cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Keynote speech 1: An integrated deep learning approach to acoustic signal pre-processing and acoustic modeling with applications to robust automatic speech recognition

We cast the classical speech processing problem into a new nonlinear regression setting by mapping log power spectral features of noisy to clean speech based on deep neural networks (DNNs). DNN-enhanced speech obtained by the proposed approach demonstrates better speech quality and intelligibility than those obtained with conventional state-of-the-art algorithms. Furthermore, this new paradigm also facilitates an integrated deep learning framework to train the three key modules in an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system, namely signal conditioning, feature extraction and acoustic phone models, altogether in a unified manner. The proposed framework was tested on recent challenging ASR tasks in CHiME-2, CHiME-4 and REVERB, which are designed to evaluate ASR robustness in mixed speakers, multi-channel, and reverberant conditions. Leveraging upon this new approach, our team scored the lowest word error rates in all three tasks with acoustic pre-processing algorithms for speech separation, microphone array based speech enhancement and speech dereverberation.
Design Constraints for Series-Stacked Energy Decoupling Buffers in Single-Phase Converters

In single-phase dc–ac and ac–dc conversion, energy decoupling is needed to compensate for the instantaneous power mismatch between the ac side and the dc side. The series-stacked buffer (SSB) is a type of active energy decoupling buffer that allows a large voltage ripple on the energy buffering capacitor to improve the energy utilization ratio while actively regulating the dc-bus voltage with minimal ripple. This architecture has been demonstrated to achieve high efficiency, high power density, and excellent ripple control on the dc bus. This letter presents a set of design constraints for the SSB that describe the quantitative relation among passive components and load power level. Compared to previous works on the SSB, the new constraints accurately identify the operation limits of the SSB. A more optimized sizing solution is thus derived. The new design constraints are derived step by step and verified with simulations and experiments.
A RAPID METHOD FOR STUDYING THE BINDING OF SMALL IONS AND MOLECULES TO MACROMOLECULES: CONTINUOUS ENTHALPY TITRATION

SUMMARY It has been shown that enthalpy titrations are an effective way to study the binding of small ions and molecules to macromolecules in general and SDS to β-lactoglobulin in particular. Simple modifications of commercially available equipment are described which permit the rapid collection of sensitive reliable data. The observed values of AG, AH, AS, and moles of SDS bound per mole of β-lactoglobulin are in agreement with a recent detailed study with this system. Other possible uses of enthalpy titration for studying intermolecular reactions involving macromolecules are cited.
Soft Ground Tunneling

As the population of urban areas increases, so will the congestion at the earth’s surface. To provide the services (e.g., transportation, water and wastewater, utilities) required by the populace, more and more of those services must be provided by going underground, simply because economical space to provide those services does not exist at the surface. Since tunneling is less disruptive and destructive than cut and cover and since tunneling depth in most large cities lies within the soft ground zone, it is clear that the need for soft ground tunnels will increase. This chapter covers the major considerations that influence the design and construction of soft ground tunnels, which are defined as tunnels that could be excavated using hand tools and methods, although they seldom are in today’s mechanized world.
A Technical Note on Average Outgoing Quality

Many useful variations of rectifying inspection programs exist. This note provides formulas for calculating the Average Outgoing Quality for nine difference ways in which rectifying inspection can be carried out. The sampling conditions assumed are sing..
How Successful Is Breast Reconstruction

Twenty years ago the controversy over breast re-construction was not whether or not it was successful, but whether it should be done at all. The reluctance two decades ago to consider doing breast reconstruction was due to fear that breast reconstruction of any sort would either hide or promote recurrence. Another reason, seldom discussed and rarely mentioned, was the attitude that the patient should be thankful to be alive and should not put herself at hazard by undergoing unnecessary surgery motivated by vanity — a sentiment patently punitive and sexist.
Teams in the Classroom: Beyond the Group Project

For many years now, businesses and other organizations have been changing the way in which they function. Traditional hierarchical organizational structures, with each function and department in its place, have been replaced with much “flatter” structural forms. In today’s workplace, employees regularly work in teams - teams comprised of peers within their respective fields and, increasingly, cross-functional teams.
Seeing the Invisible Knapsack: Feminist Men’s Strategic Responses to the Continuation of Male Privilege in Feminist Spaces:

Privilege has been primarily conceptualized as invisible to those whom it benefits, but research on whiteness has suggested this is an oversimplification. Through interviews with fifty-two men who ...
Elective Regional Therapy Treatment for Hepatic Adenoma

Locoregional therapy treatments for hepatic adenoma (HA) are typically limited to selective hepatic arterial embolization (HAE) to control acute hemorrhage. This systematic review sought to report the utilization of HAE and ablation for non-emergent treatment of HA. A PubMed query identified studies reporting ablation or embolization for HA patients. Abstracts were screened to exclude studies with only patients managed for acute hemorrhage. Outcomes of interest included rate of success, complications, and repeat procedures. Of 209 initial search results, 33 full-text publications were reviewed, and 10 were selected after applying the exclusion criteria. All were published from 2005 to 2016. A total of 105 patients were included, of which 66 patients with 138 adenomas underwent elective locoregional therapy treatment. The mean size of treated adenomas was 2.9 (range 0.8–8.3) cm. HAE was utilized in 25 patients with 58 adenomas, whereas 35 patients with 68 adenomas underwent radiofrequency ablation. Six patients with 12 adenomas received microwave ablation. Most patients were female (89/105), and adenomas were associated with oral contraceptive use or hormonal therapies in 49 of 105 patients. Success was reported in 115 of 138 first-time procedures, and repeat procedures were needed after 18 of 138. Mean follow-up time was 36.4 months, with two complications. Reports of elective locoregional therapy for the treatment of HA are limited to case reports and small institutional series. In the select patients treated, outcomes are acceptable, with low rates of repeat procedures or complications. This systematic review warrants further discussion and broader consideration for the treatment of HA.
Quantifying Scholarly Output: Contribution Studies and Productivity Studies in Sociology Since 1970

This paper identifies two contrasting approaches to the quantitative measurement of scholarly output, emphasizing the distinction between contribution studies and productivity studies. Contribution studies are those in which the investigator starts with a well-defined list of publication outlets, recording all contributions to that literature by all authors, whomever they might be. In contrast, productivity studies are those in which the investigator starts with a well-defined list of contributors, recording all their scholarly output, wherever it might have appeared. We apply this conceptual model to sociology by examining the key characteristics of 25 relevant studies published since 1970. Nine are contribution studies, twelve are productivity studies, and four are too limited in scope to fall into either category. We conclude by discussing the implications of the contribution/productivity distinction for sociology and other disciplines—in particular, the problems that may arise when contribution studies are used to evaluate scholarly productivity.
New insights into the causes of thrombotic events in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms raise the possibility of novel therapeutic approaches.

The Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (MF). This group of clonal hematological malignancies is associated with a protracted clinical course frequently punctuated by thrombotic
Racial disparities in presentation and outcomes of paediatric autoimmune hepatitis.

Background & aims Most studies on autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in children are in predominantly Caucasian cohorts. Paediatric AIH in African Americans (AA) is understudied, with a dearth of clinical predictors of outcome, often leading to serious complications and even mortality. The aim of the study was to define disease presentation, progression, response to therapy and outcomes in paediatric AIH in a well-defined, large, single centre, demographically diverse population. Methods We conducted a review of patients with AIH who were followed at this tertiary liver transplant centre. Clinical and laboratory covariates were assessed with regard to disease presentation, progression and outcomes in AA vs Non-AA children. Results African Americans patients constituted 42% of this cohort. At 1-year follow-up, AA children were receiving significantly higher doses of steroids compared to non-AA. More AA presented with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) with high immunoglobulin G and GGT:platelet ratio. After adjusting for other risk factor variables like gender, age at presentation and ESLD, AA children were at 4.5 times higher risk for significant outcome liver transplant/death within the first 12 months of presentation. Post-transplant, recurrent AIH was seen in 50% of AA vs 8% in non-AA. Conclusions African American patients with AIH are more likely to present with ESLD and have an increased early risk for transplantation with high likelihood of disease recurrence post-transplantation. Studies are needed to delineate factors such as inherent biology, genetics and access to care. Early referral and tailored immunosuppressive regimens are required for AA patients with AIH.
Reversals of R\'enyi Entropy Inequalities under Log-Concavity

We establish a discrete analog of the Renyi entropy comparison due to Bobkov and Madiman. For log-concave variables on the integers, the min entropy is within log e of the usual Shannon entropy. Additionally we investigate the entropic Rogers-Shephard inequality studied by Madiman and Kontoyannis, and establish a sharp Renyi version for certain parameters in both the continuous and discrete cases
Pyrrole Strategy for the γ-Lactam-Containing Stemona Alkaloids: (±)Stemoamide, (±)Tuberostemoamide, and (±)Sessilifoliamide A.

Stemona alkaloids contain family members with diverse structural scaffolds. Many of them feature a γ-lactam ring embedded in their characteristic 5–7–5 fused tricyclic core. Herein a pyrrole strate...
Missing pieces in the full annual cycle of fish ecology: a systematic review of the phenology of freshwater fish research

Abstract In recent decades, fish ecologists have become increasingly aware of the need for spatially comprehensive sampling. However, a corresponding reflection on the temporal aspects of research has been lacking. We quantified the seasonal timing and extent of freshwater fish research. Since reviewing all prior work was not feasible, we considered two different subsets. First, we compiled the last 30 years of ecological research on juvenile Pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus spp.) (n = 371 studies). In addition to the aggregate, we compared groups classified by subject matter. Next, to evaluate whether riverscape ecology has embraced space at the expense of time, we compiled research across taxa in which fish were enumerated in a spatially continuous fashion (n = 46). We found that ecological Oncorhynchus spp. research was biased towards summer (40% occurred during June-August) and the month of June in particular, at the expense of winter work (only 13% occurred during December-February). Riverscape studies were also biased toward summer (47% of studies) and against winter (11%). It was less common for studies to encompass multiple seasons (43% of ecological Oncorhynchus spp. studies and 54% of riverscape studies) and most were shorter than 4 months (73% of ecological Oncorhynchus spp. studies and 81% of riverscape studies). These temporal biases may cause researchers to overemphasize ecological phenomena observed during summer and limit our ability to recognize seasonal interactions such as carry-over effects or compensatory responses. Full year and winter studies likely hold valuable insights for conservation and management.
Assessment of climate change impact on wintertime meteorology over California using dynamical downscaling method with a bias correction technique

Climate change can potentially have great impacts on wintertime precipitation and stagnant conditions, which are critical for both water resources and wintertime particulate matter (PM), in California. This study utilizes the Weather Research and Forecasting model to dynamically downscale a bias-corrected coarse-resolution global climate model dataset from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) to a grid size of 4 × 4 km2 over California for a present (2003–2012) and a future (2046–2055) decade. Compared to the present climate, an increase in 2-m temperature (up to 2 K) and water vapor mixing ratio (up to 1 g/kg) and a decrease in planetary boundary layer height (up to 80 m) are projected by the 2050s for the entire state of California. The number of stagnant days over the San Joaquin Valley is expected to increase by approximately 6% in the future decade, indicating potential exacerbation of the winter PM issue in this region. The wintertime precipitation is projected to increase by up to 50% in northern California and, conversely, to decrease by up to 40% in southern California during 2046–2055. The solid phase precipitation is projected to decrease over mountain ranges with lower elevations despite an overall increase in total precipitation, while it is projected to increase over the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada with elevation over 2 km.
US Fatal Police Shooting Analysis and Prediction.

We believe that "all men are created equal". With the rise of the police shootings reported by media, more people in the U.S. think that police use excessive force during law enforcement, especially to a specific group of people. We want to apply multidimensional statistical analysis to reveal more facts than the monotone mainstream media. Our paper has three parts. First, we proposed a new method to quantify fatal police shooting news reporting deviation of mainstream media, which includes CNN, FOX, ABC, and NBC. Second, we analyzed the most comprehensive US fatal police shooting dataset from Washington Post. We used FP-growth to reveal the frequent patterns and DBSCAN clustering to find fatal shooting hotspots. We brought multi-attributes (social economics, demographics, political tendency, education, gun ownership rate, police training hours, etc.) to reveal connections under the iceberg. We found that the police shooting rate of a state depends on many variables. The top four most relevant attributes were state joined year, state land area, gun ownership rate, and violent crime rate. Third, we proposed four regression models to predict police shooting rates at the state level. The best model Kstar could predict the fatal police shooting rate with about 88.53% correlation coefficient. We also proposed classification models, including Gradient Boosting Machine, Multi-class Classifier, Logistic Regression, and Naive Bayes Classifier, to predict the race of fatal police shooting victims. Our classification models show no significant evidence to conclude that racial discrimination happened during fatal police shootings recorded by the WP dataset.
Partnership Studies in Transformative Education

This article provides a brief overview of Eisler's Cultural Transformation Theory and domination/partnership models. Its main objective is to share ways in which these important ideas and constructs can be included in educational curricula, with a focus on university teaching, to encourage and support personal development and positive social change. It offers examples of effective learning activities developed over nearly a decade of teaching partnership, as well as ways in which students have included partnership in their life, work, and studies.
Chapter 6 A survey of matrix computations

Publisher Summary This chapter presents three-level introduction to the field of matrix computations. The chapter discusses analytic and computational tools that underpin numerical linear algebra. Low dimension examples are the rule with appropriate generalizations to follow. The central themes include (a) the language of matrix factorizations, (b) the art of introducing zeros into a matrix, (c) the exploitation of structure, and (d) the distinction between problem sensitivity and algorithmic stability. Matrix factorizations that play a central role in numerical linear algebra are also presented in the chapter. The chapter also discusses factorization. For each factorization, algorithms are surveyed, associated mathematical properties, and applications are discussed. One factorization (Chotesky) is used to illustrate various aspects of high performance matrix computations. Successful computing requires the design of codes that pay careful attention to the flow of data during execution.
Direct cortical stimulation to localize sensory, motor and language function

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews that the goal of brain surgery is to remove as much pathological tissue as possible, yet preserve brain function. Brain surgery in or near eloquent cortex requires understanding of the anatomic localization of eloquent brain function in these regions prior to resection of brain tissue. It discusses that brain mapping with direct cortical electrical stimulation essentially involves assessing whether electrical stimulation to a small region of cortical surface results in a neurological change in the patient, such as a movement or speech arrest. The chapter reviews that the reliability of electrocortical stimulation mapping for predicting the postoperative functional outcomes depends on whether the stimulation used is sufficient to alter the cortical activity, the effects of stimulation are focal, and the appropriate task is chosen to test the function of the cortical region stimulated. Direct cortical stimulation for brain mapping can be done extraoperatively using implanted subdural electrodes, as is often done in patients undergoing an epilepsy surgery evaluation or intraoperatively. Both the techniques generally employ the same principles toward mapping the brain function but differ somewhat with regard to their benefits and limitations. This chapter focuses on the technical aspects of intraoperative brain mapping using direct cortical stimulation.
L1 Splines for Robust, Simple, and Fast Smoothing of Grid Data

Splines are a popular and attractive way of smoothing noisy data. Computing splines involves minimizing a functional which is a linear combination of a fitting term and a regularization term. The former is classically computed using a (weighted) L2 norm while the latter ensures smoothness. Thus, when dealing with grid data, the optimization can be solved very efficiently using the DCT. In this work we propose to replace the L2 norm in the fitting term with an L1 norm, leading to automatic robustness to outliers. To solve the resulting minimization problem we propose an extremely simple and efficient numerical scheme based on split-Bregman iteration combined with DCT. Experimental validation shows the high-quality results obtained in short processing times.
A fast volume integral equation solver for electromagnetic simulation with complex voxel based magnetodielectric human model in MRI applications

This work presents a fast volume integral equation solver named the mixed order BCGS-FFT method for electromagnetic simulations of high resolution human bodies with both dielectric and magnetic susceptibility contrasts in MRI application. The mixed order BCGS-FFT method is an accurate and efficient solver developed for magnetodielectric objects. A numerical calculation of the electromagnetic responses of a high resolution voxel human head model shows a high efficiency of the mixed order BCGS-FFT method in both computational complexity and memory requirement.
Drug-induced myopathies.

AbstractThe incidence of drug-induced myopathic disorders is unknown. Estimates depend in part on definitions used. Cholesterol-lowering agents have been singled out as common offenders. However, the large number of available drugs, polypharmacy especially among the elderly, and known risk factors m
Locoregional anesthesia and anticoagulation

Abstract Spinal hematoma is a rare and potentially catastrophic complication of spinal or epidural anesthesia. Risk factors include traumatic needle/catheter placement, sustained anticoagulation in an indwelling neuraxial catheter, and catheter removal during therapeutic levels of anticoagulation. Generally, a patient’s coagulation status should be optimized at the time of spinal or epidural needle/catheter placement, and the level of anticoagulation should be monitored during epidural catheterization. Signs of cord compression, such as severe back pain, progression of numbness or weakness, and bowel and bladder dysfunction, warrant immediate radiographic evaluation. A delay in diagnosis and intervention of spinal hematoma may lead to irreversible cord ischemia.
Correlates in children's experiences of parents' racial socialization behaviors.

This study examined racial socialization processes among 94 African American parents of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade children as they were predicted by children's ethnic identity exploration and unfair treatment as well as by parents' ethnic identity and discrimination experiences. Findings indicated that children's ethnic identity exploration and parents' perceptions that their children had been treated unfairly by an adult because of their race were both significantly associated with the frequency of messages to children regarding discrimination (Preparation for Bias). Parents' perceptions of children's unfair treatment from an adult and children's perceptions that they had been treated unfairly by peers were significantly associated with parents' cautions and warnings to children about intergroup relations (Promotion of Mistrust). Moreover, the influence of parents' perceptions on Promotion of Mistrust were especially pronounced when children also reported unfair treatment from adults. Children's identity exploration and unfair treatment were not associated with parents' emphasis on ethnic pride, heritage, and diversity (Cultural Socialization/Pluralism). Thus, findings suggest that parental factors are most central in the racial socialization messages that children receive. However, children's perceptions of discrimination and information seeking regarding their own history appear to have some influence on parental messages about race.
Systemic and cerebral hemodynamics during cognitive testing.

Objective Cognitive deficits are reported in 10–60% of individuals with SCI, the primary etiology of these deficits is believed to be concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI). We recently documented diminished memory and marginally deficient attention and processing speed in individuals with SCI discordant for hypotension but matched for TBI.
Smart-pixel spatial light modulator for incorporation in an optoelectronic neural network

We present the design, fabrication, and testing of a novel liquid-crystal-on-silicon optically addressed spatial light modulator for use as a weight matrix in an ART-1 optoelectronic neural processor. Each pixel in the 50 x 83 element array occupies 75 microm x 75 microm and consists of a photodetector, a threshold circuit, a 1-bit (flip-flop) memory element, and a liquid-crystal modulating mirror. The array is designed to switch all the pixels initially to the ON state. Subsequently each pixel is independently switched to the OFF state if a superthreshold amount of light falls upon the pixel's photodetector. The device has a contrast ratio of 20:1, a switch-on time (10-90% rise time) of 500 micros, and a switch-off time of ~500 micros (depending on the externally set threshold). Measured device uniformities and interpixel coupling are also described.
Gallbladder mass in a sexagenarian.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: (Dr. J. Metersky) A 69year-old white man was referred for management of a symptomatic ventral hernia, but during his preoperative evaluation he was found to have microhematuria. A subsequent computed tomographic (CT) intravenous pyelogram demonstrated an enhancing 3.8-cm mass originating in the gallbladder with apparent extension into the hepatic parenchyma (Fig. 1). In retrospect, the patient acknowledged a recent onset of mild, steady supraumbilical pain but denied nausea, vomiting, fever, or weight loss. There was no history of jaundice, itching, acholic stools, or dark urine. The patient’s medical history was positive for non–insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and moderate hypertension; his present medications included metformin, glyburide, and metoprolol. In addition, a recent urinary tract infection had been successfully treated with antibiotics. An umbilical hernia had been repaired 2 years previously. On examination, the patient was an alert, slightly obese man with a blood pressure of 134/88 and a regular pulse. His sclera were not icteric and his cardiorespiratory findings were normal. Abdominal palpation revealed a protuberant but soft abdomen without masses or organomegaly. There was slight deep tenderness localized to the supraumbilical area and associated with a small fascial defect in the site of the previous ventral herniorrhaphy. The genitourinary examination was normal, and the rectal examination revealed a symmetrically enlarged prostate but a negative fecal occult blood test. The laboratory evaluation returned a hematocrit of 46.8% with a white blood cell count of 8900 and normal blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. The total bilirubin was 0.4 mg/dl with an alkaline phosphatase of 100 units and normal hepatic enzymes. The serum carcinoembryonic antigen was 5.8. An abdominal ultrasound confirmed the presence of a cholecystic mass lesion and uncovered a single large gallstone (3.7 cm) in the infundibulum. No neoplastic involvement could be visualized in the portal vein or the duodenum. A CT-guided fine needle aspirate of the gallbladder mass returned a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. An endoscopic ultrasound study showed no apparent extension of the tumor through the muscularis of the gallbladder and no involvement of the extrahepatic ductal system or duodenum (Fig. 2). GROUP DISCUSSION: (Dr. W. E. Strodel and faculty) It was generally agreed that cholecystectomy with major hepatic resection and regional lymphadenectomy would be required to achieve cure. Because of the CT scan findings suggesting extensive disease, it was suggested that a diagnostic/staging laparoscopy might help to avoid an unnecessary celiotomy.
Effect of ascorbate supplementation on low density lipoprotein oxidation in smokers

The oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, evidence of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) has been found in vivo. Supplementation of some animal models with antioxidants has been shown to retard the formation of aortic atherosclerosis. Ascorbate (vitamin C) is a highly potent aqueous-phase antioxidant in plasma, which has been shown in vitro to retard LDL oxidation. Cigarette smokers have reduced concentrations of ascorbate in their plasma, and their LDL may be more prone to oxidation. Hence, the objective of the present study was to examine the effect of ascorbate depletion and supplementation on the propensity of LDL to oxidize in smokers in a 6-week study. Nineteen healthy smokers followed a low ascorbate diet (< or = 30 mg/day) for 2 weeks, then were randomly assigned to receive placebo or 1000 mg ascorbate per day for 4 weeks. Blood was taken at 0 and 4 weeks of supplementation for study of LDL oxidative susceptibility. LDL was oxidized with 5 mumol/l copper. The ascorbate-supplemented group had significant increases in plasma ascorbate. The placebo group showed no change in the time course of LDL oxidation between 0 and 4 weeks. However, the ascorbate-supplemented group has a significant reduction in LDL oxidative susceptibility as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the formation of conjugated dienes. The ascorbate-supplemented group demonstrated significantly increased lag phase and decreased oxidation rate at 4 weeks compared to 0 weeks. No changes were found in the placebo group. The ascorbate-supplemented group showed no biochemical signs consistent with increased body iron stores. Supplementation of otherwise healthy smokers for 4 weeks with 1000 mg ascorbate per day resulted in increased plasma ascorbate and reduced LDL oxidative susceptibility.
The Structure of Sexual Harassment: A Confirmatory Analysis across Cultures and Settings

Abstract Sexual harassment is increasingly recognized as a serious social problem with important implications for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. Despite increased research attention, fundamental conceptual issues remain unresolved. The present paper proposes that sexual harassment is a stable behavioral construct distinct from but related to evolving legal formulations. Based on previous research and theory, we propose a tripartite model of this construct (i.e., gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, and sexual coercion) and test it through confirmatory factor analysis conducted simultaneously in three populations. Results confirm the generalizability of the construct across settings (workplace and higher education) and cultures (United States and Brazil) and are discussed in terms of their implications for theory, research, and social policy.
Mechanisms of translational control in early development

Oocytes accumulate a dowry of maternal mRNAs in preparation for embryogenesis. These maternal transcripts are kept dormant until late oogenesis or early embryogenesis when their translation is activated. In recent years, three types of translational control acting on maternal mRNAs have emerged: translational activation by cytoplasmic polyadenylation, translational activation by RNA localization, and regulated translational repression. In each case, translational control depends on the binding of trans-acting factors to sequences in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). Identification of these trans-acting factors is beginning to shed light on the molecular mechanisms that mediate translational control.
A randomized embedding algorithm for trees

In this paper, we propose a simple and natural randomized algorithm to embed a tree T in a given graph G. The algorithm can be viewed as a “self-avoiding tree-indexed random walk“. The order of the tree T can be as large as a constant fraction of the order of the graph G, and the maximum degree of T can be close to the minimum degree of G. We show that our algorithm works in a variety of interesting settings. For example, we prove that any graph of minimum degree d without 4-cycles contains every tree of order ed 2 and maximum degree at most d-2ed-2. As there exist d-regular graphs without 4-cycles and with O(d 2) vertices, this result is optimal up to constant factors. We prove similar nearly tight results for graphs of given girth and graphs with no complete bipartite subgraph K s,t .
Altered autophagy induction by sera from pregnant women with pre-eclampsia: a case-control study.

Objective Mechanisms leading to pre-eclampsia remain incompletely defined. Autophagy is a conserved process necessary for cell survival under adverse conditions. We hypothesised that sera from women with healthy pregnancies and women with pre-eclampsia differed in autophagy induction. Design A case–control study. Setting Weill Cornell Medical College. Population Twenty-four normotensive pregnant women and 20 women with pre-eclampsia. Methods Sera were incubated with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from female donors. After 48 hours the PBMCs were lysed and the intracellular concentration of p62 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Its concentration is inversely proportional to the extent of autophagy induction. Serum endoglin, interleukin 13 (IL–13), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF–1), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF–β1) levels were quantitated by ELISA. Main outcome measures Differences in autophagy induction and serum mediator levels in the two groups. Results Autophagy induction increased with gestational age in sera from normotensive women (P = 0.0045), but not in women with pre-eclampsia. In the presence of an autophagy inducer, the capacity for autophagy induction decreased with gestational age in sera from women with pre-eclampsia (P = 0.0235), but not from controls. Endoglin concentrations were positively associated with the extent of autophagy induction in controls only (P = 0.0141). There was no association between autophagy and serum IL–13, IGF–1, or TGF–β1 levels. Conclusions Sera from women with pre-eclampsia differ from normotensive women by their inability to induce autophagy as a function of gestational age.
Comments concerning “The influence of anhydrous cupric chloride on the nature of the interactions between bromoform and 1,4-dioxane”

Abstract Acree, W.E., Jr., 1993. Comments concerning “The influence of anhydrous cupric chloride on the nature of the interactions between bromoform and 1,4-dioxane”. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 87: 379-383. Critical re-examination of a previously published thermodynamic treatment of the pseudo-binary 1,4-dioxane saturated with anhydrous cupric chloride + bromoform system reveals that an important mass balance constraint was violated. The validity of calculated association parameters for the presumed ternary 1,4-dioxane-cupric chloride-bromoform molecular complex is questioned.
Quantitative imaging of cartilage and bone morphology, reactive oxygen species, and vascularization in a rodent model of osteoarthritis.

Objective To assess temporal changes in cartilage and bone morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and vascularization in rats with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)–induced osteoarthritis (OA), using advanced imaging methodologies. Methods Right knees of 8-week-old male Wistar rats were injected with 1 mg MIA in 50 μl saline and left knees were injected with 50 μl saline as controls. After 1, 2, and 3 weeks (n = 5 at each time point), changes in cartilage morphology and composition were quantified using equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast agent microfocal computed tomography (μCT), and changes in subchondral and trabecular bone were assessed by standard μCT. ROS were characterized by in vivo fluorescence imaging at 1, 11, and 21 days (n = 5 at each time point). Three weeks following fluorescence imaging, alterations in knee joint vascularity were quantified with μCT after perfusion of a vascular contrast agent. Results Femoral cartilage volume, thickness, and proteoglycan content were significantly decreased in MIA-injected knees compared with control knees, accompanied by loss of trabecular bone and erosion of subchondral bone surface. ROS quantities were significantly increased 1 day after MIA injection and subsequently decreased gradually, having returned to normal by 21 days. Vascularity in whole knees and distal femora was significantly increased at 21 days after MIA injection. Conclusion Contrast-enhanced μCT and fluorescence imaging were combined to characterize articular cartilage, subchondral bone, vascularization, and ROS, providing unprecedented 3-dimensional joint imaging and quantification in multiple tissues during OA progression. These advanced imaging techniques have the potential to become standardized methods for comprehensive evaluation of articular joint degeneration and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.
On second thought: Where the action is in cognitive therapy for depression

In this paper, we attempt to put forward an oft-ignored model for describing cognitive change during cognitive therapy for depression, while discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the three models of change described by Hollon, Evans, and DeRubeis. Along the way we point out some of the conceptual ambiguities regarding cognitive processes and contents as they have been applied in the cognitive therapy literature. We propose that short-term cognitive therapy works primarily through the teaching of compensatory skills. Our proposal is motivated, in part, by the paucity of differential effects of cognitive therapy when compared with antidepressant medications on existing cognitive measures, when at the same time there are reports of differential relapse prevention for these two treatments. In addition, we describe a set of features that a measure of compensatory skills should possess.
Binding of (14C) parathion in soil: a reassessment of pesticide persistence

A steady decrease of extractable [14C] parathion residues in soils over a 1-month incubation period was accompanied by an increase of unextractable, bound 14C-labeled residues, resulting finally in total recoveries of extracted plus bound residues of 80 to 87 percent of the applied radiocarbon. Soils containing bound residues were nontoxic to fruit flies. Binding of 14C-labeled residues was related to the activity of soil microorganisms; soil sterilization resulted in a reduction of binding by 58 to 84 percent. Under flooded (anaerobic) conditions, the binding of compounds labeled with 14C doubled, and parathion was reduced to aminoparathion. Reinoculation of sterilized flooded soil fully reinstated the binding capacity. [14C] Aminoparathion was preferentially bound to soil, since its binding within 2 hours was 30 times greater than that of [14C] parathion. Because of the existence of formerly "unseen," unextractable residues, the concept of "persistent" and "nonpersistent" pesticide residues might have to be reconsidered.
Intravenous magnesium sulfate enhances the ability of dofetilide to successfully cardiovert atrial fibrillation or flutter: results of the Dofetilide and Intravenous Magnesium Evaluation.

Aims A previous study found that the adjunctive use of intravenous magnesium sulfate with ibutilide could increase the odds of a patient chemically cardioverting from atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter (AFL) to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) by 78%. Whether or not intravenous magnesium has the same effect on dofetilide’s ability to chemically cardiovert patients from AF/AFL to NSR is not known. Methods and results This was a retrospective cohort evaluation of consecutive eligible patients receiving dofetilide for chemical cardioversion of AF or AFL at a single institution. All AF or AFL patients received dofetilide according to the institution’s standard protocol, which required patients to remain as an inpatient for a minimum of 3 days or 6 doses after the initiation of dofetilide therapy. Patients receiving any dose of intravenous magnesium starting on the same day as dofetilide constituted the treatment group. Controls received dofetilide, but no intravenous magnesium any time prior to chemical cardioversion. Patients underwent continuous electrocardiographic monitoring throughout their hospital admission. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of intravenous magnesium on dofetilide’s efficacy. A total of 160 patients in persistent AF or AFL (mean age 66.6 ± 11.0 years, 70.0% male, 30.0% in AF or AFL >15 days, 54.4% hypertension, 37.5% heart failure, 16.3% valvular disease, 16.3% previous myocardial infarction, and baseline serum magnesium levels 2.1 ± 0.26 mg/dL) and receiving dofetilide (mean dose 428 ± 118 µg/dose) were included in this analysis. The overall chemical cardioversion rate with dofetilide irrespective of adjunctive intravenous magnesium utilization was 41.9%. The concurrent administration of intravenous magnesium ( n = 50) was associated with a 107% increased odds of successful chemical cardioversion [adjusted odds ratio: 2.07 (95% confidence intervals: 1.00–4.33)] compared with those who did not receive magnesium ( n = 110). Only one case of torsade de pointes occurred in the no magnesium group during the index hospital admission. Conclusion Concurrent use of intravenous magnesium is associated with an enhanced ability of dofetilide to successfully convert AF or AFL.
Review: Inverse Gas Chromatography for the Characterization of Polymer Blends

Abstract Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) has been proven to be useful for the characterization of polymer blends in terms of polymer-polymer interaction parameters, polymer-solute interaction parameters, solubility parameters, molar heat of sorption and mixing, melting point depression as an indicator of miscibility, contact energy parameters, and surface characterization. A complete treatment of the theories of polymer blend solution and IGC are illustrated, and the general use of the IGC method is reviewed.
Exploring the Sensitivity of Jobs — Housing Statistics to Imperfect Travel Time Information:

Increasingly, researchers have discussed ways of utilizing excess commuting/jobs — housing methodologies in policy analyses. One potential barrier involves the uncertainty associated with using network-based travel time estimates in the commute models. This paper examines the extent to which various excess commuting/jobs — housing statistics are sensitive to changes in their input transportation costs. A series of computational experiments are run using spatial data from a smaller metropolitan area. Results reveal the variability in the commuting estimates given assumptions about likely travel time variability.
Problems of the aged with spinal cord injuries.

1. A survey of patients is reported who were alive in their seventh decade and later or who have died in their seventh decade or later. 2. The two groups contained 32 patients with non-traumatic and 73 patients with traumatic lesions of the spinal cord and/or cauda equina, respectively. 3. The mortality rate in the non-traumatic group was higher than in the traumatic group (47 per cent, and 29 per cent., respectively); the causes of mortality have been enumerated and discussed. 4. The 52 living patients with traumatic lesions were studied in detail in regard to (a) urological aspects, (b) bowel function, (c) decubitus ulcer, (d) orthopaedic aspects, (e) neurological and neurosurgical aspects, (f) psychological and psychiatric aspects, (g) internal medical aspects, and (h) physical rehabilitation aspects. 5. The observations are discussed in the light of the literature. 6. The study indicated that the general condition of the patient and the extent but not the level of injury were the determining factors for the length of survival.
Comparison of robot-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and total abdominal hysterectomy for treatment of endometrial cancer in obese and morbidly obese patients

The objective of our study was to compare clinical and pathologic outcomes of robot-assisted and open abdominal techniques for treatment of uterine cancer in obese patients. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Patient demographic data, pathological data, and surgical data were collected by retrospective chart review. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical software. One-hundred and eighty-nine consecutive cases of suspected uterine cancer were identified from October 2003 until January 2009. Of these, 116 patients (61%) had a body mass index (BMI) over 30. There were 66 completed robot-assisted hysterectomies (RAHs), 43 total abdominal hysterectomies (TAHs), and seven patients that were converted from RAH to open abdominal hysterectomy. There were no significant differences in preoperative patient demographics, including body mass index (BMI), medical co-morbidities, or preoperative cytology, except for parity. There were no differences in postoperative grade, stage, lymph vascular space invasion, positive pelvic washings, mean number of pelvic lymph nodes, or proportion of patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy. Length of stay and estimated blood loss were lower for the robotic technique; RAHs had a significantly longer operative time, however. Postoperative blood transfusions and wound infections were more frequent in the TAH group. Of the RAH group there were seven conversions to TAH (10%). Differences in surgical times with and without lymphadenectomy were least in patients in the largest BMI category of >50. Length of time required for RAH was significantly longer then TAH in obese and morbidly obese patients, however benefits to patients of a minimally invasive approach included reduced incidence of wound infections, reduced transfusion rates, reduced blood loss, and shortened length of stay. These data also suggest the greatest advantage of robotic technology over laparotomy in patients with BMI over 50.
Ultra-structural mutations in epithelium and stroma in colorectal cancer field carcinogenesis and their potential biological mechanisms

Detection of ultra-structural changes emerges as a powerful method for cancer screening. We used inverse spectroscopic optical coherence tomography to identify ultra-structural mutations in epithelium and stroma, and explore biological mechanisms.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Chromatographic/FT-IR Interface Based On Mobile Phase Elimination

Interfaces between chromatographs and FT-IR spectrometers based on mobile phase elimination and eluite deposition are usually more sensitive than flow cell methods. In the GC/FT-IR 1,2 and SFC/FT-IR314 interfaces developed by our group, the eluites are deposited in a small area (<0.04 mm2) on a moving infrared transparent window (usually ZnSe) and their spectra are measured using an FT-IR microscope. One advantage that has been ascribed to this technique is the ability to use standard condensed phase spectral libraries for spectral searching.5 In this paper, the results of a systematic study are described in which SFC/FT-IR spectra are compared to libraries of condensed phase reference spectra. The particular analytes that were investigated were chosen to probe several possible sources of variation between SFC/FT-IR spectra and reference spectra of the same compounds prepared as KBr disks.
Empowering a society of future users of information technology: a longitudinal study of an application in early education

This paper presents a six-year study of the use of computers in a Greek primary school, based on the premise that, in contrast to current technocentric views regarding the use of information technology in the Greek educational system, computers can be used as tools for self-enhancement. The aim of the school project was to infuse a child-centred pedagogy, through the learning of Logo programming, into the whole of the school's society, i.e. all children and all teachers. Within this context, we have identified and explored how children may learn programming through a process of forming ‘naive’ or locally applicable theorems concerning key programming ideas such as the use of primitives, structuring a problem by means of writing procedures, and constructing and working with generalised notional objects by means of defining procedures with variable inputs. We discuss the emerging interrelated educational and technological aspects concerning this kind of learning, and then set these against the challenge to exploit the developing technology further in order to design expressive media of increasing flexibility and power, and to focus on specific learning domains.