cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis May Lower Accuracy of AUS/FLUS Cytopathology in Surgical Patients

Abstract Background Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) increases cytologic atypia on fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules, and its effect on rate of malignancy in atypia of undetermined significance (AUS)/follicular lesions of undetermined significance (FLUS) thyroid nodules remains unclear. This study evaluates the effect of concomitant CLT on malignancy rates of AUS/FLUS thyroid nodules in surgical patients. Methods Retrospective review of 1061 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for a dominant thyroid nodule from a single institution was performed. Fine-needle aspiration was classified according to the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. Patients with AUS/FLUS cytopathology were classified into two cohorts: AUS/FLUS with CLT and AUS/FLUS without CLT. Final pathology was reviewed, and the cohorts were further stratified into benign and malignant subgroups. When applicable, patients with gene expression classifier (GEC) testing were reviewed and the positive predictive value (PPV) was calculated. Results Of the entire surgical series, 293 (28%) patients had AUS/FLUS cytopathology with a rate of malignancy of 56% (163/293) on final pathology. Seventy-three (25%) patients had AUS/FLUS with CLT, of which 44% (n = 32) were malignant by final pathology. The remaining 75% (n = 220) had AUS/FLUS without CLT, 60% (n = 131) of which were malignant. GEC testing was performed in 36 of the AUS/FLUS with CLT patients, where of the 33 suspicious results, 17 were malignant on final pathology, yielding a PPV of 52%. Conclusions The rate of malignancy for AUS/FLUS thyroid nodules is lower with coexisting CLT, and similar to previous studies, the PPV of GEC testing is approximately 50%. Cytologic atypia due to CLT may increase more AUS/FLUS results in thyroid nodules, which may lead to overestimation of malignancy rates in this patient population.
CNN-Based Indoor Occupant Localization via Active Scene Illumination

We propose and study a data-driven approach to indoor occupant localization using a network of single-pixel light sensors and modulated LED light sources. Locations are estimated by processing sensor data using a simple convolutional neural network (CNN). Unlike previous model-based methods, the proposed approach does not require knowledge of room dimensions, locations of LEDs and sensors, and assumptions about material properties and object heights. We quantitatively validate the performance of our approach in simulated and real-world environments in private and public scenarios. In Unity3D simulations, compared to the best-performing benchmark method, our approach reduces the average localization error by 47.69% in private scenarios and by 46.99% in public scenarios. Similarly, in a real testbed the error is reduced by 36.54% and 11.46% in private and public scenarios respectively.
General vs Spinal Anesthesia for Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Single-Institution Observational Review

Abstract Background Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) can be successfully carried out under general (GA) or spinal anesthesia (SA). The existing literature does not adequately illustrate which technique is optimal. The purpose of this study is to prospectively compare the effects of anesthesia technique on TJA outcomes. Methods This 2-year, prospective, observational study was conducted at a single institution where patients receiving primary TJA were consecutively enrolled. Patients were contacted postoperatively to assess for any 90-day complications. The primary outcome of the study was the overall complication rate. Results A total of 2242 patients underwent total hip arthroplasty (n = 656; 29.26%) or total knee arthroplasty (n = 1586; 70.74%) between 2015 and 2017. Of these procedures, 1325 (59.10%) were carried out under SA and 917 (40.90%) were carried out under GA. Patients in the GA cohort had higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (0.05 SA vs 0.09 GA; P Conclusion Our study demonstrates that SA for TJA is associated with a decrease in overall complications and healthcare resource utilization.
Impact of an enhanced recovery program for cesarean delivery on postoperative opioid use.

Abstract Background Cesarean delivery is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide and the adoption of enhanced recovery programs for cesarean delivery is gaining popularity. We tested the hypothesis that implementation of an enhanced recovery program for cesarean delivery would be associated with a decrease in postoperative opioid consumption. Methods We compared a retrospective cohort of women delivered by elective cesarean delivery (January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) to a prospective cohort exposed to the enhanced recovery protocol (July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018). The primary outcome was inpatient maternal opioid use, measured as total oral morphine equivalents. Secondary outcomes included postoperative 0–10 pain scores, length of stay, 30-day postoperative complication rates, and hospital re-admissions. Results Data from 541 patients were analyzed. The enhanced recovery cohort used significantly less oral morphine equivalents compared with the pre-enhanced recovery cohort (60.3 mg vs 104.3 mg, P Conclusions The implementation of an enhanced recovery program for cesarean delivery was associated with a significant reduction in postoperative opioid consumption throughout hospitalization, with average pain scores remaining
Cold season warming in the North Atlantic during the last 2000 years: Evidence from Southwest Iceland

Abstract. Temperature reconstructions from the Northern Hemisphere (NH) generally indicate cooling over the Holocene which is often attributed to decreasing summer insolation. However, climate model simulations predict that rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and the collapse of the Laurentian ice sheet caused mean annual warming during this epoch. This contrast could reflect a bias in temperature proxies, and particularly a lack of proxies that record cold (late fall–early spring) season temperatures, or inaccuracies in climate model predictions of NH temperature. We reconstructed winter–spring temperatures during the Common Era (i.e. the last 2000 years) using alkenones, lipids produced by Isochrysidales haptophyte algae that bloom during spring ice-off, preserved in sediments from Vestra Gislholtsvatn (VGHV), southwest Iceland. Our record indicates cold-season temperatures warmed during the last 2000 years, in contrast to NH averages. Sensitivity tests with a lake energy balance model show that this warming is likely driven by increasing winter–spring insolation. We also found distinct seasonal differences in centennial-scale, cold-season temperature variations in VGHV compared to existing records of summer and annual temperatures from Iceland. Sustained or abrupt cooling in VGHV temperatures are associated with the cumulative effects of solar minima and volcanic eruptions, and potentially ocean and sea-ice feedbacks associated with cooling in the broader Arctic. However, multi-decadal to centennial-scale changes in cold season temperatures were strongly modulated by internal climate variability, i.e. the North Atlantic Oscillation, which can result in winter warming in Iceland even after a major negative radiative perturbation.
Incidence of and Risk Factors for Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis After Anterior Shoulder Instability: A US Population-Based Study With Average 15-Year Follow-up.

Background:The rate of osteoarthritis (OA) in patients with a history of previous anterior shoulder instability (ASI) varies within the literature, with the majority of studies investigating rates ...
Review of Developing Teacher Leaders in Special Education: An Administrator’s Guide to Building Inclusive Schools

This is a review of Maggin and Hughes' (2020) Developing Teacher Leaders in Special Education: An Administrator’s Guide to Building Inclusive Schools. This review contains a brief summary of each chapter, along with a review of the book.
Increases in Graduate Student Debt in the US: 2000 to 2016

With enrollments rising in recent years, more than half of all graduate level students in US institutions take on educational loans. Using data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), this study examined educational debt for graduate and professional students in 2000 and 2016 and explored whether significant predictors of debt changed over time. Results show that those with undergraduate debt were more likely to take on loans for graduate school and that Black/African American students borrowed significantly more than graduate students in other racial/ethnic groups. Findings also showed that institutional reliance on tuition and being Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino were more significantly associated with borrowing in 2016 than in 2000. Consistent with notions of human capital, graduate level education may offer higher long-term salaries and higher quality of life. However, increasing graduate level debt may curtail other life choices, may discourage students from enrolling and persisting, or may motivate degree earners to pursue different program or career options due to accumulated loans.
Opinion: For now, it's unethical to use human challenge studies for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.

The prospect of a widely available severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine is an increasingly high priority for an effective response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and an area of intense interest and attention for professionals, politicians, and the public alike. The understandable desire for such a vaccine has led to significant discussion and even some planning for the possibility of human challenge studies (HCS) as a tool for accelerating the process for identifying, testing, and developing an effective vaccine (1⇓–3). Proponents of human challenge studies suggest that they will accelerate the time to approved vaccines. But the facts don’t support those claims. Image credit: Shutterstock/REDPIXEL.PL. Typically, undertaking HCS in vaccine development requires that the disease for which a challenge would be introduced either has an available rescue therapy to treat those who become infected or the disease is known to be self-limiting. There is no rescue therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and proponents of HCS have claimed that the infection is likely to be self-limiting and mild in young, healthy volunteers based on current understanding of the infection. If accurate, the basic requirements for undertaking an HCS could be met if conducted with that population. Proponents further argue that such HCS are ethically acceptable in the current pandemic. Most critically, they contend that these studies are likely to speed the development of effective vaccines. But based on our assessment of these arguments, we disagree. We believe it is unethical to move forward with such trials at the current time. Whereas proponents of these studies suggest that such studies will accelerate the time to approved vaccines, the facts fail to support these claims. HCS to address SARS-CoV-2 face unacceptable ethics challenges, and, further, undertaking them would do a disservice to the public by … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: jeffkahn{at}jhu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Cell cycle detection using phase imaging with computational specificity (PICS)

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI), with its capability to capture intrinsic contrast within transparent samples, has emerged as an important imaging method for biomedical research. However, due to its label-free nature, QPI lacks specificity and thus faces limitations in complex cellular systems. In our previous works, we have proposed phase imaging with computational specificity (PICS), a novel AI-enhanced imaging approach that advances QPI by utilizing deep learning for specificity. Here we present that PICS can be applied to study individual cell behavior and cellular dry mass change across different phases of the cell cycle. The cell cycle information is traditionally obtained by fluorescence microscopy with markers like Fluorescence Ubiquitin Cell Cycle Indicator (FUCCI). Our work showed that using deep learning, we can train a neural network to accurately predict the cell cycle phase (G1, S, or G2) for each individual cell.
A rare case of postnatal mosaic trisomy 12 with severe congenital heart disease and literature review

Trisomy 12 is a rare autosomal aneuploidy. All postnatally diagnosed individuals with trisomy 12 have been mosaic for this chromosome abnormality. We herein report an infant girl presented at 2 weeks of age with severe congenital heart defect, tracheobronchomalacia, and dysmorphic features. All of the dysmorphic features of this patient fit into the known phenotype spectrum of mosaic trisomy 12, although this patient uniquely presented with macrocephaly. Tracheo-bronchomalacia has been described once previously but had a significant impact on this patient's clinical course. The patient passed away at 2-month-old due to cardiac and respiratory complications. Chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray analysis on a peripheral blood sample from the patient revealed trisomy 12 in approximately 50% of cells. Concurrent fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of uncultured blood cells detected a comparable level of trisomy 12 mosaicism. Compared to conventional cytogenetics, SNP microarray examines all nucleated cells without sampling bias, has an increased power to estimate mosaicism level, and can provide a quick assessment of the underlying mechanism. Here we demonstrate the utilization of SNP microarray in the clinical diagnosis of those once considered rare disorders but might have been missed by conventional cytogenetic techniques.
Stability Evaluation of Candidate Precursors for Chemical Vapor Deposition of Hafnium Diboride (HfB2).

Alternative candidate precursors to [Hf(BH4)4] for low-temperature chemical vapor deposition of hafnium diboride (HfB2) films were identified using density functional theory simulations of molecule...
Robust retrieval of soil moisture at field scale across wide-ranging SAR incidence angles for soybean, wheat, forage, oat and grass

Abstract Surface soil moisture is estimated by inverting physical scattering models for low- crops using L-band airborne SAR data over the incidence angle range from 30 to 50°. The forward simulation is accurate with 1.7, 1.8, and 2.3 dB rmse for grass, wheat (including oat and forage), and soybean respectively assessed over 38 fields and during the full growth period for soybean. Dominant scattering mechanisms revealed by the model are found consistent across the incidence angle range: surface (VV) and double bounce (HH) for grass, double bounce for both polarization of wheat, and surface (young plant) and volume (mature plant) for both polarization of soybean. The model fidelity is robust across incidence angles between 30 and 50°, benefiting from rigorously simulating the three scattering mechanisms and successfully simulating the effect of vegetation and roughness. The soil moisture estimates are accurate to unbiased rmse of 0.041, 0.059 and 0.060 m3/m3 and correlation of 0.71, 0.83, and 0.69 for grass, wheat, and soybean fields, respectively over the soil moisture dynamic range up to 0.5 m3/m3, and soybean's full growth cycle. Vegetation water content and surface roughness are retrieved simultaneously to the soil moisture solutions, thus constraining the inversion of soil moisture. The retrieval performance is fairly uniform across the incidence angle, partly because of the reliable forward modeling across the incidence angle and also thanks to the reliable retrieval strategy. The robustness against the incidence angle supports frequent global mapping. The use of both HH and VV offers superior soil moisture retrievals than single-channel VV or HH input perfoms, by 0.034 m3/m3 unbiased rmse for grass and by 0.01 m3/m3 for wheat and soybean. The VV-based retrieval performed better than HH for grass and soybean, where surface scattering was important, but either choice resulted in similar retrieval accuracy for double-bounce dominanted wheat. No need for quad-pol and multi-angular observations would allow the retrieval approach to be applicable for spaceborne global mapping.
Introducing isotonic fluids into pediatric oncology.

Objective: Hypotonic fluids are commonly used in pediatric oncology despite evidence that these fluids can lead to hospital-acquired hyponatremia. This practice is most likely due to lack of data evaluating risks and benefits of isotonic fluids in pediatric oncology. To address this issue, our study investigates the effects of exchanging hypotonic fluids with isotonic fluids in a large pediatric oncology unit. Study Design: Prevalence of laboratory disorders before and after the change to balanced, isotonic fluids for all patients are compared in this retrospective analysis. Disturbances in electrolyte levels, fluid-, acid-base balance and kidney function were examined. Results: The rate of hyponatremia was reduced using isotonic fluids. There were no hypernatremic events. Volume overload might increase the use of furosemide when using isotonic fluids. Potassium and bivalent cation levels increased. The risk of acidosis is greatly reduced, whereas alkalosis was more frequent due to furosemide use. The rate of acute kidney injury did not increase. Conclusion: Using isotonic fluids for hyper-hydration in pediatric oncology lead to a modest reduction of hospital-acquired hyponatremia without causing hypernatremia, but the effects on fluid balance need further investigation. The additional intake of bivalent cations and buffering anions in balanced fluids has measurable effects.
The Relevance of Subplate Modifications to Connectivity in the Cerebral Cortex of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been widely described as a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by connectional changes within the cerebral cortex. These alterations to connectivity are thought to underlie many of the behavioral and neurophysiological findings that characterize the disorder. Suggestions of altered connectivity are not unique to ASD, but have also been hypothesized as being a key component in epilepsy, Down syndrome, and schizophrenia. Here we discuss other disorders characterized by disconnectivity and ASD’s neuropathological relationship to these disconnectivity syndromes. One potentially important understudied contributor to disconnectivity in ASD is the cortical subplate. The subplate is a neurodevelopmental compartment that precedes the establishment of the cerebral cortex and that has been shown to be responsible for guiding a multitude of long-range connections within the brain. Although largely transitory during development, some subplate neurons persist into adulthood where they may play a role in gating activity within the overlying cortex and establishing synchronized activity between cortical regions. Findings in ASD suggest that the subplate may be an important contributor to alterations in cortical organization, but the complete nature of this contribution has yet to be explored.
Craving for Alcohol, Loss of Control, and Relapse: A Cognitive-Behavioral Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review of the relapse process as traditionally defined within the medical or “disease” model of alcoholism. In the traditional approach, alcoholism is viewed as an addiction, and relapse is defined as the sequence of events leading to readdiction following a period of abstinence from alcohol use. This is the common usage of the term in medical parlance, and is reflected in the following definition of relapse taken from Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary: “A recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement.” This same dictionary defines addiction as “compulsive physiological need for a habit-forming drug.” Consistent with this emphasis on addiction as a physiological need, proponents of the medical model frequently attribute an alcoholic’s relapse to internal symptoms such as physical craving for alcohol or an involuntary, compulsive loss of control over drinking. Falling off the wagon after a period of abstinence is thus taken as a pathognomonic symptom of alcoholism.
Robotic Strain Imaging for Monitoring Thermal Ablation of Liver

This report describes our initial in vitro results with robotically-assisted strain imaging for intraoperative monitoring of hepatic tumor thermal ablation. First, we demonstrate a strong correlation between thermal ablation of liver tissue and changes in elastic properties. Second, we present an experimental environment to provide controlled robotically-assisted compression of liver tissue with concurrent ultrasonic reading. Third, we present B-mode strain images of thermally treated liver samples, where the strain images corresponded to the boundaries of histologically confirmed necrosis.
Bug Catching for the State: Gathering Baseline Ecological Information Under Wave

In the ongoing process of establishing and maintaining water quality, state regulators have been challenged by a general lack of information about the condition of our nation’s waters. This dilemma largely results from inadequate resources to conduct water quality investigations. Presently, state regulators lack water quality information for hundreds of thousands of miles of water resources. One recent trend to correct this informational deficiency converges the reach of citizen monitoring with the efficiency of indicator species analysis, such as in New York’s Wadeable Assessment of Volunteer Evaluators (WAVE) pilot program. This article will highlight state and federal efforts to evaluate the biological health of streams though the collection and identification of macroinvertebrate indicators by citizen volunteers. The article identifies the basic regulatory principles at stake and the numerous quality assurances set in place by different programs to ensure reliable data.
Balancing wear and traction with lithium catalyzed polymers

This paper is a report of methods of balancing wear and traction in passenger tire treads with lithium catalyzed polymers. The results demonstrate the versatility of the alkyllithium system for preparing a wide variety of polymers and copolymers with differing wear and traction properties in passenger tire treads. In addition, the use of this system for preparing polymers with improved processing and green strength is briefly discussed. Es wird uber den Ausgleich von Verschleis und Rutschverhalten bei Personenwagenreifen mit Lithium-katalysierten Polymeren berichtet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Vielfaltigkeit von Alkyllithium-Systemen zur Herstellung einer breiten Palette von Polymeren und Copolymeren mit verschiedenen Verschleis- und Abriebeigenschaften. Ferner wird die Anwendung dieses Systems fur die Herstellung von Polymeren mit verbesserter Verarbeitbarkeit und Festigkeit diskutiert.
Daytime Physical Activity and Sleep in Hospitalized Older Adults: Association with Demographic Characteristics and Disease Severity

OBJECTIVES To assess objectively measured daytime physical activity and sleep duration and efficiency in hospitalized older adults and explore associations with demographic characteristics and disease severity.
Characterization of Fuel Composition Effects in H2∕CO∕CH4 Mixtures Upon Lean Blowout

This paper describes measurements of the dependence of lean blowout limits upon fuel composition for H 2 /CO/CH 4 mixtures. Blowout limits were obtained at fixed approach flow velocity, reactant temperature, and combustor pressure at several conditions. Consistent with prior studies, these results indicate that the percentage of H 2 in the fuel dominates the mixture blowout characteristics. That is, flames can be stabilized at lower equivalence ratios, adiabatic flame temperatures, and laminar flame speeds with increasing H 2 percentage. In addition, the blowoff phenomenology qualitatively changes with hydrogen levels in the fuel, being very different for mixtures with H 2 levels above and below about 50%. It is shown that standard well stirred reactor based correlations, based upon a Damkohler number with a diffusivity ratio correction, can capture the effects of fuel composition variability on blowoff limits.
Non-categorical problem lists in a primary-care information system.

Abstract An ambulatory-care patient-tracking system has been implemented that records non-categorical problem descriptions in the outpatient problem list. The system does not restrict physicians to the use of predefined diagnostic categories. Instead, the system stores patient problems in a database as free-text records. Subsequent diagnostic categorization and coding is accomplished through prompted free-text input and appropriate reference databases. This system design allows an outpatient problem-list summary to reflect non-categorical health-status information in addition to coded medical diagnoses.
Discounting of delayed and probabilistic losses over a wide range of amounts

The present study examined delay and probability discounting of hypothetical monetary losses over a wide range of amounts (from $20 to $500,000) in order to determine how amount affects the parameters of the hyperboloid discounting function. In separate conditions, college students chose between immediate payments and larger, delayed payments and between certain payments and larger, probabilistic payments. The hyperboloid function accurately described both types of discounting, and amount of loss had little or no systematic effect on the degree of discounting. Importantly, the amount of loss also had little systematic effect on either the rate parameter or the exponent of the delay and probability discounting functions. The finding that the parameters of the hyperboloid function remain relatively constant across a wide range of amounts of delayed and probabilistic loss stands in contrast to the robust amount effects observed with delayed and probabilistic rewards. At the individual level, the degree to which delayed losses were discounted was uncorrelated with the degree to which probabilistic losses were discounted, and delay and probability loaded on two separate factors, similar to what is observed with delayed and probabilistic rewards. Taken together, these findings argue that although delay and probability discounting involve fundamentally different decision-making mechanisms, nevertheless the discounting of delayed and probabilistic losses share an insensitivity to amount that distinguishes it from the discounting of delayed and probabilistic gains.
Activation of NF-κB is required for mediating proliferative and antiapoptotic effects of progastrin on proximal colonic crypts of mice, in vivo

Mice overexpressing progastrin (PG) in intestinal mucosa (fatty acid-binding protein (Fabp)-PG mice) are at an increased risk of proximal colon carcinogenesis in response to azoxymethane. Here, we report a significant increase in the length of proximal colonic crypts in Fabp-PG mice, associated with potent antiapoptotic effects of PG, which likely contributed to the previously reported increase in colon carcinogenesis in Fabp-PG mice. Phosphorylation of kinase of IkappaBalpha (IKKalpha/beta), inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB)alpha and p65NF-kappaB was significantly elevated in proximal colonic crypts of Fabp-PG versus wild-type mice, which was associated with degradation of IkappaBalpha and nuclear translocation/activation of p65. Surprisingly, distal colonic crypt cells were not as responsive to elevated levels of PG in Fabp-PG mice. Annexin II, recently described as a high-affinity receptor for PG, strongly co-localized with PG intracellularly and on basolateral membranes of proximal crypt cells, providing evidence that annexin-II binds PG in situ in colonic crypt cells. Proliferative and antiapoptotic effects of PG on proximal crypts of Fabp-PG mice were attenuated to wild-type levels, on treatment with NEMO peptide (an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation), demonstrating for the first time a critical role of NF-kappaB in mediating hyperproliferative affects of PG on colonic crypts of Fabp-PG mice, in vivo. Thus, downregulation of NF-kappaB may significantly reduce the increased risk of colon carcinogenesis in response to PG.
Mall attributes and shopping value: Differences by gender and generational cohort

Abstract Shopping value is a two-dimensional concept that captures the hedonic and utilitarian benefits derived from a consumer visit to a retail store. Extending the concept to the context of a shopping mall provides a measure of the benefits derived from experiencing a set of mall attributes. A number of studies have looked at antecedents and outcomes of shopping value for retail stores. But only one study has examined shopping value in the context of a mall and no studies could be located that examine the moderating effects of gender and generational cohort on mall attribute importance and shopping value. The current study investigates the extent to which attitudes toward mall attributes and shopping value derived from a mall visit differ across gender and generational cohorts. Analysis of survey results show no differences in hedonic and utilitarian shopping values by generational cohort, but generational differences in attitude toward mall hygiene factors, locational convenience and entertainment features did exist. Results also show that females derive greater levels of hedonic shopping value from a trip to the mall and also show more positive attitudes toward mall hygiene factors and entertainment options in comparison to males. No difference in utilitarian shopping value and attitude toward locational convenience were found between males and females.
Ownership, empowerment, and productivity: Some empirical evidence on the causes and consequences of employee discretion

Abstract This paper uses a sample of professional engineers employed in the public and private sector to investigate the effect of sector employment, indicators of task complexity, organization size, number of rules, importance, and attentiveness and agreement among various principals (customers or clients, peers, mid- and top-level management, and politicians) on both employee discretion and a subjective measure of employee productivity. The results show that disagreement among important and attentive proximate principals (mid-level managers) expands discretion, but disagreement among important and attentive distant principals (top executives and politicians) reduces discretion. Sector has no direct or indirect effect on discretion. When customers or clients and peers are important and attentive principals, discretion increases, and so does productivity. Monitoring by mid-level management has no effect on productivity. Because disagreement among distant principals is greater in the public sector, devolution of authority alone is unlikely to increase public sector productivity. © 2000 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Failure in management of pituitary tumors discussion of 3 cases.

Three patients with pituitary adenomas (ACTH-secreting, non-secretory, and multi-secretory) with unfavorable course, in spite of repeated microsurgery, drag therapy, as well as radiotherapy and radiosurgery, are presented. Each case was re-evaluated for possible flaws in management. Two of the invasive tumors continued to grow, in spite of correct management. The third patient with a pituitary adenoma underwent microsurgical resection, and later following a false positive finding of recurrence, received radiotherapy and underwent radiosurgery. The lesion actually was chronic inflammatory tissue.
Neonatal phenobarbital imprinting of rat hepatic microsomal testosterone hydroxylations

The effects of neonatally administered phenobarbital (PB) on adult rat hepatic microsomal metabolism of testosterone were examined in 60-, 90-, and 120-day-old animals. Phenobarbital-induced imprinting was evident at all ages; however, female rats appeared to be more susceptible to the neonatal effects of phenobarbital than did male rats. In 60-day-old female rats, increased testosterone 2 alpha-hydroxylase activity was observed in microsomes from noninduced rats, whereas decreased testosterone oxidation at all positions except 2 alpha and 15 beta was observed in microsomes from Aroclor 1254-induced rats. The decreased oxidation of testosterone at specific sites in response to Aroclor 1254 induction was quite dramatic, decreasing the activities to near or below control levels. By contrast, phenobarbital-treated 60-day-old males exhibited approximately a twofold increase in Aroclor 1254-induced 16 alpha and 2 alpha-hydroxylase activities. The pattern of changes in testosterone metabolism observed in phenobarbital-treated animals was different at both 90 and 120 days from that at 60 days. Only minor alterations in the oxidation of testosterone were observed in 90-day-old animals of either sex. In 120-day-old animals the greatest effects of neonatal phenobarbital exposure were on Aroclor 1254-induced 16 beta-hydroxylase activities. In induced female rats 16 beta-hydroxylase activity was again decreased to noninduced levels, while in induced male rats a fourfold increase in this activity was observed. The results demonstrate that neonatal exposure to phenobarbital can alter both constitutive and Aroclor 1254-induced testosterone metabolism in adult rats and that the effects of neonatal phenobarbital exposure are age and sex differentiated.
Effects of response prevention upon the “Kamin effect” in rats

After rats had incompletely learned a shuttle escape-avoidance task, response prevention procedures were introduced and animals were retested on the avoidance task after 0, 1, or 24 h. Female control animals, which did not receive response prevention, showed the U-shaped retention function characteristic of the “Kamin effect,” while response prevention disrupted avoidance performance under every condition. Male rats exhibited a much smaller effect with minimal recovery after 24 h. Results were discussed in terms of potential methodological and theoretical significance for the problem of residual fear.
Thermal quenching of luminescence and isovalent trap model for rare‐earth‐ion‐doped AlN

Investigations of the luminescent properties of Pr-, Eu-, Tb- and Tm-implanted AlN thin films at temperature in the range 9 – 830 K are reported. The temperature studies of photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence spectra revealed unexpectedly weak thermal quenching for all investigated rare earth (RE) ions. The maximum CL emission is observed from Eu (red) at 485 K, Tb (green) at 590 K and Tm (blue) at 530 K, respectively. For Tb- and Tm-doped AlN samples, temperature-dependent crossrelaxation processes were observed. Photoluminescence excitation spectra, obtained under UV excitation in the spectral range 200 – 400 nm, exhibit several bands. It is proposed that the RE ions exist in semiconductors as isolated ions (singlet), nearest-neighbor (nn) ion pairs (dimer), and three ions (trimer). The Koster – Slater and simple spherical potential-well models for RE-structured isovalent (RESI) hole trap are proposed. The exciton binding energies of RESI traps are calculated and compared with experimental thermal-quenching energies. The energy-transfer processes between the AlN host and the 4f-shell systems are emphasized as the main mechanisms for thermal-quenching processes rather than nonradiative decay of 4f transitions.
Calorimetry and Thermogravimetry of Bound Water in Dried Milk and Whey Powders

Abstract Thermal data show that water is sorbed by milk and whey powders through primarily weak binding forces at low to intermediate relative humidities. Heat required to release and vaporize such bound water, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry is 10.1±0.4kcal per mole of water desorbed from whole or skimmilk powders. When milk or whey powders sorb sufficient water, at≥50% relative humidity, to induce lactose crystallization or changes in protein conformation, the differential scanning calorimetry pattern becomes more complex, desorption is completed at a higher temperature and the enthalpy of desorption increases by 1.44 to 2.44kcal per mole.
Target Plate Conditions During Stochastic Boundary Operation on DIII-D

A major concern for large tokamaks like ITER is the presence of edge localized modes (ELMs) that repeatedly send large bursts of particles and heat into the divertor plates. Operation with resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP) at the boundary of DIII=D has suppressed ELMs for values of q95 {approx} 3.7. At the target plate, the conditions during ELM suppressed operation for both high and low collisionality are observed by a set of radially distributed Langmuir probes. At high collisionality (n*{approx}1), the target plate particle flux and temperature drops by > 30% during ELM suppression. At low collisionality (n*{approx}0.1), the core density, target plate density, and target plate particle flux drop but the plate electron temperature increases after the ELMs are suppressed. The ELM-suppressed target plate heat flux is nearly the same as the heat flux between ELMs but the (5X higher) transient heat flux peaks due to ELMs are eliminated.
Cystoid macular edema in a pseudophakic patient after switching from latanoprost to BAK-free travoprost.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report a case of cystoid macular edema (CME) in a pseudophakic patient after switching from latanoprost to BAK-free travoprost. Methods: This study is presente...
Experimental and simulation studies of resistivity in nanoscale copper films.

Abstract The effect of film thickness on the resistivity of thin, evaporated copper films (approximately 10–150 nm thick) was determined from sheet resistance, film thickness, and mean grain-size measurements by using four-point probe, profilometer, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods, respectively. The resistivity of these films increased with decreasing film thickness in a manner that agreed well with the dependence given by a versatile simulation program, published earlier, using the measured values for the mean grain size and fitting parameters for surface and grain boundary scattering. Measurements of the change in sheet resistance with temperature of these films and the known change in resistivity with temperature for pure, bulk copper were used to calculate the thickness of these films electrically by using Matthiessen’s rule (this is often referred to as an “electrical thickness”). These values agreed to within 3 nm of those obtained physically with the profilometer. Hence, Matthiessen’s rule can continue to be used to measure the thickness of a copper film and, by inference, the cross-sectional area of a copper line for dimensions well below the mean free path of electrons in copper at room temperature (39 nm).
A Study of the boron-11 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the (3)-1,2-B9C2H-12 and [(3)-1,2-B9C2H11]2Co- ions

Abstract The 70.6 MHz 11 B NMR spectrum of(3)-1,2-B 9 C 2 H - 12 consists of five doublets of relative intensities 2/3/2/1/1 reading upfield. The proposed assignment of these doublet resonances is B(4, 7); B(6) and B(9, 12); B(5, 11); B(8) and B(10) respectively. The 11 B NMR spectrum of [(3)-1,2-B 9 C 2 H 11 ] 2 Co - contains five doublets of relative intensities 1/1/4/2/1 reading upfield. The proposed assignment of these doublets is B(8); B(10); B(9, 12) and B(4, 7); B(5, 11) and B(6) respectively.
A New Method of Matching Aquifer Performance and Determining Original Gas in Place

La quantite de gaz initial en place est calculee par programmation lineaire a partir des donnees mensuelles de production de gaz par poussee d'eau et des pressions en tete de fonds de puits. Cette methode n'est valable que pour les reservoirs ayant peu de puits car la pression a l'interphase gaz/eau doit etre uniforme
Aquired factor VIII inhibitor treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone

Life-threatening bleeding can occur in non-hemophiliacs with factor VIII inhibitor and is difficult to control. Various methods have been used to suppress the inhibitor. Since 1993 we treated 6 non-hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitor with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) every 3-4 weeks. Five had complete response with disappearance of factor VIII inhibitor and normalization of factor VIII after 1 to 7 cycles of CVP. One patient did not respond after 4 cycles of CVP; mitoxantrone was added to additional two cycles of CVP, and the inhibitor disappeared.
Eustatic control on early dolomitization of cyclic peritidal carbonates: Evidence from the Early Ordovician Upper Knox Group, Appalachians

The Early Ordovician Upper Knox Group is characterized by stacked meter-scale peritidal cycles that repeat at high frequencies (10 4 to 10 5 yr). Stacking patterns (stratigraphic trends in lithofacies and cycle thickness) of meter-scale cycles define five depositional sequences that, in conjunction with Fischer plots, delineate five long-term relative sea-level fluctuations during Upper Knox deposition. Intrabasinal and interbasinal correlation of Upper Knox Fischer plots suggests that the third-order sea-level events were eustatic. Meter-scale peritidal cycles likely formed in response to high-frequency, fourth-and fifth-order, eustatic sea-level fluctuations superimposed on these third-order sea-level events. Upper Knox cyclic carbonates are extensively dolomitized; as much as 85% of all dolomite is stratiform and consists of early dolomite exhibiting minor to extensive modification by burial dolomite. Synsedimentary dolomitization likely occurred in modified sea water during tidal-flat progradation governed by high-frequency sea-level events. This is suggested by the common association of dolomite with mud-cracked laminites and silicified evaporite nodules, the systematic decrease in dolomite abundance below laminite cycle caps, and the presence of dolomite clasts in regoliths veneering high-frequency cycle tops or in transgressive limestones of the overlying cycle. Dolomite distribution within depositional sequences shows a strong relationship to third- and fourth-order eustatic sea-level events, indicating that long-term eustasy also strongly controlled early dolomitization of Upper Knox carbonates. Mass-balance calculations show that the proposed sabkha model of dolomitization in concert with composite eustasy could generate stratiform dolomite of considerable vertical and lateral extent in peritidal cyclic carbonates. This reflects the duration of progradation and supratidal exposure (10 4 to 10 5 yr) available for dolomitization to proceed, and the broad zone of active dolomitization that would develop during continued progradation throughout each cycle period.
The epidermal growth factor receptor mediates radioresistance.

Abstract Purpose The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is frequently overexpressed in malignant tumors, and its level is correlated with increased cellular resistance to ionizing radiation. However, no precedent studies have investigated whether expression of EGF receptor would by itself confer on cancer cells resistance to radiation. The current study is aimed to address this question. Methods and materials A full-length human EGF receptor expression vector was transfected into the OCA-I murine ovarian carcinoma cells for stable clones expressing various levels of EGF receptors. Apoptosis and cell clonogenic survival assays were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the resulting cell clones to ionizing radiation. Results OCA-I cell clones expressing various levels of EGF receptor (OCA-I EGFR) were obtained. These clones showed an EGF receptor level–dependent increase in resistance to ionizing radiation, measured by apoptosis and cell clonogenic survival assays. Compared with the results for parental OCA-I and control vector-transfected OCA-I cells at the 10% cell survival level, the radioresistance was increased by a factor of 1.60 for EGFR-C5 (high level of EGF receptor expression), 1.37 for EGFR-C3 (intermediate level of EGF receptor expression), and 1.28 for EGFR-C1 (low level of EGF receptor expression). Treatment of the OCA-I EGF receptor transfectants with the anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibody C225 downregulated the levels of EGF receptor, reduced the phosphorylation levels of EGF receptor downstream substrates (such as Akt and MAPK), and reversed the cellular radioresistance. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that overexpression of the EGF receptor conferred cellular resistance to ionizing radiation. The EGF receptor is thus a valid target for potential radiosensitization.
Electronic structure studies of Ni(100) surface reconstructions resulting from carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen atom adsorption

Abstract Solid-state Fenske–Hall band structure calculations have been used to study the different surface structures which result from adsorption of a half monolayer of C, N, or O atoms on the Ni(1 0 0) surface. C or N atoms sit nearly coplanar with the surface Ni atoms and induce the “clock” reconstruction of the surface. In contrast, adsorbed O atoms sit slightly above the Ni(1 0 0) surface plane and have little effect on the overall surface structure. The local environments of the C, N, and O atoms on these surfaces are similar to their environments in a series of late transition metal carbonyl clusters, suggesting that some of the same electronic factors may play a role in favoring the different structures. Results of the calculations indicate that when adsorbates occupy coplanar sites on Ni(1 0 0), much of the Ni–Ni bonding within the surface layer and between the surface- and second-layers is disrupted. On the C- and N-covered surfaces the disruption is more than compensated for by the formation of strong adsorbate-Ni bonds and by new Ni–Ni surface bonds resulting from the clock reconstruction. When O is forced into a coplanar site, however, both the higher electron count and increased electronegativity of the O atoms lead to severe disruption of the surface bonding and weak Ni–O bonds. When O atoms sit above the surface, they form more polar Ni–O bonds, contribute less electron density to the Ni surface bands, and cause less disruption to Ni–Ni surface bonds. These results suggest that, similar to the organometallic clusters, the site preferences of C, N, and O atoms are directly related to their electron count, and in turn to the relative occupation of both Ni–Ni and X–Ni (X=C, N, O) antibonding bands.
Down-regulation of 7SL RNA Expression and Impairment of Vesicular Protein Transport Pathways by Leishmania Infection of Macrophages

The parasitic protozoan Leishmania specifically manipulates the expression of host macrophage genes during initial interactions, as revealed by mRNA differential display reverse transcription-PCR and cDNA microarray analyses. The genes that are down-regulated in mouse (J774G8) or human (U937) macrophages upon exposure to Leishmania include small RNA transcripts from the short interspersed element sequences. Among the short interspersed element RNAs that are down-regulated is 7SL RNA, which is the RNA component of the signal recognition particle. Because the microbicidal functions of macrophages profoundly count on vesicular protein transport processes, down-regulation of 7SL RNA may be significant in the establishment of infection by Leishmania in macrophage phagolysosomes. To evaluate whether down-regulation of 7SL RNA results in inhibition of signal recognition particle-mediated vesicular protein transport processes, we have tested and found that the targeting of proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane and the secretion of proteins by macrophages are compromised in Leishmania-infected J774G8 and U937 cells. Knocking down 7SL RNA using small interfering RNA mimicked the effect of exposure of macrophages to Leishmania. The overexpression of 7SL RNA in J774G8 or U937 cells made these cells resistant to Leishmania infection, suggesting the possible biological significance of down-regulation of 7SL RNA synthesis in the establishment of infection by Leishmania. We conclude that Leishmania down-regulates 7SL RNA in macrophages to manipulate the targeting of many proteins that use the vesicular transport pathway and thus favors its successful establishment of infection in macrophages.