cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of atrial fibrillation in patients taking targeted cancer therapies

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently observed in patients being treated for cancer and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality in this population. With the use of newer, targeted cancer therapies, several drug-drug interactions have emerged that complicate the use of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) in patients with active malignancy. Moreover, specific targeted therapies such as ibrutinib may contribute directly to the development of AF. The decision to pursue systemic anticoagulation can be challenging in patients with malignancy due to a number of factors, including the need for frequent procedures, the presence of malignancy-related risk factors for bleeding, and limited data regarding the safety of the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in cancer patients. This review describes the challenges associated with AF management in patients with cancer and highlights a number of important drug-drug interactions that can impact patient management.
Auditory alarms during anesthesia monitoring with an integrated monitoring system.

Alarms in the operating room remain a major source of annoyance and confusion. A previous study by Kestin et al. utilized a specific combination of distinct, separate monitors in 50 pediatric patients. He reported a mean of 10 alarms per case with a mean frequency of one alarm every 4.5 minutes. The alarms were classified as spurious (75%), change outside the alarm limits (22%), or patient risk (3%). We performed a similar study with 50 adult patients under general anesthesia with default alarm settings on an integrated monitor, (Cardiocap™, Datex, Helsinki). In our study, the number of alarms averaged 3 per case with a mean frequency of one every 34 minutes. Spurious alarms (those caused by electrocautery, accidental patient movement, or other non-physiological reasons) represented only 24% of all alarms. Those alarms sounding that were outside the limits occurred at a rate of 53%, and those that were considered patient risks occurred at a rate of 23%. Of the alarms, 67% occurred during the beginning and end of anesthesia. The end-tidal carbon dioxide accounted for 42% of the alarms, mostly during intubation and extubation. Suggestions are made for further improvement in alarm systems.
Perforation of the External Auditory Canal or Middle Cranial Fossa

Open and arthroscopic surgeries of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are common and effective treatments for selected patients with TMJ disorders. However, complications inevitably occur, even in the hands of experienced TMJ surgeons. An understanding of the surrounding anatomy, as well as a knowledge of the potential complications, is essential and not only helps in avoiding these complications but also in their recognition and appropriate management, when they do occur. The TMJ is located in a complex anatomical region within the head and neck. It is bounded posteriorly by the external auditory canal and superiorly by the middle cranial fossa. Consequently these structures are at risk during open surgery and arthroscopy with the potential for serious complications.
A Conversation between Dana Zeidler and Geeta Verma & Lisa Martin-Hansen: Advancing Conversations in Science Education

This interview conversation among Dana Zeidler, Geeta Verma, and Lisa Martin-Hansen took place at the NARST conference on March 30, 2008. The purpose of this dialogue was to reflect on Dr. Zeidler’s career in science education and his research on science teacher learning. During the conversation, Dana Zeidler shared his career path, establishing his research in science education, pushing the conversation on socioscientific issues (SSI) as well advice for researchers and doctoral students in the field. The written piece includes a brief summary of Dana’s career achievements, a list of our conversation topics, the transcript of the audiotaped conversation, as well as a list of Dr. Zeidler’s selected publications.
Cultivating global mindsets without leaving campus: Building interculturally competent engineer

This innovative practice paper describes a one-year pilot program designed to intentionally develop intercultural competencies in undergraduate engineering students, without leaving campus. The design of the program was informed by theoretical frameworks about national cultural differences and development of intercultural competencies. The activities of the program included, but were not limited to, exposing students to other cultures, constructing active learning environments that simulated cross-cultural dialogues, reflection activities, and individual mentoring. The effectiveness of the program was assessed via pre- and post-assessments of intercultural competence using the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). The IDI scores from the final program evaluation indicated that most participants moved from a monocultural mindset towards the transition to a more global mindset after completing the program. Most importantly, the difference in pre- and post-IDI scores was statistically significant with a p-value < 0.001. This study offers implications for faculty and staff, who are involved in developing globally competent engineers by modeling how to equip students to lead diverse engineering teams, and build effective strategies for conflict resolution, without leaving campus. The effectiveness of the activities, limitations of this research, and future directions of the program are discussed.
Course of ante-and postnatal depressive symptoms related to mothers' HPA axis regulation

Given high health costs of depression during pregnancy and the first postnatal year, it is important to understand mechanisms involved in the emergence and perpetuation of symptoms during this time. In a series of 2 studies, we aim to clarify bidirectional relations between mothers' physiological stress regulation-stress-related activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis-and their course of depressive symptoms. In Study 1, 230 pregnant women recruited from a women's mental health program gave 3 saliva samples in the context of psychosocial stress at 24, 30, and 36-weeks gestation. They self-reported depressive symptoms across the three trimesters of pregnancy and first year postpartum. Multilevel models revealed women with elevated salivary cortisol during pregnancy showed a course of escalating ante- and postnatal symptoms, implicating HPA hyperactivation as a precursor to worsening mood problems. In Study 2, 54 mothers from a community sample self-reported depressive symptoms at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postnatal. At 18 months, they participated in a dyadic stress task with their infant and gave 4 saliva samples for cortisol assay. For mothers with a lifetime depression diagnosis, an escalating course of postnatal symptoms predicted a higher, flatter cortisol response profile. Together, the results of these studies suggest that for high-risk mothers, a trajectory of worsening depression may both follow from and give rise to neuroendocrine stress hyperactivation. These findings suggest greater attention is warranted to course of depressive symptoms across the ante- and postnatal period, rather than symptom levels at any given time, to characterize health risks. (PsycINFO Database Record
Evaluating touchless capacitive gesture recognition as an assistive device for upper extremity mobility impairment.

IntroductionThis paper explores the feasibility of using touchless textile sensors as an input to environmental control for individuals with upper-extremity mobility impairments. These sensors are ...
Cognitive ability predicts motor learning on a virtual reality game in patients with TBI

Background Virtual reality games and simulations have been utilized successfully for motor rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Little is known, however, how TBI-related cognitive decline affects learning of motor tasks in virtual environments. Objective To fill this gap, we examined learning within a virtual reality game involving various reaching motions in 14 patients with TBI and 15 healthy individuals with different cognitive abilities. Methods All participants practiced ten 90-second gaming trials to assess various aspects of motor learning. Cognitive abilities were assessed with a battery of tests including measures of memory, executive functioning, and visuospatial ability. Results Overall, participants with TBI showed both reduced performance and a slower learning rate in the virtual reality game compared to healthy individuals. Numerous correlations between overall performance and several of the cognitive ability domains were revealed for both the patient and control groups, with the best predictor being overall cognitive ability. Conclusions The results may provide a starting point for rehabilitation programs regarding which cognitive domains interact with motor learning.
The Firehole River

The Firehole River, which flows through the main geyser basins of Yellowstone National Park (Figure 13.1), has been the main avenue of tourist travel through Yellowstone for over 100 years. It would be a remarkable river in any setting, but here in the valley of the geysers, its beauty and excitement are unsurpassable. Immediately as one glimpses the Firehole through the trees during the descent into the Upper Geyser Basin, one knows that this is not an ordinary mountain river, but something special. However, the Firehole River is more than a tourist attraction: it is of great scientific interest because it is the best example known of a naturally thermally polluted river. In these days when the long-range consequences of environmental pollution are constantly debated, it is not difficult to see the value for study of a river such as the Firehole, which has been receiving thermal inputs for hundreds of years and may, consequently, reveal to us something about how ecosystems can adapt to pollutants, given enough time. And the Firehole is especially interesting when it is understood that despite the fact that its temperature is raised almost 15°C as a result of thermal inputs (about what the largest power plant could do to its cooling water), it is still considered an excellent trout stream, one that attracts fly fishermen from all over the world.
An Evaluation of Factors Predicting Diet Quality among Cancer Patients.

A high diet quality is associated with a lower risk of cancer mortality. However, the predictive factors of diet quality among cancer patients are not well understood. This study determines the socio-demographic and disease-related factors that affect diet quality among cancer patients. Two hundred and forty-two cancer patients completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI). Independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc analysis using the Tukey HSD test were used to compare mean HEI scores across these characteristics. A regression model was used to determine factors that predicted diet quality. The overall HEI score among cancer patients was 61.59 (SD = 11.67). Patients with a high school degree or General Education Diploma (GED) or less had lower HEI scores (β = −4.03, p = 0.04; β = −7.77, p = 0.001, respectively) compared to those with college degrees. Additionally, homemakers had significantly higher HEI scores (β = 7.95, p = 0.008) compared to those who worked at least 40 hours per week. Also, individuals with some types of cancers (e.g., endometrial or uterine) had significantly higher HEI scores (β = 12.56, p = 0.002) than those with other cancers (e.g., head and neck). Our findings will help oncology healthcare providers identify and target cancer patients with specific demographic characteristics who are at increased risk for consuming poor-quality diets with much needed food resource interventions.
The Role of Pet Scan in Stem Cell Therapy

As the efforts at translating cellular therapy to bedside continue, some of the current controversies may be resolved as answers to some questions become evident. Noninvasive imaging with PET should help to demonstrate changes in regional blood flow and metabolism that may ultimately account for the observed improvement in LV function and/or remodeling. PET imaging may be able to provide mechanistic insights to understand the causes of success and failure of cell therapy, and ultimately help improve the design of this promising, novel form of therapy for this difficult group of patients
Patterns of Incident Reporting Across Clinical Sites in a Regionally Expanding Academic Radiation Oncology Department

Abstract Purpose We evaluated patterns of event reporting across five clinical locations within an academic radiation oncology department, with the goal of better understanding variability across sites. Methods and Materials We analyzed 1,351 events reported to a departmental incident learning system over 1 calendar year across the five locations with respect to volume of events, event type, process map location of origin and detection, and event reporter. Results We found marked variability in reporting patterns, including reporting rate, event type, event severity, event location of origin and detection within the departmental process map, and discipline of event reporters. These differences relate both to variability in process and workflow (reflected by frequency of specific workflow events at each site) and in reporting culture (reflected by volume or rate of event reporting, and discipline of event reporter). Conclusions These data highlight the variability in reporting culture even within a single department, and therefore the need to tailor and individualize safety and quality programs to the unique clinical site, with the long-term goal of achieving a common culture of safety while supporting unique processes at individual locations. This work also raises concern about extrapolating single-institution incident learning system results without understanding the unique workflow and culture of clinical sites.
Genomic heterogeneity in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy in majority of patients characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells. To date, treatment is established based on general conditions and age of patients. However, MM is a heterogeneous disease, featured by various subtypes and different outcomes. Thus, the understanding of MM biology is currently a major challenge to eventually cure the disease. During the last decade, karyotype studies and gene expression profiling have identified robust prognostic markers as well as a widespread genomic landscape. More recently, studies of epigenetic, transcriptional modifications and next generation sequencing have allowed characterization of critical genes and pathways, clonal heterogeneity and mutational profiles involved in myelomagenesis. Altogether, these findings constitute important tools to develop new targeted and personalized therapies in MM.
Simulation of anisotropic crack tip deformation processes and particle interactions in toughened polymers

This study develops a finite element-based simulation of submicrometer crack tip deformation processes in polymers to investigate local toughening effects. An initial study of how these processes i...
Lane-Changing Trajectory Optimization to Minimize Traffic Flow Disturbance in a Connected Automated Driving Environment

It is known that lane-changing maneuvers cause traffic disruption and result in shockwave formation and propagation. The introduction of connected automated vehicles (CAV) provides the opportunity to coordinate the vehicle movements during the lane-changing maneuver to deal with this issue. Accordingly, this paper proposes an approach to jointly optimize the lateral trajectory of a lane-changing CAV and the longitudinal control of an impacted CAV in the target lane. Towards this objective: i) we first design a model predictive controller (MPC) for the vehicle in the target lane to properly respond to a discretionary lane-changing maneuver; ii) we then specify a set of possible lateral trajectories that may be adopted by the lane-changing vehicle; iii) we then compute the required deceleration of the vehicle directly impacted by the lane-changing based on the estimated set of the lateral trajectories; iv) we finally choose the trajectory that minimizes the total deceleration effort (i.e., minimizes the disturbance in the platoon of vehicles). Analytical and simulation-based investigations are performed to assess the capability of the proposed approach in minimizing the acceleration disturbance and shockwave magnitude.
Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Abortion

Aspiration abortion is a safe procedure that can be performed in an office or in an ambulatory surgical center. It can be accomplished either by using a 60 cc handheld syringe (manual vacuum aspirator) or by using vacuum aspiration with an electric pump. These methods are commonly referred to as a “surgical abortion” and can be performed safely and effectively in an outpatient setting with local anesthesia alone or combined with light to moderate sedation (Westfall et al. Arch Fam Med 7(6):559–562, 1998). Aspiration abortion and medication-induced abortion are associated with lower rates of complications than sharp curettage (dilation and curettage), and are the preferred methodologies of abortions whenever possible (World Health Organization (WHO). Clinical practice handbook for safe abortion. Geneva: WHO, 2014).
Fast and scalable in-memory deep multitask learning via neural weight virtualization

This paper introduces the concept of Neural Weight Virtualization - which enables fast and scalable in-memory multitask deep learning on memory-constrained embedded systems. The goal of neural weight virtualization is two-fold: (1) packing multiple DNNs into a fixed-sized main memory whose combined memory requirement is larger than the main memory, and (2) enabling fast in-memory execution of the DNNs. To this end, we propose a two-phase approach: (1) virtualization of weight parameters for fine-grained parameter sharing at the level of weights that scales up to multiple heterogeneous DNNs of arbitrary network architectures, and (2) in-memory data structure and run-time execution framework for in-memory execution and context-switching of DNN tasks. We implement two multitask learning systems: (1) an embedded GPU-based mobile robot, and (2) a microcontroller-based IoT device. We thoroughly evaluate the proposed algorithms as well as the two systems that involve ten state-of-the-art DNNs. Our evaluation shows that weight virtualization improves memory efficiency, execution time, and energy efficiency of the multitask learning systems by 4.1x, 36.9x, and 4.2x, respectively.
What has Leviticus 17 to do with Deuteronomy 12.20–27? The literary relationship between the Deuteronomic and Holiness Codes on cult centralization and animal slaughter:

This article examines the literary connection between the laws of cult centralization and animal slaughter in Lev. 17 and Deut. 12.20–27. After establishing a set of criteria for determining the li...
Personal respiratory protection and resiliency in a pandemic, the evolving disposable versus reusable debate and its effect on waste generation.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping much of the globe is not anticipated to be short in duration, with contingency plans suggesting that it may last at least eighteen months. In the United States, one of the critical issues in coping with the pandemic has been a lack of essential personal protective equipment (PPE), at the local, state, and national level. As COVID-19 is primarily transferred through respiratory routes, adequate respiratory protection is a dire necessity. The shift from durable and reusable medical supplies in recent years to their single use counterparts has reduced the resiliency of the medical system with respect to PPE and other critical supplies in the current pandemic. This work explores the role of reusable compared to single use respiratory protection in the current pandemic, including reprocessing of single use options, from the perspective of number of equivalent protection devices needed. The current state of literature is also reviewed to provide context to this work, with respect to resource procurement. The economic cost of PPE throughout a pandemic is explored, and it is found that utilizing reusable PPE options depending on filter cycling may be less costly. Increased waste production is another issue with the current pandemic, and this is explored utilizing a mass basis, finding that reusable respiratory PPE would generate less waste than using single use PPE in a business as usual scenario. As future outbreaks of COVID-19 are likely along with other future pandemics, this work provides insights at how to prepare from the standpoint of PPE, and in particular respiratory protection.
Yielding to social presence as a bioenergetic strategy: Preliminary evidence using fMRI

Abstract All life must strategically conserve and allocate resources in order to meet the challenges of living. Social Baseline Theory suggests that, for humans, social context and the social resources therein are a central ecology in human phylogeny. In ontogeny, this manifests in flexible bioenergetic strategies that vary in the population based on social history. We introduce yielding, a conservation process wherein we relax physiological investment in response to a challenge when in the presence of a relational partner. The availability of these conserved resources then impact response to subsequent challenges while alone and if this pattern is habitual, it can reciprocally influence strategies used to solve or cope with typical stress. We discuss neural targets of this resource conservation and reframe our lab's previous studies on the social regulation of neural threat responding within this framework. We then show functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data indicating the presence of relational partners decreases blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) response to threat in key targets of resource conservation (e.g., dlPFC, dACC, and insula) and that stronger signal reduction in these areas coincide with less BOLD in pre-frontal (dlPFC. vmPFC) and visuo-sensory integration (occipital cortex, precuneus, superior parietal lobule) regions during ostracism. Finally, we show that these neural relationships are associated with less use of self-regulation-based coping strategies two years post scanning. Taken together, we show the utility of yielding both as a concept and as a bioenergetic process which helps to conserve energy in this social primate.
Non-linear Manifold Clustering based on Conformity Index

This paper presents Manifold Clustering based on Conformity Index (MCC), a remarkably fast and powerful manifold clustering approach. The proposed method identifies points belonging to a cluster by examining a novel quantity which measures the level of conformity of the points to a manifold structure. Despite the usual convention of constructing neighborhood structures for handling the non-linearity, we employ the Reproducing Kernel Hilbert spaces to effectively define and calculate our measure such that it can capture the manifold structure effectively. The global view of the underlying manifold geometry coupled with its extremely simple algorithm makes MCC superior to the other state-of-the-art methods. Gained advantages are confirmed by experimental results on both synthetic and real data.
American Indian" as a Racial Category in Public Health: Implications for Communities and Practice."

When public health considers the health and disease status of Indigenous people, it often does so using a racial lens. In recent decades, public health researchers have begun to acknowledge that co...
Packing mechanisms for the IEEE 802.11n wireless LANs

IEEE 802.11 WLAN products can provide up to 54 Mbps data rate, and the next generation WLAN will provide much higher data rates. However, the medium access control (MAC) was designed for lower data rates, such as 1-2 Mbps, and is not an efficient MAC. Furthermore, a theoretical throughput limit exists due to overhead and limitations of physical implementations, and therefore increasing transmission rate cannot help a lot. Designing efficient MAC strategies becomes critical and important. In this paper, we propose several MAC strategies, such as packing, concatenation, and multiple frame transmission, to overcome the fundamental overhead and to improve performance. The aim is to propose and introduce efficient new MAC not only for current IEEE 802.11 standards (.11a/.11b/.11g), but also for the next generation WLAN with higher speed and higher throughput, i.e., IEEE 802.11n.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN URINE OUTPUT AND TOLAZOLINE (T) HALF-LIFE

The only report of neonatal T pharmacokinetics indicated half-life varied from 3.3-33 hours in 8 patients. The longest half-life occurred in an infant with a poor cardiovascular status. Adult dogs eliminate T by renal tubular base transport without detectable metabolism by a chemically non-specific assay. This transport system is saturable and immature in infants at birth thus placing infants at risk for limited T excretion. We have developed a chemically-specific microassay for T by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and used it to study 12 T eliminations following pulse and infusion doses in 10 infants. T half-life varied from 1.5-29.6 hrs and showed a significant correlation with the logarithm of urine output from 0.40-2.35 ml/kg/hr (R=0.77, p<0.01). In 2 infants studied twice, the longer half-life occurred during lower urine output. In 2 infants who failed to void for 3-4 hrs after a T dose, concentrations measured every 30 min did not decrease until voiding resumed. This suggests that T is not significantly metabolized in infants and that decreased urine production prolongs T half-life exponentially. The variation in T half-life in these patients and those previously reported may be explained by variation in urine output. During oliguria, pulse doses of T may need to be decreased in frequency and infusion doses decreased in magnitude to avoid T accumulation and adverse effects.
Self and Identity across the Life Span

This chapter reviews trends in research and theory on the development of the self across the human life span, as they appear in a wide range of social-science disciplines. The review is organized in terms of three main guises of the self—the self as actor, agent, and author. Features of the self-as-actor emerge first in the life span, as manifested in the young child's observations of his or her own social performances and dispositional traits. With development, features of the self-as-agent—personal goals and plans and their psychological scaffolding—layer over basic dimensions of the actor-self. In emerging adulthood, the self-as-author rises to the fore to address the modern psychosocial challenge of creating a meaningful story, or narrative identity, for one's life. Keywords: identity; self; goals; narratives; traits
Improving Outcomes by Implementing a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program (PUPP): Going beyond the Basics

A multidisciplinary process improvement program was initiated at the University of Miami Hospital (UMH) in 2009 to identify the prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU) at the institution and to implement interventions to reduce the incidence of HAPU. This deliberate and thoughtful committee-driven process evaluated care, monitored results, and designed evidence-based strategic initiatives to manage and reduce the rate of HAPU. As a result all inpatient beds were replaced with support surfaces, updated care delivery protocols were created, and monitored, turning schedules were addressed, and a wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurse and support staff were hired. These initial interventions resulted in a decrease in the prevalence of HAPU at UMH from 11.7% of stage II to IV ulcers in the second quarter, 2009 to 2.1% the third quarter. The rate remained at or near the 2009 UMH benchmark of 3.1% until the first quarter of 2012 when the rate rose to 4.1%. At that time new skin products were introduced into practice and continuing re-education was provided. The rate of HAPU dropped to 2.76% by the second quarter of 2012 and has remained steadily low at 1%–2% for nine consecutive quarters.
Inhibition of topoisomerase IIα activity in CHO K1 cells by 2- [(aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol (WR-1065)

The aminothiol 2-[(aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol (WR-1065) is the active thiol of the clinically studied radioprotective agent S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721). WR-1065 is an effective radiation protector and antimutagenic agent when it is administered 30 min prior to radiation exposure to Chinese hamster ovary Kl cells at a concentration of 4 mM. Under these exposure conditions, topoisomerase (topo) I and II activities and associated protein contents were measured in the K1 cell line using the DNA relaxation assay, the P4 unknotting assay, and immunoblotting, respectively. WR-1065 was ineffective in modifying topo I activity, but it did reduce topo IIa activity by an average of 50 percent. The magnitude of topo IIa protein content, however, was not affected by these exposure conditions. Cell cycle effects were monitored by the method of flow cytometry. Exposure of cells to 4 mM WR-1065 for a period of up to 6 h resulted in a buildup of cells in the G2 compartment. However, in contrast to topo II inhibitors used in chemotherapy, WR-1065 is an effective radioprotector agent capable of protecting against both radiation-induced cell lethality and mutagenesis. One of several mechanisms of radiation protection attributed to aminothiol compounds such as WR-1065 has been their ability to affect endogenousmore » enzymatic reactions involved in DNA synthesis, repair, and cell cycle progression. These results are consistent with such a proposed mechanism and demonstrate in particular a modifying effect by 2-[(aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol on type II topoisomerase, which is involved in DNA synthesis.« less
Conditional Temperature-sensitive Restriction of Pseudomonas Bacteriophage CB3

Restriction of Pseudomonas bacteriophage CB3 growth on some Pseudomonas aeruginosa hosts was studied. On restricting hosts, growth of this phage was severely inhibited below 32 C and hence was temperature-sensitive. Investigation of this phenomenon revealed that restricting hosts were not killed as a consequence of their infection under nonpermissive conditions. The ability of some hosts to restrict showed segregation in sexual crosses between restricting and nonrestricting hosts. However, the pattern of restriction among various hosts differed with the phage in question when other phages were compared with CB3. Temperature-shift experiments indicated that blockage of an early event in the phage lytic cycle occurred when restricting conditions were imposed on cells infected with CB3. This blockage could be eliminated by holding at permissive conditions until the cold-sensitive step was bypassed or by pulsing restricting cells for 5 min at 37 C.
Zero-Knowledge Proofs with Witness Elimination

Zero-knowledge proofs with witness elimination are protocols that enable a prover to demonstrate knowledge of a witness to the verifier that accepts the interaction provided that the witness is valid for a given statement and additionally the witness does not belong to a set of eliminated witnesses . This set is determined by a public relation Q (that parameterizes the primitive) and the private input of the verifier. Zero-knowledge proofs with witness elimination thus call for a relaxation of the zero-knowledge property and are relevant in settings where a statement has a multitude of witnesses that may attest to its validity. A number of interesting issues arise in the design of such protocols that include whether a protocol transcript enables the verifier to test for witness after termination (something akin to an "offline dictionary attack") and whether the prover should be capable of understanding whether her witness is eliminated. The primitive is motivated by the setting of identification schemes where a user wishes to authenticate herself to an access point while preserving her anonymity and the access point needs to certify that the user is eligible while at the same time making sure she does not match the identity of a suspect user that is tracked by the authorities. We call such primitives anonymous identification schemes with suspect tracking . In this work we formalize zero-knowledge proofs with witness elimination in the universal composability setting and we provide a general construction based on smooth projective hashing that is suitable for designing efficient schemes. As an illustration of our general construction we then present an explicit efficient scheme for proving knowledge of a Boneh-Boyen signature with witness elimination. Our scheme requires the design of a smooth projective hash function for the language of linear ElGamal ciphertexts. Along the way we demonstrate how zero-knowledge proofs with witness elimination naturally relate to the primitives of password-based key exchange and private equality testing.
Precision Heterodyne Calibration

The frequencies of 12C18O2, 13C16O2 and 13C18O2 isotope lasers have been measured to better than 3 MHz (0.0001 cm−1) by comparison with a 12C16O2 reference laser. Heterodyne techniques were used to generate 139 difference frequencies in a liquid-nitrogen cooled HgCdTe photodiode. Microwave frequency counter measurements of the difference frequencies were then used to calculate new values for the band centers and rotational constants of the rare isotopes. It is shown that an additional thousandfold improvement in accuracy and a greatly extended spectral range can be readily achieved.
A comparison of item selection procedures using different ability estimation methods in computerized adaptive testing based on the generalized partial credit model

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) provides a highly efficient alternative to the paper-and-pencil test. By selecting items that match examinees’ ability levels, CAT not only can shorten test length and administration time but it can also increase measurement precision and reduce measurement error. In CAT, maximum information (MI) is the most widely used item selection procedure. However, the major challenge with MI is the attenuation paradox, which results because the MI algorithm may lead to the selection of items that are not well targeted at an examinee’s true ability level, resulting in more errors in subsequent ability estimates. The solution is to find an alternative item selection procedure or an appropriate ability estimation method. CAT studies have not investigated the association between these two components of a CAT system based on polytomous IRT models. The present study compared the performance of four item selection procedures (MI, MPWI, MEI, and MEPV) across four ability estimation methods (MLE, WLE, EAP-N, and EAP-PS) under the mixed-format CAT based on the generalized partial credit model (GPCM). The test-unit pool and generated responses were based on test-units calibrated from an operational national test that included both independent dichotomous items and testlets. Several test conditions were manipulated: the unconstrained CAT as well as the constrained CAT in which the CCAT was used as the content-balancing, and the progressive-restricted procedure with maximum exposure rate equal to 0.19 (PR19) served as the exposure control in this study. The performance of various CAT conditions was evaluated in terms of measurement precision, exposure control properties, and the extent of selected-test-unit overlap. Results suggested that all item selection procedures, regardless of ability estimation methods, performed equally well in all evaluation indices across two CAT conditions. The MEPV procedure, however, was favorable in terms of a slightly lower maximum exposure rate, better pool utilization, and reduced test and selected-test-unit overlap than with the other three item selection procedures when both CCAT and PR19 procedures were implemented. It is not necessary to implement the sophisticated and computing-intensive Bayesian item selection procedures across ability estimation methods under the GPCM-based CAT. In terms of the ability estimation methods, MLE, WLE, and two EAP methods, regardless of item selection procedures, did not produce practical differences in all evaluation indices across two CAT conditions. The WLE method, however, generated significantly fewer non-convergent cases than did the MLE method. It was concluded that the WLE method, instead of MLE, should be considered, because the non-convergent case is less of an issue. The EAP estimation method, on the other hand, should be used with caution unless an appropriate prior t distribution is specified.
Viral determinants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 T-cell or macrophage tropism, cytopathogenicity, and CD4 antigen modulation.

Abstract The genome of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is highly heterogeneous. Some of this genomic variability is reflected in the biologic and serologic differences observed among various strains of HIV-1. To map the viral determinants that correlate with pathogenicity of the virus, recombinant viruses were generated between biologically active molecular clones of HIV-1 strains that show differences in T-cell or macrophage tropism, cytopathogenicity, CD4 antigen modulation, and susceptibility to serum neutralization. The results of these studies indicate that the envelope region contains the major determinants of these viral features. Further studies with sequence exchanges within this region should help identify specific domains that contribute to HIV pathogenesis.
Part I: The Role of Maintenance Therapy in Patients With Multiple Myeloma Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Multiple myeloma remains a highly treatable but incurable disease. New agents with improved efficacy have increased the response to induction treatment. These agents have been adapted for use in maintenance therapy strategies to improve responses and delay relapse/progression with the ultimate goal of improved overall survival. Recent trials have shown that the immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide; the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib; and the bisphosphonate zoledronate improve time to progression and overall survival. Introduction of new therapies, alone or in combination with existing agents, may lead to increased improvement and prolongation of disease control after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for transplant-eligible patients.
Experimental lead toxicity in the ring-necked duck.

Ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) were administered a single lead shot by gastric intubation. At weekly intervals over a 7-week period, the birds were weighed and blood samples obtained for measurement of hematocrit, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP), blood lead and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activity. The birds were fluoroscoped weekly to ensure that the pellets had been retained. Blood lead concentrations peaked 1 week after dosing at a concentration of 7.75 μg/ml and then fell to control levels by Week 4. FEP concentrations in the treated ducks also peaked 1 week after dosing at levels which were roughly 1200% of control concentrations. The return of FEP concentrations to normal paralleled blood lead. ALAD activity was inhibited by approximately 85% by Week 1; however, there was a gradual but steady recovery of ALAD activity through Week 7. Four of the treated birds died within 2 to 3 weeks of lead administration. Physical signs of lead toxicity were maximal 7 to 10 days postdosing and included ataxia, loss of body weight, impaction of the upper gastrointestinal tract, and bile green diarrhea. In surviving birds, overt signs of toxicity declined with time and all birds appeared normal by Week 7.
Control variates for monte carlo analysis of nonlinear statisticalmodels. IV

A Monte Carlo control variate method is used to study the estimators obtained in nonlinear regression under nonnormal error distributions. Two forms of the standard linear approximator are used as the control variates: a natural approximator using the nonnormal errors sampled, and a normalized approximator obtained by transformation of the errors. The natural approximator is shown to be most effective when the sampling distribution is itself nonnormal; its effectiveness is well approximated by a function of the Beale measure of nonlinearity. The normalized approximator is most effective when the estimator sampling distribution is approximately normal. A one-parameter model is used for illustration with uniform and gamma distributed errors
Low prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis by urinary ligase chain reaction in women patients in the emergency department.

UNLABELLED: Recent studies suggest that women with acute urethral syndrome or abdominal pain, presenting to emergency departments (EDs), have a high prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of C. trachomatis in women presenting to an ED and to see whether those with dysuria or abdominal pain have a higher prevalence of C. trachomatis. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of C. trachomatis in the urine of women aged 18 to 50 years who had a urinalysis performed at a university/county ED from February through May 1998. Urine specimens were labeled for the presence of symptoms and analyzed for C. trachomatis by ligase chain reaction (LCR). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of cervical swabs for C. trachomatis was done for usual clinical indications. Difference in proportions of positive LCR tests among patients was tested with Fisher's exact test. Agreement between PCR and LCR was measured using Cohen's kappa statistic. RESULTS: Of 397 women whose urine was tested, 280 had symptoms of dysuria, abdominal pain, or both, and 117 had no symptoms. The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis by LCR was 3.8% (95% CI = 2.1% to 6.2%); and the combined PCR-LCR prevalence was 4.3% (95% CI = 2.5% to 6.8%). The presence of symptoms was not associated with a positive LCR test for C. trachomatis (p = 0.26, power = 0.8, alpha = 0.05, difference 3% vs. 12%). In the 172 patients who had both a PCR cervical swab and urine LCR, agreement was excellent (kappa = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.45 to 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: This ED had a surprisingly low prevalence of C. trachomatis. Women with symptoms were not more likely to test positive than those without.
Geometrical confinement of Gd(DOTA) molecules within mesoporous silicon nanoconstructs for MR imaging of cancer

Porous silicon has been used for the delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents in several biomedical applications. Here, mesoporous silicon nanoconstructs (SiMPs) with a discoidal shape and a sub-micrometer size (1000×400nm) have been conjugated with gadolinium-tetraazacyclododecane tetraacetic acid Gd(DOTA) molecules and proposed as contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The surface of the SiMPs with different porosities - small pore (SP: ∼5nm) and huge pore (HP: ∼40nm) - and of bulk, non-porous silica beads (1000nm in diameter) have been modified with covalently attached (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) groups, conjugated with DOTA molecules, and reacted with an aqueous solution of GdCl3. The resulting Gd(DOTA) molecules confined within the small pores of the Gd-SiMPs achieve longitudinal relaxivities r1 of ∼17 (mMs)(-)(1), which is 4 times greater than for free Gd(DOTA). This enhancement is ascribed to the confinement and stable chelation of Gd(DOTA) molecules within the SiMP mesoporous matrix. The resulting nanoconstructs possess no cytotoxicity and accumulate in ovarian tumors up to 2% of the injected dose per gram tissue, upon tail vein injection. All together this data suggests that Gd-SiMPs could be efficiently used for MR vascular imaging in cancer and other diseases.
On comparing two chains of numerical semigroups and detecting arf semigroups

If T is a numerical semigroup with maximal ideal N , define associated semigroups B(T):=(N-N) and L(T)= ∪ { (hN-hN) : h ≥ 1 } . If S is a numerical semigroup, define strictly increasing finite sequences { B i (S) : 0 ≤ i ≤β (S) } and { L i (S) : 0 ≤ i ≤λ (S) } of semigroups by B 0 (S):=S=:L 0 (S) , B β (S) (S):= \Bbb N =: L λ (S) (S) , B i+1 (S):=B(B i (S)) for 0<i< β (S) , L i+1 (S):=L(L i (S)) for 0<i< λ (S) . It is shown, contrary to recent claims and conjectures, that B 2 (S) need not be a subset of L 2 (S) and that β (S) - λ (S) can be any preassigned integer. On the other hand, B 2 (S) ⊆ L 2 (S) in each of the following cases: S is symmetric;S has maximal embedding dimension;S has embedding dimension e(S) ≤ 3 . Moreover, if either e(S)=2 or S is pseudo-symmetric of maximal embedding dimension, then B i (S) ⊆ L i (S) for each i , 0 ≤ i ≤λ (S) . For each integer n ≥ 2 , an example is given of a (necessarily non-Arf) semigroup S such that β (S) = λ (S)=n , B i (S) = L i (S) for all 0 ≤ i ≤ n-2 , and B n-1 (S) \subsetneqq L n-1 (S) .
Disaggregate Economic Base Multipliers in Small Communities

Economic base analysis is frequently used to describe employment profiles and to predict project-related impacts in small communities. Considerable evidence suggests, however, that economic base multipliers should be estimated from survey data and not from shortcut methods. In this paper two competing versions of the economic base model are developed and then these two models are estimated by use of the Arizona community data set. In both cases, marginal multiplier estimates, controlled for transfer payments, are generated for ten individual sectors in five different types of communities. Results from these two disaggregate economic base models are assessed and then compared with results provided earlier by more aggregate models. The better of these two new models closely resembles the popular input—output model.
Suppression of cutaneous perception by magnetic pulse stimulation of the human brain

We have demonstrated that magnetic pulse stimulation of the sensorimotor cortex suppresses perception of threshold electrical stimuli to the fingers of the contralateral hand. Maximum suppression of perception occurs when the fingers are stimulated 30-90 msec after the magnetic pulse. Thereafter, errors in perception of the cutaneous stimulus decrease to control levels by 300-400 msec after the magnetic pulse. The period of maximum suppression of perception coincides with the period during which cortically generated somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are enhanced following magnetic pulse stimulation of the brain. The duration of suppression of perception, however, outlasts the duration of SEP enhancement. When the magnetic pulse is delivered after finger stimulation there is also suppression of perception. The suppression of perception is maximal when the magnetic pulse occurs 20-30 msec after finger stimulation. This interval coincides with the arrival of the afferent volley at the primary sensory cortex.