cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harmonic resonance repercussions of PV and associated distributed generators on distribution systems

The problems associated with the harmonics needs more attention as more number of distributed generators like PV and wind are integrated into a distribution system. Although the integration presents a lot of benefits, satisfying the needs of local load requirements by reducing the line losses and facilitating congestion management, the problems of power quality that impact the distribution system become a priority. IEEE 519 describes network resonance as a major contributor impacting harmonic levels. LC and LCL filters on the AC side of PV Solar (PV) inverters that are designed to mitigate higher order harmonics tend to interact with the impedance of the entire network by exciting the harmonic resonance modes. Apart from that, wind based induction generators and induction motors are associated with terminal capacitors for voltage support. The interaction of such capacitive elements of distributed generators with the entire system impedance also impact resonance modes. To witness the impact of DG's, a control scheme for a 1.25 MW PV inverter based on hysteresis control with a simple LC filter is designed. This paper will serve as a reference for planning engineers and researchers working towards power quality by addressing the impacts of PV with distribution systems.
Post-Secularism in a World-Historical Light : The Axial Age Thesis as an Alternative to Secularization

The secularization thesis claims that religion will lose its public influence as the forces of modernity advance. This hypothesis has long functioned as a paradigm within the humanities and social sciences. However, due to the apparent “resurgence” of publicly influential religion throughout the world in recent years, scholars have recognized that a “straightforward narrative of progress from the religious to the secular” is no longer viable. I describe the current state of narrative perplexity regarding the changing place of religion in the modern world as the “post-secular problematic.” The aim of this article is to examine the contours of one specific post-secular narrative of religious change—the one that has crystallized around the concept of the axial age—and consider how it can be used to reconceptualize the public role of religion in the modern world.
A Review of the Theories Developed to Describe the Process of College Persistence and Attainment

A review of the peer-reviewed papers in the top higher education journals in the last 20 years suggests that the field is relying heavily on Tinto’s (1993, Leaving college: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press) theory of student departure. The fact that there is limited empirical support for Tinto’s theory (Braxton, Sullivan, & Johnson, 1997, Handbook of Theory and Research, 12, 107–164) suggests the need to expand the theoretical grounding of the field, and use a broader set of theories or conceptual frameworks. The main objective of this study is to provide a thorough review of the different theories and conceptual frameworks that have been developed and/or applied in education, economics, sociology, and psychology to study the process of college persistence and attainment. The chapter contributes to the literature by providing an in-depth description of the theories that have been developed in other social sciences in the last four decades. This review would hopefully encourage scholars and graduate students in the field to expand the theoretical grounding and as a result address a broader set of research questions that need to be explored to gain a better understanding of the complexities of the process of college persistence and attainment.
Survival outcomes among young small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients and insurance status: A SEER analysis 2007-2014.

e20566Background: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in the US. Of 222,500 newly diagnosed lung cancer cases, 10-15% are SCLC. The average 5-...
The penetration and concentration of solvated electrons and hydroxyl radicals at a plasma-liquid interface

In this work, we present an analytic model for the interfacial behavior of hydroxyl radicals (OHaq) and solvated electrons () delivered into an aqueous solution by an atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma. The model yields simple scaling laws for the interfacial concentration and average penetration depth into the solution in terms of a few key operational parameters. Notably, the interfacial flux of free radicals is shown to be a key parameter, and the penetration of radicals into solution is shown to decrease as the radical flux increases. Additionally, the model sets upper limits for the average penetration on the order of 100 nm and interfacial concentration on the order of 1 mM (1017 cm−3).
The Good Land

The most important economic story I have to tell is my Camelot years at Purdue. They were pioneering years, created day by day from our experience and from pooling our increasing knowledge. Out of this process emerged new theory, applications, quantitative methods, cliometrics, and experimental economics. I report the circumstances of my first experiment in 1956, leading to many more; to my first article on experiments and the saga of getting it past referee opposition. I visited at Stanford, 1961 where I met Sid Siegel, also doing economics experiments. Family excursions took us to the Jeep trails of Southeast Utah—a story I document with pictures of an isolated world of beauty, now easily accessible by anyone, and no longer pristine.
Trichothecene toxin effects on barley callus and seedling growth

Fusarium head blight (FHB) has caused devastating losses to barley growers in ND, MN and SD since 1993. A major component of these losses has been the formation of protein synthesis inhibitor trichothecene toxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON) by the Fusarium species that cause FHB. Genetic transformation of barley with genes that chemically inactivate or transport the toxins out of cells has potential for reducing DON levels. The ability to directly select for callus cells transformed with these genes would simplify production of transgenic plants and avoid the introduction of a second selectable gene. Differences in seedling germination and growth on medium containing toxin would help identify transgenic plants expressing the antitoxin genes. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of DON and the related toxin diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) on barley callus growth and seedling germination, root and shoot growth. The effects of the toxins on callus growth were small. Although statistically significant differences were seen at the higher toxin levels after eight weeks, the differences were not large enough for selection between toxin resistant and toxin susceptible calli. Neither toxin had an effect on seed germination. DON at 5 and 10 mg/L significantly reduced root growth by day 7, and 10 mg/L significantly reduced shoot growth by day 4. The effects of DAS were greater, with all toxin levels significantly reducing root growth by day 2 and shoot growth by day 4. The results indicate that DAS may be usable for screening progeny of transgenic plants for expression and segregation of anti-toxin genes.
From Culture to Experience: Shamanism in the Pages of the Soviet Anti-Religious Press

In the 1960s a shift occured in how shamanism was represented in Soviet anti-religious journals, in which shamanism was transformed from an ethnographically documented cultural practice peculiar to Siberian indigenous populations, into an – albeit ‘primitive’ – form of a universal human capacity for altered states of consciousness and a precursor of various forms of mysticism. The article argues that this shift coincided with a shift in the Soviet atheist project, as well as a point of comparison that reveals similarities and differences between Soviet and Western modernist projects.
The inclusive semileptonicB decay lepton spectrum from $$B \to Xe\bar v$$

In this talk, we review the QCD calculations of the lepton spectrum from inclusive semileptonicB decay. We compare this prediction to that of the ACCMM model. This latter work was done in collaboration with Csaba Csaki.
Attack-Resilient Supervisory Control with Intermittently Secure Communication

In this work, we study supervisory control of discrete event systems in the presence of network-based attacks on information delivered to and from the supervisors. The attacks are modeled by finite state transducers (FSTs), having the ability to nondeterministically rewrite a word to any word of a regular language. A desired language is called controllable if there exists a security-aware supervisor that ensures that the restricted language executed by the plant for any possible attack behavior is the desired one – we refer to such supervisors as attack-resilient. First, we solve the problem of computing the maximal controllable sub-language (MCSL) of a desired language and propose the design algorithm for an attack-resilient supervisor, in scenarios where no security guarantees exists for communication between the plant and the supervisor. Then, we consider the case where the supervisor has active but intermittent access to a size-limited secure channel, which ensures integrity and availability of the data transmitted over it. Specifically, we propose the notion of accessibility as a measure of distance between a language and its sub-language, and show that a desired language is controllable with intermittently secure communication if and only if its difference from its MCSL without secure channel is bounded by the accessibility measure. Finally, we illustrate our approach on several examples.
Pelvic organ prolapse management

Pelvic organ prolapse describes the loss of support and subsequent descent of pelvic organs into the vagina. It is common, affecting up to 50% of parous women, and can be accompanied by a number of burdening symptoms. Prolapse has been thrown into the spotlight secondary to mesh-related complications. There are a number of effective treatment options to consider when managing pelvic organ prolapse and most do not require mesh. Patients' choice, comorbidities and likelihood of treatment success should be considered when making decisions about their care. Vaginal mesh surgery is currently on hold in the UK and even prior to this there has been a reduction both in the number of all prolapse surgeries and the number of women seeking surgery to manage their symptoms. This article reviews the current evidence for the management of pelvic organ prolapse, providing an update on the current state of mesh in prolapse surgery and summarises the key evidence points derived from the literature.
Controlling Structure and Properties of Vapor-Deposited Glasses of Organic Semiconductors: Recent Advances and Challenges.

The past decade has seen great progress in manipulating the structure of vapor-deposited glasses of organic semiconductors. Upon varying the substrate temperature during deposition, glasses with a ...
Maternal risk factors associated with persistent placenta previa.

Abstract Introduction Maternal risk factors associated with placenta previa are well documented in the literature. However, there are limited studies identifying maternal characteristics associated with the persistence of placenta previa. The objective of the study was to determine maternal characteristics associated with the persistent placenta previa. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in which 705 pregnant women diagnosed with low-lying placenta or placenta previa between 17 and 24 weeks gestation were identified from a single institution between 2003 and 2017. The primary outcome included persistent placenta previa (i.e., persistent placental tissue within 2 cm of the internal os) at or after 36 weeks 0 days. Those with abnormal placentation (e.g., vasa previa, placenta accreta) or delivery prior to 36 weeks 0 days were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was utilized to determine significant maternal characteristics associated with persistent placenta previa among women diagnosed with either placenta previa or low-lying placenta. Results Women with a prior cesarean delivery were seven times more likely to have persistent placenta previa (odds ratio, 7.0, 95% confidence interval, 3.7–13.1). A history of intrauterine curettage or evacuation in the setting of placenta previa increases the likelihood of persistent placenta previa almost 3-fold (odds ratio, 2.5, 95% confidence interval, 1.3–5.0). Discussion To date, our study is the largest, retrospective cohort study assessing maternal risk factors associated with persistent placenta previa; and is the first to detect a statistically significant correlation between a history of intrauterine surgeries and persistent placenta previa.
Pasireotide: A Novel Treatment for Tumor-Induced Hypoglycemia Due to Insulinoma and Non-Islet Cell Tumor Hypoglycemia

Tumor-induced hypoglycemia is a serious disorder most commonly caused by insulinoma or non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH). The hypoglycemia can be severe and refractory to conventional therapy, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this work is to describe a series of challenging cases in which refractory, tumor-induced hypoglycemia was shown to respond to the use of pasireotide, a second-generation somatostatin receptor ligand. We describe the clinical and biochemical features of 3 patients with tumor-induced hypoglycemia due to an occult insulinoma, malignant insulinoma, and non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia. In these 3 individuals, the hypoglycemia remained refractory to guideline-recommended medical therapy, such as diazoxide, nonpasireotide somatostatin analogues, and glucocorticoids. Pasireotide was substituted to attenuate the refractory hypoglycemia for each patient. The addition of pasireotide led to prompt improvement in the frequency and severity of hypoglycemic episodes for each tumor-induced hypoglycemia patient. We demonstrate the successful treatment of 3 individuals with refractory, tumor-induced hypoglycemia with pasireotide. We offer the first reported use of pasireotide for the successful treatment of nonmalignant insulinoma and non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia.
A Guide to Academic Crisis Response: Strategies for Nursing Schools During COVID-19 and Beyond.

Background COVID-19 has tested the capacity of every nursing school, but its impact has varied according to the size, location, and baseline infrastructure of each school. This makes the pandemic an important lens through which to study crisis management principles, such as flexibility and scalability (the ability to expand and reduce efforts based on situational demands). Purpose This article provides a roadmap for academic crisis management, modeled on the National Incident Management System (NIMS). It is tailored to the unique needs of nursing schools and applies COVID-19 as a case study. Methods The authors explore the elements of the NIMS that were deployed within 1 top-ranked school of nursing during COVID-19. Results and conclusions The article includes best practices, tips, and resources to help academic nurse leaders and educators navigate large-scale or unprecedented crises, such as COVID-19.
Lattice-ordered Pregroups are Semi-distributive

We prove that the lattice reduct of every lattice-ordered pregroup is semidistributive. This is a consequence of a certain weak form of the distributive law which holds in lattice-ordered pregroups.
Analytics for everybody: A literature review of analytics practices in multi-organization digital collections

With an abundance of digital library projects of all types and sizes, a common practice is for larger institutions to host digital collections for smaller ones. Many institutions use analytics data...
Efficacy of Systemic and Oral Oxytetracycline for Control of a Herd Outbreak of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis

The efficacy of a combination of parenterally administered and oral long-acting oxytetracycline formulation was compared to treatment with subconjunctivally administered penicillin in controlling a herd outbreak of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.
The fish early-life stage sublethal toxicity syndrome – A high-dose baseline toxicity response

A large number of toxicity studies report abnormalities in early life-stage (ELS) fish that are described here as a sublethal toxicity syndrome (TxSnFELS) and generally include a reduced heart rate, edemas (yolk sac and cardiac), and a variety of morphological abnormalities. The TxSnFELS is very common and not diagnostic for any chemical or class of chemicals. This sublethal toxicity syndrome is mostly observed at high exposure concentrations and appears to be a baseline, non-specific toxicity response; however, it can also occur at low doses by specific action. Toxicity metrics for this syndrome generally occur at concentrations just below those causing mortality and have been reported for a large number of diverse chemicals. Predictions based on tissue concentrations or quantitative-structure activity relationship (QSAR) models support the designation of baseline toxicity for many of the tested chemicals, which is confirmed by observed values. Given the sheer number of disparate chemicals causing the TxSnFELS and correlation with QSAR derived partitioning; the only logical conclusion for these high-dose responses is baseline toxicity by nonspecific action and not a lock and key type receptor response. It is important to recognize that many chemicals can act both as baseline toxicants and specific acting toxicants likely via receptor interaction and it is not possible to predict those threshold doses from baseline toxicity. We should search out these specific low-dose responses for ecological risk assessment and not rely on high-concentration toxicity responses to guide environmental protection. The goal for toxicity assessment should not be to characterize toxic responses at baseline toxicity concentrations, but to evaluate chemicals for their most toxic potential. Additional aspects of this review evaluated the fish ELS teratogenic responses in relation to mammalian oral LD50s and explored potential key events responsible for baseline toxicity.
Field necropsy and diagnostic sample submission

Field necropsies can provide a wealth of information that can help guide production management decisions. Techniques outlined can allow a veterinary practitioner to complete a thorough necropsy of a bovine, including examination of the brain when indicated, in less than 20 min. Outlined procedures emphasize not detaching organs from the carcass unless necessary, thereby making carcass removal by rendering companies more efficient and minimizing cleanup on the production unit premise. An observation and history collection system using form templates and photographs is outlined that improves efficiency of recording necropsy results. One key to necropsy efficiency, speed, and enjoyment is having sharp knives. The first part of this paper includes tips for sharpening knives, and also includes detailed information on appropriate diagnostic specimen handling, packaging, and shipping.
Wildfires and Invasive Species: Ecology and Environment of the Great Basin Region of the U.S.

Increased fuel loads due to invasive species and ecosystem changes have resulted in greater incidence, frequency and extent of wildfires over time in the Great Basin region of the U.S. There have been significant environmental and economic impacts both in terms of fire suppression costs and damage to the ecosystem and its productivity. Alternative land management, institutional changes and policies have been proposed by sixteen experienced scientists. The Great Basin Environmental Program (GBEP), a new coordinated approach involving federal and state agencies, universities and non-governmental organizations, is being established for improving the ecosystem of the region.
Effect of the Manner of Death in Medicolegal Cases on Insurance Settlements Involving Double Indemnity

The purpose of this study was to determine whether any problem areas exist concerning the certification of manner of death and insurance settlements. The manners of death under consideration are mainly those in which there is a question of natural death versus accidental death. Many of these deaths have a self-contributory factor, and the inquiry was directed to the following questions: 1. How much uniformity exists among the opinions of medical examiners as to the manner of death? 2. Is the manner of death as listed on the death certificate accepted without reservation by insurance companies responsible for settlements? 3. If it is not accepted, how is manner of death determined for the purpose of insurance settlement?
Ethylenedioxy homologs of N-methyl-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (MDMA) and its corresponding cathinone analog methylenedioxymethcathinone: Interactions with transporters for serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine

N-Methyl-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (MDMA; 'Ecstasy'; 1) and its β-keto analog methylone (MDMC; 2) are popular drugs of abuse. Little is known about their ring-expanded ethylenedioxy homologs. Here, we prepared N-methyl-(3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (EDMA; 3), both of its optical isomers, and β-keto EDMA (i.e., EDMC; 4) to examine their effects at transporters for serotonin (SERT), dopamine (DAT), and norepinephrine (NET). In general, ring-expansion of the methylenedioxy group led to a several-fold reduction in potency at all three transporters. With respect to EDMA (3), S(+)3 was 6-fold, 50-fold, and 8-fold more potent than its R(-) enantiomer at SERT, DAT, and NET, respectively. Overall, in the absence of a β-carbonyl group, the ethylenedioxy (i.e., 1,4-dioxane) substituent seems better accommodated at SERT than at DAT and NET.
Agrammatism and the psychological reality of the syntactic tree

Syntactic trees, or phrase markers, have originally been suggested as a representation of syntax in the mind based on purely linguistic grounds. In this paper, the psychological reality of syntactic trees and hierarchical ordering is explored from another perspective--that of the neuropsychology of language breakdown. The study reported here examined several syntactic domains that rely on different nodes in the tree--tense and agreement verb inflection, subordinations, interrogatives, and verb movement, through a study of 14 Hebrew- and Palestinian Arabic-speaking agrammatic aphasics and perusal of the cross-linguistic literature. The results show that the impairment in agrammatic production is highly selective and lends itself to characterization in terms of a deficit in the syntactic tree. The complex pattern of dissociations follows from one underlying deficit--the inaccessibility of high nodes of the syntactic tree to agrammatic speakers. Structures that relate to high nodes of the tree are impaired, while "lower" structures are spared.
Influence of synthesis conditions on surface heterogeneity of M41 type materials studied with lattice Monte Carlo

1. ABSTRACT The synthesis of mesoporous silica materials using surfactants as structure-directing agents is studied using lattice Monte Carlo simulations. The surfactant HmTn is modeled as a sequence of m hydrophilic segments or heads (H) followed by n hydrophobic segments or tails (T). Favorable interactions between the surfactant heads and the silica result in the formation of a surfactant-rich silica-rich phase in equilibrium with a dilute phase. Liquid crystal behavior is observed in the phase containing high-surfactant and high-silica concentration, with different structures depending on the overall system composition that are similar to the M41 family. The formation of a silica hexagonal phase is observed at low surfactant/silica ratios and lamellar or perforated lamellar phases are formed at high surfactant/silica ratios. The structure of the silica materials depends on the surfactant chemistry, the surfactant/silica ratios and the temperature. Heats of adsorption of simple gases on model MCM-41 type materials are calculated using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Adsorption properties on model materials that were generated through a mimetic synthesis using lattice Monte Carlo simulations are compared with those on smooth cylindrical pores. Energetic heterogeneity in the materials studied is due to surface roughness and structural defects and not to the presence of areas with different chemical composition. This is in agreement with experimentally measured heats of adsorption of simple gases. At low coverage, heats of adsorption of argon and krypton on MCM-41 decrease with coverage, indicating that MCM-41 is not a homogeneous adsorbent even for non-polar spherical gas molecules, where the presence of polar groups in the adsorbent surface should have little effect.
New light on the life and manuscripts of a political pamphleteer: Thomas Fovent*

This article offers new information regarding a little-known manuscript of the Historia Mirabilis Parliamenti by Thomas Fovent, found in a private collection in New York, and presents a more complete portrait of the author's life. Fovent's Historia is a lively account of the Merciless Parliament of 1388 and has long been known to scholars from May McKisack's 1926 edition published in the Camden Miscellany, based on the only known manuscript in the Bodleian Library. The recent digitization of Thomas Fovent's will by The National Archives provides readily available definitive proof that Fovent lived and worked as part of London's bureaucratic milieu in the later fourteenth century.
Genital Image, Sexual Anxiety, and Erectile Dysfunction Among Young Male Military Personnel

Abstract Introduction More than a third of young military personnel report experiencing some level of erectile dysfunction (ED). Preoccupation with body image, particularly genitals, is a distraction that can influence sexual anxiety (SA) and sexual functioning problems (SFPs), particularly ED. Aims This study assessed the relationships between male genital self-image (MGSI), SA, and ED in a sample of male military personnel age 40 or younger. Methods Data were from a larger study on SFPs in military populations. This sample consisted of 367 male military personnel age 40 or younger. Hierarchical regression analyses and process modeling using mediation analysis were performed to examine the effects of MGSI on ED with SA as an intermediate variable. We predicted that SA would mediate the relationship between MGSI and ED. Main Outcome Measures ED severity was assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function. MGSI was assessed using the MGSI Scale. SA was assessed with the SA subscale of the Sexual Needs Scale. Results As hypothesized, greater satisfaction with MGSI was predictive of significantly lower SA ( F [8, 352] = 4.07, P = 0.001) and lower ED ( F [8, 352] = 13.20, P = 0.001). Lower levels of SA were predictive of lower levels of ED ( F [8, 354] = 21.35, P b = −0.07, standard error = 0.03, confidence interval = [−0.14,−0.02], P Conclusions This study underscores the complex etiologic basis of SFPs, particularly ED, and highlights the importance of considering psychologic contributors to ED, such as SA and MGSI. Strategies aimed at reducing SA may be useful in improving ED in young military populations and are worth considering as complements to strategies that improve SFPs. Wilcox SL, Redmond S, and Davis TL. Genital image, sexual anxiety, and erectile dysfunction among young male military personnel. J Sex Med 2015;12:1389–1397.
The Attitudinal Model, Political Science, Ecological Fallacy and Exaggeration

Empirical scholars of the United States Supreme Court, Jeffrey Segal and Harold Spaeth, have long contended that Supreme Court decisions are based primarily upon the ideological beliefs of the justices, and that ideology alone accounts for the bulk of choices made in civil liberties cases. However, this conclusion results from the misinterpretation of an ecological regression model. The researchers never modeled the votes of the justices; they only analyzed an index of grouped aggregates. When announcing conclusions, however, scholars equated variation in a voting index with the frequency distribution of binary observations that comprised it. As a result, model conclusions were exaggerated and disciplinary misinformation was created. This work exposes and corrects this problem by re-estimating the relationship between justice ideology and votes with a multilevel approach that uses a logistic regression to directly examine the dependent variable prior to its manipulation into grouped data. The findings demonstrate that ideology models lose about two-thirds of the level of explanation researchers previously proclaimed. This new understanding supports a more limited critique of the role that ideology plays on the Court - one that has a long history in political science that predates the more value-dominant "attitudinal" framework.
Following up on a Margalevian concept: Interactions and exchanges among adjacent parcels of coastal landscapes

Some decades ago Margalef speculated that study of the exchanges across boundaries that separate different types of ecological systems would provide significant insights about properties and processes within the units that make up ecological mosaics. Although such boundaries might be difficult to define, it seemed likely that such exchanges among units would influence the function and structure of the adjoined systems. In this paper we explore exchanges across such ecological boundaries in coastal ecosystems in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and elsewhere. We find that, indeed, definition of such boundaries is ambiguous, but study of the exchanges is more useful. In the Cape Cod system, water transport down-gradient is the dominant mechanism exerting influence on down-gradient systems. The direction of ecological control across such boundaries is largely asymmetrical, and properties of up-gradient units exert significant influence on down-gradient units. General properties of donor and receptor parcels are hard to discern, but clearly, parcels making up an ecological mosaic are not independent units, but are coupled by transfers from upgradient tesserae. Studies of controls of ecological systems need to include inter-unit influences as well as internal mechanisms.
Risk of bladder cancer in patients with spina bifida: Case reports and review of the literature

Purpose This article presents four cases of patients with spina bifida who developed bladder cancer while under our care and provides a literature review on the incidence, initial presentation, possible etiologies, and role for screening for bladder cancer in the neurogenic bladder population. Methods Case reports of four patients are presented followed by a literature review of the current available studies. Results Patients with spina bifida present with bladder cancer at an atypically young age with very advanced disease. The dire prognosis associated with bladder cancer in these patients demands that we provide better treatment, diagnosis, and prevention modalities. However, the potential morbidity, financial burden, and lack of proven benefit discourage cystoscopic screening in this patient population. Until we have more data on how to best serve spina bifida patients, this population should receive careful and regular urologic follow-up. Conclusion Given the atypical young age of presentation and very advanced nature of bladder cancer in the spina bifida population, the authors strongly recommend that any new bladder changes, such as including increased urinary leakage, pain, recurrent infections, or increased gross hematuria, prompt immediate urologic referral for endoscopic evaluation and biopsy as indicated.
Structure–property correlations in a family of decamethylmetallocenium charge-transfer salt magnets using dialkyl dicyanofumarates as the one-electron acceptors: Ferromagnetism versus metamagnetism

Abstract The synthesis of molecule-based magnets derived from decamethylchromocene, CrCp 2 ∗ , and dialkyl dicyanofumarates, DRDCF, R = n-propyl (nPr) and isopropyl (iPr) yields two new members of a family of charge transfer (CT) salts, these being metamagnetic solids isomorphous with and reminiscent of the known diethyl (R = Et) homolog. The antiferromagnetic properties of these compounds contrast sharply with the previously reported ferromagnetic dimethyl (R = Me) compound. An examination of the four crystal structures provides an explanation for the observed behavior: although the pseudo-one-dimensional mixed stack structure is retained in all of the solids, a new relationship between the stacks is observed for the higher homologs that is different from that found for the DMeDCF salt. In the corresponding decamethylmanganocene, MnCp 2 ∗ , family, CT salts with DnPrDCF and DiPrDCF are both metamagnets that appear to enter a spin glass state well below their TN’s, exhibiting hysteresis with large very coercivity at 1.8 K, again similar to behavior previously seen for the corresponding diethyl compound and different from the dimethyl compound. These and other results reported herein indicate that meaningful structure–property correlations are possible in this class of compounds.
Study of ventricular isomyosins during normal and thyroid hormone induced cardiac growth.

Abstract We have detected and isolated by the immunoadsorption technique two variants of myosin heavy chains (HC α and HC β ) from ventricles of normal rabbit. The two variants differ in at least four antigenic determinants and in several proteolytic fragments. Quantitation of myosin heavy chains using specific monoclonal antibodies in a radioimmunoassay revealed that the proportion of the two variants changes with rabbit age, and after thyroid administration. In newborn rabbits, HC α forms 50% of the total heavy chains; with increasing age, this percentage decreases. Administration of thyroid hormone results in replacement of HC β by HC α . Moreover, our analysis has shown that the variant of myosin synthesized by hyperthyroid animals is identical to the HC α found in the ventricles of young euthyroid rabbits.
Acute inflammatory demyelinating optic neuritis: current concepts in diagnosis and management.

Background Optic neuritis (ON), defined as an inflammatory demyelinating optic neuropathy, is a frequent cause of visual loss owing to optic nerve dysfunction in young or middle-aged patients. ON can be seen in isolation or in association with multiple sclerosis (MS). Highlighting the importance of this association is the fact that approximately 20% of patients with MS will present with ON. Methods Review was conducted of the literature and pertinent clinical trials. Conclusion Although the vision prognosis of patients with ON is excellent, with or without the use of corticosteroids, a minority of patients will suffer from significantly poor vision. ON may be the heralding manifestation of MS; the risk stratification for the future development of MS in patients presenting with ON can be determined by the number of white matter lesions on the baseline cerebral magnetic resonance imaging study. To date, 2 randomized, placebo-controlled studies have found that patients with a clinically isolated demyelinating syndrome, such as ON, at risk for MS, may benefit from the early institution of a disease-modifying drug.
Appendicitis: Evaluation by TC-99m leukocyte scan

Diagnosing appendicitis may be difficult. We report the use of a new technetium-99m-albumin colloid white blood cell (TAC-WBC) scan in the evaluation of appendicitis. In a synthesis requiring 75 minutes, autologous neutrophils and macrophages from 40 mL of whole blood were labelled with technetium-99m-albumin colloid and administered to 100 patients with possible appendicitis. The entire process, from labelling the cells to completion of the scan took a maximum of ¼ hours. Two patients had second scans on separate hospitalizations. Twenty-six patients had appendicitis; 12 had perforations, five of whom had an abscess. Eighty-five scans were read as either positive or negative for appendiceal pathology with a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 92%, and an accuracy of 92% in diagnosing appendicitis. Seventeen scans were indeterminant; eight of these patients had appendicitis. The value of the TAC-WBC scan in the evaluation of appendicitis lies in its ability to be used emergently, its high negative predictive value for men and women (NPV = 97%), and its high positive predictive value for men (PPV = 93%). At present, the scan does not appear to be reliable in diagnosing appendicitis in women (PPV = 43%). It is most useful in those patients in whom diagnosis is uncertain, and should not be used in patients with clear-cut appendicitis in whom its use will delay definitive surgical care.
A performance evaluator for parameterized ASIC architectures

System-level partitioning assigns functional objects such as tasks or code segments to system-level components such as o -the-shelf processors or application-speci c architectures in order to meet design constraints. Characterization of these system-level components and performance evaluation of given applications on these components are crucial to system-level partitioning. In this paper, we propose a new parameterized architecture model of system-level components and present an algorithm for rapid performance estimation. The model, di erent from those proposed previously, re ects comprehensive architectural characteristics a ecting machine parallelism. By using an ultrane-grain scheduler which exploits the parallelism in the model, we can evaluate performance of applications assigned to various architectures.
Satellite observations of a new type of discrete VLF emission at L < 4

A new type of discrete whistler mode emission has been observed in the magnetosphere at L below 4. The emission elements are confined to a bandwidth of 1-5 kHz, with the lower cutoff frequency of the band varying with L shell, being equal to about 0.2-0.5 f(Heq), where f(Heq) is the equatorial electron gyrofrequency. The discrete and burstlike nature of the emissions is similar to that of chorus emissions typically observed at higher L; however, dispersion of individual elements is often different from typical chorus, and the emissions are observed inside as well as outside the plasmapause. The phenomenon seems to occur mainly in the early morning local time sector and is well correlated with geomagnetic activity, occurring mostly at high gasmagnetic activity. The analysis of data from the low-altitude ISIS-2 and the high-altitude De-1 satellites indictes that the emissions may be generated near the equatorial plane at frequencies of about 0.2 f(Heq) inside and about 0.35 f(Heq) outside the plasmapause. The parallel energy of electrons for gyroresonance with the observed waves is found to be about 20-50 keV in both cases.
Extension of fertilizability in the sand dollar egg with vitamin B12.

SummaryVitamin B12 (100-6.25 μg/cc) in the presence of 0.15% benzyl alcohol extends fertilizability in the eggs of Dendraster excentricus. Benzyl alcohol alone also has some preserving action. It is suggested that both substances prolong fertility by inhibiting destructive processes that occur with aging of the eggs.
A possible mechanism for the influence of geomagnetic field on the evolution of life

The mechanism through which the geomagnetic field might have influenced the extinction of the species has been proposed. It has been assumed that the concentration factor for essential trace elements is dependent on the magnetic field.
Endoneurial fluid pressure in wallerian degeneration

Endoneurial fluid pressure (EFP) was recorded by an active, servo-null pressure system after a glass micropipette was inserted into rat sciatic nerve undergoing wallerian degeneration. The lesions were produced by crushing the left sciatic nerve of the anesthetized animal at its point of entry into the thigh. Eighty-four animals were employed in this experiment, in which EFP was recorded from sham-operated rats and other controls as well as from rats with wallerian degeneration. The experiment was designed so that EFP could be recorded from 2 or more experimental animals at daily intervals starting at day 0 and concluding on day 28. Pressure progressively increased during the first week, reaching a peak elevation four to five times normal. The subsequent decline in EFP was more gradual, with values approaching normal during the third week after injury. Linear regression analysis showed the progressive increase in EFP to be statistically significant (p less than or equal to 0.01). To determine the time at which EFP was maximum, we used the Marquardt computer algorithm for lease-squares estimation of nonlinear variables. By this procedure the peak value for EFP occurred at six days. These biophysical observations were correlated with subsequent microscopic examination of 1 mu thick sections of Araldite-embedded sciatic nerve. Microscopy confirmed the presence of wallerian degeneration associated with edema, which was observed in every instance of elevated EFP.
Selective destruction of protein function by chromophore-assisted laser inactivation

Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation of protein function has been achieved. After a protein binds a specific ligand or antibody conjugated with malachite green (C.I. 42,000), it is selectively inactivated by laser irradiation at a wavelength of light absorbed by the dye but not significantly absorbed by cellular components. Ligand-bound proteins in solution and on the surfaces of cells can be denatured without other proteins in the same samples being affected. Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation can be used to study cell surface phenomena by inactivating the functions of single proteins on living cells, a molecular extension of cellular laser ablation. It has an advantage over genetics and the use of specific inhibitors in that the protein function of a single cell within the organism can be inactivated by focusing the laser beam.
US Energy Conservation and Efficiency: Benefits and Costs

With increased energy conservation plus the adoption of diverse energy efficient technologies, the US economy could save about 32 quads or about 33% of its current energy consumption, if sound conservation energy use policies were implemented over approximately 10 years. This potential of 32 quads is slightly greater than the current US oil imports. The systems that have the greatest potential to provide major energy savings are transportation, residential energy use, and the food system. Not only saving energy has merit in itself, but it would save US citizens approximately $438 billion per year, helping support the US economy, a high standard of living, and energy security. In addition, this analysis suggests that reducing the $40 billion in taxpayer money spent on subsidies of the energy industries would further increase conservation.
On the sintering of platinum on alumina model catalyst

A model catalyst suitable for examination in the transmission electron microscope is used to study the sintering of Pt crystallites supported on alumina. The model catalyst consists of a thin layer of γ-Al2O3 upon which Pt is deposited. The samples are subjected to heating in various chemical atmospheres for various lengths of time and temperatures. The change in size, shape, and position of each Pt crystallite is followed by examining the same region after each step in the treatment. Crystallite migration is identified as a cause of sintering. Evidence for the migration of crystallites of size larger than about 10 nm over large distances is presented. The degree of mobility of Pt crystallites depends on sintering conditions. Increase in temperature, periodic oxidation and reduction, reaction of Pt with the substrate, and burning off of coke accumulated on the surface all enhance crystallite migration. Phase transformation occurring in the alumina substrate is also associated with severe sintering of Pt crystallites. Heating of the model catalyst in pure oxygen or wet N2 does not promote Pt sintering appreciably. Significant sintering occurs during heating in wet H2.
Impact of Copula Directional Specification on Multi-Trial Evaluation of Surrogate End Points.

Evaluation of surrogate end points using patient-level data from multiple trials is the gold standard, where multi-trial copula models are used to quantify both patient-level and trial-level surrogacy. While limited consideration has been given in the literature to copula choice (e.g., Clayton), no prior consideration has been given to direction of implementation (via survival vs. distribution functions). We demonstrate that even with the “correct” copula family, directional misspecification leads to biased estimates of patient-level and trial-level surrogacy. We illustrate with a simulation study and a reanalysis of disease-free survival as a surrogate for overall survival in early stage colon cancer.
PbSe Nanocrystal Solids for n- and p-Channel Thin Film Field-Effect Transistors

Initially poorly conducting PbSe nanocrystal solids (quantum dot arrays or superlattices) can be chemically "activated" to fabricate n- and p-channel field effect transistors with electron and hole mobilities of 0.9 and 0.2 square centimeters per volt-second, respectively; with current modulations of about 10(3) to 10(4); and with current density approaching 3 x 10(4) amperes per square centimeter. Chemical treatments engineer the interparticle spacing, electronic coupling, and doping while passivating electronic traps. These nanocrystal field-effect transistors allow reversible switching between n- and p-transport, providing options for complementary metal oxide semiconductor circuits and enabling a range of low-cost, large-area electronic, optoelectronic, thermoelectric, and sensing applications.
Fluoroelastomers: Today's technology and tomorrow's polymers.

The history of fluoroelastomer development is briefly traced and the technology of many of today’s fluoroelastomer products is discussed. An important theme in current research is the synthesis of fluoroelastomers with improved low temperature properties. The preparation of perfluorinated elastomers from perfluorovinyl ethers with glass transition temperatures as low as −76°C is discussed. Plasticization of these materials with perfluorinated polyether oils is also described.
A Key Role for the α1 Helix of Human RAP74 in the Initiation and Elongation of RNA Chains

RNA polymerase II-associating protein 74 (RAP74) is the large subunit of transcription factor IIF (TFIIF), which is essential for accurate initiation and stimulates elongation by RNA polymerase II. Mutations within or adjacent to the α1 helix of the RAP74 subunit have been shown to decrease both initiation and elongation stimulation activities without strongly affecting the interactions of RAP74 with the RAP30 subunit or the interaction between TFIIF and RNA polymerase II. In this manuscript, mutations within the α1 helix are compared with mutations made throughout the neighboring conserved N-terminal domain of RAP74. Changes within the N-terminal domain include disruptions of specific contacts with the α1 helix, which were revealed in the recently published x-ray crystal structure (Gaiser, F., Tan, S., and Richmond, T. J. (2000) J. Mol. Biol. 302, 1119–1127). Contacts between the β4-β5 loop and the α1 helix are shown to be largely unimportant for α1 helix function. Other mutations throughout the N-terminal domain are consistent with the establishment of the dimer interface with the RAP30 subunit. The RAP74-RAP30 interface is important for TFIIF function, but no particular RAP74 amino acids within this region have been identified that are required for TFIIF activities. The molecular target of the α1 helix remains unknown, but our studies refocus attention on this important functional motif of TFIIF.