cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functions and Causal Roles

This chapter is about the causal role theory of function. According to this view, roughly, a function of a part of a system consists in its contribution to some system-level effect, which effect has been picked out as especially interesting by a group of researchers. I will discuss Robert Cummins’ original formulation of the view, and then present a more sophisticated variation, the mechanistic causal role theory, due to Carl Craver and Paul Sheldon Davies. I then discuss the classic problem of overbreadth, namely, that it seems to attribute functions too liberally. I distinguish two different versions of this problem: the problem of non-functional traits and the problem of dysfunctional traits. I provide a critical assessment of the ways causal role theorists have tried to solve these problems. Many philosophers of biology today have accepted a pluralistic stance, according to which both the selected effects theory, and the causal role theory, capture important elements of biological usage. I distinguish two forms of pluralism. The first (and most popular), between-discipline pluralism, holds that the selected effects theory mainly captures the way evolutionary biologists use the term “function” and the causal role theory mainly captures the way “function” is used in other disciplines. I object to this division of labor and recommend a new form of pluralism, within-discipline pluralism, which emphasizes the co-existence of function concepts within any given discipline.
Body surface area: a predictor of response to red blood cell transfusion

A current focus of transfusion medicine is a judicious strategy in transfusion of blood products. Unfortunately, our ability to predict hemoglobin (Hgb) response to transfusion has been limited. The objective of this study was to determine variability of response to red blood cell transfusion and to predict which patients will have an Hgb rise higher or lower than that predicted by the long-standing convention of "one and three". This was a retrospective chart review in a single hospital. Data for 167 consecutive patient encounters were reviewed. The dataset was randomly divided into derivation and validation subsets with no significant differences in characteristics. DeltaHgb was defined as posttransfusion Hgb minus pre-transfusion Hgb per red blood cell unit. We classified all the patients in both the subsets as "high responders" (DeltaHgb >1 g/dL) or as "low responders" (DeltaHgb ≤1 g/dL). In univariate analysis, age, sex, body weight, estimated blood volume, and body surface area were significantly associated with response category (P<0.05). Different multivariate regression models were tested using the derivation subset. The probability of being a high responder was best calculated using the logarithmic formula eH / (1 + eH), where H is B0 + (B1 × variable 1) + (B2 × variable 2). Bis are coefficients of the models. On validation, the model H=6.5-(3.3 × body surface area), with the cutoff probability of 0.5, was found to correctly classify patients into high and low responders in 69% of cases (sensitivity 84.6%, specificity 43.8%). This model may equip clinicians to make more appropriate transfusion decisions and serve as a springboard for further research in transfusion medicine.
Abstract 5220: Inflamed and wound recovered tumor microenvironment contributions to lymphatic-mediated metastasis

Despite the clinical importance of lymph node status in cancer staging, treatment decisions, and patient outcomes, little is known about the earliest events of lymphatic-mediated metastasis of tumor cells. Lymphatic vessels remodel dramatically in response to changes in the inflammatory status of a tissue. Inflammation induces lymphangiogenesis and the resolution of inflammation stimulates lymphatic vessel regression. This study addresses one of the fundamental questions in metastasis biology and places it in the context of a specific microenvironmental state: how does a tumor cell gain entrance to a lymphatic vessel to migrate to a regional lymph node and what is the contribution of inflammation to this process? We sought to better understand lymphatic-mediated metastasis of tumor cells during inflammatory lymphangiogenesis or the resolution of inflammation. We hypothesized that manipulating the inflammatory status of the tumor microenvironment would alter tumor cell and lymphatic endothelium biology to influence lymphatic-mediated metastasis. We have previously established a corneal model of sutured-induced inflammatory lymphangiogenesis and a complimentary experimental arm of inflammation resolution. We transitioned this platform into real-time live imaging studies by using this corneal model in our novel transgenic mouse model background that inducibly expresses fluorescent tdTomato protein in the lymphatic endothelium (LyveCreERT2tdT). CFSE-labeled syngeneic tumor cells were introduced systemically via tail vein injection or locally into a corneal micropocket. Two-color intravital fluorescent stereomicroscopy allowed us to simultaneously track the fate of CFSE+ tumor cells at single-cell resolution and the morphologic changes in the tdTomato+ corneal lymphatic vessels during inflammatory lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel regression. One major finding was the low frequency of lymphatic-mediated metastasis during both inflammation and resolution. Ongoing work continues to explore the contributions of specific cytokines to tumor-lymphatic endothelium interactions and the unique properties of a wound-recovered tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: Darci Marie Fink, Alicia L. Connor, Philip M. Kelley, Richard M. Tempero, Michael A. Hollingsworth. Inflamed and wound recovered tumor microenvironment contributions to lymphatic-mediated metastasis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5220. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5220
A Review of In-Office Dynamic Image Navigation for Extraction of Complex Mandibular Third Molars

Purpose We performed a retrospective review of in-office removal of complex mandibular third molars with a dynamic image navigation system (DINS). Materials and Methods A retrospective review was conducted of cases completed from 2010 to 2014 by a single oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The average age of the patients was 47 years (range, 27 to 72 years). Extraction complexity was classified with Juodzbalys and Daugela's classification system. The included study cases had complexity scores of 9 or greater. Each patient received custom intraoral splints to secure the tracking array and underwent cone beam computed tomography image acquisition. All surgical procedures were performed with a precalibrated tracking straight handpiece under dynamic navigation. Results All 25 cases were treated successfully with the use of the DINS. Twelve of these cases were associated with pathologic lesions. Three patients were noted to have inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia. One patient sustained a pathologic fracture at week 2. Postoperative infections were noted in 7 cases, 2 of which had a pre-existing infection. One patient reported temporary limitation of mouth opening. A coronectomy was performed in 1 case. Conclusions We present results using a new technology, the DINS, for removal of complex mandibular third molars. Potential advantages are 1) improved visualization and localization of anatomic structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve, lingual cortical plate, and adjacent roots; 2) improved control during osteotomy; 3) decreased surgical access requirements and reduction in overall bone removal; 4) ability to perform complex procedures successfully in an in-office setting; 5) decreased surgical time resulting from improved visualization; and 6) potential use as a teaching tool. Possible limitations of the use of an in-office DINS include increased cost, increased time attributed to presurgical planning, initial learning curve, and optical array interference by the surgeon or assistants during surgery.
A Social Marketing Approach to 1% Milk Use: Resonance Is the Key.

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend low-fat milk consumption, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) programs follow these guidelines to develop health education progra...
Farewell to direct source incompatibilism

Traditional theorists about free will and moral responsibility endorse the principle of alternative possibilities (PAP): an agent is morally responsible for an action that she performs only if she can do or could have done otherwise. According to source theorists, PAP is false and an agent is morally responsible for her action only if she is the source of that action. Source incompatibilists accept the source theory but also endorse INC: if determinism is true, then no one is morally responsible for any action. This paper is a critique of a kind of source incompatibilism, namely, direct source incompatibilism.
Chaotic Behavior in High-Gain Interleaved DC-DC Converters

Abstract In this paper, chaotic behavior in high gain dc-dc converters with current mode control is explored. The dc-dc converters exhibit some chaotic behavior because they contain switches. Moreover, in power electronics (circuits with more passive elements), the dynamics become rich in nonlinearity and become difficult to capture with linear analytical models. Therefore, studying modeling approaches and analysis methods is required. Most of the high-gain dc-dc boost converters cannot be controlled with only voltage mode control due to the presence of right half plane zero that narrows down the stability region. Therefore, the need of current mode control is necessary to ensure the stability of this type of boost converter. A significant number of the work reported so far has concentrated on explaining the chaos phenomena in the language of the nonlinear dynamics literature. In addition to analyzing and studying chaotic behaviors, this presents some ideas about moving toward gainful utilization of the nonlinear properties of power electronics. Simulation and experimental studies are included to validate the theory, and results will be discussed.
Brain Penetration of the ROS1/ALK Inhibitor Lorlatinib Confirmed by PET:

The Massachusetts General Hospital Radiochemistry Program, in collaboration with Pfizer, has developed unique 11C and 18F-labeling strategies to synthesize isotopologs of lorlatinib (PF-06463922) which is undergoing phase III clinical trial investigations for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancers with specific molecular alterations. A major goal in cancer therapeutics is to measure the concentrations of this drug in the brain metastases of patients with lung cancer, and penetration of the blood-brain barrier is important for optimal therapeutic outcomes. Our recent publication in Nature Communications employed radiolabeled lorlatinib and positron emission tomography (PET) studies in preclinical models including nonhuman primates (NHPs) that demonstrated high brain permeability of this compound. Our future work with radiolabeled lorlatinib will include advanced PET evaluations in rodent tumor models and normal NHPs with the goal of clinical translation.
"Is Someone There? Do They Have a Gun": How Visual Information about Others Can Improve Personal Safety Management for Blind Individuals

For decades, researchers have investigated and developed technologies that support independent navigation for people who are blind. This has led to systems that primarily aid in detecting routes, landmarks, and building features. However, there has been relatively little inquiry regarding how technologies might support navigation around and in the presence of other people. What visual information, if any, do blind navigators wish they had about people on their path? To address this question, we surveyed 58 blind and low vision individuals and interviewed 10 blind individuals. We discovered our participants were interested in using visual information about others to increase their physical safety. For example, they wanted to know if a passerby was holding a weapon, if a presumed official had a proper uniform or badge, and how to describe visual aspects of a criminal to law enforcement. This paper presents one of the only reports documenting accessibility challenges related to physical safety posed by others, including how future assistive tools can empower individuals with disabilities to more actively increase their sense of safety. We call this emerging area Personal Safety Management and contribute a set of four broad subareas that deserve further exploration by researchers and designers working within the blind and broader disabilities communities.
Barriers to Care for the Complex Presentation of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Post-combat Psychological Injuries

Despite significant efforts to mitigate the psychological distress associated with combat, a significant number of military personnel deployed to war in Afghanistan and Iraq return with psychological injuries requiring care and treatment. Unfortunately, there are significant barriers to the effective delivery of care for these post-combat psychological injuries. This chapter examines a number of these challenges with a focus on aspects of the clinical presentation, stigma, interaction between provider and client, and mismatch between the culture of military troops and that of the psychological care professional. The authors then explore ways that psychologists and other healthcare providers may contribute to lowering these potential barriers to care by reducing stigma, promoting accurate communication about psychological symptoms and injuries, and increasing the understanding of psychological injuries including the complex clinical presentations that frequently arise in the aftermath of combat exposure. Future directions for improving the care and treatment of PTSD and other post-combat psychological injuries are presented.
Evolution and Virulence of Influenza A Virus Protein PB1-F2

PB1-F2 is an accessory protein of most human, avian, swine, equine, and canine influenza A viruses (IAVs). Although it is dispensable for virus replication and growth, it plays significant roles in pathogenesis by interfering with the host innate immune response, inducing death in immune and epithelial cells, altering inflammatory responses, and promoting secondary bacterial pneumonia. The effects of PB1-F2 differ between virus strains and host species. This can at least partially be explained by the presence of multiple PB1-F2 sequence variants, including premature stop codons that lead to the expression of truncated PB1-F2 proteins of different lengths and specific virulence-associated residues that enhance susceptibility to bacterial superinfection. Although there has been a tendency for human seasonal IAV to gradually reduce the number of virulence-associated residues, zoonotic IAVs contain a reservoir of PB1-F2 proteins with full length, virulence-associated sequences. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms by which PB1-F2 may affect influenza virulence, and factors associated with the evolution and selection of this protein.
Weak dorsolateral prefrontal response to social criticism predicts worsened mood and symptoms following social conflict in people at familial risk for schizophrenia.

Abstract Understanding the specific mechanisms that explain why people who have relatives with schizophrenia (i.e., people at familial high risk; FHR) are more likely to develop the disorder is crucial for prevention. We investigated a diathesis-stress model of familial risk by testing whether FHR individuals under-recruit brain regions central to emotion regulation when exposed to social conflict, resulting in worse mood and symptoms following conflict. FHR and non-FHR participants listened to critical, neutral, and praising comments in an fMRI scanner before completing 4 weeks of daily-diary records. Compared to non-FHR individuals, FHR individuals under-recruited the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)—a region strongly implicated in cognitive emotion regulation—following criticism. Furthermore, within FHR participants, weak DLPFC response to criticism in the laboratory task was associated with elevated negative mood and positive symptoms on days with distressing social conflicts in daily-diary assessments. Results extend diathesis-stress models of schizophrenia by clarifying neural and environmental pathways to dysregulation in FHR individuals.
Ginzburg-Landau theory of metal-insulator transition in VO2: The electronic degrees of freedom

VO2 is a well-known strongly correlated system which exhibits an intriguing metal-insulator transition slightly above room temperature. Based on symmetry consideration, we propose a phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau potential incorporating both a structural order parameter and a spin-correlation order parameter, to explicitly capture the structural distortion and the electronic phase transition in VO2 . With the help of the additional spin-correlation order parameter, we calculate consistently temperature-stress (strain) phase diagrams of VO2 under different mechanical boundary conditions, which show good agreement with existing experimental observations. The phenomenological potential is suitable for the implementation in phase-field simulations to further investigate the stable phases, morphology and evolution of domain structures under various mechanical and electrical stimuli.
CRT-700.23 The RAS AKI Study: The Renal Artery Stenosis and Acute Kidney Injury Study in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) has shown to be an adverse factor for developing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). This relationship has not been evaluated in the context of TAVR.We aimed to evaluate on the relationship between RAS and AKI following TAVR. 302 patients underwent TAVR between 2011 and 2017. 6
Correction: Rapid access to diverse, trifluoromethyl-substituted alkenes using complementary strategies.

Correction for ‘Rapid access to diverse, trifluoromethyl-substituted alkenes using complementary strategies’ by James P. Phelan et al., Chem. Sci., 2018, 9, 3215–3220.
Variability in oceanographic barriers to coral larval dispersal: Do currents shape biodiversity?

Abstract The global center of marine biodiversity is located in the western tropical Pacific in a region known as the “Coral Triangle” (CT). This region is also considered the most threatened of all coral reef regions, because multiple impacts, including rising temperatures and coral bleaching, have already caused high mortality of reef corals over large portions of the CT. Larval dispersal and recruitment play a critical role in reef recovery after such disturbances, but our understanding of reproductive connectivity between reefs is limited by a paucity of observations. Oceanographic modeling can provide an economical and efficient way to augment our understanding of reef connectivity, particularly over an area as large as the CT, where marine ecosystem management has become a priority. This work combines daily averaged surface current velocity and direction from a Regional Ocean Modeling System developed for the CT region (CT-ROMS) with a Lagrangian particle tracking tool (TRACMASS) to investigate the probability of larval transport between reefs for a typical broadcasting coral. A 47-year historical simulation (1960–2006) was used to analyze the potential connectivity, the physical drivers of larval transport, and its variability following bi-annual spawning events in April and September. Potential connectivity between reefs was highly variable from year to year, emphasizing the need for long simulations. The results suggest that although reefs in this region are highly self-seeded, comparatively rare long-distance dispersal events may play a vital role in shaping regional patterns of reef biodiversity and recovery following disturbance. The spatial pattern of coral “subpopulations,” which are based on the potential connectivity between reefs, agrees with observed regional-scale patterns of biodiversity, suggesting that the physical barriers to larval dispersal are a first-order driver of coral biodiversity in the CT region. These physical barriers persist through the 21st Century when the model is forced with the Community Earth System Model (CESM) RCP8.5 climate scenario, despite some regional changes in connectivity between reefs.
4D continuous medial representation by geodesic shape regression

Longitudinal shape analysis has shown great potential to model anatomical processes from baseline to follow-up observations. Shape regression estimates a continuous trajectory of time-discrete anatomical shapes to quantify temporal changes. The need for shape alignment and point-to-point correspondences represent limitations of current shape analysis methodologies, and present significant challenges in shape evaluation. We propose a method that estimates a continuous trajectory of continuous medial representations (CM-Rep) from a set of time-discrete observed shapes. To avoid the traditional step of aligning individual objects, shape changes are modeled via diffeomorphic ambient space deformations. Using a medial shape representation, we separately capture object pose changes and intrinsic geometry changes. Tests and validation with synthetic and real anatomical shapes demonstrate that the new method captures extrinsic shape changes as well as intrinsic shape changes encoded with CM-Reps, a highly relevant property for studying growth and disease processes.
Mechanisms of HLA and Disease Associations

The discoveries of HLA associations with certain diseases have been a major breakthrough in our understanding of the genetics of these diseases. We now know that at least part of the genetic basis of the associated diseases lies in the HLA region of chromosome 6. Furthermore, the “disease susceptibility genes” for hemochromatosis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and olivopontocerebellar ataxia (Menzel type) are known to be in linkage with HLA and have been mapped on chromosome 6.1 HLA markers are already providing some useful clinical information regarding these diseases (for references see the individual sections on these diseases). However, it is interesting to note that in the beginning these HLA associations generated high hopes and enthusiasm that the etiology of these diseases will soon be resolved. Yet, surprisingly, a decade after the landmark results on HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis2,3 we are still searching for the mechanism(s) involved in these associations.
Medical Comfort at the Intersection of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Effective and comfortable provider-patient communication is associated with engagement in health-promoting behavior. Although research on medical experiences among sexual minorities has increased, ...
Vitality: A Four Tier Classification

Cultures have various compositions, and thus different levels of cultural vitality. In this chapter, I discuss three major tiers of cultural vitality—Tier II (operational), Tier III (sustainable) and Tier IV (gravitative)—after introducing a nominal culture that I call Tier I. They are differentiated on whether they exhibit six vital signs, each represented by two to four vital indicators.
Abstract 016: Sex-Specific Effects of Neuropeptide Y2 Receptor (y2) Deletion in Adipose Tissue From Mice Exposed to Early Life Stress

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays a critical role in the regulation of energy homeostasis acting in the central nervous system as an orexigenic agent. Peripherally, NPY is co-released by catecholaminergic...
Greenhouse gas emissions from windrow composting of organic wastes: Patterns and emissions factors

Direct emissions from commercial-scale composting are uncertain. We used micrometeorological methods to continuously measure greenhouse gas (CO2, CH4, N2O) emissions from full composting of green waste and manure. We measured oxygen (O2), moisture, and temperature continuously inside the composting pile, and analyzed chemical and physical characteristics of the feedstock weekly as potential drivers of emissions. Temperature, moisture, and O2 all varied significantly by week. Feedstock porosity, C:N, and potential N mineralization all declined significantly over time. Potential net nitrification remained near zero throughout. CH4 and CO2 fluxes, indicators of feedstock lability, were variable, and most emissions (75% and 50% respectively) occurred during the first three weeks of composting. Total CH4 emitted was 1.7 0.32 g CH4 kg-1 feedstock, near the median literature value using different approaches (1.4 g CH4 kg-1). N2O concentrations remained below the instrument detection. Oxygen, moisture and temperature exhibited threshold effects on CH4 emissions. Net lifecycle emissions were negative (-690 g CO2-e kg-1), however, after considering avoided emissions and sinks. Managing composting piles to minimize methanogenesis – by maintaining sufficient O2 concentrations, and focusing on the first three weeks– could reduce emissions, contributing to the climate change mitigation benefit of composting.
Distributed-Model-Based Design Approach for Achieving Matched Phase Velocities in High-Frequency GaN HEMTs

A novel distributed modeling approach is proposed in this paper that predicts the device behavior over a broad frequency range. The detailed device dimensions along with the 19-element equivalent circuit model are presented and the boundary conditions to be incorporated in the model are provided. In order to validate the approach, the simulation results are compared with the measurement results obtained from a N-polar GaN HEMT device over a 0.25-67 GHz frequency band. The results are also generated for the hypothetical case of a wider transistor at higher operating frequencies in order to explain the importance of considering the wave propagation effects in the modeling and demonstrate how the results converge. Additionally, a novel design approach is proposed for redesigning the device electrodes so as to achieve matched phase velocities on the input and output ports of the transistor. The new device with the optimized electrode configurations yields considerably higher gain values compared to the conventional device.
Exercise Is Medicine on Campus®: A Pilot Study:

The primary objective was to (a) test the effectiveness of an Exercise Is Medicine® on Campus (EIM-OC) program in a university setting and (b) compare the baseline levels of physical activity, ment...
Gore-Tex Scleral-Sutured EnVista IOL Dislocation: Three Cases and an Assessment of Eyelet Tensile Strength, Fracture Characteristics, and Risk Factors.

Purpose Three cases of dislocation of a Gore-Tex scleral-sutured EnVista intraocular lens are reported. The tensile strength of the lens eyelets under two suturing methods are assessed. Pursuant surgical considerations are discussed. Methods A chart review was performed to identify cases of scleral-sutured Envista lens dislocations. In addition, six EnVista lenses were suspended in a balanced salt solution tank, tied either with suture over haptic or simple pass techniques. Eyelet tensile strength was calculated by gradual addition of weights. Eyelet fracture position and width were measured. The tensile strength of one additional EnVista lens was assessed in open air. Patients In a retrospective, consecutive case series, 3 dislocated lenses were identified out of 17 surgeries from one institution. Two dislocations occurred postoperatively, and one occurred intraoperatively. Results The EnVista eyelet demonstrated greater tensile strength tied with the simple pass method (0.27 ± 0.017 N, n=3) than with the suture over haptic method (0.15 ± 0.016 N, n=3; p=0.0015). Eyelet fracture location corresponded to tensile strength. The lens in air withstood greater tensile stress. Discussion Stress is placed on different regions of the eyelet with each suturing method. Simple pass may withstand greater tension and decrease risk for lens fracture, but the operating surgeon must consider multiple factors when forming an operative plan.
AB019. Response to tofacitinib in a case of refractory TIF-1 positive amyopathic dermatomyositis with arthritis

A 47-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease presented to our clinic for evaluation of rash and joint pains. She had a significant history of severe fatigue, musculoskeletal and joint pains. She described her joint pain as constant, stating it severely impacted her activities of daily living, but denied muscle weakness. She was previously diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and treated unsuccessfully with low dose systemic steroids and antimalarial therapy. Upon examination, she was found to have heliotrope eruption, Gottron’s sign and Gottron’s papules, fulfilling EULAR/ACR classification criteria for dermatomyositis. On the myositis panel she tested positive for antibodies to TIF1 and NXP2, confirming the diagnosis. She was also found to have RF positive but CCP negative arthropathy, without evidence of radiographic erosions. She was responsive to prednisone but either skin or joint symptoms remained refractory to several steroid-sparing agents including hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, intravenous immunoglobulin and eventually infliximab. With subsequent visits, she reported worsening of joint pain, despite improvement of cutaneous burden of disease on mycophenolate mofetil. In the setting of debilitating joint pain, she was started on tofacitinib 11 mg PO daily in addition to hydroxychloroquine 200 mg PO BID with discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil. After two months of treatment she reported 90% improvement in symptoms, with resolution of joint pains and no recurrences of her rash, and was able to return to baseline functional status. Teaching points: (I) overlap syndrome with dermatomyositis has been previously reported in a case report showing 19% overlap with other connective tissue diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis; (II) the overlap of the two conditions can be extremely debilitating to patients, with few options for complete symptom resolution; (III) tofacitinib is an inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) and works by inhibiting JAK signaling for many pro-inflammatory cytokines. Maximizing this mechanism can be a novel approach to treating recalcitrant immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
E-mail communication and supervisor-subordinate exchange quality: an empirical study

The impact of computer-mediated communication (CMC) on organizational cultures and users has been the focus of many previous studies. In their attempts to explain the effects of CMC in organizational communications, particularly the effects of e-mail, information systems researchers have tested theories that originated in a number of disciplines. Among the effects of CMC, one potentially important issue is the relationship between subordinates and their supervisors. This study empirically examines the impact of e-mail usage on the quality of these exchanges, and attempts to measure the resulting depth of the interpersonal relationships established between knowledge workers and their immediate superiors. The results show that among several usage factors investigated, e-mail communication frequency has a more direct correlation to exchange quality than other factors, among them communication richness, which did not have significant correlation. A path diagram was developed to illustrate the relationships of the variables.
Classical conditioning in the leech Macrobdella ditetra as a function of CS and UCS intensity.

Classical conditioning in the leech was obtained using two levels of shock as the UCS, two levels of light as the CS; for each condition there was a CS-UCS paired and unpaired group. Analysis showed significant effects of pairing and a UCS intensity by trials interaction during acquisition. Spontaneous recovery was evident during the second day of extinction.
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Epitaxial Silicon from Silane at Low Temperatures I . Very Low Pressure Deposition

The deposition of epitaxial silicon films at temperatures from 600°–800°C by both very low‐pressure chemical vapor deposition (VLPCVD) and plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) has been examined. The VLPCVD deposition process is first order in silane partial pressure, zero order in hydrogen partial pressure, and exhibits a low, 8–12 kcal/ mole, activation energy for temperatures from 700°–800°C with 1–15 mtorr silane and hydrogen. For temperatures below 700°C an activation energy of 40 kcal/mole is observed. The growth rate depends upon surface orientation, decreasing in the order (100), (111), polycrystalline, indicating surface processes are rate controlling. The low activation energy regime is associated with a process controlled by silane adsorption and decomposition on a sparsely covered silicon surface. The higher activation energy regime is thought to reflect growth under conditions of high surface coverage with silane fragments and the transition temperature is thought to be pressure dependent. Conditions for the deposition of device quality epitaxial silicon at low temperatures are defined and discussed. Plasma enhancement of the VLPCVD process is discussed in a companion paper.
Mass spectrum of 1 -+ exotic mesons from lattice QCD

Time correlation functions of a hybrid exotic meson operator, with ${J}^{\mathrm{PC}}={1}^{\ensuremath{-}+}$, generated in quenched lattice QCD are subjected to a (Bayesian) maximum entropy analysis. Five distinct spectral levels are uncovered. Their extrapolation into the physical pion mass region suggests a possible relationship to experimentally known states ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{1}(1400)$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{1}(1600)$, and also to a state in the 2 GeV region carrying the same quantum numbers.
Design of a system for binaural hearing experimentation

The development is described of a PC-based system for stimulus generation, recording, storing, and presentation for use in the execution of binaural hearing experiments. The system uses a multitasking polyFORTH language/operating system and incorporates a Texas Instruments TMS320C25 digital signal processor board in the IBM-PC/AT. The software design permits playing of arbitrary waveform length (currently limited by DOS memory), using a minimum amount of digital signal processing memory, and independence from a particular hardware configuration. The multitasking nature of polyFORTH allows for the easy connection of a second terminal to interact with the subject. >
Preparation of Pivaloyl Hydrazide in Water

Hyrdazine Pivaloyl chloride Pivaloyl hydrazide Keywords: pivaloyl hydrazide; waste disposal; hyrazides; water
Adult zebrafish intestine resection: a novel model of short bowel syndrome, adaptation, and intestinal stem cell regeneration.

Loss of significant intestinal length from congenital anomaly or disease may lead to short bowel syndrome (SBS); intestinal failure may be partially offset by a gain in epithelial surface area, ter...
Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine Eric Topol. 2760 pp. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Raven; 1997. $125.00. ISBN 0–397-51592–8.

Dr Topol’s Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine is an excellent embodiment of the current era of evidence-based medicine. The editor, Dr Eric Topol, is a leader in the field of clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine, and this approach comes through in his textbook. As he states in the preface, his purpose is to bring forth currently available information from clinical trials to guide the management of cardiac patients. This textbook is an up-to-the-minute compendium of the new data available from clinical trials in cardiology today. Indeed, many of the figures included are from articles still in press or from trials that have been presented but not yet published. The presentation of the data is very clear and again is based on the trials. There are numerous figures and tables (between 20 and 40 per chapter) that help illustrate the data being discussed and also allow readers to quickly review …
Anime-zing in North Carolina: Library Views of Anime Fans

The popularity of anime and manga makes anime fans a group of interest to libraries. There are several events in North Carolina where anime fans gather together, and libraries are already involved with these events. This article discusses conventions and summarizes demographics and attitudes of anime fans at the 2008 Animazement convention in the Triangle. Out of 115 respondents, more than half are library card holders and use a library at least once a month. Some sense of library support for anime and manga fans is present, but respondents definitely show a desire for more support.
Carboxypeptidase G2 rescue after high-dose methotrexate.

PURPOSEThis study was a pilot project to assess the safety and efficacy of carboxypeptidase G2 (CPG2) rescue from high-dose (HD) methotrexate (MTX) in patients with recurrent cerebral lymphoma.PATIENTS AND METHODSFour patients with recurrent primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) were studied. Patients received 3.0 g/m2 MTX infused over 2 hours. Twelve hours after the start of MTX, 50 U/kg CPG2 was infused; a second dose of CPG2 was given 6 hours after the first. Blood and CSF were collected and assayed for levels of MTX, CPG2, and 2,4-diamino-N10-methylpteroic acid (DAMPA), a cleavage product of MTX after CPG2. Serum was collected for at least 2 weeks after administration of MTX-CPG2 to assess anti-CPG2 activity antibodies.RESULTSAll patients had at least a 2-log decline in plasma MTX levels to the subtherapeutic range within 5 minutes of CPG2 administration. The second dose of CPG2 did not further diminish the already low plasma MTX level. DAMPA appeared and was detected as the plasma MTX concentration decreased....
A silicon strip detector system for fermilab E706

Abstract Fermilab Experiment E706 is an experiment to study direct photon production in hadron-hadron collisions at the Fermilab Tevatron II. A part of the charged particle spectrometer is a silicon strip detector system used to determine the position of interaction vertices in the production target and to provide angular information about the secondary hadrons produced in a collision. We present some design criteria, as well as the results of tests of a water similar to those to be used in the experiment.
A Maximum Entropy Method for Particle Filtering

Standard ensemble or particle filtering schemes do not properly represent states of low priori probability when the number of available samples is too small, as is often the case in practical applications. We introduce here a set of parametric resampling methods to solve this problem. Motivated by a general H-theorem for relative entropy, we construct parametric models for the filter distributions as maximum-entropy/minimum-information models consistent with moments of the particle ensemble. When the prior distributions are modeled as mixtures of Gaussians, our method naturally generalizes the ensemble Kalman filter to systems with highly non-Gaussian statistics. We apply the new particle filters presented here to two simple test cases: a one-dimensional diffusion process in a double-well potential and the three-dimensional chaotic dynamical system of Lorenz.
Chemical synthesis and characterization of lithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4)

Abstract A solution based wet chemistry approach has been developed for synthesizing Li4SiO4 powders at moderate temperatures of 500°C. LiOH·H2O and LiNO3 have been used as starting materials for synthesizing this material in the present study. The phase evolution behavior, surface area and morphology of the as-prepared and heat treated powders generated from both LiOH·H2O and LiNO3 have been studied and compared in this work. The feasibility of synthesizing a Li4SiO4LiNi0.75Co0.25O2 based electrolyte–electrode composite material using this chemical approach is also discussed and demonstrated.
Billing practices of local health departments providing 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.

CONTEXT In June 2009, the World Health Organization officially declared an influenza pandemic. In the United States, the federal government supplied 2009 H1N1 vaccine at no cost and provided funding for states to implement vaccination programs. Vaccine providers including health departments were permitted to bill insurance plans for administering 2009 H1N1 vaccine. OBJECTIVE To determine the extent to which local health departments (LHDs) billed for administering 2009 H1N1 vaccine, specific billing practices of LHDs, and factors associated with LHD billing. DESIGN Cross-sectional study using an Internet-based survey, and semistructured interviews. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Nationally representative stratified random sample of 527 LHDs in the United States. Interviews were conducted among a convenience sample of LHDs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Proportion of LHDs reporting billing for administering 2009 H1N1 vaccine. RESULTS A total of 308 health departments (58%) provided responses complete enough for analysis. Most LHDs (82%) had previous experience billing for seasonal influenza vaccination, but only 20% (n = 57) billed for administration of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Medicare (74%) and Medicaid (80%) were the most commonly billed health care payers; more than half (55%) of LHDs billing for 2009 H1N1 vaccine administration sought reimbursement from one or more private insurance plans. Billing for 2009 H1N1 vaccine administration was more common among LHDs that previously offered seasonal influenza vaccination (P = .003), previously billed for seasonal influenza vaccination (P = .04), and conducted school-located influenza vaccination clinics prior to the 2009-2010 influenza season (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS Most LHDs elected not to bill for 2009 H1N1 vaccine administration despite prior experience billing for influenza vaccination. It is important to understand barriers to billing and resources needed by LHDs to facilitate billing for vaccination. Developing public health billing capacity will allow LHDs to recoup the costs of providing vaccines to insured persons and may also prepare them to conduct billing activities for other services or during future public health emergencies.
Comparison of Ribotyping and Restriction Enzyme Analysis for Inter- and Intraspecies Discrimination of Bordetella avium and Bordetella hinzii

Bordetella avium is an avian respiratory disease pathogen responsible for substantial economic losses to the turkey industry. The inability to distinguish isolates has hampered outbreak investigations and prevents a complete understanding of transmission mechanisms. Isolates of Bordetella hinzii, often referred to as B. avium-like or as Alcaligenes faecalis type II prior to 1995, have also been acquired from the respiratory tracts of diseased poultry but are not believed to be pathogenic for birds. Therefore, differentiating between B. avium and B. hinzii is of importance for veterinary diagnostic laboratories. It was recently reported that both PvuII ribotyping and HinfI/DdeI restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) show promise for distinguishing isolates of B. avium and B. hinzii. Here we compare the ability of these techniques to discern inter- and intraspecies differences. While both approaches distinguished numerous types within a species, only REA was sufficiently discriminatory for routine use as an epidemiologic tool. Both techniques clearly distinguish between B. avium and B. hinzii, although the results of ribotyping are more easily interpreted. Ribotyping and REA identified numerous, previously unrecognized B. hinzii strains from a collection of bordetella isolates, including one acquired from a rabbit. This is the first report of B. hinzii isolation from a nonhuman mammalian species. At least some of the newly recognized B. hinzii isolates have been previously reported to cause disease in poults, suggesting that the pathogenicity of this agent for poultry should be more rigorously examined.
BK channel β4 subunit reduces dentate gyrus excitability and protects against temporal lobe seizures

Synaptic inhibition within the hippocampus dentate gyrus serves a 'low-pass filtering' function that protects against hyperexcitability that leads to temporal lobe seizures. Here we demonstrate that calcium-activated potassium (BK) channel accessory beta4 subunits serve as key regulators of intrinsic firing properties that contribute to the low-pass filtering function of dentate granule cells. Notably, a critical beta4 subunit function is to preclude BK channels from contributing to membrane repolarization and thereby broaden action potentials. Longer-duration action potentials secondarily recruit SK channels, leading to greater spike frequency adaptation and reduced firing rates. In contrast, granule cells from beta4 knockout mice show a gain-of-function for BK channels that sharpens action potentials and supports higher firing rates. Consistent with breakdown of the dentate filter, beta4 knockouts show distinctive seizures emanating from the temporal cortex, demonstrating a unique nonsynaptic mechanism for gate control of hippocampal synchronization leading to temporal lobe epilepsy.
Photosynthetic adaptation and acclimation to exploit seasonal periods of direct irradiance in three temperate, deciduous-forest herbs

Summary 1. We evaluated the potential for three species of deciduous-forest herbs to exploit seasonal periods of direct irradiance. In particular, we investigated the importance of photosynthetic acclimation as a mechanism for shade-tolerant herbs to utilize direct light reaching the forest floor before canopy expansion in the spring and after canopy leaf drop in the autumn. 2. We measured the photosynthetic and growth characteristics of three co-occurring herbs of a northern hardwood forest: the spring ephemeral Allium tricoccum Ait., the summer-green Viola pubescens Ait., and the semi-evergreen Tiarella cordifolia L. 3. Leaf CO 2 exchange, leaf mass per area, and leaf biochemistry differed among species and seasonally within species to match the changing light environment below the forest canopy. From spring to summer, as irradiance dropped with the expansion of the overstorey canopy, Viola leaves exhibited reduction of both photosynthetic capacity and light compensation point. Weaker acclimation of less magnitude occurred in Tiarella leaves over the spring‐summer light transition; this was followed by further acclimation to the stronger autumn irradiance. 4. Viola ’s greater range of photosynthetic acclimation was associated with shifts in allocation between Rubisco and chlorophyll, as well as changes in total leaf nitrogen (N) concentration and leaf mass per area (LMA). In contrast, Tiarella ’s narrow range of acclimation was associated solely with changes in allocation to Rubisco versus chlorophyll, with no changes in total leaf N or LMA. 5. Seasonal changes in leaf chemistry and structure in Viola suggest a stepwise ontogeny whereby individual leaves are able to function as ‘sun leaves’ for 3‐5 weeks in the spring, and then as ‘shade leaves’ for up to 3 months in the summer. 6. Whole-plant biomass accumulation showed that all three species accumulated most of their annual biomass increment during periods of direct irradiance. These results demonstrate the importance of brief seasonal periods of strong irradiance to the growth of deciduous forest herbs, even shade-tolerant, summer and evergreen species.