cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydronephrosis in the Asymptomatic Neonate With Myelodysplasia

Early diagnosis and intervention in the child with myelodysplasia can effectively improve and preserve renal function in those newborns presenting with abnormalities at birth or who are at risk for deterioration of renal function from infection, vesicoureteral reflux and/or obstruction. During a 1-year period 10 newborns with myelodysplasia were seen. Hydronephrosis was present in 6, reflux in 3 and urinary tract infection in 3. In each newborn adequate decompression of the bladder and complete resolution of the hydronephrosis were achieved. Uroradiographic evaluation was helpful in determining the best mode of therapy for each individual.
Oral fluconazole is often used during pregnancy in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis despite safety concerns to the fetus

Commentary on : Mogaard-Nielson D, Svanstrom H, Melbye M, et al. Association oral fluconazole during pregnancy and risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. JAMA 2016;315:58–67.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] According to the authors of this study, 1 in 10 pregnant women will have acquired vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), and 75% of women are affected by this infection at least once in their lifetime.1 Pregnancy predisposes women to VVC, and topical azoles are … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.volume%253D315%26rft.spage%253D58%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.2015.17844%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F26746458%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.2015.17844&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=26746458&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F19%2F4%2F112.atom
Non-Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, Nonmalignant Gastric Ulcers

The vast majority of gastric ulcers are owing to H. pylori infection or NSAID use. There are, however, uncommon causes of gastric ulceration that should be considered in the absence of these factors. Careful endoscopic evaluation of the ulcer associated with adequate biopsy specimens can provide the diagnosis in the vast majority of patients. All gastric ulcers should be evaluated by endoscopy and biopsy to rule out a possible malignancy. When adequate tissue samples are obtained the accuracy for diagnosis of gastric cancer is 99%. The prior recommendation of routine endoscopic follow up for gastric ulcers does not appear to be necessary. Repeat endoscopy should be reserved for patients whose initial endoscopic evaluation was inadequate or suspicious for malignancy, and those with refractory ulcers.
Metabolic Pigmentary Retinopathies

The diagnosis and management of inborn errors of metabolism associated with retinal degeneration are reviewed from the Clinique et Unite de Recherche de Genetique Medicale, the Hopital des Enfants Malades and the Opthalmologic Department et Formation Associee de Recherches Claude Bernard, Hopital Necker - Enfants-Malades - Laennec, Paris, France.
Body Part Structure Knowledge in Infancy

OF THESIS BODY PART STRUCTURE KNOWLEDGE IN INFANCY Human faces, bodies, and hands convey critical social information (e.g., emotions, goals, and desires). Infants, like adults, are sensitive to such social information. Unlike infants’ knowledge of the structure of the human face and body, not much is known about infants’ knowledge of hands and feet. The current study tested infants for their preference between intact hand images and ones in which the same hands were distorted (i.e., location of at least one finger was altered to distort the typical structure of the hand). Infants at 3.5 months of age had a preference for the reorganized hand image, demonstrating that 3.5-month-olds have sufficient knowledge of the configural properties of hands to discriminate between intact versus distorted images. Furthermore, when the same images were inverted, infants displayed no such preference, indicating that infants were not relying solely on low-level features to detect differences between intact versus reorganized hands. Contrastingly, when shown images of intact and reorganized feet, even 9-month-olds did not exhibit evidence of sensitivity to structural disruptions in images of feet. These results indicate that infants’ structural knowledge of hands, but not necessarily feet, develops along the same trajectory as their knowledge of faces and bodies.
A broadband ultrathin metamaterial absorber using tilted parallel strips

A polarization insensitive metamaterial absorber is proposed consisting of a dielectric layer sandwiched between two tilted parallel metallic strips and a ground plane. First, a new analytical model is introduced to predict the resonance frequency for square, rectangular and wire geometries which shows less relative errors in comparison with previously proposed models. Then, ultra wide bandwidth absorption covering the entire x-band and Ku-band restricting a 10-dB absorption bandwidth is achieved with a relative material thickness λ0/10 and a relative FWHM absorption bandwidth of 90% for normal incidence angle. The model also shows good absorption coefficients for oblique incident angles for both s- and p-polarizations. Three different resonance modes are observed, which led to such broadband absorption. Each resonance mode is investigated to determine its dependence on the scatterers and unit cell dimensions, which can help one to design a multiple band absorber. The electromagnetic field distributions of the scatterers are studied to explain the absorber mechanism. The results are compared to previous works showing remarkable improvement.
Inference in the Brain: Statistics Flowing in Redundant Population Codes

It is widely believed that the brain performs approximate probabilistic inference to estimate causal variables in the world from ambiguous sensory data. To understand these computations, we need to analyze how information is represented and transformed by the actions of nonlinear recurrent neural networks. We propose that these probabilistic computations function by a message-passing algorithm operating at the level of redundant neural populations. To explain this framework, we review its underlying concepts, including graphical models, sufficient statistics, and message-passing, and then describe how these concepts could be implemented by recurrently connected probabilistic population codes. The relevant information flow in these networks will be most interpretable at the population level, particularly for redundant neural codes. We therefore outline a general approach to identify the essential features of a neural message-passing algorithm. Finally, we argue that to reveal the most important aspects of these neural computations, we must study large-scale activity patterns during moderately complex, naturalistic behaviors.
Sampling for Microbial Determinations

Sampling for microbial determination can be conducted by air sampling or by direct source evaluation techniques, such as bulk sampling, surface sampling, and dust sampling. The choice of a sampling method depends on the purpose of the sampling and the method for the subsequent sample analysis. Investigators should be aware of the pros and cons of the methods they are using.
Prevalence and Predictors of Symptom Resolution and Functional Restoration in the Index Knee After Knee Arthroplasty: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract Objectives To determine the prevalence of a 1- to 2-year postsurgical pain-free state and pain plus symptom-free state as well as functional restoration after knee arthroplasty (KA) and to identify predictors of these outcomes. Design Cohort study. Setting Communities of 4 sites. Participants Consecutive participants (N=383) who underwent KA on at least 1 knee during the first 8 years of the study (mean age, 67.95±8.5y; 61.4% women; n=235). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures A composite pain score included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Pain scale and 2 generic pain rating scales. Composite pain plus other symptoms scores included 3 pain scales, a stiffness scale, and, in addition, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Symptoms scale. The WOMAC Function scale was used to quantify functional status. Prevalence estimates and predictors of a pain-free state, symptom-free state, and a fully functioning state were determined. Results A sample of 383 participants with KA was studied, and of these, 34.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29.3%–39.2%; n=131) had a composite score of 0 for pain. A total of 14.1% (95% CI, 10.8%–18.1%; n=54) had a composite score of 0, indicating a symptom-free state, whereas 29.0% (95% CI, 24.4%–34.0%; n=111) achieved a score of 0 on the WOMAC Function scale. Conclusions The prevalence of complete pain relief was 34%, the prevalence of complete pain and symptom relief was 14%, and the prevalence of complete functional restoration was 29% after KA. Participants who are older and with lower (better) WOMAC Pain scores were more likely to be pain-free after surgery. These data collected from a community-based sample have the potential to inform clinicians screening patients for KA consultation in a shared decision-making discussion to better align patient expectations with the most likely outcome.
Analysis of routing protocols in an emergency communications center

In every network, routing protocols are used for determining the best paths to route packets to and from various hosts. This paper presents a logical network created for a proposed joint Emergency Communications Center (ECC) between two municipalities. The consolidation and centralization of the public safety network's core services requires an evaluation of which routing protocol provides the best performance and throughput in a mission critical environment. Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP), and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EGIRP) are the routing protocols for which convergence, throughput, and queuing delay are measured. The network is simulated in Riverbed Modeler Academic Edition 17.5. An analysis of the results reveals which protocol should be implemented.
The combination of Etoposide and Cyclophosphamide as Neo-Adjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma

The ability of adjuvant chemotherapy to improve survival in patients with non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity has been proven by randomized, clinical trials comparing surgery alone to surgery followed by combination chemotherapy [1, 2]. The study by Link et al reported an actuarial, relapse-free survival (RFS) rate of 17 % at 2 years in the surgery alone group and 66 % in the surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy group (p < 0.001). Eilber et al reported similar results of 20 % RFS at 2 years in a control group receiving no chemotherapy while those who received adjuvant chemotherapy achieved a 55 % RFS rate (p < 0.01). These results agree with historical data prior to 1970 when patients with osteogenic sarcoma, treated by surgery alone, had 5 year RFS rates less than 20 % [3].
Contrast-Enhanced MRI Evaluation of Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone and Hamstring ACL Autograft Healing in Humans: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Background:Gadopentetate dimeglumine–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or gadolinium-enhanced MRI, was used to prospectively study the postoperative course of bone–patellar tendon–bone (BP...
Chronicle of Felice Brancacci Ambassador with Carlo Federighi to Cairo for the Commune of Florence 1422

This chapter is the translation from Italian to English of Felice Brancacci’s chronicle of his seven-month journey (June 30th, 1422–February 12, 1423) from Florence to Cairo. This English translation is based on Dante Catellaci’s 1881 Italian transcription of Carlo Strozzi’s seventeenth-century copy of Felice’s 1422 text. Part official report, and part travelogue, the text chronicles the daily activities of the Florentines on their trip to and from Cairo, including the sea voyage from Pisa through the strait of Messina to Rhodes, and from there to Alexandria.
Rising Serum Uric Acid Level Is Negatively Associated with Survival in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Aim and Background: To investigate the association of serum uric acid (SUA) levels along with statin use in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), as statins may be associated with improved outcomes in RCC and SUA elevation is associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery for RCC with preoperative/postoperative SUA levels between 8/2005-8/2018. Analysis was carried out between patients with increased postoperative SUA vs. patients with decreased/stable postoperative SUA. Kaplan-Meier analysis (KMA) calculated overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS). Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed to identify factors associated with increased SUA levels and all-cause mortality. The prognostic significance of variables for OS and RFS was analyzed by cox regression analysis. Results: Decreased/stable SUA levels were noted in 675 (74.6%) and increased SUA levels were noted in 230 (25.4%). A higher proportion of patients with decreased/stable SUA levels took statins (27.9% vs. 18.3%, p = 0.0039). KMA demonstrated improved 5- and 10-year OS (89% vs. 47% and 65% vs. 9%, p < 0.001) and RFS (94% vs. 45% and 93% vs. 34%, p < 0.001), favoring patients with decreased/stable SUA levels. MVA revealed that statin use (Odds ratio (OR) 0.106, p < 0.001), dyslipidemia (OR 2.661, p = 0.004), stage III and IV disease compared to stage I (OR 1.887, p = 0.015 and 10.779, p < 0.001, respectively), and postoperative de novo CKD stage III (OR 5.952, p < 0.001) were predictors for increased postoperative SUA levels. MVA for all-cause mortality showed that increasing BMI (OR 1.085, p = 0.002), increasing ASA score (OR 1.578, p = 0.014), increased SUA levels (OR 4.698, p < 0.001), stage IV disease compared to stage I (OR 7.702, p < 0.001), radical nephrectomy (RN) compared to partial nephrectomy (PN) (OR 1.620, p = 0.019), and de novo CKD stage III (OR 7.068, p < 0.001) were significant factors. Cox proportional hazard analysis for OS revealed that increasing age (HR 1.017, p = 0.004), increasing BMI (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.099, p < 0.001), increasing SUA (HR 4.708, p < 0.001), stage III and IV compared to stage I (HR 1.537, p = 0.013 and 3.299, p < 0.001), RN vs. PN (HR 1.497, p = 0.029), and de novo CKD stage III (HR 1.684, p < 0.001) were significant factors. Cox proportional hazard analysis for RFS demonstrated that increasing ASA score (HR 1.239, p < 0.001, increasing SUA (HR 9.782, p < 0.001), and stage II, III, and IV disease compared to stage I (HR 2.497, p < 0.001 and 3.195, p < 0.001 and 6.911, p < 0.001) were significant factors. Conclusions: Increasing SUA was associated with poorer outcomes. Decreased SUA levels were associated with statin intake and lower stage disease as well as lack of progression to CKD and anemia. Further investigation is requisite.
Prediction of ice accumulation on bridge cables during freezing rain: A theoretical modeling and experimental study

Abstract Accreted ice falling from bridge cables is a hazard to vehicles crossing the bridge. The falling ice can startle drivers, cause accidents, and break windshields. Therefore, predicting ice accretion on bridge cables is vital in determining the severity of the event and making decisions concerning bridge or lane closure. In this study, a simple ice accumulation model for freezing rain on bridge cables was developed that accounts for the cable inclination and determines the accretion orientation and shape. Indoor experiments in an icing wind tunnel were conducted on stainless steel cylindrical specimen with various inclinations. It was found that the inclination of the cables affected the ice thickness and prevalence of icicles. The model was evaluated by two icing events on the Veterans' Glass City Skyway Bridge in Toledo, Ohio. The modeled ice results were consistent with the observations. The model can be a valuable tool for ice accumulation prediction on bridge cables using forecasted weather data.
Reintegrating contexts into quantitative intersectional analyses of health inequalities.

Abstract Quantitative intersectional analyses often overlook the roles of contexts in shaping intersectional experiences and outcomes. This study advances a novel approach for integrating quantitative intersectional methods with models of contextual-level determinants of health inequalities. Building on recent methodological advancements, I propose an adaptation of intersectional MAIHDA (multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy) where respondents are nested hierarchically in social strata defined by gender, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic classifications interacted with contextual classifications. To demonstrate this approach I examine past-month adolescent cigarette use intersectionally by school- and neighborhood-poverty status in Wave 1 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 17,234). I conclude by discussing the adaptability of this approach to a variety of research questions, including intersectional effects that vary by contextual exposures over time, positions in social networks, and exposures to social policies.
Longitudinal characterization of olfactomedin-4 expressing neutrophils in pediatric patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation

Sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. Increased expression of olfactomedin-4 (OLFM4), a glycoprotein contained within a subpopulation of neutrophils, has been associated with complicated course in sepsis. The factors that regulate OLFM4 expression are unknown. Here, we followed children undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to document the percentage of neutrophils that express OLFM4 over time. This population was selected because of the ability to observe nascent neutrophils following engraftment, perform frequent blood sampling, and the children are at high risk for clinical complications that may associate with changes in percentage of OLFM4+ neutrophils. We found a surprising degree of variability of OLFM4 expression between patients. In the weeks following initial neutrophil recovery we also saw great variability in OLFM4 expression within individual patients, indicating that multiple external factors may modify OLFM4 expression. We identified decreased expression of CD64 (a marker associated with response to infection), in OLFM4+ neutrophils. This is the first study to demonstrate fluctuation in OLFM4 expression within patients and provides insight into possible mechanisms for OLFM4 regulation in nascent neutrophils.
Incorporating Multiple Observations in global Ultrasound Elastography

In this paper, we propose a novel framework for time delay estimation in ultrasound elastography. In the presence of high acquisition noise, the state-of-the-art motion tracking techniques suffer from inaccurate estimation of displacement field. To resolve this issue, instead of one, we collect several ultrasound Radio-Frequency (RF) frames from both pre- and post-deformed scan planes to better investigate the data statistics. We formulate a non-linear cost function incorporating all observation frames from both levels of deformations. Beside data similarity, we impose axial and lateral continuity to exploit the prior information of spatial coherence. Most importantly, we consider the continuity among the displacement estimates obtained from different observation RF frames. This novel continuity constraint mainly contributes to the robustness of the proposed technique to high noise power. We efficiently optimize the aforementioned cost function to derive a sparse system of linear equations where we solve for millions of variables to estimate the displacement of all samples of all of the incorporated RF frames simultaneously. We call the proposed algorithm GLobal Ultrasound Elastography using multiple observations (mGLUE). Our primary validation of mGLUE against soft and hard inclusion simulation phantoms proves that mGLUE is capable of obtaining high quality strain map while dealing with noisy ultrasound data. In case of the soft inclusion phantom, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR) have improved by 75.37% and 57.08%, respectively. In addition, SNR and CNR improvements of 32.19% and 38.57% have been observed for the hard inclusion case.
A Luta Continua1: Next Steps for Racism Research Among Black American Youth

Research examining the impact of racism among Black American children and adolescents has exploded in recent years Given what we have learned about racism among Black American youth, in this article, I provide recommendations for developmental scientists First, we need to examine other types of racism-related stressors, namely internalized racism, vicarious racism, environmental racism, Internet assessments of racism, and racial macro stressors A recent racial macro stressor that should be studied is Covid-19, which has had devastating effects on the Black American community Second, we need to examine middle childhood and adolescence as early periods of accelerated aging due to experiencing racism early in life Adolescence may be a sensitive period given research illustrating that experiences of racial discrimination in adolescence affect adult health Measurement is critical because these recommendations cannot be realized without developing new measures and incorporating diverse methods (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Correction: Major QTL confer race-nonspecific resistance in the co-evolved Cronartium quercuum f. sp. fusiforme-Pinus taeda pathosystem.

Fusiform rust disease, caused by the endemic fungus Cronartium quercuum f. sp. fusiforme, is the most damaging disease affecting economically important pine species in the southeast United States. Unlike the major epidemics of agricultural crops, the co-evolved pine-rust pathosystem is characterized by steady-state dynamics and high levels of genetic diversity within environments. This poses a unique challenge and opportunity for the deployment of large-effect resistance genes. We used trait dissection to study the genetic architecture of disease resistance in two P. taeda parents that showed high resistance across multiple environments. Two mapping populations (full-sib families), each with ~1000 progeny, were challenged with a complex inoculum consisting of 150 pathogen isolates. High-density linkage mapping revealed three major-effect QTL distributed on two linkage groups. All three QTL were validated using a population of 2057 cloned pine genotypes in a 6-year-old multi-environmental field trial. As a complement to the QTL mapping approach, bulked segregant RNAseq analysis revealed a small number of candidate nucleotide binding leucine-rich repeat genes harboring SNP associated with disease resistance. The results of this study show that in P. taeda, a small number of major QTL can provide effective resistance against genetically diverse mixtures of an endemic pathogen. These QTL vary in their impact on disease liability and exhibit additivity in combination.
Membrane curvature and connective fiber alignment in guinea pig round window membrane

The round window membrane (RWM) covers an opening between the perilymph fluid-filled inner ear space and the air-filled middle ear space. As the only non-osseous barrier between these two spaces, the RWM is an ideal candidate for aspiration of perilymph for diagnostics purposes and delivery of medication for treatment of inner ear disorders. Routine access across the RWM requires the development of new surgical tools whose design can only be optimized with a thorough understanding of the RWM's structure and properties. The RWM possesses a layer of collagen and elastic fibers so characterization of the distribution and orientation of these fibers is essential. Confocal and two-photon microscopy were conducted on intact RWMs in a guinea pig model to characterize the distribution of collagen and elastic fibers. The fibers were imaged via second-harmonic-generation, autofluorescence, and Rhodamine B staining. Quantitative analyses of both fiber orientation and geometrical properties of the RWM uncovered a significant correlation between mean fiber orientations and directions of zero curvature in some portions of the RWM, with an even more significant correlation between the mean fiber orientations and linear distance along the RWM in a direction approximately parallel to the cochlear axis. The measured mean fiber directions and dispersions can be incorporated into a generalized structure tensor for use in the development of continuum anisotropic mechanical constitutive models that in turn will enable optimization of surgical tools to access the cochlea. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The Round Window Membrane (RWM) is the only non-osseous barrier separating the middle and inner ear spaces, and thus is an ideal portal for medical access to the cochlea. An understanding of RWM structure and mechanical response is necessary to optimize the design of surgical tools for this purpose. The RWM geometry and the connective fiber orientation and dispersion are measured via confocal and 2-photon microscopy. A region of the RWM geometry is characterized as a hyperbolic paraboloid and another region as a tapered parabolic cylinder. Predominant fiber directions correlate well with directions of zero curvature in the hyperbolic paraboloid region. Overall fiber directions correlate well with position along a line approximately parallel to the central axis of the cochlea's spiral.
The effects of weather experiences on climate change attitudes and behaviors

Understanding how experiences with weather affect attitudes and behaviors related to climate change supports our efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. A variety of studies have reported evidence of notable effects of weather experiences on climate attitudes, while other studies have found null effects. This review overviews recent research that has contributed further evidence regarding the effects of weather experiences on climate attitudes and behaviors. Studies on three accounts of mechanisms by which these effects may occur (affect activation, issue salience, and psychological distance) and three categories of potential moderators (media attention, motivated reasoning, and event attribution) are discussed. Lastly, recent work on how weather experiences may create climate policy windows is reviewed and general conclusions are presented.
Parallel GPU architecture framework for the WRF Single Moment 6-class microphysics scheme

An Earth-observing remote sensing instrument is used to collect information about the physical environment within its instantaneous-field-of-view and is often placed aboard a suborbital or satellite platform for maximal spatial coverage. Remote sensing inversion techniques can extract valuable meteorological parameters that are subsequently passed through weather models for research and forecasting. One of the several microphysics packages for clouds and precipitation in weather models is WRF Single Moment 6-class (WSM6) scheme, and it is now widely used. With the advancement in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), implementation of a fast and parallel WSM6 scheme is achievable. This paper describes a massively parallel GPU design of the WSM6 scheme. The performance is compared to a CPU implementation running on Intel Xeon E5-2603 at 1.8GHz. Our implementation shows a speedup of 216× using a single NVIDIA K40 GPU as compared to its CPU counterpart running on one CPU core, whereas the speedup for one CPU socket (4 cores) with respect to one CPU core is only 3.7×. We develop a massively parallel GPU design of the WRF WSM6 microphysics scheme.NVIDIA CUDA C programming language is used to implement the WSM6 scheme.We show a speedup of 216× using a single NVIDIA K40 GPU.The speedup for one CPU socket (4 cores) with respect to one CPU core is only 3.7×.
Skeletal Trauma in Iraq

There are unique challenges to imaging extremities in a combat hospital environment and providing the information necessary to the orthopedic surgeons for surgical planning. Tremendous results have been witnessed in recent years with the judicious use of external fixators in the field [1]. In addition, wound vacuum-assisted closure along with aggressive forward field surgical approach, premier air-evacuation, and appropriate antibiotic therapy have helped limb salvage on the battlefield and in the higher echelons [2]. These temporizing stabilization and treatment modalities have saved the limbs of countless wounded warriors who would have otherwise lost their extremities or ended up with more severe disabilities such as those from prior conflicts. Example cases will be shown that have not been demonstrated in previous chapters, and only those unique to military combat setting. Again, even though military-specific from one perspective, any civilian setting can have combat-like conditions in a mass casualty disaster.
Collisional deactivation of highly vibrationally excited molecules: The effect of activated molecule complexity

Abstract Energy removed from highly vibrationally excited polyatomic molecules by polyatomic collision partners decreases with increasing number of atoms in the hot molecule. The trend is qualitatively predicted by two quasi-statistical models of energy transfer, and calculations of energy removal by the transitional modes model gives agreement with experiment.
Dynamic resource discovery for sensor networks

As sensor networks mature the current generation of sensor networks that are application-specific and exposed only to a limited set of users will give way to heterogeneous sensor networks that are used dynamically by users that need them. The available sensors are likely to be dynamic (e.g., due to mobility) and heterogeneous in terms of their capabilities and software elements. They may provide different types of services and allow different configurability and access. A critical component in realizing such a vision is dynamic resource discovery. In this paper, we develop a resource discovery protocol for sensor networks, outline some of the challenges involved, and explore solutions to some of the most important ones. Specifically, we first discuss the problem of what resources to track and at what granularity: in addition to the individual sensor capabilities, some resources and services are associated with sensor networks as a whole, or with regions within the network. We also consider the design of the resource discovery protocol, and the inherent tradeoff between interoperability and energy efficiency.
Investigation of the nonlinear optical properties of quantum confined InP deposited in porous glass

In conclusion, we report results of Z-scan experiments with InP microcrystals deposited in Vycor. The data indicates that the quantum confinement provided by the microcrystals produces a significant nonlinear refractive index. It is also shown that, for a short pulse duration (100 psec), nonlinear absorption is negligible at 1064nm. Further, the temporal characteristics of the optical nonlinearities have also been investigated. >
Working in Coalition

ABSTRACT This paper reports on the successful policy reform efforts of a Maine coalition of activists and academic researchers. The Parent Survey Follow-Up of 1997 provided empirical research to the state welfare policy debate by documenting the life experiences of low-income families and their efforts to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The sample (n = 112) was drawn from a larger sample of respondents (n = 927) who had participated in a statewide random sample survey of AFDC recipients in 1994. This article presents both quantitative and qualitative data from the 1997 Parent Survey Follow-Up and discusses how these data were used to promote progressive state policy reform in the era since the passage of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act.
Pretend Play and Cognitive Development

Pretending is among the most interesting activities of childhood. As many have noted, pretending appears to be an early expression of the child ’ s ability to use and understand symbols (Piaget, 1945/1962 ). Using symbols is one of the human species ’ major achievements; some would argue that it is the hallmark of our uniqueness among animals. Yet in contrast to other activities in which the symbolic function is central, like language and theory of mind, relatively little scholarly attention is accorded to pretend play. Until the fi rst edition of this volume (see also Goncu, Patt, & Kouba, 2004 ), it received only one major handbook review, in the Handbook of Child Development (Rubin, Fein, & Vandenberg, 1983 ). Pretending holds a mysterious place amongst apparently innate activities. Pretending is judged to be innate in part because it is universal and emerges like clockwork at 18 – 24 months of age (Eibl Eibesfeldt, 1989 ). Pretending appears even when it is not modeled and even where parents discourage it, suggesting a biological basis (Carlson, Taylor, & Levin, 1998 ; Danziger, 2006 ; Gaskins, 1999 ; Haight, Wang, Fung, Williams, & Mintz, 1999 ; Schwartzman, 1978 ; Taylor & Carlson, 2000 ). Another criterion for innate behaviors is stereotypy: pretending begins with simple self directed object substitutions, and evolves through predictable forms to complex role play. Yet unlike many other innate behaviors, pretend play does not serve any obvious survival function. Innate behaviors are normally phylogenetic adaptations to the environment (Eibl Eibesfeldt, 1989 ). Even human babbling serves apparent developmental purposes. Human babies babble from 3 months to 12 months of age, the world over. Accumulating evidence suggests that the selective value of this behavior is to exercise and tune vocal chords to prepare them for speaking (Levit & Utman, 1992 ; Locke, 1993 ).
Interlaboratory Proficiency, Intermethod Comparison, and Calibrator Suitability in Assay of Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase Activity

Sources of variation in assays of aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) activity were examined in an interlaboratory survey and through an examination of materials used as calibration materials in these assays. Four highly stable lyophilized specimens containing human cytoplasmic enzyme, with activities of 0, 22, 46, and 96 U/liter at 30 °C and optimal substrate concentrations, were assayed by 319 laboratories. Mean values obtained on these specimens by laboratories using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine kits varied among manufacturers and deviated from values expected from this procedure. The average coefficient of variation (CV) with these kits was > 20%. Automated continuous-flow procedures with use of diazonium salt showed the best precision (av CV, 20%. Results from each of the automated methods were related to a reference malate dehydrogenase/NADH coupled continuous kinetic assay method by temperature relationships alone. Mean values from manual diazonium salt procedures were 1.7-fold greater than similar reference values (av CV was 18%). The higher results were attributed to the use of poorly-defined units and to an artifact caused by chromophore stabilizers in this procedure when aqueous samples are used. The average CV in continuous kinetic methods varied among kit manufacturers, ranging from 6 to 28% for the specimen of highest activity. Variations in results were much larger at 366 nm than at 340 nm. Interassay relationships of these methods are presented. Concentrations of pyruvate in commercially available calibration materials differed between manufacturers, varied in stability, and deviated from the expected concentration. For some colorimetric assays the precision attained on reported absorbance values for the enzyme specimens was of the same order of magnitude as that for pyruvate standards. Other sources of error are revealed by the interlaboratory survey. The value of commercially available sources of enzyme activity as calibration or control materials was assessed by evaluating the following properties: activity at suboptimal concentrations of L-aspartate or 2-oxoglutarate, temperature effects, preincubation lability owing to aspartate and phosphate, pyridoxal phosphate saturation, contamination with glutamate dehydrogenase, and manufacturer9s rated activity. These properties are compared to those of human cytoplasmic enzyme in a human serum matrix.
Advertising Soft Drinks to Children: Are Voluntary Restrictions Effective?

Using nonlinear time series models, the authors explore the effects of an industry-led initiative to have firms voluntarily restrict television advertising of carbonated soft drinks to children. They find that the market leader reduces its advertising to both adults and children and the second largest firm reduces advertising to adults. Advertising by a nonparticipating firm, however, increased for adults following the ban. The results emphasize the potential benefits and difficulty of coordinating cooperative behavior in this type of industry. Such policy strategies may be more effective directed at industries and not at individual firms.
Promoting High-Impact Student Learning: Connecting Key Components of the Collegiate Experience.

High-impact learning practices can connect varied elements of the college environment to create a more coherent educational experience that facilitates student learning.
Biochemical basis of obligate autotrophy in Nitrosomonas europaea.

The specific activities of isocitric dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutaric dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase were determined in extracts of Nitrosomonas europaea and compared with the corresponding values for Anacystis nidulans and autotrophically grown Hydrogenomonas eutropha. In common with other obligate autotrophs and in contrast to facultative autotrophs, Nitrosomonas extracts lacked α-ketoglutaric dehydrogenase and KCN-sensitive NADH oxidase activity and had low succinic dehydrogenase activity. The Nitrosomonas NADH oxidase appeared to be of the peroxidase type.
Multiple component networks support working memory in prefrontal cortex

Lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) is regarded as the hub of the brain's working memory (WM) system, but it remains unclear whether WM is supported by a single distributed network or multiple specialized network components in this region. To investigate this problem, we recorded from neurons in PFC while monkeys made delayed eye movements guided by memory or vision. We show that neuronal responses during these tasks map to three anatomically specific modes of persistent activity. The first two modes encode early and late forms of information storage, whereas the third mode encodes response preparation. Neurons that reflect these modes are concentrated at different anatomical locations in PFC and exhibit distinct patterns of coordinated firing rates and spike timing during WM, consistent with distinct networks. These findings support multiple component models of WM and consequently predict distinct failures that could contribute to neurologic dysfunction.
A model for simulating Local Field Potential in the thalamus of Essential Tremor patient during deep brain stimulation

Local Field Potential (LFP) is simulated by adding the neuronal membrane potential of a group of model neurons surrounding a typical intra-operative micro-electrode used to localize the target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Essential Tremor (ET). Each neuronal membrane potential is modeled as an Ornstein Uhlenbeck Process (OUP) and the model parameters are extracted from real neuronal recording during DBS surgery following the method in [1]. Before any test stimulation through the macro ring of the microelectrode, the LFP is simulated according to: (1) Where, x is the membrane potential of each neuron and r is the distance from the recording tip. The simulated signal, lfp is then low pass filtered (1-40 Hz) to produce the final signal. With stimulation on, the LFP is simulated similarly but only over time intervals in between two stimulation pulse which is free of the stimulation voltage artifact caused by amplifier saturation. The stimulation artifact time duration is estimated as: (2) Where, l(r) is the stimulation intensity at distance r from the recording tip and follows a similar inverse square decay as in (1), τ is the membrane time constant (an OUP model parameter) and S is the neuronal firing threshold. Thus the LFP simulated during stimulation depends on the stimulation intensity, pulse width and frequency. The stimulation parameters used are: frequency: 160 Hz (125 samples/period), pulse width: 0.4 ms, intensity:1.5 mA It was found that the power in the (5-12) Hz band decreases by 26.4% during stimulation. There is increased synchronization in neuronal activity of the thalamus in the theta band (4-7 Hz) for patients with ET [2]. The suppression of tremor by DBS is reflected in the reduction of power in the tremor frequency band. Such a model , can potentially be used to find an optimal set of stimulation parameters that will produce the maximum suppression in the tremor power. Figure 1 Spectrum of LFP before stimulation (in red) and during stimulation (in blue).
CGene: an R package for implementation of causal genetic analyses

The excitement over findings from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWASs) has been tempered by the difficulty in finding the location of the true causal disease susceptibility loci (DSLs), rather than markers that are correlated with the causal variants. In addition, many recent GWASs have studied multiple phenotypes--often highly correlated--making it difficult to understand which associations are causal and which are seemingly causal, induced by phenotypic correlations. In order to identify DSLs, which are required to understand the genetic etiology of the observed associations, statistical methodology has been proposed that distinguishes between a direct effect of a genetic locus on the primary phenotype and an indirect effect induced by the association with the intermediate phenotype that is also correlated with the primary phenotype. However, so far, the application of this important methodology has been challenging, as no user-friendly software implementation exists. The lack of software implementation of this sophisticated methodology has prevented its large-scale use in the genetic community. We have now implemented this statistical approach in a user-friendly and robust R package that has been thoroughly tested. The R package 'CGene' is available for download at http://cran.r-project.org/. The R code is also available at http://people.hsph.harvard.edu/~plipman.
A molecular dynamics study of the solvation of a Na+ ion bound to a PO4H−2 ion

Abstract Molecular dynamics calculations have been carried out to study the solvaiion of a Na+ ion which is tightly bound to a PO4H−2 anion (DHP). It is found that the Na+ is displaced away from the DHP ion by the surrounding water molecules and a layer of water hydrogens forms between the Na+ and the DHP ion.
The CEO/CIO relationship revisited: an empirical assessment of satisfaction with IS

The necessity of integrating information systems (IS) into corporate strategy has received widespread attention in recent years. Strategic planning has moved IS from serving primarily as a support function to a point where it may influence corporate strategy. The strength of this influence, however, usually is determined by the nature of the relationship between the chief information officer (CIO) and the CEO. Generally the more satisfied CEOs are with CIOs, the greater the influence IS has on top-level decisions. Results of a nationwide survey of motor carrier CEOs and CIOs indicate that CEOs are generally satisfied with their CIOs' activities, and that CIOs perceive CEOs as placing a high priority on strategic IS plans. However, IS does not appear to be truly a part of corporate strategy formulation.
4Q252 and the Flood Chronology of Genesis 7-8: a Text-Critical Solution

The recent preliminary publication in JJS of two columns of 4Q252 (= 4QCommGena, formerly 4QpGena), a sectarian rewriting of portions of Genesis, has occasioned some renewed interest in the problem of the flood chronology in Genesis 7-8.1 The readings in the Qumran fragment present a striking pattern of agreements and disagreements with the variant chronologies in the Masoretic Text (M) and the Septuagint (G), and correspond in some interesting respects with the dates in Jubilees (Jub.).2 Commentators on Genesis and on biblical chronology have long wrestled with the discrepancies among these variant chronologies, particularly with the puzzling chronology of M.3 The new data
A theoretical investigation of the effects of sinusoidal topography on particle deposition

Abstract Trajectories of 500- and 1000-μm diameter particles are calculated as they fall through the spatially varying flow field above sinusoidal terrain for various combinations of atmospheric stability, wind speed, and terrain wavelength. In each case, a set of 20 uniformly spaced particles are released simultaneously above sinusoidal topography and their trajectories are obtained numerically by coupling a linear wave solution for flow over sinusoidal topography with equations for particle motion. The flow field and the associated patterns of deposition are shown to be strongly influenced by atmospheric stratification. For strong stratification, the presence of vertically propagating waves produces relatively concentrated “particle streams.” For less stratified conditions with evanescent waves, little focusing of particle trajectories is apparent. The ability of the atmosphere to focus or concentrate falling particles may ultimately produce regions along the surface with enhanced deposition.
The asymptotic power function of GLR tests for local change of parameter

Abstract Retrospective tests are constructed to detect a local shift of parameter of a distribution function occuring at unknown point of time between consecutive independent observations. Three parametric models of distributions are considered; the one parameter exponential family, the location parameter family and the scale parameter family. The class of tests considered is based on the Generalized Likelihood Ratio (GLR) tests, appropriately adapted for such a change-point problem. Asymptotic techniques are used to obtain the limiting distribution of the test statistics, under both the null hypothesis of no change and the change-point alternative. The test statistics, being maximum likelihood type statistics, are shown to converge (in distribution) to the supremum of Brownian motion process, with or without a change-point according to the alternative and the null hypothesis respectively. Analytical expressions for the asymptotic power functions of the proposed tests are provided. These results are then used to provide power comparisons of the tests with those of the Chernoff-Zacks' quasi-Bayesian test.
A model of liquid releases from a submerged vessel

This paper presents an application of fluid mechanics in calculating the leakage of a fluid from a vessel submerged in a river, lake or the ocean. A model is developed to determine leakage due to changes of gravity and pressure forces caused by movements of the vessel or waves at the surface. The equations in the model are solved analytically, and the solution is tested for the sensitivity of its predictions to the variation of input data. The model's predictions of discharges due to differences in hydrostatic pressure are verified with experimental data. Finally, the model is applied to a known case of gasoline leakage from an overturned barge in a river.