cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A quantitative trait variant in Gabra2 underlies increased methamphetamine stimulant sensitivity.

Psychostimulant (methamphetamine, cocaine) use disorders have a genetic component that remains mostly unknown. We conducted genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of methamphetamine stimulant sensitivity. To facilitate gene identification, we employed a Reduced Complexity Cross between closely related C57BL/6 mouse substrains and examined maximum speed and distance traveled over 30 min following methamphetamine (2 mg/kg, i.p.). For maximum methamphetamine-induced speed following the second and third administration, we identified a single genome-wide significant QTL on chromosome 11 that peaked near the Cyfip2 locus (LOD = 3.5, 4.2; peak = 21 cM [36 Mb]). For methamphetamine-induced distance traveled following the first and second administration, we identified a genome-wide significant QTL on chromosome 5 that peaked near a functional intronic indel in Gabra2 coding for the alpha-2 subunit of the GABA-A receptor (LOD = 3.6-5.2; peak = 34-35 cM [66-67 Mb]). Striatal cis-expression QTL mapping corroborated Gabra2 as a functional candidate gene underlying methamphetamine-induced distance traveled. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated correction of the mutant intronic deletion on the C57BL/6J background to the wild-type C57BL/6NJ allele was sufficient to reduce methamphetamine-induced locomotor activity toward the wild-type C57BL/6NJ-like level, thus validating the quantitative trait variant (QTV). These studies show the power and efficiency of Reduced Complexity Crosses in identifying causal variants underlying complex traits. Functionally restoring Gabra2 expression decreased methamphetamine stimulant sensitivity and supports preclinical and human genetic studies implicating the GABA-A receptor in psychostimulant addiction-relevant traits. Importantly, our findings have major implications for studying psychostimulants in the C57BL/6J strain-the gold standard strain in biomedical research.
A Windowed Correlation-Based Feature Selection Method to Improve Time Series Prediction of Dengue Fever Cases

The performance of data-driven models depends on training samples. For accurately predicting dengue fever cases, historical incidence data are inadequate in many locations. This work aims to enhance temporally limited dengue case data by methodological addition of epidemically relevant case data from nearby locations as predictors (features). A novel framework is presented for windowing incidence data and computing time-shifted correlation-based metrics to quantify feature relevance. The framework ranks incidence data of adjacent locations around a target by combining metrics based on correlation, spatial distance, and local prevalence. Recurrent neural network models achieve up to 33.6% accuracy improvement on average using the proposed method. These models achieve mean absolute error (MAE) values as low as 0.128 on [0, 1] normalized incidence data for a municipality with the highest dengue prevalence in Brazil’s Espirito Santo. When predicting aggregate cases over geographical ecoregions, the models improve by 16.5%, using only 6.5% of ranked incidence data. This paper also presents two correlation window allocation methods: fixed-size and outbreak detection. Both perform comparably well, although the outbreak detection method uses less data for computations. The proposed framework is generalized, and it can be used to improve time-series predictions of many spatiotemporal datasets.
Variability of Retinal Oxygen Metrics in Healthy and Diabetic Subjects.

Purpose Previous studies have reported alterations in total retinal blood flow (TRBF), oxygen delivery (DO2), oxygen metabolism (MO2), and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) due to retinal diseases. The purposes of the current study were to determine variabilities and establish normal confidence intervals (CIs) for these metrics.
Tracking Partially-Occluded Deformable Objects while Enforcing Geometric Constraints

In order to manipulate a deformable object, such as rope or cloth, in unstructured environments, robots need a way to estimate its current shape. However, tracking the shape of a deformable object can be challenging because of the object’s high flexibility, (self-)occlusion, and interaction with obstacles. Building a high-fidelity physics simulation to aid in tracking is difficult for novel environments. Instead we focus on tracking the object based on RGBD images and geometric motion estimates and obstacles. Our key contributions over previous work in this vein are: 1) A better way to handle severe occlusion by using a motion model to regularize the tracking estimate; and 2) The formulation of convex geometric constraints, which allow us to prevent self-intersection and penetration into known obstacles via a post-processing step. These contributions allow us to outperform previous methods by a large margin in terms of accuracy in scenarios with severe occlusion and obstacles.
A note on the closed-form solution for the longest head run problem of Abraham de Moivre

The problem of the longest head run was introduced and solved by Abraham de Moivre in the second edition of his book Doctrine of Chances (de Moivre, 1738). The closed-form solution as a finite sum involving binomial coefficients was provided in Uspensky (1937). Since then, the problem and its variations and extensions have found broad interest and diverse applications. Surprisingly, a very simple closed form can be obtained, which we present in this note.
Construction of simplicial complexes with prescribed degree-size sequences

We study the realizability of simplicial complexes with a given pair of integer sequences, representing the node degree distribution and the facet size distribution, respectively. While the s-uniform variant of the problem is NP-complete when s≥3, we identify two populations of input sequences, most of which can be solved in polynomial time using a recursive algorithm that we contribute. Combining with a sampler for the simplicial configuration model [J.-G. Young et al., Phys. Rev. E 96, 032312 (2017)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.96.032312], we facilitate the efficient sampling of simplicial ensembles from arbitrary degree and size distributions. We find that, contrary to expectations based on dyadic networks, increasing the nodes' degrees reduces the number of loops in simplicial complexes. Our work unveils a fundamental constraint on the degree-size sequences and sheds light on further analyses of higher-order phenomena based on local structures.
Polarity in the Classroom: A Case Study Leveraging Peer Sentiment Toward Scalable Assessment

Accurately grading open-ended assignmentsin large or massive open online courses is nontrivial. Peer review is a promising solution but can be unreliable due to few reviewers and an unevaluated review form. To date, no work has leveraged sentiment analysis in the peer-review process to inform or validate grades or utilized aspect extraction to craft a review form from what students actually communicated. This article utilizes, rather than discards, student data from review form comments to deliver better information to the instructor. In this article, we detail the process by which we create our domain-dependent lexicon and aspect-informed review form as well as our entire sentiment analysis algorithm, which provides a fine-grained sentiment score from text alone. We end by analyzing validity and discussing conclusions from our corpus of over 6800 peer reviews from nine courses to understand the viability of sentiment in the classroom for increasing the information from and reliability of grading open-ended assignments in large courses.
Pooled testing for quarantine decisions

Abstract We study optimal testing to inform quarantine decisions for a population exhibiting a heterogeneous probability of carrying a pathogen. Because test supply is limited, the planner may choose to test a pooled sample, which contains the specimens of multiple individuals ( Dorfman, 1943 ). We characterize the unique optimal allocation of tests. This allocation features assortative batching, whereby agents of differing infection risk are never jointly tested. Moreover, the planner tests only individuals whose prior quarantine decision is the most uncertain. Finally, individuals with higher infection risk are tested in smaller batches, because such tests minimize the informational externality of group testing.
Surgery Sequencing Coordination with Recovery Resource Constraints

Surgical practice administrators need to determine the sequence of surgeries and reserved operating room (OR) time for each surgery in the surgery scheduling process. Both decisions require coordin...
Locally Valid and Discriminative Prediction Intervals for Deep Learning Models

Crucial for building trust in deep learning models for critical real-world applications is efficient and theoretically sound uncertainty quantification, a task that continues to be challenging. Useful uncertainty information is expected to have two key properties: It should be valid (guaranteeing coverage) and discriminative (more uncertain when the expected risk is high). Moreover, when combined with deep learning (DL) methods, it should be scalable and affect the DL model performance minimally. Most existing Bayesian methods lack frequentist coverage guarantees and usually affect model performance. The few available frequentist methods are rarely discriminative and/or violate coverage guarantees due to unrealistic assumptions. Moreover, many methods are expensive or require substantial modifications to the base neural network. Building upon recent advances in conformal prediction [13, 33] and leveraging the classical idea of kernel regression, we propose Locally Valid and Discriminative prediction intervals (LVD), a simple, efficient, and lightweight method to construct discriminative prediction intervals (PIs) for almost any DL model. With no assumptions on the data distribution, such PIs also offer finite-sample local coverage guarantees (contrasted to the simpler marginal coverage). We empirically verify, using diverse datasets, that besides being the only locally valid method for DL, LVD also exceeds or matches the performance (including coverage rate and prediction accuracy) of existing uncertainty quantification methods, while offering additional benefits in scalability and flexibility.
(Un)Veiled: An Examination of Conscience

(Un)Veiled: An Examination of Conscience By April L.M.U. Dauscha, MFA A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012. Director: Susan Iverson Professor, Department of Craft/Material Studies I use the body to investigate the ideas of morality, mourning and mortification. I look towards costume history, traditional Catholic rituals and themes in 19 century literature to feed my obsession with transformation, reconciliation and communication through dress. My making focuses on feminine objects and materials. Lace, veils, undergarments and hair adornment speak not only of womanhood, but also of the duality of human nature. Lace speaks of purity and sexuality, it reveals and conceals, it is humble, yet gluttonous in its ornamental overindulgence; lace is the ultimate dichotomy. I use it as a potent symbol to represent the duality of body and soul, right and wrong, good and evil. Historically, neglected, disheveled and unbound hair was a sign of mourning and penance, a physical representation of one's sin and sorrow. In my work, hair comes to represent an uncomfortable binding of one's self to one's alter ego, while helping to serve as an act of penance and mortification. As I make, my hands hopelessly yearn to create beauty from burdens; the repetitive and penitential process of stitching creates a metaphor for my longing towards perfection and purification. My use of video, photography and installation work to provide a unique experience for the viewer, for here they are invited to enter these imaginary worlds of wonder.
Folk Song: Tradition, Revival, and Re-Creation

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2004 Pages: viii + 555 Publisher: Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen
Voltage- and ligand-activated inwardly rectifying currents in dorsal raphe neurons in vitro.

Intracellular recordings were made from neurons in rat dorsal raphe in the slice preparation maintained at 37 degrees C. The single-electrode voltage-clamp method was used to measure membrane currents at potentials more negative than rest (-60 mV). Three types of inward rectification were observed: 2 in the absence of any drugs and the third induced by 5-HT 1 and GABA-B receptor agonists. In the absence of any drugs, an inward current activated over 1–2 sec when the membrane potential was stepped to potentials more negative than -70 mV. This current was blocked by cesium (2 mM) and resembles IQ or IH. A second inward current (IIR) occurred at membrane potentials near the potassium equilibrium potential (EK). This inward current activated within the settling time of the clamp and was abolished by both barium (10–100 microM) and cesium (2 mM). 5-HT 1 agonists activated a potassium conductance that hyperpolarized the cells at rest. This potassium conductance was about 2 nS at -60 mV and increased linearly with membrane hyperpolarization to about 4 nS at -120 mV. Baclofen activated a potassium conductance identical in amplitude and voltage dependence to that induced by 5-HT 1 agonists. Both the baclofen- and 5-HT-induced currents were nearly abolished in animals pretreated with pertussis toxin. The results indicate that a common potassium conductance is increased by 5-HT acting on 5-HT 1 receptors and baclofen acting on GABA-B receptors. This potassium conductance rectifies inwardly and is distinct from the Q-current. The ligand-activated potassium conductance also differs from the other form of inward rectification (IIR) in its voltage dependence and sensitivity to pertussis toxin.
The Scriptures of Security

Security Metaphors: Cold War Discourse from Containment to Common House By Paul A. Chilton Imperial Encounters: The Politics of Representation in North-South Relations By Roxanne Lynn Doty
Seeking homeostasis: temporal trends in respiration, oxidation, and calcium in SOD1 G93A Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mice

Impairments in mitochondria, oxidative regulation, and calcium homeostasis have been well documented in numerous amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experimental models, especially in the superoxide dismutase 1 glycine 93 to alanine (SOD1 G93A) transgenic mouse. However, the timing of these deficiencies has been debatable. In a systematic review of 45 articles, we examine experimental measurements of cellular respiration, mitochondrial mechanisms, oxidative markers, and calcium regulation. We evaluate the quantitative magnitude and statistical temporal trend of these aggregated assessments in high transgene copy SOD1 G93A mice compared to wild type mice. Analysis of overall trends reveals cellular respiration, intracellular ATP, and corresponding mitochondrial elements (Cox, cytochrome c, complex I, enzyme activity) are depressed for the entire lifespan of the SOD1 G93A mouse. Oxidant markers (H2O2, 8OH2’dG, MDA) are initially similar to wild type but are double that of wild type by the time of symptom onset despite early post-natal elevation of protective heat shock proteins. All aspects of calcium regulation show early disturbances, although a notable and likely compensatory convergence to near wild type levels appears to occur between 40-80 days (pre-onset), followed by a post-onset elevation in intracellular calcium. The identified temporal trends and compensatory fluctuations provide evidence that the “cause” of ALS may lay within failed homeostatic regulation, itself, rather than any one particular perturbing event or cellular mechanism. We discuss the vulnerabilities of motoneurons to regulatory instability and possible hypotheses regarding failed regulation and its potential treatment in ALS.
Urbanization and Persistent Educational Inequalities: The Need for Collective Action Towards Equity and Social Justice

This article examines the history, development, and issues of urban education in the United States. In an effort to address persistent educational inequalities and better support youth placed at risk because of existing disparities, this article connects interdisciplinary literature and illuminates the plight of high-poverty, public schools in urban settings. The author issues a call for collective action for social justice and educational equity.
Pyrazinamide cocrystals and the search for polymorphs

A number of polymorphic cocrystals have been reported in the recent literature, yet there is no clear understanding of the cause or the prevalence of this phenomenon. This study systematically screens for cocrystals of pyrazinamide (PZA) and examines polymorphism in these systems. Simple polymorphic coformers in which the orientation of the hydrogen bonding groups vary systematically (all isomers of amino- and hydroxybenzoic acids) were deliberately targeted. Cocrystals of PZA and all coformers formed under a number of reaction conditions including solvent-drop grinding, slurry, solution and melt crystallization. The cocrystals were characterized by PXRD, DSC, melting point determination and, in cases where single crystals were obtained, 1H NMR and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Preliminary polymorph screen for previously reported PZA cocrystals and ones reported herein indicates that a single phase forms consistently and reliably for each cocrystal under a number of reaction conditions.
Microstructural studies of 7075 Al—Relation to the directional sensitivity for stress corrosion cracking

Abstract Dislocation and precipitate distributions have been studied in stress corrosion samples produced from commercial 7075 Al rolled plate. Transmission electron microscopy results show that the dislocation and precipitate distributions are similar in thin sections parallel to the three principal planes and are relatively uniform from the grain boundaries to the inner grain regions. It is concluded that variations in the precipitate and dislocation structures in this alloy are not responsible for the pronounced directional sensitivity for s.c.c.
Erratum: ?Effect of magnetite particle size on adsorption and desorption of arsenite and arsenate? [J. Mater. Res. 20, 3255 (2005)]

The purpose of this erratum is to correct the omission of a coauthor, Joshua C. Falkner, Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas.
TiO2/dye/electrolyte Interface Engineering by Atomic Layer Deposited Ultra Thin SiO2 for Improved Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Performance

The short circuit density (JSC) and open circuit voltage (VOC) of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were improved from 9.8 to 17.8 mA/cm2 and 728 to 743 mV by depositing an ultra thin SiO2 layer on mesoporous TiO2 using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) method. X ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the growth of SiO2 on mesoporous TiO2 surface. It was also observed that the enhancement in DSSC performance highly depends on the thickness of the ALD grown SiO2 layers on mesoporous TiO2. Compared to the reference DSSC which used untreated TiO2, incorporation of 5 ALD cycles (about 5 atomic layers) of SiO2 on mesoporous TiO2 resulted in 80 % enhancement (E) in the photoconversion efficiency from 4 to 7.2%. It is believed that the deposition of the ultra thin SiO2 film on mesoporous TiO2 modifies the density and activity of the surface states and an optimized layer thickness (5 cycles) leads to significant improvement in the DSSC performance. The enhanced photovoltaic performance was confirmed by dark and illuminated I-V and external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements.
Impact of Self-Phase Modulation on Instabilities in Fiber Lasers

Continuously pumped Yb-doped double-clad fiber lasers exhibit two kinds of instabilities, known as self-sustained pulsing and self-mode locking (SML). We study numerically the role of self-phase modulation (SPM) on the onset of these stabilities by using a spatiotemporal model that takes into account fully the length dependence of both the optical gain and spontaneous emission, while also including the nonlinear effects within the fiber. Self-sustained pulsations originate from relaxation oscillations. Although they die out quickly in the absence of SPM, our results show that SPM restores these oscillations when the laser power exceeds a certain value. SML has its origin in the spontaneous-emission noise acting as a seed. The laser cavity amplifies this noise the most at frequencies associated with its longitudinal modes, resulting in periodic power variations with an amplitude <; 1% (without SPM). We find that SPM plays again a critical role and increases their amplitude to above the 10% level. We also show that the SPM-induced instabilities can be suppressed by inserting a passive fiber of suitable length inside the laser cavity, which is in agreement with recent experimental work.
Role of Brownfield Developments in Reducing Household Vehicle Travel

AbstractThe transportation sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United State. Developing underutilized urban industrial sites with certain characteristics (i.e., close proximity to transit, job and services, low remediation cost, and high density) can potentially reduce the transportation sector’s impact on the environment by lowering vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT) and related GHG emissions. This study examines the effect of residential brownfield developments on VKT reduction and the resulting costs (including the cost of driving time, fuel, and external air pollution costs) and further compares the resulting costs with the initial one-time cleanup cost of brownfield sites. Sixteen brownfield and conventional development sites were analyzed in Baltimore, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh. Travel demand models were used to estimate VKT differences among the developments. Air pollution valuation data were used to estimate external environmental cost differences...
Design and processing of a thermoplastic composite reinforced wood structure

Reinforced wood structures retain the advantages of natural wood while they allow increased life and better performance. Wood reinforced with thermoset composites has been studied earlier. We for the first time develop a process and design methodology for a thermoplastic-reinforced wood structure. A wood floor structure was reinforced by the means of adhering a thin layer of consolidated thermoplastic composite. The process for consolidating commingled E-glass/polypropylene yarns and adhering the composite to wood was designed and tested. The time for preheating and consolidating the commingled thermoplastic yarns on top of wood was predicted analytically and compared with experimental results. An optimal design methodology for the wood/composite floor structure is also developed. Polym. Compos. 25:119–133, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Comments on Some of the Mercosur Articles

Mercosur (or Mercosul in Portuguese), the common market agreement involving Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, is now 20 years old, and after the conference that resulted in these articles w...
Evanescent wave fluorescence biosensors

Since discovery and first use in the mid-1970s, evanescent wave fluorescence biosensors have developed into a diverse range of instruments, each designed to meet a particular detection need. In this review, we provide a brief synopsis of what evanescent wave fluorescence biosensors are, how they work, and how they are used. In addition, we have summarized the important patents that have impacted the evolution from laboratory curiosities to fully automated commercial products. Finally, we address the critical issues that evanescent wave fluorescence biosensors will face in the coming years.
Violence Against the Press: Policing the Public Sphere in U.S. History

In Violence Against the Press, John Nerone culls an important and original history of the US media from those points where contradictory political and social ideologies collide. Examining patterns of violence against US journalists from the American revolution to the present, Nerone argues that there is a legacy of suppression as old as the tradition of a free press, and that violent acts against the press are systematic rather than episodic. Nerone turns our attention away from the usual culprits in attacks on the press (extremist groups, wartime governments, fundamentalists) and instead points to political culture itself.
A design of inverse Taylor projectiles using material simulation

The classic Taylor cylinder test, in which a right circular cylinder is projected at a rigid anvil, exploits the inertia of the projectile to access strain rates that are difficult to achieve with more traditional uniaxial testing methods. In this work we present our efforts to design inverse Taylor projectiles, in which a tapered projectile becomes a right circular cylinder after impact, from annealed copper and show that the self-correcting geometry leads to a uniform compressive strain in the radial direction. We design projectiles using finite element simulation and optimization that deform as desired in tests with minor deviations in the deformed geometry due to manufacturing error and uncertainty in the initial velocity. The inverse Taylor projectiles designed in this manner provide a simple means of validating constitutive models. This work is a step towards developing a general method of designing Taylor projectiles that provide stress–strain behavior relevant to particular engineering problems.
Glomerular filtration rate via plasma iohexol disappearance: Pilot study for chronic kidney disease in children

To guide the design of a nation-wide cohort study of chronic kidney disease in children, we determined how iohexol plasma disappearance curves could be used in children to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Iohexol (5 ml) was administered intravenously and blood samples were obtained at 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 240, 300, and 360 min after injection ( N =29) and assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. Four urines were also collected following the injection. Intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) in serum was 1.3% at 100 mg/l, 2.6% at 15 mg/l, and 3.4% for duplicate unknowns. GFR(9) was computed from iohexol dose and area under the nine-point blood disappearance curve, using double exponential modeling. Only 2.8% of 254 data points deviated by >3 CV from the curves. GFR(4) calculated from 10, 30, 120, and 300 min points correlated well with GFR(9) ( r =0.999) and showed no bias (means±s.d. of GFR(9) and GFR(4)=59.3±36.3 and 59.4±36.0 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 ). Relationship of GFR(9) and one-compartment GFR followed quadratic equation as previously reported by Brochner-Mortensen, allowing GFR to be calculated from 120 and 300 min points. This GFR(2) correlated well with GFR(9) ( r =0.986). Estimated GFR from Schwartz height/creatinine formula correlated with GFR(9)( r =0.934) but overestimated GFR by 12.2 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 . Urine iohexol clearance was poorly correlated ( r =0.770) with GFR(9) owing to variability in urine collections (median CV=24%). GFR can be measured accurately using four-point iohexol plasma disappearance (in most cases, two points suffice); estimated GFR and urinary clearances are less useful.
Enhancement of Periprosthetic Bone Quality with Topical Hydroxyapatite-Bisphosphonate Composite

The long-term clinical success of total joint replacement depends on stable integration between the host bone and the prosthesis. Common features of implant loosening include periprosthetic inflammatory bone loss, the formation of interface membranes, and the loss of mechanical stability1,2. Several experimental studies have shown improved osseous integration and biomechanical stability of hydroxyapatite-coated implants compared with those without hydroxyapatite coating3. Recently, there has been an effort to use bisphosphonates to im-prove the longevity of hydroxyapatite-coated dental implants4. Bisphosphonates are antiresorptive agents that have been widely used for the treatment of osteoporosis, metabolic bone diseases, and metastatic bone tumors5. At the tissue level, all bisphosphonates inhibit bone destruction and lead to an increase in bone mineral density by decreasing bone resorption and bone turnover6. At the cellular level, bisphosphonates exert their effect primarily through their action on osteoclasts. It is likely that bisphosphonates are internalized by osteoclasts and interfere with specific biochemical processes that induce apoptosis7. Bisphosphonates avidly bind to bone and other calcium-containing substances both in vitro and in vivo. Several in vitro and animal experiments have demonstrated the potential benefit of topical application of bisphosphonates to improve bone quality in the area of interest. Topical delivery of bisphosphonates has several theoretical advantages such as site-specific delivery to the interface between the prosthesis and host bone, avoidance of systemic exposure to bisphosphonates in younger patients who may not require them, and the simplicity of drug delivery. On the basis of these premises, several animal studies have shown that regional bone density improves after topical application of bisphosphonates8,9. In this study, we hypothesized that pretreating intramedullary implants with a hydroxyapatite-zoledronate composite enhances periprosthetic bone quality and prosthesis integration with host bone even in the presence of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles. To test our hypothesis, we conducted an in vitro study to determine the optimal therapeutic concentration of zoledronate. Animal experiments were subsequently performed to compare the periprosthetic bone quality and prosthesis integration of implants coated with a hydroxyapatite-zoledronate composite (the study group) and of implants coated with hydroxyapatite without zoledronate (the control group) in the presence of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles.
Relationship of Free and Total Calcium in Hypercalcemic Conditions

An assessment of free and total calcium measurements was made in 691 patients with suspected hypercalcemia or disorders often associated with hypercalcemia. In 18.9% of the 1049 specimens analyzed from nine different patient groups, a different impression of hypercalcemia was obtained depending on whether the free or total calcium was considered. Analysis of the ratio of free to total calcium indicated that there are two main factors which influence the distribution of calcium in the serum of hypercalcemic patients: the concentrations of albumin and parathyroid hormone. A lowered albumin concentration accounted for the altered distribution of calcium in patients with malignancies and partially accounted for the altered distribution in patients postrenal transplantation. In patients with confirmed primary hyperparathyroidism a higher ratio of free to total calcium was found, which could not be explained by alterations in protein, albumin, pH, or CO2 content but was related to parathyroid hormone concentration. Free calcium appears to be a slightly better indicator of elevated calcium states than total calcium. Measurements of free calcium should be particularly useful in patients with altered albumin concentration, with multiple myeloma in whom a calcium-binding protein could be present, after renal transplantation, and with suspected hyperparathyroidism and normal or slightly elevated total calcium values.
Photoelectron spectra, reactions and structures of some acyclic 2-azadiene systems

Abstract A series of substituted 2-azadiene systems has been prepared and characterized by reactivity, structure, and photoelectron-spectroscopic studies. An attempt has been made to employ photo-electron spectroscopy as a tool for predicting sites of chemical reactivity for these azadiene systems. Although such correlations can be tenuous, they seem to be useful in this limited study.
Reasons for Divorce and Openness to Marital Reconciliation

This study explores the factors that divorcing couples say contributed to the breakdown of their marriage and how those factors are related to thoughts and interest in reconciliation. A sample of 886 individual divorcing parents in Hennepin County, Minnesota, in 2008 responded to a brief survey after mandated parenting classes. The two most common reasons given for seeking a divorce were “growing apart” (55%) and “not able to talk together” (53%). Growing apart, differences in tastes, and money problems were negatively associated with interest in reconciliation; abuse and adultery were not associated with interest in reconciliation.
Capture and tunnel emission of electrons by deep levels in ultrathin nitrided oxides on silicon

Electron injection into ultrathin nitrided oxides on silicon reveals both high densities of electronic defects, which readily capture electrons, and efficient tunnel emission of trapped charge. High‐temperature nitridation of thermally grown oxides was verified with Auger depth profiling. In 11–17‐nm‐thick nitrided oxides, the electron trap density is ≥1×1019 cm−3 as determined from saturated charge accumulation, the majority of the traps are energetically situated more than 2 eV below the conduction band as determined by post‐injection anneals up to 300 °C, and the capture cross section is of the order of 10−14 cm2 as estimated from the trapping kinetics. Complete extraction of trapped charge is achieved in the thinnest films (e.g., ≤11 nm thick), and the tunnel emission mechanism is evidenced by the independence of the discharge time on temperature. Implications of the above findings for applications of ultrathin nitrided oxides in very large scale integration and for their low sensitivity to ionizing radiation are discussed.
Effect of collapse of multicomponent bubbles on convective diffusion with chemical reaction

Abstract The effect of the collapse of single spherical moving multicomponent bubbles on the rate at which they dissolve when diffusion in the continuous phase is accompanied by consecutive chemical reactions is examined. The main assumptions employed are: the rate determining step is liquid phase diffusion; the process can be described by means of the film model. The bubble radius, the concentration of different components in the bubble, and the rate of dissolution are determined for the general case in which the intermediate and/or the final product diffuse back into the bubble. The system of nonlinear differential equations obtained is solved numerically. Simple analytical solutions are obtained in some limiting cases. The hydrodynamic effects of changing bubble radius on the film thickness are small, 7% or less when no chemical reactions occur. When the first reaction is rapid, κ 1 ≧ 2 , these effects are negligible since the process becomes controlled by the chemical reaction. The bubble collapses most rapidly when the reaction parameters are large and both the intermediate and the final products are nonvolatile, and this is the situation most frequently encountered in practice. However, even under these extreme conditions, the difference between the fraction dissolved predicted by assuming the radius is constant and equal to its initial value, or allowing it to vary, is less than 13%. This effect is decreased by the presence of insoluble gases in the bubble and by having volatile products of the reactions in the continuous phase.
Training children with autism spectrum disorders to be compliant with an oral assessment

Abstract Little research has been conducted on teaching children with autism spectrum disorders to be compliant with dental procedures. This study evaluated a behavioral package to train children with autism spectrum disorders to be compliant with an 8 component oral assessment. After a dental hygienist performed an assessment pretest, noncompliance on steps of the assessment was targeted for training. A package of training procedures was implemented, including a preference assessment, priming DVD, various prompts, stimulus fading (i.e., fading in aversive stimuli), distracting stimuli, escape extinction, and differential reinforcement. Results showed the efficacy of the intervention procedures, maintenance of responding, and stimulus generalization of responses across examiners and from analog to in vivo settings. The study extends the generality of a model for the assessment and intervention of noncompliance to health care procedures by children with autism spectrum disorders.
Corporate social responsibility and public procurement: How supplying government affects managerial orientations

Abstract How does government drive the corporate social responsibility of firms that supply it with goods and services? This paper reviews relevant theory and practice to describe ways in which public procurement shapes corporate social responsibility, and it builds upon theory to develop testable propositions to describe these influences. Using the case of U.S. defense procurement, statistical analysis indicates a significant relationship between the extent to which firms engage in defense procurement and the corporate social responsibility orientations of their managers. The findings have application both for social responsibility theory and for public procurement policy and practice.
Critical Phenomena Near Bifurcations in Nonequilibrium Systems

The usual deterministic description of spatially-extended nonlinear dissipative systems far from equilibrium yields a sharp bifurcation point at a crtical value R=Rc of the control parameter where the system makes a transition from the spatially uniform ground state to a state with spatial variation. However, when the effect of thermal noise is considered, then even below the bifurcation there are fluctuations of the macroscopic variables away from the uniform state and the relevant fields, although they have zero mean, have a positive mean square. Here we review measurements of the properties of these fluctuations. In the case of Rayleigh–Benard convection (RBC) in common fluids, fluctuation amplitudes are small and the exponent of the powerlaw which describes their mean square has its classical (mean-field) value γMF=1/2 in experimentally accessible parameter ranges. However, for RBC of a fluid near its liquid-gas critical point fluctuation amplitudes are much larger and nonlinear interactions between them yield a first-order transition as predicted by Swift and Hohenberg. Electroconvection in nematic liquid crystals (NLC) does not belong to the same universality class as RBC, and fluctuation interactions leave the bifurcation supercritical; but the critical behavior is renormalized.
Growth of Peppermint in Compost

ABSTRACT To evaluate compost as a medium for production of herbs, peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) was grown in flats of compost in a greenhouse. Composts were made from mixed municipal solid wastes (one high in ammonium; one low in ammonium), biosolids (sewage sludge) mixed with woodchips (one mature, one immature), agricultural wastes, autumn leaves, and yard wastes. The agricultural, leaf, and yard-waste composts were mature. Shoot growth of mint was recorded after an 8-week growth period. Ammonium and nitrate concentrations, electrical conductivity, and pH of composts were determined at the initiation and at intervals during the experiment. Shoot growth was vigorous in all composts except the immature biosolids-woodchips and yard waste composts. Except for the leaf and yard waste composts, these media had sufficient nitrogen for plant growth. High initial ammonium concentrations and high salinity in immature biosolids-woodchips compost were responsible for inhibited shoot growth. Ammonium concentrati...
New insights on mass transfer kinetics in chromatography

The mass transfer kinetics of thiourea, phenol, ethylbenzene, propylbenzene, butylbenzene, and amylbenzene were studied on a Gemini-C18 (5 μm, 110 A˚, 375 m2/g) column (150 mm × 4.6 mm) eluted with methanol/water solutions (100, 90, and 20% v/v). Each of the successive steps of the mass transfer of these solutes (axial diffusion, eddy dispersion, film mass transfer resistance, and transparticle mass transfer resistance) was unambiguously measured, using a combination of the peak parking method, the total pore blocking method, and moment analysis, in a wide range of reduced linear velocities. The results obtained offer new insights on the mass transfer kinetics in chromatographic columns. They show first that the eddy dispersion A-term is strongly correlated with the particle porosity. The complex, anastomosed transcolumn flow pattern causes extra band broadening. This transcolumn effect was found to be markedly smaller with porous particles than with nonporous particles of the same size. Second, the film mass transfer coefficient of retained compounds is smaller for porous than for nonporous particles, a result consistent with concentration gradients being steeper at the wall of solid particles than across the entrance surface of pores. The external mass transfer coefficient decreases with increasing fraction of the surface area of the particles that is open to pores, e.g., with increasing particle porosity. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Neural network modeling applications in active slope stability problems

A back propagation artificial neural network approach is applied to three common challenges in engineering geology: (1) characterization of subsurface geometry/position of the slip (or failure surface) of active landslides, (2) assessment of slope displacements based on ground water elevation and climate, and (3) assessment of groundwater elevations based on climate data. Series of neural network models are trained, validated, and applied to a landslide study along Lake Michigan and cases from the literature. The subsurface characterization results are also compared to a limit equilibrium circular failure surface search with specific adopted boundary conditions. It is determined that the neural network models predict slip surfaces better than the limit equilibrium slip surface search using the most conservative criteria. Displacements and groundwater elevations are also predicted fairly well, in real time. The models’ ability to predict displacements and groundwater elevations provides a foundational framework for building future warning systems with additional inputs.
Clinical and laboratory studies of KMcC strain live attenuated varicella virus.

AbstractSmall-scale studies were carried out to test the KMcC strain varicella virus at various passage levels for clinical and serologic responses in order to find an optimal level of attenuation for vaccine purpose. Virus at passage 50 induced antibody responses, caused only minimal clinical reactions, and will be studied further. The clinical reactions to vaccine virus were very mild at all virus passage levels and were limited to mild transient fever and papular rash that became vesicular in a small proportion of individuals. The immune response to vaccination was accompanied by protection against natural challenge and antibody induced by vaccine virus persisted for at least 3.5 years, the longest period observed. Attenuation of virus appeared to be accompanied by alteration in the proportion of incomplete virus particles formed and by the degree of spontaneous release of virus from infected cells.
TU‐A‐217A‐03: Radiographic Tomosynthesis: Image Quality and Artifacts Reduction

Image quality of digital radiographictomosynthesis is influenced by the fundamentals of x‐ray physics, the unique system geometry, data acquisitionhardware and protocols, system calibrations, and reconstruction techniques. With the commercialization of at least two vendors, there is a renewed focus on this advanced application. This talk will provide an overview on the recent advances in IQ performance evaluation and enhancement and focus on these specific areas: in‐plane spatial resolution, slice sensitivity, noise and low contrast sensitivity, localization accuracy, out of focus structures, uniformity, and ripple artifacts. Various techniques to suppress, correct, or avoid the artifacts are presented. Future technologies to overcome the limitations of current tomosynthesis system will also be discussed. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the image quality performance and measurement standards of digital radiographictomosynthesis. 2. Understand the root cause(s) of image artifacts present in digital radiographictomosynthesis. 3. Understand the various techniques to suppress, correct, or avoid the artifacts, and future technologies to overcome the limitations of current tomosynthesis system.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE CYCLOPROPANE-METHANOL COMPLEX

Abstract The weakly bound complex between cyclopropane and methanol was investigated by microwave spectroscopy. The spectra exhibited complications and splittings from large amplitude motions. Rotational transitions were assigned for two states and fit reasonably well with a normal semi-rigid Hamiltonian. Based on data from five isotopic species, a hydrogen bonded structure was deduced in which the hydroxyl hydrogen is attracted to an edge of the cyclopropane ring.
Structure from Motion Using Optical Flow Probability Distributions

Structure from motion is a technique that attempts to reconstruct the 3D structure of a scene from a sequence of images taken from a camera moving within the scene. Structure from motion can be used on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or Unmanned Ground Vehicle for obstacle detection as well as for path-planning and navigation. The 3D structure of the scene is estimated using the optical flow values found at a set of feature points on the image. Typically, this is done under the assumption that all of the optical flow values have the same level of accuracy and that the accuracy of each optical flow value in the horizontal and vertical directions is the same. These assumptions are not entirely correct. The accuracy of different optical flow values are not the same and the accuracy can be measured and quantified using an optical flow probability distribution. We will present a novel structure from motion algorithm that is more accurate and more robust than other methods because it uses optical flow probability distributions. We will present one method that is designed to work on only two frames and another method designed to work on any number of frames.
109Transcranial-duplex-Doppler US findings and neurodevelopmental outcome of infants with perinatal cerebral infarction

Objectives We recorded cerebral flow velocities by TCDD in 10 infants diagnosed with cerebral infarction (CI) of the irrigational area of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), with special reference to the etiology and pathogenesis of CI. We correlated the hemispheral localization and the distribution of the lesion with neurodevelopmental outcome of the children affected. Patients and methods Two children were preterms and other eight were full terms. The diagnosis was obtained in all children by using cranial US, CT and MRI. Because of vascular etiology of lesion cerebral circulation was investigated by TCDD. Perinatal risk factors were assessed and patients underwent neurodevelopmental follow-up for 1–14 years. Results Cerebral infarction involved the irrigational area of MCA. Asymmetric flow between the left and right MCA was the main finding on the TCDD. Lower velocities were found in the MCA on the affected side. These side-to-side differences were present at subsequent Doppler measurements. The lesion was more often found on left size. The distribution of the infarction was classified as the area of the lesion determines the neurological sequels. All infants had delayed psychomotoric development: contralateral hemiparesis, persistent seizures and language delay. The level of cognitive functioning was variable. Conclusions Based on clinical and diagnostical follow-up the results showed no simple and clear connection between lesion parameters and neurodevelopmental outcome. We suppose that the time when lesion occurred is crucial for the possible neurodevelopmental outcome. The data indicates that beside brain US, CT and MR, TCDD can be useful method for identifying and following infants with suspected cerebral infarction.