cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlations between estimates of state IQ and FBI crime statistics

Previous research suggests that crime is negatively associated with IQ at the individual level and the aggregate state level. The purpose of the present study was to further explore the relationship between state IQ estimates and various categories of violent and property crimes. State demographic information including the gross state product, pupil/teacher ratio, and percent Black, Asian, and Hispanic were included in the correlational analyses. State IQ was significantly and negatively correlated with the violent crimes of murder, aggravated assault and robbery as well as the property crimes of motor vehicle theft, theft and burglary. Additionally, regression analyses were conducted for each crime significantly related to state IQ, controlling for significant state demographic variables. In general, results suggest that the prevalence of both violent and property crimes is associated with lower state IQs.
Use of Nitroprusside for Control of Pulmonary Hypertension in Repair of Ventricular Septal Defect

Abstract After repair of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) in a 3-year-old child with markedly elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), sodium nitroprusside was administered by intravenous infusion at 3.0 μg per kilogram of body weight per minute. Nitroprusside was effective in reducing pulmonary artery pressure and increasing systemic blood pressure in the intraoperative and early postoperative periods. It is suggested that nitroprusside may facilitate the perioperative management and enhance the early survival in patients with increased PVR secondary to a VSD.
Vibration-Based Damage Identification in Structures Exhibiting Axial and Torsional Response

A method is derived to detect and localize linear damage in a structure using the measured modal vibration parameters. This method is applicable when the vibration strain energy is stored in the axial or torsional modes, which differentiates it from previously derived strain-energy-based methods. The new method is compared to the previously derived flexibility-change method for comparison. Both methods are verified by application to an analytical eight degree of freedom model. Experimental validation for both methods is also presented by application to an experimental eight degree of freedom spring-mass structure.
Genomic Signatures of Specialized Metabolism in Plants

All plants synthesize basic metabolites needed for survival (primary metabolism), but different taxa produce distinct metabolites that are specialized for specific environmental interactions (specialized metabolism). Because evolutionary pressures on primary and specialized metabolism differ, we investigated differences in the emergence and maintenance of these processes across 16 species encompassing major plant lineages from algae to angiosperms. We found that, relative to their primary metabolic counterparts, genes coding for specialized metabolic functions have proliferated to a much greater degree and by different mechanisms and display lineage-specific patterns of physical clustering within the genome and coexpression. These properties illustrate the differential evolution of specialized metabolism in plants, and collectively they provide unique signatures for the potential discovery of novel specialized metabolic processes.
Novel quadrature interferometric platform with application in optical coherence tomography

Optical Coherence Tomography is an imaging technique for capturing three-dimensional images of weakly scattering sample 1 . At the core of this technique are an interferometer with low temporal coherence and an optical delay line for in depth movement of the coherent gate. The interferometeric setup has to be robust and with high signal-to-noise ratio. Fiber-optic implementation of the interferometer has the advantages of being rugged, compact and by using SM fiber yields minimal scattering into higher-order modes. On the other hand large bandwidth required for light sources cannot be accommodated by the fiber optic components usually design for a smaller bandwidth. The Michelson configuration is widely used as an interferometric platform with OCT application.
Experimental study of the interplay of channel and network coding in low power sensor applications

In this paper, we evaluate the performance of random linear network coding (RLNC) in low data rate indoor sensor applications operating in the ISM frequency band. We also investigate the results of its synergy with forward error correction (FEC) codes at the PHY-layer in a joint channel-network coding (JCNC) scheme. RLNC is an emerging coding technique which can be used as a packet-level erasure code, usually implemented at the network layer, which increases data reliability against channel fading and severe interference, while FEC codes are mainly used for correction of random bit errors within a received packet. The hostile wireless environment that low power sensors usually operate in, with significant interference from nearby networks, motivates us to consider a joint coding scheme and examine the applicability of RLNC as an erasure code in such a coding structure. Our analysis and experiments are performed using a custom low power sensor node, which integrates on-chip a low-power 2.4 GHz transmitter and an accelerator implementing a multi-rate convolutional code and RLNC, in a typical office environment. According to measurement results, RLNC of code rate 4/8 can provide an effective SNR improvement of about 3.4 dB, outperforming a PHY-layer FEC code of the same code rate, at a PER of 10-2. In addition, RLNC performs very well when used in conjunction with a PHY-layer FEC code as a JCNC scheme, offering an overall coding gain of 5.6 dB.
Activation of Na+-Dependent Potassium Currents by Persistent Sodium Currents

The Hodgkin-Huxley model of delayed repolarization of the sodium-dependent action potential assigns a voltage-dependent delayed rectifier K+ current for repolarization. However, here we show that one of the largest components of the delayed rectifier current in many mammalian neurons has gone unnoticed and is due to a Na+-activated-K+-current/Persistent-Na+-current coupled system. Previous studies of potassium conductances in mammalian neurons may have overlooked this large outward component because the sodium channel blocker TTX is typically used in such studies; we find that, in addition to blocking sodium currents, TTX also eliminates this delayed rectifier component as a secondary consequence. We unexpectedly found that the activity of the persistent inward sodium current (persistent INa) at cell resting potentials is the essential factor in activating the Na+-dependent (TTX-sensitive) delayed rectifier current. The persistent INa apparently maintains Na+-activated K+ channels in a “primed” state so that, upon depolarization, they carry a delayed outward conductance. Persistent INa appears to raise the local concentration of Na+ in the vicinity of Na+-activated K+ channels to higher levels than that of the bulk cytosol, possibly because of a submembrane diffusion-restricted space variously referred to in the literature as an “unstirred” layer” or “fuzzy” space”. We showed that “depleting” or “filling” this diffusion-restricted space by the action of persistent INa requires several seconds at cell resting potentials. Using siRNA techniques we identified SLO2.2 (Slack) channels as carriers of the Na+-dependent delayed rectifier current. These findings of a previously unseen K+ conductance involving a finely tuned partnership linking persistent INa and Na+-activated K+ channels, have far reaching implications for many neurons of the mammalian brain. Studies of “up-down” states of neuronal excitability, spike adaptation, synaptic integration, and other aspects of neuronal physiology may have to be reexamined taking this system into account.
Magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling by Alfvén waves: Beyond current continuity

Abstract Many numerical models of magnetospheric dynamics treat the ionosphere as an inner boundary condition. These models have traditionally used the current continuity condition, treating the ionosphere as a sheet current in which the electric field is electrostatic. A more general boundary condition is suggested that not only is more complete, but also straightforward to implement. Results from a model using this boundary condition applied to the excitation of field line resonances in the magnetosphere are presented.
Bladder functional recovery following acute overdistension

The effects of acute overstretching on detrusor function are unclear. Based on a new method to catheterize male rat bladder through the whole urethra, three groups (control, shamoperated, and acute bladder overdistension) of male rats were utilized in the present experiment. The contraction generated by in vitro bladders immediately post-overdistension in response to 2 Hz and 32 Hz stimulation significantly decreased at 0.75 ml and 1.5 ml intravesical volumes respectively; however, by 1 day post-overdistension the contractile responses increased toward normal. By three days the ability of the bladder to generate pressure completely returned to normal, and the average bladder weight for this group was increased. Similarly, the ability to empty was reduced at 0.75 ml and 1.5 ml immediately following overdistension and recovered fully after 3 days. The ability of the sham-operated bladders to empty at high intravesical volume was slightly reduced immediately following overdistension, and this was the only pathophysiological change observed in this group. Acute bladder overdistension did not alter intravesical capacity. It is clear that acute over-distension induced reversible changes in basic bladder function.© 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Study of Metal Fiber Brush Operation on Slip Rings and Commutators

The results of an investigation to determine the wear mechanism of metal fiber brushes on commutators and slip rings are presented. Metal fiber brushes were operated, while conducting direct current, on gold-plated copper rotors with and without unfilled gaps to simulate slip rings and commutators. Wear rates on unfilled-groove commutators were found to be only modestly higher than on slip ring rotors. Three possible causes for enhanced metal fiber brush wear on commutators were considered: i) accelerated "adhesive" wear controlled by contact spots, ii) fatigue induced wear and iii) "fiber chopping". All observations on wear debris and brush fibers are consistent with "adhesive" fiber brush wear on commutators as well as on slip rings; due to interlocking contact spots. Little to no evidence was found to support the other two hypotheses of fatigue induced wear and fiber chopping. The same conclusion also follows from comparing commutator wear rates with that on slip rings. A geometrical factor to account for the local elevation of brush pressure due to commutator grooves not supporting brush fiber tips was determined. This factor, of approximately 1.2, brought the wear data for commutators and slip rings into coincidence.
Phalloplasty in Children and Adolescents Using the Extended Pedicle Island Groin Flap

AbstractAn operative procedure for phalloplasty is reported that uses an extended pedicle island groin flap. Forming a combined groin and lower abdominal flap based on the superficial iliac and epigastric vessels is the main characteristic of this technique. The flap consists of 3 parts: 1) the lateral narrow hairless part for the neourethra, 2) the medial wide part for neophallus shaft reconstruction and 3) the base of the flap on which a flap pedicle is formed and lengthened by de-epithelializing the skin. The pedicle includes subcutaneous tissue with blood and lymph vessels. The neourethra and neophallus shaft are reconstructed using a tube-within-tube technique. The size of the flap depends on patient build. The flap is transferred to the recipient area, that is to the level of the lower margin of symphysis. Anastomosis of the new and native urethra may be done simultaneously or during the second stage of the procedure. The donor site skin defect is closed by direct approximation.During 3 years (1991 ...
Providing support for distinctive processing: the isolation effect in young and older adults.

Age-related declines in memory for past events have been well documented in the literature (for reviews see Craik & Jennings, 1992; Light, 1996; Smith, 1996; Zacks, Hasher, & Li, 2000), and one possible explanation for age-related differences in episodic memory points to age-related differences in distinctive processing (e.g. Smith, 2006). The current experiments use the isolation paradigm, considered the gold-standard for investigating distinctiveness, to investigate possible age-related differences in distinctive processing and to test whether support can be provided to allow the beneficial effects of distinctive processing to emerge for older adults. The experiments are motivated by a new framework for understanding age-related differences in distinctive processing. The framework will be introduced following a discussion of the concepts relevant to the discussion of distinctiveness and memory.
Agents and Agency: a Sports Lawyer's View

Editor's Note--This comment was written in mid-November 1992. Not much has changed that would affect the author's view of the athlete agent issue. However, as the author points out in a January 7, 1993 addendum, the agreement between NFL players and owners that occurred as the Journal went to press has tested the validity of the conjecture offered last fall.
Prophylactic Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients with High-Grade Carotid Stenosis Undergoing Coronary Bypass: Does It Decrease the Incidence of Perioperative Stroke?

The etiology of perioperative stroke in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is multifactorial. One significant cause is thought to be high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis. Between April 1992 and June 1995, 1686 patients undergoing isolated CABG underwent preoperative carotid duplex scanning. This represented 77% of patients who underwent CABG during that time period (2188 patients). Sixty-eight patients (4.0%) had 80%-99% stenosis of at least one carotid artery. Fifteen patients underwent CABG without carotid intervention (Group I) and 53 patients underwent either carotid endarterectomy prior to CABG or simultaneous with CABG (Group II). Age, sex, history of prior neurologic events, ejection fraction, number of distal bypasses performed, total pump time, and aortic cross clamp times were similar between the two groups. Three patients in Group I developed a permanent postoperative neurologic deficit (20%) and one patient developed a transient deficit. The defect was focal and ipsilateral to high-grade stenosis in three patients and global in one. No patient in Group II developed either a transient or permanent neurologic deficit. There was one death in Group I in the patient who developed a global neurologic deficit and one death in Group II 2 weeks after CABG in a patient who had undergone prophylactic preCABG-carotid endarterectomy. Statistical analysis (Fisher's exact test, 2-tail) demonstrated a significant decrease both in total neurologic events (p = 0.001) and permanent neurologic defects (p = 0.005) in those patient undergoing prophylactic CE (Group II). Patients with 80%-99% carotid stenosis undergoing CEA prior to or in conjunction with isolated CABG have a decreased incidence of neurologic events postoperatively.
The Structure of Grain Boundaries and Phase Boundaries in Ceramics

The structure of different grain boundaries and phase boundaries are discussed by reference to a series of specific examples. The chosen examples of grain boundaries include the { $$[1 {\bar 1} 0]$$ } tilt boundary, the (001) twist boundary and the first-order twin boundary in spinel and the basal twin and the ( $$[1 1 {\bar 2} 3]$$ ) twin in Al2O3. The phase boundaries discussed are the β″’-alumina/spinel interface, the wustite/spinel interface and the spinel/alumina interface. It is shown that these interfaces do have properties which result specifically from the ionic nature of the material and the large unit cells involved in each case.
Dynamic material properties of the human sclera

As a result of trauma, approximately 30,000 people become blind in one eye every year in the United States. A common injury prediction tool is computational modeling, which requires accurate material properties to produce reliable results. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the dynamic material properties of the human sclera. A high-rate pressurization system was used to create dynamic pressure to the point of rupture in 12 human eyes. Measurements were obtained for the internal pressure, the diameter of the globe, the thickness of the sclera, and the changing coordinates of the optical markers using high-rate video. A relationship between true stress and true strain was determined for the sclera tissue in two directions. It was found that the average maximum true stress was 13.89+/-4.81MPa for both the equatorial and meridional directions, the average maximum true strain along the equator was 0.041+/-0.014, and the average maximum true strain along the meridian was 0.058+/-0.018. Results show a significant difference in the maximum strain in the equatorial and meridional directions (p=0.02). In comparing these data with previous studies, it is concluded that the human sclera is both anisotropic and viscoelastic. The dynamic material properties presented in this study can be used for advanced models of the human eye to help prevent eye injuries in the future. Language: en
Role and regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 during inflammation

Prostaglandins are formed from arachidonic acid by the action of cyclooxygenase (COX) and subsequent downstream synthetases. Recently, it has been found that there are two closely related forms of COX, which are now known as COX-1 and COX-2. Although both isoforms of this enzyme convert arachidonate to prostaglandins, there are significant differences in their distribution in the body and their roles in health and disease. The basis for these important differences lies in the genes for COX-1 and COX-2 and the regulation of these genes. COX-1, the predominantly constitutive form of the enzyme, is expressed throughout the body and provides certain homeostatic functions, such as maintaining normal gastric mucosa, influencing renal blood flow, and aiding in blood clotting by abetting platelet aggregation. In contrast, COX-2, the inducible form, is expressed in response to inflammatory and other physiologic stimuli and growth factors and is involved in the production of those prostaglandins that mediate pain and support the inflammatory process. All conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) nonspecifically inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 at standard anti-inflammatory doses. The beneficial anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects occur through the inhibition of COX-2, but the gastrointestinal toxicities and the mild bleeding diathesis occur as a result of concurrent inhibition of COX-1. It is important that physicians fully understand the pharmacologic basis for the differential actions of NSAIDs when prescribing them for pain and inflammation. This understanding is also important so that physicians can critically evaluate the basis for, and the emerging data on, COX-2-specific inhibitors and their potential role in clinical medicine. Agents that would inhibit COX-2 while sparing COX-1 represent an attractive therapeutic development and could represent a major advance in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as a diverse array of other conditions.
The Hitchhiker’s guide to Hi-C analysis: Practical guidelines

Over the last decade, development and application of a set of molecular genomic approaches based on the chromosome conformation capture method (3C), combined with increasingly powerful imaging approaches, have enabled high resolution and genome-wide analysis of the spatial organization of chromosomes. The aim of this paper is to provide guidelines for analyzing and interpreting data obtained with genome-wide 3C methods such as Hi-C and 3C-seq that rely on deep sequencing to detect and quantify pairwise chromatin interactions.
Mutational and structural analyses of the hinge region of membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase and enzyme processing.

Membrane type 1 (MT1)-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) is a major mediator of collagen degradation in the pericellular space in both physiological and pathological conditions. Previous evidence has shown that on the cell surface, active MT1-MMP undergoes autocatalytic processing to a major membrane-tethered 44-kDa product lacking the catalytic domain and displaying Gly285 at its N terminus, which is at the beginning of the hinge domain. However, the importance of this site and the hinge region in MT1-MMP processing is unknown. In the current study, we generated mutations and deletions in the hinge of MT1-MMP and followed their effect on processing. These studies established Gly284–Gly285 as the main cleavage site involved in the formation of the 44-kDa species. However, alterations at this site did not prevent processing. Instead, they forced downstream cleavages within the stretch of residues flanked by Gln296 and Ser304 in the hinge region, as determined by the processing profile of various hinge deletion mutants. Also, replacement of the hinge of MT1-MMP with the longer MT3-MMP hinge did not prevent processing of MT1-MMP. Molecular dynamic studies using a computational model of MT1-MMP revealed that the hinge region is a highly motile element that undergoes significant motion in the highly exposed loop formed by Pro295–Arg302 consistent with being a prime target for proteolysis, in agreement with the mutational data. These studies suggest that the hinge of MT1-MMP evolved to facilitate processing, a promiscuous but compulsory event in the destiny of MT1-MMP, which may play a key role in the control of pericellular proteolysis.
Stability of negatively charged dust grains in Saturn's ring plane

The boundary between the inner and outer parts of Saturn's B ring is located at the theoretical limit of stability of dust grains with large negative charge to mass ratio. A grain inside of this stability limit will move along magnetic field lines and strike Saturn if given a slight velocity component normal to the ring plane. Outside of this marginal stability radius, a perturbed grain merely oscillates back and forth through the ring plane. The theoretical location of the marginal stability radius is at 1.625 Saturn radius. Observations by Pioneer 11 and Voyager 2 in the infared see the boundary as a prominent change in ring brightness at this radius. The occultation of delta-Scorpii by the rings in the ultraviolet seen by Voyager 2 shows about a factor of two change in optical depth beginning very close to this radius.
Maximum Likelihood Estimates for Binary Data with Random Effects

The purpose of this paper is to present a procedure for obtaining approximate maximum likelihood estimates for compound binary response models. The extra binomial variation is incorporated into the model by adding random effects to the fixed effects on the probit (or logit) scale. Numerical integration techniques are used to arrive at a solution of the likelihood equations. The paper also presents an illustrating numerical example based on a large toxicological data set. The computations are carried out within the GLIM statistical package.
Fracture risk after cataract surgery.

To the Editor: Dr Tseng and colleagues conducted a retrospective study of the association of fracture risk after cataract surgery in a random 5% sample of Medicare beneficiaries. The authors noted that patients with decreased visual acuity have a higher incidence of fractures. Therefore, it is reasonable to propose that fracture risk would decrease after cataract surgery. When corrected for demographic data and comorbidities based on the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, this relationship was confirmed for patients with a propensity score decile subgroup of 4 or higher (Table 5 in article) for patients aged 70 years or older, and for those with a CCI score of 3 or higher (Table 6). However, this benefit did not extend to younger and healthier patients who underwent cataract surgery. With a significance level of P .05, the odds ratio (OR) for any fracture was actually higher for propensity score deciles 1 to 3 (ORs: 1.28 and 1.08; P .02; Table 5) and for patients with a CCI score of 2 or lower (OR, 1.03; P=.04; Table 6). For the youngest patients in the study (aged 65-69 years), cataract surgery was linked to a higher OR of hip fracture and any fracture (ORs: 1.16 and 1.09; P .02; Table 6). These subgroups comprised a significant percentage of pseudophakic Medicare beneficiaries; 19.5% were aged 65 to 69 years and 62.8% had a CCI of 2 or lower (Table 1). Why would cataract surgery result in a higher OR of hip fracture and any fracture in younger and healthier patients? Should these patients with visual impairment secondary to cataracts be counseled against cataract surgery? Ophthalmologists, other physicians, and patients with cataracts who are considering surgery would benefit from discussion of this paradoxical observation. The sequence of the diagnoses is important given the premise of the study: fracture risk after cataract surgery. The authors acknowledged their inability to distinguish whether the fracture or cataract diagnosis was noted first if both diagnoses occurred in the same calendar year. Severe cataracts, which the authors designated as “posterior subcapsular cataracts, total or mature cataract, hypermature cataract, and combined forms of cataract,” can progress rapidly, especially if the patient has diabetes mellitus or Cushing syndrome or is taking systemic corticosteroids. In these cases, the fracture diagnosis may have preceded the cataract diagnosis in the same year, which may confound the robust, reported link between extraction of severe cataracts and subsequent fracture risk.
Daytime sleepiness and functional outcomes in older adults with diabetes.

PurposeThis secondary analysis examined the effect of excessive sleepiness on daytime function in older adults with diabetes from the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep and Aging poll.MethodsRespondents were older adults (N = 1506; age range, 55-84 years) evaluated by telephone survey on their sleep duration, sleep disturbances, daytime functional outcomes, and self-reported height, weight, and comorbidities.ResultsApproximately 16% (n = 244) of the sample acknowledged a diagnosis of diabetes; they were older, had more comorbidities, had a higher body mass index (BMI), and were more likely to be sleepy during the daytime than nondiabetic respondents (all P < .05). Respondents with diabetes who reported frequent daytime sleepiness (n = 50; 20%) had significantly (P < .05) higher BMI, lower self-rated health, and more sleep disturbances than those who were not sleepy (n = 194). Sleepy respondents with diabetes also reported more frequent feelings of depression, decreased pleasure in life, naps, feeling drows...
Boundary detection via dynamic programming

This paper reports a new method for detecting optimal boundaries in multidimensional scene data via dynamic programming (DP). In its current form the algorithm detects 2-D contours on slices and differs from other reported DP-based algorithms in an essential way in that it allows freedom in 2-D for finding optimal contour paths (as opposed to a single degree of freedom in the published methods). The method is being successfully used in segmenting object boundaries in a variety of medical applications including orbital volume from CT images (for craniofacial surgical planning), segmenting bone in MR images for kinematic analysis of the joints of the foot, segmenting the surface of the brain from the inner surface of the cranial vault, segmenting pituitary gland tumor for following the effect of a drug on the tumor, segmenting the boundaries of the heart in MR images, and segmenting the olfactory bulb for verifying hypotheses related to the size of this bulb in certain disease states.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are important innate immune defenses that inhibit colonization by pathogens and contribute to clearance of infections. Gram-negative bacterial pathogens are a major target, yet many of them have evolved mechanisms to resist these antimicrobials. These resistance mechanisms can be critical contributors to bacterial virulence and are often crucial for survival within the host. Here, we summarize methods used by Gram-negative bacteria to resist CAMPs. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to new therapeutic strategies against pathogens with extensive CAMP resistance.
Evaluation of Hypertension in Children

Hypertension is an important public health problem, and increasingly children are being diagnosed with primary hypertension. As the list of secondary causes of hypertension is extensive, pediatric practitioners increasingly need to decide on investigations needed for evaluating children presenting with high blood pressure. The differentiation between primary and secondary hypertension is paramount to understanding this important health issue, since many forms of secondary hypertension require specific treatment. The review evaluates the current available guidelines and practice patterns for evaluating children with elevated blood pressure. The review also aims to provide a framework for cost-effective evaluation strategies for children with elevated blood pressure based on current recommendations and evidence.
Thermodynamic constants for nonelectrolyte partition between dimyristoyl lecithin and water.

Partition coefficients (K's) between dimyristoyl lecithin liposomes and water were measured as a function of temperature for 16 nonelectrolytes. FromK and its temperature dependence, the partial molar free energy (ΔF), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) of partition for each solute were extracted. By subtraction of ΔF, ΔH and ΔS of hydration of each solute (where known), ΔF, ΔH and ΔS of solution in lecithin could be calculated for some solutes. Among different solutes ΔS of solution increases approximately linearly with ΔH of solution, as also found in bulk solvents (the so-called Barclay-Butler relations). The Barclay-Butler slopedΔS/dΔH is approximately twice as steep for lecithin as for bulk nonpolar solvents. This effect is attributed in part to greater immobilization of solutes in bilayers than in bulk solvents.
Statistics of extreme gravitational lensing events. II. The finite shear case

We consider an astrophysical system with a population of sources and a population of lenses. For each pair of source and lens, there is a thin on-axis tubelike volume behind the lens in which the radiation flux from the source is greatly increased as a result of gravitational lensing. Any objects (such as dust grains) which pass through such a thin tube will experience strong bursts of radiation, i.e., extreme gravitational lensing events (EGLEs). We study the physics and statistics of EGLEs for the case in which the shear is larger than or comparable to the finite source size. We find that the presence of shear has only a small effect on the EGLE statistics.
A major minor for GVHD

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a complex process that involves donor T cells and multiple cellular and cytokine effectors. Detailed knowledge of T-cell responses to minor histocompatibility (H) antigens is scant. In this issue Choi and
20 years or more of follow-up of living kidney donors.

Abstract The perioperative and long-term risks for living kidney donors are of concern. We have studied donors at the University of Minnesota 20 years or more (mean 23·7) after donation by comparing renal function, blood pressure, and proteinuria in donors with siblings. In 57 donors (mean age 61 [SE 1]), mean serum creatinine is 1·1 (0·01) mg/dl, blood urea nitrogen 17 (0·5) mg/dl, creatinine clearance 82 (2) ml/min, and blood pressure 134 (2)/80 (1) mm Hg. 32% of the donors are taking antihypertensive drugs and 23% have proteinuria. The 65 siblings (mean age 58 [1·3]) do not significantly differ from the donors in any of these variables: 1·1 (0·03) mg/dl, 17 (1·2) mg/dl, 89 (3·3) ml/min, and 130 (3)/80 (1·5) mm Hg, respectively. 44% of the siblings are taking antihypertensives and 22% have proteinuria. To assess perioperative mortality, we surveyed all members of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons about donor mortality at their institutions. We documented 17 perioperative deaths in the USA and Canada after living donation, and estimate mortality to be 0·03%. We conclude that perioperative mortality in the USA and Canada after living-donor nephrectomy is low. In long-term follow-up of our living donors, we found no evidence of progressive renal deterioration or other serious disorders.
Use of a residency program incident reporting system as an educational tool

AbstractResidency programs can take advantage of institution-wide incident reporting systems to develop their own systems to improve program management and enhance education in communication, conflict resolution, and malpractice prevention. Our internal medicine residency program developed a secure,
Transepithelial voltage and resistance of vestibular dark cell epithelium from the gerbil ampulla

Abstract Transepithelial voltage (V t ) and resistance (R t ) were measured across the dark cell epithelium of the gerbil ampulla using a micro Ussing chamber of improved design in order to test the view that the histologically similar epithelia in the utricle and in the ampullae exhibit similar electrophysiologic functions. V t was found to be 8.0 ± 0.3 mV and R t was 11.6 ±0.4 ohm-cm 2 ( N = 179) when both sides of the tissue were perfused with symmetric perilymph-like solution. The equivalent short circuit current ( I sc = V t / R t ) was 712±18 μA/cm 2 ( N = 179). I sc was reduced from 638 ± 60 to 48 ± 16 μA/cm 2 ( N = 14) by basolateral perfusion of 10 −3 M ouabain and from 538 ± 27 to 27 ± 4 μA/cm 2 ( N = 15) by basolateral perfusion of 5 · 10 −5 M bumetanide. Basolateral K + steps (Na + substitution) from 3.6 to 25 mM increased V t from 6.5 ± 0.5 to 12.2 ± 0.6 mV and reduced R t from 9.7 ± 0.7 to 7.4 ± 0.5 ohm-cm 2 ( N = 43). Apical K + steps from 3.6 to 25, to 100 mM or to 145 mM led to a decrease in both V t and R t . The steady state V t during apical perfusion of 145 mM K + was near zero. Upon return to 3.6 mM K + , V t transiently overshot its original level. Apical Cl − steps from 150 to 50 mM (gluconate substitution) monophasically decreased V t from 5.9 ± 0.7 to 4.1 ± 0.8 mV ( N = 15) and increased R t from 9.6 ± 1.3 to 12.0 ± 1.5 ohm-cm 2 ( N = 14). Apical perfusion of 5 · 10 −4 M DIDS increased V t from 7.1 ± 0.9 to a peak value of 11.9 ± 1.7 mV ( N = 6) and decreased R t from 10.2 ± 2.1 to 9.0 ± 1.7 ohm-cm 2 at the time of the peak V t . The present results are qualitatively similar to data obtained in the utricle, suggesting a functional similarity between the dark cell epithelium in these two regions of the vestibular labyrinth. Further, the data support the hypothesis that the vestibular dark cells contribute a lumen-positive voltage only when the K + concentration of endolymph falls below the level normally found in vivo.
Indole-3-acetic acid in Douglas fir seedlings: A reappraisal

Abstract The use of ring-labelled, pentadeutero IAA as an internal standard in selected ion monitoring analysis of Douglas fir seedlings revealed an estimate of IAA which was nearly an order of magnitude smaller than that reported earlier.
Phenomenological simulation and density functional theory prediction of 57 Fe Mössbauer parameters: application to magnetically coupled diiron proteins

The use of phenomenological spin Hamiltonians and of spin density functional theory for the analysis and interpretation of Mossbauer spectra of antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic diiron centers is briefly discussed. The spectroscopic parameters of the hydroxylase component of methane monooxygenase (MMOH), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of methane to methanol, have been studied. In its reduced diferrous state (MMOHRed) the enzyme displays 57Fe Mossbauer and EPR parameters characteristic of two ferromagnetically coupled high spin ferrous ions. However, Mossbauer spectra recorded for MMOHRed from two different bacteria, Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, display slightly different electric quadrupole splittings (ΔEQ) in apparent contradiction to their essentially identical active site crystallographic structures and biochemical functions. Herein, the Mossbauer spectral parameters of MMOHRed have been predicted and studied via spin density functional theory. The somewhat different ΔEQ recorded for the two bacteria have been traced to the relative position of an essentially unbound water molecule within their diiron active sites. It is shown that the presence or absence of the unbound water molecule mainly affects the electric field gradient at only one iron ion of the binuclear active sites.
Dimerization of cyclopentadienyl radical to produce naphthalene

Report on initial findings on the pyrolysis of triphenylmethylcyclopentadiene and their relevance to the flame chemistry of the cyclopentadienyl radical
The Development of the Child Psychotherapy Process Scales (CPPS)

This article presents the development of a new measure to describe and evaluate the process of child psychotherapy. Consisting of 15 child and 18 therapist items in five-point Likert-type format, the Child Psychotherapy Process Scales (CPPS) were modeled after widely used adult process scales. Three raters reliably scored 105 twenty-minute segments of child psychotherapy using the 33 items. Principal component analyses revealed three child factors (therapeutic relationship, child therapeutic work, and child readiness) and three therapist factors (therapist technical work, therapeutic relationship, and technical lapse) which described both positive and negative aspects of the therapy process. Confirmatory P-technique analyses revealed that the structure of therapist and child insession discourse differed significantly across high and low CPPS-scored sessions. Discussion relates CPPS factors to those obtained in the adult literature and to child process factors obtained using clinician and child self-report...
Multiple imaging phase-encoded optical elements written as programmable spatial light modulators

We report a multiple imaging capability of replicated binary Fresnel phase-encoded lenses written on programmable spatial light modulators (SLMs). These lenses produce a large number (up to 9 x 9) of equally intense replica images from either an external object or from a pattern which is encoded onto the SLM along with the phase-encoded lens. Theoretical details and experimental results using the magnetooptic spatial light modulator are presented.
High-T c superconductor in an a.c. field

The behavior of high-T c oxides in an alternating field is studied. The short coherence length and the layered structure require an unconventional microscopic analysis. The complex conductivityδ(Ω, k) is evaluated. The frequency and temperature dependences of the impedance are obtained (in the region of small frequencies). The effect of impurities is discussed. The microwave properties of the proximity system Sh-N (Sh and N are high-T c and normal films, respectively) are discussed.
Constructing a single equation of state for gas and liquid by the method of minimizing the sum of squares of the relative deviations

The use of the sum of squares of the relative deviations as the minimization criterion in the scheme of the least-squares method is proposed for the construction of a single thermal equation of state.
Analytical periodic motions in a parametrically excited, nonlinear rotating blade

The stability and bifurcation analyses of periodic motions in a rotating blade subject to a torsional excitation are investigated. For high speed rotations, cubic geometric nonlinearity and gyroscopic effects of the rotating blade are considered. From the Galerkin method, the partial differential equation of the nonlinear rotating blade is simplified to the ordinary differential equations, and periodic motions and stability of the rotating blade are studied by the generalized harmonic balance method. The analytical and numerical results of periodic solutions are compared. The rich dynamics and co-existing periodic solutions of the nonlinear rotating blades are investigated.
India and the Romantic Imagination

Considering a wealth of material from literary, historical, and philosophical sources, this study reveals the depth of India's influence on the Western imagination and on English Romantic poetry in particular. Drew clearly delineates the European idea of India and offers a new, speculative thesis concerning the nature of the human imagination.
Vaccine-Induced Cellular Responses Control Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Replication after Heterologous Challenge

All human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine efficacy trials to date have ended in failure. Structural features of the Env glycoprotein and its enormous variability have frustrated efforts to induce broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies. To explore the extent to which vaccine-induced cellular immune responses, in the absence of neutralizing antibodies, can control replication of a heterologous, mucosal viral challenge, we vaccinated eight macaques with a DNA/Ad5 regimen expressing all of the proteins of SIVmac239 except Env. Vaccinees mounted high-frequency T-cell responses against 11 to 34 epitopes. We challenged the vaccinees and eight naive animals with the heterologous biological isolate SIVsmE660, using a regimen intended to mimic typical HIV exposures resulting in infection. Viral loads in the vaccinees were significantly less at both the peak (1.9-log reduction; P < 0.03) and at the set point (2.6-log reduction; P < 0.006) than those in control naive animals. Five of eight vaccinated macaques controlled acute peak viral replication to less than 80,000 viral RNA (vRNA) copy eq/ml and to less than 100 vRNA copy eq/ml in the chronic phase. Our results demonstrate that broad vaccine-induced cellular immune responses can effectively control replication of a pathogenic, heterologous AIDS virus, suggesting that T-cell-based vaccines may have greater potential than previously appreciated.
The Collapse of the Alto Río Building during the 27 February 2010 Maule, Chile, Earthquake

The Alto Rio Building, a 15-story building located in Concepcion, Chile, collapsed during the 2010 Maule earthquake. Construction of the building was completed in 2009 following the Chilean buildin...
Low-temperature fabrication of p/sup +/-n diodes with 300-AA junction depth

Gas immersion laser doping (GILD) was used to fabricate p/sup +/-n diodes with 300-AA junction depth. These diodes exhibit ideality factors of 1.01-1.05 over seven decades of current, reverse leakage current densities >
Pharmacist-Managed Intravenous to Oral Step-Down Program

In an effort to provide cost-effective pharmaceutical care at a 650-bed community hospital, a pharmacist-managed intravenous to oral step-down program was developed and implemented. As part of this program, satellite pharmacists review daily the charts of patients receiving 1 or more of 10 targeted drugs given intravenously. Based on a predetermined set of criteria and their clinical judgment, pharmacists recommend that physicians switch to the oral formulation of the targeted drugs if appropriate. This program has been in place for 7 months, during which time 223 recommendations were made. Of these recommendations, 190 were accepted and implemented, resulting in a cost savings of $21,596.00. When annualized, the expected savings is $37,000.00 or nearly the salary of one full-time pharmacist. This program has been well accepted by physicians and pharmacists. It appears to be having a positive impact on physician awareness of using oral medications when appropriate.
Learning methods for lung tumor markerless gating in image-guided radiotherapy

In an idealized gated radiotherapy treatment, radiation is delivered only when the tumor is at the right position. For gated lung cancer radiotherapy, it is difficult to generate accurate gating signals due to the large uncertainties when using external surrogates and the risk of pneumothorax when using implanted fiducial markers. In this paper, we investigate machine learning algorithms for markerless gated radiotherapy with fluoroscopic images. Previous approach utilizes template matching to localize the tumor position. Here, we investigate two ways to improve the precision of tumor target localization by applying: (1) an ensemble of templates where the representative templates are selected by Gaussian mixture clustering, and (2) a support vector machine (SVM) classifier with radial basis kernels. Template matching only considers images inside the gating window, but images outside the gating window might provide additional information. We take advantage of both states and re-cast the gating problem into a classification problem. Thus, we are able to use the SVM classifier for gated radiotherapy. To verify the effectiveness of the two proposed techniques, we apply them on five sequences of fluoroscopic images from five lung cancer patients against the gating signal of manually contoured tumors as ground truth. Our five-patient case study shows that both ensemble template matching and SVM are reasonable tools for image-guided markerless gated radiotherapy with an average of approximately 95% precision in terms of delivered target dose at approximately 35% duty cycle.
Transforming Teaching Practice: Becoming the critically reflective teacher

This article proposes a framework for conceptualizing developing as a critically reflective teacher. The author posits that critical reflection is the distinguishing attribute of reflective practitioners. The term critical reflection as developed here merges critical inquiry, the conscious consideration of the ethical implications and consequences of teaching practice, with self-reflection, deep examination of personal beliefs, and assumptions about human potential and learning. Essential practices for developing critical reflection are discussed. This article defines processes fundamental to reflective practice. Teacher beliefs are self-generating, and often unchallenged. Unless teachers develop the practice of critical reflection, they stay trapped in unexamined judgments, interpretations, assumptions, and expectations. Approaching teaching as a reflective practitioner involves infusing personal beliefs and values into a professional identity, resulting in developing a deliberate code of conduct.
Implementation and application of local computation of wavelet coefficients in the dual-tree complex wavelets

The dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DT CWT) was introduced to overcome the disadvantages of the traditional fully decimated discrete wavelet transform (DWT), namely the shift-variance and the poor directional selectivity properties. Because of its improvements in these aspects, the dual-tree has been widely used in many image processing applications such as denoising, motion estimation, image classification and even compression despite its redundant representation. In our previous work, we were able to accurately and locally estimate the wavelet coefficients of one tree in the DT CWT, given a subset of the other tree coefficients. Our method is based on exploiting the orthogonality properties of one of the nicest dual-tree designs - the Q-shift complex wavelets. In this paper, we demonstrate the implementation of multiple level of decomposition as well as the two dimensional realization with application to region of interest (ROI) imaging applications such as denoising.