cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HOUSEHOLDS’ DEMAND FOR GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION: THE CASE OF IRRIGATION PRACTICES IN KOMBOLCHA DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Ground water degradation is the problem, and its management is curial for sustaining the benefit from the resource. To maintain the resource we have to have full information about the value of the resource conservation. Therefore, in this study a contingent valuation survey was conducted in Kombolcha district to elicit households’ willingness to pay for groundwater conservation. A sample of 394 households was randomly selected, and interviewed. However, after checked for sample selection bias 4 protest bidders were excluded from the data set. Tobit model was applied to determine the factors affecting willingness to pay. The descriptive analysis shows that about 82% of the respondents reported that the groundwater has being degraded due to population pressure, deforestation, soil degradation, agricultural expansion and climatic change. The mean willingness to pay was computed at 60.63 ETB with the total willingness to pay of 1,689,576.21 per annum. The study determined that monthly income, educational level, total farm land holding, total family size, perception and tropical livestock unit were variables that have significant effect on households’ willingness to pay. Thus, socio-economic variables should also be considered while designing water related projects at household level.
Female Fertility: Implications to Management of Male Factor

The evaluation has undergone an evolution with several time-honored standard tests becoming extinct and new ones being utilized in their place. The postcoital (Sims-Huner) test to assess pre-ovulatory cervical mucus quality and the presence of motile sperm within it has been abandoned as it lacks clinical validity (Practice Committee of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine 2006; Helmerhorst et al. 2009). The test had poor reproducibility and even poorer predictive value. Treating patients with abnormal test results with intrauterine insemination (IUI) did not improve cumulative pregnancy rates.
Online Synthesis of Adaptive Side-Channel Attacks Based On Noisy Observations

We present an automated technique for synthesizing adaptive attacks to extract information from program functions that leak secret data through a side channel. We synthesize attack steps dynamically and consider noisy program environments. Our approach consists of an offline profiling phase using symbolic execution, witness generation, and profiling to construct a noise model. During our online attack synthesis phase, we use weighted model counting and numeric optimization to automatically synthesize attack inputs. We experimentally evaluate the effectiveness of our approach on DARPA benchmark programs created for testing side-channel analysis techniques.
Legislative attempts to improve end-of-life care in New York State.

New York State's recent initiatives to improve end-of-life care do not address the true, practical barriers to optimizing such care.
Efficient Surrogate Model Development: Impact of Sample Size and Underlying Model Dimensions

Abstract This study compares eight surrogate-model construction approaches using computational experiments. The construction approaches considered include: Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Automated Learning of Algebraic Models using Optimization (ALAMO), Radial Basis Networks (RBNs), Extreme Learning Machines (ELMs), Gaussian Progress Regression (GPR), Random Forests (RFs), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines. Each approach is used to construct surrogate models for predicting the outputs of thirty-four test functions. The data used to construct surrogate models were generated using Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS), Halton and Sobol sampling methods. We studied the impact of sampling method, sample size, and challenge function characteristics on the accuracy of surrogate model predictions. Our results revealed that for smaller sample sizes, on average, surrogate models trained using the data points generated by Sobol sequences provided the best estimation for all surrogate model construction approaches. As the sample size increased, the impact of sampling methods diminished. The comparison of surrogate-modeling construction approaches at large sample sizes revealed that surrogate models trained using ANN, ALAMO, and ELM yielded smaller root mean squared error and higher adjusted R-squared values than the models trained using the rest of the approaches.
Explorations with Conditioned Stimuli in Autoshaping Procedures

Abstract Sign-tracking is a form of autoshaping where by animals reliably develop conditioned responses toward stimuli that predict an outcome. While the assignment of some value to a predictive cue may be adaptive (i.e., to be alerted to food and water sources), the attribution of value to predictive cues can be maladaptive as seen in behaviors elicited during addiction. Here we test if responding to the predictive cue changes in the context of other cues that are only partially predictive (Experiment 1). Previous work on sequential cues leading to reward have shown a bias in responding toward the first cue in the sequence over learning (Smedley and Smith 2018a, 2018b). Here we test if this effect is unique to discrete cues or if a bias in responding can be seen in a single, long cue (Experiment 2). Finally, we investigate if sign-tracking responses can reliably develop towards a cue that arrives after the delivery of reward (backwards conditioning, Experiment 3). Together, we aim to address various gaps in knowledge about the nature of the sign-tracking response.
Validation of an individualized reduction of falls intervention program among wheelchair and scooter users with multiple sclerosis.

Introduction Falls are a serious concern for wheelchair and scooter users with multiple sclerosis (MS). Approximately, 75% of the population reports at least one fall in a 6-month period and nearly half report frequent falls. Falls can result in physical injuries and contribute to activity curtailment. Despite the negative consequences, limited evidenced-based fall prevention programs designed specifically for wheelchair and scooter users with MS exist. Purpose Recognizing the threat falls pose to health and well-being and the dearth of fall prevention programs, the purpose of this study is to perform a structured process evaluation and examine the feasibility and efficacy of a community-based intervention specifically designed to reduce fall incidence among wheelchair and scooter users with MS. Secondary aims of the intervention are to improve functional mobility skills associated with fall risk (e.g., transfer and wheelchair skills, balance), increase knowledge of fall risk factors, decrease fear of falling, and enhance quality of life and community participation. Methods To evaluate our specific aims, a clinical trial will be performed with 160 wheelchair and scooter users with MS. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03705364). Participants will be recruited to participate in a small group-style community-based program. The content of the program will be based on factors found to be associated with falls among wheelchair and scooter users with MS. These factors include but are not limited to, wheelchair/scooter related characteristics, transfer activities, impaired seated balance, and environmental factors. A physical or occupational therapist, will implement the intervention, which is comprised of 6 sessions that occur once weekly. The incidence of falls, along with an examination of wheelchair/scooter and transfer skills, seated postural control and knowledge of fall related risk factors will be compared between intervention and control participants, with assessment periods occurring prior to the intervention, 1 to 2 weeks after completion of the 6-week intervention session, and 12 weeks after the intervention period is complete. Conclusion Results from this study will guide the refinement of the intervention program and inform future research among a large and diverse group of wheelchair and scooter users living with MS.
Synthesis of Polycyclic Lactam and Lactone Ethers of Intramolecular Reformatsky Reactions. A Model for Construction of the Daphnilactone A Ring System.

Starting with the ethoxycyclopentenecarboxylate (I), the keto amide (VIII) and the related ester (XI) are prepared.
Activity Learning and Recognition Using Margin Setting Algorithm in Smart Homes

Intelligent environments is receiving lots of attention in the research community. With lots of algorithms developed over the years to model activity and pattern recognition, most algorithms are still not suitable for activity learning. Early research was focused on home automation but recent research is moving towards an intelligent environment that is capable of identifying trends and patterns and make effective decisions. Making this feat a possibility requires extensive research in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and statistical learning. These tools enable an intelligent environment to analyze, control and make intelligent decision according to the condition set by the user. In this paper, we introduce a novel supervised learning algorithm called margin setting (MSA) and apply it to ARAS (Activity Recognition with Ambient Sensing) dataset to help recognize patterns in the activities of daily living (ADL) of two residents in a smart home intelligent environment. Our goal is to introduce an accurate pattern recognition and activity learning method. The experimental results show the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method using the dataset, which contains 20 different binary sensors with 27 different activities.
Where Does Quanta Meet Mind

The connection between quantum physics and the mind has been debated for almost a hundred years. There are several proposals as to how quantum effects might be relevant to understanding consciousness, including von Neumann’s Consciousness Causes Collapse interpretation (CCC), Penrose’s Orchestrated objective reduction (Orch OR), Atmanspacher quantum emergence theory, or Vitiello’s field theory. In this paper, we examine the CCC, in particular Stapp’s theory of interaction of mind and matter, and discuss how this imposes constraints to possible brain structures. We then argue that those constraints may allow us to identify a possible locus of the interaction between mind and matter, if CCC is true.
Agile and Affordable: A Survey of Supply Chain Management Methods in Long Lifecycle Products

Supply chain management (SCM) is an integrative approach to managing the total flow of the industry from the supplier to the customer. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the existing models in SCM for long lifecycle products. The paper first defines SCM based on the literature and then summarizes SCM methods in practice for products with longer product design cycles, including the aerospace, shipbuilding, and automobile industries. Further, the reviewed literature is categorized under seven different methods for SCM: the traditional approach, fuzzy approach, closed loop supply chain, economic impact, supplier risk, green approach, and sustainability approach. Based on the seven approaches for SCM, this paper highlights the main factors that were considered and compared between the aerospace, shipbuilding, and automobile industries.
Going Mobile, Investor Behavior, and Financial Fragility

This study investigates how mobile trading technology affects retail investor behavior and mutual fund fragility using proprietary individual-level fund trading data. I exploit a natural experiment, the release of a popular mobile trading application by a leading investment adviser in China. My difference-in-difference analysis shows "going mobile" raises investor attention and trading volume through aggravating investors' over-confidence and self-control problem. The mobile app significantly boosts flow volatility, and makes investor flow more sensitive to short-term fund return and market sentiment. As a result, "going mobile" depresses fund performance by heightening indirect liquidity costs. The funds more exposed to the shock see a greater decline in abnormal return, explained by large fund flows through the trading app. Lastly, I combine Instrumental Variable method and a spatial discontinuity setting to strengthen causal inference. Overall, the paper shows "going mobile" intensifies financial fragility and dampens mutual fund performance by amplifying investors' cognitive biases.
“My Story Is My Activism!”: (Re-)Definitions of Social Justice Activism Among Collegiate Athlete Activists:

Despite the recent re-emergence of the athlete activist into public consciousness, activism among athletes continues to be viewed as nonnormative behavior. Drawing from interviews with 31 National ...
Cognitive Outcomes of Young Children After Prenatal Exposure to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance The number of children with prenatal opioid exposure to medication for addiction treatment (MAT) with methadone and buprenorphine for maternal opioid use disorder is increasing, but the associations of this exposure with cognitive outcomes are not well understood. Objective To examine the strength and consistency of findings in the medical literature regarding the association of prenatal exposure to MAT with early childhood cognitive development, particularly when accounting for variables outside MAT exposure. Data Sources A search strategy obtained publications from PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase from January 1972 to June 2019. Reference lists from identified articles were searched. Study Selection Inclusion criteria were cohort studies, studies including children aged 1 to 60 months with at least 2 months of prenatal MAT exposure, studies using standardized direct-observation testing scales, and studies reporting means and SDs. Case reports, case series, historical controls, and reviews were excluded. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Data extracted included demographic characteristics, covariates, sources of bias, and effect estimates. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models. This study was conducted according to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Data extraction and synthesis were conducted between January 2018 and August 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Cognitive test scores and demographic variability between exposed and unexposed groups. Results A total of 16 unique cohorts, described in 27 articles and including 1086 children (485 [44.7%] with MAT exposure), were included in a quantitative synthesis. On meta-analysis, MAT exposure was associated with lower cognitive development scores (pooled standardized mean difference, −0.57; 95% CI, −0.93 to −0.21;I2 = 81%). Multiple subanalyses on demographic characteristics (ie, maternal education, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, prenatal tobacco exposure, infant sex) were conducted. In the subanalysis of studies with comparable prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke, the association of MAT exposure with cognitive scores was no longer statistically significant and became homogeneous (standardized mean difference, −0.11; 95% CI, −0.42 to 0.20;I2 = 0%). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, predefined subanalyses demonstrated how poor recruitment, particularly imbalances in maternal tobacco use, could contribute to a negative overall association of cognitive development test scores with prenatal MAT exposure. Promoting tobacco cessation for pregnant women with opioid use disorder should be prioritized in this high-risk population.
Synthesis of Simple 3,3-Diarylazetidines from N-Boc-3-arylazetidinols Using Friedel-Crafts Arylation Conditions.

A synthesis of 3,3-diarylazetidines from N-Boc-3-aryl-3-azetidinols using Friedel–Crafts arylation conditions with AlCl3 is described. A series of substituted diarylazetidines were readily prepared...
Bok Choy (Brassica rapa) Grown in Copper Oxide Nanoparticles-Amended Soils Exhibits Toxicity in a Phenotype-Dependent Manner: Translocation, Biodistribution and Nutritional Disturbance

The comparative toxicity of nano/bulk cupric oxide (CuO) and ionic copper (Cu) in Rosie and Green bok choy (Brassica rapa) varieties, with higher and lower anthocyanin contents, respectively, was investigated. Both phenotypes were cultivated for 70 days in natural soil amended with nano CuO (nCuO), bulk CuO (bCuO), and Cu chloride (CuCl2) at 75, 150, 300, and 600 mg Cu/kg soil. Essential elements in tissues, agronomical parameters, chlorophyll content, and Cu distribution in leaf were determined. In both varieties, nCuO treatments significantly increased Cu uptake in roots, compared with bCuO and CuCl2 (p ≤ 0.05). At all treatment concentrations, Rosie variety had more Cu than Green. More physiological impairments such as chlorophyll and leaf biomass reduction were observed in treated-Rosie varieties, compared to Green plants. The adverse effects were higher in nCuO-treated plants than their bCuO- or ionic Cu-exposed counterparts. Different distribution patterns of the translocated Cu in leaf midrib and parenchyma depended on particle size and plant phenotype, as demonstrated by two-photon microscopy. The different effects of CuO-based compounds in Rosie and Green varieties may be related to the anthocyanin content. These findings help to understand the factors involved in nanoparticles uptake and translocation to plant edible parts.
Ten Years of Transfers: Mobility Studies and Social Change during a Pandemic

In a brief reflection on the multiple disruptions of mobilities imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this article shows the significance of the scholarship published in Transfers over the last ten years for thinking about the future Clearly the encounter with a novel and deadly virus—transferred between people, traveling rapidly across geographical regions, crossing over the threshold of our bodies, buildings and borders—has drastically changed many things about us, about cities, about economies, and about the world An analysis inspired by critical mobility studies highlights the inequities of the mobility disruption, especially in the United States, the importance of histories and representations of mobility for understanding the present situation, and the need for changed choreographies of mobility after the pandemic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Transfers is the property of Berghahn Books and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )
Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia

The pathologic classification and histologic findings of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are discussed.
Re-Analysis of 16S rRNA Gene Sequence Data Sets Uncovers Disparate Laboratory-Specific Microbiomes Associated with the Yellow Fever Mosquito ( Aedes aegypti )

Host-microbiome dynamics occurring in the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) contribute to host life history traits, and particular bacterial taxa are proposed to comprise a "core" microbiota that influences host physiology. Laboratory-based studies are frequently performed to investigate these processes; however, experimental results are often presumed to be generalizable across laboratories, and few efforts have been made to independently reproduce and replicate significant findings. A recent study by Muturi et al. (FEMS Microbiol Ecol 95 (1):213, 2019) demonstrated the food source imbibed by laboratory-reared adult female mosquitoes significantly impacted the host-associated microbiota-a foundational finding in the field of mosquito biology worthy of independent evaluation. Here, we coalesce these data with two additional mosquito-derived 16S rRNA gene sequence data sets using a unifying bioinformatics pipeline to reproduce the characterization of these microbiota, test for a significant food source effect when independent samples were added to the analyses, assess whether similarly fed mosquito microbiomes were comparable across laboratories, and identify conserved bacterial taxa. Our pipeline characterized similar microbiome composition and structure from the data published previously, and a significant food source effect was detected with the addition of independent samples, increasing the robustness of this previously discovered component of mosquito biology. However, distinct microbial communities were identified from similarly fed but independently reared mosquitoes, and surveys across all samples did not identify conserved bacterial taxa. These findings demonstrated that while the main effect of the food source was supported, laboratory-specific conditions may produce inherently differential microbiomes across independent laboratory environments.
An MPC-Aided Resilient Operation of Multi-Microgrids With Dynamic Boundaries

Microgrids (MGs) with dynamic boundaries provide an alternative solution to serve distribution systems without energization from the utility. Adopting the concept of dynamic MGs enables a flexible operation of service restoration toward resilient distribution networks by changing system topology through smart switches and conventional circuit breakers. This work proposes a novel restoration framework including three control phases including initial, restorative and corrective actions for the distribution network (DN) with full utilization of the flexibility of distributed generators in various operational modes. Comparing with existing works that only consider MGs as a constant negative load and ignore the dynamics of different components within MGs, each MG is equipped with a model predictive control (MPC)-based controller that is responsible for optimally scheduling available power to the DN based on its local generation and load demand. Aided by the MPC framework, in this article, the conventional restoration strategy is extended that further includes the operational dynamic behavior of MGs during restoration process guaranteeing a more flexible and reliable operation. Several numerical cases are studied using the IEEE 8500-node test system to verify the effectiveness and scalability of the proposed framework.
Physician Assistant Education Community Assumptions About an Entry-level Doctoral Degree.

PURPOSE This study described the assumptions that PA educators hold regarding the option and/or transition to a doctoral entry-level degree for PA graduates. METHODS A cross-sectional electronic survey of all members of accredited PA programs was administered. The survey comprised 32 Likert-type statements that measured respondents' level of agreement ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree and general demographic information. Mean scores are reported for each Likert statement and then compared with analysis of variance and post hoc testing for subgroups of baseline variables. RESULTS Responses indicate wide-ranging opinions regarding the adoption of an entry-level doctoral degree for PAs. However, the preponderance of responses appeared more neutral or in opposition to an entry-level doctoral degree. The statement with the strongest level of agreement was that "consideration of the entry-level doctoral degree was really about competing with advanced practice nurses." Educators who were PAs and those who were physicians differed significantly in their responses for 17 of 32 statements. CONCLUSION Most respondents believed that the master's degree is "enough for clinical practice." If there is not a deliberate discussion informing the transition to a doctoral entry-level degree, then the change is likely to occur at the individual program level as it did with the transition from a certificate to a bachelor's degree and then to a master's degree. If the PA profession moves to the acceptance of an entry-level doctoral degree, the PA professional organizations should continue to be involved in developing a measured plan forward.
Multisensory training reverses midbrain lesion-induced changes and ameliorates haemianopia.

Failure to attend to visual cues is a common consequence of visual cortical injury. Here, the authors demonstrate that auditory–visual cross-modal behavioural training leads to neural plasticity and reinstatement of visuomotor competency in animals rendered unilaterally blind by visual cortical removal.
Future Needs for Clinical Investigative Studies

It is obvious from this brief survey of laser cancer research that many studies are partially or wholly incomplete probing often of a superficial pilot type of experiments. These attempt to indicate only trends of investigative studies. To forestall the cries of the disturbed and wholly justified critics, it is admitted that, at present perhaps, not even a monograph on the laser is warranted. However, the laser is here. It is more than ready and willing to move out of the physics laboratory and from the area of applied physical science. Also, many studies have been done already. Many of these are basic and well controlled. It is now time to study man.
Revolution, Reformism, and the Failure of Insurrection: Political Change and the Venezuelan Experience

A. The Radicalism of the Trienio. The origins of Venezuela's contemporary democratic system lie in the 1928 student protest and uprising against the storied "Tyrant of the Andes" Juan Vincente Gomez. The "Generation of '28" mobilized opinion against the dictator in favour of basic reforms, and continued these efforts in and out of exile during the 1930s and early 1940s.1 Accion Democratica (AD) was officially founded in September of 1941 , and represented the major organized force for significant change in Venezuela.2 It was the AD, under the leadership of Romulo Betancourt and others, which provided the civilian component of the October Revolution in 1946 which ushered in a period of far-reaching, indeed of clearly radical change. The thee years to follow were among the most tumultuous in national history.
O‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc)

O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is an abundant and dynamic posttranslational modification that occurs on serine and threonine residues in functionally diverse nucleocytoplasmic proteins in all metazoans. O-GlcNAc has been characterized to have functional roles in a number of disease states, as a nutrient sensor, in protein–protein interactions, and protein degradation. The regulation of these cellular functions, as well as many other potential functions, is studied through the use and development of proteomic techniques. Identifying O-GlcNAc sites, in conjunction with other posttranslational modifications, will continue to play an essential role toward elucidating the complex regulation of proteins and the control on the cellular state. Keywords: O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine; O-GlcNAc; OGT; O-GlcNAcase; hexosamine biosynthesis; UDP-GlcNAc; proteomics; Michael addition; mass spectrometry
What is happening in our anatomical dissection rooms

A recent student article relates disrespectful and traumatizing events in a modern dissection room. This comment serves to remind anatomical educators' of their duties toward the medical students. It is the anatomical educators' duty to help students not only to become familiar with the structure of the human body but also with the emotional repertoire available when dealing with the living and the dead. And it is the educators' duty to accompany students through the dissection course experience in a manner that keeps them safe from emotional harm. Clin. Anat. 27:833–834, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Locked out: felon disenfranchisement and American democracy

Locked Out provides a substantial empirical basis for reasoned debate on the legitimacy of felon disfranchisement in an ostensibly democratic society. Accomplishing this requires surveying an impressive expanse of history and range of conceptual and empirical questions. Jeff Manza, Chris Uggen and their colleagues meet this challenge by skillfully tying together diverse strands of previous and ongoing research, presenting a sophisticated yet highly accessible study of the origins, dynamics and impact of felon disfranchisement in the context of American democracy. The authors place U.S. policies of disfranchisement in comparative international perspective, revealing its especially restrictive felon voting rights law and policy, particularly as ex-felon disfranchisement (the continued denial of voting rights to those who have completed sentences) is concerned. They compellingly demonstrate that U.S. felon disfranchisement policy originates in efforts to exclude black Americans from democratic participation. Disfranchisement is a criminal justice policy rooted it seems in what American race scholars describe as this nation’s design as a “White Democracy,” originating as a state-level counter-measure to the race-related democratic liberalism forced by federal civil rights protections in the post-emancipation period. As an artifact of historical intentions to limit democratic participation on the basis of race, disfranchisement is not a distortion of American Democracy, but a reflection of a normative, racially oppressive orientation. Disfranchisement policies are defended today on outwardly race-neutral grounds, typically in discourse about preserving the integrity of electoral politics, or their legitimacy as “just desserts” for those in violation of the law. Turning their attention to these contemporary debates, Manza and Uggen show empirically that former felons do not significantly threaten to corrupt or taint political systems, and that the denial of voting rights does not clearly serve some established purpose of punishment. They also show that voting rights restoration is not easily available to former felons, as some legislative advocates contend, and that disfranchisement policies in place today are not generally the Crime Law Soc Change (2007) 47:125–127 DOI 10.1007/s10611-007-9065-5
Clinical evaluation of a new compact dose calibrator

2239 Objectives The Atomlab 400 (Biodex Medical Systems) is a new and compact dose calibrator that is not commercially available. Our department tested the Atomlab 400 and compared the performance to existing dose calibrators. Methods The Atomlab 400 was tested by performing quality control including constancy, linearity, geometry and accuracy. Dose calibrator constancy was performed six times over 36 days on different radionuclide settings (Tc-99m, Tl-201, Xe-133, I-131, Cs-137). Linearity was performed with Tc-99m pertechnetate over a range of 503 mCi to 8.0 uCi. Geometry was performed with volumes ranging from 1.0 mL to 20.0 mL. Accuracy was assessed using three standards (Cs-137, Co-57, Ba-133). Direct activity readouts, ranging from 2.5 to 506 mCi, of six different radionuclides (Tc-99m, Tl-201, Xe-133, F-18, In-111) were compared to activity readouts of an existing Atomlab 100 dose calibrator. A new dial setting for In-111 (copper filter) was established by comparing activity readouts to activity readouts from an Atomlab 100. Results Quality control results from the Atomlab 400 closely correlated anticipated results with deviations of 4.0%, 3.8%, 2.7%, 2.8% for linearity, constancy, geometry, and accuracy, respectively. When compared to the Atomlab 100, activity readouts of all radionuclides tested, ranging from 2.5 mCi to 506 mCi, were within 1.1 demonstrating a close correlation in activity measurements. Comparing In-111 activity readouts (copper filter), a dial setting of 12.4 was established for the Atomlab 400. Conclusions A new compact Atomlab 400 dose calibrator was clinically evaluated. Dose calibrator quality control procedures were well within regulatory limits and activity readouts compared favorably to existing dose calibrators.
Relating linear and branching model checking

The difference in the complexity of branching and linear model checking has been viewed as an argument in favor of the branching paradigm. In particular, the computational advantage of CTL model checking over LTL model checking makes CTL a popular choice, leading to efficient model-checking tools for this logic. Can we use these tools in order to verify linear properties? In this paper we relate branching and linear model checking. With each LTL formula ψ, we associate a CTL formula ψ A that is obtained from ψ by preceding each temporal operator by the universal path quantifier A. We first describe a number of attempts to utilize the tight syntactic relation between ψ and ψ A in order to use CTL model-checking tools in the process of checking the formula ψ. Neither attempt, however, suggests a method that is guaranteed to perform better than usual LTL model checkers. We then claim that, in practice, LTL model checkers perform nicely on formulas with equivalences of CTL. In fact, they often proceed essentially as the ones for CTL.
Parties, Preferences, and Petitions: Discharge Behavior in the Modern House

Although discharge petitions lie at the confluence of personal preferences, committee prerogatives, and party leadership in Congress, these procedures have received little scholarly scrutiny. We capitalize on the public nature of petition signatures since 1993 to examine the behavior of the most cross-pressured members in discharge battles: bill sponsors and cosponsors belonging to the majority party who personally prefer the bills they have sponsored but who face party pressure not to sign the petitions that threaten the leadership's control of the legislative agenda. After controlling for personal preferences, we find a statistically significant partisan effect in the U.S. House, which further illuminates the “Where's the party?” debate.
Performance of hospitalized male alcoholics on the Kahn test of symbol arrangement.

fairly good correspondence with the typical symbol pattern formulated on the basis of previous research for "character and behavior disorder wirh neurosis." This diagnostic category is consisrenc with our clinical observations concerning the largest group of male alcoholic patiena seen in this institution over the years. The composite symbol pattern for the lowest three-quarters of our Ss (again, in terms of over-all test performance) shows closer correspondence to the rypical pattern for "character and behavior disorder with neurosis." The composite symbol pattern for 10 Ss at the top of the range in total test performance bears some similarity co the symbo1:pattern of the superior normal S but at the same rime indicates excessive or uncontrolled type of abstract thinking, with some possible autistic features. In the case of some patients the question of underlying schizophrenia is raised. Qualitative examination of rest performance reveals strong trends consisrenc with clinical observations regarding personaliry features seen in most male alcoholics: evasiveness, refusal to get involved or refusal to exert much effort in complying wirh the test instructions, strong dependency needs and reluctance to take personal responsibility, and a strong need to suppress and deny hostile feeling.
The effects of fasting on the acute oral toxicity of nine chemicals in the rat

Nine chemicals, with a range from extremely to slightly toxic, were used to measure the oral LD50 in both fasted (24-h) and non-fasted rats. Each chemical was tested as a solution or suspension in corn oil, responses within 14 days post-treatment were evaluated, and LD50S were calculated. Hexachlorophene was more toxic in non-fasted rats. The LD50 values for tetraethyl lead, methomyl and hexamethylenediamine were essentially the same in both fasted and non-fasted rats. Adiponitrile, bromobenzene, caffeine, carbon tetrachloride and N-butyl-1,6-hexamediamine yielded lower LD50 values in fasted rats. The use of non-fasted rats in acute oral toxicity determinations allows both the establishment of relative potency and the estimation of dosage levels for further repeated dose oral studies. The LD50 values obtained were generally (7 of 9) higher in non-fasted rats, but the magnitude of the differences was not great enough to suggest routine use of both fasted and non-fasted rats in oral toxicity studies.
Human taste contrast and self-reported measures of anxiety.

Successive negative taste contrast in humans was demonstrated with a common taste stimulus, i.e., cherry-flavored Kool-Aid. A total of 31 male and female college-aged participants rated a 7% sucrose solution which was cherry-flavored as less sweet when it was preceded by a 28% rather than a 7% sucrose solution which was cherry-flavored. Because drugs such as the benzodiazepines affect taste contrast in rats and act as anxiolytics in humans, the present experiment also examined whether several self-reported measures of anxiety were related to taste contrast in humans. Neither scores on Taylor's Manifest Anxiety Survey nor those on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were related to “sweetness” ratings or contrast effects.
A systems approach to investigating interpersonal strife

Investigated the relationships between computer-simulated, in-vitro interactional personality behavior and various indices of interpersonal relationships using data collected from 31 families. Interpersonal strife scores for each of 31 family triads developed via mathematical simulation using a systems approach correlated significantly with 6 of the 10 personal relationship variables. Stepwise regression analysis showed that strife for this sample was allied most closely with rigid, unstable interpersonal interactions. It was concluded that (1) mathematical simulation of interpersonal behavior shows validity for group behavior as well as dyadic behavior; and (2) the systems approach offers a unique, in-vitro way of studying and diagnosing interpersonal difficulties.
Embedding matrix for simultaneous processing of multiple histological samples

A method is described for simultaneous histological processing of multiple fixed tissue samples. The tissue samples are embedded in a gelatin-albumin protein matrix that is rapidly solidified and bound to the tissue surface using a cross-linking reagent. After freezing and sectioning, the individual sections containing multiple samples can be processed for immunocytochemical and histochemical staining. The method is demonstrated for simultaneous processing of multiple rodent brains, and for reconstruction of fragmented human postmortem brain samples.
Levodopa‐induced ocular dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease

Levodopa (LD)-induced dyskinesia (LID), one of the most common motor complications in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), involve mostly the limbs, trunk and head, but unusual locations have been reported including respiratory muscles, the face and the eyes. The aim of this study was to further investigate the frequency and characteristics of LD-related abnormal involuntary eye movements (AIEMs) in PD. Thirty-two patients with advanced PD and various motor complications were evaluated and videotaped in an ON and OFF state. We found AIEMs in five patients (16%) which were present exclusively during the ON state and which completely disappeared when OFF. They consisted of repeated, stereotyped upward and/or sideways gaze deviation movements, sometimes phasic, brief and jerky, sometimes tonic and sustained for several seconds. The main direction of gaze deviation was toward the side more affected by parkinsonism. AIEMs typically paralleled limb and trunk LID and were modulated by the same facilitation and inhibitory maneuvers. We concluded that AIEMs are not uncommon in advanced PD and represent a particular topography of LID, hence the term 'ocular dyskinesia' to designate these AIEMs that seem to have a specific pattern in PD as compared with other forms of parkinsonism.
Effect of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on sources of progesterone and pregnancy in intact, ovariectomized and hysterectomized 90–100 day pregnant ewes

Abstract A single dose of 8 or 16 mg of PGF 2 α per 58 kg body weight was injected intramuscular into intact, ovariectomized or hysterectomized 90–100 day pregnant sheep in three separate experiments. Both doses of PGF 2 α decreased the weights of the corpora lutea ( P ≤0.05) and the concentration of progesterone in ovarian venous plasma at 72 hr ( P ≤0.05) compared to the 0 hr sample within treatment groups and to control ewes at 72 hr in intact and hysterectomized pregnant ewes. In hysterectomized pregnant ewes, progesterone in jugular plasma declined ( P ≤0.05) from 0 to 72 hr but never fell below 4 mg/ml and this decrease in progesterone after 8 or 16 mg PGF 2 α was greater than in control hysterectomized ewes ( P ≤0.05). There was a significant decrease in progesterone over time in jugular or uterine venous plasma in the presence of absence of the ovaries in 90–100 day pregnant ewes ( P ≤0.05) but the profiles of progesterone were not different between vehicle and PGF 2 α -treated ewes ( P ≥0.05). Uterine venous progesterone never declined below 30 ng/ml in the presence or absence of the ovaries and there was a significant quadratic increase ( P ≤0.05) in uterine venous progesterone toward the end of the 72 hr sampling period indicating an increase in steroidogenic activity of the placenta. PGF 2 α did not affect the number of abortions in intact or ovariectomized pregnant ewes ( P >0.05). Thus, the corpus luteum of sheep at 90–100 days of pregnancy is functional and responsive to PGF 2 α , placentomes are functional but do not appear to be responsive to the doses of PGF 2 α tested and PGF 2 α was not an abortifacient over the 72 hr treatment period.
Regulating patient flow for educational benefit in the pediatric teaching clinic: promoting learning through telephoned reminders

As trends in medical care delivery shift from the inpatient to the outpatient setting, it is important that practices in medical education adapt accordingly. The environment of the teaching clinic should be warm, considerate of the needs of students, faculty, patients and their parents, and should allow ample time for discussion and independent learning. It may be difficult to cultivate such an environment in a medical school setting, if patient flow is uncontrolled. We piloted a simple program of telephone reminders for parents of children with appointments. Telephone reminders increased appointment compliance and improved the educational process.
An infiltration game with time dependent payoff

The problem of assigning patrol boats, subject to resource constraints, to capture or delay an infiltrator with perishable contraband attempting escape across a long, narrow strait is formulated as a two-sided time sequential game. Optimal mixed strategies are derived for the situation of one patrol boat against one smuggler. Procedures for obtaining numerical solutions for R > 1 patrol boats are discussed.
The methylenation of enolizable ketones and esters using organotitanium chemistry

Abstract The titanium methylidene fragment, Cp 2 TiCH 2 , resulting from Tebbe's reagent, Cp 2 TiCH 2 ·AlMe 2 Cl or the β,β-disubstituted metallacycle, CP 2 TiCH 2 C(Me)(n-Pr)CH 2 , methylenates enolizable acidic ketones and converts α,α-disubstituted ketones into titanium enolates. The reagent reacts selectively with ketones over esters.
L-arginine metabolism and its impact on host immunity against Leishmania infection

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease found in many countries worldwide. The causative agent of the disease, Leishmania spp., lives as an obligate intracellular parasite within mammalian hosts. Since tissue macrophages are major target cells for parasite replication, the outcome of infection depends largely on the activation status of these cells. L-arginine is a crucial amino acid required for both nitric oxide (NO)-mediated parasite killing and polyamine-mediated parasite replication. This review highlights the significance of L-arginine as a factor determining the outcomes of Leishmania infection in vitro and its influences on host immune responses in vivo. Various therapeutic approaches targeting L-arginine metabolic pathways during infections with Leishmania are also discussed.
Is hospital case management a rationalized myth

Abstract In this article the adoption of case management processes in US hospitals is discussed. While such process change is prevalent, there is a paucity of systematic empirical evidence that hospital case management improves efficiency or effectiveness. Using an institutional theoretical framework, motivations other than improved efficiency and effectiveness are proposed that may drive hospitals to adopt change to their technical core processes, in the form of case management. Further research using these propositions as an adjunct to cost–benefit analyses would be important to validate the rationale behind the widespread adoption of hospital case management processes.
Abstract ES3-4: Clinical Trial Designs for New Therapies: When Should We Randomize?

There is a tension in clinical trial study design between the desire to keep the number of patients in a study small (so that as few patients as possible are exposed to potentially harmful agents, resources are minimized, and an answer is obtained as early as possible) and how much certainty is needed in the conclusion of the study. Different phases of drug development require different levels of certainty. Single arm studies require fewer patients than randomized studies but an observed improvement in the study defined endpoint in a single arm study may be observed for reasons unrelated to the experimental treatment. In randomized studies factors (known and unknown) that influence the endpoint of interest should be balanced between groups therefore any improvement in the endpoint of interest can be attributed to the experimental agent. In this talk I discuss circumstances that would be appropriate to perform single arms studies and circumstances that require randomized studies. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr ES3-4.
Photon Berry's phase as a classical topological effect.

We discuss Berry's phase rotation for electromagnetic radiation propagating in an optical fiber as a classical effect. We show that the evolution of the polarization vector is determined by a connection on the tangent bundle of the two-dimensional sphere. We use a topological argument to show that there exists only one rotationally invariant connection on the tangent bundle of the two sphere. The arguments apply to any classical transverse wave: for example, transverse vibrations propagating in a bent solid rod. The analogous effect in quantum electrodynamics, namely, Berry's phase for a single photon propagating in an optical fiber, is a simple consequence of the classical effect described. We argue that this should be viewed as a classical, rather than a quantum, effect. We also comment on recent related work of Haldane and of Berry.
Intermolecular zero‐quantum coherence imaging of the human brain

The first intermolecular zero-quantum coherence (iZQC) MR images of the human brain at 4T are presented. To generate iZQC images, a modified echo-planar imaging pulse sequence was used which included an additional 45 degrees RF pulse and a correlation gradient. The observability and nonconventional contrast of human brain iZQC images at 4T is demonstrated. Axial images are presented for various pulse sequence parameters, and a zero-quantum relaxation map is obtained.