cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Gestures in Learning Computer Sciences: (Abstract Only)

Computer science teachers want to know what their students are and are not learning and understanding. Gestures, or spontaneous hand movements produced when talking, could help teachers understand what their students are thinking. During communication, gestures often reflect thoughts not expressed when people talk (Goldin-Meadow & Wagner, 2005). Listeners can then extract meaningful information from the gestures they see. When learning computer science, gestures may be an external representation of students' understandings of code. In this research, we conducted a qualitative study observing and interviewing a high school CS class to understand how and when gestures were used. When students trace code, their gestures show how well they understand the code's execution. In another context when students described their code to the teacher or other students, the students' gestures showed how abstracted their knowledge was. Students who understood their code made more general gestures, while struggling students made pointing gestures for each line of their code. These findings suggest that teachers could use students' gestures as a formative assessment to understand how well their students are learning.
Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Thrombin Injection of Common Carotid Pseudoaneurysm following Carotid Endarterectomy is Possible:

Pseudoaneurysm (PSA) of the carotid artery is a rare complication of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with an incidence of less than 1%. PSAs of other named arteries are commonly treated with ultrasoun...
Klinische Erfahrungen über die Anwendung neuer Insuline

Seit den Veroffentlichungen Hagedorns und seiner Mitarbeiter uber die Wirkung von Protamininsulinat auf den Blutzucker und die Anwendung beim Diabetiker sind fast 3 Jahre vergangen. Aus allen Laboratorien und Kliniken der Welt erscheinen Berichte uber die Anwendung und Wirksamkeit von modifizierten Insulinen. Schon bald nach der Entdeckung des Insulins hat man die therapeutischen Schwierigkeiten, die sich infolge der raschen Resorption ergaben, erkannt und zahlreiche Versuche wurden gemacht, um dieselbe zu verlangsamen. Allein kein Vorschlag konnte sich in der Praxis durchsetzen.
Case 1: Febrile toddler with refusal to walk.

A 22-month-old boy presented to the emergency department with three days of fever up to 39.5°C, one day of apparent right knee pain and refusal to ambulate. There was no history of sick contacts, trauma, cough, congestion, emesis or diarrhea. On physical examination, he had a temperature of 38.5°C, a pulse rate of 102 beats/min, a respiratory rate of 25 breaths/min and a blood pressure of 95/46 mmHg. The extremity examination revealed no obvious joint swelling; however, a decreased passive and active range of motion of the right knee and right hip with guarding was noted. Radiographs of the lower extremity were normal. Laboratory results revealed a white blood cell count of 17.8×109/L, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 52 mm/h and a C-reactive protein (CRP) level of 7.1 mg/L. Aspiration of the knee joint was dry, and intravenous ceftriaxone was started after blood cultures were drawn. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right leg failed to be completed due to inadequate sedation; a three-phase bone scan was performed instead. Both the Lyme titre and the blood culture returned negative after 48 h. Based on the following results, a comprehensive physical examination was repeated, with significant pain elicited with extension of the hip and with flexion of the hip against resistance. Repeat laboratory testing showed a CRP level of 18.9 mg/L, and a computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis was obtained (Figure 1). Figure 1 Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis showing multiseptated psoas abscess (arrows)
Quantitative analysis of shape change in Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT)

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) reconstruction is an ill-posed inverse problem, meaning that small amounts of noise or model errors can cause larger artifacts in reconstructed images. One of the largest sources of error is shape change of the imaged object with respect to a reference condition. Systematic shape change artefacts occur in static imaging due to inaccurate assumption of object. Regular shape changes can occur during a time series measurement, such as during the respiratory cycle. We modeled simplified boundary shape changes between circular and elliptic profiles in 2D using the Joukowski transformation. We compared truncated Singular Value Decomposition (tSVD) and Tikhonov regularized reconstruction methods with respect to this shape change in terms of its effect on image quality and Quantity Index (QI) using a single anomaly at various locations within the image plane. During our investigation, we defined a new criterion to choose a suitable regularization parameter for use in quantitative image analysis. The results show that QI is stable over a large range of elliptic distortions, even though quality is not similarly well preserved.
Interpersonal Partner Relationships, Bonds to Children, and Informal Social Control among Persistent Male Offenders

This qualitative study applied a life course framework to characterize the nature of interpersonal partner relationships of Mexican American young adult men affiliated with street gangs during their adolescence. Data come from a 15-year longitudinal mixed-method cohort study conducted in San Antonio, Texas. We analyzed semi-structured interviews conducted with a subsample (n = 40) during the course of three face-to-face sessions to explore the men's motivations, aspirations, and goals to lead conventional lives, despite their criminal justice involvement. Specifically, we focus on the complex nature of maintaining ties to children, the navigation of complicated family structures, the processes of seeking partners with economic resources, and on partnerships with criminal and delinquent partners. We document the complex interpersonal nature of these relationships as men contend with serial incarceration and their desires and motivations to desist from criminal behavior.
A Comparison of Methods for Assessing Performance on the Number Line Estimation Task

The debate about how to characterize performance on the number line estimation (NLE) task has yielded a diverse set of accuracy measures. These accuracy measures include characterizing performance by deviation from the correct score with percent absolute error (PAE), modeling the shape of responses via the logarithmic-to-linear shift, and modeling the strategy use via the cyclical power model (one and two cycle). In the present study, accuracy on a symbolic NLE task was examined using phenotypic and quantitative genetic analyses of all four measurements. Data were collected from a same-sex twin sample at ages 12 and 15 (N = 150 pairs) as part of the Western Reserve Reading and Math Project. Linear mixed-effect models were used to compare how well the four NLE accuracy measures predicted math achievement, as measured by the Woodcock Johnson-III Fluency, Calculation, and Applied Problems subtests, after cognitive ability was controlled. NLE accuracy measures were not related to Fluency or Calculation after cognitive ability was controlled, but all NLE accuracy measures were related to Applied Problems at 12 and 15 years old. Although theories about what the NLE task measures have been contested in the literature, the relationship between NLE accuracy and achievement did not differ regardless of the type of accuracy measure used. In addition, the estimates for genetic and environmental influences were proportionately similar across the NLE accuracy measures. Overall, all proposed measures of accuracy in the present sample appear appropriate for prediction of math achievement in adolescents.
A content analysis of the views of genetics professionals on race, ancestry, and genetics

Over the past decade, the proliferation of genetic studies on human health and disease has reinvigorated debates about the appropriate role of race and ancestry in research and clinical care. Here ...
Suicides Among Lesbian and Gay Male Individuals: Findings From the National Violent Death Reporting System.

Introduction Information regarding the epidemiology of suicide among lesbian and gay male individuals is limited, and comprehensive information is needed. This study seeks to describe the characteristics and precipitating circumstances of suicide among lesbian and gay male decedents when compared with non-lesbian and non-gay male decedents. Methods An analysis was conducted of National Violent Death Reporting System data from 18 U.S. states for the years 2003–2014. Sociodemographic characteristics and precipitating circumstances of suicide among lesbian and gay male decedents were compared with non-lesbian and non-gay male decedents. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between precipitating circumstances and suicide by sexual orientation. The analysis was conducted in December 2017. Results There were a total of 123,289 suicide decedents from 18 states participating in National Violent Death Reporting System during 2003–2014; of those, 621 (0.5%) were identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The majority of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender decedents were identified as gay male (53.9%), followed by lesbian (28.0%), transgender (10.4%), and bisexual (7.5%). The analysis revealed several differences by age, mechanism of injury, and precipitating circumstances, including intimate partner problems among lesbian decedents, suicide planning and intent for both lesbian and gay male decedents, and mental health problems among gay male decedents. Conclusions Findings highlight differences in the characteristics of suicide among lesbian and gay male and non-lesbian and non-gay male decedents. It is important for suicide prevention efforts to be culturally sensitive and consider the needs of sexual minority populations.
Treatment of ATTR cardiomyopathy with a TTR specific antisense oligonucleotide, inotersen.

Transthyretin (TTR) cardiomyopathy can occur as the result of an inherited mutation in transthyretin (ATTRm) or due to deposition of normal transthyretin in older individuals (ATTRWT). TTR cardiomy...
Right-Hook Crash Scenario: Effects of Environmental Factors on Driver’s Visual Attention and Crash Risk

AbstractA right-hook (RH) crash is a common type of bicycle–motor vehicle crash that occurs between a right-turning vehicle and through-moving bicycle at an intersection in right-hand driving count...
Inclination Angle Effects on Dual Cool Jet Heat Transfer

Forced convection thermal management solutions require high heat transfer coefficients, electrically efficient operation, small form factors, reliability, and low noise. Piezoelectric synthetic jets capture all of these requirements. U sing a high aspect ratio synthetic Dual Cool jet (DCJ) (AR = 44: 1), heat transfer coefficients of nearly 200 W/(m2K) were achieved while the operational frequency was maintained at 170 Hz in the vertically oriented position above a heated surface. Normalized heights of $\mathrm{y}/\mathrm{D}_{\mathrm{h}}=2,5$ , and 10 were tested over an Amkor Thermal Test Vehicle (TTV) subjected to constant heat fluxes ranging from 0.2 to 1.4 W/cm2. The TTV has a spatial resolution of 0.25” (6.6 mm), allowing for spatial temperature measurement along the major axis of the slit orifice synthetic jet. After validation of the DCJ performance over the flat plate, the effect of the inclination angle above the heated surface is examined with two DCJ's facing one another. Over the optimal operational frequency of 170 Hz, angles of 30°, 45°, and 60° were tested. Heat transfer coefficients over 250 W/(m2K) were achieved in this inclined dual DCJ configuration. Regression analysis shows a heat flux dependence on the heat transfer coefficient that exceeds that expected by laminar or turbulent free convection, suggesting that the periodic convergence and turbulent rise of the two coolant streams at the heated surface center exploits the increased energy density for improved thermal performance.
In Children’s Best Interests: Charting a Child-Sensitive Approach to U.S. Immigration Policy

For over a century, the “best interests of the child” standard has served as the cornerstone of a robust legal architecture erected by every state in the U.S. to safeguard the well-being of children, regardless of their immigration status. At the state level, the principle guides decision-making regarding a child’s custody, placement, and other critical life issues, such as access to services. A global consensus, embodied in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), has also embraced the best interests standard as the fundamental framework to guide decision-making involving children. But while the best interests principle is firmly rooted in domestic and international law, the U.S. immigration context remains an anomaly. The Trump administration’s systematic assault on the rights of immigrant children has illustrated the consequences of rendering immigration policy blind to the unique needs, vulnerabilities, and capacities of children. This report synthesizes and builds upon presentations from leading scholars, practitioners, and advocates at a two-day symposium hosted at American University in February 2020. Part I of the report takes an exploratory and critical look at the best interests paradigm and its application in a range of relevant contexts, reflecting on the standard’s strengths and shortcomings. Part II catalogues the Trump administration’s policies and their harm both to children’s well-being and to the integrity of the immigration process. Part III concludes with recommendations for infusing basic child welfare principles into decision-making involving immigrant children and offers suggestions for how stakeholders can incorporate the best of the best interests standard while charting an even better way forward.
Cultural conceptions of Women's labor pain and labor pain management: A mixed-method analysis.

Abstract Aim We assess American cultural beliefs about labor pain and labor pain management, including stereotypical and disparate beliefs about labor pain of women from different racial groups. Rationale Understanding cultural beliefs about labor pain is critical as these beliefs influence experience, interpretation, and treatment of labor pain. Method We used an online survey with quantitative and qualitative questions about American labor pain beliefs. Participants were recruited and compensated using TurkPrime's Panels during the first week in August 2017 and the last week in May 2018. The completion rate was 76.86 percent (n = 214). After screening using quality control items, the final sample included 200 respondents. Results Qualitative results indicate that 56.5 percent (n = 113) of respondents have an accurate understanding of nociceptive/sensory drivers of labor pain, and 55.8 percent (n = 63) of those respondents focused on the second stage of labor. However, only two respondents (1%) mentioned non-sensory (i.e., psychological) causes of labor pain - reflecting a lack of cultural knowledge of the biopsychosocial nature of pain. Categorical responses indicate almost all respondents (95%; n = 190) believe women have a right to labor pain relief, and the majority believe labor pain has value (68%; n = 136) and should be treated medically (87%; n = 174). Quantitative results document stereotypical beliefs that women of color experience less labor pain than white women. Belief that there is value in experiencing labor pain and that pain should not be treated medically were both associated with greater racial disparities in beliefs about labor pain severity. Beliefs were not related to respondent sociodemographic identity, suggesting they are American cultural constructs. Conclusion Future consideration of the influence of dominant American cultural beliefs about labor pain – including misunderstanding of the nature of labor pain and racial bias in expectations of labor pain – on individuals, norms, and structures is expected to improve quality of patient care.
The DOE JGI Metagenome Workflow

Author(s): Clum, Alicia; Huntemann, Marcel; Bushnell, Brian; Foster, Brian; Foster, Bryce; Roux, Simon; Hajek, Patrick; Varghese, Neha; Mukherjee, Supratim; Reddy, TBK; Daum, Chris; Yoshinaga, Yuko; Seshadri, Rekha; Kyrpides, Nikos; Eloe-Fadrosh, Emiley; Chen, I-Min; Copeland, Alex; Ivanova, Natalia | Abstract: ABSTRACT The DOE JGI Metagenome Workflow performs metagenome data processing, including assembly, structural, functional, and taxonomic annotation, and binning of metagenomic datasets that are subsequently included into the Integrated Microbial Genomes and Microbiomes (IMG/M) comparative analysis system (I. Chen, K. Chu, K. Palaniappan, M. Pillay, A. Ratner, J. Huang, M. Huntemann, N. Varghese, J. White, R. Seshadri, et al, Nucleic Acids Rsearch, 2019) and provided for download via the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) Data Portal ( https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/portal/ ). This workflow scales to run on thousands of metagenome samples per year, which can vary by the complexity of microbial communities and sequencing depth. Here we describe the different tools, databases, and parameters used at different steps of the workflow, to help with interpretation of metagenome data available in IMG and to enable researchers to apply this workflow to their own data. We use 20 publicly available sediment metagenomes to illustrate the computing requirements for the different steps and highlight the typical results of data processing. The workflow modules for read filtering and metagenome assembly are available as a Workflow Description Language (WDL) file ( https://code.jgi.doe.gov/BFoster/jgi_meta_wdl.git ). The workflow modules for annotation and binning are provided as a service to the user community at https://img.jgi.doe.gov/submit and require filling out the project and associated metadata descriptions in Genomes OnLine Database (GOLD) (S. Mukherjee, D. Stamatis, J. Bertsch, G. Ovchinnikova, H. Katta, A. Mojica, I Chen, and N. Kyrpides, and T. Reddy, Nucleic Acids Research, 2018). IMPORTANCE The DOE JGI Metagenome Workflow is designed for processing metagenomic datasets starting from Illumina fastq files. It performs data pre-processing, error correction, assembly, structural and functional annotation, and binning. The results of processing are provided in several standard formats, such as fasta and gff and can be used for subsequent integration into the Integrated Microbial Genome (IMG) system where they can be compared to a comprehensive set of publicly available metagenomes. As of 7/30/2020 7,155 JGI metagenomes have been processed by the JGI Metagenome Workflow.
Understanding What’s Happening in Infant Feeding: A Look at Baseline Clinical Data for the Optimize Infant and Toddler Feeding for Obesity Prevention Collaborative

Background: Evidence increasingly supports the importance of the first 1000 days of development for obesity prevention and overall child health. However, recent national studies highlight many relevant gaps in early child nutrition. Only 36% of children are breastfed for the recommended duration (≥12 months). In addition, 55% of infants are introduced to complementary foods before ≅6 months, and 16% before 4 months. On a given day about a quarter of children ages 6-12 months reportedly eat no fruits or vegetables, but about a third consume sugary beverages/snacks, a value that more than doubles before age two. Resources are now available to …
An on-chip astrophotonic spectrograph with a resolving power of 12,000

With the upcoming extremely large telescopes (ELTs), the volume, mass, and cost of the associated spectro- graphs will scale with the telescope diameter. Astrophotonics offers a unique solution to this problem in the form of single-mode fiber-fed diffraction-limited spectrographs on a chip. These highly miniaturized chips offer great flexibility in terms of coherent manipulation of photons. Such photonic spectrographs are well-suited to disperse the light from directly imaged planets (post-coronagraph, collected using a single-mode fiber) to characterize exoplanet atmospheres. Here we present the results from a proof-of-concept high-resolution astrophotonic spectrograph using the arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG) architecture. This chip uses the low-loss SiN platform (SiN core, SiO2 cladding) with square waveguides (800 nm ~ 800 nm). The AWG has a measured resolving power (=) of ~ 12,000 and a free spectral range (FSR) of 2.8 nm. While the FSR is small, the chip operates over a broad band (1200 - 1700 nm). The peak on-chip throughput (excluding the coupling efficiency) is ~40% (- 4 dB) and the overall throughput (including the coupling loss) is ~ 11% (- 9.6 dB) in the TE mode. Thanks to the high-confinement waveguide geometry, the chip is highly miniaturized with a size of only 7.4 mm x 2 mm. This demonstration highlights the utility of SiN platform for astrophotonics, particularly, the capability of commercial SiN foundries to fabricate ultra-small, high-resolution, high-throughput AWG spectrographs on a chip suitable for astronomical applications.
Estimating the supply of oilseed acreage for sustainable aviation fuel production: taking account of farmers’ willingness to adopt

Continued progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions will require efforts across many industries. Though aviation is estimated to account for modest portions of global greenhouse gas emissions, these shares may grow as the industry expands. The use of biomass- and crop-based sustainable aviation fuels can help reduce emissions in the industry. However, limited feedstock supplies are a barrier to increased use of these fuels. This study examines the potential supply of feedstock from oilseeds and farmer willingness to produce oilseed crops under contract for sustainable aviation fuel production with a focus on canola and similar oilseed feedstocks (e.g., rapeseed). Stated-choice survey data is used to examine the contract and crop features that drive contract acceptance in six states located in the U.S. Great Plains and Pacific Northwest and then acreage supply curves are estimated for canola using secondary data. The estimated number of acres supplied under contract varies considerably across states and scenarios. Relatedly, estimated supply curves exhibit high degrees of price responsiveness. Of the states analyzed, oilseed acreages supplied under contract are generally found to be greatest in Kansas and North Dakota. Results suggest that in the absence of favorable contract and crop scenarios canola and other oilseed prices will need to considerably increase from typical levels to induce higher levels of supplied acres. The presence of crop insurance, shorter contract lengths that provide cost sharing and the availability of particular crop attributes are shown to diminish the need for higher canola and other oilseed prices.
From Stroke to Stoke: The Multiple Sporting Legacies of the Southern California Home Swimming Pool

Despite its celebrated place in the American imagination, the backyard pool as both object and technology has largely gone unexamined by historians. In this paper, we begin to remedy that gap, trac...
Heterogeneity of primary and secondary peristalsis in systemic sclerosis: A new model of "scleroderma esophagus".

Background Although esophageal dysmotility is common in systemic sclerosis (SSc)/scleroderma, little is known regarding the pathophysiology of motor abnormalities driving reflux severity and dysphagia. This study aimed to assess primary and secondary peristalsis in SSc using a comprehensive esophageal motility assessment applying high-resolution manometry (HRM) and functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) Panometry. Methods A total of 32 patients with scleroderma (28 female; ages 38-77; 20 limited SSc, 12 diffuse SSc) completed FLIP Panometry and HRM. Secondary peristalsis, i.e., contractile responses (CR), was classified on FLIP Panometry by pattern of contractility as normal (NCR), borderline (BCR), impaired/disordered (IDCR), or absent (ACR). Primary peristalsis on HRM was assessed according to the Chicago classification. Results The manometric diagnoses were 56% (n = 18) absent contractility, 22% (n = 7) ineffective esophageal motility (IEM), and 22% (n = 7) normal motility. Secondary peristalsis (CRs) included 38% (n = 12) ACR, 38% (n = 12) IDCR, 19% (n = 6) BCR, and 15% (n = 5) NCR. The median (IQR) esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility index (DI) was 5.8 mm2 /mmHg (4.8-10.1) mm2 /mmHg; EGJ-DI was >8.0 mm2 /mmHg in 31%, and >2.0 mm2 /mmHg in 100% of patients. Among 18 patients with absent contractility on HRM, 11 had ACR, 5 had IDCR, and 2 had BCR. Among 7 patients with IEM, 1 had ACR, 5 had IDCR, and 1 NCR. All of the patients with normal peristalsis had NCR or BCR. Conclusions This was the first study assessing combined HRM and FLIP Panometry in a cohort of SSc patients, which demonstrated heterogeneity in primary and secondary peristalsis. This complementary approach facilitates characterizing esophageal function in SSc, although future study to examine clinical outcomes remains necessary.
Transcriptional Networks – Control of Lung Maturation

This chapter provides examples of the application of tools of bioinformatics and functional genomics to integration of large-scale gene expression data with array independent genomic information to reveal transcriptional regulatory networks. The focus is on networks that control lung maturation and surfactant homeostasis, which can serve as a prototype for study of other complex biological processes. Prenatal maturation of the respiratory system is fundamentally important for the transition to airbreathing at birth. Lung immaturity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in newborn infants and underlies the pathogenesis of acute respiratory failure (respiratory distress syndrome) and chronic respiratory dysfunction (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), associated with preterm birth. The immaturity of type II alveolar epithelial cells and the lack of pulmonary surfactant lipids and proteins that are needed to reduce surface tension in the alveolar saccules cause atelectasis and respiratory insufficiency after preterm birth. Lung maturation includes diverse structural, cellular, and biochemical changes in lung architecture and function that are precisely coordinated by genetic and environmental factors that synchronize the length of gestation with the process of lung maturation. Analysis of lung specific gene deletion and mutation mouse models, using tools of functional genomics, permits the identification of new genes and pathways controlling surfactant lipid homeostasis and lung maturation. The signaling and transcriptional mechanisms that influence lung growth and maturation needed to support the abrupt adaptation to airbreathing at birth are of considerable interest, and will provide a rational basis for the design of new treatment strategies for neonatal pulmonary disease.
Slope Descent using Plowing to Minimize Slip for Planetary Rovers

Steep slopes of unconsolidated material at planetary destinations of recent interest, such as craters and skylights, defy descent by rovers due to uncontrolled slip. This work proposes a novel method based on braking by plowing to arrest slip during descent maneuvers on planetary terrains. The method covers two fundamental maneuvers: direct descent and point-turning. For direct descent, an automatic control system estimates slip through visual odometry and actuates a plow accordingly. For point-turning, the plow is engaged as a point of rotation. Experimental results showed that the slip control system for direct descent kept slip within ±5% for slopes as steep as 31i¾? and for different commanded driving speeds. In the point-turning tests, downhill displacement was less than 0.08i¾?m on inclinations up to 30i¾?. Thus, a plowing policy was developed that allows precise descent on extreme slopes by minimizing slip. As a result, this work expands current rover mobility and control capabilities.
Kindling enhances sensitivity of CA3 hippocampal pyramidal cells to NMDA

Kindling is a form of experimental epileptogenesis in which periodic electrical stimulation of a brain pathway induces a permanently hyperexcitable state. Previous studies suggested that kindling might be explained, at least in part, by an increased sensitivity of brain neurons to NMDA receptor agonists. This possibility was investigated with the use of grease-gap preparations for assaying the depolarizing responses of CA3 and CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells to amino acid excitants. When studied 1–2 months after the last evoked seizure, CA3 pyramidal cells from kindled rats were five- to sixfold more sensitive to NMDA than CA3 pyramidal cells from controls. A similar, though smaller, effect of stimulation was observed 1 d after the last evoked seizure. The greater potency of NMDA in kindled rats can probably be explained by enhanced expression of NMDA receptors in the presence of a receptor reserve. The stimulation protocol did not alter the ability of Mg2+ to reduce NMDA potency. It also affected neither the response of CA3 pyramidal cells to AMPA [(RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4- isoxazolepropionate] nor the response of CA1 pyramidal cells to NMDA or AMPA. In area CA3, the potency of NMDA, but not of AMPA, declined 2.5–4- fold over the 1–2 month experimental period, apparently as a result of increasing age. This age-related loss of sensitivity to NMDA was completely prevented by kindling. These findings suggest that kindling prevents a loss of NMDA receptor function in CA3 pyramidal cells that normally occurs during early adulthood. Such a change could contribute to maintenance of the kindled state.
The Defining Principles of an Effective Healthcare Leader

Most prescriptive lists of leadership keys lack an empirical basis, and often fail to connect with the complexities of the practice of medicine and the healthcare industry. Dr. David Logan and his colleague John King, in working with 24,000 people in two-dozen organizations (including several healthcare organizations), developed a framework that integrates the actions of leaders with the realities of organizational culture. The essence of this research is that tribal cultures can be categorized, on a one to five scale, and then upgraded with a set of interventions unique to the culture's level. The higher the cultural stage (or level), the more productive and competitive the tribe will be. Thus, the actions of an effective leader become situation-specific to the culture, the industry, and the strategy of the group.
Tools and Methodologies for High Speed Network Design

Abstract The VISTAnet gigabit testbed project features the deployment of a network connecting distant supercomputers and research programs in communications, advanced graphics techniques, and a medical application. It is an environment that has been established to experiment with and evaluate techniques associated with gigabit networking. A description of the testbed goals, infrastructure and driving application are provided. Early insights from the testbed activities are brought out to identify several of the important challenges associated with networked supercomputers and their impact on public broadband integrated services digital networks.
Matrices and Their Applications

A matrix is a rectangular array of numbers. These numbers are arranged in rows and columns enclosed by parentheses, square brackets, single vertical lines, or double vertical lines (I will use the square brackets).
Integrated Microfluidics/Electrochemical Sensor System for Field-Monitoring of Toxic Metals

Because of the toxicity of environmental contaminants, a reliable analytical system is desired for monitoring them in complex environmental matrices. For metal species, such assays are usually carried out in central laboratories using ICP-AES or ICP-MS. However, in view of the huge labor and analytical costs or time delays associated with centralized laboratory analyses there are immediate needs for developing portable analytical systems for on-site monitoring. Development of a portable system for analysis of environmental contaminants will greatly improve the quality and efficiency for on-site characterization of chemical contamination and will allow real-time monitoring of toxic metal concentrations in the tissues of waste-site clean-up workers.
Hormone secretion by human placenta grown in the eyes of rabbits.

Abstract Successful growth of human placenta in tissue culture in a previous study showed that the Langhans cells secreted gonadotropin. 1 The amount of gonadotropin in the tissue culture fluid was directly proportional to the number of the Langhans cells present. Syncytial cells grew sparingly and degenerated early. The study was inconclusive as to the production of estrogens and progesterone due to the failure of syncytial cells to grow. Since estrone, progesterone, and their metabolic derivatives attain the highest concentrations in the blood and urine during the last month of pregnancy, it would be desirable to grow the full-term placenta. In all attempts, tissue cultures of the term placenta were unsuccessful, and resulted only in an over-growth of fibrous elements. Syncytial cells, as well as Langhans cells, failed to grow. Intraocular transplants in monkeys, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits have been successful in the study of normal tissues of the male and female genital systems, as well as embryonic organ implants and benign and malignant tumors. Implantation of the mature human placental tissue into the eyes of rabbits offers a method of study where tissue cultures in vitro have been inconclusive. If Langhans cells are present in the term placenta, will they grow in intraocular explants with evidence of gonadotropin secretion? Will syncytial cells grow with evidence of estrogen and progestin secretion? The present study developed with these questions in mind.
Bionanotechnology: its applications and relevance to healthcare

The application of nanotechnology in the field of biology and medical sciences is known as bionanotechnology. This technology gives rise to a new device and system with greater sensitivity and accuracy. The important applications in this field of study include synthesis of new molecules, selfless assembly of structures from DNA, macromolecular science and engineering mimics biological assembly, drug-delivery systems, therapeutic applications, biomolecular motors, bioelectronics, DNA computers, enabling technologies, etc. Finally, we will also take a look at the future of bionanotechnology with respect to US dollars spent on it.
Determining Sample Size for Pretesting Comparative Effectiveness of Advertising Copies

This paper considers the problem of determining optimal sample sizes in advertising pretests, where two or more copies are compared for their relative advertising effectiveness measured on a dichotomous 0 or 1 scale. As the sample size is increased, sampling variations decrease so that the pretest has a better chance of identifying the truly best ad. Consequently, increasing the sample size decreases the opportunity costs of not selecting the best ad which, however, have to be balanced against the increased sampling costs. Taking these two considerations into account, three approaches indifference zone, minimizing maximum loss and Bayesian for determining sample size are discussed. The minimizing maximum loss approach seems to offer the best compromise in terms of realistic modelling and practical implementability. Extensions of the approaches to the case where advertising effectiveness is measured on an interval scale are outlined.
Evaluating the design of flexible manufacturing systems

Evaluating the design of flexible manufacturing systems is complex. Developing a measure of performance useful for evaluating alternate designs continues to be interesting. Here, total productivity of the system is proposed as an appropriate measure. Specification of parameters based upon strategic considerations for this measure are discussed. Finally, the usefulness of the measure is demonstrated through an example.
The roles of IL-12 and IL-23 in CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity against Listeria monocytogenes: Insights from a DC vaccination model

Listeria monocytogenes infection induces a strong inflammatory response characterized by the production of IL-12 and IFN-gamma and protective immunity against this pathogen is dependent on CD8+ T cells (CTL). Recent studies have suggested that these inflammatory cytokines affect the rate of memory CD8+ T cell generation as well as the number of short-lived effector cells generated. The role of the closely related cytokine, IL-23, in this response has not been examined. We hypothesized that IL-12 and IL-23 produced by dendritic cells collectively enhance the generation and function of memory cells. To test this hypothesis, we employed a DC vaccination approach. Mice lacking IL-12 and IL-23 were vaccinated with wild-type (WT), IL-12(-/-), or IL-12/23(-/-) DC and protection to Lm was monitored. Mice vaccinated with WT and IL-12(-/-) DC were resistant to lethal challenge with Lm. Surprisingly, mice vaccinated with IL-12/23(-/-) DC exhibited significantly reduced protection when challenged. Protection correlated with the relative size of the memory pools generated. In summary, these data indicate that IL-23 can partially compensate for the lack of IL-12 in the generation protective immunity against Lm.
Special considerations in treating bipolar disorder in women

There are obvious gaps in research surrounding issues specific to women who suffer from bipolar disorder, including gender differences and their implications for management, the impact of the reproductive cycle, and evidence based treatment guidelines for pregnancy and the postpartum period. Gender differences have not been reported for the prevalence of bipolar disorder; however, women are more likely to experience rapid cycling, mixed mania, and antidepressant-induced manias. This may affect response to treatment, which has been found, in some cases, to differ in men and women. In addition, side effects in response to treatments may well differ in men and women, especially with regard to lithium and valproate prescription. The course of bipolar disorder in women may be influenced by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause, although many issues require further clarification. Treatment of bipolar disorder during pregnancy and the postmenopausal period requires careful consideration, as does treatment during the childbearing years, as some mood stabilizers influence the metabolism of oral contraceptives. This review article has attempted to evaluate existing literature regarding women with bipolar disorder in a comprehensive and critical way, and to consolidate into a single source the gender-specific aspects of the disorder that may have treatment implications for women.
An integrated bayesian vector auto regression and error correction model for forecasting electricity consumption and prices

The analysis and forecasting of electricity consumption and prices has received considerable attention over the past forty years. In the 1950s and 1960s most of these forecasts and analyses were generated by simultaneous equation econometric models. Beginning in the 1970s, there was a shift in the modeling of economic variables from the structural equations approach with strong identifying restrictions towards a joint time-series model with very few restrictions. One such model is the vector auto regression (VAR) model. It was soon discovered that the unrestricted VAR models do not forecast well. The Bayesian vector auto regression (BVAR) approach as well the error correction model (ECM) and models based on the theory of co integration have been offered as alternatives to the simple VAR model. This paper argues that the BVAF., ECM, and co integration models are simply VAR models with various restrictions placed on the coefficients. Based on this notion of a restricted VAR model, a four-step procedure for specifying VAR forecasting models is presented and then applied to monthly data on US electricity consumption and prices.
Growth kinetics and microstructural evolution during hot isostatic pressing of U-10 wt.% Mo monolithic fuel plate in AA6061 cladding with Zr diffusion barrier

Abstract Phase constituents and microstructure changes in RERTR fuel plate assemblies as functions of temperature and duration of hot-isostatic pressing (HIP) during fabrication were examined. The HIP process was carried out as functions of temperature (520, 540, 560 and 580 °C for 90 min) and time (45–345 min at 560 °C) to bond 6061 Al-alloy to the Zr diffusion barrier that had been co-rolled with U-10 wt.% Mo (U10Mo) fuel monolith prior to the HIP process. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies were employed to examine the phase constituents, microstructure and layer thickness of interaction products from interdiffusion. At the interface between the U10Mo and Zr, following the co-rolling, the UZr2 phase was observed to develop adjacent to Zr, and the α-U phase was found between the UZr2 and U10Mo, while the Mo2Zr was found as precipitates mostly within the α-U phase. The phase constituents and thickness of the interaction layer at the U10Mo-Zr interface remained unchanged regardless of HIP processing variation. Observable growth due to HIP was only observed for the (Al,Si)3Zr phase found at the Zr/AA6061 interface, however, with a large activation energy of 457 ± 28 kJ/mole. Thus, HIP can be carried to improve the adhesion quality of fuel plate without concern for the excessive growth of the interaction layer, particularly at the U10Mo-Zr interface with the α-U, Mo2Zr, and UZr2 phases.
Global conformal anomaly in N = 2 string

We show the existence of a global anomaly in the one-loop graphs of $\mathcal{N}=2$ string theory, defined by sewing tree amplitudes, unless spacetime supersymmetry is imposed. The anomaly is responsible for the non-vanishing maximally helicity violating amplitudes. The supersymmetric completion of the $\mathcal{N}=2$ string spectrum is formulated by extending the previous cohomological analysis with an external spin factor; the target space-time spin-statistics of these individual fields in a self-dual background are compatible with previous cohomological analysis as fields of arbitrary spin may be bosonized into one another. We further analyze duality relations between the open and closed string amplitudes and demonstrate this in the supersymmetric extension of the target space-time theory through the insertion of zero-momentum operators.
Overview of economic concepts, models, and methods for institutional research

This chapter introduces the key economic concepts, models, and methods that can help inform institutional research in higher education.
A Linear-Time Algorithm to Construct a Rectilinear Steiner Minimal Tree for k-External Point Sets

Ak-extremal point set is a point set on the boundary of ak-sided rectilinear convex hull. Given ak-extremal point set of sizen, we present an algorithm that computes a rectilinear Steiner minimal tree in timeO(k 4 n). For constantk, this algorithm runs inO(n) time and is asymptotically optimal and, for arbitraryk, the algorithm is the fastest known for this problem.
Reactions of triphenylsilyllithium with polyhalomethanes

Abstract Reactions of methylene halides, haloforms, and carbon tetrahalides with triphenylsilyllithium have been investigated. The primary reaction was found to be halogen-metal interconversion, except in the case of chloroform where a metalation reaction was also observed. Secondary reactions seem to involve carbene intermediates. The products in most cases were methyltriphenylsilane, (mono- and dihalomethyl)-triphenylsilane, and bis(triphenylsilyl)methane. Mechanisms of these transformations are considered.
Proximal tibial osteotomy. Factors that influence the duration of satisfactory function

Survival analysis studies of 40 patients treated with high tibial osteotomy for arthritis with angular deformity were performed to determine the dominant factors that adversely affected long-term knee function. Obesity, advanced age, and postoperative overcorrection or undercorrection resulted in short durations of successful function. On the average, the probabilities for continued useful function of the knee at tested intervals were: one year, 86%; three years, 64%; five years, 50%; and nine years, 28%.
Y-Band On-Chip Dual Half-Width Leaky-Wave Antenna in a Nanoscale CMOS Process

We present a Y-band on-chip half-width leaky-wave antenna for the integrated subterahertz transceiver in a 65-nm digital CMOS process. By utilizing the traveling-wave antenna characteristic, the proposed half-width microstrip leaky-wave antenna (MLWA) structure is concurrently matched to the Rx and Tx, relieving aperture size restriction due to the chip area constraint, while obviating the need for an explicit TR switch. The proposed transceiver (TRx) dual antenna achieves more than 30 GHz of bandwidth (BW), +4.9 dBi of maximum antenna gain, and 26.3% of radiation efficiency at 245 GHz in simulation and measures +5 dBm of maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) with the extremely thin antenna substrate less than 6 μm.
Therapy of Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute febrile, exanthematous illness associated with multisystem failure including shock, renal failure, myocardial failure and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It usually presents with fever, pharyngitis, diarrhoea, vomiting, myalgia, and a scarlet fever-like rash, and may progress rapidly (within hours) to signs of hypovolaemic hypotension such as orthostatic dizziness or fainting. The signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome should be recognised early to permit successful therapy. Patients are usually suffering from hypovolaemia due to leaky capillaries and fluid loss into the interstitial space, and consequently large volumes of fluid, both crystalloid (e.g. saline, electrolyte-solutions) and colloid (e.g. albumin, intravenous γ-globulin), may be necessary to maintain adequate venous return and cardiac output. Patients with toxic shock syndrome usually have a focus of staphylococcal infection such as a surgical wound infection or soft tissue abscess, or they may have TSS associated with menstruation and use of a vaginal device such as tampons. The site of infection should be adequately drained and treated with antimicrobial therapy. Subacute complications including ARDS and myocardial failure require a thorough understanding of the underlying pathophysiology to ensure appropriate treatment. Recurrences of TSS can be avoided by appropriate antimicrobial treatment and avoidance of recurrent conditions which might favour staphylococcal toxin production (e.g. use of tampons during menstruation). More than 95% of patients survive toxic shock syndrome if appropriate therapy is instituted early.
Electrophoretic separation of cells in a density gradient

Abstract A bulk electrophoretic method is described for the separation of mammalian cells in Ficoll-sucrose density gradients. The fractionation of cells is performed in a simple commercially available apparatus (Buchler Poly-Prep) which should facilitate the application of the technique in various laboratories. Details of the experimental procedure are presented along with typical model separations of erythrocytes from various species and mouse lymphocytes.