cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural Consequences of Glycine Missense Mutations in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Missense mutations in type I collagen which lead to replacement of one Gly within the repeating (Gly-Xaa-Yaa)n sequence by a larger residue represent the largest class of dominant mutations leading to osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). It has not proved easy to dissect the sequence of events leading from a Gly missense mutation to the OI clinical phenotype nor to understand why some mutations lead to a lethal phenotype while others result in milder cases. The multilevel assembly of collagen into triple-helical molecules within the endoplasmic reticulum, followed by secretion and formation of fibrils as part of the extracellular matrix creates many potential sites for disruption. Experimental studies investigating the effect of Gly missense mutations on triple-helix structure, stability and folding are reviewed here, together with computational approaches based on the extensive OI database.
Longitudinal models of reading achievement of students with learning disabilities and without disabilities.

OBJECTIVE Accurate estimation of developmental trajectories can inform instruction and intervention. We compared the fit of linear, quadratic, and piecewise mixed-effects models of reading development among students with learning disabilities relative to their typically developing peers. METHOD We drew an analytic sample of 1,990 students from the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort of 1998, using reading achievement scores from kindergarten through eighth grade to estimate three models of students' reading growth. RESULTS The piecewise mixed-effects models provided the best functional form of the students' reading trajectories as indicated by model fit indices. Results showed slightly different trajectories between students with learning disabilities and without disabilities, with varying but divergent rates of growth throughout elementary grades, as well as an increasing gap over time. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the need for additional research on appropriate methods for modeling reading trajectories and the implications for students' response to instruction. (PsycINFO Database Record
Coda: The Underbody

Even as I stubbornly resisted egress, I found myself charged with the task of evaluating the work that I had undergone, in preparation of letting go of this body of inquiry on its rise towards the world.3 In this undertaking, I recalled Virginia who spoke of sewing and weaving as the work of pushing threads in and pushing threads out.
GDOT: A graphene-based nanofunction for dot-product computation

Though much excitement surrounds two-dimensional (2D) beyond CMOS fabrics like graphene and MoS 2 , most efforts have focused on individual devices, with few high-level implementations. Here we present the first graphene-based dot-product nanofunction (GDOT) using a mixed-signal architecture. Dot product kernels are essential for emerging image processing and neuromorphic computing applications, where energy efficiency is prioritized. SPICE simulations of GDOT implementing a Gaussian blur show up to ∼104 greater signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over CMOS based implementations — a direct result of higher graphene mobility in a circuit tolerant to low on/off ratios. Energy consumption is nearly equivalent, implying the GDOT can operate faster at higher SNR than CMOS counter-parts while preserving energy benefits over digital implementations. We implement a prototype 2-input GDOT on a wafer-scale 4″ process, with measured results confirming dot-product operation and lower than expected computation error.
Position-adaptive UAV radar for urban environments

A bistatic radar concept is presented where a low-altitude UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) "position-adaptively" converges to line-of-sight (LOS) locations for objects that are embedded between buildings. The concept is developed by deriving approximate electromagnetic signal models based on the uniform theory of diffraction (UTD). In addition, a new signature exploitation technique is formulated that allows for the estimation of target parameters in cases when neither the transmitting nor the receiving platform is in LOS with an embedded target or object. This technique is denoted as "exploitation of leakage signals via path trajectory diversity" (E-LS-PTD). Additional areas for further research are cited.
Using a High-Fidelity Simulation Framework for Performance Singularity

A common way to evaluate the performance of a system is to compare the algorithmic outputs with ground truth to identify divergences in the system's performance and discover the errors it is prone to. In the absence of such ground truth or as a follow-on to performance evaluation, performance analysis at the algorithmic level can provide developers insight into performance singularities. Such performance singularity identification and testing provides real-time meta-data that allows developers to understand the impact of singularities on the overall performance of the system. As an example of the concepts developed in this paper, we present a navigation solution based on image registration algorithms and the methodology used for the identification and testing of performance singularities of this algorithm.
Optimal Process Parameters for 3D Printing of Porcelain Structures

Abstract Dental porcelain material is a typical glass ceramic material that is widely used in dental restoration applications. However, there still exists limited knowledge about the fabrication of this type of materials using binder jetting additive manufacturing process. There are several important factors such as saturation level, power level, drying time as well as spread speed, which would potentially affect the accuracy and strength of the printed parts before and after sintering. Therefore, in this research an extensive experimental study was performed to obtain the optimal process parameters for the dental porcelain materials fabricated via ExOne binder jetting system. The results also provide general printing guidelines for the fabrication of glass ceramic materials.
Robust cooperative output regulation of a linear multi-agent system with incomplete exosystem measurement

This paper considers the robust cooperative output regulation problem for a class of linear uncertain multi-agent systems. It is assumed that the agents in the system can only access incomplete measurements of the exosystem, and the local regulated error signals are not available to the agents to be used in control. Under these assumptions, the agents in the system cannot independently reconstruct the exosystem dynamics, or rely on their own local measurements to achieve the objectives of the output regulation problem. The solution to the regulation problem proposed in this paper is a distributed dynamic control law that reconstructs the exosystem states, given a mild collective detectability assumption. Furthermore, the proposed distributed control law incorporates an internal model of the exosystem to allow for uncertain dynamics of the multi-agent system. A numerical example is offered to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control solution.
Direct observations of crystal defects in polycrystalline diamond

Abstract Crystal defects are abundant in synthetic diamond produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). We present the first images of crystal defects in a bulk polycrystalline CVD diamond sample using general electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) in a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). For enhancement of channeling contrast of this material, we introduce a novel protocol for diamond surface preparation that involves acid etching. Using this protocol, we imaged three types of crystal defects including twins, stacking faults and dislocations. Each defect was identified based on its appearance in electron channeling contrast (ECC) micrographs. We analyzed grains containing twins and dislocations using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) crystal orientation mapping. We found a large population of grains that contained Σ3 type twins on {111} planes with a 60°〈111〉 angle–axis pair of misorientation for twin boundaries. In addition, we identified {111} stacking faults and {111} helical dislocations. These observations are in agreement with reports of crystal defects in CVD diamond thin foils studied by a transmission electron microscope (TEM).
Authentication Protocols for an Object with Dynamic RFID Tags

A majority of existing RFID authentication protocols consider tagged items that are independent of other tagged items. However, as RFID tags permeate to item-level granularity where several items comprise an object of interest there is a need to develop protocols that seamlessly accommodate inclusion and exclusion of tags on such an object. We propose protocols for this scenario.
An Overview of International Economic Competition

We believe in the existence of economic competition between nations, and that a nation’s competitiveness is an important concept, particularly for the United States at the present time. In this section, we will explain the reasons behind those beliefs, and why we reject this statement by economist Paul Krugman:
Solutions of exact kinetic equations for intermittent turbulence

A new approach to the problem of turbulence is described. This approach is based on conditional averaging of equation for a local characteristic of motion, which has a mechanism of self-amplification. An exact closed equation for conditionally averaged 3-D vorticity field (with fixed vorticity at a certain point) is obtained from the Navier-Stokes equation. Corresponding closed equation is derived for conditionally averaged vorticity gradient (vg) in 2-D turbulence. Solutions of these equations are presented. The conclusion is made that the local structure of turbulent flows is not unique. The nonuniqueness is due to the phenomenon of intermittency, which depends on the large-scale structure of turbulent flows. The high order two-point moments of vorticity and vg are presented. The developed method is quite general and can be applied to a variety of physical systems with strong interaction, including magnetized plasma.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Hyperparathyroid Bone Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge about primary hyperparathyroidism (1°HPT) and bone and highlights recent long-term data. Variable degrees of osteopenia are common in patients having 1°HPT and osteoporosis may be evident at the diagnosis of 1°HPT. The skeletal deficits are occasionally severe, but usually of undetermined relationship to the hyperparathyroidism. On average, the decrements of bone mass suggest only about a doubling of fracture risk, an increment not discernible in the small studies done to date. The few prospective studies of fracture risk in 1°HPT were not sufficiently powered to adequately address the issue. Osteopenia may be worst at primarily cortical sites, which would suggest a greater risk of appendicular than of spinal crush fractures. Regardless of site or severity of osteopenia, surgical therapy of 1°HPT causes substantially increased bone mineral density (BMD) at most sites, on the order of 10 to 12%. Increases of such magnitude are rarely seen in therapy of osteoporosis by any other means. Moreover, the increases are larger and may go on for longer periods than could be accounted for by simple filling in of remodeling space. One must reason that decrements of bone mass similar to those seen in 1°HPT increase fracture risk under other circumstances, and assure that restoration of BMD after parathyroid adenomectomy in hyperparathyroid patients should substantially reduce fracture risk. Severe bone disease caused by 1°HPT is rare. As a group, hyperparathyroid patients have mildly to moderately reduced bone mineral density that may be worst for cortical bone, but which has been observed at all sites. Removal of parathyroid adenomas and restoration of normal parathyroid function causes substantial, lasting increases of BMD (averaging 10 to 12%). Gain of bone occurs at all sites, may go on for up to 10 years, and is greatest in patients having the greatest baseline decrements of BMD.
Assessment through socioecological abstraction: The case of nutrient management models in Sudano-Sahelian West Africa

The sustainability of smallholder agriculture in the drylands of West Africa is a topic of long-lasting concern. This paper is focused on the scientific assessment of nutrient (mis)management affecting the long-term productivity of cropland. “Nutrient mining” is seen as a major mechanism for land degradation in the region. Two models will be the focus: that tied to the rangeland-to-cropland metric and the nutrient balance model. These tools of assessment follow a long history of environmental assessment and modeling that purposefully abstracts from the heterogeneity of the same farming practices that modeling efforts seek to assess. Abstraction is always part of modeling but the form of abstraction described here ignores any detailed understanding of farming practices and in so doing, demands very little information about farming practices. In this way, models serve as both the symptom and cause of continued ignorance of farming practices by most agronomists and soil scientists working in the region. The variables used in these models will be described and how these same variables are strongly influenced by the variation of farmers’ practices will be discussed. In addition, it will be shown that needless model abstraction results in research outcomes that provide very little insights to guide land policy formulation and agricultural extension. In short, these models point to the ultimate resource limits of the regional agricultural system but provide few insights of what could be changed to reduce rates of land degradation. The paper concludes by presenting alternative approaches that through their engagement with the diverse positionalities of farmers, provides insights useful for the development of effective land policies.
Validity of an updated nutrition literacy assessment instrument with the new nutrition facts panel.

The Nutrition Literacy Assessment Instrument (NLit) measures nutrition literacy, including a subscale for ability to interpret nutrition fact panels (NFP). Recent redesign of the NFP in the US was ...
Computational Analysis of Altering Cell Fate

The notion of reprogramming cell fate is a direct challenge to the traditional view in developmental biology that a cell's phenotypic identity is sealed after undergoing differentiation. Direct experimental evidence, beginning with the somatic cell nuclear transfer experiments of the twentieth century and culminating in the more recent breakthroughs in transdifferentiation and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming, have rewritten the rules for what is possible with cell fate transformation. Research is ongoing in the manipulation of cell fate for basic research in disease modeling, drug discovery, and clinical therapeutics. In many of these cell fate reprogramming experiments, there is often little known about the genetic and molecular changes accompanying the reprogramming process. However, gene regulatory networks (GRNs) can in some cases be implicated in the switching of phenotypes, providing a starting point for understanding the dynamic changes that accompany a given cell fate reprogramming process. In this chapter, we present a framework for computationally analyzing cell fate changes by mathematically modeling these GRNs. We provide a user guide with several tutorials of a set of techniques from dynamical systems theory that can be used to probe the intrinsic properties of GRNs as well as study their responses to external perturbations.
Statistically Sound Verification and Optimization for Complex Systems

This paper discusses verification and optimization of complex systems with respect to a set of specifications under stochastic parameter variations. We introduce a simulation-based statistically sound model inference approach that considers systems whose responses depend on a few design parameters and many stochastic parameters. The technique iteratively searches over the space of design parameters by alternating between verification and optimization phases. The verification phase uses statistical model checking to check if the model using the current design parameters satisfies the specifications. Failing this, we seek new values of the design parameters for which statistical verification could potentially succeed. This is achieved through repeated simulations for various values of the design and stochastic parameters, and quantile regression to construct a model that predicts the spread of the responses as a function of the design parameters. The resulting model is used to select a new set of values for the design parameters. We evaluate this approach over several benchmark examples. In each case, the performance is improved significantly compared to the nominal design.
Method for Evaluating Irradiation Effects on Flow Stress in Fe-9%Cr ODS Using TEM In Situ Cantilevers

Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) in situ mechanical testing has become a widely utilized tool for simultaneously measuring mechanical properties and understanding fundamental deformation mechanisms in irradiated and nuclear materials. Although tensile and compression specimen geometries are among the most common, opportunities remain for investigating alternative geometries that could provide unique insights into the plasticity of irradiated materials. This work demonstrates a new TEM in situ cantilever beam configuration. Cantilevers are produced from as-received and proton-irradiated (1 dpa, 500°C) Fe-9%Cr oxide dispersion-strengthened steel. Flow stress is measured using a TEM in situ depth-sensing mechanical testing holder. A 200-MPa increase in flow stress is measured due to irradiation. Size effects arise when the intrinsic (i.e., microstructural) size approaches the extrinsic (i.e., external dimensions) size and can be described using a power law relationship as a function of the material microstructure and cantilever dimensions.
Appropriate operating room time allocations and half-day block time for low caseload proceduralists, including anesthesiologist pain medicine physicians in the State of Florida.

Abstract Study objective We analyzed University of Iowa operating room data to estimate whether it would be economically rational to allocate, every two weeks, an operating room to anesthesiology pain medicine physicians or a half-day session to individual proceduralists. We investigated the generalizability of the results by studying anesthesiologist pain medicine physicians working at all hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in the State of Florida. Design Observational, cohort study of spinal neuromodulation procedures. Measurements Hours of daily operating room time and cases by anesthesiologist pain medicine physicians at the University of Iowa, and in Florida in 2018. For each two-week period, we calculated the difference in hours between (1) the under-utilized time from allocating 8 h and (2) time-and-a-half times the over-utilized time from no allocated time. Main results The mean greater cost from allocating 8 h vs 0 h equaled 3.89 h, significantly >0 (P = 0.0001, N = 77 periods). Sample mean activities were 0.79 cases and 1.64 h, At least 76.6% (95% lower confidence limit) of Florida surgical facilities performing ≥1 neuromodulation procedures averaged Conclusions Among anesthesiologist proceduralists in Florida using operating room time for neurostimulator procedures, most perform too few cases weekly for the economically appropriate planning of block time. Few Florida facilities would have enough cases, even potentially, to warrant allocating operating room time.
Mitochondria as central characters in a complex narrative: Linking genomics, energetics, pace-of-life, and aging in natural populations of garter snakes

As a pacesetter for physiological processes, variation in metabolic rate can determine the shape of energetic trade-offs and thereby drive variation in life-history traits. In turn, such variation in metabolic performance and life-histories can have profound consequences for lifespan and lifetime fitness. Thus, the extent to which metabolic rate variation is due to phenotypic plasticity or fixed genetic differences among individuals or populations is likely to be shaped by natural selection. Here, we first present a generalized framework describing the central role of mitochondria in processes linking environmental, genomic, physiological, and aging variation. We then present a test of these relationships in an exemplary system: populations of garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) exhibiting contrasting life-history strategies - fast-growing, early-reproducing, and fast-aging (FA) versus slow-growing, late-reproducing, and slow-aging (SA). Previous work has characterized divergences in mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species processing, and whole-organism metabolic rate between these contrasting life-history ecotypes. Here, we report new data on cellular respiration and mitochondrial genomics and synthesize these results with previous work. We test hypotheses about the causes and implications of mitochondrial genome variation within this generalized framework. First, we demonstrate that snakes of the FA ecotype increase cellular metabolic rate across their lifespan, while the opposite pattern holds for SA snakes, implying that reduced energetic throughput is associated with a longer life. Second, we show that variants in mitochondrial genomes are segregating across the landscape in a manner suggesting selection on the physiological consequences of this variation in habitats varying in temperature, food availability, and rates of predation. Third, we demonstrate functional variation in whole-organism metabolic rate related to these mitochondrial genome sequence variants. With this synthesis of numerous datasets, we are able to further characterize how variation across levels of biological organization interact within this generalized framework and how this has resulted in the emergence of distinct life-history ecotypes that vary in their rates of aging and lifespan.
A Case Study of Software Security Red Teams at Microsoft

The modern software security adversary employs persistent and evasive attack techniques, for example—using zero-day exploits that have not been disclosed publicly—to target high-profile companies for political and economic espionage or to exfiltrate sensitive data or intellectual property. To combat these threats, large organizations are adopting an emerging practice of staffing full-time offensive security teams, or red teams. To understand the workflows, culture, and day-to-day practices of software security engineers in red teams, we conducted 17 interviews with informants across five red teams within Microsoft. We found that software security engineers have substantial impact in the organization as they harden security practices, drawing from their diverse backgrounds. Software security engineers are both agile yet specialized in their activities, and closely emulate malicious adversaries—subject to some reasonable constraints. Although software security engineers are in some respects software engineers, they also have several consequential differences in how they write, maintain, and distribute software. The results of this work are applicable to practitioners, researchers, and toolsmiths who wish to understand how offensive security teams operate, situate, and collaborate with partner teams in their organization.
Large-scale inflatable structures for tunnel protection: a review of the Resilient Tunnel Plug project

The protection of underground civil infrastructure continues to be a high priority for transportation and transit security agencies. In particular, rail transit tunnels running under bodies of water are susceptible to disruptions due to flooding caused by extraordinary climatic events such as hurricanes or other events resulting from human activities. Several events have taken place in the past decades that have demonstrated the need to mitigate vulnerabilities or, at least, minimize the consequences of catastrophic events. Although it is impossible to prevent all situations that can lead to flooding, damage can be substantially decreased by reducing the area affected by the event. To minimize the effects of an event, a possible approach is to compartmentalize the tunnel system by creating temporary barriers that can contain the propagation of flooding until a more permanent solution can be implemented. One way to create a temporary barrier is by the deployment of a large-scale inflatable structure, also known as an inflatable plug. In such an application, the inflatable structure is prepared for placement, either permanently or temporally, and maintained ready for deployment, inflation, and pressurization when needed. The internal plug pressure imparts a normal force against the tunnel wall surface with the friction between the plug and tunnel surfaces opposing axial movement of the plug. The sealing effectiveness depends on the ability of the inflatable structure to self-deploy and fit, without human intervention, to the intricacies of the perimeter of the conduit being sealed. Primary design constraints include having the plug stowed away from the dynamic envelope of the trains and being able to withhold the pressure of the flooding water. This work presents a compilation of the main aspects of the activities completed for the development of large-scale inflatable structures as part of the Resilient Tunnel Plug (RTP) Project. The main test results and lessons learned are presented to demonstrate the viability of implementing large-scale inflatable plugs for the containment of flooding in rail tunnels systems. Over 400 coupon and specimen tests, 200 reduced scale tests, and 100 full-scale tests were conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of the design of different prototypes over a 10-year research and development project. The culmination of the work was 12 large-scale flooding demonstrations where the inflatable tunnel plug was shown able to be deployed remotely and withstand a simulated flooding event.
Concealment of juvenile bull trout in response to temperature, light, and substrate: Implications for detection

Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) are challenging to detect as a result of the species cryptic behavior and coloration, relatively low densities in complex habitats, and affinity for cold, high clarity, low conductivity waters. Bull trout are also closely associated with the stream bed, frequently conceal in substrate, and this concealment behavior is poorly understood. Consequently, population assessments are problematic and biologists and managers often lack quantitative information to accurately describe bull trout distributions, estimate abundance, and assess status and trends; particularly for stream-dwelling populations. During controlled laboratory trials, we recorded concealment, resting, and swimming behavior of juvenile wild bull trout in response to: (1) constant and fluctuating water temperature, (2) presence or absence of light, and (3) substrate size. Light level had the strongest influence on wild fish concealment and more fish concealed as light levels increased from darkness to daylight. Wild fish were 14.5 times less likely to conceal in constant darkness and 4.1 times more likely to conceal in 12 h light x 12 h darkness compared to constant light. Wild fish were 6.2 times less likely to conceal in small (26-51 mm) substrate compared to larger (52-102 mm) substrate. As water temperature increased, fewer wild fish concealed. Knowledge of wild bull trout concealment will improve field sampling protocols and increase detection efficiencies. These data also enhance knowledge of bull trout niche requirements which illuminates ecological differences among species and informs conservation and restoration efforts.
Views from students and professors in a nonmajor introductory physics course: What is interdisciplinarity?

While students and nonphysics professors expressed desires for the presence of interdisciplinary applications and connections in general college physics, physics professors identified potential risks involved in implementing such interdisciplinarity.
Ectopic ACTH Production Caused by Metastatic Parotid Gland Acinic Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract Objective To present a case of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) hypersecretion caused by a metastatic acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC) of the parotid. Only 6 cases have been reported prior to October 2019. We believe that this condition is under-reported and hope that improved recognition will improve its reporting. Methods Diagnosis in this case was done using surgical pathology of the primary tumor, involving lymph nodes, and a metastatic lesion. Following an initial misdiagnosis, a final diagnosis of AcCC was made using immunohistochemical staining. ACTH hypersecretion was diagnosed by testing for random ACTH, cortisol, and 24-hour urine aldosterone and cortisol levels. Results A 57-year-old man presented with hypokalemia, lower-extremity edema, and left-side rib pain 7 months following excision of a 4-cm left-parotid tumor. Immunostaining positive for DOG-1, CK7, pan-cytokeratin (including CAM5.2), and SOX10 led to the diagnosis of AcCC. ACTH hypersecretion was diagnosed based on a random ACTH level of 307 pg/mL (normal morning value, 7.2-63 pg/mL), a cortisol level of 33 μg/dL (normal morning value, 4.3-19.8 μg/dL; normal PM value, 3.1-15.0 μg/dL), a 24-hour urine aldosterone level of Conclusion Ectopic ACTH production caused by metastatic AcCC is a rare phenomenon but has been increasingly described over the last 15 years. We believe that this condition likely has a greater prevalence than what is reported and that improved recognition will lead to improved outcomes.
Microliter ultrafast centrifuge platform for size-based particle and cell separation and extraction using novel omnidirectional spiral surface acoustic waves

Asymmetric surface acoustic waves have been shown useful in separating particles and cells in many microfluidics designs, mostly notably sessile microdroplets. However, no one has successfully extracted target particles or cells for later use from such samples. We present a novel omnidirectional spiral surface acoustic wave (OSSAW) design that exploits a new cut of lithium niobate, 152 Y-rotated, to rapidly rotate a microliter sessile drop to ∼10 g, producing efficient multi-size particle separation. We further extract the separated particles for the first time, demonstrating the ability to target specific particles, for example, platelets from mouse blood for further integrated point-of-care diagnostics. Within ∼5 s of surface acoustic wave actuation, particles with diameter of 5 μm and 1 μm can be separated into two portions with a purity of 83% and 97%, respectively. Red blood cells and platelets within mouse blood are further demonstrated to be separated with a purity of 93% and 84%, respectively. These advancements potentially provide an effective platform for whole blood separation and point-of-care diagnostics without need for micro or nanoscale fluidic enclosures.
Patients’ Reactions to Letters Communicating Collateral Findings of Pragmatic Clinical Trials: a National Web-Based Survey

Collateral findings in pragmatic clinical trials are findings that may have implications for patients’ health but were not generated to address a trial’s primary research questions. It is uncertain how best to communicate these collateral findings to patients. To determine how reactions to a letter communicating collateral findings relate to who signed the letter, the type of finding, or whether the letter specified that the finding arose from a pragmatic clinical trial. Web-based survey experiment using a between-subjects design in which respondents were randomly assigned within education strata to view and respond to 1 of 16 hypothetical scenarios. Adults recruited from an online panel constructed from a probability sample of US-based postal addresses. The primary outcomes were the action the respondent would take next (i.e., contact a doctor immediately or something else) and the respondent’s emotional reactions (i.e., all positive, all negative, mixed, or none). A total of 4080 respondents had analyzable data. Although some effects were statistically significant (P < .05), none exceeded a prespecified threshold for policy relevance (15 or more percentage points). Ratings of letter clarity and level of understanding were lower for letters that included a description of the clinical trial. Signatory and level of detail about collateral findings did not substantially affect people’s intentions to take the recommended action of contacting their doctor. Deciding whether to include a description of the pragmatic clinical trial requires a trade-off between transparency and more difficulty understanding the contents of the letter.
On representative day selection for capacity expansion planning of power systems under extreme operating conditions

Abstract Capacity expansion planning (CEP) of power systems determines the optimal future generation mix and/or transmission lines. Due to the increasing penetration of renewables, CEP has to capture the hourly variations of renewable generator outputs and load demand. Since CEP problems typically involve planning horizons of several years, solving the fullspace models where the operating decisions corresponding to all the days is intractable. Therefore, some “representative days” are selected as a surrogate to the fullspace model. We present an input-based and a cost-based approach in combination with the k -means and the k -medoids clustering algorithms for representative day selection. The mathematical properties of the proposed algorithms are analyzed, including an approach to calculate the “optimality gap” of the investment decisions obtained from the representative day model to the fullspace model, and the relationship between the clustering error and the optimality gap. To capture the extreme operating conditions, two novel approaches, i.e., a “load shedding cost” approach and a “highest cost” approach, are proposed to identify the “extreme days”. We conclude with a case study based on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region, which compares the different approaches and the effects of adding the extreme days.
Development of a Tetracycline Resistant Strain of E. coli Sensitive to Ultraviolet Radiation

Multidrug resistance bacteria pose a significant threat to human health and the efforts of the medical community. Given our reliance on antibiotics for therapeutic treatment of bacterial infections it is imperative to understand the mechanism by which bacteria develop antibiotic resistance. In the present report we develop a strain of Escherichia coli capable of resisting high levels of tetracycline and other protein synthesis inhibitors. Furthermore the tetracycline resistant strain is approximately 1/3rd in length and is sensitive to UV radiation.
Assessing the Causal Effect of Childhood Corporal Punishment on Adult Violent Behavior: Methodological Challenges

Professor Straus9 article addresses a key scientific question in the debate over the use of corporal punishment: whether the practice has harmful consequences to society. In my discussion I have three goals. First, I want to discuss briefly some of the methodological challenges in testing the hypothesis that child corporal punishment causes societal violence. Second, I would like to set Straus9 work into a larger framework so we understand its contribution to the debate about corporal punishment, and how the evidence he provides could be used to help settle the question. Last, I will suggest a scientific approach to the study of corporal punishment that would provide a set of decision rules concerning whether accept or reject corporal punishment of children. METHODOLOGICAL CHALLENGES The issue of potential short- and long-term harm from corporal punishment is a major theme in the literature, and many studies have been conducted to address this issue. In his article, Straus uses two kinds of evidence: data from studies of societies; and studies comparing children who were spanked and children who were not on rates of violent behavior in adolescence or adulthood. There are several difficulties in using these scientific approaches. Societal Level Studies Straus references societal-level data from Montague1 on eight nonviolent societies, all of which raise children without use of corporal punishment, and anthropological studies of over 300 societies archived in the Human Resources Area File. He uses these data to examine whether corporal punishment is associated with violence such as assault, homicide, or wife-beating.
Prevalence of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Abnormalities in a Cohort of HLTV-1 Associated Myelopathy/ Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP) Patients (P4.071)

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of RNFL atrophy in visually asymptomatic patients with HAM/TSP. BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurement of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macula shows promise as a biomarker of neurodegeneration in chronic neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer disease. In these diseases, a strong link between chronic neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration has been suggested. In MS, OCT studies show progressive RNFL and macular atrophy even in patients with no history of optic neuritis. These changes are generally insidious, bilateral, and asymptomatic. HAM/TSP is a rare neuro-infectious and neuro-inflammatory disorder typically associated with slowly progressive spinal cord atrophy and disability. HAM/TSP patients without co-morbid HTLV-1-associated uveitis are most often visually asymptomatic, but it is not known if HTLV-1 affects the anterior visual pathways in the same manner that MS does. Such changes might be expected if chronic neuroinflammation is a contributing mechanism to neurodegeneration. DESIGN/METHODS: 8 HAM/TSP patients and 4 asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers were evaluated with OCT. RNFL thickness was obtained and compared with normative values. Results were correlated with EDSS and spinal cord cross-sectional area data from MRI. RESULTS: 100[percnt] of visually asymptomatic HAM/TSP patients and asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers had normal RNFL thickness measurements in at least one eye. 25[percnt] of each group had mildly abnormal RNFL or macular thickness measurements unilaterally. There was no correlation between RNFL or macular thinning and EDSS or spinal cord cross-sectional area. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral RNFL atrophy was not found in our cohort of HAM/TSP patients. This is in stark contrast to findings in MS and suggests that chronic neuroinflammation does not universally lead to widespread neurodegeneration and that patterns of atrophy are more likely disease-specific. The unexpectedly high incidence of unilateral abnormalities may indicate subclinical ocular disease and warrants further investigation. Study Supported by: National Institues of Health Disclosure: Dr. Tagg has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bakshi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Leibovitch has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nair has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ohayon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reich has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jacobson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cortese has nothing to disclose.
Comparative Studies of Plaque Variants Derived From a Florida Strain of Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus

Small- and large-plaque variants of a Florida strain (Fe 3-7c) of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus were studied in vivo and in vitro. The small-plaque variant was less virulent in mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs than the large-plaque variant. The variants could be distinguished by calcium phosphate chromatography. The implications of plaque variants within a mixed virus population are discussed.
Pharmacotherapy of head and neck cancer.

Introduction: There are over 55,000 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed annually in the United States. Historically surgical resection was the standard of care, but due to vital structures in the head and neck region this led to severe morbidity. The integration of pharmacotherapy has rapidly expanded over the years into a multimodality treatment paradigm for locally advanced head and neck cancer, allowing organ-sparing treatment approaches. Here we discuss the various approaches and settings in which chemotherapy can be incorporated into the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Areas covered: Chemotherapy in HNSCC can be administered in several different treatment circumstances: in the metastatic setting for palliation of symptoms and prolongation of survival, before definitive local treatment (induction), as part of definitive treatment simultaneously with radiation (concurrent) or after definitive local therapy (adjuvant).Expert opinion: The incorporation of chemotherapy ...
Trapping of Ions at Metal Surfaces

The surface trapping probability $S({E}_{i})$ of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ on Cu(001) has been measured for incident energies ${E}_{i}$ between 5 and 600 eV via resonant ion neutralization for both 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} incidence. For 8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} incidence, $S({E}_{i})$ decreases with increasing energy. For 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} incidence, however, $S({E}_{i})$ decreases to zero at approximately 25 eV, and then increases with increasing energy up to 125 eV. We explain this behavior in terms of the changing surface corrugation seen by an ion as its energy increases.
Evolutionary biology and feminism

Evolutionary biology and feminism share a variety of philosophical and practical concerns. I have tried to describe how a perspective from both evolutionary biology and feminism can accelerate the achievement of goals for both feminists and evolutionary biologists. In an early section of this paper I discuss the importance of variation to the disciplines of evolutionary biology and feminism. In the section entitled “Control of Female Reproduction” I demonstrate how insight provided by participation in life as woman and also as a feminist suggests testable hypotheses about the evolution of social behavior—hypotheses that are applicable to our investigations of the evolution of social behavior in nonhuman animals. In the section on “Deceit, Self-deception, and Patriarchal Reversals” I have overtly conceded that evolutionary biology, a scientific discipline, also represents a human cultural practice that, like other human cultural practices, may in parts and at times be characterized by deceit and self-deception. In the section on “Femininity” I have indicated how questions cast and answered and hypotheses tested from an evolutionary perspective can serve women and men struggling with sexist oppression.
Radical Antirealism and Wright's Antideflationary Argument

Critique de l'argument antideflationniste developpe par C. Wright a partir du discours admettant des etats d'information neutres et a partir de la notion d'assertibilite garantie. Montrant que l'argument de Wright ne s'applique pas a l'intuitionnisme mais a la conception epistemique de la verite et au realisme, l'A. analyse les regles d'inferences sur lesquelles repose l'argumentation de Wright (modus ponens, modus tollens introduction-negation, biconditionnels), d'une part, et complete les critiques de N. Tennant et S. Shapiro concernant l'antideflationnisme, d'autre part
DIAGNOSTIC PNEUMOPERICARDIOGRAPHY IN DOGS WITH SPONTANEOUS PERICARDIAL EFFUSION

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pneumopericardiography, diagnostic pneumopericardiograms from 39 dogs with spontaneous pericardial effusion of various etiologies were reviewed. Diagnoses were confirmed by surgical biopsy, necropsy, or follow-up evaluation. Thirty-two of 39 studies (82%) were considered diagnostic. There were one false-positive and six false-negative studies. Fifteen of 16 studies (94%) in dogs with idiopathic sanguinous pericardial effusion were negative (i.e., similar to those in normal dogs). Seven of 12 right atrial hemangiosarcomas (58%), six of six heartbase neoplasms (100%), and two of two pericardial cysts (100%) were outlined. Studies in two cases of infective pericarditis revealed abnormal findings, while a negative study was obtained in one patient with pericardial mesothelioma. Lateral positions were most valuable in idiopathic effusions and for outlining heartbase neoplasms. The left lateral recumbent position was particularly important for outlining hemangiosarcomas. Pericardial cysts were profiled best in ventral or dorsal recumbent positions. This study documents the high diagnostic potential of technically adequate pneumopericardiograms in the etiologic diagnosis of pericardial effusion in the dog.
Poverty, income distribution and child welfare in Latin America: A comparison of pre- and post-recession data

Abstract The traditional and external dependency of most Latin American economies and their recent pattern of growth has made them particularly vulnerable to the unexpected and severe changes of the world economy that began in 1979–1980. Even those countries with less open economies have been forced to seek adjustments to the new world situation that are, both in nature and consequences, essentially different from those of the interdependent industrial economies. This paper attempts to evaluate the impact of these recent economic changes on the living conditions of the populations of Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela. It is based on household data and is limited to those aspects of household living conditions that can be observed through the variables included in labour surveys. It analyses changes in overall income distribution, the movement of different socio-economic groups within the income pyramid and changes in these groups' livelihood strategies.
New protection against Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in infants and young children

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections carry high morbidity and mortality, primarily due to meningitis among infants less than 1 year of age. Two new vaccines, HbOC and PRP-OMP, have been developed and licensed to prevent invasive Hib infections in infants and young children. New recommendations advise clinicians to begin immunization for Hib at 2 months of age and to complete the designated series. This article details the new Hib immunization schedule for all pediatric clients between 2 months and 5 years. Additionally, public-health measures toward the prevention of serious pediatric morbidity and mortality are covered.
Theory of the spin excitations of Rb 2 Mn x Ni 1 − x F 4

We give a systematic treatment of the spin excitations of a family of disordered quasi-two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnets, ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{2}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{F}}_{4}$, for arbitrary values of $x$. The density of states, static response functions, and the dynamic susceptibility are calculated numerically. Results at several concentrations are presented graphically. We derive simple analytic theories which give an adequate description of the calculated quantities. The static response functions characterize excitations at low energy and long wave length, and enable us to predict the concentration dependence of the anisotropy gap frequency and the temperature dependence of the magnetization. The dynamic susceptibility is in good agreement with recent neutron-scattering experiments on ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.5}$${\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.5}$${\mathrm{F}}_{4}$. The spin-wave density of states for $0.1lxl1$ is found to split into two separated subbands, consisting essentially of Mn and Ni spin excitations, respectively. The evolution of the two subbands as a function of concentration is studied through the dynamic susceptibility, which resolves both $q$ and $\ensuremath{\omega}$, and by numerical tests for localization of the normal modes. The two-mode character of this system persists even after the gap between subbands has closed to become a pseudogap.