cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensorimotor Integration and Amplification of Reflexive Whisking by Well-Timed Spiking in the Cerebellar Corticonuclear Circuit

To test how cerebellar crus I/II Purkinje cells and their targets in the lateral cerebellar nuclei (CbN) integrate sensory and motor-related inputs and contribute to reflexive movements, we recorded extracellularly in awake, head-fixed mice during non-contact whisking. Ipsilateral or contralateral air puffs elicited changes in population Purkinje simple spike rates that matched whisking kinematics (∼1 Hz/1° protraction). Responses remained relatively unaffected when ipsilateral sensory feedback was removed by lidocaine but were reduced by optogenetically inhibiting the reticular nuclei. Optogenetically silencing cerebellar output suppressed movements. During puff-evoked whisks, both Purkinje and CbN cells generated well-timed spikes in sequential 2- to 4-ms windows at response onset, such that they alternately elevated their firing rates just before protraction. With spontaneous whisks, which were smaller than puff-evoked whisks, well-timed spikes were absent and CbN cells were inhibited. Thus, sensory input can facilitate millisecond-scale, well-timed spiking in Purkinje and CbN cells and amplify reflexive whisker movements.
Heterocyst formation and nitrogenase synthesis in Anabaena sp.

When filaments from a culture of Anabaena sp. growing photoautotrophically with nitrate as a nitrogen source are placed in a nitrate-free mineral medium and incubated anaerobically in the light, the formation of heterocysts and the synthesis of nitrogenase both begin after a lag of about 24 hours. During the lag period, about 70% of the phycocyanin is destroyed. Under an atmosphere of N2-CO2, the nitrogenase activity rises to a peak value, and then falls markedly as growth at the expense of N2 begins. Phycocyanin synthesis resumes concomitantly with growth. Under an atmosphere of Ar-CO2, the formation of heterocysts and the synthesis of nitrogenase proceed to higher levels than those observed under N2-CO2, and the nitrogenase level is thereafter maintained. Under these conditions, neither growth nor resynthesis of phycocyanin occurs, and phycocyanin eventually falls to about 10% of its initial level in the filaments; however, growth can be promptly initiated if N2 is admitted to the system. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Development of “Dropkinson” Bar for Intermediate Strain-rate Testing

A new apparatus – “Dropkinson Bar” – has been successfully developed for material property characterization at intermediate strain rates. This Dropkinson bar combines a drop table and a Hopkinson bar. The drop table was used to generate a relatively long and stable low-speed impact to the specimen, whereas the Hopkinson bar principle was applied to measure the load history with accounting for inertia effect in the system. Pulse shaping technique was also applied to the Dropkinson bar to facilitate uniform stress and strain as well as constant strain rate in the specimen. The Dropkinson bar was then used to characterize 304L stainless steel and 6061-T6 aluminum at a strain rate of ∼600 s−1. The experimental data obtained from the Dropkinson bar tests were compared with the data obtained from conventional Kolsky tensile bar tests of the same material at similar strain rates. Both sets of experimental results were consistent, showing the newly developed Dropkinson bar apparatus is reliable and repeatable.
Novel IC Sub-Threshold IDDQ Signature And Its Relationship To Aging During High Voltage Stress

A sub-threshold quiescent current (IDDQ) signature is observed for the first time. 14 nm SOI Ring Oscillators (ROs) are used to study a characteristic knee/peak for different device types and threshold voltages undergoing different stress conditions. The relationship of the sub-threshold IDDQ characteristics to process variability and aging are explained with detailed circuit level simulations. This novel signature has potential applications for reliability analysis and aged/used chip detection.
Effect of arsenic exposure on early eye development in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Arsenic is a metalloid that contaminates drinking water supplies worldwide. Owing to concerns for human health, the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency have established a safe level in drinking water of ≤10 ppb. Recently, arsenic exposure has also been linked to lower IQ values in children. The effect of arsenic on neurogenesis, specifically eye development, has not been widely explored. This study aimed to examine the effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenic on early eye development by morphological and molecular analysis. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, was chosen to model the impact of arsenic on retinogenesis because of similarities to human eye development. Arsenic exposure to zebrafish embryos resulted in a significant increase in eye diameter at 14 days postfertilization. This was coupled with a trend in thinning of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) layer in embryos exposed to 500 ppb arsenic. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of genes associated with eye development revealed differential expression of Pax6a, Pax2a, Ngn1, Sox2 and Shha relative to control. Pax6a, Pax2a and Sox2 are important in the formation of the RPE. Proper formation of the RPE is necessary for growth of the sclera, which, in turn, is responsible for maintaining the shape of the eye. This could potentially be explained by the disruption of gene expression under arsenic exposure during critical time points in early eye development. These results provide insight into the effects arsenic may be having on early eye development in children exposed to contaminated drinking water supplies.
Deep Multiclass Learning from Label Proportions

We propose a learning algorithm capable of learning from label proportions instead of direct data labels. In this scenario, our data are arranged into various bags of a certain size, and only the proportions of each label within a given bag are known. This is a common situation in cases where per-data labeling is lengthy, but a more general label is easily accessible. Several approaches have been proposed to learn in this setting with linear models in the multiclass setting, or with nonlinear models in the binary classification setting. Here we investigate the more general nonlinear multiclass setting, and compare two differentiable loss functions to train end-to-end deep neural networks from bags with label proportions. We illustrate the relevance of our methods on an image classification benchmark, and demonstrate the possibility to learn accurate image classifiers from bags of images.
352 POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF α 1 ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS IN THE RAT HEART

Myocardial contractility is mediated by both α and β adrenergic stimuli. α-Adrenergic agonist increases inotropic response independently of c-AMP and is thought to involve primarily α1 adrenergic receptor (α1AR) subtype present at postsynaptic receptor sites in the heart. Since sympathetic innervation of rodent myocardium develops postnatally it is also likely that developmental changes occur in the postsynaptic receptor sites. Thus we measured postnatal development of α1 and β adrenergic receptors(βAR) in rat myocardium by binding experiments with 3H-prazosin and 3H-dihydroalprenolol (3H-DHA). 3H-Prazosin and 3H-DHA binding to rat ventricular membranes were rapid, saturable, stereospecific and reversible. The competition for 3H-Prazosin by agonists was in the order of Epinephrine= Norepinephrine≫Isoproterenol and that for 3H-DHA was Isop≫Epi=Norepi. The competition for 3H-Prazosin by antagonists was in the order of Prazosin>WB401>phentolamine≫Yohibimine and did not vary with age. The numbers of α1AR and βAR sites in rat ventricular myocardium were: There was no change in KD (affinity) with age for either ligand. We conclude that the number of myocardial α1AR increases rapidly after birth in rat myocardium and that the pattern is distinct from that of βAR. We speculate that the postnatal development of α1AR and βAR is independently regulated in rat myocardium and that α1AR are likely to be linked with postnatal neurosynaptic development while βAR are not.
Evaluation of Abramowitz functions in the right half of the complex plane.

A numerical scheme is developed for the evaluation of Abramowitz functions Jn in the right half of the complex plane. For n = - 1, … , 2, the scheme utilizes series expansions for ∣z∣ R with R determined by the required precision, and least squares Laurent polynomial approximations on each sub-region in the intermediate region 1 ≤ ∣z∣ ≤ R. For n > 2, Jn is evaluated via a forward recurrence relation. The scheme achieves nearly machine precision for n = -1, … , 2 at a cost that is competitive as compared with software packages for the evaluation of other special functions in the complex domain.
Digital Health als Enabler für eine integrierte Health-Value-Chain

Effizienz, Senkung der stetig ansteigenden Kosten sowie eine verbesserte Versorgungsqualitat fur den Patienten (Hinweis: Aus Grunden der besseren Lesbarkeit wird lediglich die mannliche Schreibweise verwendet. Bezeichnungen in der mannlichen Form beziehen sich auf Frauen und Manner in gleicher Weise). Durch die Einfuhrung des elektronischen Patientendossiers (EPD) wurde dazu ein wichtiger Grundstein gelegt. Damit soll die Vision eines integrierten, reibungslos ablaufenden Gesundheitssystems, welches von Porter und Teisberg (2006) als Health-Value-Chain-Konzept beschrieben wird, realisierbar werden.
Effects of Intraoperative Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy on Outcomes in Liver Transplantation.

Abstract Background Intraoperative continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may need to be indicated for liver transplant recipients who show renal dysfunction. We aimed to investigate effects of intraoperative CRRT on outcomes after liver transplant. Material and Methods This study included all adult patients who underwent liver transplant between January 2005 and May 2017 and were found to have renal dysfunction, which was defined as glomerular filtration rate Results Postoperative complication rates were similar in the 3 groups (P = .056). Group 1 showed the highest rate of postoperative renal replacement therapy (86.4% in group 1 vs 66.7% and 10.7% in groups 2 and 3, P Conclusion CRRT used in the urgent setting did not show obvious benefit. Hence, its application should be carefully considered in those who unexpectedly present with acute kidney injury at the time of transplant.
El papel de Boito en la madurez de Verdi: Otello y Falstaff

Tras la composicion de Aida y la Messa di Requiem , Verdi daba por concluida su carrera compositiva. Arrigo Boito sera quien, con su talento y psicologia, consiga que el maestro italiano vuelva a coger la pluma para escribir las que seran sus dos ultimas operas: Otello y Falstaff . Ademas del brillante trabajo de adaptacion que realizara como libretista de ambos trabajos, Boito sera quien apoye a Verdi y le de fuerza en los momentos de debilidad, permitiendo que acabara su carrera superando su sueno frustrado: el exito de una opera comica.
Effects of hydrodynamics on the cross‐sectional distribution and transport of plastic in an urban coastal river

The mechanisms of plastic transport in rivers remain an important knowledge gap in global plastic pollution research and management. We investigated how river flows and plastics' properties affect transport with a five-point cross-sectional field study in the Hillsborough River in Tampa (Florida, USA) using a 500-µm Neuston net and an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler. We conducted in-depth analysis of water velocity profiles as well as plastics' concentrations and properties, determining advective, vertical, and lateral transport fluxes. Under calm flow conditions, advective fluxes were two orders of magnitude higher than lateral and vertical fluxes. Under turbulent conditions, enhanced particle exchange in the cross-section resulted in a three to tenfold increase in lateral and vertical plastic fluxes. The impact of turbulence on plastic particles depended on properties such as size, shape, and composition. This study presents a unique assessment of flow conditions driving plastic pollution in an urban coastal river setting. PRACTITIONERS POINTS: Multipoint, cross-sectional sampling and onsite flow profile collection should be adopted as a common practice for plastic field data collection to reduce uncertainty. Varying flow conditions affect the drivers of plastic transport in rivers. Advective surface fluxes govern plastic transport under calm flow conditions, while turbulent flow conditions enhance cross-sectional mixing and particle exchange. Larger and more irregular-shaped plastics are more affected by turbulence.
Personality traits in adults with hoarding disorder

Abstract Background: Prior research has demonstrated a link between compulsive hoarding symptoms and personality traits; however, no studies have investigated the link between hoarding and personality traits utilizing a sample of individuals diagnosed with hoarding disorder (HD) using formal diagnostic criteria. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the frequency and type of personality traits in adults diagnosed with HD and to explore the associations among hoarding severity and personality disorder traits within this sample. Methods: Seventy-two veterans enrolled in an ongoing treatment trial for HD completed a battery of self-report measures during their initial assessment. Linear regression analyses were used to determine the unique variance accounted for by hoarding severity in predicting scores on the personality disorder scales from the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Results: The majority of participants had an elevated score on at least one of the MCMI-III Personality scales. The most frequently elevated scores were for the Avoidant, Dependent, Depressive, and Schizoid scales. Hoarding severity was a significant predictor of personality traits in 10 out of 14 MCMI-III scales. Limitations: Given the exploratory nature of the investigation, we did not control for multiple comparisons or the presence of mood or anxiety disorders. Conclusions: The elevated prevalence of co-occurring personality pathology in adults with HD indicates the importance of considering underlying personality structure when developing individualized treatment plans.
Visceral non-presence: Ethnography in the age of COVID

The local slaughterhouse's coronavirus cluster was the first large outbreak we heard about in Champaign County. The sprawling pork processing plant sits in the midst of cornfields some 17 miles north of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Until early May, workers there processed 35 million pounds of pork a month. The company reported its first case on 25 April. Health inspectors arrived two days later to find the plant 90 percent out of compliance in its infection control practices. By 15 May, after testing 200 of the 627 workers for COVID-19, 83 got positive results. Management admitted it was ‘complex’ to track employees being tested and to follow up with those who had to be quarantined. That's when they contacted the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They then announced confidently to the local press: We've got it under control. We have the scientists now.
The Programmers' Playground: I/O abstraction for heterogeneous distributed systems

I/O abstraction is offered as a new high-level approach to interprocess communication. Functional components of a concurrent system are written as encapsulated modules that act upon local data structures, some of which may be published for external use. Relationships among modules are specified by logical connections among their published data structures. Whenever a module updates published data, I/O takes place implicitly according to the configuration of logical connections. The Programmers' Playground, a software library and run-time system supporting I/O abstraction, is described. >
Strategies for Analyzing Count Data

Applies the GLM framework to modeling event count data. Discusses the common problem of overdispersion and the methods for extending the model to account for it.
Ventral femoral head and neck ostectomy: Standard versus novel K-wire guided technique using a premeasured ostectomy angle in canine cadavers

Objective To assess the accuracy and efficiency of performing ventral FHO (vFHO) after measuring the ideal femoral head and neck ostectomy angle (iFHOA), with and without guidance of a K-wire. To compare the iFHOA to the previously accepted 45° angle to guide vFHOs. Study design Randomized, controlled, ex vivo study. Animals Ten mixed-breed canine cadavers. Methods A routine un-guided and guided vFHO was performed on each cadaver. A single unmodified ostectomy was performed on all hips. The pre- and postoperative iFHOA and postoperative residual femoral neck were radiographically assessed. Subjective intraoperative palpation and postoperative radiographic ostectomy completeness (OC) scores were assigned. Results Subjective OC scores (p > .63) did not differ between techniques, and guided vFHOs were as good or better for 7/10 dogs assessed via intraoperative palpation, and 9/10 dogs assessed radiographically. Residual femoral neck measurements were similar in both groups (p > .75). The average iFHOA in this study was 38.5°, with no significant difference between limbs of the same cadaver (p = .34). Guided vFHO took longer (294.5 s, p = .002) than unguided vFHO (166.7 s). Conclusion The mean iFHOA of 38.5° was less than the previously published 45° angulation for vFHOs. Subjectively, use of a K-wire guide improved soft tissue retraction, neck visualization, and confidence in cut angulation. Clinical significance Preoperative iFHOA measurement may minimize the risk of inappropriate vFHO angles.
Design and Preliminary Assessment of a Haptic Feedback System For a Smart Walker

This work presents the design and preliminary evaluation of a pair of haptic walker handles. The haptic handles offer both vibrotactile and skin-stretch-and-slip haptic cues. Two older adults, aged 66 and 76, participated in a pilot study to evaluate the perceptibility of the haptic cues, both while standing still and while walking. Measures of the participants’ ability to feel the haptic cues indicate that skin-stretch-and-slip cues are superior to vibrotactile cues for a smart walker to be used by older adults.
Deconstructing the Nature of Collaboration in Organizations Open Source Software Development: The Impact of Developer and Task Characteristics

One opportunity for organizations to participate in open source software (OSS) development is through organizations OSS (orgsOSS), a term we use to describe a group of organizations that commit resources to collectively develop OSS. This archetype of OSS development is distinct from other types that include organizations, yet is understudied. As organizations increasingly contribute to and rely on OSS as part of their strategy, understanding how they can collaborate to build software holds importance for the future of software development. This study collects a unique dataset of development tasks from a large orgsOSS project spanning over two years and seven releases. Building on existing OSS research, we explore norms with respect to collaboration, i.e., how developers assign, discuss, and complete tasks, in an orgsOSS project. Interestingly, our analysis reveals that developers in orgsOSS do not always adhere to ideals of widespread sharing and participation espoused by traditional OSS, however some developer and task characteristics helped foster these ideals. Based on these and other findings, we develop a set of propositions and associated collaboration mechanisms that are important to future orgsOSS and other similarly structured software development projects.
A comparative study of microneedle-based cutaneous immunization with other conventional routes to assess feasibility of microneedles for allergy immunotherapy

Feasibility of microneedles (MNs) for cutaneous allergen specific immunotherapy (ASI) is demonstrated by comparing against currently practiced subcutaneous (SC) allergen immunotherapy, and the intramuscular (IM) and intraperitoneal (IP) routes. In Balb/c mice with ovalbumin (Ova, 25 μg) as the allergen MNs-Ova without alum induced anti-Ova IgG response comparable to IM but higher than SC and IP groups (250 μg alum was additionally used for SC, IM and IP groups). MNs-Ova induced higher anti-Ova IgG1 and IgG2a responses in comparison to other routes; however IgG2b and IgG3 responses were significantly lower than the IP group. As in SC group, anti-Ova IgE and IgA were low for MNs-Ova. Furthermore, MNs-Ova induced expression of IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ and IL-1β cytokines in serum, but at significantly lower levels than other routes. Overall, MNs-Ova induced allergen-specific IgG antibodies, and activated the Th1 pathway (evidenced by higher IgG2a levels), suggesting their potential use for painless ASI.
Effect of Vehicle Design Variables on Top Speed, Performance, and Fuel Economy

Several parameters which affect the fuel consumption, performance, and top speed of a vehicle are vehicle weight, tire rolling resistance, aerodynamic drag and driveline configuration. Studies have indicated that it is possible to change each of these parameters to reduce the fuel consumption of a vehicle. However, the resulting performance characteristics must also be evaluated over the range of any changes. The purpose of this paper is to assess these vehicle design variables with respect to top speed, performance, and fuel economy.
The pK of Specific Groups of Proteins I. THE α-AMINO GROUP OF THE α CHAIN OF HUMAN CO-HEMOGLOBIN

Abstract The pH-dependent second order rate constant for the reaction of fluorodinitrobenzene with the α-amino group of the α chain of human CO-hemoglobin was determined at 25° and a series of pH values from 6 to 8. The pK of this group was calculated from these data to be 6.72 ± 0.03. The pH-independent second order rate constant (the rate constant for the uncharged amino group) was calculated to be 0.236 ± 0.009 m-1 sec-1. The pK values and the pH-independent second order rate constants of the α-amino groups of the peptides valylleucine and valylleucine amide were determined by the same method. For valylleucine the pK was found to be 7.90 ± 0.03 and the pH-independent second order rate constant was 0.062 ± 0.003 m-1 sec-1. These constants for valylleucine amide were found to be 7.65 ± 0.03 and 0.061 ± 0.002 m-1 sec-1. The pK values of the α-amino groups of the peptides determined by this kinetic method were found to be identical with the values independently determined by a potentiometric method. The sum of the rate constants for the reaction of fluorodinitrobenzene with all of the reactive groups of human CO-hemoglobin was also determined at a series of pH values. These data indicate that, in addition to the α-amino group of the α chain, at least two other groups react with this reagent under the conditions employed. One group or set of groups with a pH-independent rate constant lower than that of the α-amino group of the α chain appears to have a pK below 8, while another group or set of groups with a high pH-independent rate constant appears to have a pK above 9.
Ultrastructure of the dinoflagellate Polykrikos: II. The nucleus and its connections to the flagellar apparatus

Electron microscopy of the colonial dinoflagellate Polykrikos kofoidi revealed a nuclear cortex formed of two electron-dense cortical layers directly beneath the nuclear envelope. Nuclear pores were confined to vesicular outpocketings of the nuclear envelope over circular discontinuities in the cortical layers. A conspicuous fibrous ribbon extended from the nucleus to the flagellar apparatus of each zooid. The ribbons resembled in their structure and position the attractophores of termite flagellates. Each flagellar apparatus consisted of two flagella, two elongate axial kinetosomes, an oblique kinetosome, and two roots of markedly different periodicities.
Polymerization on the rocks: theoretical introduction

It is difficult if not impossible to synthesize long polymers of amino acids, nucleotides, etc., in homogeneous aqueous solution. We suggest that long polymers were synthesized on the surface of minerals in a prebiotic process analogous to solid-phase synthesis. Provided that the affinity of a mineral for an oligomer increases with the length of the oligomer, adsorption must become essentially irreversible for sufficiently long oligomers. Irreversibly adsorbed oligomers may be elongated indefinitely by repeated cycles in which the mineral with its adsorbed oligomers is first incubated with activated monomers and then washed free of deactivated monomer and side-products. We discuss in some detail the formation of oligomers of negatively-charged amino acids such as glutamic acid on anion-exchange minerals such as hydroxylapatite or illite. We show that the average length of adsorbed oligomers at steady state, n, depends on the balance between the rate of chain elongation and the rate of hydrolysis, and we derive a very approximate formula for n.
Experiment-dependent priors in psychology and physics

Sometimes conducting an experiment to ascertain the state of a system changes the state of the system being measured. Kahneman & Tversky modelled this effect with ‘support theory’. Quantum physics models this effect with probability amplitude mechanics. As this paper shows, probability amplitude mechanics is similar to support theory. Additionally, Viscusi's proposed generalized expected utility model has an analogy in quantum mechanics.
The Informativeness of Offer Characteristics versus Investor Identity in PIPE Transactions

Investors participating in private placements of public companies (PIPE transactions) learn significant information about the issuing firms by performing due diligence prior to the offerings. Consequently, the announced offering terms such as the offer price and the fraction of the company sold in the offer, along with the identity of the investors participating in the offer, may be informative to non-participating investors. By splitting the sample into groups based on the premium paid by investors in the offer, and using a much larger sample than samples used in prior studies, the study shows that offer characteristics alone can explain the market reaction to the offer and the long-term performance of the issuers. Investor identity has no additional explanatory power. This finding contrasts other studies which suggest that announcement returns and long-term performance can be explained by distinguishing between active and passive investors.
Prospects for Ecosystem Services in the Future Agricultural Economy: Reflections of a Policy Hand

The topic of ecosystem services (ES) in the arena of agricultural policy is timely and potentially pivotal. Policies and programs grounded in ES science and economics can provide genuine alternatives to decades of commoditybased federal farm policy. Farmers are already, in some cases, seen to be producing much more than food and fiber. They are also producing open space, and in many instances wildlife habitat, and water filtration and storage services. These are ecosystem services and they are likely to be the subject of robust private markets. The effect, over the long run would likely be a more diversified, efficient, and economically resilient U.S. agriculture sector. This diversification could contribute to the resolu-
Mechanistic Role of Lewis Bases and Other Additives in Quasiliving Carbocationic Polymerization of Isobutylene

Isobutylene was initiated using 5-tert-butyl-1,3-di(2-chloro-2-propyl)benzene/TiCl4 in 60/40 hexane/methyl chloride: [IB]0 = 1.0 M, [TiCl4] = 0.12 or 0.24 M, [t-Bu-m-DCC] = 0.0119 M, T = −(40−80) °C. Most polymerizations contained a Lewis base or other additive, i.e., 2,4-dimethylpyridine, 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine, tetra-n-butylammonium chloride, and/or pyridine hydrochloride. Polymerizations containing an additive yielded theoretical molecular weights, narrow polydispersity index, and apparent absence of irreversible chain termination (linear kinetic plots, ATR−FTIR spectroscopic data) and chain transfer, with two exceptions: coupled product was obtained at −40 °C, and protic initiation occurred with n-Bu4NCl alone. Polymerizations without an additive produced bimodal molecular weight distributions; however, essentially all chains were initiated from t-Bu-m-DCC. With an additive, Eact for propagation was −(5.3−5.5) kcal/mol. Removal of additives increased polymerization rate moderately at −80 °C but d...
Predicting and assessing fall risk in an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Purpose Unintentional falls account for 70% of all hospital accidents. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for falls and develop an assessment tool specific for an inpatient rehabilitation facility setting. Design/Method Diagnosis and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were collected for 174 patients to assess predictors for fall risk. Independent t-tests, chi-square, and logistic regression analysis were conducted to examine differences between fallers and nonfallers. Findings We identified several risk factors for falls including 4 FIM items: toileting, bed transfer, tub/shower transfer, and stairs; and three diagnoses: right stroke, traumatic brain injury, and amputation. From these findings, we completed initial development of a risk assessment tool. Conclusions Evaluation of the tool suggests good specificity with 20%–30% of the patient population identified as high risk and good sensitivity by correctly predicting nearly 90% of patient falls. Clinical Relevance Continued evaluation of this assessment tool is needed to identify effectiveness in predicting patients who are at high risk for falling.
Conservative treatment of diffuse carcinoma in situ of the bladder with repeated courses of intravesical therapy.

Summary— We present a series of 13 patients with diffuse carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder who failed an initial induction course of intravesical therapy with Mitomycin C, thiotepa, doxorubicin or Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG). Cystectomy, although indicated, was, for various reasons, not performed after the first failure of intravesical therapy and all patients were subsequently treated topically with the same or different agents. Of the 7 patients treated with 2 induction courses, 6 showed a complete response during a follow-up period of 24 to 42 months. Although 1 patient initially responded completely, he developed invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) Grade IV 30 months later. Among the 3 patients who underwent 3 induction courses, 2 had a complete response at 42 and 60 months of follow-up and 1 developed TCC Grade IV with muscle invasion 18 months later. Two of the 3 patients treated with 4 induction courses are free of disease at 48 and 57 months; the third developed low grade, low stage TCC. This experience suggests that the majority of patients with CIS who fail initial treatment usually respond to further treatment with the same or a different drug. The question as to whether a second course of intravesical therapy, subsequent to failure of the first course, should be given before cystectomy requires further investigation.
Laser-induced collisional avalanche in atomic cesium.

Radiation tuned to an excited-state transition in dense cesium vapor results in the appearance of induced absorption and fluorescence after delays of up to 5 s, an observation ascribed to a chain reaction of resonant binary collisions initiated by the incident light. Our results occur in a nonlinear regime characterized by high collision rates, which are variable in a controlled fashion at constant vapor density.
Keck II Telescope Control System

The experimental physics and industrial control system (EPICS) originated in the high energy physics community and has been used for several years to control accelerators. It is now in use or soon to be in use at several observatories around the world. In 1995, it was decided that Keck II telescope would have a new EPICS-based control system rather than use a copy of the Keck I system. This decision was made because it was felt that EPICS provided a superior software infrastructure to that developed for Keck I, and that it would scale well to encompass adaptive optics and eventual use of the two telescopes for interferometry. The new control system was developed throughout 1995 and the early part of 1996, leading to first light in January 1996, making it the first fully EPICS-controlled telescope control system in the world. This paper describes how EPICS has been used to implement the control system, including a detailed discussion of the axes control, pointing and timing system, and of how they interact with each other.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Two-Interval Inventory-Allocation Policies in a One-Warehouse N-Identical-Retailer Distribution System

For a system of N-identical-retailers we construct a model for determining warehouse inventory-allocation policies which minimize system lost sales per retailer between system replenishments. An allocation policy is specified by: a the number of withdrawals from warehouse stock; b the intervals between successive withdrawals; c the quantity of stock to be withdrawn from the warehouse in each interval; and d the division of withdrawn stock among the retailers. We show that in the case of two withdrawals, available stock in each interval should be divided to "balance" retailer inventories. We also develop an infinite-retailer model and use it to determine two-interval allocation heuristics for N-retailer systems. Simulation tests suggest that the infinite-retailer heuristic policies are near-optimal for as few as two retailers. Simulation tests indicate that the risk-pooling benefits of allocation policies with two well-chosen intervals are comparable to those of base-stock policies with four equal intervals.
Moxifloxacin and Warfarin: Additional Evidence for a Clinically Relevant Interaction

Several case reports have been published regarding an interaction between fluoroquinolones and warfarin; however, the exact mechanism of the interaction has yet to be established. We describe three patients who were receiving warfarin and experienced increases in international normalized ratio (INR) when moxifloxacin was added. Two of the patients had stable anticoagulation regimens and then experienced persistent elevations in their INRs shortly after therapy with moxifloxacin was started. The third patient experienced a dramatic rise in INR after the first dose of moxifloxacin was administered. These cases strengthen the evidence that an interaction does exist despite manufacturer-generated statements to the contrary. Increased awareness of this potential interaction is necessary to ensure appropriate monitoring and improve therapeutic decision making.
Toxic shock syndrome: A review

Summary TSS is a recently described acute febrile illness characterized by hypotension, rash, desquamation, and multisystemic involvement. While most common in menstruating women, TSS also occurs in men and non-menstruating women. It is now known that the disease is caused by one or more toxins produced by the S aureus organism. Treatment of TSS consists primarily of fluid resuscitation and supportive care. Anti-staphylococcal antibiotics are indicated primarily to reduce the rate of recurrence in menstrually related cases. In wound-related TSS, antibiotics are necessary to treat the primary wound infection and to prevent recurrent discase. Currently, the case fatality rate is stable at less than 3% and the major long-term complication of survivors is the risk of recurrence.
On neural network design part II: Inhibition and the output map

In this two part study, we presented a new design methodology for neural classifiers. The design procedure utilizes a multiclass vector quantization, MVQ, algorithm for information extraction from the training set. The extracted information suffices to specify the hidden layer in a canonical neural network architecture. The extracted information also leads to the specification of neuron inhibition rules and subsequently to the design of the hidden layer to output map. In part I of that study, we focused attention on the MVQ algorithm and how it is used to extract information from a training set. The extracted information is used to directly specify the hidden layer. In part II, we consider the non-simplistic hidden layer to output map design. We note that the MVQ algorithm, as it extracts information, decomposes the design set into disjoint neighborhoods. For each neighborhood we identify subsets of the hidden layer neurons which are significant sensors for the neighborhood. For each subset we construct an output map. Inhibition rules are established to assure that the proper output map is activated. In benchmark simulations, the overall design exhibits performance, to the extent that we are hard pressed to identify bounds on performance, if any.
The toxic dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides (Dinophyceae) produces resting cysts

Abstract While harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by the toxic dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides have been known to science for more than a century, the past two decades have witnessed an extraordinary expansion of these events across Asia, North America, and even Europe. Although the production of resting cysts and subsequent transport via ships’ ballast water or/and the transfer of shellfish stocks could facilitate this expansion, confirmative evidence for cyst production by C. polykrikoides is not available. Here, we provide visual confirmation of the production of resting cysts by C. polykrikoides in laboratory cultures isolated from North America. Evidence includes sexually mating cell pairs, planozygotes with two longitudinal flagella, formation of both pellicular (temporary) cysts and resting cysts, and a time series of the cyst germination process. Resting cyst germination occurred up to 1 month after cyst formation and 2–40% of resting cysts were successfully germinated in cultures maintained at 18–21 °C. Pellicular cysts with hyaline membranes were generally larger than resting cysts, displayed discernable cingulum and/or sulcus, and reverted to vegetative cells within 24 h to ∼1 week of formation. A putative armored stage of C. polykrikoides was not observed during any life cycle stage in this study. This definitive evidence of resting cyst production by C. polykrikoides provides a mechanism to account for the recurrence of annual blooms in given locales as well as the global expansion of C. polykrikoides blooms during the past two decades.
Proximity and Hierarchy: Orthogonal Dimensions of Family Interconnectedness†

The purpose of this research was to develop logical and empirically valid conceptual tools for investigating relationships between family patterns of interconnectedness and psychosocial functioning of children in the family. The family systems concept of boundary was analyzed into two component concepts: Proximity (interpersonal boundaries) and generational Hierarchy (subsystem boundaries). These concepts were operationalized as dimensions, and eight families were assessed by means of interaction coding, interview, and Kinetic Family Drawing to yield empirical verification of these dimensions. Findings indicated that Proximity and Hierarchy are reliable, valid, and independent dimensions of family interconnectedness. Weak generational Hierarchy was associated with increased levels of psychological dysfunction for both identified patients and their siblings. High Proximity was similarly associated with psychological dysfunction, but only for identified patients. The hypothesis that enmeshment is a composite pattern of high Proximity and weak Hierarchy was disconfirmed. Suggestions for future research include systemic analysis of deviation-counteracting and -amplifying relationships between patterns of Proximity and Hierarchy, on the one hand, and psychosocial dysfunction, on the other.
A study of the potential ways in which ozone could reduce root growth and nodulation of soybean

Abstract The possible mechanisms by which ozone reduces root growth and nodulation of soybean were investigated. Ozone did not appreciably penetrate the plant growth substrates nor did it oxidize soil organic matter to form compounds inhibitory to Rhizobium . When ozone was excluded from the plant foliage, but not from the soil, root growth and nodulation were not reduced. However, when plant tops were directly exposed to ozone, root growth and nodulation were reduced. These results indicated that observed reductions in root growth and nodulation did not occur by way of the soil, but resulted from an effect of ozone on the plant foliage.
Studies on amphibian yolk. IX. Xenopus vitellogenin.

Abstract Vitellogenin, a sex-limited serum protein normally found in females, can be produced in males by the injection of estradiol-17β. Since it is the only circulating phosphoprotein, serum protein-phosphorus values can serve as a specific indicator for vitellogenin content. Calcium determinations also indicate that 1 mole of calcium exists for every mole of protein-phosphorus in the serum, although the calcium does not appear to be strongly bound to vitellogenin. Gel filtration studies have confirmed these observations and have further indicated that vitellogenin can strongly bind circulating iron. Vitellogenin can be isolated from serum chromatography on TEAE-cellulose, and chemical and physical measurements have been performed on the isolated product. It was found to be a lipophosphoprotein with a molecular weight of 460 000, and a lipid and protein-phosphorus content of 12 and 1.4%, respectively. Considering the available evidence, it is proposed that vitellogenin is comprised of a covalently boudn complex of one lipovitellin dimer and two phosvitin molecules and is the immediate precursor of these yolk proteins.
Individual variation in cone photoreceptor density in house sparrows: implications for between-individual differences in visual resolution and chromatic contrast.

Between-individual variation has been documented in a wide variety of taxa, especially for behavioral characteristics; however, intra-population variation in sensory systems has not received similar attention in wild animals. We measured a key trait of the visual system, the density of retinal cone photoreceptors, in a wild population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We tested whether individuals differed from each other in cone densities given within-individual variation across the retina and across eyes. We further tested whether the existing variation could lead to individual differences in two aspects of perception: visual resolution and chromatic contrast. We found consistent between-individual variation in the densities of all five types of avian cones, involved in chromatic and achromatic vision. Using perceptual modeling, we found that this degree of variation translated into significant between-individual differences in visual resolution and the chromatic contrast of a plumage signal that has been associated with mate choice and agonistic interactions. However, there was no evidence for a relationship between individual visual resolution and chromatic contrast. The implication is that some birds may have the sensory potential to perform “better” in certain visual tasks, but not necessarily in both resolution and contrast simultaneously. Overall, our findings (a) highlight the need to consider multiple individuals when characterizing sensory traits of a species, and (b) provide some mechanistic basis for between-individual variation in different behaviors (i.e., animal personalities) and for testing the predictions of several widely accepted hypotheses (e.g., honest signaling).
Correlation of the Ventilation and Perfusion Aspects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Review of 100 Cases

An irreversible change of the pulmonary perfusion was observed in a series of 100 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients studied with a pulmonary artery perfusion scan (PAPS). This perfusion involvement was greater in patients in whom the major respiratory component was pulmonary emphysema as opposed to either chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma. A statistically significant correlation was noted between the extent of the perfusion changes, ventilatory and physical impairment of the individual. The PAPS offers an additional method for evaluating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An original classification of the extent of the perfusion abnormalities as detected by the PAPS is presented.
Antiviral T-cell-independent type 2 antibody responses induced in vivo in the absence of T and NK cells.

Polyomavirus (PyV) infection induces protective T-cell-independent (TI) IgM and IgG responses in T-cell-deficient (TCR beta x delta-/-) mice. In this study, we show that PyV is a TI -2 antigen: B cells with a mutated Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Xid mutants) do not respond to PyV with antibody secretion in the absence of T cells. We also demonstrate that NK-cell-mediated "help" is not absolutely required for the induction of the TI-2 antibodies to PyV; thus for the first time, we provide evidence for protective IgM and IgG responses against a viral infection induced in mice lacking T and NK cells (CD3Etg). Comparison of the antibody responses observed in T- and NK-cell-deficient mice with those of mice lacking only T cells, however, suggests that NK cells may promote isotype switching to IgG2a. This effect is probably mediated by IFN gamma secretion. In support of this idea, studies on the antibody responses of PyV-infected SCID mice that had been reconstituted with IFN gamma R-/- B cells or wild-type B cells demonstrated the IFN gamma dependence of PyV-specific TI IgG2a secretion and provided evidence that IFN gamma acting directly on B cells plays an important role in TI pathways of isotype switching to IgG2a in vivo.
Morphological evolution of thermal barrier coatings induced by cyclic oxidation

High temperature oxidation behavior of EB-PVD thermal barrier coatings (TBC) deposited on a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy with platinum aluminide bond coat has been studied using optical microscopy and luminescence spectroscopy. Examination of the TBC morphology in the course of cyclic oxidation at 1150 °C reveals that the TBC surface may develop undulations, which grow with oxidation time and eventually link together leading to TBC failure. The undulations are shown to be associated with local separations near the interface between the TBC and the thermally grown alumina scale. The observations of the pre-failure TBC evolution made by a low-magnification optical microscopy can serve as a reliable method of non-destructive evaluation of the coating. The relationship between residual stress in the thermally grown oxide and morphological evolution occurring at the TBC-bond coat interface is discussed.
Methodology for optimizing transistor performance

A methodology is presented for optimizing transistor performance by considering the coupled response of the on- state and off-state parameters of saturated drain current and subthreshold drain leakage current, respectively. Good die yield in a CMOS digital logic integrated circuit is shown to be highly correlated to a multiple linear model of these transistor performance parameters using empirical data. These currents are correspondingly highly correlated to threshold voltage and effective channel length. Monte Carlo simulation is used to predict the distributions of saturated drain current and subthreshold drain current based on the natural variation of threshold voltage and effective channel length. A case study is presented using this methodology for the development of a CMOS retrograde well process using high energy implants from a baseline process using conventional diffused wells.