cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Model-free and model-based learning processes in the updating of explicit and implicit evaluations.

Evaluating stimuli along a good–bad dimension is a fundamental computation performed by the human mind. In recent decades, research has documented dissociations and associations between explicit (i.e., self-reported) and implicit (i.e., indirectly measured) forms of evaluations. However, it is unclear whether such dissociations arise from relatively more superficial differences in measurement techniques or from deeper differences in the processes by which explicit and implicit evaluations are acquired and represented. The present project (total N = 2,354) relies on the computationally well-specified distinction between model-based and model-free reinforcement learning to investigate the unique and shared aspects of explicit and implicit evaluations. Study 1 used a revaluation procedure to reveal that, whereas explicit evaluations of novel targets are updated via model-free and model-based processes, implicit evaluations depend on the former but are impervious to the latter. Studies 2 and 3 demonstrated the robustness of this effect to (i) the number of stimulus exposures in the revaluation phase and (ii) the deterministic vs. probabilistic nature of initial reinforcement. These findings provide a framework, going beyond traditional dual-process and single-process accounts, to highlight the context-sensitivity and long-term recalcitrance of implicit evaluations as well as variations in their relationship with their explicit counterparts. These results also suggest avenues for designing theoretically guided interventions to produce change in implicit evaluations.
Harassment in Public Spaces: The Intrusion on Personal Space

Street/public harassment framed as stranger intrusion more accurately recognizes and accounts for the potential harm perpetrated on survivors of harassment. Considering the #MeToo Movement, this pa...
23Na nuclear magnetic resonance study of yNa2S + (1 − y)[xSiS2 + (1 − x)PS5/2] glassy solid electrolytes

Abstract 23 Na NMR spin lattice relaxation times, T 1 , and central linewidths were obtained for yNa 2 S + (1 − y)[xSiS 2 + (1 − x)PS 5/2 ] glassy solid electrolytes for two series of glasses, y = 0.5 and 0.67, and x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9. No pronounced mixed glass former effect in the activation energy was observed within experimental uncertainty for either series of glasses. Energy barriers to sodium motion were calculated using the Anderson-Stuart model for the y = 0.67 sample, and the results suggested that the energy barriers as a function of composition are strongly influenced by the dielectric constant of these glasses. DC Na + ion conductivity values calculated using NMR-derived correlation times, an available Na + ion site coordination number in the range z = 3–4, and an energy cutoff determined from the critical percolation threshold, were in agreement with the increasing trend in the experimental values for the y = 0.67 glasses. Using the same model, the conductivity values were calculated for the y = 0.50 glasses, which have as yet to be measured, and these revealed a decreasing conductivity as x increased. Sodium NMR second moment studies showed that the cation spatial arrangement followed a homogeneous distribution for y = 0.50 and 0.67 samples over most of the composition range, but deviated significantly away from this above a sodium concentration of 1.85 × 10 28 m -3 , suggesting a tendency for sodium to cluster under these conditions.
Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Pain

Biomedical characterizations of pain posit that the existence and severity of pain can be attributed to a specific organic pathology: identifying and correcting the latter should result in eradication of the pain symptoms. While the simplicity of such cause-and-effect models can be attractive, they fail to take into consideration the role of psychological factors in the onset, maintenance, and exacerbation of pain and may thus limit a patient’s response to treatment. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.” Biopsychological characterizations such as this expand on biomedical models by recognizing that the experience of pain possesses both physiologic and psychological underpinnings. Concurrently addressing the physical, behavioral, and psychological components of pain has been shown to improve functioning and decrease pain-related distress and could potentially reduce the financial burden associated with pain treatment.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

This chapter discusses technical aspects of sleeve gastrectomy including instrumentation and equipment, patient positioning, operating room setup, trocar placement, dissection, creation of the gastric sleeve, hemostasis, and specimen removal.
Embankment Pore Pressures During Construction

Theoretical methods for predicting pore pressures in earth dams are reviewed, and observed pore pressure data from selected dams constructed by the Corps of Engineers (CE) and other agencies are summarized to indicate the development and magnitudes of construction pore water pressures in earth dams. Construction characteristics and pore pressure data from 10 CE dams, 24 USBR dams, and 9 foreign dams are summarized and compared. The study determined that because of the numerous factors which influence pore pressure buildup, broad conclusions for all earth dams are difficult to make and each dam must be treated individually with respect to predicting construction pore pressures. It is concluded that: (1) Provisions for internal drainage effectively relieve construction pore pressures in earth embankments; (2) pore-pressure ratios in embankment materials increase rapidly as placement-water content increases, especially above optimum water content; and (3) pore pressures increase with increasing dam height, but even low dams (less than 100-ft high) can develop large pore pressures.
Modifications in Systemic Rheumatic Disease Medications: Patients' Perspectives during the Height of the COVID-19 Pandemic in New York City.

OBJECTIVE Concerns about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may have led to changes or discontinuation of immunosuppressive medications among patients with systemic rheumatic disease. Our goal was to assess patients' perspectives regarding medication modifications and deviations from planned uses during the height of the pandemic. METHODS Adult patients of 13 rheumatologists at an academic center with physician-diagnosed rheumatic disease and prescribed disease-modifying medications were interviewed by telephone and asked open-ended questions about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on their medications. Responses were analyzed using content and thematic analyses to generate categories that described patterns of medication modification. RESULTS A total of 112 patients (mean age 50 years, 86% women, 34% non-White race or Latino ethnicity) with diverse diagnoses (30% lupus, 26% rheumatoid arthritis, 44% other) who were taking various medications were enrolled. Patients reported clinically relevant issues that were iteratively reviewed to generate unique categories of medication modification: medications and increased or decreased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; role of hydroxychloroquine; maintaining medication status quo; role of glucocorticoids; increasing or decreasing existing medications in relation to clinical disease activity; postponing infusions; and medication plan if infected by SARS-CoV-2. Some modifications were suboptimal for disease control but were made to mitigate infection risk and to minimize potential harm when patients were unable to obtain laboratory tests and physical examinations due to cessation of in-person office visits. CONCLUSION During the height of the pandemic, substantial medication modifications were made that, in some cases, were temporizing measures and deviations from planned regimens. Future studies will assess short- and long-term sequelae of these medication modifications.
Delaying Cochlear Implantation Impacts Postoperative Speech Perception of Nontraditional Pediatric Candidates.

INTRODUCTION As pediatric cochlear implant (CI) candidacy expands, children with greater degrees of residual hearing are receiving CIs. These nontraditional candidates have audiometric thresholds that meet adult manufacturer labeling but are better than current pediatric guidelines allow. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of delayed cochlear implantation on speech perception in nontraditional pediatric CI recipients. METHODS Pediatric CI recipients with a history of progressive hearing loss and a preoperative 4-frequency pure-tone average of ≤75 dB HL at the time of implantation were considered for this retrospective study. Preoperative serial audiograms and word recognition scores were reviewed, and a method was created to establish a date when each individual ear 1st met nontraditional candidacy. The length of time between the date of candidacy and implantation was calculated and defined as the "delay time." A multiple linear regression investigated delay time, age at surgery, surgery type (1st vs. 2nd side), and array type as predictive factors of maximum postoperative Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant (CNC) word scores. A one-way ANCOVA was performed comparing the postoperative CNC scores between subjects grouped by delay time. RESULTS A significant regression was found (F(4, 38) = 5.167, p = 0.002, R2 = 0.353). Both age at implantation (p = 0.023) and delay time (p = 0.002) predicted CNC word scores. Longer delay time was associated with poorer word recognition scores, while older age at implantation correlated with higher CNC word scores in this progressive hearing loss group. A significant difference was noted between subjects implanted with <1 year of delay and those with 3 or more years of delay (p = 0.003). All ears implanted within a year of candidacy achieved word recognition abilities that are generally accepted as above average (M = 84.91). CONCLUSION CI candidacy for adults has evolved to allow for greater degrees of residual hearing, while audiometric guidelines for children have not changed since 2000. Our findings suggest that delay of cochlear implantation, even for children with significant levels of residual hearing, leads to poorer outcomes. Modified candidacy guidelines for children should be established to expedite referral to multidisciplinary CI teams and minimize delays in this population.
Letermovir prophylaxis in solid organ transplant-Assessing CMV breakthrough and tacrolimus drug interaction.

BACKGROUND Valganciclovir is the preferred drug for cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in solid organ transplantation. A limitation to its use is profound myelosuppression. Letermovir is a new agent approved for CMV prophylaxis in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is associated with less toxicity. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of letermovir in solid organ transplantation. METHODS A single-center, matched cohort study was performed on 31 transplant recipients who were converted from valganciclovir to letermovir from November 2017 to June 2020. The primary outcome was the rate of CMV breakthrough infections while on prophylaxis. Secondary outcomes included rate of leukopenia, doses of immunosuppression, rejection, non-CMV infection, and renal function. Statistical analyses of continuous variables included the student's t-test, ANOVA test, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Categorical data were analyzed with chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test. RESULTS There was no difference in the rate of CMV breakthrough between patients on letermovir (8.7%) and valganciclovir (13.5%), (P = .7097). After conversion to letermovir, patients required lower tacrolimus doses at -3.34 mg (SD-1.3, P = .0273), between conversion and day 7. Transplant Infectious Disease The median difference in tacrolimus trough concentrations from conversion to day seven was 9.1 ng/ml [4.9, 16.95] (P = .0002). Leukopenia improved by 1.8 109/L [1.08, 4.85] (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Patients converted from valganciclovir to letermovir did not show an increased rate of CMV breakthrough compared to a historical, matched cohort of patients remaining on valganciclovir. A significant drug interaction was noted with tacrolimus, leading to a recommendation to reduce the dose by 40-50% upon initiation of letermovir.
Optical design and testing of a remote microscope

Microscopic imaging systems currently used on planetary exploration rovers operate over a short range, are dependent on ambient lighting and have a constrained depth of field requiring image stacking and increasing the data download requirement. The Structured Light Imaging Module Remote Microscope illuminates a target with acousto-optic generated traveling-wave sinusoidal patterns to measure the Fourier components of the object. It can resolve ∼10 µm features at a distance of 5 meters with a ∼20 mm depth of field enabling a rover to evaluate remote targets for further study. In this paper we present the optical and mechanical design, and initial characterization of the first to-scale SLIM-RM prototype.
Autism: Part II. Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Due to the increasing prevalence of autism, nurses need to become more informed about the disease. This column reviews the genetics, diagnosis, and treatment of autism.
Using Assessment and SoTL to Enhance Student Learning.

Coordinating SoTL and assessment efforts strengthens the processes of inquiry, evidence, and innovation that lead to the continual improvement of student learning. Examples are provided for how to work collaboratively with colleagues to use these processes to continually inform the teaching practices within classrooms, academic programs, and institutions.
Reducing network energy consumption via sleeping and rate-adaptation

We present the design and evaluation of two forms of power management schemes that reduce the energy consumption of networks. The first is based on putting network components to sleep during idle times, reducing energy consumed in the absence of packets. The second is based on adapting the rate of network operation to the offered workload, reducing the energy consumed when actively processing packets. For real-world traffic workloads and topologies and using power constants drawn from existing network equipment, we show that even simple schemes for sleeping or rate-adaptation can offer substantial savings. For instance, our practical algorithms stand to halve energy consumption for lightly utilized networks (10-20%). We show that these savings approach the maximum achievable by any algorithms using the same power management primitives. Moreover this energy can be saved without noticeably increasing loss and with a small and controlled increase in latency (<10ms). Finally, we show that both sleeping and rate adaptation are valuable depending (primarily) on the power profile of network equipment and the utilization of the network itself.
Spontaneous termination of a tachycardia: what is the tachycardia mechanism?--VI.

Case Presentation A 55-year-old man underwent an electrophysiologic procedure for evaluation and treatment of recurrent episodes of paroxysmal tachycardia that had been occurring sporadically for 10 years. After placement of electrode catheters in the high right atrium and right ventricular apex., but before catheter placement in the His-bundle po.sition or coronary sinus, premature ventricular depolarizations triggered <in episode of tachycjirdia that terminated spontaneously in 10 seconds. The tachycardia cycie length varied between 390 and 410 msec. The last 3 seconds of the tachycardia are shown in Figure 1. What is the tachycardia mechanism?
Lateral inhibition and granule cell synchrony in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus

Studies of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and of experimental models of this disorder suggest that the hippocampal dentate gyrus may be a common site of seizure onset and propagation. However, the nature of the dentate "network defect" that could give rise to spontaneous, intermittent, and synchronous population discharges is poorly understood. We have hypothesized that large expanses of the dentate granule cell layer have an underlying tendency to discharge synchronously in response to afferent excitation, but do not do so normally because vulnerable dentate hilar neurons establish lateral inhibition in the granule cell layer and thereby prevent focal discharges from spreading to surrounding segments. To address this hypothesis, we (1) identified functionally independent segments of the granule cell layer; (2) determined whether discharges in one segment evoke lateral inhibition in surrounding segments; and, (3) determined if disinhibition induces normally independent segments of the granule cell layer to discharge synchronously. Simultaneous extracellular recordings were made from two locations along the longitudinal or transverse axes of the granule cell layer using saline- and bicuculline-filled electrodes that were glued together. Leakage of 10 mM bicuculline from the electrode tip produced no detectable spontaneous activity. However, single perforant path stimuli evoked multiple population spikes at the bicuculline electrode and simultaneous normal responses at the nearby saline electrode. The multiple spikes evoked at the bicuculline electrode did not propagate to, and were not detected by, the adjacent saline electrode, indicating functional separation between neighboring subgroups of granule cells. Paired-pulse stimulation revealed that multiple discharges were not only restricted to one segment of the granule cell layer, but strongly inhibited surrounding segments. This lateral inhibition in surrounding segments often lasted longer than 150 msec. Finally, we evaluated granule cell activity at two normally independent sites within the granule cell layer both before and after disinhibition was induced by high frequency stimulus trains or bicuculline injection. Following a 10 sec, 20 Hz perforant path stimulus train, 2 Hz stimulation evoked virtually identical synchronized epileptiform discharges from normally separated sites. Similarly, intrahippocampal or intravenous bicuculline injection produced spontaneous synchronous epileptiform discharges throughout the granule cell layer. These results indicate that lateral or "surround" inhibition is an operant physiological mechanism in the normal dentate gyrus and suggest that afferent stimuli to a disinhibited dentate network evoke highly synchronized discharges from large expanses of the granule cell layer that are normally kept functionally separated by GABA-mediated inhibition.
A practical guide for pharmacists to establish a transitions of care program in an outpatient setting

Abstract Objectives To improve understanding of the logistics of transitions of care (TOC) clinics and to provide guidance to pharmacists in developing and implementing a new TOC clinic or improving an existing one. Setting Outpatient TOC clinic within an ambulatory care practice. Practice description Two general internal medicine practices collaborated with a university health system to create an interdisciplinary TOC clinic to improve quality and continuity of patient care. The clinic accommodates any patients of the practice who are not able to get an appointment with their primary care physician within 1 to 2 weeks of discharge from any hospital. Physician residents, an attending physician, a clinical pharmacist, a nurse, medical assistants, and a social worker (if necessary) are involved in the patient's care during the transition process. Practice innovation Pharmacists can play a vital role in developing and implementing a TOC clinic or enhancing a current one. There are many logistical components to consider in developing a clinic, and this article provides guidance in the various steps required in creating a clinic, including support and coordination, personnel, workflow, operations, reimbursement, marketing, metrics, and measures. Conclusion This tool may help pharmacists implement or enhance an outpatient TOC clinic to improve patient care, quality, and continuity.
Anomalous transport of penetrants in glassy polymers: Amended equations

The sorption of penetrant in a glassy polymer and the subsequent polymer relaxation give rise to a moving boundary problem. The governing equations for these phenomena, proposed by Peppas and Sinclair have been critically examined. It has been determined that these equations violate the mass conservation criterion. Thus, they have been amended, and analytical solutions obtained for some of the resultant equations. The cases considered are Fickian and non-Fickian transport with/without density change between gel and glassy polymer.
Dendritic cells in germ-free and specific pathogen-free mice have similar phenotypes and in vitro antigen presenting function.

Dendritic cells (DC) can direct downstream T-cell responses. Although bacterial adjuvants are strong activators of DC in vitro, the effects of normal enteric bacteria on DC in vivo are not well defined. We used germ-free (GF) mice to determine whether enteric bacteria alter DC phenotype and ability to stimulate naive T cells. Surface expression of CD11c, CD86, and MHCII was measured on splenic and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) DC. In addition, we tested the ability of T-cell depleted splenocytes from mice injected with LPS to stimulate allogeneic T cells, as determined by cell proliferation. The absolute numbers of CD11c+ DC were decreased in the MLN and spleen of GF mice. Freshly isolated CD11c+ DC from spleens or MLN of SPF and GF mice expressed similar levels of CD86 and MHCII by FACS analysis. Proportions of splenic DC expressing CD4 or CD8 were not different in GF versus SPF mice, although the percentage of CD8alpha-/CD11b+ DC was higher in GF MLN. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS upregulated MHCII and CD86 to a similar extent on splenic DC from GF or SPF mice. Splenic antigen-presenting cells, as well as unseparated spleen or MLN cells, from GF or SPF mice also induced similar levels of T-cell proliferation in vitro. We conclude that commensal bacterial flora do not affect co-stimulatory molecule expression of DC in the spleen or MLN, which exhibit a predominantly immature phenotype. In addition, splenic APC from GF mice are fully competent to stimulate naive T-cell proliferation in vitro.
Tracheobronchial Foreign Bodies in Adults

Abstract Study Objective:To define the clinical spectrum of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in adults, assess predisposing conditions, evaluate the efficacy of bronchoscopy, and determine ...
Surface-immobilized polyampholytic silver nanoparticles for SERS detection of cations and anions in aqueous solutions

A new procedure was used for the preparation of stable silver colloids by reduction of silver nitrate with (N (2 hydroxyethyl) piperazine N'-2 ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES). The nanoparticle size and the surface charge could be tuned by changing the initial pH of a HEPES solution. Rhodamine 6G and NaSCN were used respectively as model cationic and anionic analytes to study the effect of surface charge of the silver colloids on detection sensitivity. The silver colloids exhibit SERS activity comparable to those obtained by the popular Lee-Meisel approach. The combination of the high SERS sensitivity and the ability to control the nature of surface charge renders HEPES-reduced polyampholytic silver colloids a potentially powerful platform for sensing and detection of both cations and anions in aqueous solutions.
Recent Developments in the Theory of Supralattices

Regular 3D arrays of nanosize clusters can be synthesized in the cages of zeolite frameworks. Such nanocomposites are known as supralattices. The appeal to use zeolites mainly comes from the periodic nature of channels and cages in these structures. Alumino−silicate zeolite frameworks have wide electronic bandgaps and are transparent, which opens up the possibility of forming new guest electronic states within the gap. Revolutionary developments in methods of electronic structure theory make possible the quantitative investigation of such complex systems as supralattices. We discuss recent advances in theoretical methods based on the electronic structure theory and describe several recent applications of these techniques to supralattices. Theory can help answer questions as to what kind of guests are appropriate for a given host and what are the energetics and dynamics of the cluster formation in the zeolite cages. Optical, magnetic, and thermal properties of the resulting composite can now, in some cases...
Crystallization and melting of copolymers of polymethylene

Abstract Copolymers of  CH 2  with from 1·8 to 7·7 mole per cent  CH·R , where R = n- C 3 H 7 , C 2 H 5 or CH 3 , have been prepared by copolymerizing diazomethane with the appropriate diazoalkane. That the co-units are distributed approximately at random was assured by analysis of the composition of the unreacted monomers, and by analysis of fractions separated from one of the copolymers by column fractionation. The copolymers were crystallized by stepwise cooling in small intervals over the crystallization range, each temperature being maintained for a period of two days. Melting was followed dilatometrically by raising the temperature in increments according to a similar schedule. Degrees of crystallinity calculated from the specific volume at each temperature are compared with the equilibrium theory of crystallization of copolymers. The comparison involves a single arbitrary parameter, from which we calculate an interfacial free energy of 170 ergs cm −2 (4 600 cal mole −1 of emerging chains) for the 001 face. The range over which melting is most marked shifts to lower temperatures with increase in the proportion of co-unit as expected, and in a manner accountable by the theory. For a given copolymer, however, the melting is restricted to a narrower temperature range than that predicted. At temperatures far below the melting point T m , the extent of crystallization fails to rise to the level predicted by theory, owing presumably to restraints imposed by involvement of the longer methylene sequences of the copolymer molecules in crystals formed at higher temperatures. As the melting point is approached, the degree of crystallinity falls to zero more rapidly than the equilibrium theory prescribes. This general observation is attributed to the kinetic difficulty of bringing together the comparatively sparse long methylene sequences required for crystallites which are stable near T m . Copolymers in which R = CH 3 melt, and crystallize, at higher temperatures than those for which R = C 2 H 5 and n- C 3 H 7 . This fact, in conjunction with the melting point/composition relationship for low proportions of the co-unit, indicates the formation of a crystalline phase which is a solid solution of  CH  dispersed among  CH 2  units. In copolymers of the larger co-units formation of a pure phase is indicated under the experimental conditions here employed.
A novel low-profile portable radar system for high resolution through-wall radar imaging

An UWB through-wall imaging system is proposed based on a planar aperture array operating from 0.9 GHz to 2.3 GHz. The goal is to provide a light weight, fixed array to serve as an alternative to synthetic aperture radars (SAR) which rely on a precisely controlled moving antenna while collecting data. UWB capability is realized by the suppression of array grating lobes via the introduction of virtual phase centers interwoven within actual array phase centers. It is shown that the proposed system enables high resolution 3-D imaging via a non-coherent process. Specifically, several coherent images are forged from various fixed aperture locations (referred to as “snapshot” locations) and are appropriately combined to create a composite (fused) scene image. The design of the array and data collection system is described, and several images based upon backprojection and orthogonal-CLEAN algorithms are presented to demonstrate functionality.
Wounding coordinately induces cell wall protein, cell cycle and pectin methyl esterase genes involved in tuber closing layer and wound periderm development

Abstract Little is known about the coordinate induction of genes that may be involved in agriculturally important wound-healing events. In this study, wound-healing events were determined together with wound-induced expression profiles of selected cell cycle, cell wall protein, and pectin methyl esterase genes using two diverse potato genotypes and two harvests (NDTX4271-5R and Russet Burbank tubers; 2008 and 2009 harvests). By 5 d after wounding, the closing layer and a nascent phellogen had formed. Phellogen cell divisions generated phellem layers until cessation of cell division at 28 d after wounding for both genotypes and harvests. Cell cycle genes encoding epidermal growth factor binding protein (StEBP), cyclin-dependent kinase B (StCDKB) and cyclin-dependent kinase regulatory subunit (StCKS1At) were induced by 1 d after wounding; these expressions coordinated with related phellogen formation and the induction and cessation of phellem cell formation. Genes encoding the structural cell wall proteins extensin (StExt1) and extensin-like (StExtlk) were dramatically up-regulated by 1–5 d after wounding, suggesting involvement with closing layer and later phellem cell layer formation. Wounding up-regulated pectin methyl esterase genes (StPME and StPrePME); StPME expression increased during closing layer and phellem cell formation, whereas maximum expression of StPrePME occurred at 5–14 d after wounding, implicating involvement in later modifications for closing layer and phellem cell formation. The coordinate induction and expression profile of StTLRP, a gene encoding a cell wall strengthening “tyrosine-and lysine-rich protein,” suggested a role in the formation of the closing layer followed by phellem cell generation and maturation. Collectively, the genes monitored were wound-inducible and their expression profiles markedly coordinated with closing layer formation and the index for phellogen layer meristematic activity during wound periderm development; results were more influenced by harvest than genotype. Importantly, StTLRP was the only gene examined that may be involved in phellogen cell wall thickening after cessation of phellogen cell division.
Delaying Action of Gonadotropins on Ovulation in the Hen.

SummaryAntiadrenergic, anticholinergic or central depressant drugs suppress or delay, in varying proportions, ovulation of the second or C2 follicle of the hen's sequence following their administration some 18-20 hours before normally expected ovulation. In an attempt to counteract these effects, a whole anterior pituitary (AP) preparation from cocks was injected intramuscularly shortly before injection of several of the drugs. The incidence of suppressed ovulations was increased by the AP preparation, and increased proportions of suppressed ovulations exhibited C1 lapses, i.e., the normally expected C2 ovulation was delayed only until the hour of typical C1 ovulation on the day following its suppression. Intramuscularly injected 18-19 hours before expected C2 ovulation, the AP preparation alone suppressed ovulation in most hens, with a high proportion of C1 lapses. Under similar conditions, luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from cock pituitaries suppressed ovulation in some h...
Transport and magnetic studies of segmented polyacetylene

Abstract Earlier studies of conducting polymers focused on polyacetylene, (CH) x , where extended conjugation lengths and crystallinity are present. We present here the results of a detailed study of temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility and ac and dc transport of [CHD y ] and [CHD y +z A z − ] x where A is oxygen and iodine and 0.02≤y≤0.17. The CHD y introduce sp 3 defects along the otherwise sp 2 bonded polyacetylene chains and result in “segmentation” of the chain. Our results show that the presence of the sp 3 bonded carbons has only a moderate effect on the conjugation of the pi band of polyacetylene.
New polyfluoroalkoxysulfonyl fluorides. Part IX. A new fluoroacrylate ester — monomer and polymer

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of a novel fluoroacrylate ester containing the fluorosulfonyl group (SO 2 F) has been carried out. This ester, H 2 CCHC(O)O(CH 2 ) 2 (CF 2 ) 2 O(CF 2 ) 2 SO 2 F ( 1 ), was successfully polymerized in bulk and as a film. Infrared, mass and NMR spectra are presented in order to support the assigned structures.
Malassezia (Pityrosporon) Folliculitis Occurring During Pregnancy

A 23-year-old black woman presented in the 37th week of her first pregnancy complaining of a pruritic rash of 4 months' duration. The lesions appeared acutely on her neck, trunk, and proximal extremities and did not respond to therapy with a topical benzoyi peroxide gel. The patient had been treated for mild facial acne vulgaris since the age of 18 years. Her acne reportedly responded to therapy with topical benzoyi peroxide gel, tretinoin cream, and oral courses of tetracycline. The tetracycline was discontinued when the patient learned that she was pregnant. Otherwise, the patient was in excellent health, without a history of diabetes mellitus or Cushing's syndrome. She was taking no systemic medications during the pregnancy. Physical examination was remarkable for the presence of monomorphous follicular erythematous papules and pustules on the patient's neck, chest, upper back, and proximal extremities (Fig. 1). Comedones and cysts were not apparent. Histopathologic examination of a typical lesion revealed a dilated, plugged hair follicle containing keratinaceous material, acute and chronic inflammatory cells, and spherical to oval budding yeast-like organisms without hyphal forms (Fig. 2). The organisms were readily apparent on PAS-stained sections, staining PAS-positive and diastase resistant (Fig. 3).
Significance of pesticide residues to human health.

Abstract The use of chemical pesticides provides a number of health benefits, including control of insect-vector-borne diseases and increased food production. However, the use of these toxic materials on man or in his immediate environment has created potential hazards that are of great public health significance. Use experience data for pesticide manufacturing plant workers, formulators and spraymen under study by the Food and Drug Administration shows subtle biochemical differences related to high-level pesticide exposure. The significance of these differences is not known. The sen-sitivity of currently available chemical techniques has made possible the measurement of very small amounts of the chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides in the environment and in human tissues, including blood. DDT levels in adipose tissue of the United States general population have not increased since they were first measured in 1950. However, current studies have shown that race, geographic location, and age are all important factors in determining the DDT storage level for an individual. Recent tests in experimental animals suggest that teratology from 2,4,5,-T formulations, potential carcinogenicity of DDT, and induction of drug metabolizing enzymes by various chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides are problems whose significance for human health must be evaluated. In two-year human volunteer studies, daily doses of DDT up to 200 times the ordinary dietary level did not produce detectable adverse effects. The Single most important factor in determining toxicity, including cancer and teratogenicity, is dosage.
Is tumor size the best predictor of outcome for papillary thyroid cancer

There are many risk classification schemes that determine both treatment and outcome for patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Most of these formulas often utilize tumor size as the key predictor of outcome. Furthermore, there is no clear consensus regarding the treatment of small papillary cancers. Therefore, we reviewed our experience in order to determine which factors best predict outcome for papillary thyroid cancer. In addition, we sought to establish a tumor size threshold beyond which papillary cancers require treatment. From May 1994 to October 2004, 174 patients underwent surgery for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) at our institution. These patients were divided into five groups based on tumor size. The data from these groups were analyzed utilizing ANOVA, Chi-square and linear regression analysis. The mean age of the patients was 42 ± 1 years and 126 (72%) were female. Mean tumor size was 17.2 ± 1.1 mm. The overall outcome was quite good with a survival rate of 97% and a recurrence rate of 12%. On univariate analysis, there was no difference amongst the groups in regards to age or gender. However, there was a significantly higher incidence of lymph node metastasis amongst those with the largest tumors. Consequently, those patients with the largest tumors were treated more aggressively, with 75% undergoing total thyroidectomies and 85% receiving radioactive iodine therapy. However, on univariate and multivariate analysis, tumor size was not shown to correlate with higher recurrence. Rather, the only factor associated with a greater recurrence rate was the presence of lymph node metastases. At our institution, the recurrence rates for PTC were similar for all sizes of tumors. Furthermore, presence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, rather than tumor size, seems to be a better predictor of recurrence and outcome.
The application of nanosecond-pulsed laser welding technology in MEMS packaging with a shadow mask

Abstract A nanosecond-pulsed laser bonding process with a shadow mask for MEMS packaging applications has been successfully demonstrated. YAG Surelit II laser with pulse duration of 4–6 ns, a wavelength of 355 nm and a focal diameter of 1 mm is used to provide the bonding energy for glass-to-silicon bonding using a 4 μm thick indium layer as the bonding material. The optimal bonding parameters are found experimentally when the laser energy is between 8 and 22 mJ and multiple laser shots are used. Furthermore, a regular white paper with pre-defined patterns has been successfully used as the masking material to achieve selective heating and bonding. Simulation results show that localized heating can be achieved by using the nanosecond laser. One micro-second after the laser power is applied, the temperature at the indium/silicon interface drops from 2500 to 760 °C and drops further to 43 °C after 1 ms. This nanosecond laser power is believed to provide suitable energy and time for localized heating and bonding applications for MEMS.
Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography for the evaluation of shunt malfunction in pediatric patients.

Previous studies have demonstrated a high correlation between hydrocephalus and the resistive index (RI), as determined by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Measurements of RI, calculated by dividing the difference between the peak systolic velocity and the enddiastolic velocity by the peak systolic velocity, were attempted in 55 pediatric patients during evaluations for ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunctions; values were obtained in 52. Indications of shunt malfunction included both clinical and radiographic evidence of increased intracranial pressure. Eleven patients, determined to have functional shunts both by clincal criteria and subsequent outcome, had RIs of 47±5 (average±1 standard deviation). Shunt malfunctions were confirmed in 41 patients. Prior to shunt revisions, these 41 patients has RIs of 71±10%; following revision, the RIs fell to 53±12%. Nine patients had had pre-malfunction RIs of 48±11% obtained during routine follow-ups; when they subsequently had shunt malfunctions, their RIs had significantly increased. Four of the 41 patients with shunt malfunctions had essentially normal RIs (52±7%), but had fluid tracking along the shunt; in these, RIs were essentially unaffected by shunt revision. For comparison, 119 pediatric patients with clinically functional ventriculoperitoneal shunts had RIs of 50±9%. The data, statistically significant with a P value of <0.001, showed a correlation between elevated RIs and shunt malfunction; thus, transcranial Doppler ultrasonography is a practical, non-invasive technique useful in the diagnosis of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction.
Swamp rabbits in floodplain ecosystems: Influence of landscape- and stand-level habitat on relative abundance

Abstract Swamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) are bottomland hardwood forest specialists that may serve as useful indicators of ecosystem health. However, no studies have assessed the influence of both microhabitat and macrohabitat variables on relative abundance of swamp rabbits. To address this gap in the literature, we assessed the influence of landscape- and stand-level habitat variables on relative abundance of swamp rabbits in 29 floodplain forest sites in southern Illinois during 2006–2007. Swamp rabbits were detected at 69% of the sites surveyed. The median contiguity index of the landscape (a measure of patch size and spatial connectedness), the range in contiguity index of upland habitats, and tree stump density were positively and moderately related (w+[i] = 0.381–0.475) to relative abundance of swamp rabbits. Our results emphasize the importance of large unfragmented patches of floodplain forest habitat to swamp rabbits, and confirm that continued fragmentation of remaining habitat could hav...
The simplicial approximation approach to design centering

The basis of a method for designing circuits in the face of parameter uncertainties is described. This method is computationally cheaper than those methods which employ Monte Carlo analysis and nonlinear programming techniques, gives more useful information, and more directly addresses the central problem of design centering. The method, called simplicial approximation, locates and approximates the boundary of the feasible region of an n -dimensional design space with a polyhedron of bounding ( n - 1 )-simplices. The design centering problem is solved by determining the location of the center of the maximal hyperellipsoid inscribed within this polyhedron. The axis lengths of this ellipsoid can be used to solve the tolerance assignment problem. In addition, this approximation can be used to estimate the yield by performing an inexpensive Monte Carlo analysis in the parameter space without any need for the usual multitude of circuit simulations.
Impediments to Timely Diagnosis of Adnexal Torsion

Background Adnexal torsion (AT) is a diagnostic dilemma and a gynecologic emergency with catastrophic consequences. Rapid diagnosis avoids jeopardizing reproductive function. Delineation of factors hindering diagnosis and initiation of therapy facilitates optimal outcome. Methods To identify impediments to expedient diagnosis and operative intervention for AT, we performed a retrospective review (1991–1996) of the diagnoses of adnexal or ovarian torsion, ovarian cystectomy, or oophorectomy/salpingectomy at the Medical Center. Results The review uncovered 27 cases of surgically diagnosed and confirmed AT. The mean patient age was 9.2 years (range Conclusion Normal adnexal structures have the highest likelihood to undergo torsion in this age group, as only 7/27 patients had adnexal pamology. Recurrent patterns which delayed timely diagnosis and intervention include: A) parental/patient recognition of the significance of the non-specific abdominal symptoms (mean time lag of 7.3 days from symptom onset to presentation); B) diagnostic study performance; C) prolonged observation periods; and D) misdiagnoses. The lack of 24 hour/day imaging studies and expert interpretation can also contribute to delay. We conclude that AT is a clinical diagnosis, made by 1) history and physical exam; 2) early recognition of a classic clinical triad of pain, vomiting and a tender adnexal mass; 3) an appropriately high index of suspicion; and 4) appreciation of the limits of imaging studies. More frequent use of diagnostic laparoscopy can facilitate earlier diagnosis and surgical detorsion; thereby, offering the highest potential for salvaging reproductive function in these young patients.
PLURAL SCATTERING OF ELECTRONS AT 1.00 Mev, 1.75 Mev, AND 2.50 Mev. II.

Abstract Monoergic electrons were scattered from thin foils of aluminum, nickel, silver and gold. The scattered electrons were analyzed by a magnetic spectrometer. The electron-nuclear cross sections were measured as a function of foil thickness and for scattering angles of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°. The data presented show the onset of plural scattering and may be used as a convenient guide for single scattering.
Field Calibration of Mixed-Layer Drifters

Abstract A set of field experiments was conducted to determine the water-following characteristics of mixed-layer drifters with “holey-sock” drogues. Through the use of a drifting current meter array, direct estimates of slip velocity (or the difference between the velocity of the drifter and that of the water surrounding the drogue) were obtained with precision of better than ± 1 cm s−1. The range of slip velocities was 1 to 4 cm s−1, with the orientation of the slip principally in the downwind direction. The results are consistent with a simple model for slip induced by a wind-drift current, assuming a static balance of drag forces.
Distribution of atoms at the surface of liquid mercury

Theoretical studies of the anisotropic distribution of atoms in the liquid/vapour interface have led to two conclusions. First, the density along the normal to the interface (the longitudinal one particle distribution function) has different forms in a liquid dielectric and a liquid metal. In a dielectric1, the density decreases monotonically as one passes from the liquid to the vapour, while in a metal2 the liquid/vapour interface is stratified for about three atomic diameters into the bulk liquid, Fig. 1 shows examples. Second, the transverse structure factor at the surface of a liquid (the Fourier transform of the in-plane distribution of pairs of atoms) is very similar to the bulk liquid structure factor except near the origin, the difference arising from long-range correlations in the surface1. The very few experiments3,4 that can be interpreted in terms of the properties of the density along the normal to the liquid surface are in agreement with the first set of predictions. There have been no published reports on the transverse structure factor in the liquid/vapour interface. Here we describe the transverse structure factor of the room temperature liquid/vapour interface of mercury, determined using the method of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction5. Our experimental results are consistent with the above predictions.