cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Mangled Limb

The mangled extremity that sustains limb-threatening trauma is a challenging condition to manage. Significant tissue defects of the mangled limb result in exposed vital structures such as bone, nerves, vessels, and tendons that require stable, durable coverage in order to receive a reasonable functional outcome. When the extent of soft tissue damage is severe, and serial debridement followed by primary or local soft tissue reconstruction is not appropriate, microsurgical soft tissue reconstruction is indicated for limb salvage. The modern principles of microsurgical soft tissue reconstruction of the mangled limb are described that include the indications, facility requirements, patient assessment, free flap selection, postoperative care, and management of complications. The advantages, disadvantages, and indications of the most commonly used flaps are outlined. The goals of microsurgical reconstruction of the mangled limb are to provide the best wound coverage that allows for early functional rehabilitation while minimizing donor site morbidity.
Predicting Discharge Disposition Following Meningioma Resection Using a Multi-Institutional Natural Language Processing Model

Background Machine learning (ML)-based predictive models are increasingly common in neurosurgery, but typically require large databases of discrete variables for training. Natural language processing (NLP) can extract meaningful data from unstructured text. Objective To present an NLP model that predicts nonhome discharge and a point-of-care implementation. Methods We retrospectively collected age, preoperative notes, and radiology reports from 595 adults who underwent meningioma resection in an academic center from 1995 to 2015. A total of 32 algorithms were trained with the data; the 3 best performing algorithms were combined to form an ensemble. Predictive ability, assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration, was compared to a previously published model utilizing 52 neurosurgeon-selected variables. We then built a multi-institutional model by incorporating notes from 693 patients at another center into algorithm training. Permutation importance was used to analyze the relative importance of each input to model performance. Word clouds and non-negative matrix factorization were used to analyze predictive features of text. Results The single-institution NLP model predicted nonhome discharge with AUC of 0.80 (95% CI = 0.74-0.86) on internal and 0.76 on holdout validation compared to AUC of 0.77 (95% CI = 0.73-0.81) and 0.74 for the 52-variable ensemble. The multi-institutional model performed similarly well with AUC = 0.78 (95% CI = 0.74-0.81) on internal and 0.76 on holdout validation. Preoperative notes most influenced predictions. The model is available at http://nlp-home.insds.org. Conclusion ML and NLP are underutilized in neurosurgery. Here, we construct a multi-institutional NLP model that predicts nonhome discharge.
Advocating for equity during the pandemic

In response to an imminent surge in COVID-19 cases, the state of Massachusetts (MA) released its Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) guidelines in April 2020. A small group of Boston healthcare providers, community members, lawyers, ethicists and disability advocates brought to bear our collective strengths to forge a formidable coalition now known as the Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity, to champion the rights of marginalised groups that would be adversely affected by the implementation of the original MA CSC guidelines. In this coalition, members of marginalised communities were adequately represented, led discussions on the implications of implementing inequitable elements of the CSC guidelines and actively involved in creating an alternative framework. In this article, we discuss the process of building a coalition whose concerted advocacy efforts led to the revision of the MA CSC guidelines.
The Effect of State-Level Rate Bill Abolition on School Attendance in the 19th Century United States

Until the late 19th century, families in some municipalities paid small user fees, called rate bills, for their children to attend public schools. Urban school districts gradually repealed these fees and funded public education through local taxes. States eventually abolished rate bills, forcing rural areas to provide public education without tuition requirements. Using United States Census data and a staggered adoption difference-in-differences approach, I show that state-level rate bill abolition increased rural primary school attendance by 5.7 percentage points. These results suggest that small costs can be an obstacle to school attendance and inhibit the diffusion of education.
Targeting Notch and EGFR signaling in human mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common type of salivary gland cancers and patients with advanced, metastatic, and recurrent MECs have limited therapeutic options and poor treatment outcomes. MEC is commonly associated with a chromosomal translocation t(11;19) (q14-21;p12-13) that encodes the CRTC1-MAML2 oncogenic fusion. The CRTC1-MAML2 fusion is required for MEC growth in part through inducing autocrine AREG-EGFR signaling. Growing evidence suggests that MEC malignancy is maintained by cancer stem-like cells. In this study, we aimed to determine critical signaling for maintaining MEC stem-like cells and the effect of combined targeting of stem cell signaling and CRTC1-MAML2-induced EGFR signaling on blocking MEC growth. First, we evaluated the significance of Notch signaling in regulating MEC stem-like cells. Aberrantly activated Notch signaling was detected in human fusion-positive MEC cells. The inhibition of Notch signaling with genetic or pharmacological inhibitors reduced oncosphere formation and ALDH-bright population in vitro and blocked the growth of MEC xenografts in vivo. Next, we investigated the effect of co-targeting Notch signaling and EGFR signaling, and observed enhanced inhibition on MEC growth in vivo. Collectively, this study identified a critical role of Notch signaling in maintaining MEC stem-like cells and tumor growth, and revealed a novel approach of co-targeting Notch and EGFR signaling as a potential effective anti-MEC treatment.
Continuing Along the Cow Path: Technical Communication Within a Jewish Cemetery

Recent calls to incorporate cultural approaches to technical communication research offers new avenues for imagining where technical communication and user experience emerge. Taking up these calls, this case study explores how elements of documentation design in a Jewish cemetery function as cultural interfaces and why socially informed design benefits users by highlighting technical documentation's role in fostering community.
Anxiety in Parkinson’s Disease

Anxiety is a common neuropsychiatric manifestation of PD that has a significant impact on disease-related QOL. There is a remarkable paucity of organized data on the choice of pharmacological management of anxiety in PD. Well-designed studies are necessary. However, based on clinical experience, the agents that are effective in management of the primary anxiety disorders also appear to be efficacious in PD-related anxiety.
Sofia: Science Vision and Current Status

This slide presentation details the science and status of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is a 2.5 m Telescope designed to fit into a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. It will have imaging and spectroscopy from .03 micron to 1.6 mm, emphasizing the obscured infrared spectrum (i.e., 30-300 micron). It will fly between 39,000 to 45,000 feet, above over 99.8 % of the water vapor which obscures the infrared from other ground based telescopes. Since it is on a ground based airplane, the instrumentation can be interchangeable between flights, it can fly anywhere and anytime. Diagrams show an overview of the observatory, the optical layout, and a comparison of SOFIA with the other major IR Imaging spectroscopic Space Observatories. Pictures include a shot of the installation of the primary mirror, and the Telescope instrument interface. Charts show the first generation instruments, and their ranges of spectral observation. Also the presentation reviews the science questions that SOFIA's instruments will assist in reviewing.
Crafting Policies to End Poverty in Latin America: The Quiet Transformation

1. Introduction 2. The universe of cash transfer programs 3. The politics of fighting poverty 4. Explaining policy adoption and design 5. Explaining policy outcomes 6. Conditional cash transfers and clientelism 7. The electoral bonus of conditional cash transfers 8. Conclusions.
Transgenic, Cisgenic, Intragenic and Subgenic Crops

Crop genetic engineering is a technology where the genome of a host crop is engineered with a foreign donor gene regulated by certain gene regulatory sequences (promoter, terminator, etc.). Crop genetic engineering started in 1983 [1] via expressing of a bacterial gene in tobacco, and the first transgenic (genetically modified or GM) food crop (i.e. Flavr Savr tomato) was commercialized by Calgene Company in 1994 [2]. In crop genetic engineering, genes are randomly inserted into a host plant genome.
The Biological Activity of Cross-Linked β Nerve Growth Factor Protein

The β nerve growth factor protein (βNGF), isolated from the high molecular weight 7S NGF complex in the mouse submaxillary gland, is a basic protein of molecular weight 26,500 which contains two identical peptide chains held together by noncovalent forces. The two chains separate in denaturing solvents. βNGF was cross-linked with dimethylsuberimidate at pH 9.5 and the cross-linked dimer separated from higher and lower molecular species by chromatography on an agarose column in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride. The behavior of the cross-linked βNGF, compared either to native βNGF or βNGF reacted with but not cross-linked by dimethylsuberimidate, on a agarose column in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride or on electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate confirmed that its two peptide chains were covalently linked. Cross-linked βNGF also gave a molecular weight of 27,000 by measurement of sedimentation equilibrium and the same amino acid composition as native βNGF except for some loss of lysine, arginine, tyrosine and cysteine. The cross-linked dimer of βNGF was indistinguishable from native βNGF in its ability to elicit fiber outgrowth from dorsal root ganglia in the bioassay. Cross-linked βNGF also recombined with the α and γ subunits of 7S NGF to reform a 7S NGF complex.
Captivity and choice in travel-behavior models

The correct calibration of individual-choice models and the correct prediction of choices from such models can only be achieved by restricting data sets to those individuals who have choices. This paper discusses the ideas of choice and captivity with respect to travel choises, and explores the effects on calibration and prediction of including captives in the data. It is shown that the inclusion of captives causes biases in the coefficients and predictions that cannot be removed a posteriori and that these biases have important policy implications for highway and transit planning. Hence, the restriction of data to choosers alone is important in both the development and the use of individual-choice models of travel behavior. Language: en
Arrancarle los dientes al trópico: ambiente, enfermedad y el programa sanitario de Estados Unidos en Panamá, 1904-1914

Supported in sources written during and after the construction of the Panama Canal (1904-1914), this article examines the form in which the USA citizens conc...
Depressive Symptoms and Physical Performance in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the presence of high depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score ?14) diminished physical performance benefits after a comprehensive physical activity intervention in older adults. DESIGN: A post hoc analysis of data from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot (LIFE-P) study, a single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing a moderate-intensity physical activity intervention (PA) with a successful aging control (SA). SETTING: Multicenter U.S. institutions participating in the LIFE-P trial. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred twenty-four sedentary, noninstitutionalized adults aged 70 to 89. MEASUREMENTS: Depressive symptoms were assessed using the CES-D. Physical performance tests included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and 400-m walk time (400 mw) at baseline and 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Of the participants, 15.8% had high depressive symptom scores (CES-D ?14). For participants with low depressive symptoms, SPPB scores improved more in the PA than the SA group over 12 months (adjusted score difference +0.70; P<.001 at 6 months and +0.58; P=.004 at 12 months), and 400 mw times improved in the PA group at 6 months (adjusted score difference -0.41 minutes; P=.02). For participants with high depressive symptoms, the difference in improvement fell short of statistical significance on the SPPB between the PA and SA groups (adjusted score difference +0.76 (P=.18) at 6 months and +0.94 (P=.12) at 12 months). CONCLUSION: The presence of high depressive symptoms did not substantially diminish physical performance benefits realized after a PA intervention in sedentary older adults.
Implementing Threads in Standard ML

This tutorial explores the well-known problem of how to implement concurrent threads of control in Standard ML, by using the extension of first-class continuations. Particular attention is paid to the proper treatment of exceptions and avoidance of storage leaks.
Sensitivity of γ-ray detectors to polarization

Previous studies have shown that the largest γ-ray detector to date, EGRET, does not have useful polarization sensitivity. We have explored here some improved approaches to analyzing γ-ray pair production events, leading to important gains in sensitivity to polarization. The performance of the next generation γ-ray instrument GLAST is investigated using a detailed Monte Carlo simulation of the complete detector.
Development of a university-level program in electronic imaging

Florida Atlantic University is home to what is probably the most concentrated university-based R&D effort in the world in the area of electronic imaging. The university is now beginning major investment in an accompanying academic program aimed at training masters- and doctoral-level students in this important technological area. Electronic imaging technology requires people trained in a wide variety of multi-disciplinary areas, with optics being a major component. This paper presents in detail our current assessment of those aspect of optics most important to students seeking professional development for R&D positions in a rapidly growing industry.
Neural mechanisms of visuomotor coordination: the evolution of Rana computatrix

This paper reviews the “evolution” of Rana computatrix, a set of models of the neural architectures and functions that underlie visually guided behavior in frogs and toads. We introduce arrays of leaky integrator neurons as the style of neural modeling most used in Rana computatrix to date, and briefly discuss the technique of back-propagation. We then present the methodology of schema theory, which integrates perception and action by decomposing an overall behavior into the interaction of functional, neurally explicable, units called schemas. Finally, we present an overview of work on Rana computatrix, making use of data presented in this volume — not only on frogs and toads but comparative studies of other species — to point to future directions for research. We consider models for prey-selection, depth perception, detour behavior, approach and avoidance, tectal columns (for facilitation and pattern recognition), retina, habituation and memory, and generation of motor behavior.
Stability boundaries and the exact calculation of mixed-stability limit cycles in higher-dimensional state spaces

A multiple-shooting algorithm for calculating limit cycles of nonlinear systems is developed, and the relationship of mixed-stability limit cycles to the stability boundaries of equilibria is demonstrated. Exact determination of mixed-stability limit cycles in higher-dimensional state spaces can be an important tool for use in exact calculation of an equilibrium point's domain of attraction. The algorithm is presented along with three test limit cycle calculations: one for a system with saturation and integrator wind-up; one for a balancing peg-leg robot system; and one for a system with negative Van der Pol damping. Also presented is a way to determine the local tangent to a system's stability boundary by considering limit cycle properties. This method is demonstrated by prediction of stable and unstable initial conditions and verification of the predictions via numerical simulation. >
Seismo-acoustic propagation near thin and low-shear speed ocean bottom sediments using a massive elastic interface

The seafloor is considered to be a thin surface layer overlying an elastic half space. In addition to layers of this type being thin, they may also have shear wave speeds that can be small (order 100 m/s). Both the thin and low-shear properties, viewed as small parameters, can cause mathematical and numerical singularities to arise. Following the derivation presented by Gilbert [Geophys. J. Int. 133, 230–232 (1998)], the surface layer is approximated as a thick, finite-thickness interface, and modified ocean bottom fluid-solid interface conditions are derived as jump conditions across the interface. The resultant interface conditions are incorporated into a seismo-acoustic parabolic equation solution, and this interface-based solution is benchmarked against existing solutions and previously derived modified fluid-solid interface jump conditions. Accuracy quantification is given via dimensionless interface thickness parameters.
The effect of infection on T lymphocyte subpopulations: A preliminary report

The effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on T-lymphocyte subpopulations (employing the monoclonal antibody OKT4 to delineate helper cells and OKT8 for suppressor-cytotoxic cells) was studied in 10 normal individuals with CMV mononucleosis and four renal transplant patients with symptomatic primary CMV disease. In both clinical settings, acute CMV infection is associated with a reversal of the normal helper/suppressor-cytotoxic T cell ratio, with both a relative and absolute decrease in T helper cells and an increase in T suppressor-cytotoxic cells observed. With clinical recovery, there is a return of these cell populations toward normal ranges. In two patients, one with chronic CMV infection and one with chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection, the helper/suppressor-cytotoxic cell ratio was found to be reduced four years after the onset of infection. Five patients with febrile illnesses were also studied: two with viral infection and one with a self-limited febrile illness had decreased helper/suppressor-cytotoxic cell ratios, and two with bacterial infection had increased ratios. Thus, delineation of T lymphocyte subpopulations may be of value not only in evaluating the immunologic effects of a particular infectious agent, but also in the clinical evaluation of the febrile patient.
Teenage mothers at age 30.

This longitudinal, interpretive study explored how teen mothers experienced the self and future during a 12-year period. Sixteen families were first interviewed intensively in 1988-1989 once the teen’s infant reached age 8 to 10 months; they were reinterviewed in 1993, 1997, and 2001 (Time 4). Twenty-seven family members were reinterviewed at Time 4. The metaphor of a narrative spine is used to describe how the mothers’lives unfolded during the 12-year period. The narrative spines of some mothers were large and supported well-developed, coherent “chapters” on mothering, adult love, and work. For others, mothering provided a “backbone” for a meaningful life; however, chapters on adult love and work were less fully developed. The lives of a third group of mothers lacked a coherent narrative structure. Each pattern is presented with a paradigm case.
Analysis of the Effects of Candesartan in the Mesenteric Vascular Bed of the Cat

The effects of the nonpeptide angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan on responses to angiotensin II were investigated in the mesenteric vascular bed of the cat. Under constant-flow conditions, injections of angiotensin II caused dose-related increases in perfusion pressure that were reduced by candesartan in doses of 3, 10, and 30 microg/kg i.v.. After administration of the AT1 receptor antagonist in a dose of 3 microg/kg i.v., the dose-response curve for angiotensin II was shifted to the right in a parallel manner, whereas the administration of higher doses resulted in nonparallel rightward shifts of the angiotensin II dose-response curves. The duration of the inhibitory actions of candesartan were dependent on dose, and the AT1 receptor antagonist did not alter responses to norepinephrine, U46619, vasopressin, neuropeptide Y, BAY K8644, endothelin-1, alpha,beta-methylene ATP, adenosine, acetylcholine, and bradykinin. Treatment with the AT2 receptor antagonist PD123,319 or with sodium meclofenamate did not alter the inhibitory effects of candesartan on responses to angiotensin II. Candesartan also decreased pressor responses to angiotensin III and IV with a parallel shift at the low dose and a nonparallel shift to the right of the dose-response curve at the high dose. These results indicate that candesartan is a potent, selective, long-acting AT1 receptor antagonist that, depending on dose, can produce both competitive and noncompetitive blockade of responses to angiotensin II, III, and IV.
Response of normal and diseased epicardial coronary arteries to vasoactive drugs: quantitative arteriographic studies☆

Abstract Coronary vasodilators known to be effective in effort and vasospastic angina were studied in 93 patients undergoing catheterization for evaluation of chest pain. The ischemia-provoking stresses were isometric handgrip (25% of maximum for 4 to 5 minutes) or ergonovine maleate (0.2 mg intravenously). Hemodynamic changes and changes in angiographic diameter of epicardial coronary arteries were measured during these stresses, with and without drug administration. Drugs included intravenous diltiazem (0.25 mg/kg load + 0.003 mg/ kg/min), intravenous verapamil (0.14 mg/kg load + 0.0075 mg/kg/min) and intracoronary (0.012 mg/min X 4 minutes) and sublingual (0.4 mg) nitroglycerin. From these studies, the following statistically valid conclusions were reached. First, nitroglycerin is a potent dilator of epicardial coronary arteries, increasing normal luminal area an average of 28% and luminal area in significantly stenotic segments by 29%. Second, verapamil and diltiazem are nonsignificant epicardial coronary dilators (9% and 4% luminal area increase, respectively). Similarly, diltiazem does not dilate significant coronary stenoses. Third, sustained isometric handgrip increases systemic blood pressure and heart rate by reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system. By this means, handgrip also constricts luminal area in normal and diseased coronary segments by 20% and 22%, respectively. One result of these changes is a handgrip-induced, ischemic 56% rise in pulmonary wedge pressure in patients with significant stenosis. Fourth, intracoronary nitroglycerin, in very small doses, does not block the systemic hemodynamic response to handgrip, but prevents handgrip-induced coronary constriction and the associated ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. Thus, in states of sympathetic activation, vasotonic constriction of significant lesions is a major mechanism of the ischemic response, and its prevention is a major mechanism of the nitroglycerin response. Last, verapamil and diltiazem infusions block the coronary constriction observed during handgrip in normal and diseased coronary segments. Verapamil almost completely abolishes the coronary constriction seen after ergonovine. Thus, unlike nitroglycerin, verapamil and diltiazem are not direct epicardial coronary dilators, but act by preventing the constriction of diseased coronary segments induced by α-adrenergic and serotonergic coronary receptor stimulation.
Intravenous immunoglobulin g therapy in fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is a rare disorder in the neonatal period, occurring in 1 in 2000 to 5000 births. The clinical syndrome of NAIT can be varied, but the resulting thrombocytopenia can be very severe and can result in serious haemorrhage in the fetus and neonate. At least 5 human platelet antigen systems have been described, and all have been implicated in cases of NAIT. Approximately 50% of platelet antigen-incompatible firstborn infants will be affected. The risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies is high, estimated at >75%, with the disease being either equally or more severe than in the first infant. Mortality in NAIT is estimated to be 10%, and is usually associated with intracranial haemorrhage. The incidence of intracranial haemorrhage is estimated to be approximately 14%, with approximately 25% occurring antenatally. In an effort to prevent these severe complications, therapy is usually instituted in infants with severe thrombocytopenia from NAIT. Treatment strategies have included appropriate, compatible platelet transfusion, corticosteroid use and exchange transfusion. However, success in treating immune-mediated thrombocytopenia with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) has prompted the use of this therapy in fetuses and infants with NAIT. IVIg has demonstrated efficacy in both of these clinical situations. The literature concerning the use of IVIg, both ante- and post-natally, is reviewed, and treatment strategies for infants and fetuses affected by NAIT are discussed.
Myocardial flow reserve in patients with a systemic right ventricle after atrial switch repair.

Abstract OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess myocardial blood flow (MBF) and flow reserve in systemic right ventricles (RV) in long-term survivors of the Mustard operation. BACKGROUND There is a high prevalence of systemic RV dysfunction and impaired exercise performance in long-term survivors of the Mustard operation. A mismatch between myocardial blood supply and systemic ventricular work demand has been proposed as a potential mechanism. METHODS We assessed MBF at rest and during intravenous adenosine hyperemia in 11 long-term survivors of a Mustard repair (age 18 ± 5 years, median age at repair 0.7 years, follow-up after repair 17 ± 5 years) and 13 healthy control subjects (age 23 ± 7 years), using N-13 ammonia and positron emission tomography imaging. RESULTS There was no difference in basal MBF between the systemic RV of survivors of the Mustard operation and the systemic left ventricle (LV) of healthy control subjects (0.80 ± 0.19 vs. 0.74 ± 0.15 ml/g/min, respectively, p = NS). However, the hyperemic flows were significantly lower in systemic RVs than they were in systemic LVs (2.34 ± 0.0.69 vs. 3.44 ± 0.62 ml/g/min respectively, p CONCLUSIONS Myocardial flow reserve is impaired in systemic RVs in survivors of the Mustard operation. This may contribute to systemic ventricular dysfunction in these patients.
Linking Flickering to Waves and Whole-Cell Oscillations in a Mitochondrial Network Model

It has been shown that transient single mitochondrial depolarizations, known as flickers, tend to occur randomly in space and time. On the other hand, many studies have shown that mitochondrial depolarization waves and whole-cell oscillations occur under oxidative stress. How single mitochondrial flickering events and whole-cell oscillations are mechanistically linked remains unclear. In this study, we developed a Markov model of the inner membrane anion channel in which reactive-oxidative-species (ROS)-induced opening of the inner membrane anion channel causes transient mitochondrial depolarizations in a single mitochondrion that occur in a nonperiodic manner, simulating flickering. We then coupled the individual mitochondria into a network, in which flickers occur randomly and sparsely when a small number of mitochondria are in the state of high superoxide production. As the number of mitochondria in the high-superoxide-production state increases, short-lived or abortive waves due to ROS-induced ROS release coexist with flickers. When the number of mitochondria in the high-superoxide-production state reaches a critical number, recurring propagating waves are observed. The origins of the waves occur randomly in space and are self-organized as a consequence of random flickering and local synchronization. We show that at this critical state, the depolarization clusters exhibit a power-law distribution, a signature of self-organized criticality. In addition, the whole-cell mitochondrial membrane potential changes from exhibiting small random fluctuations to more periodic oscillations as the superoxide production rate increases. These simulation results may provide mechanistic insight into the transition from random mitochondrial flickering to the waves and whole-cell oscillations observed in many experimental studies.
Practices and perceptions of long-term follow-up among state newborn screening programs.

Objectives The purposes of the study were to describe and to analyze the types of policies and practices that exist currently among state newborn screening programs in relation to long-term follow-up oversight and activities for newborns with confirmed disorders and to examine the perceptions of newborn screening program leaders regarding long-term follow-up activities. Methods A 23-question survey was administered to state newborn screening program coordinators in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands in January to February 2005. Results Survey findings revealed significant variation in terms of how long-term follow-up is defined, staffed, and conducted within state newborn screening programs. This variation does not seem to be related to existing state program capacity, in terms of size of newborn screening programs or available resources. In addition, at present many state programs do not conduct long-term follow-up oversight or activities for newborns with diagnosed disorders, and many of those that do seem to lack necessary staffing and quality assurance mechanisms for effective long-term follow-up. Conclusions The results point generally to a need for greater attention in aligning state newborn screening program capacity with long-term follow-up, increased emphasis on standardization for long-term follow-up activities, and development of stronger quality assurance oversight from state newborn screening programs if effective long-term follow-up oversight is to occur nationally. Given the present expansion of newborn screening in many states, additional research and policymaking with respect to long-term follow-up seem warranted.
Report of ITER special working group 1

ITER Special Working Group 1 (SWG-1) was established by the terms of the ITER-EDA Agreement. According to that agreement {open_quotes}SWG-1 shall, based on the (ITER) Conceptual Design Report, review the detailed technical objectives along with the technical approaches to determine the best practicable way to achieve the programmatic objective of ITER, as described in Article 1 of the Agreement...SWG-1 shall submit, not later than three months after entry into force of the Agreement, its findings in a Review Report to the Council for its approval.{close_quotes} The ITER Council subsequently provided to SWG-1, as `a general guideline,` that detailed technical objectives and technical approaches, including appropriate safety margins, should be compatible with the aim of maintaining the cost of the device within the limits comparable to those indicated in the final report of the ITER CDA (Conceptual Design Activities), as well as keeping its impact in the long-range fusion program. The Council asked the Director to present an outline of the design within about 10 months, at the time when a draft agreement of Protocol 2 should have been prepared by SWG-2. This paper is the varbatim report of SWG-1.
Influence of banded fertiliser on the chemical environment surrounding the band. II. Effect on soil‐solution cations, cation—anion balance and solution phosphorus

The influence of several banded fertilisers on soil solution content of Ca, Mg, K, P and on cation-anion balance at two distances from the band was studied. Treatments consisted of various combinations of monocalcium phosphate (MCP), KCl, NH4NO3, (NH4)2HPO4 and urea applied on a nutrient element basis of 22.4 or 67.2 kg/ha. Ammonium nitrate or KCl, supplied separately, produced the highest solution concentrations of Ca (up to 1200 parts/million) and Mg (up to 500 parts/million). Solution concentration of Ca and Mg increased over a 32-day incubation time near treatments containing urea. Treatments containing (NH4)2HPO4 initially reduced solution Ca and Mg contents only when applied at 67.2 kg/ha. All treatments not containing K had similar but smaller effects on solution K than they did on Ca and Mg. Highly significant correlations were obtained between total mequiv. of Ca+ Mg and NO3 for treatments containing urea or (NH4)2HPO4, while low or non-significant correlations resulted from NH4NO3 treatments. Treatments containing (NH4)2HPO4 and MCP yielded soil solution P concentrations as high as 1000 parts/million. Urea combined with (NH4)2HPO4 or MCP drastically reduced solution P concentrations.
Detection of high-altitude ionospheric irregularities with GPS/MET

[1] In this study radio occultation data from the GPS/MET experiment are used for detection of high-altitude ionospheric irregularities. This is done by back propagation of the complex electromagnetic field observed in orbit while accounting for the direction of the Earth's magnetic field. The irregularities are detected mainly in the F region. However, for some occultations they are detected above the F2 peak at altitudes up to 1000 km and higher. Results of numerical simulations, a description of the used algorithm, and examples of the processed GPS/MET data are presented.
Investigation of the inhibitive effect of ortho-substituted anilines on corrosion of iron in 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions

Abstract The inhibiting action of six o-substituted anilines against the corrosion of iron (99.9999%) in solutions of sulphuric acid has been studied using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). At inhibitor concentration range (10−3 to 10−2 M) in 0.5 M acid, the efficiency of the inhibitors increases in the order o-toluidine
Pretreatment Drug Use by Patients Entering Drug Treatment Programs during 1971–1973

Patterns of pretreatment drug abuse are described for 28,419 drug users who entered community-based treatment centers that participated in the national Drug Abuse Reporting Program during 1971–1973...
Flame Retardant Behavior of Polyelectrolyte−Clay Thin Film Assemblies on Cotton Fabric

Cotton fabric was treated with flame-retardant coatings composed of branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) and sodium montmorillonite (MMT) clay, prepared via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. Four coating recipes were created by exposing fabric to aqueous solutions of BPEI (pH 7 or 10) and MMT (0.2 or 1 wt %). BPEI pH 10 produces the thickest films, while 1 wt % MMT gives the highest clay loading. Each coating recipe was evaluated at 5 and 20 bilayers. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that coated fabrics left as much as 13% char after heating to 500 °C, nearly 2 orders of magnitude more than uncoated fabric, with less than 4 wt % coming from the coating itself. These coatings also reduced afterglow time in vertical flame tests. Postburn residues of coated fabrics were examined with SEM and revealed that the weave structure and fiber shape in all coated fabrics were preserved. The BPEI pH 7/1 wt % MMT recipe was most effective. Microcombustion calorimeter testing showed that all coated fabrics reduced the total h...
MODIS instrument status and operational activities

The Terra MODIS and Aqua MODIS have been successfully operated on-orbit for a total of more than six and a half years, collecting data for the science and applications communities to develop and enhance their understanding of the Earth/atmosphere system and to support studies of the climate and climate changes. Since its launch in December 1999, the Terra MODIS has experienced several changes of its operational configuration either caused by the failure of individual electronics subsystems or purposely switched for better signal response or data quality. Excluding minor anomalies related to instrument reset events during initial on-orbit operation, the Aqua MODIS has been operating in a single configuration since its launch in May 2002. There are approximately 40 science products that are being produced using the calibrated data sets from each instrument. In addition, several products are generated using the combined observations from both instruments. This paper provides an overview of Terra and Aqua MODIS instrument status and summarizes those on-orbit operational activities designed and implemented to provide and support instrument calibration and characterization. The assessments of instrument performance are based on the use of on-board calibrators (OBC) and other activities specially developed and implemented by the MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) at NASA/GSFC. Both instruments are performing well. During four and a half years of Terra MODIS on-orbit operation, 11 detectors became noisy and one inoperable out of a total of 490 detectors. Except for band 6 at 1.6m that had many inoperable detectors (identified pre-launch and immediately after launch), there have been no new noisy or inoperable detectors in Aqua MODIS during its two years of on-orbit operation. The sensors' spectral and spatial performance have also been very stable.
In vitro dynamic dialysis technique to determine solute‐protein binding interactions

A novel technique to evaluate solute-protein binding characteristics is presented with some preliminary data. The technique is based upon a dual closed-loop dialysis system using radioactive tracers. The method permits easy determination of binding interactions and membrane permeabilities at a series of temperatures and, thereby, readily enables evaluation of enthalpy and entropy effects of binding interactions. At present, the technique is being used to study protein interactions of various waste metabolites, drugs, and essential amino acids and hormones.
Oral sapropterin acutely augments reflex vasodilation in aged human skin through nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms

Functional constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and its cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) are required for full reflex cutaneous vasodilation and are attenuated in primary aging. Acute, locall...
Hemoglobin loci, mice classified for their hb and sol alleles.

Two loci which influence the structure of the alpha and beta chains of hemoglobin have been identified and are designated Sol and Hb. At least four alleles at Sol and two at Hb have been distinguished among inbred strains.
REGULARITY OF FREE BOUNDARIES OF TWO-PHASE PROBLEMS FOR FULLY NONLINEAR ELLIPTIC EQUATIONS OF SECOND ORDER. II. FLAT FREE BOUNDARIES ARE LIPSCHITZ

ABSTRACT In this second paper, we continue our study on the regularity of free boundaries for some fully nonlinear elliptic equations. Our result is if the free boundary is trapped in a sufficiently narrow strip formed by two Lipschitz graphs, then it is also a Lipschitz graph. Combining with the results in Part 1 (see Ref. [Wang]), the free boundary is C 1,α.
Development of Incentives for Data Sharing in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology

Ready access to data is a key concern in both basic research and problem-solving in the biological sciences, as the scale and scope of the questions that researchers ask expand, and as global problems demand data collected from around the world. With a grant from the National Science Foundation, from 2004 through 2009, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) has led a series of five workshops on data sharing, to help the ecology, evolution, and organismal biology communities find common ground on how to make data more readily discoverable and accessible in their own disciplines. The most recent of these focused in the development of incentives for data sharing, both at the individual and organizational level. This presentation will summarize the workshop recommendations, with a focus on preservation, curation, and access to data; access to analytical and visualization tools; and the need to make data archiving simple and routine. The roles of funders and publishers of research are also key and will be highlighted. Ready access to data is a key concern in both basic research and problem-solving in the biological sciences, as the scale and scope of the questions that researchers ask expand, and as global problems demand data collected from around the world. With a grant from the National Science Foundation, from 2004 through 2009, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) has led a series of five workshops on data sharing, to help the ecology, evolution, and organismal biology communities find common ground on how to make data more readily discoverable and accessible in their own disciplines. The most recent of these focused in the development of incentives for data sharing, both at the individual and organizational level. This presentation will summarize the workshop recommendations, with a focus on preservation, curation, and access to data; access to analytical and visualization tools; and the need to make data archiving simple and routine. The roles of funders and publishers of research are also key and will be highlighted.
Optical monitoring of thermal effects in RPE during heating

Fast and non-invasive detection of cellular stress is useful for fundamental research and practical applications in medicine and biology. Using Light Scattering Spectroscopy we extract information about changes in refractive index and size of the cellular organelles. Particle sizes down to 50nm in diameter can be detected using light within the spectral range of 450-850 nm. We monitor the heat-induced sub-cellular structural changes in human RPE cells and, for comparison, in transfected NIH-3T3 cells which express luciferase linked to the heat shock protein (HSP). Using inverse light scattering fitting algorithm, we reconstruct the size distribution of the sub-micron organelles from the light scattering spectrum. The most significant (up to 70%) and rapid (20sec) temperature-related changes can be linked to an increase of refractive index of the 160nm sized mitochondria. The start of this effect coincides with the onset of HSP expression. This technique provides an insight into metabolic processes within organelles larger than 50nm without exogenous staining and opens doors for non-invasive real-time assessment of cellular stress, which can be used for monitoring of retinal laser treatments like transpupillary thermo therapy or PDT.
Germinal and somatic products of Mu1 excision from the Bronze-1 gene of Zea mays.

Germinal and somatic excision products of Mu1 from the insertion allele bz::mu1 were selectively amplified from maize cob tissue. The sequence of these “footprints” often included deletions at the target site, suggesting that substantial exonucleolytic degradation occurs upon excision of the element. In addition to deletions of target site sequences, single base insertions were also found. The isolation of an excision product including a 4 by inverted duplication of the target site provides evidence that the double-stranded chromosomal break generated by Mu excision may be terminated by a covalently closed hairpin structure. The majority of excision products, however, do not include inverted duplications of target site sequences, suggesting that such structures are the result of occasional repair activities, rather than an essential step in the mechanism of Mu excision. The sequence of the Mu insertion sites of the bz::mu1 and bz::mu2 alleles is also presented.
School Board Member Role Expectations in Making Decisions about Educational Programs: Do Size of School and Region of Country Make a Difference?.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the role expectations of school board members when confronted with decisions about curriculum and social programs and to gain insights into how they make these decisions. A national sample of 293 school board members responded to a survey asking what role they might expect to play in program decisions, the role of community members in decision making, the status of superintendent recommendations, and who board members would consult in making decisions. Of major interest was whether the size of the school district and the region of the country were related to role expectations and decision processes. Results indicated that region and size interacted to affect perceptions of community involvement, that size of school affected status of superintendent recommendations, and that region of the country was related to responses on all variables.
Vocational Assessment Procedures for School Psychologists at the Secondary Level

School psychologists can have a meaningful impact on the career education of both handicapped and nonhandicapped secondary-aged students. This article presents an overview of ways and means by which school psychologists can assist in the vocational appraisal of junior and senior high school students. Career development theory, particularly as it pertains to handicapped students, is briefly discussed. Specific vocational assessment techniques are presented. A format for psychological vocational report writing is also outlined.
Wave solutions for critical and near-critical coupling conditions in the ionosphere

Abstract Principal dielectric axis co-ordinates are used to put the coupled wave equations for ionospheric propagation into a form which is suitable for an analysis of critical coupling. This approach removes the singularity formerly associated with critical coupling. The analysis is carried out through the second order and compared with some recent data on polarization. The results compare favourably for several ionospheric models considered. A satisfactory analysis of split echoes at 150 kc/s is developed.
Generalized beam matrices. IV. Optical system design

Systematic procedures are presented for determining the optical components needed to produce an arbitrary transformation of a Gaussian light beams’s spot size, radius of curvature, displacement, and direction of propagation. As an example, an optical system is considered that spatially separates the two coincident Gaussian beams produced by a high-diffraction-loss resonator that uses a Gaussian variable-reflectivity output coupler. In addition, an ABCDGH reverse matrix theorem and an ABCDGH Sylvester theorem are also derived. These matrix theorems may be used to satisfy special constraints inherent in the design of multipass and periodic optical systems.
Recognizing em ellipticity patterns with neural networks

The interpretation of surface electromagnetic ellipticity measurements is treated as a pattern recognition problemvis a vis an inverse problem. A paralleldistributedprocessing or neural network approach is used for the pattern recognition. A feed forward, backpropagation network is trained to recognize the spatial location of an anomaly given ellipticity patterns from 20 theoreticalmodels. Thenetwork has demonstrated an ability to form abstractions and generalizations when presented with ellipticity patterns that are not part of the training set. the potential for one to match patternseffectively. Tosearch manually through numerous patterns for a visual match, however, is a laborious task: it is also a task for which the Von Neuman architecture of modern computer systems is poorly equipped.