N-Ras, and K-Ras occur in varying frequencies in different tumor types, for reasons that are not known. Other members of the Ras superfamily may also contribute to cancer. Mutations also occur in downstream pathways, notably B-Raf, PTEN, and PI 3' kinase: These pathways interact at multiple points, including cyclin D1, and act synergistically. In some cases mutations in Ras and effectors are mutually exclusive; in other cases, they coexist. Drugs blocking elements of the pathway are in different stages of clinical development. One of these, the Raf kinase/VEGF-R2 inhibitor Sorafenib, has already been approved for treatment of renal cancer and is being tested in other indications. However, therapeutic targets in the Ras pathway have not yet been fully validated as bona fide targets.
Understanding creative cultural divergence: a Bakhtinian reflection from a culture-crossing scholar

I respond to Baron and Chen’s article on creative cultural divergence, which they describe as the novel pedagogy of diverging from culturally generated educational expectations. Their article provides an analysis on how an experienced Taiwanese teacher drew on different forms of creative cultural divergence to facilitate students’ critical thinking and science inquiry. To better understand the phenomenon of creative cultural divergence, I draw on Bakhtin’s concepts of outsideness, novelization, and internally persuasive discourse to analyze how these divergences are produced. These concepts not only help us to understand the phenomenon of creative cultural divergence, they also help me to reflect on my own culture-crossing experience. The implications of these concepts for culture and education are further discussed.
Neuronal biosensors: A progress report

A review of the progress of research in the development of intact chemoreceptor-based biosensors is presented. These sensors utilize the chemosensing ability of the antennules of various decapod crustacea to sensitively and selectively detect chemical stimulants. Suction microelectrodes attached to the antennular nerve fibers are used to detect action potential firing upon binding of the stimulant to the receptor, allowing quantitation of the analyte. Recent developments in the use of different species and in improvements in experimental setup, data handling procedures, and sensor lifetimes are reported.
The role of open rhinoplasty in the management of nasal dermoid cysts

The nasal dermal sinus cyst is one of many midline nasal masses that often pose diagnostic and treatment dilemmas for the plastic and reconstructive surgeon. The differential diagnosis of the midline nasal mass includes both congenital and acquired processes. A thorough understanding of its cause is crucial to treatment. A comprehensive discussion of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, sequelae, and surgical management, and a representative case analysis, of the nasal dermal sinus cyst is presented to delineate the role of open rhinoplasty in optimizing the care of this congenital nasal deformity.
Correlation of Cytomorphology and i=Immunohistochemical Staining Patterns of Serous Cavity Effusion Metastases with Breast Tumor Grade: A County Hospital Experience

Introduction: Massachusetts was an early adopter of the Accountable Care Organization payment model. In response, Healthcare systems have been under pressure to reduce costs and evaluate resource allocation to optimize patient care. In the Cytopathology laboratory, we hypothesized that changing from reflex cellblock (RCB) preparation for fluids (FL) to a selective CB (SCB) preparation method would reduce cost without compromising care. Materials and Methods: Two FL cohorts were analyzed and compared for utility and cost of specimen preparation for diagnosis. The RCB group was composed of all FL cases from 2009 when CBs were prepared for all FL specimens to supplement the SurePath slide. The SCB group was from 2011, when the workflow was modified to prepare CB only on those cases where cytological evaluation of the SurePath slide indicated a need for ancillary testing. Cost for cellblock preparation was estimated to be $20 for technical charges for preparing a CB. Results: The RCB groups consisted of 951 CB from 951 FL (100%). A negative interpretationwasmade on both SurePath andCB in 73%of cases, and a malignant diagnosis without ancillary testing was made on both in 13% of cases. Ancillary testing, contributing to final diagnosis was performed on 16% of the CB. The SCB consisted of 261 CB from 1386 FL (19%); a reduction of CBpreparations of 81%.Anegative interpretationwasmade on both SurePath and CB in 30% of cases. A malignant diagnosis that did not need ancillary testing was made on both in 30% of cases. Ancillary testing, contributing to the final diagnosis was performed on 41% of the SCB cases. An estimation of savings from the modified workflow was $22,500 not including pathologist charge and ancillary testing. Conclusions: Selectively processing CB from FL reduces laboratory costs without compromising patient care.
Mobile robot group coordination using a model of interaction dynamics

We show how various levels of coordinated behavior may be achieved in a group of mobile robots by using a model of the interaction dynamics between a robot and the environment. We present augmented Markov models (AMMs) as a tool for capturing such interaction dynamics on-line an in real-time, with little computational and storage overhead. We briefly describe the structure of AMMs, then demonstrate the application of the model for resolving group coordination issues arising from three sources: individual performance, group affiliation, and group performance. Corresponding respectively to these are the three experimental examples we present - fault detection, group membership based on ability and experience, and dynamic leader selection.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Protein Kinase C-ζ Phosphorylates Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 and Impairs Its Ability to Activate Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase in Response to Insulin

Protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) is a serine/threonine kinase downstream from phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in insulin signaling pathways. However, specific substrates for PKC-zeta that participate in the biological actions of insulin have not been reported. In the present study, we identified insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) as a novel substrate for PKC-zeta. Under in vitro conditions, wild-type PKC-zeta (but not kinase-deficient mutant PKC-zeta) significantly phosphorylated IRS-1. This phosphorylation was reversed by treatment with the serine-specific phosphatase, protein phosphatase 2A. In addition, the overexpression of PKC-zeta in NIH-3T3(IR) cells caused significant phosphorylation of cotransfected IRS-1 as demonstrated by [(32)P]orthophosphate labeling experiments. In rat adipose cells, endogenous IRS-1 coimmunoprecipitated with endogenous PKC-zeta, and this association was increased 2-fold upon insulin stimulation. Furthermore, the overexpression of PKC-zeta in NIH-3T3(IR) cells significantly impaired insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of cotransfected IRS-1. Importantly, this was accompanied by impaired IRS-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. Taken together, our results raise the possibility that IRS-1 is a novel physiological substrate for PKC-zeta. Because PKC-zeta is located downstream from IRS-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in established insulin signaling pathways, PKC-zeta may participate in negative feedback pathways to IRS-1 similar to those described previously for Akt and GSK-3.
The limited impact of involved surface area and surgical debridement on survival in Fournier's gangrene

Objective To evaluate the influence of involved surface area (extent of disease) and the number and timing of surgical debridements on survival in patients with Fournier's gangrene. Patients and methods The medical records of 30 patients with Fournier's gangrene treated over a 15-year period were reviewed. The extent of disease was quantified and expressed as a percentage of the body surface area by applying a modified diagram used to assess burn injuries. The number of surgical debridements and their timing with respect to initial presentation and to each other were also analysed. Patients were stratified by outcome (survival or death) and the data evaluated by Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test and regression analysis. Results Of 30 patients treated 13 died (43%) and 17 survived (57%). The mean surface area involved by disease among survivors was 4.3% (range 1–16.5%) and 7.2% (range 5–20.5%) for non-survivors (P = 0.10). Whilst no direct correlation between death rate and extent of disease existed, patients with <5% surface area involvement were more likely to survive (P = 0.014). Every patient underwent surgical debridement of the involved area (mean 1.72 procedures per patient). Survivors underwent from one to four debridements (mean 1.79) and non-survivors one to three debridements (mean 1.63); the mean number of debridements did not influence outcome (P = 0.68). The performance of more than one debridement did not affect survival (P= 1.00). The initial debridement was performed within 24 h of presentation in 10 of 13 patients who died and 11 of 17 survivors and had no effect on outcome (P = 0.69). A second debridement was performed after a mean of 6.8 days (range 1–12) among the six survivors and 5.4 days (range 2–16) among the five non-survivors; this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.65). Four survivors required a third debridement, one required a fourth and one patient who succumbed underwent a third debridement. Conclusion The mortality rate from Fournier's gangrene continues to be substantial (43% in our series). Although no linear correlation existed, the quantified extent of disease may affect outcome as patients with > 5% of body surface area involved were more likely to succumb to the disease. Finally, the number of surgical debridements, even if first performed within 24 h of presentation, had no impact on outcome in patients with Fournier's gangrene.
A high-impedance surface using annular-slot-loaded ground plane

This paper presents a simple realization of a high impedance surface that can be used for low profile antennas with circular current distributions. The surface consists of an annular slot backed by a thin grounded substrate. The annular-slot-loaded ground plane reflects incident radiation with a phase centered at 0-dgrees at a resonance frequency that is a function of the slot and substrate parameters. This enhances the radiation in the broadside direction. Simulation and measurement results of a loop antenna validate the design concept and are compared with a mushroom-type EBG ground plane. A parametric analysis is also conducted with a spiral antenna placed above the annular-slot-loaded ground plane.
Use of Foscarnet Therapy for EBV Infection following Control of PTLD with Enhancement of Cellular Immunity in a Lung-Transplant Recipient

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious complication following solid organ transplantation with an annual incidence rate of 3–5% in lung-transplant recipients. Pathogenesis indicates a strong association with functional over-immunosuppression and EBV infection. Clinical improvement is generally observed with reduction in immunosuppression intensity alone. We present a case of a 24-year-old woman with EBV-associated PTLD following lung transplant where decreasing the immunosuppression improved PTLD but was ineffective against controlling the EBV infection. Foscarnet in combination with immunoglobulins was successfully administered to cause a remission of the EBV infection. This is the second case reported of a persistent EBV infection after reducing immunosuppression levels and evidence of PTLD remission that required foscarnet for EBV infection control.
Total energy balance in salt marsh grasses.

Leaf temperature in Spartina alternifolia and S. patens varies little from the ambient air temperature. Spartina leaves lose from 70 to 460 molecules of water for every molecule of CO2 taken out of the air. This loss of water is consistent with the hypothesis that gases move between the air and the leaf by simple diffusion. There is evidence of a lowered water potential at the evaporating surface within the leaf. See full-text article at JSTOR
On Symmetry Detection

A straight line is an axis ofsymmetry of a planar figure if the figure is invariant to reflection with respect to that line. The purpose of this correspondence is to describe an O( n log n) time algorithm for enumerating all the axes of symmetry of a planar figure which is made up of (possibly intersecting) segments, circles, points, etc. The solution involves a reduction of the problem to a combinatorial question on words. Our algorithm is optimal since we can establish an Ω(n log n) time lower bound for this problem.
Voting methods, problems of majority rule, and demand-revealing procedures

Gordon Tullock made fundamental conceptual contributions to the understanding of collective choices. Tullock balanced an optimism about the capacity of political choices to facilitate gains from exchange with a pessimism about the negative externalities attending having majorities control power and dictate choices for all. Tullock’s work on both sides of this divide is surveyed, examining both the problems of voting procedures, and the promise of the demand-revealing process he helped invent, in guiding the choice of political institutions.
TURKISH RHYMES AND ANTIRHYMES IN PHONOLOGICAL THEORY

This paper is part of an ongoing effort to demonstrate the validity of the universal claim that systems of versification in natural languages do not have access to any proposed levels of phonological representation deeper or more abstract than the classical phonemic level. Here, we are specifically concerned with the nature of phonological representations at which rhyme is defined in Turkish poetry. We show that the rhyming of vowels which are phonemically distinct (but which alternate under conditions of vowel harmony) is not to be explained by allowing the rhyming rules to operate at an (underspecified) underlying level of representation but rather by assuming that these are imperfect rhymes defined at the phonemic level. This is shown by the low frequency of such rhymes and by the behavior of antirhymes (situations where distinctness rather than identity of line-final sound sequences is required).
Topological strings from Liouville gravity

Abstract We study constrained SU(2) WZW models, which realize a class of two-dimensional conformal field theories. We show that they give rise to topological gravity coupled to the topological minimal models when they are coupled to Liouville gravity.
Stereochemical requirements for fragmentation of homoallylic epoxy alcohols

Abstract The fragmentation of 5,6-epoxynorbornan-2-ol and 5,6-epoxynorbornan-2-one have been studied under both acidic and basic conditions. These processes show a clear preference for syn periplanar alignment of breaking bonds.
Influence of interganglionic interactions on steroid-mediated dendritic reorganization and death of proleg motor neurons during metamorphosis in Manduca sexta

In Manduca sexta, the larval abdominal prolegs and their muscles degenerate at pupation. The proleg motor neurons undergo a period of dendritic regression, after which a specific subset of them dies. The surviving motor neurons undergo dendritic outgrowth during pupal-adult development, and most die after adult emergence. All of these events are regulated hormonally by ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone, but interactions of the motor neurons with other cells may potentially contribute as well. To investigate the possible influence of interganglionic neural interactions, we chronically isolated individual abdominal ganglia by severing the adjacent rostral and caudal connectives in the larval stage. Subsequent metamorphic changes in proleg motor neurons were examined in the isolated ganglia and ganglia adjacent to the isolated ganglia. Two abnormalities were observed: (1) some imprecision in the timing of motor neuron death, both at pupation and after adult emergence, and (2) the growth of ectopic neurites outside the neuropil boundaries during pupal-adult development (in ganglia with or without neuromas caused by connective transections). Other aspects of proleg motor neuron metamorphosis, including the segment-specific death of motor neurons at pupation, were the same as that in intact and sham-operated insects. Thus, interganglionic interactions appear to play a relatively minor role in the steroid-mediated metamorphic transformation of proleg motor neurons. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A computational model for interfaces

Decompositions of the plane into disjoint components separated by curves occur frequently. We describe a package of subroutines which provides facilities for defining, building, and modifying such decompositions and for efficiently solving various point and area location problems. Beyond the point that the specification of this package may be useful to others, we reach the broader conclusion that well-designed data structures and support routines allow the use of more conceptual or non-numerical portions of mathematics in the computational process, thereby extending greatly the potential scope of the use of computers in scientific problem solving. Ideas from conceptual mathematics, symbolic computation, and computer science can be utilized within the framework of scientific computing and have an important role to play in that area.
Chemical properties of metallic glasses

Les proprietes chimiques des verres metalliques auxquelles on s'est le plus interessees sont leurs proprietes de resistance a la corrosion et de catalyse (y compris l'electrocatalyse). Comparaison des vitesses de corrosion des alliages amorphes Fe−Cr−13P−7C et des alliages cristallins Fe−Cr dans NaCl 1N a 30±1°C; influence des metalloides
Analysis of GaAs tunnel diode oscillators

GaAs tunnel diode oscillators are analyzed using a tenth-order power series approximation of the current-voltage characteristics of the diodes. The analysis yields significantly better agreement between measured and calculated power outputs than previous analyses which were based on a cubic approximation of the current-voltage characteristics.
The Organization of Volunteers in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. The “G. Gaslini” Model

The Organization of Volunteers in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. The “G. Gaslini” Model