cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Landfill Gas Utilization for Water, Electricity and Food Production in Texas

Methane emissions from US landfills equal 14% of US residential natural gas consumption, and represent a significant waste of energy. This work presents and analyzes three concepts for landfill gas (LFG) utilization, which impact the water, electricity and food sectors. The first novel concept uses LFG to power refrigeration cycles to enable atmospheric water harvesting (AWH). Freshwater produced by LFG-based AWH can be used for water intensive operations (drilling, hydraulic fracturing) in oilfields located near landfills. The second concept is about routing LFG to nearby natural gas-fired power plants, instead of using it for onsite electricity generation. This approach is attractive, since both landfills and power plants are concentrated around population centers. The third novel concept uses LFG as the feedstock and energy source for ammonia production, which is the starting point for fertilizers. A framework and methodology for quantifying the benefits of these concepts is established. Emissions from landfills in Texas are analyzed to map the current LFG management, and quantify the benefits of the proposed concepts. Firstly, LFG-based AWH can meet 14% of the water requirement of the Barnett Shale, which can be served by 20 landfills. Secondly, routing the LFG to gas-fired power plants will enable a 3% increase in statewide installed capacity. Importantly, five power plants can increase their capacity by more than 10%. Thirdly, LFG can be used to produce 3,200 tons of ammonia daily, which yields enough fertilizer to cultivate nine times the current area under corn cultivation. Overall, these concepts offer alternatives to LFG-based onsite electricity generation, which enables utilization of only 22% of the generated LFG. The proposed waste-to-value concepts can be extended to other regions and offer options to augment water, electricity and food production globally.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Abstract WMP36: Management of Hypertension in Primary Care Safety-net Clinics in the United States: A Comparison of Community Health Centers and Private Physician’s Offices

Introduction: Community health centers (CHCs) provide care to a disproportionate share of vulnerable populations who are at highest risk for uncontrolled hypertension. It is unknown how hypertensio...
Expression of the porcine transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus M protein.

Cloned cDNA encoding the M protein of the porcine transmissible gastroenteritis Coronavirus (TGEV) was introduced into a vaccinia virus to examine the function of the amino-terminal signal peptide. The M protein expressed by the recombinant virus was targeted to the Golgi region of infected cells, as is the M protein in cells infected with TGEV. The protein appeared not to undergo processing other than glycosylation. However, the vaccinia-expressed M protein was slightly larger than the protein found in TGEV-infected cells, suggesting that a difference in modification exists between the proteins.
Abstract 12761: The Association of Resting and Exercise Ventricular-Vascular Coupling With Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients With Stable Coronary Heart Disease and Preserved Systolic Function: The Heart and Soul Study

Introduction: The ventricular-vascular coupling ratio ( E A /E ES ) is defined as the ratio of arterial (E A ) to left ventricular elastance (E ES ) and is a key determinant of cardiac performance. Contractile reserve with exercise is inversely related to changes in the E A /E ES in healthy patients. However, the prognostic value of the E A /E ES at rest and its change with exercise has not been evaluated in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) and preserved systolic function. Methods: Among 647 patients with stable CHD and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%, we evaluated the association of baseline echocardiographically-determined E A , E ES , and E A /E ES , at rest and at peak exercise, with subsequent heart failure hospitalization (HF) during 7.5±2.8 years of follow-up. Results: Both E A (2.1±0.7 to 3.0±1.6 mmHg/mL, p E ES (4.0±1.63 to 7.0±4.5 mmHg/mL, p E A / E ES decreased from 0.67±0.40 at rest to 0.63±0.52 at peak exercise (p=0.001). Overall, 75 (12%) patients were hospitalized for HF. In multivariable adjusted models, participants with higher resting E ES (HR 0.75 per mmHg/mL increase, 95% CI 0.61 - 0.89, p = 0.004) were at lower risk for HF hospitalization while those with higher resting E A /E ES (HR 5.0 per unit increase, 95% CI 1.19 - 12.85, p E A /E ES was associated with a 25% increased risk of incident HF in the fully adjusted model (H.R. 1.25 per doubling, 95% C.I. 1.08-1.45, p E A nor its change with exercise predicted HF hospitalization. Conclusions: In patients with stable CHD and preserved systolic function, E A /E ES decreases with exercise while both its components, arterial and ventricular elastance, increase. A higher resting E A /E ES and its increase with exercise are independently associated with an increased risk of HF hospitalization.
Composite sequential bypass graft

The composite sequential bypass is one of a number of surgical options for the treatment of limb-threatening ischaemia of the lower extremity. While it is generally agreed that an all-autogenous venous distal bypass is superior to other techniques, vascular surgeons frequently face situations in which the saphenous vein is inadequate1–3. These situations occur after failed previous venous bypasses of the lower extremity, coronary artery bypass surgery and venous disease. In these cases the choice is between an all-prosthetic bypass or a composite graft. Several series report disappointing long-term patency with all-prosthetic bypasses to tibial vessels. In the Veterans Administration Cooperative Study the 2-year patency for femorotibioperoneal bypasses was 30%, and in the multicentre study by Veith et al. the 4-year patency for femorotibial polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafting was 12%4–6 Chronic anticoagulation may increase patency. However, no randomized study has yet been performed.
A Case Study in Agile-at-Scale Delivery

Many individuals and teams involved on projects are already using agile development techniques as part of their daily work. However, we have much less experience in how to scale and manage agile practices as part of a concerted effort of improvement across an integrated supply-chain for enterprise software delivery. In this paper we discuss the scalability of agile approaches through a detailed case study in agile adoption. In the context of this example we examine how “agility-at-scale” is applied, describe the key scaling factors and their impact on agility, and review some of the rollout and deployment issues that can limit the adoption of agile approaches in practice.
STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS OF NERVE GROWTH FACTOR AND INSULIN

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the structure–function relationships of nerve growth factor (NGF) and insulin. Mouse NGF, as it apparently is stored in the submaxillary gland, occurs as a polymeric species, designated 7S, with three distinct types of subunits. It is found that of these, only the 3 polypeptide chain possesses the characteristic biological properties of the factor. It is found that if the NGF activity is prepared from submaxillary gland homogenates prior to purification of the 7S complex, a derivative form denoted by 2.5S, is obtained. Like the three form, it contains two polypeptide chains associated by noncovalent forces. In most preparations, the two chains differ only in that an eight residue peptide has been removed from one chain giving rise to a shorter B chain. The evidence to support the structural similarity of NGF and insulin is seen in the disulfide bonding patterns. Three of the six half-cystinyl residues found in both proteins are conserved and two of these, corresponding to the 15–80 pair in NGF, are bonded in the same fashion in the two molecules. This disulfide bridge brings together in three-dimensional space two of the most highly conserved regions suggesting at least portions of the NGF and insulin proteins have similar conformations as well.
Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factors by the Human Placenta

The placenta is an extraembryonic structure that participates in the protection and maintenance of the developing conceptus. To function in this capacity, the placenta exhibits the characteristics of many adult mammalian tissue and organ level regulatory systems. It is, therefore, not surprising that the placenta has been shown to produce effector molecules either identical or similar to those expressed by adult neural, endocrine, and immunologic cells. Furthermore, receptor molecules capable of binding and allowing cells to respond to various effector molecules (including many of those produced by the placenta) have been demonstrated to be present in placental membranes. Thus, local hormonal networks may be postulated to exist within the placenta that can regulate its various functions and its own growth and development. One such autocrine/paracrine network that has been postulated for the human placenta is the insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and -II) system. As we have concentrated much of our research effort in recent years on examining the expression of the IGF-I and -II genes in the human placenta, this review will provide a brief recapitulation of that work presented in conjunction with the results of others working on this placental local hormonal system.
Phase II Trial of Irinotecan in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma

PURPOSETo evaluate the objective tumor response rate and toxicities of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma treated with irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11).PATIENTS AND METHODSA total of 121 patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma--90 with prior fluorouracil (5-FU) exposure and 31 chemotherapeutically naive patients--were enrolled between May 1993 and June 1994. Patients were treated with CPT-11 at 125 mg/m2 intravenously weekly for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week rest.RESULTSAmong 90 patients with prior 5-FU chemotherapy, 12 partial responses were observed (response rate, 13.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1% to 22.1%). Among 31 chemotherapy-naive patients, eight had partial responses (response rate, 25.8%; 95% CI, 11.9% to 44.6%). The median response duration as measured from time of initial treatment for the two groups was 7.7 months and 7.6 months, respectively. The major adverse reactions were gastrointestinal and hematologic. The incidence of grade 3 or 4 diarrhea was 36.4%, while the o...
Macrodantin® (Norwich-Eaton)

Macrodantin is effective in the treatment of urinary tract infections when due to susceptible strains of E. coli, enterococci, S. aureus and certain susceptible strains of Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Proteus species.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter: A Regional Survey of Current Hospice Practices Caring for Patients With Heart Failure Receiving Advanced Therapies

Background:No guidelines exist regarding care for patients with advanced heart failure (HF) receiving hospice care while continuing advanced HF therapies such as left ventricular assist devices (LV...
Timing of Family Adversity During Adolescence and its Impact on Alcohol and Tobacco Initiation: A Longitudinal Study Among Taiwanese Adolescents.

We examined the impact of time-varying exposure to family adversity, including parental conflict, parental absence from home, divorce, and parental death, on the timing of drinking and smoking initiation among Taiwanese youth between ages 14 and 22 years. We used six waves of data from a longitudinal panel study conducted in northern Taiwan between 2001 and 2009, and included 5446 students. The analysis demonstrated that exposure to parental conflict, divorce, and parental death increased the risk of drinking and smoking initiation. The odds ratios (OR) for smoking and drinking initiation among youth experiencing conflict between parents were 1.33 (95% CI 1.10–1.73) for smoking and 2.00 (1.26–3.20) for drinking. The OR for parental death were 2.96 (1.69–5.18) for smoking and 8.07 (1.79–36.49) for drinking. The association becomes more pronounced at age 18 (i.e., the legal age for drinking and smoking in Taiwan), and lasts until early adulthood.
Relationship of ionizing radiation-induced synthetic lethality of PARP inhibition in BRCA1-proficient cancer cells with p53.

e14115Background: PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are potentially effective therapeutic agents capable of inducing synthetic lethality in tumors with deficiencies in homologous recombination (HR)-mediated ...
Distributed neural systems for musical time processing

My talk will feature recent MEG and EEG studies for examining time processing, and, together with other findings, discuss how distributed neural systems for musical time work together in managing top-down and bottom-up prediction, ensemble coordination, and learning-induced neuroplasticity. It has been long known that passive listening of metronome-like isochronous stimuli involves auditory cortices for simple prediction of the stimulus interval and detection of changes. Recently, however, more studies are aimed at capturing natural neural dynamics that encode or predict time without such "perturbation" approach. We show that in addition to auditory cortices, various motor-related brain areas contribute to neural oscillatory power modulations in listening to isochronous stimulus, and that beta-band frequency of this modulation may explain benefits of auditory-sensorimotor training in clinical populations with movement impairments. Moreover, modulation patterns can encode stimulus intervals, metric hierarchies in perception and imagery, as well as anticipation of upcoming tempo change (e.g., accelerando and ritardando). Listening paradigm is also used to show neuroplastic changes in naive subjects after short-term piano training in the reward-related systems. Of further interest is frontal lobe's contribution to musical ensemble coordination sensitive to player's role asymmetry and agency (e.g., human vs. computer).My talk will feature recent MEG and EEG studies for examining time processing, and, together with other findings, discuss how distributed neural systems for musical time work together in managing top-down and bottom-up prediction, ensemble coordination, and learning-induced neuroplasticity. It has been long known that passive listening of metronome-like isochronous stimuli involves auditory cortices for simple prediction of the stimulus interval and detection of changes. Recently, however, more studies are aimed at capturing natural neural dynamics that encode or predict time without such "perturbation" approach. We show that in addition to auditory cortices, various motor-related brain areas contribute to neural oscillatory power modulations in listening to isochronous stimulus, and that beta-band frequency of this modulation may explain benefits of auditory-sensorimotor training in clinical populations with movement impairments. Moreover, modulation patterns can encode stimulus intervals, metric hierarc...
Innovations in cultural policy and development in Latin America

ABSTRACTThis essay looks at two major tendencies in cultural policy recommendations in Latin America: (1) the economic contribution of arts, heritage and especially the cultural and creative indust...
Plasma and wound fluid levels of eight proangiogenic proteins are elevated after colorectal resection

Plasma and wound fluid levels of eight proangiogenic proteins are elevated after colorectal resection
Expanded Byrne model for evaluating seismic compression

Seismic compression is the accrual of contractive volumetric strain in unsaturated or partially saturated sandy soils during earthquake shaking and has caused significant distress to overlying and ...
Ionic liquids synthesis and applications: An overview

Abstract Over the past two decades, ionic liquids (ILs) have had a wide range and cutting-edge impact, generating promising science and technologies and have also expanded exponentially in terms of their publications. They have been utilized for both academic and industrial applications. They are potential candidates for solving some of the major issues society is currently faced with by emerging as a clean, efficient, and eco-friendly alternative resource of volatile organic solvents along with many more significant benefits due to their unique thermal, physical, chemical and biological properties. Furthermore, these properties could be modified depending on their application by altering the combination of cations and anions. However, their synthesis and purification require standard synthesis methods to certify their consistent reproducibility. The yields from ILs at large scales for the industrial applications along with their synthesis, toxicity and environmentally friendly nature have become the main concerns. The aim of this review is to investigate the current literature that describes the cutting-edge-knowledge regarding the synthesis of various classes of homogeneous (task specific-ILs, chiral-ILs, switchable polarity solvent ILs, bio-ILs, poly-ILs, energetic-ILs and many more) and heterogeneous (supported-ILs) ILs. Fundamental aspects of ILs such as the green aspects, environmental impacts and purity of ILs are also discussed. The potential applications of ILs in electro-chemistry, solvent, engineering, catalysis, biological aid, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry and many more are briefly explained. In addition, the explanations based on purifications and recovery of ILs by using single or combined methods along with their physico-chemical properties were also reviewed. Moreover, the comprehensive study summarizes the latest progress on assorted classes of ILs along with discussing their prospective applications in the first half. The synthesis of homo/heterogeneous ILs is thoroughly elaborated in the second half. Finally, the future prospective medical applications of ILs are also mentioned.
An Automated Approach for Finding Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Seasonal Influenza in the United States: Algorithm Validation Study.

Background: Agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently release influenza-like illness incidence data, along with descriptive summaries of simple spatio-temporal patterns and trends. However, public health researchers, government agencies, as well as the general public, are often interested in deeper patterns and insights into how the disease is spreading, with additional context. Analysis by domain experts is needed for deriving such insights from incidence data. Objective: Our goal was to develop an automated approach for finding interesting spatio-temporal patterns in the spread of a disease over a large region, such as regions which have specific characteristics (eg, high incidence in a particular week, those which showed a sudden change in incidence) or regions which have significantly different incidence compared to earlier seasons. Methods: We developed techniques from the area of transactional data mining for characterizing and finding interesting spatio-temporal patterns in disease spread in an automated manner. A key part of our approach involved using the principle of minimum description length for representing a given target set in terms of combinations of attributes (referred to as clauses); we considered both positive and negative clauses, relaxed descriptions which approximately represent the set, and used integer programming to find such descriptions. Finally, we designed an automated approach, which examines a large space of sets corresponding to different spatio-temporal patterns, and ranks them based on the ratio of their size to their description length (referred to as the compression ratio). Results: We applied our methods using minimum description length to find spatio-temporal patterns in the spread of seasonal influenza in the United States using state level influenza-like illness activity indicator data from the CDC. We observed that the compression ratios were over 2.5 for 50% of the chosen sets, when approximate descriptions and negative clauses were allowed. Sets with high compression ratios (eg, over 2.5) corresponded to interesting patterns in the spatio-temporal dynamics of influenza-like illness. Our approach also outperformed description by solution in terms of the compression ratio. Conclusions: Our approach, which is an unsupervised machine learning method, can provide new insights into patterns and trends in the disease spread in an automated manner. Our results show that the description complexity is an effective approach for characterizing sets of interest, which can be easily extended to other diseases and regions beyond influenza in the US. Our approach can also be easily adapted for automated generation of narratives.
Evidence of widespread, independent sequence signature for transcription factor cobinding.

Transcription factors (TFs) are the vocabulary that genomes use to regulate gene expression and phenotypes. The interactions among TFs enrich this vocabulary and orchestrate diverse biological processes. While simple models identify open chromatin and the presence of TF motifs as the two major contributors to TF binding patterns, it remains elusive what contributes to the in vivo TF cobinding landscape. In this study, we developed a machine learning algorithm to explore the contributors of the cobinding patterns. The algorithm substantially outperforms the state-of-the-field models for TF cobinding prediction. Game theory-based feature importance analysis reveals that, for most of the TF pairs we studied, independent motif sequences contribute more than at least one of the two TFs under investigation to their cobinding patterns. Such independent motif sequences include, but are not limited to, transcription initiation-related proteins and known TF complexes. We found the motif sequence signatures and the TFs are rarely mutual, corroborating a hierarchical and directional organization of the regulatory network and refuting the possibility of artifacts caused by shared sequence similarity with the TFs under investigation. We modeled such regulatory language with directed graphs, which reveal shared, global factors that are related to many binding and cobinding patterns.
Hedge Fund Liquidity Management: Insights for Fund Performance and Systemic Risk Oversight

Using Form PF filings over 2013–2017, we find that funds maintain higher levels of cash holdings and available borrowing (“liquidity buffers”) when they hold more illiquid assets, have shorter-term commitments from investors and creditors, and when market volatility is greater. We also find that funds with low abnormal buffers – that is, with liquidity buffers below the level predicted by fund attributes – outperform their benchmarks. Stocks with greater ownership by managers with abnormally low buffers subsequently outperform other stocks, especially around earnings announcements. Our results highlight potential trade-offs between systemic risk-oriented policies requiring larger liquidity buffers and the impairment of regular price discovery in financial markets.
Variability, outcomes and cost associated with the use of parenteral nutrition in children with complicated appendicitis: A hospital-level propensity matched analysis

Abstract Background/Purpose To examine the influence of parenteral nutrition (PN) on clinical outcomes and cost in children with complicated appendicitis. Methods Retrospective study of 1,073 children with complicated appendicitis from 29 hospitals participating in the NSQIP-Pediatric Appendectomy Pilot Collaborative (1/2013–6/2015). Mixed-effects regression was used to compare 30-day postoperative outcomes between high and low PN-utilizing hospitals after propensity matching on demographic characteristics, BMI and postoperative LOS as a surrogate for disease severity. Results Overall PN utilization was 13.6%, ranging from 0–10.3% at low utilization hospitals (n = 452) and 10.3–32.4% at high utilization hospitals (n = 621). Outcomes were similar between low and high utilization hospitals for rates of overall complications (12.3% vs. 10.5%, OR: 0.80 [0.46,1.37], p = 0.41), SSIs (11.3% vs. 8.8%, OR: 0.72 [0.40,1.32], p = 0.29) and revisits (14.7% vs. 15.9%, OR: 1.10 [0.75,1.61], p = 0.63). Adjusted mean 30-day cumulative hospital cost was 22.9% higher for patients receiving PN ($25,164 vs. $20,478, p Conclusion Following adjustment for patient characteristics and postoperative length of stay, higher rates of PN utilization in children with complicated appendicitis were associated with higher cost but not with lower rates of overall complications, surgical site infections or revisits. Level of Evidence Level III: Treatment study - Retrospective comparative study
Complication Trends and Costs of Surgical Management in 11,086 Osteoporotic Patients Receiving Lumbar Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare different aspects of fusion surgery in patients with osteoporosis with regard to graft subtype and surgical approach. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Osteoporosis and chronic lower back pain are common in elderly populations and significantly increase the risk of compression fractures within the spine. METHODS Using the 2016-2017 National Readmission Database we identified 11,086 osteoporotic patients who received lumbar fusion using ICD-10 coding. Information regarding biologic graft type and surgical approach was collected. Patients were stratified by number of levels fused. Perioperative complications were collected at 30-, 90-, and 180-day follow-up intervals. Statistical analysis included univariate testing and multivariate regression modeling, controlling for patient demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS Patients receiving single-level fusion with autologous grafts had higher rates of hardware failure (P = 0.00014) at 30-day follow-up and 90-day follow-up (P < 0.0001) and higher rates of lumbar vertebral fractures at 90-day follow-up (P = 0.045) compared to those treated with nonautologous grafts. Patients receiving lumbar fusion with anterior and posterior approaches had no difference in readmission or infection rates, but the anterior approach was associated with a higher cost. CONCLUSION In this study, osteoporotic patients treated with autologous grafts had higher rates of complications compared to those treated with nonautologous grafts. Anterior and posterior approaches had similar complication rates; however, the anterior approach was associated with a higher total cost.Level of Evidence: 4.
Beyond the margin: a (critical) qualitative study of people of color in intercollegiate forensics

As the communication discipline continues to grapple with issues pertaining to identity, representation, and equity, it is pivotal that such conversations take place in the domain of intercollegiat...
A new Late Pleistocene fauna from arid coastal India: Implications for inundated coastal refugia and human dispersals

Abstract A diverse Late Pleistocene fossil assemblage was recovered from a sea cliff locality near Gopnath in Gujarat, northwestern India. These remains are the first large sample of Pleistocene faunal materials from arid northwestern India. Several taxa known primarily from coarse alluvial deposits of central India are documented for the first time from an undisturbed open-air site adjoining the Great Indian Desert. The sample includes a new species of antelope from a lineage considered extinct outside of Africa since the Early Pleistocene. The paleoenvironmental context, faunal composition and type of fossil preservation reported here is unique. The Gopnath fauna accumulated in a pond within a carbonate dune field that formed part of a larger coastal oasis ecosystem. This paleoscape occupied the Cambay Gulf during hyper-arid glacial low stands. The Gopnath fossils are correlated to Late Acheulean lithics from a coastal cliff locality (
Cortical evoked potentials used for placement of a laminotomy lead array: a case report.

Objective: We describe a technique for placement of a cervical spinal cord electrode under general anesthesia using the contacts as cortical evoked potential stimulating electrodes. Methods: A 37-year-old man required revision of the percutaneous lead of a spinal cord stimulator system placed for right upper extremity pain. A Resume-TL® laminotomy lead was inserted at the C5-6 interspace in the prone position under general anesthesia. The contacts were functionally over the right dorsal column by evoked potential recording, despite the apparent midline position of the lead. Results: Postoperatively, the patient had excellent coverage and pain relief at the right shoulder and extremity. There was no stimulation perceived on the left side of the body. Conclusion: This technique allows for intraoperative testing under general anesthesia in laminotomy lead placement to localize the optimal position of the lead.
Uncertainties in the climate mean state of global observations, reanalyses, and the GFDL climate model

[1] Climate research relies on realistic atmospheric data over long periods of time. Global reanalyses or observations are commonly used for this type of work. However, the many problems associated with both the reanalyses and observations cast doubts on the reliability of such data for climate applications, and users often need to know how large the errors and uncertainties associated with the different data sets are. This paper is a systematic assessment of the errors and uncertainties contained in the time mean (1979–1999) of many different climate quantities taken from a variety of global data sets, including four popular reanalyses, the output of the climate model developed at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), and a wide range of observations. We find that the ability of reanalyses to reproduce the observed climate mean state varies widely, with radiative quantities exhibiting the largest discrepancies. The different reanalysis products share many common errors, but overall the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts 40-year reanalysis (ERA-40) matches best the observations. Interestingly, the climate model reproduces the observed climate mean state of certain quantities more faithfully than the reanalyses. This indicates that modern models have reached a high level of realism in their mean state and that care must be taken when reanalyses are used to validate models. A particular concern of this paper is the time mean uncertainty associated with specific observation-based atmospheric quantities. Observational uncertainties are estimated from the difference amongst alternative data sets for the same quantity. We show that for most quantities the observational uncertainty is smaller than the error of the reanalyses or the model. However, there are some notable exceptions. In particular, for the surface fluxes of heat, momentum, and radiation the observational uncertainties can be as large as the errors seen in the reanalyses or the model. The investigation of uncertainties in upper atmospheric quantities is restricted to reanalysis and model data, since no appropriate observations are available. In this case, the reanalyses uncertainties are generally smaller than the model errors, except for quantities which describe the meridional component of the atmospheric circulation.
Motion Recovery from Image Sequences: Discrete Viewpoint vs. Differential Viewpoint

The aim of this paper is to explore intrinsic geometric methods of recovering the three dimensional motion of a moving camera from a sequence of images. Generic similarities between the discrete approach and the differential approach are revealed through a parallel development of their analogous motion estimation theories.
Darboux Symmetrically Continuous Functions

For a symmetrically continuous function \(f : \mathbb R\to [0,1]\), a reduction formula is obtained which gives a Darboux symmetrically continuous function \(g_f : \mathbb R\to [0,1]\) such that the set \(C(f)\) of continuity points of \(f\) is a subset of \(C(g_f)\). Under additional conditions, \(g_f\) and the oscillation function \(\omega_f\) of \(f\) are Croft-like functions. One consequence of \(g_f\) being Darboux is that the absolutely convergent values \(s(x)\) of a real trigonometric series \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \rho_n \sin(nx + x_n)\), with \(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} | \rho_n |=\infty\) and with an uncountable set \(E\) of points of absolute convergence, almost has the intermediate value property except for countably many values \(s(x)\) and countably many points of \(E\).
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CERTAIN CONGENITAL CARDIOVASCULAR MALFORMATIONS.

INFORMATION on the "natural history" of congenital cardiac malformations is difficult to obtain and may have very little meaning for the statistician. One is aware that the facts obtained may yield a profile only of those patients with heart malformations who have signs and symptoms significant enough to bring them to a cardiac center. The others, either not sick enough to come to a center, or too sick and even dying before they can be brought to the specialist, or living too far from the medical center, therefore, will not be included in any survey. The only way the entire congenital heart disease population may be caught in the net of the investigator is by following up carefully a large group of newborns. Though information gathered may not be statistically significant it is none the less important as a frame of reference in making recommendations to patients and their families. Also it is of necessary historical import that we document the course of patients with malformations as yet unaltered by the hand of the surgeons. The effect of surgery on patients with certain malformations is far reaching and changes the course of their natural history. Another reason why we should try to find out what happens without operation to certain patients is that there will be a tremendous advance in cardiovascular surgical techniques for many lesions yet in the future. Nobody questions the fact that cardiac surgery, in many, if not most, areas will be better tomorrow than it is today. The notable exceptions to improvement of surgical techniques include repair of patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, secundum atrial septal defect, and pulmonic stenosis.
Discrete optimization of the multiphase piecewise constant mumford-shah functional

The Mumford-Shah model has been one of the most powerful models in image segmentation and denoising. The optimization of the multiphase Mumford-Shah energy functional has been performed using level sets methods that optimize the Mumford-Shah energy by evolving the level sets via the gradient descent. These methods are very slow and prone to getting stuck in local optima due to the use of the gradient descent. After the reformulation of the bimodal Mumford-Shah functional on a graph, several groups investigated the hierarchical extension of the graph representation to multi class. These approaches, though more effective than level sets, provide approximate solutions and can diverge away from the optimal solution. In this paper, we present a discrete optimization for the multiphase Mumford Shah functional that directly minimizes the multiphase functional without recursive bisection on the labels. Our approach handles the nonsubmodularity of the multiphase energy function and provide a global optimum if prior information is provided.
Changing views of the changing maya: Evolution and devolution in an ancient society.

The death (5 December 1985) of A. Ledyard Smith marked the end of an era in Maya arehaelogy. Ledyard was a tireless fleld worker and an able seholar. He encouraged and aided others, both to build on and to go beyond bis own significant achievements. He thereby created an enthusiastic team of workers who have made major contributions to what we know about the ttIIcier1t Mava. This paper is dedicated to his memory.
How Accurate Is CT Colonography

Computed tomography (CT) colonography (CTC), also referred to as virtual colonoscopy, has received widespread attention as a new tool for the noninvasive detection of colorectal polyps and cancer. Since the introduction of CTC in 1994, multiple preliminary studies have been performed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of CTC in different patient cohorts. During this time, there have been tremendous advances in the image acquisition and display capabilities of this evolving technology. Our purpose will be to first discuss specific parameters that may affect the performance results, followed by a review of studies performed to date.
Transport Functions of the Distal Convoluted Tubule

The distal convoluted tubule (DCT) has traditionally been described as the nephron segment extending from the macula densa to the first confluence with another DCT to form a collecting tubule. Virtually all data on DCT function derive from in vivo studies in the rat using micropuncture or microperfusion techniques. Rat DCT are 2.4–2.5 mm in length(1,2) They can be identified on the kidney surface with light microscopy by their contrast to proximal tubules: the lumina are narrower and the contour more irregular than in proximal tubules. Distal tubular epithelium lacks a brush border and therefore fails to exhibit the light reflex seen in proximal tubules.(3) Eighty percent of the rat DCT is accessible to micropuncture, with only the initial 20% below the kidney surface. At present, the rat provides the most convenient model for studies of DCT function. While the in vitro perfused rabbit nephron technique has been applied extensively to study the function of other tubular segments, the technique is not readily applied to the DCT because of its short length in the rabbit.
A perspective on childhood sexual abuse

In 1977, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital treated seventy-eight preadolescent children for symptoms, signs, or complaints of sexual abuse. The alleged abuser was known to the children in 72 percent of the cases. This article describes the hospital's procedure for identifying these children and the follow-up services necessary for their protection and emotional adjustment.
At the Desert's Green Edge: An Ethnobotany of the Gila River Pima.

At the Desert's Green Edge: An Ethnobotany of the Gila River Pima. Amadeo M. Rea. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1997. 430 pp.
Lens Design That Simultaneously Optimizes Image Spots, Optical Path Difference (OPD), Diffraction Modulation Transfer Function (DMTF), And Seidel Aberrations

The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory lens design program, in which a lens moves steadily toward diffraction-limited performance, samples lens performance with bundles of precisely traced skew rays, analyzes performance by calculating the image-spot sizes and positions, and optimizes performance in a least squares system that drives the lateral ray deviations toward zero. Minimizing the rms image-spot size minimizes the rms optical path difference (OPD). Minimizing the rms OPD also optimizes the diffraction modulation transfer function (DMTF). Minimizing the image-spot size and position errors minimizes and balances all seven Seidel aberrations because all seven cause lateral deviations of the rays from their ideal image points.
Proof of concept experiments of the multi-isotope process monitor: An online, nondestructive, near real-time monitor for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities

Abstract Operators, national regulatory agencies and the IAEA will require the development of advanced technologies to efficiently control and safeguard nuclear material at increasingly large-scale nuclear recycling facilities. Ideally, the envisioned technologies would be capable of non-destructive, near real-time (NRT), autonomous process monitoring. This paper describes results from proof-of-principle experiments designed to test the multi-isotope process (MIP) monitor, a novel approach to monitoring and safeguarding reprocessing facilities. The MIP Monitor combines the detection of intrinsic gamma ray signatures emitted from process solutions with multivariate analysis to detect off-normal conditions in process streams nondestructively and in NRT. Commercial spent nuclear fuel of various irradiation histories was dissolved and separated using a PUREX-based batch solvent extraction. Extractions were performed at various nitric acid concentrations to mimic both normal and off-normal industrial plant operating conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the simulated gamma spectra to investigate pattern variations as a function of acid concentration, burnup and cooling time. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was applied to attempt to quantify both the acid concentration and burnup of the dissolved spent fuel during the initial separation stage of recycle. The MIP Monitor demonstrated sensitivity to induced variations of acid concentration, including the distinction of ±1.3 M variation from normal process conditions by way of PCA. Acid concentration was predicted using measurements from the organic extract and PLS resulting in predictions with
Surgeon Volume and Outcomes in Benign Hysterectomy

Annual surgeon case volume has been linked to patient outcome in a variety of surgical fields, although limited data focus on gynecologic surgery performed by general gynecologists. Herein we review the literature addressing the associations between intraoperative injury, postoperative morbidity, and resource use among surgeons performing a low vs high volume of hysterectomies. Although study design and populations differ, individual and composite morbidity outcomes consistently favored high-volume surgeons. Given the growing emphasis on competency-based evaluation in surgery, gynecology departments may soon consider volume requirements a component of privileging.
Subtle alterations in NMDA-stimulated cyclic GMP levels following lateral fluid percussion brain injury.

This study examined whether NMDA-stimulated cyclic GMP levels were altered at two different time points following lateral fluid percussion injury. At 60 min and 15 days postinjury, the left and right hippocampi were dissected and chopped into mini-prisms. Each hippocampus was divided into five equal parts and incubated with either the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, 500 μM) alone, IBMX and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) OR IBMX, NMDA, and glycine (10 ΜM). Two concentrations of NMDA were used: 500 or 1,000 μM. Tissues were then assayed for levels of cyclic GMP. Results indicated that there were no changes in basal levels of cyclic GMP at either postinjury time point. At 60 min postinjury, there were no significant main effects for injury or drug concentration. There was a significant injury × side interaction effect with increased levels of NMDA-stimulated cyclic GMP in the hippocampus ipsilateral to the injury impact and decreased cyclic GMP levels in the contralateral hipp...
Case reports: an unusual complication of radiofrequency ablation treatment of osteoid osteoma.

Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone tumor traditionally treated nonoperatively or by operative excision. However, radiofrequency ablation is being used increasingly for treatment, as there are several reports supporting its effectiveness. Radio-frequency ablation is precise, minimally invasive, safe, e
Facile and rapid DNA extraction and purification from food matrices using IFAST (immiscible filtration assisted by surface tension)

Extraction and purification of DNA is a prerequisite to detection and analytical techniques. While DNA sample preparation methods have improved over the last few decades, current methods are still time consuming and labor intensive. Here we demonstrate a technology termed IFAST (Immiscible Filtration Assisted by Surface Tension), that relies on immiscible phase filtration to reduce the time and effort required to purify DNA. IFAST replaces the multiple wash and centrifugation steps required by traditional DNA sample preparation methods with a single step. To operate, DNA from lysed cells is bound to paramagnetic particles (PMPs) and drawn through an immiscible fluid phase barrier (i.e. oil) by an external handheld magnet. Purified DNA is then eluted from the PMPs. Here, detection of Clostridium botulinum type A (BoNT/A) in food matrices (milk, orange juice), a bioterrorism concern, was used as a model system to establish IFAST's utility in detection assays. Data validated that the DNA purified by IFAST was functional as a qPCR template to amplify the bont/A gene. The sensitivity limit of IFAST was comparable to the commercially available Invitrogen ChargeSwitch® method. Notably, pathogen detection via IFAST required only 8.5 μL of sample and was accomplished in five-fold less time. The simplicity, rapidity and portability of IFAST offer significant advantages when compared to existing DNA sample preparation methods.
Long-term effects of neonatal surgery on adulthood pain behavior.

Abstract The long-term consequences of neonatal noxious stimulation on adulthood pain behavior were investigated in male and female mice. On the day of birth, mouse pups were exposed to a laparotomy under cold anesthesia followed by an analgesic dose of morphine (10 mg/kg) post-operatively, or a saline control. An additional group of subjects was exposed to the non-noxious aspects of the surgical procedure (cold exposure, separation from the dam, injection) comprising a ‘sham’ surgery control group, whereas another group of control subjects was administered an injection of saline or morphine, but was otherwise undisturbed. Behavioral observations of the pups immediately following the procedure indicated that the laparotomy produced increased distress vocalizations in the ultrasonic range (40 kHz) compared to both groups of control subjects. During 90 min observations periods following the surgery and 1-week later, maternal care did not vary among treatment conditions. In adulthood, offspring were tested for nociceptive sensitivity on the hot-plate (HP; 53 °C), tail-withdrawal (TW; 50 °C) and acetic acid abdominal constriction test (AC). On both the TW and the AC tests, neonatal surgery decreased pain behavior relative to both groups of control subjects, an effect that was reversed by post-operative morphine treatment. On the HP test, both groups of subjects exposed to the stressful aspects of neonatal surgery (laparotomy or sham surgery) exhibited decreased pain behavior in adulthood. These findings suggest that early exposure to noxious and/or stressful stimuli may induce long-lasting changes in pain behavior, perhaps mediated by alterations in the stress-axis and antinociceptive circuitry.
23 WEIGHT CONTROL METHODS AND DISTORTED BODY IMAGE IN HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLERS

Severe weight control methods used by high school wrestlers has caused concerns for the wrestlers' growth and performance. To determine the prevalence of utilizing weight control methods, wrestlers and control athletes were studied at a private boarding school. Questionnaires and measurements (height, weight, and skin fold thicknesses) were collected over 2 years. Wrestlers (n=49) were compared to a control group of competitive and non-competitive athletes during the same season: squash players (n=20) and jogging/fitness students (n=38). The wrestlers used more methods of weight control than did the control group: dieting (p=0.0002), binging (p=0.026), vomiting (p=0.046), sweating (p<0.0001), fluid reduction to <2 cups/day (p=0.0014) by Fisher's Exact Test (1-tail). Fasting ) 24 hrs (p=0.5) and exercising (p=0.1) were not significantly different in the two groups. Neither group used diuretics or laxatives during the sports season. Inspite of the fact that wrestlers' percent body fats were lower than the controls (F=1.41, t=-2.74, p=0.0073), wrestlers perceived that their ideal weight should be less than their present weight (F=1.95, t=-2.30, p=0.024). The prevalence of extreme methods of weight control and distorted body image documented in this study raises serious concerns about the long term consequences during a critical stage of growth and development.