cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preoperative CT Angiography Informs Instrumentation in Anterior Spine Surgery for Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Author(s): Theologis, Alexander A; Ramirez, Joel; Diab, Mohammad | Abstract: The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the artery of Adamkiewicz localization with preoperative CT angiography influences anterior spinal instrumentation.MethodsChildren with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent anterior instrumentation and with a preoperative CT angiography were evaluated retrospectively. Data included curve type, artery of Adamkiewicz level/laterality, surgical approach laterality, number of instrumented levels and segmental vessels ligated, intraoperative neuromonitoring changes, and postoperative neural complications.ResultsThirty-nine girls and eight boys (mean age 12 years [6.7 to 16.8 years]) were analyzed. Instrumented curves indicate 28 thoracic, 14 thoracolumbar, and seven double major. The artery of Adamkiewicz: T6 (left-1), T8 (left-1), T9 (left-4/right-2), T10 (left-11/right-4), T11 (left-4/right-4), T12 (left-1/right-2), L1 (left-2/right-1), and L2 (left-3/right-2). Four had bilateral dominant segmentals, whereas in nine patients, none was identified. T10 (32%) and left side (57%) were most frequent. On average, 7.1 (4 to 11) segmentals were ligated per case (total 355). Dominant vessels were ipsilateral to/within instrumentation levels in 30%.DiscussionIn children with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent anterior instrumentation, the artery of Adamkiewicz was identified on the left in g50% and at T10 in 32%. In one-third of the patients, the artery was within intended surgical levels and resulted in instrumentation modification.
141 ReSPECT, find out what it means to me- an audit of emergency treatment plans

Introduction ReSPECT is a national initiative led by the Resuscitation Council(UK). It encourages doctors to work in partnership with patients to establish their wishes and thoughts on future treatments should they become unwell. Moving away from old DNAR forms requires a significant culture shift. We replaced these forms at Ashford & St Peter’s Hospital NHS Trust November 2018. In this audit we aimed to assess the success of the rollout of ReSPECT forms hospital-wide in the first 3 months, aiming for more than 98% of patients having a valid form. Methods Retrospective notes audit. The first 10 patients discharged from each ward, including patients who died, were selected for an electronic notes review looking for a ReSPECT form or documented evidence that a ReSPECT form was filled during admission. The presence of a ReSPECT form and the extent to which it was correctly filled out were recorded in a spreadsheet. Results 209 patient records were examined (100 Male, 109 Female) across a mix of surgical and medical wards, average age of 77 years. A total of 87 forms were reviewed, meaning 42% had a ReSPECT form present. Personal/clinical details and summary of emergency care and treatment recommendations were completed 70% of the time. Areas for improvement include mental capacity documentation and section 3 patient personal preferences. Conclusions Although uptake initially appears poor in retrospect our standard of 98% was likely too high, a 42% uptake is a significant achievement for the first 3 months. By identifying areas for improvement we have been able to put in place initiatives to target these specifically. We recognise the need to continue to facilitate a change in culture within our trust and promote shared decision making and ‘the conversation’ as a process not a one off. We will re-audit next year.
A Comparative Analysis of the Cvp Structure of Teaching and Non-Teaching Hospitals

Due to the market turbulence facing the hospital industry, the financial viability of teaching hospitals has been severely threatened. Their missions of education, research, and patient care even strengthen this crisis. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the CVP structure between large non-profit urban teaching hospitals and small for-profit rural/suburban non-teaching hospitals. Two propositions are developed based on a comprehensive review of prior literature regarding teaching hospitals' performance. The primary data source is the Medicare Cost Report. In addition, the CVP technique is used to prove our propositions. Ultimately, we conduct this paper in an attempt to provide useful suggestions to hospital administrators for enhancing their decision effectiveness in selecting the product mix and designing the cost, volume, and profit (CVP) structure as well as financial strategies appropriately.
Assessable stock and the Comstock mining companies

Historically, it was common for companies to issue assessable stock. With assessable stock, a company’s board of directors could request additional payments beyond the initial stock price. Typicall...
THE SHEARING H I SPIRAL PATTERN OF NGC 1365

The Tremaine-Weinberg equations are solved for a pattern speed that is allowed to vary with radius. The solution method transforms an integral equation for the pattern speed to a least-squares problem with well-established procedures for statistical analysis. The method applied to the H I spiral pattern of the barred, grand-design galaxy NGC 1365 produces convincing evidence for a radial dependence in the pattern speed. The pattern speed behaves approximately as 1/r and is very similar to the material speed. There are no clear indications of corotation or Lindblad resonances. Tests show that the results are not selection biased, and that the method is not measuring the material speed. Other methods of solving the Tremaine-Weinberg equations for shearing patterns are found to produce results in agreement with those obtained using the current method. Previous estimates that relied on the assumptions of the density-wave interpretation of spiral structure are inconsistent with the results obtained using the current method. The results are consistent with spiral structure theories that allow for shearing patterns, and contradict fundamental assumptions in the density-wave interpretation that are often used for finding spiral arm pattern speeds. The spiral pattern is winding on a characteristic timescale of {approx}500 Myr.
Social Capital in the Fifty States: Measuring State-Level Social Capital 1986-2004

The idea of social capital has had a powerful impact on the study of politics, policy, and social science at large. In recent years, scholars have paid increasing attention towards understanding what social capital is and exploring the direct and indirect consequences of living in high social capital environments. Much of what we know about the causes and effects of social capital is limited by the nature of data used regularly by scholars.Although the concept of social capital has been applied globally (Callahan 2005; Letki 2006; Putnam 1993; Tavits 2006; Warde et al. 2003), several works have focused on studying its role within in the context of the state and local politics in the United States (Carden, Courtmanche and Meiners 2009; Knack 2002; Hero 2003, 2007; Putnam 2000; Rice 2001; Tavits 2006). Current datasets offer us leverage in the study of social capital over time in the United States (Keele 2005) and on questions regarding static differences in the distribution of social capital across the states (Putnam 2000). The inability of scholars to know how social capital varies over time and across space limits the kinds of questions that can be asked. Static measures also pose a problem because mainly rival explanations of policy change, such as racial/ethnic diversity and political culture, are highly correlated with social capital. While culture is typically treated as a static concept, temporal shifts in racial/ethnic diversity do not always correspond with changes in social capital (see Hawes and Rocha 2011), allowing scholars the opportunity to establish the extent to which social connectedness alone creates shifts in political outcomes.In this paper, we offer a unique measure of social capital which varies by time and space. We rely sample data of over 20,000 individuals conducted biannually in the continuous 48 states by MediaMark Research Inc. (MRI), a marketing research firm. Although limited in some respects, the MediaMark data are able to construct measures that tap the non-attitudinal components of Putnam’s comprehensive social capital index. This data is available at the state level from 1986 through the present, allowing us to explore movement in these elements of social capital across the states over a twenty year time span.
In-situ characterization of borate glass dissolution kinetics by μ-Raman spectroscopy

Abstract The dissolution behavior of binary and ternary Na–Ca-borate glasses in phosphate-containing aqueous solutions was studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra collected from the solutions provided information about the types and concentrations of borate anions released from the glass as a function of time. Boric acid molecules (H3BO3) and tetrahydroxyl borate anions (B(OH)4−) can be detected in solution and their relative concentrations depend on the solution pH. By monitoring the areas under peaks associated with these two species, the overall borate release rates and variations in solution pH were determined. Binary Na-borate glasses exhibit linear dissolution kinetics and the dissolution rates decrease with Na2O-contents up to 30 mol%. The ternary Na–Ca-borate glasses exhibit parabolic dissolution kinetics because of the formation of a surface Ca-phosphate phase, and these reaction rates also decrease with increasing [Na2O + CaO] content.
Design of broadband antenna elements for a low‐frequency radio telescope using Pareto genetic algorithm optimization

[1] We apply Pareto genetic algorithm (GA) optimization to the design of antenna elements for use in the Long Wavelength Array (LWA), a large, low-frequency radio telescope currently under development. By manipulating antenna geometry, the Pareto GA simultaneously optimizes the received Galactic background or “sky” noise level and radiation patterns of the antenna over all frequencies. Geometrical constraints are handled explicitly in the GA in order to guarantee the realizability, and to impart control over the monetary cost of the generated designs. The antenna elements considered are broadband planar dipoles arranged horizontally over the ground. It is demonstrated that the Pareto GA approach generates a set of designs, which exhibit a wide range of trade-offs between the two design objectives, and satisfy all constraints. Multiple GA executions are performed to determine how antenna performance trade-offs are affected by different geometrical constraint values, feed impedance values, radiating element shapes and orientations, and ground conditions. Two different planar dipole antenna designs are constructed, and antenna input impedance and sky noise drift scan measurements are performed to validate the results of the GA.
Evaluation of a LaB6 cathode electron gun

The brightness of the lanthanum hexaboride, LaB6, cathode electron gun of the Stereoscan S-4 scanning electron microscope has been evaluated. This gun is an indirectly heated Broers type of LaB6 gun design, and the several variables which affect its brightness have been evaluated using a cage device for the brightness measurements. The results indicate that when proper operating conditions are employed the LaB6 brightnesses are of the order of 15 to 20 times that of tungsten operated at 40 h life conditions, and that single crystal cathodes are more reliable for producing high brightnesses.
Technology Transfer to Developing Countries and Technology Diffusion: The Future Role of Institutions in Capacity Building, Regulations, IPRs and Funding

Contrary to some popular beliefs, technology is not transferred based on needs but is strengthened when scientific and technological capacity exists and when effective regulatory systems are in place (biosafety, intellectual property rights, trade regulations). In the agricultural biotechnology area, a number of institutions facilitate technology transfer through a range of activities and initiatives. Many were created and built when technology transfer was something linear. Today, however, technology development and transfer is highly interactive. These elements are discussed in the context of globalisation and public–private partnerships, among others. It is concluded that many of today's development institutions that were created over the last half century or so are no longer effective in the new world order. The incremental changes taking place today in changing the institutions are certainly desirable but fail to deliver the full potential of these institutions and investments. A fundamental re-structuring is long overdue and proposes a number of initiatives to that effect including fundamentally re-structuring international institutions, leveraging the potential of biotechnology companies through new types of public–private institutional arrangements, unleashing private investments, and addressing the constraints imposed by the over-regulation of biotechnology. Unfortunately, it appears that the prospects for any of the needed changes to take place are not very good. Perhaps the plight of the world's poor has to become even worse to draw the attention of the developed world and motivate it for action. Keywords: biotechnology transfer; public–private partnerships; international organizations; biosafety; trade
Chapter 15 – Epilogue: On Ways of Assessing Science Understanding

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a view of assessment in science education that departs significantly from the traditional “selecting and sorting” model that has become standard fare in the schools. The value of application tasks and problem sets has been recognized by generations of teachers, especially in knowledge domains such as physics, chemistry, and genetics. Novel problems that require a rationale or justification are clearly among the most valuable of these methods. Unfortunately, in the hands of less-experienced science teachers, problems and applications often become an exercise in memorizing a solution path or a simple algorithm. By way of comparison, an assessment strategy that depends on the longitudinal construction of concept maps along with structured, clinical interviews seems to offer a readily accessible way of tapping into both understanding and conceptual change. Another approach that offers similar advantages is the iterative construction of classroom artifacts.
Goals and tactics of President Gerald Ford's ethnic politics

This article analyzes initiatives of Gerald Ford's presidential administration toward nationalities or the so-called white ethnics against the backdrop of the legacy of Richard Nixon and the Republican Party's ethnic politics of the 1960s. Using archival and interview materials, it demonstrates that Gerald Ford intended to improve the relationship between the President's office and the ethnics who were involved in the Republican Party's structures. He consciously tried to respond to ethnics’ political concerns and even created a special position on his staff for working with the nationalities. While in office and during the election campaign of 1976, Ford succeeded in engaging the ethnics and in demonstrating his will to address their needs on the domestic “front.” He failed, however, to fully appreciate the importance of foreign policy to the nationalities. The article proposes that today, as in the 1970s, the American political establishment would benefit from recognizing international issues as crucial...
Bone and muscle loss after spinal cord injury: organ interactions

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in paralysis and marked loss of skeletal muscle and bone below the level of injury. Modest muscle activity prevents atrophy, whereas much larger—and as yet poorly defined—bone loading seems necessary to prevent bone loss. Once established, bone loss may be irreversible. SCI is associated with reductions in growth hormone, IGF-1, and testosterone, deficiencies likely to exacerbate further loss of muscle and bone. Reduced muscle mass and inactivity are assumed to be contributors to the high prevalence of insulin resistance and diabetes in this population. Alterations in muscle gene expression after SCI share common features with other muscle loss states, but even so, show distinct profiles, possibly reflecting influences of neuromuscular activity due to spasticity. Changes in bone cells and markers after SCI have similarities with other conditions of unloading, although after SCI these changes are much more dramatic, perhaps reflecting the much greater magnitude of unloading. Adiposity and marrow fat are increased after SCI with intriguing, though poorly understood, implications for the function of skeletal muscle and bone cells.
The Fishing Spider Genus Dolomedes (Araneae: Pisauridae) in Kansas

Kansas is the home of five species of rather large hunting spiders in the genus Dolomedes Latreille 1804 (Araneae: Pisauridae), several of which include small fish and tadpoles in their diets (Barbour 1921, Adams 1927). Hence, members of the genus are commonly known as "fishing spiders" (Gertsch 1979). The most recent revision of the genus lists 8 species from the continental United States and one from northern Mexico (Carico 1973).
THE ABSENCE OF ANTIBODY IN THE MACROPHAGES DURING MAXIMUM ANTIBODY FORMATION

Following the injection of dysentery antigen in saline or in saline-in-paraffin-oil emulsion into the pad of the rabbit's hind foot, considerable quantities of antibody were recovered from the popliteal lymph node, while the tissue at the site of injection, containing many granulocytes and numerous macrophages, revealed only insignificant quantities of antibody. Following the injection of various dysentery and typhoid antigen combinations into the abdominal cavity, no antibody was found in the isolated granulocytes and macrophages of the peritoneal exudate, while the supernatant fluid revealed titers that roughly paralleled those of the blood serum. Similar results were obtained when animals were injected first with antibody intravenously, and subsequently with an unspecific irritant intraperitoneally. The presence of antibody in the supernatant fluid was, therefore, interpreted as being due to secondary concentration (fixation) in an inflamed area. These findings together with the previously described observations on the lymphocyte seem to show that the macrophage does not synthesize agglutinins against dysentery or typhoid bacilli.
Biarylphosphanliganden in der palladiumkatalysierten Aminierung

In den vergangenen 12 Jahren erfuhr die palladiumkatalysierte Aminierung von Arylhalogeniden eine rasche Entwicklung, die durch die Einfuhrung neuer Ligandenklassen vorangetrieben wurde. Biarylphosphane liefern in diesem Zusammenhang besonders reaktive Katalysatoren. Dieser Aufsatz behandelt Anwendungen solcher Katalysatoren zur C-N-Kreuzkupplung in der Synthese von Heterocyclen und Pharmazeutika, in den Materialwissenschaften und in der Naturstoffsynthese.
Performance Modeling of a Coaxial Radio-Frequency Gas-Discharge Microthruster

A method to model the radio-frequency gas-discharge microthruster performance using particle-in-cell, Monte Carlo collisions, and direct simulation Monte Carlo methods is presented. The radio-frequency gas-discharge microthruster is an electrothermal device that exploits a capacitively coupled discharge to heat a propellant. The plasma is characterized as a highly uniform, low-current density discharge propagating through a low-pressure gas. To computationally assess the thruster's propulsive capabilities, a numerical model composed of particle-in-cell/ Monte Carlo collisions and direct simulation Monte Carlo algorithms is used. A gas heat transfer model is included to enhance the particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations and to reflect the effects of neutral gas heating by the plasma. The effects of inner electrode radius (0.5-10 mm), applied voltage (10-500 V), applied frequency (200-1000 MHz), and pressure (0.1-10 torr) on thruster performance are investigated. Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations are used to determine the overall trends in plasma characteristics within this parameter space. These simulations show that increases in discharge pressure, radio frequency, applied potential, and inner radius transmit more power into the fluid. However, the efficiency of power transmission into the fluid increases with a decrease in either inner electrode radius or radio frequency and increases with applied voltage and pressure. Heat transfer within the plasma discharge was shown to greatly affect the discharge characteristics and thruster performance. Increasing the neutral temperature reduces the neutral density, thus reducing the power-transmission efficiency. Thrust calculations using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method demonstrate that the coaxial radio-frequency gas-discharge microthruster achieves a specific impulse in excess of 30% greater than a cold-gas expansion.
Shift-invariant optical neural network with holographic bipolar synapses

An optoelectronic neocognitron neural network has been built at JPL and demonstrated for various automatic target recognition applications. A new technique of constructing and storing a large holographic synapses array at the Fourier plane has enabled the shift-invariant target recognition and tracking. In this paper, a recent development of an innovative bipolar holographic synapses synthesis technique is reported. Experimental demonstration of increased discrimination capability using this bipolar synapses is also provided.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Optical detection of honeybees by use of wing-beat modulation of scattered laser light for locating explosives and land mines

An instrument is demonstrated that can be used for optical detection of honeybees in a cluttered environment. The instrument uses a continuous-wave diode laser with a center wavelength of 808 nm and an output power of 28 mW as the laser transmitter source. Light scattered from moving honeybee wings will produce an intensity-modulated signal at a characteristic wing-beat frequency (170-270 Hz) that can be used to detect the honeybees against a cluttered background. The optical detection of honeybees has application in the biological detection of land mines and explosives, as was recently demonstrated.
Modification of vesicle surfaces with amphiphilic sterols. Effect on permeability and in vivo tissue distribution

In this paper, we describe the permeability of vesicles prepared with various synthetic cholesterol derivatives. Cholesterol derivatives with side-chains ending in hydroxyl groups reduced the permeability of unilamellar vesicles. However, addition of cholesterol derivatives with terminal amino groups makes the vesicles more permeable. Vesicles prepared with a short-chain amino-cholesterol derivative were found to be less permeable in phosphate-buffered saline, but not in bovine serum, while long-chain amino-cholesterol-containing vesicles were very permeable in both media. Studies in vivo indicate a rapid clearance rate for intravenously administered amino-cholesterol-containing vesicles with a concomitant increase in liver uptake. However, no difference was found in either the clearance or tissue distribution of control vesicles and the less permeable hydroxyl-cholesterol-containing vesicles.
Trapping at hyperthermal energies

Abstract Trapping probabilities for 5 eV to 600 eV Na+ incident at 45° along the 〈100〉 azimuth of Cu(001) have been measured. The measurement exploits the fact that the neutralization of scattered Na is very sensitive to Na particles trapped on the surface. Classical trajectory analysis indicates that for incident energies below 75 eV the Na traps primarily on top of the Cu surface. In the 5 eV to 75 eV range, the measured trapping probability is nonmonotonic, and is approximately zero for an incident energy of 20 eV. This nonmonotonic trend in the top layer trapping is attributed to changes in trapping trajectories as a function of energy.
Software for the EVLA

The Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA) project is the next generation instrument for high resolution long-millimeter to short-meter wavelength radio astronomy. It is currently funded by NSF, with completion scheduled for 2012. The EVLA will upgrade the VLA with new feeds, receivers, data transmission hardware, correlator, and a new software system to enable the instrument to achieve its full potential. This software includes both that required for controlling and monitoring the instrument and that involved with the scientific dataflow. We concentrate here on a portion of the dataflow software, including: proposal preparation, submission, and handling; observation preparation, scheduling, and remote monitoring; data archiving; and data post-processing, including both automated (pipeline) and manual processing. The primary goals of the software are: to maximize the scientific return of the EVLA; provide ease of use, for both novices and experts; exploit commonality amongst all NRAO telescopes where possible. This last point is both a bane and a blessing: we are not at liberty to do whatever we want in the software, but on the other hand we may borrow from other projects (notably ALMA and GBT) where appropriate. The software design methodology includes detailed initial use-cases and requirements from the scientists, intimate interaction between the scientists and the programmers during design and implementation, and a thorough testing and acceptance plan.
Free serratus anterior muscle transplantation for hand reconstruction

Abstract Free transplantation of the serratus anterior muscle has allowed salvage or reconstruction of difficult hand injuries with advantages compared to traditional methods. Free muscle tissue adds vascularity to poorly vascularised and potentially infected wounds and allows hand elevation and early mobilisation. Dynamic reinnervation is possible with segmental preservation of the long thoracic nerve. The serratus anterior muscle is easily harvested and has a long, reliable vascular pedicle. It is thin, easily contoured to the defect and can be separated into its component slips. The muscle provides stable coverage when covered with a meshed split thickness skin graft. Scapular winging does not occur since only the lower two or three slips of muscle are used. The muscle has been used in 15 complex hand wounds, three within a week of revascularisation or digital replantation for hand salvage. Three dynamic muscle transfers were performed to restore thumb opposition with one simultaneous toe-to-thumb transplantation.
Henry David Thoreau's science in The Dispersion of Seeds

Summary A major manuscript by nineteenth-century American writer-naturalist Henry David Thoreau was published for the first time in 1993. The Dispersion of Seeds is a study of ecological dynamics in forests in and around Concord, Massachusetts. Drafted by Thoreau just before his premature death in 1862, it emphasizes plant-animal mutualism in the dispersion of oak seed, as a fundamental factor in forest succession patterns. If Thoreau had lived to publish this study, it is likely that his pioneering role in the history of ecology would be considerably enhanced. This paper explores dimensions of Thoreau's science that are revealed for the first time in this new publication.
A REA Business Process Modeling and Relational Database Development Case: The Paws and Claws Veterinary

Abstract This case provides a real-world end-of-semester project-oriented case study for students enrolled in an accounting information systems course in which resources, events, and agents (REA) business process modeling and database development are taught. The case consists of a business scenario to provide background information, details of the unique operating characteristics of the Paws and Claws Veterinary Clinic, a description of the functional business requirements, and sample data. The case provides sufficient information to create a moderately complex REA conceptual business process model for the revenue and collection cycle of a service-oriented business. Students should be able to convert the conceptual REA model into an Access database, populate it with data, and then develop a series of queries, forms, and reports that satisfy the stated functional requirements of the clinic. Teaching notes containing suggested implementation guidelines, a possible REA model, the resulting Access database co...
Growth of nanostructures by locally modified surface reactivity

Abstract The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of Si and Ge on Si(0 0 1) substrates covered by 1 monolayer of Ga has been studied. Ga modifies surface reactivity and surface atom mobility. We show that islanding occurs during Ga-mediated CVD even in the absence of strain, allowing for the formation of islands without a wetting layer or with a thinner wetting layer. The morphology of the grown layer is highly dependent on kinetic parameters, i.e. growth temperature and growth pressure, that control Si and Ge deposition and Ga desorption. Si Ga-mediated CVD promotes the formation of self-assembled epitaxial Si islands exhibiting {1 1 3} facets. Ge islands grown by Ga-mediated CVD present reduced lateral sizes and an increased surface density compared to non Ga-mediated CVD. The growth morphology (particularly island size and density) can be understood by considering a qualitative model in which atoms are deposited only on sites whose dangling bonds are not passivated by Ga. We suggest that modification of surface reactivity during surfactant-mediated CVD can thus provide a new degree of freedom for quantum dot fabrication.
Effects of Sex, Age and Dietary Modification on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins of Macaca nemestrina

SummaryFemale M. nemestrina fed a Monkey Chow diet had higher TPC and LDL + VLDL-chol concentrations than males. When the animals were fed a fat and cholesterol-enriched Monkey Chow diet, there were increases in TPC, LDL + VLDL-chol, and HDL-chol concentrations in both sexes. However, the increase in TPC and LDL + VLDL-chol was greater in males than in females. Older males fed the Monkey Chow diet had lower TPC and LDL + VLDL-chol levels than younger males, while no trend was observed in females fed the same diet. When fed the enriched diet, TPC and LDL + VLDL-chol concentrations increased with advancing, age in both sexes, although males had a greater proportion of LDL-VLDL-chol than females. These data suggest the potential for male-female differences in atherosclerosis in this species. No correlation was found between basal TPC concentrations and the magnitude of response of TPC levels to the fat and cholesterol enriched diet, indicating that the response of individual animals cannot be predicted on th...
D-lactic acidosis mediated neuronal encephalopathy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient: an under diagnosis.

Abstract Background D-lactic acidosis, also referred as D-lactate encephalopathy, has been reported in patients with short bowl syndrome (SBS). Case report The neurologic symptoms include altered mental status, slurred speech, and ataxia. Onset of neurological symptoms is accompanied by metabolic acidosis and high anion gap. We present here a case of D-lactic acidosis in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who developed severe neurological symptoms and metabolic acidosis due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection, and elevated D-lactic acid.
Molar Size Sequence in American Blacks

The purpose of this study is to present the data on molar size sequence (MSS) in American Blacks. The results are compared with other studies on American Whites. It is evident from the findings that a reasonably high percentage of M2 > M 1 (where second molars are larger mesiodistally than first molars) exists in both the groups. This suggests that the M2 > M1 molar sequence should not be considered as a primitive characteristic, since a high percentage of this sequence is seen in the modern population. The percentage of incidences of M2 > M1 in the maxillary arch seems to be significantly higher in American Whites, in both the sexes and as a total group, than in American Blacks. In the case of the mandibular arch, the percentage is significantly higher in American Blacks.
Computers and Literacy: Differing Perspectives in the Social Sciences

This introduction to the symposium provides a historical and comparative background to the controversies surrounding computer literacy. In doing so, it develops the significance of this controversy...
A 12X12 InGaAs/InAlAs avalanche photodetector array

Avalanche photodiode arrays have been widely used in detecting weak optical signals, such as in high resolution Position Emission Tomography (PET) [1], in Detection of Internally Reflected Cherenkov light (DIRC) [2], or in Scintillating Fiber Readouts application [3], where the APD arrays were used as compact alternatives to the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Since all these APD arrays were based on silicon materials they cannot efficiently detect infrared signals with wavelength λ. ≥ 1.1 μm [1-4]. The rapidly emerging three-dimensional imaging technology, however, requires detector arrays that operate in the short wavelength infrared (SWIR) range [5]. In0.53Ga0.47As provides wider wavelength coverage and higher optoelectronic absorption than silicon in this wavelength range, and has been widely used in photodetectors for long-haul communication systems. In this paper, we report a novel 12 × 12 APD array with an In0.53Ga0.47As absorption region and a thin In0.52Al0.48As multiplication region that was grown on an InP substrate. The APDs on this array exhibit uniform breakdown voltage, dark current, and avalanche multiplication gain.
Ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective step-growth copolymerization of 3′,4′-methylenedioxyacetophenone and α,ω-dienes

Abstract Ruthenium-catalyzed step-growth copolymerization of 3′,4′-methylenedioxyacetophenone and α,ω-dienes such as 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane or 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-3,6-disila-1,7-octadiene give high molecular weight copoly(3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-4-oxa-3,5-disila-1,7-heptanylene/2-aceto-4,5-methylenedioxy-1,3-phenylene) or copoly(3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-3,6-disila-1,8-octanylene/2-aceto-4,5-methylenedioxy-1,3-phenylene) respectively. The synthesis and characterization of these copolymers are reported.
BIM for Sustainability Analyses

Buildings consume close to 40% of total energy used in the United States and account for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. With the rising cost of energy and growing environmental concerns, the demand for sustainable buildings with minimal environmental impact is increasing. The most effective decisions related to the sustainable design of a building can be made in the early design and preconstruction stages. In this context, Building Information Modeling (BIM) can aid in performing complex building performance analyses to ensure an optimized sustainable building design. This research project investigated the viability of BIM-based sustainability analyses. The objectives were: 1) determination of current state and benefits of BIM-based sustainability analyses; 2) evaluation of various building performance analyses softwares; and 3) development of a conceptual framework to illustrate the use of BIM for sustainability analyses throughout the project life-cycle. Necessary data were collected via a questionnai...
Attitudes toward posthumous harvesting and reproduction

Attitudes toward posthumous harvesting of reproductive material and beliefs about medical professionals' obligation to assist were examined using a multiple segment factorial vignette survey design with 407 randomly selected respondents from a southern state. Attitudes and beliefs were primarily shaped by the vignette couple's marital status, parental support, and evidence of the deceased's wishes, as well as by respondents' religiosity and level of education. Three primary groups of respondents were identified: libertarians emphasized the survivor's rights, consentualists were skeptical until hearing that the deceased approved of the procedure, and persistent dissenters retained their negative attitudes despite the deceased's known wishes in favor of posthumous harvesting. Overall, attitudes and obligation beliefs were primarily in favor of posthumous harvesting when contextual circumstances deemed suitable were portrayed.
Polymer and elastomer friction in the thermal control regime

It is proposed that as conditions are made more severe in a dry, sliding contact, a regime is eventually initiated in which friction is governed by heat flow. If is suggested that in any given configuration a maximum allowable sulfate temperature can be defined, two alternate closed-form results for friction can be derived. It is suggested that this regime of friction could be relevant to polymers and elastomers due to their low thermal conductivity. The models are compared quantitatively and quantitatively with results in the literature. Presented at the 41st Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada May 12–15, 1986
Asymptotic approximations to the Bayes posterior risk

Suppose that, given ω = ( ω 1 , ω 2 ) ∈ ℜ 2 , X 1 , X 2 , … and Y 1 , Y 2 , … are independent random variables and their respective distribution functions G ω 1 and G ω 2 belong to a one parameter exponential family of distributions. We derive approximations to the posterior probabilities of ω lying in closed convex subsets of the parameter space under a general prior density. Using this, we then approximate the Bayes posterior risk for testing the hypotheses H 0 : ω ∈ Ω 1 versus H 1 : ω ∈ Ω 2 using a zero-one loss function, where Ω 1 and Ω 2 are disjoint closed convex subsets of the parameter space.
Effects of depressed mood on social perception

6 more depressed scoring undergraduates rated perceived rapport more accurately but lower than 39 nondepressed students and tracked a negative partner more than a positive one, suggesting affect in social perception must be studied carefully.
Muscle synergies during shifts of the center of pressure by standing persons: identification of muscle modes

When a standing person performs a movement such that the center of gravity shifts, the activity of postural muscles adjusts to keep the balance. We assume that such adjustments are controlled using a small set of central variables, while each variable induces changes in the activity of a subgroup of postural muscles. The purpose of this study has been to identify such muscle groups (muscle modes or M-modes) and compare them across tasks and subjects. Four tasks required the subjects to release a load from extended arms leading to a center of pressure (COP) shift prior to the load release. The fifth task required an explicit COP shift by voluntary sway. Electromyographic activity of 11 postural muscles on one side of the body was integrated over a 100-ms interval corresponding to the early stage of the COP shift, and this integrated EMG activity was subjected to a principal component (PC) analysis across multiple repetitions of each task. Three PCs were identified and associated with a "push-back M-mode," a "push-forward M-mode," and a "mixed M-mode." Cluster analysis of the PC vectors across tasks and across subjects confirmed the existence of distinctive push-forward and push-back muscle groups. PC vectors were also compared across tasks and across subjects using cosines as a measure of colinearity between pairs of vectors. In general, M-modes were similar across both tasks and subjects. We conclude that shifts of the COP, whether implicit or explicit, are controlled using a small set of central variables associated with changes in the activity of robust subsets of postural muscles. These results can be used for future analysis of muscle synergies associated with postural tasks.
Preventing Drug Abuse Among Adolescent Girls: Outcome Data from an Internet-Based Intervention

This study developed and tested an Internet-based gender-specific drug abuse prevention program for adolescent girls. A sample of seventh, eighth, and ninth grade girls (N = 236) from 42 states and 4 Canadian provinces were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. All girls completed an online pretest battery. Following pretest, intervention girls interacted with a 12-session, Internet-based gender-specific drug prevention program. Girls in both groups completed the measurement battery at posttest and 6-month follow-up. Analysis of posttest scores revealed no differences between groups for 30-day reports of alcohol, marijuana, poly drug use, or total substance use (alcohol and drugs). At 6-month follow-up, between-group effects were found on measures of 30-day alcohol use, marijuana use, poly drug use, and total substance use. Relative to girls in the control group, girls exposed to the Internet-based intervention reported lower rates of use for these substances. Moreover, girls receiving the intervention achieved gains over girls in the control group on normative beliefs and self-efficacy at posttest and 6-month follow-up, respectively.
An investigation of reported symptoms and attitudes on tobacco smoke pollution as a function of expositional context, smoking status, and gender

Abstract The social support system of smoking is the structured fabric of social definitions, beliefs, attitudes, customs, norms, and laws that define smoking as normal, expected, appropriate, attractive, socially acceptable, socially respectable, and an implicit fundamental right. The nonsmokers' rights movement represents the first modern widespread challenge to that structured system. Hence one important way to understand and influence smoking behavior is to study salient issues emerging from the concerns of the movement. In this questionnaire study 691 University of New Hampshire undergraduates reported on symptoms from tobacco smoke pollution and pertinent attitudes about smoking. The three independent variables were the explicit versus nonexplicit expositional context of the nonsmokers' rights movement, smoking status (current smokers versus nonsmokers), and gender. Moderate to extremely high similarity was found in the patterns of relative mean magnitudes on all three variables. Significant, although in some instances very small, effects were found on all three variables in regard to both symptoms and attitudes, and a significant interaction of expositional context and smoking status was found in regard to symptoms. However, the essential patterns of findings remained stable across contexts. Alternative explanations for the context effect and interaction and directions for further research were discussed.
Phospholipid Biosynthesis Program Underlying Membrane Expansion during B-lymphocyte Differentiation

Stimulated B-lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells committed to antibody production. Expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi compartments is a prerequisite for high rate synthesis, assembly, and secretion of immunoglobulins. The bacterial cell wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates murine B-cells to proliferate and differentiate into antibody-secreting cells that morphologically resemble plasma cells. LPS activation of CH12 B-cells augmented phospholipid production and initiated a genetic program, including elevated expression of the genes for the synthesis, elongation, and desaturation of fatty acids that supply the phospholipid acyl moieties. Likewise, many of the genes in phospholipid biosynthesis were up-regulated, most notably those encoding Lipin1 and choline phosphotransferase. In contrast, CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase alpha (CCTalpha) protein, a key control point in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, increased because of stabilization of protein turnover rather than transcriptional activation. Furthermore, an elevation in cellular diacylglycerol and fatty acid correlated with enhanced allosteric activation of CCTalpha by the membrane lipids. This work defines a genetic and biochemical program for membrane phospholipid biogenesis that correlates with an increase in the phospholipid components of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi compartments in LPS-stimulated B-cells.
Texas Department of Transportation 3D Transverse Profiling System for High-Speed Rut Measurement

Pavement rutting is a critical measure of road condition. Severe rutting indicates road structure deformation and exposes drivers to hazards, especially when it holds rainwater. The Pavement Management Information System requires ruts to be measured regularly for pavement condition score calculation. In the past few decades, a number of automated rut-measurement devices have been developed and used for highway speed data collection. However, all these devices exhibit limitations on measuring ground truth in practice. This paper introduces a high-speed true three-dimensional (3D) pavement surface measurement tool that can produce accurate rut data at highway speeds. Network-level data collections were conducted and the results analyzed to evaluate and verify the system.
Molecular analysis of hprt mutant lymphocytes from 1, 3-butadiene-exposed workers.

1,3-Butadiene (BD) has been shown to be a potent animal carcinogen and a probable human carcinogen, yet the molecular mechanisms of BD genotoxicity and carcinogenicity still are not fully understood. Our hypothesis is that metabolites of BD induce specific structural changes in the human hprt gene like those observed in vitro in TK6 cells and in vivo in the mouse. Characteristic mutations in BD-exposed subjects can be identified and used as biomarkers for monitoring genotoxic effects associated with BD exposure. Molecular analysis of hprt mutant lymphocytes from BD-exposed workers and unexposed control subjects was carried out to identify changes in the structure of the hprt gene. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to detect exon deletions in 360 hprt mutant clones. We determined that exon deletions were significantly more frequent (P < 0.05) in BD-exposed workers (17.5%) than in control subjects (9.7%). Sequence analysis of hprt cDNA from 175 independent mutants indicated that the distribution of the types of mutations was different between the workers and the unexposed control subjects. There was a significant increase in −1 frameshift mutations in BD-exposed workers, predominantly in repeated DNA sequences, and single-base substitutions were decreased to 66% in the workers compared to 83% in the control subjects (P < 0.05). In addition to the spectral changes, hprt clonal assays revealed an elevation in mutant frequency in the lymphocytes of workers (N = 10) when compared with that in unexposed control subjects (N = 11; P < 0.05). There also was a twofold increase of A:T T:A transversions in BD-exposed workers (16% in BD-exposed workers compared to 8% in controls, P = 0.25). Some of the BD-associated changes in mutational spectra observed in our study have the potential for application in monitoring genotoxic effects related to butadiene exposure. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 36:59–71, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An interactive sensemaking framework for mobile visual analytics

Increasing mobility for modern life requires people to access information and make decisions "on the go". Mobil applications place special constraints that challenge the existing ways of visual analytic design where relatively stable and interaction-rich contexts are assumed. In tasks like learning unfamiliar places, current visualizations on mobile devices are not capable of helping users to form a good cognitive map of the environment. How can we take advantage of rich physical environmental cues and supplement with computational power to help people make sense of the environment? In this paper, we present a framework of sensemaking to model how people get insight into the environment as they navigate around. Based on this framework, we present design guidelines for mobile visual analytics that could enhance the spatial awareness of the navigator and analyze several existing designs through the discussion.