cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oculocerebral Dysgenesis in the Linear Nevus Sebaceous Syndrome

Purpose: The authors document the association of peripapillary staphyloma and an atypical variant of hemimegalencephaly with the linear nevus sebaceous syndrome. Background: Linear nevus sebaceous syndrome is an uncommon neurocutaneous disorder that has a propensity to involve the eyes. Methods: Clinical, histopathologic, and neuroimaging findings are examined in a child with linear nevus sebaceous syndrome. Results: In addition to bilateral peripapillary staphylomas, ophthalmologic abnormalities included a corneal dermoid, a complex conjunctival choristoma, macular hypoplasia, and optic nerve hypoplasia with contralateral optic atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a rare form of hemimegalencephaly characterized by hypoplasia of an optic radiation within the enlarged, dysgenetic cerebral hemisphere. Conclusion: The spectrum of oculocerebral dysgenesis in the linear nevus sebaceous syndrome can be expanded to include peripapillary staphyloma and atypical hemimegalencephaly with hypoplasia of an optic radiation.
Is bytecode instrumentation as good as source code instrumentation: An empirical study with industrial tools (Experience Report)

Branch coverage (BC) is a widely used test criterion that is supported by many tools. Although textbooks and the research literature agree on a standard definition for BC tools measure BC in different ways. The general strategy is to “instrument” the program by adding statements that count how many times each branch is taken. But the details for how this is done can influence the measurement for whether a set of tests have satisfied BC. For example, the standard definition is based on program source, yet some tools instrument the bytecode to reduce computation cost. A crucial question for the validity of these tools is whether bytecode instrumentation gives results that are the same as, or at least comparable to, source code instrumentation. An answer to this question will help testers decide which tool to use. This research looked at 31 code coverage tools, finding four that support branch coverage. We chose one tool that instruments the bytecode and two that instrument the source. We acquired tests for 105 methods to discover how these three tools measure branch coverage. We then compared coverage on 64 methods, finding that the bytecode instrumentation method reports the same coverage on 49 and lower coverage on 11. We also found that each tool defined branch coverage differently, and what is called branch coverage in the bytecode instrumentation tool actually matches the standard definition for clause coverage.
Multivitamin use and telomere length in women

Background: Telomere length may be a marker of biological aging. Multivitamin supplements represent a major source of micronutrients, which may affect telomere length by modulating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Objective: The objective was to examine whether multivitamin use is associated with longer telomeres in women. Design: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from 586 early participants (age 35‐74 y) in the Sister Study. Multivitamin use and nutrient intakes were assessed with a 146-item food-frequency questionnaire, and relative telomere length of leukocyte DNA was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: After age and other potential confounders were adjusted for, multivitamin use was associated with longer telomeres. Compared with nonusers, the relative telomere length of leukocyte DNA was on average 5.1% longer among daily multivitamin users (P for trend ¼ 0.002). In the analysis of micronutrients, higher intakes of vitamins C and E from foods were each associated with longer telomeres, even after adjustment for multivitamin use. Furthermore, intakes of both nutrients were associated with telomere length among women who did not take multivitamins. Conclusion: This study provides the first epidemiologic evidence that multivitamin use is associated with longer telomere length among women. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:1857‐63.
Minimally invasive videoscopic mitral valve surgery: the current role of surgical robotics.

Objective Recently, the efficacy of video-assisted mitral valve surgery has been demonstrated. The evolution of this technology has been relatively rapid. In this article we review this development and predict the future of endoscopic and robotic-enabling technology for cardiac valve operations. Methods A new video-assisted mitral valve operation is described and results discussed. The majority of each valve operation was done through assisted vision and near endoscopically. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established via femoral cannulation, and blood cardioplegic arrest induced using a new percutaneous, transthoracic cross-clamp. A 5 to 6-cm minithoracotomy was used in each patient. Videoscopy was helpful for suture placement, chord reconstruction, leaflet resection, knot tying, and valve ring or prosthesis positioning. A voice-activated robotic arm was used to direct the camera in many instances. Results Thus far a total of 110 patients have undergone this operation successfully with a 0.9% operative mortality. Our early series (N = 31), published with cost data, is reviewed in detail. Cardiopulmonary perfusion and cross-clamp times for all 100 patients were longer than for conventional sternotomy patients at 158 +/- 3.9 and 110 +/- 3.6 minutes, respectively, versus 121 +/- 4.6 and 90 +/- 4.6 (N = 105); however, there have been less complications. Operative, perfusion, and arrest times have fallen progressively to 144 +/- 4.5 and 90 +/- 4.5, respectively (N = 55 Aesop 3000 cases). Complex repairs and replacements have become routine with anterior leaflet pathology addressed. Bleeding, ventilatory times, blood transfusions, and hospital stay have been reduced. One patient required reoperation for a technically failed repair and two renal patients had late endocarditis. We have used voice-activated, robotic (Aesop 3000) assistance for camera control in 51 of these patients. This addition has decreased camera motion artifact and lens cleaning, while providing direct "cerebral-eye" tracking of instruments for the surgeon. We were the first in the United States to apply the DaVinci articulated wrist robot to do a complete mitral repair and have done multiple repair with this articulated wrist device. Conclusions From this and other work reviewed, we conclude that video-assisted and computer-assisted robotic techniques are safe and may be the pathway to truly endoscopic mitral valve operations. We are encouraged regarding the use of this new technology for mitral valve operations.
Chest wall reconstruction using biomaterials.

Background Skeletal chest wall reconstruction can be a challenge, depending on the indication, location, and health of the patient; various materials are available. Recently, biomaterials that are remodelable (bovine pericardium patch; Veritas, Synovis Life Technologies Inc, St Paul, MN) or absorbable (polylactic acid [PLA] bar; BioBridge, Acute Innovations, Hillsboro, OR) have been introduced for reconstruction procedures. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent chest wall stabilization or reconstruction between July 1, 2009, and March 31, 2011. Results Biomaterials were used in 25 of 112 patients (22%) who underwent chest wall stabilization or reconstruction, and they form the basis of this review. Indication for reconstruction was malignant disease in 17 patients (68%). Overall, 10 (40%) resection sites were infected preoperatively. Reconstruction was performed with a combination of bovine pericardium and PLA bars in 11 patients (44%), bovine pericardium alone in 10, and PLA bars alone in 4; muscle flaps were interposed in 7 patients (28%). There were no operative deaths. Complications occurred in 6 patients (24%). Median follow-up was 12 months (range, 6 to 27 months). Three patients required removal of their biomaterials. Two bovine pericardial patches were removed prophylactically at the time of debridement of a partially necrotic muscle flap, and 1 PLA bar was removed because of an inflammatory reaction. None of the patients with an infected resection site required removal of their biomaterial. Conclusions Chest wall reconstruction with biomaterials is a valuable option in the management of patients with chest wall abnormalities. Early results are promising. Biomaterials may be the preferred method of reconstruction for infected chest wall sites.
The distributional impact of climate change on rich and poor countries

This paper examines the impact of climate change on rich and poor countries across the world. We measure two indices of the relative impact of climate across countries, impact per capita, and impact per GDP. These measures sum market impacts across the climate-sensitive economic sectors of each country. Both indices reveal that climate change will have serious distributional impact across countries, grouped by income per capita. We predict that poor countries will suffer the bulk of the damages from climate change. Although adaptation, wealth, and technology may influence distributional consequences across countries, we argue that the primary reason that poor countries are so vulnerable is their location. Countries in the low latitudes start with very high temperatures. Further warming pushes these countries ever further away from optimal temperatures for climate- sensitive economic sectors.
Non-galenic arteriovenous fistulas in adults: transarterial embolization and literature review

Background Non-galenic dural arteriovenous fistula (NGAVF) is a rare congenital vascular abnormality characterized by high flow connections between cerebral arteries and a dilated pial venous varix. These lesions have been reported mostly in the pediatric population. Objectives To examine the clinical features and treatment outcomes for adult (≥18 years) patients with NGAVFs. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with NGAVFs who underwent endovascular treatment between 2008 and 2013. A PubMed literature search was conducted to identify reports of adult patients with these lesions. Results Two adults with NGAVFs were treated at our institution via transarterial embolization with a favorable outcome. The literature search revealed 24 adult NGAVF cases. Among these cases and ours, mean patient age was 33.4±13.3 years, and 13 were women. Most patients experienced protracted neurological symptoms at the time of treatment whereas 5 (19.2%) patients presented with acute hemorrhage. 18 patients had single hole fistulas; 8 had multi-hole fistulas. 11 patients were treated by microsurgical ligation, 10 by embolization, 4 by combined therapy, and 1 with observation. Two patients died of reperfusion hemorrhage. Women were more likely to have a favorable outcome than men (100% vs 75.0%; p=0.07). No statistical difference was found in terms of clinical outcome for patients with single hole versus multi-hole fistulas or those treated by surgery versus embolization. Conclusions NGAVFs are extremely rare in the adult population and present a similar clinical course as in older children. In our experience, transarterial embolization can be safely and effectively utilized for the treatment of these lesions in adults.
Predicted and observed mortality from vector-borne disease in wildlife: West Nile virus and small songbirds

Numerous diseases of wildlife have recently emerged due to trade and travel. However, the impact of disease on wild animal populations has been notoriously difficult to detect and demonstrate, due to problems of attribution and the rapid disappearance of bodies after death. Determining the magnitude of avian mortality from West Nile virus (WNV) is emblematic of these challenges. Although correlational analyses have shown population declines coincident with the arrival of the virus, strong inference of WNV as a cause of mortality or a population decline requires additional evidence. We show how integrating field data on mosquito feeding patterns, avian abundance, and seroprevalence can be used to predict relative mortality from vector-borne pathogens. We illustrate the method with a case study on WNV in three species of small songbirds, tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Carolina wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus), and northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). We then determined mortality, infectiousness, and behavioral response of wrens and titmouse following infection with WNV in laboratory experiments and compared them to a previous study on WNV mortality in cardinals. In agreement with predictions, we found titmouse had the highest mortality from WNV infection, with 100% of 11 birds perishing within 7 days after infection. Mortality in wrens was significantly lower at 27% (3/11), but still substantial. Viremia profiles indicated that both species were highly infectious for WNV and could play roles in WNV amplification. These findings suggest that WNV may be killing many small-bodied birds, despite the absence of large numbers of dead birds being observed and testing positive for WNV. More broadly, they illustrate the utility of a framework for predicting relative mortality in hosts from vector-borne disease.
{[(Trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl] ethynyl} benzene

[52843-77-3] C9H5F3O2S (MW 234.19) InChI = 1S/C9H5F3O2S/c10-9(11,12)15(13,14)7-6-8-4-2-1-3-5-8/h1-5H InChIKey = LLBCLXNPGVYXFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reactive dienophile, Michael acceptor, precursor to substituted vinyl sulfones, alkynylating agent) Alternate Name: phenyl(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)acetylene; phenylethynyl trifluoromethyl sulfone. Physical Data: mp 29.0–31.5 °C; bp 57–62 °C (0.1 mm Hg). Preparative Methods: originally prepared by treatment of the lithium salt of phenylacetylene with trifluoromethanesulfonic (triflic) anhydride.2 The corresponding sodium acetylide provides the title compound in higher yield.3 Addition of the lithium salt to triflic anhydride (inverse addition) limits the production of unwanted by products.4 Typical isolated yields are ∼75%. Purification: vacuum distillation; column chromatography (SiO2). Handling, Storage, and Precautions: moisture sensitive; thermally labile.
Optical properties of lithium-rich lithium niobate fabricated by vapor transport equilibration

Lithium-rich lithium niobate of excellent optical homogeneity can be fabricated by a vapor transport equilibration (VTE) technique. The high-optical-quality, uniformly birefringent crystals noncritically phase match for second-harmonic generation of 532-nm radiation from 1064-nm Nd:YAG radiation at 238 degrees C. The refractive indexes and their temperature dependence have been measured and used to derive temperature-dependent Sellmeier equations, which predict noncritical phase matching for wavelengths as short as 976 nm to generate blue at 488 nm at room temperature. The Sellmeier equations accurately predict experimental phase-matching temperatures over a wide temperature range. >
Can Hybrid Learning Theory Be Used to Teach Working Sonographers Breast Elastography

Hybrid learning is a combination of on-line learning and face-to-face sessions. This research sought to answer the question of "Can Hybrid Learning be Utilized To Teach Working Sonographers to perform breast Elastography?" We designed a hybrid course entitled "Breast Elastography for Working Sonographers." This course consisted of four on-line training modules, each complete with a post-test and one face-to-face session. After the face-to-face session lectures, participants were interviewed and observed performing elastography on a breast phantom. Our results indicate that this is a successful method for teaching working sonographers breast elastography, in this setting.
Object recognition using local-global graphs

This paper presents a methodology for object recognition using the local-global (L-G) graph approach. In particular, the L-G graph approach based on an image segmentation approach and synthesis of the regions that compose an object. The synthesis of regions is based on the L-G modeling that compares a set of L-G based object models sitting in an L-G Database. The methodology accurate for objects existed in the DB and it has the ability of "learning". Illustrative examples are also provided.
LANDSCAPE VS. LOCAL HABITAT SCALE INFLUENCES TO INSECT COMMUNITIES FROM TALLGRASS PRAIRIE REMNANTS

Habitat loss and fragmentation currently threaten ecosystems worldwide, yet remain difficult to quantify because within-fragment habitat and landscape-scale influences often interact in unique ways. Although individual species respond to fragmentation dif- ferently, large-scale conservation planning must unavoidably target multiple species. Al- though information on a population's response to fragmentation is critical, and measure- ments of species richness provide useful insights, exclusive reliance on these responses may mask important information about the taxonomic composition of assemblages in re- sponse to fragmentation. The North American tallgrass prairie ecosystem is one of the most threatened and fragmented ecosystems in the world, and insects are significant contributors to its biodiversity. In remaining grassland fragments, we evaluated within-fragment influ- ences in conjunction with landscape-scale responses of representative insect communities from four feeding guilds: generalists, specialists, multiple life stage habitat use, and pred- ators. Fragment-specific attributes capable of influencing insect diversity include plant species composition, plant biomass, abundance of blooming flowers, and vertical habitat heterogeneity created by the vegetation. Landscape-scale factors expected to influence pat- terns of insect species diversity include fragment size and shape as well as the spatial configuration of fragments. Ordination techniques were used to summarize composition of each feeding guild assemblage of each fragment, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of fragmentation with influences from local habitats. Generalists (Orthoptera), mixed-modality feeding that changes with life stage (Lepidoptera), and specialist herbivores (Curculionidae) all responded directly to within- site characterizations of the plant community. Site management from large ungulate grazing or mowing for hay production consistently had an indirect effect on the insect community through influences on plant community composition. The predator assemblage (Coccinel- lidae) was influenced directly by fragment shape. To maintain insect biodiversity in tallgrass prairie fragments, these results indicate that conservation practices should focus on com- munities in order to maintain insect biodiversity in tallgrass prairie fragments. Landscape- scale factors must also be considered when making conservation decisions, primarily be- cause predators (top trophic level organisms) are more likely to respond to regional changes.
Nonmonotonic Phosphor Size Dependence of Luminous Efficacy for Typical White LED Emitters

Phosphor particle size effect on luminous efficacy is studied for three types of phosphor converted white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) using a Monte Carlo simulation tool. It is demonstrated for the first time that the size effect is nonmonotonic and exhibits minima in the submicrometer size range. In particular, for different LED packages, the lowest luminous efficacy all exists at the dimensionless particle size parameter (πd/λ) around 5.6. Moreover, the simulation results are verified by a theoretical model developed for the estimation of critical particle size. Finally, this study provides important technical implications for phosphor development and resolves one of the most critical issues in WLED manufacturing.
Retrospective analysis of the treatment of psoriasis of the palms and soles

In this retrospective analysis, the effect of currently used treatments in 26 patients with psoriasis of the palms and soles were analyzed. In general, patients are treated initially with topical medications including superpotent topical corticosteroids in combination with calcipotriene ointment or tazarotene gel or both. If satisfactory improvement is not achieved in 4-8 weeks, systemic retinoids are added, formerly etretinate and currently acitretin, except in women of childbearing potential. If the latter regimen is not effective within two months, soak PUVA is added to the regimen of oral retinoids and topical medications. If improvement is inadequate, or if the treatment regimen is not tolerated, methotrexate or cyclosporine have been added in the past. The availability of the excimer laser has recently modified our approach so that this therapy is used in combination with acitretin before soak PUVA. With the availability of biologic agents, methotrexate is avoided because of its hepatotoxicity and bone marrow toxicity and cyclosporine is avoided because of its nephrotoxicity. If oral acitretin plus topical therapy is not adequate to control the disease and the excimer laser is not an option because of its limited availability, alefacept, etanercept and infliximab are added when possible. Other biologic agents are likely to be added to this list in the future.
When Special Education Trumps ESL: An Investigation of Service Delivery for ELLs with Disabilities

Through an ethnographic study of one suburban elementary school, the delivery of services to English language learners (ELLs) with disabilities was investigated. The data analysis revealed that often disability-related and English as a Second Language (ESL) services were in contention, as scheduling, teacher expertise, school culture, and ESL program models often resulted in the prioritization of services. Consequently, ELLs with disabilities were not positioned as learners with Second Language Acquisition (SLA) and disability-related learning needs. The findings of this study indicate the need to promote a more robust understanding of the legalities of ESL services for school personnel and to develop teachers' knowledge of pedagogical approaches for ELLs with disabilities from an interdisciplinary and integrative perspective.
Evaluating Medical Student Communication/Professionalism Skills from a Patient’s Perspective

Objective: Evaluate medical student's communication and professionalism skills from the perspective of the ambulatory patient and later compare these skills in their first year of residency. Methods: Students in third year neurology clerkship clinics see patients alone followed by a revisit with an attending neurologist. The patient is then asked to complete a voluntary, anonymous, Likert scale questionnaire rating the student on friendliness, listening to the patient, respecting the patient, using understandable language, and grooming. For students who had completed one year of residency these professionalism ratings were compared with those from their residency director. Results: Seven hundred forty-two questionnaires for 165 clerkship students from 2007 to 2009 were analyzed. Eighty-three percent of forms were returned with an average of 5 per student. In 64% of questionnaires, patients rated students very good in all five categories; in 35% patients selected either very good or good ratings; and <1% rated any student fair. No students were rated poor or very poor. Sixty-two percent of patients wrote complimentary comments about the students. From the Class of 2008, 52% of students received "better than their peers” professionalism ratings from their PGY1 residency directors and only one student was rated "below their peers". Conclusions: This questionnaire allowed patient perceptions of their students' communication/professionalism skills to be evaluated in a systematic manner. Residency director ratings of professionalism of the same students at the end of their first year of residency confirms continued professional behavior.
Religious Values and Public Education in the United States

Religion and public education have been intertwined since the inception of public education in colonial America.1 However, this intersection has not always been problematic. In the early 1600s, the predominantly Protestant citizenry of the United States founded the public education system in the New England Colonies.2 Horace Mann, one of the prominent forces behind the founding of common schools, based the curriculum of the common school on his own liberal protestant beliefs.3 It was Mann’s view that because of the liberal nature of his religious beliefs, those beliefs could be considered secular, and serve as a philosophical underpinning for a system of public schools.
Quantitative analysis of mammalian GIRK2 channel regulation by G proteins, the signaling lipid PIP2 and Na+ in a reconstituted system

Though every cell in the body is surrounded by a membrane, there are a number of ways that molecules can pass through this membrane to either enter or leave the cell. Proteins from the GIRK family form channels in the membranes of mammalian cells, and when open these channels allow potassium ions to flow through the membrane to control the membrane's voltage. GIRK channels are found in the heart and in the central nervous system, and can be activated in a variety of ways. Sodium ions and molecules called ‘signaling lipids’ can regulate the activation of GIRK channels. These channels can also be caused to open by G proteins: proteins that are found inside cells and that help to transmit signals from the outside of a cell to the inside. Three G proteins—called Gα, Gβ, and Gγ—work together in a complex that functions a bit like a switch. When switched on, the Gα subunit is separated from the other two subunits (called Gβγ); and both parts can then activate different signaling pathways inside the cell. The Gβγ subunits and a signaling lipid have been known to regulate the opening of GIRK channels for a number of years, but these events have only been studied in the context of living cells. The specific role of each molecule, and whether the Gα subunit can also regulate the GIRK channels, remains unknown. Now Wang et al. have produced one type of mouse GIRK channel, called GIRK2, in yeast cells, purified this protein, and added it into an artificial membrane. This ‘reconstituted system’ allowed the regulation of a GIRK channel to be investigated under more controlled conditions than in previous experiments. Wang et al. found that the Gβγ subunits and the signaling lipid both need to be present to activate the GIRK2 channel. Sodium ions were not essential, but promoted further opening when Gβγ and the signaling lipid were already present. When locked in its ‘on’ state, the Gα subunit had no effect on GIRK2, but adding Gα locked in the ‘off’ state closed these channels by removing the Gβγ proteins. The findings of Wang et al. suggest that it should be possible to use a similar reconstituted system to investigate what allows different G proteins to activate specific signaling pathways.
Response of avian communities to invasive vegetation in urban forest fragments

ABSTRACT Proliferation of invasive plants in forest understories throughout North America has prompted restoration efforts focused on removal of invasive vegetation. Although the negative impacts of invasives on native plant communities are well documented, effects on forest bird communities remain largely unknown. To address this issue, we examined the response of avian communities to invasive plants in forest fragments across 4 counties in northeastern Illinois, a region characterized by extensive urbanization. We surveyed breeding bird communities in 46 forest plots representing a gradient in abundance of invasive woody plants. We quantified vegetation structure and composition within plots, as well as landscape context. Exotic trees and shrubs were present on all but 3 plots. Although native trees were common, native species represented <7% of total stem density of shrubs. Measures of invasion were weakly correlated with those representing urbanization, yet broad-scale measures of urbanization such as...
Survival and quality of life after organ transplantation in veterans and nonveterans

Abstract Background Some previous studies suggested that transplantation performed in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients was associated with a higher rate of complications and poorer outcomes. We examined more than a decade of experience with solid organ transplantation at a single center and compared VA patients with nonveteran patients to assess long-term patient and graft survival and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods Demographic, clinical, and survival data were extracted from a database that included all transplants from January 1990 through December 2002 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (non-VA) and the Nashville VA Medical Center (VA). The HRQOL was assessed in a subset of patients using the Karnofsky functional performance (FP) index and the Short-Form-36 self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival and analysis of variance methods. Results One thousand eight hundred nine adult patients receiving solid organ transplants (1,896 grafts) between 1990 and 2002 were reviewed: 380 VA patients (141 liver, 54 heart, 183 kidney, 2 lung) and 1429 non-VA patients (280 liver, 246 heart, 749 kidney, 154 lung). Mean follow-up time was 46 ± 1 months. Five-year graft survival for VA and non-VA patients, respectively, was liver 65% ± 5% versus 69% ± 3% (P = 0.97); heart 73% ± 8% versus 73% ± 3% (P = 0.67); and kidney 76% ± 5% versus 77% ± 2% (P = 0.84). Five-year patient survival was liver 75% ± 5% versus 78% ± 3% (P = 0.94); heart 73% ± 8% versus 74% ± 3% (P = 0.75); and kidney 84% ± 4% versus 87% ± 2% (P = 0.21) for VA and non-VA, respectively. In the first 3 years after transplant, the FP scores for VA versus non-VA patients were 85 ± 2 versus 87 ± 1 (P = 0.50). The SF-36 mental component scales were 47 ± 3 versus 49 ± 1 (P = 0.39); and the SF-36 physical component scales were 37 ± 2 versus 38 ± 1 (P = 0.59), respectively. Longer-term (through year 7) HRQOL scores for VA versus non-VA patients were FP 85 ± 1 versus 88 ± 1 (P = 0.17); mental component scales 47 ± 2 versus 49 ± 1 (P = 0.29); and physical component scales 35 ± 2 versus 39 ± 1 (P = 0.05), respectively. Conclusions The veteran patients have similar graft and patient survival as the nonveteran patients. Overall quality of life is similar between veterans and nonveterans during the first three years after transplantation. A trend toward a later decline in the veterans' perception of their physical functioning may stem from the increased prevalence of hepatitis C virus among VA liver transplant recipients, a known factor reducing late HRQOL.
Analysis of eddy current AC loss for untwisted, multifilamentary superconducting composites with various aspect ratios

AC loss was measured for several types of untwisted multifilamentary superconducting tapes using a VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer) at 4.2 K in fields both face-on (FO) and edge-on (EO) to the wide sides of aspected samples. The strand types investigated were NbTi/Cu-Mn (5000 filaments), NbTi/Cu (5000 filaments), and Bi2223/Ag. The samples were typically 1-1.5 cm long, untwisted, with a wide variety of outer aspect ratios, a/b. The measured losses were compared to those predicted by an expression linear in a/b. From this expression, the transverse resistivity of the matrix, /spl rho//spl perp/, was extracted and compared to that determined from directly measured RRR values, where /sub /spl rho//spl perp//=((1+/spl lambda/)/(1-/spl lambda/))/sup /spl plusmn/1/ /sub /spl rho/bulk/=G/sub /spl rho/bulk/. While the measured losses were generally in agreement with the calculations for strand types with larger numbers of filaments, significant deviations were found for strand types with smaller numbers of filaments. Strands with lower numbers of filaments always had lower than expected losses, leading to a/spl rho//sub /spl perp/,eff/ /spl Gt/G/spl rho//sub bulk/, which was interpreted in terms of a reduced or "effective" eddy current volume, V/sub f/. This effect, while quite strong for these untwisted samples, is expected to be less pronounced in twisted samples, with some exceptions as noted.
Development and Validation of an Assessment Tool for Competency in Critical Care Ultrasound

ABSTRACT Background Point-of-care ultrasound is an emerging technology in critical care medicine. Despite requirements for critical care medicine fellowship programs to demonstrate knowledge and competency in point-of-care ultrasound, tools to guide competency-based training are lacking. Objective We describe the development and validity arguments of a competency assessment tool for critical care ultrasound. Methods A modified Delphi method was used to develop behaviorally anchored checklists for 2 ultrasound applications: “Perform deep venous thrombosis study (DVT)” and “Qualify left ventricular function using parasternal long axis and parasternal short axis views (Echo).” One live rater and 1 video rater evaluated performance of 28 fellows. A second video rater evaluated a subset of 10 fellows. Validity evidence for content, response process, and internal consistency was assessed. Results An expert panel finalized checklists after 2 rounds of a modified Delphi method. The DVT checklist consisted of ...
Atypical Cycloid Psychoses

Atypical cycloid psychoses are fascinating to clinical scientists for a number of reasons: They reflect the extremes in human moods, they tend to recur, and they almost always remit. As we shall see in discussing the nature and treatment of these atypical psychotic mood disorders, recent advances in psychobiological research make difficult the notion of “typical” or “atypical.” Are syndromes atypical because their clinical presentations are unusual, because their response to treatment varies significantly from the normal, or because their patterns of recurrence are either abnormally predictable or singularly unpredictable? In any event, most of the phenomena classified by earlier clinicians as atypical cycloid psychoses now would be regarded as variants of bipolar manic-depressive illness. Thus, rapid progression in the study of affective disorders has profoundly altered earlier conceptions of the extreme mood disorders. Important among these advances, and particularly relevant here, are (1) increasingly sophisticated diagnostic systems (Akiskal and Webb, eds., 1978; Spitzer et al., m1978); (2) natural history studies that overwhelmingly support the recurrent nature of the affective disorders (Angst and Grof, 1976; Zis and Goodwin, 1979); (3) the use of lithium for diagnostic and taxonomic purposes, and as a therapeutic agent (Dunner and Fieve, 1978); and (4) studies of the relationship between biological rhythms and affective illness (Wehr and Goodwin, 1978).
Is the Reference Desk No Longer the Best Point of Reference

(2007). Is the Reference Desk No Longer the Best Point of Reference? The Reference Librarian: Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 77-82.
Man-machine partial program analysis for malware detection

With the meteoric rise in popularity of the Android platform, there is an urgent need to combat the accompanying proliferation of malware. Existing work addresses the area of consumer malware detection, but cannot detect novel, sophisticated, domain-speci c malware that is targeted speci cally at one aspect of an organization (eg. ground operations of the US Military). Adversaries can exploit domain knowledge to camo auge malice within the legitimate behaviors of an app and behind a domain-speci c trigger, rendering traditional approaches such as signature-matching, machine learning, and dynamic monitoring ine ective. Manual code inspections are also inadequate, scaling poorly and introducing human error. Yet, there is a dire need to detect this kind of malware before it causes catastrophic loss of life and property. This dissertation presents the Security Toolbox, our novel solution for this challenging new problem posed by DARPA's Automated Program Analysis for Cybersecurity (APAC) program. We employ a human-in-the-loop approach to amplify the natural intelligence of our analysts. Our automation detects interesting program behaviors and exposes them in an analysis Dashboard, allowing the analyst to brainstorm aw hypotheses and ask new questions, which in turn can be answered by our automated analysis primitives. The Security Toolbox is built on top of Atlas, a novel program analysis platform made by EnSoft. Atlas uses a graphbased mathematical abstraction of software to produce a uni ed property multigraph, exposes a powerful API for writing analyzers using graph traversals, and provides both automated and interactive capabilities to facilitate program comprehension. The Security Toolbox is also powered by FlowMiner, a novel solution to mine ne-grained, compact data ow summaries of Java libraries. FlowMiner allows the Security Toolbox to complete a scalable and accurate partial program analysis of an application without including all of the libraries that it uses (eg. Android).
Do responses to different anthropogenic forcings add linearly in climate models

Many detection and attribution and pattern scaling studies assume that the global climate response to multiple forcings is additive: that the response over the historical period is statistically indistinguishable from the sum of the responses to individual forcings. Here, we use the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) and National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate System Model (CCSM4) simulations from the CMIP5 archive to test this assumption for multi-year trends in global-average, annual-average temperature and precipitation at multiple timescales. We find that responses in models forced by pre-computed aerosol and ozone concentrations are generally additive across forcings. However, we demonstrate that there are significant nonlinearities in precipitation responses to different forcings in a configuration of the GISS model that interactively computes these concentrations from precursor emissions. We attribute these to differences in ozone forcing arising from interactions between forcing agents. Our results suggest that attribution to specific forcings may be complicated in a model with fully interactive chemistry and may provide motivation for other modeling groups to conduct further single-forcing experiments.
Premature ovarian insufficiency - fertility challenge.

Abstract Premature ovarian insufficiency, defined as amenorrhea with estrogen deficiency in a woman younger than 40 associated with a serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) >35 mIU/mL, can be temporarily reversed with ovulation achieved resulting in live delivered pregnancies. Though this may occur spontaneously the frequency of ovulation can be considerably increased by various techniques of lowering the elevated serum FSH level and thus up-regulate down-regulated FSH receptors in the granulosa-theca cells. This can be accomplished by either suppressing FSH release from the pituitary by negative feedback through high dose estrogen or by suppressing FSH production by inhibiting the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) by either using GnRH agonists or antagonists. The estrogen method is the technique of choice because it is much less expensive than GnRH analogues, and helps stimulate cervical mucus and endometrial development. Ethinyl estradiol is the preferred estrogen because it does not contribute to the measurement of serum estradiol and thus allows proper monitoring of follicular maturation. Sometimes exogenous gonadotropins are needed as a boost but the dosage should be low so as not to down-regulate FSH receptors again. The technique is referred to as the FSH receptor restoration technique. Progesterone should be supplemented in the luteal phase. Physicians should be cognizant of trying to help prevent premature ovarian insufficiency by judiciously choosing less gonadotoxic cancer treatment alternatives that are equally efficacious. Also surgery for ovarian endometriomas should be performed only when absolutely necessary.
Designing All-Dielectric Structures for Efficient Directional Scattering

By structural design of wavelength-size all-dielectric spherical particles, one could control the scattering directivity. Besides, an inverse Mie procedure can be implemented for core-shells particle in order to find the refractive indices and particle size.
Erosion Downdrift from Tidal Passes in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle

Tidal currents, waves and longshore currents combine their actions at tidal passes to make complex patterns of interaction. In general, the longshore drift will be somewhat disrupted at tidal passes, but will continue downcoast. Quite commonly, however, there is enough disruption of the longshore current so that local reversals of the current direction are seen on the downdrift side of passes. Although this local reversal has been attributed to a number of causes, including wave refraction complications, another possibility is that eddy currents, or gyres are formed due to offshore shoaling and downdrift deflection of tidal currents. These current reversals downdrift from passes can cause several problems, including 1) erosion of the beach, 2) the need for costly maintenance, and 3) the possibility of poor planning if the process is not understood.
Determinants of social status among homeless adults.

OBJECTIVES To examine determinants of subjective social status (SSS) among 394 sheltered homeless adults. METHODS Demographics, socioeconomic status, homelessness, and other life factors were examined as potential determinants of US and Community SSS using parametric tests. RESULTS Higher income, African-American/other race, having health insurance, being employed, having longer duration of homelessness, having children, and being of non-veteran status were each significantly associated with higher SSS-US. African-American/ other race and having health insurance were significantly associated with higher community SSS. Variables maintained significance in multivariate models except homelessness duration (for SSS-US). CONCLUSIONS Given known relations of SSS and negative health behaviors and outcomes, understanding the correlates of SSS among homeless adults may facilitate targeted interventions.
Preparation and Use of Chip Capacitors in Ultra-Dense Multi-Chip Modules

Draper Laboratory designs and produces ultra-dense multi-chip modules that achieve an integration density, which is only exceeded by that of custom ASIC chips. These modules are fabricated by tiling an adhesive coated substrate with bare integrated circuit chips and passive components that are thinned to 150 microns thick. Multiple layers of thin film copper conductors, supported on Kapton film dielectric, are used to route signals between these components. Connections to their I/O pads and between signal layers are made through laser drilled vias, which are copper plated. The various types of capacitors used in modules for RF applications present several fabrication challenges. In comparison to active IC devices, capacitors have wider dimensional tolerances, are more easily damaged by mechanical handling, and are more susceptible to damage during laser drilling of vias. This paper will discuss these issues and the approaches that have been taken to address them.
Country paper. Hungary.

Over recent years in Hungary there has been a significant fall in gross national product recession-prompted declining standards of living increasing deprivation poverty unemployment and migration. These conditions are not conducive to improvements in the health status of the population. Indeed under such circumstances improving the health status of the population is only a priority in rhetoric for the new government of Hungary. With a rate of mortality 60% higher than that of neighboring Austria the population of Hungary declined in 1992 by 26000 people 48% more than in 1991. During 1980-93 the mortality for every group of men between the ages of 25 and 64 increased 36.6% for men aged 30-34 years and 27.6% for men aged 45-49. Among women age-adjusted mortality increased only for those aged 30-54. Health and health care were topics of moderate importance during the 1994 election campaign. In recent public opinion surveys health care was the most important social problem after unemployment and safety. The two post-election coalition parties the Association of Free Democrats and the Hungarian Socialist Party reached an agreement upon health policy and early signs suggest that a modern new strategy will be on the agenda of Parliament and within the framework of a new governmental program. Conclusions have yet to be reached on key organizational and financial issues. Priority areas will be health promotion for children and youth; mental health coping and programs against harmful habits; and health promotion in deprived populations. The National Institute for Health Promotion coordinates health care in Hungary spending approximately US$5 annually per capita.
Effects of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate on the mechanical properties of erythrocyte membrane

Investigation by Schindler et al and Sheetz and Casaly have indicated that high (approximately 10 mmol/L) concentrations of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) have a destabilizing effect on erythrocyte membrane and the membrane skeleton. We have investigated changes in the membrane mechanical properties that occur at elevated 2,3-DPG levels in both intact cells and ghosts. The membrane shear modulus, viscoelastic recovery time constant, critical force, "plastic" viscosity, and material relaxation time constant were measured by standard micropipette and flow channel techniques. Intact cells showed no change in properties at physiologic ionic strength and 2,3-DPG concentrations of about 20 mmol/L, except for an increase in membrane viscosity resulting from an increased cellular hemoglobin concentration that occurs when the 2,3-DPG concentration is elevated. At ionic strengths 20% below physiologic and 2,3-DPG concentrations of approximately 20 mmol/L, decreases in membrane shear modulus and membrane viscosity were observed. In ghosts, no changes in these properties were observed at a 2,3-DPG concentration of 10 mmol/L and ionic strengths as low as 25% below physiologic, but a decrease in the force required to form tethers (critical force) was observed at physiologic ionic strength. The decrease in membrane shear modulus and viscosity of intact cells and the reduced critical force in ghosts are consistent with the results of other investigators. However, the difference in the effects of 2,3-DPG on ghosts and intact cells indicates that the effects of 2,3-DPG depend strongly on the conditions of the experiment. It appears unlikely that 2,3-DPG affects erythrocyte membrane material properties under physiologic conditions.
Polaron Cyclotron Resonance at an Interface

Calculations of the shift due to electron — LO phonon interaction of the cyclotron resonance energy of electrons bound to an interface by a potential V(z) are carried out in the limit of zero temperature and vanishing electron density. The results indicate that, crudely speaking, the shift is sensitive to the strength but not the shape of V(z).