cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood libel in late imperial Russia. The ritual murder trial of Mendel Beilis

Robert Weinberg's book explores the Beilis Affair and trial, which took place in Kiev in 1911–1913. Mendel Beilis was accused of ritual murder because he was a Jew who worked near the site where th...
Lagged dependent variables and specification bias

Abstract Many panel data models include a lagged dependent variable as a regressor. Analytical results in this note show that common forms of misspecification induce negative bias in the coefficient estimate. An analysis of welfare caseloads illustrates these results.
Accelerating a Climate Physics Model with OpenCL

Open Computing Language (OpenCL) is fast becoming the standard for heterogeneous parallel computing. It is designed to run on CPUs, GPUs, and other accelerator architectures. By implementing a real world application, a solar radiation model component widely used in climate and weather models, we show that OpenCL multi-threaded programming and execution model can dramatically increase performance even on CPU architectures. Our preliminary investigation indicates that low-level vector instructions and code representations in OpenCL contribute to dramatic performance improvement over the serial version when compared with the execution of the serial code compiled across various compilers on multiple platforms with auto vectorization flags. However, the portability of OpenCL implementations needs to improve, even for CPU architectures.
An activity-based analysis of hands-on practice methods

The success of exploration-based training is likely to be strongly influenced by what activities the learner undertakes during training. This paper presents a study of the activities undertaken during training by 51 experienced computer users learning to use an application package through exercises, exploration or a combined approach to training. Results suggest that exploration learners practice procedures selectively, fail to consolidate skills through repetition, and do not devise activities which extend their knowledge beyond the scope of the training materials. It is argued that these characteristics may lead to subsequent difficulties in performance.
Presentation and Progression of Friedreich Ataxia and Implications for Physical Therapist Examination

Friedreich ataxia, although rare, is the most prevalent inherited ataxia. Recent insight into the disease pathogenesis is creating new hope for effective therapies. The purposes of this update are: (1) to review the etiology, presentation, and progression of Friedreich ataxia and (2) to describe a comprehensive physical therapist examination emphasizing valid and reliable performance measurements associated with disease progression. Early identification of individuals with Friedreich ataxia and precise characterization of impairments and functional limitations gain importance as new drug therapies are considered.
NoHype: virtualized cloud infrastructure without the virtualization

Cloud computing is a disruptive trend that is changing the way we use computers. The key underlying technology in cloud infrastructures is virtualization -- so much so that many consider virtualization to be one of the key features rather than simply an implementation detail. Unfortunately, the use of virtualization is the source of a significant security concern. Because multiple virtual machines run on the same server and since the virtualization layer plays a considerable role in the operation of a virtual machine, a malicious party has the opportunity to attack the virtualization layer. A successful attack would give the malicious party control over the all-powerful virtualization layer, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the software and data of any virtual machine. In this paper we propose removing the virtualization layer, while retaining the key features enabled by virtualization. Our NoHype architecture, named to indicate the removal of the hypervisor, addresses each of the key roles of the virtualization layer: arbitrating access to CPU, memory, and I/O devices, acting as a network device (e.g., Ethernet switch), and managing the starting and stopping of guest virtual machines. Additionally, we show that our NoHype architecture may indeed be "no hype" since nearly all of the needed features to realize the NoHype architecture are currently available as hardware extensions to processors and I/O devices.
Maternal obesity and risk for birth defects.

Objective. Several studies have shown an increased risk for neural tube defects associated with prepregnancy maternal obesity. Because few recent studies have examined the relation between maternal prepregnancy obesity and overweight and other birth defects, we explored the relation for several birth defects and compared our findings with those of previous studies. Methods. We conducted a population-based case-control study of several selected major birth defects using data from the Atlanta Birth Defects Risk Factor Surveillance Study. Mothers who delivered an infant with and without selected birth defects in a 5-county metropolitan Atlanta area between January 1993 and August 1997 were interviewed. Maternal body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported maternal prepregnancy weight and height. Women with known preexisting diabetes were excluded. The risks for obese women (BMI ≥30) and overweight women (BMI 25.0–29.9) were compared with those for average-weight women (BMI 18.5–24.9). Results. Obese women were more likely than average-weight women to have an infant with spina bifida (unadjusted odds ratio [OR]: 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–10.3), omphalocele (OR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.0–10.3), heart defects (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2–3.4), and multiple anomalies (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.0–3.8). Overweight women were more likely than average-weight women to have infants with heart defects (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2–3.1) and multiple anomalies (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.4). Conclusions. Our study confirmed the previously established association between spina bifida and prepregnancy maternal obesity and found an association for omphalocele, heart defects, and multiple anomalies among infants of obese women. We also found an association between heart defects and multiple anomalies and being overweight before pregnancy. A higher risk for some birth defects is yet another adverse pregnancy outcome associated with maternal obesity. Obesity prevention efforts are needed to increase the number of women who are of healthy weight before pregnancy.
Sexual dysfunction in epilepsy.

Summary: Sexual dysfunction may arise more frequently in men and women with epilepsy than with other chronic illnesses, manifesting primarily as diminished sexual desire and potency. Studies using retrospective self-report of sexual attitude and behavior find an incidence of sexual dysfunction ranging from 14–66%. Sexual dysfunction may be more common in partial than in generalized epilepsies. Sexual dysfunction in epilepsy may result from a disturbance in social or psychological factors affecting sexual responsiveness. Alternatively, epileptiform discharges may disrupt the function of structures mediating sexual behavior, particularly the limbic cortex, or alter the release of hypothalamic or pituitary hormones. Antiepileptic drugs modulate hormone release from the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and may have direct inhibitory effects on sexual behavior. Evidence both supports and refutes each of these etiologies in the sexual dysfunction seen with epilepsy. Specific evaluation and treatment protocols for patients with sexual dysfunction are available.
High Frequency Modeling of PM Synchronous Machine for Use in Integrated Motor Drive

In this paper, a high frequency physical phase variable model of electric machines is presented. The proposed model is composed of a low frequency phase variable model and a high frequency winding branch connected in parallel. The high frequency winding branch is used to include the distributed effects appearing at high frequency operation while the low frequency phase variable model captures the low frequency dynamics. The proposed model parameters are obtained from different types of finite element analyses (FEA), including nonlinear transient analysis, magnetodynamic analysis, and electrostatic analysis. This paper includes determination procedure of the distributed parameter model of the motor winding and its lumping technique. A cable model is developed to investigate its effect on the motor terminal overvoltage. Permanent magnet synchronous motor is used as an example. An experimental verification is conducted to verify the proposed model performance. The significance of the developed model is that it can be used to evaluate different machine designs.
Demonstration of a Method to Characterize and Develop Airway Access Devices for Total Liquid Ventilation

Devices are being developed to carry out perfluorocarbon total liquid ventilation (TLV) in adult-sized animals or patients. A limiting factor in the clinical application of TLV lies in the ability to administer adequate tidal volumes of oxygenated perfluorocarbon through airway access devices. A single number, the M-number, is demonstrated in this paper as a systematic method for ranking the flow characteristics of currently available airway access devices, such as endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes, and for designing new airway access devices exclusively for TLV. The M-number of several commonly used endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes is determined as a demonstration of the use of the M-number. Two nomograms are presented based on the M-number, and a description for their use in the clinical and laboratory settings is given.
Electroporation and recovery of cardiac cell membrane with rectangular voltage pulses

Electroporation of the cardiac cell membrane may result from intense electric fields applied to cardiac muscle, associated for example with defibrillation and cardioversion. We analyzed the distribution of voltage levels sufficient to cause electroporation in enzymatically isolated frog cardiac cells, using the cell-attached patch-clamp technique with rectangular pulses similar to those used in experimental studies of cardiac defibrillation. Five-millisecond monophasic or ten-millisecond biphasic symmetric (1/1) and asymmetric (1/0.5) rectangular pulses of either polarity were applied to the cell membrane in 100-mV steps from 0.2 to 0.8 V. The membrane conductance was continuously monitored by a low-voltage pulse train. In a total of 77 cells, we observed a step increase in conductance, occurring in 21% of cells at a transmembrane potential of 0.3 V, 52% at 0.4 V, 14% at 0.5 V, and 13% at 0.6-0.8 V. Electroporation occurred with this voltage distribution regardless of pulse shape, polarity, or the presence of all of the following ionic channel blockers: tetrodotoxin, barium, tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, cadmium, nickel, and gadolinium. The time course of membrane recovery was highly variable. The maintenance of a high membrane conductance after the shock pulse was associated with irreversible cell contracture provided that Ca2+ was included in the patch-pipette solution. However, with biphasic asymmetric pulses, the conductance recovered very quickly (< or = 37 ms).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Replication-mediated DNA damage by camptothecin induces phosphorylation of RPA by DNA-dependent protein kinase and dissociates RPA:DNA-PK complexes.

Replication protein A (RPA) is a DNA single-strand binding protein essential for DNA replication, recombination and repair. In human cells treated with the topoisomerase inhibitors camptothecin or etoposide (VP-16), we find that RPA2, the middle-sized subunit of RPA, becomes rapidly phosphorylated. This response appears to be due to DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and to be independent of p53 or the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein. RPA2 phosphorylation in response to camptothecin required ongoing DNA replication. Camptothecin itself partially inhibited DNA synthesis, and this inhibition followed the same kinetics as DNA-PK activation and RPA2 phosphorylation. DNA-PK activation and RPA2 phosphorylation were prevented by the cell-cycle checkpoint abrogator 7-hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01), which markedly potentiates camptothecin cytotoxicity. The DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) was found to bind RPA which was replaced by the Ku autoantigen upon camptothecin treatment. DNA-PKcs interacted directly with RPA1 in vitro. We propose that the encounter of a replication fork with a topoisomerase-DNA cleavage complex could lead to a juxtaposition of replication fork-associated RPA and DNA double-strand end-associated DNA-PK, leading to RPA2 phosphorylation which may signal the presence of DNA damage to an S-phase checkpoint mechanism. Keywords: camptothecin/DNA damage/DNA-dependent protein kinase/RPA2 phosphorylation
Hyper-arousal decreases human visual thresholds.

Arousal has long been known to influence behavior and serves as an underlying component of cognition and consciousness. However, the consequences of hyper-arousal for visual perception remain unclear. The present study evaluates the impact of hyper-arousal on two aspects of visual sensitivity: visual stereoacuity and contrast thresholds. Sixty-eight participants participated in two experiments. Thirty-four participants were randomly divided into two groups in each experiment: Arousal Stimulation or Sham Control. The Arousal Stimulation group underwent a 50-second cold pressor stimulation (immersing the foot in 0–2° C water), a technique known to increase arousal. In contrast, the Sham Control group immersed their foot in room temperature water. Stereoacuity thresholds (Experiment 1) and contrast thresholds (Experiment 2) were measured before and after stimulation. The Arousal Stimulation groups demonstrated significantly lower stereoacuity and contrast thresholds following cold pressor stimulation, whereas the Sham Control groups showed no difference in thresholds. These results provide the first evidence that hyper-arousal from sensory stimulation can lower visual thresholds. Hyper-arousal's ability to decrease visual thresholds has important implications for survival, sports, and everyday life.
Integrated structure/control design of mechatronic systems using a recursive experimental optimization method

A recursive experimental design method for simultaneously optimizing both mechanical structure and control is presented in this paper. Control gains are optimally tuned for a given prototype of mechatronic system, and its mechanical structure is physically modified so that control performance can be further improved. The entire control tuning, evaluation, and structure alteration process is repeated until the desired performance goals are achieved. In each iteration, incremental design changes are determined based on a sensitivity Jacobian relating structural changes to performance improvements. The sensitivity Jacobian is updated during the recursive process using the actual data of the design changes. To estimate the Jacobian despite few data points, a pseudoinverse method and a parameter perturbation algorithm, termed singular-value excitation, are developed. The mechanical structure is modified recursively and quickly by using structure reinforcement and rapid prototyping techniques. The feasibility of mechanical structure changes is taken into account in determining the design changes. The proposed methodology is verified through simulation and applied to the design of a robot positioning system. The robot arm structure is modified with regard to stiffness and damping by using steel reinforced epoxy. PD control gains are optimized every time the structure is modified. Through the recursive procedure, an optimal combination of the arm structure and control gains is obtained.
Production of Mouse Interleukin-12 Is Greater in Tobacco Hairy Roots Grown in a Mist Reactor Than in an Airlift Reactor

We compared the growth and productivity of a tobacco line of hairy roots that produces murine interleukin 12 (mIL-12) grown in three different culture systems: shake flasks, an airlift reactor, and a scalable mist reactor. Of the total mIL-12 produced by cultures grown in shake flasks ( approximately 434.8 microg L(-1)), almost 21% was recovered from the medium. In contrast to roots harvested from shake flasks and the mist reactor, roots were not uniformly distributed in the airlift reactor. Roots formed a dense ring around the wall of the reactor and surrounding the central rising column of fine aeration bubbles. Root quality was also better in both the shake flasks and mist reactor than in the airlift reactor. There were more pockets of dark roots in the airlift reactor suggesting some of the roots were nutrient starved. Although the best root growth (7 g DW L(-1)) was in the shake flasks, both reactors produced about the same, but less dry mass, nearly 5 g DW L(-1). Total mIL-12 concentration was highest in the mist reactor at 5.3 microg g(-1) FW, but productivity, 31 microg g(-1) FW day(-1) was highest in shake flasks. Roots grown in the mist reactor produced about 49.5% more mIL-12 than roots grown in the airlift reactor. Protease activity in the media increased steadily during culture of the roots in all three systems. The comparisons of protease activity, protein and mIL-12 levels done in the shake flask system suggest that the increase in proteases associated with progression into stationary phase is most detrimental to mIL-12 concentration. This is the first description of the design and operation of a scalable version of a mist bioreactor that uses a plastic bag. This also the first report of reasonable production levels of functional mIL-12, or any protein, produced by hairy roots grown in a mist reactor. Results will prove useful for further optimization and scale-up studies of plant-produced therapeutic proteins.
PUTATIVE BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE DAZ FAMILY

Summary The Deleted in Azoospermia (DAZ) gene belongs to a gene family that consists of three members: BOULE, DAZ-Like (DAZL) and DAZ. Members of the DAZ family are expressed exclusively in the germ cells, and their protein products contain a highly conserved RNA-binding motif and a unique DAZ repeat. Null mutations of the DAZ family members affect the fertility of either male or female, or both sexes. DAZ and DAZL are expressed throughout most of the life of germ cells and are required for the development of primordial germ cells and the differentiation and maturation of the germ cells. BOULE is expressed around the time of meiosis and has a more limited function. The DAZ proteins bind to RNAs in vitro and in vivo and are probably involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA expression. Their downstream RNA targets remain largely unknown, although members of the CDC25 gene family are potential candidates.
A Polychromatic Stain for Use in Parasitology

(1972). A Polychromatic Stain for Use in Parasitology. Stain Technology: Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 164-165.
Public Opinion and Foreign Policy: The Stages of Presidential Decision Making

Do presidents incorporate the preferences of the public into their foreign policy decisions? Previous scholarship has begun to sketch out the sources of variation in the policy–public opinion linkage, but we still lack a clear understanding of the factors that increase or decrease presidential responsiveness. To better explore the relationship, we conceptualize presidential foreign policy making as a five-stage process—problem representation, option generation, policy selection, implementation, and policy review—arguing that the degree to which presidents are responsive to public opinion varies with fluctuations in public attentiveness. At stages in which public interest is high, presidents are more likely to incorporate mass preferences into their decision making than during stages of public quiescence. The key finding in our analysis of 34 foreign policy cases is that the public's “issue-attention cycle” varies systematically across foreign policy crises and noncrises. Examining these cycles of attention allows us to make predictions about the conditions under which public opinion is most likely to influence decision making.
Limb proportions and the ontogeny of quadrupedal walking in infant baboons (Papio cynocephalus)

Much of the diversity in preferred walking gait (footfall sequence, interlimb timing) observed among mammals can be understood as a biomechanical response to variation in body shape, in conjunction with efforts to maintain stability. Primates, unlike most other mammals, exhibit a preference for diagonal sequence, diagonal couplets (DSDC) walking gait, but there remains no clear consensus on this gait’s possible biomechanical or adaptive advantages. This study examines primate gait from an ontogenetic perspective, and tests the hypothesis that ontogenetic gait transitions are influenced by changes in body shape. Support for this hypothesis could provide insight on the biomechanics and evolution of DSDC gait preferences in adult primates. Data on limb proportions, footfall sequence and interlimb timing were collected at 2-week intervals for four infant baboons (Papio cynocephalus) as they aged from 1 to 9 months. Despite some variation among individuals, DSDC walking was the most frequently used gait throughout the developmental period, but it was nearly always used in combination with lateral sequence walking. An important transition occurred at c. 5 months, when limb couplets used in lateral sequence walking shifted from diagonal to lateral, and the frequency of DSDC walking increased. The couplets shift within lateral sequence walking coincided with a relative increase in hind limb length, and was most likely attributable to the avoidance of ipsilateral limb interference. Limb proportions thus appear to have a functional influence on lateral sequence walking, but do not explain the consistent use of DSDC walking during the sampled developmental period.
Direct T2 quantification to detect myocardial edema in patients with myocarditis and tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy

Background/objective T2-weighted cardiovascular magnetic resonance (T2W-CMR) has shown utility in diseases such as myocarditis and tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTCM) where myocardial edema may be the predominant pathological abnormality. Since these conditions may affect many myocardial regions, a more quantitative approach may help identify extent of myocardial involvement and reduce uncertainty in qualitative interpretation of T2WCMR. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic utility of quantitative T2 mapping in patients presenting with acute myocarditis or TTCM.
Automated Image Acquisition for Single-Particle Reconstruction Using p97 as the Biological Sample

We have used Leginon, a fully automatic system capable of acquiring cryo-electron micrographs, to collect data of single particles, specifically of the AAA ATPase p97. The images were acquired under low-dose conditions and required no operator intervention other than the initial setup and periodic refilling of the cold-stage dewar. Each image was acquired at two different defocus values. Two-dimensional projection maps of p97 were calculated from these data and compared to results previously obtained using the conventional manual data collection methods to film. The results demonstrate that Leginon performs as well as an experienced microscopist for the acquisition of single-particle data. The general advantages of automation are discussed.
A Comparison of Freshmen and Upper Division Students' Preferences for Small and Large Psychology Classes:

Contrary to the commonly held view we hypothesized that freshmen would prefer small classes and that upper division students would prefer large classes. Twenty freshmen and 20 upper division students rated their preferences for 16 class structures, which varied on combinations of four variables: small or large class size-multiple-choice or essay exams, heavy or moderate workload, and average class grade of B or C. Subjects also filled out the Watson and Friend (1969) Social Avoidance and Distress (SAD) and Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE) Scales as control variables. Finally, upper division students identified and rated the size of psychology classes they had taken. Results support our prediction: Freshmen prefer small classes, and upper division students prefer large classes. Moreover, upper division students with greater experience of large classes report stronger preferences for them. Gender and social anxiety do not affect these findings. We discuss these results as well as the need for longitudinal ...
Evaluation of Vertebroplasty with a Validated Outcome Measure: The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vertebroplasty is rapidly disseminating as a treatment for vertebral compression fractures, but its efficacy has not been assessed with a well-validated, back pain–specific instrument. We report the use of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) in patients undergoing vertebroplasty for painful osteoporotic compression fractures. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients treated with vertebroplasty who completed the RDQ and 2 verbal pain scales (0–10) for pain at rest and pain with activity at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year post-vertebroplasty. Changes in outcome measures were analyzed by using a paired t test and correlations were assessed with Spearman . Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between baseline scores and independent variables. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients were treated at 164 vertebral levels. At baseline, RDQ scores were associated with rest and activity pain (P < .001 and P .002, respectively) but were not associated with other independent variables. All 3 outcome scores decreased by 1 week and remained improved through maximal follow-up (P < .001). RDQ scores improved by a mean of 7.0 points at 1 week and remained improved at 1 year (P .02). RDQ scores correlated with both rest and activity pain, but the absolute correlation was slightly better (0.15 on average) with activity pain. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent vertebroplasty experienced relief of back pain and symptoms, as shown by improvement in verbal pain and RDQ scores. The RDQ correlates well with measures of pain, shows clinically significant improvement and is responsive to changes across time. More important, the RDQ provides an easily administered, well-validated, back pain–specific outcome measure that could be adopted to assess vertebroplasty outcomes.
Perceived police legitimacy: investigating its association with college-based informal social controls

Research has found that when private citizens view law enforcement as legitimate authority figures, they are more likely to obey laws and voluntarily comply with police demands. Although procedural...
Natural fractures in some US shales and their importance for gas production

Abstract Shale gas reservoirs are commonly produced using hydraulic fracture treatments. Microseismic monitoring of hydraulically induced fracture growth shows that hydraulic fractures sometimes propagate away from the present-day maximum horizontal stress direction. One likely cause is that natural opening-mode fractures, which are present in most mudrocks, act as weak planes that reactivate during hydraulic fracturing. Knowledge of the geometry and intensity of the natural fracture system and the likelihood of reactivation is therefore necessary for effective hydraulic fracture treatment design. Changing effective stress and concomitant diagenetic evolution of the host-rock controls fracture initiation and key fracture attributes such as intensity, spatial distribution, openness and strength. Thus, a linked structural-diagenesis approach is needed to predict the fracture types likely to be present, their key attributes and an assessment of whether they will impact hydraulic fracture treatments significantly. Steep (>75°), narrow ( 100, indicating that the fractures are clustered. These fractures, especially where present in clusters, are likely to divert hydraulic fracture strands. Early, sealed, compacted fractures, fractures associated with deformation around concretions and sealed, bedding-parallel fractures also occur in many mudrocks but are unlikely to impact hydraulic fracture treatments significantly because they are not widely developed. There is no evidence of natural open microfractures in the samples studied.
Structural characterization and preliminary decomposition study of four unsymmetrically substituted nickel dithiocarbamate complexes

AbstractSingle-crystal X-ray structures of four nickel dithiocarbamate complexes, the homoleptic mixed-organic bis-dithiocarbamates Ni[S2CN(isopropyl)(benzyl)]2, Ni[S2CN(ethyl)(n-butyl)]2, and Ni[S2CN(phenyl)(benzyl)]2, as well as the heteroleptic mixed-ligand complex NiCl[P(phenyl)3][(S2CN(phenyl)(benzyl)], were determined. A slightly distorted square-planar nickel coordination environment was observed for all four complexes. The organic residues adopt conformations to minimize steric interactions. Steric effects also may determine puckering, if any, about the nickel and nitrogen atoms, both of which are planar or nearly so. A trans-influence affects the Ni-S bond distances. Nitrogens interact with the CS2 carbons with a bond order near two; the other substituents on nitrogen display transoid conformations. There are no strong intermolecular interactions, consistent with prior observations of the volatility of nickel dithiocarbamate complexes. A preliminary thermolysis study of the homoleptic species res...
EMR-Driven Medical Education: A Multi-Institutional Study of Clinician Perspectives (S17.006)

Objective: To explore physician perspectives about automated electronic medical record (EMR) software designed to support evidence-based decision making and clinical medical education. Background As research rapidly accumulates, clinicians often suffer from information hunger in a sea of plenty. EMR-driven educational software can alleviate this by ensuring the most valuable, evidence-based resources are conveniently available to providers and their patients. Despite EMR technology being rapidly adopted nationwide, little is known about how physicians will interact with such software and how it will impact patients. Design/Methods: We developed software that delivers patient-specific resources (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, practice guidelines, multimedia lectures, patient educational materials, continuity-of-care alerts) based on real-time EMR data. 739 Neurology and Internal Medicine residents and faculty at the Universities of Miami, Pennsylvania, and Rochester, Cornell, and Harvard were invited to complete EMR software simulations based on mock neurology patient encounters. We tracked clickrates of resources identified by the software and collected user preferences via multiple-choice, free text, and Likert ratings. Results: Of 188 respondents, 82% felt that access to this software could improve education and 84% agreed it could improve clinical decision making. Remarkably, 96% identified ≥ 1 educational resource that could change their practice. Resources deemed most valuable (and clicked most frequently) were clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed publications. Barriers to use included: expectation of too many emails, lack of time to read resources, and opinion that too many resources were presented. Conclusions: EMR-driven educational software designed with attention to active learning needs may improve clinical decision making and medical education. The vast majority of Neurology and Internal Medicine residents and faculty at multiple institutions reported that they would utilize this technology, and nearly universally stated that resources presented could change their clinical practice. We will further investigate the effect of EMR-driven education on medical knowledge and clinical outcomes in a randomized, multi-center study. Disclosure: Dr. Seifan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mandigo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jozefowicz has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for The Neurologist. Dr. Price has nothing to disclose. Dr. Galetta has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec Teva, and Novartis as a speaker.Dr. Galetta has received research support from Biogen Idec. Dr. Jaffer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Symes has nothing to disclose. Dr. Safdieh has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Inc. and Pfizer Inc as a consultant. Dr. Tarulli has nothing to disclose. Dr. Isaacson has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis and Accera.
Global resurfacing of Uranus's moon Miranda by convection

Miranda, an icy moon of Uranus, is one of the most visually striking and enigmatic bodies in the solar system. Three polygonal-shaped regions of intense deformation, dubbed “coronae,” dominate the surface of Miranda. Here we use numerical methods to show that sluggish-lid convection in Miranda’s ice shell, powered by tidal heating, can simultaneously match the global distribution of coronae, the concentric deformation pattern, and the estimated heat flow during formation. The expected rheological conditions in Miranda’s ice shell lead to the development of low-order convection that produces surface deformation patterns similar to those observed. We find that satellite core size strongly controls convection geometry and that loworder convection patterns are much more stable for core radii less than half the satellite radius.
Multivalent single-chain antibodies for radioimaging of tumors.

Because of their exquisite specificity for their cognate antigens, monoclonal antibodies have long been envisioned as potential clinical reagents for diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. Numerous radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies against tumor-associated antigens have been evaluated in
Simulated Propellant Loading System: Testbed for cryogenic component and control systems research & development

Technologies in the fields of cryogenic components and control systems are constantly evolving to advance the state of current cryogenic operations that will support future space exploration missions. To meet new demanding requirements, these missions will increasingly rely upon research and development in energy-efficient storage, transfer and use of cryogens and cryogenic propellants on Earth and in space. The capability to test these technologies is sometimes limited to isolated subsystems with a narrow application spectrum. The initiative to develop the Simulated Propellant Loading System (SPLS) is to provide an integrated multipurpose generic testbed to allow dedicated test and evaluation of new technologies in a field environment on a scale that is relevant to launch facility propellant systems. The Cryogenic Test Laboratory (CTL) at the Kennedy Space Center has more than two years of operational experience of using the SPLS to support independent and integrated technology maturation. This paper presents the development of a highly repeatable automated cold flow test sequence that was used in the evaluation and advancement of autonomous control system technologies. A range of other recent applications and capabilities of the SPLS will also be presented in this paper.
Anterior cervical spine surgery

An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a routinely performed surgery whose purpose is to relieve spinal stenosis, remove intervertebral disk and bony matter which may be impinging upon neural elements, and also to mechanically stabilize the cervical spine after such material is removed. The safety of an ACDF for patients with cervical radiculopathy, with or without neurophysiologic monitoring, is extremely high, with very low rates of temporary or permanent neurologic sequelae. The most frequently used modalities of neurophysiologic monitoring in these cases are somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs), spontaneous electromyography (EMG), and transcranial motor-evoked potentials (MEPs).
Dark Networks: The Terror–Crime Nexus

This contribution looks at dark networks among organized crime and terrorist organizations. Both of these clandestine groups use similar organizational designs and structures, emphasizing decentralized cellular networks to attain an optimal balance between efficiency and secrecy in efforts to avoid detection and disruption by law enforcement and the military. Organized criminals and terrorists frequently collaborate to advance their respective economic and political goals. Although research is hampered by difficulties in data collection, the terror–crime nexus appears to be increasing worldwide. Some analysts speculate that transnational organizations are converging, even merging, while others express doubts about that feasibility of alliances between groups with divergent objectives. This chapter reviews recent theoretical explanations and empirical research on the terror–crime nexus and discusses some fruitful directions for future research on the problem.
Truncation error analysis of a pre-asymptotic higher-order finite difference scheme for maxwell's equations

Pre-asymptotic higher-order methods are useful to the mitigation of numerical dispersion error in large-scale Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations. Its truncation error is shown in this study to be 2 2 O O () () :: t s in general. In the limiting case where the CourantFriedrichs-Levy number approaches to zero, it becomes 2 4 O O () () :: t s .
Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV; also known as human herpesvirus 4 [HHV-4]) and cytomegalovirus (CMV; also known as HHV-5) logically belong in the same chapter. Both of these human herpesviruses are major pathogens for the immunocompromised host, and both are capable of causing disease during primary infection, reactivation, or superinfection. They, along with BK polyomavirus, are the feared viral triumvirate that complicates hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or solid organ transplantation. This chapter emphasizes recognition of EBV and CMV diseases and focuses on the clinical relevance of laboratory findings.
Dignified Melodrama and Cheap Passion

The Orange Colonel(After Carolyn Forche)by Frank BloomWHAT YOU HAVE HEARD IS TRUE. He won. Politics has always been more to us than just voting. This time we even donated. Our lawn sign read #we’re...
Abstract WP107: Optogenetic Stimulation of Human Neural Stem Cell Grafts In Ischemic Brain

Optogenetically engineered neural stem cells (NSCs) provide a targeted approach to probe the role of neural circuits NSC-based cell therapy in experimental stroke models. A large body of work provi...
Fama-French Factors and Business Cycles

We examine the behavior of Fama-French factors across business cycles measured in various ways. We first split up the business cycles into four stages and examine the cumulative returns of factors in each of those stages. We then look at the behavior of the factors after a yield curve inversion starts and ends, as the relationship between yield curve inversions and recessions has been well-explored. We finally run a logistic regression to test the predictive power of the term spread on the NBER recession indicator. Our results show that there is an effect on the factors of each of our four stages, and there is limited predictive power from the recession probabilities. We believe this is of practical importance to portfolio managers who are factor-oriented in their approach.
Assessing older drivers for physical and cognitive impairment

For older drivers, the automobile is often a vital link in maintaining independence, acquiring goods, and socializing. However, physical or cognitive impairments linked to aging or disease may imperil the driver, passengers, and others on the road. For drivers with multiple medical conditions, physicians can reduce the risk for a crash by identifying and treating illnesses that can impair driving ability. If the conditions cannot be treated, consider modifying the driving environment to reduce the risk, rather than taking away driving privileges. If the risk is unacceptable, seek alternate modes of transportation.
Tumor suppressor CD99 is downregulated in plasma cell neoplasms lacking CCND1 translocation and distinguishes neoplastic from normal plasma cells and B-cell lymphomas with plasmacytic differentiation from primary plasma cell neoplasms

CD99(MIC2) is a widely expressed cell surface glycoprotein and functions as a tumor suppressor involved in downregulation of SRC family of tyrosine kinase. CD99 expression is tightly regulated through B-cell development. The principal aims of this study were to investigate the clinical utility of CD99 expression (i) in distinguishing normal plasma cells from primary plasma cell neoplasms; (ii) in detection of minimal residual disease in primary plasma cell neoplasms; and (iii) in distinguishing plasma cell component of B-cell lymphomas from primary plasma cell neoplasms. We analyzed expression of CD99 by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry in lymph nodes, peripheral blood, and bone marrow samples. CD99 showed stage-specific expression with highest expression seen in precursor B and plasma cells. In contrast to the uniform bright expression on normal plasma cells, CD99 expression on neoplastic plasma cells was lost in 39 out of 56 (69.6%) cases. Furthermore, 8 out of 56 samples (14%) showed visibly (>10-fold) reduced CD99 expression. Overall, CD99 expression was informative (absent or visibly dimmer than normal) in 84% of primary plasma cell neoplasm. In the context of minimal residual disease detection, CD99 showed superior utility in separating normal and abnormal plasma cells over currently established antigens CD117, CD81, and CD27 by principal component analysis. Preservation of CD99 expression was strongly associated with cyclin D1 translocation in myeloma (p < 0.05). B-cell lymphomas with plasma cell component could be distinguished from myeloma by CD99 expression. In summary, we established that tumor suppressor CD99 is markedly downregulated in multiple myeloma. The loss is highly specific for identification of abnormal cells in primary plasma cell neoplasms, and can be exploited for diagnostic purposes. The role of CD99 in myeloma pathogenesis requires further investigation.
The Functions of Grief

Grief, like other important human problems such as death, was seriously neglected in psychological theory and research for a very long time. One reason for the new place achieved by grief in our field is the stimulating contributions of Averill. In this chapter, he elaborates his conception of grief and discusses its determinants and functions at the biological, psychological, and social levels.
Rapid detection of the presence of diffusion exchange.

Abstract Diffusion exchange spectroscopy (DEXSY) provides a detailed picture of how fluids in different microenvironments communicate with one another but requires a large amount of data. For DEXSY MRI, a simple measure of apparent exchanging fractions may suffice to characterize and differentiate materials and tissues. Reparameterizing signal intensity from a PGSE–storage–PGSE experiment as a function of the sum, b s = b 1 + b 2 , and difference b d = b 2 - b 1 of the diffusion encodings separates diffusion weighting from exchange weighting. Exchange leads to upward curvature along a slice of constant b s . Exchanging fractions can be measured rapidly by a finite difference approximation of the curvature using four data points. The method is generalized for non-steady-state and multi-site exchange. We apply the method to image exchanging fractions and calculate exchange rates of water diffusing across the bulk water interface of a glass capillary array.
Selective deoxygenation of nitrate to nitrosyl using trivalent chromium and the Mashima reagent: reductive silylation

1,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-diaza-2,5-cyclohexadiene is an effective silyl transfer reagent towards the oxygen of nitrate coordinated to Cr(III) in a pincer complex. Two nitrate oxygens are removed to give the 17 valence electron octahedral complex (H2L)Cr(NO3)2(NO). This is shown by a variety of spectroscopic methods, together with DFT, to be a Cr(I) complex with a linear CrNO unit. This work also identifies future applications of this reductive silylation process.
Paracervical Block as a Strategy to Reduce Postoperative Pain after Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine if performing a paracervical block with .5% bupivacaine before laparoscopic hysterectomy reduces postoperative pain. DESIGN Double-blind randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS Women aged between 18 and 65 years scheduled to undergo total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications. INTERVENTIONS Eligible patients were allocated to control or treatment groups using block randomization. Surgeon administered injection of either .9% NaCl or .5% bupivacaine into the cervical stroma at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions after general anesthesia was established. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale with a range from 0 to 10 at 30 and 60 minutes after extubation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Forty-one patients met criteria for analysis. Based on randomization, 20 were allocated to the control arm and 21 to the treatment arm. We used Student t and Pearson χ2 tests to ensure both groups were homogenous to age (46.5 vs 46, p = .87), body mass index (35 vs 32.7 kg/m2, p = .45), minutes of operating time (132.5 vs 119.7, p = .11), specimen weight (138.8 vs 160.6 g, p = .44), and history of cesarean section (p = .58). Pain scores at 30 minutes (5.7 vs 3.2, p = .01) and 60 minutes (5.9 vs 2.3, p <.001) were significantly lower in the treatment arm. We dichotomized results depending on whether patients had successful postoperative pain control, defined as an average pain score of 4 or less. The χ2 test was used for comparison. Using this definition 25% of patients had successful pain control in the placebo group versus 71.4% in the treatment group. This was statistically significant (p = .003). Mean length of hospital stay (.65 vs .86 days, p = .44) was not statistically different. CONCLUSION Performing a paracervical block with .5% bupivacaine before laparoscopic hysterectomy significantly reduces immediate postoperative pain. (ClinicalTrials.gov no.: NCT03027661.).
Host Suitability of Three Asiatic Elms to the Elm Leaf Beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Larval and adult elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller) were fed leaves of Ulmus pumila L., U. parvifolia Jacq. and U. wilsoniana Schneid. to determine host suitability. U. pumila was a suitable host, while U. parvifolia and U. wilsoniana were found to be poor hosts. U. parvifolia and U. wilsoniana should be considered for urban plantings where elm leaf beetle defoliation is severe, and as sources of resistance in elm breeding programs.
Clinical Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cardiovascular system uses the same physical principles as MRI of other organs and has the same potential advantages, such as excellent image resolution and contrast and flexible choice of imaging planes; however, it has the added complication of the motion associated with the cardiac and respiratory cycles. With suitable compensation for the physiologic motion, however, MRI can create a wide range of different kinds of images, which can provide information on many aspects of both structure and function of the cardiovascular system.
Sensitivity of batted-ball speed to swing speed models:

In baseball and softball, batted-ball velocities depend strongly on bat speed prior to contact. The purpose of this study was to characterize the sensitivity of hit. ball speed to swing speed model...