cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of adjuvant therapy in resected gallbladder cancer.

452Background: Surgical resection is the only curative treatment for patients with gallbladder cancer, despite surgical advances many patients ultimately develop recurrent disease. Management of re...
Low Affinity DnaA-ATP Recognition Sites in E. coli oriC Make Non-equivalent and Growth Rate-Dependent Contributions to the Regulated Timing of Chromosome Replication.

Although the mechanisms that precisely time initiation of chromosome replication in bacteria remain unclear, most clock models are based on accumulation of the active initiator protein, DnaA-ATP. During each cell division cycle, sufficient DnaA-ATP must become available to interact with a distinct set of low affinity recognition sites in the unique chromosomal replication origin, oriC, and assemble the pre-replicative complex (orisome) that unwinds origin DNA and helps load the replicative helicase. The low affinity oriC-DnaA-ATP interactions are required for the orisome’s mechanical functions, and may also play a role in timing of new rounds of DNA synthesis. To further examine this possibility, we constructed chromosomal oriCs with equal preference for DnaA-ADP or DnaA-ATP at one or more low affinity recognition sites, thereby lowering the DnaA-ATP requirement for orisome assembly, and measured the effect of the mutations on cell cycle timing of DNA synthesis. Under slow growth conditions, mutation of any one of the six low affinity DnaA-ATP sites in chromosomal oriC resulted in initiation earlier in the cell cycle, but the shift was not equivalent for every recognition site. Mutation of τ2 caused a greater change in initiation age, suggesting its occupation by DnaA-ATP is a temporal bottleneck during orisome assembly. In contrast, during rapid growth, all origins with a single mutated site displayed wild-type initiation timing. Based on these observations, we propose that E. coli uses two different, DnaA-ATP-dependent initiation timing mechanisms; a slow growth timer that is directly coupled to individual site occupation, and a fast growth timer comprising DnaA-ATP and additional factors that regulate DnaA access to oriC. Analysis of origins with paired mutated sites suggests that Fis is an important component of the fast growth timing mechanism.
Assessment of ventral tegmental area-projecting GABAergic neurons from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in modulating binge-like ethanol intake

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) circuitry is a key component in plasticity underlying the transition to ethanol (EtOH) dependence. We have previously shown that chemogenetic silencing of CRF neurons stemming from the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dlBNST) and projecting to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) significantly blunts binge-like EtOH consumption. While CRF neurons in the BNST are thought to entail primarily a GABA phenotype, glutamatergic neurons within the BNST also innervate the VTA and influence consummatory behaviors. Here, we combined the well-validated Vgat-ires-Cre transgenic mice with chemogenetic tools to extend our previous findings and corroborate the contribution of the VTA-projecting dlBNST GABAergic circuitry in modulating binge-like EtOH consumption using "drinking-in-the-dark" procedures. Mice were given bilateral injection of Gi-coupled chemogenetic viral vector (or control virus) into the dlBNST and bilateral cannulae into the VTA. On test day, clozapine-N-oxide (CNO; or vehicle) was infused directly into the VTA to silence VTA-projecting dlBNST neurons and subsequent binge-like EtOH consumption was assessed. We then used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to determine the co-expression of CRF and viral vector. Our results showed that relative to vehicle treatment or CNO treatment in mice expressing the control virus, silencing VTA-projecting dlBNST GABAergic neurons by CNO treatment in mice expressing Gi-coupled chemogenetic virus significantly reduced binge-like EtOH intake. This effect was not seen with sucrose consumption. Our IHC results confirm a population of CRF-expressing GABAergic neurons within the dlBNST. This study directly establishes that VTA-projecting GABAergic neurons of the dlBNST modulate binge-like EtOH consumption.
Conceptualizing Principal–Student Racial Congruence:

Principal–student racial congruence exists in a school when the race of the principal matches that of the largest race group among the student population. We argue that principal–student racial con...
Biologic Treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are often undertreated and there are limited efficacious therapies available for treating this population. Biologics are an emerging therapeutic modality used in the management of many inflammatory conditions including HS. Implementation of biologics is typically reserved for moderate-to-severe cases or in those cases that are refractory to treatment. Though many biologics have been trialed for use in HS, only one biologic, adalimumab, is currently US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe HS. Limitations in the use of biologics for HS include the many scoring systems utilized in research studies and the relatively few well-designed, adequately powered clinical trials.
The Brewer-Kakalik research on services for handicapped children: A paradigm of applied policy sciences

Around the campfires of policy scientists, the Brewer-Kakalik research on handicapped children's services is considered a tour deforce of problem-definition breakthrough, achieved through disciplined application of a comprehensive policy sciences framework. A remarkable series of research and prototyping initiatives came out of the Rand Corporation's study of how services were designed and provided to disabled children in America. The institutional innovation of service direction centers helped dramatically to fill the gaps in handicapped children's services and to improve the coordination of services. The project ultimately made a significant contribution to federal legislation that not only brought greater coherence to the government efforts to provide such services, but also guaranteed their rights to adequate services. As an exemplar of policy sciences analysis, it showed the great strength of 'case-wise'
Massage therapy in the breast imaging department: repurposing an ancient anxiety reducing method.

Abstract Background Massage therapy's ability to mitigate breast imaging associated anxiety has not been previously studied. Anxiety is, however, often cited as a harm of screening mammography with few options offered to diminish anxiety other than not screening. Reducing anxiety may improve compliance, and reduce breast cancer mortality and morbidity. A complimentary massage therapy program evaluated patient acceptance, anxiety perception and perceived value of massage. Methods Over 10 weeks, verbal agreement was obtained from 113 breast imaging patients who desired a hand or shoulder/neck massage. Licensed massage therapists performed massages before, and/or during, or after, or in between imaging tests. After the massage, questionnaires assessed patients' self-rated perceptions of anxiety before and after massage on a scale from 0 to 10. Participants' age-group, reason for appointment, self-rated value of massage service, and willingness to return to and willingness to refer to the facility were reported. Changes in perceived average anxiety were estimated using a linear mixed effects model. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate associations among categorical variables. Results A significant decrease in perceived anxiety was observed following massage (d = −3.2, p Conclusion Massage therapy improves the patient experience and decreases perceptions of anxiety. It may be associated with improved breast imaging compliance. Patients' willingness to pay for the service may defray some cost of a massage program.
Helping Farmers with Continuation Planning for Cost-Offset Community Supported Agriculture to Low-Income Families

To improve low-income families’ access to fresh local produce, some farmers offer subsidized or “cost-offset” community supported agriculture (CO-CSA) shares. We evaluated a structured planning and implementation process conducted during the final intervention year of the Farm Fresh Foods for Healthy Kids (F3HK) study, which aimed to help participating farmers (N=12) to sustain a CO-CSA program after study funding ended. The process included training webinars, planning tools to develop CO-CSA continuation funding and recruitment strategies, regional coach­ing teams to provide technical assistance, and peri­odic group conference calls to facilitate shared learning among F3HK farmers. Our evaluation explored the content of farmers’ CO-CSA contin­u­ation plans, their experiences during implementa­tion, their opinions about the planning process, and their future plans regarding their CO-CSA. We found that F3HK farmers used diverse methods to plan, recruit, and raise funds, with each farm adapt­ing strategies to fit their local conditions and farm business. Many farmers found success with word-of-mouth advertising and CSA member donations. Yet lack of farm resources—time, money, and ex­pertise—was a continual barrier to moving for­ward. As with full price CSAs, reciprocity was a key factor: farmers needed to consider the needs and preferences of low-income consumers, and CO-CSA members needed to understand their financial responsibility to the farmer. In general, F3HK farmers appreciated the continuation planning pro­cess, but expressed a desire for more technical assistance with grant writing. Farmers were com­mitted to the success of the CO-CSA continuation planning process, and most intended to continue the CO-CSA the following year.
Safety First: An Ambulation Protocol for Patients With Pulmonary Artery Catheters.

Background Patients with indwelling pulmonary artery catheters have historically been excluded from participating in early mobility programs because of the concern for catheter-related complications. However, this practice conflicts with the benefits accrued from early mobilization. Objective The purposes of this quality improvement project were to develop and implement a standardized ambulation protocol for patients with a pulmonary artery catheter in a cardiac surgery intensive care unit and to assess and support safe ambulation practices while preventing adverse events in patients with pulmonary artery catheters. Methods From October 2016 through October 2017, this single-center quality improvement project developed and analyzed the implementation of a safe patient ambulation protocol in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. Frontline nursing staff and the interdisciplinary team were educated on a standardized protocol that facilitated patient ambulation. Data analyzed included distance of ambulation, catheter migration, presence of cardiac dysrhythmias, and adverse events during ambulation. Results During this 1-year project, 41 patients participated in 94 walks for a total distance of 13 676.38 m. There were no reported episodes of cardiac dysrhythmia, accidental occlusion of the pulmonary artery, catheter migration, or pulmonary artery rupture related to ambulation with a pulmonary artery catheter. Conclusions The use of a standardized ambulation protocol can successfully result in safe mobilization of patients with indwelling pulmonary artery catheters.
Teaching privacy: A flawed strategy for children's online safety.

Abstract Teaching young people about “privacy” has serious defects if the goal is to promote children’s online safety. This commentary points out some the key problems to programs and educational modules with this privacy orientation. Privacy is an abstract and complicated concept, whose norms are in flux, making it difficult to impart clear, relevant, consensus-based messages. We also know very little about how privacy concepts develop in childhood and at what age and in what sequence, making it hard to know what to teach and when. Privacy skills are not necessarily the most important ones for preventing most online harms, including the most serious ones, casting doubt on whether they should receive priority over other prevention skills. Research has also not clearly established connections between many privacy practices and reductions in harm. Most privacy messaging has not been evaluated for how well it is learned, applied and what forms of safety it enhances. As an alternative, the promotion of online safety is best organized, not around privacy, but around the specific harms that educators and children themselves are trying to prevent. The highest priority of these are sexual exploitation, peer bullying and harassment. Such educational safety programs are best built from the foundation of evidence-based programs related to parallel offline dangers.
A synthetic pathogen mimetic molecule induces a highly amplified synergistic immune response via activation of multiple signaling pathways

The current understanding of how the immune system processes complex information during natural infections is yet to be exploited for the molecular design of potent immune activators. Here, we address this challenge by design of a pathogen-mimetic molecule that simultaneously co-activates cell-surface active, endosomal and cytosolic immune receptors.
The effect of future time reference on consumers’ travel and dining-out spending across countries

Language structures can influence speakers’ perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours, differently. One influential structural feature in language is future time reference (FTR), which refers to the w...
Oligodendroglioma

Before treatment can be initiated, an accurate histopathologic diagnosis must be made. There is still some controversy regarding histologic criteria for the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma and which grading system is best. Molecular diagnosis is becoming an important adjunct to traditional histopathologic diagnosis. For low-grade oligodendrogliomas, maximal surgical resection should be attempted if technically feasible. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy should be deferred unless the patient has significant neurologic symptoms or growth of tumor. Aggressive or anaplastic tumors should also be treated with maximal surgical resection. Increasingly, chemotherapy is replacing radiation therapy as the initial postoperative treatment, with radiation therapy being either delayed until after completion of chemotherapy or, in select patients, deferred until recurrence.
Differentiating Lower Extremity Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection from Severe Cellulitis by Laboratory Parameters and Relevant History Points

Background Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) of the lower extremity (LE) is a rapidly progressing infection that requires early diagnosis and prompt treatment to decrease risks of loss of limb or life. Clinical presentation, particularly of early NSTI, can appear similar to severe cellulitis. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that are associated with NSTI rather than severe cellulitis to differentiate patients with similar clinical presentation. Methods This retrospective cohort design study compares patients finally diagnosed with LE NSTI versus those diagnosed with severe cellulitis. Cohorts were matched using the modified Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (m-LRINEC) score in the setting of LE soft tissue infection. Laboratory values, vital signs, subjective symptoms, and social factors including substance abuse were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Multivariate statistical analysis and clinical interpretation of data identified four factors more associated with a diagnosis of NSTI than severe cellulitis: elevated lactate, a patient-reported history of fever, male gender, and intravenous substance user. Conclusion In patients with lower extremity infections, the clinical presentation of NSTI and severe cellulitis may appear similar. In this retrospective cohort of patients matched with m-LRINEC scores, elevated lactate, subjective fever, male gender, and intravenous substance abuser were significantly associated with NSTI rather than severe cellulitis. Further studies of these factors in the clinical setting can help tailor the differential diagnosis in the care of patients with severe lower extremity infections. Matched with m-LRINEC scores, elevated lactate, subjective fever, male gender, and intravenous substance abuser were significantly associated with NSTI rather than severe cellulitis. Further studies of these factors in the clinical setting can help tailor the differential diagnosis in the care of patients with severe lower extremity infections.
Megaloblastic erythropoiesis in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.

Three patients with cirrhosis of the liver, macrocytic anemia, and megaloblastic proliferation in the bone marrow have been described. All 3 patients gave histories of grossly deficient diets for many years and all 3 had free hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice. The latter finding was thought to be of particular significance from the diagnostic point of view in that it appeared to exclude the possibility of coexisting addisonian pernicious anemia. The clinical diagnosis of Laennec’s cirrhosis was confirmed by liver biopsies in 2 cases, and in both, the bone marrow morphology reverted to the normoblastic type on appropriate therapy. The literature on the subject of macrocytic anemia in association with hepatic cirrhosis has been briefly reviewed and various theories as to its pathogenesis briefly discussed. Attention has been called to the fact that despite specific denials by many investigators, megaloblastic bone marrow is seen in some of these patients. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon has remained obscure, and the various etiologic possibilities are discussed.
Temperature Measurements of Shocked Energetic Materials by Time-Resolved Infrared Radiometry

Temperatures of solid explosive and propellants were measured in 102 mm projectile-impact experiments using two-band, time-resolved infrared radiometry. Two different arrangements were used. In one, temperature measurements were made on the downstream face of bare charges; in the other, the material was confined by a shock-impedance matched, infrared-transmitting window. The bare-charge results yield temperature histories consistent with formation and decay of hot spots, and different particle sizes resulted in large differences in behavior, which were interpreted in terms of hot spot theory. Window confinement provided reaction histories and rate data which constitute a new measurement of progress of reaction in shock initiation.
INVESTIGATION OF GAMMA-RAY INDUCED POLYMER FORMATION IN THE CARBORANES. I. SEPARATION AND STRUCTURAL IDENTIFICATION OF THE POLYMER FORMED FROM 1-VINYL-o-CARBORANE.

Abstract Investigation of the gamma-ray irradiation of 1-vinyl-1,2-dicarbo-closo-dodecarborane(11), 1-vinyl-o-carborane, has shown that this material, which apparently exists in a type of mesomorphic or waxy state at room temperature, was polymerized in relatively high yield (∼ 50 per cent) without the formation of detectable side products at 31°C. T.L.C. and elution column chromatography were used to separate the unreacted monomer, the pure dimer, trimer and tetramer from the higher polymeric products in sufficient quantity to allow the basic structural unit of the polymer to be elucidated. The polymer was shown to be of the linear “head to tail” type of structure formed through the vinyl carbons, which became saturated, and boron atom positions 9 and/or 12 of the polyhedral cage. Also each polymer unit was shown to retain one vinyl end group.
Problem Record of the Month. No. 1, Part 1

(1970). Problem Record of the Month. No. 1, Part 1. American Journal of EEG Technology: Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 15-16.
Soft-length symbol protocol for wireless

The capacity of a wireless system is subject to fading and interference as well as temporal and spatial variations in data traffic. To overcome these setbacks, we adopt a parallel symbol transmission scheme and use a protocol that adjusts the duration (or length) of symbols based on the. instantaneous channel and interference conditions. We show that the proposed protocol is capable of providing higher capacity than the existing protocols.
Intraprocedural thrombotic events: What's the real cost?

Key Points Intraprocedural thrombotic events (IPTE) during PCI occur in 4% of patients with NSTEACS and 12% of STEACS. IPTE increases hospital cost by $3,592. With an incidence of 4%, additional therapy to completely prevent IPTE in 100 patients would need to cost $144 to make it cost neutral. Further studies are necessary to determine cost-benefit of therapies to prevent IPTE such as cangrelor or newer P2Y12 inhibitors with more rapid onset.
Agradecimiento a Esperanza Guisán

Tras una relacion personal y academica de mas de veinte anos trazo aqui un relato personal sobre el significado de esta relacion para mi.
Planetary Astronomy: Recent Advances and Future Discoveries With Small Aperture Telescopes

Scientific study of the various bodies in our Solar System has been advanced in recent years with new technologies such as adaptive optics, tunable and variable filters and high-resolution infrared detectors. Small aperture telescopes (< 4-m diameter) provide many of the scientific advances and new discoveries in planetary science by allowing the temporal coverage necessary to obtain longitudinal, diurnal and seasonal sampling on a planet. Numerous studies of small bodies in our solar system, the atmospheres and surfaces of the terrestrial planets, the atmospheres of the giant planets and their large satellites, and even the atmospheres of extra-solar planets and brown dwarfs, have been completed with data from such telescopes and instruments. Although an orbiting spacecraft or in situ probe can offer intense study of a small region on a planetary body, they often lack the global view of a planet obtained by Earth-based telescopes. Modest-sized telescopes on Earth can provide self-consistent, global-scale measurements of solar system objects that are unique and complementary to spacecraft exploration. Continuing advances in infrared and filter technology, as well as adaptive optics, will enable new studies that provide answers to fundamental questions about our own Solar System and about extra-solar planets as well.
The Viscoscity of Synthetic and Natural Silicate Melts and Glasses at High Temperatures and 1 Bar (105 Pascals) Pressure and at Higher Pressures, U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull. 1764

Over the past decade, I have routinely collected papers dealing with the physical properties of rocks and other materials. Their dog-eared and coffee-stained appearance is just one indication of their continuing value to me. Focusing on viscosity of silicate melts, Michael Ryan and James Blevins have considerably extended and formalized this collection process, resulting in the publication of a massive report containing viscosity data on an extensive variety of melt compositions. According to the authors, this report represents an initial step in establishing a comprehensive U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data base for the properties of multicomponent silicate melts.
Husserl and the Representational Theory of Mind

Husserl has finally begun to be recognized as the precursor of current interest in intentionality — the first to have a general theory of the role of mental representations in the philosophy of language and mind. As the first thinker to put directedness of mental representations at the center of his philosophy, he is also beginning to emerge as the father of current research in cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence.
Track extrapolation and distribution for the CDF-II trigger system

Abstract The CDF-II experiment is a multipurpose detector designed to study a wide range of processes observed in the high energy proton–antiproton collisions produced by the Fermilab Tevatron. With event rates greater than 1 MHz, the CDF-II trigger system is crucial for selecting interesting events for subsequent analysis. This document provides an overview of the Track Extrapolation System (XTRP), a component of the CDF-II trigger system. The XTRP is a fully digital system that is utilized in the track-based selection of high momentum lepton and heavy flavor signatures. The design of the XTRP system includes five different custom boards utilizing discrete and FPGA technology residing in a single VME crate. We describe the design, construction, commissioning and operation of this system.
Organic reactions at surfaces: A study of carnitine by secondary ion mass spectrometry

Carnitine inner salt, (CH3)3N+ CH2CH(OH)CH2COO−, and carnitine hydrochloride, (CH3)3N+CH2CH (OH)CH2COOH Cl−, in the solid state undergo ion-beam-induced intermolecular methyl transfer reactions as shown by (CH3)3N+ CH2CH(OH)CH2COOCH3 ions at m/z 176 in their positive ion spectra. In the case of carnitine HCl, the product ion is three times as abundant as the intact cation. For the inner salt however, the product is less than one-tenth as abundant as [M + H] +. In both cases, the reaction can be precluded by dissolution of the sample, supporting an intermolecular mechanism. The negative ion spectra for these compounds contain no [M − CH3]− ions, suggesting that simple transmethylation does not occur. Rather it is proposed that the inner salt abstracts a methyl group from the intact carnitine cation to yield [M + CH3]+ and a neutral species, the driving force being a minimization of the total number of charges desorbed into the gas phase. Thermodynamic data favor this mechanism as do data for other carnitine salts. The reaction appears to be inhibited when one reactant is present in excess. This is the case for carnitine HNO3 and CH3SO3H, which tend to liberate the intact cation since the anions are large and polarizable. It is also the case for small, hard anions like fluoride, which appear to favor release of the inner salt, hence the cation at m/z 162 is of low abundance and the transmethylation product (m/z 176) is absent. The extent of the reaction is also dependent on the methods of preparation of the sample, and deposition of the salts from solution greatly reduces the extent of methyl transfer. [M − CH3]− is observed when glycerol is used as a matrix, possibly due to a matrix-analyte methyl transfer reaction.
Unique challenges testing SDRs for space

This paper describes the approach used by the Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) Testbed team to qualify three Software Defined Radios (SDR) for operation in space and the characterization of the platform to enable upgrades on-orbit. The three SDRs represent a significant portion of the new technologies being studied on board the SCAN Testbed, which is operating on an external truss on the International Space Station (ISS). The SCaN Testbed provides experimenters an opportunity to develop and demonstrate experimental waveforms and applications for communication, networking, and navigation concepts and advance the understanding of developing and operating SDRs in space.
Multichannel analyzer/detector system for high-speed high-resolution powder diffraction

The advantage of using high-resolution powder diffraction data to resolve ambiguities in powder diffraction analyses is widely understood. The problem with using such an instrument for routine analyses is the length of time needed to acquire a data set. An obvious solution is to introduce some parallelism in the detector/analyzer system. The system described here uses monolithic elastic design principles to construct a simple 16-element crystal analyzer, and it uses silicon multi-detector technology developed at Brookhaven to provide a compact 16-channel pulse-counting detector system. Together these components can decrease the data collection time by at least a factor of 10. Simple replication of components could further increase the efficiency of collection.
Prothrombin complex concentrate (Konyne) in the treatment of hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors

Two prothrombin complex concentrates, Auto-Factor IX and Proplex, have been reported to be effective in controlling bleeding in hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors. A third PCC, Konyne, was used to treat 64 bleeding episodes (130 infusions) in five hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors. Prompt control of bleeding was observed in each instance with doses of 15 to 100 units of factor IX/kg; no complications were encountered. Konyne resulted in in vivo and in vitro shortening of the partial thromboplastin time of patients with factor VIII inhibitors, but the mechanism of action is unknown. If further studies confirm the efficacy and safety of PCC in the treatment of such patients, its use for this purpose could lead to significant saving of factor VIII concentrates.
Subretinal Fluid in Uveitic Macular Edema: Effect on Vision and Response to Therapy

Purpose To evaluate the effect of subretinal fluid (SRF), imaged with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), on visual acuity outcomes in cases of uveitic macular edema (ME), and to analyze the response of SRF and uveitic ME to therapy. Design Retrospective case series. Methods One hundred and one eyes of 75 patients with uveitic ME, as imaged by SD-OCT, were identified at a single tertiary-care referral center. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, central subfield thickness (CSFT), and rates of macular edema improvement (≥20% reduction in CSFT), and resolution (defined as reduction of CSFT to Results Forty eyes of 29 patients had SRF on SD-OCT at presentation, which was associated with greater macular thickness (mean CSFT 488 μm vs 362 μm, P = .0001) and worse visual acuity than ME without SRF (20/115 vs 20/51, P = .015). However, eyes with SRF responded more favorably to treatment, and at 3 and 6 months of follow-up they achieved greater rates of improvement and resolution of ME than eyes without SRF (77% improved and 50% resolved at 6 months, vs 20% and 13%, respectively; P = .003 and P = .017, respectively) and recovered to a similar level of visual acuity (20/62 vs 20/42 at 6 months, P = .54). Conclusions SRF in uveitic ME is associated with thicker retinas and worse visual acuity on presentation but responds more favorably to treatment and displays greater rates of edema resolution and visual acuity improvement.
On the use of expert systems in network optimization: with an application to matrix balancing

Network optimization models have a wide variety of applications in operations research, management science, transportation, engineering design and other areas. Much has been done on the design of efficient algorithms for the solutions of very large problems. Difficulties remain, however, in building and implementing such models on the computer for practical use. Notwithstanding, recent developments in modelling languages, building network models remains the privilege of experienced modellers and is in general a time-consuming task. Expert systems and artificial intelligence methodologies could provide the link between practitioners and network optimization techniques. In this paper, we examine the role of expert systems in an operations research environment and identify the issues to be addressed in developing an expert system for network modelling. The discussion is illustrated with the development of a prototype expert system that solves matrix balancing problems using network optimization techniques. The system has the ability to identify the correct (nonlinear) network optimization model for each problem instance. A network problem is automatically set up and solved using a high-level modelling language. The results of the model and sensitivity analysis information are interpreted for the user by the expert system, in the vocabulary of the original description of the problem.
Initial transference of wild birds to captivity alters stress physiology.

Abstract Maintaining wild animals in captivity has long been used for conservation and research. While often suggested that captivity causes chronic stress, impacts on the underlying stress physiology are poorly understood. We used wild-caught chukar (Alectoris chukar) as a model avian species to assess how the initial 10 days of captivity alters the corticosterone (CORT) secretory pathway. In the first few days of captivity, birds lost weight, had lower hematocrit and demonstrated changes in CORT concentrations. Both baseline and restraint-stress-induced CORT concentrations decreased by days 3–5 of captivity and remained significantly lower throughout the 10 days although stress-induced concentrations began to recover by day 9. To delineate potential mechanisms underlying these CORT changes, we evaluated alterations to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Although chukar appear to be resistant to arginine vasotocin’s (AVT) effects on CORT release, adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) stimulated CORT release; however, ACTH stimulation did not differ during the 10 days of captivity. In contrast, negative feedback axis sensitivity, as determined by both dexamethasone suppression as well as endogenous negative feedback, decreased by day 5 but was regained by day 9. In addition, the combined stressors of capture and long distance transport eliminated the animals’ ability to mount an acute CORT response on the day following the move. Therefore, introduction into captivity appeared to shift the chukar into a temporary state of chronic stress that began to recover within 9 days. The duration of these alterations likely varies due to differences in capture techniques, transport distance, and species studied.
Tectonic rotations of the Santa Monica Mountains region, western Transverse Ranges, California, suggested by paleomagnetic vectors

The paleomagnetism of middle to late middle Miocene volcanic rocks from regions of the western Transverse Ranges suggests that large amounts of subsequent clockwise tectonic rotation has occurred. We studied rocks from five sites in the western Santa Monica Mountains, Conejo Hills, and Anacapa Island. East declinations of from 64° to 81° were found, compared to expected Miocene declinations of 0°, and inclinations were too shallow by up to 21° for the present latitude. Preliminary data from Santa Cruz and San Miguel Islands suggest similar but larger rotations. Stratigraphically higher units show the least amount of rotation, which may indicate that about 60° of rotation occurred primarily during middle and late Miocene time. North-pointing directions can be restored by rotating the northern Channel Islands and Santa Monica Mountains counterclockwise about a pivot near the eastern end of the range. This restoration also changes paleocurrent directions in Eocene and Oligocene rocks from north to west, which is consistent with data from surrounding regions. Shallow remanent inclinations suggest northward movement of this block of ∼10° since early Miocene time.
Supersymmetry of consistent massive truncations of type-IIB supergravity

We discuss the supersymmetry and fermionic sector of the recently obtained consistent truncations of IIB supergravity containing massive modes. In particular, we present the general form of the five-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetry transformations and equations of motion for the fermions arising in the reduction of IIB theory on ${T}^{1,1}$ which contains all modes invariant under the $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(2)$ isometry group. The $\mathcal{N}=4$ reduction can be further truncated to two different $\mathcal{N}=2$ subsectors. For each of these, we present the $\mathcal{N}=2$ fermionic supersymmetry transformations and corresponding superpotentials. As an application, we obtain the explicit Killing spinors of the Klebanov-Strassler solution and comment on the relation to the ansatz of Papadopoulos and Tseytlin. We also demonstrate the applicability of consistent truncations on squashed Sasaki-Einstein manifolds to a class of flux compactifications, focusing on a recent solution describing the geometry of gaugino condensation on wrapped D7 branes and which possesses dynamic SU(2) structure.
Pathways and fine structure of neurons forming the nervi corporis allati II of the cockroach Periplaneta americana (L.).

By back-filling the nervus corporis allati II (NCA2) with Co2+ and precipitating the sulfide, two groups of somata (A and B) are revealed on the ipsilateral side of the subesophageal ganglion (SG). These occur ante-roventrally, adjacent to the midsaggital plane. Group A consists of two cells; group B of five. Their processes form two discrete tracts issuing dorsoposteriorly into the neuropile between and slightly behind the circumesophageal connectives (CEC). After producing separate arborization fields in the dorsal neuropile, the tracts circumscribe the base of the ipsilateral CEC, unite, and their seven fibers enter NCA2 anteriorly.
ENLARGING THE REGION OF CONVERGENCE OF NEWTON'S METHOD FOR CONSTRAINED OPTIMIZATION

In this paper, we consider Newton's method for solving the system of necessary optimality conditions of optimization problems with equality and inequality constraints. The principal drawbacks of the method are the need for a good starting point, the inability to distinguish between local maxima and local minima, and, when inequality constraints are present, the necessity to solve a quadratic programming problem at each iteration. We show that all these drawbacks can be overcome to a great extent without sacrificing the superlinear convergence rate by making use of exact differentiable penalty functions introduced by Di Pillo and Grippo (Ref. 1). We also show that there is a close relationship between the class of penalty functions of Di Pillo and Grippo and the class of Fletcher (Ref. 2), and that the region of convergence of a variation of Newton's method can be enlarged by making use of one of Fletcher's penalty functions.
Escape-field distribution for escape from a metastable potential well subject to a steadily increasing bias field

The first two moments of the escape-field distribution are evaluated for a particle in a steadily ramped potential. Implications for macroscopic quantum tunneling are discussed.
ParaDisE: parallel discovery engine for enterprise datacenters

Automatic discovery and monitoring of IT resources is a critical part of enterprise systems management. In addition to ascertaining internal device configurations, this discovery process may also need to capture the capabilities, usage, connectivity, availability, and other information related to various IT components. Systems resource management (SRM) tools typically implement this discovery process using device specific APIs, custom agents and/or some standard-based solution (like WBEM and CIM). The discovery actions need to be systematically planned; an inefficient implementation or scheduling may easily take from a few minutes to several hours to complete in a large heterogeneous enterprise datacenter. This paper discusses the various challenges associated in discovering a datacenter environment and presents an autonomic monitoring framework called 'ParaDisE' that builds upon well-known industry standards and reduces the overall discovery time by more than 50%.
Combined rastelli and atrial switch procedure: a 10-year follow-up

We performed a combined atrial (Mustard) and ventricular (Rastelli) repair on a previously palliated patient with situs inversus, atrioventricular discordance, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary atresia. The suitability and durability of this operative strategy is supported by the satisfactory hemodynamic and functional status of the patient 10 years later.
Teaching Audience Analysis with Presidential "Victory" Speeches.

Courses: Public Speaking, Advanced Public Speaking.Objective: To demonstrate for students how effective audience analysis contributes to writing a great speech by comparing two presidential speeches on a similar topic. One speech illustrates excellent audience analysis, and the second speech illustrates less effective audience analysis.Time Required: Single class: 40–50 minutes (or longer depending on instructors lecture time and unit goals).
Impact and utilization studies of a PACS display station in an ICU setting

An assessment of changes in health-care professional behavior as a result of the introduction of a PACS (picture archiving and communication system) display station to an adult medical- surgical intensive care unit (ICU) is investigated via pre- and post-PACs evaluations. ICU display station utilization and the impact on clinical operations are also examined. Parameters measured both pre- and post-PACS ICU display station placement include the number of films per patient day, the number of clinician reviews of a patient's images per day and the percentage of images on which the unit interacts with a radiologist. The elapsed times from the time of exposure to the time of: review by the referring physician, radiologist-unit interaction and clinical action based on image information are also measured. The results of this investigation suggest that the introduction of a PaCS display station in the ICU may reduce the number of exams per patient day, decrease the elapsed time from the time of exposure to the time of review by the unit clinician, and improve the time to clinical action. Note, however, that it does not appear to change the percentage of total images on which the unit interacts with a radiologist.
Ecdysone-initiated ovarian development in mosquitoes

Abstract Each of two analogues of insect growth hormone (22-isoecdysone and ecdysterone) stimulates vitellogenesis in Aedes aegypti, whereas two synthetic juvenile hormone preparations (a terpenoid mixture and Cecropia hormone) do not. Development of oocytes is not affected by three diverse steroids (cholesterol, hydrocortisone, and estriole) or by phagostimulants normally present in vertebrate blood (ATP, serum, and haemoglobin). Two observations indicate that ecdysterone affects the ovary directly. Yolk is deposited when abdomens are ligated immediately after injection of hormone. Oocytes in excised ovaries pinocytose peroxidase from hormone-containing incubation media. Eggs mature after female A. aegypti, Culex pipiens, or Anopheles quadrimaculatus imbibe ecdysterone ad lib. However, relatively few eggs are deposited; most ovarian follicles degenerate. Such mature eggs are viable and give rise to normal anautogenous adult mosquitoes.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: A COST-EFFECTIVE APPROACH FOR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS

Recognition and appropriate treatment of IBS can be challenging. A rational approach to management focuses on a positive diagnosis based on the characteristic pattern of symptoms and the exclusion of organic disorders. Dietary modification and pharmacologic therapy may be useful for relieving symptoms. Patient education and reassurance about the benign course of the disease are important aspects of effective treatment. In severe cases, referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist may be warranted. As our understanding of the pathophysiologic processes in IBS increases, more effective therapies will likely emerge.
Sudakov effects in hadron-hadron elastic scattering

Abstract We exhibit the asymptotic amplitudes for meson-meson and baryon-baryon elastic scattering at high energy and fixed angle. These amplitudes include color-related phases. We outline how they may be derived by the summation of Sudakov logarithms associated with Landshoff-scattering subprocesses.
Metamaterial selective emitters for photodiodes

This work demonstrates metamaterial (MM) selective thermal emitters for potential use with energy harvesting photodiodes, such as thermophotovoltaic cells. Preliminary structures have been designed, simulated, and fabricated using CST Microwave Studio and microfabrication techniques including electron beam evaporation, atomic layer deposition, and electron beam lithography, respectively. Samples were tested to determine the effect of top layer metal thickness on the absorption of these devices. Preliminary simulation and testing was also performed to design a device for operation at 500°C.
Work-related respiratory disease in the United Kingdom, 1989–1992: report on the SWORD project

The objective of this project is the creation of a reliable and cost-effective national system of surveillance for work-related respiratory disease as a basis for control and simple epidemiological research. With the voluntary participation of almost 800 chest and occupational physicians from throughout the UK, newly diagnosed cases of respiratory illness thought to be due to occupational factors have been reported regularly since January 1989. Since January 1992, reports from chest physicians have been submitted monthly by a core group with special interest in occupational lung disease (n = 32) and rotating random samples of the remainder. Between 1989 and 1991, 5576 new cases were reported, of which half were diseases of long latency mainly due to asbestos, 28% were occupational asthma, and the rest were divided between inhalation accidents (10%) and a variety of other acute diseases (14%). Disease incidence rates, with denominators from the Labour Force Survey, showed a very high risk of asthma among paint sprayers, chemical and food processors, laboratory staff, plastics and metal treatment workers, and in welding and electronic assembly. Some of the same groups also experienced high rates of inhalation accidents and bronchitis. The risk of diseases of long latency, using denominators from the 1961 census, was highest in shipyard and dock workers, miners and construction workers. The SWORD scheme has provided estimates of disease incidence not previously available, has encouraged awareness of occupational factors among chest physicians, has assisted those responsible for prevention and control, and has demonstrated the feasibility of this approach to surveillance.
Busy period analysis of finite QBD processes

We present the number of customers served and the length of a busy period for finite quasi birth and death (QBD) processes where either one or both of the arrival or service processes can be serially correlated or interdependent. Special cases include the G/G/1/K, M/G/1/K, and G/M/1/K queues. The resulting algorithms are linear algebraic in nature and are easily implemented. The solutions allow studies on how the moments and correlations in the arrival and service processes affect the busy period. This includes the probability of serving exactly n customers during a busy period and the moments of the length of the busy period for different system (queue) sizes. We present an example of a QBD process where arrival and service processes are strongly dependent.
Finite equational bases for subalgebra distributive varieties

We say that a clone C over A satisfies TC* iff every f c C satisfies TC*. An algebra A satisfies TC* (we often say that A is a TC* algebra) iff CloA satisfies TC*. A variety V is a strongly Abel ian variety (or V is a TC* var i e~ ) iff all algebras in V satisfy TC*. For a more detailed discussion of the TC* property and TC* algebras see [4]. In this paper we also refer to Hamiltonian varieties. The definitions and some useful results about the Hamiltonian property can be found in [3]. Finally for a general discussion of the finite basis problem and a bibliography, refer to [5]. Now we can state the main result of this paper.