cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Forecasting with the Nonparametric Exclusion-from-Core Inflation Persistence Model Using Real-Time Data

This paper contributes to nonparametric forecasting techniques by developing three local nonparametric forecasting methods for the nonparametric exclusion-from-core inflation persistence model that are capable of utilizing revised real-time personal consumption expenditure and core personal consumption expenditure for 62 vintages. Local nonparametric forecasting provides forecasters with a way of parsing the data by permitting a low inflation measure to be included in other low inflationary time periods and vice versa. Furthermore, when examining real-time data, policy-makers can use the nonparametric models to help identify outliers and potential abnormal economic events and problems with the data such as an underlying change in volatility. The most efficient nonparametric forecasting method is the third model, which uses the flexibility of nonparametrics by making forecasts conditional on the forecasted value, which can be used for counterfactual analysis.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Uilization on Neonatal Transports

Purpose: The purpose of the abstract is to better understand the utilization of NNP’s on neonatal transports. The California TRIPS score was utilized to analyze the data and provide for a standard method of evaluation. Methods: Retrospectively neonatal transports where an NNP accompanied the team were …
Long-term response of a bahiagrass pasture to elevated CO2 and soil fertility management.

Abstract Pastures represent a significant portion of the rural landscape in the southeastern US, yet remain understudied agro-ecosystems in terms of the effects of rising atmospheric CO2 concentration. Therefore, in 2005 we initiated a long-term (10 yr) study of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) response to elevated CO2 using open top field chambers on a Blanton loamy sand (loamy siliceous, thermic, Grossarenic Paleudults). Plants were exposed to ambient or elevated (ambient + 200 μmol mol−1) CO2. After a one-year establishment period, a management (M) treatment was applied where half of all plots received N [(NH4)2SO4] at 90 kg ha−1 three times yearly plus P, K, and lime as recommended by soil testing; the remaining plots received no fertilization. These two treatments represent managed and unmanaged pastures, both of which are common in the Southeast. Prior to M treatment initiation (establishment phase) biomass production was unaffected by CO2 treatment. Harvests after M treatment initiation (Spring 2006) showed strong effects of fertilizer addition on cumulative forage biomass production (˜231.8% increase); the main effect of CO2 was also significant (˜13.8% increase with elevated CO2). Significant M x CO2 interactions showed that CO2 had no impact on bahiagrass production with no fertilizer added (as observed in establishment year); however, forage production was increased (˜15.3%) under elevated CO2 with fertilizer addition. These findings highlight the importance of soil fertility management to enhance pasture productivity under rising atmospheric CO2 levels.
Thirty-Day Outcomes After Open Revascularization for Acute Mesenteric Ischemia From the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

Background Open revascularization for acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality; however, results from contemporary studies are varied. Therefore, we evaluated 30-day mortality after open revascularization for AMI and identified preoperative factors associated with mortality. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database undergoing open mesenteric revascularization for AMI from 2005 to 2017. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify preoperative factors independently associated with 30-day mortality. Results The study cohort included 918 patients; their median age was 70 years (interquartile range: 59–80 years), 62% were female, and 90% were white. Thirty-day mortality after open revascularization for AMI was 32%, specifically 35% after embolectomy, 31% after thromboendarterectomy, and 28% after mesenteric bypass. Mortality was higher in patients requiring concomitant bowel resection (38% vs. 29%, respectively, P Conclusions In this retrospective cohort study using a real-world, nationwide cohort, open revascularization for AMI was associated with high mortality, with nearly one-third of patients dying within 30 days of their operation. The factors identified to be independently associated with 30-day mortality, particularly disseminated cancer, preoperative renal dysfunction, and elevated preoperative WBC count, are an important tool for preoperative risk stratification.
Gender Bias in Computing

This chapter examines the historical dimension of gender bias in the US computing workforce. It offers new quantitative data on the computing workforce prior to the availability of US Census data in the 1970s. Computer user groups (including SHARE, Inc., and the Mark IV software user group) are taken as a cross-section of the computing workforce. A novel method of gender analysis is developed to estimate women’s and men’s participation in computing beginning in the 1950s. The data presented here are consistent with well-known NSF statistics that show computer science undergraduate programs enrolling increasing numbers of women students during 1965–1985. These findings challenge the “making programming masculine” thesis and serve to correct the unrealistically high figures often cited for women’s participation in early computer programming. Gender bias in computing today is traced not to 1960s professionalization but to cultural changes in the 1980s and beyond.
A Method to Provide Student Peer Mentorship within the Capstone Experience

While students entering the capstone course are eager to apply their technical skills, the open-ended nature of the experience can represent a barrier to success. Well-formed planning, communication and intra-team skills are often differentiating elements among the most successful project teams. The abstract nature of these professional competencies requires a contextual basis to effectively develop within a higher cognitive domain. To this end, our capstone course has adopted a platform that offers students the freedom to choose a project sponsor that aligns with their own professional skills or desired learning environment. In a typical cohort we offer a mixture of industry sponsors (small to medium size local companies, emerging startups and established industry leaders) and faculty sponsors developing projects tied to their on-going research. Students have attributed this latitude in sponsor environment, character and style to their success in the course and transition to a professional career. This work offers an extension of this approach to include projects sponsored and managed by post capstone students. Students interested in an entrepreneurialbased experience tend to select this project and cite the nature of the mentorship as a driver for their decision. A template describing the method is presented for potential implementation. In addition, reflections from the capstone students illustrating the impact of this experience on their professional careers are included.
Surgical and clinical outcomes comparison of mesh usage in laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair.

Use of absorbable mesh in hiatal hernia (HH) repair has been shown to decrease recurrence rates. Our aim was to compare the efficiency of three meshes in relation to the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing HH repair. A single-institution retrospective review was done for adult patients who underwent HH repair with mesh between 2004 and 2016. Demographics, intra-operative, and cost data were collected. Esophageal symptoms and medication use were assessed pre- and postoperatively. Surgical outcomes were evaluated at 6-, 12-months, and long-term follow-up. Three groups were created based on type of mesh: human tissue matrix (HTM), biosynthetic mesh (BIOS), or porcine tissue matrix (PTM). Comparisons were performed between groups using SPSS v.26.0 and PC SAS v9.4, α = 0.05. 292 patients were included (HTM:N = 162, BIOS:N = 83, PTM:N = 47). Majority were male (60.4%), Caucasian (93.2%), median age, and BMI of 59 years [25–90 years] and 29.19 kg/m2 [18.9–58.0 kg/m2], respectively. 69% had a large HH. Median follow-up time was 27 months [1–166 months]. Overall recurrence rate was 39%, being significantly lower in BIOS at long-term (HTM: 31%, BIOS: 17%, PTM: 19%, p = 0.038). All groups had a significant postoperative improvement of esophageal symptoms, all p < 0.001. 65–70% of the cost difference between the groups was incurred by the cost of mesh alone (HTM: $1072, BIOS: $548, PTM: $1295), with the remainder attributable to the surgery itself. While outcomes of the three mesh groups were similar in our data, there was a significant difference in mesh cost. Surgeon and hospital preference still play a role in choosing the type of mesh used; however, knowledge of the individual mesh cost will help surgeons make better informed decisions.
History and Physical Examination in Peroneal Tendon Injury

Lateral ankle pain is an extremely common complaint generally caused by an acute traumatic event and can also present as a chronic condition. The differential diagnosis is extensive but a thorough history and directed physical examination and simple radiographic tests should provide the physician with an accurate diagnosis. Over-reliance on advanced imaging should not be routine; these tests should be ordered, when appropriate, to confirm a presumptive diagnosis.
Trisomy 21 Patients Undergoing Cavopulmonary Connections Need Improved Preoperative and Postoperative Care.

Background Patients with trisomy 21 (T21) often have elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, which may result in a suboptimal cavopulmonary connection (CPC) after a Glenn or Fontan operation. The purpose of this study was to assess, in a nationwide, multiinstitution cohort of patients with CPC, the impact of T21 on patient morbidity, mortality, and resource use. Methods A total of 23,271 pediatric patients with CPC (2004 to 2019) at 50 US hospitals were evaluated using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were used to assess risk-adjusted associations between Down syndrome and other risk factors and postoperative measures of morbidity, mortality, lengths of stay, and cost of hospitalization. Results The overall prevalence of T21 among patients who had undergone Glenn and Fontan procedures was 1.5% (199 of 13,268) and 0.8% (78 of 1003), respectively. Among both CPC cohorts, T21 status significantly increased unadjusted mortality, hospital lengths of stay, and total costs of hospitalization compared with the non-T21 CPC cohort (all P Conclusions T21 significantly increases risk-adjusted morbidity, inpatient mortality, long-term mortality, and resource use after cavopulmonary connections. Further investigation is needed to clarify modifiable patient-level and center-specific risk factors to improve outcomes for patients with T21.
How Eco is Eco-Tourism?: A Systematic Assessment of Resorts on the Red Sea, Egypt

Eco-tourism is a growing part of the tourism industry. However, there are no agreed-upon criteria of what constitutes eco-tourism, so the industry is currently self-identified, with eco-lodges simply declaring themselves so. Here we present the first systematic comparison of eco-tourism versus conventional (or mass) tourism, using as our study area a set of 37 resorts along the southern Red Sea coast of Egypt, all constructed on similarly oriented parcels between the sea and the Red Sea Mountain Range. We compared resorts based on their water, energy, and waste management (all virtually equivalent), and based on mappable environmental parameters such as swimming pool surface area, distance from mangrove patches, conflict with flood plains, extent of lawn area, and means of access to deep water. We found that the self-identified eco-tourism establishments were not significantly different from the conventional tourism resorts in terms of their stress on environmental resources. We recommend that future eco-tourism operations be modified in two key ways. First, on the planning level, by modifying the regional master plan created by the central government tourism authorities. Second, on the site design level, by introducing significant improvements to the design approval processes for the developments to ensure compliance with environmental requirements.
Changing Technology, Durable Segregation, and Household Residential Decisionmaking

This chapter reviews current research on the processes through which households choose neighborhoods and how those decision contribute to residential segregation on the basis of race and class. It begins by reviewing the role that household and neighborhood level characteristics play in households decisionmaking about neighborhoods of residence. It goes on to discuss in more detail the continuing significance of neighborhood racial composition in that decisionmaking process. To understand why neighborhood racial composition may continue to play such a significant role, it looks at existing literature on the concept of implicit bias in the housing context. It concludes by examining differences in the sources of information households turn to in the search process and exploring the implications of changing technology and changing search processes on neighborhood choices and residential segregation.
Friendly URLs in the CMS and Power of Global Ranking with Crawlers with Added Security

The web space has the capacity for constant evolution in a dynamic world like ours; hence keeping up to date with the amounts of data that keeps trickling into its space per second requires an apt introspection of the fundamental tool designed for such task. The URL is saddled with the duty to safe keep most of the informational resources. So a functional and reliable one always gives users reasons to bookmark and return to it on a future date. This very writes up gave an in-depth definition of what a URL entails and the appropriate way of using it, which we argued should be: precise, comprehensive, explicit, impressionable, and long-lasting. The relevance of this fine internet tool was also explained in much detail, ranging from its ability to enhance user's experience, facilitate good ranking for the web owner, and ensure smooth linking, which others would give a favorable rating. Conclusively, the importance of a URL is that it enables the SEO and other websites linking to your site and your visitors to appreciate the fact that you care for their informational needs and have taken it upon yourself to provide a very dependable platform to provide solutions.
Eating Behaviors and Dietary Patterns of Women during Pregnancy: Optimizing the Universal ‘Teachable Moment’

Understanding women's perceptions of eating behaviors and dietary patterns can inform the 'teachable moment' model of pregnancy. Our objectives were to describe eating behaviors and dietary patterns in pregnancy. This was a cross-sectional, national electronic survey. Women were ≥18 years of age, living in the United States, currently pregnant or less than two years postpartum, and had internet access. Age, education, race, and marriage were included as covariates in ordinal and binary logistic regressions (significance p < 0.05). Women (n = 587 eligible) made positive or negative changes to their diets, while others maintained pre-existing eating behaviors. The majority of women did not try (84.9 to 95.1% across diets) and were unwilling to try (66.6 to 81%) specific dietary patterns during pregnancy. Concerns included not eating a balanced diet (60.1 to 65.9%), difficulty in implementation without family (63.2 to 64.8%), and expense (58.7 to 60.1%). Helpful strategies included being provided all meals and snacks (88.1 to 90.6%) and periodic consultations with a dietitian or nutritionist (85 to 86.7%). Responses differed across subgroups of parity, body mass index, and trimester, notably in women with obesity who reported healthier changes to their diet (p < 0.05). Our study underscores the importance of tailoring care early to individual needs, characteristics, and circumstances.
What Is the Twentieth-Century American High School? An Introduction

This chapter discusses the historiography of the twentieth-century American high school, culminating with why this edited volume is essential in moving the field in new, valuable directions. The introduction, as is customary, will also discuss the chapters that follow and what they might stand to accomplish as a whole, which is: as an introduction to the history of the American high school in the twentieth century; as a reevaluation of the power of narratives that privilege the perspective of school leaders, administrators, and the curriculum; as a glimpse into the worlds created by the students themselves; and, most critically, as a means of sparking conversations about where the field may look next for stories worth telling.
Developments in Ureteral Stent Technology

Ureteral stents have been utilized for decades in maintaining ureteral patency, most commonly after ureteroscopy in the treatment of urolithiasis. Since their initial development, ureteral stents have had many technological advances that have allowed for better patient outcomes with improvements in comfort, durability, patency, encrustation resistance, biocompatibility, ease of insertion, migration, and biofilm development. Several new ureteral stents enter the market every year, each with their own touted benefits. It is essential to understand the different advantages for each ureteral stent to provide the best available care to patients when possible. The purpose of this review is to give a brief history of ureteral stent development and summarize the recent developments in ureteral stent designs. We aim to review the data supporting the clinical advantages of the latest ureteral stents available for use by urologists.
Infrared Studies of Van Der Waals Complexes: The Low Temperature Limit of Collision-Induced Spectra

The spectroscopic study of weakly-bound van der Waals complexes began in the 1960s with observations of unexpected extra structure in infrared spectra of the hydrogen halides HF and HCl, and of similarly unexpected, and relatively sharp, structure in the normally diffuse collision-induced infrared spectra of H2 and H2 — rare gas mixtures at low temperatures. In the 1970s, the spectroscopic study of complexes was dominated by developments in the microwave and optical regions of the spectrum, but in recent years the infrared region has returned to prominence with the development of new techniques and the refinement of old ones. These developments will be reviewed with an emphasis on the deep connection between collision-induced spectroscopy and the spectroscopy of complexes, which can be considered as very cold, or long-lived, collisions. The study of van der Waals complexes is illustrated by results on the hydrogen — rare gas and carbon monoxide — rare gas systems, as well as by interesting new spectra of CH4-Ar, and -H2 which are not yet well understood. Some details on the development of new experimental tools in our laboratory are also presented.
The Central Place of Imagery in Human Functioning

This paper presents three broad propositions regarding imagery. First, imagery partakes of processes central to human functioning. Second, control over imagery constitutes control over a large part of a person’s total psychic apparatus. Third, intervention methods based on imagery therefore have great power. The paper is not intended as a comprehensive or critical review but rather as a broad overview intended to highlight the argument.
Hormonal priming, induction of ovulation and in-vitro fertilization of the endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri)

The endangered Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri) is the subject of an extensive captive breeding and reintroduction program. Wyoming toads in captivity rarely ovulate spontaneously and hormonal induction is used to ovulate females or to stimulate spermiation in males. With hormonal induction, ovulation is unreliable and egg numbers are low. The sequential administration of anovulatory doses of hormones (priming) has increased egg numbers and quality in both anurans and fish. Consequently, we tested the efficacy of a combination of human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) and Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone analogue (LHRHa) administered as one dose, or two or three sequential doses to Bufo baxteri on egg numbers, fertilization and early embryo development. Spawning toads deposited eggs into Simplified Amphibian Ringers (SAR) solution to enable controlled in-vitro fertilization (IVF) with sperm from hormonally induced male toads. Unprimed females receiving a single mixed normally ovulatory dose of 500 IU hCG plus 4 micrograms of LHRHa produced no eggs. Whereas females primed with this dose and an anovulatory dose (100 IU hCG and 0.8 micrograms of LHRHa) of the same hormones, or primed only with an anovulatory dose, spawned after then receiving an ovulatory dose. Higher total egg numbers were produced with two primings than with one priming. Moreover, two primings produced significantly more eggs from each individual female than one priming. The cleavage rate of eggs was not found to differ between one or two primings. Nevertheless, embryo development with eggs from two primings gave a significantly greater percentage neurulation and swim-up than those from one priming. Of the male toads receiving a single dose of 300 IU hCG, 80% produced spermic urine with the greatest sperm concentration 7 hours post-administration (PA). However, peak sperm motility (95%) was achieved at 5 hours PA and remained relatively constant until declining 20 hours PA. In conclusion, Bufo baxteri egg numbers and quality benefited from sequential priming with LHRHa and hCG whereas spermic urine for IVF was produced from males with a single dose of hCG. The power of assisted reproduction technology in the conservation of endangered amphibians is shown by the release of nearly 2000 tadpoles produced by IVF during this study.
Iodide efflux measurements with an iodide-selective electrode: A non-radioactive procedure for monitoring cellular chloride transport

A nonradioactive procedure using an I–-selective electrode has been developed for assaying cellular Cl– transport. NIH 3T3 fibroblasts stably transfected with the Cystic Fibrosis Trans-membrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Cl– channel were grown in standard 35 mm culture dishes and used to test this assay system. For efflux measurements, the fibroblasts were first incubated in an I–-loading buffer and then exposed to an I–-free buffer. Efflux was monitored using the I–-selective electrode. Application of either forskolin (5 µM) or 8-chlorphenylthio cAMP (500 µ M), to activate the CFTR Cl– channels, resulted in over a 5-fold increase in I– efflux as compared with control, untreated fibroblasts. No increase over basal efflux levels was observed in nontransfected NIH 3T3 fibroblasts treated with forskolin. The Cl– channel blockers diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) (1 mM) and 5-nitro-2-(3- phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) (25 µM) reduced forskolin- stimulated efflux by 50% and 23%, respectively. In addition to forskolin, both the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein and the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, were capable of stimulating I– efflux. Thus, use of the I–-selective electrode provides a fast and convenient method for studying Cl– channels. The I– efflux assay should be useful for monitoring drug and hormone-activated Cl– transport pathways in a wide variety of cell types.
Some Simple and Practical Strategies for Parallelism

Distributed data structures (DDSs) have the potential to enhance existing paradigms of parallelism and to enable new ones. We review here instances in which this potential has been realized in the form of two DDSs-based techniques for developing parallel applications that are conceptually simple, practical and efficient.
COMPRESSION OF THE TRACHEA OR ESOPHAGUS VASCULAR ANOMALIES Surgical Therapy in 40 Cases

Description is given of five different types of anomalies of the great vessels in the superior mediastinum which can produce compression of the esophagus or trachea (or both). These malformations of the vascular system can give rise to difficulties in swallowing and to serious disturbances in pulmonary ventilation. These anomalies include double aortic arch, right aortic arch with a left ligamentum arteriosum, anomalous innominate artery, anomalous left common carotid artery, and an aberrant subclavian artery. The various symptom complexes which can be found with these anomalies are described. Endoscopic visualization of the interior of the esophagus or trachea gives valuable information in some cases. The investigation of these subjects should include fluoroscopic and film studies of the esophagus and trachea by contrast media. Data gathered from such roentgenologic examinations usually give a fairly clear idea of the type of vascular anomaly which is present. It is possible to attack surgically each of these vascular malformations. In general, the esophagus or trachea can be relieved by division of an anomalous vessel or by displacement of an artery in such a manner that it is carried away from the compressed structure. When necessary, these operative procedures can be undertaken in very young babies, even in the presence of a high degree of respiratory obstruction. All the operations have been through a left anterolateral, transpleural approach, under general anesthesia with a closed system. The results of operation in 40 patients are analyzed. It is evident that many vascular anomalies in the thorax which disturb the functions of the esophagus or trachea can now be treated with an excellent chance of relieving the obstructive symptoms.
Utilization of fish silage by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Abstract The apparent digestibility and utilization of fish protein subjected to the ensilaging process were compared with fish meal in dry diets fed to rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). During the ensilaging process, a majority of the proteins were converted to peptides, a portion of which was further hydrolyzed to free amino acids. Although apparent digestibility values were higher for the fish silages than for fish meal, the fish silages were not as efficiently utilized for growth. Whole fish and fish processing wastes were found to be equivalent sources of nitrogen provided the degree of autolysis was the same and the diets were otherwise nutritionally balanced. Autolysis was reduced and growth rates enhanced when the ingredients were stored at −5°C prior to ensiling.
Decreased binding of epidermal growth factor to BALB/c 3T3 mutant cells defective in glycoprotein synthesis.

THE surface of animal cells contains a variety of complex macromolecules, some of which modulate cell growth, adhesion and motility. A number of peptide hormones and growth factors influence cellular proliferation and macromolecular synthesis with binding to surface proteins of responsive cells as the first phase of their action1–4. The structure and identity of these receptor molecules is a topic of widespread interest. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a low molecular weight peptide (MW 6,000) capable of stimulating DNA synthesis and proliferation in epidermal cells5, human fibroblasts6, and mouse embryo fibroblasts (3T3)7. It has also been reported to stimulate the synthesis of a major cell surface glycoprotein (CSP)8 and hyaluronic acid9 in 3T3 cells and human fibroblasts maintained in low serum. These effects occur at extremely low concentrations of EGF, in the ng ml−1 range, and the first step in this process is the specific binding to surface receptors, followed by rapid internalisation and degradation10. Pouyssegur and Pastan11 have isolated a nontransformed mutant (AD6) of BALB/c 3T3 cells that has a dramatic decrease in cell surface carbohydrates due to a specific, but partial block in the acetylation of N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate. This early defect in the biosynthesis of amino sugars leads to incomplete glycosylation of glycoproteins and to decreased exposure of glycoproteins on the cell surface12. Culturing the cells in the presence of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) bypasses the enzymatic block and results in a restoration of altered surface components13. We report here that the mutant AD6 cells show a dramatic decrease in EGF binding, whereas their ability to bind insulin is normal. Our data are consistent with the notion that the receptor for EGF is a glycoprotein.
Theoretic Note: The Relation of Embryology to Linguistic and Cognitive Process

This paper is a conceptual essay that views the unfolding or individuation from the ovum to mind/brain form and process as the outcome of a unitary highly conserved pattern of epigenetic growth. The principle question concerns the extent to which the cognitive process can be understood as an extension or replication of primordial trends in the growth of organism. There are several lines of embryological study, some with a clear relation to cognitive process, others perhaps merely analogous, but there are sufficient data to support the claim that fundamental patterns in development recur in a momentary act of thought or perception. Indeed, the Bauplan that accounts for brain maturation at the cellular level accounts for the generation of the mind/brain state in maturity. The specification of cells in fetal brain growth corresponds with the progressive individuation of psychic structures in the course of early development. Growth trends in epigenetic process that translate the genetic code to morphology and physiology persist in the brain or psyche as patterns of mental process. Psychic structure is temporal, not spatial, and the structure of the mind/brain is ongoing formative process, not the resultant stabilities. One can say that in the brain, morphology is the form that process takes early in development, while brain function is the form process takes once structure is relatively settled. Put otherwise, morphogenesis first lays down form as structure, then lays down form as function (see Goodwin in J Theor Biol 97:43-55, 1982). The structure of the mind/brain is not a circuit board that outputs function, but is a recurrent activity that actualizes in behavior. Cognition is a mode of growth that is carried over from embryonic to adult life.
Mental retardation and neurological deficits in a twin orangutan

The second born of a pair of twin orangutans displayed marked behavioral disabilities. To evaluate these disabilities, a series of cognitive, learning, and neurological tests were administered to both twins. The disabled twin showed marked retardation in delayed response and oddity problems and an inability to use tools. The neurological evaluation demonstrated a variety of deficits consistent with damage to the pyramidal motor system. Karyotyping of the twin showed no evidence of chromosomal abnormality. The neurological and behavioral disorders suggested an etiology of perinatal hypoxia. A simple battery of cognitive and neurological tasks is suggested that could be used in evaluating behavioral disabilities in other primates.
Scheduled access to ethanol results in motor impairment and tolerance in female C57BL/6J mice

We recently reported a method where water-restricted mice were given scheduled access to ethanol followed by access to water. C57BL/6J mice would repeatedly self-administer ethanol in amounts that produced high and stable blood ethanol concentrations (BEC) [Finn DA, Belknap JK, Cronise K, Yoneyama N, Murillo A, Crabbe JC. A procedure to produce high alcohol intake in mice. Psychopharmacol 2005;178:471-480]. The studies reported here demonstrate that behavioral signs of motor impairment result from these high alcohol intakes, and that there was some evidence of tolerance development across repeated sessions. Female C57BL/6J mice were allowed 30 min access to ethanol (5% v/v) followed by 2.5 h access to water either: every 3rd day for 12 days; every 2nd day for 28 days; or every 2nd day for 9 days. On intervening days, mice had 3 h access to water. A control group had daily access to water only. Mice consumed 2-2.5 g/kg ethanol in 30 min, resulting in BECs of 1.4-1.5 mg/ml. Motor impairment was assessed using the accelerating or fixed speed rotarod, balance beam or screen test. In all studies, mice were tested for motor impairment immediately after 30 min access to ethanol or water. In Experiment 1, ethanol-exposed mice had shorter latencies to fall from the fixed speed rotarod and more foot slips on the balance beam than the control group, indicating motor impairment. After drinking ethanol, mice also fell from a screen more quickly than during sober pretraining. In Experiment 2, mice tested (without prior training) for motor impairment and tolerance on the fixed speed rotarod at 6.5 and 10 RPM showed repeated motor impairment in the ethanol group, but did not develop tolerance. In Experiment 3, mice were first given rotarod training at 10 RPM. Following each fluid access period, performance was impaired in mice self-administering ethanol at 10, but not 15 RPM, when compared to control mice. There was no evidence of tolerance across days. However, on the last day, all mice were tested at both RPM following an i.p. injection of 2 g/kg ethanol. Ethanol-experienced mice were less impaired at both RPM than the ethanol-naive mice, indicating tolerance development according to this between-groups index. These results suggest that C57BL/6J mice will repeatedly consume alcohol in amounts that produce motor impairment under these scheduled fluid access conditions, and that a modest degree of tolerance can be detected using appropriate tests.
ACM SIGIR 2001 workshop "Information Retrieval Techniques for Speech Applications"

We organized a workshop at SIGIR'01 to explore the area of information retrieval techniques for speech applications. Here we summarize the results of that workshop
Modern Land Claim Agreements and Northern Canadian Aboriginal Communities

Abstract The Canadian government's attempt to create a sound economic system within Aboriginal communities began more than four decades ago. In the mid-1970s, the settlement of Modern Treaties started as a new approach to finding permanent solutions to Aboriginal economic and social problems. Some analysts believe that Modern Treaties provide a strong foundation for sustainable Aboriginal socio-economic development. Others argue that the financial compensations received through the agreements were inadequate to attain a meaningful transformation of Aboriginal communities. This paper examines the impact of Modern Treaties on the economic and socio-demographic status of Aboriginal communities in the Northwest Territories and Northern Quebec.
Successful Concurrent Programs: An EXCELerate Program in Oklahoma.

The article presents the implementation and findings of a successful collaborative effort with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), Tulsa Community College (TCC), and two local public school districts, Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) and Union Public Schools (UPS). Known as EXCELerate, it's a five-semester dual enrollment pilot program that received state policy exceptions for juniors and seniors to enroll in dual enrollment courses and supportive resources from the participating agencies. Whereas the traditional dual enrollment student is White and college-going, the program's intent was to increase the number of high school students who may be first-generation, lower-socioeconomic, ethnic or non-ethnic. The article identifies three major barriers to successful dual enrollment and completion: state policy, financial issues, and transportation. It also examines how these barriers were eliminated through a collaborative effort. The results demonstrate that over 87% of the juniors and seniors...
Theoretical calculation of the pressure variation of second-order elastic coefficients for alkali metals

Abstract Theoretical calculations of the variation with pressure of the second-order elastic coefficients are performed for the first time by using a strain energy density function of alkali metals at absolute zero temperature which does not include the band structure correction to the crystal energy. Comparisons of predicted values with the limited experimental data available show good agreement for the volume-dependent coefficients, and fair agreement for the shear-dependent coefficients in the low-pressure range.
Plasma alanine: Relation to plasma glucose, glucagon, and insulin in the neonate

An attempt was made to determine if correlations exist among plasma concentrations of alanine, the major amino acid substrate for gluconeogenesis, and plasma concentrations of glucose, glucagon, and insulin in normal newborn infants. The effects of an intravenous infusion of cl -alanine (1 mMl/kg) to six neonates was also determined. Although a peak in alanine concentration coincided with a nadir in glucose concentration at 12 hours of life, no correlation existed between the observed changes in alanine and glucose, or alanine and glucagon. Infused alanine caused increases in both plasma glucose and glucagon concentrations, as in the adult; the responses, however, were of small magnitude. Our data indicate that reduced blood glucose concentrations in the normal newborn infant are not due to a deficiency of alanine substrate for gluconeogenesis. And, although alanine stimulates secretion of glucagon, there is no consistent correlation between plasma alanine and glucose, or plasma alanine and glucagon concentrations during the early neonatal period. thus the key factors in control of glucose concentrations in the newborn period cannot be deduced from simple relationships of these plasma constituents.
Jump Starting a Quality and Performance Improvement Initiative to Meet the Updated ACGME Guidelines

Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires residents to be trained in practice-based learning and improvement as well as systems-based practice. In an effort to establish a formal curriculum for graduate medical education, a Performance Improvement (PI) Training Program was initiated at Memorial University Medical Center. Training for the chief residents across all residency programs focused on the basic Six Sigma framework. Chief residents chose faculty sponsors and were also mentored by Six Sigma–trained staff. Faculty and physicians who participated in the initiative received PI/Continuing Medical Education credit. Methods A total of 17 presurveys and postsurveys were completed on 7 outcome measures. Nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank 2-tailed tests were performed to test for significant change from presurvey to postsurvey. Results Analysis of the 2-year data (2009-2011) found statistically significant improvement for all 7 outcome measures. The surgical residents’ PI Project for 2011 included the development of the Venous Thromboembolism Reassessment Tool. The project included a multidisciplinary team to develop a computer prompt that continued to trigger if the physician launched the prophylaxis or treatment form without ordering anticoagulation. The new prompt resulted in a 391% increase in anticoagulant orders. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the resident-based PI Training Program was innovative, practical, and comprehensive. Education, tools, and skill development were provided on quality and PI theory and practice for resident physicians in support of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies of professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.
Newton's Easy Quadratures ``Omitted for the Sake of Brevity''

In the 1687 Principia, Newton gave a solution to the direct problem (given the orbit and center of force, find the central force) for a conic-section with a focal center of force (answer: a reciprocal square force) and for a spiral orbit with a polar center of force (answer: a reciprocal cube force). He did not, however, give solutions for the two corresponding inverse problems (given the force and center of force, find the orbit). He gave a cryptic solution to the inverse problem of a reciprocal cube force, but offered no solution for the reciprocal square force. Some take this omission as an indication that Newton could not solve the reciprocal square, for, they ask, why else would he not select this important problem? Others claim that ``it is child's play'' for him, as evidenced by his 1671 catalogue of quadratures (tables of integrals). The answer to that question is obscured for all who attempt to work through Newton's published solution of the reciprocal cube force because it is done in the synthetic geometric style of the 1687 Principia rather than in the analytic algebraic style that Newton employed until 1671. In response to a request from David Gregory in 1694, however, Newton produced an analytic version of the body of the proof, but one which still had a geometric conclusion. Newton's charge is to find both ``the orbit'' and ``the time in orbit.'' In the determination of the dependence of the time on orbital position, t(r), Newton evaluated an integral of the form ∫dx/x n to calculate a finite algebraic equation for the area swept out as a function of the radius, but he did not write out the analytic expression for time t = t(r), even though he knew that the time t is proportional to that area. In the determination of the orbit, θ (r), Newton obtained an integral of the form ∫dx/√(1−x2) for the area that is proportional to the angle θ, an integral he had shown in his 1669 On Analysis by Infinite Equations to be equal to the arcsin(x). Since the solution must therefore contain a transcendental function, he knew that a finite algebraic solution for θ=θ(r) did not exist for ``the orbit'' as it had for ``the time in orbit.'' In contrast to these two solutions for the inverse cube force, however, it is not possible in the inverse square solution to generate a finite algebraic expression for either ``the orbit'' or ``the time in orbit.'' In fact, in Lemma 28, Newton offers a demonstration that the area of an ellipse cannot be given by a finite equation. I claim that the limitation of Lemma 28 forces Newton to reject the inverse square force as an example and to choose instead the reciprocal cube force as his example in Proposition 41.
Chromatic adaptation and flicker-frequency effects on primate R-G-cone difference signal.

I recently reported on a negative component in the foveal local electroretinogram (LERG) of the primate that is dependent on the sensitivity differences between the R and G cones. This R–G-cone difference signal is most readily resolved in the foveal LERG in response to low-frequency sinusoidally flickering stimuli. In this paper, I report on changes in the R–G-cone difference signal (elicited with a 670-nm test stimulus) that are induced by 670- and 470-nm chromatic adaptation and flicker frequency. Both long- and short-wavelength backgrounds reduce the cone difference signal, but the long-wavelength reduction is associated with a phase shift that is absent with short-wavelength adaptation. Following extinction of the long-wavelength background, the R–G-cone difference signal is initially absent and increases in amplitude and phase for 5 min. In contrast, following extinction of a short-wavelength background that is about equally effective on the R cones, the cone difference signal is always present and at full amplitude. The R–G-cone difference signal has a low-pass frequency response that falls off at a higher frequency and more abruptly than the accompanying positive component.
Evaluation of interventions to prevent needlestick injuries in health care occupations.

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate interventions that reduce or prevent needlestick injuries in health care occupations. Methods: Cochrane Collaboration search strategies to locate studies that evaluated interventions to reduce needlestick injuries in health care occupations were used. Studies were selected if they met the following criteria: (1) interventions were evaluated in the defined population; (2) interventions were randomized, with a comparison group(s); (3) outcomes were objectively measured and had interpretable data. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. The main outcomes of interest were changes in the number of glove or skin perforations and changes in amount of skin contamination. Results: Three studies found a decrease in glove or skin perforations when double gloves or combinations of gloves were used by surgeons and their assistants. One study found an increase in glove perforations but a decrease in hand contamination. Three studies evaluated the effectiveness of specialized needles in reducing needlestick injuries during surgical wound closure with decreases in glove or skin perforations reported. Protective devices were evaluated in three studies and significant reductions in glove perforations were found with the use of a needleless intravenous system and surgical assist device. One study evaluated a “no-touch” technique used by surgeons during wound closure and found a significant decrease in the number of glove perforations compared to the traditional “hand-in” method of closure. Conclusions: Few randomized controlled trials have been employed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce needlestick injuries in health care occupations. The majority of the studies evaluated interventions during surgical procedures, rather than during patient care on nursing units, probably because the latter is more difficult to observe.
Quantum Interference from a Static Vector Potential in a Field-Free Region

The maximum supercurrent flowing through two Josephson junctions connected in parallel by superconducting links was measured, and the modulation of the current was found to be periodic with a period very nearly the flux quantum (h/2e) and identical with the period produced by a uniform magnetic field. The flux was produced by a closely wound solenoid arranged to have no net axial current flow. The experiment demonstrates the effect produced by a static vector potential with negligible magnetic field effects. (R.E.U.)
A single nucleotide substitution at the rib2 locus of the yeast mitochondrial gene for 21S rRNA confers resistance to erythromycin and cold-sensitive ribosome assembly.

We have studied a mutation (cs23) in the mitochondrial gene for 21SrRNA that affects the peptidyl transferase center of the ribosome and conditionally blocks the assembly of the 54S ribosomal subunit. Strains carrying this mutation are resistant to erythromycin and cold-sensitive for growth on nonfermentable carbon sources (Singh et al. 1978) Mitochondria isolated from mutant cells grown on glucose at 20°C, the nonpermissive temperature, were depleted of the 54S subunit and instead contained a novel 45S ribosomal particle. After mutant cells were shifted from 20°C to 32°C, 54S subunits were assembled, apparently from the 45S particles and pre-existing ribosomal proteins. DNA sequencing revealed that the mutant phenotype is a consequence of a C to A transversion at position 3993 of the 21SrRNA gene. Previously, C to U and C to G mutations have been identified at the same position in the 21S rRNA sequence. This position corresponds to C-2611 in the E. coli 23S RNA, a nucleotide that appears to be conserved in the large rRNA of all erythromycin-sensitive ribosomes.
Superfluidity and Superconductivity

I am sorry that Professor Landau was unable to come for two personal reasons. The first is that I have worked on this problem of helium upon which he has also done so much, and I would have liked to have spoken with him about it. The other reason is that I wouldn't have had to give this lecture.