cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Analysis of Online Resources for Parents, Siblings, and Other Caregivers of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities face many challenges. These obstacles can include handling their own needs as well those of their family members. While there is information about the specific disorders available and an abundance of information for people caring for children, there is a scarcity of resources for people caring for adults with intellectual disabilities. In this article, the authors evaluate a selection of caregiving Web sites and discuss new avenues for information delivery.
Hierarchical planning algorithms

A novel method for communicating commands in hierarchical planning control is presented. This new method can be used to guarantee that plans created will be optimal within and across the planning graphs throughout the hierarchy. Boundary conditions are specified so that optimality is guaranteed. Specific hierarchical planning examples are given for a group of off-road autonomous ground vehicles.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Isotonic regression: Another look at the changepoint problem

A test based on isotonic regression is developed for monotonic trends in short range dependent sequences and is applied to Argentina rainfall data and global warming data. This test provides another perspective for changepoint problems. The isotonic test is shown to be more powerful than some existing tests for trend.
Multiphase computations using sharp and continuous interface techniques for micro-gravity applications

Abstract The Eulerian–Lagrangian method is a popular and effective approach for handling multi-fluid problems involving substantial shape variations. Specifically, one can consider the interface either as a sharp discontinuity, consistent with the fundamental continuum theory, or as a smooth transition zone, reducing numerical difficulties in tracking distinct regions. In this article, we highlight the performance characteristics of both techniques. Computationally, both approaches can be devised using similar concepts, namely, the interface is represented by marker points and advected in a Lagrangian framework, and the mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations are solved on a fixed (Eulerian) Cartesian grid using a second-order projection method. The main difference lies in the way of accounting for the interfacial conditions and communication across the interface. The sharp interface method is more demanding computationally because the field equations in each zone need to be coupled with those in other materials/phases, by explicitly tracking the interfacial conditions via matching procedures. In return, second-order accuracy can be attained as compared to the first-order accuracy in the continuous interface method. Nevertheless, in physical applications, both approaches can be highly effective in handling a variety of multi-fluid problems involving moving boundaries. Several examples are presented to highlight the various performance characteristics of the two techniques. To cite this article: W. Shyy, C. R. Mecanique 332 (2004).
Sensitization of calcium-induced calcium release by cyclic ADP-ribose and calmodulin

Abstract Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is emerging as an endogenous regulator of Ca-induced Carelease (CICR), and we have recently demonstrated that its action is mediated by calmodulin (CaM) (Lee, H. C., Aarhus, R., Graeff, R., Gurnack, M. E., and Walseth, T. F. (1994) Nature 370, 307-309). In this study we show by immunoblot analyses that the protein factor in sea urchin eggs responsible for conferring cADPR sensitivity to egg microsomes was CaM. This was further supported by the fact that bovine CaM was equally effective as the egg factor. In contrast, plant CaM was only partially active even at 10-20-fold higher concentrations. This exquisite specificity was also shown by binding studies using I-labeled bovine CaM. The effectiveness of various CaMs (bovine > spinach > wheat germ) in competing for the binding sites was identical to their potency in conferring cADPR sensitivity to the microsomes. A comparison between bovine and wheat germ CaM in competing for the sites suggests only 10-14% of the total binding was crucial for the activity. Depending on the CaM concentration, the sensitivity of the microsomes to cADPR could be changed by several orders of magnitude. The requirement for CaM could be alleviated by raising the divalent cation concentration with Sr. Results showed that CaM, cADPR, and caffeine all act synergistically to increase the divalent cation sensitivity of the CICR mechanism. The combined action of any of the three agonists was sufficient to sensitize the mechanism so much that even the nanomolar concentration of ambient Cawas enough to activate the release. Unlike the CICR mechanism, the microsomal inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Carelease showed no dependence on CaM. Using an antagonist of CaM, W7, it was demonstrated that the cADPR- but not the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent release mechanism could be blocked in live sea urchin eggs. These results indicate cADPR can function as a physiological modulator of CICR and, together with CaM, can alter the sensitivity of the release mechanism to divalent cation by several orders of magnitude.
The Significance of Afrocentricity for Non-Africans: Examination of the Relationship Between African Americans and the Japanese

Each country of the world is a unique composite society with a diversity of races and cultures. People originally migrated to different continents and countries, bringing cultural traits from their homelands. Each culture's diversity has been at the center of the making of this multicultural world. However, the assumption that being civilized and culturalized is acting European is still deeply rooted within prevailing universal social notions. That belief is based on a Eurocentric worldview, which has sought to a very great extent to colonize and enslave people of other races. This Eurocentric worldview hypothesizes that because non-Whites are different, they are inferior. To be superior means to be the same as the White ethnic group. I grew up in Japan reading "The Story of Little Black Sambo," drinking the juice whose trademark is a Black minstrel, and playing with a Black stereotyped doll. I had never realized that those products were an insult to Africans until I became aware of race problems by studying ethnicity and actually living in the multicultural society. Most Japanese people believe that Japan is a homogeneous country that disregards other Asian and indigenous populations, and therefore, it is not necessary to deal with racial and cultural issues. The Japanese distorted perception of Africans and African
NOD proteins: an intracellular pathogen-recognition system or signal transduction modifiers?

NOD1 and NOD2 are members of a diverse family of cytoplasmic proteins that contain C-terminal leucine-rich repeats. Because of their similarity to a family of plant proteins involved in pathogen resistance, and because mutations in Card15, encoding NOD2, are frequently found in familial cases of Crohn's disease — an intestinal malady of excessive inflammation — NOD proteins have been proposed to fulfill a role in the intracellular sensing of bacteria. Indeed, NOD proteins seem to alter the ability of cells to respond to fragments from bacterial cell walls. This system could function analogously to the Toll-like receptors — extracellular proteins that play an essential role in pathogen recognition. However, the idea of an intracellular system that specifically recognizes bacterial cell components is controversial and alternative functions of NODs are possible including regulating signal transduction systems.
Potential complications of ocular surgery in patients with coexistent keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy.

Purpose To describe the potential complications of cataract and refractive surgery in patients with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED) and keratoconus. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Eight patients with FED and keratoconus in a large university group practice. Methods We reviewed the clinical and topographic findings of 8 patients (15 eyes) with FED and keratoconus. Clinical examination, corneal topography, specular microscopy were done, and sequential central corneal thickness (CCT) was obtained. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 6 years. Main Outcome Measures Findings of keratoconus and FED in preoperative evaluation. Results Five patients had concomitant cataracts; 3 had refractive errors and sought surgical correction. Cataract surgery was performed on 3 of 5 patients (5 eyes). LASIK was performed on one eye of 3 patients. Of 5 eyes that underwent cataract extraction, 4 had blurry vision after surgery. The interval between the surgical procedure and onset of symptoms ranged from 1 month to 4 years. The causes of decreased vision after cataract surgery were corneal edema and/or corneal ectasia. The CCT readings ranged from 426 to 824 μm. One of 4 symptomatic eyes underwent penetrating keratoplasty. The CCTs of 3 patients (6 eyes) who presented with refractive error ranged from 507 to 565 μm. One eye had undergone an attempted LASIK procedure resulting in a lost cap. Corneal topography and specular microscopy showed the coexistence of keratoconus and FED, and the patients were advised against having LASIK surgery. Conclusions Corneal thinning caused by keratoconus and concurrent increase in corneal thickness caused by FED may combine to normalize the corneal pachymetry readings; disease severity may be underestimated, which may lead to unexpected postoperative visual outcomes. Routine use of preoperative topography and specular microscopy may help to avert potential surgical complications.
Picoliter droplet deposition using a prototype picoliter pipette: control parameters and application in micro X-ray fluorescence.

In this study, we introduce a Hewlett-Packard prototype picoliter pipette, the “thermal inkjet picofluidic system” (TIPS), for analytical purposes. In contrast to the use of actual inkjet printers, this instrument allows for control of all energy and time settings. We are able to show that in contrast to techniques delivering microliter and nanoliter volumes, evaporation has a major influence on the deposition of picoliter volumes and has to be treated seriously when picoliter depositions are applied in the laboratory for calibration purposes. We developed a strategy to reduce evaporation by varying different parameters, thereby achieving a precision of less than 10% for elemental depositions ranging from 1 to 300 picoliters and 1 to 2000 pg elemental deposits. Additionally, we determined the performance of the micro X-ray fluorescence (MXRF) instruments in terms of limit of detection (LODs), focal spot size, sensitivity, and precision and evaluated the TIPS deposits as reference materials for MXRF using ...
Relationship Between Circulating Leptin and Energy Expenditure in Adult Men and Women Aged 18 Years to 81 Years

Recent studies suggest that leptin may be an important metabolic signal for energy regulation in rodents, but the role of leptin in human energy regulation remains uncertain. Because adaptive variations in energy expenditure play an important role in human energy regulation, we investigated the relationship between leptin and energy expenditure parameters in 61 weight-stable men and women aged 18 years to 81 years who were not obese. Measurements were made of circulating leptin in the fasting state, body fat and fat free mass, resting metabolic rate (n = 61), free-living total energy expenditure (n = 52), and the thermic effect of feeding (n = 33). After statistically accounting for age, body fat, and fat free mass, there was no association between leptin and any measured energy expenditure parameter. In addition, there was no effect of age on the relationship between circulating leptin and body fat mass. These results indicate that physiological variations in circulating leptin are not linked with adaptive variations in energy expenditure in humans, in contrast to indications of this phenomenon in the ob/ob mouse.
Targeted Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The liver’s role in xenobiotic metabolism, i.e., the modification of drugs and toxic foreign compounds, has long served as a putated explanation for inherent drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that the initial discovery of the multiple-drug resistance gene (MDR) was in liver tissue [1], and hepatocyte cell lines are a natural reservoir for the study of drug resistance.
Will you still compile me tomorrow? static cross-version compiler validation

This paper describes a cross-version compiler validator and measures its effectiveness on the CLR JIT compiler. The validator checks for semantically equivalent assembly language output from various versions of the compiler, including versions across a seven-month time period, across two architectures (x86 and ARM), across two compilation scenarios (JIT and MDIL), and across optimizations levels. For month-to-month comparisons, the validator achieves a false alarm rate of just 2.2%. To help understand reported semantic differences, the validator performs a root-cause analysis on the counterexample traces generated by the underlying automated theorem proving tools. This root-cause analysis groups most of the counterexamples into a small number of buckets, reducing the number of counterexamples analyzed by hand by anywhere from 53% to 96%. The validator ran on over 500,000 methods across a large suite of test programs, finding 12 previously unknown correctness and performance bugs in the CLR compiler.
Genetic analysis of 4 new mutants at the unstable k2 Mdh1-n y20 chromosomal region in soybean.

In soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), a chromosomal region defined by 3 closely linked loci, k2 (tan-saddle seed coat), Mdh1-n (malate dehydrogenase 1 null), and y20 (yellow foliage), is highly mutable. A total of 31 mutants have been reported from this region. In this study, a mutation with tan-saddle seed coat was found from bulk-harvested seed of cultivar Kenwood. Genetic analysis established that this tan-saddle seed coat mutation is allelic to the k2 locus and inherited as a recessive gene. Simple sequence repeat analysis showed that this mutant is not a contaminant from other existing k2 mutants. The mutant was named Kenwood-k2. To test for genetic instability at the k2 Mdb1-n y20 chromosomal region, Kenwood-k2 was crossed reciprocally with cultivars Harosoy and Williams. No new mutants were found in F 2 families. In the genetic instability tests of T239 (k2) with cultivar Williams, 3 new mutants with yellow foliage (y20) and malate dehydrogenase 1 null (Mdhl-n} were identified. In the genetic instability tests of T261 (k2 Mdh1-n) with cultivar Williams, no new mutants were found. The Kenwood-k2 and the 3 yellow-foliage, malate dehydrogenase 1-null mutants provide additional genetic materials to study chromosomal aberrations in this mutable/unstable chromosomal region.
Stress Effects: A Study of Salivary Cortisol Levels in Third-year Medical Students

The physical, mental and emotional stresses experienced during the training and careers of physicians have been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression and suicide. Increased stress leads to alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which can determine multisystem modulations with acute and chronic consequences. This study investigated salivary cortisol patterns in third-year medical students performing clinical work at a US medical school. Morning and evening salivary cortisol samples were collected from students during the last 2 weeks of each of three successive clinical rotations and while on vacation. Salivary cortisol levels were measured using Siemens radioimmunoassay kits (Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, Los Angeles, CA, USA). Statistical analysis used mixed-effects regression models. Eleven students submitted 64 salivary samples. Statistically significant blunting of the diurnal cortisol variation was observed in students on inpatient rotations. HPA axis changes occur in third-year medical students performing inpatient clinical work. These findings can inform curriculum planning, rotation-specific guidelines and the development of student wellness programmes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NMDA Induces Long-Term Synaptic Depression and Dephosphorylation of the GluR1 Subunit of AMPA Receptors in Hippocampus

Brief bath application of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) to hippocampal slices produces long-term synaptic depression (LTD) in CA1 that is (1) sensitive to postnatal age, (2) saturable, (3) induced postsynaptically, (4) reversible, and (5) not associated with a change in paired pulse facilitation. Chemically induced LTD (Chem-LTD) and homosynaptic LTD are mutually occluding, suggesting a common expression mechanism. Using phosphorylation site-specific antibodies, we found that induction of chem-LTD produces a persistent dephosphorylation of the GluR1 subunit of AMPA receptors at serine 845, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) substrate, but not at serine 831, a substrate of protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). These results suggest that dephosphorylation of AMPA receptors is an expression mechanism for LTD and indicate an unexpected role of PKA in the postsynaptic modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission.
In-Situ Species, Temperature and Velocity Measurements in a Pulverized Coal Flame

A study of detailed species, velocity and temperature data of a pulverized coal flame is important to understanding the mechanisms which sustain the flame and lead to the formation of various pollutants such as NOx. The data can be particularly useful when compared to comprehensive combustion models which encapsulate the sub-models and processes of combustion. This data set contains in-situ axial and radial temperature, velocity and species concentrations for three swirl ratios of a pulverized coal flame located in a cylindrical, down-fired, 0.2 MWt reactor. Species measurements include CO, CO2, NO and O2. Velocity measurements were obtained using Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) and are summarized here after the method and results were reported in detail in a companion paper. The data show the change in structure of the coal flame as swirl is increased. At zero swirl the flame was located along a centerline jet, but as swirl increased, a recirculation zone was created which carried the combustion products ...
Multiscale, curvature-based shape representation for surfaces

This paper presents a multiscale, curvature-based shape representation technique for general genus zero closed surfaces. The method is invariant under rotation, translation, scaling, or general isometric deformations; it is robust to noise and preserves intrinsic symmetry. The method is a direct generalization of the Curvature Scale Space (CSS) shape descriptor for planar curves. In our method, the Riemannian metric of the surface is deformed under Ricci flow, such that the Gaussian curvature evolves according to a heat diffusion process. Eventually the surface becomes a sphere with constant positive curvature everywhere. The evolution of zero curvature curves on the surface is utilized as the shape descriptor. Our experimental results on a 3D geometric database with about 80 shapes demonstrate the efficiency and efficacy of the method.
Decomposition of the scattering by a finite linear array into periodic and edge components

The field scattered by each element in a finite array is decomposed into the contribution of the infinite or periodic array, a component due to the presence of the left edge of the array, and a component due to the right edge of the array. The scattered field due to either array edge is derived from a separate analysis of the appropriate semiinfinite array and is interpreted in terms of a decaying wave that is launched from the array end. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Michelle Bachelet’s Government: The Paradoxes of a Chilean President

The purpose of this article is to explain the contradictions in Michelle Bachelet’s presidency by focusing on the paradoxical nature of presidential power, the limits on the executive in the Chilean constitution, and how those limits affected President Bachelet’s government. At the outset of her presidency, she faced the problem of wanting to promote inclusive policies while simultaneously experiencing political pressure to maintain elite consensus. Due to institutional and political constraints, Bachelet’s rhetoric of inclusion could not be realized, and she eventually decided to opt for the more traditional elite consensus approach. In our view, the emphasis on achieving elite consensus produced contradictory results. It sustained Bachelet’s personal image as a national leader, but limited her ability to get effective legislation passed. Indeed, the Concertacion itself was blamed for inaction rather than the president as an individual.
P3L-4 BAW Phase Velocity Measurements by Conventional Pulse Echo Techniques with Correction for Couplant Effect

This work reports on the importance of considering the couplant between a fused silica buffer rod and the piezoelectric sample in pulse echo overlap measurements. A transmission line model is used to account for the couplant effect in the measurement of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) phase velocities. The couplant correction theory and the experimental procedure and setup are detailed in this paper. Experiments have been performed with quartz and langatate (LGT). Quartz, due to its well-known material properties, has been used to validate the experimental procedure and confirm the necessity of considering the couplant effect. On LGT, BAW phase velocities have been measured along plusmn45deg Y rotated cuts, and the X, Y, and Z crystalline axes for the extraction of the full set of elastic constants. The experiments revealed that the effect of the couplant accounts for a correction to the measured BAW phase velocities about one order of magnitude above other experimental uncertainties. Corrections for the phase velocity measurements on quartz and LGT of the order of 10-3 have been verified, which indicate the relevance of the couplant correction in pulse echo based parameter extraction
Effect of 24-Hour Intravenous Tubing Set Change on the Sterility of Repackaged Fat Emulsion in Neonates:

BACKGROUNDDuration of intravenous fat emulsion (IVFE) infusions, precise method of administration (manufactured bottle vs repackaged syringe), and interval for administration set change continue to be debated.OBJECTIVETo determine the contamination rate associated with replacing IVFE administration sets every 24 hours in newborn infants receiving fat emulsion repackaged into unit-of-use syringes.METHODSThis was a prospective, microbiologic study of 90 administration sets used in 19 neonates. IVFE samples were obtained from administration sets at the end of a 19– to 23–hour infusion and prior to daily tubing set change from infants who received repackaged IVFE. Samples of IVFE (1–3 mL) were aseptically removed at the catheter connection site proximal to the patient, transferred into BACTEC PEDSPlus culture media, and continuously monitored for 5 days to detect gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, as well as yeast.RESULTSTwo samples (2.27%) grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Both samples were fro...
MAPLE: multilevel adaptive placement for mixed-size designs

We propose a new multilevel framework for large-scale placement called MAPLE that respects utilization constraints, handles movable macros and guides the transition between global and detailed placement. In this framework, optimization is adaptive to current placement conditions through a new density metric. As a baseline, we leverage a recently developed at quadratic optimization that is comparable to prior multilevel frameworks in quality and runtime. A novel component called Progressive Local Refinement (ProLR) helps mitigate disruptions in wirelength that we observed in leading placers. Our placer MAPLE outperforms published empirical results --- RQL, SimPL, mPL6, NTUPlace3, FastPlace3, Kraftwerk and APlace3 -- across the ISPD 2005 and ISPD 2006 benchmarks, in terms of official metrics of the respective contests.
Global geologic mapping of Mars: The western equatorial region

Abstract Global geologic mapping of Mars was originally accomplished following acquisition of orbital spacecraft images from the Mariner 9 mission. The mapping program represented a joint enterprise by the U.S. Geological Survey and other planetary scientists from universities in the United States and Europe. Many of the Mariner photographs had low resolution or poor albedo contrast caused by atmospheric haze and high-sun angles. Some of the early geologic maps reflect these deficiencies in their poor discrimination and subdivision of rock units. New geologic maps made from higher resolution and better quality Viking images also represent a cooperative effort, by geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona State University, and the University of London. This second series of global maps consists of three parts: 1) western equatorial region, 2) eastern equatorial region, and 3) north and south polar regions. These maps, at 1:15 million scale, show more than 60 individual rock-stratigraphic units assigned to three Martian time-stratigraphic systems. The first completed map of the series covers the western equatorial region of Mars. Accompanying the map is a description of the sequence and distribution of major tectonic, volcanic, and fluvial episodes as recorded in the stratigraphic record.
Plant Rac-Like GTPases Are Activated by Auxin and Mediate Auxin-Responsive Gene Expression

The auxin indole-3-acetic acid is a key plant hormone essential for a broad range of growth and developmental processes. Here, we show that auxin activates Rac-like GTPases (referred to as Rac/Rop GTPases), and they in turn stimulate auxin-responsive gene expression. In particular, we show that overexpressing a wild-type tobacco Rac/Rop GTPase, NtRac1, and its constitutively active mutant form activates auxin-responsive gene expression. On the other hand, overexpressing dominant-negative NtRac1 and Rac-negative regulators, or reducing the endogenous NtRac1 level, suppresses auxin-induced gene expression. Furthermore, overexpression of NtRac1 activity or suppression of its expression in transgenic seedlings induces phenotypes that are similar to auxin-related defects. Together, our results show that a subset of plant Rac/Rop GTPases functions in mediating the auxin signal to downstream responsive genes.
An approach to modeling content for digital repositories

The process of managing production quality objects within a digital repository has created demand for designing content models that incorporate the principles of interoperability, extensibility, and standardization. We define a content model as a set of standardized behaviors encapsulating the data preserved by the digital object. The Tufts digital repository (TDR) content models provide a good base for flexible disseminations of data and contributes to inter-repository reuse and sharing of objects
The effect of relining on the accuracy and stability of maxillary complete dentures--an in vitro and in vivo study.

Abstract A technique was developed for evaluating in vitro the accuracy or fit of experimental denture bases using a low-viscosity impression material for determining the space between the master die and the processed denture base. These measurements indicated that relining heatcured maxillary denture bases with autopolymerizing acrylic resin improved their adaptation to the ridges. Interestingly, if no teeth were present in the heat-cured denture base, markedly less distortion occurred after processing. Limited clinical measurements on the stability of maxillary dentures in function showed no statistically significant change in stability after relining, but the trend was toward increased stability with the relined denture.
Acute effects of a thermogenic nutritional supplement on cycling time to exhaustion and muscular strength in college-aged men

Background The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute effects of a thermogenic nutritional supplement containing caffeine, capsaicin, bioperine, and niacin on muscular strength and endurance performance.
Metal-clad planar dielectric waveguide for integrated optics*

Attenuation characteristics of a metal-clad four-layer thin-film optical waveguide are presented. Guided-wave losses are calculated as functions of isolation-layer thickness, type of metal, and isolation-layer refractive index. The TM polarized waves were found to exhibit an absorption peak as a function of isolation thickness. This peak is interpreted as resonant coupling to a lossy surface-plasma wave.
The effect of deformation history on the evolution of olivine CPO

Abstract Olivine crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) is the primary cause of seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle. In tectonic environments with complex flow patterns, for example corner flow near mid-ocean ridges or subducting slabs, the interpretation of seismic anisotropy may be complicated by evolving thermochemical deformation conditions and the integrated deformation history. To understand how deformation history influences CPO evolution, deformation experiments were conducted on samples of Aheim dunite, which has a strong pre-existing texture. Experiments were performed in a triaxial geometry using a Griggs apparatus at P = 1 GPa , T = 1473 K , up to a maximum strain of ∼0.7. To simulate different deformation histories, samples were deformed in three different configurations, with the pre-existing foliation perpendicular, oblique, and parallel to the shortening axis of deformation. Distinct patterns of CPO development are observed for each experimental configuration. Likewise, texture strength, symmetry, and orientation evolved differently in each set of experiments. These data are interpreted as evidence that CPO did not reach steady state and that achieving steady state texture requires larger strains than previously thought. It is concluded that the integrated deformation history plays a significant role in CPO evolution and the consequent interpretation of seismic anisotropy in Earth's mantle.
Recommendation for Short-Interval Follow-Up Examinations After a Probably Benign Assessment: Is Clinical Practice Consistent With BI-RADS Guidance?

OBJECTIVE. American College of Radiology BI-RADS guidance suggests that women with a probably benign finding on mammography receive a management recommendation for short-interval follow-up; historically, radiologists in community practice have not consistently linked this assessment with short-interval follow-up. We evaluated predictors of discordance between probably benign assessments and short-interval follow-up recommendations.MATERIALS AND METHODS. We linked data on 196 radiologists who completed a survey on demographic and practice patterns to 15,515 diagnostic mammograms they interpreted with probably benign assessments between 2001 and 2006. Patient characteristics were collected at the time of the mammography. Using logistic regression, we examined whether patient and radiologist characteristics were associated with the odds of short-interval follow-up recommendations (relative to a recommendation for normal follow-up, additional imaging evaluation, or biopsy or surgical consultation).RESULTS. Ov...
Reproducibility and inter-observer variability of dobutamine stress CMR in patients with severe coronary disease: implications for clinical research.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to analyze reproducibility and inter-observer variability of dobutamine stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (dobutamine CMR) and its implications on serial studies. Methods. Nineteen consecutive patients underwent two dobutamine CMR each (median 12 days apart), as part of eligibility criteria for phase I/II stem cell therapy trial. These patients had Canadian Cardiovascular Society Class III/IV angina despite maximal therapy. The two studies were compared for reproducibility of stress response. To assess inter-observer variability, 29 randomly selected dobutamine CMR studies were analyzed by three experienced observers and Kappa values were computed to measure the agreement. Results. Dobutamine CMR studies were completed without any major complications. The left ventricular function, dobutamine and atropine dose, hemodynamic response, symptomatic response and the results of wall motion and perfusion abnormalities were highly reproducible between the two studies...
A hybrid architecture for visualization and decision making in battlespace environments

This article presents a hybrid software/hardware architecture for commander's decision support in tactical operations. The architecture builds on the symbolic, object-oriented visualization software called Advanced Tactical Architecture for Combat Knowledge System (ATACKS). The extension discussed here is the design of a real-time robot agent layer that interacts wirelessly with ATACKS. This layer enacts decisions made by software agents (wargamers), continuously relays the execution states back to ATACKS, and updates its actions as advocated by replanning algorithms. The software layer is briefly described followed by the specification of the real-time requirements for the robotic architecture. The design and implementation are given with a small example that illustrates the hybrid system's operation.
Congenital Diffuse Bronchio-Alveoliectasis: a Variant of Congenital Cystic Disease of the Lungs

This report presents the clinical and pathologic features of diffuse cystic transformation of a lobe of the lung in a newborn. Because of the rather unusual but interesting histologic picture which distinctly segregated it from the so-called congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lungs, the name congenital diffuse bronchio-alveoliectasis was suggested. This apparently rare anomaly manifested as respiratory distress since the patient's birth. The patient underwent lobectomy with an uneventful postoperative course.
A Computational Model of the Mark-IV Electrorefiner: Phase I—Fuel Basket/Salt Interface

Spent driver fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II) is currently being treated in the Mk-IV electrorefiner (ER) in the Fuel Conditioning Facility (FCF) at Idaho National Laboratory. The modeling approach to be presented here has been developed to help understand the effect of different parameters on the dynamics of this system. The first phase of this new modeling approach focuses on the fuel basket/salt interface involving the transport of various species found in the driver fuels (e.g. uranium and zirconium). This approach minimizes the guessed parameters to only one, the exchange current density (i0). U3+ and Zr4+ were the only species used for the current study. The result reveals that most of the total cell current is used for the oxidation of uranium, with little being used by zirconium. The dimensionless approach shows that the total potential is a strong function of i0 and a weak function of wt% of uranium in the salt system for initiation processes.
Urine Injury Biomarkers and Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Recipients of Prevalent Kidney Transplants: The Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplantation Trial

Recipients of kidney transplants (KTR) are at increased risk for cardiovascular events, graft failure, and death. It is unknown whether urine kidney injury biomarkers are associated with poor outcomes among KTRs. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the Folic Acid for Vascular Outcome Reduction in Transplantation (FAVORIT) Trial using a case-cohort study design, selecting participants with adjudicated cardiovascular events, graft failure, or death. Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), IL-18, and liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) were measured in spot urine samples and standardized to urine creatinine concentration. We adjusted for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, eGFR, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Patients had 291 cardiovascular events, 257 graft failure events, and 359 deaths. Each log increase in urine NGAL/creatinine independently associated with a 24% greater risk of cardiovascular events (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.06 to 1.45), a 40% greater risk of graft failure (aHR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.68), and a 44% greater risk of death (aHR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.26 to 1.65). Urine KIM-1/creatinine and IL-18/creatinine independently associated with greater risk of death (aHR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.61 and aHR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.49 per log increase, respectively) but not with risk of cardiovascular events or graft failure. Urine L-FABP did not associate with any study outcomes. In conclusion, among prevalent KTRs, higher urine NGAL, KIM-1, and IL-18 levels independently and differentially associated with greater risk of adverse outcomes.
Floristic discoveries from the LNG Pipeline in Papua New Guinea: Macaranga esseriana sp. nov. (Euphorbiaceae), and noteworthy records for twelve taxa from the southern provinces

Macaranga esseriana is described from previously unknown habitats along the LNG Pipeline in Papua New Guinea. Noteworthy records from the southern provinces are also presented for 12 taxonomically significant species, including Aceratium pittosporoides (Elaeocarpaceae), Coelospermum salomoniense (Rubiaceae), Discocalyx latepetiolata (Myrsinaceae), Dysoxylum pettigrewianum (Meliaceae), Elaeocarpus bilobatus (Elaeocarpaceae), E. lingualis , Helicia acutifolia (Proteaceae), Macaranga tsonane (Euphorbiaceae), Marsdenia grandis (Apocynaceae), Phyllanthus papuanus (Phyllanthaceae), Radiogrammitis ornatissima (Grammitidaceae), and Syzygium ubogoensis (Myrtaceae).
Perioperative Challenges During Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Since 1938, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been used in the treatment of severe and refractory depression, catatonia, schizophrenia, and suicidal ideation. Although ECT was conducted without anesthesia for almost 30 years, the collaboration between anesthesia practitioners and our psychiatric colleagues has resulted in safer techniques, improved patient comfort, and more efficacious therapy. To be safe, the anesthesia practitioner must understand the physiologic response to the electrical stimulus and the effect of anesthetic drugs on the treatment to decrease the risks and increase the effectiveness of ECT.
Quantitative Interpretation of Time-Average Holograms in Vibration Analysis

This paper deals with quantitative interpretation of time-average holograms of vibrating objects. It is shown that the images obtained during reconstruction of such holograms are modulated by a system of fringes described by the square of the zero-order Bessel function of the first kind. Procedure for quantitative interpretation of these fringes is described and is illustrated with examples. The experimental results, obtained directly from the time-average holograms, show very good agreement with an exact solution of the differential equation of a vibrating beam.
Clinical Characteristics and Survival of Patients with Surgically Resected, Incidentally Detected Lung Cancer

Background: There is little information on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with surgically resected, incidentally detected lung cancers. Our hypothesis was that among patients with surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), incidentally detected cancers were common, were less likely to require pneumonectomy, and were associated with better stage-adjusted survival. Methods: Two hundred seventy-four patients with NSCLC who underwent surgical resection between 1999 and 2004 were studied. The clinical characteristics of patients with incidentally detected and symptomatic NSCLC were compared. A proportional hazards model was used to compare the stage-adjusted mortality rate of patients with incidentally detected and symptomatic NSCLC. Results: One hundred patients (36%) had incidentally detected NSCLC. Patients with incidentally detected NSCLC had smaller and earlier-stage cancers, were less likely to undergo pneumonectomy (3% versus 13%, p = 0.005), and were more likely to have bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (15% versus 5%, p = 0.003). Patients with incidentally detected cancers had a stage-adjusted hazards ratio (HR) of mortality of 0.9 compared with symptomatic patients (0.6–1.4, p = 0.64). Patients with cancers detected incidentally on computed tomography (CT) had a stage-adjusted HR of 0.5 (0.2–1.5, p = 0.15). Conclusions: Early-stage NSCLC is commonly detected incidentally. Patients with incidentally detected lung cancers are more likely to have bronchioloalveolar carcinoma histology, less likely to undergo pneumonectomy, and overall have similar stage-adjusted survival compared with symptomatic patients. Patients with cancers detected incidentally by CT scan may have better stage-adjusted survival, but our study was not sufficiently powered to detect this effect.
Judicial and Legislative Checks on Ex Parte OMB Influence Over Rulemaking

Regulatory oversight by the Office of Management and Budget has become firmly entrenched in presidential administrations. Such oversight, while arguably beneficial in several ways, may sometimes constitute inappropriate interference with the rulemaking process, a process designed to be transparent and open to all interested parties. In particular, this oversight raises the possibility of OMB ex parte contacts with OMB becoming a conduit for information private parties may wish to funnel to rulemaking agencies. In playing this conduit role, OMB allows private parties to circumvent the public rulemaking process, impairing both the fairness of that process and the credibility of judicial review of the resulting rule. This essay discusses the potential for judicial and legislative checks on OMB's role in rulemaking. It begins by noting the past, and the hints of current, administration attitudes toward such ex parte contacts, and suggests that those approaches leave open the possibility of inappropriate OMB contacts, thus necessitating a judicial or legislative check. Moving first to judicial checks, the essay briefly notes examples where the Supreme Court has rejected attempts to impose free-standing judicial conceptions of appropriate administrative procedure, and predicts that such reluctance would probably extend to demands for restrictions on ex parte OMB participation in the rulemaking process. It next examines substantive judicial review of regulatory results, and suggests that such review may not adequately police against inappropriate OMB conduct. Moving back to process - but this time, procedural requirements based on the APA - the essay speculates on the likelihood and appropriate scope of such APA-based procedural limits on OMB conduct. It then examines the possibility of legislative action to check OMB. The essay concludes largely where its analysis begins - with the White House - suggesting that, ultimately, presidential administrations are the main hope for ensuring that OMB oversight does not unduly impair the basic procedural fairness of the rulemaking process.
Gene Regulation by Nerve Growth Factor

NGF is a protein with many profound, well-described (Levi-Montalcini 1966) actions on developing sensory and sympathetic neurons. To study the mechanism of action of NGF, we have employed an NGF-responsive clonal cell line — designated PC12 — which was isolated from a transplantable rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (Greene and Tischler 1976). The properties and experimental advantages of the PC12 line have been reviewed (Greene and Tischler 1982). In the absence of NGF, PC12 cells resemble their presumed non-neoplastic counterparts, noradrenergic adrenal chromaffin cells. After exposure to NGF, the cells slowly (i.e., over a time course of days) take on the phenotypic properties of sympathetic-like neurons so that, for instance, they cease proliferation, extend long neurites and become electrically excitable (Greene and Tischler 1982). Since, unlike sympathetic neurons, PC12 cells respond to, but do not require NGF for survival, they have the experimental advantage that they can be compared before and after various times of exposure to NGF.
The Red Light District and Its Effects on Zebrafish Reproduction.

Abstract Light–dark cycles mimicking natural settings in a zebrafish facility are crucial for maintaining fish with an entrained circadian clock making them an ideal vertebrate model to study such rhythms. However, failure to provide optimal conditions to include complete darkness can lead to a disturbed circadian pacemaker affecting physiology and behavior in zebrafish. To meet building code requirements, the aquatics facility in use was outfitted with EXIT signs emitting a constant light. To determine if light radiating from the EXIT sign has an effect on zebrafish embryo production, 100 fish (1:1 m/f ratio) were split and housed at 10 fish/L. Half were housed directly in front of the EXIT sign, whereas the other half (control) were housed under a true 14-h light–10-h dark cycle. Reproductive success was evaluated by recording fecundity and viability from 10 weekly matings under two light colors: red (640 nm) and green (560 nm). On average the control group spawned twice as many embryos compared to thos...
The S tigmatization of Individuals Convicted of Sex Offe nses: Labeling Theor y and The S ex Offe nse Registry

The sex offender registry currently lists over half a million U.S. citizens as sex offenders. Modern day legislation directed toward sex offenders was born in an era of public fear and rash decision-making. Terrible consequences have since been identified as resulting from the labeling of sex offenders via the registry. These unintended consequences socially, economically, and psychologically influence the lives of sex offenders. Labeling theory states that individuals who are given a label eventually subscribe to that label; in other words, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In the case of sex offenders, this can only mean more damage to society. This paper examines how the registry reproduces labeling and how sex offenders are consequently damaged by their given label. GPS tracking and treatment through the Good Lives Model are offered as contemporary solutions to the ever-growing problem.
Improving Capture of Vaccine History: Case Study from an Evaluation of 10-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Introduction in Kenya

With the accelerated introduction of new vaccines in low-income settings, understanding immunization program performance is critical. We sought to improve immunization history acquisition from Ministry of Health vaccination cards during a vaccine impact study of 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumococcal carriage among young children in Kenya in 2012 and 2013. We captured immunization history in a low proportion of study participants in 2012 using vaccination cards. To overcome this challenge, we implemented a household-based reminder system in 2013 using community health workers (CHWs), and increased the retrieval of vaccine cards from 62% in 2012 to 89% in 2013 (P < 0.001). The home-based reminder system using CHWs is an example of an approach that improved immunization history data quality in a resource-poor setting.