cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Construction for Cancellative Families of Sets

Following [2], we say a family, $H$, of subsets of a $n$-element set is cancellative if $A \cup B = A \cup C$ implies $B =C$ when $A, B, C \in H$. We show how to construct cancellative families of sets with $c 2^{.54797n}$ elements. This improves the previous best bound $c 2^{.52832n}$ and falsifies conjectures of Erdos and Katona [3] and Bollobas [1].
Two genetically, anatomically and functionally distinct cell types segregate across anteroposterior axis of paraventricular thalamus

Unlike the sensory thalamus, studies on the functional organization of the midline and intralaminar nuclei are scarce, and this has hindered the establishment of conceptual models of the function of this brain region. We investigated the functional organization of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), a midline thalamic structure that is increasingly being recognized as a critical node in the control of diverse processes such as arousal, stress, emotional memory and motivation, in mice. We identify two major classes of PVT neurons—termed type I and type II—that differ in terms of gene expression, anatomy and function. In addition, we demonstrate that type II neurons belong to a previously neglected class of PVT neurons that convey arousal-related information to corticothalamic neurons of the infralimbic cortex. Our results uncover the existence of an arousal-modulated thalamo-corticothalamic loop that links the PVT and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Gao et al. provide evidence that two major classes of neurons exist in the paraventricular thalamus. One of these, termed type II PVT neurons, belongs to a previously ignored cell population that relays arousal information to the infralimbic cortex.
No support for the adaptive hypothesis of lagging-strand encoding in bacterial genomes

ABSTRACT Genes are preferentially encoded on the leading instead of the lagging strand of DNA replication in most bacterial genomes1. This bias likely results from selection against lagging-strand encoding, which can cause head-on collisions between DNA polymerases and RNA polymerases that induce transcriptional abortion, replication delay, and possibly mutagenesis1. But there are still genes encoded on the lagging strand, an observation that has been explained by a balance between deleterious mutations bringing genes from the leading to the lagging strand and purifying selection purging such mutations2. This mutation-selection balance hypothesis predicts that the probability that a gene is encoded on the lagging strand decreases with the detriment of its lagging-strand encoding relative to leading-strand encoding, explaining why highly expressed genes and essential genes are underrepresented on the lagging strand3,4. In a recent study, Merrikh and Merrikh proposed that the observed lagging-strand encoding is adaptive instead of detrimental, due to beneficial mutations brought by the potentially increased mutagenesis resulting from head-on collisions5. They reported empirical observations from comparative genomics that were purported to support their hypothesis5. Here we point out methodological flaws and errors in their analyses and logical problems of their interpretation. Our reanalysis of their data finds no evidence for the adaptive hypothesis.
CS Motivation for Black/African American Middle School Students

While there has been an increase of interest in computer science as a career choice among secondary students, there is still a gap among minorities and attracting them to the field. Even though there has been research to help teach programming to students of any age, no known research has specifically focused on the race of avatars in CS learning tools. Minorities have consistently had lower participation rates than their majority counterparts in CS and even though the minority population continues to rapidly grow, the participation of minorities in CS is not moving with the pace of the growth of the general population. Black or African Americans is one minority group with very low participation in CS. This paper is aimed at exploring whether a Black avatar paired with a Black teacher can engender a greater sense of belongingness and thus lead to more positive attitudes and confidences towards and greater interests in CS among Black or African American middle school students. As this research is unique in the area of CS education, it is expected that this research will offer a novel approach to recruiting and retaining Black students in computer science by attracting them to the field at an earlier age when they are exploring career choices.
A Class of Near-Optimal Local Minima for Witsenhausen’s Problem

This paper is the continuation of the research initiated in our previous work aiming to analytically support the existence of near-piecewise-linear local optima for Witsenhausen’s problem for a highly volatile state, which had been suspected of being the optimal solution in the past based on numerical evidence. The core idea of our previous work was to pose Witsenhausen’s problem as a leader-follower coordination game of asymmetric information, and carefully construct a class of near-piecewise-linear strategies for the leader that stays invariant under the best response operator. This invariance set of strategies was then used to show the existence of a near-piecewise-linear equilibrium strategy for the leader. One major contribution of the current work is to refine the set of strategies proposed in our previous work to include more efficient local minima. In fact, we explicitly specify a range of values for the number of segments in the proposed near-piecewise-linear strategies (as a function of the state variance), which yields local minima of the same order as of the global optimal solution. This has required major refinement of the bounds and proofs in the best response analysis. As another key contribution and to compare the performance of the proposed local optima with the global optimal solution, we use results from the asymptotic quantization theory to upper-bound the cost of the proposed local minima. Combining it with an asymptotic upper bound on the optimal cost obtained from existing results in the literature, we show that the cost of the proposed local minima are at most a constant factor away from the optimal cost.
Prospective evaluation of blue-light flexible cystoscopy with hexaminolevulinate in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Objectives To evaluate the utility of blue-light flexible cystoscopy (BLFC) for surveillance of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Patients and methods Prospective cohort of consecutive patients who underwent office-based BLFC for NMIBC. Clinical information was collected including cystoscopic findings and pathological data. Results A total of 322 cases were performed on 190 patients. The mean age was 71 years and 83% were men. The highest stage prior to BLFC was Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS), T1, and T2 in 45.3%, 18.4%, 30% and 2%, respectively. Prior to BLFC, 16.8%, 60.5%, and 16.8% were low grade (LG), high grade (HG), and CIS, respectively. Intravesical bacille Calmette-Guerin and intravesical chemotherapy were used in 54.2% and 18.4%, respectively. White-light cystoscopy (WLC) and BLFC were both normal in 173 (53.7%) of cases. WLC was normal and BLFC was abnormal in 26 (8%) cases. Of these, 15 had office-based biopsy and cancer was detected in 13 (87%; six CIS, four HG Ta, three LG Ta). Both WLC and BLFC were positive in 83 (25.8%) cases and 33% had additional tumours found. Cancer was found in 27 (75%) of WLC+/BLFC+ who underwent office-based biopsy including 19 LG Ta, six HG Ta, and two CIS. Conclusions Incorporation of BLFC in clinical practice has potential advantages of finding cancer in cases with normal WLC. BLFC detected additional cancers in 33% of patients with positive WLC and BLFC, which can improve surveillance and performance of office-based biopsy. Further research is needed to determine cost-effectiveness and impact on recurrence rates.
Antenna on Silicon Interconnect Fabric

In this paper we demonstrate a 20 GHz patch antenna on the Silicon-Interconnect Fabric (Si-IF) platform. Two methodologies to integrate the antenna are explored in this paper. One is to embed a Fused Silica die inside a recess etched on the Si-IF. The second method is to compression mold Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into the Si-IF recess. The antennas fabricated with both the methods are compatible with Ground- Signal-Ground (GSG) probing, and interfacing with off the shelf MMIC dies. Along with the process flow, we also present experimental characterisation of the fabricated antennas.
Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict Mortality and Allocate Palliative Care for Older Patients With Hip Fracture.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate a machine learning model designed to predict mortality for Medicare beneficiaries aged >65 years treated for hip fracture in Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs). Design Retrospective design/cohort analysis of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility–Patient Assessment Instrument data. Setting and Participants A total of 17,140 persons admitted to Medicare-certified IRFs in 2015 following hospitalization for hip fracture. Measures Patient characteristics include sociodemographic (age, gender, race, and social support) and clinical factors (functional status at admission, chronic conditions) and IRF length of stay. Outcomes were 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality. We trained and evaluated 2 classification models, logistic regression and a multilayer perceptron (MLP), to predict the probability of 30-day and 1-year mortality and evaluated the calibration, discrimination, and precision of the models. Results For 30-day mortality, MLP performed well [acc = 0.74, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) = 0.76, avg prec = 0.10, slope = 1.14] as did logistic regression (acc = 0.78, AUROC = 0.76, avg prec = 0.09, slope = 1.20). For 1-year mortality, the performances were similar for both MLP (acc = 0.68, AUROC = 0.75, avg prec = 0.32, slope = 0.96) and logistic regression (acc = 0.68, AUROC = 0.75, avg prec = 0.32, slope = 0.95). Conclusion and Implications A scoring system based on logistic regression may be more feasible to run in current electronic medical records. But MLP models may reduce cognitive burden and increase ability to calibrate to local data, yielding clinical specificity in mortality prediction so that palliative care resources may be allocated more effectively.
Understanding teen sex in Bangladesh: Results from Global School Health Survey 2014

Abstract Objective Absent sexual education amid a culture of sexual repression, unmarried youth of Bangladesh have sex, as they do all over the world. But, given lack of resources and institutional support for teens who have sex, particularly outside of marriage, they are vulnerable to a variety of concerns: reproductive and sexual health problems, sexual violence, and emotional and psychological harm. In this study, we examine factors that predict teen sex among a sample of school students as a way to identify teens who are potentially in need of sexual and mental health services. Methods Using the 2014 Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) for Bangladesh we conducted a logistic regression to estimate whether socio demographic factors (age, gender, grade), psychological health (suicidality) and social ties (social support, friends, parental involvement, missing school) predict teen sex. Results We estimate that 9.11% of Bangladeshi students between ages 11 and 17 years have had sexual intercourse. In examining predictors of teen sex, our findings suggest that male students were more likely to have sex, as were older students. Teens who missed school without permission to do so were much more likely to have sex. Greater school social support, having a friend, nor a history of suicidality predicted sexual intercourse history. Greater education and parental involvement showed moderately negative relationships. Conclusion In identifying the frequency and characteristics of teens who report having sex, we suggest the incorporation of sex education in schools as well as in community settings given teens who have sex are more likely to miss school than their counterparts.
Vitamin D status is associated with bone mineral density in adolescents: Findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Vitamin D is a factor that regulates calcium and bone metabolism. However, the clinical effect of vitamin D on bone mineral density (BMD) remains controversial. We hypothesized that sufficient vitamin D is required to maintain optimal BMD in adolescents. Based on the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, data of 1063 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years were analyzed. The association of vitamin D status and other variables, such as body mass index (BMI), calcium intake, physical activity, lean mass, and fat mass, with BMD Z-scores in the lumbar spine, whole body, total femur, and femur neck were examined. We defined vitamin D deficiency as 20 ng/mL according to the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level. The mean 25-OHD concentration of subjects was below normal, at 16.28 ng/mL. Subjects with vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency comprised 20.5%, 58.6%, and 20.9% of all subjects, respectively. The vitamin D sufficient group had higher BMD Z-scores compared to the insufficient group, and the insufficient group had higher BMD Z-scores compared to the deficient group. In linear regression analysis, 25-OHD level, BMI, calcium intake, physical activity, lean mass, and fat mass were positively associated with BMD Z-scores. 25-OHD level was positively associated with BMD Z-scores, even after adjusting for other factors. This study suggests that vitamin D status is positively associated with BMD in adolescents; therefore, maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels during adolescence is crucial to prevent low BMD.
Engineered receptor binding domain immunogens elicit pan-coronavirus neutralizing antibodies

Effective countermeasures are needed against emerging coronaviruses of pandemic potential, similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Designing immunogens that elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies to conserved viral epitopes on the major surface glycoprotein, spike, such as the receptor binding domain (RBD) is one potential approach. Here, we report the generation of homotrimeric RBD immunogens from different sarbecoviruses using a stabilized, immune-silent trimerization tag. We find that that a cocktail of homotrimeric sarbecovirus RBDs can elicit a neutralizing response to all components even in context of prior SARS-CoV-2 imprinting. Importantly, the cross-neutralizing antibody responses are focused towards conserved RBD epitopes outside of the ACE-2 receptor-binding motif. This may be an effective strategy for eliciting broadly neutralizing responses leading to a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine.
Comparing Informants for Mental Health Screening at the Preschool Level

Universal screening for mental health in preschools provides the opportunity for early identification and early intervention, but guidance regarding which informants to use is needed. Preschoolers’...
Speaking out against hate speech and actions through social work research

In a recent report titled “Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief,”...
Bold Minds: Library Leadership in a Time of Disruption

The editors of this book claim that its contents are “intentionally provocative” (p. xxxi). Certainly, the title and subtitle indicate a book focused upon disruption, radical change, and hopefully ...
Trade Settlement Failures in U.S. Bond Markets

In this study (an update and revision to our 2007 working paper), we estimate the total value of trade settlement failures in the US bond markets. Analyzing data from multiple sources, we show that the value of settlement failures is rising. Regulatory and market efforts to reduce the problem have been largely unsuccessful. In April 2008 fails to deliver in bond markets reached a peak value of $600 billion, a fail rate of nearly 9%. We calculate the resulting loss of tax revenue on payments in lieu of interest (on tax-exempt municipal and Treasury securities) to be $42 million per year to the federal government and $271 million per year to the states. We calculate the loss of use of funds to investors as a result of securities paid for but not received to be $7 billion per year.
Directly measured kinetics of circulating T lymphocytes in normal and HIV-1-infected humans

The dynamic basis for T-cell depletion in late-stage HIV-1 disease remains controversial. Using a new, non-radioactive, endogenous labeling technique, we report direct measurements of circulating T-cell kinetics in normal and in HIV-1-infected humans. In healthy, HIV-1-seronegative subjects, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells had half-lives of 87 days and 77 days, respectively, with absolute production rates of 10 CD4+ T cells/microl per day and 6 CD8+ T cells/microl per day. In untreated HIV-1-infected subjects (with a mean CD4 level of 342 cells/microl), the half-life of each subpopulation was less than 1/3 as long as those of healthy, HIV-1-seronegative subjects but was not compensated by an increased absolute production rate of CD4+ T cells. After viral replication was suppressed by highly active antiretroviral therapy for 12 weeks, the production rates of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were considerably elevated; the kinetic basis of increased CD4 levels was greater production, not a longer half-life, of circulating cells. These direct measurements indicate that CD4+ T-cell lymphopenia is due to both a shortened survival time and a failure to increase the production of circulating CD4+ T cells. Our results focus attention on T-cell production systems in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 disease and the response to antiretroviral therapy.
Providing fairness in DiffServ architecture

The Differentiated Service (DiffServ) architecture does not specify any priority scheme between assured forwarding (AF) out-profile packets and best-effort (BE) packets. Therefore, a misbehaving AF flow can penalize many BE flows unless a fair bandwidth sharing mechanism is employed in the routers. In this paper, we propose two different techniques for solving the inter- and intra-class fairness problems at the core and edge routers, respectively. For the core routers, we propose a fair weighted round robin (FWRR) scheduler that protects BE packets from monopolizing AF out-profile packets by dynamically adjusting the service weights and buffer spaces according to the traffic changes. For the edge routers, we propose a scheme, called fair dropper (FD), that provides intra-class fairness by penalizing the greedy flows. Simulation results indicate that both these techniques are quite effective in providing inter- and intra-class fairness, while maintaining a low packet loss rate.
Blocking Plasticity in the Visual Cortex

The developing mammalian visual cortex adapts to visual stimuli at birth by reorganizing itself into ocular dominance columns. In his Perspective, [Ferster][1] discusses two new reports ([Hensch and Stryker][2]; [ Fagiolini et al .][3]) that reveal the part played by GABAergic inhibitory interneurons in the establishment of ocular dominance columns in the visual cortex of cats and mice shortly after birth. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/303/5664/1619 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/303/5664/1678 [3]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/303/5664/1681
Impaired nitric oxide-mediated flow-induced coronary dilation in hyperhomocysteinemia: morphological and functional evidence for increased peroxynitrite formation.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a newly recognized risk factor for myocardial infarction, however, the effect of HHcy on endothelium-dependent flow-induced dilation of coronary arteries is not known. Thus, changes in diameter of small intramural coronary arteries (diameter, ∼145 μm) isolated from control rats and rats with methionine diet-induced HHcy were investigated by videomicroscopy. Increases in intraluminal flow (from 0 to 40 μl/min) elicited dilations of control vessels (maximum, 25 ± 2 μm), responses that were absent in HHcy arteries. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor l-NAME inhibited flow-induced dilation of control coronaries, whereas it had no effect on responses of HHcy arteries. Dilations of control and HHcy arteries to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside were not different. Responses to flow in HHcy coronary arteries were unaffected by administration of l-arginine or the prostaglandin H2/thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist SQ 29,548. However, in the presence of superoxide dismutase (plus catalase) or the superoxide scavenger Tiron increases in flow elicited l-NAME-sensitive dilations of HHcy coronaries (maximum, 18 ± 5 μm). Also, superoxide dismutase significantly reduced the enhanced superoxide production of HHcy coronaries (measured by the lucigenin chemiluminescence method). Single vessel Western blotting showed an increased tyrosine nitrosation (a stable biomarker of tissue peroxynitrite formation) in HHcy coronaries. Also, extensive prevalence of 3-nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was observed in HHcy coronaries that was confined primarily to the subendothelial layers of smooth muscle. We propose that in HHcy an increased level of superoxide scavenges NO forming peroxynitrite, which increases protein nitrosation. The reduced bioavailability of NO impairs flow-induced dilations of coronary arteries, which may contribute to the development of coronary atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.
Lobular breast cancer series: imaging

The limitations of mammography in the detection and evaluation of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) have long been recognized, presenting real clinical challenges in treatment planning for these tumors. However, advances in mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging present opportunities to improve the diagnosis and preoperative assessment of ILC. The evidence supporting the performance of each imaging modality will be reviewed, specifically as it relates to the pathology of ILC and its subtypes. Further, we will discuss emerging technologies that may be employed to enhance the detection rate and ultimately result in more effective screening and staging of ILC.
Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Liver Regeneration.

ABSTRACTBackground and Aims: Liver regeneration (LR) is of crucial importance to patients with acute liver failure, those undergoing live donor liver transplantations or extended liver resections. Effective treatment strategies aimed at accelerating liver regeneration could offer major benefits in these patients. Due to easy accessibility, human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HADMSC) are an attractive source for regenerative medicine. Herein, we investigated the effect of HADMSC on LR in a murine model. We hypothesized that HADMSC will promote LR. Methods: Mice were subjected to CCl4-induced acute liver failure (ALF). Animals in the experimental arm were treated with HADMSC prior to CCl4-induced ALF. Liver injury was evaluated using serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and histopathology. Liver samples were stained for a specific marker of regeneration, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results: Histology, serum IL-6, and ALT release revealed that H...
Positive Harmonic Functions

In Chapter 2 we proved that a bounded harmonic function on R n is constant. We now improve that result.
Effect of various protein precipitants on recoveries of creatinine added to plasma.

The effect of various types of protein precipitation procedures upon the recovery of creatinine added to blood has been investigated. Complete recoveries of creatinine were obtained with tungstic acid, trichloroacetic acid, perchloric acid, and cadmium hydroxide types of protein precipitation. Incomplete recoveries were obtained with Ba(OH)2 + ZnSO4 and NaOH + ZnSO4 types of protein precipitation. A comparison was made of the normal values for creatine and creatinine in whole blood and plasma obtained by the picric acid and by the o -nitrobenzaldehyde methods of analysis. The o -nitrobenzaldehyde values were 97, 43, 40, and 80 per cent of the picric acid values for whole-blood creatine, whole-blood creatinine, plasma creatine, and plasma creatinine, respectively.
Dietary fat and insulin sensitivity in a triethnic population: the role of obesity. The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS)

From the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS), 1173 men and women of African-American, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic ethnicity with no history of diabetes were included in an evaluation of the cross-sectional relation of habitual dietary fat intake with insulin sensitivity (S I ) as assessed by minimal-model analysis of a 12-sample, insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous-glucose-tolerance test. Dietary intake was measured by a food-frequency interview modified to enhance sensitivity to food choices within the three ethnic groups. Percentage of energy from total fat was associated with rank of S I (S I(rank) ; r = -0.06, P = 0.03), with log fasting insulin (r = 0.10, P < 0.001), and with BMI (r = 0.10, P < 0.001). Multiple-linear-regression models included S I(rank) as the dependent variable, dietary fat (g/d) as the primary independent variable adjusted sequentially for total energy, other covariates, body mass index, and waist-hip circumference ratio (WHR). For all subjects combined, total fat intake was inversely related to S I(rank) , but this association was not significant (P = 0.14) and was attenuated by adjustment for body mass index and WHR (P = 0.44). The association of total fat (g/d) with S I(rank) differed significantly (P < 0.01) for obese compared with nonobese individuals. Higher fat intake was associated with lower S I(rank) among obese (β = -1.40, P = 0.03) but not among nonobese persons (β = 0.16, P = 0.80). Among the obese (body mass index ≤ 63), adjustment for body mass index largely accounted for the observed association of dietary fat with S I(rank) . These findings were generally consistent for monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fats. Among individuals already at increased risk for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus because of obesity, high intake of dietary fat may worsen insulin sensitivity. This effect may be mediated by the relation of dietary fat to obesity.
Despite Initial Moribund Appearance, Critically Ill Traumatic Brain Injury Patients with Diffuse Axonal Injury Have Improved Survival (P7.190)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency, associated factors and short-term outcomes of critically ill traumatic brain injury (ciTBI) patients with primary and secondary diffuse axonal injury (DAI). BACKGROUND: DAI results from shearing of axons during high-velocity injuries and can occur in isolation (“primary”) or in association with other traumatic injuries (“secondary”). Most studies have examined DAI using MRI, which has a high sensitivity for detection. In clinical practice, however, the most feasible initial imaging modality remains head CT (hCT), as ciTBI patients are often too unstable to withstand MRI in the weeks after trauma. Here, we use hCT to document DAI in a cohort of ciTBI patients as a way to provide a clinically useful assessment of this lesion. DESIGN/METHODS: We studied 315 consecutive ciTBI patients enrolled in the ongoing Outcome Prognostication in TBI (OPTIMISM) study between 11/2009-4/2014. All hCTs were adjudicated by three board-certified neurointensivists for primary or secondary DAI with other traumatic lesions. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were utilized to identify admission and ICU-related factors associated with both DAI types, and evaluate their impact on inpatient mortality. RESULTS: DAI was present in 62(20[percnt]), with 34(55[percnt]) as primary and 28(45[percnt]) as secondary. Patients with DAI were younger (31 vs. 58 yrs;p=<.0001), with higher injury severity (ISS 38 vs. 26;p=<.0001) and lower motor GCS (1 vs. 4;p=0.0039) on presentation. In the ICU, DAI was associated with higher odds for ICP crisis (OR 3.34;95[percnt]CI1.50-7.53) and anemia requiring transfusion (OR 3.02;95[percnt]CI1.48-6.30), but lower odds for herniation (OR 0.19;95[percnt]CI0.08-0.44). There was a trend towards decreased hospital mortality in DAI patients (29[percnt] vs. 42[percnt];p=0.0818), which was significant for primary DAI (OR 0.19; 95[percnt]CI0.05-0.49;p=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Despite moribund appearance on admission, ciTBI patients with DAI have higher odds for survival. This effect was blunted when other traumatic injuries were predominant in the brain. Disclosure: Dr. Compton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Carandang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hall has nothing to disclose. Dr. Muehlschlegel has nothing to disclose.
A novel method for NDT applications using NXCT system at the Missouri University of Science & Technology

Abstract A novel method for non-destructive analysis has been developed using a neutron/X-ray combined computed tomography (NXCT) system at the Missouri University of Science and Technology Reactor (MSTR). This imaging system takes advantage of the fact that neutrons and X-rays have characteristically different interactions with same materials. NXCT fuses the imaging capabilities of both systems at one location and allows instant evaluation for nondestructive testing (NDT) applications. This technique promises viable advances in the field of NDT. In this paper, the complete design criteria and procedures are provided. The described design criteria and procedures can effectively be utilized to design and develop advanced combined computed tomography system. The successful operation of the high resolution X-ray and neutron computed tomography has been demonstrated in this paper. The utility and importance of the NXCT system has been shown by nondestructive evaluation of various phantoms constituting different materials, geometrical, structural and compositional information. The concept of NXCT can be useful for concealed material detection, material characterization, investigation of complex geometries involving different atomic number materials and real time imaging for in-situ studies.
Exploring the Implications of M-Commerce for Markets and Marketing

Business pundits have enthusiastically prognosticated about a seamless, mobile world where commerce occurs on an anywhere, anytime basis. This type of commerce has been referred to as mobile commerce or, more simply, m-commerce. However, there have been relatively few attempts to systematically explore the opportunities and challenges posed by m-commerce. This article investigates the implications of m-commerce for markets and marketing by means of a formal conceptualization of m-commerce, a space-time matrix that delineates the impact of mobile technologies, and a taxonomy of m-commerce applications.
An HLLC Riemann solver for magneto-hydrodynamics

This paper extends a class of approximate Riemann solvers devised by Harten, Lax and van Leer (HLL) for Euler equations of hydrodynamics to magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) equations. In particular, we extend the two-state HLLC (HLL for contact wave) construction of Toro, Spruce and Speares to MHD equations. We derive a set of HLLC middle states that satisfies the conservation laws. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate that the new MHD-HLLC solver can achieve high numerical resolution, especially for resolving contact discontinuity. In addition, this new solver maintains a high computational efficiency when compared to Roe's approximate Riemann solver.
Long-term urbanization effects on tree canopy cover along an urban-rural gradient

Urban forestry can benefit from improved knowledge of urbanization’s effects on tree canopy cover (TCC), a prominent urban forest indicator. This study examined changes in TCC over a long time frame, with respect to land cover (LC) changes, and across municipal boundaries. Specifically, I used air photos at 14 dates from 1937 to 2009 to develop an exceptionally long record of TCC change in Minnesota’s Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. During the study period overall TCC nearly doubled from 17% to 33% while the proportion urban land cover rose by 47%, highlighting the opportunity for substantial TCC gains following urbanization in previously agricultural landscapes, even in regions that were forested prior to European settlement. Results demonstrate that more intensely developed sites generally had lower TCC, and older urban sites had higher TCC. Modern TCC was not adequately characterized by linear distance along the urban–rural gradient, but instead peaked near the center of the gradient where mature residential neighborhoods are prevalent. Compared to other land cover changes, urbanization events caused the highest rate of immediate TCC loss (9.6% of events), yet urban areas had the second highest TCC (>35%) in 2009, indicating that urban land gained TCC relatively efficiently following development. The results of this study provide new historical context for urban forest management across an urban–rural gradient, and emphasize the need to consider ecological legacies and temporal lags following land cover changes when considering TCC goals in urban settings.
Some physico-mechanic and chemical properties of capers (Capparis ovata Desf. var. canescens (Coss.) Heywood) flower buds

The physico-mechanic and chemical properties were established in developing Capparis ovata Desf. var. canescens (Coss.) Heywood buds from Konya (Selcuklu) to investigate potential uses. Raw flower buds contained crude ash, crude oil, crude protein, crude fiber, total carotenoid, crude energy, water- and ether-soluble extract, dimethyl sulfite (DMS) and essential oil. In addition, physical properties such as length and diameter of buds, mass of buds, projected area, volume, porosity, bulk density, bud density, thermal velocity, hardness were measured.
Sexual dimorphism in Chironomus riparius (Meigen): Impact on interpretation of growth in whole-sediment toxicity tests

Sexual dimorphism in fourth-instar larvae and adults was studied for Chironomus riparius. Wet weight of fourth-instar male chironomids was on average 29.4% lower than that of fourth-instar female chironomids at day 10 post-hatch of eggs, when organisms were reared individually in 250-ml beakers with 60 g sediment. This weight differential continued to the adult stage and was enhanced with males weighing 39.8% less than females (dry weight). When animals were reared in groups of 15 larvae per beaker, differences between the sexes in larval wet weight were not statistically significant, but males were still 7.4% smaller than females; however, adult males weighed an average of 42.7% less than females upon emergence. Stage of development (fourth instar) was confirmed by head capsule measurement; no significant differences in head capsule widths were detected between the sexes. Animals reared alone, regardless of sex, weighed more than animals reared as a group, indicating that initial larval densities and size of bioassay container can significantly affect larval growth. The probability of making a type I error in sediment toxicity tests due to sexual dimorphism in weight was estimated to be only 3% when dimorphism was most enhanced, that is, for animals reared individually. The effect of dimorphism on data interpretation when animals are reared in groups of 15 to 50 animals per container is thought to be minimal. It is recommended that both larval weight and head capsule width (millimeters) be measured as end points in sediment toxicity tests to differentiate reduced growth from retardation of instar development.
Concepções e autorregulação da aprendizagem da arte

This paper has three goals: the first goal seeks to implement in the first section, a brief review of studies on conceptions of learning and selfregulation in general. The second goal is to investigate these two variables in the particular case of learning arts. The third objective, related to the fourth section, is a brief review of studies that have sought to relate these two lines of investigation.
Le patriotisme économique, erreur géoéconomique ?

A l’aube du XXIe siecle, les relations Etats-entreprises ont subi d’importantes modifications. Les fleurons des entreprises nationales se sont ainsi retrouves au centre des preoccupations de l’Etat et intrinsequement lies a la securite nationale. L’interet etatique et l’interet de l’entreprise se sont donc parfois retrouves en conflit. Pour autant, le patriotisme economique est-il pertinent dans le contexte actuel de mondialisation, et represente-t-il un danger ?
Behavorial Changes in the Pigeon following Inhalation of Mercury Vapor.

Abstract Pigeons motivated by food deprivation were trained to peck on a key in order to obtain a reward, food. These birds were then conditioned to a multiple FI-15, FR-60 schedule of reward. When stable behavior had developed on this schedule, eight of eleven trained birds were exposed to mercury vapor. Following inhalation of mercury at about 17 mg/m2, marked changes in behavior occurred, as measured by a decrease in the average rate of responding in both the fixed ratio and fixed interval portions of the multiple schedule. A return to normal behavior patterns occurred after mercury exposure was terminated. The three pigeons used as controls showed no appreciable change in behavior during the entire experimental period.
Developmental physiology of cestodes. XVI. Effects of certain excretory products on incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA of Hymenolepis diminuta.

Succinate and acetate, which are excreted by Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea), account for about half the inhibition of DNA synthesis observed when the worms are incubated in a “worm conditioned saline” (WCS). Succinate is probably responsible for the bulk of the inhibition, while lactate, which is also excreted by the worms, is inactive. Ammonia and urea at concentrations present in the WCS do not inhibit incorporation of thymidine into DNA. Incubation in WCS or 12 mM succinate, for more than 1 hr inhibits glucose uptake by the worms, but the effect is reversible; therefore, the inhibition is not a result of permanent damage. Concentrations of succinate found in WCS appear physiologic since they agree well with levels found in the small intestines of rats infected with high density populations of H. diminuta.
Grating Light Reflection Spectroscopy of Colloids and Suspensions

The interaction of light with scattering matrixes, particularly particles suspended in a liquid, is described as it relates to the use of a technique known as grating light reflection spectroscopy (GLRS). Analysis of the singular behavior of light reflected from a transmission diffraction grating in contact with a scattering matrix has shown that the effective dielectric function of the medium in contact with the grating can be measured using a reflection method. The relative contributions of the real and imaginary components of the effective dielectric function are probed as mean particle radius increases, shifting the forward scattering regime from the Rayleigh limit to the Fraunhofer diffraction approximation. It is shown that GLRS provides substantial information regarding the characteristics of colloids and suspensions. Further investigations could, in theory, yield particle shape and density distribution information as well.
The first product of phospholipid N-methylation, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, is a lipid mediator for progesterone action at the amphibian oocyte plasma membrane.

Abstract Progesterone has been shown to act at plasma membrane receptors on the amphibian oocyte to trigger a cascade of changes in membrane phospholipids and to initiate the G2/M transition of the first meiotic division. The earliest event (0–1 min) is the transient N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to form phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PME), demonstrated using [3H]glycerol to prelabel oocyte plasma membrane PE. [3H]Glycerol-labeled PME rises 10-fold within the 1–2 min after exposure to progesterone and accounts for conversion of about 50% of the [3H]Glycerol-labeled PE. [3H]PME levels slowly decline over the following 10–30 min. [3H] or [14C] labeled fatty acid experiments showed that newly formed PME is enriched in linoleic or palmitic, but not in arachidonic acid, indicating that specific PE pools undergo progesterone-induced N-methylation. Two plasma membrane changes: activation of serine protease, and Ca2+ release from the oocyte surface coincide with PME formation; both are prevented by pretreatment of oocytes with the N-methylation inhibitor, 2-methylaminoethane. Media containing PME micelles release both protease and Ca2+ from intact oocytes within the first 1–2 min. The immediate downstream metabolites of PME, PDE and PC, do not induce serine protease activity or Ca2+ release. We conclude that progesterone initially activates N-methyltransferase in the oocyte plasma membrane, and that the first product, PME, is responsible for activation of serine protease in the plasma membrane and the release of Ca2+ from the oocyte surface.
A numerical scheme for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

Abstract A nonlinear partial difference equation is obtained, which has as its limiting form the nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation. This difference equation has a number of special properties. It is constructed by methods related to the inverse scattering transform (IST) and can be used as a numerical scheme for the NLS equation. The scheme is implemented and performance data are used to compare it with other known numerical schemes for the NLS equation.
Effects of time-varying flow and volume on cardiac output estimation from isotope dilution and residue detection.

Measurements of cardiac output from indicator dilution are subject to error when tracer is sampled at a constant rate but flow varies periodically. Using a pulsatile compartmental representation of a segment of the central circulation, we have examined the effect of time-varying flow and volume on determinations of cardiac output from isotope dilution and region-of-interest residue detection. The effects of input function dispersion, amplitude of flow variation, relative duration of systole, and injection directly into and proximal to a region-of-interest were studied. In contrast to distal concentration sampling where errors for comparable injection and flow characteristics are minimal at cardiac frequencies, errors from residue detection procedures can be as high as 15 to 20%, and depend on the region-of-interest, injection timing, and system parameters. Errors decrease with peripheral injection, increased dispersion of the input function, increased fractional duration of systole, and reduced amplitude of flow variation. Specific procedures for minimizing errors due to time-varying flow are discussed.
Determination of Available Subsurface Light for Photochemical and Photobiological Activity

Appropriate determinations of available subsurface light for photochemical and photobiological processes require accurate estimates of the subsurface scalar irradiation. Quite often only values of downwelling irradiation are available. Therefore, two sets of multiplicative factors are derived. The first set (Fθ) converts a daily irradiation just above the surface into a daily scalar irradiation just below the surface. The second set (Fzθ) converts an “effective” (i.e., depth-averaged) daily irradiation for a specific photic zone into an “effective” daily scalar irradiation for that photic zone. These multiplicative factors are presented as functions of the subsurface volume reflectance of the water for the volume reflectance range 0.0 to 0.14. For a latitude range appropriate to the Great Lakes, these multiplicative factors vary between 1.1 and 2.1.
A Political Action Role for APGA.

APGA needs to consider what its appropriate political role will be. In this article the author suggests that APGA adopt the role of declaring its professional position when professional concerns will be influenced by political decisions. The mechanism he describes for implementing such a role allows each member of APGA to participate in the political actions of the organization.
THE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DIFFUSION OF STYLISTIC INNOVATIONS IN MATERIAL CULTURE

Many explanations for the sigmoid or S-shaped curves that characterize the diffusion of innovations through time have been proposed. Recent studies demonstrate that social learning mechanisms, including conformist strategies, and heterogeneous adoption thresholds related to economic inequality and the decreasing cost of goods can generate these S-shaped cumulative frequency curves. The present study of a regional material culture sequence expands our inquiry concerning the underlying social forces that structure diffusion through both space and time. Using historic New England gravestones and their associated documents, this study considers both cultural transmission between stone carvers and consumer choices. Social learning among consumers can generate both wave-like diffusion patterns through space and lead to the persistence of cultural variants in certain locales.
Introduction: Theoretical Developments in Psychosocial Work Environment Research:

This article introduces the fourth series of articles in the Special Section on work organization and health. The authors identify the theory of scientific management as one of the major obstacles to workplace democratization efforts. The application of this theory has led to the centralization of workplace knowledge and skill under managerial control. The articles in this issue criticize this conventional theory of job design and suggest new theoretical directions from psychological, sociological, and political-economic perspectives.
OMB revises overhead rules

After pressure from university administrators, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a new plan for saving money on research overhead costs, in place of a controversial proposal that was originally published in February 1986 (Eos, May 20, 1986, p. 481). The agency made the new plan more palatable to administrators and faculty by choosing to cap the rate of reimbursement for the activity that researchers say they find among the most difficult to document: the time they spend on administration of federally sponsored grants and contracts. An amendment to a bill signed by President Ronald Reagan on July 2 might force OMB to make additional concessions to colleges and universities. How much money the federal government would save under this policy is a matter of dispute. The agency's revisions to OMB Circular A-21, “Cost Principles for Educational Institutions,” call for fixing the reimbursement rate at 3% of modified total direct costs for departmental administration work done by “department heads, directors of divisions faculty, and professional staff.” The 3% figure represents about half of the current national average rate of reimbursement for these costs and would lead to federal government savings of $100 million a year, according to OMB.
Prompt and metastable decomposition in 252Cf fission fragment ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract High energy ion bombardment of organic compounds in the condensed phase is foundto gice rise to secondary molecular ions in the gas phase containing appreciable internal energy of excitation. This paper presents the results of time-of-flight mass spectrometric studies of the subsequent prompt and metastable decomposition of these excited ions. The implications of the findings on the fragmentation mechanisms involved in heavy particle bombardment mass spectrometry is discussed.