cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract WP91: Long-Term Risk of Stroke after Stent-Assisted Coiling of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Background: Long-term comparative data are limited regarding stent-assisted coiling versus coiling alone for unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We compared the risks of ischemic stroke and intracra...
2018 n2c2 shared task on adverse drug events and medication extraction in electronic health records.

OBJECTIVE This article summarizes the preparation, organization, evaluation, and results of Track 2 of the 2018 National NLP Clinical Challenges shared task. Track 2 focused on extraction of adverse drug events (ADEs) from clinical records and evaluated 3 tasks: concept extraction, relation classification, and end-to-end systems. We perform an analysis of the results to identify the state of the art in these tasks, learn from it, and build on it. MATERIALS AND METHODS For all tasks, teams were given raw text of narrative discharge summaries, and in all the tasks, participants proposed deep learning-based methods with hand-designed features. In the concept extraction task, participants used sequence labelling models (bidirectional long short-term memory being the most popular), whereas in the relation classification task, they also experimented with instance-based classifiers (namely support vector machines and rules). Ensemble methods were also popular. RESULTS A total of 28 teams participated in task 1, with 21 teams in tasks 2 and 3. The best performing systems set a high performance bar with F1 scores of 0.9418 for concept extraction, 0.9630 for relation classification, and 0.8905 for end-to-end. However, the results were much lower for concepts and relations of Reasons and ADEs. These were often missed because local context is insufficient to identify them. CONCLUSIONS This challenge shows that clinical concept extraction and relation classification systems have a high performance for many concept types, but significant improvement is still required for ADEs and Reasons. Incorporating the larger context or outside knowledge will likely improve the performance of future systems.
A Pilot Study on the Use of Indocyanine Green Near-Infrared Technique for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early Endometrial Cancers in Singapore

Objective: We report our initial experience with indocyanine green (ICG) with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in clinical stage I endometrial cancer. ...
The evolution of care of cancers of the head and neck region: State of the science in 2020

Cancers that arise in the head and neck region are comprised of a heterogeneous group of malignancies that include carcinogen- and human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven mucosal squamous cell carcinoma as well as skin cancers such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. These malignancies develop in critical areas for eating, talking, and breathing and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality despite advances in treatment. Understanding of advances in the management of these various cancers is important for all multidisciplinary providers who care for patients across the cancer care continuum. Additionally, the recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated adaptations to head and neck cancer care to accommodate the mitigation of COVID-19 risk and ensure timely treatment. This review explores advances in diagnostic criteria, prognostic factors, and management for subsites including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and the various forms of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and melanoma). Then, this review summarizes emerging developments in immunotherapy, radiation therapy, cancer survivorship, and the delivery of care during the COVID-19 era.
Not All Champions Are Allies in Health Disparities Research

Responsible health disparities research requires a multifaceted approach to address genetic, biological, socioeconomic, and lifestyle contributors to disease. For researchers dedicated to the cause, thorough experimental standards at the bench, in the clinic, and within the community must prioritize adequate representation and cultural competency. Not everyone is up for the challenge.
The Efficacy of PCAOB Operational Decision Making

The PCAOB’s operating budget and related investment in its inspection program have increased substantially since its inception. To provide insights into the efficacy of this increased investment, we leverage the PCAOB’s decision to open five new satellite offices in 2009. We begin by examining the market-level factors associated with the PCAOB’s expansion decisions and find that the PCAOB opened offices in markets where increased oversight was likely to have the greatest beneficial impact on audit quality. We then use a difference-in-differences empirical design to consider the impacts of the expansion on several engagement-level audit outcomes. We find that audit quality significantly improved following the PCAOB’s expansion in markets where new offices opened relative to markets without an office opening. While we find no evidence that auditors affected by the office expansion passed on costs directly to their clients through increased audit prices, we do find evidence of an indirect cost associated with the expansion in the form of a relative increase in auditor turnover. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the PCAOB’s post-implementation operational decision making and suggest that the regulator’s additional investment in audit oversight was effective in improving audit quality without imposing a significant direct cost on companies and shareholders.
Variational Inference in high-dimensional linear regression

We study high-dimensional Bayesian linear regression with product priors. Using the nascent theory of non-linear large deviations (Chatterjee and Dembo,2016), we derive sufficient conditions for the leading-order correctness of the naive mean-field approximation to the log-normalizing constant of the posterior distribution. Subsequently, assuming a true linear model for the observed data, we derive a limiting infinite dimensional variational formula for the log normalizing constant of the posterior. Furthermore, we establish that under an additional "separation" condition, the variational problem has a unique optimizer, and this optimizer governs the probabilistic properties of the posterior distribution. We provide intuitive sufficient conditions for the validity of this "separation" condition. Finally, we illustrate our results on concrete examples with specific design matrices.
Multi-zonal compartmentalization methodology for surrogate modelling in continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing

Abstract Detailed process understanding of powder systems is important for ensuring regulation compliant manufacturing of pharmaceutical solid-based drug products. However, this can get challenging due to the current limitations in experimental and computational approaches, constraining the available knowledge of critical quality attributes. To address this drawback, we propose the use of computationally efficient and mechanistically informed surrogate models developed using multi-zonal compartmentalization methodology. In this work, the proposed modelling strategy is demonstrated for continuous powder blenders, wherein, first principle-based discrete element simulation is used to obtain an inter-connected network of zones for detailed evaluation of mixing within the system. The obtained surrogate models are further validated using the original simulation, illustrating the accuracy of the proposed methodology.
LAVA: fine-grained 3D indoor wireless coverage for small IoT devices

Small IoT devices deployed in challenging locations suffer from uneven 3D coverage in complex environments. This work optimizes indoor coverage with LAVA, a Large Array of Vanilla Amplifiers. LAVA is a standard-agnostic cooperative mesh of elements, i.e., RF devices each consisting of several switched input and output antennas connected to fixed-gain amplifiers. Each LAVA element is further equipped with rudimentary power sensing to detect nearby transmissions. The elements report power readings to the LAVA control plane, which then infers active link sessions without explicitly interacting with the endpoint transmitter or receiver. With simple on-off control of amplifiers and antenna switching, LAVA boosts passing signals via multi hop amplify-and-forward. LAVA explores a middle ground between smart surfaces and physical-layer relays. Multi-hopping over short inter-hop distances exerts more control over the end-to-end trajectory, supporting fine-grained coverage and spatial reuse. Ceiling testbed results show throughput improvements to individual Wi-Fi links by 50% on average and up to 100% at 15 dBm transmit power (193% on average, up to 8x at 0 dBm). ZigBee links see up to 17 dB power gain. For pairs of co-channel concurrent links, LAVA provides average per-link throughput improvements of 517% at 0 dBm and 80% at 15 dBm.
Agriculture and the Rest of the Economy: Macroconnections and Policy Restraints

The economic relationships between the agricultural and nonagricultural sections have long been scrutinized, with a number of key linkages singled out - investment requirements and the macroadjustments between the two sectors that permit savings to come forth; nonagricultural demand for employment and food confronting agricultural supply response; shifts in income distribution that ensue as people move from agricultural/rural to nonagricultural/urban occupations and economic roles....
Chapter 17 Autoradiography with Liquid Emulsion

Publisher Summary This chapter describes autoradiography with liquid emulsion. The autoradiographic method is becoming more useful partly because of the growing list of compounds labeled with radioisotopes that are now commercially available and partly because of various technical advances, such as the introduction of autoradiography into electron microscopy. Quantitative autoradiography requires special precautions but semiquantitative or purely qualitative autoradiography is much simpler. The chapter considers liquid emulsions NTB, NTB-2, and NTB-3 manufactured by Kodak (Rochester, New York). The size of the silver grains decreases and sensitivity and resolution increases in the order, NTB, NTB-2, and NTB-3. The choice of emulsion depends on the requirements of the particular experiment. NTB is suitable for highly radioactive samples and also has such a low intrinsic background that corrections are not necessary if grain counting is undertaken. NTB-3 is more efficient with samples containing low activity but tends to have more background. The emulsion stocks are kept at room temperature and no increase in background has been noticed under these conditions even during periods as long as four months.
Language As Social Action: Social Psychology and Language Use

This interdisciplinary synthesis of the social psychological aspects of language use provides an integrative and timely review of language as social action. The book successfully weaves together research from philosophy, linguistics, sociolinguistics, anthropology, social and cognitive psychology, pragmatics, and artificial intelligence. In this way, it clearly demonstrates how many aspects of social life are mediated by language and how understanding language use requires an understanding of its social dimension. Topics covered include: *speech act theory and indirect speech acts; *politeness and the interpersonal determinants of language; *language and impression management and person perception; *conversational structure, perspective taking; and *language and social thought. This volume should serve as a valuable resource for students and researchers in social psychology and communication who want a clear presentation of the linguistic underpinnings of social interaction. It will also be useful to cognitive psychologists and other language researchers who want a thorough examination of the social psychological underpinnings of language use. Although this book is relevant for a variety of disciplines, it is written in a clear and straightforward style that will be accessible for readers regardless of their orientation.
CCK-induced gall bladder hyperkinesia: An indication for cholecystectomy and brain-GI connectivity research

1312 Objectives Cholecystokinin (CCK) heptobiliary scans are used to evaluate patients with suspected biliary dyskinesia(BD) presenting with abdominal pain.These patients often have co-morbid anxiety leading to the evaluation of both digestive and psychiatric disease.Ejection fractions(EF) 80% has not been reported. Methods A questionnaire was obtained from the PCP of 108 consecutive patients with HGBEF asking a)presenting symptoms b)if cholecystectomy (CS) was performed and, if so c)whether the symptoms showed no improvement, partial resolution or complete resolution of symptoms. Sixty-three patients were evaluated with complete data. Results Twenty-eight of 63 (44%) HGBEF patients had CS.Twenty-seven of 28(97%)showed symptomatic improvement following CS.Twenty-two of 28(79%)had complete resolution.One was non-responsive. Some patients reported continued anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Patients with HGBEF respond favorably to CS.The reason may be related to excessive contractility and associated with anxiety.We speculate that this commonly observed co-existence may be secondary to parallel disturbances in peripheral and central cholecystokinergic-neuromodulatory system.Future work will determine if the CCK-augmented scan will be a novel nuclear medicine tool in the investigation of the cholecystokinergic system in co-morbid anxiety-GI syndromes.
The use of teflon felt in vascular anastomoses. An experimental study.

Summary Experience with a rapid method of inserting a prosthesis in the thoracic aorta of dogs, using four sutures at each anastomotic site and wrapping the anastomosis with a Teflon felt sleeve, is presented. Of a total of 23 dogs subjected to the operation, the procedure was death attributed to malfunction or complication of the prosthesis itself. The average length of time of cross-clamping the aorta during insertion of the prostheses was 12 minutes. The felt sleeve did not seem to impede the healing process between prosthesis and aorta.
Parent Functioning and Child Psychotherapy Outcomes: Predicting Outcomes in Usual Care

Objective The purpose of this study was (1) to examine whether three domains of a parent's functioning-parent distress, interpersonal relationships, and social role performance-changed over the course of their child's treatment, (2) to examine how these factors as measured at intake predicted youth progress in psychotherapy, and (3) to examine whether changes in these parent factors over the course of youth psychotherapy were associated with changes in youth symptoms. Method Participants were 339 youth, ages 4-17 and their parents from a community outpatient treatment setting undergoing usual care. Parent and child outcomes were examined across five time points over the course of child treatment. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the relationship between parent domains and youth progress in therapy. Results Results suggested that parent domains significantly predicted their child's symptoms at intake as well as change in psychotherapy. In addition, parent domains improved over the course of youth treatment and the progression of these changes was related to the progression of changes in youth scores across the course of treatment. Conclusions The results of this study highlight the important relationship between youth and parent functioning in the context of treatment of youth mental health issues.
A new class of narrow transition band digital filters

In this paper a new class of lowpass linear phase FIR filters is introduced. It is shown that lowpass filters with narrow transition bands can be realized efficiently by a few small FIR filters. The new structure is highly modular, allowing for realization with a fast short convolution algorithm. A design procedure is introduced and illustrated by an example.
Additional Training Will Lead to a Competitive Disadvantage: Perspective From a Business School

Byrne et al. (2014) seek to make the case that further training in industrial–organizational (I–O) psychology beyond the typical PhD program is warranted in part because of the competitive disadvantages faced by I–O graduates seeking employment in business schools. In doing so, many of the assertions addressing how training in business schools differs from I–O programs appear overly simplistic and unnecessarily adversarial. In response to this, and as individuals working in a management department, we would like to address how best to leverage the differences in training and perspective that I–O and organizational behavior (OB) programs provide. We believe these differences can foster greater creativity and scholarship and ultimately deepen our understanding of organizations.
Dexamethasone mediates protection against acute pancreatitis via upregulation of pancreatitis-associated proteins

AIM: To examine the influence of dexamethasone on pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) gene expression using both in vitro and in vivo models of acute pancreatitis and to study how PAP gene expression correlates with severity of pancreatitis. METHODS: In vitro, IL-6 stimulated pancreas acinar AR42J cells were cultured with increasing concentrations of dexamethasone and assayed for PAP expression (RT-PCR). In vivo, pancreatitis was induced in rats by retrograde injection of 40 g/L taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Animals were pretreated with dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) daily or saline for 4 d. Pancreata and serum were harvested after 24 h and gene expression levels of PAPI, II and III were measured by RT-PCR. Severity of pancreatitis was based on serum amylase, pancreatic wet weight, and histopathological score. RESULTS: In vitro, dexamethasone and IL-6 induced a marked transcription of PAPI, II and III genes in AR42J cells at 24 h (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). In vivo, pancreas mRNA levels of PAPI, II or III increased by 2.6-fold, 1.9-fold, and 1.3-fold respectively after dexamethasone treatment, compared with saline treated animals. Serum amylase levels and edema were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared with the saline group. Histopathologic evaluation revealed less inflammation and necrosis in pancreata obtained from dexamethasone treated animals (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone significantly decreases the severity of pancreatitis. The protective mechanism of dexamethasone may be via upregulating PAP gene expression during injury.
An ionospheric obliquity process responsive to line-of-sight azimuth and elevation

[1] This paper describes a one-directional iterative technique which converts from slant Total Electron Content (TEC) to vertical TEC using information describing the current state of the ionosphere. The method combines the well-known Chapman function of electron density with a spherical harmonics representation of the peak density over a spherical surface. Several parameters either have restricted movement or are kept constant in order for the problem to remain manageable. This technique is compared to the standard thin shell model obliquity factor in order to assess the degree of improvement in accuracy and the conditions under which this occurs. The Parameterized Ionospheric Model (PIM) is used as a truth model.
Studies on the mechanism of oligomerization of alkynes by group IVB catalysts

The homogeneous catalyst systems Cp2MCl2/C2H5AlCl2 (Cp = cyclopentadienyl; M = Ti, Zr) were found to promote homooligomerization of internal and terminal alkynes. Studies using titana- and zirconacyclopentadienes without cocatalysts revealed that these molecules were likely formed in the reactions and were active catalytic intermediates. Isolation of expanded metallacycles indicated that the mechanism of oligomerization proceeded by successive insertion reactions to produce larger metallacycles, eventually giving linear oligomers of low molecular weight.
Influence of supplemental lysine, isoleucine, threonine, tryptophan and total sulfur amino acids on egg weight of Hy-line W-36 hens

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to determine whether synthetic lysine, isoleucine, threonine, and tryptophan (LITT) or TSAA supplementation to diets formulated based on lysine improved egg weight (EW) and hen performance. In Experiment 1, diets were formulated with three TSAA levels (0.65,0.72, and 0.81%). These diets were fed with and without adding lysine and isoleucine each at 0.055% and threonine and tryptophan each at 0.022%. Treatments were randomly assigned to 960 Hy-Line W-36 hens in eight replicates per treatment (20 birds/replicate). Inclusion of LITT improved (P 0.05) of LITT was observed on egg production (EP), egg specific gravity (SG), or BW. The EW, EP, and FC increased linearly (P
Disturbance of feeding behavior in the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, following bilateral ablation of the Medulla terminalis

1. Bilateral eyestalk ablation of spiny lobsters results in: a) loss of responsiveness to chemical stimulation of antennular chemoreceptors, b) increased tendency to positive responses following tactile and chemo-tactile stimulation of dactyl receptors, c) increased tendency to grasp and ingest non-food objects, d) disturbance of feeding efficiency associated with discoordination of feeding movements and prolonged periods during which food is held but not devoured. 2. Progressive ablation of the eyestalk ganglia indicates that the loss of the innermost, the medulla terminalis, is responsible for the above effects. Blinding or optic ganglion removal alone is without significant effect. 3. The observations strongly suggest that the medulla terminalis exerts an active regulatory or modulating influence on the spatial-temporM neural constructs responsible for feeding behavior. In this it resembles the functional role ascribed to the amygdala and frontal orbital cortex in mammals.
Reduction of Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure by Hypocapnia: Changes in Cerebral Blood Volume, Cerebrospinal Fluid Volume, and Brain Tissue Water and Electrolytes:

The study examined the role of cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, and brain tissue water and electrolytes on CSF pressure during 4 h of hypocapnia in dogs, Group I (n = 6) was examined during hypocapnia (PaCO2 20 mm Hg), with no intracranial mass being present Group II (n = 6) was examined with an intracranial mass present (epidural balloon, CSF pressure 35 cm H2O), but no hypocapnia. In group III (n = 6), an intracranial mass was present, and hypocapnia was used to lower CSF pressure. In group I, hypocapnia initially reduced CBV from 3.4 to 2.4 ml. With continued hypocapnia, CBV reexpanded to 3.4 ml by 4 h. CSF volume changed reciprocally, so that intracranial CSF pressure remained constant. In group II, CBV remained steady (2.7 ml), and CSF volume fell only slightly, so that CSF pressure remained elevated. In group III, hypocapnia initially reduced CBV from 2.8 to 2.2 ml, and CSF pressure fell from 35 to 19 cm H2O. With continued hypocapnia, CBV rose to 2.8 ml by 4 h, but CSF...
A Pars Plana Filtering Procedure Combined with Lensectomy and Vitrectomy for Neovascular Glaucoma

In 14 eyes undergoing a pars plana filtration procedure combined with pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy, the most common complication was a severe sterile fibrinous vitritis. However, after a mean follow-up period of 6.3 months, intraocular pressure was controlled in five eyes (36%) after the procedure alone, in two (14%) after subsequent medical therapy, and in three (21%) after subsequent cyclocryotherapy. Preoperative visual acuity was maintained or improved in nine of the eyes (64%), whereas four eyes (28%) had no light perception.
Message from the director of the RCMI program.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), located in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C., is one of the agencies of the Public Health Services that, in turn, is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.[...]
Differences in Media Buying by Online Businesses in Black- and White-Targeted Magazines: The Potential Impact of the Digital Divide on Ad Placement

This study examined differences in ad placement by online companies based on whether the publication targets the general market or the Black population. Seventy-two magazines from three different categories were analyzed to ascertain the number of online company ads in each magazine. It was predicted that online businesses placed more ads in general market magazines than they did in magazines targeted to Black audiences. The findings clearly support the overall hypothesis. The potential impact of the digital divide on ad placement is discussed.
A comparison of the effects of imposed extension and flexion movements on Parkinsonian rigidity

Abstract Objective To test a hypothesis that Parkinsonian rigidity is more pronounced in imposed extension than flexion movement. Methods Twelve Parkinsonian subjects (both “Off” and “On” medication states) and seven control subjects participated in the protocol, in which a servomotor imposed wrist flexion and extension. Rigidity was quantitatively evaluated by the rectified torque integral with time, i.e., temporal score, and by the torque integral with joint angle, i.e., work score, for extension and flexion, respectively. Results In the “Off” state, the imposed extension induced a significantly higher resistance than did flexion. Dopaminergic medication significantly reduced the temporal score associated with imposed extension, and significantly decreased the work score of both movements. Compared with controls, the scores were higher for patients in the “On” state. Conclusions Rigidity is more readily elicited in extension movement. The distinction is not evident in clinical practice, whereas it can be clearly revealed with the application of biomechanical analyses. Significance This distinction may prove to be a standard feature of rigidity. The procedures may be helpful in diagnosis and useful in evaluating new treatments and developing rehabilitation programs.
Robust Mesh Insensitive Structural Stress Method for Fatigue Analysis of Welded Structures

Abstract The design of welded structures and careful fatigue design evaluation is especially important in structural design since the stress concentrations at the welds have significant impact on the overall fatigue lives of the structures. Currently, the nominal stress or hot spot stress methods are widely used in the field for fatigue design evaluation. However, design based on these methods requires constructing separate S-N curves from the fatigue testing based on the joint geometry, loading, thickness, etc. It is also difficult to evaluate the fatigue performance using finite element analysis, where the calculated stress can vary according to element size, type, etc. To overcome these challenges, Battelle has developed a novel, mesh insensitive structural stress method (Verity ® ). The stresses are calculated using the balanced nodal forces and moments obtained at the weld toe location from the finite element solutions. Working with industry partners, Battelle has also developed a unified master S-N curve that combines the effects of joint geometry, loading modes and thicknesses. Battelle's structural stress procedure has been adopted as design weld fatigue codes by ASME Sec. VIII Div. 2 (ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code) and API 579/ASME FFS-1 (Fitness-for-Service Evaluation). As a case study, the fatigue life prediction of a rectangular hollow section joint using a new structural stress method is presented in this paper.
Transdisciplinary science applied to the evaluation of treatments for tobacco use

Transdisciplinary research involves the integration of measures and methods across diverse response systems and levels of analysis, with that integration occurring via a synthesis of theories and models of different scientific disciplines. This paper first discusses the need for transdisciplinary research. The paper then articulates a model to guide the comprehensive evaluation of treatments for tobacco use and discusses how transdisciplinary research might be integrated into this treatment evaluation model. The potential benefits and costs of a transdisciplinary approach are discussed, along with selected research projects from the Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Centers.
Crystal structure of the PvuII restriction endonuclease

Crystal structures have now been determined for the R.PvuII restriction endonuclease as a protein-DNA complex [Cheng et al., EMBO J. 13 (1994) 3927-3935; this report] and in apo-form [Athanasiadis et al., Nature Struc. Biol. 1 (1994) 469-475; our unpublished result]. The structures indicate how the interaction with DNA might proceed [Riddihough, Nature 370 (1994) 78].
The criminal justice/mental health system and the mentally retarded, mentally ill defendant.

Abstract The mentally retarded, mentally ill defendant calls attention to problems in the relationship between the legal and the mental health systems. This study looks at what happens to a group of retarded offenders found incompetent to stand trial. The study examines differences in court processing and final disposition between mentally retarded and nonretarded defendants found incompetent to stand trial. Virtually all subjects were diagnosed as being psychotic. The mentally ill, retarded defendants spend significantly more time in the hospital, more time in the hospital waiting to be returned to jail, and more total time incarcerated in the criminal justice/mental health system. At a final disposition hearing mentally ill, retarded defendants were significantly more likely to be rehospitalized and less likely to be released to the community. No mentally ill, retarded defendant in this study went to prison. The longer periods of incarceration may stem from an underlying lack of understanding about the ability of retarded defendants to achieve competency. Differences in court disposition may result from a court/mental health professional tendency to select dispositions which are thought to be more ‘humane’.
Fast Photoresponse of Functionalized Pentacene and Anthradithiophene Thin Films

We present photoconductivity of high-performance functionalized pentacene and anthradithiophene thin films on time scales from picoseconds to many seconds after photoexcitation. The polycrystalline thin films were deposited from solution on glass substrates with patterned interdigitated aluminum electrodes. In studies of fast transient photoconductivity, the samples were excited with laser pulses of ~100 fs duration at a wavelength of 400 nm, and the photocurrent due to transport of photoexcited charge carriers was monitored using 50 GHz digital sampling oscilloscope. The photoconductivity at longer (milliseconds through seconds) time scales was investigated using continuous wave (cw) illumination and a source-delay-measure unit. Both experiments were performed under conditions of varied electric field strength, fluence and temperature. In all samples, we observed fast charge carrier photogeneration (<30 ps, limited by time resolution of our setup) followed by decay of the photocurrent over the period of 5-50 ns, depending on the material, due to charge trapping and recombination, linear dependence of the peak photoconductivity on the fluence and super-linear dependence of the peak photocurrent on the applied electric field.
Issues in the natural history and treatment of coronary heart disease in black populations: Surgical treatment

Patient characteristics, treatment choices, and long-term survival were examined to seek possible explanations for marked differences in the racial distribution among 6594 consecutive patients who underwent arteriography or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from 1970 to 1978. Overall, the percentage of whites undergoing coronary arteriography was 96% compared with 4% of the blacks; only black females showed a secular increase in the relative percentage. Clinical manifestations and predisposing factors for coronary atherosclerosis differed little between the blacks and the whites in this population. Angina, as measured by the Rose Questionnaire, had the same clinical significance in blacks as in whites. Findings indicated that similar covariates of comparable strength appeared to be operative as indices for severity of coronary heart disease in both blacks and whites. On the basis of regression analyses, whites had approximately a three times greater chance of having two or more diseased vessels than did blacks after adjustment for multiple clinical characteristics and risk factors. After adjusting for pertinent variables, whites with three-vessel disease were two and a half times more likely to have CABG than blacks (42.5% vs 16.2%). However, differences in choice of initial therapy for whites and blacks with multiple-vessel disease were significant only in those older than 50 years. Except for older blacks who demonstrated a decreased survival rate when managed surgically, survival rates were similar for blacks and whites. Trends in the evaluation and clinical management of black populations with suspect coronary heart disease should further clarify these preliminary findings.
Ritual, Ceremony and History-Telling in Los tres blasones de España

This article explores the value of a rarely seen play, Los tres blasones de Espana, by Francisco Rojas Zorrilla and Antonio Coello in respect of its historical context and the hermeneutic codes it brings into play. A drama, its interplay between material and messianic temporalities enables a ritual performance as well as a forceful rewriting of Spain's national history. This collaborative effort exhibits a ritualizing aesthetic that attempts to close meanings by fixing theatrical symbology within systems of rules that respond to the codes of deterministic historical, heraldic, and hagiographic discourses. At a time of national political instability, these discourses combine to assert the Christian and Castilian spirit of Calahorra as they evoke a sense of essential national integrity against the invader: the cultural, religious, and political other.
Superposition coding in an adversarial environment

In this paper we will consider a jamming environment in a game theoretic framework. This framework includes a transmitting node, a receiving node and a jammer. The jammer is assumed to be a Gaussian jammer with a flat PSD. We will consider two transmitting scenarios; a scenario when the transmitter has two strategies for transmission; a low rate code which can be received at the receiving node regardless of jammer status and a high rate code that can only be received when the jammer is inactive.
Using the multiple cell balance method to solve the problem of two-dimensional groundwater flow and contaminant transport with nonequilibrium sorption

The problem of large-scale contamination of groundwater by relatively low levels of organic contaminants is most frequently addressed by extracting and treating the impacted groundwater. This pump-and-treat strategy is often unsuccessful because of difficulties encountered in recovering the contaminants from relatively immobile zones within the porous medium. These zones can exist at the particle scale, as intraparticle or intra-aggregate porosity, and at the larger scales, as low-permeability layers or lenses interspersed in substantially more permeable layers. This work focuses on achieving an efficient numerical solution to a system of groundwater flow and contaminant transport equations that sufficiently captures the dynamics of slow desorption in a two-dimensional porous medium. The conceptual model and governing equations are presented. A numerical method for solving the governing equations, the upstream-weighted, multiple cell balance (UMCB) method, is proposed. The UMCB algorithm has been employed previously for the case of solute transport with equilibrium sorption, and is extended here to the nonequilibrium case. The approach employs a finite-element basis function and a finite-difference local mass balance, and is designed to reduce computational and storage requirements, while minimizing the mass balance error. The computational grid is formed by division of the flow domain into triangular elements. An invented node at the center of each element divides the element into three subtriangular regions. By linking the center of each triangular element and the mid-point of each elemental side, a multiangular region, referred to as an exclusive subdomain, is defined. The discretized system of governing equations is derived from the integral form that describes the mass balance in the exclusive subdomain of each node. The paper details the application of the numerical method, and demonstrates that the method is reasonably accurate and computationally efficient for a two-dimensional domain subject to nonequilibrium sorption.
Regulation of the sequencing in sterol biosynthesis.

The evolutionary development and sequencing of events in the biosynthetic pathway leading to sterols is reviewed and illustrated by recent experiments from the author's laboratory.
Memory and the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system in the rat

This study examined the effects of intrahippocampal injections of scopolamine (a muscarinic antagonist drug) on performance of a working-memory task (contingently) reinforced T-maze alternation) and a reference-memory task (visual discrimination) by the same rats in the same maze. Rats in the first shipment were trained in delayed alternation, received bilateral implantation of cannulae aimed at the CA3 field of the dorsal hippocampus, and were tested for retention with 1 μl microinjections of scopolamine (35 μg) and saline on alternate days. These rats were then trained on visual discrimination and tested alternately under scopolamine or saline as described above. It was found that scopolamine impaired performance of delayed alternation to a greater extent than performance of visual discrimination. Data from rats in the second shipment replicated this finding, with the order of the tasks reversed, and, additionally, showed that delayed alternation, but not visual discrimination, was impaired at a dose of 12 μg/μl. A dose of 4 μg/μl had no effect on either task. It is concluded that performance of a workingmemory task is significantly more sensitive to disruption of cholinergic mechanisms in the hippocampus than performance of a reference-memory task.
Restricted domain mobility in the Candida albicans Ess1 prolyl isomerase.

Abstract Ess1 is a peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerase that is required for virulence of the pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans . The enzyme isomerizes the phospho-Ser-Pro linkages in the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Its human homolog, Pin1, has been implicated in a wide range of human diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Crystallographic and NMR studies have demonstrated that the sequence linking the catalytic isomerase domain and the substrate binding WW domain of Pin1 is unstructured and that the two domains are only loosely associated in the absence of the substrate. In contrast, the crystal structure of C. albicans Ess1 revealed a highly ordered linker that contains a three turn α-helix and extensive association between the two tightly juxtaposed domains. In part to address the concern that the marked differences in the domain interactions for the human and fungal structures might reflect crystal lattice effects, NMR chemical shift analysis and 15 N relaxation measurements have been employed to confirm that the linker of the fungal protein is highly ordered in solution. With the exception of two loops within the active site of the isomerase domain, the local backbone geometry observed in the crystal structure appears to be well preserved throughout the protein chain. The marked differences in interdomain interactions and linker flexibility between the human and fungal enzymes provide a structural basis for therapeutic targeting of the fungal enzymes.
Hybrid perimetry: a blend of static and kinetic techniques

A new hybrid perimetry technique is proposed that combines elements of kinetic and static methods. The stimulus is presented in stationary flashes, as in static perimetry, but successive flashes are moved progressively across the retina to map isopters, as in kinetic perimetry. Tests with a Tubingen perimeter show that the three methods provide similar estimates of sensitivity and variability for normal subjects. The hybrid method requires about the same time to determine an isopter point as the static method requires to determine a threshold. However, the hybrid method tests a larger retinal area in that time than the static method while providing an isopter measurement that is free of the reaction time artifacts characteristic of the kinetic method. Comparisons of photopic and scotopic hybrid fields show that one well-chosen scotopic isopter can provide as much information as three photopic isopters.
Surface morphology of Ge(001) during etching by low-energy ions

The roughening of a crystalline semiconductor during etching by low-energy ions is characterized using in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. Ge(001) surfaces are bombarded by 240-eV Xe ions using a wide range of exposure times and temperatures. Ge dimers are resolved for surfaces etched at Tg+165 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and imaged at room temperature. For fixed ion exposure, the roughness increases with increasing temperature; a maximum surface roughness is reached for etching at \ensuremath{\simeq}250 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. At T\ensuremath{\simeq}270 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C the character of the surface morophology changes from a relatively disordered arrangement of mounds to a more regular pattern of pits. The isotropy of this pattern formation and the dependence of the in-plane length of the roughness on exposure time suggest that asymmetric kinetics for the attachment of dimer vacancies at ascending versus descending steps drives roughening during etching.
Up-and-down procedure (UDP) determinations of acute oral toxicity of nitroso degradation products of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), a widely used military explosive and soil and ground water contaminant of munitions manufacturing and artillery training sites, undergoes microbial nitroreductase metabolism to hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX), hexahydro-1,3-dinitroso-5-nitro-1,3,5-triazine (DNX), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine (TNX). Human occupational and accidental exposures to RDX, as well as acute oral exposures in rats, result in seizures, but little is known about the toxicity of the RDX degradation products. The main objective of the present study was to determine the oral LD50 of the most potent RDX N-nitroso product in female Sprague-Dawley rats using the recently validated up-and-down procedure (UDP). With only 26 rats, MNX was identified as the most potent metabolite and a maximum likelihood estimate of 187 mg kg(-1) (95% confidence interval 118-491 mg kg(-1)) for its LD50 was established and found equivalent to that of RDX determined with the same protocol. CNS toxicity, manifested as forelimb clonic seizures progressing to generalized clonic-tonic seizures, was the critical adverse effect. Further, confirmation of the UDP LD50 for MNX with a fixed-dose design enabled identification of 94 mg kg(-1) as the highest nonlethal dose. An ED50 of 57 mg kg(-1) was determined for neurotoxicity, while splenic hemosiderosis and decreased blood hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration occurred with a threshold at 94 mg kg(-1) in 14-day survivors. These studies, while providing new toxicity data necessary for the management of RDX-contaminated sites, illustrate the efficiency of the UDP for comparative acute toxicity determinations and its value in guiding further characterization of dose dependency of identified adverse effects.
HEMODYNAMIC CHANGES AS TRIGGERS OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS

Although a large number of clinical studies during the past decade have documented that myocardial ischemia, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death have definite circadian patterns, recently published work suggests that it is not necessarily a specific time of the day but the sleep/wake cycle and postural changes as well as the balance between triggers and protective factors that determine the onset of cardiovascular events. A clear understanding of the pathophysiologic processes responsible for ischemic events and the specific roles played by various triggers would be helpful in better defining the therapeutic strategies designed for the prevention and treatment of acute cardiac events. Because changes in hemodynamic parameters are of paramount importance in initiating an ischemic event, it is critical to review their role and relationship in the pathogenesis of acute coronary events.
Replicated Nickel Optics for the Hard-X-Ray Region

Replicated nickel optics has been used extensively in x-ray astronomy, most notably for the XMM/Newton mission. The combination of relative ease of fabrication and the inherent stability of full-shell optics, make them an attractive approach for medium-resolution, high-throughput applications. MSFC has been developing these optics for use in the hard-x-ray region. Efforts at improving their angular resolution, particularly for the very-thin-wall shells required to meet the weight budgets of future missions, are described together with the prospects for future significant improvements.
Galactose Differentially Modulates Lunatic and Manic Fringe Effects on Delta1-induced NOTCH Signaling

NOTCH signaling induced by Delta1 (DLL1) and Jagged1 (JAG1) NOTCH ligands is modulated by the β3N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase Fringe. LFNG (Lunatic Fringe) and MFNG (Manic Fringe) transfer N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to O-fucose attached to EGF-like repeats of NOTCH receptors. In co-culture NOTCH signaling assays, LFNG generally enhances DLL1-induced, but inhibits JAG1-induced, NOTCH signaling. In mutant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that do not add galactose (Gal) to the GlcNAc transferred by Fringe, JAG1-induced NOTCH signaling is not inhibited by LFNG or MFNG. In mouse embryos lacking B4galt1, NOTCH signaling is subtly reduced during somitogenesis. Here we show that DLL1-induced NOTCH signaling in CHO cells was enhanced by LFNG, but this did not occur in either Lec8 or Lec20 CHO mutants lacking Gal on O-fucose glycans. Lec20 mutants corrected with a B4galt1 cDNA became responsive to LFNG. By contrast, MFNG promoted DLL1-induced NOTCH signaling better in the absence of Gal than in its presence. This effect was reversed in Lec8 cells corrected by expression of a UDP-Gal transporter cDNA. The MFNG effect was abolished by a DDD to DDA mutation that inactivates MFNG GlcNAc transferase activity. The binding of soluble NOTCH ligands and NOTCH1/EGF1–36 generally reflected changes in NOTCH signaling caused by LFNG and MFNG. Therefore, the presence of Gal on O-fucose glycans differentially affects DLL1-induced NOTCH signaling modulated by LFNG versus MFNG. Gal enhances the effect of LFNG but inhibits the effect of MFNG on DLL1-induced NOTCH signaling, with functional consequences for regulating the strength of NOTCH signaling.
An encapsulation system for the immunoisolation of pancreatic islets

Over a thousand combinations of polyanions and polycations were tested to search for new polymer candidates that would be suitable for encapsulation of living cells. The combination of sodium alginate, cellulose sulfate, poly (methylene-co-guanidine) hydrochloride, calcium chloride, and sodium chloride was most promising. In parallel, a novel multiloop chamber reactor was developed to control the time of complex formation and to negate gravitational effects such as pancreatic islet sedimentation and droplet deformation during the encapsulation process. Encapsulated rat islets demonstrated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro, and reversed diabetes in mice. This new capsule formulation and encapsulation system allows independent adjustments of capsule size, wall thickness, mechanical strength, and permeability, which may offer distinct advantages for immunoisolating cells.