cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiology of Brachial and Lumbosacral Plexopathies

Brachial and lumbosacral plexopathies represent a heterogeneous group of disorders including traumatic injury as well as infiltrating and inflammatory lesions. The anatomy of both regions is complex, creating challenges in their evaluation; electrophysiological testing is a key tool in the assessment of plexopathies. Accurate electrodiagnosis requires a comfortable knowledge of the relevant plexus anatomy and applicable nerve conduction techniques, as well as recognition of the underlying pathophysiological processes affecting these regions. The sensory nerve conduction studies are used to differentiate lesions of the plexus from radiculopathies, which they may closely resemble clinically and electrophysiologically. Motor nerve conduction studies, late responses, and needle EMG, in conjunction with the sensory studies, allow precise localization and often provide clues to the underlying pathophysiology of a given lesion.
Diagnosis of visceral organ injury

Background: Visceral organ injury is a major threat to the trauma patient and because physical examination alone may not suffice, several diagnostic modalities have been developed. Methods: The major modalities used in the diagnosis of visceral organ injury — diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL), computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound — are discussed with respect to their historical development and to the current status of their use in the diagnosis of visceral organ injury. Results: The advantages and disadvantages of each of these diagnostic modalities are delineated and backed up with concrete data. Conclusions: There is no single best diagnostic option in trauma care. Surgeons must be familiar with each of these modalities and employ them purposefully to assure a fast, accurate diagnosis and a high level of care.
Helmsman: fast and efficient generation of input matrices for mutation signature analysis

Motivation: The spectrum of somatic single-nucleotide variants in cancer genomes often reflects the signatures of multiple distinct mutational processes, which can provide clinically actionable insights into cancer etiology. Existing software tools for identifying and evaluating these mutational signatures do not scale to analyze large datasets containing thousands of individuals or millions of variants. Results: We introduce Helmsman, a program designed to rapidly generate mutation spectra matrices from arbitrarily large datasets. Helmsman is up to 300 times faster than existing methods and can provide more than a 100-fold reduction in memory usage, making mutation signature analysis tractable for any collection of single nucleotide variants, no matter how large.
A fully learnable context-driven object-based model for mapping land cover using multi-view data from unmanned aircraft systems

Abstract Context information is rarely used in the object-based landcover classification. Previous models that attempted to utilize this information usually required the user to input empirical values for critical model parameters, leading to less optimal performance. Multi-view image information is useful for improving classification accuracy, but the methods to assimilate multi-view information to make it usable for context driven models have not been explored in the literature. Here we propose a novel method to exploit the multi-view information for generating class membership probability. Moreover, we develop a new conditional random field model to integrate multi-view information and context information to further improve landcover classification accuracy. This model does not require the user to manually input parameters because all parameters in the Conditional Random Field (CRF) model are fully learned from the training dataset using the gradient descent approach. Using multi-view data extracted from small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), we experimented with Gaussian Mixed Model (GMM), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNN) classifiers to test model performance. The results showed that our model improved average overall accuracies from 58.3% to 74.7% for the GMM classifier, 75.8% to 87.3% for the RF classifier, 75.0% to 84.4% for the SVM classifier and 80.3% to 86.3% for the DCNN classifier. Although the degree of improvement may depend on the specific classifier respectively, the proposed model can significantly improve classification accuracy irrespective of classifier type.
Discoidin-domain Receptor Coordinates Cell-Matrix Adhesion and Collective Polarity in Migratory Cardiopharyngeal Progenitors

Integrated analyses of regulated effector genes, cellular processes, and extrinsic signals are required to understand how transcriptional networks coordinate fate specification and cell behavior during embryogenesis. Ciona cardiopharyngeal progenitors, the trunk ventral cells (TVCs), polarize as leader and trailer cells that migrate between the ventral epidermis and trunk endoderm. We show that the TVC-specific collagen-binding Discoidin-domain receptor (Ddr) cooperates with Integrin-β1 to promote cell-matrix adhesion. We find that endodermal cells secrete a collagen, Col9-a1, that is deposited in the basal epidermal matrix and promotes Ddr activation at the ventral membrane of migrating TVCs. A functional antagonism between Ddr/Intβ1-mediated cell-matrix adhesion and Vegfr signaling appears to modulate the position of cardiopharyngeal progenitors between the endoderm and epidermis. We show that Ddr promotes leader-trailer-polarized BMP-Smad signaling independently of its role in cell-matrix adhesion. We propose that dual functions of Ddr integrate transcriptional inputs to coordinate subcellular processes underlying collective polarity and migration.
Area Occupancy Counting Through Sparse Structural Vibration Sensing

This paper presents an indoor area occupancy counting system utilizing the ambient structural vibration induced by pedestrian footsteps. Our system achieves 99.55% accuracy in pedestrian footsteps detection, 0.2 people mean estimation error in pedestrian traffic estimation, and 0.2 area occupant activity estimation error in real-world uncontrolled experiments.
The Old Indies at the French Court: Johan Maurits’s Gift to Louis XIV

In 1679 Prince Johan Maurits (1604-1679), the former governor-general of Dutch Brazil, presented French King Louis XIV (r. 1643-1715) with an extravagant gift comprised of Brazilian-themed images and objects, including a set of eight cartoons by the Dutch artist Albert Eckhout (1610-1665), which would be transformed into a set of tapestries known as the Old Indies (Anciennes Indes). This article will focus on the points of convergence between the Old Indies and the Escalier des Ambassadeurs, or Ambassador’s Staircase, at Versailles – the decoration of which was being completed at the same time Johan Maurits presented his gift. Aimed at making tangible the possibility of colonial conquest, the immersive environments created by the tapestries and the staircase’s convincingly painted spectacle blurred the boundaries between reality and representation, mediating an ideological space that existed between the static, centralized authority of the French court and the far-flung colonial possessions it sought to acquire.
Demand-driven refinement of points-to analysis

We present DynaSens, a demand-driven approach to points-to analysis that uses slicing to automatically adjust the analysis' context-sensitivity. Within a points-to analysis, heap-carried data flows are composed of loads and stores, and these heap-carried dependences are difficult to resolve. Having observed the limitations of existing techniques, we propose a slicing analysis based on a demand-driven approach to resolve such dependences. Given a points-to query, a collection of relevant program elements is identified by the slicing analysis and handled context-sensitively by the points-to analysis. We compare the precision and cost of our points-to analysis against two state-of-the-art uniformly context-sensitive analyses that achieve the best trade between cost and precision to date. Evaluation results shows the points-to analysis refined by the slicing analysis achieves higher precision in most tests than the uniformly context-sensitive analyses, which are many times more costly.
Crystal Structure of Ti 5 Si 3 ,Ti 5 Ge 3 , and Ti 5 Sn 3

The crystal structure of the compound Ti5Ge3 has been determined from X-ray powder diffraction data. Related silicon and tin compounds have been found to be isomorphous. Unit cell dimensions, axial ratios, and parameters for equivalent atomic positions are given.
An Energy-Efficient Comparator with Dynamic Floating Inverter Pre-Amplifier

This paper presents an energy-efficient comparator with a novel dynamic pre-amplifier (pre-amp). By using an inverterbased input pair powered by a floating reservoir capacitor, the pre-amp realizes both current reuse and dynamic bias, thereby significantly boosting g m /I D and reducing noise. Moreover, it greatly reduces the influence of the input common-mode (CM) voltage on the comparator performance, including noise, offset, and delay. A prototype comparator in 180nm achieves 46uV input-referred noise while consuming only 1pJ per comparison under 1.2V supply. This represents $>7\mathrm {x}$ energy efficiency boost compared to a Strong-Arm (SA) latch. It achieves the highest reported energy efficiency to authors’ best knowledge.
Cannabis Use and Cognition in Adults Prescribed Opioids for Persistent Pain

Abstract Background Adults with persistent pain frequently report cannabis use to help manage their symptoms. The impact of cannabis use on cognition in the presence of concurrent symptoms of depression and anxiety is poorly understood. Aims Our study explored how cannabis use affects relationships among symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognition. Design A cross-sectional survey study was conducted. Settings Surveys were distributed at outpatient clinics treating adults for pain in the Pacific Northwestern United States. Participants A total of 150 adults prescribed an opioid medicine for persistent pain were recruited. Methods A pencil and paper survey was used to collect several self-reported ratings of cognition, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the average potency of cannabis consumed as measured by the percentage of delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), as well as frequency of cannabis use. Results Depression, anxiety and cognition significantly worsened as the reported percentage of CBD, THC and overall frequency of cannabis use in the past 30 days increased. Depression and anxiety both significantly predicted worsening cognition in the sample. The relationship between depressive symptoms and cognition was strengthened as reported percentages of CBD use increased. The relationship was the same for anxiety and cognition, although not as strong. Conclusions More cannabis use, particularly high CBD products, may be linked with increased symptom burdens and may strengthen relationships between negative affect and cognition. Further cannabis research within persistent pain populations is warranted to add evidence that can assist patients in managing mood and mental processes. Nurses should evaluate how negative affective health symptoms may impact cognition among adults with persistent pain using prescription opioid medications, especially in the context of concurrent cannabis use.
Eccentric Activation Patterns in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract during Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating From the Left Ventricular Summit: A Pitfall for Predicting the Sites of Ventricular Arrhythmia Origins.

Background: Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from the left ventricular summit (LVS) can be ablated from the great cardiac vein and remote endocardial sites. The ablation sites a...
Sub-Cycle Dynamic Phasors With Adjustable Transient Response

We extend in several directions the study of our fast sparse alternative to the standard (FFT-based) evaluation of dynamic phasors. We present analysis for an arbitrary shift between the waveform samples used to construct sub-cycle dynamic phasors. Next, we show that the transient response of sub-cycle dynamic power metrics can be improved by using a small number of waveform samples and adjusting the uniform inter-sample shift. Our real-life examples demonstrate that reduction of the inter-sample shift can be quite effective in the presence of fast transients (wide-band in frequency). We use a synthetic example to demonstrate that a metric obtained from a sub-cycle scheme provides surprisingly accurate information about the duration and onset-time of a transient. We also identify a range of shift values for which the steady-state error remains near-optimal, and we derive conditions for a superior performance for slow transients. Finally, our results suggest that in practical real-time implementations it may be advantageous to calculate at least two sets of phasors to cover both slow and fast transients: the computational cost of such a scheme is still significantly lower than that of a standard full-cycle calculation.
Chemotherapy alone may have equivalent survival as compared to suboptimal surgery in advanced endometrial cancer patients.

Abstract Objective To describe outcomes in patients with advanced endometrial cancer treated with chemotherapy only and compare them to patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Methods Retrospective chart review for all patients diagnosed with stage III and IV endometrial cancer from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2015. We abstracted relevant demographic and clinical data. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to create survival curves; Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify prognostic factors. Results Ninety-six patients met inclusion criteria; the median age was 64.5. Seventy patients were treated with combination therapy and 26 with chemotherapy alone. For the entire group, median overall survival (OS) was significantly different between groups (22.3 months surgery versus 9.8 months chemotherapy only, p = 0.0002). After multivariable analysis, having carcinosarcoma (HR 3.84 95% CI 2.64–5.03, p = 0.03), having grade 3 disease (HR 4.95 95% CI 3.70–6.18, p = 0.01), and having chemotherapy only (HR 4.13 95% CI 3.23–5.02, p = 0.002) were associated with increased mortality. When analysis was restricted to just patients who had a suboptimal debulking or chemotherapy alone, median OS was equivalent similar at 9.4 and 9.8 months (p = 0.46). Conclusion For advanced endometrial cancer patients, surgery in addition to chemotherapy confers a survival advantage except when optimal debulking cannot be achieved.
Parking Lot Space Detection Based On Image Processing

Estimating the number of parking spaces, whether empty or occupied, in a given geographic area from aerial images can provide much useful information about where people live, work, and when. It is, therefore, an important tool for government and business in planning and responding to societal needs including the ability of first responders to react more confidently in the case of major events such as hurricanes or terrorist attacks. A starting point is to estimate the maximum capacity of parking lots, and then to estimate an occupancy factor at a given hour. In this paper, we aim to present the use of image processing to help detect the maximum capacity of a parking lot from aerial imagery, such as those available at Google maps. We use a variety of image processing techniques, especially morphological ones, to count the number of parking spaces that are demarked with white or yellow lines. The software is implemented in Matlab. We will show several examples for different types of parking lots such as fishbone and 45-degree patterns.
P569 Seroadaptive behaviors influenced by partner-level and environmental-level factors among IPREX participants

Background Seroadaptive behaviors to decrease risk of HIV acquisition and transmission is based on the knowledge of one’s own serostatus and that of one’s sexual partners. Partner-level and environmental-level attributes may affect seroadaptation practices. We characterized seroadaptive behaviors among iPrEX participants. Methods Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) were recruited from eleven study sites in the US, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Thailand and South Africa. Partnership-level data were collected at the screening visit for the 3 most recent sexual partners. Participants who reported knowing their partner was HIV-negative or did not have receptive anal intercourse were considered to be practicing seroadaptive behaviors. Results Of the 2,095 iPrEX participants, 1,271 (61%) reported seroadaptive behaviors with all partners, 544 (26%) with some partners and 280 (13%) did not practice seroadaptation with any partners. Participants in steady relationships (aOR=1.45; p=0.005), who felt closer to their partner (aOR=1.08; p=0.013) and from US (aOR=3.33; p Conclusion Seroadaptive behaviors were more commonly observed among iPrEX participants with partners they felt closer and more committed to. Seroadaptive behaviors were also more common among participants from study sites in North and South America compared to Africa and Asia. These geographic differences may reflect greater access to HIV testing in these areas, thereby facilitating awareness of HIV status and enabling engagement in seroadaptation practices. TGW have fewer options than MSM to be classified as practicing seroadaptive behaviors since most engage in receptive sexual positioning. Our findings suggest that seroadaptive practices are influenced by the level of commitment to and emotional intimacy with partners. Disclosure No significant relationships.
Intimate partner violence among nontraditional Hispanic college students: an exploratory study

Nontraditional and commuter students, including Hispanic minority members and immigrants, are increasing within university enrollment. Although there is a national focus on sexual harassment, the d...
How donors support civil society as government accountability advocates: a review of strategies and implications for transition of donor funding in global health.

Global health donors are increasingly transitioning funding responsibility to host governments as aid budgets plateau or decline and countries meet development and disease burden goals. Civil society organizations (CSOs) can play a critical role as accountability mechanisms over their governments, but transitions raise questions about how donor-supported CSOs will fare following transition, especially in environments of limited political commitment. Decreases in funding may force CSOs to scale back activities, seek other funding, or rely on their governments for funding. Vulnerable populations most in need of support may lose critical advocates, compromising their access to lifesaving care and threatening the reversal of global health achievements. This review investigates donor strategies used in the past to support CSOs as accountability advocates across the international development sector by exploring what activities are supported, how support is provided and who receives support. It provides considerations for global health donors to better equip civil society as advocates during and following transition. A literature review of four databases of peer-reviewed literature, websites focused on civil society support and snowball searching identified 180 documents for review, after application of exclusion criteria, covering up to December 2019. Results were categorized and analyzed by who, what and how donors have supported civil society’s accountability role. Donors support a variety of civil society actors, including individual organizations and networks, through capacity building, access to information, backing participation in policy dialogues, securing citizen engagement and targeting the broader policy context. Funding may be provided directly or through pooled, intermediary or bridge mechanisms. Key concerns identified include insufficient engagement of CSOs in defining support, limited donor flexibility, tensions in balancing organizational professionalization with community connections, and jeopardized CSO legitimacy and independence from relying on foreign funds. Given the urgency of global health donor transitions, the literature demonstrates that any donor support to CSO advocates should emphasize transition preparations from the start. Capacity building, institutionalizing mechanisms for civil society participation, planning for information needs, and flexible funding are priority mechanisms to ensure that vulnerable populations continue accessing lifesaving care and global health progress is not reversed.
How beat perception coopts motor neurophysiology

Beat perception is central to music cognition. The motor system is involved in beat perception, even in the absence of movement, yet current frameworks for modeling beat perception do not strongly engage with the motor system9s neurocomputational properties. We believe fundamental progress on modeling beat perception requires a synthesis between cognitive science and motor neuroscience, yielding predictions to guide research. Success on this front would be a landmark in the study of how "embodied cognition" is implemented in brain activity. We illustrate this approach by proposing specific roles for two key motor brain structures (the supplementary motor area, and the dorsal striatum of the basal ganglia) in covert beat maintenance, building on current research on their role in actual movement.
Sexual Harassment Among Medical Students: Prevalence, Prediction, and Correlated Outcomes.

Background:Few studies are dedicated to understanding the extent and impact of sexual harassment among medical students. The aim of this study was to use behaviorally specific measures to examine p...
Considerations on Conducting Research on Wellness in the Context of the Learning Environment.

The learning environment (LE) provides a context for many educational phenomena, of which wellness and burnout are particularly important. The LE can be thought of as consisting of a psychosocial d...
Effects of Receiving Genetic Ancestry Results on Emerging Adults’ Ethnic-Racial Identity Affirmation

Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) is associated with adaptive outcomes in emerging adulthood, but more research is needed on factors that may inform ERI, such as receiving one’s genetic ancestry results...
Anticipated vs Realized Benefits: Can Event Studies be used to Predict the Impact of New Regulations

Economists use event studies to evaluate the impact of new regulations before there are enough data to empirically estimate the effects. This research investigates how accurately event studies and financial markets predict the benefits associated with a new law. Specifically, I utilize a change in US antidumping law known as the Byrd Amendment to compare the benefits predicted by event study methodology with the actual benefits accruing to individual firms under the law. The results illustrate why researchers who utilize event studies should be cautious when interpreting their results as estimates of the true impact of a regulatory change.
Microscopic and macroscopic instabilities in elastomeric foams

Abstract The present work is a thorough study on the elastic instabilities of flexible polymeric foams under compression. Tessellation-based topologies are employed to generate micromechanical models of open-cell random foams with controlled morphologies. Solid distribution on the resulting topologies is assigned based on a closed-form expression for the relative density that accounts for material overlap at the nodes. Simulations of foams with different microstructures are used to first reproduce experimentally obtained results, and subsequently to elucidate the connection between microstructure and the corresponding buckling mode. Compression of an anisotropic foam along the rise and transverse directions displays two distinct buckling modes that have previously been reported experimentally: a long-wavelength instability corresponding to a limit-load type response, and a microscopic instability that produces a monotonically increasing nonlinear response. The presence of large cell size distributions, i.e. polydispersity, is shown to also lead to a monotonic response, which is associated with the increased compaction of the largest cells that are present within the domain. The agreement between experimental and numerical responses is very favorable. The critical stresses are subsequently calculated as a function of key microstructural characteristics including foam density, anisotropy, cell-size distributions and ligament uniformity. The results indicate that a strong amount of anisotropy is needed for the transition from a microscopic instability to the macroscopic one while polydisperse foams produce a stable monotonic response, even in the presence of cell anisotropy.
Membrane protein transport in eukaryotic secretion cells

Publisher Summary Transport of protein molecules through biological membranes is a ubiquitous process. Membrane protein transport is critical to the organization and viability of biological cells. In spite of this understanding, there has been a great deal of resistance to the idea that processes exists in at least one particular case, the secretion of proteins by eukaryotic cells. For these events, which include secretion of a wide variety of molecular species including hormones, structural proteins, and enzymes, it is widely believed that membrane transport does not occur and that the membranes involved, such as those enclosing secretion granules or the plasma membrane itself, are impermeable to secreted proteins—that is, they do not contain mechanisms for protein transport.
Spectrophotometric identification of an active site-specific acyl glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The regulation of its kinetic and equilibrium properties by coenzyme.

Abstract Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle reacts rapidly with β-(2-furyl)acryloyl phosphate (FA-phosphate) in aqueous solutions at neutral pH to yield an active site-specific, spectrophotometrically identifiable β-(2-furyl)acryloyl enzyme (FA-enzyme). This acyl-enzyme reacts with arsenate, phosphate, and NADH to give β-(2-furyl)acrylic acid, FA-phosphate, and β-(2-furyl)acrolein, respectively. The ultraviolet spectrum of native FA-enzyme includes, in addition to the protein absorption bands, a strong absorption band with λmax at 344 mµ. On denaturation this absorption maximum shifts to the maximum observed for a corresponding furylacryloyl thiol ester (337 mµ). The formation of acyl-enzyme in excess of FA-phosphate follows a single exponential (first order) time dependence. The rate of acylation is a function of [FA-phosphate] and [NAD+]. kacylation increases linearly with [NAD+] in the concentration range in which 0.5 to 2.0 moles of NAD+ are bound per mole of enzyme (mol wt 140,000), and extrapolates to zero, at zero NAD+ concentration. In the presence of a large excess of acyl phosphate, only 2 eq of acyl group can be introduced per mole of glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase, although this enzyme is known to be made up of four subunits of identical primary structure. At very high [FA-phosphate] and low [NAD+], the stoichiometry can be raised to as high as 3.5 eq of acyl per mole of enzyme; the first 2 acyl equivalents are introduced about 20 times more rapidly than subsequent acyl groups. Stoichiometric considerations and the influence of [NAD+] on kacylation strongly suggest that the four subunits (α) of the glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase molecule are arranged as two pairs (interacting pairs) (α2α'2) rather than as a symmetrical tetramer (α4). The affinity of the enzyme for NAD+ decreases on acylation. Increasing [NAD+] shifts the equilibrium, FA-phosphate + E ⇋ FA-enzyme + Pi, toward deacylation with a greater than first power dependence of Keq on [NAD+]. The rates of deacylation reactions of FA-enzyme (in the presence of an excess of arsenate, phosphate, or NADH) are more complex than would be anticipated on the basis of the above presumed acylation equilibrium. The results are discussed in terms of enzyme conformational changes, brought about both by acylation and by interaction with specific ligands.
Layered control plane for reducing information sharing in OpenFlow networks

This paper proposes an architecture of layered control plane of OpenFlow networks managed by multiple controllers. Considering the logical network partitioning to decide administrative domains of controllers, this paper focuses on the relationship between the network partitioning and the amount of global network information shared among controllers. Then, this paper handles the issue as a mathematical problem based on graph clustering and analyzes effective network partitioning methods in reducing the amount of global network information.
On convergence of wavelet packet expansions

It is well known that the-Walsh-Fourier expansion of a function from the block spaceBq([0,1]), 1<q≤∞, converges pointwise a. e. We prove that the same result is true for the expansion of a function fromBq in certain periodized smooth periodic non-stationary wavelet packets bases based on the Haar filters. We also consider wavelet packets based on the Shannon filters and show that the expansion of Lp-functions, 1<p<∞, converges in norm and pointwise almost everywhere.
BLDC motor full speed range operation including the flux-weakening region

This paper presents a full speed range control scheme for surface mount brushless dc (BLDC) motor. A topology, which looks like field-oriented controls for sinusoidal PM motor including the fifth and seventh harmonics, is developed first. Then combining the six-step current control used during constant torque region with the developed topology used during the flux weakening region and regeneration region, a novel full-speed BLDC control algorithm is introduced. The proposed method results in the same torque capability during constant torque region as in the six-step current control technique. Also, the same level of controllability as in the case of sinusoidal PM motor over the flux weakening region and regeneration operation compared to the conventional six-step BLDC drive system have been achieved. Simulations and experiments have been done to verify the validity of the proposed method.
Improved soil fumigation by Telone C35 using carbonation.

Soil fumigation to control pests and pathogens is an important part of current agricultural practice. A reduction in fumigant emissions is required to ensure worker safety and environment health. A field trial in Florida was conducted to investigate whether carbonating Telone C35™ ((Z)- and (E)-1,3-dichloropropene with 35 % chloropicrin) would improve the delivery of the fumigant to such an extent that the application rate could be decreased without sacrificing efficacy. All treatments were carried out in three replications in a complete block design. The use of carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbonate and pressurize Telone C35 provided quicker and deeper distribution initially compared to application by nitrogen gas (N2) pressurization. The deeper distribution of Telone C35 components found with CO2 application may have lowered the initial concentration of Telone C35, but it did not appreciably alter the disappearance rate of the three chemicals, chloropicrin, (Z)- and (E)-1,3-dichloropropene. The faster vertic...
One College of Education’s Effort to Infuse Technology

AbstractThis article describes the process of one college of education’s transformation of three programs through a Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology grant. Courses in the elementary, secondary, and special education programs became laboratories for providing faculty members and teacher candidates with the philosophy, pedagogy, and skill set to reconsider teaching and learning. This research used mixed methods within the context of a case study. Results showed dramatic changes in faculty knowledge, professional use, and integration of technology into their courses and professional lives. Students gained some skills but primarily broadened their recognition of the potential for technology in their classes and became aware of larger social issues.
HOW BIG IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The federal government is larger than conventional budget measures suggest. Many tax preferences are effectively spending programs. Adding these spending-like tax preferences to federal outlays and receipts makes the government appear about 4 percent of GDP larger. The 1986 tax reform cut these benefits, but they have since rebounded to a larger share of GDP than before. Using this broader measure of government size, many base-broadening reforms viewed as tax increases would be reclassified as spending cuts. Raising marginal tax rates would be recorded not only as a tax increase but also as a spending increase because it would boost the value of many tax preferences. Cutting tax preferences can thus reduce the size of government, while raising tax rates would increase it. Treating user fees as government receipts rather than negative spending, finally, leads to similar changes in measures of government size.
Conversion of tunneled hemodialysis catheter-consigned patients to arteriovenous fistula.

Conversion of tunneled hemodialysis catheter–consigned patients to arteriovenous fistula. Objective Despite their high incidence of complications, costs, morbidity, and mortality, nearly 27% of the chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients are receiving treatment via a tunneled hemodialysis catheter (TDC). Methods In this prospective analysis, an interventional nephrology team employed an organized program consisting of vascular access (VA) education and vascular mapping (VM) to TDC-consigned patients. A full range of surgical approaches for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation, including vein transpositions, was exercised. Physical examination was performed every 1 to 2 weeks after surgery to assess the development of the AVF. Fistulas that failed to develop adequately to support HD (early failure) underwent salvage [percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), accessory vein obliteration (AVL)] procedures. Results One hundred twenty-one TDC-consigned patients received VA education. Eighty-six (71%) agreed to undergo VM. Two groups were identified. Group I ( N = 66; using TDC for 7.2 ± 1.8 SD months) had never had an arteriovenous access; group II ( N = 20; using TDC for 12.3 ± 4.0 months) had a history of one or more previously failed arteriovenous accesses. Upon VM, 64/66 (97%) in group I and 18/20 (90%) in group II were found to have adequate veins for AVF creation. Seven patients (11%) in group I and 3 (17%) in group II refused surgery. In group I, 57 (89%) received an arteriovenous access (radiocephalic AVF=15, brachiocephalic AVF=35, transposed brachiobasilic AVF=3, brachiobasilic AVG=4). In group II, 15 (83%) received a transposed AVF (radiobasilic = 2, brachiobasilic=13). Sixteen fistulas (30%) in group I and 8 (53%) in group II had early failure. All except for one fistula in each group were salvaged using PTA and/or AVL. All 70 accesses (AVF = 66, AVG=4) remain functional, with a mean follow-up of 8.5 ± 3.6 months. Conclusion These results demonstrate that an organized approach based upon a comprehensive program utilizing VA counseling, VM, application of full range of surgical techniques, and salvage procedures can be very successful in providing optimum vascular access to the catheter-dependent patient.
Efficient in Vivo Manipulation of Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing Events Using Antisense Morpholinos in Mice *

Mammalian pre-mRNA alternative splicing mechanisms are typically studied using artificial minigenes in cultured cells, conditions that may not accurately reflect the physiological context of either the pre-mRNA or the splicing machinery. Here, we describe a strategy to investigate splicing of normal endogenous full-length pre-mRNAs under physiological conditions in live mice. This approach employs antisense vivo-morpholinos (vMOs) to mask cis-regulatory sequences or to disrupt splicing factor expression, allowing functional evaluation of splicing regulation in vivo. We applied this strategy to gain mechanistic insight into alternative splicing events involving exons 2 and 16 (E2 and E16) that control the structure and function of cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. In several mouse tissues, inclusion of E16 was substantially inhibited by interfering with a splicing enhancer mechanism using a target protector morpholino that blocked Fox2-dependent splicing enhancers in intron 16 or a splice-blocking morpholino that disrupted Fox2 expression directly. For E2, alternative 3′-splice site choice is coordinated with upstream promoter use across a long 5′-intron such that E1A splices almost exclusively to the distal acceptor (E2dis). vMOs were used to test the in vivo relevance of a deep intron element previously proposed to determine use of E2dis via a two-step intrasplicing model. Two independent vMOs designed against this intronic regulatory element inhibited intrasplicing, robustly switching E1A splicing to the proximal acceptor (E2prox). This finding strongly supports the in vivo physiological relevance of intrasplicing. vMOs represent a powerful tool for alternative splicing studies in vivo and may facilitate exploration of alternative splicing networks in vivo.
Relativistic corrections for variational wavefunctions

A consistent procedure based on a suggestion of Boys and Price is recommended for the simple inclusion of relativistic corrections in the Breit approximation into variational wavefunctions. A previous discussion is criticized as introducing error terms of the same order as the quantities being studied.
Self-consistent mean-field approach for the ideal anyon gas

Using a self-consistent mean-field theory, where the anyon gauge field is approximated by its expectation value, we obtain a linear excitation spectrum for noninteracting anyon systems. The sound velocity is found to be {radical}3 /2 of the value obtained by the random-phase approximation. The uniform liquid state of the anyon gas is shown to be locally stable against solid formation.
Attrition formulas for deterministic models of large-scale combat

This article describes attrition formulas that (a) consider area fire and point fire, (b) consider various levels of coordination of fire, (c) allow the explicit consideration of the use of various types of munitions, (d) allow a maximum density of targets for area fire, and (e) allow meaningful allocations of fire for point fire. For each type of fire (area or point) and for each relevant level of coordination except one (shoot-look-shoot fire), the precise form of the corresponding attrition formula is given
Efficacy of pentoxifylline in the treatment of pruritic papular eruption of HIV-infected persons.

Abstract Background: Pruritic papular eruption (PPE) of HIV/AIDS is a common manifestation of HIV infection. Unfortunately, treatments for the unremitting pruritus have yielded only partial relief. Objective: Our purpose was to assess the clinical efficacy of pentoxifylline in the treatment of pruritus in HIV-infected patients with PPE while measuring its effects on HIV viral load and levels of serum triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–α, and interleukin (IL)-4. Methods: Eleven of the 12 patients with PPE and HIV infection placed on a regimen of oral pentoxifylline completed the 8-week study. The degree of pruritus both before and after therapy was measured by means of a patient-reported visual analog scale (0 = none and 10=worst experienced). A global assessment of the number and size of PPE lesions was performed by the investigator, and serum TNF-α, IL-4, and triglyceride levels, as well as HIV viral load, were measured. Results: The average degree of pruritus was significantly reduced ( p = 0.0009) from 6.5 at baseline examination to 3.6 at the end of the study. Ten of 11 patients experienced a reduction in their pruritus, ranging from 22.6% to 87.3%. The global assessment of PPE lesions decreased from baseline in most patients and increased slightly in one patient. Serum TNF-α was detectable in one patient at baseline, but was undetectable at the end of the study period. Similarly, the two patients who had detectable serum IL-4 at baseline had undetectable serum IL-4 levels at the end of the study. Triglyceride levels in six patients decreased an average of 23.9% by week 8. Although when compared with baseline values, HIV viral loads in seven patients decreased, one patient had no change, and three patients had an increase in their viral load at the end of the study, the magnitude of the changes were of little clinical importance. Conclusion: Pentoxifylline is a safe and efficacious treatment of pruritus in HIV-infected patients with PPE. Future controlled studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;38:955-9.)
Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon (a-Si:H) Colloids

Colloidal particles of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) were synthesized by decomposition of trisilane (Si3H8) in supercritical n-hexane (sc-hexane) at temperatures ranging from 380 to 550 °...
Spectacular mobility of ash flows around Aniakchak and Fisher calderas, Alaska

Ash flows around Aniakchak and Fisher calderas in the Aleutian volcanic arc show evidence of having flowed over formidable topographic barriers at distances of tens of kilometres from their source. Ash flows swept down glaciated valleys on the south side of Aniakchak caldera, crossed a broad lowland with an altitude of less than 35 m, and continued on through passes as much as 260 m high in the Aleutian Range into the Pacific Ocean, a distance of some 50 km. North of Fisher caldera, ash flows flowed over a ridge barrier of 500 m and into the Bering Sea. Knowledge that ash flows have this mobility may help in understanding the distribution of other ash flows and in the discovery of their sources.
DNA Topoisomerases-Enzymes that Catalyse the Breaking and Rejoining of DNA

(1983). DNA Topoisomerases-Enzymes that Catalyse the Breaking and Rejoining of DNA. Critical Reviews in Biochemistry: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 1-24.
The Implicit Nature of Intrinsic Religious Pursuit

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to demonstrate the implicit (nonconscious) activation and operation of goals related to religious pursuit. Participants focused on either religious successes or religious shortcomings. Moskowitz (2001, 2002) argued that focusing on shortcomings in a goal-relevant domain (in this case, religion) creates a sense of incompleteness that, in turn, activates cognitive processes that seek to compensate for the incompleteness. In Experiment 1, the activation of compensatory processes slowed participants' response times to goal-relevant information on a color-identification task. In Experiment 2, the operation of compensatory processes was manifested when participants spent more time reading a subsequent passage with religious content. The results have implications for the motivational nature of intrinsic religious pursuit.
Solonoidal microcoil design: optimizing RF homogeneity and coil dimensions

In Part I of this two part series, the spatial uniformity of the NMR response inside a solenoid-shaped transceiver coil is related to its dimensions, the size of the sample, and the type of radio frequency (RF) pulse sequence employed. The results establish practical guidelines for maximizing NMR sensitivity by defining minimum coil dimensions necessary for sufficient RF field homogeneity in common NMR experiments. In Part II, strategies for optimizing other coil parameters are developed by considering how the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is influenced by a solenoid's size, number of turns, wire diameter, and operating frequency, particularly when its minimum dimensions are fixed by RF homogeneity constraints. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 13: 128–142, 2001
Nomographs for holographic imaging

Nomographs for point source holographic imaging, discussing recording and reconstruction geometry
A Methodology for Monetizing Basin-Scale Leakage Risk and Stakeholder Impacts☆

Abstract Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture and storage involves injecting CO 2 into permeable geologic reservoirs. Candidate reservoirs will be overlain by an impervious caprock, but CO 2 or brine may leak through this caprock via natural or manmade pathways into overlying units. Such leakage will incur multiple costs to a variety of stakeholders, as mobile fluids may interact with other subsurface activities, reach groundwater, or possibly escape from the surface. We summarize a methodology to monetize leakage risk throughout a basin, based on simulations of fluid flow, subsurface data, and estimates of costs triggered by leakage. We apply this methodology to two injection locations in the Michigan (U.S.A.) Sedimentary Basin, and show that leakage risk is site-specific and may change priorities for selecting CO 2 storage sites, depending on its siting relative to leakage pathways and other subsurface activities.
Impairment of avoidance performance by intrastriatal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine.

Abstract Bilateral administrations of crystalline 6-hydroxydopamine to the ventral anterior striatum of rats reliably impaired the performance of avoidance responses. The 6-OHDA treatments depleted the forebrain of dopamine but did not reliably alter forebrain levels of norepinephrine. A significant correlation was found between the extent of the depletion of forebrain dopamine and the magnitude of the avoidance deficit. These results support the hypothesis that dopaminergic components of the striatum may be involved in avoidance behavior.
Effects of environmental temperature on the dynamics of ichthyophoniasis in Juvenile Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasii)

The effects of temperature and infection by Ichthyophonus were examined in juvenile Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) maintained under simulated overwinter fasting conditions. In addition to defining parameters for a herring bioenergetics model (discussed in Vollenweider et al. this issue), these experiments provided new insights into factors influencing the infectivity and virulence of the parasite Ichthyophonus. In groups of fish with established disease, temperature variation had little effect on disease outcome. Ichthyophonus mortality outpaced that resulting from starvation alone. In newly infected fish, temperature variation significantly changed the mortality patterns related to disease. Both elevated and lowered temperatures suppressed disease-related mortality relative to ambient treatments. When parasite exposure dose decreased, an inverse relationship between infection prevalence and temperature was detected. These findings suggest interplay between temperature optima for parasite growth and host immune function and have implications for our understanding of how Ichthyophonus infections are established in wild fish populations.
Semiconductor ultraviolet optical sources for biological agent detection

In this paper we will discuss DARPA's interest in short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV) semiconductor emitters, and their potential application to biological agent detection, as well as other military applications. Specifically, there is considerable interest in miniaturizing 'detect-to-warn' bio-sensors. Currently, DoD is developing a sub-system known as the Biological Aerosol Warning System (BAWS) for the Joint Biological Point Detection System (JBPDS). The BAWS works on the principle of laser induced fluroescence (LIF), in which an ultraviolet laser beam interacts with a flowing particle stream such that fluorescence is generated when particles containing biological agents are present. A future goal is the reduction in size, weight, power consumption, and cost of this system. Semiconductor UV optical sources afford the opportunity to achieve these new miniaturized system goals.