cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in Meningococcal Disease in the United States, 1975-1980

lected through mid-1974 have been published [14]. This report focuses on data collected during 1975-1980. During this period reported cases increased by >10% over the total reported for the preceding six years. Concurrently, the proportion of sulfonamide-resistant strains decreased considerably. Also, a shift was seen in the relative prevalence of the various serogroups causing serious disease. During this six-year period, 12,980 cases of meningitis or bacteremia caused by M meningitidis were reported to the CDC. This figure represents a 10.3% increase over the 11,765 cases reported in the preceding six-year period. The highest annual attack rate (1.3 cases per 100,000 population) was recorded in 1980, while the lowest attack rate (0.7 per 100,000 population) was recorded in 1975. Sixty-one percent of cases during this six-year period were reported from December through May (figure 1). Average annual age-specific attack rates per 100,000 population were 14.4 for infants younger
Rate-distortion theory and human perception.

Abstract The fundamental goal of perception is to aid in the achievement of behavioral objectives. This requires extracting and communicating useful information from noisy and uncertain sensory signals. At the same time, given the complexity of sensory information and the limitations of biological information processing, it is necessary that some information must be lost or discarded in the act of perception. Under these circumstances, what constitutes an ‘optimal’ perceptual system? This paper describes the mathematical framework of rate–distortion theory as the optimal solution to the problem of minimizing the costs of perceptual error subject to strong constraints on the ability to communicate or transmit information. Rate–distortion theory offers a general and principled theoretical framework for developing computational-level models of human perception (Marr, 1982). Models developed in this framework are capable of producing quantitatively precise explanations for human perceptual performance, while yielding new insights regarding the nature and goals of perception. This paper demonstrates the application of rate–distortion theory to two benchmark domains where capacity limits are especially salient in human perception: discrete categorization of stimuli (also known as absolute identification) and visual working memory. A software package written for the R statistical programming language is described that aids in the development of models based on rate–distortion theory.
H_∞ Controller Design for a Class of Nonlinear Switched Systems with State Constraints

The H∞ controller problem for a class of nonlinear switched systems with state constraints was investigated. Each subsystem is in lower triangular form. By employing the barrier Lyapunov function method,the issue of state constraints can be handled. Corresponding feedback controllers are constructed with the backstepping approach. To deal with the problem of state constraints,a barrier Lyapunov function is constructed to obtain the common barrier Lyapunov function for the whole system in every step,and a common virtual control is obtained step by step. A continuous state feedback H∞controller is provided for the nonlinear switched systems under arbitrary switchings. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the main results.
Optimization of Power Delivery Design and Methodologies

This paper covers the latest development of next generation I/O interface 3D power delivery modeling methodology to meet the challenging requirements of I/O interfaces. A method for I/O interface power delivery analysis covering package and system level has been developed by combining 3D field solver and Spice simulation. This paper focuses on how designing an optimized and economical power delivery system in order to suppress the high frequency noise effectively with the right tool.
Autonomous disengagement classification and repair in multiparty child-robot interaction

As research on robotic tutors increases, it becomes more relevant to understand whether and how robots will be able to keep students engaged over time. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to monitor engagement in small groups of children and trigger disengagement repair interventions when necessary. We implemented this algorithm in a scenario where two robot actors play out interactive narratives around emotional words and conducted a field study where 72 children interacted with the robots three times in one of the following conditions: control (no disengagement repair), targeted (interventions addressing the child with the highest disengagement level) and general (interventions addressing the whole group). Surprisingly, children in the control condition had higher narrative recall than in the two experimental conditions, but no significant differences were found in the emotional interpretation of the narratives. When comparing the two different types of disengagement repair strategies, participants who received targeted interventions had higher story recall and emotional understanding, and their valence after disengagement repair interventions increased over time.
A survey of pharmacists' perceptions of the adequacy of their training for addressing mental health-related medication issues.

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of North Carolina pharmacists' perceptions of their pharmacy training in mental health–related medication issues and how this influenced their perceived ability to address these issues in the provision of pharmaceutical care to their patients. Methods: A survey consisting of 17 questions was developed and emailed to licensed pharmacists in North Carolina. Surveys that were returned were analyzed to see if conclusions could be made regarding the pharmacists' perceptions about their mental health–related medication training and its influence on their practice. Results: A total of 848 pharmacists completed the survey (response rate of 7.9%). Of the survey participants, 489 (58.2%) reported that pharmacy school training adequately prepared them to provide basic pharmaceutical care to patients taking mental health–related medications. However, 350 (41.4%) reported feeling less comfortable providing medication counseling for mental health–...
Electron beam processing of hospital foods

This chapter addresses the current and future use of electron beam and other irradiation technologies for hospital foods. Food safety and hygiene present a unique challenge in hospital settings owing to the number of immunocompromised patients who are more vulnerable to microbial risks than normal population. Although the need for sterile foods is now considered unnecessary, low microbe foods prepared using electron beam pasteurization has a promising future. The technology has the potential to make “high risk” foods, such as fresh produce and meats, a safe and a feasible option. Electron beam pasteurization would also reduce other hazards, such as crosscontamination and poor worker hygiene, which plague hospital foods worldwide.
Poly(cyclopentadienylene ethynylene)s: Breaking Conventional Polyenyne Motifs

Conjugated polyenynes comprising dienyne constituents have been synthesized for the first time, expanding the architectural scope of this unique polymer class. The poly(cyclopentadienylene ethynylene)s (PCE)s are soluble in common organic solvents, a rare feature among polyenynes, and possess physicochemical properties that are influenced by the structure of their solubilizing groups. A comparative analysis between the PCEs and other soluble polyenynes, poly(arylene ethynylene)s, and a hybrid of both polymer classes show among other characteristics that the inclusion of cyclopentadienes into the conjugated backbone significantly reduces electronic transition energies while completely suppressing photoluminescence.
Eosinophilic esophagitis: update on management and controversies

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic allergen driven immune mediated disease that is increasingly recognized as a leading cause of dysphagia and foregut symptoms in children and adults. Much knowledge has been gained in recent years on the genetic and environmental risk factors for this disease, the associated inflammatory milieu, and the long term complications from esophageal remodeling. In this review we will highlight recent progress made in research into this disease, focusing on adults. We will discuss ongoing efforts to develop a minimally invasive technique that may obviate the need for repeated endoscopic assessment of disease activity. Moreover, we will review studies using novel tools such as mucosal impedance and functional lumen imaging as potential surrogate markers for mucosal integrity and esophageal remodeling. With regard to the treatment of eosinophilic inflammation, we will discuss the controversies surrounding responsiveness to proton pump inhibitors in some patients. Therapeutic trials continue to support the use of topical glucocorticoids and empiric food elimination diets as first line treatments. We will discuss ongoing efforts to optimize the elimination diet protocol to decrease the level and duration of food restrictions. Looking ahead, our growing knowledge on the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis has enabled further advancement of promising targeted biologic therapies.
Do parents leave a smaller carbon footprint

Do parents leave a smaller carbon footprint? While becoming a parent is transformational as one focuses more on the future, the time constraints are more binding right now. Using a unique data set that allows us to compare CO2 emissions from Swedish two-adult households with and without children, we find becoming a Swedish parent causes a person to leave a larger carbon footprint—due to changes in transportation patterns and food consumption choices.
Determination of wall shear stress from mean velocity and Reynolds shear stress profiles

A method for determining the wall shear stress under arbitrary streamwise pressure gradients and wall roughness conditions using Reynolds shear stress and mean velocity profile data is presented. Data from very near the wall are not required. The method is tested with experimental and direct numerical simulation data.
Conducting a Text Messaging Scavenger Hunt to Promote Financial Aid Literacy Among Community College Students

ABSTRACTAustin Community College’s (ACC) Student Money Management Office conducted a text messaging scavenger hunt to engage ACC students in financial-aid-related education and programming, including when to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and how to ensure Satisfactory Academic Progress. Results demonstrated that 268 students began the hunt and 105 finished, with over 60% female participation, 24% male participation, and 16% gender undisclosed. This endeavor resulted in a number of implications for practitioners, including how to publicize a text messaging scavenger hunt, how to conduct a text messaging scavenger hunt, and how to plan for communication lags during the process.
Positional Conflicts of Interest

A positional conflict of interest occurs when a law firm adopts a legal position for one client seeking a particular legal result that is directly contrary to the position taken on behalf of another present or former client, seeking an opposite legal result, in a completely unrelated matter. The classic positional conflict of interest arises in litigation when a lawyer or law firm argues for one interpretation of the law on behalf of one client and for a contrary interpretation on behalf of another client. Such conflicts may also arise in the lobbying context when the lawyer or law firm is arguing for a particular change in the law for one client and in another representation is making a legal argument inconsistent with the position advanced for the first client. These conflicts may further arise in the transaction context when the lawyer or law firm drafts a particular arrangement for one client and for another client attacks the propriety of a similar arrangement.
Introduction: Linear Atomic Chains

This book is aimed at developing a coherent description of what we term “nanomechanics”, the mechanical behavior of nanometer-scale objects, that is, objects for which at least one dimension is significantly less than 1µm. We will not concern ourselves with rigid body dynamics, those related to the motion of an object’s center of mass, and the rotation of the object about its center of mass; these are quite well described in a large number of texts, for both the classical and quantum mechanical limits. Instead we will focus on the static and dynamic deformations of solid objects, both with and without external forces. The self-resonant vibrational modes determine some of the thermodynamic properties of solids, such as the heat capacity and thermal conductivity; we touch on this connection as well. In the smallest structures, quantum mechanics must be applied to the description of the motion.
Using Rehabilitation along the Pediatric Trauma Continuum as a Strategy to Define Outcomes in Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. It impacts all levels of care in our medical system. Despite numerous published guidelines and significant resources dedicated to acute management of pediatric TBI, most patients who are discharged have unrecognized or unmet needs at 6, 12, and 24 months after injury. Rehabilitation services have been developed to address the gap in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, though access to them is variable across the country. This article examines the importance of rehabilitation in the management and outcome of pediatric TBI, recognizing that there is substantial room for growth in rehabilitation services, as well as a need for further research that examines the benefits of rehabilitation on outcomes in all categories of TBI and at many time points along the continuum of care.
Natural alteration of 6Li alumino-silicate glass

Abstract Understanding the chemical durability of neutron shielding materials is necessary when assessing their long-term service potential. In this study, the chemical durability of a 6Li enriched neutron shielding glass that has been exposed to natural, near-operational conditions is assessed by Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) and Neutron Depth Profiling (NDP). These non-destructive, nuclear analysis techniques are sensitive to 6Li, and PGAA is uniquely able to detect H in low quantities in solids. It was determined that the enriched alumino-silicate glass can alter within 2 months of exposure to the natural environment. This exposure resulted in an average surface alteration layer thickness of ≈22 μm. The alteration layer contained ≈47% less 6Li than the bulk glass. Alternatively, a 3 years exposed sample of the glass had a surface alteration depth of ≈30 μm and 6Li depletion levels in the alteration layer were between 47% and 75% less 6Li than the bulk glass. When the alteration layer on the 3 years sample was removed, the H content of the glass's surface was nearly eliminated. This sample also showed variable Li concentrations throughout the alteration volume, which contrasts with near static Li concentration in the alteration volume of the 2 months sample. From these findings it was determined that the depletion in Li at the surface of the glass will not affect the glass's neutron shielding properties, but it may change the mechanical stability of the glass's surface and, due to increased H content in the alteration layer, make it an inappropriate material for the lining of certain neutron analysis instruments.
Behavioral Medicine: Who Does It and Where

Behavioral medicine is increasingly being recognized as an important part of the solution to improving health care. As an area of interest, behavioral medicine is remarkably wide-ranging, with a multilevel focus that extends from the cellular (e.g., neuroplasticity) to the societal level (e.g., policy). Behavioral medicine is, in most places, not a profession or even a specialty area. Instead, it resides within and across academic disciplines and health-care professions; it also reaches beyond the academic and health-care settings and into schools, worksites, and the community at large. This chapter reports where, how, and by whom, in research, training, and practice, that behavioral medicine is occurring to address complex health problems. Large research initiatives are incorporating the importance of behavior in health and illness. A variety of health-care professionals and, otherwise, even laypersons (e.g., peer coaches) are engaging in behavioral medicine to better understand and impact health through behavior change. Medical settings, including primary care, are increasingly integrating behavioral medicine. Finally, schools of medicine, public health, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health are increasingly incorporating behavioral medicine into their curricula.
Long-Term Retrospective Follow-Up of Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Steroid-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Condyles

ObjectiveNo studies currently exist with long-term follow-up of use of osteochondral allografting (OCA) for treatment of steroid-associated osteonecrosis of femoral condyles in young, active patien...
Rectifier Array With Adaptive Power Distribution for Wide Dynamic Range RF-DC Conversion

This paper presents a novel rectifier array for a wide dynamic range of RF-dc conversion. The rectifier array consists of multiple rectifier cells optimized for operation at different power levels and uses an adaptive power distribution method to divide the RF input power among these rectifier cells according to the RF power levels. The adaptive power distribution takes advantage of the power-dependent input impedances of the rectifier cells and is implemented with passive devices. This method both improves the rectification efficiency and minimizes the impedance mismatch as the input power level varies, and therefore, significantly enhances the dynamic range. The rectifier array can be designed using either the same type or different types of rectifying devices and can be expanded by including more cells in the network to further increase the dynamic range. In this paper, three different implementations of such rectifier array circuits are described, including a two-diode rectifier array designed with the same type of diodes, a two-diode rectifier array designed with different types of diodes, and a three-diode rectifier array with different types of diodes. The performances of these circuits are validated with measurement and compared with each other. Significant enhancement of dynamic range over conventional rectifiers is demonstrated.
Evaluating Carbonation-Induced Corrosion in High-Volume SCM Mixtures Through the Square Root Model

The dominant cause of premature deterioration and reduced service life of reinforced concrete structures is corrosion. While chloride ingress has typically been the leading cause of corrosion, carbonation-induced corrosion has become an increasingly serious durability concern as higher supplementary cementing material (SCM) replacements have become more commonplace in sustainable concrete mixtures. This study investigated the carbonation resistance for a series of fly ash concrete mixtures placed in an outdoor exposure site to assess the influence of climatic conditions on the propagation of natural carbonation. The carbonation front was determined at 1, 2, and 5 years of exposure for each mixture. In addition, results are compared to similar mixtures placed in an accelerated carbonation chamber at 4% CO2 concentration. The results highlight the efficacy of the square root model to predict the carbonation front and provide an indication of the initiation phase of reinforcement corrosion induced by natural CO2. The carbonation coefficient using the square root model at various ages as well as in accelerated conditions are compared for various mixtures.
Logistic Regression Models

Preface Introduction The Normal Model Foundation of the Binomial Model Historical and Software Considerations Chapter Profiles Concepts Related to the Logistic Model 2 x 2 Table Logistic Model 2 x k Table Logistic Model Modeling a Quantitative Predictor Logistic Modeling Designs Estimation Methods Derivation of the IRLS Algorithm IRLS Estimation Maximum Likelihood Estimation Derivation of the Binary Logistic Algorithm Terms of the Algorithm Logistic GLM and ML Algorithms Other Bernoulli Models Model Development Building a Logistic Model Assessing Model Fit: Link Specification Standardized Coefficients Standard Errors Odds Ratios as Approximations of Risk Ratios Scaling of Standard Errors Robust Variance Estimators Bootstrapped and Jackknifed Standard Errors Stepwise Methods Handling Missing Values Modeling an Uncertain Response Constraining Coefficients Interactions Introduction Binary X Binary Interactions Binary X Categorical Interactions Binary X Continuous Interactions Categorical X Continuous Interaction Thoughts about Interactions Analysis of Model Fit Traditional Fit Tests for Logistic Regression Hosmer-Lemeshow GOF Test Information Criteria Tests Residual Analysis Validation Models Binomial Logistic Regression Overdispersion Introduction The Nature and Scope of Overdispersion Binomial Overdispersion Binary Overdispersion Real Overdispersion Concluding Remarks Ordered Logistic Regression Introduction The Proportional Odds Model Generalized Ordinal Logistic Regression Partial Proportional Odds Multinomial Logistic Regression Unordered Logistic Regression Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives Comparison to Multinomial Probit Alternative Categorical Response Models Introduction Continuation Ratio Models Stereotype Logistic Model Heterogeneous Choice Logistic Model Adjacent Category Logistic Model Proportional Slopes Models Panel Models Introduction Generalized Estimating Equations Unconditional Fixed Effects Logistic Model Conditional Logistic Models Random Effects and Mixed Models Logistic Regression Other Types of Logistic-Based Models Survey Logistic Models Scobit-Skewed Logistic Regression Discriminant Analysis Exact Logistic Regression Exact Methods Alternative Modeling Methods Conclusion Appendix A: Brief Guide to Using Stata Commands Appendix B: Stata and R Logistic Models Appendix C: Greek Letters and Major Functions Appendix D: Stata Binary Logistic Command Appendix E: Derivation of the Beta-Binomial Appendix F: Likelihood Function of the Adaptive Gauss-Hermite Quadrature Method of Estimation Appendix G: Data Sets Appendix H: Marginal Effects and Discrete Change References Author Index Subject Index Exercises and R Code appear at the end of most chapters.
Allylboration of Ketones and Imines with a Highly Reactive Bifunctional Allyl Pinacolatoboronate Reagent.

Allylboration of ketones and imines with a bifunctional allylboron reagent is reported. Addition of the bifunctional allylboronate to a broad scope of ketones gave tertiary alcohols in excellent yi...
Measurements and modeling of residual stress in sputtered TiN and ZrN: Dependence on growth rate and pressure

Abstract In situ wafer curvature measurements have been conducted on sputter-deposited nitride films (TiN, ZrN) to investigate the effect of growth rate and pressure on stress. For each growth rate, the stress becomes more compressive at lower pressure. At high pressure the stress shows a weak dependence on growth rate, while at low pressure, it becomes more compressive at higher growth rates. The results are interpreted in terms of a kinetic model that includes the effects of growth kinetics and energetic particle bombardment. The overall agreement suggests that the model can reproduce the dependence on processing conditions in multiple nitride systems.
“O.J. like, ‘I’m Not Black, I’m O.J.’…Okay”: Collective Memory and the Narrative of America in Jay-Z’s “the Story of O.J.”

This study's primary objective is to explore how Jay-Z's song, The Story of O.J. visually and verbally provides a narrative of race in the United States. This analysis examines the music video and ...
Treatment Response Evaluation of Bone Metastases Using 18 F-NaF

18F-NaF PET/CT plays an essential role in initial staging, detection of suspected first skeletal metastasis, the suspected progression of bony metastases, or treatment monitoring in many types of cancer, such as prostate, breast, and lung cancer. The morphology and extent of osteoblastic bone metastases, especially when widespread throughout the skeleton, pose a challenge for conventional anatomic imaging to determine tumor load and to evaluate response to therapy. Conventional bone scintigraphy (BS) has been consistently proven to be an inaccurate and insensitive imaging tool to assess response to treatment in many metastatic cancers. 18F-Fluoride PET/CT can determine and assess the whole bone tumor burden quantitatively. Furthermore, 18F-Fluoride (a bone-seeking radiotracer for diagnosis) has uptake properties similar to a therapeutic radiotracer such as 223Ra (the bone-seeking radiotracer for therapy) has the potential to precisely assess the possibility and efficacy of a treatment. In this chapter, we review the use of 18F-NaF PET/CT in prostate, breast, lung, thyroid, and renal cell cancer and discuss 18F-NaF PET/CT’s capability to monitor therapy.
Ring-enhancing lesions, stroke and vascular retinopathy associated with a novel TREX1 mutation (P2.246)

Objective: To describe neurological manifestations of a novel TREX1 mutation. Background: The TREX1 gene encodes a DNA repair exonuclease. Mutations have been associated with basement membrane anomalies that affect vessels in the brain, retina, kidney and other organs. Design/Methods: Single case report. Results: A 48 year-old woman with a history of vascular retinopathy presented after three episodes of acute left hemiparesis and dysarthria over a one year interval, each improving spontaneously. Family history was strongly positive, with at least four family members having neurological problems variably diagnosed as stroke or brain tumor around age 40. The inheritance pattern suggested autosomal dominant transmission. On imaging, our patient had multiple ring-enhancing lesions with surrounding edema that had shown a relapsing-remitting quality over time. Biopsy of one of these lesions showed only mild non-specific inflammatory changes on conventional microscopy. There was no clear benefit of steroids. During the course of evaluation, the patient suffered acute aphasia from a typical left middle cerebral-artery distribution infarction. Focused genetic testing revealed a previously-unreported mutation in the TREX1 gene likely to truncate the protein by 38 amino acids (c.829A>T (p.Lys277*)). Conclusions: TREX1 mutations have been associated with autoimmune disease, including Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome and systemic lupus. Similar to our patient, these mutations have also been reported in families with autosomal-dominant inheritance of brain, retina, kidney and other organ dysfunction. Resulting cerebral disease has a proclivity for white matter and often causes ring-enhancing lesions with surrounding edema; this has been mistaken for tumor or abscess. Small vessel involvement is characteristic in the brain and retina. We do not know of another case with typical large vessel stroke as seen in our patient. Also, prior kindreds with neurological involvement have shown frame-shift rather than stop-codon mutations in the C-terminal sequence of this gene. Disclosure: Dr. Cimino has nothing to disclose. Dr. Soo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Morrow has nothing to disclose.
SU‐E‐J‐111: Finite Element‐Based Deformable Image Registration of Pleural Cavity for Photodynamic Therapy

Purpose: The pleural volumes will deform during surgery portion of the pleural photodynamic therapy (PDT) of lung cancer when the pleural cavity is opened. This impact the delivered dose when using highly conformal treatment techniques. In this study, a finite element-based (FEM) deformable image registration is used to quantify the anatomical variation between the contours for the pleural cavities obtained in the operating room and those determined from pre-surgery computed tomography (CT) scans. Methods: An infrared camera-based navigation system (NDI) is used during PDT to track the anatomical changes and contour the lung and chest cavity. A series of CTs of the lungs, in the same patient, are also acquired before the surgery. The structure contour of lung and the CTs are processed and contoured in Matlab and MeshLab. Then, the contours are imported into COMSOL Multiphysics 5.0, where the FEM-based deformable image registration is obtained using the deformed mesh - moving mesh (ALE) model. The NDI acquired lung contour is considered as the reference contour, and the CT contour is used as the target one, which will be deformed. Results: The reconstructed three-dimensional contours from both NDI and CT can be converted to COMSOL so that a three-dimensional ALEmore » model can be developed. The contours can be registered using COMSOL ALE moving mesh model, which takes into account the deformation along x, y and z-axes. The deformed contour has good matches to the reference contour after the dynamic matching process. The resulting 3D deformation map can be used to obtain the locations of other critical anatomic structures, e.g., heart, during surgery. Conclusion: Deformable image registration can fuse images acquired by different modalities. It provides insights into the development of phenomenon and variation in normal anatomical structures over time. The initial assessments of three-dimensional registration show good agreement.« less
World Cinema, Theology, and the Human: Humanity in Deep Focus

Introduction Part I: Creative Humanity 1. Dance Of the Humanum: Billy Elliot 2. To Taste and See Heaven's Love: Be with Me Part II: Reconciling Humanity 3. Measuring Forgiveness: The Son 4. A Way To Be Good Again: Kite Runner Part III: Liberating Humanity 5. Playing For Life: Lagaan, Slumdog Millionaire 6. Wheels Of Change: Motorcycle Diaries Part IV: Inclusive Humanity 7. She Who is Three in One: Yesterday 8. Christ-Figure on the Back of a Whale: Whale Rider Filmography Bibliography Index
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. Four cases with flow cytometric analysis.

Abstract Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is a slow-growing but highly aggressive precancerous form of leukoplakia of unknown cause. Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is thought to possess a continuous spectrum of clinical and histopathologic expression, ranging from simple hyperkeratosis to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Early diagnosis is difficult because of an initial innocuous character, but multiple and rapid multifocal warty recurrences are common. This article reports four additional archival cases of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia to determine if flow cytometric analysis can be useful in the early diagnosis of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. Flow cytometric analysis was performed on available formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens (N = 27). Flow cytometric analysis results showed DNA aneuploid cell lines in each proliferative verrucous leukoplakia case studied (DNA index range, 1.1 to 2.6). In all four patients the abnormal cell line DNA index appeared to be maintained throughout the sampling period. The results suggest flow cytometric analysis could be a possible aid in early recognition of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and might enable aggressive therapy at an earlier stage.
Blood-brain barrier transport of reduced folic acid.

Purpose. The brain is relatively resistant to folic acid deficiency, indicating specialized transport systems may exist for this vitamin localized within the brain capillary endothelial wall, which makes up the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. The present studies quantify the BBB transport of [3H]-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (MTFA) in vivo and in isolated human brain capillaries in vitro.
Eighteenth-Century Fiction and the Law of Property

Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Communal form and the transitional culture of the eighteenth-century novel 2. Terra nullius, cannibalism, and the natural law of appropriation in Robinson Crusoe 3. Henry Fielding's common law of plenitude 4. Commodity fetishism in heterogeneous spaces 5. Ann Radcliffe and the political economy of Gothic space 6. Scottish law and Waverley's museum of property Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index.
Assessing the Solubilities and Reaction Kinetics of Aluminous Minerals in Soils

The use of chemical thermodynamics and reaction kinetics is necessary to quantitatively model the transformation of aluminous minerals and their dissolved constituents in soils and other geochemical systems. Soils are thermodynamically open systems subject to atmospheric and biological forces and do not attain overall thermodynamic equilibrium with respect to either mass or time. However, local or partial equilibrium conditions may persist for particular minerals and their dissolved constituents. Igneous and metamorphic primary minerals break down chemically to yield disordered gels or colloids and constituent ions, which can then reorganize or precipitate to form more stable hydrous oxides, silicates, carbonates or other mineral species. Naturally-occurring iron and aluminum hydrous oxides and kaolin clays, abundant in highly weathered soils, are commonly believed to be the ultimate, stable end products of weathering reactions, but usually are thermodynamically metastable with respect to more perfectly ordered, synthetic specimens. Thermodynamic stability is no guaranty of mineral persistence; with sufficient time, even the most perfectly crystallized, stable mineral will yield to the solubilizing assault of undersaturated surface waters. All of the dissolution and precipitation reactions of soil minerals are driven by energy differences in the thermodynamic stabilities of reactants and products, and the velocities (or kinetics) of such reactions are regulated by variables of the hydrogeochemical environment.
Kafkaesque Absurdity in the Aesthetics of Beckett and Giacometti

The complex zone of what I refer to as the aesthetical absurd is examined in the works of Modernists Kafka, Giacometti, and Beckett. This aesthetic zone, addressed through cognitive poetics, exists between artistic notion, the artist’s ideal cognitive image, and the actual performance or resulting image born in reality. Artistic ideal is evaluated as the aesthetic image or notion that exists in a tentative nascent and emotive state, but one that the artist strives to produce in the world—to reconstruct from the cognitive zone of creativity—but at times fails to bring to completion or fruition. This ever present bifurcation between these two conflictive states leads to a new view of the Sisyphean absurd. Kafka stands as the beginning point of the discussion. His fragmented, at times incomplete, writing serves as a touchstone to position the aesthetics of the later Beckett and Giacometti, a sculptor. Beckett mirrors Kafka’s sensibility, and relates his negative aesthetic, one lacking or hiding any visible scaffolding for the artistic process. Beckett and Giacometti were friends and collaborated on crafting props for a staging of his signature play Waiting for Godot , a failed attempt. An assessment of the aesthetics of these three artists advances the understanding of their works in terms of the aesthetical absurd.
Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis Spo Cr Mutants for the European Corn Borer Ostrinia nubilalis.

Inclusion bodies isolated from Spo− Cr+ mutants of Bacillus thuringiensis were toxic for larvae of the European corn borer. Probit analysis revealed comparable toxicity between wild-type crystals (isolated from B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki) and crystals produced from two spore-free mutants of the same subspecies. Death of the larvae was due to starvation, presumably through δ-endotoxin-induced gut paralysis. Inclusion bodies pretreated with α-chymotrypsinogen were equally as toxic as native crystals for the insect larvae.
Observation scales to identify serious illness in febrile children.

The pediatrician makes a judgment of the degree of illness (toxicity) of a febrile child based on observation prior to history and physical examination. In order to define valid and reliable observation data for that judgment, data from two previous studies were used to construct three-point scales of 14 observation items correlated with serious illness in those reports. Between Nov 1, 1980 and March 1, 1981, these 14 scaled items were scored simultaneously by attending physicians, residents, and nurses prior to history and physical examination on 312 febrile children aged ≤24 months seen consecutively in our Primary Care Center-Emergency Room and in one private practice. Of these 312 children, 37 had serious illness. Multiple regression analysis based on patients seen by at least one attending physician in the Primary Care Center revealed six items (quality of cry, reaction to parents, state variation, color, state of hydration, and response to social overtures) that were significant and independent predictors of serious illness (multiple R = 0.63). The observed agreement for scoring these six items between two attending physicians who saw one third of the patients ranged from 88% to 97%. The chance corrected agreement levels (κw) for these six items were, with one exception, clinically significant (κw = .47 to .73). A discriminant function analysis revealed that these six items when used together had a specificity of 88% and a sensitivity of 77% for serious illness. Individual scores for each of the six key items were added to yield a total score for each patient. Only 2.7% of patients with a score ≤10 had a serious illness; 92.3% with a score ≥l6 had a serious illness. The sensitivity of the six-item model for serious illness when combined with history and physical examination was 92%. In the population studied, this predictive model, when used prior to history and physical examination, was reliable, predictive, specific, and sensitive for serious illness in febnile children. It was most sensitive when combined with history and physical examination. The model wifi need to be validated on a new population of patients.
“If You Raised a Boy in a Pink Room … ?” Thoughts on Teaching Geography and Gender

Abstract This article draws upon the author's experiences with designing and teaching a lower-level undergraduate course, Geography and Gender. It is proposed that there is a relative lack of resources available for conducting geography courses on gender, feminism, and/or sexuality and as such, this article addresses issues of text selection, course format, and evaluation measures. This consideration of course format is interwoven with a look at the challenges and, at times, discomforts of incorporating feminist pedagogies and open-ended discussions in the undergraduate classroom in order to teach gendered and sexed geographies.
Parent stars of extrasolar planets – XIV. Strong evidence of Li abundance deficit

We report the results of our analysis of new high resolution spectra of 30 late-F to early-G dwarf field stars for the purpose of deriving their Li abundances. They were selected from the subsample of stars in the Valenti and Fischer compilation that are lacking detected planets. These new data serve to expand our comparison sample used to test whether stars with Doppler-detected giant planets display Li abundance anomalies. Our results continue to show that Li is deficient among stars with planets when compared to very similar stars that lack such planets. This conclusion is strengthened when we add literature data to ours in a consistent way. We present a table of stars with planets paired with very similar stars lacking planets, extending the recent similar results of Delgado Mena et al.
True cellulase production by Clostridium thermocellum grown on different carbon sources

Clostridium thermocellum produced different levels of true cellulase (“Avicelase”) depending on the carbon source used for growth. In defined medium with fructose, the cellulase titer was seven times higher than with cells growing on cellobiose and four times higher than cells growing with glucose. During the lag phase on fructose, the differences were even more dramatic, i.e. 60 times higher than in cells growing on cellobiose and 40 times that of cells lagging or growing in glucose. In an attempt to detect factors that might contribute to these differences, we considered intracellular ATP, chemical potential (ΔpH), electrical potential (ΔY), proton motive force (Δp), growth rate, and rates of uptake of inorganic phosphate and sugars. We noted a direct correlation between cellulase production and intracellular ATP levels and an inverse relationship of cellulase production with ΔY and Δp values. It thus appears that cellulase is best produced by cells high in ATP and low in Dp and its electrical component DY. There was no obvious relationship between the cellulase titer and the other parameters. Although the physiological significance of such correlations is unknown, the data suggest that further investigation is warranted.
Technical note: A vacuum-assisted approach for biopsying the mammary glands of various species

Biopsy of the mammary glands is a technique used in both research and clinical diagnosis. A vacuum-assisted approach that enables the collection of tissue from the mammary glands of various species is described, along with methods for biopsying cows and pigs. The procedure involves tissue penetration via blunt dissection with a sharpened trocar. Tissue cores are excised and collected via the vacuum-assisted handpiece followed by a saline lavage and wound closure. This approach yields tissue cores of approximately 100 mg, is well suited for use in various species, and affords the potential to reduce postoperative complications.
Multiple scale segmentation of range images using wavelets

Analysis of range data is important for performing scene interpretation in robotic environments. The first step applied to range images for feature extraction is segmentation, which reveals the inner borders between three-dimensional scene elements. Segmentation of range images can be performed by detecting edges and interpreting them as boundaries of the different surfaces. A segmentation method for range images is proposed using the a trous algorithm implementation of the discrete wavelet transform. This algorithm applies oriented band pass filters at multiple scales for derivative estimations. The wavelet transform (WT) is used as a smoothing multiscale differentiation operator. A model for range image features is developed based on the differential properties of step and roof edges in range images. We show how specific families of wavelets are used for investigating the local and scale properties of the differentials of two-dimensional signals, with emphasis on the higher derivative singularities and zero-crossings usually found in range data. These features are detected, then combined into a binary edge map. Following the modulus maxima of the wavelet transform in the direction of the gradient vector obviates the need for thresholding. The resulting binary edge map provides a basis for complete segmentation. The final result is a segmented image with labeled regions indicating different surface patches. This segmented image can be used as input to a higher-level recognition or for a three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm. The technique is applied to synthetic and real range images with different features and is shown to yield consistent and reliable results.
Soluble complexes of [FeH6]4−

Abstract An improved laboratory bench top solution synthesis of the complex hydride, hexahydridoferrate ion, [FeH 6 ] 4− , is reported giving >40% yield. The reaction involves the hydrogenation of a mixture of iron(II) halide and phenylmagnesium halide at room temperature and 4.4 bar H 2 pressure. The product, [FeH 6 ][MgBr(THF) 2 ] 4 is only moderately soluble in THF and precipitates as a yellow powder. This material is conveniently characterized by 1 H NMR, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The moderate solubility of the above complex containing the [MgU(THF) n ] + counter-ion is markedly improved by substitution of the bromide with an alkoxide. The complexes containing [MgOR(THF) n ] + are readily soluble in ether and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene. A limited number of hydrogen transfer reactions have shown that [FeH 6 ] 4− , has potential as a stoichiometric and catalytic multiple H-transfer agent.
Sex dependence of clearance rates of aldosterone and its metabolites from plasma of intact rats.

Following I.V. injection of 3H-aldosterone, the rates of clearance of plasma 3H-radioactivity was demonstrated to be sex-dependent in intact rats. Even though the percentages of CH2 Cl2-extractable plasma radioactivity are greater in female than in male rats, the quantities of CH2Cl2 -extractable label are similar until 60 min post-injection. However, the quantities of non-extractable, polar metabolites of aldosterone (NEPD) are markedly greater in the plasma of males and rapidly reach peak levels 10 min postinjection of aldosterone. In females, these polar metabolites (NEPD) are rapidly cleared from the blood. After bile-duct cannulation, the rate of excretion of aldosterone radiometabolites was demonstrated to be rapid and sex-dependent. Within 1 hr., female rats excreted via the bile 82% of the injected dose of 3H-aldosterone, compared to 49% in male rats. In both sexes, >95% of the total radioactivity excreted in the bile are non-extractable polar metabolites of aldosterone (NEPD). The sex hormones appear to influence not only the nature of metabolism of aldosterone in the liver, but also the rates of clearance of aldosterone and its metabolites from the plasma into the bile.
The Fourier-space statistics of seed-like cosmological perturbations

We propose a new test for distinguishing observationally between cosmological models based on seed-like primordial perturbations (such as cosmic strings or textures) and models based on Gaussian fluctuations. We investigate analytically the Fourier-space statistical properties of temperature or density fluctuation patterns generated by seed-like objects and compare these properties with those of Gaussian fluctuations generated during inflation. We show that the proposed statistical test can easily identify temperature fluctuations produced by a superposition of a small number of seeds per horizon scale for any observational angular resolution and any seed geometry
Activation by actin of ATPase activity of chemically modified gizzard myosin without phosphorylation.

The ATPase activity of myosin from chicken gizzard measured in the presence of either Mg2+ or Ca2+ is increased in the absence of dithiothreitol or upon reaction with Cu2+, o-iodosobenzoate, or N-ethylmaleimide. Iodosobenzoate or Cu2+ produce no change in K+(EDTA)-ATPase while N-ethylmaleimide produces a decrease. These treatments also make the actin-activated ATPase insensitive to Ca2+ when assayed in the presence of tropomyosin and a partially purified myosin light chain kinase. Phosphorylation of N-ethylmaleimide modified myosin remains dependent on Ca2+ and therefore appears not to be required for activation by actin of the ATPase activity of modified myosin.
The Effect of Sodium Acetate Feeding on Milk and Fat Yield, Blood Sugar, and Blood Ketones of Dairy Cows, ,

Summary The effects of feeding 1lb. of sodium acetate daily for 10-day periods on milk and fat production, milk fat test, blood glucose, and blood ketones of normal cows receiving normal diets were determined. There were no significant differences (P=0.05), in any of the values studied, between the cows receiving acetate and the controls. The sensitivity of the experiment was sufficient to detect average differences of 0.1% in fat test, 0.06lb. of fat, or 0.8lb. of milk per day, 0.6mg. % blood glucose or 0.18mg. % blood ketones.