cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
USA Department of Defense audit of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis prescribing patterns in inguinal hernia repair.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is contentious in literature and practice. In low-risk patients, for whom evidence suggests antibiotic prophylaxis is unnecessary, many surgeons still advocate for its routine use. This study surveys prescription patterns of Department of Defense (DoD) general surgeons. An anonymous survey was sent electronically to approximately 350 DoD general surgeons. The survey asked multiple-choice and free text answers about prescribing patterns and knowledge of current evidence for low-risk patients undergoing elective open inguinal hernia repair without mesh (OIHRWOM), open inguinal hernia repair with mesh (OIHRWM), or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR). 110 DoD general surgeons consented to participate. 58.6, 95 and 84.2% of surgeons always administer antibiotic prophylaxis in OIHRWOM, OIHRWM, and LIHR, respectively. 37.9, 70.9, and 63.2% of surgeons believe that it reduces rates of surgical site infection in OIHRWOM, OIHRWM, and LIHR, respectively. The most common reasons for empirically prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis include “I think the evidence supports it” (27 of 72 responses), “I would rather be conservative and safe” (15 of 72 responses), and “I am following my hospital/department guidelines” (9 of 72 responses). 11.8, 40.8, and 32.9% of surgeons believe current evidence supports antibiotic prophylaxis use in OIHRWM, OIHRWOM, and LIHR, respectively. 50, 18.4, and 22.4% of surgeons believe current evidence refutes antibiotic prophylaxis use in OIHRWM, OIHRWOM, and LIHR, respectively. The survey results indicate that the majority of practicing DoD general surgeons still empirically prescribe surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in IHR despite more conflicting opinions that it has no meaningful effect or that current evidence does not supports its use.
A charge density prediction model for hydrocarbons using deep neural networks

The electronic charge density distribution ρ(r) of a given material is among the most fundamental quantities in quantum simulations from which many large scale properties and observables can be calculated. Conventionally, ρ(r) is obtained using Kohn–Sham density functional theory (KS-DFT) based methods. But, the high computational cost of KS-DFT renders it intractable for systems involving thousands/millions of atoms. Thus, recently there has been efforts to bypass expensive KS equations, and directly predict ρ(r) using machine learning (ML) based methods. Here, we build upon one such scheme to create a robust and reliable ρ(r) prediction model for a diverse set of hydrocarbons, involving huge chemical and morphological complexity /(saturated, unsaturated molecules, cyclo-groups and amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers). We utilize a grid-based fingerprint to capture the atomic neighborhood around an arbitrary point in space, and map it to the reference ρ(r) obtained from standard DFT calculations at that point. Owing to the grid-based learning, dataset sizes exceed billions of points, which is trained using deep neural networks in conjunction with a incremental learning based approach. The accuracy and transferability of the ML approach is demonstrated on not only a diverse test set, but also on a completely unseen system of polystyrene under different strains. Finally, we note that the general approach adopted here could be easily extended to other material systems, and can be used for quick and accurate determination of ρ(r) for DFT charge density initialization, computing dipole or quadrupole, and other observables for which reliable density functional are known.
Quantity-Focused Language Input Intervention: Impact on Adult Words Delivered to At-Risk Dual Language Learners.

Spanish-English-speaking dual language learners (SE-DLLs) from low-income backgrounds are at risk for experiencing academic difficulty compared to peers of ethnic-majority, middle- and high-income ...
A ORGANIZAÇÃO - A Odebrecht e o esquema de corrupção que chocou o mundo: RESENHA

The organization - Odebrecht and the corruption scheme that shocked the world, the work of the journalist and writer Malu Gaspar, is a work of art, it was a gift that the journalist gave to the people of Brazil this year of 2020, which all in Brazilians we should have an obligation to read. I have no doubt that it will be a reading adopted in several bachelor's and undergraduate courses in the coming years. In 639 pages and three years of research and a lot of work, Malu Gaspar exposes the viscera of the Brazilian political system and most of the countries of Latin America and Africa and like politicians, many heads of state and Brazilian businessmen raided and betrayed the people of Brazil in recent decades. A relationship between businessmen, public agents and politicians, “almost” of an organized gang, equipped to steal the public coffers of the Union. A system never seen in the history of mankind.
Managing Respiratory Emergencies at School: A County-Wide Stock Inhaler Program.

Background A total of 15 states allow schools to manage respiratory emergencies among multiple students by using a single albuterol inhaler (stock inhaler) paired with a disposable holding chamber. Objective Our aim was to evaluate implementation barriers and facilitators, as well as satisfaction with a stock inhaler program across K through12 schools in Pima County, Arizona. Methods All public, charter, private, and parochial schools were offered supplies, web-based training, and technical assistance at no cost. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) framework was used to evaluate program implementation. School documentation logs were reviewed, school health personnel were surveyed, and a convenience sample of health personnel were interviewed. Chi-square tests evaluated categoric outcomes and Poisson hurdle regression examined stock inhaler use by school organization type, grade levels served, and type of school health personnel employed. Results In all, 229 schools (68%) participated, reaching 82% of students in the county. A total of 152 schools (66%) used a stock inhaler, accounting for 1038 events. The mean number of puffs administered was 2.7 (SD = 1.2) per event, and most events (79%) involved students with asthma. Although most events (83.9%) resulted in the student returning to class, 15.6% resulted in students being sent home. Only 6 events resulted in 911 calls, and 5 of these led to an ambulance transport. School health personnel reported high levels of satisfaction, and all schools renewed participation for a second year. Program costs were $156 per school. Conclusion With technical assistance, stock inhaler programs can be feasibly implemented by schools in a wide range of settings, thereby increasing their capacity to safely manage respiratory emergencies.
Terrorists or Persecuted? The Portrayal of Islamic Nonprofits in US Newspapers Post 9/11

Media plays a major role in molding US public opinions about Muslims. This paper assesses the effect of 9/11 events on the US media's framing of the Muslim nonprofit sector. Overall it finds that the press was more likely to represent the Muslim nonprofit negatively post 9/11. However, post 9/11, the media framing of Muslim nonprofits was mixed. While the media was more likely to associate Muslim nonprofits and terrorism, they were also more likely to represent Muslim nonprofits as organizations that faced persecution because of Islamophobia, government scrutiny, or hate attacks against them. These media frames may have contributed to public perceptions that Muslim organizations support terrorism while also raising the alarm amongst various stakeholders that the government and the general public are persecuting the Muslim nonprofit sector.
Neural Twins Talk and Alternative Calculations

Inspired by how the human brain employs more neural pathways when increasing the focus on a subject, we introduce a novel twin cascaded attention model that outperforms a state-of-the-art image cap...
Risk Factors for Klebsiella Infections among Hospitalized Patients with Preexisting Colonization.

Klebsiella commonly colonizes the intestinal tract of hospitalized patients and is a leading cause of health care-associated infections. Colonization is associated with subsequent infection, but the factors determining this progression are unclear. A cohort study was performed, in which intensive care and hematology/oncology patients with Klebsiella colonization based on rectal swab culture were enrolled and monitored for infection for 90 days after a positive swab. Electronic medical records were analyzed for patient factors associated with subsequent infection, and variables of potential significance in a bivariable analysis were used to build a final multivariable model. Concordance between colonizing and infecting isolates was assessed by wzi capsular gene sequencing. Among 2,087 hospitalizations from 1,978 colonized patients, 90 cases of infection (4.3%) were identified. The mean time to infection was 20.6 ± 24.69 (range, 0 to 91; median, 11.5) days. Of 86 typed cases, 68 unique wzi types were identified, and 69 cases (80.2%) were colonized with an isolate of the same type prior to infection. Based on multivariable modeling, overall comorbidities, depression, and low albumin levels at the time of rectal swab collection were independently associated with subsequent Klebsiella infection (i.e., cases). Despite the high diversity of colonizing strains of Klebsiella, there is high concordance with subsequent infecting isolates, and progression to infection is relatively quick. Readily accessible data from the medical record could be used by clinicians to identify colonized patients at an increased risk of subsequent Klebsiella infection. IMPORTANCE Klebsiella is a leading cause of health care-associated infections. Patients who are intestinally colonized with Klebsiella are at a significantly increased risk of subsequent infection, but only a subset of colonized patients progress to disease. Colonization offers a potential window of opportunity to intervene and prevent these infections, if the patients at greatest risk could be identified. To identify patient factors associated with infection in colonized patients, we studied 1,978 colonized patients. We found that patients with a higher burden of underlying disease in general, depression in particular, and low albumin levels in a blood test were more likely to develop infection. However, these variables did not completely predict infection, suggesting that other host and microbial factors may also be important. The clinical variables associated with infection are readily available in the medical record and could serve as the foundation for developing an integrated risk assessment of Klebsiella infection in hospitalized patients.
Economics and the Equity Market: A Microeconomics Course Application

Economics encompasses two broad subjects: macroeconomics and microeconomics. Macroeconomics deals with an economy in aggregate and addresses issues such as inflation, unemployment, interest rates, and economic growth. We present a macroeconomic perspective in Chap. 3. Microeconomics, the focus of this chapter, operates, as its name indicates, on the micro level, addressing household consumption decisions and the production decisions of firms. In this chapter, we focus on the parallels (and a few differences) between a standard microeconomics formulation (a household’s selection of an optimal consumption bundle) and a standard finance model (an investor’s selection of a portfolio that optimally combines a riskless asset – cash – and a risky equity portfolio). The finance formulation is the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). CAPM is a keystone of what is known as modern portfolio theory, the originator of which is Harry Markowitz who was awarded a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1990 for having developed the theory of portfolio choice. We then introduce friction (trading costs) and show how CAPM’s frictionless market equilibrium is perturbed. The analysis provides a good lead-in to the next chapter on finance.
Splitting signals drives CARs further

CAR T cell therapies have made great strides in the clinic; however, multiple hurdles limit the efficacy of this approach for solid tumors. A new study has developed an optimized, dual-targeting CAR T cell that overcomes several of these challenges by enhancing T cell persistence and reducing therapy escape due to antigen loss.
Conditioning of Random Feature Matrices: Double Descent and Generalization Error

We provide (high probability) bounds on the condition number of random feature matrices. In particular, we show that if the complexity ratio $\frac{N}{m}$ where $N$ is the number of neurons and $m$ is the number of data samples scales like $\log^{-1}(N)$ or $\log(m)$, then the random feature matrix is well-conditioned. This result holds without the need of regularization and relies on establishing various concentration bounds between dependent components of the random feature matrix. Additionally, we derive bounds on the restricted isometry constant of the random feature matrix. We prove that the risk associated with regression problems using a random feature matrix exhibits the double descent phenomenon and that this is an effect of the double descent behavior of the condition number. The risk bounds include the underparameterized setting using the least squares problem and the overparameterized setting where using either the minimum norm interpolation problem or a sparse regression problem. For the least squares or sparse regression cases, we show that the risk decreases as $m$ and $N$ increase, even in the presence of bounded or random noise. The risk bound matches the optimal scaling in the literature and the constants in our results are explicit and independent of the dimension of the data.
Brominated Lipid Probes Expose Structural Asymmetries in Constricted Membranes

Lipids in biological membranes are thought to be functionally organized, but few experimental tools can probe nanoscale membrane structure. Using brominated lipids as contrast probes for cryo-EM and a model ESCRT-III membrane remodeling system, we observed leaflet-level and protein-localized lipid structural patterns within highly constricted and thinned membrane nanotubes. These nanotubes differed markedly from protein-free, flat bilayers in leaflet thickness, lipid diffusion rates, and lipid compositional and conformational asymmetries. Simulations and cryo-EM imaging of brominated SDPC showed how a pair of phenylalanine residues scored the outer leaflet with a helical hydrophobic defect where polyunsaturated docosahexaenoyl (DHA) tails accumulated at the bilayer surface. Combining cryo-EM of halogenated lipids with molecular dynamics thus enables new characterizations of the composition and structure of membranes on molecular length scales.
An overview of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna: Diversity, biogeography, and conservation (Brachyura, Potamoidea, Potamonautidae and Potamidae)

The Afrotropical region has a rich, highly diverse, and distinctly recognisable freshwater crab fauna comprising 145 species in 20 genera and two families. The entire Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna is endemic to Africa and its islands, and is distributed over 47 countries in eight distinct regions. Major centers of species richness include the Rift Valley of eastern Africa, the Upper Guinea forests of western Africa, and the Lower Guinea forests of central Africa. The IUCN Red List indicates that the majority (71%) of the 103 species of potamonautid and potamid Afrotropical freshwater crabs are of Least Concern and just two species are Near Threatened. Some twenty-eight species (27%) are listed in one of three threatened categories, either as Vulnerable (16 species), Endangered (10 species), or Critically Endangered (2 species). Excluded are the 33 species found to be Data Deficient because of a lack of information on distribution and population levels, and the 18 species discovered since the last assessment in 2009.
The Expressivist Theory of Punishment Defended

Expressivist theories of punishment received largely favorable treatment in the 1980s and 1990s. Perhaps predictably, the 2000s saw a slew of critical rejections of the view. It is now becoming evident that, while several objections to expressivism have found their way into print, three concerns are proving particularly popular. So the time is right for a big picture assessment. What follows is an attempt to show that these three dominant objections are not decisive reasons to give up the most plausible forms of the view. Moreover, in addition to the three common objections, expressivism has an acknowledged question mark concerning whether the value of punitive expression outweighs its drawbacks. Here I also map out some promising avenues that the expressivist can take to answer this question.
Bilharzial asthma: A new type of allergic bronchial asthma

Abstract 1. 1. Based upon six observations, four of which have been our own patients, the picture of bilharzial asthma is here discussed. 2. 2. It is a type of allergic bronchial asthma occurring only in the generalized type of the disease. 3. 3. Improvement of asthma is coincident with specific treatment of the disease. 4. 4. Asthma is not due to anatomic changes in the lungs, since these persist long after the asthma has disappeared. Pulmonary lesions are common, whereas asthma is rare. 5. 5. With bilharzial asthma there are leucocytosis and high degree of eosinophilia.
A review of opioid prescribing practices and associations with repeat opioid prescriptions in a contemporary outpatient HIV clinic.

Objectives: Among persons in current HIV outpatient care, data on opioid prescribing are lacking. This study aims to evaluate predictors of repeat opioid prescribing and to characterize outpatient opioid prescribing practices. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of persons ≥ 18 years in HIV outpatient care who completed an annual behavioral assessment between June 2008 and June 2009. Persons were grouped by ≤ 1 and ≥ 2 opioid prescriptions (no-repeat-opioid and repeat-opioids, respectively). Independent predictors for repeat-opioids were evaluated. Opioid prescribing practices were characterized in a sub-study of persons prescribed any opioid. Results: Overall, 659 persons were included, median age 43 years, 70% men, and 68% African American. Independent predictors of repeat-opioids (88 [13%] persons) included opportunistic illnesses (both current and previous), depression, peripheral neuropathy, and hepatitis C coinfection (P < 0.05). In the subgroup, 140 persons received any opioid prescription (96% short-acting, 33% tramadol). Indications for opioid prescribing were obtained in 101 (72%) persons, with 97% for noncancer-related pain symptoms. Therapeutic response was documented on follow-up in 67 (48%) persons, with no subjective relief of symptoms in 63%. Urine drug screens were requested in 6 (4%) persons, and all performed were positive for illicit drugs. Conclusions: Advanced HIV disease and greater medical and neuropsychiatric comorbidity predict repeat opioid prescribing, and these findings reflect the underlying complexities in managing pain symptoms in this population. We also highlight multiple deficiencies in opioid prescribing practices and nonadherence to guidelines, which are of concern as effective and safe pain management for our HIV-infected population is an optimal goal.
Context-dependent phonetic Markov models for large vocabulary speech recognition

One approach to large vocabulary speech recognition, is to build phonetic Markov models, and to concatenate them to obtain word models. In previous work, we already designed a recognizer based on 40 phonetic Markov machines, which accepts a 10,000 words vocabulary ([3]), and recently 200,000 words vocabulary ([5]). Since there is one machine per phoneme, these models obviously do not account for coarticulatory effects, which may lead to recognition errors. In this paper, we improve the phonetic models by using general principles about coarticulation effects on automatic phoneme recognition. We show that both the analysis of the errors made by the recognizer, and linguistic facts about phonetic context influence, suggest a method for choosing context dependent models. This method allows to limit the growing of the number of phonems, and still account for the most important coarticulation effects. We present our experiments with a system applying these principles to a set of models for French. With this new system including context-dependant machines, the phoneme recognition rate goes from 82.2% to 85.3%, and the error rate on words with a 10,000 word dictionary, is decreased from 11.2 to 9.8%.
Spatio‐temporal dynamics of the Allonemobius fasciatus– A. socius mosaic hybrid zone: a 14‐year perspective

Long-term studies of hybrid zones can provide valuable insight into a number of questions that have long attracted the attention of evolutionists. These questions range from the stability and fate of hybrid zones to the relative fitness of hybrids. In this paper we report the results of a 14-year survey of the Allonemobius fasciatus-Allonemobius socius hybrid zone. Populations were collected intensively in 1986 and 1987 and then more sporadically through the end of the 1980s and throughout the 1990s. By documenting changes in the genetic composition of populations near and within the zone during this period of time we assessed: the strength of the reproductive isolation between the two species; the relative growth rates (which can be considered a surrogate of relative fitness) of genotype classes corresponding to hybrids and to pure species individuals; and, the power of single-year and multi-year measurements of relative growth rates to predict changes in the genetic composition of mixed populations through time. In brief, we found very large year-to-year variation in the relative growth rates of pure species and hybrid individuals. This variation may reflect the fact that both species are at the edge of their range and perhaps at the limits of their ability to deal with environmental perturbations. As a consequence of the variation, even multi-year estimates of relative growth rates often provided imprecise predictions regarding the future genotypic composition of mixed populations. Despite our limited ability to predict the dynamics of individual populations, some trends are apparent. A. socius, the southern species, has clearly increased in frequency along a transect through the Appalachian Mountains, indicating that the zone is moving north in this region. In contrast, the zone appeared to be more stable along the East Coast transect. Within mixed populations, character-index profiles are often bimodal and stable through time, indicating relatively strong reproductive isolation between the two species that is not being reinforced, nor is it breaking down.
Elimination method for the Transmission Efficiency Valley of Death in laterally misaligned wireless power transfer systems

This paper first identifies the Transmission Efficiency Valley of Death (TEVD) in laterally misaligned magnetic resonance coupled (MRC) wireless power transfer (WPT) system. The paper then presents a method to eliminate the TEVD by angularly rotating the transmitter coil (Tx) or receiver coil (Rx). Simulation results of the ANSYS® HFSS® 3-D physical model with 5-turn spiral shape four-coil MRC-WPT system with 60cm outer diameter show that when the Rx is 30cm vertically away from the Tx, TEVD exists when the lateral misalignment value (MIS) ranges from 50cm to 70cm. The presented method eliminates the TEVD and extends the high efficiency range from MIS = 50 cm (83.3% of the Rx diameter) to MIS = 70 cm (117% of the Rx diameter).
Patient-specific mitral leaflet segmentation from 4D ultrasound

Segmenting the mitral valve during closure and throughout a cardiac cycle from four dimensional ultrasound (4DUS) is important for creation and validation of mechanical models and for improved visualization and understanding of mitral valve behavior. Current methods of segmenting the valve from 4DUS either require extensive user interaction and initialization, do not maintain the valve geometry across a cardiac cycle, or are incapable of producing a detailed coaptation line and surface. We present a method of segmenting the mitral valve annulus and leaflets from 4DUS such that a detailed, patient-specific annulus and leaflets are tracked throughout mitral valve closure, resulting in a detailed coaptation region. The method requires only the selection of two frames from a sequence indicating the start and end of valve closure and a single point near a closed valve. The annulus and leaflets are first found through direct segmentation in the appropriate frames and then by tracking the known geometry to the remaining frames. We compared the automatically segmented meshes to expert manual tracings for both a normal and diseased mitral valve, and found an average difference of 0.59 ± 0.49mm, which is on the order of the spatial resolution of the ultrasound volumes (0.5-1.0mm/voxel).
The Strange Case of the Goddess Peitho: Classical Antecedents of Public Relations’ Ambivalence Toward Persuasion

ABSTRACTPublic relations scholars continue to debate “whether persuasion is a legitimate public relations function” (Edgett, 2002, p. 1). Their ambivalence toward persuasion has deep roots in the tangled lineage of Peitho, the Greek goddess of persuasion. The purpose of this article is to chart the goddess Peitho's contradictory history in classical Greek literature and art; and to study how the Greeks resolved that ambiguity. Ultimately, the Greeks determined that Peitho, at her best, was honest, respectful of others, and mindful of community wellbeing. The Greeks’ resolution of Peitho's nature ideally holds lessons for the troubled status of persuasion within modern public relations.
Inferring climate variability from nonlinear proxies: application to palaeo-ENSO studies

Abstract. Inferring climate from palaeodata frequently assumes a direct, linear relationship between the two, which is seldom met in practice. Here we simulate an idealized proxy characterized by a nonlinear, thresholded relationship with surface temperature, and we demonstrate the pitfalls of ignoring nonlinearities in the proxy–climate relationship. We explore three approaches to using this idealized proxy to infer past climate: (i) methods commonly used in the palaeoclimate literature, without consideration of nonlinearities; (ii) the same methods, after empirically transforming the data to normality to account for nonlinearities; and (iii) using a Bayesian model to invert the mechanistic relationship between the climate and the proxy. We find that neglecting nonlinearity often exaggerates changes in climate variability between different time intervals and leads to reconstructions with poorly quantified uncertainties. In contrast, explicit recognition of the nonlinear relationship, using either a mechanistic model or an empirical transform, yields significantly better estimates of past climate variations, with more accurate uncertainty quantification. We apply these insights to two palaeoclimate settings. Accounting for nonlinearities in the classical sedimentary record from Laguna Pallcacocha leads to quantitative departures from the results of the original study, and it markedly affects the detection of variance changes over time. A comparison with the Lake Challa record, also a nonlinear proxy for El Nino–Southern Oscillation, illustrates how inter-proxy comparisons may be altered when accounting for nonlinearity. The results hold implications for how univariate, nonlinear recorders of normally distributed climate variables are interpreted, compared to other proxy records, and incorporated into multiproxy reconstructions.
Muscle temperature and swim velocity profiles during diving in a Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii

Locomotory muscle temperature and swim velocity profiles of an adult Weddell seal were recorded over a 21 h period. The highest temperatures occurred during a prolonged surface period (mean 37.3 degrees C, S.D. 0.16 degrees C). Muscle temperature averaged 36.8 and 36.6 degrees C (S.D. 0.25 degrees C, 0.19 degrees C) during two dive bouts and showed no consistent fluctuations between dive and interdive surface intervals. Swim velocities were also constant, near 1.3 m s-1. These data indicate that past records of low aortic temperatures (35 degrees C) during and after prolonged dives are not indicative of whole-body temperature changes, and that muscle temperature, even during dives as long as 45 min, remains near 37 degrees C.
The freedom to heal: nonrigid immobilization by a halo orthosis.

Halo orthoses present a paradox. On the one hand, the nominally rigid immobilization they provide to the head aims to remove loads on the cervical spine following injury or surgery, and the devices are retightened routinely to maintain this. On the other hand, bone growth and remodeling are well known to require mechanical stressing. How are these competing needs balanced? To understand this trade-off in an effective, commercial halo orthosis, the authors quantified the response of a commercial halo orthosis to physiological loading levels, applied symmetrically about the sagittal plane. They showed for the first time that after a few cycles of loading analogous to a few steps taken by a patient, the support presented by a standard commercial halo orthosis becomes nonlinear. When analyzed through straightforward structural modeling, these data revealed that the nonlinearity permits mild head motion while severely restricting larger motion. These observations are useful because they open the possibility th...
CSF monoamine metabolites and lethality of suicide attempts in depressed patients with alcohol dependence

Abstract Background: Alcohol dependence (alcoholism) and major depressive disorder are frequently comorbid and are risk factors for suicidal behavior. Monoaminergic abnormalities have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression, alcohol dependence, and suicidal behavior. Lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels are associated with higher lethality of suicide attempts in major depression and predict a higher rate of future suicide. We sought to study the relationship of CSF monoamine metabolites to lethality of suicidal acts in depressed subjects with comorbid alcoholism. Methods: We compared 16 high- and 16 low-lethality drug-free depressed suicide attempters with comorbid alcoholism. Subjects were free from any substance use disorder for at least two months. Demographic and clinical parameters, and CSF 5-HIAA, homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels were examined. Results: The two groups did not differ with regard to the demographic characteristics. CSF 5-HIAA levels were lower in high-lethality attempters compared to low-lethality attempters. There were no group difference in CSF HVA or MHPG levels. Conclusion: Higher lethality of suicidal behavior in depressed patients with alcoholism is related to lower serotonergic activity.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Liver Transplant Surgery and Hospice Use: Parallels, Differences, and Unanswered Questions:

Despite well-documented racial/ethnic disparities in liver transplantation and hospice enrollment, reasons for these disparities are unclear. This study was conducted to elucidate what is known and unknown about the underlying causes of racial/ethnic disparities in liver transplantation and hospice enrollment. The root causes of inequities in access to liver transplantation and hospice are as yet poorly understood. Potential contributors to differences include differences in preferences, mistrust of the health care system, geographic factors such as neighborhood, health care system factors such as access to care and managed care versus fee-for-service insurance status, and social factors such as the availability of a full time caregiver. Although the goals of care are different, by examining hospice and transplant surgery side by side in the larger context of health disparities, a number of potentially promising avenues for future research have been uncovered.
Spouses, Siblings and Surnames: Reconstructing Families From Medieval Village Court Rolls

Advocates of the “new social history” have buttressed their efforts to recreate the past lives of ordinary people with concepts, models, and quantitative methods taken from the social sciences. These new approaches have allowed scholars to extract vivid and dynamic reconstructions of past human experiences from the dry folios of civil and ecclesiastical registers. Their successes, as exemplified by the many publications of the Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure, have focused largely on the demographic and familial histories of the early modern era. The manipulation of parish listings of baptisms, marriages, and burials is now a fairly precise science that has taught us much (and will doubtless teach us more) about the daily lives of common people and their families in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. But the tracing into the past of the social, familial, and demographic characteristics of the English people need not start abruptly with the auspicious advent of parish registers in 1538. Indeed, we can only hope to trace the origins of fundamental features of Tudor-Stuart life (such as the pronounced tendency towards late marriage and the high incidence of persons who never married) if we develop accurate techniques for analyzing the pre-1500, pre-parish register materials at our disposal. From the perspective of a medievalist, this work is clearly essential; most medieval people, quite simply, were peasants, and we shall better understand the histories of medieval parliaments, towns, and universities when we have successfully uncovered their rural underpinnings.
Smoothing parameter selection for smoothing splines: a simulation study

Smoothing splines are a popular method for performing nonparametric regression. Most important in the implementation of this method is the choice of the smoothing parameter. This article provides a simulation study of several smoothing parameter selection methods, including two so-called risk estimation methods. To the best of the author's knowledge, the empirical performances of these two risk estimation methods have never been reported in the literature. Empirical conclusions from and recommendations based on the simulation results will be provided. One noteworthy empirical observation is that the popular method, generalized cross-validation, was outperformed by another method, an improved Akaike Information criterion, that shares the same assumptions and computational complexity.
Reactive oxygen species generation and dispersant-dependent electron transfer through single-walled carbon nanotubes in water

Abstract Although induction of oxidative stress is widely accepted as one of the major cytotoxic effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), there is no solid understanding of how biological redox reactions are affected and how reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by CNTs, especially when they are coated with various dispersing agents. In this study, we investigated electron transfer from biological reducing agents through nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to molecular oxygen, generating ROS in the process. Electron transfer rates in the colloidal SWCNT suspensions depended on the dispersant used to stabilize them, with six dispersants examined. Oxidation of both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and dithiothreitol was catalyzed by SWCNTs coated with either cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM). SWCNTs coated with other types of surfactants showed only slight effect. In the presence of NADH or dithiothreitol, generation of ROS also was dispersant-dependent, with CTAB- and SRNOM-coated SWCNTs generating significant amounts of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. In systems containing xanthine and xanthine oxidase, accumulated charge on the SWCNTs appeared to be transferred to superoxide anion, resulting in indirect disproportionation of superoxide anion, forming more hydrogen peroxide.
Recommendations for Generating, Evaluating, and Implementing Drug-Drug Interaction Evidence

In October 2009, a 2-day, multistakeholder, national conference was held in Rockville, Maryland, to discuss and propose methods to improve the drug-drug interaction (DDI) evidence base and its evaluation and integration into clinical decision support (CDS) systems. The conference featured participants representing consumers, health care providers, those responsible for relevant policies and guidelines, and developers and vendors of DDI compendia, databases, and CDS systems. One desired outcome of the conference was to prepare recommendations on critical issues surrounding DDI evidence. A set of recommendations was developed to improve the generation, evaluation, and translation of DDI evidence into CDS systems based on presentations by experts and the supporting literature. These recommendations were reviewed initially by conference moderators, speakers, and Scientific Steering and Planning Committee members, and subsequently by all attendees. The following recommendations were developed to increase patient safety by improving the relevance and assessment of DDI evidence: conduct well-designed studies to determine the incidence, outcomes, and patient-level risk factors for DDIs; use a systematic and transparent process for evaluating the DDI evidence in order to estimate the severity and risks of DDIs; and improve the integration of DDI evidence into electronic CDS. Opportunities exist to improve the DDI evidence base, develop and promote a systematic approach for evaluating the evidence, and integrate this evidence into meaningful CDS.
Absorption Techniques as a Tool for 21-CM Research

Hyperfine transitions between the F = 0 and F = 1 levels of interstellar hydrogen gas have been observed to produce absorption lines in the spectra of radio stars. Elementary relations are developed which describe the action of an L band radiometer connected to an antenna, if the antenna is viewing an assembly of gas which is illuminated by a radio star. The consequences of the absorption line studies are reviewed. They include: high resolution studies of the interstellar gas, the structure and physical state of interstellar HI regions, minimum distances to radio stars, and experiments of interest in cosmology.
Preparation of High-Purity Anthracene: Zone Refining and the Triplet Lifetime

Abstract The triplet lifetime has been used as a monitor to follow the progress of purification during the zone-refining of natural and synthetic anthracene. Chromatography has been found to be a satisfactory initial purification process if a highly pure solvent, e.g. benzene, is used.
Thomas Dixon's the clansman: Radicals, reactionaries, and the anticipated utopia

Thomas Dixon, Jr.'s novel, The Clansman (1905), typically is described as a boorish example of white racism. In this essay, I argue that the significance of The Clansman is a consequence of the novel's description of post‐Civil War Southern Reconstruction, where a dystopic social and political order was overthrown by the determined action of racially unified Anglo‐Saxons. The negation of this dystopia also anticipates Dixon's vision of Utopia, where Aryans North and South unite to protect their racial heritage. This study (a) reveals the limitations of extant generic guidelines for identifying Utopian discourse and (b) reconsiders the conventional categories (e.g., “radical,” “reactionary") frequently used to describe public discourse. The implications of this argument should be of particular interest to students of social movements.
RF Transmit Power Limit for the Barewire Loopless Catheter Antenna

The safety of the barewire loopless catheter antenna in transmit mode is addressed with respect to radiofrequency (RF) heating. Analytical expressions for electric field and specific absorption rate (SAR) distributions surrounding the antenna are postulated and experimentally verified. Limiting RF transmit power to 40‐70 mW time-averaged power, depending on the specific antenna design, will ensure that the current regulatory guideline of SAR of 8 W/kg in any gram of tissue is not exceeded. These limits can act as guidelines for the design of RF pulses for use with this device. Further study is required to examine the safety of the antenna in receive mode. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;12:86‐91. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Boundary Perturbation Methods for Water Waves

The most successful equations for the modeling of ocean wave phenomena are the free–surface Euler equations. Their solutions accurately approximate a wide range of physical problems from open–ocean transport of pollutants, to the forces exerted upon oil platforms by rogue waves, to shoaling and breaking of waves in nearshore regions. These equations provide numerous challenges for theoreticians and practitioners alike as they couple the difficulties of a free boundary problem with the subtle balancing of nonlinearity and dispersion in the absence of dissipation. In this paper we give an overview of, what we term, “Boundary Perturbation” methods for the analysis and numerical simulation of this “water wave problem”. Due to our own research interests this review is focused upon the numerical simulation of traveling water waves, however, the extensive literature on the initial value problem and additional theoretical developments are also briefly discussed. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
FEDERAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR RELEASES OF OIL AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

ABSTRACT Federal notification requirements represent the first step in ensuring that the federal government is available to provide valuable oversight, resources, and expertise during responses to potentially dangerous releases of oil or hazardous substances into the environment. Beginning with the Clean Water Act of 1970 (CWA), and followed by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), Congress has enacted provisions that direct responsible parties to notify cognizant federal, state, and local authorities as soon as possible about releases of oil or other substances that may pose a hazard to public health, welfare, or the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has had primary responsibility for developing reporting triggers that ensure that potentially dangerous releases are reported promptly, but at the same time do not ove...
Simple and specific microdetermination of organoiodine via oxygen flask combustion

Abstract A rapid, simple, and reliable procedure for specific microdetermination of organoiodine is described. This procedure consists of oxygen flask combustion followed by an argentimetric titration with an iodide ion-selective electrode as indicator. Some advantages of this procedure over mercurimetric titration currently used in an AOAC method are detailed.
Density dependent responses of Cacti, Cylindropuntia bigelovii and C. echinocarpa (Cactaceae), in the desert of Southern California, USA

Densities of vegetative propagules (joints) of two cactus species (cylindropuntias) were manipulated in an experiment in the Lower Colorado Desert (Sonoran) of southern California and observations were made from 1981 to 1999. Stem joints of Cylindropuntia bigelovii break off easily and are the sole means of reproduction. Cylindropuntia echinocarpa reproduces primarily by sexual means but has been reported to have a low rate of asexual reproduction by detached joints. The experiment tested 3 predictions: (1) because of its usual asexual mode of reproduction, C. bigelovii would have better establishment success than the vegetative parts of C. echinocarpa; (2) because areas occupied by C. bigelovii often are densely carpeted with joints, this species would be more density-tolerant than would C. echinocarpa; (3) the more tolerant species should show the slowest growth. Overall, results were contrary to these predictions: survival of C. bigelovii showed a clear density effect but C. echinocarpa did not and the more tolerant species, C. echinocarpa, also showed better growth. At the end of 16 years, however, both species had similar numbers of survivors.
Concentrations and vapor-particle partitioning of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in ambient air of Houston, TX

Abstract The levels of the 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (2,3,7,8-PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (2,3,7,8-PCDFs) were measured in ambient air in Houston, TX between September 2002 and April 2003. Samples collected from five locations showed that the monthly total average 2,3,7,8-PCDD/PCDF concentrations ranged from 808 to 1760 fg m−3 with an average of 1235 fg m−3, consistent with their counterparts from other urban areas. From the measured concentrations, it was also observed that: (i) Houston exhibited low 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF concentrations, (ii) the fall and winter V/P ratios for Houston were close to one, probably due to elevated winter temperatures, (iii) the highest chlorinated 2,3,7,8-PCDD/PCDFs exhibited the highest concentrations, and (iv) 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners of PCDDs were the major contributors to the International Toxic Equivalent. The last three observations differ from the literature. Gas–particle partitioning (Koa-based and P L ∘ -based) models were used to describe the distribution of the 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners for Houston. It was determined that P L ∘ estimates using retention indices were more accurate than those obtained with entropy-based approaches. The research demonstrates that PM2.5 and PM10 can be used instead of total suspended particle to estimate Kp, although it was shown that PM10 is more appropriate for relating the particulate fraction to Koa. Finally, the research demonstrates that Kp− P L ∘ partitioning models are improved by adding relative humidity as a variable to the correlation analysis.
The Godfather, Part II

Venter offers a personal perspective on the past, present, and prospects of synthetic biology.
Introduction to IDT's FourPort RAM

Abstract The FourPort RAM is an innovative integrated circuit memory that offers new communications methods. It provides exceptional speeds because of its suitability for parallelism. The IDT7052 2k X 8-bit RAM and the IDT7050 1k X 8-bit RAM are the first in a series of memories that promise to bring new levels of performance to parallel communications systems
A mixed polyploid model for linkage analysis in outcrossing tetraploids using a pseudo-test backcross design.

Based on how chromosomes pair at meiosis, the nature of polyploids can be described by bivalent polyploids, multivalent polyploids, and mixed polyploids. In bivalent polyploids, only two chromosomes pair, during which two more similar chromosomes have a higher pairing probability (preferential pairing) than two less similar chromosomes, whereas in multivalent polyploids more than two chromosomes pair at a time, which results in double reduction. Preferential chromosome pairings and double reduction affect the frequencies of gamete formation and, therefore, linkage analysis of polymorphic markers in bivalent and multivalent polyploids, respectively. For mixed polyploids, in which both bivalent and multivalent formations occur simultaneously, linkage analysis is affected by both preferential pairings and double reduction. In this study, we develop a hierarchical maximum likelihood model for discerning gamete genotypes derived from different pairing mechanisms and different formation modes. The first-stage m...